Abstract: A system for effecting closure of one or more vehicle windows 30 comprises a portable transmitter unit 14 and a body control unit 12 which can communicate via an alternating magnetic field produced and detected by a pair of conducting coils 16a, 16b, and via a radio frequency transmitter 24 and receiver 22. On transmission of a R.F. closure request signal from the transmitter unit 14, a confirmation request signal is sent by the body control unit 12 via the magnetic link. The confirmation request signal is repeated during closure of the window. The transmission unit responds to each confirmation request signal by transmitting a R.F. confirmation signal, receipt of which enables raising of the window to be initiated or continued. Closure of the window is only initiated if the transmitter unit 14 is within the relatively short range of the magnetic link, and only continues while it remains within range.

Abstract: An airbag housing assembly for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is described in which a flexible strap (7, 107) is provided to attach a trim member (30, T) to a structural part (42, B) of the vehicle. The strap (7, 107) prevents the trim member (30, T) from becoming completely detached from the structural part (42, B) upon deployment of an airbag "A" housed between the trim panel (30, T) and the structural part (42, B).

Abstract: A beverage vessel holder (1) is described in which a thermo-electric device (2) including a Peltier effect element (4) provides heating and/or chilling effect to a beverage vessel (10) in use. Extending from the thermo-electric device (2) is a wall assembly (3) comprising an inner wall (6) and an outer wall (7) in a spaced relation such that there is a convection passage (8) therebetween. The thermo-electric device (2) being associated with the wall assembly (3) in order to stimulate convection air movement in the convection passage (8) and so disperse condensate wicked through the inner wall (6) from the beverage vessel (10). Thus, the inner wall (6) is generally made from a foam material in order to allow condensate transmission whilst the outer wall (7) provides a thermal insulation barrier for the holder (1).

Abstract: An airbag module 20 is described having side walls 28, 29 which are weakened by being out of plane so that upon contact from a knee bolster 17 they collapse in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having an energy absorbing steering assembly 10 that includes an adjustable energy absorbing mechanism in the form of a hydraulic damper 11. A valve 6 controlling the flow of fluid from the damper is controlled so as to optimize the rate of the damper 11 dependant upon one or more parameters of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An air distribution and temperature control module in which the module (51). As arranged as a plug-in unit that can be installed into the vehicle by a simple push in operation.

Abstract: A wheel carrier 10 for a spare wheel 56 is mounted on the rear door 50 of a motor vehicle. The carrier includes an upwardly extending arm having a stop lamp 14 mounted on its free end. The arm 18 is offset from the rear door 50 so that a wiper arm 54a can pass between the arm 18 and a rear window 52 of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electrically moveable window assembly and control mechanism for a motor vehicle is disclosed in which when a detachable rear roof section is removed or a retractable rear roof section is folded a frameless window supported by a rear door of the motor vehicle is automatically retracted into the door to prevent it becoming damaged.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain comprises an internal combustion engine 10 and an electric motor 14 capable of producing driving or braking torque for the vehicle. The exhaust system for the engine 10 includes a catalytic converter 22. A control unit 18 monitors the temperature of the catalytic converter 22 using a sensor 32 and controls the driving or braking torque produced by the electric motor 14 so that the load on the engine produces exhaust gases of a suitable temperature to keep the catalytic converter within its optimum operating temperature range while maintaining the desired total output of torque from the powertrain.

Abstract: A powertrain control system is disclosed in which an electronic control unit (ECU) (13) controls a power output actuator (10) to drive a fuelling element (12) of an internal combustion engine (not shown). The ECU (13) receives a signal of demanded power from an accelerator pedal demand potentiometer 915) and signal of required power output characteristic (20, 21) from a range switch (16). The ECU (13) selects the required power output characteristic (20, 21) from memory (14) and applies it to control the power output actuator (10) in relation to the pedal demand signal (25) from the demand potentiometer (15). It is thus possible to select between plural power output characteristics (20, 21) depending on vehicle use or driving conditions.

Abstract: A container holder is described having a support member (9) that is both pivotally and slidingly attached to a frame (14) attached to part of the body structure (13) of a motor vehicle. The support member (9) is moveable from a stored or concealed position to an in use position by a combination of sliding and pivotal movement with respect to the frame (14).

