Abstract: Description of a device for the side translation of a seat in a motor-vehicle, consisting of two sliding guides (4, 5) placed transversally to the axis of the seat, at least one of said guides being articulated, either directly or indirectly, to the end of a spring element (15) that can be compressed by rotating a control lever (20), so that the stretching of said spring element(15), subsequent to its compression, causes the side translation of said guides (4, 5) which are united between them to form a frame.

Abstract: The device comprises an antenna mounted within an external rear view mirror of the motor vehicle. This antenna is a helical antenna preferably a four-wire helical antenna.

Abstract: A headrest includes a support structure adjustable in height of an actuator and defining a curved surface the convex side of which faces upwards, a pad fixed to the backrest at the front and slidable on the curved surface, and having a rear portion arranged for sliding vertically adjacent the rear of the backrest during the adjustment movement, and a guide device for guiding the rear portion of the pad and keeping it oriented parallel to the backrest.

Abstract: The device comprises an antenna mounted within an external rear view mirror of the motor vehicle. This antenna is a helical antenna preferably a four-wire helical antenna.

Abstract: The method of detecting a partially deflated tire includes the steps of detecting the angular velocity of each wheel and generating corresponding velocity signals or data, processing the velocity signals or data in a processing unit arranged for calculating the value of a predetermined function of the ratio or of the difference between the product of the angular velocities of two diagonally opposed wheels and the product of the angular velocities of the other two wheels, and generating a warning signal when the difference between the values of this function and a first static reference value corresponding to a normal inflation condition of the tires exceeds a predetermined value, or when the difference between the values of this function and a second reference value determined upon each departure of the motor vehicle and corresponding to the actual inflation condition of the tires upon departure of the motor vehicle exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The device includes fan devices associated with each wheel of the vehicle for creating respective auxiliary flows. Conveying devices, associated with the wheel housing, direct the auxiliary flows to a distributor provided with an outlet opening, so that the air flows from the distributors sweep along the bottom of the motor vehicle and exit in the area of the truncated tail portion of the vehicle body in order to create, at least partially, a so-called tailstream produced by a stationary ring vortex.

Abstract: A metal detector and distance sensor for a motor vehicle. A departure of the motor vehicle from a correct path indicated by one or two metal lines covered with paint in the road is signaled. The metals lines are formed by projecting a jet of metal in the gaseous state at high speed onto the road surface. A covering of paint is then formed over the metal line on the road surface. A turbine supplied by an air compressor projects the jet of metal in the gaseous state from a vehicle or a trailer having a metal supply device and a painting device thereon. A display indicates the direction of departure from the correct path and the distance separating the motor vehicle from a preceding vehicle. Alarm signals can be emitted upon the departure.

Abstract: The front body assembly of a vehicle is simulated by a reusable model-structure (6) featuring a pair of side members (8, 9) collapsible accordion fashion and each comprising a number of arms (16, 18) hinged in series with one another by respective articulating means (19, 20), and a number of hydraulic friction joints (20) constituting at least some of the articulating means. Each hydraulic joint (20) presents an adjustable sliding torque by virtue of being connected to pressurized fluid supply means (43) via a respective pressure regulating valve (42). Once calibrated, the model-structure (6), which thus presents the same collapse performance as the front body assembly being simulated, is fitted with the test component (2) and used for impact testing; and, following impact, the collapsed model-structure (6) is restored to its original configuration by means of hydraulic actuators (38), after first zeroing the pressure of the hydraulic joints (20).

Abstract: A system for measuring the efficiency of a motor vehicle catalytic converter through which gas flow passes. Two sensors monitor the gas conditions upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter and provide output signals to a microprocessor having dual input channels. The sensors may be lambda sensors. Each input channel leads to integration paths which receive the output from the sensors and calculate a variable average. The variable average is sent sequentially to a difference calculating node, a squaring node, and an integration module. The integration module sums intermediate signals over a period of time and generates output signals. The output signals are compared to each other and to reference values to determine if the catalytic converter is operating efficiently. A method of determining the efficiency of the catalytic converter using the aforementioned system is also provided.

Abstract: A tubular component made of composite material comprises a core of resistant fibers impregnated with a matrix of thermohardening resin. The core includes a tubular reinforcement made of fabric or of non-woven fabric. The tubular reinforcement comprises at least two coaxial adjacent layers which have reciprocal connection elements projecting radially.

Abstract: A device for reducing odors in the interior of a motor vehicle comprises a hollow body of polymer material adapted to contain the extractable cigarette-lighter. The heating of the latter results in the emission of active anti-odor substances contained in the body of polymer material.

