Abstract: To provide a passenger protective device and method that can achieve a stable protective performance even when deploying the airbag from the seat belt, thus allowing for appropriate restraint of the passenger's head. Passenger protective device 1 makes the timing in which the internal pressure of thigh airbag 12 peaks slower than the timing in which the internal pressure of head airbag 11 peaks. In addition, it also makes the timing in which the capacity of thigh airbag 12 reaches the maximum slower than the timing in which the capacity of head airbag 11 reaches the maximum. In this manner, the passenger's head, which moves due to inertial force, is caught by head airbag 11 and head airbag 11 is supported by thigh airbag 12, which is softer than said airbag 11. Therefore, the passenger's head can be caught softly.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system, vehicle (10) air bladders (12) hydraulic jacks (14) solution spray nozzles (16) front, rear absorber eject out bumpers (18) cluster sensing unit (20) dual door brace to interlock with eject out absorbers to body frame (22) single door brace to interlock with eject out absorbers to body frame (24) stand alone eject out door brace without interlock to body frame (26) interlock with eject out absorbers to body frame to dual door brace (28) interlock with eject out absorbers to body frame to single door brace (30) air bags (32).

Abstract: System and method for preventing whiplash injuries to an occupant, in particular, during rear impacts, includes a movable headrest associated with the seat and a system for positioning the headrest adjacent a head of the occupant in an impact involving the vehicle. This latter system includes an anticipatory crash sensor system arranged to produce an output signal when an external object is approaching a rear of the vehicle at a velocity above a predetermined velocity, a headrest movement system arranged to move the headrest and a sensor system arranged to determine when the headrest contacts or is proximate the occupant's head. Upon the determination of a pending rear impact between the object and the vehicle, the output signal is produced by the crash sensor system and the headrest is moved into a position in contact with or proximate the occupant's head as determined by the sensor system.

Abstract: An inflator having at least first and second gas outputs and configured to generate gas. The inflator releases the gas through the first gas output with a fist gas flow rats and to release the gas through the second gas output with a second gas flow rate different from the first gas flow rate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a utility vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, with a steering system having single-wheel-suspended steering wheels, which are mounted on a respective wheel carrier (11). Each wheel carrier (11) may be swivelled about the axis of at least one rigidly connected bolt (18) and is connected via a ball-and-socket joint (9) on the at least one bolt, to a transverse steering element (1) that is articulated to the vehicle body. Associated with the ball-and-socket joint (9) is a steering angle sensor (22) comprising a rotatable input member (23), which is located at least approximately in the extension of the axis of the swivel bolt (18). The rotatable input member (23) is connected to the bolt via an entrainment element (25) that transmits the swivel motion of the bolt in an angularly precise manner to detect the current swivel position of the wheel carrier (11).

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle comprises an inflatable gas bag; a gas generator for inflating the gas bag; a valve for letting gas out of the gas bag; a moveable actuating element for the valve, which can be actuated in order to open the valve; and a trigger mechanism which is used to actuate the actuating element by producing pressure. The trigger mechanism releases a compressed gas in order to actuate the actuating element, the gas directly acting upon a pressure attach surface of the actuating element.

Abstract: A stored gas inflator (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for storing a pressurized medium therein. The pressure vessel (12) has a wall (14) defining an interior of the vessel. A gas flow conduit (26) extends through the interior of the pressure vessel (12). The conduit (26) has a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel (12) through a first portion of the wall (14) to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall (14) to the exterior of the vessel. Rupturable barriers (40) are formed along a portion of the conduit (26) that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit (26) from the interior of the pressure vessel (12) prior to activation of the inflator (10). The barriers (40) are rupturable upon activation of the inflator (10) to enable fluid communication between the interior of the conduit (26) and the interior of the pressure vessel (12).

