Abstract: An airbag module including an inflatable airbag and an inflator. The airbag is formed by a main panel and a pair of side panels and deploys into a position to contact the occupant. The airbag includes a tether connected to the main panel at one end and is anchored proximate to the inflator at the other end. Prior to inflation, the airbag includes a pre-folded portion adjacent to the tether. The airbag is configured so that during an initial stage of the inflation process the tether is fully extended and the pre-folded portion remains folded and during a final stage of the inflation process the tether separates into at least two portions thereby allowing the pre-folded portion to unfold and the airbag to fully deploy.

Abstract: A capacitive detection system including an upper electrode printed on an upper film layer and a lower electrode printed on a lower film layer. The system includes a plurality of nodes of dielectric material printed in a spaced apart pattern on the lower film layer. The upper film layer is positioned over the lower film layer so that when a downward force is applied to the upper film layer the distance between at least a portion of the upper conductor and the lower conductor decreases. The system includes a controller operatively connected to the upper and lower electrodes. The controller includes a sensing circuit or processor configured to detect the presence of the occupant using a measure of the capacitance between the upper and lower electrode.

Abstract: A system for detecting a motion of an occupant seated in a vehicle. The system includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and configured to transmit a signal representative of a current in the sensing electrode. The system also includes a receiver including a controller and coupled to an antenna. The receiver is configured to detect a change in the transmitted signal based on a presence of the occupant and a set detection condition, and generate detection information based on the set detection condition. The controller is configured to change a state of a vehicle component based on the generated detection information.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for a seat belt device in a vehicle. The retractor includes a frame and a spool configured to be fixed to one end of a seat belt webbing so that the webbing may be wound around the spool. The spool is rotatably mounted at both ends to the frame and configured to rotate in a webbing extraction direction and a webbing retraction direction. The retractor includes primary and secondary torsion bars positioned end to end in the spool along an axis of rotation of the spool. The primary and secondary torsion bars are configured to be locked at second ends of the torsion bars opposite to the first end. The first ends of the torsion bars are configured to rotate relative to the second ends so that the primary and secondary torsion bars deform to absorb force when a vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A proximity detection system for detecting motion and proximity of an occupant seated in a vehicle. The system includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and configured to transmit a signal representative of a current in the sensing electrode. The system includes a receiver including a controller and coupled to an antenna. The receiver is configured to detect a change in the transmitted signal received by the antenna based on the proximity of the occupant. The receiver is configured to determine the presence of the occupant based on the amplitude of the signal received by the antenna and the rate change of the amplitude of the signal received by the antenna. The receiver is configured to generate a control signal to change a state of a vehicle component when at least one of the amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude exceed a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An airbag includes an outer shell defining an interior, at least one vent opening structured to enable fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the airbag, and a divider dividing the airbag interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The divider is deflectable in a first direction toward the lower chamber and in a second direction toward the upper chamber. A vent cover is coupled to the at least one vent opening and to the divider so as to close over and restrict a flow of gas through the at least one vent opening when the divider is deflected in the first direction, and so as to permit the vent cover to open so as to enable an unobstructed flow of gas through the at least one vent opening when the divider is deflected in the second direction.

Abstract: Various implementations include an improved steering wheel and methods of making the same. The improved steering wheel includes a carbon fiber mat that is preimpregnated with an epoxy resin that is wrapped adjacent at least a portion of a steering wheel frame. The edges of the mat that overlap are coupled together directly via the epoxy resin by heat curing the mat. The preimpregnated mat does not crack when subjected to thermal cycle tests, which is an improvement over prior art steering wheels that include raw carbon fiber mats that are coupled to the frame using a separate adhesive.

Abstract: A linear actuator contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A hollow piston is positioned within the housing to slidably engage with an inner wall of the housing. A sealed gas chamber is formed within the hollow piston and contains stored gas for driving the piston upon activation of the actuator.

