Patents Assigned to TRW
  • Patent number: 11940255
    Abstract: The invention relates to an igniting unit (10), especially for an inflator, comprising an electric igniter (11) including a first inner cap (12) which forms a space (14) for being filled with a booster propellant charge with a second outer cap (13). In accordance with the invention, the second cap (13) is an electrically non-conductive insulating cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Heigl, Johann Hinkofer, Christoph Knollhuber, Christoph Mocker, Andreas Seidel
  • Patent number: 11860309
    Abstract: A 3D imaging system includes a light source arranged to illuminate a scene with at least one optical pulse including light of at least two discrete wavelengths; an optical detector including an array of detection elements; and an optical modulator interposed in the optical path between the scene and the optical detector, the modulator being arranged to differentially amplitude modulate the two wavelengths in the reflected portion of the optical pulse as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Adam John Heenan, Martin Thompson, Roger Hazelden, Rob Pinnock
  • Patent number: 11766988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid gas generator (10) which comprises a compressed gas chamber (20) and an igniting unit (30), wherein the compressed gas chamber (20) is closed by a first igniter-side bursting membrane (21) and a second bursting membrane (22). According to the invention, a first, rapidly burning-off pyrotechnic agent (51) and a second pyrotechnic agent (52) burning off slowly in comparison to the first pyrotechnic agent (51) are located in the hybrid gas generator (10), wherein the second bursting membrane (22) is openable by positive pressure which can be generated in the compressed gas chamber (20) and the first pyrotechnic agent (51) is separated from the second pyrotechnic agent (52) in such a manner that the positive pressure in the compressed gas chamber (20) for opening the second bursting membrane (22) can be generated by the first pyrotechnic agent (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Sebastian Bierwirth, Johannes Ebner, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Martin Oberstarr, Daniel Hillmann, Uta Isenmann, Detlef Last
  • Patent number: 11757388
    Abstract: A method suitable for characterizing a motor, for instance a permanent magnet synchronous motor, includes obtaining a plurality of winding flux linkage values or terminal voltages of the motor, each corresponding to a different combination of phase current magnitude and phase advance. The resultant flux-linkage values or terminal voltages are transformed into the rotor dq reference frame. The flux linkage model is fitted to the one or more dq-axis flux-linkage values or terminal voltages and their linked phase current magnitude and phase advance using a process of parametric optimisation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, TRW LIMITED
    Inventors: David Moule, Luis Ayala, Albert Schwinn
  • Patent number: 11746841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-drag structure of automobile brake calipers, comprising a brake caliper body which is provided with a cylinder bore and a brake claw arranged along the axis of the cylinder bore in an extending mode; and a cylindrical piston bush is pressed in the cylinder bore by interference fit, a step ring groove is formed in the inner wall of the piston bush and composed of a major diameter ring groove and a minor diameter ring groove which have rectangular sections. The present invention can improve the generality of the brake caliper body through the arrangement of the piston bush and improve the standardization of production manufacturing of brake calipers, and can reduce the residual drag moment of the brake caliper and the fuel consumption with the rubber seal ring and the phenolic resin PF ring to achieve the purpose of emission reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: CSG TRW Chassis Systems CO., LTD
    Inventors: Liang Huang, Peng Jiang
  • Patent number: 11565651
    Abstract: An airbag (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises at least two opposite fabric layers (12, 14) which delimit at least one chamber (18) adapted to be filled with gas and comprises at least two spacers (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) which, in the inflated state of the airbag (10), delimit the distance of the fabric layers (12, 14) from each other, wherein the spacers (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) are formed by threads which in a connecting area (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) are connected to a fabric layer (12, 14), extend in the direction of the opposite fabric layer (14, 12) and in a further connecting area (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) are connected to the original or the opposite fabric layer (14, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Agostini
  • Patent number: 11498506
    Abstract: A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axially
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH, ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventors: AnnMarie McMillan, Jeffrey M. Ruprecht, James Steele, Dominik Schutz
  • Patent number: 11498514
