| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7414569 |
Vehicular radar sensor with distributed antenna |
August 19, 2008 |
| The radar sensor system includes a radar module, a plurality of antenna units, and a signal carrier. The plurality of antenna units are in communication with the radar module and distributed across a sensing region. The antennas may be connected in a series configuration and, further |
| 7410113 |
Modular torsion bar |
August 12, 2008 |
| A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor has a frame, a spindle, a seatbelt webbing and torsion bar. The frame is attached to a structure of a road vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported by the frame. The seatbelt webbing is wound about the spindle for retraction |
| 7407186 |
Airbag cushion construction |
August 5, 2008 |
| Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus relating to automotive airbags. In one embodiment of the invention, an airbag cushion is provided having four primary panels. A front panel is provided having a substantially rectangular front face. Two substantially triangular side |
| 7404784 |
Fuel saving sensor system |
July 29, 2008 |
| The system includes an engine, a sensor, and a controller. The engine provides a driving motion for the vehicle. The sensor unit is configured to determine a range of a leading vehicle. The controller is in communication with the engine and the sensor unit, such that the controller m |
| 7401810 |
Ultrasonic welded initiator and connector socket |
July 22, 2008 |
| The present invention provides an airbag inflator assembled, in part, using ultrasonic welding. The inflator includes a housing adapted to receive an initiator assembly and an adaptor socket to connect the inflator to the electronic systems of the vehicle. The initiator and the adapt |
| 7401389 |
Tongue interlocking detachable anchorage |
July 22, 2008 |
| Disclosed are interlocking safety restraint mechanisms and safety restraint systems incorporating such mechanisms. Embodiments of the safety restraint mechanisms include a first locking mechanism adapted to receive and lock into place a buckle tongue and a second locking mechanism ad |
| 7396043 |
Multiple chambered airbag system |
July 8, 2008 |
| Disclosed are methods and systems relating to automotive airbags. Embodiments of the disclosed invention include multiple inflatable chambers. The chambers may be configured to inflate sequentially such that one or more side chambers may inflate before a center chamber is inflated. E |
| 7396040 |
Airbag cushion with integrated inflator |
July 8, 2008 |
| An airbag module has a rigid cushion with an integrated inflator. The cushion has a rear cushion panel and the inflator may have a front inflator plate attached to the rear cushion panel. A rear inflator plate is optionally provided and may be positioned within the cushion or outside |
| 7384067 |
Rollover protection for motor vehicles |
June 10, 2008 |
| The present invention relates to a new type of safety system that is designed to protect a vehicle occupant during a rollover crash. The safety system will generally include a vehicle seat and a sensor. The sensor is designed to sense the occurrence of a rollover crash. The safety sy |
| 7380815 |
Lower side piller passenger inflatable safety restraint assembly |
June 3, 2008 |
| An inflatable safety restraint assembly for a vehicle having a front instrument panel and a side pillar. The inflatable safety restraint assembly includes an inflator device and a gas flow control structure connected in gas flow communication to the inflator device to receive inflati |
| 7380458 |
Pressure sensor port |
June 3, 2008 |
| A pressure sensor port having reduced potential for blockage of a sensor by debris in a fluid. The pressure sensor includes a housing forming the sensor port. The sensor port defines an internal passage connecting an exterior aperture to an interior aperture. The exterior aperture co |
| 7374204 |
Inflator second stage combustion control |
May 20, 2008 |
| 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 wi |
| 7373944 |
Pyrotechnic relief valve |
May 20, 2008 |
| A relief valve and related systems and methods are disclosed for use in fluid distribution lines. The relief valve comprises a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity. A connector piece is connected to the body a |
| 7370884 |
Expanding airbag inflator housing |
May 13, 2008 |
| An airbag inflator diffusion system having a thin profile. The diffusion system includes an airbag inflator that is inserted into a sleeve. The sleeve has overlapping longitudinal edges positioned so that the sleeve tightly circumscribes the inflator. Engagement tabs are formed in one |
| 7370721 |
Seatbelt tensioning device and method |
May 13, 2008 |
| A device and method for tensioning a vehicle seatbelt are disclosed. The device has a motor, a pulley, a first cable, and a seatbelt buckle. The motor has a motor output for transferring rotational energy developed in the motor. The pulley is in communication with the motor output for |
| 7360795 |
Torsion bar load limiter and pretensioner for seat belt system |
April 22, 2008 |
| An anchorage device for a motor vehicle is provided, including a pretensioning wheel, a pulley connected to the pretensioning wheel via a torsion bar first portion, a seat belt connecting member connected to the pulley, and a locking device coupled with the pulley via a torsion bar s |
| 7357415 |
Pyrotechnic safety device with retractable telescoping mechanism |
April 15, 2008 |
