Abstract: An inflator for an air-bag comprises a single gas bottle (1) containing the pressurised gas. The pressurised gas is a mixture including at least one oxidisable gas and at least one oxidising gas. The inflator incorporates a mechanism (20) to open the gas bottle to enable gas to flow from the gas bottle to the interior of an air-bag (13). There is an initiating device (30) within the air-bag in the form of a spark generator which generates a spark across electrodes (31) to ignite the mixture of gas from the gas bottle.

Abstract: A vertical cell is formed in a forward inflation section of an airbag. The vertical cell extends in a vehicle height direction at the rear of a pillar, and communicates through a bottom end of the vertical cell with a horizontal cell. When the inflation section is deployed, the folded horizontal cell or the lower side part of the airbag is pulled back toward the passenger compartment with respect to the side window opening. Accordingly, the horizontal cell deploys to an area below a bottom edge of the side window opening or a beltline in the passenger compartment on the inner side of a front side door.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide infrared camera techniques that may improve image quality or infrared camera performance over a range of varying conditions. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed that transforms data provided by an infrared camera based upon environmental conditions at the time the data was obtained. As an example, the image quality provided by the infrared camera may be improved over a range of environmental conditions by the proper transformation of the data based upon the sensor's information.

Abstract: A novel safety device for the driver's cabin of a vehicle, wherein the driver's cabin demonstrates at least one driver seat with a first side facing a side window and a second side opposite the first side. The safety device comprises a safety net, which is spread next to the second side of the driver seat. The safety net can be permanently spread next to the driver seat. The safety net may prevent the person sitting on the driver seat from falling to the opposite inner structure of the driver's cabin the driver's cabin rolls over.

Abstract: A combination of belt retractor and belt pre-tensioner in which the pre-tensioning device is coupled to the belt shaft by means of the vehicle-sensitive or belt strap sensitive locking system of the belt retractor, is characterised in that a lever (16) entrained by the drive wheel (10) on its rotation in the pre-tensioning direction is mounted pivotally on the housing and on its pivoting movement effected by the rotation of the drive wheel (10) its free end (18) comes into engagement with the control disc (12) and in so doing, over part of its pivoting movement, drives the control disc (12) for its relative rotation relatively to the belt shaft and after the lever (16) has passed through its pivoting path serving to drive the control disc (12) it is released from the control disc (12) and the drive wheel (10).

Abstract: A camera system exhibiting reduced effects from temperature changes. The camera system includes an IR sensor; an optical arrangement adapted to focus incoming light onto the sensor; a processing arrangement adapted to process signals produced by the sensor; a heatsink in thermal contact with and is adapted to transfer heat energy away from, the processing arrangement; and a thermal equalizer. The thermal equalizer at least partially surrounds and is in thermal contact with the optics/sensor unit and is formed at least partially from a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal equalizer conducts heat energy from warmer to cooler parts of the optics/sensor unit. The thermal equalizer is also thermally insulated from ambient air surrounding the camera system and from the heatsink.

Abstract: A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement includes a pretensioner configured to apply at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system to control the pretensioner. A control system is configured to provide at least one vehicle slip function which is derived from at least one sensed parameter relating to the current or expected dynamic situation of the vehicle. The control system is configured to select the tension level to be applied to the seat-belt by the pretensioner in response to the value of the slip function provided by the control system.

Abstract: An airbag module and instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle having at least one ventilation outlet and a ventilation duct attached thereto and arranged behind an instrument panel. The airbag module is fastened behind the instrument patent and has a gas generator and a folded airbag arranged within its housing wherein a ventilation outlet is closed by a grid that opens when the airbag module is triggered and is provided within the instrument panel for the unfolding airbag. The airbag module is arranged adjacent to the ventilation duct in such a manner that when the airbag module is triggered, the airbag unfolds into the ventilation duct and from there unfolds out of the instrument panel through the ventilation outlet. The pressure of the unfolding airbag moves away from the ventilation outlet which is arranged within the instrument panel.

Abstract: A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement comprises a pretensioner (7) and a control system (3-6) to control the tension applied to a seat-belt by the pretensioner (7). The control system (3-6) controls the pretensioner (7) in response to at least the rate of change of steering angle (??). A first processor (4) provides an output indicating a desired level of force to be applied to the seat-belt determined from the steering angle and the velocity of the vehicle. A second processor (5) provides a corresponding output indicative of a desired force level, determined from the rate of change of steering angle (??) and the velocity of the vehicle (vx). A selector (6) selects the highest of the two force levels, and provides an appropriate signal to the pretensioner (7).

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for an airbag module in motor vehicles wherein the gas generator is fastened by means of at least one stay bolt and nut screwed thereupon. The bolt is designed for the gas generator and penetrating through at least one hole of a retaining member that serves for mounting the airbag module and fastening to a vehicle part. An electrical insulating shell and washer are arranged between the gas generator and the retaining member to prevent spurious voltage signals from communicating with the gas generator, which can lead to inadvertent airbag deployment.

