Patents Assigned to Autoliv Development AB
  • Patent number: 5628471
    Abstract: A safety belt reeling device has a housing and a belt reeling shaft rotatably supported in the housing. A safety belt is connected with one end to the belt reeling shaft so as to be reeled onto and withdrawn from the belt reeling shaft. A safety belt guide is movably connected in the housing between an assembly position and an operational position. The safety belt guide has a guide slot through which the safety belt is threaded during assembly of the safety belt reeling device and in which the safety belt is guided during operation of the safety belt reeling device. The belt reeling shaft has a belt slot and the safety belt is guided through the belt slot and is secured thereat. The safety belt guide during assembly is moved into the assembly position at the periphery of the belt reeling shaft and is secured in the assembly position such that the guide slot is aligned with the belt slot and such that the guide slot and the belt slot are directly adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Ronald Jabusch
  • Patent number: 5623246
    Abstract: A vehicle impact sensor arrangement is provided for sensing a side impact. The arrangement comprises at least one sensor which is directly or indirectly fixed to the monocoque shell of a motor vehicle and which is responsive to inward movement of part of a door mounted on a motor vehicle. The part of the door adjacent the sensor is reinforced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Dion Kruse, Yngve Haland
  • Patent number: 5588612
    Abstract: In a blocking device for a safety belt having a belt retractor, which carries a belt reel for winding and unwinding the safety belt and has a control wheel controlled in a safety belt-sensitive and/or vehicle-sensitive manner and a control plate controlled thereby for triggering blocking of the belt reel, a self-blocking action of the belt retractor is to be cancelled by a single pull on the safety belt. On the control plate a pilot pawl is supported, which is rotatable by the movement of the control plate and which, during the blocking sequence, before the latter reaches its disengaged position, holds the control plate securely in such an intermediate position that a subsequent relative movement between the control wheel and the control plate is possible. This results in the cancellation of the self-blocking action and the return of the relevant structural parts into their respective initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Ulrich Laun
  • Patent number: 5582425
    Abstract: A gas supply device for supplying gas to an air-bag comprises a bottle containing compressed gas. The bottle is provided with a valve mechanism which operates to pen in a controlled way a flow passage for the compressed gas. The valve mechanism operates in response to a change in pressure in a region within the bottle. The valve mechanism comprises two valve members each with a tubular portion terminating with an inwardly turned lip directed towards a tubular member. The valve members are initially retained by frangible solder sports until a predetermined change of pressure has occurred in the region. The flow passage is defined between the free end of the lip and the exterior of the tubular member. Various grooves or depressions are provided in the outer surface of the tubular member so that the flow passage area for gas increases gradually as the valve is opened. Each tubular portion carries a portion extending across the interior of the bottle to define the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Torbjorn Skanberg, Lennart Karlsson
  • Patent number: 5582806
    Abstract: A gas generator for generating gas under pressure. The gas generator comprises a device for providing a first gas including a pressure vessel containing the first gas, the first gas being an oxidizing gas; a device for providing a second gas adapted to be oxidized by the first gas and including a pyrotechnic charge for generating the second gas when ignited. An oxidation zone of the gas generator includes an outlet, the first gas and the second gas being adapted to undergo an oxidation reaction in the oxidation zone for generating the gas under pressure. The first gas and the second gas are directed to the oxidation zone such that the oxidation zone contains a mixture of the first gas and the second gas for the oxidation reaction thereof, the second gas being of a sufficiently elevated temperature to initiate the oxidation reaction in the oxidation zone. A back-up catalytic device ensures initiation of the oxidation reaction of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Torbjorn Skanberg, Yngve Haland
  • Patent number: 5566431
    Abstract: A locking arrangement is provided comprising a retaining element which is positionable to retain a lockable element in position. A combination of an actuating element and a counter weight are provided which are inter-connected to rotate simultaneously in a predetermined manner about axes of rotation. The centers of gravity of the actuating element and the counter weight are so positioned that when subjected to acceleration or deceleration the two components are substantially in balance and do not tend to move. One of the components blocks movement of the retaining element, when the arrangement is in the locked condition, but if the actuating element is moved rotationally, the counter weight will move rotationally, and as a consequence the retaining element will be released, the retaining element then being movable to a position in which the lockable element can be separated from the locking arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Lennart Haglund
  • Patent number: 5555609
