Abstract: In a steering device, when a telescopic position of a steering wheel is disposed at a vicinity of an adjustment end on a front side of a vehicle body, if a large force is applied erroneously to the steering wheel toward the front side of the vehicle body, rear ends of telescopic position adjusting long grooves are brought into contact with a fastening rod and push the fastening rod to the front side of the vehicle body. An engaging protrusion pushes an inner column to the front side of the vehicle body. A large force to the front side of the vehicle body, which is applied to the steering wheel is supported by the vehicle body via the inner column, and a force which is applied to a vehicle body attaching bracket can be reduced. This prevents the vehicle body attaching bracket from becoming detached from the vehicle body.

Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.

Abstract: An active air suspension system includes an air spring assembly that has a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted around the piston airbag to provide a variable force and rate dual air spring configuration. The air suspension system is configured to accurately control pressure within the piston airbags in a closed-loop manner. Continuous control of the piston pressure provides an accurate increase or decrease of spring rate or force depending on the controller inputs.

Abstract: An airbag deployment control system for use in a vehicle seat having a trim cover. The airbag deployment control system includes an upper outer liner member having a first end for coupling to an airbag module and a second end for coupling to the trim cover, and a lower outer liner member having a first end for coupling to the airbag module and a second end for coupling to the trim cover. The trim cover is for covering at least a portion of the vehicle seat and the airbag module. The trim cover includes a burst seam for the airbag member to deploy through the trim cover by rupturing at the burst seam upon inflation of the airbag member. The upper outer liner member and the lower outer liner member control deployment of the inflatable airbag member at least two locations.

Abstract: A method of press-forming a tubular part having a cross section of an irregular shape crushes a steel tube between an upper die and a lower die in order to form a V-shaped cross section. When the curvature radius of a tip of the upper die is defined as R1, the curvature radius of a bottom portion of the lower die corresponding to the tip of the upper die is defined as R2, and the wall thickness of the steel tube is defined as t; R1, R2, and t satisfy R1+2t=R2 and 1.5t?R1?3t.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis for motor homes, busses and similar vehicles is provided. In an embodiment, the chassis includes anti-camber to counteract the bending action provided by the engine being mounted rear ward of the rear axle(s) of the vehicle such that the rear axle(s) act as a fulcrum causing crowning of the chassis. Further, embodiments of the invention utilize through the frame construction for lateral support members to increase storage space of a basement region and to increase strength of the welded joints of the various structural members.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (14) includes a front portion (70) that has a panel (72) presented toward the occupant (20) when the protection device (14) is in the inflated condition and a rear portion (80) spaced from the front portion (70) when the protection device (14) is in the inflated condition. A lower connecting portion (90) connects the front portion (70) to the rear portion (80) and defines the lower extent of the protection device (14). A space (100) is positioned outside the inflatable volume (60) of the protection device (14) and is defined between the front portion (70), the connecting portion (90), and the rear portion (80). The space (100) extends from an upper extent of the protection device (14) down to below a midline of the protection device (14).

Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, a transverse link, a steering knuckle and a lower knuckle breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side, with the inboard side being attached to the lower suspension support structure. The steering knuckle is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. The lower knuckle breakaway structure is formed on one of the transverse link and the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a two-wheeled motor vehicle includes determining a current pitch angle of the motor vehicle, and limiting the pitch angle to a specified boundary pitch angle by an intervention using an intervention component of the motor vehicle causing the longitudinal acceleration of the motor vehicle to be influenced.

Abstract: In a frontal collision energy absorption structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9), an engine mount bracket (27) is attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in a vehicle length direction, and is, in the vehicle length direction, apart from a connection part of the main frame (10) and a suspension tower (101), a connection part of the main frame (10) and a second cross-member (12) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in front thereof, and a connection part of the main frame (10) and a third cross-member (13) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in rear thereof.