Abstract: A piston rod assembly for a pressurized fluid-powered actuator is provided. The assembly includes a piston rod having a fluid flow passage extending along an interior thereof, and a cap secured to the piston rod at a position along the fluid flow passage. Sealing means is positioned between the piston rod and the cap so as to provide a fluid-tight seal between the piston rod and the cap.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a housing and a piston slidably mounted within the housing. The piston has a first portion forming a sliding fit between the piston and the housing, a second portion spaced apart from both the housing and the first portion, and a groove formed between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a supply of stored gas containing carbon dioxide, and a magnesium supply or source, such as magnesium mesh, that is readily ignitable in the presence of carbon dioxide in the presence of heat.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle seat. The module includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator. The airbag is stored in the vehicle seat prior to deployment and includes inboard and outboard inflatable chambers separated by a gap at a forward portion of the airbag. The airbag is configured to deploy into a position along side of the vehicle seat and the occupant.

Abstract: A guard attachable to a pressurized fluid-powered actuator incorporating a member extendible from a housing of the actuator. The guard includes a mounting portion structured for affixing the guard to the actuator housing, and a guard member defining an enclosure structured to extend about an end of the actuator housing when the guard member is affixed to the housing.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A structural component or piston is contained within the housing. A polymer is infused into and/or about the structural component thereby accommodating the immediate ignition of the same by a known initiator/igniter in a known manner, the initiator also contained within the housing.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle. The module includes an airbag formed by connected first and second panels, wherein the airbag includes first and second inflatable chambers. The module also includes an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag. The first and second inflatable chambers are fluidly connected by a gas flow passage. The first and second panels are connected together along a volume controlling seam located in the second chamber. The seam is configured to give way during inflation of the airbag to thereby allow the second chamber to completely inflate.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for a housing of a gas generating system is provided. The sub-assembly includes a housing portion and an insert attached to the housing portion such that at least a portion of a force applied to one of the housing portion and the attached insert is transferred through the attachment to the other one of the housing portion and the attached insert. A housing, a gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the sub-assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement with a gas bag inflatable by a gas generator to protect a vehicle occupant, whose envelope defines an interior space of the gas bag that can be filled with gas, with a vent opening through which gas can flow out, with an apparatus for controlling the cross-section of the vent opening including a covering part with which the vent opening can be covered to at least partly closed. The arrangement also includes an inflatable gas duct which interacts with the covering part to vary the cross-section of the vent opening. The duct is inflatable by a secondary gas generator, which during inflation interacts with the covering part such that it changes the cross-section of the vent opening. Rotational movement of the inflatable gas duct is restricted by an extended panel secured to the gas bag, a tab anchored nearby, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods that describe systems and method for detecting operator contact with a steering wheel of a vehicle. The system can include: a steering wheel, a drive motor coupled to the steering wheel, and a drive motor controller that controls the operation of the drive motor. The drive motor controller can detect contact between the operator and the steering wheel. In one aspect, the systems and methods can be used to alert the operator of the vehicle when operator contact with the steering wheel is not detected.

Abstract: A force-based haptic switch panel, comprising a touch plate having first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a touch surface and the second surface opposing the first surface. The haptic switch panel may also comprise a circuit board having a plurality of force sensors electrically coupled thereto. The force sensors are disposed between the circuit board and the second surface of the touch plate, wherein each force sensor is configured to measure a respective portion of a force applied to the touch surface of the touch plate. The haptic switch panel may also comprise an acoustic actuator disposed proximate a second surface of the touch plate and configured to generate a haptic output and an audible output responsive to the force applied to the touch surface.

Abstract: A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle seat that includes a sensing electrode located in a seat bottom of a vehicle seat. The system also includes a shield electrode located in the vehicle seat below the sensing electrode. A sensing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensing electrode and the shield electrode. A controller is operatively coupled to the sensing circuit, wherein the controller operates to configure the sensing circuit to apply current to the shield and sensing electrodes. The controller is configured to detect the presence of an object in the seat by comparing a measure of the quadrature component of the sensing current to a threshold wherein the measure is adjusted by an offset value that varies based on a value of a non-volatile counter.