Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
  • Patent number: 7290789
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with regard to a rotation of the steering wheel part. The steering device further includes a gas bag module including a gas generator unit. The gas generator unit in the installed state of the gas bag module is a component of the steering wheel part. Another vehicle steering device also includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with respect to a rotation of the steering part. A gas bag module including a gas generator unit is housed in the stationary central part. The gas generator unit is connected electrically via a supply line with a control unit arranged outside the steering device. The supply line is guided from a first clock spring arranged in a stationary section of the steering device via a second clock spring arranged in the rotatable steering wheel part to the gas generator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Ralph Frisch, René Neumann, Stefan Faeth, Heinz-Joerg Lefringhausen
  • Patent number: 7246816
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a motor vehicle steering wheel includes a gas bag (10), a gas generator (12) mounted so as to be capable of swinging, a generator carrier (16), means (18) for bracing the gas bag (10) on the generator carrier (16), and an elastically deformable, in relation to the central axis (A) of the gas bag module encircling sealing element (24). The sealing element (24) is fastened by its free edges directly or indirectly to the gas generator (12) and to the generator carrier (16), respectively. A section (26) of the sealing element (24), which is free before a filling of the gas bag (10), is deflected by the pressure occurring in the interior of the gas bag on filling of the gas bag (10), so that it comes directly or indirectly in abutment with a support surface (22; 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 7232966
    Abstract: A steering wheel horn contact unit has a metal contact sheet (40). The metal contact sheet (40) is embedded into a carrier part (52) of plastic and mounted therein and has at least one freely projecting horn contact tongue (46). Viewed in switching movement direction (X), the horn contact tongue (46) is surrounded by the carrier part (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Burgard, Jupp Fleckenstein, Michael Fuchs, Bernd Stransfeld
  • Patent number: 7213486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising a hub, a steering wheel rim, and at least one spoke having at least one spoke section. An vibration-decoupling means is provided on the spoke which acts in all directions and at least largely isolates the steering wheel rim in terms of vibrations from the at least one section of the spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co, KG
    Inventor: Christian Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7213341
    Abstract: A device for determining an absolute angle of rotation of a rotational axis has a first measuring device for measuring an angle of rotation in a limited first measuring range and a second measuring device for determining an absolute angle range. The second measuring device transforms a rotation of the rotational axis into a linear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Staudt, Volker Stegmann, Guido Hirzmann, Klaus Weigand
  • Patent number: 7201393
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a gas generator carrier (14) with a base (16) and with a peripheral wall (18), and also a covering cap (24) with a side wall (30) extending from a front wall (26) of the covering cap (24). Detent hooks (32) are formed on the edge of the side wall (30) facing away from the front wall (26), which engage into corresponding detent openings (34) in the base (16) of the gas generator carrier (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Udo Bieber
  • Patent number: 7134360
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel comprises a hub and several switches The switches are integrated in a common housing which is secured to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dominik Schütz
  • Patent number: 7114745
    Abstract: A monitoring system in a motor vehicle, for detecting an incorrectly locked detent connection between a gas bag module and a vehicle-fixed component, includes first and second detent elements complementary to each other. A signal circuit is provided, having first and second contact elements which are part of a switch arranged in the signal circuit, a monitoring signal being generated when the switch is closed. The contact elements are in electrical contact with each other, with the switch being closed, only in an incorrectly locked state of the first and second detent elements only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Schütz, Ralf Scherer
  • Patent number: 7111868
    Abstract: A steering wheel comprises a gas bag module having a visible front side (26) with a gas generator carrier (17) on which a gas generator (21) is mounted, and several switches (15). The gas generator carrier (17) extends to close to the front side (26) of said gas bag module and forms at least one section of a common accommodation housing to accommodate said several switches (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Dominik Schütz
  • Patent number: 7111867
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module that is integrated into a steering wheel and that can be moved relative to the steering wheel in order to actuate a horn. The airbag module comprises a horn switch provided on the module which, when the module is moved, is transferred into a switching position that causes the horn to be activated. A hollow profile made of elastomer is provided which is equipped with the horn switch and lies against the module. The invention further relates to a vehicle steering wheel equipped with such an airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Patent number: 7108276
