Abstract: An occupant detection system comprises a weight sensor and an electric field sensor, each operatively coupled to a seat. The electric field sensor generates an electric field from at least one electrode in the seat bottom of the seat, provides for generating a response to an influence of the occupant thereupon, and is adapted to provide for discriminating from the response a seated infant or child seating condition from another seating condition. If a measure of weight from the weight sensor is less than a threshold, or if a seated child seating condition is detected by the electric field sensor, then a signal processor provides for disabling an associated restraint actuator. The electric field sensor may comprise a plurality of electrodes over separate first and second regions of differing proximity to a seated infant or child, or at least one electrode in cooperation with a shield or void over at least one of the regions.

Abstract: An inflator 10 of a vehicle occupant protection system contains an elongated housing 12 having a plurality of gas exit orifices 14 spaced along the length thereof. An ignition body 30 and propellant 16 are provided in lengths substantially equivalent to the length of the housing 12 wherein the ignition body 30 is placed in physical contact with the propellant body 16 for all or most of their respective lengths. Once the ignition body 30 is ignited upon a crash event, resultant uniform ignition and combustion across the length of the propellant 16 results in uniform gas generation and uniform inflation of an airbag 26, wherein the airbag 26 is at least substantially coextensive with and in fluid communication with the housing 12. Preferred mixtures of propellant 16 contain silicone, a perchlorate oxidizer, and a coolant.

Abstract: Assembly of a gas generator 10 includes the step of adding uncured silicone to a propellant cup 25. Granulated oxidizer is then added over the top of the silicone and allowed to disperse therein. Afterwards, the silicone is cured to provide flush communication with an inner wall 14 of the propellant cup 25. Other granulated gas generant constituents may be added as well. A gas generator 10 assembled in this manner provides more predictable burn rates of a gas generant composition 26 and therefore more predictable performance of the gas generator 10.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises at least one first coil and at least one magnetic sensing element, operatively connected to respective first and second locations of a body of a vehicle and to a ferromagnetic element of the body. The first and second locations are distinct from one another and are in magnetic communication through a first portion of the vehicle and through a second portion of the vehicle, wherein the first portion of the vehicle comprises a portion of the body that is susceptible to deformation by a crash, and the first portion is distinct from the second portion. At least one signal is applied to the at least one first coil, and the at least one magnetic sensing element generates a second signal responsive thereto, from which a crash is discriminated.

Abstract: A dual chamber inflator 10 contains a housing 12 having a base 14 and a cap 16. A divider disc 18 divides the inflator 10 into a first chamber 20 and a second chamber 22. Divider 18 contains at least one aperture 60 thereby facilitating fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 for simultaneous operation of chambers 20 and 22.

Abstract: A webbing of a seat belt engages an opening of a seat belt tension sensor. In one embodiment, the webbing is bunched or folded so as to prevent rubbing against the sides of the opening in the housing and anchor plate, or an outer surface of the seat belt tension sensor. The webbing is maintained in a bunched or folded state using either a set of stitches between the two portions of the webbing of the loop; separate sets of stitches in the respective separate portions; a ring enclosing the two portions; separate rings, or ring portions separated by a spacer, enclosing the respective separate portions; or a sleeve, thimble, or thimble portion of the carriage of the seat belt tension sensor engaging the bunched or folded webbing. In another embodiment, the openings in the housing and anchor plate are sufficiently wider than the opening in the carriage, and the carriage incorporates a flange.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator 10 for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body 11 having a plurality of inflation apertures 40 and defining a first combustion chamber 25 wherein a first propellant charge 28 is positioned. A partitioning assembly 26 is nested within the inflator body 11, and positioned proximate the second end 17. The partitioning assembly 26 defines a second combustion chamber 35 wherein a second propellant charge 38 is positioned. First and second initiators 12 and 9 are provided, and are selectively operable to ignite the propellant charges 28 and 38 respectively, thereby supplying an inflation gas via the first chamber 25 to an inflatable restraint cushion.

