Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Autoilv Asp, Inc.

Mark Sherman Hatfield

Derrick Staheli

Bradley W Smith

Jeffrey Daniel Williams

Louis A Mueller

Brian Keith Czach

Michael Perry Jordan

Christopher Hock

Bin Wang

Quin Soderquist

Patrick Jamison

Larry Frank Lunt

Brett R Garner

Blake L Cheal

Dana Joseph Wold

James Coleman

James E Nelson

Jason Mark Ibarra

Abe Mitchell

Charles Richards

Ken Pijaszek

Bradley Scott Maxfield

Jennifer Marie Johnson

Mark I Enders

Bobby Lusk

Kevin Button

An emblem assembly arranged in an airbag cover coupled with a vehicle structure such as a steering wheel in a motor vehicle includes an electronic unit, a decorative unit, and a control device. The electronic unit is held by the airbag cover and has at least one light source. The decorative unit is arranged in the airbag cover and attached to the electronic unit such that the decorative unit covers at least a part of the electronic unit. The control device is electrically connected to the electronic unit and is adapted to control illumination of the decorative unit. Further, at least one light source of the electronic unit is adjusted by the control device arranged in the vehicle structure.

Emblem assembly in airbag cover

Airbag covers having emblems and related methods for coupling emblem elements to airbag covers. In some implementations, a fastening member coupled to an emblem element may be inserted through an opening formed within an airbag cover. The emblem element may be secured to the airbag cover by reshaping at least a portion of the fastening member using a LASER welding process.

Airbag cover emblem coupling methods and related assemblies

Airbag covers and related airbag modules designed with weakened portions configured to specifically accommodate emblems. In some embodiments, an airbag cover may comprise an emblem and a tear seam or another weakened portion extending through and/or adjacent to the emblem to create an asymmetrical split such that, following deployment and rupturing of the tear seam, the airbag cover is configured to form first and second airbag cover pieces, wherein a greater number and/or weight of the emblem is on the first airbag cover piece than the second airbag cover piece.

Emblemed airbag cover tear seams

Airbag covers having emblems and related methods. In some implementations, a fastening member comprising an elongated axis may be inserted through an opening formed within an airbag cover. The fastening member may comprise a cross-sectional shape that is substantially smaller in area along at least a portion of the fastening member than a cross-sectional shape of the opening adjacent to the fastening member such that open space is left between the fastening member and a portion of the airbag cover defining the opening. The fastening member may then be reshaped such that the cross-sectional shape of the fastening member within the opening changes to decrease the open space and secure the emblem to the airbag cover.

Emblemed airbag covers and related manufacturing methods

A vent for an inflatable chamber, such as an airbag cushion, can include a first flap and a second flap. The first flap and second flap can be opposing and/or overlapping. The first flap and the second flap impede fluid flow through the vent when the vent is in a closed state. Free ends of the first flap and the second flap can be positioned at an exterior of the inflatable chamber when the vent is in the open state.

Multi-flap vents for inflatable chambers

Airbag cushion assemblies comprising cushion orientation features and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion comprising a throat region comprising an inflator opening. An inflator comprising an inflator collar may be coupled with the airbag cushion. The inflator collar may comprise a non-circular shape. The assembly may further comprise an inflator coupling member coupled with the airbag cushion at the inflator opening. The inflator coupling member may similarly comprise a non-circular opening configured to be aligned with the inflator opening and to mate with the non-circular shape of the inflator collar so as to prevent the inflator from being coupled with the airbag cushion in a non-desired rotational orientation.

Airbag cushion mounting and/or orientation features

Airbag cushion assemblies comprising an airbag inflation tunnel positioned within an airbag cushion. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion comprising an inflator opening and an airbag inflation tunnel coupled to the airbag cushion. The inflation tunnel may be configured to direct inflation gas from an inflator positioned within the inflator opening down the airbag inflation tunnel upon deployment of the inflator. A plurality of directional vent openings may be positioned within the airbag inflation tunnel that may be configured to direct the inflation gas laterally relative to the inflator. The inflation tunnel may further be configured such that the inflation gas contacts a terminal end of the inflation tunnel prior to exiting the plurality of directional vent openings.

