Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing and an airbag. The airbag is supported by the housing and includes a vent. The airbag assembly includes a tether supported by the housing and fixed to the vent. The airbag assembly includes a tether release operatively coupled to the tether. The airbag assembly includes a tether retractor supported by the housing and fixed to the tether.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag and an airbag controller. The airbag is disposed in a movable member and configured to be able to deploy in different sizes in a front-to-back direction of an automobile. The movable member can move in the front-to-back direction in front of a passenger in the automobile. The airbag controller is configured to control a size of the airbag to be deployed, according to a position to which the movable member is moved.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided and includes a valve housing, an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow through the valve housing and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve includes an armature-valve element balanced to remain in a closed position and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates magnetic flux that moves the armature-valve element into an open position such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing to actuate the actuator housing.

Abstract: A method of operating an inflation system is provided. The method includes recognizing that the inflation system is activated or actuated by a user, supplying current to an electromagnet of a solenoid valve of the inflation system such that an armature-valve element of the solenoid valve is moved to an open position, wherein movement of the armature valve element to the open position actuates an actuator housing that in turn causes a normally-closed valve element of a valve housing of the inflation system to open, and ceasing current supply to the electromagnet once the actuator housing is actuated.

Abstract: A horn actuating device of a motor vehicle is provided to enhance operating feeling of a horn actuating cover installed on a steering wheel. The horn actuating device prevents shaking of a horn actuating cover and prevents deterioration of operating feeling of the horn actuating cover by adopting a structural elastic member configured such that after the horn actuating cover for actuating a horn is actuated, the elastic member for returning the horn actuating cover back to an original position restrains shaking of the horn actuating cover and then installing the elastic member between the horn actuating cover and a horn mounting portion.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods, computer program products, and systems. Given by way of example only and not of limitation, in various embodiments a method includes: determining an event; actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members; and dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members.

Abstract: A lane keeping system includes an absolute pressure sensor located in a door on each of opposing sides of a vehicle. Each sensor generates a signal indicative of a door cavity pressure on that side of the vehicle. A safety restraint system (SRS) controller is in communication with the pressure sensor. The SRS controller is configured to determine a collision event in response to the signal (e.g., increased pressure in the door as it is crushed) and activate a safety restraint component in response to the determined collision event. A lane keeping system (LKS) controller is in communication with the pressure sensors. The LKS controller determines a lateral wind force on the vehicle in response to the signal from each pressure sensor. The LKS controller determines a correction in response to the determined lateral wind force to maintain the vehicle along a desired path.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor and switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first electrode forming a decorative conductive component on a vehicle, and a second electrode dielectrically isolated from the first electrode and electrically coupled therewith to generate an activation field. The assembly also includes a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a controller for processing a signal generated from the activation field and sensing an object, wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field.

Abstract: A knee air bag apparatus having a housing disposed in or adjoining a lower region of an instrument panel extending from front to rear having an outlet opening. An inflator and a knee air bag are mounted in the housing in the initial state, and in an expanded state deploys in front of the instrument panel. The air bag outer skin has a protective section and a fill and support section. The protective section when expanded state is positioned, in front of the instrument panel. To improve deployment behavior, the fill and support section features a vehicle-front section such that with the knee air bag fully expanded, the front section extends beyond the vehicle front end of the housing in the direction of the vehicle front.

Abstract: A vehicular display device includes a surrounding information obtaining unit configured to obtain surrounding information indicating a surrounding situation of a host vehicle, and a display ECU configured to inform a driver of the presence of a warning object that needs to be recognized by the driver through displaying of an in-vehicle display unit when the warning object is detected based on the surrounding information. The in-vehicle display unit has a display screen in a region surrounded by a grip of a steering wheel in a planar positional relationship when the driver views the steering wheel. The display ECU is configured to display a host vehicle mark in a central position of the steering wheel in a right-left width direction and display a warning object mark indicating the warning object in a position corresponding to a direction of the warning object relative to the host vehicle on the display screen.

