Abstract: Protection apparatus includes: a seat back pivotable between reclined and upright positions; a pivoting-angle adjustment section for adjusting the pivoting angle of the seat back through a motor; a prediction section for predicting an object likely to collide against the vehicle from behind; a control section for controlling the adjustment section, in accordance with a prediction signal generated by the prediction section, to cause the seat back to be pivoted to a practically vertical upright position. The control section is arranged to control the adjustment section in accordance with not only the prediction signal but also an operation signal from a manual seat operating section. When the prediction signal has been received, the control section controls the adjustment section to cause the seat back to be pivoted to the practically vertical upright position at higher speed than when the operation signal has been received.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a brake mechanism for individually braking wheels, and a brake controller for controlling the brake mechanism against an oblique collision from behind or an offset collision with a host vehicle. The controller includes a collision predictor, a collision direction detector, and a colliding object speed detector. In accordance with a prediction signal transmitted from the collision predictor, a detection signal transmitted from the collision direction detector and a detection signal transmitted from the colliding object speed detector, the controller controls the operation of the brake mechanism to allocate braking forces to the respective wheels so as to prevent the turning of the host vehicle in a collision.

Abstract: Protection apparatus includes: a seat back pivotable between reclined and upright positions; a pivoting-angle adjustment section for adjusting the pivoting angle of the seat back through a motor; a prediction section for predicting an object likely to collide against the vehicle from behind; a control section for controlling the adjustment section, in accordance with a prediction signal generated by the prediction section, to cause the seat back to be pivoted to a practically vertical upright position. The control section is arranged to control the adjustment section in accordance with not only the prediction signal but also an operation signal from a manual seat operating section. When the prediction signal has been received, the control section controls the adjustment section to cause the seat back to be pivoted to the practically vertical upright position at higher speed than when the operation signal has been received.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus includes a headrest control unit for drive-controlling a headrest actuating mechanism. This control unit itself predicts that a vehicle behind is about to impact its own vehicle, and controls the headrest actuating mechanism to move a seat headrest forward and thereby reduce the size of the gap between the headrest and the neck of the occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a brake mechanism for individually braking wheels, and a brake controller for controlling the brake mechanism against an oblique collision from behind or an offset collision with a host vehicle. The controller includes a collision predictor, a collision direction detector, and a colliding object speed detector. In accordance with a prediction signal transmitted from the collision predictor, a detection signal transmitted from the collision direction detector and a detection signal transmitted from the colliding object speed detector, the controller controls the operation of the brake mechanism to allocate braking forces to the respective wheels so as to prevent the turning of the host vehicle in a collision.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus includes a headrest control unit for drive-controlling a headrest actuating mechanism. This control unit itself predicts that a vehicle behind is about to impact its own vehicle, and controls the headrest actuating mechanism to move a seat headrest forward and thereby reduce the size of the gap between the headrest and the neck of the occupant of the seat.