Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Other

Trw Limited

Ernst M Faigle

Richard J Thompson

Tracy S Sparks

John H Semchena

Paul A Bowers

Timothy A Swann

Charles E Steffens, Jr

Brian R Pitstick

Douglas P Campbell

Ivan L Stonich

Lee D Bergerson

Dean M Esterberg

Bryan W Shirk

Roy D Van Wynsberghe

Alexander Heilig

Jack L Blumenthal

Homer William Fogle, Jr

Christopher C Shih

Joseph F Ziomek

Eric N Streif

Rex R Struble

Diane D Ford

Kurt F Fischer

Brian K Blackburn

John P Wallner

Daniel R Sutherland

Eric C Erike

Nahum Gat

Paul S Headley

Thomas H Vos

Reiner Lenzen

David H Lewis, Jr

Jack A Phillion

Thomas Osentoski

Xingyuan Sun

William C Forbes

Stuart M Frey

Gregory B Grace

John Gaiser

John N Clark, Iii

Craig J Lyszczyk

An apparatus () for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device () energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device () is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (). The apparatus () may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices () individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

Air bag inflators

An apparatus ( ) for actuating a braking system of a vehicle ( ) comprises a brake pedal ( ) and an actuating member ( ) movable to actuate the braking system. A release mechanism ( ) is connected between the brake pedal ( ) and the actuating member. The release mechanism ( ) has a first condition connecting the actuating member ( ) for movement with the brake pedal ( ). The release mechanism ( ) has a second condition releasing the brake pedal ( ) for movement relative to the actuating member ( ) under load applied to the brake pedal by the vehicle occupant. The release mechanism ( ) when in the second condition resists movement of the brake pedal ( ) relative to the actuating member ( ). The apparatus ( ) further comprises at least one sensor ( ) operative to sense a vehicle condition or an occupant condition and to provide a first output signal. A controller ( ) receives the first output signal and in response controls the release mechanism ( ) to control the resistance of the release mechanism to movement of the brake pedal ( ) relative to the actuating member ( ).

Energy absorbing brake pedal

A pretensioner ( ) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing ( ). The pretensioner ( ) has a member ( ) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing ( ). The pretensioner ( ) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device ( ) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member ( ).

Seat belt webbing pretensioner using MEMS devices

An inflator ( ) includes an assembly ( ) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices ( ) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly ( ) further comprises a sensor mechanism ( ) for sensing a condition of the inflator ( ) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices ( ) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator ( ).

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflator ( ) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device ( ). A retainer ( ) is connected with the protection device ( ). One of the inflator ( ) and the retainer ( ) is movable between a first condition blocking venting of inflation fluid from the apparatus ( ) and a second condition venting inflation fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus ( ) includes an electrically energizable mechanism ( ) to release the one of the inflator ( ) and the retainer ( ) for movement from the first condition to the second condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus ( ) also includes vehicle electric circuitry ( ) including a sensor ( ) for sensing at least one occupant condition or vehicle condition and a controller ( ) responsive to the sensor for controlling the electrically energizable mechanism ( ).

Air bag module with vent

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) and an inflation fluid source ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes a structure ( ) having a vent opening ( ) for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device ( ). The apparatus ( ) also includes a member ( ) movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening ( ) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid ( ) through the vent opening. The apparatus ( ) includes an electrically energizable mechanism ( ) to move the member ( ) from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening ( ). The mechanism ( ) can also move the member ( ) from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( ).

Air bag module with electronically modulated vent

Apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) inflatable away from the vehicle roof ( ) into a position between the side structure ( ) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The protection device ( ), when inflated, has an upper edge ( ) positioned adjacent the roof ( ) and a lower edge ( ) spaced from the roof. The protection device ( ) also includes a guide ( ) and a flexible elongated member ( ) that extends through the guide and is slidable through the guide when the protection device is inflated. The member ( ) has two leg portions ( ) extending from the side structure ( ) of the vehicle ( ) to the protection device ( ) when the protection device is inflated.

Inflatable curtain with slidable tether

An apparatus ( ) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) comprises a housing ( ) and an inflation fluid source ( ) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator ( ) is connected with the housing ( ) for actuating the inflation fluid source ( ). The apparatus ( ) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry ( ) for actuating the initiator ( ) to actuate the inflation fluid source ( ) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device ( ) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) ( ) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source ( ). An autoignition mechanism ( ) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source. The MEMS device ( ), when energized, generates heat for autoigniting the inflation fluid source ( ) or for deactivating a secondary inflation fluid source.

