Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
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Publication number: 20030192397Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann
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Publication number: 20030178825Abstract: An assembly unit has a first component with at least one first detent element and a second component with at least one second detent element. The first and second components are movable with respect to each other such that the first and second detent elements can form a detent connection. The assembly unit is able to assume a not correctly locked state in which the first and second detent elements are in immediate vicinity of each other, but have not yet formed a detent connection, and a correctly locked state in which the first and second detent elements have formed a detent connection. A checking device is provided so as to be integrated into the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventors: Dominik Schutz, Frank Dietz
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Patent number: 6622591Abstract: A steering wheel includes 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 includes 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gökay Albayrak, Michael Lehmann
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Patent number: 6616180Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising a steering wheel body and a gas bag module provided with two or more guide pins. The gas bag module, for actuation of a horn, is displaceably mounted in an axial direction by means of the guide pins. The steering wheel further comprises at least one multifunctional switch unit for the remote actuation of specific vehicle functions. The at least one multifunctional switch unit is mounted on the guide pins of the gas bag module so as to be movable in the axial direction independently of the gas bag module.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Dominik Schütz
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Publication number: 20030141702Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a gas bag wall, which in the unfolded state of the gas bag (22) delimits an indentation (30) with an orifice (28) or an opening, and a closure piece (40) fastened to the gas bag wall, which in the inflated state moves in front of the orifice (28) of the indentation or in front of the opening and covers it. The closure piece (40) is formed from at least two covering pieces, arranged one over the other, overlapping each other, which respectively have a margin section which is not fastened to the gas bag wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventor: Markus Keutz
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Patent number: 6595549Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co., KGInventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
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Patent number: 6588794Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cover cap for a gas bag restraint module, which cover cap tears open for deployment of a gas bag, contains the step of treating the cap at least region-wise physically and/or chemically such that its material in a treated region has a lower strength than in an untreated state. The treated region is a predetermined tear-open region for allowing the gas bag to unfold. A cover cap made of plastic for a gas bag restraint module has a predetermined tear region. The cap has a higher brittleness at said tear region than in a remainder of said cap.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
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Patent number: 6588798Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
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Patent number: 6585073Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Christian Lorenz
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Patent number: 6581964Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Axel Braunschädel
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Publication number: 20030110881Abstract: A steering device for a motor vehicle comprises a stationary skeleton which has an essentially arc-shaped skeleton section, and an actuation member that is movably mounted on the skeleton section and that has two contact sections essentially opposite from each other. The actuation member surrounds the skeleton section with a ring-shaped cross section and extends between the contact sections continuously along the arc-shaped skeleton section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Christian Lorenz
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Publication number: 20030111278Abstract: A steering device for a motor vehicle comprises a stationary steering wheel rim, a measurement transducer integrated into the steering wheel rim and provided for generating an electric or electronic signal, and an actuator that can be actuated as a function of the electronic signal in order to adjust steerable wheels. The measurement transducer comprises touch-sensitive sensors on the circumference of the steering wheel rim which detect a position and movement of the hands of a driver touching the steering wheel rim and generate the electric or electronic signal that corresponds to the position and the movement of the hands. An electronic unit for detecting the signal and converting it into a steering signal for controlling the actuator is associated with the measurement transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventors: Constantin Hauer, Axel Wulf
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Publication number: 20030110883Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a steering wheel to a steering column comprises a steering shaft end with a contact surface for a steering wheel hub to rest on. The steering shaft end has a slit extending along a steering shaft axis, which slit produces at least two opposite steering shaft end sections. The arrangement includes a device for optionally altering a slit width.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventor: Christian Lorenz
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Publication number: 20030110882Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel has a skeleton that is made by using a metal foam, preferably on the basis of aluminum, magnesium and their alloys. The density of the metal foam lies between 0.3 and 1.0 g/cm3. The modulus of elasticity of the skeleton lies in the range from 2 to 14 GPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6571663Abstract: A carcass-free steering wheel for motor vehicles consists of a pot-shaped lower part (1) and an upper part (2) connected thereto along its edge side, both parts (1, 2) having an outer shell (3, 4) of a high-performance plastic material, which at least in the case of the lower part (1) is reinforced by webs (5, 6, 7) pointing inwards and being molded on integrally.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Winfried Tschöp
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Patent number: 6572138Abstract: A steering wheel has a skeleton with a foamed sheathing, a hub, spokes and a steering wheel rim. A gas bag module is inserted in a central recess of the steering wheel. The gas bag module has a cover cap at the side facing the driver. For actuating a horn switch the module is movable in the direction of the steering wheel axis relative to the steering wheel. A movement gap is formed between the cover cap and the foamed sheathing. Mounting studs on the skeleton extend parallel to the steering wheel axis. The positioning of the mounting studs is defined by the foamed sheathing. The mounting studs have free ends which are slidingly accommodated in guide recesses provided in the cover cap.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventors: Stephan Bohn, Ralph Frisch
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Patent number: 6563065Abstract: A method of adjusting an electrical switch arrangement comprising a pair of electrical contact members to a predetermined contact spacing is suggested. A first one of the contact members is associated with a first contact carrier and a second one of the contact members is associated with a second contact carrier. The first and second contact members are normally spaced from each other by the predetermined contact distance and are movable relative to each other across the contact distance. At least one of the contact members is displaceably held on the associated contact carrier. The contact carriers are moved towards each other across the predetermined contact distance. The one of the contact members is displaced relative to the associated contact carrier into physical contact with the other of the contact members. The one contact member is fixed in position on the associated contact member while physically contacting the other of the contact members.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Manfred Schrammek, Michael Christ, Guido Hirzmann
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Patent number: 6561059Abstract: The steering wheel for motor vehicles has a hub, a steering wheel rim and a plurality of spokes connecting the steering wheel rim with the hub. The hub comprises a hub core for fastening to a steering shaft and a base body which surrounds the hub core and is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The spokes are integrally and continuously molded with the base body of the hub from a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The steering wheel rim is integrally and continuously molded with the spokes from a fiber-reinforced plastic material. In this arrangement, the base body together with the spokes and the steering wheel rim forms a self-supporting shaped body.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Klaus Drefahl
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Patent number: 6561060Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Anke Nigrin
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Publication number: 20030080455Abstract: A method of foam-embedding cables, in particular for foam-embedding a steering wheel skeleton which is equipped with cables, comprises the following steps: the cable is positioned in a foaming mold; a portion of the cable, which is not to be embedded in foam, is positioned in a resealable cavity provided in the foaming mold, the cavity being sealed against the ingress of foam; the cavity and the foaming mold are closed; the foaming mold is filled with foam; and the foaming mold and the cavity are opened to remove a product produced. There is also proposed a foaming tool for performing such method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Martin Kreuzer