Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.

Abstract: A gas generator, comprising a first and a second combustion chamber, each of which is associated with a propellant charge and an igniter, an outflow chamber with inflow- and outflow openings, arranged between the combustion chambers, and a partition plate dividing the outflow chamber into two partial chambers is provided. An edge region of the partition plate lies at least partially against a boundary of the outflow chamber. Each partial chamber is associated with one of the combustion chambers. A central section of the partition plate surrounded by the edge region has a geometry deviating from a plane and has at least one projection which is directed into one of the partial chambers.

Abstract: A technique is provided effective in protecting the tether that connects the airbag to the vehicle in an airbag apparatus mounted to a motorcycle. In one form, an airbag apparatus mounted to a motorcycle has a bent portion having a smooth surface at a position where webbings for tethering an airbag to the vehicle body is in contact with a retainer.

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.

Abstract: An air bag system is provided with an air bag body, an inflator unit, and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is provided with a first sensor which detects an impact of a vehicle, a second sensor which detects a rolling-over of the vehicle, and a controller. When an impact of the vehicle is detected by the first sensor, the first inflator is actuated so that gas is supplied to the air bag body. Thereby, an internal pressure of the air bag body reaches a first pressure. When a rolling-over of the vehicle is detected by the second sensor, both the first and second inflators are actuated. Thereby, the internal pressure of the air bag body reaches a second pressure higher than the first pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knee protection device for protecting the knees of an occupant when a vehicle collides. The protection device includes a knee protecting member which has a hollow cross-section outer frame composed of a front plate, a load-bearing plate, an upper plate and a lower plate, and a hollow cross-section inner frame integrally formed within the outer frame. The inner frame is integrally formed with the outer frame by connecting adjacent middle portions of the front plate, upper plate, load-bearing plate and lower plate, using plate-shaped ribs.