    Abstract: The invention relates to an overigniting protection device (40) for a multi-stage gas generator (10), comprising a combustion chamber limiting element (34) for limiting a combustion chamber (30) of a second ignition stage (14) of the gas generator (10) as well as an overigniting protection element (38) which is arranged on a side of the combustion chamber limiting element (34) remote from the combustion chamber (30), wherein the overigniting protection element (38) covers the side of the combustion chamber limiting element (34) remote from the combustion chamber (30), wherein the overigniting protection element (38) is tightly connected to the combustion chamber limiting element (34) via a mounting portion (42) and wherein the overigniting protection element (38) is substantially plate-shaped or completely covers the side of the combustion chamber limiting element (34) remote from the combustion chamber (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Ebner, Hans-Peter Neumayer
  • Patent number: 11498616
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering column having a pinion connected with a vehicle steering wheel such that rotation of the steering wheel results in rotation of the pinion. An electrically powered steering unit includes an electric motor having a first output shaft rotatable about an axis. A first planetary gear stage has a first gear reduction ratio and is driven by the first output shaft. A second planetary gear stage is driven by the first planetary gear stage and the pinion and has a second gear reduction ratio different from the first gear reduction ratio. A second output shaft is driven by the second planetary gear stage and coupled to the steerable wheels such that rotation of the second output shaft affects steering of the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Boyle, Ryan L. Noerenberg, Benjamin W. Schoon
  • Patent number: 11491926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiring harness (10) for an airbag module of a vehicle occupant safety system, particularly for a driver's airbag module, having a connector (11) for connecting to a pyrotechnic igniter of the airbag module, at least one module connecting cable (12) connected to the connector (11) for connecting the connector (11) to a vehicle wiring harness, and at least one actuator unit (13) having a pyrotechnic actuator (17) and an actuator connecting cable (14) which is formed integrally with the actuator unit (13) and is connected to the connector (11). The invention further relates to an airbag module, vehicle cabling and a vehicle occupant safety system having a wiring harness of this kind and to a method of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Morhart, Marco Tumminello, Joao Ribeiro, Stefan Bachmann, Alexander Bott, Bernd Stransfeld, Andreas Fleckenstein
  • Patent number: 11447094
    Abstract: A belt retractor comprises a frame (10), a belt reel (12) rotatably arranged in the frame (10) and having a first end (16) and an opposite second end (17) as well as comprising a blocking mechanism (18) arranged at an end face of the belt reel (12) by which the belt reel (12) can be blocked within the frame (10). The belt retractor further comprises an axially extending first load limiter which is releasably coupled to the belt reel (12) by means of a disconnecting clutch (24), a second load limiter which is coupled to be rotationally fixed to the first load limiter or a hub, and a third load limiter which can be coupled to be rotationally fixed to the belt reel (12) by means of a connecting clutch (38). Moreover, a method for controlling such belt retractor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Sautter, Philipp Göltz, Markus Däuber, Marco Braun
  • Patent number: 11449070
    Abstract: A method for assisting operation of a vehicle traveling on a roadway includes acquiring visual images around the vehicle with at least one visual camera having a field of view and acquiring thermal images around the vehicle with at least one thermal camera having the field of view. The thermal images are superimposed over the visual images to produce composite images. An object is detected in the composite images. A vehicle assist system adjusts at least one of a direction of travel and speed of the vehicle in response to detecting the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Ramakirankumar Indrakanti, Hassan Elkhatib
  • Patent number: 11440496
    Abstract: A description is given of a bearing unit of a vehicle subassembly, wherein the vehicle subassembly has a vehicle-mounted support, in particular a vehicle steering wheel (10), and a component which is to be fastened on the support, in particular an airbag module. The baring unit comprises at least one adjustable spacer element (14a, 14b, 14c) for orienting the position of the component on the support. Also provided are a bearing unit having a plurality of spacer elements (14a) which can be adjusted independently of one another and a steering wheel subassembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) and an airbag module, wherein the vehicle steering wheel (10) and the airbag module are connected to each other by the bearing unit. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a vehicle subassembly having a vehicle-mounted support, a component which is to be fastened on the support and at least one bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Dominik Schütz
  • Patent number: 11433850
    Abstract: A gas generator for use for a safety device in vehicles comprises a pyrotechnical propelling charge, wherein the propelling charge is formed from a first and at least a second master batch which are in a mixed state in a filling. Each master batch has a plurality of molded propellant bodies having defined geometry and having a relative quickness. The relative quickness RQ2 of the second master batch is less than the relative quickness RQ1 of the first master batch, wherein RQ2=RQ1·fq and fq?0.9. The invention further relates to a method for producing the propelling charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Friedrich Jörg, Siegfried Jahnel
