Abstract: An active vehicle suspension includes a strut comprising a piston working in a cylinder and movable to compensate for unexpected road inputs to the suspension and for inputs generated by the driver, such an inertial force introduced by braking or cornering. At times when the piston is being moved by the road and driver inputs to compress the strut excess hydraulic fluid is fed from the strut to an accumulator where it is temporarily stored at high pressure and later released back to the strut when it is desired to increase the length of strut. Thus some, and sometimes all, of the energy needed to extend the strut can be supplied by the accumulator rather than a pump. This save energy. The piston has unequal areas and a system of spool valves is provided to control the flow of fluid between the strut, accumulator, and pump.

Abstract: A steering roller arrangement for a trackless floor vehicle in the form of a so-called three-wheeled vehicle is described. With this vehicle, in addition to two running wheels, a steering roller is provided which can be swiveled about a vertical axis by means of a ring mount for traveling in a curved line and to achieve a trailing effect. Relative to the rotatable part of the ring mount, the steering roller is movable between two opposite trailing positions such that, with a reversal of the direction of travel, the required alteration of the steering roller trailing effect is brought about by a corresponding adjustment of the steering roller. In this way uncontrolled veering of the vehicle is avoided which occur with conventional three-wheeled vehicles on account of the rotation of the steering roller by 180.degree. caused by the trailing effect of the steering roller. The steering roller is expediently displaceable in a straight line by a linear guide between the two trailing positions.

Abstract: An automatic conveying system of a car safety belt that controls various alarm functions and directions of a motor for releasing and fastening of the belt with an electronic controller constituted in such that a control unit scans switch states according to key inputs, and drives an alarm lamp, an alarm buzzer, an alarm chime, a solenoid and a driving motor. The control method provides the users of a car safety belt with convenience, and also solves problems of the prior relay-type control system such as high cost, largely occupied space and difficulty in checking when in trouble.

Abstract: In a stabilizer including a middle portion which acts as a torsion bar. One end of the middle portion is supported by a wheel through a vertical stabi-link. A connector is disposed between the middle portion and the wheel. The connector is adapted to regulate the action of the middle portion. The connector includes a housing connected with the stabi-link. A ring is secured with the end of middle portion and rotatably supported in the housing. A recess is formed on the ring. A rod engages with the recess. An actuator acts on the rod. A controller controls the force of the actuator to control the rotatable angle between the end of the middle portion and the stabi-link.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprising: a pressure tank (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure tank comprising a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas; a sliding piston (72) including at one end thereof a sharp edge (74) for puncturing the first rupture disk and at its other end a second rupture disk (80). The sliding piston (72) movable into engagement with the first rupture disk in response to the build up of pressure acting on the second rupture disk (80) in response to the burning of propellant material (90) thereby permitting egress of the stored inflation gas. The second burst disk being ruptured by the continued build up of pressure due to the burning propellant whereupon after the rupturing of same the heated products of combustion resulting from the burning propellant flow through the sliding piston (72) to increase the temperature of the stored inflation gas prior to its exit from the inflator.

Abstract: An active suspension system includes a hydraulic circuit associated with a pressure control valve for adjusting fluid pressure in a working chamber of an active cylinder. A variable orifice is provided between a control portion of the pressure control valve and the working chamber. The variable orifice is operated to provide a first full path area while a line pressure in a supply line for feeding pressurized fluid to said pressure control valve is higher than a predetermined pressure level and a second restricted path area when the line pressure is lower that the predetermined level.

Abstract: An active suspension system derives a target pressure to adjust fluid pressure in a working chamber of an active cylinder on the basis of a difference between an actual height level and a desired or target vehicular height level. Pressure supply for the working chamber is so controlled as to establish the target height. The system detects a vehicular parking state in which the vehicle speed is zero and a road wheel is locked and limits the variation range of the fluid pressure in the working chamber at the target pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle primarily intended for use by a single individual is disclosed which includes front and rear frame members and a releasable interconnecting mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging front and rear frame members to permit the unit to be broken down into at least two components for easy transportation and storage. The seat for the unit is mounted on the rear drive frame and includes a seat post rigidly connected to that frame.

Abstract: A rotary damper is provided in a base end of a swing arm forming a part of a vehicle suspension system. The rotary damper comprises a casing defining a fluid chamber having a shape of a fan extending substantially toward a free end of the swing arm in cross section as seen in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal line of the pivot center line, a central shaft centrally received in the casing, and a single vane extending laterally from the central shaft into the fluid chamber, the fluid chamber being filled with fluid for applying a damping force to the vane as the vane relatively moves in the fluid chamber. By thus eliminating the need for a tubular damper, the space efficiency can be improved, and reduction in the overall size and weight of the system can be improved with the added advantage of allowing avoidance of interference with the drive shaft of the wheel in a simple manner.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an airbag restraint has a smooth cover and a load bearing insert for concealing an airbag restraint system having a housing, an airbag and a gas generator which includes an inflatant for inflating the airbag for deploying the airbag through the smooth outer cover member. The outer cover member has weakened sections on the inboard surface and filler material is disposed against the cover member to prevent inward collapse of the outer cover member at the weakened sections. An insert is formed in situ of the filler material in an opening in a restraint member and the insert is engaged during initial inflation of the airbag to displace the filler material so as to stress the outer cover member at the weakened sections thereof for separating a hidden door segment from the cover member as the airbag is inflated and solely in response to such inflation prior to deployment of the airbag into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An active suspension system of an automotive vehicle having four air suspension units for four wheels has a first sensor for detecting vertical acceleration of the mass above each suspension unit spring, a second sensor for detecting the vertical relative displacement of the masses above and below each unit spring, a controller for operating in response to the output signals from the two sensors and a relative displacement velocity signal obtained by differentiation of the signal from the second sensor to generate an instruction air flow quantity signal, and a control valve operating in response to this flow quantity signal from each controller to control the charging or discharging of air into or from each unit. An auxiliary damper is provided in each unit to damp vibrations of relatively high frequencies.

