Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a lever-actuated operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the lever-actuated operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension system for a vehicle includes a chassis rail. Also included is a leaf spring fixedly coupled proximate a first end and proximate a second end of the leaf spring to the chassis rail. Further included is a half leaf spring fixedly coupled to the chassis rail proximate a first end of the half leaf spring and fixedly coupled to a vehicle axle proximate a second end of the half leaf spring.

Abstract: A steering column may include a sleeve unit in which a steering spindle rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis, which sleeve unit is accommodated in a supporting unit so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction. An energy absorption device may be fitted between the supporting unit and the sleeve unit. The energy absorption device may include first and second bending elements that each comprise an elongate input limb positioned parallel to the longitudinal direction and connected at a free end to the supporting unit or the sleeve unit, and merges at another end into a bend to which a fixed limb is connected. The fixed limb may be connected to the other of the supporting unit or the sleeve unit. The second bending element may be formed in a mirror-inverted manner relative to the first bending element and may be positioned mirror-symmetrically adjacent to the first bending element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members configured to contact a ground surface, and a powertrain assembly operably coupled to the ground-engaging members. The utility vehicle also includes a frame supported by the ground-engaging members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a tunnel member coupled to the frame and extending along the longitudinal axis. The tunnel member is positioned at a first height from the ground surface. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a cargo portion supported by the frame and positioned generally rearward of the tunnel member. The cargo portion has a cargo surface substantially aligned with the tunnel member and positioned at a second height from the ground surface. The first height is approximately equal to the second height.

Abstract: The invention describes an airbag module (10) for attaching to an instrument panel, comprising an inflator (12), a fastening portion (36) which is arranged so that the airbag module (10) can be attached to the instrument panel via the fastening portion (36), a receiving portion (46) for an airbag as well as a holding portion (57) which serves for holding the inflator (12). The airbag module (10) has a support structure (16) including the fastening portion (36) and a housing (14) made from fabric material. The holding portion (57) is partially configured in a holding area (58) of the housing (14) which is opposed to the fastening portion (36) so that the inflator (12) is fastened from outside and extends at least partially into the receiving portion (46). The support structure (16) comprises at least one supporting portion (18) U-shaped in cross-section which at least partially encompasses the housing (14). In addition, the support structure (16) includes a peripheral frame (66).

Abstract: Disclosed is a configurable dynamic valve. In various embodiments the valve operates to control a pneumatic leveling system for vehicles and provide the capability for an operator to select an elevated or lowered ride height, to block air flow in and out of the leveling air bags, or to dump air from the air bags controlling the ride height. In various embodiments, the valve utilizes rotary disks which contain actuate apertures, wherein the disks form seals between ports which connect various inlet and outlet chambers such that the pneumatically selected operative disk apertures and ports provide air flow in or out of leveling air bags dynamically at a selected ride height during varying load and road conditions. In various embodiments, the modular design of the valve components allows for an easily configurable valve which may be customized to a particular application with a minimum of effort and manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A concealment system for a first vehicle component having a cutout and receiving aperture exposed by removal of a second component, includes a pre-insert configured to be inserted into the receiving aperture, and a filler insert having an outer surface and configured to be inserted into the cutout such that the outer surface of the filler insert is substantially flush with a visible outer surface of the vehicle component. The filler insert being inserted into and retained within the pre-insert.

Abstract: A two-track vehicle with a vehicle body suspension, in particular with a front auxiliary frame, which is connected at the lateral vehicle body longitudinal carriers, and with a drive assembly-bearing component, in particular with a tunnel transverse bearing carrier, which is arranged at a longitudinal offset at a distance from the auxiliary frame and which bridges over a vehicle body central tunnel. A drive assembly is supported by the auxiliary frame and also on the tunnel transverse carrier. An intermediate coupling element is provided, which connects the auxiliary frame to the tunnel transverse carrier in a force-transmitting manner, while the longitudinal offset is bridged over.