Abstract: An airbag includes on the rear plane a passenger protection portion for protecting a front seat passenger. The passenger protection portion includes a front-collision arresting plane for protecting a head of the passenger as he moves forward in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle and an oblique-collision arresting plane that is disposed at least either on the left or on the right of the front-collision arresting plane in such a manner as to protrude rearward out of the front-collision arresting plane for protecting the head of the passenger as he moves diagonally forward in the event of an oblique or offset collision of the vehicle. The passenger protection portion further includes an arresting recess that is disposed between the front-collision arresting plane and oblique-collision arresting plane in such a manner as to be sunken forward for receiving and arresting the head of the passenger.

Abstract: An embodiment of a control system includes a sensing element configured to detect a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel, and a gesture control module configured to receive gesture information from the sensing element and control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies are disclosed that can reduce rotational velocity of an occupant's head during a collision event and thereby mitigate traumatic brain injury/head injury to an occupant. An airbag includes a pair of lobes or protrusions to deploy and extend from the rear face of the airbag on either side of the occupant's head to limit rotation of the head. A pair of vertical tethers within an interior of the airbag configure the lobes and contour the rear face to form one or more low fabric tension zones or bubbles. The lobes maintain high fabric tension, similar to a pressurization of a main inflatable chamber of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag includes a first panel and a second panel. A first wing is formed with one of the first panel and the second panel, the first wing being coupled to the other of the first panel and the second panel. At least a second wing is formed with one of the first panel and the second panel, the second wing being coupled to the other of the first panel and the second panel. The airbag includes a first depth that extends from the first panel to the second panel proximate the first wing and the second wing when the airbag is in the deployed position and at least a second depth extending from the first panel to the second panel proximate the first base, wherein the second depth is less than the first depth.

Abstract: Provided is an airbag device in which an inflator can be fixedly mounted easily. The airbag device includes an inflator which generates a gas; an airbag which is inflated by the gas generated by the inflator; a retainer which is provided with an insertion port into which the inflator is inserted; a bag ring which mounts the airbag in the retainer; and a spring which fixes the inflator inserted into the insertion port.

Abstract: An adaptive deployable restraint element (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising at least two leg elements (11, 12) at least in portions arranged in V-shape relative to each other between which at least one cross brace (13, 14, 15) connecting the leg elements (11, 12) is arranged, wherein the leg elements and/or the cross brace (13, 14, 15) are/is inflatable. The invention further relates to an airbag module and an occupant safety system comprising such restraint element as well as to the use of the fin ray effect in an adaptive restraint element.

Abstract: A completely folded body of an airbag includes: a front-side folded portion; and a rear-side folded portion, wherein: the front-side folded portion has such a folded shape that a tip separated longitudinally from the mounting portion of the front overlapped portion is stored in a dent portion, in which a front side is open and a rear side is dented, between a mounting-portion-side folded portion near the mounting portion and a central folded portion between the tip and the mounting-portion-side folded portion; the tip of the front overlapped portion includes a leading edge separate longitudinally the farthest from the mounting portion, and a tip root-side portion connected to the leading edge; and the leading edge is provided on an upper side of the tip root-side portion in the front-side folded portion to be inverted rearward to a central side of the mounting portion.

Abstract: A vehicle implementing vehicle operation assistance information management for autonomous vehicle control transfer may identify a vehicle operation assistance information item indicating a location of an expected vehicle operation control transfer, and, in response to a determination that an immanency for the vehicle operation assistance information item is within a maximum relevant immanence, present a representation of the vehicle operation assistance information item, which may include, in response to a determination that an urgency for the vehicle operation assistance information item indicates a warning urgency or an advisory urgency, controlling the primary graphical display portion and the secondary graphical display portion to present a graphical representation of the vehicle operation assistance information item, such that the primary graphical display portion presents a first portion of the graphical representation and the secondary graphical display portion presents a second portion of the graphica

