Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Safety System GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20020043793
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a base for the airbag to be folded, a cover for the airbag, and a flexible element that is arranged between the base and the cover and has first and second ends. The first end of the flexible element is held between the base and the cover. The apparatus further comprises a traction means that acts upon the second end of the flexible element, and a pressure generating means with which the airbag can be acted upon with compressed gas. The invention further relates to a method of folding an airbag and making use of such an apparatus. Still further, the invention relates to a folded airbag produced by such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20020043786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel for a vehicle having a horn, said steering wheel having a longitudinal axis and comprising a gas bag module, a steering wheel skeleton, a gas bag module, at least one detent connection for connecting the gas bag module with the steering wheel skeleton. The gas bag module is displaceably mounted to the skeleton to allow a displacement of the gas bag module in the direction of the longitudinal axis to actuate the horn. The detent connection has first and second electrical contact surfaces, which come into contact with each other by displacement of the gas bag module to actuate the horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dominik Schutz
  • Publication number: 20020040617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel comprising a hub, a steering wheel rim, at least one spoke connecting the hub and the steering wheel rim, and at least one decorative element. At least one of the steering wheel rim and the spoke have a skeleton and a sheathing surrounding the skeleton. The skeleton has a recess and the decorative element has a fastening element which projects into the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gokay Albayrak, Michael Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6365875
    Abstract: A heatable steering wheel with electric heating wires on a wheel rim is provided. The heating, wires are covered by a casing. The casing consists of a support layer that has good thermal conductivity and of an externally applied layer of veneer wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6365853
    Abstract: A device for closing an electrical switch, for installation in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The switch has a first contact element (1) which is essentially fixed, a second contact element (2) moveable against a return force, and an actuating means (6). The contact elements (1, 2) consist of elongated wire shaped or strip shaped material sections which are held parallel to one another within a spacer cage (3) at a defined distance from each other. Sections (4) of the cage (3) with fixed distance between the contact elements alternate, as seen in a longitudinal direction, with sections (5) where the second contact element (2) can be pressed against the first contact element (1) by means of the actuating means (6), accompanied by an elastic deformation of the material section of the second contact element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 6361065
    Abstract: An air bag module for a motor vehicle steering wheel having a steering wheel axis comprises the following components: a gas bag, an inflator having a housing, a cover cap, an inflator support, an annular mounting plate arranged on the inflator support, and a mounting cylinder made of an elastic material and oriented parallel to the steering wheel axis. Further, a device for interconnecting the components into the module are provided. The mounting cylinder has free rims connected, on the one hand, to the mounting plate and, on the other, to the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 6357787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module cover, comprising at least one opening portion for closing an outlet opening, and a predetermined tear line along which the cover is opened in a restraint situation and which defines one opening portion of the cover. The gas bag module further comprises at least one first hinge portion provided on the cover the opening portion remaining connected with the cover via the first hinge portion when the cover is opened. The opening portion has at least one second hinge portion which divides the opening portion into partial sections and allows a movement of the partial sections relative to each other. Further, the invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel which is equipped with such a gas bag module cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020030355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag which has, with respect to its inflated sate, a front wall including a middle portion. The middle portion features a depression in an inflated state of the gas bag, by a restraining means being provided which engages the middle portion and at least partly prevents the same from moving in a direction out of the gas bag module. The restraining means is formed such that it is able to release the middle portion after an initial restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Axel Braunschadel
  • Publication number: 20020026850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel comprising a hub, a steering wheel rim and at least one spoke connecting the hub and the steering wheel rim. At least one of the steering wheel rim and the spoke has a skeleton and a sheathing surrounding the skeleton. The steering wheel further comprises at least one decorative element and at least one clamp element at which the decorative element is latched. The clamp element at least partly encompasses the sheathing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gokay Albayrak, Michael Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6352280
    Abstract: A steering wheel is proposed which includes a steering wheel skeleton consisting of a hub, spokes and a steering wheel rim, and an airbag module housed therein, which for actuation of the horn is displaceable against a return force parallel to the steering wheel axis. The steering wheel has at least two upwardly open fork-like support sites (2) having locating holes (3) extending approximately perpendicularly to the steering wheel axis. The fork-like support sites (2) are embodied in the steering wheel skeleton (1). Downwardly angled mounting shackles (7) have elongated holes (8) extending in the direction of the steering wheel axis are embodied on or attached to a generator support (5) of the airbag module (6) in a way corresponding with the support sites (2). The airbag module (6) is joined to the steering wheel skeleton (1) by retaining pins (4) inserted in the locating holes (3) and through the elongated holes (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: John Derrick
