Abstract: A system for controlling the folded or erected rearview mirror position selectively by turning reversible motors (23,24) incorporated in the rearview mirrors by operating an operation switch (22) in the cabin of a motor vehicle, includes a door lock controller (10) locking the doors of the motor vehicle by an outer door lock switch (13,14) or inner door lock switch (15,16), a controller (20) for controlling the folded rearview mirrors, and switches (25,26,27,28) for detecting the folded or erected rearview mirror position mounted in the rearview mirror turning parts, in which an electrically foldable rearview mirror system is interlocked with the door lock controller (10) for controlling the folded rearview mirrors including a driving circuit (31,32) changing over the reversible motors between regular and reverse rotations, and a micro computer (30) controlling the driving circuit by processing the inputs from said switches.

Abstract: A press for molding thermoplastic, thermosetting, polyurethane polymeric articles includes three workstations arranged side by side and including a central molding station and two lateral stations for cooling and extracting molded articles. Two molds are rigidly connected to one another and controlled by a transfer pusher which alternately moves the molds from the molding station to either of the cooling and extraction stations. A first presser at the central molding station applies a closure pressure necessary for the material injection, while auxiliary presser arranged in each station applies a reduced secondary pressure to the molds at the end of the injection step, during the translatory motion of the mold and during the cooling step.

Abstract: A rear suspension (1) for motor vehicles comprises a suspension support frame (2) fixed to the body of the motor vehicle and carrying the members (3) for supporting and guiding the rear wheels (4) of the motor vehicle.A suspension support frame (2) is connected to the body of the vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis (A), contained substantially in the longitudinal median plane of the motor vehicle, by a plurality of attachment members (5). Each attachment member (5) comprises a first element fixed to the body and a second element fixed to the suspension support frame (2). The second element is mounted for sliding on the first element in a direction which is tangential to a circumference whose center lies on the vertical axis (A).

Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension system having the characteristic of being able to vary at will, and independently of each other, the rigidity of the sustaining and load-adaptation means of each vehicle wheel, consisting of a series of sensors for measuring the dynamic attitude of the vehicle connected to a central electronic control unit, and respective hydraulic dampers of adjustable internal pressure, which support the wheels and are connected to respective hydropneumatic service accumulators the internal pressure of which is controlled by solenoid valves controlled by the central control unit; hydraulic energy can be supplied to the accumulators by, for example, the servo-steering system pump via a common main accumulator. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The vehicle structure comprises a body defining an engine compartment and a passenger compartment communicating with each other through an opening which the body defines between them, and a panel independent of the body and arranged to close said opening between the engine compartment and passenger compartment. The panel is composed of a rigid element having a mechanical support function and a soundproofing element of cellular structure, an instrument dashboard defining internally the ducts for an aeration system, and other accessories, all directly fixed to and supported by the panel to define with it a self-supporting sub-unit. The sub-unit is preassembled off the assembly line and is then fixed to the vehicle body by inserting it from the passenger compartment side so as to position the panel in the opening, and then fixing the panel to the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring techniques, such as angular movement monitoring techniques, in which an element with at least one peripheral irregularity is moved relative to a magnetic circuit so as to induce a variation in the reluctance in the magnetic circuit which can be detected externally. A device is disclosed including two magnetic elements defining respective magnetic circuits symmetrical with each other. Between the two magnetic members a gap is formed of approximately the same size of a peripheral irregularity, consisting of a notch or a tooth of a moving member, which is passed in front of the two magnetic circuits to cause a corresponding variation in reluctance in the magnetic circuits which produce a disturbance in the characteristics of symmetry, detectable by a sensor preferably a Wiegand-effect sensor.

Abstract: A glueing process of cylinder liners to the cast iron or aluminium crankcase of an internal combustion engine, regarding either machined or rough cylinder liners, and requiring no tools or fixtures of special type.

Abstract: A suspension device for motor vehicles comprises a telescopic shock-absorber and an air spring which is arranged coaxially with the shock-absorber around the region of the seal between the cylinder and the rod of the shock-absorber. The air spring defines a pneumatic chamber of annular cross-section.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat having a squab pivotally mounted on the vehicle floor adjacent the front of the squab, a normally engaged coupling is connected between the rear of the squab and the floor to prevent forwardly tilting of the squab. An operating device is provided for selectively disengaging the coupling. A normally disengaged coupling is also provided between the rear of the squab and the vehicle floor. Upon deformation of the squab in a forward direction during a collision the normally disengaged coupling will become engaged to prevent forward tilting of the squab.

