Flow Control Means Patents (Class 280/742)
  • Patent number: 11919469
    Abstract: The invention describes a side airbag (2) of a vehicle occupant restraint system (10) provided to be mounted on a vehicle seat (4) and having at least one fabric cut (6, 7) and one gas cushion (8), wherein the side airbag (2) includes at least three fastening points (12, 14, 16) for mounting on the vehicle seat (4), in particular on a vehicle seat frame, wherein at least a first fastening point (12) and a second fastening point (14) are arranged in the at least one fabric cut (6, 7), wherein the first and second fastening points (12, 14) are arranged, in a condition mounted on the vehicle seat (4), in an upper area of the side airbag (2) and in a vehicle seat transverse direction (Q) are arranged at a distance (a) from each other. The invention also describes a vehicle occupant restraint system (10) comprising a seat-integrated airbag module (30) and a vehicle seat (4) comprising a seat-integrated airbag module (30) each of which comprises a side airbag (2) of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Stojan Bogdanovic, Dominique Acker, Achim Kartenberg, Joana Hessel, Sotirios Fotopoulos
  • Patent number: 11820319
    Abstract: The airbag device includes a first airbag cushion part and a second airbag cushion part installed on each side of a seat of a vehicle, a first active vent provided in the first airbag cushion part and a second active vent provided in the second airbag cushion part, and a controller that controls the first active vent or the second active vent to open and the other to close when the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part are expanded and deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Mitsuo Nogami
  • Patent number: 10601005
    Abstract: Provided is a battery module that is simple, compact and sure to improve the mechanical performance against cell pressing, swelling and impacts and a method for fabricating the same. The battery module according to the present disclosure includes two or more pouch-type battery cells, and a hollow quadrilateral monoframe in which the battery cells are received, wherein the monoframe has a first opening and a second opening that are open to two sides in lengthwise direction of the battery cells, wherein a cushion bag is provided in close contact between the battery cells and the monoframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Hang Lee, Kyu-Hyun Choi, Yong-Seok Choi, Jin-Hak Kong
  • Patent number: 10427639
    Abstract: Airbag assemblies and venting assemblies are disclosed. An airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion and a venting assembly including a vent, one or more shear tethers, and a peel tether. The shear tether(s) are configured to be drawn to a taut state by expansion of the airbag cushion to configure the vent in a first venting state. The shear tether(s) are releasably coupled to the peel tether. The releasable coupling is configured to keep the shear tether(s) releasably coupled to the peel tether. The peel tether is configured to transition from a slack state to a taut state as the airbag cushion continues to expand. When drawn taut, the peel tether produces a peel force transverse to the shear force. The peel force causes the releasable coupling to release and the peel tether to uncouple from the shear tether(s), to transition the vent to a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Patent number: 10336290
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body portion, an opening defined by the body portion, and an extendable bumper that is positioned in the opening and is moveable with respect to the body portions between an extended position and a retracted position. The extendable bumper includes an inflatable structure that causes movement of the extendable bumper between the retracted position and the extended position in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Juan A. Lazaro, Erik Mikael Fermer, Alice C. Watts, Tommaso P. Rivellini, Christian Schermaier, John Raff, Derek C. Scott, David E. Kingman, Bryce A. Woollard, Samuel G. Fowle, Mark B. Rober, Ibuki Kamei, Donald R. Monroe, Jesse T. Buehler, Paul D. Yeomans
  • Patent number: 9380823
    Abstract: A helmet contains impact attenuating fluid (e.g., CO2, Air or Water) containing cells, sensors and electrically actuated exhaust valves for cushioning impact and decelerating a wearer's head after an impact. Accelerometers and a pressure sensor supply signals to a microcontroller, which opens an exhaust valve if accelerations (or pressure) exceed a threshold. Expelling fluid provides a cushioning and damping effect, decelerating the wearer's head. Acceleration data, fluid pressure data and GPS position data may be wirelessly communicated to a monitor computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: William R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9290150
    Abstract: An air bag (102 or 320) having a tether (30 or 130), the tether formed into a hook (155, 157) and loop or eye (142) configured to be looped about a structure including an inflator (332) to which the air bag and tether are to be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gaiser, Jeffrey Young, Shakir Salmo
  • Patent number: 9205801