Abstract: A suspension system includes a lower arm having an I-shaped cross section. A coil spring seat portion is formed on the lower arm for supporting a coil spring. A center of stiffness of the lower arm is so located with respect to a centerline of load applied to the lower arm that the lower arm bends upward when a compressive force is applied thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of safety system that is designed to protect a vehicle occupant during a rollover crash. The safety system will generally include a vehicle seat and a sensor. The sensor is designed to sense the occurrence of a rollover crash. The safety system also includes a support member that has an undeployed mode and a deployed mode. The support member converts from the undeployed mode into the deployed mode when a signal is received from the sensor indicating a rollover. The support member will generally be housed within the vehicle seat when the support member is in the undeployed mode. The support member is also anchored to the floor pan of the vehicle. When the support member is deployed into the deployed mode, the support member is disposed in effective engagement with the vehicle roof to limit movement of the roof toward the vehicle seat during rollover conditions.

Abstract: A trim panel for a motor vehicle and a method of manufacture. The trim panel includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a first surface and a second surface having an indentation. The second layer includes a third surface and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed adjacent to the second surface and includes a protrusion disposed adjacent to the indentation and an aperture disposed proximate the protrusion. The protrusion concentrates force against the indentation to sever the first layer when sufficient force is applied to the fourth surface.

Abstract: Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, the present invention red ices such shear loading on the bolts, by utilizing a wedge member or a tapered block 106, inserted and wedged into a space 108 between wedge surfaces 70 and 88, and having oppositely facing outer surfaces 110 and 112 thereby placed into abutment with those surfaces, respectively, so as to exert a fore and aft directed force against those surface, denoted by arrows C, effectively acting to push those surfaces apart and counteracting the shear loads B. Such forces will also act in opposition to and reduce tensile loads acting on bolts 100. Tapered block 106 has at least one passage 114 therethrough (FIG. 3) for the passage of bolts 104 therethrough, to allow insertion of those bolts into threaded holes 98 and tightening those bolts to exert compressive forces against tapered block 106, denoted by arrows D, for holding that block in position.

Abstract: An impact absorption type steering column apparatus for an automotive vehicle is constructed so that a car body sided bracket secured to a car body is press-fitted to a column sided bracket provided separately from or integrally with a steering column, the steering column is supported by inserting a bolt through through-holes formed in the two brackets, and, when a secondary collision happens, an impact energy thereof is absorbed in a way that causes a flexural deformation of the car body sided bracket while moving the steering column towards the front of the automotive vehicle. In this apparatus, the through-hole of the column sided bracket is formed as an elongate hole extending to the rear side of the automotive vehicle from a position of the bolt.

Abstract: A retractor of a three-point rear seatbelt system is affixed to a rear roof rail without excessively protruding out at the bottom of the rear roof rail. Such an arrangement provides sufficient rear vision of the vehicle and strengthens the rigidity of the rear roof rail where the retractor is fixed in order to withstand heavy loads associated with seat belt systems.

Abstract: An airbag module comprising an improved canister, retainer assembly and method of attaching the airbag module to the vehicle is disclosed. The canister includes snap-on end caps, which assemble onto the center section of the canister. A retention mechanism provides the snap-on capability, while a lap joint provides extra security to ensure the end caps remain on the center section during assembly and initiation of the inflator secured within the canister.

Abstract: A device for controlling suspension performance in a vehicle having variable loads on an axle, a level control system, and a hydropneumatic suspension apparatus between unsprung and sprung masses. The device includes at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder chamber and a toroid chamber, a pump, a cylinder chamber inlet line connecting the pump to the cylinder chamber, a toroid chamber inlet line connecting the pump to the toroid chamber, and a cylinder chamber outlet line. Two 2/2 port directional control valves configured to regulate the level control system are disposed in the cylinder chamber inlet line and the cylinder chamber outlet line, respectively. A pilot valve is disposed in the toroid chamber inlet line and dependent on a pressure level in the cylinder chamber inlet line.

Abstract: An airbag inflator has a variable gas flow throttle disposed in a gas flow path. The throttle has at least one gas passageway through a base portion thereof. A tab extends from the base portion and is bendable towards the base portion by a selected amount of gas pressure to close, or at least partially closes, the gas passageway. The tab may have another gas passageway therethrough.