Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device for a moveable part of a motor vehicle such as an automobile which can be held, such as a steering wheel. The heater is connected to a source of electrical energy in a stationary part of the vehicle by a contact unit having a stator and a rotor. A voltage converter of the heating device is provided in the stationary part of the vehicle, before the contact unit or in the stator of the contact unit. The voltage converter enables the generation of a higher voltage than the normal 12 volt standard voltage of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for determining the angular position of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle uses a steering angle sensor and an electronic evaluation device for determining the angular position. The steering angle sensor is integrated in a contact unit for transmitting energy and data from stationary subassemblies of the vehicle to the steering wheel and vice versa. Preferably, the steering angle sensor is disposed as part of a stator and rotor in a contact unit which operates in a contactless manner and comprises the stator and the rotor. In this way, the steering angle sensor does not require any additional space for installation and costs are reduced.

Abstract: An airbag module for use in a motor vehicle includes a gas generator, and an airbag operatively connected to the gas generator which has, in an inflated state, a restricted cross-section with substantially parallel sides and two opposite ends, and two enlarged sections, each adjoining a different one of the two opposite ends of the restricted cross-section such that the airbag is bone-shaped. One of the enlarged sections of the airbag is adapted to face an occupant of the motor vehicle in which it is installed. Preferably, the airbag is mounted either underneath, above, or in the middle of the dashboard of the motor vehicle. The airbag may be installed in the steering wheel or a side airbag position in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a gas generator in a housing, in particular for fastening a tubular gas generator in a diffuser of an airbag module has a plastic adaptor located between the housing and the gas generator at an open end of the housing. The gas generator is screwed to the housing at the end of the housing opposite the open end. The housing also adjoins the gas generator near the open end of the housing in the operational direction of a fastening screw at a point next to the adapter and/or in the region of an opening in the adapter.

Abstract: A method and device for folding an airbag having a inner main fold and an outer main fold in a folded state. The airbag is fixed to a working surface, extended along a longitudinal axis away from the working surface, and fixed in the area of the inner or outer main fold. The airbag is then expanded, or contracted, to form the outer or inner main fold, respectively, and then compressed toward the working surface. A shaping body is preferably inserted into the airbag through an inflation opening to extend the airbag so that a folding element may activated to retain the airbag against the shaping body to form the inner or outer main fold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gas bag for an airbag module, the gas bag being concertinaed in the region of a gas generator in the rest state. According to the invention, the gas bag stack formed by the concertina folds is additionally curved at least once in a plane extending perpendicular to the fold surfaces and parallel to the fold edges. A gas bag folded in this way can easily unfold since no section thereof is folded over the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of side impact, using an inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag is fitted behind a rigid, movable door or coachwork trim component. The movable trim component is moved by the inflating airbag towards the vehicle occupant to be protected, and remains between the airbag and the occupant during and after inflation.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger safety method in which a gas bag in an airbag module is inflated in between the passenger and parts of the vehicle when a crash occurs. The cover of the gas bag moves away from the passenger before the gas bag is inflated. Preferably, the gas bag and a diffuser, located in between an inflating device and the gas bag, also move away from the passenger. Compressed gas is released from the inflating device into the gas bag only when the above mentioned groups of components have been placed in a set position.

Abstract: A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module is characterized in that an empty airbag is spread out and gathered in towards a center to give a folded airbag. The airbag is gathered inside a fixed vertical profiled section having a top and a bottom separated by a distance corresponding to the predetermined height of the folded airbag. Only a few gathering tools and only a few operations are necessary to gather the airbag. A device for carrying out the method is characterized by a lower part on which the airbag is spread out flat and an upper part separated from the lower part by a distance that corresponds to the vertical profile required for the gathered airbag. Gathering tools are mounted between the upper part and the lower part so that they surround the airbag and so that their position relative to the airbag can be changed.

Abstract: An airbag module is provided which includes a folded gas bag, a gas generator operatively connected to the gas bag, and a gas diffusor operatively connected to the gas generator and positioned in one of the folds of the gas bag. When the gas bag deploys, it unfolds in a main unfolding direction. The gas diffusor includes large holes and a small holes for exhausting compressed gas from the gas generator into the gas bag for deployment. The large holes are located on the gas diffusor in the direction of the main unfolding direction of the gas bag.

Abstract: An airbag system for motor vehicles with at least one gas bag and at least one associated gas generator, whereby the airbag system is at least partially shiftable by the occupant. The section of the airbag system shiftable by the occupant is supported by at least one deformable element or shiftable element. This deformable element or shiftable element is deformable or shiftable with a lower expenditure of force with ignition of the gas generator than with a slight deceleration of the vehicle and no ignition of the gas generator by action of the impacting occupant.

