Inflatable Passenger Restraint Or Confinement (e.g., Air Bag) Or Attachment Patents (Class 280/728.1)
  • Publication number: 20140035266
    Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag comprising foam bulk at least partially surrounded by a flexible membrane, the airbag compressible from a second volume to a first volume; a locking mechanism for maintaining the airbag compressed to the first volume; a one-way valve openable to deliver air to the airbag when the locking mechanism is released; and wherein when the locking mechanism is released, the airbag expands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Siamak Arzanpour, Hossein Dehghani
  • Patent number: 8642489
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag module ensuring that when an airbag fabricated using a fabric composed of a polyamide yarn excellent in heat resistance is deployed by an inflator gas, the deployment occurs without loss of the gas and an excessive amount of generated gas is not necessary, as a result, the inflator is reduced in weight, and the airbag module of the present invention comprises an airbag fabric composed of a polyamide yarn, wherein the air permeability of the fabric under a pressure of 200 kPa is from 10 to 200 cc/cm2/sec and in the thermal stress of the constituent yarn as measured under the conditions of an initial load of 0.02 cN/dtex, a yarn length of 25 cm and a temperature rise rate of 80° C./min, the summed thermal stress of the total of the warp yarn and the weft yarn at 230° C. is from 0.33 to 1.20 cN/dtex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Fibers Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiaki Ise
  • Patent number: 8641080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air bag container consisting of an impact modified polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide composition has a Melt Volume-Flow Rate higher than 25 cm3/10 minutes. The polyamide composition preferably comprises a base polyamide, an impact modifier, reinforcing compounds and a flow improver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Rudolf Stefan Huisman, Marnix Van Gurp, Jeroen Joost Crevecoeur
  • Patent number: 8636300
    Abstract: An attachment bracket for fastening an airbag to a vehicle structure includes an opening into which a strap connected to the airbag can be inserted, and a clamping surface provided for resting against the vehicle structure. The attachment bracket is formed from at least a first layer forming the clamping surface and a second layer spaced from the first layer in a spring elastic manner. The first and the second layers can be located on the same side of the vehicle structure. The attachment bracket can be fastened to the vehicle structure by a fastening means. The distance between the first and the second layer can be reduced by fastening the attachment bracket with the fastening means. A clamping force acting between the first layer and the vehicle structure can be generated by reducing the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Håkan Jaconelli, Börje Jakobsson, Jack Kroll, Ola Henriksson, Stefan Andersson
  • Publication number: 20140021705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-layered fabric including separated two fabric layers which are simultaneously woven by an OPW (one piece woven) method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a gas-inflatable double-layered fabric including a double patterned weave comprised of separated top and bottom fabric layers which are simultaneously woven and have different patterns each other, a preparation method thereof, and an airbag including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jung-Hoon Youn, Dong-Jin Kwak, Jae-Hyung Kim, Hee-Jun Kim, Ki-Jeong Kim, Sang-Mok Lee
  • Publication number: 20140021704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric for an airbag, and a production method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a polyester fabric which includes a high-strength, high-elongation and low-modulus polyester yarn to show excellent toughness and energy absorbing performance after high-humidity heat treatment for a long period of time, a production method thereof, and an airbag for an automobile including the same. The polyester fabric includes a polyester yarn having a fineness of 300 to 700 denier to optimize and maintain the tear strength and seam strength indices in the warp and weft directions within the predetermined range under high temperature and high humidity for a long time, thereby minimizing the impact applied to a passenger and protecting the passenger with safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyung Kim, Dong-Jin Kwak, Sang-Mok Lee
  • Publication number: 20140021700
    Abstract: A fabric for use in the manufacture of an inflatable air-bag, the fabric having interwoven warp fibres and weft fibres which are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another, one or more of the warp and weft fibres being at least partially coated with an adhesive substance to increase the friction between the warp and weft fibres at their intersections. In another embodiment, the fabric is formed from fibres having a central core and another sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Altay Kismir, David Stow, Gary Wootton, Hugh Finn, Ralf Koehnen