| A safety device for use in an automobile that comprises a bolster and a telescoping mechanism. The telescoping mechanism extends when pressurized by the rapid introduction of a fluid. Following extension, the telescoping mechanism vents the fluid to allow the device to be retracted. |
| 7357408 |
Inflatable curtain cushion tab shock absorption |
April 15, 2008 |
| A retention tab unit is disclosed comprising a retention tab configured for attaching an inflatable curtain to a vehicle. The retention tab unit has an energy absorption mechanism that facilitates confinement of the retention tab in an initial configuration wherein the retention tab is |
| 7350807 |
Divided airbag system |
April 1, 2008 |
| An airbag assembly is disclosed. The airbag assembly includes an inflatable cushion having a recess in its lower portion. The recess may form split sections in the lower portion of the cushion. The recess may be configured to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. Th |
| 7347450 |
Airbag cushion with cinch tube for reduced out-of-position effects |
March 25, 2008 |
| An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a tube that may be restricted to prevent gas venting. A cord is coupled to the tube and to a surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the cord extends until taut or extends until t |
| 7347448 |
Inflator device for airbag installations |
March 25, 2008 |
| An inflator assembly having an inflator base including a simple stamping. The inflator base includes an end wall, first and second openings in the end wall, a base side wall generally perpendicularly extending from the end wall, and an attachment collar generally perpendicularly extendin |
| 7347444 |
Inflatable airbag with overlapping chamber |
March 25, 2008 |
| An inflatable side airbag apparatus having a thorax cushion and an independently inflatable overlapping high pressure pelvic cushion is disclosed. The airbag system provides for rapid deployment of the pelvic cushion. The thorax cushion inflates adjacent to and provides impact protec |
| 7331604 |
Protective sleeve |
February 19, 2008 |
| Disclosed are methods for covering a weld line and structures used to cover a weld line. Embodiments of the method comprise covering a weld line, such as the weld line between components of an airbag inflator structure, with a protective sleeve. This allows jagged edges and whiskers |
| 7331597 |
Overhead passenger airbag |
February 19, 2008 |
| The application provides an overhead passenger airbag module for use in vehicles. The overhead passenger airbag module has a clamshell inflator housing configured to retain an airbag inflator. The inflator housing is also constructed to allow attachment of an airbag cushion to the airbag |
| 7328915 |
Airbag cushion with tether deactivated venting for reduced out-of-position effects |
February 12, 2008 |
| An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a vent that, prior to cushion deployment, extends from the cushion exterior. A tether is coupled to the vent and to an interior surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the tether |
| 7318607 |
Adaptive restraint system with retractor pretensioner |
January 15, 2008 |
| A restraint system and method is adaptive to the size of the occupant, and adapts both pretensioning and load limitation characteristics to the occupant. The adaptive restraint system generally includes a retractor, a belt anchorage pretensioner, and a retractor pretensioner. The system |
| 7318602 |
Active venting apparatus and method for airbag systems |
January 15, 2008 |
| Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible |
| 7318560 |
Switchable load limiting seatbelt retractor |
January 15, 2008 |
| A seatbelt retractor is disclosed having a frame, a spindle, a tread head and a torsion bar. The frame is attached to a structure of a vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported by the frame. The tread head is matingly coupled to the spindle for relative rotational movement therewith an |
| 7316417 |
Inflator with internally mounted initiator |
January 8, 2008 |
| An inflator device including a pressure vessel forming a gas storage chamber having contents including a supply of stored pressurized gas. The pressure vessel forms a gas exit opening at a first end of the pressure vessel. An initiator assembly includes an initiator cover that extends |
| 7316415 |
Dual chamber airbag |
January 8, 2008 |
| A dual chamber airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion comprises a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber disposed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber. In one embodiment, two opposing surfaces defining the second |
| 7316187 |
Radial discharge actuator device |
January 8, 2008 |
| An actuator device for actuating a supply of gas generant material in an airbag inflator device. The actuator includes an initiator cup having a cup side wall, an end wall at a first end of the cup side wall, and a cup open end at a second end of the cup side wall opposite the end wall. |
| 7296825 |
Multiple output buckle switch |
November 20, 2007 |
| A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appro |
| 7291023 |
Electric vehicle motion sensor |
November 6, 2007 |
| A motor vehicle motion sensor assembly includes a daughter board assembly having an alignment feature, a circuit board having electronic components, and a housing element having a receiving feature for receiving the daughter board assembly. The circuit board is electrically connected |
| 7290812 |
Vehicle impact energy management system |
November 6, 2007 |
