Abstract: A control device for modifying the deployment characteristics of an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, the control device comprising: a releasable retention device, a first end of the releasable retention device being releasably secured to an inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a first location, the releasable retention device being configured to limit deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion; and a sensing device for releasing the releasable retention device from the first location, the sensing device being fixedly secured to the inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a second location remote from the first location and releasably secured to the releasable retention device, the sensing device being configured to release the releasable retention device from the first location when the second location of the inflatable cushion travels a predetermined distance during inflation.

Abstract: A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject, including at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of said substances, a plurality of reflecting surfaces of said radiation adapted for collimation onto at least one detector providing a plurality of electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of said radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to said absorption peaks, at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of said source, reflecting surfaces and detector, adapted to the reception and disposal of said breath sample, and exposing it to said radiation, at least one electronic signal processing unit with capacity to analyse said signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of said substances.

Abstract: An adjustable seat (1) incorporates a moveable squab element (4). The squab element may be moved from an initial position in which the squab element is flush with the remaining parts of the vehicle seat to a first intermediate position and then to a subsequent second position. The squab is mounted on a first linkage (7) which carries an intermediate support. A second linkage (10) extends from the intermediate support to a seat mount (9) incorporated with the squab element.

Abstract: An air-bag in the form of an air-bag is disclosed, having an upper edge provided with mounting tabs to mount the upper edge to a motor vehicle. The upper edge of the air-bag is also provided with a gas inlet throat at a position between the ends of the upper edge. The gas inlet throat is configured to receive an end part of an elongate gas generator, and the upper edge of the air-bag is provided with a gas generator retainer, in the form of a loop to engage part of the gas generator.

Abstract: An arrangement for triggering a motor vehicle safety device. The arrangement incorporates a proximity sensor (1) which is configured to provide a proximity signal related to the distance to an object and/or the relative speed between the object and the sensor (1). The arrangement also includes an accelerometer (2) and a first processing unit (3) which is configured to perform an arming algorithm on signals received from the proximity sensor (1) and the accelerometer (2). A second processing unit (6) is provided to perform a crash algorithm on signals received from the proximity sensor (1) and the accelerometer (2). The arrangement incorporates a logic gate (4) to generate a triggering signal (5) in response to simultaneous output of signals from the first processing unit (3) and the second processing unit (6).

Abstract: An airbag cushion is manufactured with a rear fabric panel and two front fabric panels. Each front fabric panel has a projecting tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel. The front fabric panels are, firstly, superimposed each other. A back end of the projecting tether portion is sewn to a part of a periphery of the front fabric panel, to form a second stitch portion in a recessed shape. A front end of the tether portion is then sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel. A periphery of the rear fabric panel is, in addition, sewn to a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel, to form a third stitch portion.

Abstract: A method for transmitting the value of a parameter in a compressed form, the method comprising the steps of: accepting successive numbers representing the value of a parameter; manipulating each number, the manipulation comprising placing the number in a form comprising a mantissa and an exponent, and defining a transmission mantissa to be transmitted; transmitting to a receiver, in turn, the transmission mantissas only of the successive numbers; and receiving the transmission mantissas of the successive numbers at the receiver, characterised by the steps of maintaining a record, at the receiver, of a receiver variable, the receiver variable initially corresponding to the exponent of an initial number; formulating at the receiver, for each received transmission mantissa, a reconstructed number comprising at least the transmission mantissa and an exponent corresponding to the receiver variable; and altering the receiver variable in a first manner if the transmission mantissa of the current number fulfils a fir

Abstract: A pedestrian detection system is provided on a motor vehicle, in order to detect a pedestrian so that an appropriate safety device can be activated in order to provide protection to the pedestrian in the event of an impact with the pedestrian. The detection system has a first sensor arrangement (10) which is located at least 0.5 meters behind the front end of the motor vehicle. The first sensor arrangement (10) is configured to detect the speed of and/or distance to a part of an object (such as a pedestrian) located in front of the vehicle. That part of the object which is detected is part of the object which extends above a predetermined height, which is at least the height of the front edge of the hood or bonnet (3) of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag has a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially the same shape as the front panel positioned on an opposite side to the occupant. Furthermore, an inflation restricting section, which restricts the inflated shape of the airbag, is formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of the front panel. When the airbag is inflated, the occupant side of the airbag is pulled inwards, thereby forming a cavity on the occupant side.

Abstract: A driver alert system for the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The system comprises an electric motor, an eccentric mass connected to the electric motor, and a control circuit for providing electric supply to the electric motor in response to an alert activation signal The motor is controlled by the control circuit to an operation level of voltage during a portion of a vibration period with a non-vibration period following the vibration period, and the motor is over or under-controlled with respect to the operation range at the beginning or end of said vibration period.

Abstract: Provided is an automobile side airbag guide plate including support brackets disposed at both sides of a center pillar, fixed to an inner panel between a roof panel and a head liner, and supporting a lower part of an airbag module, wherein each of the support brackets includes a vertical part fixed to the inner panel between the roof panel and the head liner, and a horizontal support part extending from the vertical part to support the lower part of the airbag module fixed to the inner panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety arrangement for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle with an airbag (2), folded together in the non-activated basic state, which on a triggering of the safety arrangement (1) by an activation signal is able to be inflated with different volumes in the direction of the interior of the vehicle by means of a gas generator (3), and with a crash sensor system which detects a vehicle impact and emits the activation signal for this. According to the invention, the crash sensor system comprises both a pre-crash sensor system and also an in-crash sensor system, wherein the pre-crash sensor system generally already detects an impending collision before an actual impact, and for this circumstance emits a pre-crash activation signal as activation signal.

Abstract: A cover for a driver's side airbag module is provided, the cover having a central body portion with an opening disposed therein, the central body portion having a predetermined tear seam for defining a pair of deployable doors, the predetermined tear seam extending through the opening. The cover also includes a horn switch assembly inserted into the opening; and a tether secured to the horn switch assembly, the tether retaining the horn switch assembly with the cover after deployment of the pair of deployable doors along the predetermined tear seam, wherein the horn switch assembly is dislodged from the opening when the pair of deployable doors deploy along the predetermined tear seam.

Abstract: An actuator for a horn of a vehicle, comprising: an emblem; a bezel fixedly secured to a first side of a deployable portion of a cover of an airbag module, the bezel movably securing the emblem to the cover and the emblem being capable of movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the bezel, the second position causing activation of the horn; a backing plate secured to the bezel at a second side opposite the first side of the deployable portion; and a tether secured to the bezel, the tether retaining the actuator with the cover after deployment of the airbag module.

Abstract: This generator comprises a tubular casing (1) sealed by a bottom (10), with a wall crossed by discharge orifices (100), and includes: an adapter sleeve (3) retained in the tubular casing (1) by crimping; a pyrotechnic initiator (2); a tubular filter (7) covering the discharge orifices (100); a pyrotechnic charge (6) inserted in-between the adapter sleeve (3) and the bottom (10); means for securing the charge comprising, on the bottom side, a transverse partition, and on the open side, an open-worked washer (4) urged towards the bottom (10); a sealing member (8) capable of breaking during combustion of the charge, then allowing the gases to escape out of the casing (1) via the filter (7) and the discharge orifices (100); and in that after failure of the sealing member (8, 90), the space occupied by the pyrotechnic charge (6) is delimited axially by said open-worked washer (4) and said bottom (10). Safety equipment for automobiles, notably for inflating an inflatable safety bag.

Abstract: A side airbag apparatus provided with an airbag cushion installed in an armrest side portion of a seat frame of a vehicle, may include an airbag module having the airbag cushion therein; and a strap fastened at a first end portion thereof to a portion of the airbag cushion and fastened at a second end portion thereof to the seat frame or a bolster support wire frame, the strap surrounding a front portion of the seat frame.

Abstract: A side airbag unit for a vehicle, constructed to protect a side of a passenger in the event of a side collision or when the vehicle overturns, the side airbag unit may include an airbag module having a stud which is inserted into a predetermined portion of a seat frame, and an airbag cushion which remains folded in the airbag module and expands when the airbag unit is deployed, and a strap allowing the airbag cushion to be deployed to a predetermined length at a predetermined position when the airbag cushion expands, wherein a first end of the strap is coupled to a predetermined portion of the airbag cushion and a second end thereof is coupled to the stud such that the second end of the strap is being locked to the stud when the stud is assembled with the seat frame.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) is provided with: a spindle (12) around which a seat belt (B) is wound; a torsion bar (17) disposed in a cavity (27) of the spindle (12), an axial end portion of the torsion bar (17) being attached to an axial end portion of the spindle (12); a first pretensioner (16) that is attached to the spindle (12) at least during a collision so as to cause the spindle (12) to rotate in a retraction direction using a gas pressure; and a second pretensioner (18) that is attached to another axial end portion of the torsion bar (17) at least during a collision so as to cause the spindle (12) to rotate in the retraction direction via the torsion bar (17) using the gas pressure.

Abstract: A glass-metal feed-through transmits an electrical signal from one face to another face that is opposite. The feed-through includes a glass plug, two metal pins passing through the plug, and a metal part surrounding the plug. The feed-through includes an electrically-conductive link between a first of the pins and the part. The link includes a brazing preform secured to the first pin and to the part.

Abstract: An airbag has a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially the same shape as the front panel positioned on an opposite side to the occupant. Furthermore, an inflation restricting section, which restricts the inflated shape of the airbag, is formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of the front panel. When the airbag is inflated, the occupant side of the airbag is pulled inwards, thereby forming a cavity on the occupant side.