Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle passenger protection device. The gas generator includes a combustion chamber in which a gas-generating charge is arranged. A conical deposition chamber is provided that has a first wall, within which a plurality of gas through-holes are formed, and at least one second wall which extends at an angle from the first wall and within which at least one blow-off hole is formed. Gas generated inside the combustion chamber enters the deposition chamber through the gas through-holes and leaves the deposition chamber through the at least one blow-off hole.

Abstract: In order to achieve improved protection of the occupants of a motor vehicle, a side airbag is proposed which, when necessary, provides different hardnesses depending on the size of the vehicle occupant. The airbag includes at least one main chamber and at least one auxiliary chamber. The main chamber and auxiliary chamber are connected with each other via a connecting opening. Furthermore, an outflow opening is present from which gas can flow out of the airbag. The outflow opening is included in the auxiliary chamber. A closing element is provided which, when the auxiliary chamber meets an obstacle during or after expansion of the airbag, blocks or throttles the gas flow through the outflow opening.

Abstract: An air bag includes a bag base wall having a mouth registering with an inflator and extending rearward along an instrument panel and toward the seated occupant. Spaced apart left and right sidewalls connect the bag base wall with a top wall and an occupant facing wall, thereby defining upper and lower torso restraining portions. An internal baffle has a baffle base wall sewn to the bag base wall rearwardly of the mouth and a left side baffle portion and a right side baffle portion attached to and extending from the baffle base wall and attached to the sidewalls of the air bag so that inflation gas impinges on the baffle and divides into left and right flow streams flowing on opposite sides of the baffle base wall and directed downwardly into the lower torso restraining portion and away from the upper torso restraining portion.

Abstract: A gas generator that eliminates work for welding-fixing a holder to a housing and subjecting the holder to an excess processing, which can be easily manufactured at low cost, and a method for manufacturing the gas generator. The gas generator includes an approximately short cylindrical housing including a bottomed member and a lid member, gas generants arranged in the housing to generate a high-temperature gas by combustion, a filter arranged in an inner circumference part of the housing so as to surround the gas generants in a diameter direction of the housing, an igniter energized from the outside to ignite, and a holder to which the igniter is fixed and that is fixed to the bottomed member so that the igniter is arranged coaxially with the housing. At least one of the holder and the bottomed member is clamped, and pressed and deformed in an axial direction of a hole so that the holder is fixed to the bottomed member.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The apparatus (10) further includes a fill tube (22) for delivering inflation fluid to the protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes an opening (104) through which the fill tube (22) extends and a portion (106) adjacent the opening that forms a friction fit around the fill tube (22). The friction fit forms an effective seal for preventing inflation fluid leakage through the opening (104).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:. a first chamber (C) for combustion containing a pyrotechnic initiator (2) and a pyrotechnic charge (3) whose combustion is triggered by said initiator; and. a second chamber (D) for diffusion into which the gas that results from combustion of said charge (3) is transferred prior to being exhausted to the outside; these two chambers (C, D) being separated from each other by a “nozzle” partition (12) presenting at least one communication orifice (13). According to the invention, said diffusion chamber (D) is provided with a piston (5) suitable for closing or not closing said orifice (13) as a function of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber (C), said piston (5) being urged to its position for closing the orifice (13) by a mass (6) of elastically deformable material, said mass (6) presenting stiffness that varies as a function of temperature, said stiffness decreasing with increasing temperature.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag arrangement of a vehicle occupant protection device including at least two housing parts, each part including a side wall terminating in at least one connecting edge. The housing parts by way of the connecting edges lying contiguous with one another when the housing is closed. The housing also includes further comprises a passage opening for an electrical connection lead to be connected to a component of the airbag arrangement, said opening being formed in the side wall of one of the housing parts at an interval from the or each connecting edge. The housing includes an access opening, formed in the side wall of a housing part and running from the connecting edge to the passage opening, through which an electrical connection lead aligned at an angle to the side wall.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a tether interconnecting a front fabric of an airbag and an inflator to retain the airbag in an occupant restraining deployed configuration. Back fabric of the airbag has an opening portion for discharging gas, ejected from the inflator into the airbag, to outside the airbag. A fabric member that has an outward peripheral portion greater in size than the opening portion of the back fabric is mounted to the inflator, and the fabric member is disposed within the airbag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for an airbag, in particular of a motor vehicle, that can be displaced from a storage position to a restraint position by means of a gas flow, and which comprises a plurality of hollow bodies (36) connected to each other that form a channel system (34), wherein means (52, 60, 68, 70, 72) for the targeted influencing of the gas flow are provided inside said channel system (34).

