Abstract: A manual control device for electrically driven and controlled steering, and/or accelerating and/or decelerating of a road vehicle, that includes a hand grip device, sensors for sensing a force and/or a movement imposed on the hand grip device which correspond to a desired steering direction, and/or acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle, as well as a manual lever device comprising at least one mechanical connection for mechanically steering, and/or accelerating, and/or decelerating (e.g. maintenance parking etc.) of the vehicle in the absence of electric power (e.g. in the case of an electric power failure or in the case of electric power switched off) maintenance, garage parking etc., the manual lever device being swivelable or rotatable about at least one axis for actuating said at least one mechanical connection.

Abstract: A steering device (1) for drive-by-wire functions in a vehicle comprises a base (2) which can be fixed to the vehicle interior at the location of the driver, and two steering grips (3, 4) at opposite sides of the base, which steering grips each can be gripped by a hand of the driver, said steering grips being coupled and being moveable with respect to the base in mutually opposite directions.

Abstract: A walking beam assembly includes a pair of axles in parallel spaced relation. At least one of the pair of axles being a drop axles having end portions and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions. The intermediate portion drops down and has a secondary axis which is offset from and substantially parallel to a primary axis provided by the end portions. A pair of walking beams extend in parallel spaced relation between the pair of axles. Each walking beam has opposed ends, a central transverse pivot axis intermediate the opposed ends, and a longitudinal pivot axis. The opposed ends of each walking beam are secured via connectors on top of the intermediate portion of the at least one drop axle adjacent one of the end portions. Each of the connectors allow limited pivotal movement about the longitudinal pivot axis of the walking beam.

Abstract: An overmolded interior vehicle trim panel includes a substrate having a front face and an under face. The under face has a tear seam integrally molded therein to allow an airbag to exit the substrate when the airbag is deployed. The tear seam defines an airbag door. An outer layer is bonded to the front face of the substrate in a mold, thereby forming an overmolded interior vehicle trim panel. The trim panel can include a sheet of hinge material attached to one of the substrate and the outer layer of the overmolded interior trim panel. A portion of the sheet of hinge material defines a hinge member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cover and a method for manufacturing an airbag cover comprising a first layer (1) which is substantially intact in the region of a tear seam for airbag deployment and which borders the space in which the air-bag deploys if the need arises, and at least a second layer (2) which faces the folded airbag, the second layer (2) being attached to the rear side of the first layer (1) to reinforce said first layer (1) and only the second layer (2) having a weakened region (3) to predetermine the run of the tear seam during the deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag module with a gas generator, a gas bag, a housing containing an exit opening for the deploying gas bag, and a holder. The gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, and the gas generator is fixed to the housing. The holder (19) has a support area (20) and at least one deflector segment (21, 22) directed toward the exit opening (13). The holder is placed between the gas generator (14) and the housing (10). The deflector segment at least partially surrounds the gas generator (14) and directs the gas generated by the gas generator (14) into at least one of a plurality of fold packets (16, 17, 18) of the gas bag (15) placed on both sides of the deflector segment (21, 22).

Abstract: A front hood assembly has a front hood of a motor vehicle that is hinged to the chassis of the motor vehicle via a hinge, the front hood being lockable via at least one hood lock. The hinge is plastically deformed under the impact of a collision with a pedestrian. The assembly provides a protection for pedestrians that is technically feasible and can be implemented at low costs.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable member operatively supported by the rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure. The movable member is movable relative to the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly includes a strain member operatively supported by the moveable member and the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly further includes a strain gage sensor operatively supported by the strain member to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the strain member is displaced by the movable member.

Abstract: A front body structure includes a front-wheel movement promoting mechanism arranged between a front wheel (22) and a suspension member (19) that promotes a backward movement of the front wheel (22) when a collision load (F1) is applied to the front wheel (22) while being accompanied with a backward deformation of the outer end (12a) of a bumper reinforcement (12). The front-wheel movement promoting mechanism may be a notch (35) formed in the suspension member (19) to allow the front wheel (22) to move backward in early stages of the collision. Then, the front wheel (22) interferes with an outrigger (15) and a side sill (14), preventing a vehicle cabin from being deformed.

Abstract: An air bag system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated from a storage chamber to an inflated deployed condition within an occupant compartment. A gas emitting inflator is housed in fluid communication with the air bag cushion. At least one drag-inducing member engages the air bag cushion as the air bag cushion is inflated from the stored condition to the inflated deployed condition such that the period of energy transfer between the air bag cushion and the occupant is increased relative to unrestrained deployment from the storage chamber.

Abstract: An inflator unit provided on a main frame of a motorcycle is provided with an inflator case having an inflator stored therein. Gas generated by the inflator flows through the interior of the main frame and is supplied to the airbag. The inflator case includes the left and right case halves divided along the parting plane and joined with each other by two bolts and the internal space thereof narrows towards an exit opening in the funnel shape. The axis Li of the inflator is shifted to the side opposite from the exit opening with respect to the axis Lc of the inflator case. A main frame may be formed with an atmosphere communication hole for communicating the interior of the main frame with the atmosphere at the position near the inflator case so that the atmosphere is introduced through the atmosphere communication port into the interior of the main frame by the negative pressure generated when gas flows from the inflator to the airbag. Thus, a large-volume airbag can be deployed by a small-capacity inflator.