Abstract: A bush assembly includes an inner cylindrical member for supporting an elongated member, a rigid sleeve slideably fixed to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member via a slipping member, and an outer cylindrical member fixed to the outer surface of the rigid sleeve via an elastic member. The rigid sleeve has a greater diameter portion at one end thereof so that an annular space is formed between the greater diameter portion and one end of the inner cylindrical member. The bush assembly further includes a sealing member which is disposed in the annular space for preventing muddy water or the like from getting into the interfaces between the slipping member and the inner cylindrical member and between the slipping member and the rigid sleeve. The sealing member includes an outer portion fixed to the rigid sleeve, an inner portion being brought into contact with the inner cylindrical member, and an intermediate portion arranged therebetween.

Abstract: An air bag device for use with a motor vehicle has an inflatable bag on the inner surface of which is provided a thin film-like layer of gas generating agent. At least one igniter is mounted in a part of the thin gas generating agent layer. When the vehicle encounters a collision, the gas generating agent is ignited by the igniter to generate gas. The gas fills up and thereby inflates the bag to restrain an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for stabilizing the rolling of a vehicle, having control elements arranged between vehicle wheel carriers or wheel suspension members and the vehicle body to generate forces approximately in a vertical direction. The control system is activated only when threshold values for the lateral acceleration of the vehicle and for the steering wheel turning angle are exceeded. When the control system is activated, the control elements generate a rolling moment at the vehicle body counteracting the rolling motions caused by driving conditions and at first completely, or for the most part, only at the rear wheel axle. In a transition period, which depends on vehicle parameters, the control system will then change the rolling moment distribution between the front wheel axle and the rear wheel axle to a given fixed rolling moment distribution.

Abstract: A control unit for an active suspension system of a vehicle. The control unit includes a longitudinal g sensor for sensing longitudinal g of the vehicle body to generate a longitudinal g signal; and a control instruction quantity calculating circuit for calculating a control instruction quantity of a fluid to be charged into or discharged from each of suspension units in response to the longitudinal g signal to generate and transmit a control instruction quantity signal representing the control instruction quantity to a fluid charge and discharge control circuit for controlling to charge into or discharge from each suspension unit, whereby the vehicle body is controlled in response to the longitudinal g so that the vehicle body is effectively held in an ordinary position.

Abstract: A bush assembly includes an inner cylindrical member for supporting an elongated member, a rigid sleeve slidably fixed to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member via a slipping member, and an outer cylindrical member fixed to the outer surface of the rigid sleeve via an elastic member. The rigid sleeve has a greater diameter portion at one end thereof so that an annular space is formed between the greater diameter portion and one end of the inner cylindrical member. The bush assembly further includes a sealing member which is disposed in the annular space for preventing muddy water or the like from getting into the interfaces between the slipping member and the inner cylindrical member and between the slipping member and the rigid sleeve. The elastic member has a radially extending projection for interrupting muddy water or the like getting into the interface between the outer cylindrical member and a member which is to be connected another member via the bush assembly.

Abstract: A rear suspension particularly adapted for light and medium weight trucks and buses wherein a chassis and body are supported upon a dead axle the latter of which is of a light weight and rigid construction so as to permit a lower positioning of the chassis relative to the ground and in such a way as to eliminate lateral displacement of the dead axle relative to the chassis and wherein the aft end of the roll axis of the suspension is either horizontal or displaced vertically above a horizontal line passing through the point of articulation of the suspension to the chassis to eliminate the tendency of the dead axle to oversteer the vehicle as it moves vertically relative to the chassis.

Abstract: An active suspension system is provided a pressure accumulator connected to a drain line connecting a drain port of a pressure control valve which controls pressure in the working chamber of an active cylinder. The pressure accumulator serves for absorbing high pressure surge. On the other hand, means, disposed within the drain line, for generating pressure difference between the upstream and the lowerstream thereof so that the fluid pressure in the drain line at the orientation where the pressure accumulator is connected, is maintained at a level higher than an initial gas pressure in the pressure accumulator.

Abstract: An airbag gas generator is disclosed which includes a propellant chamber and a filter chamber arranged adjacent the propellant chamber for filtering flow of airbag propellant gas therethrough on its path to an airbag cushion. The filter chamber is provided with a plurality of alternative gas flow paths therethrough which have respective different filter resistances. Temperature dependent change-over devices are provided for controlling the flow of gas through the respective alternative gas flow paths in the filter chamber as a function of the ambient temperature at the generator.

Abstract: An improved seat belt restraint system having a "comfort" feature for controlling tension in a shoulder belt. The comfort feature partially relieves tension exerted by the seat belt retractor on the vehicle occupant, yet prevents excess slack from developing in the shoulder belt which can negatively affect occupant protection performance of the restraint system. A webbing guide is provided which forms the upper anchorage of the shoulder belt of the restraint system. The webbing guide includes a sensing lever which contacts the seat belt webbing and is moved through various angular positions in response to tension applied on the shoulder belt. When the sensing lever is in an angular position corresponding to excess slack in the webbing, the webbing can pass freely through the guide loop and the retractor can freely retract webbing.