Abstract:
A pressure activated switch (26) is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel (12) of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover (16) and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device (28) is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilised for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.
Abstract:
The closure for an air bag deployment opening of an air bag assembly adapted to be integrated into a vehicle with the assembly including a housing for accommodating a collapsed inflatable air bag comprises: a mounting portion securable to the housing, a face portion defining weakened tear ways which tear and form release doors under the influence of inflating of the air bag, and a hinge portion joining at least one of said release doors with the mounting portion after the formation of the doors. The closure additionally comprises at least one stress concentration feature. Under the influence of the inflating bag, an initial opening for the deployment of the air bag is formed at a selected location on the face portion. A first stress concentration feature comprises a tear way having a V-shaped groove at the location of the initial opening with the tear way having a more rounded groove adjacent the V-shaped groove.
Abstract:
A moulded cover (10) for an automotive airbag module is provided with one or more windows (12) therethrough to transmit light from a light source (18) within said module. The light source (18) which may be a light emitting diode is typically used to indicate the location or identify function switches under the moulded cover. The cover (10) and window (12) may be formed by a two part moulding process or an aperture may be left in the cover in which a solid preformed window is fixed. Alternatively the cover may be formed of transparent thermoplastic material and paint applied to define a window region. A thinned cover region (16) may surround the window (12) to increase flexibility and facilitate actuation of a switch located in the module behind the window (12).
Abstract:
A tethered knee bolster panel (28) which is deployed rearward in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle during a crash to provide lower torso restraint. The knee bolster includes an air bag system (22, 24, 26) which propels the knee bolster panel rearward during deployment. The activated knee bolster allows automobile designers the flexibility to provide increased leg room in the vehicle while maintaining the same level of safety during a crash.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device (10) which involve a heat source (40) composed of a load of fuel material and an initiator (42) is actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication such as to initiate dissociation of a gas source material (14) to form at least one gaseous dissociation product used to inflate the inflatable device.
Abstract:
A moulded cover (10) for an automotive airbag module is provided with one or more windows (12) therethrough to transmit light from a light source (18) within said module. The light source (18) which may be a light emitting diode is typically used to indicate the location or identify function switches under the moulded cover. The cover (10) and window (12) may be formed by a two part moulding process or an aperture may be left in the cover in which a solid preformed window is fixed. Alternatively the cover may be formed of transparent thermoplastic material and paint applied to define a window region. A thinned cover region (16) may surround the window (12) to increase flexibility and facilitate actuation of a switch located in the module behind the window (12).
Abstract:
A tethered knee bolster panel which is deployed rearwardly in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle during a crash to provide lower torso restraint. The knee bolster is an air bag system which propels the knee bolster panel rearwardly during deployment. The activated knee bolster allows automobile designers the flexibility to provide increased leg room in the vehicle while maintaining the same level of safety during a crash.
Abstract:
A pressure activated switch (26) is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel (12) of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover (16) and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device (28) is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilised for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.
Abstract:
The air bag vehicle occupant restraint system includes a resilient cover having a front wall defining first tear lines rupturable upon expansion of the air bag to form first and second rectangular hinged doors through which the bag expands. Each of the doors have edges displaced inwardly from outer margins of the front wall, and rearwardly extending sidewalls surrounding the front wall to enclose the unexpanded bag. The improvement comprises first and second pairs of secondary arcuate tear lines extending from the first tear lines to the outer margin, thereby forming door hinges which allow full swinging motion of the doors.