Abstract: Pressure sensors for sending a plurality of control messages to a system controller are disclosed herein. An example pressure sensor may include: a base; at least first and second conductors; a pressure sensitive material at least partially intervening between the first and second conductors; a memory; a clock; and a processor. The pressure sensitive material may have a composition configured to continuously change at least one electrical property. The processor may be configured to determine a first electrical property using the first and second conductors, associate the first electrical property with a time from the clock and write the first electrical property and the time to the memory. The processor may also be configured to calculate a time-based change in the first electrical property, correlate the time-based change with at least one of the control messages and communicate the at least one of the control messages to the system controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electronic device includes a sensor configured to detect occupancy of a person and a sensing electrode that provides an encoded signal in response to the sensor, the signal having a particular frequency and power. The sensing electrode is configured to transmit the signal to the person detected by the sensor. The frequency of the signal provided by the sensing electrode is configured to allow the signal to be redistributed through a person easily. An electronic device is configured to detect the signal when the electronic device is coupled to the person, and a response of the electronic device to the signal is controlling a feature of the electronic device.

Abstract: A retractor assembly comprising a spool configured to wind and unwind the webbing, a lock base, and an energy absorbing member having a first end operatively connected to the locking base and a second end operatively connected to the spool. The energy absorbing member provides a progressive level of load resistance upon relative rotation between the spool and the locking base.

Abstract: A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide a human interface including a light emitter and a pressure sensitive material. The pressure sensitive material has electrical properties configured to vary in relation to an amount of pressure applied thereto. The light emitter is coupled to the pressure sensitive material, wherein variation of the electrical properties of the pressure sensitive material causes variation of at least one illumination characteristic. Advantageously, the pressure sensitive material provides an additional control component allowing bundling of controls in a simpler interface. At the same time, operation of the human interface in low-light or distracted environments is facilitated and rendered more intuitive by incorporation of the light emitter into its operation.

Abstract: A retractor assembly for a seatbelt system having a webbing for restraining a secured occupant, the retractor comprising a spool configured to wind and unwind the webbing about an axis of rotation, the spool includes a side with an opening therein; a collar including an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface configured to engage the opening; a locking base configured to operatively engage the inner surface; and an energy absorbing member configured to provide a progressive level of load resistance upon relative rotation between the spool and the locking base.

Abstract: A seat belt system comprising a webbing configured to restrain an occupant, a pretensioner coupled to the webbing and configured to apply a tensile force to the webbing when a dynamic vehicle event is detected, and a connector assembly for connecting the webbing to the pretensioner. The connector assembly includes a first coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the webbing, and a second coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the pretensioner. The first end of the second coupling member is configured to be detachably coupled to the first end of the first coupling member. The first end of the first coupling member includes a cavity configured to receive the first end of the second coupling member, and the relative positions of the first and second coupling members are fixed when the first end of the second coupling member is inserted into the cavity and rotated relative to the first coupling member into a locked position.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator, and a flow director. The inflatable airbag cushion includes one or more panels that form an inflatable portion. The inflator is configured to provide inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion upon deployment. The flow director is configured to direct inflation gas into the inflatable portion. The inflatable portion includes a first inflatable region and a second inflatable region. The flow director is configured to direct the inflation gas directly into the first inflatable region. The first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are in fluidic communication, and a check valve permits the inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable region to the second inflatable region and prevents the inflation gas from flowing from the second inflatable region to the first inflatable region.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle generally includes an airbag cushion, an inflator, and an inflation control device. The airbag cushion includes at least one panel surrounding an inflatable interior portion. The inflator is configured to provide inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion. The inflation control device is located in the interior portion of the airbag cushion and includes a first member coupled to a coupling member. The first member is connected to the at least one panel. The inflation control device is configured to allow the airbag cushion to inflate generally unrestrained until each of the first and coupling member are subjected to a tensile force. The inflation control device is configured to reduce a rate at which the airbag cushion expands after the first and coupling members are subjected to the tensile forces.