Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 11299118
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (16) for an occupant restraint system, comprising a module cap (28) which in the mounted condition of the airbag module (16) faces an occupant and comprising a module bottom (30) which includes a latch means for securing the airbag module (16) to a vehicle component, wherein the module cap (28) and the module bottom (30) are movable toward each other along a mounting axis (A) until they reach at first an axial pre-mounting position and then an axial final mounting position, the module cap (28) and the module bottom (30) including interacting pre-fixing elements which captively secure the module cap (28) and the module bottom (30) to each other in the pre-mounting position, the module cap (28) and the module bottom (30) including interacting resistance contours which during an axial relative movement of the module cap (28) and the module bottom (30) from the pre-mounting position to the final mounting position have a predetermined mounting resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: André Funk, Marc Friess, Markus Haas
  • Patent number: 11254344
    Abstract: A method for introducing electric conductors into an overmolding of a steering wheel frame is provided. The electric conductors are used for heating and shielding purposes and for sensing contact on a steering wheel. In a first step, at least one cut is introduced into the overmolding using a cutting tool. In a second step, both a first layer of an electric conductor and a second layer of an electric conductor are simultaneously introduced into the cut that has been created. The first layer forms both a heating layer for heating the steering wheel and a guard layer which, together with the second layer acting as a sensor layer, allows the capacitive sensing of hand contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Lammers, Thomas Lind
  • Patent number: 11235727
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for fastening a gas generator (11) in an oscillatory manner as a vibration damping mass inside an airbag module. A fastening ring (12) provided for fastening the gas generator (11) has at least one elastic section (14) and at least one reinforcement insert (15) for reinforcing the fastening ring (12) and securing the fastening ring (12) to the gas generator. A surface of the reinforcement insert (15) is made at least in part of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Constantin Von Roden, Gregor Eck, Holger Oechel
  • Patent number: 11192570
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a steering wheel and for detecting a steering wheel contact comprises a steering wheel armature (10) made from electrically conductive material and an electric heating conductor (12) arranged outside of the steering wheel armature (10). The apparatus further comprises a control and evaluation device (18) connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and the electric heating conductor (10) by means of which control and evaluation device the electric heating conductor (12) is repeatedly operated temporarily during a heating operation as a heating element for heating the steering wheel and temporarily during a measuring operation as a sensor element for detecting a steering wheel contact. The control and evaluation device (18) is configured so as to maintain the steering wheel armature (10) on a predetermined and especially constant potential at least during each measuring operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Guido Hirzmann, Alexander Lammers, Heinz Lefringhausen, Volker Stegmann
  • Patent number: 11180192
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration absorber ring (10) for fastening a gas generator (12) to a vehicle steering wheel (14), in a manner capable of vibrating, with a ring axis (A), a support portion (18) for fastening the vibration absorber ring (10) to a holding element, and an absorber portion (22) for fastening the gas generator (16) to the vibration absorber ring (10), wherein an elastic damping element (24) is provided, which extends in the axial direction from the absorber portion (22) towards a free end (26) and, between the absorber portion (22) and the free end (26), has a fastening element (28) for the gas generator (12), wherein the support portion (18) and the absorber portion (22) are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Joao Ribeiro, Marco Tumminello, Constantin Von Roden, Johannes Morhart, Christian Keschke, Gregor Eck, Sascha Schneider, Jurgen Burgard
  • Patent number: 11161472
    Abstract: The invention relates to 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), comprising a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis (A), 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 axial
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Dominik Schütz
  • Patent number: 11130462
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for arranging on a steering wheel, a locking element and a contact element being arranged on the airbag module. The locking element can be moved and can adopt an unlocked state, a locked state and an intermediate state between the two, in relation to a catch element. In the intermediate state, in which there is mechanical contact between the locking element and the catch element, there is no electrical contact between the contact element and the locking element. In the locked state, in which the locking element is mechanically coupled to the catch element, there is electrical contact between the contact element and the locking element. In the locked state, when the catch element and the locking element are locked together, the contact element, the locking element and the catch element are electrically interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Dominik Schütz