Abstract: One steering column assembly for use with a vehicle includes a jacket, a steering shaft rotatably supported by the jacket, and a retractor for moving the steering shaft from an extended position to a stowed position. The retractor does not interfere with rotation of the steering shaft when the steering shaft is at the extended position, and the retractor includes explosive material and a detonation device. The detonation device is in communication with the explosive material for detonating the explosive material when an impact event is sensed or predicted, and detonation of the explosive material results in the steering shaft moving from the extended position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A truck bed trailer that includes a truck bed and a trailer frame is described. The trailer frame includes one or more wheels and may be designed to have approximately 60% of the truck bed floor in front of the wheel axles and 40% of the truck bed floor to the rear of the wheel axles.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle that utilizes steer-by-wire controls and may selectively be operated in an autonomous mode comprises a retractable telescopic steering column adapted to extend by as much as three hundred millimeters (300 mm) from its fully retracted position. The steering column is also in force communication with a feedback motor, which provides feedback to the driver of the vehicle via a steering wheel attached to the steering column to emulate the forces that would be transmitted to the steering wheel if the steering wheel were mechanically linked to the steerable wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bush main body having a circumferential part divided by a first virtual plane includes a first portion that is extended over a predetermined circumferential distance from the first virtual plane, a second portion that is disposed opposite the first portion with the first virtual plane sandwiched in between and is extended over a predetermined circumferential distance from the first virtual plane, and a third portion that is a portion other than the first and second portions. The inside diameter of the inner peripheral surface in a second virtual plane that includes an axial center and is perpendicular to the first virtual plane is set to be greater than the inside diameter of the inner peripheral surface in the first virtual plane while the first portion is in contact with the second portion in a no-load state before bonding to the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: A vehicle-height control system includes: a fluid supply and discharge device including a compressor device and a tank storing fluid pressurized by the compressor device; a vehicle-height control actuator corresponding to a wheel and connected to the fluid supply and discharge device; a vehicle height controller that controls a vehicle height for the wheel by controlling the fluid supply and discharge device to control supply and discharge of fluid to and from the vehicle-height control actuator; a tank pressure controller that controls a tank pressure; and a fluid supply controller that supplies the fluid to a low pressure portion by controlling the fluid supply and discharge device at start and/or termination of at least one of control executed by the vehicle height controller and control executed by the tank pressure controller. The low pressure portion is at least a portion of the fluid supply and discharge device.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly which includes an adjustable shroud that supports a steering column shaft, a support bracket that is fixed in position in the vehicle, and a clamp mechanism that selectively secures the shroud to the support bracket, the clamp mechanism comprising a fixed rack that is secured to the shroud or the bracket, and a moving rack that is movable towards and away from the fixed rack during operation of the clamp mechanism, in which the fixed rack comprises a support portion and at least one row of teeth which are carried by the support portion arranged spaced apart from one another, and the moving rack comprises a support portion and at least one row of teeth which are carried by the support portion.

Abstract: A method for performing open-loop or closed-loop control of a driver's cab mount of a motor vehicle, wherein the driver's cab mount has dampers whose damper force can be adjusted, wherein the motor vehicle can be operated in a first driving mode in which the motor vehicle automatically carries out vehicle guidance comprising both a longitudinal guidance operation and a transverse guidance operation of the motor vehicle, and in a second driving mode where the motor vehicle can be controlled by the driver, in which driving mode a driver of the motor vehicle is intended to carry out at least part of the vehicle guidance, wherein when the motor vehicle is operated in the first driving mode, the adjustable dampers of the driver's cab mount are actuated or adjusted in such a way that pitching or rolling movements are reduced compared to the second driving mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a steering linkage system that includes a steering tie bar extending between a first and second spindle of the vehicle and a joint attached to the frame of the vehicle. The system further includes a first steering link attached to and extending between a first steering location that is on or connected directly to the joint and a second steering location that is on or connected directly to the steering tie bar. The system includes a second steering link attached to and extending between a third steering location on or connected directly to a middle of the first steering link located between the first and second steering locations, and a fourth steering location on or connected directly to a pitman arm of the vehicle. Further disclosed is a vehicle having the steering linkage system, and a kit for providing the steering linkage system to a vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system includes: a trailing arm and a lower arm which are turnably connected to a chassis and are joined in such a way as to be displaceable relative to each other through a hinge mechanism; and a stabilizer. The suspension system includes a stabilizer link which connects the stabilizer to the trailing arm. A fitting point of the stabilizer link to the trailing arm is located behind a center axis of the hinge mechanism in a vehicle front-back direction, and a fastening point of the stabilizer and the stabilizer link is located above the fitting point in a vehicle up-down direction and inside the fitting point in a vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A robotic platform may include left and right platforms, a base platform, wheel assemblies, and a tilting suspension. The tilting suspension may include a tilt shaft coupled to the base platform, a crank, suspension arms, and a tilt assembly. The tilt shaft may extend along a substantially vertical tilt axis. The crank may extend substantially perpendicular to the tilt axis and may be coupled to the tilt shaft such that the crank at least partially rotates about the tilt axis along with the tilt shaft. The suspension arms may extend from the crank to the left and right platforms such that rotation of the crank about the tilt axis controls the tilt of the platforms. The tilt assembly may control rotation of the tilt shaft about the tilt axis to control the tilt of the left and right platforms. Various other systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An extendable steering column assembly includes a steering shaft, an energy absorption device, and a self-locking telescope actuator. The steering shaft is configured to rotate about an axis, and includes a forward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a fixed support structure, and a rearward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a jacket. The rearward shaft portion is configured to axially translate with the jacket. The energy absorption device is engaged to the jacket. The telescope actuator includes a rod extending along a centerline, a nut threaded to the rod, and a casing in operable contact with the nut. Rotational motion along with axial translational motion is induced between the rod and the nut when at least in at least a power state.

Abstract: An electric actuator mechanism for a retractable steering column assembly includes an electric motor. The mechanism also includes a drive gear driven by the electric motor. The mechanism further includes a driven gear driven by the drive gear, the driven gear and the drive gear moveable relative to each other between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the driven gear operatively coupled to a translating assembly for translating a retractable portion of the retractable steering column assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode, the driven gear and the drive gear moved to the disengaged condition upon a force exerted on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position.