    Abstract: An airbag module includes an inflatable cushion, an inflator configured to provide inflation gas for inflating the cushion, and a diffuser for directing the inflation gas from the inflator into the airbag. The diffuser is tubular and includes a first opening at one end for connecting to the inflator. The diffuser includes second and third openings located at the other end of the diffuser so that inflation gas is distributed into the inflatable cushion in two different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Lee Osterfeld, Richard Andrew Wiik
  • Patent number: 9096193
    Abstract: An improved airbag assembly (20) has an inflator (40), an airbag (20) and a diffuser (70). The diffuser (70) is formed from two folded inner and outer pocket panel layers of fabric and sewn to the airbag (20). The folded inner pocket layer (71) is configured to fit inside the outer pocket layer (73) forming a two-layer structure. The fold (75) in the inner layer (71) is oriented in a first direction relative to the weave of the fabric and the fold of the outer layer (73) is oriented at a second direction relative to the weave of the fabric wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. The first direction and second direction of folds (75, 77) are inclined relative to the other so upon assembly the inner pocket layer (71) fabric weave is directionally inclined on a bias relative to the outer pocket layer (73) fabric weave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Andrew Kalandek
  • Patent number: 9085277
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator assembly for an airbag module in a vehicle safety system comprising an actuator (10) and a tensioning means (20), wherein the actuator (10) includes a release member (12) which in the idle state of the actuator is connected to a retaining member (11) and is separable from the retaining member (11) by actuating a pyrotechnical ignition unit of the actuator (10) along a predetermined breaking point (13) so as to release a loop (23) of a tensioning means (20). The invention excels by the fact that the loop (23) is formed between two tensioning means portions (21, 22) which are interconnected directly at the predetermined breaking point (13) by a connecting means (30) such that the loop (23) is tensioned around the predetermined breaking point (13) in a self-fixing manner. Furthermore the invention relates to an airbag module, a vehicle safety system and a manufacturing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Karl Englbrecht, Desiree Koller, Martin Sedlmeier, Ingo Treiber
  • Publication number: 20150137489
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventor: Jeff S. Vinton
  • Patent number: 9033363
    Abstract: Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can have a low thermal conductivity and may be capable of melting during a deployment event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: John F. Witt, Jr., David W. Schneider, Michael Kutchey, Jamie R. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20150115584
    Abstract: An exemplary vent assembly for an airbag assembly having an airbag cushion may have at least one panel attachable to the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion may be inflatable by a gas, and may define at least one opening that has a first area. The at least one opening may be configured to allow at least a portion of the gas to exit the airbag cushion. The at least one panel may be positionable over the at least one opening to partially obstruct the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Eric A. Smitterberg, Edward J. Abramoski, Jeff S. Vinton
  • Patent number: 9016720
    Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle, having a housing and at least one restraining element, which has at least one receptacle space for a gaseous medium, in particular air, and which can be moved, in the case of an accident-induced application of force to the motor vehicle, into a restraining position by the flowing of medium into the receptacle space from a storage position within the housing. At least one wall of the housing has at least one inflow opening for the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bogenrieder, Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter
  • Patent number: 9010803
    Abstract: A duplex firing inflator structural component and related assemblies are provided. The component includes a molded element that contains a duplex firing initiator assembly including a primary initiator operatively associated with a primary pyrotechnic output composition and a secondary initiator operatively associated with a secondary pyrotechnic output composition. The component also includes a single connector in electrical operative association with the primary and the secondary initiators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson, Alan R. Larsen
  • Patent number: 9004531
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates a tether release system within a conventional airbag system or a conventional vehicle occupant protection system. Release of an associated tether may simultaneously open a vent on an associated airbag. A housing contains an actuator contained within the housing for actuation of the tether release system upon receipt of a crash detection signal, for example. A first moving member is configured for receipt of a propulsive force emanating from the actuator upon actuation of the tether release system. A movable tether release member is contained within the housing wherein the movable tether release member operably communicates with the first moving member upon actuation of the tether release system, for release of an associated tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo L. Quioc, Bruce A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8998293