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle for receiving and retaining a tongue includes a housing defining a path therein to receive the tongue. A main locking element is movable between a release position in which it does not engage the tongue, and a locking position in which it engages the tongue to retain the tongue in the buckle. A push button is movable along a longitudinal axis of the path and is positioned above the main locking element. A second locking element is mounted to the housing between the push button and the main locking element, and includes a first portion engagable by the push button, and a second portion movable to a first position to engage the main locking element to prevent movement of the main locking element to the release position. The second portion and the push button are movable along the longitudinal axis of the path in opposite directions when the main locking element is to be released so that the second portion is moved to a second position in which the main locking element is freed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Ulf Tolfsen, Magnus Dahlen
  • Patent number: 5522564
    Abstract: A self-locking safety-belt reeling device has a reeling shaft on which a safety-belt is wound. A blocking device that is controlled by at least a vehicle-sensitive control mechanism and/or a safety-belt-sensitive control mechanism for blocking the safety-belt reeling shaft is provided. A tightening device acting on the reeling shaft comprises a tightener coupling. The tightening device further has a drive disk. The drive disk, upon activation of the tightening device, is driven in rotation by a drive device and coupled with the tightener coupling to the reeling shaft. A power limiter is connected to the safety-belt reeling device for limiting removal of the safety belt, whereby the power limiter is activated and deactivated depending on the operational states of the safety-belt reeling device and the tightening device. The power limiter during blocking of the safety belt reeling device is inactive and is activated only after completion of a tightening movement of the safety belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Doris Kroger, Frank Fugel, Klaus Butenop
  • Patent number: 5503037
    Abstract: A device for releasing a mechanical energy storage device from an initial locked position in a release situation is comprised of a housing having a bearing connected thereto, a locking device for securing the energy storage device in the initial locked position and a supporting device deflectable in the release situation and connected to the bearing. The locking means is connected to the housing and rests on the supporting device in a prestressed manner in the initial locked position, whereby the supporting device is deflected in the release situation by forces created by its own inertia. The supporting device may be in the form of a spring, two springs with an inertia member therebetween, two bodies with an inertia member therebetween, or a ball in a ball socket. Another embodiment uses rollers and roller bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Hermann Ruelein, Alfred Liensdorf, Bernd Lacher, Peter Eckmann, Hans-Otto Kock
  • Patent number: 5501293
    Abstract: A retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a housing, a spindle rotatably mounted within the housing and to which one end of a safety belt is attached, the spindle being spring-biased for retracting the safety belt so that the belt is wound around the spindle. The retractor has a sensor adapted to provide a signal indicative of whether the safety belt is retracted and not in use or is withdrawn from the spindle and in use. The sensor provides said signal in dependence upon the length of safety belt withdrawn from the spindle, with means transmitting movement of the spindle to an element which activates the sensor, said means comprising a gear train, one component of which is coupled directly to the spindle. The means which transmit movement of the spindle to the element which activates the sensor cause the element to adopt a unique position upon withdrawal of any one particular length of safety belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Bengt Bo/ rjesson, James T. Hoskyns
  • Patent number: 5482325
    Abstract: A height-adjustable guide fitting for a seat belt of a motor vehicle has a rail member with a guide groove connected to the motor vehicle. The rail member has catch openings spaced at a distance from one another. A longitudinally slidable slide is positioned within the guide groove. A locking member is connected to the slide and in pivotable between a locked position and a release position. The locking member has a spring for biasing the locking member into the locked position and has a locking projection for engaging in the locked position a catch opening to thereby block the locking member relative to the rail member. A device for releasing the locking member is provided. The locking member has a lock lever pivotable between a position within the contour of the locking member and an outwardly pivoted engaging position for engaging one of the catch openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Thomas Moller, Helmut Mockel
  • Patent number: 5480618
    Abstract: A gas generator apparatus for generating gas for inflating a motor vehicle airbag comprises an ignition device including a first housing and a first pyrotechnic charge disposed in the first housing; a gas generator including a second housing having an opening, a sealing membrane covering the opening for hermetically sealing the second housing and being located adjacent to the first pyrotechnic charge in the first housing, a second pyrotechnic charge located in the second housing adjacent to the membrane, and a gas generating pyrotechnic material arranged in the second housing to be responsive to a combustion of the second pyrotechnic charge, wherein a combustion of the first pyrotechnic charge initiates a combustion of the second pyrotechnic charge through the membrane which in turn initiates combustion of the gas generating pyrotechnic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Staffan Calsson, Torsten Persson
