Abstract: An airbag module mounted to an interior side of a bottom portion of a seat frame. The module includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator. The airbag is configured to deploy to a position directly inboard of an interior side of the seat bottom. A portion of the airbag extends above the seat bottom when the airbag is inflated.

Abstract: At least one fan beam of light (16, 16.1, 16.2) projected along a path (14, 14.1, 14.2, 48) of a vehicle (12) generates a corresponding at least one light stripe (90, 90.1, 90.2) along the surface (14?, 48?) of the path (14, 48), which is imaged by an imaging system (22, 26) to generate a pair of stereo image components (88?, 88?) which is processed so as to provide for sensing a physical feature of or along the path (14?, 48?).

Abstract: A steering wheel system for vehicle includes a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant and a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel. The first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone.

Abstract: An airbag includes an outer shell defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into a first chamber and a second chamber. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider. The valve mechanism includes an opening enabling fluid communication between the first and second chambers, and a flap positioned in the second chamber overlying the opening. The flap is structured to deflect in a direction away from the opening responsive to a pressure differential urging a flow of gas from the first chamber through the opening into the second chamber. The flap is also structured to block the opening responsive to a reverse pressure differential urging a flow of gas from the second chamber through the opening into the first chamber. The flap includes at least one attachment edge along which the flap is attached to the divider and at least one non-attachment edge along which the flap is not attached to the divider.

Abstract: An image of a visual scene, comprising a plurality of pixels. is acquired and an associated range map is either determined therefrom or separately acquired. Elements of the range map comprise distances from the camera for each pixel of the image. In one aspect, either the image or the range map is processed with a connected-components sieve filter that locates clusters of pixels or elements that are connected to one another along either adjacent rows, columns or diagonally. In another aspect, a cross-range value of range-map element is compared with a down-range-responsive cross-range threshold of a boundary of a collision-possible space and the pixel or element is nulled or ignored if associated with a location that is not in the collision-possible space. The collision-possible space is responsive to an operating condition of a vehicle from which the image is acquired.

Abstract: A gas generant container assembly includes a porous container defining a chamber therein, and a porous separator positionable and securable within the chamber so as to divide the chamber into at least a pair of sub-chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element. The PCB may be thermally coupled to a heat exchange component such that heat from the light element is transferred from the PCB to the steering wheel grip.

Abstract: A retractor including a rotatable shaft including a coupling feature, a lock base having a recess, a spool configured to rotate about an axis of rotation to wind and unwind the seat belt, a longitudinal member, and a drive member. The spool includes a central bore that extends along the axis of rotation and is configured to receive a first portion of the shaft therein. The longitudinal member includes a longitudinal bore and a transverse bore that intersects with the longitudinal bore, the longitudinal bore being configured to receive a second portion of the shaft therein. The drive member includes a first portion passing through the transverse bore and a second portion disposed in the recess, the first portion including an engaging feature, where a load is transmitted between the shaft and drive member when the engaging feature is coupled to the coupling feature.

Abstract: A steering wheel system for a vehicle includes a first microphone mounted in a steering wheel and a second microphone mounted in the vehicle. The first and second microphones are each configured to receive an audible input. The audible input includes an oral command component and a noise component. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to identify the noise component by determining that the noise component received at the first microphone is out of phase with the noise component received at the second microphone. The controller is configured to cancel the noise component from the audible input.

Abstract: An active hinge mechanism structured for lifting a portion of a hood of a vehicle is provided. The mechanism includes a tubular link structured for operative coupling to the hood so as to transmit a lifting force to the hood after activation of the mechanism.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the seat, to classify the object, or both.

Abstract: An airbag 10 includes at least one panel 12 defining an interior 104/102 of the airbag, and a divider 100 positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper chamber 102 and a lower chamber 104. A valve mechanism 200 is operatively coupled to the divider 100 for restricting a flow of gases from the lower chamber 104 into the upper chamber 102. The valve mechanism 200 includes one or more valves 200 with a desired aggregate opening(s) and located in predetermined location(s) thereby affecting a designed inflation profile. The divider 100 has an arcuate length Ld, measured between two divider airbag attachment points 100d and 100a, greater than a corresponding linear horizontal airbag length La, measured between the same two attachment points. The passenger side airbag 10 for each unique vehicle is designed by iteratively reconciling the requirements of FMVSS208 with the present airbag design.

Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into a first chamber and a second chamber. The divider includes at least one divider opening enabling fluid communication between the first and second chambers. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider and has a first cover structured to restrict gas flow from the second chamber into the divider opening. The first cover has an opening. A second cover is attached to the first cover and is structured to restrict gas flow through the first cover opening in a direction from the first chamber toward the second chamber.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle. The module includes an inflatable airbag. The airbag includes a front panel configured to contact the occupant when the airbag is deployed and a rear panel including an opening. The front panel and the rear panel may be connected together along the periphery of each of the panels. The module includes an inflator for providing gas to inflate the airbag. The inflator being positioned in the opening so that inflation gas escapes the inflator into the airbag. The tether includes a strap connected at a second end to the front panel and at a first end at a location proximate to the inflator. The tether is connected to the front panel by a curved seam elongated in one direction.

Abstract: A structured light pattern is projected onto the path of a vehicle so as to generate a plurality of light spots, and an image thereof is captured from the vehicle. A world-space elevation of at least a portion of the light spots is responsive to a pitch angle of the vehicle determined responsive to image-space locations of down-range-separated light spots.

Abstract: Steering wheel hand detection systems are disclosed herein. The systems can optionally be used with a system for identifying the presence and/or location of a driver's hands on the steering wheel. The systems include a sensor mat including a plurality of sensor loops arranged in the steering wheel to achieve multiple sensing zones. Because the systems include a sensor mat including a plurality of sensor loops, the systems can be implemented in steering wheels having different designs. The systems can also be implemented to achieve different numbers and/or types (e.g., tap detection, swipe detection, grip detection, etc.) of sensing zones. Additionally, the systems can be implemented in a way that reduces the likelihood of crosstalk due to wire routing.

Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider for restricting a flow of gases from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The valve mechanism is structured such that an actuation response time of the valve in attenuating or impeding gas flow from the lower chamber into the upper chamber is proportional to the pressure differential between the upper and lower chambers.