Abstract: An automotive steering column having slip rings rotatable with a steering shaft and contact brushes on a housing of the steering column for transferring electrical signals between the steering column and a steering wheel rotatable with the steering shaft. The steering shaft is supported on the housing by a pair of longitudinally spaced bearings including an outboard bearing having an inner race on an adapter sleeve rotatable as a unit with the steering shaft. The slip ring is on the adapter sleeve between the spaced bearings and the adapter sleeve defines an annular spacer between the inner race of the outboard bearing and the steering shaft. A passage is defined in the portion of the adapter sleeve defining the annular spacer and a conductor connected to the slip ring traverses the plane of the outboard bearing in the passage.

Abstract: A vehicle which has a foot actuated speed control and linkage, a hand actuated control for selecting the forward or reverse mode, a brake pedal and linkage, and a mechanism connecting the speed control linkage and the mode control. The connecting mechanism comprises a rod coupled to an idler arm of the speed control linkage and a swingable connecting arm. The arm comes in contact with a selection arm of the mode control linkage to prevent the mode from being shifted when the speed control is depressed, and to limit the speed in reverse. A stop rod swings down over an arm of the speed control linkage as a parking brake is applied to block the movement of the speed control.

Abstract: An automotive suspension system includes means for monitoring bounding and rebounding strokes for producing a stroke indicative signal, and means for detecting frequency of bounding and rebounding strokes based on the stroke indicative signal. The suspension characteristics are hardened when the detected frequency is lower than a predetermined stroke frequency threshold for providing higher driving stability. On the other hand, when the detected stroke frequency is higher than or equal to the stroke frequency threshold, the suspension characteristics are switched between harder suspension characteristics and softer suspension characteristics depending upon stroke position for absorbing vibration energy and assuring riding comfort.

Abstract: An upper part of a strut is attached throught a rubber bushing to a body side member, and an upper spring sheet is attached to a lower surface of the rubber bushing. By this arrangement, in the loaded condition, the rubber bushing is compressed by the coil spring force so that comfort of ride and cornering stability are improved.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel has a decorative panel concealing a storage compartment for an inflatable air bag. The panel has a covering which comprises a backing plate having a U-shaped cut line framing the storage compartment and defining a cover door having a hinge line connecting the ends of the cut line U. An inner layer of foam is interposed between the backing plate and an outer skin layer. The skin has a peripheral groove outlining the door and comprises a hinge section overlaying the hinge line and a weakened tear seam line overlying the cut line. The groove is cut through at the bottom along the tear seam line but not along the hinge section. Inflation of the air bag will force the door outwardly, fracturing the foam layer along the tear seam line to swing the door away from the opening about the hinge section to enable deployment of the air bag outwardly of teh panel. The cuts in the panel layers can be made before or after a molding process.

Abstract: A suspension control system employs an acceleration sensor for monitoring an inertial force affecting for vehicular attitude. A control system coacting therewith includes a mechanism for lowering the level of an output signal of the acceleration sensor to eliminate therefrom any error corresponding a resonance frequency of the acceleration sensor for obtaining higher accuracy inertially indicative data.

Abstract: A locking device for securing at least first and second members which are movable relative to each other in response to a force acting thereon, in a locked rest position, with a release mechanism for releasing the members from their locked position, includes a locking element providing at least first and second support locations at which respective ones of the first and second mutually relatively movable members bear against the locking element to hold them in a locked condition. The co-operation of the locking element and one of the mutually relatively movable members provides a pivot axis about which the locking element is pivotable under the effect of an unlocking moment, to provide a release action. The device further includes a stationary stop means against which, in the locked position, the locking element bears due to the unlocking moment applied thereto.

Abstract: An occupant restraint cushion includes an internal horizontal wall interconnecting the front and rear walls thereof and subdividing the cushion into upper and lower compartments for respective engagement by the head and torso of the occupant. The horizontal subdividing wall and one or more additional horizontal walls angularly divergent thereto control the curvature of the front wall of the cushion to limit membrane forces applied by such wall to the head of the occupant. The cushion further includes one or more pairs of vertical walls or vertical subdividers which interconnect the horizontal subdividing wall and the front wall of the cushion, through the additional horizontal walls, to subdivide the upper compartment of the cushion into subcompartments which operate independently of each other when engaged by the head of the occupant.

Abstract: Mounting means for a vehicle passenger side air bag structure are provided. The air bag structure includes an air bag housing for containing an uninflated air bag and an air bag deployment chute mounted in a vehicle instrument panel opening on the passenger side. A portion of the air bag housing is slidably received in the air bag deployment chute. A connector bracket interconnects the air bag housing and air bag deployment chute preventing separation thereof during deployment of an air bag.