Abstract: Low cost airbag system (1) for a vehicle that deploys to protect a driver and optionally a passenger during a crash involving the vehicle. The airbag system includes a crash sensor system (2) that detects a crash involving the vehicle, a driver side airbag module (40) mounted to a steering wheel and including a driver side airbag (42) that inflates to protect the driver and a gas generator (108) that generates inflation medium to inflate the driver side airbag (42). A control module (6) is coupled to the crash sensor system (2) and gas generator (108) and initiates generation of inflation medium by the gas generator (108) based on detection of a crash by the crash sensor system (2). A similar system is provided for the passenger side airbag module (20).

Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag system includes a side air bag that is housed folded up in a vehicle seat and that deploys between an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and a front side door by receiving a supply of gas when a side collision occurs, and a curtain air bag that is housed folded up in an upper edge portion of a door opening and that deploys in a curtain shape downward by receiving a supply of gas when a side collision and a rollover occur. The curtain air bag has a delay chamber that deploys later than a main chamber by receiving a supply of gas from the main chamber via a narrowed passage. The delay chamber deploys with a lower end side below a beltline and in an area that overlaps with a deployment area of a side air bag.

Abstract: A wheel carrier for a motor vehicle in which the wheel carrier is typically manufactured from aluminum. The wheel carrier comprises a recess (1) for receiving an outer ring (2) of a wheel bearing (3). An inner ring (4) of the wheel bearing (3) is fixed in a hub (15) of a wheel flange (12) of a vehicle axle. An axial end of the outer ring (2) of the wheel bearing (3) abuts against a shoulder of the wheel carrier (6), and a rim section (5) of the wheel carrier (6) is at least partially deformed to abut an opposite axial end of the outer ring (2) of the wheel bearing (3).

Abstract: A vehicle ready light control method includes providing a vehicle having a vehicle ready light and illuminating the vehicle ready light when a powertrain of the vehicle is enabled and at least one of the following conditions exists: the vehicle is in park mode or neutral mode; an engine RPM speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined RPM value and a wheel speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined wheel speed. A vehicle ready light control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An active safety apparatus for vehicles and a method of controlling the apparatus, which can actively control the operation of a safety device, such as an airbag device or a seatbelt device installed in a vehicle for restraining a passenger behavior and protecting a passenger in a vehicle collision, based on the conditions of a vehicle collision and the passenger behavior which vary depending on the conditions of the vehicle collision, thereby optimally protecting the passenger for the conditions of the vehicle collision and improving passenger safety of the vehicle.

Abstract: A conveyance such as a wheelchair that includes a seat assembly and a chassis. The chassis comprises a central frame member disposed substantially along the centerline of the wheelchair. The central frame member includes portions for connecting to or supporting one or more front casters, a seat assembly, one or more drive wheel assemblies, an energy source (e.g., one or more batteries), rear anti-tip wheels, and/or at least one footplate. The central frame member is disposed substantially along the centerline of the wheelchair and structurally distributes of the weight of the seat assembly (and optionally the weight of the energy source) to the supporting drive wheels and casters. In this manner, a clean-looking, simple, and lightweight chassis structure is provided for a conveyance.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a side curtain airbag assembly for protecting an occupant of a vehicle is provided. The side curtain airbag assembly comprises an inflatable cushion configured to be installed between a roof rail and an upper vehicle trim of the vehicle. The inflatable cushion is deployable from an uninflated state to an inflated state by gas from a gas generator. The inflatable cushion includes a side protection panel having an upper perimeter portion and one or more sub chambers. The sub chambers inflate downward from the upper perimeter portion. An upward deploying chamber is in fluid communication with the side protection panel and inflates upward between the roof rail and the upper vehicle trim.

Abstract: In a vehicle driving assistance apparatus having an electric motor to impart steering torque to the driver and a driving control unit that conducts collision avoidance assistance control and other steering control including lane departure prevention control, power steering control and parking assistance control for providing assistance during parking of the vehicle, when a warning for alerting the driver is made by imparting torque to the steering wheel via the motor, the control input of the other steering control is suppressed, i.e. is reduced during either the first predetermined time before warning or the second predetermined time after warning. Owing to this configuration, the driver can be enabled to perceive the warning without fail even when another steering control is performed in parallel.