Abstract: A restraint system (14) for a seat belt (22) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The restraint system (14) comprises one or more pneumatic ports (42, 44) for actuating the restraint system (14) from a first position to a second position. The restraint system (14) also comprises one or more pyrotechnic ports (52, 54) for actuating the restraint system (14) from either the first position or the second position to a third position.

Abstract: The mobilizer consists of an open, inverted “U” shaped frame when view from above with the legs or the “U” pointed towards the rear. Pivoting caster wheels are attached to the front lower corners and rear wheel support arms extend rearward and curve downward each bearing a smaller non-pivoting wheel. Two vertical upright support members rise from the frame and are equipped with height adjustment mechanisms. Horizontal arm support assemblies, each with a hand grip and brake handle are attached to the upper ends of the support members. The user is supported by his elbows and shoulder girdle resulting in decompression of his spine. The arm support assemblies can be pivoted 180 degrees so that the grip portions and the hand brake levers face the rear of the mobilizer at about waist height. This allows the user to stand and grasp the handles as he walks forward.

Abstract: An airbag has a skin enclosing a gas chamber and the skin has a vent which is closed in the resting state of the airbag and which opens when the pressure in the gas chamber exceeds a pre-determined value is described. The vent includes a vent hole in the skin and a tearable connection closing the vent hole in the resting state of the airbag. The airbag is folded to a package at least along a first direction and the tearable connection connects the skin around the vent hole directly to itself such that the tearable connection extends from a first point to a second point. In order to ensure that the vent remains closed during deployment and that the vent opens after the pressure inside the gas chamber exceeds a predetermined value within a rather small tolerance of the pressure, the line connecting the two points encloses an angle between 30° and 60° with the first direction.

Abstract: A vehicle between-seat airbag apparatus is provided that is capable of properly deploying an airbag stowed at a vehicle rear end side of a center console. A vehicle far-side airbag apparatus (10) is provided with: a far-side airbag (20) that is stowed in a corner portion (16B) at a vehicle rear end side and upper end side of a center console (16) that is disposed between seats arranged in a vehicle lateral direction, the far-side airbag (20) receiving a gas supply and being inflated; and an airbag door (40) that causes the far-side airbag (20) that receives the gas supply and is inflated to deploy in the vehicle front direction and upward with respect to the corner portion (16B), by supporting the far-side airbag (20) from the vehicle rear direction.

Abstract: A suspension system for a stroller is described. The suspension system may include a rotating damper mechanism used between a stroller frame and a stroller wheel. In one example, apparatus for providing suspension/damping of a stroller includes a first member attached to a stroller frame, a second member disposed co-axially with the first member and operable to rotate relative to the first member, and at least one elastic member (e.g., urethane) positioned between the first and second members for damping motion (e.g., rotational or translational motion) therebetween. In one example, four elastic members are disposed between the first and second members.

Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a vehicle height adjustment unit that changes the vehicle height at each wheel of the vehicle; a vehicle height sensor that detects the vehicle height at each wheel; a vehicle height control unit that executes the vehicle height control; a pressure sensor that detects the fluid pressure within the vehicle height adjustment unit; a control stop unit that temporarily suspends the execution of the vehicle height control if the detected pressure exceeds a threshold pressure; a road surface estimation unit that estimates the condition of a road surface over which the vehicle travels; and a control recovery unit that cancels the temporary suspension of the vehicle height control and allows the vehicle height adjustment unit to change the vehicle height if the road surface estimation unit estimates that the road surface over which the vehicle is traveling satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for immobilizing a motor vehicle. A system comprises an impairment sensor system and a control subsystem. The impairment sensor system is adapted to perform an analysis of a sample provided by an operator of a motor vehicle, where the analysis includes determining an impairment-related metric based on the sample. The control subsystem is adapted to control at least one mobility-related apparatus and at least one non-mobility-related apparatus of the motor vehicle. When the result of the analysis indicates that the impairment-related metric does not meet a criteria, the control subsystem is adapted to control the at least one mobility-related apparatus in a manner that disables the motor vehicle from moving and to control the at least one non-mobility-related apparatus in a manner that allows the at least one non-mobility-related apparatus to operate.

Abstract: An airbag for protecting an occupant includes a panel forming the airbag and having an occupant counter surface with a head counter portion to face a head of the occupant when the airbag is inflated. A recess portion is formed in the head counter portion when the airbag is inflated. The airbag also includes a regulation member for regulating inflation of the head counter portion toward the occupant. The regulation member forms the recess portion by regulating inflation of the head counter portion toward the occupant upon inflation of the airbag. The regulation member is configured to release regulation after a predetermined time from a moment when the airbag starts inflation.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device, at least one vehicle sensor, at least one vent strap, and at lest one dynamic vent. The vent strap, release device, and dynamic vent operate together such that the vent can adopt at least two configurations, with one of the configurations venting less inflation gas than the other.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly having a locking feature. The instrument panel assembly includes an elongated member attached to a portion of the vehicle and extending towards the instrument panel assembly, a lower panel spaced apart from the elongated member, at least one clip disposed on one of either the lower panel or the elongated member; and a corresponding number of tabs disposed on the other of said lower panel or said elongated member. The clip and tabs are spaced apart from and registered to each other so as to lockingly engage each other and keep the lower panel in contact with the elongated member when the lower panel and elongated member are driven into contact with each other.