Abstract: An oscillatory or pulsed first signal is operatively coupled to a first electrode placed between a conductive heating element and a seating region of a seat containing the heating element. A second signal substantially equal to the first signal is operatively coupled to a second electrode placed between the heating element and the first electrode. An occupant in the seat is sensed from a response to the first signal, responsive to which a safety restraint system may be controlled. In other embodiments, the second signal is operatively coupled to an electrode placed proximate to a side of the heating element away from the seating region of the seat, the second electrode comprises a sheath at least partially around at least a portion of the heading element, or the operative coupling of the first or second signals comprises AC coupling, for example, through an associated first or second capacitor.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner (10, 210, 310) with a soft-start piston actuator (50) is provided. The pretensioner (10, 210, 310) cooperates with a webbing reel shaft (112, 212, 312) of a seatbelt retractor webbing reel (not shown). The pretensioner (10, 210, 310) includes a housing (16, 216, 316) with at least one passage, and preferably two volumetrically intersecting perpendicular passages (18, 218, 318; 20, 220, 320). A clutch assembly (30, 230, 330) is fixed within the first passage (18, 218, 318), and a webbing reel shaft (12, 212, 312) extends axially through the clutch assembly (30, 230, 330). A soft-start piston actuator (50) with at least a first pressure surface (54) and a second pressure surface (56) is positioned in the second passage (20, 220, 320), and is actuatable with a gas generant composition (60, 260) that produces pressurized gas upon signaling from a remote sensor (not shown).

Abstract: An oscillatory or pulsed first signal is applied to a seat heating element that is operatively connected to first and second impedances that isolate the first signal from the source and sink of power to the heating element. In another embodiment, third and fourth impedances are connected to the first an second impedances at respective nodes, and a second signal substantially equal to the first signal is operatively coupled to the nodes. In another embodiment, the first signal is applied to an electrode, and the second signal is applied to the heating element, which shields the electrode from influence by the seat. In another embodiment, the first signal is applied to a first electrode that is shielded from the heating element by a second electrode operatively coupled to the second signal. The impedances may, for example, be provided by inductors or electronic switches.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator contains a bed of agglomerated or beaded hydrated gelatin. The gelatin/water bed is oriented such that at least substantially filtered combustion products are humidified by the water vapor as the filtered combustion products pass over the bed. Relative thereto, a method of improving the release and inflation of an airbag of a vehicle occupant protection system is also described. Humidification of at least substantially filtered combustion products results in a reduced pressure requirement to open and inflate a stored airbag in fluid communication with the gas generator.

Abstract: A hydrostatic weight sensor comprises a bladder of flexible material that contains a fluid, preferably in an amount less than the capacity of the bladder when the bladder is unloaded, the pressure of which is sensed by a pressure sensor so as to provide a measure of weight upon the bladder. The bladder is mountable within a seat below the seat cushion and above the seat base, wherein seating loads are distributed across the bladder by the seat cushion and the seat base. In one embodiment, the bladder comprises a plurality of sheets of flexible material that are sealably connected to one another along a periphery, and are further connected to one another at one or more locations within the periphery so as to create a plurality of fluid containing zones that are in fluid communication with one another.

Abstract: A lever is adapted to rotate about a first pivot at a first location responsive to a tension load from a webbing applied to an attachment pivoted or arcuately slotted about a second location. Tension load is reacted by a spring against a reaction element, and is sensed by either a displacement sensor or a force sensor. The sensed load range can be limited by a stop that engages the lever. The anchor bolt can be utilized as a stop in cooperation with a slot in the lever, wherein the lever is adapted to rotate about a stud depending from the reaction element. A tang portion of the lever engages a slot of a slide, and the displacement of the slide caused by a rotation of the tang reacted by springs at the ends of the slide is measured by a magnetic field sensor on the reaction element in cooperation with a pair of magnets on the slide.

