Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70, 70′) having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.

Abstract: A retractor for a vehicle safety restraint which comprises web locking wedges (49a, 49b) which grip the seat belt webbing (19), under certain predetermined load conditions, so as to more securely restrain the vehicle occupant at the beginning of a crash pulse and which includes a load limiting arrangement so as to allow a limited and controlled pay out of webbing at the beginning of the crash pulse. The web locking retractor thus comprises a wedge (49a, 49b) which has an inner gripping surface with a predetermined coefficient of friction relative to the seat belt webbing so that, at a predetermined loading, the webbing slips past the friction surface of the wedge. This may be achieved by using double thickness webbing along a predetermined portion of the seat belt, for example two layers of webbing, or coating the wedge or a part of the webbing with a material (322) which is erodible or deformable and which may be cut into or eroded by the friction surface of the wedge, or by teeth (320) on that surface.

Abstract: A restraint device for a seat belt that can be wound on a belt reel has a belt tightener adapted to be driven by a propellant gas. The ignition of the propellant gas increases the working pressure in the pressure chamber so that the driving part of the belt tightener is moved in the driving direction. A load limiter cooperates with the belt reel and, after blocking of the belt reel, allows extraction of belt webbing with energy consumption. The working pressure in the pressure chamber can be reduced by a gas blowout passageway and, when the load limiter is actuated, the driving part remaining in a driving connection with the belt reel can be moved counter to the driving direction.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt retractor has a frame, a spool rotatably mounted to the frame and a spool locking device for locking the spool against rotation. The spool locking device includes actuating means for actuating the locking device. The actuating means is a support carrying a mass and a pawl, the mass being arranged to move from an initial position to an actuating position to actuate the pawl into engagement with the ratchet on the spool. The actuating means is an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the pawl and the ratchet. The adjustment mechanism may adjust the support relative to a housing, and adjust the tip of the pawl relative to the pawl body or a deformable pawl tip.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor spool has a spool body with opposed end flanges. A ratchet wheel is arranged on one end flange. A torsion bar is located in a bore in the spool body and is coupled to the ratchet wheel by means of a toothed portion at one end thereof. The other end of the torsion bar has a plurality of radial projections which cooperate with axial protrusions on the end flange to couple the bar 10 to the spool.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has an adjustable backrest connected to a driving device that can be activated in the event of a rear end collision. The backrest is inclined forwardly during the rear end collision and then performs an opposing rearward movement decelerated by an energy absorber.

Abstract: A steering wheel is provided with an airbag. The steering wheel has a central part for connection to a steering wheel attachment and a cavity for housing a module. The module includes an airbag and a horn. The steering wheel has an outer ring and a plurality of substantially radial spokes connecting the outer ring to the central part of the steering wheel. The spokes are covered with a first metal sheet integral therewith so as to give the steering wheel a sporting appearance.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a belt reel for the seat belt webbing. A load limiter allows limited extraction of the belt webbing with energy absorption when the belt reel is blocked. The absorption of energy is adjustable as a function of crash-related data and the rotating movement of the belt reel is scanned for this purpose when the extraction of the belt webbing is limited.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle occupant safety restraint has an outer casing that contains a gas generant. An igniter has igniter material disposed within an igniter housing. A pair of electrodes are connected to the igniter material. A grounding path connector link electrically connects the igniter housing to a grounding path. The connector link may be formed by springs connecting the outer case to the grounding electrode and an interference fit connecting the igniter housing to the outer case. The link forms a low resistance path to short circuit undesirable static charges in the unit that would otherwise tend to cause unintentional activation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle occupant safety restraint has an outer casing that contains a gas generant. An igniter has igniter material disposed within an igniter housing. A pair of electrodes are connected to the igniter material. A grounding path connector link electrically connects the igniter housing to a grounding path. The connector link may be formed by springs connecting the outer case to the grounding electrode and an interference fit connecting the igniter housing to the outer case. The link forms a low resistance path to short circuit undesirable static charges in the unit that would otherwise tend to cause unintentional activation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing motor car steering wheels with an external shell made of composite materials, which comprises preparing a pile of sheets of composite materials, hot molding thereof for obtaining respective half-shells with a shape corresponding to that of respective halves of the steering wheel being manufactured, mechanical flattening of the front surfaces of the two half-shells, applying the two half-shells to opposite parts of a steering wheel body formed by a metallic core covered by resin, and mutual fixing of the two half-shells along said front surfaces. After flattening, the front surfaces of the two half-shells are mechanically worked to form respective complementary teeth which can be male-female coupled when the two half-shells are applied around the steering wheel body.

