Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device having an airbag module which has a housing (40) and which can be mounted in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, having a cover (10) fastened to the housing (40) in a movable manner, on which a first horn contact (30) is arranged; at least a second horn contact (50) is arranged on the housing (40), which, in the initial position, is electrically isolated from the first horn contact (30), and in the activation position, comes into electrical contact with the first horn contact (30) in order to trigger a horn signal. The second horn contact (50) being configured as a separate component which is fixed to the housing (40) by at least one separate locking element (60).

Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor for seat belts having a belt-strap-sensitive control mechanism with a control disc coupled to the belt shaft to control a locking element, by means of a pin moveably in an oblong hole in the control disc. The control disc carries an inertia element that, when triggered, radially swivels to lock the retractor belt shaft engages into a stationary toothed section. A control clip has two spaced apart legs on a friction mount between a blocking position of the inertia element and a release position. A follower forms stop surfaces engageable with the clip legs to carry the control clip during the rotation of the control disc belt winding direction a belt extension direction. The control clip releases the inertia element in the release position. One spring leg extends with an end into the movement path of the pin in the oblong hole.

Abstract: A spindle (2) of a seat belt retractor is rotationally driven when required by a motor (5) to the webbing take-up direction side through a power transmission mechanism section (6). Further, the spindle (2) is always connected to a take-up spring (7) and is always subjected to rotational power acting to the webbing take-up side. The structure enables a user wearing a seat belt to be restrained even in failure, realizing a safer and more reliable restraining device.

Abstract: An airbag cover for a vehicle that includes an airbag cover body that has a tear line to allow the airbag cover body to be torn off when an airbag cushion is deployed, and a bezel ring coupled to the airbag cover body. The airbag cover includes a plurality of separating protrusions having first and second separating protrusions that are formed on the bezel ring to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the bezel ring and to be adjacent to each other. In addition, the separating protrusions have third and fourth separating protrusions adjacent to each other at a position facing the first and second separating protrusions. The separating protrusions include first to fourth separating protrusion insertion apertures that are formed within the airbag cover body to allow the first to fourth separating protrusions to be inserted therein.

Abstract: A vehicle air-bag inflator includes a container initially containing a pressurised gas and having a vent opening in a wall thereof. A rupturable element, attached to a container wall, covers the vent opening, sealing the interior of the container. The rupturable element is attached to a first support, which supports a region of the rupturable element and prevents the rupturable element from rupturing. A first support, attached to a container wall, is movable between a first and a second configuration, with respect to the container wall. In an initial configuration, a second support supports the first support and prevents the first support from moving from a first configuration to a second configuration. In a final configuration, a second support allows the first support to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. An activation mechanism moves the second support from an initial configuration to a final configuration when triggered.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an electrical energy storage unit. The arrangement is particularly intended for use in a motor vehicle configured to be powered electrically, or by a so-called hybrid motor, and which hence comprises a high voltage electrical storage unit such as a battery or capacitor. The safety arrangement is configured to cool the storage unit in response to a signal indicative of an accident situation or battery malfunction, and comprises: a source of compressed inert gas and a flow-release actuator, the flow-release actuator being actuable upon receipt of an actuation signal so as to release a flow of inert gas from said source, the arrangement being configured such that said flow is directed substantially onto said storage unit so as to cool the unit.

Abstract: A fabric for a seam region of an inflatable air-bag includes fibres formed from polyester and having an elongation at break of around 12% to 20%. The fabric also has an instantaneous thermal creep above 0.5% at 100° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-twist device for a curtain airbag of a vehicle. The anti-twist device allows a worker to immediately recognize the twist of the curtain airbag or automatically releases the twist of the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is installed in the vehicle, thereby improving stability of the curtain airbag. The anti-twist device is mounted on the curtain airbag including a bracket having an inflator mounted thereon and coupled to a vehicle body, the airbag cushion received in a winding state while communicating with the inflator, and a band surrounding the airbag cushion, and includes a body having a predetermined length and provided in parallel to the airbag cushion, a first fixing part formed at one end of the body and coupled with the bracket or the vehicle body, and a second fixing part formed at an opposite end of the body and coupled with the band.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a rim with an armature substantially encapsulated by foam. The foam includes a major foam member and a separate minor foam member. The major foam member has a cross-sectional profile effective to cover a major cross-sectional extent of the armature and define a gap in the foam member adjacent the armature. The gap has a maximum cross-sectional width which is equal to or less than the cross-sectional width of the armature, and is substantially filled by said minor foam member.