  • Patent number: 5471717
    Abstract: A tongue forming part of a safety belt is provided with two apertures adapted to receive the safety belt. The tongue has a portion adapted to be received and retained by a buckle forming part of a safety belt system. The tongue carries a clamping element adapted to be moved, by pressure applied to the clamping by the safety belt, to a clamping position in which the clamping element clamps part of a safety belt locking means are provided movable between a locking position and a release position. When the locking means are in the locking position the clamping element is prevented from moving to the clamping position. However, when the locking means are in the release position the clamping element may move to the clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Leif Ennerdal, Thomas Magnusson
  • Patent number: 5470634
    Abstract: A cover for an air-bag installation includes two superimposed layers of polymer material, each layer carrying complementary flanges or fingers, the flanges or fingers of the layers being inter-digitated, leaving no air space between the flanges or fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Dan Persson, Jonas Malmenstam
  • Patent number: 5460404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a triggering system for airbags with an acceleration switch, which is adapted to be activated at a predetermined acceleration level. The system comprises a shunt switch arranged in parallel to the acceleration switch and which is adapted to be closed owing to activation of the acceleration switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Juergen W. Damisch, Matthias Kuchler, Thomas Gornig
  • Patent number: 5454590
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for sensing an impact on a motor vehicle which has an outer skin and for activating a safety device within the vehicle. A sensor is located between the outer skin of the vehicle and an inner part of the vehicle which is relatively fixed in position, and is adapted to initiate activation of the safety device only when the outer skin of the vehicle moves at a speed greater than a predetermined speed relative to said fixed part of the vehicle. The sensor has a first part in the form of a housing containing a pyrotechnic material, and a second part in the form of a stab. One of the parts is supported by an inner part of the vehicle which is relatively fixed in position, while the other of the parts is adapted to be moved in response to movement of the outer skin of the vehicle during an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yngve Haland
  • Patent number: 5429414
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle comprising a main or "adult" seat incorporating an integrated child seat, the main or "adult" seat comprising a back and a squab, and the child seat having a squab which, in an initial condition, is present in a recess formed in the back of the adult seat in a substantially upright position, the squab of the child seat being movable to a second position in which the squab of the child seat is substantially horizontal, the position of the squab of the child seat, when in the said substantially horizontal position, being adjustable relative to the squab of the "adult" seat, the "adult" seat being provided with a safety belt which includes at least a shoulder strap to be used both for an occupant of the adult seat and for an occupant of the child seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Joakim Olsson, Lennart Eksell
  • Patent number: 5365850
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement to determine the lowest speed at which an activating pin activates a detonator, this being achieved by a hydraulic medium, the viscous property of which is used to control the transfer of energy from the activating pin to the detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Torsten Persson, Staffan Calsson
  • Patent number: 5340052
    Abstract: A self-sensing belt clamping device (10), for a safetybelt system is characterized especially by the fact that a car-sensitive locking body (48) and a belt-sensitive inertial system (90) are associated via a precontrol lever (44) directly with a rocking lever (38) and clamping member (26) and therefore can take effect without any substantial delay on the desired clamping of the belt, without having to apply a large initiating force by means of the sensor. Such a clamping device according to the invention can be independently arranged at any desired point between the door threshold and the deflector fitting in the B column. It can therefore be combined advantageously with a winder to form a winding clamp or with a deflector to form a deflection clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Hans-Hellmut Ernst
  • Patent number: 5328378
    Abstract: A device for transferring a signal between two end points between which a coiled conductor, contained in a substantially circular cassette, is arranged. At least one of the two end points is movable relative to the other. The cassette consists of two parts, a stationary stator (11) and a turnable rotor (12). On the stator (11) there is arranged a holding element which is under spring force and has a free end which is fixed in the assembled position of the cassette in tensioned state on the rotor (12). The holding element is detachable from the rotor (12) by rotation of the latter, so that, in the operating position of the cassette, it protrudes, in released position, through a space of the cassette, separated from the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignees: kabelmetal electro GmbH, Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Dan Persson, Friedrich Schauer, Wolfgang Chille, Andreas Neuner