  • Patent number: 10773673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable conduit device for connection cables of an airbag module, comprising at least one cable duct (10) that includes retaining means (11) for at least one cable (30), and at least one contact plug (20) to be connected to a coil spring on a steering column; the contact plug (20) is or can be coupled in a twist-proof manner to the cable duct (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Matthias Helmstetter, Dieter Rumpf, Alexandra Knecht
  • Patent number: 10556612
    Abstract: A method of introducing an electric conductor (22), especially a heating wire, into foam padding (20) of a steering wheel skeleton (18) includes introducing at least one cut (26) into the foam padding (20) by means of a cutting tool (34). At the same time the conductor is introduced into the produced cut (26). Moreover a tool as well as a tool assembly for implementing the method and a vehicle steering wheel are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Lammers
  • Patent number: 10513238
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for fastening a gas generator (11) in an oscillatory manner as a vibration damping mass inside an airbag module. A fastening ring (12) provided for fastening the gas generator (11) has at least one elastic section (14) and at least one reinforcement insert (15) for reinforcing the fastening ring (12) and securing the fastening ring (12) to the gas generator. A surface of the reinforcement insert (15) is made at least in part of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Constantin Von Roden, Gregor Eck, Holger Oechel
  • Patent number: 10501107
    Abstract: A device for detecting steering wheel contact comprises at least a first electrode (12) which is provided in a steering wheel (10) and which forms, together with a human body acting as a second electrode and a dielectric situated therebetween, at least one sensor capacitor (26). The device also comprises an evaluation circuit (24) having a reference capacitor (30) of known capacitance which can be connected parallel to the sensor capacitor (26), a direct current voltage source (34) which can be connected to the reference capacitor (30), and a measuring device for measuring the voltage at the reference capacitor (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Bossler, Martin Kreuzer, Guido Hirzmann, Alexander Lammers, Helga Heist
  • Patent number: 10369954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (18) for securing a gas generator (14) in an oscillating manner as a vibration-absorbing mass inside an airbag module (10). The invention is characterized in that a securing ring is provided for securing to the gas generator (14), said ring being open at least in sections in the radial direction by a continuous, radially outwardly directed annular gap and is provided with at least one axially oriented damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Eck, Constantin Von Roden
  • Publication number: 20190193772
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a steering wheel and for detecting a steering wheel contact comprises a steering wheel armature (10) made from electrically conductive material and an electric heating conductor (12) arranged outside of the steering wheel armature (10). The apparatus further comprises a control and evaluation device (18) connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and the electric heating conductor (10) by means of which control and evaluation device the electric heating conductor (12) is repeatedly operated temporarily during a heating operation as a heating element for heating the steering wheel and temporarily during a measuring operation as a sensor element for detecting a steering wheel contact. The control and evaluation device (18) is configured so as to maintain the steering wheel armature (10) on a predetermined and especially constant potential at least during each measuring operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Hirzmann, Alexander Lammers, Heinz Lefringhausen, Volker Mann
  • Patent number: 10272871
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, comprising an airbag, a gas generator (23) and a diffuser (10) with a dome section (11) and at least one retaining section which maintains the airbag in a compressed manner. Said retaining section comprises at least one securing opening in which at least one securing device, in particular a securing bolt, is received. Said securing opening (13) is arranged below the dome section (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Kienzner, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 10239482
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag includes folding the airbag into an elongate state at least partially by roll-folding. The method also includes inserting a gas generator and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet into the airbag. The gas generator and/or the airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are located in the central third of the airbag folded in elongate shape so that two end portions of the airbag project from the gas generator and/or from the airbag-retaining metal sheet. The method also includes guiding the airbag end portions around the outer circumference of the gas generator and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet in opposite directions toward each other up to a folding zone in which the end portions of the airbag at least almost contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hepp, Steffen Rothmeier
  • Patent number: D853290
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Guido Hirzmann, Marc Schledorn, Andreas Kurbos