Abstract: A vehicle curtain airbag device capable of improving an occupant ejection preventing performance at an end of a vehicle in the longitudinal direction and providing an excellent impact absorbing function when receiving an occupant in a vehicle interior. A front strap is provided between a seam portion that divides a front chamber positioned at an end of a vehicle longitudinal direction from an adjacent main chamber, and a front pillar positioned at the end of the vehicle longitudinal direction so as to connect the seam portion to the front pillar, on an outer surface of the front chamber. A height position of a first connecting portion (P) between the front pillar and the front strap is set to be higher than a height position of a second connecting portion (Q) between the seam portion and the front strap.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle having at least a front wheel arrangement having one or more wheels and rear wheel arrangement having one or more wheels, the arrangement having: a control unit; and one or more vehicle inertial sensors to detect acceleration experienced by the vehicle, the inertial sensors being connected to the control unit so the control unit receives output signals from the inertial sensors; and one or more vehicle safety systems which may be activated by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to process the signals received from the inertial sensors and to determine whether at least one of the wheels of the front and rear wheel arrangements is not in contact with the surface over which the vehicle is driven.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag apparatus for vehicles including a vent hole in an airbag cushion for discharging inflating gas. A cover is provided on an outer surface of the airbag cushion and is adjustable between a state where the cover is spaced apart from the vent hole to open it and a state where the cover comes into close contact with the vent hole to close it. A tether is connected at its first end to the cover and secured at its second end to an interior of the airbag cushion to impart a tensile force to the cover. A tether guide is provided on an inner surface of the airbag cushion to support the tether, and a sealing means is provided between the vent hole and the tether guide to support the tether, the tether passing through the sealing means.

Abstract: A switch-equipped buckle device capable of accurately detecting an attachment-detachment state of a tongue plate by mounting fixed contacts immovably therein. The switch-equipped buckle device has, inside a buckle body, a slide switch that detects a state of attachment of the tongue plate according to the sliding position of an ejector. A slider of the slide switch is integrated with the ejector, and three fixed contacts of the slide switch are integrated with a lower case by insert molding.

Abstract: A deviation in rotational angle caused between an adjustment gear and a sensor housing is compensated for with a profile of a cable winding groove of a pulley of an attitude control mechanism to accurately synchronize the inclination angle of a seat back and the rotational angle of the sensor housing with each other. Thus, it is possible to keep an inertial element support surface, which serves as a sensor reference surface, accurately horizontal even at any seat back inclination angle to improve the accuracy of an acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A bracket for fastening a tightening strap of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part includes a base plate and a support surface for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part. A retaining web, fastenable to the tightening strap, is located on the bracket in such a way that the retaining web can be moved to a fastening position by performing a swivel motion with the bracket being supported on the vehicle part via the support surface.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system that includes a clutch mechanism, an electric actuator, a spindle and a power transmission mechanism that transmits motive power from the actuator to the clutch mechanism. The transmission mechanism has a low reduction transmission path that reduces rotation of the actuator at a low reduction ratio, a high reduction transmission path that reduces rotation of the electric actuator at a high reduction ratio, and switching means. When a possible collision is detected, the actuator is positively rotated and rotation is transmitted to the clutch mechanism at a high speed and low torque via the low reduction transmission path, until coupling of the clutch mechanism is complete. Subsequently, the transmission mechanism is switched to the high reduction transmission path and rotation is transmitted to the clutch mechanism, at a low speed and high torque, to wind the seatbelt around the spindle.

Abstract: An airbag device for stably controlling gas discharge and restraining an occupant in a vehicle. A first vent hole, for discharging gas from the airbag, is formed in a portion of the airbag, and one end of a tubular discharge restricting member is connected to the first vent hole. Once the airbag is inflated and deployed to a predetermined extent or more, the first vent hole is closed by the discharge restricting member. Prior to deployment, at least a portion of the airbag is folded in a bellows shape to form a folded portion. The connecting portion between the discharge restricting member and the first vent hole is positioned in a trough portion of the folded portion. The other end of the discharge restricting member is stored so as to face the outer side and not to protrude beyond an outer edge of the folded portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the damping of vibrations in a steering column in a motor vehicle, having a mounting (10) and an accommodation device (11) elastically supported in the mounting (10) to which a gas generator (20) is secured, a separate supplemental weight (30) is secured to the gas generator (20) or to the accommodation device (11) to provide desired vibration damping characteristics of the steering column assembly.

Abstract: A method of folding a knee airbag includes folding a lower portion of the knee airbag perpendicularly to a vertical central axis so that a lower end of the knee airbag is placed on the front panel of the knee airbag, individually folding both sides of the knee airbag toward the vertical central axis, and rolling an upper end portion of the knee airbag toward the lower portion of the knee airbag. The lower portion of the folded knee airbag is rapidly deployed toward the leg of an occupant in the initial deployment of the knee airbag, thereby minimizing time to ensure the minimum space between the instrument panel and the leg of the occupant and rapidly confining the leg of the occupant.