Abstract: A vehicle side portion structure that includes: a pair of rockers that, at vehicle side portions, respectively extend along a vehicle longitudinal direction at both outer sides in a vehicle transverse direction of a floor panel that is a floor portion of a vehicle cabin interior, first impact absorbing portions that form closed cross-sectional structures and that, at a time of a side collision of a vehicle, plastically deform and absorb collision energy being provided at interiors of the pair of rockers; and side doors that open and close door opening portions of the vehicle side portions, second impact absorbing portions, which form closed cross-sectional structures and, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, plastically deform and absorb collision energy, being provided at lower portions of interiors of the side doors.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a fixed frame assembly, a removable frame assembly and a bracket. The fixed frame assembly can include a rear frame member extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The removable frame assembly can be selectively removed and attached to the fixed frame assembly. The removable frame assembly can include a tubular frame member extending along the rear end of the fixed frame assembly, and can be configured to deform in a predictable and predetermined controlled manner if a load or kinetic energy input to the tubular frame member is greater than a first predetermined threshold. The bracket can be connected to the tubular member and the rear frame member, and the bracket can be configured to deform in a predictable and predetermined controlled manner if a load or kinetic energy input to the bracket is greater than a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Vehicle safety devices, heat shields used in such devices and related methods are provided. The heat shield for use in vehicle airbags can include a woven base substrate and a needlepunched nonwoven substrate comprising silicon-containing fibers. The needlepunched nonwoven can be needlepunched to the woven base substrate such that, when the heat shield is positioned within an interior space of an airbag, the needlepunched nonwoven substrate faces apertures of an inflator within the airbag.

Abstract: An assembly for enabling rotational motion in a vehicle or mobile working machine is disclosed which includes at least two sections arranged in an overlying position relative to the vehicle's or working machine's working surface. A top section can be led to motion relative to a bottom section and a longitudinal rotation axis, the top section and the bottom section being movably coupled to each other by at least one trajectory element which generates a curvilinear trajectory. The relative motion of the top section and the bottom section proceeds along a curvilinear trajectory in a section plane which is perpendicular relative to the lengthwise rotation axis. The trajectory can be at least partly in the shape of a circular arc, the midpoint of this curvilinear trajectory being disposed below the bottom section. An actuator mounted on the vehicle or working machine affects the top section and/or the bottom section.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a longitudinal leaf spring device for suspension of a body of a motor vehicle. and the longitudinal leaf spring device comprises a longitudinally formed leaf spring element and a coupling device that mechanically couples the leaf spring element to a motor vehicle axle. According to the disclosure, a holder device is provided that has a base holder element for fixed connection to a vehicle chassis and a suspension adjustment element that faces the leaf spring element and is fixedly connected to the base holder element. In this case, the leaf spring element is connected in a front region, fixedly to the base holder element, and the front region is provided to come into mechanical bearing with the suspension adjustment element in at least one operating state.

Abstract: A method for producing a length-adjustable steering shaft having a hollow shaft in which a toothed shaft is received so as to be axially telescopic. The toothed shaft has a toothing with teeth on an external circumference that extend in the axial direction and which engages in a form-fitting manner in an inner toothing of the hollow shaft. A sliding layer of thermoplastic plastics material is at least in portions attached between the inner toothing and the toothing. In order to enable an improved fastening of the sliding layer to the toothing, prior to attaching the sliding layer, form-fitting elements which for forming a form-fitting connection that is effective in the axial direction are brought to engage with the sliding layer are configured in the region of the toothing of the toothed shaft or the inner toothing of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle (10) includes a load support deck (44) comprised of a plurality of laterally adjacent deck pieces (46). Each deck piece includes in transverse cross section a plurality of elongated cavities (56) in which respective support members (100) may be selectively longitudinally positioned. A frame (128) includes a support and mounting arrangement for one or more suspension subframes (142) that each include a wheel supporting axle (144). Brace plates (168, 170, 172) operatively connect with frame rails (130, 132) and lateral support ribs (140) to reinforce the frame structure and attach the suspension subframe.

Abstract: An oscillation reducing structure for a front passenger seat airbag includes a front passenger seat airbag equipped with a center bag and a friction imparting device. When inflated and deployed, the front passenger seat airbag contacts with a front windshield glass in a first area, and contacts with an instrument panel in a second area. The friction imparting device makes at least one of a coefficient of frictions of the first area and the second area greater than that of other areas of the front passenger seat airbag. The friction imparting device is formed such that a coefficient of friction thereof in a vehicle width direction is greater than in a vehicle front-rear direction.

Abstract: A side inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. In a side collision event, or other event producing lateral movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle, the disclosed inflatable airbag assembly may receive and support the occupant during ride down so as to prevent or minimize injury resulting from impact with a vehicle door, sidewall, center console, or other vehicle structure disposed lateral to the vehicle seating position. The disclosed airbag may differentially support the occupant buy providing varied degrees of support for the shoulder and pelvis, and the torso, which may be particularly beneficial to an elderly occupant whose bones may be more susceptible to some injury types and modes as a result of age-incident health issues.

