Abstract: A side airbag device includes: a side airbag in a folded state; a gas generator that includes an attachment portion to be attached to a vehicle, and that is configured to generate inflation gas to be supplied to the side airbag; a wrapping sheet that covers peripheries of the side airbag and the gas generator, and that is breakable when the side airbag is deployed and inflated; and a wire harness that includes a connection end portion electrically connected to the gas generator, and that is led out to an outer portion of the wrapping sheet. The wire harness is provided with a first locking portion, and the wrapping sheet is provided with a second locking portion that is locked to the first locking portion.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system includes an airbag having a cushioning surface configured to be contacted by a user to cushion the user after inflation of the airbag. The airbag also includes at least one cushioning surface positioning vent coupled to the cushioning surface. The at least one cushioning surface positioning vent is actuatable to direct a flow of gas exiting an interior of the airbag so as to produce a reaction force which moves the cushioning surface in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A pop-up hood apparatus includes a hood, a hood lock mechanism, a support mechanism of the hood lock mechanism, and an actuator that displaces the hood lock mechanism upward. The support mechanism includes a movable block that supports the hood lock mechanism and a base block and that supports the movable block such that the movable block is slidable upward and downward. The base block has a long hole that extends along a vertical direction. A protrusion part that is slidably inserted in the long hole is provided on the movable block. A resistance-applying part that comes into contact with the protrusion part and that applies a resistance to the protrusion part is provided in at least a higher region of the long hole than a required elevation position of the hood.

Abstract: A suspension device according to the present disclosure which is equipped with an upper arm, a lower arm, and a leaf spring, wherein: the intermediate section of the leaf spring is housed inside a main cross member among the suspension cross members; the main cross member among the suspension cross members is connected to the side member via a hollow bracket; the hollow bracket has a bracket shock absorber positioned so as to face the lower arm; and the hollow bracket has a reinforcing part which faces the bracket shock absorber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a damping device, notably for a steering tie rod, the said device comprising a rod which extends along a main axis and which is intended to be connected to a first mechanical component, a securing portion which surrounds the said rod and which is intended to be connected to a second mechanical component, and a sleeve made of elastomeric material which is arranged between the rod and the fixing bushing so as, through elastic deformation thereof, to allow at least axial movement of the fixing bushing with respect to the rod, in which method the fixing bushing is offset axially with respect to the rod to force the elastic deformation of the sleeve and the introduction of a corresponding preload, then the sleeve is locked so as to keep it, when the device is at rest, in a state of permanent axial elastic deformation and preload.

Abstract: A control system for a variable damping force damper, includes: motion state quantity sensors configured to detect motion state quantities of a vehicle; a roll damping force base value setting unit configured to set a roll damping force base value based on the motion state quantities, the roll damping force base value being used to compute a target damping force of the variable damping force damper; a roll rate computation unit configured to compute a sprung mass roll rate and an unsprung mass roll rate of the vehicle based on the motion state quantities; and a roll damping force correction unit configured to correct the roll damping force base value based on a roll rate difference that is a difference between the sprung mass roll rate and the unsprung mass roll rate and to output the corrected roll damping force base value as the target damping force.

Abstract: Airbag cushion diffusers comprising one or more frangible portions and related airbag cushion assemblies and methods. In some embodiments, an airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion having an internal diffuser positioned therein. The internal diffuser may comprise a lower panel that may be sewn or otherwise directly coupled to the airbag cushion and an upper panel coupled to the lower panel about respective entire peripheries of the upper and lower panels so as to define a diffuser chamber between the upper panel and the lower panel. The upper panel may comprise a plurality of openings for delivery of inflation gas therethrough and may comprise one or more openings, slits, and/or weakened regions configured to facilitate tearing in specific locations of the diffuser.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for an at least slightly actively steerable has a wheel carrier for receiving a wheel, a toe link, and at least one further link for connecting the wheel carrier to the vehicle body, and an actuator arrangement having at least one actuator for actively steering the wheel in a first active steering direction and in a second active steering direction. The wheel carrier is formed in at least two parts and has a first wheel carrier part and a second wheel carrier part. The first wheel carrier part is designed to receive the wheel and the second wheel carrier part can be attached via at least one of the further links to the vehicle body, in a non-actively steerable manner. The first wheel carrier part and the second wheel carrier part in a functional state of use of the wheel suspension in a vehicle are movable relative to one another by the actuator arrangement, such that an active, at least slight steering movement of the wheel can be effected.

Abstract: A starter box for small scale fuel powered vehicles includes a rigid container with two sets of mounting hardware on the top surface of the container. The mounting hardware engages suspension components of the vehicle. The starter box includes a drive wheel assembly connected to a brushless motor. The assembly includes a drive wheel with a frictional perimeter surface. The drive wheel extends partially through an opening in the top surface to engage a flywheel of the vehicle. Both sets of mounting hardware are horizontally movable to adapt to different vehicles. One set of mounting hardware is spring loaded and moves vertically when the vehicle is pressed downwardly to engage the drive wheel and a switch connecting the motor to a battery through an electronic speed control (ESC). The ESC is programmable to control the motor speed, acceleration, and latency of engagement while monitory the charge level of the battery.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rod, a tube slidably supported by the rod, a seatbelt buckle supported by the tube, and a lock. The tube and the rod are releasably engageable to each other by the lock.

Abstract: A system for increasing passenger safety within an airplane (10) includes a forward seat (16) having a back surface (17) that faces an occupant seat (14). A tray table holder (22) is secured to or formed integrally with the back of the forward seat (16). A tray table (20) is rotatably connected to the tray table holder via a hinge (40) and is rotatable relative to the tray table holder. The tray table defines a cavity (32) inside the tray table. An airbag (54) is within the cavity. An inlet device (42) is coupled to the airbag and is rotatable about the hinge (40) such that the inflator inlet can rotate as the tray table rotates relative to the tray table holder. An inflator (52) is connected to the inlet device and is configured to deliver gas to the airbag through the inflator inlet.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to be fitted in the upper part of Roll Bars on small vehicles such as quad bikes, ATV's, ride-on mowers, and small tractors (“small vehicles”) to overcome the issue with striking overhanging objects. If the Roll Bar system including the present invention is struck when the vehicle is in forward motion, the present invention allows the upper portion of the Roll Bar to flex, either allowing it to pass under the object or providing a more gradual reduction in speed as opposed to an instant jolt, then returning to the original upright position.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left front wheels disposed at a front end of the vehicle body frame, and a pair of right and left rear wheels disposed at a rear end of the vehicle body frame. The vehicle body frame has, at a bottom thereof, a bottom main frame extending in an anteroposterior direction at a center in a vehicle width direction, and a pair of right and left bottom side frames located width direction extending in the anteroposterior direction between the front wheels and the rear wheels at outer ends in the vehicle, and the bottom side frames are located above the bottom main frame.

Abstract: An engine starting device includes: a portable unit including a transmitting unit capable of transmitting an ID code inherent to a vehicle; a control unit having a substrate on which a receiving unit receiving the ID code, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the received ID code is a pre-registered legitimate ID are formed; a main body part including an operation knob rotationally operated between an off position and an on position, and fixed between a bar-shaped handle and a speed meter of the vehicle; and a regulation unit configured to regulate a rotational operation of the operation knob, and to release a rotation-regulated state of the operation knob on condition that the received ID code is determined as a legitimate ID. The main body part, the control unit and the regulation unit are integrally formed to configure an integral unit.

Abstract: Mounting tabs, kits and methods of using the mounting tabs where none previously existed or for replacing/repairing broken mounting tabs are disclosed. For example, the mounting tabs, kits and methods disclosed herein are well suited for the repair of high value components, including automotive components.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided that is secured to a vehicle body and includes a mounting bracket securable to the vehicle body and a support bracket secured to a steering column shroud. A breakaway capsule assembly with a frangible connector secures the support bracket to the mounting bracket, the frangible connector, in use, breaking to allow relative movement of the support bracket and the mounting bracket, in the event of a crash. The breakaway capsule assembly includes a fixing portion that overlaps and supports a corresponding portion of the support bracket, the fixing portion including an opening which is aligned with a corresponding opening in the support bracket, the frangible connector passing through and engaging the two aligned openings. A spring biases the fixing portion and the support bracket into engagement with each other to oppose any movement between the fixing portion and the support bracket in the axial direction of the frangible connector during use of the steering assembly.

Abstract: A power take off unit includes an input gear, an output gear, and an intermediary gear that cooperate to transfer power from a rotational power source to an operating target. The power take off unit has a control module that biases the intermediary gear relative to the input gear and the output gear to reduce gear rattle vibrations associated with intermeshed tooth looseness.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle. The suspension system has a steering knuckle connected through suspension means with a vehicle chassis portion, guiding means and driving means. The guiding means enable movement of the steering knuckle with respect to the vehicle chassis portion along an arched pathway between a first and a second position. The driving means effect the movement of the steering knuckle between the first and the second position. The guiding means effect a selected angular orientation of the steering knuckle with respect to the vehicle chassis portion during the movement between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for supporting an occupant in a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a backrest and a headrest.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a pair of left and right pivotal connecting units provided on a front frame, a caster wheel, a caster axle and a caster bracket connected to the pivotal connecting unit. The caster bracket includes side walls supporting the caster axle, a top wall extending rearwards from the upper side of the caster wheel and interconnecting the left side wall and the right side wall, and left and right cover portions for covering gaps between the side walls and the caster wheel.