Abstract: A knee protecting air bag apparatus M1 is mounted to a column cover 16 for covering a column cover 16 for covering a steering column. In operating the apparatus M1, a contained air bag 45 is supplied with an expanding gas G and is projected from the column cover 16 to be able to protect the knee of a driver while being expanded to develop. The column cover 16 includes a door portion 34 opened by being pressed by the air bag to be able to form a projecting opening 22 of the air bag 45 at two left ad right side faces 18b, 18c from a side of a lower face 18a. Inside of the air bag 45 is arranged with a gas flow restricting member 64 such that the expanding gas G is made to flow to a left door portion 36 and a right door portion 37 of the door portion 34 by being directed in outer directions of both left and right sides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a restraint system for a motor vehicle that is formed by one or several supporting structures, wherein the longitudinal extension of a supporting structure in the active state substantially exceeds the dimensions of the transverse extension and the supporting structure unfolds mainly in the direction of its longitudinal extension. So as to improve the restraint system such that the variables of the restraint system are adapted to the respective load, it is suggested that, during unfolding, the supporting structure (7, 8, 9), when impacting upon an obstacle (5), does not have the same stability as when it is completely unfolded, and/or does not reach the final volume or the final extension.

Abstract: An airbag for automotive vehicles with a gas venting regulation device assembled around a venting opening (11) comprising a first part (15) joined to the inflatable cushion (13) covering the venting opening (11), formed by an elastic area (31) and a non-elastic area (33) with a plurality of openings (17, 19) for the passage of gas; a second rigid part (21) joined to the inflatable cushion (13) and to the first part (15), with a projecting neck (23) forming a gas outlet mouth; and in which at least one part of the non-elastic area (33) is arranged such that when the first part (15) is deformed as a result of the internal pressure in the inflatable cushion during its deployment, the passage of gas through the openings (17) is completely or partially sealed by the projecting neck (23).

Abstract: During the manufacture of an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator may be inserted into, and coupled to, a throat portion of the inflatable airbag cushion. This process may be achieved more quickly and with higher reproducibility of the placement of the inflator within the throat portion by forming an assembly aid in the throat portion of the cushion. The assembly aid functions to assist in the separation of the two panels of material from which the throat portion is manufactured. The separation can be achieved by forming one or more pleats, tabs, or loops in the throat portion near an inflator insert aperture. A throat liner may optionally be used within an airbag throat portion, in which case the assembly aid may also be formed in the throat liner.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a first enclosure containing a gas, and a second enclosure having a gas generant material contained therein. The second enclosure is operatively coupled to the first enclosure so as to enable fluid communication between the first enclosure and the second enclosure. After activation of the gas generating system, the gas in the first enclosure passes through the second enclosure prior to exiting the system.

Abstract: A gas generator 10 contains a baffle assembly for cooling of gases. An imperforate housing 46 is contained within the gas generator 10. A perforate housing 30 is contained within the imperforate housing 46. At least one orifice 70/72 is formed within the baffle assembly, where the orifice 70/72 is formed at the juncture 57 of the baffle assembly 12 and the perforate housing 30, at a second end of the perforate housing 30. Upon activation of the gas generator 10, gases produced are shunted through the orifice 70/72 and into the baffle assembly 12 for cooling and filtration thereof.

Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag that moves between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. A tether adjacent an exterior surface of the airbag moves with the airbag between a shorter position and a longer position. The tether remains intact in the shorter position and the longer position. When the tether is in the shorter position, the tether holds the airbag in the expansion-constrained position.

Abstract: An airbag inflator that contains a first quantity of inflation gas. This gas may be housed in a chamber. A quantity of liquid fuel may also be added. This fuel may be housed within a liquid fuel chamber. The quantity of inflation gas may operate to pressurize the liquid fuel chamber. A piezo-valve is also added. The piezo-valve seals the liquid fuel chamber. The piezo-valve is capable of variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber such that when this secondary liquid is ignited, the airbag inflation gas can be augmented as desired.

Abstract: An air bag system includes an inflator operable to release inflation fluid, an inflatable cushion inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from the inflator, an air bag housing substantially surrounding the cushion, and an internal valve in fluid communication with the inflator. The internal valve includes at least one fluid diverter movable between a first position and a second position. As the fluid diverter moves from the first position to the second position, fluid flow into the cushion decreases and fluid flow through the vent increases.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus for use in a vehicle includes an occupant-protecting expansion part caused to expand in the form of a curtain in the vehicle cabin along windows. The expansion part is attached to the vehicle body at two attachment points positioned forward and rearward of the windows. A tension line that joins the two attachment points is in a position where the expansion part is extended between the two points, and is positioned below the lower edges of the windows.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for inflatable curtain venting. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain airbag is tested using a 50th-percentile dummy. The inflatable curtain airbag comprises a vent opening positioned such that during the crash test, the head of the 50th-percentile dummy strikes the airbag at the location of the vent such that the exit of inflation gas through the vent is at least partially blocked. The same inflatable curtain airbag may then be used in a test involving a 5th-percentile dummy, in which case the head of the 5th-percentile dummy would not strike the airbag so as to block the vent, thereby allowing for venting of the airbag.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure of an inflater inside cylinder for an air bag for a vehicle, which lengthens the discharge course for gas generated from the inflater inside cylinder, thus preventing injury or damage due to high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and which is convenient to manufacture, is light, and has a low manufacturing cost thereof. According to the present invention, the air bag includes an outside cylinder and an inside cylinder, each having in a circumferential surface thereof a plurality of holes. In this case, the inside cylinder includes at least two cylindrical embossed steel plates, the plurality of holes being formed in embossed parts of the cylindrical embossed steel plates, which protrude outward or inwards from circumferential surfaces of the embossed steel plates so as to extend a gas discharge course. A mesh net is provided between the at least two cylindrical embossed steel plates.

Abstract: A baffle system (30) for use in a gas generating system (10). The baffle system (30) includes a plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86), each plate of the plurality of adjacent plates having at least one through orifice formed therein. Each orifice in any given plate of the plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86) is in fluid communication with at least one orifice in each plate adjacent the given plate so as to provide at least one gas flow path extending through the plurality of adjacent plates. A gas generating system (10) incorporating the baffle system (30), and a vehicle occupant protection system (180) incorporating the gas generating system (10), are also described.

Abstract: A filter for a gas generator in which the manufacture is simple, which has an adequate filter performance and cooling performance and, furthermore, which has high reliability with little damage caused in actuation of the gas generator, is provided. The filter for an air bag gas generator comprises a first layer formed from helically wound wire rods having a cross-sectional area of 0.03 to 0.8 mm2, in such a way that the pitch angle of wire rods vertically superposed in the radial direction is symmetrical, and a second layer that exists on the outer side of the first layer in the radial direction and is formed to have a finer filter particle size than the first layer using a wire rod narrower than the wire rod that forms the first layer.

Abstract: A structure for a driver's airbag cushion of a vehicle is provided to protect the driver's lower body as well as the driver's upper body and head, without mounting a knee airbag at the lower portion of the crash pad.