Abstract: An electronic device for gear selection in an automatic transmission for motor vehicles, comprising a plurality of digital sensors for determining the angular position of rotation of a gear selection shaft emerging from the automatic transmission and rotatable to engage the various gears by a stepping motor operable in both directions, the digital sensors and the stepping motor being electrically connected to a digital electronic operating and control unit which can process coded electrical signals emitted by the plurality of digital sensors as the angular position of the selection shaft varies, a pair of electrical actuators being provided to drive the stepping motor through at least one step at a time in one direction of rotation and/or the other.

Abstract: The method for avoiding collision between a motor vehicle and obstacles placed in the path of the vehicle comprises the stages of forming a radar map of the area in front of the vehicle, reconstructing the geometry of the road, identifying its edges, detecting the position and speed of the vehicle with respect to the road, determining the presumed path of the vehicle on the basis of the road geometry and the manoeuvre being carried out by the vehicle at that instant, detecting objects on the radar map found lying in the presumed path of the motor vehicle and displaying the map found in a perspective representation, ignoring objects which are off the road and indicating objects in the path of the vehicle in a different manner according to their hazard and if appropriate generating alarms of an acoustic type.

Abstract: A device for facilitating and protecting the connection between conductor cables and associated connection terminals of electrical apparatus, particularly the electromagnet of a motor vehicle starter motor, comprising a box-like body having a base and a cover of electrically insulating material. The base has a seat for form coupling engagement on to the connection terminal and an aperture for the introduction of conductor cables, and the cover is articulated to the base so as to be turnable relative to this between an open position and a closure position. An external retaining member connected to the body is attachable to the cables.

Abstract: The device comprises a heat-sensitive element which is heated to a controllable extent so as to keep it at a predetermined temperature, for example, average body temperature. Detector means measure the power or energy required to keep the heat-sensitive element at this predetermined temperature, thus providing a signal indicative of the thermal comfort conditions of the environment. The heat-sensitive element has a general elongated shape so that it can be inserted, for example, into a motor vehicle safety belt, ensuring that the indication obtained indicates the general thermal comfort conditions throughout the entire region of the environment in which the heat-sensitive element extends.

Abstract: The model die for measuring values of parameters inherent in the drawing of pieces of sheet metal to produce shaped elements, each including at least one curved surface region which has a critical radius of curvature, has at least one curved surface region which is a copy of the region with critical curvature of the shaped element to be produced. The die has at least one sensor selected from the group comprising pressure, temperature, linear-displacement, vibration, breakage and thickness sensors for measuring the value of a parameter of the drawing of a model shaped element which can be correlated functionally to a corresponding parameter inherent in the drawing of the shaped element on an industrial scale. If the value measured differs from the value which can be calculated or predicted on the basis of a mathematical model of the drawing method, it can be used to improve the mathematical model which can be used for analysing and/or controlling the drawing method.

Abstract: The system includes apparatus for generating stimulation signals for application to the device being tested. The device being tested is typically an electronic control unit for an automotive vehicle. The system also includes apparatus for decoding and analyzing the signals output by the device being tested as a result of the application of the stimulation signals.

Abstract: A steering wheel and deflection unit for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, is described, of the type in which a steering wheel is connected in an angularly rigid manner to a steering shaft and a control lever for a direction signalling device is supported radially in the vicinity of this steering wheel; the rest position of the control lever with respect to the steering wheel can be adjusted into a plurality of different angular positions.

Abstract: An armrest comprising a supporting portion bounded above by a surface supporting the forearm of a user, and a terminal portion constructed in such a way as to house a first and a second switch panel located on opposite sides of the said terminal portion for the control of at least one corresponding service in the vehicle; the terminal portion is hinged onto the supporting portion to be rotated with respect to the supporting portion between a first working position in which the terminal portion extends longitudinally beyond the said supporting portion and in which the first switch panel is located on the same side as the supporting surface, and a second working position in which the terminal portion overlaps the supporting portion and the first and the second switch panels are located in contact with the supporting surface and in a position facing away from the said part of the supporting surface respectively.

Abstract: The sensor unit consists of a scale model of the vehicle mounted on the roof of the vehicle itself. The sensor unit measures the amount of energy exchange necessary to obtain the desired air-conditioning in its interior environment and generates a signal, which is of a predictive nature, indicating the amount of energy exchange necessary to obtain the corresponding air-conditioning in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.