  • Publication number: 20020017157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel comprising a steering wheel rim, a hub and at least one spoke connecting the steering wheel rim and the hub. At least one of the steering wheel rim and the spoke comprises a skeleton, a sheathing surrounding the skeleton as well as a shell arranged around the sheathing, and at least one decorative element. At least one latching element is provided by means of which the decorative element is directly attached to the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20020005632
    Abstract: A gas bag module comprises a gas bag which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant. The gas bag is formed by a gas bag wall of several fabric parts. At least one of the fabric parts forms the front wall having an opening from which, in an inflated state of the gas bag, a depression originates, which is formed in that a center section of the gas bag wall on inflation is prevented from a free movement and is held back. The gas bag has around the depression an annular chamber which is to be filled. The opening is constructed in a slit shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20020005637
    Abstract: A gas bag restraint device for restraining an occupant comprises a gas bag module, which has a gas generator and a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall facing the occupant, which front wall has a center section with a depression, in relation to an inflated state of the gas bag, so that an annular gas bag chamber surrounding the depression is formed. The device further comprises a module covering which on inflation of the gas bag opens an outlet opening, and a fastening device for the center section, with which the center section is prevented from a movement out of the gas bag module even in the inflated state of the gas bag, so that the depression is formed. The fastening device comprises a reinforcement insert integrated into the module covering and fastened to the gas bag module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20020000712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module cover assembly, comprising a cover with a front side externally visible in an installed state of the cover and a rear side and comprising at least one emblem designed as a separate part and visible on the front side. The emblem is designed such that it can be mounted from the rear side, the cover having at least one opening through which a section of the emblem protrudes. The section is visible on the front side, and the emblem has a rear holding projection protruding laterally with respect to the opening and being attached to the cover. The invention further relates to a gas bag module equipped with such a module cover assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Ralph Heindl
  • Publication number: 20020000341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for steering a motor vehicle, the device comprising at least one steering means to be actuated by a driver, the means being coupled electrically with at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle. The device further comprises a seat for the driver, the seat including a seat part which forms a seat area, and a backrest part. The steering means are coupled with the seat part and are longitudinally displaceable together with it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20010052270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel attachment for detachably arresting a vehicle steering wheel on a vehicle steering shaft. The steering wheel attachment comprises a free end of a steering shaft which has a multiple-cornered profile, the free end further having a radial groove including a wedge surface. The attachment further comprises a hub portion on the side of the steering wheel, the hub portion including a recess corresponding to the multiple-cornered profile of the steering shaft and a radial guiding surface. A wedge is provided which can be moved along the radial guiding surface so as to be moved in and out of engagement with the groove. A drive screw is provided which is seated in a threaded bore in the hub portion and is rotatably coupled with the wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Anke Nigrin
  • Publication number: 20010052691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger gas bag protection device which comprises a gas bag which, in relation to an inflated state, has a rear wall and a front wall which includes a center section and onto which a passenger strikes in the case of an accident. The gas bag, from a viewpoint of the passenger, has a round outer contour with a specific width and height in the inflated state. The width of the outer contour distinctly exceeds the height. In the inflated state the front wall has a depression opening out to the outside in the manner of a slit. The slit runs in a direction of the width of the gas bag. A restraint means is provided and the depression is formed in that on inflation of the gas bag a center section of the front wall is prevented from moving by means of the restraint means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20010052694
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional steering wheel comprising a steering wheel skeleton and at least one switch group consisting of remote control switches which are arranged on a circuit board. The steering wheel further comprises a gas bag module, a horn contact switch and a covering for said gas bag module. The horn contact switch is integrated in the circuit board of the switch group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dominik Schutz
  • Patent number: 6328332
    Abstract: A pre-assembled gas bag module comprises a generally cup-shaped carrier, a gas generator mounted on the carrier, an inflatable gas bag and a retaining plate for retaining the gas bag on the carrier. An edge of the gas bag is clamped between the carrier and the retaining plate. The carrier, retaining plate and gas bag have mutually aligned assembly openings for accommodation of the gas generator. The gas generator has a housing of a flangeless configuration and provided with mechanical interlock members for cooperation with corresponding interlock members provided on the carrier, to provide a bayonet-type or a snap mounting type connection of the gas generator to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dominik Schütz
  • Publication number: 20010048220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for steering a motor vehicle having at least one steerable wheel. The device comprises at least one steering means to be actuated by a driver of the vehicle. The steering means is coupled electrically with the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle for a transmission of steering signals. A drive is provided for a vertical adjustment of the steering means, which drive moves the steering means downwards in the case of an accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Lorenz