Abstract: A system for sensing the spatial position of suspended axles in industrial vehicles includes two angular sensors (32) fitted on opposite pins (26), each of which is provided with a relative spherical coupling (27) for a panhard bar (16) interposed between an axle (11) and the chassis (15) of the industrial vehicle. Each of the sensors (32) interposed between the axle (11) and the chassis (15) of the industrial vehicle is operated by elastic laminas (35, 36) and each sensor has a drive pin rotated by a corresponding rotating hub (34), the angular sensors (32) detecting the spatial oscillations of the panhard bar (16) in relation to the axle (11) and the chassis (15) of the industrial vehicle. There are two elastic laminas (35, 36) for each angular sensor (32) and these are fitted parallel to a lateral surface of the panhard bar (16), partially overlapping one another and fixed at one end to one of the angular sensors (32) and at the other end to the surface of the panhard bar (16).

Abstract: A steer axle for a heavy duty vehicle is provided including an axle assembly having an axle housing. A steer knuckle is connected to an end portion of the axle housing by king pins. The steer knuckle rotates relative to the axle housing about the king pins. A wheel end assembly including a brake drum and a pair of brake shoes is supported on an outer wall of the steer knuckle. Preferably, one end of a cam shaft is supported by the wheel end assembly, such as by a spindle. According to the present invention, the steer knuckle includes a boss extending from a portion of the steer knuckle. The boss includes a hole, and preferably, a bushing is received in the hole to support the other end of the cam shaft. Other brake components such as an air chamber, rod, and a brake adjuster are supported by the knuckle and connected to the cam shaft to rotate the cam shaft about its axis and force the brake shoes away from one another with a cam and into engagement with the brake drum.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat frame (20) for supporting a vehicle occupant and a floor pan (4) for supporting the seat frame (20) for movement relative to the floor pan (4). The apparatus (10) includes a deflection member (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The deflection member (50) connects to the seat frame (20) for movement with the seat frame (20). The deflection member (50) has a first deflection surface (51). The sensor lever (70) connects to the floor pan (4). The sensor lever (70) has a second deflection surface (75) for engaging the first deflection surface (51) of the deflection member (50) and for deflecting as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70) changes as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The sensor (79) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (70) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70).

Abstract: The invention concerns an instrument panel for a vehicle having a form stable plastic carrier, a cover layer, optionally a layer including a foam material, and at least one flap-like tear-open part for the airbag of an airbag module. The flap-like tear-open part is defined by separation lines and a hinge area. The flap-like tear open part is provided with a reinforcement having at least one flexible layer. The layer is provided with through holes, which are perfused with the material of the carrier in such a manner, that the inner most carrier layer covers over the flexible layer in the manner of narrow or shallow elevations.

Abstract: A steering column support includes a bearing block with guide rail and a guide part for the steering column, the guide part having a slide section. A sliding block, sliding in the guide rail, is arranged between the slide section and guide rail. A high efficiency factor, inexpensive production and freedom from play may be ensured by the following features without reworking/adjustment: the sliding block is made of flexible material and is dimensioned such that it compensates for the play between the slide section and the guide rail; the slide section and the guide rail are made of sheet-steel molded parts; the sliding block is surrounded by one of the parts in such a way that an additional securing and retention in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail is dispensable; the slide section and the guide rail intermesh in such a way that a mutual emergency guidance without derailment remains, even if the sliding block is destroyed; and the sliding block is swing-mounted in the slide section.

Abstract: An emergency brake lever system for a recreational vehicle with a lever-actuated braking mechanism for precluding movement of the recreational vehicle upon the actuation thereof. Also included is a tether for wearing by a rider of the recreational vehicle. A release mechanism is coupled to the braking mechanism and the tether for actuating the braking mechanism upon the rider inadvertently falling off of the recreational vehicle.

Abstract: A gas bag module for use in vehicles has a housing and an inflator arranged on the bottom of the housing. A normally folded gas bag is accommodated within the housing. A diffusor is arranged between the inflator and the folded gas bag. The diffusor consists of a first diffusor part fixed to the bottom of the housing and a second diffusor part movably mounted on the first diffusor part. The second diffusor part is movable with respect to the first diffusor part from a normal retracted position closer to the bottom of the housing to an advanced position further away from the bottom of the housing under the action of gas pressure generated by the inflator.

Abstract: A vibration control system for a structure having a first structural member and a second structural member. The vibration control system having a liquid spring operably interposed between the first structural member and the second structural member. The liquid spring uses a compressible liquid to generate spring forces in response to relative displacement between the first structural member and the second structural member. A second volume of compressible liquid in a second chamber is removably connected to the liquid spring by a fluid passage. A valve is coupled to the fluid passage. The valve is selectively operable to place the second volume in communication with the liquid spring. A controller is electrically coupled to the valve. The controller emits a control signal to control the valve. The control signal is determined by a combination of at least a first component to alter the stiffness of the liquid spring and a second component to alter the damping of the liquid spring.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of reinforcing arrangements for vehicle bodies wherein the suspension forces for the ground engaging element are transmitted to the vehicle body and reinforcement is provided in this area. Rather than providing rigid reinforcement, as with the prior art, various forms of damping arrangements are disclosed including those which permit different damping in one direction from the other and utilizing either elastic or hydraulic viscous type dampers.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the lower bearing adapter and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A vehicular frame assembly 10 having a pair of members 12, 14 which are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry 16 of the vehicle which is constructed by use of the frame assembly 10. Each member 12, 14 is connected by use of members 11, 18, 20, 21, and 13 and has a pair of portions 22, 24 which each have a relatively tall sectional height which include an aperture 28. A unique one of the half shafts 32, 34, 36, and 38 are received within each of these apertures 28, thereby allowing the portions 22, 24 to have a relatively tall sectional height and thereby allowing the frame assembly 10 to have a lowest resonant frequency mode in excess of about fifty hertz.

