Abstract:
A restraint cushion includes a generally quadrangular sheet of material having a central portion and four corner portions extending from the central portion. Each corner portion has a fold line adjacent the central portion and two free edges extending from the fold line and intersecting each other to form a point. A mounting portion extends from one of the corner portions. The mounting portion has a cushion opening therein for receiving inflator gas therethrough to inflate the air bag. The mounting portion has outer edges which are spaced apart from the cushion opening. The corner portions are folded about the fold lines in overlying relationship to the central portion and in mating relationship to corresponding outer edges of the mounting portions. Each of the corner portions has one of the free edges joined to one of the outer edges of the mounting portion and each of the free edges is spaced apart from the cushion opening. Thus, the mounting portion and cushion opening are not disrupted by the mating edges forming the cushion.
Abstract:
An air bag module includes an inflation detection device. The air bag module includes an air bag, an inflator for generating inflator gas to inflate the air bag, and a breakable device disposed on the air bag. The breakable device has a broken condition when the air bag is inflated to a properly inflated condition and the breakable device has an unbroken condition when the air bag is inflated to less than the properly inflated condition. Upon air bag deployment, the breakable device is broken when the air bag is inflated to the properly inflated condition and the breakable device remains unbroken when the air bag is inflated to less than the properly inflated condition. Thus, the breakable device verifies that the air bag has been properly inflated after air bag deployment.
Abstract:
A selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a take-up spool connected to webbing of a seat restraint system for winding and unwinding the webbing. The selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor further includes a rotatable first torsion bar to provide a first level of load limiting on the webbing during an impact. The selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor includes a rotatable second torsion bar orientated parallel to the first torsion bar to provide a second level of load limiting on the webbing during an impact. The second level of load limiting is less than the first level of load limiting. The selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor further includes a selectable load limiting mechanism cooperating with the first torsion bar and the second torsion bar to select between the first level of load limiting and the second level of load limiting to provide digressive load limiting on the webbing during an impact.
Abstract:
An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which inflator gas is discharged. A housing includes at least one inflator vent opening aligned with the discharge port. A variable inflation device is mounted on the inflator and includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member is movable relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas discharged into the air bag and the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. Preferably, the variable inflation device includes an initiator device being activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during inflator activation.
Abstract:
An air bag module is provided for inflating an air bag cushion at variable rates in response to rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The air bag module includes an inflator for generating inflator gas to inflate an air bag cushion upon the sensing rapid deceleration of a vehicle. An annular cushion retainer is disposed about the inflator for directing gases from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The cushion retainer includes an annular cavity in fluid communication with the air bag cushion by a vent opening to selectively direct gas away from the air bag cushion during a reduced level of deployment. A controller generates an ignition signal to the inflator in response to velocity responsive sensors. In response to the ignition signals, the inflator releases an appropriate predetermined volume of gas into the air bag cushion. The level of deployment or inflation of the air bag cushion is dependent on the actuation of a slide actuator assembly arranged to selectively block the vent opening of the cushion retainer to restrict or block gas flow directed away from the air bag cushion to the exterior of the air bag module.
Abstract:
A restraint assembly includes an inflator for generating inflation gas. The restraint assembly includes an upper cushion portion and an inflatable stiffening device extending generally longitudinally across a lower edge of the cushion portion for providing longitudinal tension and lateral stability to the restraint assembly. Preferably, the stiffening device is tubular. Also preferably, the restraint assembly includes a tensioning device which at least partially surrounds the stiffening device and places longitudinal tension on the stiffening device when inflated. The tensioning device may take the form of a strap or cord that is spiral-wrapped around the stiffening device. The stiffening device preferably includes an inboard stiffening wall and an outboard stiffening wall. The tensioning device may preferably be zig-zag wrapped back and forth across the outboard wall of the stiffening device for preventing occupant interaction with the tensioning device on the inboard side of the stiffening device. For either of the zig-zag or spiral wraps, the stiffening device includes upper and lower edge portions and the tensioning device alternately passes through the upper and lower edge portions.
Abstract:
An air bag module and steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module and a steering wheel. The air bag module includes a base plate, an air bag attached to the base plate, and a cover having downwardly extending side walls loosely connected to the base plate while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate, yet being sufficiently sturdy for transporting and storing of the module. The steering wheel includes an upstanding capture plate forming a vertically extending wall surrounding a receiving area. The capture plate engages the side walls of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and captures the side walls of the cover between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.
Abstract:
An inflatable restraint cushion for restraining a vehicle occupant is used in a vehicle having a vehicle side structure including a door having a beltline portion defining a lower boundary of a side window opening. The cushion includes an inboard contact face for inflation adjacent the vehicle occupant and an opposite outboard contact face for inflation adjacent the vehicle door. The outboard contact face includes a generally horizontally extending beltline notch portion shaped for matably aligning with and engaging the beltline portion of the door when the cushion is inflated. Upon engagement of the cushion by the occupant, the beltline notch portion of the cushion reacts against and is laterally and vertically supported by the beltline portion of the door to provide lateral stability to the cushion.
Abstract:
An airbag module includes an airbag holder, which has a base body and a projection on a peripheral surface of the base body extending around this in full or with the exception of at least one interruption, and an airbag which has an airbag mouth whose peripheral contour is smaller than a peripheral contour enclosing the projection and the base body and which is held at the airbag holder in an end position in which the airbag mouth encloses the base body and thereby engages behind the projection at a first side of the projection.
Abstract:
A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to a pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a trim molding covering the air bag and mounted to the pillar. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended downward and sideways in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle.