Abstract: A method is submitted for the operative influencing of a damping supporting system mounted between a chassis and a body of a motor vehicle, which system has at least one damping assembly (12) mounted between the chassis and the body of the vehicle, in which method the damping properties of at least a part of the damping assemblies (12) are modified depending upon at least one operational state quantity (BZG) between at least three damping characteristics of different damping intensity. In the method, when a change between a first and a second damping characteristic is desired, both being softer than at least one third damping characteristic, particularly when the second damping characteristic is harder than the first, switching over to the third damping characteristic is effected temporarily in an interval between the effectiveness of the first and the effectiveness of the second damping characteristic.

Abstract: For the sudden release of a gas from a container (10, 12; 60) adapted to store it for a long period of time under a high pressure for the inflation of a gas bag in vehicle occupant restraining system, an obstructing member (26), manufactured of pre-stressed glass, is arranged upstream from the outlet opening (66) of the container (60). On its end surface facing into the interior of the container the obstructing member (26) bears a sealing film (64). On its opposite end surface the obstructing member bears an rectangularly projecting, pin-shaped extension (26a). By fracturing this extension (26a) by a vehicle-sensitive mass (70) the structure of the obstructing member (26) is shattered with the result that the member spontaneously breaks up into small or powder-like particles and frees the outlet opening (66).

Abstract: In an air bag (1) in an air bag unit, which is inflated by high pressure gas from an inflator operated in an emergency, it is formed by woven cloth in hollow weave where edges (2) are at least partially provided in single weave (6). Because the air bag (1) is formed from woven cloth in hollow weave, the air bag (1) can be manufactured simply by forming the base cloth (5) of the air bag (1) in advance, which is made of woven cloth in hollow weave with its part in single weave (6) and by cutting the base cloth (5) at the single weave portion (6). In this case, because a part of the desired portion can be woven in single weave and the other can be woven mechanically in hollow weave in cylindrical shape, the above base cloth (5) can be easily manufactured. This eliminates such procedures as the procedure to cut a plurality of air bag components into the desired shape and the procedure to sew up the cut components by aligning the edges.

Abstract: A deadman brake assembly incorporating a turnover spring in a link mechanism thereof to exert a spring force in a direction in which a seat supporting plate is kept in a state it enters when a driver sits on the driver's seat and to exert the spring force in another direction in which the seat supporting plate is lifted when the driver leaves the driver's seat, suppressing as much as possible the lifting force acting on the driver's seat when the driver sits thereon.

Abstract: An adjustable damping system (10) for motor vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable damping system (10) includes dampers (10) for damping road vibration. Each of the dampers (10) include a pressure cylinder (48) which forms a working chamber (50) which are operable to store damping fluid. In addition, the dampers (10) have a device (176) for electrically controlling the flow of damping fluid between each of the portions in the pressure cylinder (48). The adjustable damping system further includes a plurality of separate electronic control modules (34) which are operable to control the damping characteristics of the dampers (10). Finally, the adjustable damping system (10) includes a switch (32) for generating a plurality of electrical control signals.

Abstract: A bag for an air bag apparatus activated when a vehicle rapidly decelerates is disclosed. The bag includes a plurality of straps and vent holes used for discharging gas. The vent holes are normally blocked by strap valves each of which are sewn to the bag to form a low strength stitch. Each of the strap valves and each of the straps are sewn together to form a high strength stitch. When a separating force produced between each of the straps and the bag reaches a given value upon the rapid deceleration of the vehicle, the low strength stitch is broken to unblock the vent holes. Hence the bag rapidly expands toward the occupant.

Abstract: An air bag module (200) comprising: a housing (204) having an open top and a plurality of tabs (270) extending from an outer wall (102) proximate the open top, each tab including a slot (280); a deployment door (202) including a top portion (208) for enclosing the open top of the housing, a flange portion (220) engageable with the tabs and a hinge portion (210) securely fastened to the housing 204; the flange portion including openings (222) for receiving a corresponding one of the tabs, and a boss (290) that extends into each opening restricting a portion of each opening, such that upon full insertion of a tab within a corresponding opening the boss enters it s slot (280) securing the flange portion to the housing and; a tear seams, formed on the door which when torn permits the door to rotate about the hinge portion (210).

Abstract: An airbag assembly 20 includes an inflator 100, a coupling device 300, an airbag 400, a cover 500 and a reaction device 600. The inflator 100 is positioned to supply inflation fluid to the airbag 400. The coupling device 300, the airbag 400, and the cover 500 are coupled to the reaction device 600 with a minimum number of fastening elements 28. The airbag assembly 20 further comprises a heat shield 200 which cradles a rear portion of the inflator 100 and which is coupled to the reaction device 600. The heat shield 200 is coupled to the reaction device by the fastening elements 28.

Abstract: A vehicle height adjusting device capable of kneeling without exhausting air in air springs into the atmosphere. It is possible to perform the kneeling in addition to a forward inclination without using supporting legs, a specific pump, and a moving device, as well as a disengaging device therefor. Furthermore, in order to avoid using the aforesaid moving device, kneeling circuits including an air reservoir device are provided, and when kneeling, the air inside the respective air springs is moved to and stored in the air reservoir device. As a result, the front part or the whole of the vehicle body is caused to kneel, while when returning from the kneeling state, the air stored in the air reservoir device is returned to the respective air springs by virtue of hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic source via the kneeling circuits. The entire vehicle body is returned to its original state with a normal air suspension state that is controlled by leveling valves.

