ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

A tether protection panel configured to help protect a tether for tailor deployment of an airbag includes a first portion configured to be secured to an outer surface of the airbag and to at least partially extend along an inflator opening of the airbag, and a second portion configured to be folded over to at least partially overlie the first portion and form a first fold. The first portion is configured to be positioned on a first side of an inflator flange of the inflator and the second portion is configured to be positioned on a second side of the inflator flange. The first fold is configured to be positioned adjacent an edge of the inflator flange and extend from the first side of the inflator flange to the second side of the inflator flange. The first fold is configured to be positioned between the inflator flange and the tether so that the fold blocks inflation fluid from damaging the tether.

An airbag for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes first and second panels each comprising a periphery having substantially identical configurations, wherein the first and second panels are positioned overlying each other and connected to each other via a perimeter connection that extends along their peripheries to define an inflatable volume of the airbag. The first panel includes a pleat configured to increase the area of the first panel over that of the second panel while the configurations of the peripheries of the first and second panels remain substantially identical, wherein the pleat is configured to form a bend in the airbag when the airbag is inflated.

A soft cover for packaging an assemblage of an inflator and a side airbag in a stored condition to form an airbag module for installation in a vehicle, The soft cover is formed as a sheet of material including a central portion configured to form a loop that encircles the inflator and side airbag. A first end portion of the sheet extends from the central portion and is configured to wrap over the inflator and side airbag, closing a first open end of the loop formed by the central portion. The first end portion includes an inflator connector opening configured to be fitted over a connector housing of the inflator, leaving the inflator connector housing exposed outside the airbag module.

A seatbelt retractor for a vehicle seatbelt webbing includes a frame. A locking disk is rotatable relative to the frame. A spool is rotatably mounted to the frame and is configured to have the seatbelt webbing wound thereon. A torsion bar is connected to the locking disk and the spool. A band is connected to the locking disk and the spool. The seatbelt retractor has a first state in which the torsion bar and the band each deform to at least partially absorb a load on the seatbelt webbing when the spool rotates relative to the locking disk. The seatbelt retractor has a second state in which the band alone deforms to at least partially absorb the load on the seatbelt webbing when the spool rotates relative to the locking disk. The seatbelt retractor is configured to switch from the first state to the second state.

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag configured to be mounted on a vehicle structure and to be inflatable between the vehicle structure and the vehicle occupant. The airbag includes a single sheet of airbag material configured to have a plurality of leaves that extend radially from a point on the panel, wherein each leaf comprises a tip and edges that extend on opposite sides of the tip from the tip to a root where adjacent leaves meet each other. Connections interconnect adjacent edges of adjacent leaves on opposite sides of the root between the adjacent leaves. The connections extend from the root to the tip to form a closed inflatable volume from the single sheet of airbag material.

An airbag for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes first and second panels each comprising a periphery having substantially identical configurations, wherein the first and second panels are positioned overlying each other and connected to each other via a perimeter connection that extends along their peripheries to define an inflatable volume of the airbag. The first panel includes a pleat configured to increase the area of the first panel over that of the second panel while the configurations of the peripheries of the first and second panels remain substantially identical, wherein the pleat is configured to form a bend in the airbag when the airbag is inflated.

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag configured to be mounted on a vehicle structure and to be inflatable between the vehicle structure and the vehicle occupant. The airbag includes a single sheet of airbag material configured to have a plurality of leaves that extend radially from a point on the panel, wherein each leaf comprises a tip and edges that extend on opposite sides of the tip from the tip to a root where adjacent leaves meet each other. Connections interconnect adjacent edges of adjacent leaves on opposite sides of the root between the adjacent leaves. The connections extend from the root to the tip to form a closed inflatable volume from the single sheet of airbag material.

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag having a packaged condition in which the curtain airbag is rolled and/or folded for installation in the vehicle. The curtain airbag is configured to inflate and deploy between the occupant and a side structure of the vehicle. A deployment wrap includes a sheet of material configured as a loop to extend around the curtain airbag in the packaged condition. The deployment wrap is configured to undergo tension in response to inflation of the curtain airbag. The tension acts on the curtain airbag to help control the initial deployment of the curtain airbag. The deployment wrap is rolled up along its length, forming a roll that takes up the material of the deployment wrap and causes the deployment wrap to constrict around the curtain airbag.

A knee airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag housing configured to be mounted in an instrument panel of the vehicle at a position above a glove box of the instrument panel. The module also includes a knee airbag comprising overlying panels interconnected along a perimeter connection to define an inflatable volume of the knee airbag. The knee airbag has a stored condition in the airbag housing and is configured to inflate and deploy in a direction that is downward and forward into a footwell of the vehicle.

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag having a packaged condition in which the curtain airbag is rolled and/or folded for installation in the vehicle. The curtain airbag is configured to inflate and deploy between the occupant and a side structure of the vehicle. A deployment wrap includes a sheet of material configured as a loop to extend around the curtain airbag in the packaged condition. The deployment wrap is configured to undergo tension in response to inflation of the curtain airbag. The tension acts on the curtain airbag to help control the initial deployment of the curtain airbag. The deployment wrap is rolled up along its length, forming a roll that takes up the material of the deployment wrap and causes the deployment wrap to constrict around the curtain airbag.