Alliedsignal Inc.

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.

Other

Siemens Automotive Corporation

John A Musiol

Robert P Fontecchio

Raymond J Vivacqua

Paul Raymond Weber

Douglas E Medvedik

Tony B Popovski

Markell Seitzman

James C Lotito

Darin J Turner

Robert Alden Lewis

Gerald M Fowler

Thomas A Ennis

Daniel Gene Zelenak

Emmanuel Garcia

Paul A Witt

Eudora F Adolph

Nicola F Paglia

James R Athon

Carl L Flair

A partitioned air bag ( ) comprising an upper ( ) and a lower ( ) inflatable chamber, the lower chamber upon inflation is positioned to provide a cushioned boundary generally against the lower chest and abdomen of an occupant to be protected, the lower chamber first receiving inflation gas from a source of inflation wherein the inflation gas is sequentially transferred to the upper chamber through one or more ports ( ) formed by a separator panel that separates the air bag into the upper and lower chambers. The air bag is inflated by a single stage air bag inflator ( ) characterized as having a relatively low fill rate.

Air bag, method of manufacture and system therefor

A multi-chambered driver side air bag (,) including: a toroidal first chamber (,) facing an occupant to be protected; a second chamber (,) located at least partially within the first chamber; an inflator (,) for first inflating one of the first and second chambers or for inflating both first and second chambers relatively simultaneously.

Chambered driver side air bag and module attachment method

A system and method for controlling adaptive vehicle occupant restraint devices use a processor for receiving input signals from a plurality of sensors, for generating control parameters using a predetermined program, and for generating control signals from the control parameters to adaptively control the restraint devices during an accident.

Sensing logic system and method for adaptive control of vehicle

An occupant sensing and crash behavior system for a motor vehicle determines the presence and location of an occupant to then control the deployment of supplemental restraint systems such as air bags or inflatable seat/shoulder belts. Crash anticipation and crash severity sensors provide additional inputs to the system to determine the behavior of the crash and the occupants therein. An infrared sensor emits a plurality of beams to determine the location and position of the occupant as does a proximity sensor located on the air bag door or the occupant seat. Occupant weight plus the presence and orientation of a child seat are considered. Seat belt control is provided to control the length of the seat belt during an impact or crash.

Occupant sensing and crash behavior system

A snap-on steering wheel assembly (10) is provided with an integral air bag housing (38) for supporting an air bag (50) therein. The assembly includes a steering wheel having a hub. An inflator (100) is threadably connected to an insert member (60) and longitudinally extends from the hub or insert member. A collar (80) mounted relative the insert provides a snap-fit engagement to a steering column (12).

Snap-on, removable steering wheel with integral airbag housing

An assembly comprising: an inflator (20) for providing inflation gas, including a cylindrical body (22, 44) having at least one exhaust port (42a,b) located on a wall thereof through which a stream of inflation gas (40) exits, and a retainer (140) for securing the inflation means, including a hollow cylindrical retainer body for receipt of the inflation means and for diverting the inflation gas stream into a diffuser. The diffuser (210) comprises an inflatable gas permeable portion (212) for receiving the inflation gas stream such that when the inflation gas exits the gas permeable portion such inflation gas is generally uniformly distributed therethrough and communicated to an air bag. The diffuser includes a first portion (216a,b) attached the gas permeable portion and secured to the retainer. The air bag (230) is secured about the diffuser, for receipt of the inflation gas exiting the diffuser. The air bag as well as the gas permeable portion of the diffuser is maintained in a folded pre-inflation condition and expandable in response the inflation gas entering therein.

Air bag inflator assembly

A reaction can (40) formed from a light weight typically non-structural material, comprising: a housing (42) comprising sides (24a, b, 26a, b) defining an open mouth and a bottom (28) generally opposite the mouth; and a reinforcement collar the sides, about the mouth to reinforce the housing.

Reaction can for air bag system

Growing community of inventors

Southfield, MI, United States of America

John A Musiol