  • Patent number: 11390240
    Abstract: A front head/torso airbag (10) of a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a cover surface (12) and a baffle surface (14) forming a contact face for the vehicle occupant (22) which merges Into the cover surface (12). In the inflated state of the airbag (10) being in the mounted position, the baffle surface (14) includes a central surface portion and laterally adjacent thereto at feast one bulge (20) projecting from the central surface portion for laterally protecting the head (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Daniele Aranzulla, Martin Burkhardtsmaier, Kurt Fischer, Angelo Adler, Alexandra Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11395444
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a driver assist system for a vehicle includes a housing and a camera extending from the housing. A data processing circuit is mounted within the housing for processing and analyzing image data provided by the camera. A fluid filled heat sink transfers heat from the data processing circuit to the environment for cooling the data processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Gregory L. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 11377063
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising an airbag panel (16) defining an inflatable airbag volume as well as including a front panel portion (18) and a rear panel portion (20), a tether (22) extending in the interior of the airbag (14) across the inflatable airbag volume, a discharge orifice (24) which is formed in the rear panel portion (20) of the airbag panel (16), as well as a first closing tab (26) and a second closing tab (28) for closing the discharge orifice (24), wherein the tether (22) extends from a first tether end (32) tightly connected to the front panel portion (18) in the direction of the discharge orifice (24) to an opposite second tether end (34), wherein the first closing tab (26) extends from a first tab end (36) tightly connected to the rear panel portion (20) to a second tab end (38) tightly connected to the second tether end (34), wherein the second closing tab (28) is fastened on the rear panel portion (20) adjacent to the discharge orific
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A., SAFELIFE INDUSTRIAL DE COMPOMENTES DE SEGURANCA AUTOMOVEL S.A., TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Lind, Stefan Sapountzis, Ramon Bana Castro, Bartolomeu Franco, Alexandra Baibas Calvo, Diogo Goncalves Rocha
  • Patent number: 11351955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of folding an airbag (10), especially an airbag (10) to be arranged beneath a vehicle roof (50), comprising an injection orifice (11), a guiding portion (13) arranged adjacent thereto in the longitudinal direction and an inflating portion (12) arranged adjacent to the guiding portion (13) in the longitudinal direction, the method including flatly spreading the airbag (10); laterally folding, especially zigzag folding, at least in portions at least one side part (30; 30?) of the airbag (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10); furling the inflating portion (12) at least in portions starting from a trailing edge (26) of the airbag (10) that is maximally spaced from the injection orifice (11) in a first furling direction (AR) in the direction to the injection orifice (11); and forming the guiding portion (13) by laying at least one folding including a first folding bend (14) against the first furling direction (AR) so that the deployment behavior of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A., TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Peyre, Ramon Ramos
  • Patent number: 11353548
    Abstract: A method of operating a radar apparatus comprises: (a) capturing a first chirp of data in the cycle and storing the data in a local storage memory; (b) processing the captured data to generate a set of range bin data, (c) transferring the range bin data from the local storage memory to a remote burst access memory, (d) repeating the steps (a) and (b) for each subsequent chirp, (e) repeating step (c) so as to transfer the range bin data from the local storage memory to the remote burst access memory, (f) transferring from the remote burst access memory into the local storage memory, (g) process the data transferred into the local storage memory to generate a set of velocity data, and repeating steps (f) and (g) until all of the data in the remote burst access memory block of data has been processed by the second FFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Martin John Thompson
  • Patent number: 11345305
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag configured to be mounted to a support structure of the vehicle. The airbag is inflatable to deploy from a stored condition away from the support structure toward a vehicle seat in which the occupant is seated to one of a first deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat, and a second deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a reclined condition of the vehicle seat. The airbag is configured to deploy to the first deployed condition in response to determining a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat and to the second deployed condition in response to determining a reclined condition of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Alexandra E. Schroeder, Angelo R. Adler