Air bag inflator with mechanism for deactivation of second stage and autoignition

A vehicle ( ) has an opening ( ) for ingress to and egress from a passenger compartment ( ) in the vehicle. A door ( ) has a closed position blocking the opening ( ) and an open position enabling ingress and egress through the opening. A structure ( ) assists in maintaining the door ( ) in the closed position. An actuatable device ( ), when actuated, renders the structure unable to assist in maintaining the door in the closed position.

Vehicle door opener

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) and an actuatable inflator ( ). A retainer ( ) is connected with the protection device ( ). The retainer ( ) has a fixed portion ( ) and a movable portion ( ). The movable portion ( ) is movable between a first condition and a second condition to vent inflation fluid from the protection device ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes an electrically energizable mechanism ( ) to release the movable portion ( ) of the retainer ( ) for movement from the first condition to the second condition. The apparatus ( ) also includes vehicle electric circuitry ( ) including a sensor ( ) for sensing at least one occupant condition or vehicle condition and a controller ( ) responsive to the sensor for controlling the electrically energizable mechanism ( ).

An apparatus ( ) includes a member ( ) that has a first slot ( ) extending through the member within the periphery ( ) of the member. The first slot ( ) has opposed spaced surfaces ( ) that define a gap ( ) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member ( ) includes first and second portions ( and ) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot ( ). The apparatus ( ) also includes a sensor ( ) that has a first end ( ) connected to the first portion ( ) on one side of the first slot ( ) and an opposite second end ( ) connected to the second portion ( ) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus ( ) further includes a fastener ( ) for fixedly connecting the second portion ( ) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion ( ). The first portion ( ) moves relative to the second portion ( ) when a force is applied to the first portion, which causes the width of the gap to change. The sensor ( ) provides a signal in response to the change in the gap width.

Vehicle seat belt tension and seat weight apparatus

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises a steering column ( ) of a vehicle ( ) and a vehicle steering wheel ( ). The steering wheel ( ) comprises a hub ( ), a rim ( ), and at least one spoke ( ) extending from the hub to the rim. The steering wheel hub ( ) supports the steering wheel ( ) on the steering column ( ) for rotation about an axis ( ). The spoke ( ) moves through a path of movement ( ) as the steering wheel ( ) rotates about the axis ( ). The apparatus ( ) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device ( ) is supported below the spoke ( ) and for rotation with the steering wheel ( ) about the axis ( ). The protection device ( ) is inflatable through the path of movement ( ) of the spoke ( ) to an inflated condition to help protect a driver of the vehicle ( ).

Steering wheel air bag module

An apparatus ( ) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) includes a container ( ) and a refrigerant under pressure in the container ( ) in a liquid state. The container ( ) is openable to enable the refrigerant to flow out of the container into the inflatable device ( ). At least a portion of the refrigerant that flows from the container ( ) vaporizes to a gaseous state to help inflate the inflatable device ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes an aspiration passage ( ) enabling aspiration of ambient air into the inflatable device ( ) with the refrigerant to help inflate the inflatable device. At least a portion of the refrigerant that flows from the container ( ) is located in the inflatable device ( ) in a liquid state. That portion of the refrigerant thereafter changes from the liquid state to the gaseous state while in the inflatable device to help maintain the inflatable device in the inflated condition.

Air bag inflation apparatus

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source ( ) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device ( ). A housing ( ) directs inflation fluid under pressure from the inflation fluid source ( ) toward the inflatable device ( ) upon actuation of the inflation fluid source ( ). The housing ( ) has an opening ( ) for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of the housing ( ) and away from the inflatable device ( ). A door ( ) is movable between a closed condition closing the opening ( ) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid out of the housing ( ) through the opening ( ). An energizable mechanism ( ) retains the door ( ) in the closed condition and, when energized, enables movement of the door ( ) from the closed condition to the open condition in response to fluid pressure in the housing ( ). The energizable mechanism ( ) comprises an electromagnet ( ).

Apparatus (,) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (,) which has a side structure (,) and a roof (,) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (,). The vehicle occupant protection device (,) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (,) into a position between the side structure (,) of the vehicle (,) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (,) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (,). The vehicle occupant protection device (,) comprises a pair of overlying panels (,and,) that have overlapping portions secured together along at least a portion of the periphery of the panels to form a substantially airtight volume defined by the panels. The panels (,and,) are made of gas impermeable elastomeric material.

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Dryden, MI, United States of America

Ernst M Faigle