Abstract: An automotive outboard air bag system (30) is provided in which a belt-like strap (34) is provided at substantially a center within an air bag (33) to extend from an upper end portion (33a) to a lower end portion (33b) of the air bag (33) with sides of the strap (34) being made to extend in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, front and rear side edges (34a, 34b) of the strap (34) are connected to an inner circumference (33c) of the air bag (33) to thereby form front and rear constricted portions (35) on front and rear central portions of the air bag (33), and left and right convexly curved portions (36) which can come into contact with an outer surface (12b) of a windshield (12) and a garnish (18b) of a front pillar (18), respectively, are provided on both sides of the rear constricted portion (35).

Abstract: A rollover protection device for the passengers of a vehicle having a body and a lateral bulkhead includes a structural unit adapted to be mounted on one side of the vehicle body lateral bulkhead. The structural unit includes at least one extendible rollover bar, and a module beam being connectable in a force transmitting fashion with the lateral bulkhead and the vehicle body. The module beam extends crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in an upper region of the lateral bulkhead, and at least one force transmission member contains the at least one rollover bar. The at least one force transmission member supports the module beam at the vehicle body bottom.

Abstract: A device for tensioning a safety belt includes a motor and a traction transmission device having a first end and a second end. The second end of the traction transmission device is coupled to a belt buckle or an end fitting of the safety belt. The motor is constructed as a tensioner drive for an emergency tensioning. The traction transmission device is coupled to the motor such that a drive movement of the motor is converted into a longitudinal movement of the traction transmission device.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an air bag (30) and an inflator (40) for inflating the air bag. The apparatus (10) also includes a bracket (120) having an elongated back plate portion (122), a first flange portion (130), and a second flange portion (150). The flange portions (130 and 150) extend transverse to the back plate portion (122). The inflator (40) is insertable into the bracket. A first end portion (80) of the inflator (40) engages the first flange portion (130) and a second end portion (90) of the inflator engages the second flange portion (150) while the inflator is inserted in the bracket (120). The inflator (40) urges the first and second flange portions (130 and 150) to deflect away from each other while the inflator is inserted in the bracket (120). The first and second flange portions (130 and 150) are urged toward each other by resilience of the bracket and exert a clamping force on the inflator (40) to retain the inflator in the bracket (120).

Abstract: A material handling vehicle includes first and second control handles positioned at opposing ends of an operator compartment. The control system receives inputs from each of the first and second control handles and determines an appropriate travel direction and speed based on those inputs. In a normal mode, one of the handles is in the neutral state, and the input of the second handle is therefore used to direct motion of the truck. In a conflict state, each of the first and second control handles is providing a non-neutral travel request, and the control system determines an appropriate travel direction and speed based on a most conservative choice algorithm.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement incorporating an air-bag (6) and means adapted to inflate the air-bag, so that the air-bag occupies a position generally in front of an occupant (2) of a front seat of the vehicle, and between the occupant (2) of the front seat of the vehicle and the windscreen or windshield (5) of the vehicle, that part of the air-bag (6) located to contact the interior of the windshield (5), when the air-bag (6) is inflated being provided with gas outlet means to inject gas, under pressure, between part of the air-bag and the inside surface of the windscreen or windshield (5).

Abstract: A cable type steering system includes an operation cable having an outer tube and inner cable slidably received in the outer tube. A drive pulley coupled to a steering wheel for rotation and a driven pulley coupled to a steering gear box for steering wheels for rotation are connected to end portions of the inner cable. A steering torque inputted to the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering gear box via the inner cable of the operation cable. At least one of a first portion of the system extending from the drive pulley to a first position of the outer tube and a second portion of the system extending from the driven pulley to a second position of the outer tube is accommodated within a waterproof space formed by a cover, such as a rubber cover or a cover molded of synthetic resin.

Abstract: An air bag system for a front-seat passenger, includes a main body portion of an emblem is brought into contact with a surface of an instrument panel at a reverse face thereof, a bolt provided on the reverse face of the main body portion to protrude therefrom passes through the instrument panel and a mounting portion of an air bag module and a nut screwed on and fastened to the bolt so that the air bag module is fixed to the instrument panel easily and rigidly without using heat clamping which is less stable in quality. There is no risk that surface sinks are generated in the surface of the instrument panel to thereby deteriorate the aesthetic appearance thereof, since there is no need to provide bosses on a reverse face of the instrument panel for heat clamping.

Abstract: An automotive steering system includes a movable bracket attached to a stationary bracket via a connecting mechanism so as to move back and forth in an axial direction of a steering shaft, a steering column attached to the movable bracket and the steering shaft rotatably attached to the steering column. The positions of the steering shaft and a steering wheel are adjustable in the axial direction. The connecting mechanism includes a pair of flat pin guide surfaces extending in the axial direction and a connecting pin adapted to be inserted between the pair of pin guide surfaces. The pair of pin guide surfaces are provided at a transverse center of the movable bracket, whereas the connecting pin is provided on the stationary bracket and extends through the flat pin guide surfaces. The connecting pin is guided by the pair of pin guide surfaces to relatively move in the axial direction.