    Abstract: An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Brian Glickman
  • Publication number: 20150084319
    Abstract: There is disclosed a non-coated base fabric for air bag characterized in that maximum value of inner pressure of a woven fabric in measurement of dynamic air permeability at 50 to 65° C. is 70 to 100 kpa and biaxial strain rate of the base fabric at that time is 2.9 to 4.0%. Preferably, a yarn which constitutes the woven fabric is Nylon 66 fiber, content of an oil component remaining in the woven fabric is 0.04 to 0.60% by weight to the woven fabric, main ingredient of the oil component is an olefin type polymer having a melting point of 60° C. or lower, and the woven fabric contains 20 to 200 ppm of a phosphorus component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOBO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsui, Toshio Owari, Shingo Sogabe, Miho Yamamoto, Yusuke Kojyo, Hirokazu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8967664
    Abstract: A gas generator for a protective airbag includes at least one pressurized gas chamber, a first actuator arranged so as to open the pressurized gas chamber, and a diffusion chamber including at least one diffusion hole defining a communication surface. Outside the diffusion chamber, the gas generator includes an obturator having a second actuator. The obturator is arranged in a first position in which it defines a first diffusion surface. The second actuator is arranged so as to allow it to go into a second position in which it defines a second diffusion surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Mats Johanson, Tobias Aderum
  • Publication number: 20150042082
    Abstract: Provided are an airbag, an airbag unit, and a vent hole open/close control method that facilitate control of opening and closing of a vent hole, and suppress an increase in weight and cost of the airbag unit vent hole. The airbag 1 includes a vent hole 4, an open/close device 5 configured to open and close the vent hole 4, and a stretch tether 6 stretchable in stages and connected to the open/close device 5 and an airbag component. The stretch tether 6 assumes, depending on an expansion and unfolding status of the airbag 1, a first stage including transition from a slack state to a tense state, a second stage including stretching to a predetermined length while maintaining the tense state, and a third stage including being slackened when the driver contacts the airbag 1. The open/close device 5 maintains the vent hole 4 in the open state in the first stage, maintains the vent hole 4 in the closed state in the second stage, and shifts the vent hole 4 to the open state in the third stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kimihiro Koshikawa, Yoshiki Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150021889
    Abstract: An airbag can include a panel that defines at least a portion of an inflatable chamber. The airbag can also include a slit vent that is at least partially defined by the panel. One or more seams can encompass the slit vent and can permit the slit vent to naturally be in a closed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Kent Potter
  • Publication number: 20150014973
    Abstract: An airbag module includes an inflatable cushion, an inflator configured to provide inflation gas for inflating the cushion, and a diffuser for directing the inflation gas from the inflator into the airbag. The diffuser is tubular and includes a first opening at one end for connecting to the inflator. The diffuser includes second and third openings located at the other end of the diffuser so that inflation gas is distributed into the inflatable cushion in two different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas Lee OSTERFELD, Richard Andrew WIIK
  • Publication number: 20140375038
    Abstract: Airbag with adjustable safety valve comprising a vent aperture made in the fabric of the airbag, at least one membrane of an elastic material attached to said fabric at a union area, said membrane being stretched across the width of said vent aperture and defining a variable area with an orifice that is smaller than the vent aperture, the orifice being deformed and growing with the pressure increase in the airbag, characterised in that between the variable area and the union areas, the membrane has a reinforcement area in the form of a containment ring with a greater thickness than that of the variable area, which controls the maximum aperture of the orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Antonio Rovira Garcia
  • Patent number: 8910364
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a heat sink/filter positioned between a pressure vessel and a diffuser in an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel is constructed so that upon activation of the inflator of the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the diffuser. This results in deformation of the pressure vessel that is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser during activation of the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Arc Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Earl Overton, James Michael Rose