Abstract: A seating system consisting of two side by side front seats and at least a rear seat, all housed inside the passenger compartment of an automobile; characterized by the fact that it presents at least a television set built permanently into a lift-up armrest between the two front seats, so that the television screen defines at least part of the front side of the rear wall of the armrest. The seating system may also comprise a video tape reader/recorder housed underneath the rear seat or inside the luggage compartment of the vehicle, so as to form a complete television system. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The device is of the type comprising for each engine spark plug a transformer with a secondary winding to be connected to the respective spark plug and a primary winding connected to the output of a power stage able to provide an ON-OFF signal for controlling the transformer. The device also comprises a damping network and, interposed between the network and the output of the power stage, unidirectional connection means which connect said network to the output of the power stage each time the signal present at said output switches from an OFF condition to an ON condition.

Abstract: A backrest for vehicle seats includes an inverted U-shaped frame having an upper cross bar, two side arms having spaced apart lower ends and a shaft rotatably mounted between the lower ends. A plurality of flexible vertically disposed parallel strips are secured to the frame adjacent the upper end thereof. The strips have a generally S-shaped configuration with a lower forwardly convex curve for supporting the lumbar region of the back and an upper forwardly concave curve for supporting the upper dorsal region. A transverse support is connected to each of the strips intermediate the curves and the lower ends of the strips are connected to a flexible transverse member which in turn is connected to a bracket on the shaft so that upon rotation of the shaft the lower ends of the flexible strips will be compressed to vary the curvature of the lower curve.

Abstract: An unsaturated-polyester-resin-based mass to be moulded, obtained from a pulsating screw mixer, is compressed into brick-shaped compacted articles of suitable dimensions and then subjected to a radio frequency to bring it to a high temperature and render it suitable for immediate compression moulding.

Abstract: Various versions of motor-car bodies are assembled by the provision of a standard central module (4) including a floor (5) and a framework (6, 7, 8), which form a common preassembled partial structure for all the different versions of the body structure, and a series of different rear modules (11, 12, 13) which can be assembled with the central module (4) to produce the various versions of the body structure. The standard central module and the different rear modules are formed with mutual joining surfaces in a single plane (FIG. 7).

Abstract: The system enables the diagnosis of anomalies or breakdowns in a plurality of types of electronic control systems (S), each of which includes, in known manner, a plurality of sensors (2) and electrically-controlled actuators (3) connected to an electronic control and operating unit (1), which is different for each type of control system (S). This unit (1) is programmed to carry out auto-diagnosis of anomalies or breakdowns in the control system (S) and to provide serial-type electrical auto-diagnosis signals at an output (5), the signals containing information on the operating conditions of the control system (S). The various control systems (S) each have the same standard electrical connector (6) connected to the output (5) of the respective control unit (1). Each time it is actuated, the electronic control unit (1) of each system (S) outputs at the output (5) a serial-coded identification message of the type of control system (S) to which the unit (1) belongs.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated rotary servovalve particularly suitable for controlling hydraulic actuators, for example forming part of vehicle suspensions is described; the servovalve comprises a valve body provided with at least one series of respective radial ducts disposed angularly spaced apart, a rotary distributor of cock type which depending on its angular position either blocks said radial ducts or selectively connects them together in pairs, a pair of linear electromagnetic actuators, and transmission means mechanically connecting said electromagnetic actuators to said rotary distributor and arranged to convert with a predetermined step-up ratio the linear motion of said actuators into rotary motion of said distributor.

Abstract: In a motor-vehicle rear suspension in which each wheel support (2) is connected to a McPherson-type upright (7) and is also guided by means of two transverse arms (5a, 5b) having their ends articulated to the body and to the wheel support respectively, one of these transverse arms (5b) is connected to an actuator for controlling its position in a transverse direction. The actuator is preferably constituted by a hydraulic actuator (15) which is activated in a predetermined manner to steer the rear wheels while the motor-vehicle is negotiating turns.

Abstract: The spark plugs (1a, 1b; 2a, 2b; 3a, 3b; 4a, 4b) associated with each cylinder (1, 2, 3, 4) are supplied by respective ignition coils (21, 22, 23, 24) preferably mounted on the plugs themselves.

Abstract: An articulated quadrilateral suspension for the front steered wheels of a motor vehicle includes a vertical articulation arm rigidly connected to the fork-shaped wheel support by two separate elements which are spaced apart in a substantially longitudinally direction. The ends of the articulation arm are articulated to respective pivoting arms which are in turn articulated to the body of the vehicle. A shock-absorber with a coaxial helical spring is arranged substantially vertically adjacent the articulation arm, with its upper end connected to the body and its lower end articulated to the lower pivoting arm.

Abstract: A mechanical steering device for the rear wheels of motor cars with four-wheel steering, including a front steering unit (4) and a rear steering unit (5) coupled for rotation with each other by a longitudinal transmission shaft (6), in which the rear steering unit (5) includes a transverse bar (11) connected to the rear wheels (2) by respective steering joints and tie rods (9, 10). The rotation of the longitudinal shaft (6) is transformed into translation of the transverse bar (11) by a positive cam (12).