Abstract: The lightweight electric vehicle comprising two front wheels and a rear wheel comprises a high-strength load-bearing chassis comprising a base, sides and bulkheads as a safety cell for the driver. A separate lightweight plastics body forms an aerodynamic tear drop-shaped outer skin. Both the body width of about 1 m and the chassis width of about 60 cm are very narrow. This gives high travel performance, minimal weight, air resistance and energy consumption. In addition, increased overall safety, good road holding and a high degree of manoeuvrability are obtained.

Abstract: A tractor having a steerable axle that pivotally moves laterally in response to a corresponding steering action of the steerable wheels mounted on the steerable axle is disclosed wherein tie rods interconnect a detachable plate carried by the chassis along its centerline with the respective steerable wheels so that the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels effects a corresponding lateral shifting of the steerable axle relative to the chassis. The tie rods are connected to the detachable plate at chassis pivot points spaced, respectively, from the longitudinal centerline of the chassis so that the distance between the connection points between the steerable wheels and the respective tie rods decreases as the steerable axle shifts laterally to correct oversteering of the steerable wheels.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a steering knuckle for supporting a wheel which is used for steering, an upper arm for connecting an upper portion of the steering knuckle to a frame of the vehicle, and a lower arm for connecting a lower portion of the steering knuckle to a frame of the vehicle. At least one of the arms has two link members, each of which is pivotally connected to the frame of the vehicle at one end thereof and to the steering knuckle at an opposite end thereof. The link members are disposed so as to set a kingpin offset at a positive value when a cross point between the kingpin axis and the ground is located inside of a center of a contact surface between the wheel and the ground in relation to a transverse direction of the vehicle, and to increase the kingpin offset as the wheel is turned toward an outward direction so that the wheel is located radially outwardly in relation to a turning circle.

Abstract: An air bag device for an instrument panel has a cover with a hinge and in one embodiment a break-away portion made of thermoplastic material. The cover has a bracket. The strength of the break-away portion is lower than that of the cover. The break-away portion breaks when an air bag inflates. The cover opens rotationally around the hinge. The second embodiment has no break-away portion.

Abstract: An exemplary engine mounting system provides two sets of rails along which the engine can travel in the event of an impact. A first set of rails is longitudinally mounted within the vehicle with the inwardmost portions thereof curving towards the ground to prevent intrusion by the engine into the passenger compartment. A second set of rails, orthogonal to the first set, permits side-to-side movement of the engine and first set of rails. The second set of rails may be curved downward to lengthen the path of engine travel. Springs are used for biasing against both longitudinal and transverse movement, as well as for dampening of engine vibration. The two sets of rails may be used in conjunction with bumpers attached directly to the engine. In another embodiment the engine block is mated with lugs to an engine mount integrated with the vehicle frame via angled shock absorbing pistons.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor according to the present invention, a first protruding shaft of a reel shaft is loosely fitted into a recess, which is formed in an end of an output shaft, in such a manner that there is a prescribed gap between the shaft and the inner wall of the recess. The output shaft and the reel shaft are loosely fitted together so as to be capable of moving relative to each other in the axial direction but incapable of rotating relative to each other in the rotational direction. Accordingly, the reel shaft is capable of pivoting about the end of the first protruding shaft, which is the loosely fitted end. When the reel shaft pivots in this manner, the teeth of a ratchet on one side engage with teeth formed on a wall on the same side.

Abstract: A dual rear axle system for large vehicles in which the vehicle has a frame, and the axle system includes a forward axle housing, a draft arm having one arm affixed to the forward axle housing and the other pivotally affixed to the vehicle frame, a rearward axle housing spaced from and parallel to the forward axle housing, an axle extending through both axle housings having wheels and tires thereon, an upper linkage having one end pivotally attached to the upper portion of the forward axle housing and the other end pivotally attached to the upper portion of the rearward axle housing, lower linkage having one end pivotally attached to the lower portion of the forward axle housing and the other end pivotally attached to the lower portion of the rearward axle housing so that the axle housings are supported in spaced apart relationship with the axle housings independently free to move in vertical planes and compressible strut members extending between the axle housings and the frame for spring supporting the fram

Abstract: A steering column of a motor vehicle is composed of two telescopically and torque transmittingly interengaging steering column tubes. These tubes are mounted in bearings. A steering wheel is allocated to a first steering column tube. The other steering column tube is connected with a steering gear box. A cylinder piston device is provided within at least one of the two steering column tubes. This cylinder piston device can be locked in a plurality of positions, such as to define a plurality of variable lengths of the steering column.

Abstract: An axle of a motor vehicle axle includes a rigid axle body and at least one leaf spring arrangement on each of opposite sides of a longitudinal median plane of the vehicle. The spring arrangement is hinged at a front end thereof to a chassis-stationary bearing axis and is clamped at a position spaced from such axis rigidly to the axle body. One supporting arm projects rearwardly from the axle body and forms the bottom bearing of an air spring on an upper side of which a chassis is braced and having an axle lifting mechanism.

Abstract: An integral automatic system for the protection and rescue of occupants in crashed automobiles comprising an aggregate of mechanical and electrical elements connected to an electronic central control unit, incorporated within the vehicle. The control unit is in turn connected to an impact-operated battery disconnector of high breaking power which will initiate the cycle of partial disconnection of circuits and initiate timed commands, such as the activation of an electrovalve for shutting off the fuel, locking of the ignition coil contact and others, including electric opening of the windows, centralized opening of the doors, and disengagement of the seat belts from their anchors. The system is intended to prevent risks that may arise after an accident takes place and also facilitates the extraction of the occupants from the crashed vehicle.

Abstract: A reaction can (40) formed from a light weight typically non-structural material, comprising: a housing (42) comprising sides (24a, b, 26a, b) defining an open mouth and a bottom (28) generally opposite the mouth; and a reinforcement collar the sides, about the mouth to reinforce the housing.