Abstract: A powered mobility vehicle including a keyless activation system, wherein the keyless activation system includes a control module carried by the vehicle and a remote operation transmitter, wherein the control module includes an electrical input which is connected to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, an electrical output connected to a motor controller of the vehicle, a switch electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output, and a signal receiver electrically connected to the switch, wherein the switch has an active configuration in which electrical power is supplied to the electrical output from the electrical input via the switch and an inactive configuration in which the switch electrically isolates the electrical output from the electrical input, and the configuration of the switch is controlled by signals from the signal receiver; and wherein the transmitter communicates wirelessly with the signal receiver.

Abstract: A steering column includes a steering spindle rotatably mounted in an inner casing tube, which is disposed in an outer casing unit, and a clamping device that selectively secures the outer casing unit in a longitudinal direction. The clamping device includes a locking element, which in a fixing position is non-displaceably connected to an engagement part connected to the inner casing tube, which in a release position is released from the engagement part and permits movement of the inner casing tube relative to the outer casing unit. The inner casing tube and the outer casing unit are coupled by an energy absorption device. The engagement part includes a first driver element and a connecting part with a second driver element. The engagement part and the connecting part are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction via the coupling device in a releasable manner.

Abstract: A belt tightener for tightening a safety belt in a vehicle includes an impulse screw drive unit to generate a greater torque than can be achieved by a mechanical coupling between a motor and the belt tightener.

Abstract: A pet mode door and suspension control system and method includes determining whether a door control action has occurred with respect to a door on the vehicle. When determined that the door control action has occurred, the system and method further includes determining whether a pet mode control action is needed. When determined that the pet mode control action is needed, a suspension control command is sent to suspension control system for raising and/or lowering at least one side of the vehicle and a door control command is sent to a power control unit for opening or closing the door in accord with the door control action.

Abstract: A roof airbag apparatus may include: a cushion having an inlet through which gas discharged from an inflator is introduced; a plurality of tethers connected to the cushion, and arranged along the edge of the cushion so as to be separated from each other; a plurality of steel tabs each having a connection hole formed therein; and a tether guide installed in a pillar shape through the connection holes, and supporting the cushion. The tethers may be connected to the cushion through the respective connection holes.

Abstract: A front seat airbag device includes an inflator configured to operate and generate gas when a frontal collision of a vehicle is detected or predicted and an airbag configured to include a main chamber stored in front of a front seat in the vehicle, inflation-deployed by the gas being supplied from the inflator, and inflation-deployed to a position facing the front seat and a parietal chamber inflation-deployed upward and rearward from an upper end portion of the main chamber.

Abstract: A method for forming hydraulic oil passages for hydraulic actuators according to an aspect of the present invention includes: forming a valve block mount surface including first and second regions on an outer surface of a housing; collecting valves for hydraulic actuators belonging to a main function group to a main function valve block that is mountable directly or indirectly on the first region; collecting valves for hydraulic actuators belonging to an additional function group to an additional function valve block that is mountable directly or indirectly on the second region; and mounting the valve blocks on corresponding regions of the valve block mount surface, and thereby, the hydraulic actuators to be mounted are fluidly connected to each other so that the hydraulic actuators are operable by using hydraulic oil from a common oil source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including: in a cylindrical housing, a cup-shaped member separating the combustion chamber in a cylindrical housing main body portion from the diffuser portion, the cup-shaped member being disposed such that a bottom surface thereof is positioned on the side of a first end of the cylindrical housing main body portion, an opening thereof is positioned on the side of a second end of the cylindrical housing main body portion, and a first gap which allows the combustion chamber to communicate with the diffuser portion, is formed between the the cup-shaped member and an inner wall surface of the cylindrical housing main body portion; and a filter disposed in a space surrounded by the cup-shaped member and the diffuser portion, the filter being a cup-shaped filter having a base, a circumferential wall and an opening, and the filter being provided such that, the base of the filter abuts on a closed end surface of the diffuser portion, an end surface of the opening

Abstract: A mounting device with an anti-rotation feature is provided. The mounting device includes a base including a cavity adapted to receive a portion of a shock absorber assembly. The base provides for movement of the shock absorber assembly relative to a vehicle body in at least one degree of freedom. The base substantially prevents movement of the shock absorber assembly relative to the vehicle body in at least another degree of freedom. The mounting device includes a pin integrated with the base on a side distal from the cavity. The pin is substantially parallel to an axis of the shock absorber assembly. The pin is adapted to engagingly couple to one or more cushions and a vehicle frame.

Abstract: A wheel carrier for a vehicle suspension, intended for the rotatable mounting of a wheel, having a wheel carrier body made of metal is adapted to provide a stable, weight-optimized wheel suspension. The wheel carrier includes a wheel-attachment section and an extension projecting upwardly therefrom with means at its upper end for attaching an inboard-projecting control arm. A portion of the extension is offset inboard relative to the upper end and includes a hybrid section in which the wheel carrier body is reinforced in sections by a reinforcing element made of a fiber composite material.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. An accumulator is coupled to the manifold block for storing air. An accumulator valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the accumulator to allow exhausted air from the plurality of air springs into the accumulator. An electronic control unit is electrically coupled to the plurality of suspension valves and the accumulator valve for controlling a sequence of operating the accumulator valve and the plurality of suspension valves to provide enhanced exhaust flow from the plurality of air springs to maintain the vehicle in a level orientation while lowering the vehicle.