  • Patent number: 8905432
    Abstract: A curtain airbag capable of preventing a partial decrease in internal pressure to improve ejection prevention performance. The airbag includes: a main chamber, which inflates first; a delay chamber that is inflated with gas from the main chamber; a linear seam portion where front and back base fabrics are joined to partition the main chamber from the delay chamber; a planar seam portion formed at a lower end of the linear seam portion to define a non-inflation region in a range of the front and back base fabrics; and a gas inflow channel provided between the planar seam portion and the lower edge of the airbag to allow gas to flow from the main chamber into the delay chamber. The front and back base fabrics of the gas inflow channel sag upon completion of inflation and deployment to form a wrinkled portion that blocks or narrows the gas inflow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakashima, Tsukasa Yoshihara, Hikaru Takahashi, Akifumi Hanawa
  • Patent number: 8882137
    Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle includes a support structure moveable from a stowage position into a restraint position and a covering that surrounds a restraint volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position. The covering is an element that is separate from the support structure and joined to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bogenrieder, Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Friedrich Reiter
  • Patent number: 8876158
    Abstract: An air bag apparatus includes: a base plate, two gas generators, a cover member covering the two gas generators so as to form a gap, an air bag accommodated in contact with the base plate, a hollow formed in the base plate and provided with a communication hole, the hollow accommodating the two gas generators such that a space is provided between two gas generators and another gap, for communicating with the communication hole, is formed, the air bag accommodated such that a gas inlet thereof enclose the communication hole from the other side of the base plate, the air bag, the base plate and the cover member being integrally fixed, and a sealed gas discharge path formed by the cover member and the base member, and leading from the gas discharge port of the two gas generators to the gas inlet of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Masayuki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20140319809
    Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle includes a support structure having a plurality of hollow body parts. The support structure is moveable from a storage position to a support position by inserting gas into the hollow body parts and by which a support volume of the airbag is at least partially covered in its support position. The airbag also includes at least one overflow opening via which the gas is able to be introduced into the support volume from at least one of the hollow body parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bogenrieder, Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Friedrich Reiter
  • Publication number: 20140306435
    Abstract: A diffuser pocket for an airbag according to the present invention includes: an insertion portion into which a tip portion of an inflator is inserted; and a gas discharging portion which guides and discharges high-pressure gas injected from the inflator to an airbag cushion, in which the insertion portion has front and rear insertion portions in which lower portions are folded and upper portions are sewn, and the gas discharging portion has front and rear gas discharging surfaces in which a left line is folded, and upper portions and left portions are sewed, thereby preventing damage due to high-temperature and high-pressure gas injected from the inflator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Seob LEE
  • Patent number: 8840139
    Abstract: An airbag can include a base panel and a cushioning panel that cooperate to define an inflatable chamber. A deflector can be positioned between the base panel and the cushioning panel. The deflector can be attached to the base panel so as to define a lower inflation aperture that directs inflation gas toward a bottom end of the base panel. In some arrangements, the airbag can include a tether that extends through the lower inflation aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Borton, Changsoo Choi
  • Patent number: 8820785
    Abstract: An inflation portion of an airbag, which is inflated by inflation gas, is partitioned into an upstream inflation portion and a downstream inflation portion via a partition member. When being tensioned in a planar manner, the partition member has a length in a longitudinal direction that is longer than a length in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A pressure regulating valve that is closed at an early stage of a supply period of the inflation gas to the inflation portion and is opened from the middle of the supply period includes a slit-like inner opening that is provided on the partition member and extends in the transverse direction and a pair of valve body portions that are provided around the inner opening and are selectively positioned close to and separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Shibayama, Kensaku Honda, Yuji Sato, Michiyasu Ito, Masashi Hotta, Masashi Aoki, Daisuke Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8820784
