Patents by Inventor Joachim Fellhauer

Joachim Fellhauer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7293799
    Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (12), the gas bag having a front wall (14) facing an occupant (16) in an inflated state of said gas bag (12) and being engaged by a first end (18) of a destructible retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) at least partially preventing an unhindered motion of the front wall (14) when the gas bag (12) is inflated. The gas bag module further includes a gas generator (22) for filling the gas bag (12), the gas generator (22) having a first discharge section (24) for a through flow of a first quantity of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Markus Keutz, Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann, Marcus Magoley, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20060237956
    Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (12), the gas bag having a front wall (14) facing an occupant (16) in an inflated state of said gas bag (12) and being engaged by a first end (18) of a destructible retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) at least partially preventing an unhindered motion of the front wall (14) when the gas bag (12) is inflated. The gas bag module further includes a gas generator (22) for filling the gas bag (12), the gas generator (22) having a first discharge section (24) for a through flow of a first quantity of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Markus Keutz, Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann, Marcus Magoley, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20060131852
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (10). The rigid component (10) has a discharge opening (12) formed therein through which gas can escape. A control arrangement through which gas can pass is provided at the discharge opening (12). The control arrangement is designed so that the quantity of the gas passing through depends on the speed of flow of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Helga Heist, Martin Kreuzer, Markus Keutz, Michael Lehmann, Joachim Fellhauer, Lutz Haese, Michael Schneider, Michael Deckenhoff, Matthias Helmstetter, Klaus Freudenberger, Thomas Britz, Marcus Magoley
  • Publication number: 20060131857
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (16). The rigid component (16) has a discharge opening (14) formed therein through which gas can escape. A control element (10) is arranged at the discharge opening (14). The control element (10) assumes a rolled-up state in the case of low pressure action and assumes an unrolled state in the case of greater pressure action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Helga Heist, Martin Kreuzer, Markus Keutz, Michael Lehmann, Joachim Fellhauer, Lutz Haese, Michael Schneider, Michael Deckenhoff, Matthias Helmstetter, Klaus Freudenberger, Thomas Britz, Marcus Magoley
  • Publication number: 20060131856
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (10). The rigid component (10) has a discharge opening (12) formed therein through which gas can escape. The discharge opening (12) is covered by a flat covering part (14). The flat covering part (14) includes an extensible material and has at least one hole (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Helga Heist, Martin Kreuzer, Markus Keutz, Michael Lehmann, Joachim Fellhauer, Lutz Haese, Michael Schneider, Michael Deckenhoff, Matthias Helmstetter, Klaus Freudenberger, Thomas Britz, Marcus Magoley
  • Publication number: 20050035577
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a front gas bag, a side gas bag separate therefrom, which in the inflated state extends up to the inflated front gas bag, and a control unit for activating the gas bags. The control unit is programmed so that it activates both gas bags with at least one of a frontal impact, a laterally displaced frontal impact and with an impact from obliquely front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Barko, Joachim Fellhauer
  • 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: 6740025
    Abstract: A method of folding a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises the following steps: first, the gas bag is unfolded between a base and an opposing surface. A spacing is provided between the base and the opposing surface, which corresponds to a height of a housing into which the gas bag is to be inserted after folding. Then, a folding funnel is provided which comprises one end having a large cross-section and one end having a small cross-section, the large cross-section being larger than or equal to a cross-section of the gas bag when unfolded between the base and the opposing surface, and the small cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the housing; beginning with its large cross-section. Finally, the folding funnel is placed over the unfolded gas bag and moved relative thereto such that the gas bag is pushed together on the base by the folding funnel to the small cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Patent number: 6726245
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag with a gas bag wall which has a front and a rear wall section. A depression is provided which has a mouth and runs in an inflated state of the gas bag from the front wall section to the rear wall section, which depression is formed in that a part of the gas bag wall is prevented from an unimpeded movement away from the module on unfolding of the gas bag. The module further comprises at least one closure piece which is fastened to the gas bag wall such that in the inflated state it moves in front of the mouth of the depression and closes the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Stefan Bohn
  • Patent number: 6726244
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a base for the airbag to be folded, a cover for the airbag, and a flexible element that is arranged between the base and the cover and has first and second ends. The first end of the flexible element is held between the base and the cover. The apparatus further comprises a traction means that acts upon the second end of the flexible element, and a pressure generating means with which the airbag can be acted upon with compressed gas. The invention further relates to a method of folding an airbag and making use of such an apparatus. Still further, the invention relates to a folded airbag produced by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20040056462
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a base for the airbag to be folded, a cover for the airbag, and a flexible element that is arranged between the base and the cover and has first and second ends. The first end of the flexible element is held between the base and the cover. The apparatus further comprises a traction means that acts upon the second end of the flexible element, and a pressure generating means with which the airbag can be acted upon with compressed gas. The invention further relates to a method of folding an airbag and making use of such an apparatus. Still further, the invention relates to a folded airbag produced by such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automative Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20040045647
    Abstract: A method of folding a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises the following steps: first, the gas bag is unfolded between a base and an opposing surface. A spacing is provided between the base and the opposing surface, which corresponds to a height of a housing into which the gas bag is to be inserted after folding. Then, a folding funnel is provided which comprises one end having a large cross-section and one end having a small cross-section, the large cross-section being larger than or equal to a cross-section of the gas bag when unfolded between the base and the opposing surface, and the small cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the housing; beginning with its large cross-section. Finally, the folding funnel is placed over the unfolded gas bag and moved relative thereto such that the gas bag is pushed together on the base by the folding funnel to the small cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20030234528
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Patent number: 6655714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraint device including a gas bag module which has a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint and has a depression defined by a ring-shaped gas bag wall portion. The depression is generated in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from movement when the gas bag is inflated. A holder is provided at the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion that keep parts of the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion, which get in contact with each other when the gas bag is inflated, in contact with each other in a fully inflated condition of the gas bag, and at least partly close the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6595549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Patent number: 6588798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20030054933
    Abstract: A method of folding a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises the following steps: first, the gas bag is unfolded between a base and an opposing surface. A spacing is provided between the base and the opposing surface, which corresponds to a height of a housing into which the gas bag is to be inserted after folding. Then, a folding funnel is provided which comprises one end having a large cross-section and one end having a small cross-section, the large cross-section being larger than or equal to a cross-section of the gas bag when unfolded between the base and the opposing surface, and the small cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the housing; beginning with its large cross-section. Finally, the folding funnel is placed over the unfolded gas bag and moved relative thereto such that the gas bag is pushed together on the base by the folding funnel to the small cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20020105179
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bohn, Joachim Fellhauer
  • Publication number: 20020105171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag with a gas bag wall which has a front and a rear wall section. A depression is provided which has a mouth and runs in an inflated state of the gas bag from the front wall section to the rear wall section, which depression is formed in that a part of the gas bag wall is prevented from an unimpeded movement away from the module on unfolding of the gas bag. The module further comprises at least one closure piece which is fastened to the gas bag wall such that in the inflated state it moves in front of the mouth of the depression and closes the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Stefan Bohn
  • Publication number: 20020084641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraint device, comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint and has a depression defined by a ring-shaped gas bag wall portion. The depression is generated in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from movement when the gas bag is inflated. Holding means are provided at the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion that keep parts of the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion, which get in contact with each other when the gas bag is inflated, in contact with each other in a fully inflated condition of the gas bag, and at least partly close the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Ralph Neupert