| An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. At least a first load bearing pi |
| 7290797 |
Center discharge hybrid inflator device |
November 6, 2007 |
| An inflator device for an inflatable restraint system. The inflator device includes a tubular body with a center discharge opening disposed in a center portion of reduced diameter. First and second end closures each join an initiator to a respective opposing end of the tubular body to |
| 7275776 |
Vehicle impact energy management system |
October 2, 2007 |
| An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. A tab extends from a side wall o |
| 7275763 |
Air bag system and method |
October 2, 2007 |
| An air bag system includes an inflatable air bag and a housing formed with a vent. A tether release/vent-modifying mechanism is connected to the housing and has a plurality of walls and a movable member. The movable member has a cap portion and a rod portion extending longitudinally from |
| 7273191 |
Low profile spline |
September 25, 2007 |
| A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor includes a frame, a spindle, and a torsion member. The frame is attached to a structural member of a vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported in the frame. The spindle includes a slot for accommodating a seatbelt webbing. T |
| 7261682 |
Method for folding an occupant protection device |
August 28, 2007 |
| Folding methods and patterns for folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion for use in vehicles are provided. The folding patterns and methods of the invention assist in preventing failure of inflatable curtain airbag cushions by reducing the stress placed on specific regions of th |
| 7261320 |
Airbag cushion with dual mode deployment for pre-impact and impact conditions |
August 28, 2007 |
| An airbag restrain system is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag restraint system includes an inflatable airbag cushion having a tether coupled to the interior surface of the cushion. The airbag restraint system further includes first and second inflators f |
| 7261319 |
Airbag cushion with adaptive venting for reduced out-of-position effects |
August 28, 2007 |
| An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a vent flap that, prior to cushion deployment, extends from the cushion exterior through a vent. A strap is coupled to the vent flap and to an interior surface of the cushion. Upon ai |
| 7261318 |
Knee airbag and glove box assembly |
August 28, 2007 |
| A glove box airbag system is disclosed that may be used to protect the knees and/or legs of a vehicle occupant during a crash. The airbag assembly includes a glove box and a housing that encases a knee airbag. The housing is positioned below the glove box. The entirety of the housing |
| 7261314 |
Airbag cover attachment and opening assembly |
August 28, 2007 |
| An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. In one embodiment, the airbag assembly includes a cover with one or more ribs. A tray defines a cavity for housing an airbag and includes one or more channels that each receive a corresponding rib. An end of the co |
| 7261303 |
System and method for preventing rollover |
August 28, 2007 |
| A system and method for preventing a vehicle rollover is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle suspension unit and a programmable control unit. The vehicle suspension unit is located proximate to each of the vehicle road wheels for maintaining a predefined vehicle body height with |
| 7249783 |
Airbag tether release |
July 31, 2007 |
| Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus for inflating an airbag with a tether release system. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second inflators are employed. A tether is operatively connected with one of the inflators such that the system is configured to release |
| 7242286 |
Seat belt tension indicator |
July 10, 2007 |
| The present invention provides an apparatus for determining a seat belt tension is within a proper range. The apparatus is designed to be easily adapted to existing vehicle safety belt systems. Three points of contact with the safety belt allow the apparatus to be used in portable ap |
| 7237802 |
Cushion venting design for out of position occupant protection |
July 3, 2007 |
| An airbag cushion venting system is disclosed. The system comprises an airbag cushion body having a cushion vent formed therein. A vent cover is attached to the body such that the vent cover at least partially covers the cushion vent in its unconstrained state. A tieback structure holds |
| 7237799 |
Seat belt system |
July 3, 2007 |
| A seat belt system for motor vehicle applications incorporating a dual retractor restraint system with a portion of the seat belt webbing having a locally thick segment such as an inflatable seat belt portion. The dual retractors include electrically controlled actuating clutching mechan |
| 7237796 |
Actuatable locking fastener |
July 3, 2007 |
| An actuatable fastener assembly is disclosed. The actuatable fastener assembly includes a fastener body and a fastener head attached to the fastener body. An initiator is embedded within the fastener body. Activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fast |
| 7234725 |
Driver side airbag module assembly |
June 26, 2007 |
| An airbag module assembly including a module housing, a door and a door retainer ring. The module housing forms a compartment adapted to contain an inflatable restraint airbag cushion in a stored state. The module housing has at least one open end, and includes at least one side wall |
