Abstract: A vehicle speed management apparatus acquires scene information about a driving scene of a host vehicle, estimates the driving scene based on the scene information acquired, acquires behavior information about a driving behavior of a user, determines a driving risk of the host vehicle driven by the user, based on the driving scene estimated and on the behavior information acquired, and controls a presentation of assist information by an information presentation unit in order to prompt the user to address the driving risk. When the driving scene estimated represents an independent traveling state of the host vehicle, the assist information to be presented by the information presentation unit is selected based on a magnitude of the driving risk determined before an operation by an emergency control unit.

Abstract: A bumper includes a bumper beam assembly including a bumper reinforcement beam having a bumper central portion and bumper extension portions at outboard ends of the bumper reinforcement beam. A reinforcement bracket is positioned on a front side of the bumper beam assembly at an outboard end of the bumper beam assembly. An energy diverting bumper structure is positioned on a front side of the reinforcement bracket.

Abstract: A rear guard assembly for mounting to a chassis of a motor vehicle. The rear guard assembly can comprise a rearward-facing guard plate and a pair of braces mounted to the rearward-facing guard plate. Each brace can comprise a collapsible shock absorber comprising a first end and a second end, wherein a longitudinal axis is aligned with the first end and the second end. Each brace can comprise a plurality of outwardly-deflecting portions between the first end and the second end, wherein a lateral axis traverses the outwardly-deflecting portions and is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the outwardly-deflecting portions are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis. A spacing block can be positioned intermediate the outwardly-deflecting portions and the rearward-facing guard plate. A support assembly can be connected to each brace and can include fixed arms and pivot arms.

Abstract: A front fork for a saddle-type vehicle includes a front wheel and a pair of left and right leg members disposed on opposite sides of the front wheel. Each of the left and right leg members includes an outer tube having a lower end portion thereof journaling an axle of the front wheel, an inner tube slidably fitted into the outer tube and having an upper portion thereof connected to a head pipe of the vehicle, and a spring installed in a compressed state between the outer and inner tubes. The respective springs of the left and right leg members are set to have different weights from one another. As such, the front fork is configured to correct a weight imbalance between left and right sides of the vehicle body, while increasing freedom in the layout of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A control circuit for operating the lights of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the rear lights of the vehicle are controlled by the control circuit. The control circuit illuminates two or more of the vehicle lights in a common pattern to indicate a specific vehicle operation. When the vehicle simultaneously performs two operations, the controller may transition the lights to illuminate in different patterns to clearly indicate the separate vehicle operations. The controller may further provide for adjusting the light intensity of one or more of the lights. The lights may be adjusted to have a similar intensity to prevent confusion when the different lights are used in combination to indicate a vehicle operation.

Abstract: A vehicle control device using brake hydraulic pressure includes a hydraulic unit having a housing and an electronic control unit having a casing. The housing of the hydraulic unit is mounted on a mounting surface of the casing of the electronic control unit so that the casing of the electronic control unit protrudes from the housing of the hydraulic unit to one side. On the protruding area of the casing, a bulge is formed in which a vehicle behavioral sensor is mounted. A control connector is also provided on the protruding area of the casing. The bulge does not protrude from the substantially square contour of the vehicle control device. Thus, the bulge will scarcely increase the installation space of the vehicle control device. A vehicle behavioral sensor is mounted on a small substrate.

Abstract: A safety logic for vehicle rollover detection systems comprising a main rollover detection logic and at least one protection device for the occupant or occupants of the vehicle, including a vehicle lateral acceleration sensor (11), which generates an output signal indicating a near rollover event, when a lateral acceleration of a vehicle exceeds the first predefined threshold value (15) or, when a lateral acceleration of vehicle exceeds the second predefined threshold value (16) that is lower than the first predefined threshold value (15) and simultaneously at least one additional safety logic activation signal is present (1, 1?, 1?, 1??).

Abstract: A driving assisting system for assisting a driver in operating a vehicle. The system includes a detection assembly configured to obtain environment information related to an environment around the vehicle. A risk potential calculation device is provided to calculate risk potential associated with the vehicle based on the environment information. A controller causes a reaction force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via an operator controlled input device in response to the calculated risk potential being a first type of risk potential, and causes a pressure force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via equipment of the vehicle in response to the calculated risk potential being a second type of risk potential. The operator controlled input device is used by the driver to control the driving of the vehicle, and the equipment is different from the operator controlled input device.

Abstract: An underbody crash device for a vehicle. The underbody crash device comprises a pillar member attached to the vehicle. The vehicle has a primary load path for absorbing crash energy in a collision. The pillar member is movable to a deployed position for supporting the vehicle directly on the ground and positioning the primary load path to increase crash energy absorbed therein.

Abstract: A collision prevention method for motor vehicles is provided, in which method obstacles in front of the vehicle are detected by an on-board positioning system, a collision probability is calculated from the position data, and one or more responses to prevent a collision are triggered as a function of the collision probability. At least one of the responses is a preparatory measure accelerating the implementation of a command, which may be output later, to decelerate the vehicle, without the preparatory measure itself having any significant decelerating effect on the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly line system has a pallet travelling along a work top of a work table section. The table section has a track along which a cardanic chain moves to convey pucks connected to the underside of the pallet in spring-loaded manner, by means of frictional engagement between the chain and pucks. The pallet is provided with a set of castors having resilient wheels. Passageways convey the pneumatic supply necessary for operating various items of equipment along the assembly line. The assembly line system also includes an adjustable track bend. In a modification the pucks are locked in the track.

Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle bumper provide protection against other vehicles underriding the vehicle. The bumper uses breakable links which break at a predetermined force. The bumper structure has a pivoting arrangement such that, upon breakage of the breakable links, the pivoting of the bumper tends to lift the rear of the vehicle which is being hit and tends to smash downward on the front end of the impinging vehicle, which might otherwise underride the vehicle having the present bumper. A method of using the bumper to prevent underride includes the smashing down and lifting up features.

Abstract: An impact absorber for a vehicle having a frame and a front bumper includes an elongate arm having a front end and a back end. This arm is suitably mounted by a mounting system in a rest position at an angle to horizontal with the back end higher than the front end and the front end extending beyond the bumper so that the front end is engaged before any other portion of the vehicle by any horizontal impact force at the level thereof. The mounting system includes a rotation device for mounting the back end of the arm to the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis such that a horizontal impact force to the front end of the arm is changed directly to a lifting force at the rotation device and hence to a lifting force of the frame of the vehicle as the arm rotates about the rotation device due to the impact force. Preferably, the front end includes a vertical extension with a forwardmost pad.

Abstract: A collision-avoidance safety apparatus for a car has a reaction force absorber for absorbing at least some of a reaction force of an impact of an object upon the car pivotally mounted on a supporting component fixed to a frame of the car. The reaction force absorber is a swinging component having an up end with a steel or hard rubber plate and a spring mounted thereon. It is attached to the supporting component by a middle portion inserted into a hole in the supporting component. A down end with a wheel mounted thereon contacts the ground when a force acts on the up end.

Abstract: A safety vehicle bumper includes a bumper mounted on two guide rods secured to several driving pistons reciprocating in at least one set of twin cylinders, which bumper can be operatively extended outwardly to prevent a close hit on a car body by another object by deeply treading a brake pedal for pneumatically or hydraulically moving the piston and the secured guide rods and the bumper outwardly for safety purpose.