Abstract: A simplified multi-chamber inflator 10 utilizes a housing 12 having two initiator chambers 42 and 44 respectively formed within an initiator assembly 18. The initiator assembly 18 may be formed from a one-piece component or alternatively, may be formed by coupling a first component 26 and a second component 28 in nested relationship within the housing 12. A primary propellant chamber 52 fluidly communicates with initiator chambers 42 and 44 upon actuation of inflator 10.

Abstract: A pedestrian is sensed in a region of space external to a vehicle by generating a first magnetic flux at a first location on the vehicle so that the first magnetic flux extends into a region of space external of the vehicle, conducting the first magnetic flux through the region of space external to the vehicle to a second location on the vehicle, sensing the first magnetic flux at the second location, generating a signal responsive to the magnetic flux sensed at the second location, and discriminating a pedestrian when the pedestrian is located within the first magnetic flux, wherein the operation of discriminating is responsive to the signal.

Abstract: Known gas generant compositions, absent elastomeric binders, are coated with silicone thereby providing a composition that exhibits enhanced moisture protection, ballistic performance, combustion properties, and gas production.

Abstract: An occupant detection system comprises first and second electric field sensors mounted in or on a seat back of a seat, and at least one seat weight sensor. The first electric field sensor provides a measure of the central/inboard capacitance of a first electrode located proximate to an upper central region of a seating surface of the seat back, and extending downwards towards a middle inboard region of the seating surface. The second electric field sensor provides a measure of outboard capacitance of a second electrode located proximate to the outboard side of the seating surface. If the central/inboard capacitance is less than an associated central/inboard capacitance threshold, and if the measure of seat weight is less than an associated weight threshold, then the side air bag inflator is disabled. Otherwise if the outboard capacitance is greater than an associated outboard capacitance threshold, then a side ratio SR=(W/M)n·(C1/C2) is calculated.

Abstract: An anchor plate operatively coupled to a seat belt incorporates a slot that slideably engages an anchor bolt, which is biased therein by a spring. A tension in the seat belt causes a deflection of the spring and an associated motion of the anchor bolt in the slot, which is sensed by a proximity sensor on the anchor plate. In another aspect, a carriage is adapted to slide relative to a bracket, and a first spring is operative between the carriage and the bracket so as to bias the carriage relative to the bracket in a direction opposite to a first direction. Either the bracket is operatively coupled to a vehicle frame with an anchor bolt and the seat belt operatively engages the carriage, or vice versa. A tension in the seat belt, when reacted by the anchor bolt, causes an associated motion of the carriage in the first direction, which is sensed by a displacement sensor.

Abstract: A multi-beam antenna comprises an electromagnetic lens, at least one first antenna feed element, at least one second antenna feed element, and a selective element located between first and second portions of the electromagnetic lens with which the respective antenna feed elements respectively cooperate. The transmissivity and reflectivity of the selective element are responsive to an electromagnetic wave property, e.g. frequency or polarization. A first electromagnetic wave in cooperation with the at least one first antenna feed element and having a first value of the electromagnetic wave property is substantially transmitted through the selective element so as to propagate in both the first and second portions of the electromagnetic lens. A second electromagnetic wave in cooperation with the at least one second antenna feed element and having a second value of the electromagnetic wave property is substantially reflected by the selective element.

Abstract: An occupant detection system incorporates a radar range sensor adapted to sense the position of an occupant in a vehicle. The activation of the radar range sensor is responsive to the proximity of the occupant to a restraint actuator, or to an occupant sensor adapted to sense the presence or position of the occupant on a seat. The radar range sensor is disabled and the restraint actuator is enabled responsive to an occupant seated proximate to the seat back as sensed by a range/proximity sensor. The radar range sensor is disabled and the restraint actuator is disabled responsive to an infant or child in and infant or child seat on the vehicle seat sensed by an electric field sensor or a seat weight sensor. The radar range sensor is enabled and the restraint actuator is controlled responsive thereto if the occupant is on the seat but not proximate to the seat back.