Abstract: A support (10) for the bonnet (6) of a motor vehicle (5) in which a plastic hinge member (11) is snap fitted into an elongate aperture (21, 22) in a structural member (20) of the motor vehicle (5). The invention therefore provides a simple and quick to fit support for the bonnet of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic brake control system for a vehicle in which the brakes, are controlled by a control unit to limit vehicle speed to a target speed when descending a hill. The control unit is arranged to control the vehicle speed so that, as the vehicle speed approaches the target speed, the rate of change of acceleration of the vehicle does not exceed a predetermined value.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement for a steerable road wheel of a motor vehicle is disclosed having a lower suspension arm 112 for pivotably connecting a wheel hub 111 to part of the body structure 78 of the motor vehicle. The suspension arm 112 is a planar member which lies on the plane P-S-T but has a pivot axis P—P that is offset from the plane P-S-T. In this way the pivot axis P—P of the suspension arm 112 is arranged to be closer to a longitudinal axis L—L of a steering rack 113 than is the plane P-S-T.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement principally for use with the functional mechanisms of a motor vehicle seat. The arrangement including at least one handle member and associated pawl member respectively rotatable about a center and an actuator shaft. Each handle member including a snag aperture which cooperates with the associated pawl member such that upon rotation of the handle member about the center, the pawl member comes into snag abutment with respective portions of the snag aperture to limit the angular range of rotation for that member between a snag position and a lock position. Upon snag abutment, the actuator shaft is rotated in order to facilitate release or operation of a functional mechanism such as that for slide release/backrest fold or seat occupant comfort tilt.

Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle is disclosed, in which an air flow direction flap 34 is arranged in use to operate in accordance with a control quotient so as to present an air flow in a range of orientations. The orientations are arranged in groups which comprise base orientation levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and at least one group of intermediate orientation levels 110, 111; 220, 222; 330, 333 between two neighbouring said base orientation levels 1, 2, 3, 4. In moving between said neighbouring base orientation levels 1, 2, 3, 4, said air flow directing flap 34 passes, at least transiently, through substantially each said intermediate orientation level 110, 111; 220, 222; 330, 333, whereby a variation in said presentation of said air flow A/F between said neighbouring base orientations appears to a user to be more gradual than would be a substantially stepped change if made directly therebetween.

Abstract: A seal arrangement to retain a motor vehicle roof liner about a sunroof aperture of that vehicle's body. The arrangement comprises a hook and fleece coupling (15) secured with respective components of said coupling (15) attached to a roof liner and about the aperture (12) of the body (10). The coupling (15) allows a wider range of acceptable retention geometries for the liner (13) within the aperture (12) whilst avoiding a bespoke component to secure the liner (13) to the body (10). The liner (13) includes a flange edge (16) which preferably extends substantially beyond the aperture (12) in order to provide lateral location of the liner (13) within the aperture (12) and so facilitate motor vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a vehicle roll control system includes a fluid pressure transducer 28, housed in a valve block 16, the output characteristic of which is temperature dependent. In order to correct for this the temperature of the fluid is monitored. This is done by monitoring the duty ratio of the pulse width modulated driving signal to a control valve 22 in the block, which varies with temperature to produce a constant total current.

Abstract: A vehicle 10 is disclosed having an automatic child lock function that is controlled by an electronic control unit 4. The electronic control unit 4 receives signals from weight sensors 23a, 23b, 23c in the base portion of each of the passenger seats 22. The findings from the sensors 23a, 23b, 23c are used to determine both the occupancy of the vehicle 10 and to produce a signal indicative of the weight of each of the passengers of the vehicle 10. The electronic control unit 4 is programmed to operate such that if the signal “W” received from a particular sensor 23a, 23b, 23c indicates that the passenger is below a predetermined weight “WC”, which indicates that the passenger is probably a child, the associated door 14, 16, 17 is prevented from being opened from a closed position even when an interior door handle 14b, 16b, 17b is operated by the passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprising a hydraulic roll control actuator 4 controlled by a hydraulic circuit 10. The circuit 10 includes a valve block having a pressure line 18a supplied by a pump 12 and a return line 20a, and a pressure control valve 22 for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the pressure line 18a to the return line 20 to control the hydraulic pressure drop between them. Two actuation control valves 24, 26 allow connection of the actuators between the pressure and return lines to control the actuating force produced by the actuators. A control unit 30 is arranged to connect the actuators 4 only when the desired actuating force is greater than a minimum value corresponding to a minimum pressure drop which can be produced by the pressure control valve 22, and to determine the minimum pressure drop from measurement of the temperature of a part of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a sump guard and an undertray assembly attached to the undercarriage of the motor vehicle for protection of the undercarriage and engine. The undertray is made from a resilient plastics material and is moveably connected to part of the body structure of the motor vehicle and is allowed to deflect upwardly when impacted from below by an obstacle. Because of resilient nature of the undertray assembly, the undertray assembly disperses an impact load when applied thereto.