Airbag inflation tunnels and related systems and methods

Apparatus, methods, and systems for retaining an airbag inflator within a vehicle airbag system, such as within an airbag module housing of a vehicle airbag system. In some embodiments, an inflator comprising an inflator base positioned at a first end of the inflator and a diffuser positioned at a second end of the inflator opposite from the first end may be inserted, or configured for insertion into, an opening in a housing. An inflator retainer comprising a retainer opening configured to receive the diffuser therethrough may be coupled with the inflator at the second end of the inflator and used to secure the inflator to the housing with the inflator base positioned through the housing opening and the diffuser positioned through the retainer opening.

Airbag inflator retainers and related methods and systems

Airbag covers with stress relief features are disclosed. An airbag cover includes a cover face that opens during deployment and one or more sidewalls extending from the cover face to engage a housing of an airbag assembly. One or more tear seams formed in the airbag cover are rupturable upon expansion of the airbag to form the cover face as a hinged door that opens. Excess force can cause a tear seam to propagate through a stop, creating a risk that a portion of the airbag cover will separate from itself or the housing. Stress relief features are disposed in a sidewall to dissipate excess deployment energy and limit undesired breakage of the airbag cover or continued tearing of the tear seam beyond a tear seam stop. The stress relief features disclosed include tear seams and slits oriented transverse to front cover tear seams.

Airbag cover with stress relief features

Methods, apparatus, and systems for coupling an airbag inflator with a housing, such as an airbag module housing or an adapter housing configured to be coupled with an airbag module housing. In some implementations, a housing comprising an opening may be provided. An inflator comprising a collar may be positioned in the housing such that the collar of the inflator extends into, or in some cases through, the opening of the housing. The inflator may be fixedly coupled with the housing by engaging an exterior surface of the inflator collar with at least one engagement structure, such as a retainer clip or crimp formed in a collar sleeve of the housing.

Airbag inflator mounting apparatus, methods, and systems

A side airbag module assembly for a vehicle seat back rest features a molded plastic cover () with a Class A surface constituting the outside of the cover visible after installation in the backrest (). A base plate () of an airbag holder () made of metal or plastic is rigidly connected to the cover () by insert-molding or a different method of attachment. A fastening bracket () is integrally formed onto the base plate (). An airbag () including a gas generator () is prepackaged in a soft pack () with fasteners () protruding from the soft pack (). The fasteners () and the fastening bracket () are configured to attach the soft pack () to the airbag holder (). Upon deployment of the airbag, the fastening bracket () will bend and thereby open the cover (), which allows the airbag () to inflate in a forward direction.

Side airbag module assembly

Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can be a piece of thin metal that is coupled to the airbag cushion or the inflator. The heat shield can be held in place by being attached or coupled to the airbag and/or the inflator.

Inflatable airbag assemblies with heat shields

Mounting assemblies can be used to attach an inflatable curtain airbag to a vehicle structure. Mounting assemblies can include a mounting member, a connecting member, and an optional wrapper. The connecting member is attached to the mounting member and the airbag via stitching, which can be categorized according to the primary direction of stress that may be placed on the stitching during airbag deployment. Stitching in shear is stronger than otherwise identical stitching in peel; however, a preferred method of packaging a curtain airbag results in a b-rolled airbag that can not be attached to the connecting member with shear stitching alone. Peel stitching alone may not be strong enough to retain an occupant within the vehicle during a rollover event. As such, a combination of a folded connecting member, shear stitching, and peel stitching allows a b-roll airbag to meet occupant ejection mitigation requirements.

Double-sewn airbag mounting assemblies

Inflatable airbag cushions often have modular components attached to them after the main airbag has been manufactured. Such modular components can include external tethers, mounting tabs, mounting assemblies, and fill tubes. Often, these modular components are positioned at predetermined locations on the airbag. Further, the modular components typically have a predetermined orientation. Employing an alignment aperture and at least one landmark on the airbag can allow a modular component to be positioned correctly along at least one axis of the airbag. Landmarks can include seams, edges, folds, and marks, such as ink from printing. Additional apertures, landmarks and/or hardware can be used to assure proper orientation of the modular component on the airbag. The modular component can be coupled to the airbag by stitching.

Inflatable airbag assemblies with alignment apertures

Inflatable airbag cushions often have modular components attached to them after the main airbag has been manufactured. Such modular components can include external tethers, mounting tabs, mounting assemblies, inflatable curtain ramps, and fill tubes. Often, these modular components are positioned at predetermined locations on the airbag. The modular component can be coupled to the airbag by employing one or more adhesives. Also, the modular component can be coupled to the airbag by stitching.

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Providence, UT, United States of America

Mark Sherman Hatfield