Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Safety System GmbH & Co. KG
  • Patent number: 6432033
    Abstract: A method of folding a side gas bag in a packet form having a gas bag consisting of a substantially rectangular fabric section having rounded corners, a connecting plate for connecting to a gas generator and having fastening bolts projecting through the fabric section includes the steps of folding the fabric section along a first fold edge to an approximately square shape with free edges; arranging the free edges one over the other; and connecting the free edges with each other to form the closed bag. During the folding, a free space i8s formed between two adjacent layers of the fabric sections for the insertion of a fold rule. Thereafter, the free space is widened by means of a fold rule and the remaining fabric material is then, by means of further fold rules externally engaging and inserted, folded in on both sides from a center of the free space several times in meandering from in layers parallel to the connecting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claudia Salzmann, Andreas Weis
  • Patent number: 6431599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant with a centric opening as a transition to an indentation in the gas bag. The indentation is formed in that during inflation a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving and is restrained. A closure part is provided which encloses one of the indentation and the opening and engages the gas bag wall. A traction device is provided which is connected with the closure part. The traction device is attached such that due to a deployment of the gas bag a tensile force is exerted on the traction device and the tensile force is passed on to the closure part, and one of the indentation and the opening is at least partly closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Bohn
  • Publication number: 20020105171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag with a gas bag wall which has a front and a rear wall section. A depression is provided which has a mouth and runs in an inflated state of the gas bag from the front wall section to the rear wall section, which depression is formed in that a part of the gas bag wall is prevented from an unimpeded movement away from the module on unfolding of the gas bag. The module further comprises at least one closure piece which is fastened to the gas bag wall such that in the inflated state it moves in front of the mouth of the depression and closes the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Stefan Bohn
  • Publication number: 20020105179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag including a gas bag wall which has a front and a rear wall section and including at least one chamber. The gas bag further comprises an indentation running from the front wall section in an inflated state in a direction toward the rear wall section. The indentation is formed in that a part of the gas bag wall is prevented from an unimpeded movement towards outside of the module on unfolding of the gas bag. The gas bag, in a region of a mouth of the indentation, has a bubble-like inflatable extension in flow connection with the at least one chamber of the gas bag, which extension closes the indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20020100342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising a skeleton made of die cast material, a reinforcement being embedded in the die cast material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Drefahl, Jupp Fleckenstein, Martin Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 6426473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, with a switch movably mounted on the steering wheel. The steering wheel comprises a bearing for the switch, the bearing having a guide piece and a bearing piece that encloses the guide piece. The guide piece has a free end with a cone widening outwards towards the free end and transversely to a direction of movement of the switch. The free end forms an end stop in a non-actuated switch position and rests against the bearing piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 6422108
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly consisting of a steering shaft and a steering wheel secured thereto. The steering shaft is provided with a groove at an end associated with the steering wheel, and the steering wheel is provided with a holding part which may engage into the groove in order to secure the steering wheel to the steering shaft in an axial direction. The holding part is movable between a release position in which it does not engage the groove, and a holding position in which it engages into the groove. A blocking element is provided, adapted to hold the holding part in the release position, and an indicator element is provided, which is connected with the holding part and is adapted to display at an outside of the steering wheel whether the holding part is in its holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Guido Hirzmann
  • Publication number: 20020084638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant and a depression starting from the front wall. The depression is formed in that during inflation of the gas bag a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving and is restrained. The gas bag has around the depression a ring-shaped chamber to be filled with gas. At least one limiting strap is provided which engages the gas bag wall at a transition from the front wall to the depression, substantially extends alongside the depression and determines a depth of the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020084641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraint device, comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint and has a depression defined by a ring-shaped gas bag wall portion. The depression is generated in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from movement when the gas bag is inflated. Holding means are provided at the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion that keep parts of the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion, which get in contact with each other when the gas bag is inflated, in contact with each other in a fully inflated condition of the gas bag, and at least partly close the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020084639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant and an indentation starting from the front wall. The indentation is formed in that a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving during inflation and is restrained. The gas bag has a ring-shaped chamber to be filled with gas and extends around the indentation. Arranged