Abstract: A multiple-chamber inflator (10) for a vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator (10) includes a housing (12) having a first end and a second end, and a divider disc (18) positioned in an interior of the housing (12) intermediate the housing ends to form a first (primary) propellant chamber (20) and a second (secondary) propellant chamber (22) within the interior of the housing (12). The divider (18) has a first surface (59) in communication with the first propellant chamber (20), a second surface (57) in communication with the second propellant chamber (22), and at least one aperture (60) extending between the first and second surfaces to provide fluid communication between the first propellant chamber (20) and the second propellant chamber (22). A pressure-resistant shim (62) fabricated from a low-melting point material is fixed on the divider first surface (59) over the at least one aperture (60) to block the aperture.

Abstract: A subframe 1 is mounted on a vehicle body (body side frame 2) through mounts (subframe mounts B1–B6) with elastic bodies (rubber members 6, 7, 11), at two points located on both sides in lateral directions of a front portion of the subframe, at two points located on both sides in lateral directions of a middle portion thereof near a location where a suspension link is attached to the subframe 1, and at two points located on both sides in lateral directions of a rear portion thereof. The mounts at the points located on the both sides in lateral directions of the middle portion of the subframe each have a fracture stress upon crash smaller than that which the mounts at the points located on the both sides in lateral directions of at least one of the front and rear portions of the subframe 1 have. This subframe mount structure serves to mitigate damage of a passenger caused on collision of the vehicle to protect the passenger.

Abstract: A pound or number sign shaped (#-shaped) die cast sub-frame includes first and second horizontal members and first and second vertical members. The sub-frame has four arm mounting portions provided at four corners thereof, respectively. The arm mounting portion is a die cast part obtained near a communication portion of a runner formed in a die casting machine. Generally triangular bulged portions are formed at junction portions where the first horizontal member meets the first and second vertical members. Each junction portion has increased width. The junction portion is a die cast obtained within a cavity of increased width of the die casting machine. The bulged portion is pierced to provide a hole. The bulged portion having the hole formed therein is to be mounted to a small vehicle component.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster system is provided for supporting a body portion of a vehicle occupant such as the knees and lower body or pelvis during a collision. The inflatable bolster includes a decorative substantially rigid front panel and an expandable metal rear panel attached to the non-metal decorative front panel. The inflatable bolster has an inflation orifice, and may have at least one vertical expansion fold and at least one horizontal expansion fold on the rear panel.

Abstract: A side airbag has at least one strap, which can be connected at its first end via a fastening portion to the airbag and at its second end to a vehicle part. The fastening portion of the strap and a second portion adjoining it each have constant cross-sections and a tapered portion is constructed between them. The cross-sectional width of the fastening portion is larger than the cross-sectional width of the second portion and the tapered portion forms a transition between them. The strap is constructed from a constant number of individual fibers extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the strap.

Abstract: A vehicle is capable of being driven in a plurality of forward directions, the direction of travel being a function of the forward-facing orientation of a movable seat or movement of the driver to a different seat. The vehicle includes a frame, at least three wheels, a steering system, a braking system and an energy conversion system operable with respect to at least one of the wheels and controllable through non-mechanical control means. The vehicle has at least one movable seat connected to the frame and at least one operator interface operably connected to at least one of the steering system, braking system and energy conversion system that is usable to drive the vehicle in different directions when the seat is moved.

Abstract: The tethered airbag system includes an inflatable cushion and an extensible tether. The extensible tether includes an extensible region and is attached to both the inflatable cushion and to a point within a vehicle. For instance, the tether may be attached to the roof of the vehicle. When in use, the inflatable cushion deploys to a location immediately in front of an occupant of the vehicle. Following deployment of the cushion, when a sufficient force is applied to the inflatable cushion, the extensible region is released so that the extensible tether may extend to its full length and the inflatable cushion may extend further away from the point where the tether is attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: An air suspension anti-roll stabilization system includes air suspension devices, such as at least one pair of air bags air spring mounted upon an axle via leaf spring suspension arms of an associated vehicle on respective opposed sides of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the axle being located at least partially with respect to the frame or chassis of the vehicle by means of a pair of leaf spring arms which are located on respective opposed sides of the longitudinal vehicle axis and of which each has one end mounted pivotally to the vehicle frame or chassis, wherein anti-roll means is connected rigidly between the pair of longitudinal leaf spring suspension arms.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for a front seat of a vehicle having such a double door that a front door (2) and a rear door (3) open outwardly forward and rearward, respectively, to form an uninterrupted doorway (14) to a passenger compartment (A) and the front door (2) overlaps the rear door from the outside so as to allow the rear door (3) to open and close while the front door is open comprises a retractor (28) installed in the rear door (3) and retracting a seatbelt (27) therein, a seatbelt lock mechanism (37) operative to lock the seatbelt (27) when the seatbelt (27) attains a predetermined acceleration, and a lock canceling mechanism (38) operative to put the seatbelt lock mechanism (37) inoperative when activated, The seatbelt system activates the lock canceling mechanism (38) to put the seatbelt lock mechanism (37) inoperative when the seatbelt (27) is unbuckled while the front door and/or the rear door is open or not properly closed and deactivates the lock canceling mechanism (38) to put the seatbelt lock mecha