Abstract: In a method for deactivating a safety function in a motor vehicle after being activated, the safety function may be deactivated by the driver only after a dead time has elapsed.

Abstract: A control system of a vehicle includes a pressure sensor that generates a pressure signal based on a pressure in a transmission of the vehicle. A control module determines atmospheric pressure based on the pressure signal. The control module controls operation of at least one of the transmission and an engine of the vehicle by generating a control signal based on the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for detecting a slip condition between a vehicle tire and a road surface, processing contemporaneous vehicle data, such as torque or brake pressure applied, to determine a force of friction, and calculating a coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction and location of the slip are broadcast to other vehicles driving in the proximity of the slip. The broadcasts may be utilized to notify drivers of slippery driving conditions at or ahead of the vehicle, and/or to limit torque and braking pressure applied to vehicle wheels to enhance traction and avoid slip.

Abstract: This device includes a flexible net (26), a first end portion (28) of which is overmolded by the flap (20) and a second portion (30) is overmolded by a support element (24), the central portion extending between the first and second portions (28, 30) forming a flexible hinge (22) for articulating the flap (20) relative to the support element (24). The second portion (30) includes an end part (32) protruding from the support element (24) on the opposite side to the hinge-forming part (22), the end part (32) including a stop element, such that, when the airbag is deployed, the stop element prevents the second part (32) from being pulled out of the support element (24).

Abstract: In a steer-by-wire steering control device for a vehicle using a model following control based on yaw rate or lateral acceleration, the target steering angle(s) of front wheels and/or rear wheels (Sfbs, Srbs) are corrected according a roll rate (Rre) of the vehicle which may be either detected or estimated from a lateral acceleration or yaw rate. Thereby, the roll rate gain can be reduced, and the damping property and response property of the yaw rate can be improved.

Abstract: An apparatus (10b) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14b). An inflation fluid source provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14b). A structure (320) for supporting the protection device (14b) includes a vent opening (40b) for venting inflation fluid from the protection device. A vent member (300) is connectable to the structure (320) to block inflation fluid flow through the vent opening (40b). An actuatable device (120b) when actuated breaks the connection between the vent member (80b) and the structure (320) and moves the vent member away from the vent opening (40b) to permit inflation fluid venting. A flexible elongated member (350) has a first end (352) connected to the vent member (300) and a second end (354) connected to the structure (320). The member (350) secures the vent member (300) to the structure (320) after the connection between the vent member and the structure is broken.

Abstract: A vehicle steering means with a first front ground-engaging steerable wheel located in the front center of the vehicle; second and third front ground-engaging wheels located either side of the first front ground-engaging wheel with means for adjusting the steer angle and the height depending on the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel. When the first front ground-engaging wheel has a straight-ahead steer angle, the second and third wheels are also straight-ahead and all three front ground-engaging wheels are in contact with the ground; and when the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel is turned, the steer angle of the front ground-engaging wheel on the outside of said curve is turned at least partly towards the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel, the steer angle of the front ground-engaging wheel on the inside of said curve is not substantially turned towards the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel.

Abstract: A system for capacitive object recognition including a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes having an adjustable parameter, and a controller modeling current pathways formed by interaction of an object with an electric field between the pair electrodes as a network of capacitors. The controller is configured to set the adjustable parameter to a first setting and to apply a set of alternating current voltages to the pair electrodes and measure a resulting first set of current values at each of the electrodes, configured to set the adjustable parameter to a second setting and apply the set of alternating current voltages to the pair of electrodes and measure a resulting second set of current values at each of the electrodes, and configured to determine values for up to all capacitors of the network of capacitors based on the first and second sets of current values.

Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag moveable between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. A tether has a first tether end connected adjacent an upper portion of the contact face and a second tether end anchoring the tether. The tether holds the contact face in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A vehicle protection system includes an exterior airbag system housed about a vehicle exterior. The system includes at least one first airbag, at least one second airbag, and an inflator system for inflation of the airbags. The inflation system includes at least one inflator operably communicating with the airbags. A sensor system senses impending or actual collision data. The sensor system includes at least one sensor and at least one central computer processing unit for receipt and processing of the data and for selective activation of the inflator system. Upon activation of the inflator system, the at least one first airbag is inflated. The at least one second airbag is sequentially deployable after the at least one first airbag based on measurement of system operating conditions and processing of the operating conditions by the central computer processing unit.