Abstract: A plug for gas generators of air bag impact protection systems has current paths formed by sheet metal strips and an inductance coil in one of both interrupted current paths that form two poles. One of the current paths is U-shaped; its branch opposite the counter-current path (4) is interrupted to form two inner poles (1, 2) and acts as a mechanical support for the inductance coil (5) that electrically bridges the interruption, and the other branch (3), located next to the counter-current path (4), forms together with the counter-current patch (4) plug pins (6, 7) that extend outwards. The plug pins (6, 7) are formed by bending the T-or forked-shaped ends of the current paths (3, 4). The inductance coil (5) is arranged in a housing and is provided with electric connections that can be directly connected to the inner poles (1, 2). In order to manufacture this plug, a preform is first cut out of a sheet metal web.

Abstract: An air bag module with a gas bag, at least one corresponding gas generator for inflating the gas bag, and a cover of the air bag module which is attached to a generator carrier in a simpler way. The cover includes bead-like profiles on resilient side walls which allow at least partial structural connection to the gas generator carrier by insertion into one side of corresponding grooves in the gas generator carrier. Profile strips with bead-like reinforcement are inserted into the other side of the grooves to lock the cover in place on the gas generator carrier.

Abstract: A device for attaching a steering wheel hub to a steering wheel column, while simultaneously fixing a contact unit to the steering wheel, includes a fastener that has a head part engaging in the hub and a shank that engages partially in the hub and partially in the shaft. In a locked position, the fastener engages a recess in the contact unit to prevent the steering wheel hub from rotating relative to the stator of the contact unit. In an unlocked position, the fastener partially engages the hub, partially engages the column, and disengages from the recess in the contact unit to fixedly connect the hub to the column and allow the hub, and therefore the rotor of the contact unit, to rotate.

Abstract: An airbag module with a gas generator, a blow diffuser, and a gas bag has at least one blow diffuser extending into a fold of the folded gas bag. The blow diffuser extends as far as the region of the gas bag cover and the folded gas bag is fitted essentially beside the blow diffuser and is arranged around it. With this airbag module, the gas bag is drawn from the housing and not pushed in the usual manner.

Abstract: An airbag module cover an airbag module housing. The cover has two electrically conducting foils which are spaced apart opposite each other between a front panel and a back panel. The distance between the foils is guaranteed by nonconducting spacers which are disposed between the foils. A stop member is connected to the back panel. A gas diffuser is disposed inside the airbag module housing. A space is defined between the diffuser and the stop member. A layer of a folded airbag penetrates the space. When pressed, the cover deflects causing the stop member to travel through the space contacting the folded airbag and stopping against the diffuser. A resulting pressure causes the foils to make contact and activate the horn.

Abstract: A covering device for air-bag-collision-safety systems, including a cap formed of a frame and a cover. The cover is provided with predetermined tear lines forming cover sections, whereby the cover sections are connected in a hinge manner with the frame. The covering device is injection molded of a foamed thermoplastic material, especially an elastomer. Areas of various layer thicknesses lying in the gripping area of the user, such that the surface layers lying in the gripping area of the user, as well as the areas of the covering device used for attachment have a lower pore volume and correspondingly a higher density and hardness between 50 Shore A and 75 Shore D. A layer having a characteristic foamed structure is formed under the surface layers lying in the gripping area of the user, whereby the thickness ratio between the thicker surface layer and the foamed structure is 1 at the most.

Abstract: A device for transmitting electrical signals between components which can be rotated relative to one another, in particular in motor vehicle steering systems, with a rotatable hub surrounded by a stationary housing and with at least one electrical lead which is connected at one end to the rotatable hub and at the other end to a stationary component. The device is characterized in that the electrical lead is connected and guided such that, in both end positions when the hub rotates in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction, the electrical lead is wound up on the hub in the respective opposite direction, whereas the electrical lead is unwound from the hub in the center position thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system for motor vehicles with an airbag and at least one associated gas generator for inflating the airbag in the event of an accident involving the vehicle. According to the invention, the airbag system is fixed on the vehicle where it can be moved at least in part away from the vehicle occupant. To this end, the airbag system is attached to the vehicle so that it can be translated, rotated, or tilted. Preferably it can be moved by the gases emerging from the gas generator after ignition thereof and is fixed on at least one plastically deformable element or spring element. The system according to the invention reduces the risk of injury to the occupant where at the time of inflation of the airbag the vehicle occupant is bending forward in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An airbag, a process for folding same and an apparatus for carrying out the folding process are disclosed. In order to produce a folded airbag as well as a process and apparatus for manufacturing same which ensure that the airbag can unfold very quickly without obstruction evenly where possible in all directions when the associated gas generator is activated, the airbag has main fold lines which run at least in part along closed tracks around an imaginary center on the substantially empty spread-out airbag. The corresponding process ensures such a path of the main fold lines and the apparatus has folding elements which are movable relative to each other and which have projections directed towards each other in the direction of movement wherein each projection or group of projections defines a closed track running round a center wherein tracks extending from inside to outside are provided at increasing distance from the center.