Abstract: A steering column system of a vehicle includes: a rotatable, hollow steering shaft that has a proximal end attached to a steering wheel and is configured to transfer rotational input at the steering wheel to a steering rack of the vehicle; a stationary driver-side airbag (DAB) shaft that is surrounded by the steering shaft and extends along the steering shaft; and a DAB module that contains an airbag and is fixedly mounted to a proximal end of the DAB shaft within a region of the steering wheel. The airbag contained in the DAB module is formed to have a substantially circular center chamber and a pair of side extension chambers, one of the side extension chambers disposed on a right side of the center chamber, and the other of the side extension chambers disposed on a left side of the center chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag device comprises an airbag that receives gas supplied from an inflator and that is adapted to be inflated and deployed in front of an upper body and above thighs of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. The airbag includes, in the event that the gas has been supplied inside the airbag and the airbag inflates and deploys, an inflation section having an endless annular shape as viewed along a vehicle width direction, and a hollow section formed in a central portion of the inflation section. The hollow section is in communication with an exterior of the airbag, and air at the exterior flows into the hollow section during inflation and deployment.

Abstract: A folding preparation body includes a pre-folded portion folded in a folded shape of being gathered to an upper side of the inflow opening and mounted in the steering wheel, the pre-folded portion includes a portion in which the front edge of the initial preparation body is folded to approach the inflow opening in the vehicle body side wall, the vehicle body side wall of the folding preparation body includes a non-folded portion from the inflow opening to a crease of the pre-folded portion and a folded portion which is folded from the crease to be overlapped on the lower surface of the non-folded portion, and the pre-folded portion includes the folded portion of the vehicle body side wall and a lower surface side portion, which covers an outer surface of the folded portion, in the cover portion of the driver side wall.

Abstract: A vehicle implementing vehicle operation assistance information management for autonomous vehicle control operation may identify a vehicle operation assistance information item, the vehicle operation assistance information item indicating a location of a candidate vehicle control operation.

Abstract: A steering column system includes: a rotatable steering shaft that has a proximal end attached to a steering wheel and is configured to transfer rotational input at the steering wheel to a steering rack of the vehicle; a stationary driver-side airbag (DAB) shaft that is mounted in the vehicle and extends along the steering shaft; and a DAB module that contains an airbag and is fixedly mounted to a proximal end of the DAB shaft within a region of the steering wheel. The steering wheel and the steering shaft are configured to rotate independently of the DAB module and the DAB shaft, respectively.

Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes an inflator, an airbag body that is configured to be deployed and inflated by inflation gas supplied from the inflator, and an inflated-dimension limiter arranged inside the airbag body. The inflated-dimension limiter is joined to the airbag body by a front joint portion provided at the front end of the inflated-dimension limiter. The inflated-dimension limiter is also joined, by a rear joint portion provided at the rear end of the inflated-dimension limiter, to a portion of the airbag body that is behind a section of the airbag body to which the inflated-dimension limiter is joined by the front joint portion. The dimension between the uppermost end and the lowermost end of the front joint portion is set to be different from the dimension between the uppermost end and the lowermost end of the rear joint portion.

Abstract: A controller for a vehicle includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor of the controller is programmed to receive a side-impact signal representing a collision to a side of the vehicle, receive an occupancy signal indicating that a first rear seat of the vehicle is occupied, and send an output control signal to deploy an airbag between a front seat adjacent the side of the vehicle and a second rear seat adjacent the side of the vehicle in response to the side-impact signal and the occupancy signal only when the second rear seat is unoccupied.

Abstract: A vehicle implementing vehicle operation assistance information management for autonomous vehicle control transfer may identify a vehicle operation assistance information item indicating a location of an expected vehicle operation control transfer, and may, on a condition that an immanency for the vehicle operation assistance information item is within a maximum relevant immanence, determine an urgency based on the immanency, and present a representation of the vehicle operation assistance information item, which may include controlling a primary graphical display portion of the vehicle to present a graphical representation of the vehicle operation assistance information item, controlling a secondary graphical display portion of the vehicle to present the graphical representation, or a combination thereof. The vehicle may, control an auditory presentation device of the vehicle to present an auditory representation of the vehicle operation assistance information item.