in the indentation is at least one limiting strap which extends along the indentation and has an end pointing out of the indentation and, related to an inflated condition of the gas bag, is attached to the gas bag wall at least at the end pointing out of the indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020084631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraining device comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint. The front wall has a depression which is produced in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from moving when the gas bag is inflated. The gas bag restraining device further comprises a module cover closing a ring-shaped outlet opening of the gas bag module. The module cover has a central hole which is covered by a cap which is stationary during opening of said gas bag module. The module cover has an edge defining the central hole and opens, preferably tears, towards outside starting from the edge. A holding connection is provided between the edge and the cap which is released when said gas bag module is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Udo Bieber, John-Oliver Derrick
  • Publication number: 20020084640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant with a centric opening as a transition to an indentation in the gas bag. The indentation is formed in that during inflation a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving and is restrained. A closure part is provided which encloses one of the indentation and the opening and engages the gas bag wall. A traction means is provided which is connected with the closure part. The traction means is attached such that due to a deployment of the gas bag a tensile force is exerted on the traction means and the tensile force is passed on to the closure part, and one of the indentation and the opening being at least partly closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Bohn
  • Patent number: 6409208
    Abstract: A detent connection comprises two retaining parts, one of which is provided with at least one detent nose. The detent nose is designed such that on shifting of the two retaining parts relative to each other one of the retaining parts is arched by a force acting substantially perpendicular to a shifting direction before the detent nose latches in place. Further, a gas bag module is proposed which comprises such a detent connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Frisch, John-Oliver Derrick
  • Publication number: 20020074781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising a skeleton, a gas bag module which is axially movably coupled with the skeleton in such a way that by pressing against the gas bag module a contact is closed for actuating a horn, and a resilient return element for the gas bag module. The gas bag module comprises a gas bag with an opening edge defining an inflation opening as well as comprises a flange clamping the opening edge on an inside of the gas bag for fastening the gas bag. Bearing pins are provided which directly engage the flange and which are attached to one of the skeleton and a part stationarily mounted directly to the skeleton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dominik Schutz, John-Oliver Derrick
  • Publication number: 20020074780
    Abstract: A gas bag module for installation in a vehicle steering wheel comprises a carrier, a gas generator mounted to the carrier, and a multi-function conductor film. The multi-function conductor film is disposed on a rear side of the gas generator and on a rear side of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20020073799
    Abstract: A steering wheel comprises a rim skeleton and a rim casing. At least one vibration-damping element is provided which is arranged between the rim skeleton and the rim casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20020069722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a skeleton for a steering wheel rim made of sheet metal, the method comprising the following steps: a flat metal blank is cut in such a way that it has a ring-shaped section, the ring-shaped section is deformed in such a way that it acquires a hollow profile which in cross-section encloses an angle of more than 180°, and the deformation is carried out at least partially in that the ring-shaped section is moved between two rotatable rollers. The invention further relates to a steering wheel produced by the method proposed. Such a steering wheel has a hollow steering wheel rim including a center channel for delivering cooling air. The channel is defined by the open hollow profile and by a shell part placed onto the profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Wissel
  • Patent number: 6402193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel, in particular for use in motor vehicles. The steering wheel comprises a steering wheel plane, an airbag module, a support plate and a spring plate connected to the support plate via an electrically insulating element. The steering wheel further comprises an insulating support fixed to the steering wheel, and restoring springs for replacing the airbag module in an initial position after displacement for actuation of a horn contact. The airbag module, for actuation of the horn contact, is constructed so as to be displaceable approximately perpendicularly to the steering wheel plane against the restoring springs by at least a contact gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jupp Fleckenstein
  • Publication number: 20020062712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a vehicle steering wheel. The method comprises the following steps: a) a one-piece steering wheel skeleton having a hub, at least one spoke and a steering wheel rim is produced by one of casting and injection-molding, b) an intermediate layer made of soft foam is glued directly onto the steering wheel rim and c) the intermediate layer is covered with leather in that the leather is glued directly onto the intermediate layer. As an alternative working step, a cover consisting of an inner intermediate layer made of soft foam with an outer covering made of leather is glued with an inside directly onto the steering wheel rim. The invention further relates to a vehicle steering wheel produced by one of the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Miltenberger
  • Patent number: 6384328
    Abstract: A multiple switch includes a pair of switch units arranged in a row and forming a common actuating surface. The switch units are provided with uniform module housings (12). The adjoining module housings (12) are mechanically rigidly coupled to each other by a connecting element (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann