With Means To Diffuse Inflation Fluid Patents (Class 280/740)
  • Publication number: 20140062072
    Abstract: In a diffusor (14) for an inflator (10) of an airbag module including an outer wall (16) that encloses the inflator (10) at least in a discharge area (12) in the circumferential direction, wherein the outer wall (16) has a gap edge (18) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction (L) and is bent open along said gap edge (18) upon activation of the inflator (10) and a discharge direction for the gas is defined, it is provided that gas deflecting elements (24, 26) which influence the discharge direction of the gas discharged from the inflator (10) in the bent-open state of the diffusor (14) are provided at the outer wall (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Dominique Acker, Gerd Zischka, Stojan Bogdanovic, Andreas Loos, Jurgen Scherr
  • Patent number: 8651513
    Abstract: An airbag having a cushion part defining an insertion hole that is positioned between first and second sewing lines provided to a base fabric and that is provided for the insertion of the inflator from an outside to an inside. A diffuser positioned within the cushion part and in which the inflator is inserted from the insertion hole. The diffuser has a tubular portion with a portion formed by folding layers of fabrics and being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line. The diffuser fabric of the tubular portion on a side adjacent to the base fabric being additionally sewn to the base fabric along a second sewing line. The diffuser includes a guide member 1 that extends and covers the insertion hole with a surface that continues from an inner surface of the diffuser. The guide member being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Masakazu Okamoto, Akifumi Hanawa, Takashi Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8646808
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly can include an airbag cushion and a vent tube having an aperture. Portions of one or more straps can be attached to opposite sides of the vent tube, and a release mechanism can selectively retain the one or more straps. Upon deployment of the airbag cushion while the release mechanism retains the one or more straps, the one or more straps can urge the opposite sides of the vent tube toward each other to assist in closing the aperture of the vent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140008901
    Abstract: An airbag unit with an airbag (10) encloses a gas compartment, an inflator, and a housing (20) containing the folded airbag. A holding device (40) having a first and a second section (42, 44) is provided, the first section (42) is connected to the housing (20), and the second section (44) can be detached from, the first section (42) upon an electrical signal. The holding device detachably fastens a tensioning element, whose first end is connected to the airbag, and its second end is connected to the housing (20) via the holding device (40) when the first and second sections (42 or 44) are connected. The holding device second section (44) is arranged inside the gas compartment, and a hole (13) is provided in the airbag (10), through which an ignition cable plug socket, an ignition lead (50) or the holding device first section (42) protrudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Armin Kränzle, Stephan Schellbronn
  • Patent number: 8622423
    Abstract: An airbag includes a fabric component defining an inflatable chamber. The airbag has an opening for receiving an inflation gas. A tubular heat shield is assembled with the airbag adjacent the opening. The tubular heat shield is a sheet of a flexible material rolled to form a tube and fixed to the airbag inside the airbag. The tubular heat shield has a passage for receiving at least a portion of an inflator. The flexible material of the tubular heat shield is selected from a group of materials consisting of fabrics, polymers, metals and metal alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
  • Patent number: 8613468
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a side-collision airbag apparatus comprising: a side-collision airbag; an inflator configured to inject gas; and an inflator holder configured to support the inflator; wherein: the inflator comprises: an inflator main body portion that is substantially cylindrical in shape and produces the gas; an injecting portion that protrudes from a tip end of the inflator main body portion; and a clasp portion positioned between the inflator main body portion and the injecting portion; the inflator holder comprises: a holding portion configured to hold the inflator; and a diffuser portion having a diffuser tube that has a cross-section substantially elliptical in shape; and the diffuser tube comprises a contraction opening at an end portion in an injection direction of the gas, and is provided so that an end portion opposite the injection direction of the gas faces to the radial outer peripheral side of the clasp portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8608196
    Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a filter assembly (36) formed from a plurality of nodules (36b) positioned and secured in relation to each other so as to form a porous structure (36a). In one embodiment, the nodules (36b) are metallic and are secured in relation to each other using either a sintering process or a brazing process. The nodules (36b) may be bonded directly together, or the nodules may be secured within a metallic matrix material. The gas generating system may also include a first baffle plate (40) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a gas source of the gas generating system (10), and a second baffle plate (42) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a housing wall (12c) of the gas generating system (10). The baffle plates (40, 42) provide added structural integrity to the porous structure (36a) and increase the length of a tortuous flow path of gases through the filter assembly (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo L. Quioc, David S. Whang, Shoichi Sawa