  • Publication number: 20140015230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag (10) for vehicles, having in an inflated state a lower cushion portion (22) and an upper cushion portion (20) adapted for restraining a vehicle occupant (16), and a dividing portion (24) between the cushion portions (20, 22) which is formed by wall portions of the gas bag (10) extending into the interior of the gas bag (10) in a direction away from the cushion portions (20, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Gmbh
    Inventors: Yohann Le Norcy, Jean-Christophe Peyere, Ramon Ramos
  • Publication number: 20140008899
    Abstract: An exemplary airbag case includes a floor that is configured to receive an airbag module, a wall extending away from the floor, and a plurality of reinforcement features each extending without interruption from the floor to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Adam D. Hardin, April Hamilton, Lionel K. Cureau
  • Publication number: 20140008900
    Abstract: There are provided an airbag device and a steering wheel that can reduce the number of components and weight and allow a retainer to be easily positioned relative to an airbag cover. An airbag cover 4 includes a side wall portion 41 standing on an inner side, a recess 42 formed in an end face at almost the center of the side wall portion 41, and retaining holes 43 and 43 formed in the side wall portion 41 on both sides of the recess 42. A retainer 3 includes a first hook 31 that is fittable in the recess 42 and contactable with a bottom face 42a of the recess 42, and second hooks 32 that are contactable with inner faces 43a of the retaining holes 43. The retainer 3 is centered in a width direction by fitting the first hook 31 in the recess 42, and the side wall portion 41 is clamped in a standing direction by the first hook 31 and the second hooks 32 by contacting the first hook 31 with the recess 42 and contacting the second hooks 32 with the retaining holes 43.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Onohara
  • Patent number: 8608846
    Abstract: A liquid silicone rubber coating composition exhibiting high adhesion for an airbag base fabric; a curtain airbag having a silicone rubber coating layer of the cured composition formed on at least one surface of the base fabric; and a method for producing such curtain airbag are provided. The composition comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least 2 alkenyl groups bonded to the silicon atoms per molecule; (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least 2 structural units represented by formula (1) per molecule, the structural units being linked by a non-siloxane structural unit not containing SiH group; (C) an addition catalyst; (E) an organosilicon compound having an epoxy group and an alkoxy group bonded to the silicon atom in the molecule; and (F) a titanium compound and/or a zirconium compound; and preferably (D) a fine powder silica having a specific surface area of at least 50 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Mizushima, Masayuki Ikeno, Shinji Irifune
  • Patent number: 8594894
    Abstract: A method for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a vehicle is provided. At least one protection element mounted on the vehicle seat and capable of being triggered to protect the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat is triggered when a collision is imminent or occurs. A reversible belt tensioner assigned to the vehicle seat is triggered at a time before a triggering of the protection element, and while or as the protection element is triggered, a resulting belt tensioning is released again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Baumann, Michael Fehring, Till Heinrich, Marica Paurevic
  • Publication number: 20130300091
    Abstract: A cover for an airbag device, which includes: a cover portion configured to cover an airbag in a folded state; a hollow insertion portion configured to be inserted into an attachment hole on the vehicle; a locking portion inserted into the attachment hole together with the insertion portion and locked at the vehicle; and a connecting portion provided inside the insertion portion and connecting inner surfaces of the insertion portion with each other so as to reinforce the insertion portion. The cover portion, the insertion portion, the locking portion, and the connecting portion are integrally formed, and the connecting portion is present at least at a position closer to a distal end side of the insertion portion in an insertion direction than the position of the attachment hole when the locking portion is locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Minhun Kim, Jinhua Piao, Atsushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8544881
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an airbag module (16) disposed in an instrument panel (14) the airbag (18) of which extends when inflated from a receipt in the instrument panel (14) into the interior of the vehicle (10). A supporting structure (20) for the airbag (18) on a side of the airbag (18) facing a windscreen (12) is configured so that it supports the airbag (18) against the forces occurring when a vehicle occupant immerses in the airbag (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Abele, Daniele Aranzulla
  • Patent number: 8541321
