Abstract:
A procedure and a device for adjusting a supply current, which feeds an electric motor (1), the torque of which is transferred to a belt reel (10) of a seat belt retractor (9) of a motor vehicle, whereby the motor current of the electric motor (1) is measured during the torque generation and compared as a controlled variable with a command variable, which is adjusted depending on at least one driving situation or at least one driving condition of the vehicle, for controlling the supply current for the electric motor (1) situated in the control circuit.
Abstract:
A measuring device (1) for measuring a pulling force acting on a belt webbing of a seat belt of a motor vehicle is located between an anchoring point (2) of the seat belt on the vehicle and a connection device (3) which is to be connected to the seat belt. The connection device (3), in relation to the anchoring point (2), can be moved against a spring bias. The measuring device (1) is a magnetic field sensor (4) that is arranged between two analogous poles of two permanent magnets (5, 6).
Abstract:
A seat belt pretensioner has a curved cable guide (82) and a flexible metal cable (200) positioned about and movable relative to the cable guide (82). One end of the cable (200) is connected to a piston for moving the cable, or to a static anchor, and an opposite end of the cable is connected to a seat belt buckle. A portion (200a) of the cable is coated with a material (204) to increase the stiffness of the cable. The cable (200) is configured to be drawn into the cable guide (82) and to dissipate energy as it is so moved. The cable stiffening material (204) may cover the exterior of the cable (200).
Abstract:
A tape (42) for use within an airbag deployment sensor is formed in an apparatus (20) having a housing (22) that receives an elongated tape (42) within a tape slot (36). A pin base (60) with upwardly protruding parallel pins (56) is positioned forward of the tape slot and reciprocates vertically. A tray (38) is mounted to the housing forward of the pins (56) which has an upwardly facing support surface (40) that receives the elongated tape (42) thereon as it is folded. Parallel blades (54) are mounted to the housing and are slidable in the front to back direction. Each blade (54) is movable from behind the pins (56) to extend between two pins such that portions of the blade protrude forward of the pins (56). Each blade may thus extend across the tray support surface (40) to engage with the tape (42) extending through the tape slot (36) to impose a fold (50) on the tape.
Abstract:
An airbag module (1), in particular for a frontal airbag (4), has an inflator (2), an airbag and at least one substantially tape or cord shaped measuring element (8). A first end (10) of the measuring element (8) is connected to an inside surface of the airbag (4) and the second end (12) of which is substantially arranged in a storage device (40) for the measuring element (8). Between the first and the second ends of the measuring element is located a measuring device for the measurement of the advance movement distance, the advance movement velocity and/or the advance movement time of the measuring element (8). A tensioning device (26; 34; 48) for the measuring element (8) is arranged between the measuring device and the second end (12) of the measuring element, or at the second end, to tighten the measuring element (8) between its first end (10) and the measuring device prior to the deployment of the airbag (4).
Abstract:
An airbag module (10) comprises an airbag inflatable through an opening and an airbag inflator (22) in communication with at least one opening (18; 154, 160). At least one gas flow diverter (30; 124, 128) selectively diverts inflation gas (26) away from the airbag opening (18; 154, 160). The gas flow diverter(s) (30; 124, 128) may move from a first position and a second position, the first position permitting the inflation gas (26) to flow to the opening and the second position deflecting the inflation gas (26) away from the opening (18; 154, 160).
Abstract:
A vehicle occupant position sensor (26, 58) is located on the front of an airbag! (20, 60) which is deployed toward a vehicle occupant. The sensor may be a capacitance sensor (26) constructed by rendering portions (30) of the airbag which face the vehicle occupant conductive. The airbag module is constructed to allow venting of the airbag before it is fully deployed. The distance between the sensor and the vehicle occupant is continually determined with respect to the sensor. The output of the capacitive sensor (26) is processed by a controller (38, 72) and is used to predict the interaction between the airbag (20, 60) and the vehicle occupant and to cause the airbag to be vented if that interaction is predicted to be more harmful than beneficial to the vehicle occupant. A system which prevents airbag venting once the airbag is inflated or nearly inflated can also be employed.
Abstract:
An inertia sensor (7, 29) for a seatbelt retractor is used for sensing deceleration. The inertia sensor has a primary mass (23), a secondary mass (15), and a lifter. The primary mass provides the inertia for the self compensating function. The secondary mass provides the inertia for sensing deceleration. The inertia sensor is not triggered when subjected to tilting angles of 30 degrees or less in any direction. Upon experiencing decelerating motion, the secondary mass (15) tilts relative to the primary mass whereby this relative angular displacement causes the lifter to raise. The lifter rotates a locking pawl into an engagement position, which initiates the locking mechanism of the seatbelt retractor.
Abstract:
An initiator (20) has a circuit board (22) with two spaced copper traces (24) and a bridge resistor (50) of Nichrome ® or tantalum nitride at one end, and wire leads or pins joining the wire traces (24) at the other end. A zener diode (54) is placed between the wire leads and a bridge resistor. Immediately before the wire leads reach the circuit board (22) they pass through a ferrite core (30). The wire leads, the ferrite core, and the circuit board except for the end of the board to which the bridge resistor (50) is mounted, is insert molded into a body of glass filled nylon 6,6. The nylon body mounts an aluminum can (66) that covers the bridge resistor and is bonded to a circumferential groove in the nylon body. The bridge resistor (50) is covered with primary explosives such as zirconium potassium perchlorate and the can is filled with gas generating granules such as 5-aminotetrazole.
Abstract:
An airbag (2) for an airbag module is a section of a seamless continuous tube, at least partly gastight with the free ends of the tube closed and in its inflated state essentially maintains its original volume and its original length. An airbag module includes the airbag (2) and an airbag inflator (8), which is or can be connected to the airbag. The tubular airbag (2) may be installed in either a seat cushion (50) or seat back (52) of a vehicle seat to act as a barrier to a seat occupant sliding out of the seat when the airbag is deployed.