Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus includes a gearbox housing, a worm shaft, a main bearing assembly, and a first fulcrum means. The worm shaft may be supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly at an end closest to the motor. The main bearing assembly may include an inner ring defining an inner bearing race, an outer ring defining an outer bearing race, and a plurality of bearings that run between the two races. The first fulcrum means may be located on a first side of the main bearing assembly which reacts only the axial component of the wormshaft tooth load for a first direction of gearwheel torque. A second fulcrum means may be located on a second, opposing, side of the main bearing assembly, which reacts only the axial component of the wormshaft tooth load for the second direction of gearwheel torque.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the modulation transfer function (MTF) of a device under test is provided. The system includes an image projector configured to provide light in a pattern representing a desired image. The system further includes a lens configured to direct the provided light toward the device under test as a collimated beam. An image analysis component calculates the MTF for the device under test from the at least one image taken at the device under test and the known characteristics of the image projector and the lens.

Abstract: A method for assisting operation of a vehicle traveling on a roadway includes acquiring visual images around the vehicle with at least one visual camera having a field of view and acquiring thermal images around the vehicle with at least one thermal camera having the field of view. The thermal images are superimposed over the visual images to produce composite images. An object is detected in the composite images. A vehicle assist system adjusts at least one of a direction of travel and speed of the vehicle in response to detecting the object.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering for a motor vehicle, having a rack which has a longitudinal axis, a rack housing in which the rack is guided for axial displacement, and at least one end stop damping assembly for the rack, the end stop damping assembly being received in the rack housing, the end stop damping assembly including a compression body for damping an end stop and a stop member which is mounted to the rack housing for limited displacement in the axial direction, the stop member resting against a first supporting surface of the rack housing at least partly by means of the compression body in a first axial direction and resting against a second supporting surface of the rack housing in an opposite, second axial direction.

Abstract: A steering device for a motor vehicle is described, the steering device comprising a steering element for steering the motor vehicle, and an actuating element by means of which wheels of the motor vehicle are adjusted as a function of an actuation of the steering element. The steering element has a steering assist unit associated with it, in particular an electronic steering assist unit for active return of the steering element, the steering assist unit comprising a motor and an open- and closed-loop control unit which drives the motor for generating an assist torque. The open- and closed-loop control unit receives data from a first sensor which directly senses the position of the actuating element, and drives the motor as a function of the position of the actuating element. Further described is a method of controlling a steering device.

Abstract: A reach adjustable steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft which in use supports a steering wheel of the vehicle; a shroud that supports the steering shaft comprising an upper shroud part and a lower shroud part, the upper shroud part moving telescopically relative to the lower part during reach adjustment of the steering column assembly, a support bracket that supports the shroud relative to the vehicle body, and a clamp mechanism that is operable between an unclamped position in which the steering column assembly is adjustable for reach and a clamped position in which the reach position of the steering column assembly is fixed. The clamp mechanism comprises a first locking part that is displaceable by an actuator assembly into and out of positive engagement with a second locking part.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a motor vehicle is proposed, having a steering means which is attached to a steering column, the length and/or inclination of which can be adjusted, and having a steering means actuator which is configured to load the steering means with a torque. The steering means actuator is arranged non-displaceably and fixedly on the vehicle. The steering means actuator is assigned a first shaft, and the steering column is assigned a second shaft, the first and the second shaft having a variable axial offset and/or a variable angular offset at least over a part range of a length and/or inclination adjustment of the steering column. The first and second shafts are connected in a torque-transmitting manner via a compensation device which can compensate for a change in the axial offset and/or the angular offset.

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.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, comprising a first shaft having a hollow end, the inner surface of the hollow end being provided with a plurality of inwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the inner surface, and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft, the second shaft being provided with a set of outwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the outer surface of the end of the second shaft, the splines of the second shaft inter-engaging the splines of the first shaft to prevent relative rotational movement of the two shafts whilst permitting the two shafts to move axially relative to one another at least in the event of a crash.

Abstract: In a method of folding an airbag (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially of curtain-type side airbag, to form an airbag package (12?), the airbag (10) is rolled and/or folded to form an airbag roll (12) having a first volume (V1). The airbag roll (12) is fed to a pressing device (14) in which the airbag roll (12) is compressed to form an airbag package (12?) having a second volume (V2) which is smaller than the first volume (V1). The airbag roll (12) and, resp., the airbag package (12?) is heated within the pressing device (14) and the airbag package (12?) is cooled, with the airbag package (12?) retaining the second volume (V2) when it is removed from the pressing device (14; 114). The pressing device (14) includes a pressing mold or a molding shaft (18) whose height substantially corresponds to the desired height of the finished airbag packages (12?), a heating unit (20) for heating the airbag packages (12?) and a cooling device (22) for cooling the airbag packages (12?).

