Patents Assigned to TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH
  • Vehicle occupant restraint device
    Publication number: 20020149181
    Abstract: A restraint device for an occupant in a vehicle having a steering wheel, a dashboard with a lower end limiting a footwell, an A-pillar and a windshield, comprises a first gas bag for protecting the thorax area of a vehicle occupant, and a second gas bag for supporting the first gas bag. The second gas bag has a deployed condition and extends at least partly over the windshield of the vehicle in the deployed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Heinz Eyrainer, Alexander Heilig, Reiner Dannenhauer
  • Airbag module
    Publication number: 20020149183
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a housing and an airbag which is folded up into an airbag pack. The airbag is arranged in the housing and is adapted to be inflated by gas from a pressurized gas source. The housing has an outlet opening that defines an outlet plane and has a predetermined width that is smaller than the largest width of the airbag pack, measured parallel to the outlet plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Lutz, Robert Mohr
  • Gas bag with tether means
    Patent number: 6457745
    Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises two superimposed plies of fabric (12, 14) and a tether secured to the plies of fabric and defining the spacing between them in the inflated condition. The tether is formed by a seam (22b) implemented with a thread slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Heigl
  • Side collision protection system for vehicles
    Patent number: 6457742
    Abstract: A side impact protection system for vehicles comprises an inflatable gas bag (10) which has a wall made of a material being impermeable to gas, and a gas source (3) for inflating the gas bag. For reducing peak loads upon diving of the occupant into the inflated gas bag there are provided several burst chambers (12, 14, 16) separated in their contour shape from the inflatable volume of the gas bag (10) by retaining means (18). The retaining means (18) of the burst chambers (12, 14, 16) are dimensioned as regards their strength such that the burst chambers (12, 14, 16) is opened towards the inflatable volume of the gas bag (10) once a predetermined value of the gas bag internal pressure, which is lower than the filling pressure of the filling gases provided by the gas source (3), has been attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Brucker
  • Friction clutch and belt retractor with friction clutch
    Patent number: 6454201
    Abstract: A belt retractor comprises a belt spool rotatably mounted in a frame, a locking mechanism for the belt spool with at least one locking disc connected to the belt spool, and a torque limiting member arranged in a force flow path between the belt spool and the locking disc. The torque limiting member is constructed as a friction clutch comprising two clutch faces lying opposite each other and a friction member arranged between the clutch faces. The friction member is constructed as a flat spring part having shaped sections. The shaped sections lie at least partially against at least one of the clutch faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Strobel, Hermann-Karl Weller
  • Vehicle occupant restraint system
    Patent number: 6454297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system comprising an inflatable gas bag, a gas-carrying distributor pipe projecting into the gas bag and a piston housed displaceably in the distributor pipe. The restraint system further comprises a power transmission means which connects the piston and the gas bag with each other and via which a force for tensioning the gas bag is transferred onto said gas bag. A deflection member for the power transmission means is provided in the distributor pipe. The power transmission means is constructed as a traction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Anton Fischer
  • Foot protection device
    Publication number: 20020132088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a foot protection device for vehicle occupants. The protection device comprises a foot support piece which can support the occupant's feet, a base piece by which the foot protection device can rest on a floor of a vehicle, and an adjustment device to displace the foot support piece in a first direction parallel to the base piece. Ramp surfaces are constructed on at least one of the base piece and the foot support piece, which with a displacement of the foot support piece by the adjustment device bring about a movement of the foot support piece in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Norbert Ellerbrok
  • Vehicle interior lining assembly
    Publication number: 20020125697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame. The lining assembly comprises an interior lining and a gas bag module fastened to the lining, the gas bag module having a gas bag which extends substantially from an A-column of the vehicle to a C-column of the vehicle. The lining is comprised of at least two lining pieces which together with the gas bag module form a preassembled unit and which before a final installation of the unit in the vehicle are displaceable with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Heigl
  • Gas bag module
    Patent number: 6447005
    Abstract: A gas bag module comprises a gas bag, a first ejection channel, in which part of the gas bag is located, and a flexible cover surrounding the gas bag in areas which are not located within the ejection channel. The cover is provided with a tearing line which allows the gas bag to emerge from the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Alb, Geunther Saelzle, Marcus Anders
  • Gas bag module
    Patent number: 6443483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module, comprising a module cover which has at least one opening flap movable upon activation of the module. An axis is provided relative to which the opening flap moves when it is opened, and a tether is provided between the at least one opening flap and a part of the gas bag module. In an open condition of the module cover the opening flap is fixed on the one hand to the module by means of the tether and on the other hand is fixed to the module cover via the axis. The axis and the tether are arranged with respect to the opening flap in such a manner and the opening flap has such a strength that its geometry is changed by the tether when it is swivelled open so that the opening flap moves outwardly by a smaller amount than without the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Ellerbrok
