Abstract: A mascot retraction mechanism has a support (6) movably mounted to a track (5) for movement between a mascot deployed position and a mascot stowed position. A drive mechanism (7, 34, 35) may be arranged to drive the support along the track via a releasable latch (30). The releasable latch may be released by tilting of a mascot able to enable the support to move along the track free of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: Vehicle Engine Air Intake System and Method (to be accompanied by FIGS. 1 and 3) In a motor vehicle (12), an air filter housing (14) is at least partially defined by a cross-member (28) forming part of a structural front end module of the vehicle body. The cross-member (28) defines a recess (44) for receiving an air filter (90) and at least one air inlet aperture opening into the recess. An air filter enclosure assembly is mounted to the cross-member over an open face of the recess. The air filter enclosure assembly may include an air filter enclosure (42) and an air filter (90).

Abstract: A vehicle (12) operable in manual and autonomous modes has a manual steering control unit (10) movable between a stowed position and an operative position. Movement of the steering control unit (10) as it transitions between stowed and operative positions comprises at least a component in a lateral direction of the vehicle so that when not in use, it is located laterally outside the free interior volume of the vehicle cabin (14) in the stowed position. The manual steering control unit (10) can be received within a recess (18) in a side wall region (16) of the vehicle cabin or in a central console in the stowed position.

Abstract: A hinge cover member (20) for use with a swan neck type hinge (12) has an elongate channel shaped portion (24) for receiving the hinge arm (14) and a housing portion (13) for location about a mounting structure (18) which attaches the hinge arm to the closure. The housing portion defines at least one formation (70) for attaching an edge (72) of a trim panel (56) mounted to the closure to the housing portion. The formation (70) may be a clip which clamps the edge (72) of the trim panel. The trim panel (56 may have a live hinge (74) adjacent the edge about which the panel can flex. During adjustment of the closure (13) relative to the hinge, the edge region (72) of the trim panel is constrained to move with the hinge cover.

Abstract: A method of assessing damage to a composite member requires the formation of a composite member comprising at least one cavity. A first pressure differential is then established between the cavity and the surrounding ambient pressure. The rate of change of the pressure differential over a first predetermined period is monitored and then the pressure differential is allowed to subside. The result of the monitoring step is stored as a reference value, so that after the composite member is damaged, or after it has been in service for a predetermined time, the test can be repeated and compared with the reference value. If the result of the repeated monitoring differs from the reference value by more than a predetermined amount, it is determined that the composite member is defective.

Abstract: A door handle assembly is provided in the door of an automobile. The assembly includes an aperture in the outer skin of the door and a cover plate which closes off the aperture. The cover plate is retractable into a pocket behind the aperture, to open the aperture and allow a user to insert his/her fingers into the aperture. The user may then grab a latch release handle which is provided on the inner surface of the skin of the door, which senses the user's touch and releases a door latch, so that the door can be pulled open.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a drive system with at least two drive units (20), each of which is paired with at least one control unit (22), wherein —a total target torque (30) is calculated by means of a master control unit (22a), —the total target torque (30) is divided into respective individual target torques (32) for each of the drive units (20) by the master control unit (22a), and —the drive units (20) are actuated by the paired control units (22) on the basis of the corresponding individual target torques (32). The invention is characterized in that the threshold torques (34) corresponding to the drive units (20) are ascertained and taken into consideration by the master control unit (22a) when dividing the total target torque (30).

Abstract: A hinge cover assembly (10) for a hinge having an elongate hinge arm has first and second cover members (20, 22) mountable about the hinge arm so as to completely encircle the hinge arm over at least part of its length. The first cover member (20) has a channel portion (24) which surrounds the arm on three sides and the second cover member (22) is mountable to the first enclose the arm on the other side. The first cover member (20) has locking projections (46) on the inner surface of a side wall that engage in apertures in the hinge arm. The cover assembly (10) is particularly suited for use with a swan neck hinged used to mount a boot lid to a vehicle body. A housing portion (32) of the first cover member encapsulates a mounting structure of the hinge and may have a clip formation for clamping an edge region of a trim panel mounted to the boot lid.