Abstract: A reinforcing member (36) for a belt shaft (10) comprises an elongate central portion (46) and two hooking portions (48) provided at the ends of the central portion (46) adapted to be hung into a hooking slit of a belt shaft body (28) of a belt shaft (10), wherein the central portion (46) includes a retaining portion (50) adapted to be encompassed by the webbing (26) and a supporting portion (58) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) substantially over the entire central portion (46) and being offset relative to a plane (M) which is defined by the retaining portion (50), and wherein retaining lands (60) defining a passage window (62) for the webbing (26) extend between the supporting portion (58) and the retaining portion (50). The invention further provides a belt shaft (10) comprising a belt shaft body (28) as well as an end fitting tensioner (12).

Abstract: A brake pad wear measuring system for measuring brake pad wear for a vehicle disc brake system includes a first coil excitable to create a first magnetic field, and a first target associated with the first coil. The first coil and the first target are configured for movement relative to each other in response to application of the disc brake system. The relative movement causes the first target to move within the first magnetic field and affect the inductance of the first coil. The brake pad wear measuring system also includes a second coil excitable to create a second magnetic field, and a second target associated with the second coil. The second coil and the second target are configured for movement relative to each other in response to application of the disc brake system. The relative movement causes the second target to move within the second magnetic field and affect the inductance of the second coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) comprising a combustion chamber (20) and a pressure gas tank (30), wherein in the idle state of the hybrid inflator (10) an outlet opening (31) of the pressure gas tank (30) is closed by a bursting element (32) which in the case of function of the hybrid inflator (10) can be destroyed by means of a penetration element (40), wherein a mixing chamber (70) is formed between the pressure gas tank (30) and the combustion chamber (20). In accordance with the invention, between the combustion chamber (20) and the mixing chamber (70) at least in portions a partition wall (80) having a combustion chamber side (81) and a mixing chamber side (82) is formed, wherein the partition wall (80) includes at least one combustion chamber opening (85) which in the idle state of the hybrid inflator (10) is closed by a cover (88) formed on the mixing chamber side (82) of the partition wall (80).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of vehicle (12) having a seat (16 or 22) for receiving the occupant (20) includes an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition in the vehicle (12) adjacent a reaction surface (19, 23, 36) to a deployed condition between the reaction surface and the vehicle occupant (20). The protection device (14) includes a front portion (62) presented toward the seat (22) and an inflatable volume for receiving a penetrating occupant (20?) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition. A rear portion (64) connected to the front portion (62) has an inflatable volume spaced from the front portion (62) by a space (110). The front portion (62) is positioned between the vehicle occupant (20) and the rear portion (64) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: A method for determining a coefficient-of-friction, the method including braking a first wheel of a vehicle such that a slip between the first wheel and a roadway is less than a slip between a second wheel of the vehicle and the roadway, and determining a coefficient-of-friction between the first wheel and the roadway based on the behavior of the first wheel during the braking. The method optionally including hazard braking the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a steering wheel and for detecting a steering wheel contact comprises a steering wheel armature (10) made from electrically conductive material and an electric heating conductor (12) arranged outside of the steering wheel armature (10). The apparatus further comprises a control and evaluation device (18) connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and the electric heating conductor (10) by means of which control and evaluation device the electric heating conductor (12) is repeatedly operated temporarily during a heating operation as a heating element for heating the steering wheel and temporarily during a measuring operation as a sensor element for detecting a steering wheel contact. The control and evaluation device (18) is configured so as to maintain the steering wheel armature (10) on a predetermined and especially constant potential at least during each measuring operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a module cover (40) for an airbag (10) and/or an airbag module for being arranged beneath a vehicle roof (56), especially in the area of an upper windscreen rim, wherein the module cover (40) comprises a module cover panel (41) having a rear side (42) pointing to the vehicle roof (56) during use and a front side (43) pointing away from the vehicle roof (56) during use. In accordance with the invention, the module cover panel (41) comprises an elongate clearance portion (44) preferably formed over the entire width (B) of the module cover panel (41) in the form of an elongate indentation (49) configured in the front side (43) of the module cover panel (41).

Abstract: A torque sensor assembly for use in a vehicle power steering system has magnets, coaxial first, second, and third flux closure members around the magnets, and first and second magnetic sensors. Each of the plurality of magnets emits a magnetic field. The second flux closure member is between the first and third flux closure members. The first and third flux closure members collect the magnetic fields having a first polarity. The second flux closure member collects the magnetic fields having a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first and second magnetic sensors are positioned to have like polarity. The first sensor is between the first and second flux closure members. The second sensor is between the second and third flux closure members. A torque signal is calculated by subtracting a second signal generated by the second sensor from a first signal generated by the first sensor.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle, having a vehicle-fixed mounting dement and a sleeve element which is received within the mounting element and is mounted for displacement in the axial direction in the mounting element for adjustment of the steering column assembly, includes an energy absorption device having two absorption elements, a locking element for locking a steering wheel, and a coupling device. The locking element has an open position, in which the steering wheel is adjustable and a coupling element is movable in the axial direction, and a closed position, in which an absorption dement is firmly coupled to the mounting element. The coupling device has a coupled position and an uncoupled position, both absorption elements being firmly connected to each other in the coupled position. During normal operation of the motor vehicle, the locking element is in the closed position and the coupling device is in the coupled position.

