Abstract: An air bag module assembly comprising: an inflator (250) having at least one exit port (270) with a thin layer of burst material (272) blocking the at least one exit port (270), the burst material bursting forth from the exit port during an initial moment of activation of the inflator. The module including an air bag assembly (20) comprising an inflatable first bag (290) and an inflatable second bag (70), the second bag located within the first bag, the second bag including an opening (40b) to receive an inflator (250) wherein prior to activation, opposed portions of the second bag, radially outboard of the inflator, are formed into respective flaps, which are overlaid and positioned on a top of the inflator to provide a tortuous path through which any particles can flow prior to entering into an main portion of the air bag.

Abstract: When a vehicle is involved in a fire, the airbag inflator is subjected to extreme temperatures, which may lead to the housing of the inflator rupturing. The use of autoignition material will minimize the risk of the housing rupturing during a fire by causing the combustion of the gas generant to occur at a desired safe temperature. According to the present invention, the autoignition material contains nitrocellulose material and an inert plasticizer. The plasticizer creates an autoignition material that is thermally stable and that does not need to undergo preassembly or packaging before being placed in a gas inflator.

Abstract: An airbag folding apparatus includes a folding tube, a folder support apparatus, and a plunger mechanism. The folding of an airbag utilizing the folding apparatus comprises the following steps. A vehicle airbag is attached to the plunger mechanism and the airbag is lowered into the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is introduced into the folding tube after the airbag is completely inside the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is forcibly lowered into the folding tube causing the airbag to be compressed or folded. The plunger mechanism remains exterior to the airbag throughout the folding process. The plunger mechanism is then detached and a fold retention sheet is wrapped around the folded airbag.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an airbag has a vessel for containing compressed gas. The vessel has a gas outlet aperture. A support element is located in the gas outlet aperture with a sealing element next to the side of the support element that faces the interior of the vessel. A locking element is disposed in a locking position between a side of the support element that faces away from the interior of the vessel and a first abutment that is rigid with respect to the vessel. The support element is further supported by a second abutment that is rigid with respect to the vessel. A gas releasing device moves the locking element from the locking position to open the gas outlet aperture.

Abstract: A seat belt system including a web guide (150) having a support surface (192) for supporting a portion of a seat belt (30). The shape of the support surface is based upon the natural curvature of the seat belt. To determine the natural curvature of the seat belt a segment of the belt is folded to form a loop. The unstressed shape of this looped portion of the seat belt is defined by and corresponds to the natural curvature of the seat belt. The support surface, in one embodiment, is realized by a circular cylinder of radius that is circumscribed within the loop.

Abstract: A spool for a vehicle safety restraint has a cylindrical central spool member made of two separate pieces. The cylindrical portion has a hollow section along its axis for accommodating seat belt webbing and a torsion bar, with a seat belt webbing entrance slot and a seat belt webbing exit slot. A filler plate is shaped to fit snugly into the entrance slot and to hold the parts of the spool assembly including the torsion bar and the spool against movement thereby holding the spool together.

Abstract: An air bag system comprising: a housing/inflator assembly and an air bag assembly operatively linked to the housing/inflator assembly to receive inflation gas to inflate an air bag of the air bag assembly, the housing/inflator assembly comprising: a plurality of inflators, each inflator including at least one exit port near a first end thereof, each inflator having a respective opposite second end, the housing/inflator assembly further including: a housing means for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflators positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflators and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a winding reel rotatably mounted in a frame, an electric motor and a switching mechanism, with which varying torques can be transmitted to the winding reel to adjust the comfort of a wearer of the seat belt or to tighten the seat belt. The switching mechanism is automatically directed into a switch position set for the comfort perceived by the wearer of the seat belt and into a switch position for belt tightening, in which if necessary an adjustable load limitation is also achieved.