Abstract: A transmission control system for a vehicle 10 is disclosed comprising a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 14 whose transmission ratio is varied by a CVT controller 20. When the selector lever 24 is in drive D, the CVT controller 20 varies the transmission ratio in a continuous manner but, if a stepped down-shift is selected using a down-shift button DS on the steering wheel 36, a hybrid mode may be entered to allow a user to perform stepped down-shifts to provide engine braking. In the hybrid mode, stepped down-shifts can be selected but the vehicle 10 is accelerated by varying the transmission ratio in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power train includes an engine (26) mounted longitudinally near the front of the vehicle and a transmission assembly (35) mounted intermediate front and rear differentials (17, 18). The transmission assembly is connected to the engine through an input propshaft (31), to the front differential through a front propshaft (37) and to the rear differential through a rear propshaft (38). The transmission assembly comprises a change speed transmission (28) which receives drive from the input propshaft and a hollow output shaft (49), a transfer transmission comprising a center differential (30) which is drivably connected to the hollow output shaft, has a front differential output shaft (54) for transmitting drive to the front propshaft and a rear differential output shaft (56) for transmitting drive to the rear propshaft, one of the differential output shafts (54) extending co-axially through the hollow output shaft.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly 10 is disclosed having an adjustable head restraint member 11 which is securable in position between a forward position and a rearward position by a helical coil locking member 14. The locking member 14 is, in a normally relaxed state, of smaller internal diameter than the external diameter of a transverse support rod 24 with which it is engaged. By rotation of one end portion 19 of the locking member 14 with respect to the other end portion 21 the locking member 14 is partially unwound thereby releasing its locking grip on the support rod 24.

Abstract: A motor vehicle suspension system includes rear suspension units to adjust ride height between sprung and unsprung parts of the vehicle, control means for monitoring and maintaining ride height at a particular setting and wheel speed monitoring means for monitoring wheel speeds. The control means provides a corrective up height change signal in the event of an unrequested height change and there existed before the unrequested height change a wheel speed signal indicative of vehicle movement. The corrective height change signal may be applied to each suspension unit or the control means may monitor abnormal vehicle activity and provide the corrective height change signal to the appropriate suspension unit. One example of abnormal vehicle activity is when the wheel speeds differ significantly, the control means responding to provide the corrective height change signal to the suspensions unit on the side of the vehicle with the highest wheel speed.

Abstract: An airbag module 20 is disclosed in which the side walls 28, 29 are formed in two parts 28U,28L; 29U,29L connected together by a one way connection that resists relative motion in one direction but not in another.

Abstract: A generally vertical tailgate assembly 16 is disclosed having a first upper tailgate portion 18 and a second lower tailgate portion 24. The first upper tailgate portion 18 is disposed for rotation about a generally horizontal axis extending along an upper edge thereof. The lower tailgate portion 24 is adapted to move from a first closed position in which an upper edge thereof is adjacent a lower edge of the upper tailgate portion 18 to a second open position in which the upper edge thereof is adjacent the upper edge of the upper tailgate portion. Both portions 18,24 of the tailgate assembly 16 may then be moved together about the upper edge of the upper tailgate portion. This construction has the advantage that opening of the tailgate assembly requires a reduced clearance behind the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A folding seating unit for a vehicle provides a forward or rearward facing seat with a backrest which is capable of being folded flat and sideways against the side of the vehicle at a low level beneath the window level of the vehicle. The seating unit can be stowed within side trim panels without obscuring windows, or the load carrying area of the vehicle floor, and is particularly suited to multipurpose vehicles or vans. The seating unit includes: an outboard leg coupled to the vehicle side, and an inboard leg engaging with the vehicle floor, a retraction mechanism providing automatic folding of the inboard leg when the seating unit is folded to its stowed position; an extending backrest squab which extends the effective height of the backrest when the seating is in a deployed condition, but retracts when the seating is in the stowage position.

Abstract: A separator (8) for separating liquid from gas is disclosed in which two or part cylindrical chambers (12, 12', 14, 14', 16) are arranged to produce contra-rotating vortices therein when a liquid and gas mixture is passed therethrough. The change in direction of the flow when passing from one chamber to the next and the centifugal effect of the vortex flow separates the denser fluid from the less dense gas.