Abstract: An airbag is inflatable in such a manner as to separate a vehicle-side wall which is deployable towards a vehicle body structure and an occupant-side wall which is deployable towards an occupant for catching the occupant. The airbag is configured to be supported by the vehicle body structure on the vehicle-side wall when catching the occupant with the occupant-side wall. The airbag includes a recessed section on left and right sides of and in a vicinity of the center of the occupant-side wall and a tether that connects the bottom of the recessed section to the vehicle-side wall in order to form the recessed section. Opposing walls of the recessed section press each other in a separable fashion when the airbag is inflated. The tether allows gas communication between a central region of the airbag and a peripheral region of the airbag which surrounds the central region, inside the airbag.

Abstract: A cushion for a driver airbag apparatus may include: a cushion body deployed between a steering wheel and a driver, and including a front chamber contacted with the steering wheel and a rear chamber coming in contact with the driver; a middle panel installed in the cushion body so as to divide the front chamber and the rear chamber, and having an inner vent hole through which gas is introduced from the front chamber to the rear chamber; and an internal tether arranged in the front chamber, and restricting the backward movement of the middle panel such that the middle panel forms a concave shape in the forward direction when the cushion is deployed.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a connection clip disposed between a steering wheel and a mounting plate of an airbag; an airbag fastening part formed on the mounting plate, and having the connection clip mounted thereon; and a steering wheel fastening part formed on the steering wheel, and snap-fit fastened to the connection clip mounted on the airbag fastening part.

Abstract: A display module includes abase substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface; a pixel layer facing the base substrate such that the upper surface of the base substrate is between the lower surface and the pixel layer, the pixel layer including a plurality of pixels; and a window member facing the base substrate such that the pixel layer is between the window member and the base substrate, the window member in an upper surface exposed to an outside thereof and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and the upper surface of the window member and the lower surface of the base substrate include intaglio patterns, the intaglio patterns are overlapping with a dotted area when viewed in a plan view, and the display module is configured to be torn along the dotted area when a force is applied thereto.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus in which an airbag is deployed while maintaining appropriate deployment pressure. A tether is tightened by deployment force of a sub-cushion, and pulls a hidden cushion disposed in a main cushion so that the hidden cushion is deployed, such that a volume in the main cushion is reduced by the hidden cushion, thereby maintaining deployment pressure of the main cushion.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag device for a driver seat has a front panel and a back panel. In the airbag having undergone spontaneous inflation, when a size between a securing position of the airbag to a retainer member and the most protruding portion of the airbag with respect to the securing position is set as 1, the most protruding portion by the back panel is located at a position spaced from the securing position by 0.5 or greater, a diameter of the inflated airbag of an opposing portion to an inner surface of the wheel is 0.6 to 1.2 times as large as an inner diameter of the wheel, and a diameter of the inflated airbag of a joint portion of the front panel and the back panel is greater than the diameter of the inflated airbag of the opposing portion to the inner surface of the wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for retaining an airbag inflator within a vehicle airbag system, such as within an airbag module housing of a vehicle airbag system. In some embodiments, an inflator comprising an inflator base positioned at a first end of the inflator and a diffuser positioned at a second end of the inflator opposite from the first end may be inserted, or configured for insertion into, an opening in a housing. An inflator retainer comprising a retainer opening configured to receive the diffuser therethrough may be coupled with the inflator at the second end of the inflator and used to secure the inflator to the housing with the inflator base positioned through the housing opening and the diffuser positioned through the retainer opening.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies comprising internal stabilizers and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion comprising a first side and a second side opposite from the first side and a hub comprising a hub opening configured to be coupled with an inflator so as to receive inflation gases during deployment of the airbag cushion through the hub opening. A stabilizer, such as, in some embodiments, a diffuser or another inflatable structure, may be positioned within the airbag cushion and may be non-releasably coupled with the airbag cushion along at least a portion of the first side, along at least a portion of the second side, and adjacent to the hub opening.

Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel and an airbag inflatable from the instrument panel to an inflated position. The airbag includes a main portion and an extension selectively extendable from the main portion in the inflated position. The main portion has a front panel spaced from the instrument panel in the inflated position. The extension is fixed to the front panel and has an inflation chamber defined by at least the front panel.