    Abstract: A copolymerized polyether polyamide resin for coating on or for impregnation to a woven or knitted fabric, wherein elongation and elastic modulus of the copolymerized polyether polyamide resin are not less than 1000% and not more than 15 MPa, respectively. The copolymerized polyether polyamide resin has a constitution wherein said copolymerized polyether polyamide resin is such that a soft segment comprising a polyether polyamide constituted from a polyether diamine compound and a dicarboxylic acid compound is bonded to a hard segment comprising a polyamide constituted from an aminocarboxylic acid compound and/or a lactam compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hagiwara, Kenichiro Kano, Gaku Maruyama, Takahiro Hattori, Takashi Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 8536260
    Abstract: A resin composition for a seamless air bag cover or a resin composition for a seamless instrument panel having an air bag cover which comprises (A) 50 to 90% by mass of polypropylene, (B) 0 to 20% by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer and (C) 10 to 30% by mass of talc having an average particle diameter of 15 to 25 ?m and a distribution of a particle diameter such that the content of particles having a diameter of 5 ?m or smaller is 10% by mass or smaller and the content of particles having a diameter exceeding 40 ?m is 10% by mass or smaller. The resin composition exhibits sufficient properties when an instrument panel is molded. A seamless instrument panel having an air bag cover can be obtained as an integrally molded product, which can be treated as a single article in recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Prime Polymer Co., Ltd., Daikyonishikawa Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Iida, Kazuaki Kihara, Mutsuo Fujii, Mamoru Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8523220
    Abstract: Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include, for example, a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity, an airbag assembly within the cavity, and an inflator operably coupled to the airbag assembly. The airbag assembly can include an airbag configured to deploy through the opening of the housing during a crash event. The airbag system can further include a door removably positioned across the opening and configured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment. The housing can be affixed to an interior portion of an aircraft, forward of and offset from an aircraft seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Gehret, Joshua Vyrostek, Kevin J. Keeslar, Daniel Nick Foubert
  • Patent number: 8500160
    Abstract: Provided is a knee airbag apparatus including an airbag cushion that develops upward without sagging downward to protect the passenger's knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jung Su Lee
  • Patent number: 8491001
    Abstract: An air bag device for a people protection system of a vehicle, having a folded air bag which forms an air bag package having a length and a height. An inlay element, directly connected to and/or placed into the air bag, is provided having a length which essentially corresponds to the length of at least a section of the air bag package and having a height which essentially corresponds to the height of the air bag package. The inlay element is provided and arranged to define the folded air bag regarding its cross-section dimensions and to thereby fix it with desired cross-section dimensions. The inlay element is designed as an elongated flat section and is made of multiple segments, succeeding one another in the longitudinal direction of the air bag. At least one segment of the inlay element has a bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Steck
  • Patent number: 8480119
    Abstract: An occupant protection airbag device for a vehicle includes a housing having an opening and a closed end, a strut secured to the housing adjacent the closed end and extending from the closed end toward the opening, and an inflator supported by the strut adjacent the opening and spaced from the closed end to form a storage chamber between the inflator and the closed end of the housing. The inflator is spaced from an inner wall of the housing to form a gap therebetween. An airbag is stored in a deflated condition between the inflator and the closed end of the housing, and a forward-most layer of the airbag passes through the gap and around a surface of the inflator immediately adjacent the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raf Haidar, Timothy Scott, Johannes A Varcus
  • Patent number: 8453969
    Abstract: A glare shield equipped with an emergency vision apparatus comprises a glare shield in a cockpit and a compartment recessed into the glare shield. A blower is disposed within the compartment. An inflatable first enclosure made of airtight material and having an expanded form when deployed and a deflated form when not in use is connected to the blower with a tubular air passageway. The first enclosure when in the deflated form is stored within the compartment. First and second clear members are disposed at respective first and second ends of the enclosure to enable a user to see through the first enclosure when expanded and observe a source of information at a distal end of the first enclosure while smoke or other particulate matter is in the environment. A switch operably is associated with the blower to activate the blower and thereby inflate the first enclosure when deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Bertil R. L. Werjefelt, Alexander K. Werjefelt, Christian Werjefelt
  • Patent number: 8434784
