Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system having a housing adapted to be mounted beneath a vehicle instrument panel, a gas bag arranged in the housing, a gas generator in flow connection with the gas bag, a covering connected with the housing, and a device for displacing the housing in a direction opposite the vehicle interior during inflation of the gas bag. The covering extends over the housing and the cover and the instrument panel form a continuous surface. The covering opens after activation of the gas generator to permit the gas bag to emerge from the housing. The displacement of the housing opens the covering.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system is disclosed which comprises a steering shaft connected at one end to the handwheel and at its other end to at least one roadwheel, while an electric motor is connected to the steering a gearbox having a non-integer reduction gear ratio. Two sensors are also provided with one sensing the angular position of the motor rotor and the other sensing the angular position of the steering shaft. The presence of the non-integer gear ratio produces a beat frequency between the output of the two sensors from which an unambiguous measurement of the angular position of the steering shaft over a range of greater than one complete revolution can be made. The sensors may comprise either absolute position sensors or index-type sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (16) of a vehicle (14) comprises a first steering column part (70) and a second steering column part (80). The first steering column part (70) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for telescopic movement along an axis (28) between a plurality of different positions relative to the second steering column part (80). A locking mechanism (10) is interposed between the first steering column part (70) and the second steering column part (80) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of positions. The locking mechanism (10) comprises a fluid (100) having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The locking mechanism (10) also includes means (108) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (100) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (70) relative to the second steering column part (80).

Abstract: A gas bag restraint system includes a multi-stage inflator and a gas bag in flow connection therewith. The gas bag comprises a first and a second fabric part which are at least approximately congruent, and a fabric strip which is stitched to an edge of the first fabric part and to an edge of the second fabric part. At least one burst seam is provided which in an intact condition forms a fold as a result of which the volume of the gas bag is reduced as compared to a condition in which the burst seam is destroyed. The fold formed by the burst seam is arranged in the fabric strip.

Abstract: A steering wheel is proposed which includes a steering wheel skeleton consisting of a hub, spokes and a steering wheel rim, and an airbag module housed therein, which for actuation of the horn is displaceable against a return force parallel to the steering wheel axis. The steering wheel has at least two upwardly open fork-like support sites (2) having locating holes (3) extending approximately perpendicularly to the steering wheel axis. The fork-like support sites (2) are embodied in the steering wheel skeleton (1). Downwardly angled mounting shackles (7) have elongated holes (8) extending in the direction of the steering wheel axis are embodied on or attached to a generator support (5) of the airbag module (6) in a way corresponding with the support sites (2). The airbag module (6) is joined to the steering wheel skeleton (1) by retaining pins (4) inserted in the locating holes (3) and through the elongated holes (8).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a first steering column part (60) and a second steering column part (20) adjacent the first steering column part. The first steering column part (60) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for pivotal movement about an axis (46) between a plurality of different orientations relative to the second steering column part (20). A locking mechanism is interposed between the first steering column part (60) and the second steering column part (20) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of orientations. The locking mechanism comprises a fluid (90) having a shear strength which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The apparatus further comprises magnets (114, 116) for varying the shear strength of the fluid (90) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (60) relative to the second steering column part (20).

Abstract: An electric motor of the brushless type is disclosed which is so constructed and arranged as to provide a low braking torque. An electric power steering system incorporating such a motor is also disclosed. In a preferred arrangement, the motor comprises an interior permanent magnet motor. An advantage of providing a motor which generates low levels of braking torque in the event of a fault is that a driver can easily turn the wheel of the vehicle in the fault condition against the motor. This reduces the requirements for motor fault protection.

Abstract: A gas bag side impact protection device for vehicle occupants comprises a compressed gas source and an inflatable gas bag. The gas bag has a first chamber inflatable at the side of the thorax of an occupant and a second inflatable chamber. The second chamber is inflatable at the side of the pelvis of the occupant and the chambers are able to be filled by the compressed gas source in such a way that they have different internal pressures in the filled state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle safety device for the protection of the feet of an occupant, in particular of a driver. The vehicle safety device comprises an adjusting device and a section of a floor of the vehicle in a region of the occupant's feet. The section is a movable section and can be coupled with the adjusting device so as to be moved by the device relative to the feet.

Abstract: To form a mold for casting a metal article, metal pins are inserted through a pattern. End portions of the metal pins are bent after the pins have been inserted through the pattern. The pattern and opposite end portions of the metal pins are then covered with wet ceramic mold material. A mold structure is formed by drying the wet ceramic mold material. The pattern is then removed from the mold structure to leave a mold cavity with the metal pins extending through the metal cavity between opposite side sections of the mold structure. Molten metal is conducted into the mold cavity and force is transmitted between opposite side sections of the mold structure through the metal pins to retard movement between the side sections of the mold structure. The molten metal is solidified in the mold cavity and a metallurgical bond is formed between the metal in the mold cavity and the metal pins. The cast article is then removed from the mold structure. The cast article has a thin wall section with a thickness of 0.