Abstract: An inflator for a restraining system for a vehicle includes: an inflator housing storing a gas generation source, a diffuser having a plurality of gas discharge holes for discharging gas provided within the inflator housing, a gas discharge channel member including a gas outlet port and being attached to cover an outer surface of the diffuser, the gas discharge channel member having a gas-introducing port communicating with at least one of the gas discharge holes and a pin-introducing port communicating with at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes, and the diffuser and the gas discharge channel member, fixed by a fixing pin inserted into both of the at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes and the pin-introducing port.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a device for protecting the cushion material of an inflatable element from inflator gases and particulate matter. The device along with an inflator and an airbag may be placed in a housing. The device includes a first strip and a second strip. Each of the first strip and second strip includes at least one opening. Each of the openings are surrounded by a plurality of holes. The second strip may be placed above the first strip in a suitable position.

Abstract: An airbag for protecting an occupant includes a panel forming the airbag and having an occupant counter surface with a head counter portion to face a head of the occupant when the airbag is inflated. A recess portion is formed in the head counter portion when the airbag is inflated. The airbag also includes a regulation member for regulating inflation of the head counter portion toward the occupant. The regulation member forms the recess portion by regulating inflation of the head counter portion toward the occupant upon inflation of the airbag. The regulation member is configured to release regulation after a predetermined time from a moment when the airbag starts inflation.

Abstract: Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, a housing and a gas generating system arranged in the housing for generating gas. The gas generating system provides variable amounts of gas to the airbag as a function of temperature. A nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, the nozzle being varied as a function of temperature. The housing may be movably arranged relative to a fixed base and mounted to vary its relation to the base. To this end, elastic or temperature-deformable supports may be used to support the housing on the base. When the housing defines a chamber containing generated gas, the properties of a conduit between the chamber and the interior of the airbag can be varied as function of the pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (16) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device. The inflator (16) includes an inflation fluid control structure (100). The control structure (100) includes discharge openings (116) for directing inflation fluid into an inflatable volume (72) of the protection device (14) and vent openings (118) for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume. The control structure (100) also includes a vent member (132) actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings (118) to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings.

Abstract: A check valve 60 is formed by a pair of the valve body portions 61. Ends of the valve body portions 61 that are close to an upper inflation portion EU are joined to a communication passage wall 51 by an outflow-side joint portion 41. Each valve body portion 61 includes a flexible portion 64 that is located in the vicinity of the outflow-side joint portion 41 and between the outflow-side joint portion 41 and a lower inflation portion EL. The front edges of the valve body portions 61 are joined to the communication passage wall 51 by a first edge joint portion 67. The first edge joint portion 67 also functions as a wall joint portion 63 that joins the communication passage walls 51 to each other. The rear ends of the valve body portions 61 are joined to each other by a second edge joint portion 68, which extends along the flowing direction of inflation gas.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag device in which an airbag is deployed by gas emitted by an inflator. The airbag has a pocket part, which is formed in a lower surface of the airbag and passes over an upper end of an obstacle. An introduction tube for introducing gas emitted by the inflator into the airbag extends into the airbag. When the airbag is deploying, but an obstacle prevents the airbag from doing so, a distal end part of the introduction tube will be blocked off, and the gas will be released to the exterior through a gas release part.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), an inflation fluid source (26), and a diffuser plate (200). The inflation fluid source (26) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The diffuser plate (200) is disposed between the inflation fluid source (26) and the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The diffuser plate (200) includes a main body portion (210) and a plurality of raised portions (230). The raised portions (230) define slots (232) for allowing inflation fluid to flow from the inflation fluid source (26) to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14).

Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator that may be used in an airbag system is disclosed. The inflator will generally include a housing and two initiators. Accordingly, the inflator is a “dual-stage” inflator. The two stages are disposed within the housing. The second initiator is disposed within a second stage generant cup. A cap is also used to engage the second stage cup. The cap maintains seated engagement with the second stage cup, even during deployment of the second stage. The second stage will also include one or more perforations, which constitute openings through which gas may flow. When the second initiator is in the unactuated state, these perforations will be isolated from the generant by the cap. Actuation of the second initiator unseals the one or more perforations but does not unseat the cap from the cup, due to constraints put in place to prevent such unseating.