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus is mounted on a vehicle as housed in a housing and includes an airbag inflatable with inflation gas for catching an object of protection. The airbag includes a sheet-shaped circumferential wall made from synthetic resin. The circumferential wall is plastically deformable in such a manner as to be elongated due to increase of internal pressure caused by being pressed by the object of protection when arresting the object of protection at full inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Honda, Yasushi Okada, Yuji Sato, Masakazu Hashimoto, Daisuke Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20130106081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag fabric comprising a polyester fiber, and more particularly to a polyester fabric, a preparation method for the same, and an airbag for vehicle comprising the same, where the polyester fabric has a tensile strength T1 of at least 95 kgf/inch as measured according to the ASTM D 5034 method, a tear strength T2 of at least 6.5 kgf as measured according to the ASTM D 2261 TONGUE method, and the ratio (T1/T2) of tensile strength T1 to tear strength T2 in the range of 4.0 to 16.4. The airbag fabric of the present invention uses a low-modulus polyester fiber having high strength and high elongation to impart good mechanical properties, such as high toughness and high tear strength, and excellences in packing property, dimensional stability, and air sealing performance, thereby minimizing collision impacts on occupants and protecting occupants with safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyung Kim, Dong-Jin Kwak, Ki-Jeong Kim, Hee-Jun Kim, Jung-Hoon Youn, Sang-Mok Lee
  • Patent number: 8419058
    Abstract: An air bag module (30) includes an air bag (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition and a structure (34) for supporting the air bag. A first tether (106) has a first end connected to the structure via an actuatable fastener (122) and an opposite second end connected to the air bag (14). A second tether (104) having a first end secured to the first tether (106) by a releasable connection (132) at a location between the first and second ends of the first tether. The second tether has a second end connected to a deployable portion of the air bag (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Douglas M. Gould, Simon Kramer, Daniele Aranzulla, Martin Burkhardtsmaier, Jochen Weiss, Bernd Issler
  • Publication number: 20130056963
    Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one panel (212) of material that defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The at least one panel (212) has a portion presented toward the vehicle occupant when in an inflated and deployed condition. The protection device (14) includes at least one pleat (296, 316) formed in the at least one panel (212). The at least one pleat (296, 316) defines a cushioned portion (210) for receiving a portion of the occupant. The at least one pleat (296, 316) reduces fabric tension in the cushioned portion (210) to provide the cushioned portion with a degree of softness that is reduced over remaining areas of the protection device (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Douglas M. Gould, Patrick R. Landis, Paul M. Lange
  • Patent number: 8376401
    Abstract: An airbag is provided which includes at least one fabric panel and a structural seam. The structural seam includes an adhesive but does not include stitching. Such stitching tends to weaken the fabric of airbags and causes a higher denier fabric with higher strength to be used to offset the loss in strength, but this in turn produces an airbag of greater weight due to the high denier fabric. By providing an airbag with a structural seam provided by an adhesive without stitching, an airbag may be lighter and may be inflated in less time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Pongdet Paul Wipasuramonton, Mark Andrew Steinbach, James Peter Karlow, David Lloyd Danielson, Todd Matthew Starke, Chad Michael Dinninger
  • Patent number: 8372497
    Abstract: Air bags which are used for safety purposes to protect occupants of vehicles such as automobiles are described together with a process for coating air bags and air bag fabrics with silicone rubber compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: William Blackwood, Robert Alan Ekeland, Randall Paul Sweet
  • Patent number: 8366142
    Abstract: An airbag module has a case-like housing and an open side covered by a protective covering. The protective covering (17), having a pre-set tear line, is fastened at its one end (18) in the interior of the housing (10). With its other, free end (19), the protective covering overlaps the open side (13) of the housing (10) and is secured on a flange (14) outwardly protruding from the housing wall (12) and mounted on the housing (10). The flange (14) has at least one opening (20), immediately adjoining the transition between housing wall (12) and flange (14), for guiding a tongue (22) formed on the free end (19) of the protective covering (17). A holding nose (21) projecting from the housing wall (12) into the opening (20) can be brought into engagement into a holding recess (23) formed in the tongue (22) of the protective covering (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Nicolas Chevalier, Jason Svarc, Nathan Muscat, John Frendo
  • Publication number: 20130026740
