Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

Walter J Boyle, Iii

Robert N Maley

Jeffrey Stancavage

Derrick Dysart

Timothy Hsu

Jeffrey C Bonser

Srinivas Reddy Malapati

Bijal Patel

Jeffrey L Stancavage

An airbag assembly including an airbag inflatable from a housing in operation with an occupant classification system is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The occupant classification system is incorporated into a vehicle seat and is in communication with the airbag. A selectively actuatable vent formed in the airbag is opened during deployment of the airbag based on a determination from the occupant classification system.

Active airbag venting system

An air bag includes a wall defining an interior in which a gas is received to inflate the air bag, and at least one vent opening through the wall and a vent valve carried by the wall. The vent valve has at least one valve opening, and the vent valve is moveable between a first position where the valve opening is aligned with at least one vent opening and a second position where the valve opening is at least partially misaligned with at least one vent opening to at least partially close the vent opening. The vent valve is in its first position until deployment of the air bag beyond a threshold which moves the vent valve to its second position.

Air bag vent

An apparatus for use in a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a lower mounting bracket and an upper mounting bracket. The upper mounting bracket is mounted between the lower mounting bracket and an instrument panel of the motor vehicle. A steering column is mounted to the lower mounting bracket. A brake pedal having a brake pedal shaft is coupled to the lower mounting bracket. A clutch pedal having a clutch pedal shaft is coupled to the lower mounting bracket.

Integrated steering column and pedal mounting system

Apparatus for supporting a steering column of an automotive vehicle comprises a bracket having a central channel through which the steering column extends, and flanges extending laterally outwardly from the upper edges of the side walls of the channel. The flanges are rigidly secured to vehicle support structure. Release capsules are secured to the steering column bracket and are slidably engaged in slots in the side walls of the channel to permit stroke of the steering column in a frontal impact of sufficient magnitude.

Collapsible steering column support structure

An air bag module comprising an air bag disposed inside a module housing. An air bag inflater extends into the housing through an opening in the housing. The inflater has a flange on the outside of the housing. The air bag has an opening surrounding the inflater. The air bag has a plurality of angularly spaced retainer tabs extending from the opening in the air bag through the opening in the housing and sandwiched between the housing and the inflater flange. Mounting studs are affixed to the housing and extend through the retainer tabs and through the inflater flange. Nuts are threaded onto the studs to secure the inflater flange to the housing and to clamp the tabs between the housing and the flange. The opening in the air bag has marginal edge portions between the tabs which extend through the opening in the housing and are also clamped between the housing and the flange.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Walter J Boyle, Iii