An outside protection apparatus for a vehicle includes an outside airbag device. The outside airbag device includes a bag body expandable to be overlaid on an outer surface of a body of the vehicle, and an inflator configured to expand the bag body. The bag body includes an irregularity formation member at an inner surface of the bag body, and a tether coupled to the irregularity formation member to be bridged in an inner portion of the bag body in a state in which the bag body is expanded. The irregularity formation member forms a projection at a surface of the bag body in response to tension acting on the tether in the state in which the bag body is expanded.

An occupant protection device which can protect an occupant without delay is provided. An image taken by an imaging device is analyzed to judge whether there is an object approaching the subject car. In the case where a collision between the object and the subject car is judged to be inevitable, an airbag device is activated before the collision, whereby the occupant can be protected without delay. By using selenium for a light-receiving element of the imaging device, an accurate image can be obtained even under low illuminance. Imaging in a global shutter system leads to an accurate image with little distortion. This enables more accurate image analysis.

One general aspect includes a system to establish a deployment force for an airbag of a vehicle, the system includes: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the following steps: monitoring a head position of a vehicle occupant; based on the monitored head position, calculating a distance of a body part of a vehicle operator relative to a portion of an interior cabin of the vehicle; and based on the distance of the body part, establishing the deployment force for the airbag.

An occupant classification system comprises a capacitive sensor configured to measure capacitance. The capacitive sensor is at least partially arranged between a seat frame and at least one of a seat cover and a seat cushion of a seat. A sensor is configured to measure at least one of weight and pressure on the seat. The sensor is at least partially arranged between a vehicle structure and a component of the seat. A controller is configured to generate an occupant classification based on the measured capacitance and the at least one of the measured weight and the measured pressure on the seat.

An electrical assembly includes a first controller, a track assembly, and/or a support assembly configured for selective connection with the track assembly. The support assembly may include a second controller, a sensor, and/or a plurality of safety devices. The first controller may be configured to provide crash information to the second controller. The second controller may be configured control the plurality of safety devices according to the crash information and information from the sensor. The first controller may be connected to the second controller via at least two wireless connections. The at least two wireless connections may include at least one of induction coupling, magnetic field generation and detection, and light transmission. The first controller may be configured to provide the crash information to the second controller only via one or more wireless connections.

A restraint system for a vehicle is disclosed. The restraint system includes a seat shaped to accommodate an occupant, wherein the seat includes a seat back and an energy absorption member that expands from a stowed position and into a deployed position. The energy absorption member fills a volume of space behind the seat back when in the deployed position to absorb energy that would otherwise be imparted towards an occupant of the seat during an impact involving the vehicle. The restraint system also includes an impact sensing device generating an impact signal in response to detecting the impact involving the vehicle is imminent. The impact signal indicates an orientation and magnitude of the impact involving the vehicle. The restraint system includes a control module in electronic communication with the energy absorption member and the impact sensing device.

The invention relates to an airbag module (16) and an airbag system (18) having an airbag module (16) of this kind, wherein the airbag module (16) has an airbag (22) and a gas generator (30), between which a gas supply (32) with a valve arrangement (34) is arranged, wherein the valve arrangement (34) has an electrically actuatable pilot valve (36) and a hydraulic gearing arrangement (52) for amplifying a stroke action of the pilot valve (36).

An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the seat, to classify the object, or both.

A passenger airbag inflator for a vehicle includes: a housing having a first gunpowder therein, including a vent hole, and communicating with an airbag cushion; a first chamber located in a first side inner space of the housing, having a first booster and a first igniter, and configured to be triggered forwardly when the first igniter is ignited; and a second chamber located in a second side inner space of the housing, having a second booster and a second gunpowder, including a second igniter, and configured to be triggered forwardly when the second igniter is ignited.

A safety device for a vehicle, which includes a main armrest, an auxiliary armrest that obliquely extends from a front end portion of the main armrest toward the center of a seat, a first airbag chamber that is accommodated in the main armrest and that, when triggered to expand, expands upward along a lateral body of a vehicle occupant and thus laterally holds an arm of the vehicle occupant in place, a second airbag chamber that extends protrusively from an upper end portion of the first airbag chamber toward a neck of the vehicle occupant and thus holds a shoulder of the vehicle occupant in place, and a front-body abdominal chamber that is mounted in the auxiliary armrest and that, when triggered to expand, expands toward an abdomen of the vehicle occupant and thus holds a front body of the vehicle occupant in place.