Abstract: A thin compressible overhead airbag module provides inflatable overhead passive restraint protection to out of position occupants within a vehicle. The flat module design is compressed following assembly, making the compressed module thin enough to be mounted in the overhead space between the vehicle roof skin and the interior headliner. The general design includes an inflator, an inflatable cushion, and a 2-piece compressible housing. The compressible housing provides substantially more packaging space for the cushion. The roof area design allows the use of a longer, small diameter inflator. Upon activation, the car forward location of the inflator relative to the inflatable cushion forces the housing to deform below the inflator. The inflation force generated by the inflator effectively pulls the inflatable cushion out of the airbag module.

Abstract: A front vehicle body construction which can facilitate the attachment of a reinforcing plate to a dash panel for an automobile, and can improve the shock absorbing performance and noise, vibration and harshness performance without an increase in the number of parts and the manpower for assembling.

Abstract: An inflatable belt system and method of operation for a vehicle occupant restraint in which a lap belt section or torso belt section or both have dual load bearing portions with an inner portion being inflatable. During inflation of the inner portion the other outer belt portion ruptures along a frangible line. The outer belt portion is a woven cylindrical member.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner and force limiter in a vehicle having a piston-cylinder device with a cylinder chamber containing an explosive charge in which the piston has a piston rod that protrudes from the cylinder and is joined to a cable. The cable, via a drum and a planetary gear set, drives a reel mechanism for the belt in a winding-up direction when the explosive charge is detonated. The planetary gear set is engaged so that the gear ratio is about 1:1 between the drum and the reel mechanism when the drum rotates in the winding-up direction. The planetary gear set is engaged in the opposite direction so that the return movement of the piston a certain distance in the cylinder corresponds to a several times longer feed-out of the web from the reel mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and a inflator (12) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device (16). A non-azide gas generating material is in the inflator (12). The non-azide gas generating material when combusted produces inflation fluid which comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A catalyst system which contacts the inflation fluid is also in the inflator. The catalyst system is reactive with the carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the inflation fluid. The catalyst system comprises a zeolite and a catalytic material. The catalytic material is supported by the zeolite.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant classification system categorizes vehicle occupants into various classes such as adult, child, infant, etc. to provide variable control for a vehicle restraint system such as an airbag. The classification system utilizes sensors that are installed in various locations in the vehicle. The sensors are used to generate a three-dimensional profile for the vehicle occupant. Various factors can affect the accuracy of this three-dimensional profile. Fuzzy logic is used to reduce some of the inaccuracies by providing multiple decision levels for various stages of the classification. Inaccuracies are also caused by sensors shifting within the system from their original position. This condition creates offset and the system evaluates this offset and generates a correction factor to provide a more accurate three-dimensional profile.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a fluid pump, a pair of suspension cylinders and a hydraulic control circuit for controlling pressurization of the suspension cylinders. Each suspension cylinder has a head end and a rod end. The control circuit includes a proportional rod pressure control valve with a first pilot which is exposed to a pressure which is communicated to the head end of the suspension cylinder, and a second pilot which is exposed to pressure which is communicated to the rod end of the suspension cylinder. The rod pressure control valve controls pressure in the rod end of the suspension cylinder as a function of and proportional to the pressure in the head end of the suspension cylinder. A suspension damping valve controls communication between a chamber of the cylinder and an accumulator.

Abstract: A driveline system for a motor vehicle includes at least two propeller shafts and a driveline angle reducer disposed therebetween for drivingly interconnecting the propeller shafts at a fixed operating angle. The driveline angle reducer includes a housing rotatably supporting therewithin a fixed-angle constant-velocity joint. The housing of the driveline angle reducer is mounted to a vehicle body and contains a supply of a lubricant for lubrication of the constant-velocity joint. The driveline angle reducer allows propeller shaft operating angles to be in a range where conventional Cardan joints can be used in the driveline systems without causing excessive cyclic vibrations.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag that can change the inflating (deploying) speed of the air bag is provided. The gas generator includes a vessel having a pressurized gas accommodation chamber for accommodating pressurized gas therein, a partition that divides the pressurized gas accommodation chamber into two sections, and a through-hole which is defined in the partition, for communicating the two sections. The gas generator also includes two ignition units containing gas generating agents therein, and a gas release unit disposed in the pressurized gas accommodation chamber and having a rupturable gas sealing wall. A single ignition unit can be disposed in each section or two ignition units can be disposed in one of the two sections.