Abstract: An industrial vehicle having a seat placed in a driver's room provided in a vehicle body to be rotatable at a predetermined angle in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction with respect to a forward facing position, wherein the driver's room includes a main accelerator pedal at a position corresponding to the seat in the forward facing position and an auxiliary accelerator pedal at a position corresponding to the seat in a position rotated at a predetermined angle from the forward facing position and the main accelerator pedal is interlockable with the auxiliary accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus includes a first, outer telescoping component and a second, inner telescoping component. The outer telescoping component includes an outer sleeve and an outer tubular member telescoped therein for movement along an axis of the outer telescoping component. The inner telescoping component includes an inner sleeve and an inner telescoping member telescoped therein for movement along an axis of the inner telescoping component. The inner telescoping component axis is aligned with the outer telescoping component axis. The inner sleeve is fixedly attached to one of the outer sleeve and the outer tubular member. The inner telescoping member is fixedly attached to the other of the outer sleeve and the outer tubular member. A bracket is configured to fixedly attach the suspension device to a vehicle support member. The outer tubular member includes an attachment member which is configured to pivotally receive an end of a leaf spring.

Abstract: A variable cover of a curtain airbag for a vehicle includes a plurality of bellows, which control the angle and the extending length of a circular or a polygonal shaved cover. The variable cover also includes a rupturing part, which guides the spreading direction of an airbag cushion via hooks or scoring. The combination of features provided by the variable cover is standardized to accommodate the roof side rail of different vehicles.

Abstract: An air bag deployment door mechanism for the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle. A deployment door is molded integral with the instrument panel retainer and defined by a plurality of closely spaced holes about its perimeter. The spacing between the holes define the physical connection between the deployment door and the instrument panel retainer. A tear initiator is molded into the deployment door which is activated by the inflating air bag. The tear initiator pierces the foam and decorative layers prior the severing of the physical connection between the deployment door and the instrument panel retainer.

Abstract: A suspension system for a multi-axle transport vehicle for moving heavy loads includes two fluid activated cylinders and two spaced apart arms for each wheel and axle set which allow the transport vehicle to be raised and lowered with respect to the roadway. The suspension system mechanically stabilizes the axles with respect to the transport vehicle thereby reducing axle yaw and allowing higher transport speeds.

Abstract: Arrangement for wheel suspension in a vehicle (1) including a vehicle frame (9) that bears at least two bogie axles (16, 17) which in turn each bear a wheel axle (5, 6), and also a first bogie element (18) and a second bogie element (19) which extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are suspended in said vehicle frame (9). The invention includes at least one connection element (25; 41) extending essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), which connection element (25; 41) is connected movably to at least one of the bogie axles (16; 17) and also to the bogie elements (18, 19), for transmission of a force which arises when relative movement takes place between the bogie axle (16; 17) concerned and said bogie elements (18, 19). By virtue of the invention, good comfort and a high degree of roll rigidity of the vehicle are obtained.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system has an airbag which can be deployed in two stages. In a typical accident situation, a first chamber containing a larger quantity of propellant charge is deployed, and a second chamber containing a smaller quantity of propellant charge is deployed after a delay. If a particular accident situation is detected, such as the out-of-position situation or other person-specific and accident-specific variables, a deployment control device decides whether the ignition sequence is optimal, and reverses the sequence if applicable. The delay can also be varied on the basis of the detected variables.

Abstract: In the electric power steering apparatus, a supporting mechanism for supporting a steering assist motor on a stationary member comprises: a projection provided at one end of a motor housing; a recess provided at the stationary member, into which said projection is inserted; a movement permitting portion for permitting relative movement of the projection in the recess; and a slip-off portion from where the projection slips off said movement permitting portion. When impact energy of a primary crash and/or a secondary crash is applied to the motor housing, support of the motor on the stationary member is automatically released by rotating said motor housing.

Abstract: Values of vehicle speed signals sequentially output by a vehicle speed detection section are stored in a memory. Wheel slip detection section detects a slip of a vehicle wheel on the basis of the values of the vehicle speed signals stored in the memory and thereby outputs a wheel slip detection signal. Hood activation control section for controlling operation of a hood-lifting actuator activates the actuator even when the value of a current vehicle speed signal is smaller than a predetermined apparatus-activating vehicle speed value, on condition that the wheel slip signal has been received from the wheel slip detection section and that a collision detection signal has been received from a collision detection section.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a side member to be placed to extend in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The side member includes a support portion to support a power unit at a support point, and a weak section which is formed on the front side of the support point toward the front of the vehicle, and which is weakened in an upper side and lateral sides of the side member with respect to a lower side of the side member.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a motor vehicle has a torsion bar divided into two shafts (1 and 2). The two shafts (1 and 2) are connected to one another via a mechanical coupling. The coupling has a locking disk, which is connected to a first of the two shafts (1), rotating with it in unison, and on the circumference of which at least one locking area is formed, and a housing (3), which is connected to the second shaft (2), rotating with it in unison. At least one locking mechanism (10), which is complementary to the locking area and engages the locking area in the coupled state of the coupling, is mounted movably on the housing (3). Furthermore, a spring (11), by which the locking mechanism (10) is pretensioned in the direction of the locking disk, is connected to the housing (3) and to the locking mechanism (10).