Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a wheel body on which a wheel and tire unit is mounted, a steering drive unit configured to transmit a driving force to rotate the wheel body in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, so that the wheel and tire unit rotates together with the wheel body, and a wheel moving unit disposed on the vehicle body to be movable in a front-back direction, configured such that a position thereof changes in a top-bottom direction, and connected to the wheel body to support the wheel body, so that a position of the wheel body is changed in response to the wheel moving unit moving in the front-back direction and changing the position in the top-bottom direction.

Abstract: A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

Abstract: An outside protection apparatus for a vehicle includes an outside airbag device. The outside air bag device includes a first bag body, an inflator, and a second bag body. The first bag body is expandable to be overlaid on a hood of a body of the vehicle rearwardly from a front portion of the body. The inflator is configured to expand the first bag body. The second bag body is expandable from a side portion of the first bag body in a width direction of the vehicle later than the first bag body.

Abstract: A torsion shaft for a seat belt retractor assembly, the torsion shaft being connectable at a first location to a spool for receiving a seat belt and connectable at a second location to a locking mechanism, the first and second locations being spaced apart along a length of the torsion shaft, wherein the torsion shaft is configured to deform when a torsion force is applied between the first and second locations during an impact event, wherein the torsion shaft comprises a cavity and a fluid is provided in said cavity so as to support the torsion shaft as the torsion shaft deforms during the impact event.

Abstract: A roof airbag apparatus may include: a first-row deployment part deployed from the front to the rear of a roof so as to cover a front area, when gas is supplied from a gas supply part; a second-row deployment part coupled to a front end of the first-row deployment part so as to communicate with the first-row deployment part, and configured to cover a rear area which is deployed to the rear when the first-row deployment part is deployed; and an auxiliary deployment part coupled to a top or bottom surface of the first-row deployment part so as to communicate with the first-row deployment part, and configured to increase/decrease the top-to-bottom thickness of the first-row deployment part, when deployed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a first portion and a second portion movable relative thereto; the vehicle further includes an actuator arrangement by which the second portion is drivable relative to the first portion; and the vehicle having a control apparatus that is coupled to the actuator arrangement and controls the operation of the actuator arrangement; the actuator arrangement including at least two separate actuators arranged remotely from one another, which are each switchable between an operating state wherein an output member of the actuator outputs a force and/or a motion, and a passive state in which the output member does not, the actuators are synchronously operable in a synchronous operating mode, wherein one actuator, constituting a master actuator, is coupled directly to the control apparatus, and the at least one further actuator is connected to the energy supply of the master actuator only such that the at least one further actuator is supplied with operating energy, and is in the operating state,

Abstract: A center link has a bolt portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the bolt portion, forming a bolt portion contact surface extending transversely, and defining a bolt portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width. The center link also has a mushroom head portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the mushroom head portion, forming a mushroom head portion contact surface, and defining a mushroom head portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width.

Abstract: A sway bar linkage assembly includes a socket joint, a shank extending from the socket joint, a bolt, and a bushing. The shank has a first bore with a first bore diameter and a second bore extending between the first bore and the socket joint. The second bore has a second bore diameter less than the first bore diameter such that a flange extends between the first bore and the second bore. The bolt has a head, a shaft extending from the head and a stud extending between the shaft is included. The shaft has a first diameter and the stud has second diameter less than the first diameter such that a ledge extends between the shaft and the stud. The bushing is compressed a predefined by the bolt when the bolt extends through the bushing and the ledge of the bolt abuts against the flange of the shank.

Abstract: A tilting car frame comprising a lower center frame including a horizontal member, a first support member, a second support member, and first and second horizontal link members each having a vertical link. A rotation center axis support extends from a center of the horizontal member. A first variable length lever link is slidably connected to the first support member and is facing the rotation center axis support, and a second variable length lever link is slidably connected to an end of the second support member that is facing the rotation center axis support. A rotating member having first and second extension members is rotatably connected to the rotation center axis support, wherein the first extension member is hinged to an end of a first variable length link member, and the second extension member is hinged to an end of a second variable length link member.

Abstract: A bushing includes a cylindrical body and a flange extending from the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has an inner face defining a bore. The flange includes an outer rim and a face extending radially between the bore and the outer rim. At least one groove is formed in the face. The at least one groove extends from a first end intersecting the bore to a second end adjacent the outer rim such that grease supplied to the bore of the bushing is able to flow through the at least one groove.

Abstract: In a suspension system in which the oil chambers of two dampers are connected, the responsiveness of the dampers can be adjusted. A suspension system has a left damper, a right damper, and an intermediate unit. A case of the intermediate unit has an intermediate oil chamber connected to an oil chamber of the left damper and the oil chamber of the right damper and an intermediate gas chamber. The intermediate oil chamber and the intermediate gas chamber are partitioned by a diaphragm. The intermediate unit has a capacity adjustment mechanism including a movable portion of which the position can be changed. The capacity adjustment mechanism adjusts the capacity of the intermediate gas chamber by changing the position of the movable portion.