    Abstract: A method of forming a fabric for an air-bag, the method comprising providing a plurality of yarns, each yarn being formed from a plurality of individual fibres; applying an activatable additive or coating to each yarn, the additive or coating initially not being activated and wherein, prior to activation, the additive or coating presents little or no impedance to the relative movement of the fibres within the yarn and, following activation, the additive or coating binds fibres within the yarn to one another to prevent or hinder relative movement of the fibres in the yarn with respect to one another; and passing the yarns through an activation zone including a compressing component which applies a compressive force to the yarns, the additive or coating being activated as the yarns pass through the activation zone so that the yarns each have a substantially flat configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Hugh Finn, Ralf Koehnen, David Stow, Gary Wootton, Altay Kismir, Will Winzinger, Gonzalo Alves
  • Patent number: 8360470
    Abstract: A restraining system includes a restraining volume that is bounded by a cladding, and is deployable by expansion of the restraining volume, to restrain or protect an object or person. Deployment of the restraining volume by expanding it into a restraining position is performed by a mechanical enlarging unit, rather than by a pyrotechnic gas generator, so that the restraining system may be restored to a storage position following a deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Clark Ruedebusch
  • Patent number: 8356833
    Abstract: An airbag is formed of two base fabrics. An adhesive agent is pasted with some width on one of the base fabrics and then another of the base fabrics is put on the one of the base fabrics. The two fabrics are adhered together to form the airbag. Pasting start/end portions of the adhesive agent is set at a gas introducing portion of the airbag. Pasting start/end points (terminal ends of the start/end portions) is located outside a path in the gas introducing portion through which a gas is introduced into an inside of the airbag. According to an airbag with the airbag, assembling workability of the airbag can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Koike, Kazuyuki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120313352
    Abstract: An air bag device for a people protection system of a vehicle, having a folded air bag which forms an air bag package having a length and a height. An inlay element, directly connected to and/or placed into the air bag, is provided having a length which essentially corresponds to the length of at least a section of the air bag package and having a height which essentially corresponds to the height of the air bag package. The inlay element is provided and arranged to define the folded air bag regarding its cross-section dimensions and to thereby fix it with desired cross-section dimensions. The inlay element is designed as an elongated flat section and is made of multiple segments, succeeding one another in the longitudinal direction of the air bag. At least one segment of the inlay element has a bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Steck
  • Publication number: 20120303211
    Abstract: A safety evacuation system for drivers and passengers of ground and water vehicles is proposed. The system is comprised of a sensor system, computer implemented model of risk assessments from collisions with surrounding objects, control system, safety escape channels, and ejection seats. The sensor system measures directions, speeds and distances of a vehicle to all objects, which may collide with the vehicle and pose risk of deaths or injures to humans in the vehicle. The computer-implemented model assesses the risk of deaths and injuries for humans, based on the measurements of the sensor system. The control system opens the escape channel and activates ejection seats based on the risk assessments from the computer-implemented model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Igor Igorevich Stukanov
  • Patent number: 8317220
    Abstract: A curable coating composition that exhibits improved cure and adhesion to various substrates, especially synthetic textiles used in the manufacture of air bags, comprises a composition curable by a hydrosilylation reaction, an acryloxy functional alkoxysilane or a methacryloxy functional alkoxysilane, an alkenyl functional silanol terminated organopolysiloxane, and an epoxy functional alkoxysilane. The curable coating composition is especially useful for application to synthetic textiles such as automotive air bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Randall Paul Sweet, William R. Blackwood, Tsugio Nozoe
  • Patent number: 8302991
    Abstract: A method of folding a knee airbag. One side surface of the airbag is roll-folded toward the centerline defined by the airbag and the other the side surface is thereafter roll-folded toward the centerline. After the steps of roll-folding both of the side surfaces, the knee airbag is vertical roll-fold from an end toward a connection part. With the roll-folding of the side surfaces, the side surfaces are roll folded such that they form different inclination angles with respect to the centerline of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Ik-pyo Hong, Gyeong-won Jeong
  • Patent number: 8287685
    Abstract: A process for assembling an airbag for use in vehicle applications is disclosed. The airbag has a seam made from two or more different materials (102, 104). The combination of the materials and the process for assembling the airbag minimize the need for sewn seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Anh Be, William Blackwood, Loren Dale Lower, Robert Nelson, Todd Starke