Abstract: A hybrid expandable restraint volume enclosure system incorporating at least one deployable semi-rigid human body reaction surface is provided. One or more walls of the expanding volume are substantially pliable, attaching at one end to a mounting base that is attachable to a structural member of a vehicle and another end attached to a semi-rigid deployable reaction surface. The energy absorbing expansion member may be thin walled or membrane-like and comprised of pliable rubber, plastic or a woven fabric. Methods of attaching a flexible expansion member to either a semi-rigid contact surface or a semi-rigid expansion wall of the enclosure include providing a mechanical attachment by capturing an expansion member edge between a frame and semi-rigid member. Material from a molded semi-rigid member may flow over or into geometries provided in a flexible expansion member for joining. An interface may be defined by blend-molding to transition different material stiffness.

Abstract: A curtain airbag for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable cushion and a protective sheet having an attachment edge attached to the airbag and a free-length extending from the attachment edge. The cushion formed into a folded condition from which it is deployable in a deployment direction, and the free-length of the sheet is positioned adjacent to the deployment direction of the cushion. The airbag is installed in the vehicle to deploy adjacent to a daylight opening of the vehicle. Deployment of the cushion during inflation causes the protective sheet to be drawn along with the cushion in the deployment direction so that the sheet overlays the outboard-facing side of the cushion (between the cushion and the daylight opening) and thereby provides a degree of protection against damage to the cushion that may be caused by, for example, broken window glass.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus is provided with a shaped, out-of-position (OOP) flap configured to alter a trajectory of an inflatable air cushion during deployment. The apparatus includes an airbag module with an inflator assembly. The inflatable cushion is folded in a deflated arrangement with the airbag module, defining a major surface facing a direction of deployment. The OOP flap is shaped to cover only a partial region of the major surface. The OOP flap may include a first portion with a first end fixed to the airbag module or the inflatable cushion; and a second portion with a second end opposite the first end, remaining free from attachment. The second portion has at least one fold or cut-out at the second end and is positioned overlying the partial region of the major surface, thereby leaving at least a section of the major surface free from contact with the OOP flap.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibrations of an airbag or of an airbag device (10) having a holder device (20) for securing the airbag or the airbag device (10) to a carrier (30), wherein the holder device (20) is secured to the carrier (30) so as to be displaceable against a spring force, and a damping device (70) is arranged between the holder device (20) and the carrier (30), wherein the holder device (20) is guided in one of the guide bushings (50) secured to the carrier (30), and the guide bushing (50) is supported in a vibration-damped manner on the carrier (30).

Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, the air bag deployable to one of a first size and a second size, the second size greater than the first size. When the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable to the first size, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is deployable to the second size.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a cylindrical-shaped inflator that generates gas, an airbag that is inflated by the gas generated by the inflator, a retainer body to which the inflator is attached and fixed and including an insertion hole into which the inflator can be inserted, a flange member that is caulked or press-fitted to the inflator and that constrains the inflator from moving toward one end side in an axial direction and includes an insertion hole into which the inflator can be inserted and a flange surface extending outward in a radial direction, and a retaining member that constrains the inflator from moving toward another end side in the axial direction. The inflator is attached and fixed to the retainer body by bolting the retainer body and the flange member.

Abstract: A vehicular steering control device which comprises a rudder angle varying device which changes a relationship between an operational position of steering wheel operated for steering by a driver and a rudder angle of front wheels; and a rudder angle control device which performs an automatic steering control of the front wheels for a trajectory control of a vehicle by controlling the rudder angle varying device. The rudder angle control device performs a termination control which removes a deviation in the relationship between an operational position and a rudder angle of the front wheels, namely, an N deviation when the automatic steering control is terminated. A speed of removing the N deviation is lowered when a magnitude of a steering operation speed is small, compared to when a magnitude of a steering operation speed is large.

Abstract: A vehicular steering control device which comprises a rudder angle varying device which changes a relationship between an operational position of steering wheel operated for steering by a driver and a rudder angle of front wheels; and a rudder angle control device which performs an automatic steering control of the front wheels for a trajectory control of a vehicle by controlling the rudder angle varying device. The rudder angle control device performs a termination control which removes a deviation in the relationship between an operational position and a rudder angle of the front wheels, namely, an N deviation when the automatic steering control is terminated. A speed of removing the N deviation is lowered when a magnitude of a steering operation speed is small, compared to when a magnitude of a steering operation speed is large.

