Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Michael Joseph Vendely

Michael Allen Schenck

Ismat Ali Abu-Isa

Shawn Gregory Ryan

Suresh Deepchand Shah

John F Hoying

Robert Raymond Niederman

Mansour Ashtiani

Francis Joseph Holmes

James John Sommer

John A Lotspih

Mark E Kassman

Brian Thomas Finnigan

David Scott Weckesser

Charles Griever, Jr

Todd H Baldini

An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.

Method and apparatus for air bag venting

A dynamically adjustable automotive air bag gas venting system including an inflatable cushion stored in a non-inflated configuration; an inflator receptive of a first command signal for initiating the inflator; a retainer plate; a base plate; a rotatable ring positioned between the base plate and the retainer plate and a pyrotechnic actuator receptive of a second command signal for initiating the pyrotechnic actuator so as to at least partially vent inflation gas from an air bag.

Active venting of an airbag module

An air bag assembly having an inflatable cushion selectively deployable to a controlled geometry with a controlled venting character. The venting characteristics are adjusted by selective displacement of vent blocking elements based upon measured occupant and/or crash severity characteristics such that an air bag cushion of desired volume and venting capacity is available to protect a range of occupants under different conditions during impact events of various levels of severity.

Variable venting air bag assembly

A side impact air bag cushion which incorporates a flow barrier of inverted T-Shaped geometry at the interior. The flow barrier which may be in the form of a zero length tether includes a base portion and a leg portion extending away from the base portion. The base portion provides a partial barrier between the thorax protection portion of the air bag cushion and the head protection portion. The structure promotes desirable early inflation of the thorax protection portion of the air bag cushion as well as the substantially vertical inflated orientation of the head protection portion.

Side air bag incorporating inverted T-shaped flow barrier

An instrument panel cover arrangement is used for covering an air bag module mounted beneath an instrument panel cover in a vehicle. The arrangement includes a rigid substrate forming the instrument panel cover and a cover plate overlying the substrate in the location of the underlying air bag module and securely attached to the substrate. The cover plate includes outer plate edges. The substrate includes a plurality of cut lines generally defining an air bag deployment opening and extending entirely through the substrate. The cut lines are at a location spaced inwardly from the outer plate edges of the cover plate such that upon air bag deployment, the outer plate edges are separated from the substrate by the force of the deploying air bag. Preferably, the cut lines extend entirely through the substrate to define a major substrate portion and a minor substrate portion. The minor substrate portion entirely underlies and is securely attached to the cover plate and is completely detached from the major substrate portion prior to air bag deployment.

Instrument panel cover arrangement and method of making

An air bag module and steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module and a steering wheel. The air bag module includes a base plate and an air bag. At least one mounting member extends from the base plate and through the air bag to attach the air bag to the base plate. A cover has at least one vertically extending side wall including at least one cover slot in which the air bag and base plate are loosely seated therein while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate. The air bag is trapped in the cover slot between side wall and the base plate. The steering wheel has a receiving area for receiving the module therein for attachment to the steering wheel. An upstanding capture plate forms a vertically extending wall generally surrounding the receiving area. The capture plate engages the side wall of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and captures the side wall of the cover and the air bag between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover and the air bag are anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.

Air bag module and steering wheel assembly

A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected together through a hollow elastomeric body. This hollow body is closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for a damping liquid. A partition divides the cavity into a primary chamber formed between the partition and the hollow body and a secondary chamber formed between the partition and the diaphragm. The partition also includes a primary (damping) track and a secondary (dynamic rate reducing) track providing fluid communication between the chambers. A decoupler is held for limited reciprocating movement in an annular groove in the secondary track. In operation, high amplitude vibratory inputs seat the decoupler forcing damping fluid to flow between the primary and secondary chambers through the damping track. The resulting high level of damping and high dynamic rate serve to suppress the vibrations and control engine movement/noise. In response to low amplitude and particularly low-to-medium frequency vibratory inputs, the decoupler remains unseated, allowing damping fluid to flow around the decoupler and through the secondary track. The resulting fluid inertial forces create a low dynamic rate and a soft mount for better vibration and noise isolation. At high frequency and low amplitude, such as during normal idle, the decoupler reciprocates normally, thus avoiding damping action.

Growing community of inventors

Kettering, OH, United States of America

Michael Joseph Vendely