  • Patent number: 8585792
    Abstract: A filter for use in a gas generator of a safety arrangement in vehicles, has several layers of a woven metal fabric consisting of metal wires which are woven together. The woven metal fabric is preferably calendered, wound to form a roll, and pressed to form said filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Zengerle, Simon Schreiber, Karsten Schwuchow
  • Patent number: 8573643
    Abstract: An active bolster has an expandable inner wall including a bay having first and second opposing ends and a central bowl. An expandable outer wall overlies the inner wall to provide a main cavity therebetween. An inflator is mounted within the bay having an outlet nozzle with a plurality of outlet passages for radially discharging an inflation gas against the bay and the outer wall in response to inflate the main cavity during a crash. The inner wall of the central bowl includes a plurality of first dispersion ribs substantially parallel with one another and following arcuate paths to provide at least one gas channel with opposite ends emptying from the central bowl into the main cavity. The outer wall includes a plurality of second dispersion ribs oriented to channel inflation gas from the central bowl toward the outer peripheral edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond E. Kalisz, Roger J. Chen
  • Patent number: 8540278
    Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion, a diffuser provided between the inflator and the airbag cushion and a deflector provided between the inflator and the diffuser. The diffuser forces the inflation gas to change flow direction at least one time before the inflation gas exits into the airbag cushion. The deflector deflects particulates emitted from the inflator into a predetermined portion of the diffuser to inhibit particulates from entering into the airbag cushion. The predetermined portion of the diffuser may be an upper corner of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer W. Chavez, Vera Ljajcaj, Russell J. Mihm
  • Patent number: 8528934
    Abstract: Closing movement of at least one of two or more air chambers is started at an early stage, and an inflated air chamber is tightly closed and maintained in an inflated state for a long time. Inside of an airbag is partitioned into air chambers, with a partitioning cloth, and a diffuser that stores a gas generator is disposed in the air chambers, through the partitioning cloth. Gas from a gas generator is rectified by the diffuser, and is supplied from outlet parts, into the air chambers, thereby inflating and deploying the air chambers. An occupant side base cloth, a semi-perimeter portion around the lower outlet part, is connected to a back-side base cloth of the airbag, and in accordance with an inflation of the lower air chamber, a tension is imposed on the occupant side base cloth from the back-side base cloth, thereby elongating the lower air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kobayshi, Keita Yamauchi, Katsunori Imai
  • Patent number: 8523222
    Abstract: An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inflator and a curtain airbag securable to a body structure of the motor vehicle. The airbag includes two or more deployment tubes and two or more inflatable chambers. Vents connect the deployment chambers with the inflatable chambers. Gasses from the inflator pass first into the deployment tubes to rapidly inflate them to vertically extending positions and draw the airbag over a window opening. The gasses then pass through the vents into the inflatable chambers to complete the deployment of the curtain airbag. The rapid inflation and deployment of the deployment chambers provides cushioning for an occupant's head early in a crash event, followed by the inflation of the inflatable chambers to provide additional head protection and increasing the resistance of the curtain airbag to ejection through the underlying window apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Scott, Michal Jan Swiniarski, Barry Grindle, Jamel E. Belwafa, Robert William McCoy
  • Patent number: 8511708
    Abstract: A passenger airbag module includes a housing, an inflator generating gas pressure according to a control signal of an electronic control unit, and an airbag cushion folded in the housing such that the airbag cushion is expanded in the form of a dual chamber. The airbag cushion is provided therein with a tether having a rectangular shape corresponding to a sectional shape of the airbag cushion. The tether is installed in the transverse direction to divide the airbag cushion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Transfer holes are formed at edges of the tether. In the passenger airbag module, the upper chamber is primarily expanded by concentrating gas flow into the upper chamber to instantly deploy the airbag cushion in the proper position, thereby safely protecting the occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Bum Soo Lee, Jae-Man Ko
  • Publication number: 20130200600
    Abstract: An inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, includes a diffuser (10) which preferably forms a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12). The diffuser (10) includes more than 12, preferably more than 14, further preferably 23 discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row. Moreover, the inflator exhibits a plurality of further peculiarities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems Gmbh
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Patent number: 8500159
    Abstract: An airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The airbag comprising a first and a second chamber, which can be inflated for the protection of a vehicle occupant; having an outflow element with an outflow duct via which the gas can flow out of the first chamber when the internal pressure in the first chamber exceeds the internal pressure in the second chamber and which can be compressed under the action of the internal pressure in the second chamber such that an outflow of gas out of the second chamber is counteracted, when the internal pressure in the first chamber is lower than the internal pressure in the second chamber, the outflow element has a two-layer material piece and the outflow duct is formed by folding in a portion of the material piece between the material layers of the material piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Jens Feller, Torsten Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8496265
    Abstract: An airbag module, especially for a vehicle occupant restraint system, includes an assembly of an inflator (16) having a mounting flange (32) and an inflator supporting member (18) for resilient support of the inflator (16). The inflator supporting member (18) includes a holding member (24) made of metal sheet and at least one mounting foot (26) arranged at the holding member (24) for connection to an inflator base (12). The holding member (24) and the mounting flange (32) are fixed to each other by plastic shaping of at least one of the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Staudt
  • Patent number: 8491005
    Abstract: An inflator for producing inflation gas from a propellant has a housing for storing the propellant, a diffuser for attachment to the inflator housing and a sealing member. The diffuser has one or more open passages for passing inflation gas upon ignition of the propellant and a plurality of sealed passages oriented opposite to the one or more open passages. The sealing member covers the sealed passages. The sealing member is consumed when exposed to an open flame thereby opening the sealed passages to vent inflation gases opposite the opposed one or more open passages to create a thrust neutral exhaust upon an inadvertent ignition of the propellant due to exposure to fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc
    Inventor: David R Arnold
  • Patent number: 8463500
    Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system comprises deploying an airbag in response to a pre-crash sensing system prior to collision in a first stage and controlling an inflation of the airbag in a second stage in response to acceleration signals of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Ian Hall
  • Publication number: 20130076012
    Abstract: Disclosed is a passenger airbag apparatus that can suppress the deployment pressure of an airbag cushion when the airbag cushion and a passenger are excessively close to each other and maintain the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion and the passenger keep an appropriate distance from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Hae Wook/KWON
  • Patent number: 8394157
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter for a gas generator, by which a filter having a good shape retaining property can be obtained, is provided. A method of manufacturing a filter for a gas generator in which a tubular material is formed by knitting copper-plated iron wires, molten plated copper is adhered to an intersecting portion of the iron wire to fix the intersecting portion, wherein the method comprises a molding step for producing a tubular material by knitting the copper-plated iron wires, and a heat processing step in which the above tubular material is kept at a temperature not less than a melting point of copper but less than the temperature of sintering of the iron, and is then cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., Fuji Filter Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Koyama, Naoki Matsuda, Eiichi Ryobo, Masayuki Yamazaki, Chiharu Shiomi, Yuka Shiomi, Chika Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8371647
    Abstract: Disclosed are various seats for vehicles particularly military vehicles that are susceptible to attack by road-bed explosive devices such as land mines or improvised explosive devices. The seats often have rigid seat shells and may include rigid bracing for rigidly securing the seat to the chassis of the vehicle. Typically embodiments include channels and particulate media such as sand disposed in the channels. A gas distribution system is generally employed to pump a gas through the channels and in some embodiments the gas is provided at a pressure sufficient to fluidize the particulate media when an occupant is sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC
    Inventor: Edward B. Ripley
  • Patent number: 8342571
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag, the airbag comprising a tubular area and a filling piece for filling the airbag with gas of a gas generator, wherein the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag. In one embodiment, the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag in the longitudinal direction, wherein an end of the put-over tubular area faces the airbag interior and said end of the put-over tubular area comprises one or several openings which are arranged to distribute gas inflowing from a gas generator in a targeted manner into the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Steck, Markus Leifheit
  • Publication number: 20120313359
    Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion, a diffuser provided between the inflator and the airbag cushion and a deflector provided between the inflator and the diffuser. The diffuser forces the inflation gas to change flow direction at least one time before the inflation gas exits into the airbag cushion. The deflector deflects particulates emitted from the inflator into a predetermined portion of the diffuser to inhibit particulates from entering into the airbag cushion. The predetermined portion of the diffuser may be an upper corner of the diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Spencer W. Chavez, Vera Ljajcaj, Russell J. Mihm
  • Publication number: 20120313358
    Abstract: An airbag having a cushion part defining an insertion hole that is positioned between first and second sewing lines provided to a base fabric and that is provided for the insertion of the inflator from an outside to an inside. A diffuser positioned within the cushion part and in which the inflator is inserted from the insertion hole. The diffuser has a tubular portion with a portion formed by folding layers of fabrics and being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line. The diffuser fabric of the tubular portion on a side adjacent to the base fabric being additionally sewn to the base fabric along a second sewing line. The diffuser includes a guide member 1 that extends and covers the insertion hole with a surface that continues from an inner surface of the diffuser. The guide member being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Masakazu Okamoto, Akifumi Hanawa, Takashi Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8302992
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including: a tubular housing, an ignition device attached to one end of the tubular housing, a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port and being attached to the other end of the tubular housing, in the tubular housing, a first combustion chamber defined by a first perforated-plate member on one end side in the tubular housing and filled with a first gas generating agent, a tubular member disposed in the remaining inner space of the tubular housing and having a communication hole on a peripheral wall portion thereof, a second-perforated plate member disposed between the first perforated-plate member and the tubular member, a second combustion chamber defined by the tubular member and filled with a second gas generating agent, the tubular member being disposed so that a gap is formed between the peripheral wall portion of the tubular housing and the tubular member, the tubular member having a first opening end portion abutting against the inner peripheral
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Hanano, Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8294392
    Abstract: An arrangement for supplying power to a system includes a first electric drive unit constructed to supply mechanical power to or receive mechanical power from a first coupled system of machines and a second electric drive unit constructed to supply mechanical power to or receive mechanical power from a second coupled system of machines. The first and second coupled system of machines are constructed to receive mechanical power or mechanical energy or to supply mechanical power or mechanical energy. The arrangement further includes a first kinetic energy storage device having a first electrical energy exchange machine which is electrically connected to the first electric drive unit, and a second kinetic energy storage device having a second electrical energy exchange machine which is electrically connected to the second electric drive unit. The first kinetic energy storage device is coupled to the second kinetic energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Krejtschi, Elmar Schäfers
  • Patent number: 8282128
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprises an airbag cushion, an inflator to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion, and a diffuser provided between the inflator and the airbag cushion. The diffuser includes a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels force the inflation gas to change flow direction at least two times before the inflation gas exits into the airbag. The panels each include openings for inflation gas to pass through. Openings in a first panel are not aligned with the openings in a second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer W. Chavez, Vera Ljajcaj
  • Patent number: 8235415
    Abstract: Textile gas guides adapted for use with inflatable cushions and airbag systems are configured to be formed in a manner that reduces or eliminates the need for specialized equipment during manufacturing, and to be sufficiently reinforced to withstand damage during use. Such textile gas guides may comprise a second edge of a first fabric member overlapping and coupled with a shear seam to a portion of a third edge of a second fabric member. The third edge and a fourth edge of the second fabric member may be coupled together with a second seam sewed through the two edges of the second fabric member. The second fabric member at least substantially encompasses the first fabric member. Airbag systems employing such textile gas guides may include at least one inflatable cushion, a portion of which is coupled to the textile gas guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt L. Gamill, Bryan Walston
  • Patent number: 8231140
    Abstract: An airbag module includes a bag wrap, a retainer, an airbag, and an inflator to inflate the airbag. The airbag includes at least one vent hole, and a deployment control flap to change trajectory of the airbag such that the airbag will deploy upwards and laterally to left and right sides. The deployment control flap is fixed at both ends to the retainer, airbag, or bag wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Vivekananda Maripudi, Jaime Fermin Perez, Benjamin Aguilar, James Karlow, Nicole Wiggins, John Pilchowski, William B. Cox
  • Publication number: 20120187668
    Abstract: Inflators for safe transport and use with an inflatable airbag cushion and airbag systems include a diffuser comprising a first aperture and at least one vent aperture each disposed in a lateral sidewall of the diffuser. The first aperture and the at least one vent aperture are positioned to face in at least substantially opposite directions in the diffuser. A filter is positioned within the diffuser and includes an outer surface having a lateral extent less than a lateral extent of an inner surface of the lateral sidewall of the diffuser, resulting in a gap between the outer surface of the filter and the inner surface of the lateral sidewall of the diffuser. At least one reaction device is coupled to a longitudinal end of the diffuser. Methods of making such inflators are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Robert E. Lewis, Larry D. Rose, Matthew A. Cox, Kirk Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8226117
    Abstract: A gas flow distributor for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by a gas generator to inflate an airbag, including fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to a gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in the shape of a sleeve from a flexible material, wherein the fastening structures include at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor can be fastened to the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Richard Honold, Ralf Gutmann, Reiner Jonas
  • Patent number: 8215663
    Abstract: The operation efficiency is improved by enabling a gas rectifying member of an airbag device to be easily disposed in a folded airbag. An airbag in a folded state is accommodated around an inflator of an airbag device, and a gas rectifying member (12) for guiding gas is disposed between the airbag and the inflator surrounded by the airbag. The gas rectifying member (12) includes a retained portion (12A) retained, together with the airbag, around the inflator and a free-standing tubular gas-flow guide portion (12B) standing upright from the retained portion (12A), which are formed as a single part from a base fabric. The airbag is folded in a state in which the retained portion (12A) is retained inside the airbag. At this time, the gas-flow guide portion (12B) is less likely to be sandwiched between the airbag, because it is standing in the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Shimazaki, Kou Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8215665
    Abstract: The present invention obtains an airbag device that can effectively protect an upper body and knees of a passenger by a simple airbag structure. An airbag that structures an airbag device for a passenger's seat has a main bag that restrains an upper body of a vehicle passenger from a front side in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a sub-bag that has a smaller volume than the main bag and that restrains knees of the passenger from the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and an inner tube that is folded-up together with the main bag and the sub-bag and is inflated and expanded within the airbag by a gas supply from an inflator. The inner tube directly supplies gas of the inflator to the main bag and the sub-bag respectively. A check valve is provided at a gas exit that communicates the inner tube with the sub-bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ohara, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8210568
    Abstract: A side airbag unit for a vehicle seat including a generally cylindrical gas generator unit having a longitudinal axis. The vehicle seat has a backrest with a front surface and a side surface. In order to achieve the result that the airbag requires little additional space and nevertheless is relatively easy to mount on the vehicle seat, the longitudinal axis extends generally parallel to the front surface and perpendicular to the side surface of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Autoliv Development AB, Bayerische Motorenwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Timo Ryden, Jonas Björkqvist, Magnus Karisson, Joachim Huber, Lars Kauffeld
  • Patent number: 8181988
    Abstract: An airbag of an airbag apparatus includes a bag body, a supplementary bag, a communication hole that communicates the bag body and the supplementary bag, an open/close element that opens and closes the communication hole and a connecting element extending from the open/close element. The connecting element is connected at the leading end to an anchor mechanism that regulates the operation of the open/close element under control of a control device. The open/close element keeps closing the communication hole while the anchor mechanism holds the connecting element whereas opens the communication hole when the anchor mechanism releases the connecting element such that inflation gas is fed into the supplementary bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Adachi, Kazuaki Bito