    Abstract: A gas generating system is presented that contains a gas deflector positioned about an associated gas generator. The deflector may be attached to an outer wall of a perforate housing of the gas generator, or, alternatively, the deflector may be attached to a support structure positioned about the perforate housing, whereby gases exiting the gas generator upon actuation thereof, impinge upon the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Dale E. Tauchen
  • Patent number: 8794666
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor-vehicle safety includes a combustion chamber of cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape. An initiator is located within the combustion chamber and is associated with at least one solid pyrotechnic charge. A diffusion chamber communicates with the combustion chamber and receives gases generated by the pyrotechnic charge and transfers the gases to atmosphere via at least one evacuation opening. The diffusion chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, in the extension of one of its end faces. The diffusion chamber is also of generally cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape, but with a cross section that is less than that of the combustion chamber. The diffusion chamber is devoid of structure for filtering the gases that pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yvonnig Patton, François Peremarty
  • Publication number: 20140210393
    Abstract: A loss (generation of heat) is reduced in a capacitor precharge circuit, thereby reducing the size of the circuit. The capacitor precharge circuit according to the present invention divides a power supply voltage using a switched capacitor voltage divider circuit, thereby carrying out charging while suppressing a both-terminal voltage of the capacitor that is subject to the charging (refer to FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Ryoichi Kobayashi, Tomonobu Koseki, Chihiro Sato, Tomishige Yatsugi, Hirofumi Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 8789849
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle including an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator configured to inflate the airbag cushion, an inflatable tube having a fixed first end and a second end, and a second inflator configured to inflate the tube. The second end of the tube is configured to be coupled to a portion of the airbag cushion. The tube has a first length when not inflated and a second length when inflated. When in a first mode of operation, the airbag cushion is configured to deploy to a first depth that is restrained by the first length of the tube. When in a second mode of operation, the airbag cushion is configured to deploy to a second depth that is restrained by the second length of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: John Pasquale Puzzonia
  • Patent number: 8783713
    Abstract: An airbag device with an airbag module (1) for attachment to a structural part of a motor vehicle with a housing (2), an airbag (3) arranged therein, a gas generator (4), as well as a support (5) via which the airbag module (1) can be attached to a motor vehicle component, wherein a fastener (41) is positioned on a gas generator (4) via which the gas generator (4) can be attached to the housing (2) and/or the support (5). On the support (5) and/or on the housing (2) at least one spacer (21, 51) is provided between the housing (2) and the support (5), between the housing (2) and the gas generator (4), and/or between the support (5) and the gas generator (3), in the form of cavities in which a discharge channel (22, 52) is constructed in the plane of the intermediate area formed by the spacers (21, 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Nathan Muscat, Gweltaz Jacq
  • Patent number: 8770618
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device that is housed at a top edge portion of a side window glass placement location of a vehicle body, and the curtain airbag device comprising a gas supply passage that receives supplied gas and is deployed along a top portion of the side window glass placement location and towards a vehicle bottom direction; an occupant protection portion that is deployed to a lower side of the gas supply passage by receiving supplied gas through the gas supply passage; a gas release section that releases gas from inside the gas supply passage when an internal pressure of the gas supply passage reaches a specific pressure or higher, the specific pressure being higher than a design deployment pressure; and an internal pressure regulation chamber that accepts gas released by the gas release section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Hiroyuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8764050
    Abstract: A device for a passenger protection system of a vehicle is provided. The device comprises an oblong gas generator which is formed and provided to provide gas for inflating a gas bag in a case of activation, wherein the gas generator includes at least one firmly arranged stay bolt protruding from the shell surface of the gas generator, and a sleeve-shaped gas conducting element connected with the gas generator, which is formed and provided to divert gas flowing out of the gas generator and introduce the same into a gas bag to be inflated. The gas conducting element is connected with at least one of the stay bolts of the gas generator by means of a bayonet connector For forming a bayonet connector the gas conducting element forms at least one joining channel for the at least one stay bolt of the gas generator and in the region in which it forms the joining channel the gas conducting element at least partly includes a material reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Jens Feller, Axel Grüner, Philipp Fuchs