Abstract: The suspension system includes a stabilizer bar which has an opening. The suspension system also includes a linkage, which includes a rod-shaped link and a pair of bushings that are made of a compressible material. The link presents male threads which extend to an end face and a stop out which is spaced from the end face, and the link extends through the opening of the stabilizer bar. One of the bushings is disposed on the rod-shaped link between the stop out and the opening of the stabilizer bar, and the other bushing is disposed on the link between the opening of the stabilizer bar and the locking nut. A locking nut is threadedly engaged with the link such that the end face of the link contacts a closed end of the locking nut. The bushings are partially compressed against the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: In a suspension support bracket including a bracket body including a suspension attachment portion configured such that a shock absorber of a suspension device of a vehicle is attached to the suspension attachment portion, the bracket body is constructed of a single metal plate, and thickness dimensions of a region of the suspension attachment portion of the bracket body and a periphery of the suspension attachment portion are larger than a thickness dimension of another region adjacent to the region of the suspension attachment portion and periphery of the suspension attachment portion.

Abstract: A suspension having a first link member that is coupled to a front wheel and a second link member that is located on a rear side of the first link member is mounted to a suspension housing. The suspension housing has a first supporting part that supports the first link member and a second supporting part that is provided on a rear side of the first supporting part and supports the second link member. The front frame has a first fixing portion to which the first supporting part is fixed and a second fixing portion to which the second supporting part is fixed, and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are provided at positions different from each other in a vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A seatbelt webbing includes an auxetic portion elongated along an axis. The auxetic portion includes a plurality of segments rotatably connected to each other at hinges. The hinges are spaced along the axis and are transverse to the axis. The auxetic portion includes a plurality of strands. Each strand is embedded in at least two of the hinges. When tensile force above a predetermined level is applied to the auxetic portion by a vehicle occupant, e.g., the chest of the vehicle occupant, the auxetic portion both stretches along the axis and widens transverse to the axis, i.e., has a negative Poisson ratio.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag formed with a discharge portion. The discharge portion includes: an opening portion; a tack portion around the opening portion; and a regulating belt portion disposed on a peripheral edge of the opening portion to regulate opening and closing of the opening portion. When the inflation of the airbag is completed, the tack portion is maintained in a folded state by the regulating belt portion due to tension acting on the regulation belt portion, so that a closed state of the opening portion is capable of being maintained, and when the tension does not act on the regulating belt portion, the folded state is released and the opening portion is brought into an open state.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a link (1) of a chassis to a wheel carrier (2) by way of a ball sleeve joint (3). The link (1) has an link eye (1a), the ball sleeve joint (3) has a ball sleeve (7), and the wheel carrier (2) has two bearing eyes (4, 5). A sensor is located on the link eye (1a) and a signal generator is located on the ball sleeve (7). The sensor and signal generator form an angle measuring device. The ball sleeve (7) is connected to the bearing eyes (4, 5) via a threaded pin (6). An anti-rotation unit (9, 10) is provided between the ball sleeve (7) and the wheel carrier (2) in order to fix a defined angular position of the ball sleeve (7) with respect to the wheel carrier (2).

Abstract: A vehicle axle with a centrally arranged drive unit and a wheel suspension which has a wheel carrier for holding a wheel, a lower wheel-guiding control arm for the articulated connection of the carrier to a vehicle body, a camber link that connects the carrier to the body and steering unit for steering the wheel. The carrier and control arm are connected directly, in a first connection area, and indirectly via an integral link, in a second connection area, so that the carrier can pivot relative to the control arm about a steering axis. The control arm can be connected to the body in forward and rear areas, and has a rotational axis that extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. All connection areas of the control arm are positioned outside the centrally arranged drive unit relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle assembly is configured for attachment to a vehicle seat frame in a manner that permits a strap of the assembly to pass through narrow openings or gaps of the seat frame before a fastener is used for the attachment. A collar having a flange and a sleeve can be used to retain other buckle assembly components to the strap without the aid of the fastener. The assembly is particularly useful with fold-flat seats where the seatbelt buckle must fold together with the seat back and then be returned to a use position when the seat is unfolded.

Abstract: A wheel suspension (1) for a motor vehicle that has a wheel carrier (2) for holding a wheel (3), a wheel-guiding control arm (4) for the articulated connection of the wheel carrier (2) to a body (6), and steering member (8) for steering the wheel (3). The wheel carrier (2) and the wheel-guiding control arm (4) are directly connected, in a first connection area (20), and indirectly connected, in a second connection area (21), by an integral link (5) so that, relative to the wheel-guiding control arm (4), the wheel carrier (2) can pivot about a steering axis. The wheel suspension is characterized by a chassis element (12) that is articulated on a body side and is directly connected to the wheel carrier (2).