  • Patent number: 8142534
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Whang, Kousuke Nishigaki
  • Patent number: 8135510
    Abstract: An on-board emergency reporting apparatus includes a collision detection sensor, an airbag inflator for inflating an airbag in the event of collision detection, an airbag deflator for deflating the inflated airbag, a camera for capturing an image of an occupant seated on a seat provided with the airbag, a controller for transmitting the captured image to an emergency reporting center through a communication device, and a deflation sensor for detecting whether the volume of the inflated airbag is reduced to a predetermined threshold value. The controller causes the camera to start capturing upon detection of a reduction in the volume of the inflated airbag to the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8113537
    Abstract: An airbag module with a gas generator, airbag, diffuser and with an airbag module housing, in particular for carrying the gas generator and the airbag is provided. The diffuser is designed as a component partially fitting tightly at the ends thereof against the gas generator, whereby the diffuser extends in the region of the gas outlet openings of the gas generator at a distance from the gas generator. The airbag module housing has in the region of the ends of the gas generator contact surfaces for the gas generator, whereby dented sections of the airbag module housing are provided as contact surfaces. The gas generator is clamped between the diffuser and the airbag module housing for arranging the gas generator on the airbag module housing, whereby the contact surfaces form first clamping points fitting against the gas generator for clamping the gas generator on the airbag module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Tobias Fechner, Norbert Sahm, Christian Kempe
  • Patent number: 8109534
    Abstract: An airbag. The airbag includes a heat shield made of a thermal resistant material that prevents a pyrotechnic inflator's clinkers and hot gas from damaging the airbag or injuring the vehicle occupant. The thermal resistant material is a base fabric web with an elastomeric coating that includes a high aspect ratio additive such as vitreous fibers of alumina silicates. The resulting thermal resistant material exhibits exceptionally good thermal resistance times while, at the same time, uses relatively low coating weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Highland Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schindzielorz, Edward Thomas Sescourka, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120025503
    Abstract: Diffusers adapted for use with air bag cushion inflators and air bag systems may comprise a unitary or integral hollow body defining a diffusion chamber. The hollow body may include a first longitudinal end having an aperture and an opposing second longitudinal end that is at least substantially enclosed. A module attach feature may be disposed between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end. The module attach feature may comprise a lateral extent that is greater than a lateral extent of the hollow body. A plurality of apertures extending through the hollow body may be disposed between the module attach feature and the second longitudinal end. Air bag systems employing such diffusers may include an inflator including the diffuser and at least one inflatable cushion, a portion of which is coupled to the diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony M. Young, Jared M. Jensen, Kurt L. Gamill
  • Patent number: 8104792
    Abstract: There is provided an airbag device being excellent in performance of protection of an occupant wherein a folded airbag (10) undergoes sequential and orderly expansion starting from a region where the expansion ought to be started. It is characterized in that a gas rectification member (12?) for rectifying and guiding a gas generated from an inflator (30) up to the vicinity of a part of the airbag (10), inflating in the initial stage of the expansion thereof, is provided substantially at the central part of the airbag (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taniyama, Yoshio Shimazaki, Kou Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8100432
    Abstract: A safety airbag arrangement for a vehicle comprises a main airbag having an inlet for connection with an inflator and a gas deflector bag secured within the main airbag, having an inlet in register with the inlet of the main airbag, for connection with the inflator, the gas deflector bag having ventilator holes and the arrangement being such that gas supplied to the airbag arrangement via the inlets by the inflator must first pass into the gas deflector bag, to pass subsequently from the gas deflector bag through the ventilation holes. The wall of the gas deflector bag is secured to the main wall of the main airbag by a plurality of arcuate seams spaced progressively from inlets, to maintain the gas deflector bag in a predetermined position relative to the main airbag when the airbag arrangement is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Tomas Ågren
  • Patent number: 8091921