Abstract: A dual stage hybrid inflation device includes a first stage gas source including a liquefied gas stored in a first stage pressure vessel and a second stage gas source including a gas generator having a gas output directed into the first stage pressure vessel. The gas generator is isolated from the first stage pressure vessel by a frangible diaphragm that ruptures when the pressure in the gas generator exceeds the pressure in the first stage pressure vessel by a predetermined amount. The gas generator is also isolated from the first stage pressure vessel by an eroding nozzle that temporarily restricts the flow of gas from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel after the frangible diaphragm ruptures. The eroding nozzle initially restricts the flow of gas from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel to prevent a sudden pressure drop in the gas generator that would cause the pyrotechnic gas generating material to self extinguish.

Abstract: A new type of inflator that may be used to inflate an airbag is disclosed. The inflator will have a longitudinal axis, a first chamber, and a filter. The filter may be positioned outside of the first chamber. A first quantity of gas generant is positioned within the first chamber. A first strainer having a plurality of gas flow holes is also positioned within the first chamber. The first quantity of gas generant is located exterior of the strainer. Upon combustion of the first quantity of gas generant produces a first quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis while passing through the gas flow holes, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis while passing through the filter.

Abstract: A filter is provided defining an enclosure having a volume that is resiliently variable responsive to an internal pressure within the enclosure. A gas generating system, an airbag system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also disclosed.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes an airbag folded and housed in a housing. The airbag includes an outer bag constituting an outer wall of the airbag and an inner bag disposed inside the outer bag. The inner bag includes an outlet port supplying inflation gas into the outer bag and an arm inflatable into a tapered bag contour. The arm holds down a peripheral defected region of the outer bag defected from the housing onto a top plane of a ring of a steering wheel all the while that the inner bag remains completely inflated at the operation of the airbag apparatus.

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes a container (12) having a chamber (120). An exit opening (48) is provided in the container (12) and is connected to the chamber (120). A substance (122, 180) is stored in the chamber (120) and is responsive to heat for providing inflation fluid. An igniter (130) is associated with the container (12) and is actuatable to provide combustion products for heating the substance (122, 180). A nozzle (80) is interposed between the igniter (130) and the chamber (120). A passage (90) extends from the igniter (130) and through the nozzle (80). The passage (90) includes a divergent portion (110) for focusing a flow of combustion products from the igniter (130) into the chamber (120).

Abstract: An airbag can include a covering that surrounds an interior space that can be filled with gas, a gas-conducting pipe which is stretched longitudinally along a direction of extent, and a contact region of the covering that surrounds the inflow opening and encloses the gas-conducting pipe in a sealing manner along a circumferential direction of the gas-conducting pipe that encircles the direction of extent. A protective layer of the covering can be arranged, at least in some sections in the interior space of the covering, with respect to the gas-conducting pipe so that damage to the covering during filling of the interior space of the covering with hot gas can be prevented by the protective layer. At least one fastening region of the protective layer, via which the protective layer can be connected to the covering, can be connected to the contact region of the covering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes an airbag that may be inflated for restraining a person, at least one outlet opening for releasing gas out of the module and originating at least partially from the inflated airbag, and a reservoir containing coolant for cooling the gas released from the module through the outlet opening. The reservoir includes a wall that sealingly encloses the coolant and is opened to bring the coolant into direct contact with the released gas to cool the released gas.

Abstract: A filter for use in absorbing heat from gases generated in a gas generating system is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter is incorporated into an inflator used for inflating an inflatable element of a vehicle occupant protection system. A gas generator incorporating the filter and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also described.

Abstract: An airbag device according to the invention is applicable to an airbag device having an airbag that is housed in a state of being able to inflate and deploy in front of an occupant. The airbag has a center chamber positioned in the vicinity of the center on the occupant side in a deployed state, and side chambers positioned on both the left and right sides of the center chamber. Moreover the airbag is provided with a gas supply section that supplies inflation gas to inside of the side chambers, and a means for introducing inflation gas to inside of the center chamber after the side chamber. Furthermore, the side chamber has; a gas introduction space into which inflation gas from the gas supply section is introduced, an upper space that extends upward from the gas introduction space, and a lower space that extends downward from the gas introduction space.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.