Abstract: A ball ring unit, in particular for reverse movement locks and seat belt systems has a plurality of locking balls arranged in a ring. The ring of locking balls has a covering that combines the locking balls to form a module. The ball ring unit can be used in a seat belt pretensioner.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a primary (40) and secondary (60) locking mechanism and deactivation mechanism (74) for mechanically deactivating the second locking mechanism (60) when the retractor is used by occupants not in a designated class; the retractor including at least two load limiting mechanisms including for example, a torsion bar and variable elongation webbing or a torsion bar and a friction brake (or clutch) configured to be selectively employed depending on the size of the occupant.

Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.

Abstract: A device for regulating the amount of inflation gas supplied to an airbag of a motor vehicle has a cylindrical member with at least one inflation aperture therethrough. An adjustable annular shutter with at least one shutter aperture is rotatably mounted around the axis of the cylindrical member. The amount of inflation gas which is supplied via the inflation aperture is adjustable through alignment of the shutter aperture with the inflation aperture.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly including a seat belt buckle, the buckle including: a frame (26) defining a tongue-receiving slot (40); a latch plate (34) operably positioned in relation to the tongue-receiving slot and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; a latch spring (64) for biasing the latch plate toward the locked position; an ejector mechanism (28) located behind the tongue-receiving slot and rearwardly movable in response to inward movement of a tongue; the ejector including a first portion engageable by the tongue and rearwardly movable to a position beyond the location of the latch plate and a second portion (80) slidably receiving and supporting the latch plate, the second portion remaining in contact with the latch plate, preventing the latch plate from moving to its locked position even when the first portion has moved beyond the latch plate.

Abstract: An air bag module having an inflator (20); a cushion (22); a retainer ring (24) having at least one mounting tab (40) and a plurality of fasteners (28) for engaging the inflator (20) and the cushion (22); a cover (26) having a pair of flaps (44) defining a plurality of apertures for engaging the fasteners (28); and a plurality of snap-in attachment nuts (32). The snap nuts 32 being used to connect the air bag module to an armature (30) of a steering wheel.

Abstract: A force sensor (50, 50′, 50a) generates a signal indicating the usage of a seat belt. A cylindrical housing (70, 70′) has a wall (72) and a bottom (74) which define an internal cavity (88). The bottom has an opening (76) through it. A cable anchor (90) is slidably received within the cavity and is connected to a cable (54). The cable has one end secured to the cable anchor and another end connected to an anchor point. A magnet (120) is connected to a top of the cable anchor and is movable with the cable anchor. The cable anchor is biased to resist motion of the cable anchor toward the bottom of the housing. A magnetic sensor (200) generates a signal indicative of the distance between it and the magnet. A sensor housing (180) is connected to the housing and is positioned on the housing to position the magnetic sensor a determinable distance from the magnet at a null position. A housing end cap (150) is secured to the housing for enclosing an open end of the housing.

Abstract: A three-point seat belt system for a motor vehicle front seat has a belt tightening drive fastened to the front seat. The belt tightening drive engages an anchoring point of the seat belt fastened to the vehicle seat. The drive element of the belt tightening drive is securely connected to a belt webbing part, which derives from the lap belt and is guided through a belt webbing guide fastened to the seat substructure.

Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag, the air bag including: a face panel having a first central opening therein; a rear panel having a second central opening therein, that portion of the rear panel about the second central opening forming a neck portion; a tubular insert having an open end secured to the face panel about the first central opening, the tubular insert including a closed end opposite the open end, the tubular insert extending into the air bag.

Abstract: A system for detecting the position of a seat within an automobile in which a selected number of discrete sensors S is used to detect (2xS) seat positions. This is accomplished by using an actuator which, when positioned over three sensors, activates three sensors and when positioned over two sensors, activates both sensors and when positioned over a single sensor, activates only the single sensor. A simple algorithm or logic determines position by the rule that, if a single sensor is activated the seat is positioned over the single sensor, but if two sensors are activated, the seat is positioned between those two sensors, and if none of the sensors is activated, the seat is not positioned over any of those sensors.