Abstract: A torque sensor for use in an electric power assisted steering system comprises a first shaft, a second shaft, and a torsion bar, a hollow sleeve that is secured to the first shaft and extends along the torsion bar to at least partially axially overlap the second shaft, angular deflection indicating means that produce a signal that is dependent on the angular deflection of the first shaft relative to the second shaft as a torque is applied across the torque sensor that causes the torsion bar to twist, at least one drive dog fixed to the sleeve and at least one corresponding drive dog fixed to the second shaft, in normal operation the two dogs being offset so that they permit a defined range of angular deflection of the torsion bar but will engage each other to provide a path for torque to be transferred from the first shaft to the second shaft in the event of a failure of the torsion bar, and a connecting element which has a first part that is secured within a bore in one of the second shaft and the sleeve, t

Abstract: An all-wheel steering system for a motor vehicle is described which has an active front axle steering system and an active rear axle steering system. The front axle steering system includes a gear ratio unit which is coupled to a steering wheel. The gear ratio unit is configured to define a front axle steering angle as a function of a steering wheel angle and a front axle steering ratio. In addition, the gear ratio unit is coupled to the rear axle steering system in such a way that the front axle steering ratio is adjustable as a function of a rear axle steering angle. Further, a motor vehicle having such an all-wheel steering system is discussed. Also presented is a method of operating an all-wheel steering system for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of determining the characteristics of a scene around a vehicle comprises capturing a stereo pair of images of the scene and processing the images to produce a depth map of the scene. Each pixel in the depth map is assigned a value that corresponds to the range of a corresponding region in the scene, the pixels being arranged in a grid of rows and columns with each column of pixels in the grid corresponding to a vertically oriented set of regions in the scene and each row a horizontally oriented set of regions in the scene. The values for one or more columns of pixels in the depth map are binned to form a corresponding histogram, each bin in the histogram having a count value that corresponds to the number of pixels in the column that have a depth within the range assigned to the bin.

Abstract: In a locking tongue (10) for a seat belt comprising an inserting portion (12) adapted to be inserted in a belt buckle and a deflecting portion (14) for webbing, wherein the deflecting portion (14) includes a webbing passage (20) as well as a clamping element (22) for the webbing and the clamping element (22) is movable between a home position in which the webbing is freely movable and a blocking position in which the clamping element is moved against a wall of the webbing passage so that the webbing is clamped between the clamping element (22) and the wall of the webbing passage (20), and wherein at least one spring element (34) is provided for forcing the clamping element (22) into the home position, it is provided that the spring element (34) is formed integrally on the deflecting portion (14).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound. The spool is rotatable in a webbing withdrawal direction and an opposite webbing retraction direction. The seat belt retractor also comprises a pretensioner actuatable to rotate the spool in the webbing retraction direction and a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the seat belt webbing. The load-limiting system includes a torsion bar mounted such that the torsion bar is twisted when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the spool in the webbing withdrawal direction by the seat belt webbing. The bad-limiting system also includes a stop assembly actuatable to limit rotation of the spool in the webbing withdrawal direction to a predetermined number of rotations while the torsion bar is being twisted. The stop assembly is actuated upon actuation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece woven air bag includes weaving yarns into a one-piece woven fabric air bag structure having single layer portions and two layer portions in which an inflatable volume is defined between the two layer portions and in which the single layer portions are non-inflatable portions that help define the shape and configuration of the inflatable volume. The step of weaving yarns is performed using a water-jet loom.

Abstract: A control system and corresponding control method which is adapted and intended for use in an own vehicle for detecting one or more objects based on environmental data obtained from one or more environmental sensors disposed at the vehicle. The environmental sensors are adapted to provide an electronic control unit of the control system with the environmental data which reflect the areas in front of, laterally next to and/or behind the vehicle. The control system is at least adapted and intended for detecting at least one object by means of the environmental sensors during a predetermined period of time or continuously. A movement of each detected object is determined. The presence of a rotational part in the movement of at least one object is identified, and when a rotational part is present, a probability of an occurrence of a collision between the corresponding object and the own vehicle is calculated.

Abstract: A power steering assembly has a housing and a ball nut assembly supported on the housing. The ball nut assembly has a ball nut axis. The housing has a first surface between the housing and the ball nut assembly. The ball nut assembly also has a second surface. The second surface rotates on the first surface such that the ball nut assembly rotates relative to the housing on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly comprises a steering column shaft that connects a steering wheel of the vehicle to the steering rack and a shroud that protects and supports the shaft. The shroud comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being movable telescopically relative to the lower portion to permit the length of the steering column assembly to be varied. A mounting bracket secures the shroud to a fixed part of the vehicle. A clamp mechanism secures the shroud to the mounting bracket, the clamp mechanism being operable between a released position in which at least one of the reach and rake of the steering column assembly may be adjusted and a clamped position in which the reach and rake of the steering column assembly are fixed. The clamp mechanism comprises a first rack of teeth and a second rack of teeth that extend in parallel along opposing sides of a slot formed in a part of the steering column shroud or the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A method of operation of an automotive vehicle control system of the kind which includes at least one downstream control subsystem having at least one actuator which modifies the longitudinal or lateral motion of the vehicle in response to received control signals from an upstream subsystem is provided. The method comprises: (a) transmitting in real time to the downstream control sub-system one or more control signals from the upstream, (b) determining that a fault has occurred upstream of the downstream control subsystem which causes the control signals to be erroneous, unreliable or unavailable to the downstream control system, and (c) thereafter using a response plan of action for the downstream subsystem that defines a sequence of operation of the at least one actuator of the down steam sub-system over a period of time and which has been previously stored in a local area of memory accessible to the downstream subsystem.

Abstract: An interior permanent magnet motor comprising a rotor having a set of permanent magnets placed within the interior of the rotor and a stator which surrounds the rotor and has a set of stator teeth defining slots between adjacent teeth. The stator also includes a plurality of stator windings that extend around the teeth and within the slots, the rotor and stator defining an airgap there between, in which an outer peripheral surface of the rotor that faces the stator across the airgap is provided with a respective eccentric bulge in the region of each rotor magnet.