    Abstract: A gas bag module has several detent hooks by which it can be fastened to a component which is fixed to a vehicle, and a sheet metal carrier plate with a substantially flat base section. The detent hooks are connected in one piece with the base section and project therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Schütz, Ralf Scherer, Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 7104567
    Abstract: A gas bag module includes a gas generator (10), a gas bag (28) in flow connection with the gas generator, and a module covering. The module covering covers the gas bag and has a separate central part (18) after opening of the module covering. The gas bag module further has a holding device (12) for the central part. The holding device has guide means (14, 16, 20, 22) which on inflation of the gas bag (28) permit a displacement of the central part (18) and delimit a displacement of the central part (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Keutz, Matthias Helmstetter, Marcus Magoley
  • Patent number: 7100943
    Abstract: A gas bag module comprises a gas bag with a gas bag wall having a front wall serving as an impact surface for an occupant, where, in an inflated state of said gas bag, the front wall has a centric orifice as a transition to an indentation. The indentation is formed by restraining a center section of the gas bag wall during inflation and preventing the center section from moving freely. The orifice is surrounded by a stabilizer defined by a closed ring in a region of the orifice and the stabilizer is a part separate from the gas bag wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Koch, Philipp Ritter
  • Patent number: 7097197
    Abstract: An assembly of a steering wheel base body (12) and a gas bag module (14), the gas bag module (14) being able to be detachably latched with the steering wheel base body (12). A group of first latching elements (18; 318) is provided on the gas bag module (14) or the steering wheel base body (12), and at least one second latching element (22; 322), able to be brought into reversible locking engagement with the first latching elements (18; 318), is provided on the steering wheel base body (12) or the gas bag module (14). When the assembly (12, 14) has been put together, the first latching elements and the at least one second latching element (18, 22; 318, 322) are arranged so as to be movable with respect to each other in an unlocking direction (R; R?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Keutz, Ralf Scherer
  • Patent number: 7096991
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device comprises a steering column (22) and a steering wheel with a steering wheel rim (24). Arranged inside the steering column (22) is a vibration device (26; 26?). The vibration device is designed such that it can generate a haptic signal which can be felt by a driver on a surface (28) of the steering wheel rim (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Keutz
  • Patent number: 7090249
    Abstract: A gas bag comprising a gas bag wall with an upper portion and limiting straps connecting the upper portion to an opposite portion of the gas bag wall has a connecting ring, from which the limiting straps originate. At least one reinforcement layer is provided between the connecting ring and the upper portion. At least one first seam fastens the connecting ring and the reinforcement layer to the upper portion, and at least one second seam only fastens the reinforcement layer to the upper portion, the second seam being arranged radially outside the first seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Amrei Drechsler, Claudia Gross, Jan Isensee, Dominik Schütz
  • Patent number: 7053322
    Abstract: A Gas bag module for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device has a plastic generator support. On the generator support a printed circuit is formed by metal deposition. For activating an electrical function element, the printed circuit cooperates with a switching element that is arranged on a section of the generator support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Guido Hirzmann, Andreas Heil, Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 7052035
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes an airbag module, a vehicle steering wheel, horn contacts for a vehicle horn, and attachment devices by means of which the airbag module is attached to the steering wheel. A first detachable attachment device is provided which comprises a first holding part provided on the airbag module and a second holding part provided on the steering wheel. The holding parts engage with each other and allow pivoting of the module in a direction towards the steering wheel in order to close a second attachment device. The second attachment device is a detachable latching connection and the airbag module, in its attached state, is able to be moved axially in order to close the horn contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 7048297
    Abstract: A gas bag module comprises a module housing (12) and a covering cap (14), a side wall (15) being provided on at least one of the module housing (12) and the covering cap (14). An outer wall (16) of the covering cap defines a front side of the module and an outer wall (18) of the module housing (12) defines a rear side of the module, whereby an outlet direction (R) is given that runs from the rear side to the front side of the module. The module housing (12) has first fastening elements (20) and the covering cap (14) has second fastening elements (22) which can be brought into engagement with the first fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 7044021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety System GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Lorenz