    Abstract: A gas generator has an outer housing with a gas outlet section having an outer wall. The gas outlet section has a first and a second outflow area. Each outflow area has a net thrust outflow direction. The net thrust outflow direction of the first outflow area has a first component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator and the net thrust outflow direction of the second outflow area has a second component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator. The first component is oriented opposite to the second component. The gas generator is arranged in an airbag module in a way that gas from the first and second outflow areas is guided into different inflatable sections of a gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Heigl, Gerd Zischka
  • Patent number: 8056477
    Abstract: An inflator assembly may include an inflator housing and an initiator attached to the inflator housing. A varistor may be associated with the initiator and may be spaced apart from a surface of the inflator housing to define a first spark gap between the varistor and the surface of the inflator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dean Hansen
  • Patent number: 8029017
    Abstract: An example airbag inflator manifold assembly includes a cap portion establishing a plurality of apertures that are operative to communicate flow from an inflator to an airbag interior. A baffle portion redirects at least some of the flow from the plurality of apertures. A mounting face extends radially from the cap portion and is securable to a flange extending radially from the inflator to hold the cap portion and the baffle portion relative to the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, David L. Geyer
  • Patent number: 8007002
    Abstract: An air bag module (60) including an inflatable air bag (50) having a first region formed by opposing edge borders (102, 104) of two facing panels or panel pieces (52, 54), the first region initially open to receive a gas distribution hose (40), the gas distribution hose comprising a tubular portion (42) and a flat portion (44) integrally formed with the tubular portion, the tubular portion configured to receive inflation gas at one portion and having openings (49) therein to permit the egress of inflation gas; the flat portion of the hose located between the opposing edge borders of the facing panels; and a seam or seams (110) extending through the facing borders to join the flat portion of the hose between the facing edge borders in a gas tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Kalandek, James A. Horton
  • Patent number: 8007003
    Abstract: A diffuser (50) for use in an air bag system, the diffuser comprising: a connector part (52) configured to be connected to an air bag inflator, the connector part including a side wall (53); and a gas distribution part formed as an integral extension of the connector part and configured to deliver gas from the connector part to the air bag (150), and the distribution part including a first conduit (60) and a second conduit (70), the two conduits configured to give the diffuser a low profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Kalandek
  • Publication number: 20110193329
    Abstract: An air bag system for a vehicle includes an air bag body formed by stitching base fabric material, an inflator that charges the air bag body with gas, and a vent hole that is a through hole provided in the air bag body so as to communicate the inside with the outside of the air bag body. The vent hole of the air bag body is formed to be slit-like and longer in a longitudinal direction thereof The air bag body includes two base fabric pieces having overlapping side ends that are joined together, a tensile-force applying mechanism that applies tensile-force in the longitudinal direction of the vent hole, including a pair of V-shaped stitched lines bent in a sharply angled V-shape and formed on the side ends of the two base fabric pieces with a predetermined distance therebetween that defines the slit-like vent hole, and portions of the side ends aligned with vent hole along the gas discharge direction form a flow-passage restriction membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 7992897
    Abstract: To enhance an occupant restraining force of an airbag, and to improve a protective function for an occupant of an airbag device by discharging gas without fail regardless of a position of the occupant, an airbag (10) is divided into a first chamber (10A) on an inflator (2) side and a second chamber (10B) on an occupant side by a partition wall (11), and the first chamber (10A) includes an opening (23) to which a discharge-state switching member (30) having vent holes to discharge the gas in the airbag (10) and being switchable between the discharge/non-discharge states is attached. The discharge-state switching member (30) is coupled to the partition wall (11) by a tether belt (40), so that the tether belt (40) applies tension to close the vent holes when the airbag (10) inflates, and when the airbag (10) receives an occupant, releases the tension depending on the position of the receipt, and opens the vent holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadaaki Sekino, Kazuhiko Soemoto, Keisuke Moritani
  • Patent number: 7967331
    Abstract: The present invention provides a passenger airbag structure that prevents an airbag cushion from directly shocking a child in a passenger seat to secure safety of the child by controlling the flow of an inflation gas in an early inflation of the airbag cushion and has the same of improved performance in protecting an adult by inflating the airbag cushion in the same shape as in the related art, when the airbag cushion has completely inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyungtaek Lim