Abstract: A system (10) for monitoring a condition of a tire (12) of a vehicle (14) includes a tire-based unit (20) and a vehicle-based unit (40). The tire-based unit monitors a condition of the tire (12), assembles data indicative of the monitored condition, and transmits at least one radio frequency signal (32) including a signal indicative of the data. The vehicle-based unit (40) receives the radio frequency signal (32) and determines an actual reception success rate of the radio frequency signal. The vehicle-based unit (40) compares the actual reception success rate of each radio frequency signal (32) to known reception success rates corresponding to known tire positions on the vehicle (14) and identifies one of the known reception success rates that is closest to equal the actual reception success rate. The vehicle-based unit (40) associates the radio frequency signal (32) with the known tire position corresponding to the one of the known reception success rates.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a gas bag (40) provided for being translated from a space-saving folded condition into a deployed condition in which it extends along the inner side of at least part of the side structure of the vehicle, at least one tensioning means (56) provided to connect the gas bag (40) to the side structure of the vehicle in the region of its C-column (48), is characterized in that said tensioning means (56) is connected to said gas bag (40) spaced away from its end assigned to said C-column (48).

Abstract: An emergency assistance system (10) that transmits vehicle and occupant information to an emergency station (26) in the event of a vehicle crash condition. The system (10) includes a vehicle crash sensing system (40) that senses the vehicle crash condition and transmits a crash signal through a first port (42) using Bluetooth™ technology. A cellular phone (12) having GPS (30) receives the crash signal through a second port (32) using Bluetooth™ technology, which in turn is coupled to a controller (16) within the cellular phone (12). In response to receipt of the crash signal, the controller (16) enables the cellular phone (12) to initialize a telephone call to the emergency station (26) and to transmit a signal to the emergency station (26) identifying the current location of the vehicle and the vehicle condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having an instrument panel (12) includes a knee bolster (30) movable in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent the instrument panel to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. The knee bolster (30) has at least one fastener opening (62) and a tear seam (70) extending around the fastener opening. The tear seam (70) defines and encloses a securing portion (72) of the knee bolster (30). A fastener (76) releasably maintains the knee bolster (30) in the stored position adjacent to the instrument panel (12). The fastener (76) extends through the fastener opening (62) in the knee bolster (30) and overlies the securing portion (72) of the knee bolster. The knee bolster (30) ruptures at the tear seam (70) in response to movement of the knee bolster from the stored position to the blocking position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling actuation of at least one actuatable protection device (18, 20, 22, 24) includes a controller (26) having a first sensor input effective to receive a first sensor signal (64, 66, 70) having a value indicative of a first condition of an occupant of the vehicle seat (14, 16). The apparatus (10) also includes a second sensor input effective to receive a second sensor signal (82, 84, 86, 88, 94) having a value indicative of a second condition of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14, 16). The controller (26) is operative to determine a default value for the value of the first sensor signal (64, 66, 70) upon determining that the value of the first sensor signal is either outside an expected range of values or is absent. The controller (26) is operative to provide a control signal (136, 174, 176) to control actuation of at least one actuatable protection device (18, 20, 22, 24).

Abstract: A seal (10) is for use in a hydraulic apparatus such as a power steering gear (12) having first and second parts (14, 40) that are fastened to each other and that have facing major side surfaces (24, 42) that include aligned fluid pressurized openings (28, 48). The seal (10) has generally planar inner and outer major side surfaces (50, 60) and a seal opening (64) extending therebetween that is aligned with the openings (28, 48) in the first and second parts (14, 40) when the second part is secured to the first part with the seal clamped between them. The seal (10) has an annular edge portion (70) extending around and defining the opening (64) in the seal. The edge portion (70) has a free condition in which annular lip portions (86, 76) of the seal edge portion project from the planes of the inner and outer major side surfaces (50, 60) of the seal.

Abstract: A hand grip bracket for the attachment of a hand grip in the vehicle also serves to hold a head side gas bag module (50). For this purpose, the hand grip bracket has a bow-shaped holder (22) in which the housing (52) of the side gas bag module (50) has been inserted and to which it is attached.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the cannula has a pointed end portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the cannula includes wires having cores which are enclosed by jackets. The jackets are integrally formed as one piece with a sheath of the cannula. The cannula may be expanded by inserting members or by fluid pressure. The cannula is advantageously utilized to expand a vessel, such as a blood vessel. An expandable chamber may be provided at the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump system having a pump for pressurizing fluid and a hydraulic chamber for receiving fluid from the pump. An even flow of fluid is outputted from the chamber to a valve assembly. The chamber is formed from a resonator and a resonator cover that are attached in a fluid tight manner by elastic fasteners. The resonator cover acts as a pressure controller in that when the pressure of fluid is of sufficient magnitude, this force creates a gap for controlling fluid pressure output to the valve assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee restraint device for the knee protection of occupants in motor vehicles, comprising a load distribution plate for direct contact with the knees of the occupant. The knee restraint device further comprises a drive device which in a cage of restraint moves the load distribution plate from a starting position toward the knees up to a restraint position. A retracting device is provided which moves the load distribution plate from the restraint position back toward the starting position.