Abstract: A seat arrangement (2) includes seat segments (4, 5) which constitute a seat base arranged to rotate at least about a pivot corner (7) and possibly about a secondary pivot corner (10) in order to improve access through a door aperture (6) adjacent to the seat arrangement (2) to the rear of the arrangement (2). Thus, the seat arrangement (2) could constitute a bench-type configuration incorporating a driver's seat (3) which extends across the width of a motor vehicle and thereby increasing the available seating capacity of that vehicle. Additionally, through the increased access to the rear of the seating arrangement (2) the motor vehicle will be more convenient in terms of allowing vehicle occupants to sit in rear seating (1) or gain access to vehicle luggage space.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly comprises a bumper armature and a front portion of a subframe both attached by brackets to the front of crumple zones in longitudinal parts of the body structure and to the side sections of the subframe. The subframe front portion is longitudinally level with the armature but vertically below it, and an outer bumper panel covers both the armature and the subframe front portion.

Abstract: An automatic brake control system for a vehicle in which the brakes 16, 17 are controlled by a control unit 22 to limit vehicle speed when descending a hill is provided with an input from a sensor on the gear selector 28. The control unit has a vehicle speed characteristic associated with each gear, the characteristics relating vehicle speed as controlled by the brake system to the position of the accelerator pedal, and having a different minimum speed for each gear.

Abstract: A climate control arrangement in which an existing automatic climate control system is adapted by an indicator quotient (TOA). A controller adjusts air duct distribution so that differential proportions of air flow can be presented to fixed air duct vents at respective height level HL, FL relative to an occupant of a motor vehicle. The indicator quotient (TAO) being determined by appropriate comparison of objective temperature, actual temperature and environmental temperature and is used by the controller for consistent occupant preferred air flow distribution between normal conditions and more extreme environmental conditions. Thus, occupant preferences for air flow distribution in normal Spring or Autumn type environmental conditions are adapted for more extreme Winter and Summer conditions without iterative and constant variation by that occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle brake pedal has a deflecting block projecting from its front surface which is arranged, if the pedal is moved backwards in the event of a frontal impact, to contact a steering column bracket before the top end of the pedal, thereby depressing the pedal and retracting it away from the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle roll stabilizing system uses front and rear stabilizer assemblies (23, 24) which each use a stabilizer bar (24) and a hydraulic ram (33, 35) to resist vehicle roll. Selector valves (43, 44) select pressure from a pump (36) or return hydraulic oil to a reservoir (37) according to 4 modes, two of which the selector valve is in an on and an off condition, respectively. A diverter valve (73) operates to control the pump pressure in proportion to lateral acceleration to provide an actuator effort which resists roll during vehicle cornering. This effort is provided up to a limit equivalent to a lateral acceleration of approximately 0.4 g after which roll is allowed to increase, either by keeping the pump pressure (and hence effort) constant or by increasing the pump pressure at a reduced rate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a foam pad 13 located in the vicinity of a foot pedal 14, 15. The foam pad 13 has a recess into which the pedal 14, 15 can be fully accommodated when it is fully depressed. The thickness of the foam pad 13 is such that the upper surface of the foot pad 15 of the foot pedal is co-planar with the surface of the foam pad 13 when the foot pedal is at its extreme of travel so that it may support a foot 5 applied to the foot pad 15.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having steerable front wheels comprises wheel speed sensors for the front wheels, drive motors for driving the front wheels, and a control unit arranged to receive signals from the sensors, to determine from the signals received by the control unit the speed of the front wheels and the ground speed of the vehicle, and to control the drive motors to increase the drive to the front wheels if the speed of the wheels is less than a desired wheel speed for the determined ground speed, indicating that the steerable wheels are slipping.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate comprises an upper section (18) and a lower section (24) which are joined by hinges (26). The hinges (26) include securing parts which lock behind latch pins (58) on the vehicle body, but are released from them when the lower section (24) is raised to an open position. This enables the two sections (18, 24) to be raised together.

Abstract: In a vehicle brake system a wedge is provided between the brake pedal and the pushrod which operates the master cylinder. Movement of the wedge is controlled by a control unit by means of a solenoid, when the control unit anticipates that the brakes may be operated by the driver, for example because the accelerator pedal has been released, the wedge is driven between the brake pedal and pushrod to move the brake pads into a pre-activated position in which they are just in contact with the brake pads. This reduces the pedal travel required to operate the brakes.