Abstract: An airbag has a first inner panel and a second inner panel arranged substantially in a concentric relation with a front panel and a rear panel in an interior of an airbag, and outer peripheral edge portions are stitched to each other by a high-strength seam. A center portion of the first inner panel is stitched to a center portion of the front panel by a seam. A center portion of the second inner panel is connected to a center portion of the rear panel by a retaining ring. The second inner panel is formed with a communication port between a first chamber and a second chamber. Midsections of the inner panels between the outer peripheral edge portions and the center portions are connected by a tear seam. The tear seam is adapted to be broken when the pressure in the first chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An airbag system is disclosed comprising a gas generator and an airbag having at least two inflatable airbag regions. The airbag regions are attached to the gas generator by an interconnecting a T-shaped connecting piece having symmetrically opposed outlet stubs with differently sized outlet cross-sections for inflating the airbag regions. In order to neutralize the thrust of the system in case of accidental fire, several means for controlling the outlet cross-section on at least one of the outlet stubs are disclosed.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing apparatus for occupant protection in vehicles, has a receptacle with a magneto-rheological fluid which in the event of an impact is pressed through a flow zone determining the flow velocity. A device generating a variable magnetic field has pole faces in the flow zone, the magnetic field acting on the magneto-rheological fluid between the pole faces in order to regulate the flow velocity. The flow zone is divided into at least two flow routes by at least one partition forming two additional planar pole faces.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing apparatus for occupant protection in vehicles has a receptacle in which a magnetorheological fluid is present, which in the event of an impact is pressed through a flow zone. The apparatus further has a device generating a variable magnetic field and which has a core which is wound with a coil. The magnetic field acts on the magnetorheological fluid in order to regulate the flow properties. The coil together with the core is arranged in the flow zone. The axis of the coil lies perpendicularly to the direction of flow of the magnetorheological fluid, and the flow zone has a sheathing formed of a magnetically conductive material.

Abstract: The gas generator includes, a housing having a gas discharge port, a first combustion chamber defined by the housing, a first gas generating agent adapted to generate gas to inflate an air bag, the first gas generating agent having a first combustion temperature and disposed in the first combustion chamber, a second gas generating agent adapted to generate gas to inflate the air bag, the second gas generating agent having a second combustion temperature lower than the first combustion temperature and disposed in the first combustion chamber, and a first ignition unit for directly igniting at least one of the first gas generating agent and the second gas generating agent.

Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle occupant restraint system a rigid outer housing (12), a chamber (14) formed in the outer housing (12), in which a compressed gas is present at least upon activation of the gas generator (10), a component immovable (20; 34; 62) relative to the outer housing (12), at least one outflow opening (22) formed in the immovable component (20; 34; 62), and a least one resilient element (26), which is clamped inside the outer housing (12) and rests against the immovable component (20; 34; 62) at least in its normal position. In its normal position, the resilient element (26) closes a flow path between the chamber (14) and external surroundings of the gas generator (10) and is deformed elastically under the influence of compressed gas, whereby it clears a flow cross-section (30) whose size is increasing with increasing pressure.

Abstract: A unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type is provided having an inner race member defining an inner race surface, an outer race member defining an outer race surface and a plurality of thrust transmitting cylindrical rollers therebetween. Each of the rollers makes line contact with the inner race surface and line contact with the outer race surface along generators of these surfaces. A biasing member is provided for biasing the inner and outer race surfaces axially toward one another to maintain the rollers in line contact with both inner and outer race surfaces. The inner race member is connected to a driven member and the outer race member is connected to a driving member. Torque is transmitted between the driven and driving members causing the biasing member to impose a net axial force on the inner race member tending to urge the inner and outer race surfaces toward one another axially.