Abstract:
An inflatable airbag assembly can include an inflatable curtain airbag and an inflator. In some arrangements, the inflatable curtain airbag may include an inflator housing region where the inflator may be at least partially disposed. In some arrangements, the inflatable airbag assembly may also include a mounting assembly that includes a coupling member tethered to a mounting member.
Abstract:
Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can have a low thermal conductivity and may be capable of melting during a deployment event.
Abstract:
A system for pretensioning a seatbelt includes a minispool and a drive rod. The drive rod includes a spiral portion that, when driven along a longitudinal axis, causes the minispool to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The spiral portion of the drive rod engages the minispool, which includes corresponding structure that tracks the spiral portion. The minispool is restricted from longitudinal travel such that tracking the spiral portion causes the minispool to rotate and the drive rod passes through the minispool. In another form, the minispool can be arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis, with the translation of the drive rod causing the minispool to translate in the same direction of the drive rod. The minispool can include teeth that engage a bracket, such that the translation of the minispool causes the minispool to rotate as it translates.
Abstract:
Cool burning gas generating compositions having minimal performance variation at temperature and pressure extremes are provided. The gas generants include a primary fuel comprising a metal salt of a dicarboxylic acid (e.g., copper adipate), a secondary fuel (e.g., guanidine nitrate), at least one oxidizer (e.g., basic copper nitrate), and a burn rate modifier (e.g., zinc oxide). Such a cool burning gas generant composition has a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ≦1700K and a linear burn rate pressure exponent of ≦0.3, along with superior combustion stability and desirably high gas output. Moreover, such a cool burning gas generant enables improved, lighter and more efficient inflator assemblies requiring fewer inflator components.
Abstract:
Methods of forming a curable pre-impregnated composite precursor material with radiation (e.g., actinic or electron-beam) curable resin composition systems are provided, as are the curable pre-impregnated composite precursor materials themselves. The resin systems have reversible temperature-viscosity control, which are advantageously used to form curable pre-impregnated composite precursor materials (pre-preg) that can be cured to form a composite article. The uncured resin composition comprises: (a) an acrylate or a methacrylate monomer; (b) an oligomer species selected from the group consisting of: polyethers, polyesters, epoxies, and combinations thereof; and (c) a photoinitiator. The uncured resin has a first viscosity at 21° C. (70° F.) of ≧about 200,000 centipoise (cP) and a second viscosity of ≦about 5,000 cP at 65° C. (149° F.) or above.
Abstract:
A load limiting anchor for seatbelt systems is provided. The anchor includes a pair of plates sandwiched together and connected by a rivet or other fastener. One of the plates features a key-hole shaped slot through which the rivet can move upon relative sliding motion between the plates causing material deformation as the anchor absorbs tensile exerted by the associated seatbelt system.
Abstract:
Some airbag assemblies can include a housing, an airbag, and a cover. The cover can include a tear seam that is configured to break to permit the airbag to exit the housing. The tear seam can include discrete break columns at which the tear seam ruptures.
Abstract:
An airbag assembly including an inflator to supply inflation gas and an airbag cushion configured to expand and deploy toward a seating position of a vehicle, the airbag cushion including a main chamber, a secondary chamber coupled to the main chamber, and a tether passing through the main chamber into the secondary chamber, wherein the tether is configured to be released to allow the secondary chamber to be inflated.
Abstract:
Airbag cushion assemblies for aspirating ambient air and related assemblies, methods, and components. Some embodiments can comprise an aspirating airbag cushion assembly comprising an airbag cushion, which may be configured to deploy from a housing or the like. The assembly can further comprise a securement element to secure an inflator of the airbag cushion assembly during inflation of the airbag cushion. The assembly can further comprise an one or more inflation conduits configured to deliver inflation gas into the airbag cushion through a plurality of aspiration ports.
Abstract:
An initiator for a gas generator of a vehicle safety device. The initiator is actuatable by an electrical power source having a ground wire and includes a cup defining an interior for receiving a pyrotechnic material and a pair of electrical pins extending from the cup and arranged to be in reaction initiating communication with the pyrotechnic material through a bridge wire. The initiator additionally includes an over-molded body having a first end defining a pocket for receiving the electrical power source and a mounting ring extending around a least a portion of a periphery of the over-molded body. The initiator further includes an electrically conductive member providing electrical communication between the mounting ring and an inner diameter of the pocket. The electrically conductive member is molded in place within the over-molded body.