  • Seat belt retraction serial coupling mechanism
    Patent number: 6443380
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism, in particular for connecting a belt tensioner drive with a belt spool of a belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt, comprises a driving part, an intermediate part, a driven part, a form-fitting coupling and a force-fitting coupling. The form-fitting coupling and the force-fitting coupling are connected in series. The coupling mechanism has an initial state in which the form-fitting coupling is engaged and the force-fitting coupling is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Belt tensioner
    Publication number: 20020113425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioner for a safety belt, the tensioner comprising a cylinder, a piston which is slidably arranged within the cylinder, and a traction transfer means which is connected with the piston to transfer a movement of the piston to the safety belt. The tensioner further comprises a drive which may exert a driving force on the piston to tension the safety belt. The piston is provided with a deformation element which the traction transfer means engages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz, Wolf-Dieter Honl
  • Occupant restraint system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 6435544
    Abstract: In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle that has a body structure which is covered internally by a lining, an inflatable gas bag is packed in a casing. The lining is provided with a recess. The casing extends along an edge of the recess and is in snug contact therewith. The casing is exposed or at the most is covered by a decorative cover foil or cover sheet. The major part of the casing is not covered by the lining. The casing may be demarcated evidently from the lining by design elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Brucker
  • Sensor for a belt retractor
    Patent number: 6435442
    Abstract: A vehicle-sensitive sensor for a belt retractor for vehicle safety belt systems, comprises an inertia body displaceable in case of decelerations and accelerations of the sensor, and a two-armed lever. A first arm of the two-armed lever forms a coupling pawl, and a second arm of the two-armed lever is able to be engaged by the inertia body such that, in case of a displacement of the inertia body, the lever is pivoted so that the coupling pawl is directed into a clutch toothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kielwein, Jürgen Rink, Johannes Schmid
  • Airbag
    Publication number: 20020109338
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The airbag comprises an airbag wall which has a front wall facing the occupant to be restrained, a back wall and a side wall. The front wall and the back wall are connected to each other by means of a detachable connection. This connection between the front wall and the back wall is severed by the unfolding of the side wall when the airbag is inflated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Luders, Norbert Ellerbrok
  • Gas bag protection device
    Patent number: 6431589
    Abstract: A gas bag protection device with a gas bag to which two opposing plies of fabric are assigned. The plies of fabric consist of warp and weft threads and are sectionwise connected to each other by integral interweaving so as to form at least one inflatable chamber. The plies of fabric are integrally interwoven in a portion by at least one of the warp and weft threads in such a manner that the at least one thread forms a sacrificial thread which bursts in a restraint situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Heigl, Philipp Ritter
  • Vehicle occupant restraint device
    Patent number: 6431586
    Abstract: A restraint device for an occupant in a vehicle having a steering wheel, a dashboard with a lower end limiting a footwell, an A-pillar and a windshield, comprises a first gas bag for protecting the thorax area of a vehicle occupant, and a second gas bag for supporting the first gas bag. The second gas bag has a deployed condition and extends at least partly over the windshield of the vehicle in the deployed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Eyrainer, Alexander Heilig, Reiner Dannenhauer
  • Knee restraint device for vehicles
    Patent number: 6431600
    Abstract: A knee restraint device for vehicles comprises a base plate and a knee protector part fastened to the base plate. The knee protector part has a load distributor plate with openings and has a covering of plastic. The covering has a rear face facing the load distributor plate and a front face directed in an opposite direction. The covering is provided with pins formed on the rear face and is fastened in a form-fitting manner to the load distributor plate by the pins projecting through the openings in the load distributor plate. The pins have free ends which are shaped such that the free ends project radially outwards and over the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Freisler, Bernd Kleinmann, Dirk Schultz, Gerd Zischka, Klaus Bernhard, Robert Mohr
  • Airbag fabric, method for its manufacture and its use
    Publication number: 20020106957
    Abstract: Airbag fabric, method for its manufacture and its use An airbag fabric is proposed with which, in order to increase the static friction of the yarns at the intersections of the warp and the weft, crystalline and/or amorphous particles are incorporated in at least some of the openings remaining between their intersections. The airbag fabric can be manufactured on a padding machine in that a strip of the raw fabric is passed through an aqueous dispersion of colloidal silicic acid and subsequently dried. The fabric is used for the manufacture of airbags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Philipp Ritter
  • Belt retractor and method of controlling operation of an occupant restraint system
    Patent number: 6425541
    Abstract: In a belt retractor the absolute angle of rotation of the belt reel is sensed by an incremental counter. The incremental counter is calibrated by sensing the angle of rotation of a control disc coupled to the belt reel by a reduction gear unit. The count of the incremental counter represents the absolute angle of rotation of the belt reel with high accuracy. Various components of a restraint system are controlled as a function of the thus measured absolute angle of rotation of the belt reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Strobel