  • Patent number: 8286747
    Abstract: A double shield exterior airbag device accommodated in an airbag housing mounted to a bumper of a vehicle, and deployed by gas supplied from an inflator may include an outer air cushion filled with the gas supplied from the inflator, and formed with a single cushion layer, an inner air cushion disposed in an internal space of the outer air cushion, and defining an inner chamber therein to receive the gas, and a plurality of partitioned chambers formed by a plurality of internal partitions that connect the outer air cushion with the inner air cushion, the partitioned chambers communicating with the inner chamber via a gas hole formed in the inner air cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Yong Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 8272664
    Abstract: The airbag assembly features an airbag cushion, a deployment flap, an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, and a lateral flap. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. The lateral flap is configured to allow for proper airbag deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Benny, Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Bobby Lusk
  • Patent number: 8251397
    Abstract: An advanced restraint system for a vehicle comprises a weight-sensing unit mounted to one or more seats positioned between the seat mounting frame and the floor means of the vehicle for sensing the weight of a sitting occupant and classifying the occupant accordingly, a computerized system for calculating an operating weight value corresponding to classified weight value, and an airbag system comprising one or more airbags and a deployment unit configured to inflate the airbags with a deployment force acceleration proportionate to the operating weight value when a sufficient collision force is sensed above a predetermined collision force value by a collision sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Akwo Tabe
  • Patent number: 8236112
    Abstract: A gas generator includes, a tubular housing, an ignition device attached to one end and a diffuser having a gas discharge port, attached to the other end of the housing, a tubular member, having first and second ends, disposed inside the housing such that the first and second ends are oriented towards the ignition device side and the diffuser side, respectively, and forming a tubular gap leading to the gas discharge port, a combustion chamber provided inside the tubular member, first and second gas passage holes formed on the first and second end sides, respectively, and an opening portion formed between the first and second gas passage holes, such that the gas passage holes and the opening portion communicate the combustion chamber with the tubular gap, and a projecting portion projecting from the opening portion into at least one of the combustion chamber and the tubular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Teppei Hanano
  • Patent number: 8213151
    Abstract: In networked electronic ordnance systems as disclosed herein, a plurality of pyrotechnic devices communicate with a controller along a common bus. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, at least some of the pyrotechnic devices in the ordnance system are configured such that the address for those devices can be defined during or subsequent to installation of the pyrotechnic devices in an end system. In some instances, a logic device in the pyrotechnic device includes a diagnostics block that initiates a suite of diagnostic tests within the pyrotechnic device in response to a diagnostics command received by the pyrotechnic device. Additionally, in some instances, an additional safety mechanism is added to an energy-reserve capacitor in the pyrotechnic device in compliance with a safe-by-wire standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (California), LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nelson, Joe Carvalho, Michael N. Diamond
  • Patent number: 8186713
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that includes panel (100) of material that helps define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. A vent opening (104) vents inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (54). A pleat (120) is folded in the panel (100). The pleat (120) is positioned against a vehicle surface (62) while the protection device (14) is in a normally deployed condition to help block inflation fluid from venting through the vent opening (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Heather Kramer, Alberto Rodriguez, Amit Sharma, John Bauer
  • Patent number: 8168298
    Abstract: An article is formed in a mold having a mold cavity, has a periphery, and defines a score line having a tensile heal strength of less than 200 ppi along the score line. The article includes a cured urethane composition including the reaction product of an isocyanate component and a resin composition. The cured urethane composition is used in a method of forming the article. The method includes the steps of determining a theoretical tensile heal strength along the score line and applying the isocyanate component into the mold cavity in response to the determining of the theoretical tensile heal strength. The method also includes the steps of applying the resin composition into the mold cavity, reacting the isocyanate component and the resin composition to form a urethane composition, curing the urethane composition, and de-molding the article from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20120098241