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a support bracket, a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, an energy absorbing mechanism that includes a puller, a clamp rail fixed to the inner shroud portion including a slot that extends axially along the inner shroud portion, the slot defining two opposing walls which each carry a row of teeth, the two rows thereby being spaced apart from one another with the teeth extending towards each other; the puller being positioned adjacent the slot, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud, and a toothed block having a row of teeth on each side, the pitch between teeth of each row being equal to, or a whole multiple of, the pitch of the teeth of the corresponding row of the slot. The block is supported by a carrier element that moves in response to rotation of the clamp bolt to move, in turn, the toothed block between a clamped position.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, a clamp rail fixed to the inner shroud portion, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud, a toothed block that is connected to the clamp bolt and is displaced on rotation of the clamp bolt, and a carrier element that supports the toothed block and is movable in response to rotation of the clamp bolt to in turn move the toothed block between a clamped position and an unclamped position and is free to move from side to side relative to the slot. A frangible pin secures the toothed block to the carrier element, the frangible pin having a first end located in a bore in the toothed block and a second end located in a bore in the carrier element, the toothed block being supported on a shoulder of the frangible pin, and a clearance is provided between the frangible pin and the walls of one of the bores to permit side to side movement of the toothed block relative to the carrier element.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, a clamp rail fixed to the inner shroud portion including a slot that extends axially along the inner shroud portion, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud that may be rotated around its long axis by operation of a locking lever, and a toothed block that is connected to the clamp bolt having a row of teeth on each side, the pitch between teeth of each row being equal to, or a whole multiple of, the pitch of the teeth of a corresponding row of the slot. The toothed block is supported by a carrier that moves in response to rotation of the clamp bolt to in turn move the toothed block between a clamped position and an unclamped position and supports the toothed block such that the toothed block is free to move from side to side when in the slot.

Abstract: A filter for an inflator includes a rolled sheet centered on an axis or three dimensionally printed as a whole and including a plurality of openings. A deflector is associated with each opening for directing inflation fluid in a non-radial direction relative to the axis.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, a shaft, a first gear, first and second motors. The shaft is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing and is configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end. The first gear is connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft. Each of the first and second motors have an output driving a respective output gear. The output gears are engaged with the first gear, and there being control means configured to operate the motors in a first mode in which the motors apply torque to the first gear in opposite directions and a second mode in which the motors apply torque to the first gear in the same direction.

Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle includes a telescopic mechanism, a first electrically powered linear actuator, and a means for absorbing the impact energy transmitted between a driver and the steering wheel in a crash. The telescopic mechanism includes substantially coaxial first and second tubular members. The first electrically powered linear actuator controls the longitudinal position of the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member. The means for absorbing the impact energy includes: (1) two or more folded metal straps; (2) at least one strap is fixed at one of its ends to a member which is fusibly connected to the first tubular member and to which is also connected a moving part of the said electrically powered linear actuator; (3) an adjacent edge of each of at least the first and second straps comprising an array of teeth or ramps; and (4) a pyrotechnically actuated means.

Abstract: A shaft having a splined portion comprises a first set of teeth with each tooth spaced radially at intervals about a first outer circumferential region of the shaft and a second set of teeth comprising an equal number of teeth to the first set that are also spaced radially at the same regular intervals about a second outer circumferential region of the shaft that is offset axially from the first region, with at least one tooth of the first set of teeth aligned with a corresponding tooth of the second set to form a pair in which the two teeth of the pair together form an elongate spline; and wherein the first tooth and second tooth of each elongate spline are separated from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft by a groove that terminates at each end by a shoulder forming an end of a respective tooth, characterised in that each shoulder is tapered in a direction normal to the axis of the shaft and in that an overmolding is provided that comprises a portion that covers the teeth that is co

Abstract: In a belt retractor (10) comprising a frame (12), a sensor (16) for vehicle-sensitive blocking including a sensor lever (22), a belt reel (14) and a rocker arm (30) coupled to the belt reel (14) via a coupling (32) which is adjustable between a home position in which the sensor lever (22) is blocked and an extended position in which the sensor lever (22) is released, the coupling (32) is a wrap spring coupling comprising a drive element (34) coupled to the belt reel (14) as well as a driven element (40) connected to the rocker arm (30), wherein the drive element (34) and the driven element (40) include a respective annular outer friction surface (38, 44) and are arranged concentrically to each other and a coil spring (46) is provided which contacts the friction surfaces (38, 44) and couples the driven element (40) to the drive element (34).

Abstract: A motor control circuit for an electric motor of an electric power assisted steering system comprises a switching circuit comprising a plurality of electrical switches, a current demand signal generator which converts the torque demand signal into a current demands signal; and a fault mode motor current controller that is responsive to an error signal that represents the difference between the current demand signal and the actual current flowing in the motor and is operable in the event of a fault where one phase is open-circuit to drive the remaining two phases as a single combined phase by generating a single voltage demand signal that is representative of the voltage to be applied across the combined phases, the voltage signal being in turn fed into a drive circuit for the switches that generates pulse width modulated switching signals for the switching circuit required to apply the voltage across the combined phases.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided that includes an inner shroud portion and an outer shroud portion, the inner shroud portion extending into the outer shroud portion and including a rail. The rail includes a slot with two opposing sides, each of which has teeth. A toothed block is provided that engages with the teeth of the slot, when a clamping mechanism is actuated. The toothed block is supported by a carrier that allows the toothed block to be free to move from side-to-side when engaged with the slot, and the teeth of the slot and the toothed block are shaped such that the toothed block may engage the teeth of the slot at any position when the clamping mechanism is actuated. The teeth of a first side of the slot prevent the block from moving in a collapse direction of the assembly and the teeth of the second side of the slot permit movement in a collapse direction but apply a thrust towards the teeth of the first side.