  • Patent number: 8757660
    Abstract: In one form, a passenger airbag device is provided including an airbag; a retainer having an opening on a passenger side; a bag ring provided to an inside of the retainer; and the gas generating device; wherein: the retainer further includes a base wall that forms a substantially rectangular outer edge shape; two first peripheral wall portions; and two second peripheral wall portions; and the bag ring comprises: a bottom wall portion configured to hold a peripheral edge portion of the opening of the airbag; a first upright wall having a predetermined first height dimension, that is arranged so as to face the first peripheral wall portion of the retainer; and a second upright wall having a predetermined second height dimension larger than the first height dimension, that is arranged so as to face the second peripheral wall portion of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140151985
    Abstract: An airbag of a side airbag apparatus includes an upstream inflation portion, which inflates by inflation gas, and deploys frontward at a side of a vehicle seat. An opening is provided at a wall portion of the upstream inflation portion. A pressure regulator valve closes before an occupant is restrained by the upstream inflation portion, thereby restricting the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion from flowing through the opening. Upon the occupant restraint, the pressure regulator valve cancels the restriction in response to a change in a tensed state of the dividing portion by an external force applied due to the restraint. A tear seam that connects valve body portions of the pressure regulator valve delays the opening time of the pressure regulator valve upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion relative to the opening time set only by the pressure regulator valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi HOTTA, Yuji SATO, Kensaku HONDA, Hitoshi KAWABE, Hiroshi KATO
  • Patent number: 8740246
    Abstract: An inflation portion of an airbag is divided by a partitioning member into an upstream inflation portion and a downstream inflation portion. Part of the partitioning member forms a pair of overlapping portions overlapped with each other in a band-like shape inside the upstream inflation portion. The overlapping portions are joined to each other by a joint portion located at a boundary between the overlapping portions and non-overlapping portions. The partitioning member includes an opening, which is formed by cancelling the joint between the overlapping portions by the joint portion, and a pressure regulating valve, which includes a pair of valve bodies, which sandwiches the opening. Stress relaxation portions are provided at the overlapping portions. The stress relaxation portions relax stress acting on parts of the joint portion that are adjacent to the opening as the pressure regulating valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Hotta, Yuji Sato, Kensaku Honda
  • Patent number: 8727376
    Abstract: An airbag includes an airbag body and an inner tube. The inner tube includes a gas upstream section located in an upstream region of an inflation gas stream fed from a gas generator and a gas outlet section that opens toward an inflatable region of the airbag body and feeds an inflation gas to the inflatable region. The gas outlet section includes a check valve section. The check valve section has a flexible and a generally tubular shape extending and opening toward the inflatable region due to pressure of an inflation gas so as to stream the inflation gas into the inflatable region. After the gas generator has finished discharging the inflation gas, the check valve section folds back toward the gas upstream section due to an internal pressure of the inflatable region and closes off the gas outlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Goto, Yasushi Masuda, Koji Kawamura, Hitoshi Kawabe, Kensaku Honda, Yuji Sato, Masashi Hotta
  • Patent number: 8727378
    Abstract: In an air bag main body which inflates step by step in a first stage and a second stage by bonding its peripheral edge portion and bonding its inner side than the peripheral edge portion, a connecting member bridging between a lid member opening and closing a vent hole and a coupling member can be always set to a tension state by arranging an adjusting portion in the coupling member which defining a maximum facing distance between a front panel and a rear panel in the tension state in each of the first stage and the second stage, and whereby a closed state of the vent hole can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Teruhiko Hiruta, Mitsuo Maruoka, Makoto Ogawa, Yoshihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8727377
    Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an housing, an inflator mounted in the housing, and an airbag. A vent opening is provided in the wall of the housing for venting inflation gas from the housing. A vent cover closes the vent opening so that inflation gas does not reach the vent opening. A valve member also closes the vent cover and is selectively moveable by an electric actuator to adapt the valve member to a selected degree of closure in response to sensed conditions of the occupant and the vehicle. A tether is connected to the airbag and to the vent cover to suddenly open the vent cover as the airbag reaches a certain stage in its deployment, so that the rate at which inflation gas is vented from the housing through the vent opening will be determined by the previously established selected degree of closure of the vent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jenne-Tai Wang
  • Patent number: 8720940
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes an inflator, which generates inflation gas in response to an impact applied from a side of a seat of a vehicle, an airbag, which is deployed and inflated forward with inflation gas on a side of an occupant seated in the seat, and an accommodating portion, which accommodates the airbag folded into an accommodation state. The airbag in the accommodation state is formed through first and second folding operations in a state where the airbag is deployed but not inflated. In the first folding operation, an upper portion of the airbag is folded downward. In the second folding operation, which is after the first folding operation, the airbag is folded rearward from front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Honda, Yuji Sato, Masahi Hotta
  • Publication number: 20140125042
    Abstract: The invention refers to a valve (1) with a housing (2) that has a first media opening (7) and encloses a pressure space (6), and a valve element (8) actuated by at least one wire-shaped SMA element (9) arranged in a pressure space that in a first position (I) closes the media opening and in a second position (II) closes the first media opening that opens the valve element (8). The valve housing is formed by a housing shell (3) open on one side and a circuit board (11) closing it with which the SMA element (9) is electrically connected to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Markus Köpfer, Markus Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 8714584
    Abstract: An airbag includes a check valve in a communication passage connecting a lumbar-region-protecting inflatable portion and a shoulder-protecting inflatable portion. The check valve restricts outflow of inflation gas from the lumbar-region-protecting inflatable portion to the shoulder-protecting inflatable portion. A pressure regulation valve, which has an internal opening and a pair of valve body elements, is provided in a partitioning member between the shoulder-protecting inflatable portion and a thorax-protecting inflatable portion. Before an occupant is restrained by the shoulder-protecting inflatable portion, the valve body elements are pressed and contact with each other by inflation gas in the shoulder-protecting inflatable portion, thereby restricting flow of inflation gas at the internal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Honda, Yuji Sato, Masashi Hotta
  • Patent number: 8702125
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be an inflator module assembly. The inflator module assembly can include a module housing having a plurality of gas discharge openings; an inflator housed within the housing, the inflator, upon actuation, emitting gas from one lateral side or end thereof, and a gas treatment assembly mounted within the housing external the side or end of the inflator from which gas is emitted. The gas treatment assembly can include a first strainer element nestled within a second strainer element. The first and second strainer elements each have a side wall including a plurality of gas passage apertures, with at least either 1) the gas passage apertures of the first strainer element offset relative to the gas passage apertures of the second strainer element or 2) the gas passage apertures of the second strainer element offset relative to the module housing gas discharge openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20140103625
    Abstract: One variation may include a product including an airbag diffuser that may be elongated and may be constructed and arranged to provide a gas catcher constructed and arranged to maintain the diffuser in an extended position when hot gases from an inflator impinge on the gas catcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicants: TK Holdings Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: SCOTT D. THOMAS, RICHARD WIIK, NICOLE WIGGINS
  • Patent number: 8690185
    Abstract: An object is to prevent an airbag from bursting out toward an occupant and to inflate and deploy the airbag in a stable manner. An inner bag (30A) inflates with gas supplied from an inflator (3). An outer bag (20) inflates with the gas supplied through a flow port in the inner bag (30A). A restriction member (40A) restricts the movement of a front surface of the outer bag (20) in the occupant direction. An opening (41) in the restriction member (40A) is engaged with the outer circumference of the inflated inner bag (30A) and moves in the occupant direction along the outer circumference of the inner bag (30A) in accordance with the inflation of the outer bag (20). The restriction member (40A) moves the front surface of the outer bag (20) in accordance with the movement of the opening (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yamaji