Abstract: A position adjusting device for a shoulder belt in a seat belt assembly includes a belt anchor into which the shoulder belt is loosely passed, an anchor support block supporting the belt anchor, a guide rail slidably holding the anchor support block, and a straight screw member which is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the guide rail and is screwed into the anchor support member, so that the anchor support block may be moved along the guide rail by the rotation of the screw member. A surface layer of solid lubricant is formed on at least one of thread surfaces of the screw member and the anchor support block.

Abstract: An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with contact blades and a magnetically biased contacting element. The contacting element is arranged to move toward the contact blades when a deceleration exceeding a threshold level is sensed. The contact blades are spaced away from each other so that one is bent toward the other by the contacting element to form a direct electrical path, thereby deploying the restraint system.

Abstract: An anti-rolling suspension control system generally derives anti-rolling control signals for controlling suspension characteristics of respective suspension systems in order to suppress vehicular rolling motion. The system is further provided means for monitoring road friction condition. The system derives distribution of rolling moment distribution ratio between front suspension systems and rear suspension systems based on the monitored road friction condition so that the derived distribution may be adapted to the road surface frictional condition.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of suspensions for steered wheels of a vehicle embodying upper and lower suspension arms with the upper arm connected to the vehicle by a ball joint so that the steering of the wheel is accommodated by pivotal movement of the upper arm. This arrangement reduces tread changes during suspension and steering movement. A wide variety of locations and orientations of the upper and lower arms and loading for the suspension units are disclosed.

Abstract: An automobile rear body structure includes a pair of rear side frames extending in a direction longitudinally of a vehicle body and having respective kick-up portions, each of which extends diagonally upwardly and rearwardly to form a bridging portion in a rear wheel zone. A differential unit is disposed substantially between the kick-up portions and a fuel tank is disposed behind the differential unit. A pair of drive shafts for driving respective rear wheels extend transversely from the differential unit and are disposed substantially below the kick-up portions. A medial cross member is interposed between the differential unit and the fuel tank and extends transversely between the paired rear side frames. The cross member has opposite ends connected to the rear side frames at locations immediately behind the kick-up portions. The differential unit is secured to the cross member or a suspension cross member for carrying rear wheel suspension systems.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for vehicles has an elastomeric spring contained in a rigid, telescoping housing and a torque arm. The spring resists and transmits vertical forces, the torque arm resists and transmits longitudinal forces and the rigid housing resists and transmits transverse or side forces.

Abstract: A system is described for automatically locking the doors of a vehicle equipped with electric power locks, wherein a first mode of operation is provided for vehicles having automatic transmissions and a second mode of operation is provided for vehicles having manual transmissions. The system includes means for sensing vehicle operating conditions necessary for locking vehicle doors in accordance with the two operating modes, and means for determining whether the vehicle has an automatic transmission. For vehicles having automatic transmissions, the system issues a door locking signal to lock the power door locks after an off-to-on transition of the vehicle ignition system is detected, when the automatic transmission is shifted from either the park or neutral range with the vehicle front doors closed.

Abstract: An inflatable bag is provided to protect an occupant of a motor vehicle. The bag is mounted within the structure of a seat of a vehicle and, when inflated, the bag is located between the occupant of the vehicle sitting on that seat and the side of the vehicle, with the center of that part of the bag which contacts the occupant of the vehicle being substantially aligned with the center of gravity of the torso of that occupant.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an airbag restraint system has a smooth, grained, plastic cover and a load bearing insert for covering a housing for an airbag and a gas generator which includes an inflatant for the airbag for deploying the airbag through the smooth, grained plastic outer cover member without rupturing the cover member at weakened sections therein and wherein a carriage is formed in an insert opening having a cutter thereon between the cover and the air bag; the cutter has cutting edges thereon directly contacting the cover assembly for perforating the cover during inflation of the airbag so as to form a self-piercing cover assembly which will be cut to form an opening through the cover assembly through which the airbag is deployed; the self-piercing occurring as the airbag is inflated and solely in response to such inflation prior to deployment of the airbag into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A steering tie rod or similar strut for motor vehicles with a securing member (4) acting in the longitudinal direction of the steering tie rod is described, which securing member comes into action when a defined, axially acting load value is exceeded. In another variant of the present invention, the length of the steering tie rod may undergo a limited change after the securing member has been overcome, so that limited fitness for use of the vehicle is maintained.

Abstract: A device for the vertical adjustment of the upper anchorage or deflection point of a safety belt system as a function of the longitudinal displacement of an associated motor vehicle seat. Displacement of the seat is transmitted by a cable coupled to a guide rail and a slider vertically displaceable therein between a lower and an upper stop and accommodating an attachment fitting or sash guide. Vertically correct adaptation, even to persons sitting relatively far back and having a relatively small upper body is achieved by an arrangement which permits further cable movement, directed counter a spring force, when the slider runs up against the upper stop and the motor vehicle seat is pushed further back.