Abstract: A crash sensor comprising a magnetic field sensor with means for concentrating magnetic flux from the magnet, wherein the magnetic field sensor detects a change in magnetic field strength as the sensing mass moves causing a corresponding change in output voltage or current from the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor is used for determining crash severity for timely deployment of an occupant restraint system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat belt retractor comprising a seat belt spool (2) rotationally mounted on a frame (1) for winding and unwinding the seat belt, a blocking means (5) for blocking the rotation of the seat belt spool, a control element (6) by means of which the blocking means (5) can be actuated, a seat belt sensor mass (4) movably mounted on a support element (3) which rotates with the seat belt spool (2), a vehicle sensor mass (35) and a coupling device (14, 34) by means of which a moving connection can be established between the support element (3) and the control element (6) via the seat belt sensor mass (4) and/or the vehicle sensor mass (35). Said connection assures the transmission of a rotation of the seat belt spool in the direction of unwinding for actuating the blocking means. The support element (3) together with the seat belt sensor mass (4) positioned thereon and the control element (6) constitute a pre-assembled component unit (7).

Abstract: An air bag for side impact protection system comprising: an air bag (50) having an inflatable first chamber (50a) formed of two joined-together first (52a) and second (52b) panels of material, the first chamber including a forward part (26) and an opposite rear part (60); an inflator (26) for generating inflation gas to inflate the air bag, the inflator including exit ports (26a) which channel the inflation gas into the first chamber in a determinable direction; the air bag further including a flow diverter (70, 90) positioned to receive inflation gas and to divert at least a component of the inflation gas to flow generally perpendicular to the first direction. In one embodiment the flow diverter is formed as an open topped tube; in another embodiment; the flow diverter includes a plurality of vent openings in the side of the tube. In a third embodiment of the invention the diverter is formed by a permeable sack of material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motor car steering wheel with an external shell made of carbon fibers, which comprises preparing a pile of sheet materials, hot molding thereof for obtaining respective half-shells with a shape corresponding to that of respective halves of the steering wheel being manufactured, mechanical flattening of the front surfaces of the two half-shells, mounting of the two half-shells above and under a steering wheel body formed by a metallic core covered by resin. The steering wheel body has lateral profiles which act as fixing supports for the two half-shells.

Abstract: An air bag module for a steering wheel includes an inflator, cushion, retainer ring, cover and a mounting plate with snap-in attachment studs. A wire spring fastening system is used to secure the module to the steering wheel. The system includes a retainer mechanism and a serpentine engagement wire which engages notches in the snap-in attachment studs. The retention mechanism also includes an alignment guide that is used with a disassembly tool to remove the air bag module from the steering wheel.

Abstract: Motor vehicle safety system deployment is controlled by a biomechanical algorithm that considers a normalized frontal crash velocity and vehicle occupant status in determining safety system deployment strategy. Normalized frontal velocity is determined either by a radar type crash velocity detection system or by adjusting the radar velocity towards a crash velocity determined based on time-to-fire as determined by a single-point algorithm. The radar velocity or the adjusted greater velocity is normalized if necessary for crash type to a frontal velocity equivalent.

Abstract: A smart ignitor control system has communications output electronic circuitry and communications input electronic circuitry. The communications output electronic circuitry generates output serial clock, data, and handshaking signals for communication with a master ASIC that is adapted to communicate with a smart ignitor. The communications input electronic circuitry inputs data and handshaking signals from a master ASIC. Smart ignitors are in circuit communication with the master ASIC via an ignitor bus. Optionally, additional circuitry digitizes analog voltages and waveforms from the ignitor bus and transmits the digitized data to an electronic information processor.

Abstract: A side impact or rollover air bag for protecting a vehicle occupant during an accident, comprising: an inflatable cushion which upon inflation is positioned between the occupant and an adjacent portion of a vehicle to protect the occupant, the cushion including first and second sides, a top and bottom; inflatable tube, positioned adjacent the cushion, for extending the cushion to its full vertical length prior to the full forward inflation of the cushion by inflation gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining and tracking the position of a main target (an occupant) and secondary targets, comprising the steps of: transmitting a signal T1, of determinable period toward the location of the occupant, generating and storing a first index of data indicative of the time any received signal exceeds a determinable threshold; separating the data within the first index into definable data groups indicative of individual received signals representing potential targets; determining, in relation to each transmitted signal T1, a common group time of receipt Tc for each data group; correlating the group time of receipt to the position of the main target and secondary targets occupant.