Abstract: A side-impact air bag system for motor vehicles with an air bag (10) extending across at least a part of the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. The air bag (10) is formed by two layers of fabric which are joined to each other and is located in the region of the roof frame of the vehicle in its folded state, before it is unfolded in the form of a curtain. An inflation device (11) releases an inflating gas, and the air bag (10) contains at least one primary chamber (14) which can be inflated by directly feeding gas into it, as well as at least one additional pressure equalization chamber (16), which is separated from the immediately inflatable primary chamber (14).

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use in a motor vehicle comprises at least one plastically-deformable element, defining an interior chamber, which will deform only when subjected to at least a first predetermined force. A source of gas is connected to inject gas into the chamber and a signal generator is provided to generate a signal representative of crash severity which is to be applied to the element during a crash situation or in an anticipated crash situation. The signal generator is connected to a control unit so as to provide the control unit with the signal. The control unit is connected to the source of gas in order to control the source of gas and to inject gas into the interior chamber of the deformable element so as to increase the gas pressure in the chamber when the crash severity signal is substantially in excess of a predetermined threshold. The arrangement provides a structure whose energy absorption characteristics can be varied according to the severity of a crash situation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module in a motor vehicle, said airbag module comprising an airbag, which can be inflated by a gas generator, which unfolds flat, and which is arranged underneath a window pane of the motor vehicle. In the inflated state, the airbag lodges itself in front of the window opening. The airbag module according to the invention has a protective layer arranged on at least one side of the airbag.

Abstract: A reliable hose for introduction and distribution of inflator gas improves the storing properties of an air bag device for side collision, reduces storing space, is advantageous in terms of cost, and has enough strength. A hose made of woven fabric for introduction and distribution of inflator gas is arranged in an air bag device for side collision and has one or more distributing hole(s) for introduction and distribution of gas from an inflator to the inner area of an air bag upon actuation of the air bag. On the side containing said distributing hole, there is a non-tubular portion which projects from a hose tubular portion to the outside of an opposite side to the tubular portion.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor 100 includes stop state detecting means 118 which detects that a driving signal is not inputted to power generation means 110 and drawing-direction rotation detecting means 119 which detects that the power generation means 110 is rotating in a drawing-direction of a webbing 302. Here, a control means 200 controls the power generation means 110 to rotate in the drawing direction of the webbing 302, when the stop state detecting means 118 detects that the driving signal is not inputted to the power generation means 110 and the drawing-direction rotation detecting means 119 detects that the power generation means 110 is rotating in the drawing direction of the webbing 302.

Abstract: An air-bag is formed using two substantially identical, but inverted, fabric elements. Each element defines a generally rectangular region having, at one narrow end thereof, a generally triangular extension, one side of which is co-extensive with one side of the rectangular region. The other side of the rectangular region has a triangular or thumb-like projection. The two elements are substantially superimposed with the rectangular regions thereof aligned. If the ends of the rectangular regions carrying the triangular extensions are separated, the projections or thumbs may be folded to form side-walls, and the triangular projections may be folded inwardly to form an end region. A single peripheral seam may seal the two elements together to form an air-bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator comprising: an ignition support (10); an electrical initiation system (11) connecting the ignition support (10) to a source of electricity; and a cap (2) containing at least one explosive composition, the cap being of generally cylindrical shape presenting an open first end (20) connected to the ignition support (10), an opposite second end that is closed by an end wall (21), and a peripheral side wall (22) which presents at least one zone of weakness (3). This initiator is essentially remarkable in that at least one of the zones of weakness extends along a non-closed trace and over a portion only of the side wall (22), i.e. without reaching its opposite ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety apparatus in a motor vehicle having a sensor device in communication with an evaluation unit within which sensor data are evaluated. The evaluation unit is in communication with at least one drive device that can move at least one energy-absorbing element from a rest position to a working position next to the seat or next to an occupant and back again.

Abstract: An airbag device for protecting motor vehicle occupants is disclosed. The airbag device comprises an airbag, which is accommodated folded-up in the roof area of the vehicle prior to inflation. The airbag unfolds downwards curtain-like when triggered, with a first section of the folded-up airbag extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from its roof frame. A second airbag section is arranged within the roof strut above the windshield, which runs at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The second section of the airbag is bent inwards around a folding point and disposed above the windshield. A fastening means arranged in the vicinity of the folding point fastens the first section of the folded airbag running along the roof frame to the roof frame.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit for a steer-by-wire steering system in motor vehicles, consisting of a steering wheel (12), an airbag module, a steering wheel angle sensor unit (24) as well as a force feedback unit, is characterised in that steering wheel (12) is located in rotatable fashion on module housing (10) of the airbag module, which is fixed to the vehicle, and that module housing (10) forms the stator and steering wheel (12) the rotor of the force feedback unit formed as an electric motor.