Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
  • Publication number: 20040183278
    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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 6793237
    Abstract: An assembly unit comprises an airbag module, a vehicle part, in particular a steering wheel, and a removable latching connection for attaching the airbag module to the vehicle part. The latching device has a journal provided with a recess and a locking element that can be moved crosswise, preferably perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the journal. The locking element is radially displaced towards the longitudinal axis of the journal when it latches in place in the recess. In the locked position, the locking element is prestressed towards a release position so as to move out of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Volker Schuhmacher
  • Publication number: 20040174001
    Abstract: A generator carrier for a driver's gas bag module has an outer wall. On the outer wall at least one insert contour is provided for the arrangement of a function module. A function module for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle has a plug-in contour for fastening to a component of the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Schuetz, Dieter Rumpf
  • Patent number: 6786504
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Udo Bieber, John-Oliver Derrick
  • Publication number: 20040169354
    Abstract: A gas bag module comprising a gas generator (16) and a module housing (14). The gas generator (16) has a generator flange (22), which is provided with first hook-shaped fastening elements (24) of sheet metal for fastening the gas bag module (12) to a steering wheel (10). The generator flange further has second fastening elements (30; 30′; 30″) for fastening the gas generator (16) to the module housing (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Kahler, Ralf Scherer, Michael Schneider, Dominik Schutz
  • Publication number: 20040169355
    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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Udo Bieber
  • Patent number: 6783149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module of several components, which comprise a least a carrier element, a gas generator and a gas bag. At least one elastic element is provided and at least one of the components is mounted in the gas bag module so as to be neutralized with regard to vibration by means of the at least one elastic element consisting of silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mark Lovell, Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Publication number: 20040160039
    Abstract: A gas bag module comprises a ring-shaped gas bag (3) which when inflated has a ring-shaped chamber (18) surrounding a central, non-inflated section (15), and further comprises a module covering (9). The gas bag (3) is housed in the module so as to be folded around a central spacer piece (23). The spacer piece (23) has a first end in the region of the module covering (9) and a second end facing away from the module covering (9). The spacer piece (23) is fastened to a holding piece (10) at the second end and extends laterally outwards from the second end and towards the module covering. The portion of the spacer piece (23) which extends laterally outwards from the second end and towards the module covering (9) includes a curved outer surface (26), as seen in a section taken in the direction from the holding piece (10) to the module covering (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Helga Heist, Matthias Helmstetter, Martin Kreuzer, Christian Lorenz, Michael Schneider, Thomas Werner
  • Publication number: 20040154428
    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: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gokay Albayrak, Michael Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6773027
    Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system has a covering forming a main chamber of the gas bag, with a passage opening, and an inner bag with an inflow opening and at least one ventilation opening. An edge of the inflow opening of the inner bag is connected with an edge of the passage opening and the gas bag has in a region of the connection of covering and inner bag a constriction for the inner bag. In a folded state of the gas bag, the inner bag is turned in into an interior of the covering and is able to emerge from the covering through the passage opening during an inflation of the gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Patent number: 6770826
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel comprises a steering wheel body and at least one electric switch attached to the steering wheel body. The switch, for adaptation to the length of the fingers of a driver, is adjustably attached to the steering wheel body in such a way that it can be adjusted by the driver to assume various positions relative to the steering wheel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Kreuzer
  • Publication number: 20040135351
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Keutz, Matthias Helmstetter, Marcus Magoley
  • Patent number: 6761086
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes 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 includes 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 which the decorative element is directly attached to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20040119582
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Schutz, Ralf Scherer
  • Patent number: 6752039
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock-absorbed vehicle steering wheel which comprises a hub with a steering wheel mounting and a handling region for a driver. The handling region is, in particular, a steering wheel rim. A vibration damper is provided in a path of the flux of force between the steering wheel mounting and the handling region. The vibration damper has damping characteristics which are adjustable via one of an electrical and magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Udo Bieber, Christian Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6752416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a covering cap which is visible from the exterior in an installed state and covers an outlet opening for a gas bag. The module further comprises at least one display integrated in the covering cap and a lighting for the display provided on a rear face of the covering cap. The covering cap has a front wall visible from the exterior with a section covering the outlet opening, the section being connected in one piece with a display section lying over the lighting. In the display section, the covering is constructed so as to be transparent or translucent. The display section is made of a first material component of the covering cap and the covering cap includes a second material component which has a carrier layer in the form of a cup. The base of the cup forms the section closing the outlet opening and the peripheral wall of which laterally delimits an accommodation space for the gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20040113405
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a gas generator and a diffusor which surrounds the gas generator and has a cup-shaped section. The diffusor cup-shaped section has a filter section consisting of a sintered porous material, through which the gas flows out from the gas generator. The porous material is selected from the group consisting of sintered metal powders, sintered metal fibers and metal foams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Stricker, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040108692
    Abstract: A gas bag restraint device comprises a gas bag module which has a gas bag and a covering cap tearing open on inflation of the gas bag. The covering cap covers a ring-shaped outlet opening for the gas bag and has a central section, which in an opened state of the gas bag module is surrounded by the outlet opening. The central section is delimited by a ring-shaped, peripherally closed tear line of radially outwardly adjoining sections of the covering cap, the tear line adjoining an inner edge of the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Heil, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040108690
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Schutz, Ralf Scherer, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040100078
    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: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dominik Schutz, John-Oliver Derrick