Abstract: An inflator attachment structure for attaching an inflator of an airbag apparatus to a retaining member of the airbag apparatus includes a first flange member including a first cylindrical part having a shape matching a substantially cylindrical projecting part provided on a lateral surface of the inflator, and including a first flange part extending outwardly in a radial direction from the first cylindrical part, the first flange member being pressed onto and engaged with the inflator from one side of the projecting part in an axial direction, and a second flange member including a second cylindrical part having a shape matching the projecting part, and including a second flange part extending outwardly in a radial direction from the second cylindrical part, the second flange member being pressed onto and engaged with the inflator from another side of the projecting part in the axial direction, wherein the first flange member includes a securing part for use in bolt securement to the retaining member, and wh

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for coupling a base of an airbag inflator with a housing, such as an airbag module housing or an adapter housing configured to be coupled with an airbag module housing. In some embodiments, a vehicle airbag assembly may comprise a housing comprising an opening and a plurality of notches. An inflator comprising an inflator base may be received in the opening such that at least a portion of the inflator base extends out of the opening. A plurality of tabs may be positioned about the inflator base. The plurality of tabs may be configured to be received in the plurality of notches and misaligned with the plurality of notches by rotating the plurality of notches with respect to at least one component of the vehicle airbag assembly, such as a retaining washer, to prevent the inflator base from being withdrawn from the opening.

Abstract: An opening portion 111 includes a plurality of extended portions 111a that are each a portion of the opening portion 111 with an enlarged diameter and a notch 111b formed in an edge portion. An insulator 6 includes a support 6a that has a larger diameter than that of the opening portion 111, a trunk portion 6b that has a smaller diameter than that of the support 6a and that can be inserted through the opening portion 111, a plurality of lock portions 6c, the diameter of which is partially enlarged from the trunk portion 6b, that can be passed through the extended portions 111a, a hook portion 6d that is formed on a lateral side of the trunk portion 6b and that can be engaged with the notch 111b, and engagement holes 6e that are formed in a surface that is in contact with the stopper 5, the engagement holes 6e engaging thereto a jig 8 for fixing the insulator 6 to the opening portions 111.

Abstract: A pre-weakened cover of an airbag module is provided including a layer having an outer show surface and an opposing inner surface. A plurality of first cuts is arranged at a first angle on the inner surface. A plurality of second cuts is arranged at a second angle on the inner surface. Each of the second cuts intersects two adjacent first cuts to form a generally V-shaped pattern.

Abstract: An exemplary driver airbag module may include an inflatable cushion having a chamber that inflates up to a maximum volume. The airbag module may also have a fabric diffuser disposed within the chamber. The inflatable cushion and the fabric diffuser can be configured to deploy at least a portion of the inflatable cushion forward of a steering wheel in response to an out-of-position occupant preventing rearward expansion of the inflatable cushion up to the maximum volume.

Abstract: A vehicle horn control assembly comprises a sensor assembly and a controller. The sensor assembly has a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensor zones, with each of the sensor zones being configured to output a respective pressure signal in response to a respective amount of force applied thereto. The controller is configured to determine, based on the respective pressure signals output over a period of time, a touching characteristic representing a manner in which a user touches the sensor assembly to activate a vehicle horn. The controller is further configured to set a respective pressure threshold for each of the sensor zones above which the controller activates the vehicle horn based on the touching characteristic.

Abstract: Airbag systems comprising at least one energy-absorbing component configured to absorb energy generated during the deployment of an airbag cushion. In some embodiments, a system may include a steering wheel assembly and an airbag assembly. The airbag assembly may comprise a housing configured to couple to the steering wheel assembly, an inflator coupled to the housing, and an airbag cushion coupled with the inflator. A first gap may be disposed between the inflator and at least one energy-absorbing component. A force from a deployment of the airbag cushion may cause the first gap to close and may result in contact between the inflator and at least one energy-absorbing component. The contact between the inflator and one or more of the energy-absorbing components transfers energy from the deployment of the airbag to one or more of the energy-absorbing components.