    Abstract: A steering wheel unit with an airbag module and a steering wheel body is connectable to a steering column defining the axial direction. The steering wheel body includes an accommodation for the airbag module in the hub area. The airbag module can be pressed down against the steering wheel body against the force of at least one spring and at least two positioning units act between the airbag module and the steering wheel body. The positioning units are arranged in a center of gravity plane being perpendicular to the axial direction. In order to provide an easy mountability and a high degree of flexibility in respect of the installation space, the positioning units act at least in non-axial direction and the at least one spring is spaced from the positioning units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Raimund Nebel
  • Patent number: 8142726
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical oxygen generator to produce cool oxygen gas comprising: a. a charge housing, b. a solid but porous charge contained in the said housing, the charge being made of a chemical mixture that generates oxygen upon decomposition and that will undergo a self-sustained exothermal decomposition after initiation, the said charge containing at most 3.0 wt. % of binder material, the said porous charge allows the generated oxygen to pass through the charge without damaging the virgin material and without creating volumetric burning, the said charge is mounted in the housing in such a way that the generated oxygen passes through the charge and under the pressure difference flows from the moving decomposition front towards the vent, c. an ignition device mounted at one end of the cartridge in such a way that it is capable to initiate a self-sustained decomposition of the charge at the charge surface adjacent to the initiator, d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappeluk Onderzoek Tno
    Inventors: Alexandr Sergeevich Zharkov, Vladimir Alekseevich Shandakov, Leonid Alexandrovich Pilyugin, Ronald Peter van den Berg
  • Patent number: 8142869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coated base fabric for airbags including: a cloth obtained by weaving polyamide (PA) fiber yarns; and a PA elastomer coating film formed on one surface or both surfaces of the cloth, wherein the coated base fabric has predetermined air tightness and flexibility, is easily converted to a PA reproduced material, and is obtained by fusing a coating film (16) made of an airflow suppression PA elastomer on one surface or both surfaces of a cloth (14) obtained by weaving yarns (12) and (12A) made of a polyamide (PA) fiber, as the PA elastomer, soft PA is normally used, which has a melting point (measured by the standard of ASTM D3418) of 135 to 200° C., a difference between the melting points of the PA fiber and PA elastomer being 80 to 120° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Ichizo Shiga, Yasuji Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20120061946
    Abstract: An air bag is provided with a air cushion formed of one woven fabric. At least one functional element, which provides the airbag with an additional function, is woven into the air cushion in one piece. The functional element can be a tube system of a support structure airbag and/or a valve for unfolding of a support structure airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Daimier AG
    Inventors: Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Clark Ruedebusch
  • Publication number: 20120056409
    Abstract: Provided is a curtain airbag cushion folded such that an airbag cushion can be developed inside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Jong Hyub JUN
  • Patent number: 8113536
    Abstract: A method of folding an inflatable cushion into a housing of an airbag module is provided, the method including: arranging the inflatable cushion in an un-inflated position to define a first pleat and a second pleat each extending from a first end of the inflatable cushion to a second end of the inflatable cushion, the second end being opposite the first end, the inflatable cushion also having a first flap portion extending from the first pleat and a second flap portion extending from the second pleat, the second flap portion being opposite the first flap portion; rolling the first end and the second end of the inflatable cushion towards each other and underneath a top surface of the inflatable cushion, wherein a first pocket is formed by the first pleat below the top surface and a second pocket below the top surface is formed by the second pleat; and folding the first flap into the first pocket and folding the second flap into the second pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Laura A. Hawthorn, Patrick W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 8116947
    Abstract: A vehicle safety arrangement having a sensor unit (7) comprising at least one sensor (8, 9) responsive to acceleration; an actuator (13) for activating a safety device, the actuator being located remotely from the sensor unit; and a control unit (2) located remotely from the sensor unit and from the actuator, the control unit having no sensors responsive to acceleration and being operable to receive information from the sensor unit and to transmit an actuating command to the actuator to activate the safety device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Francois Giordano