Abstract: A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appropriate driver warning and, in an adaptive restraints application, to deploy other safety devices based on whether the seat belt is fastened.

Abstract: An assembly unit includes an airbag module, a vehicle steering wheel, horn contacts for a vehicle horn, and attachment devices by means of which the airbag module is attached to the steering wheel. A first detachable attachment device is provided which comprises a first holding part provided on the airbag module and a second holding part provided on the steering wheel. The holding parts engage with each other and allow pivoting of the module in a direction towards the steering wheel in order to close a second attachment device. The second attachment device is a detachable latching connection and the airbag module, in its attached state, is able to be moved axially in order to close the horn contacts.

Abstract: An airbag cushion for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The airbag cushion is formed from two or more body panel sections of substantially similar straight line geometry which are joined to one another by two substantially straight seams along corresponding lateral boundary edges. Each of the body panel sections is made up of one or more panels or pieces. The upper boundary edges of the body panel sections which are not joined to one another are joined around the perimeter of a rectilinear center panel by a series of substantially straight seams. A method of forming the cushion according to the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion that is lighter-weight, smaller, and more compact than the previously known airbag systems, yet still capable of providing a vehicle occupant with ample impact protection during a crash. Generally, the airbag comprises a one-piece woven cushion with two or more inflatable chambers. These chambers have a generally flat two-dimensional shape in its uninflated and unfolded configuration. However, once gas is added, the airbag cushion rapidly inflates and converts into a three-dimensional shape capable of providing impact protection to the occupant. Preferably, the three-dimensional configuration of the inflated airbag is generally triangular, V-shaped, or polygonal in shape.

Abstract: A method for introducing a line of weakening with a low opening resistance in an airbag cover, comprising a substrate layer, a foamed material layer and a decorative layer in which a row of pocket holes s generated by laser radiation, wherein, alternately, first groups of pocket holes with a length a and with a quantity x of shallow pocket holes are generated only in the substrate material and second groups of pocket holes with a length b and with a quantity y of deep pocket holes are generated through the substrate material and through the foamed material layer into the decorative layer, and the foamed material layer is retained in the area of the first groups of pocket holes as a supporting layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises vehicle seat belt webbing (18), a cylinder (50), and a piston (60) movable in the cylinder to effect pretensioning of the seat belt webbing. The apparatus also comprises a fluid source (10) for providing fluid under pressure to move the piston (60) in the cylinder (50). The fluid source (10) comprises a propellant container (122) defining a propellant chamber (123) and a propellant (82) in the propellant chamber. The propellant (82) is ignitable to produce fluid under pressure. The propellant container (122) comprises a first portion (124) made from plastic and a second portion (126) made from metal. The metal portion (126) is secured to the plastic portion (124) to effect a hermetic seal of the propellant container (122).

Abstract: A vehicle occupants protection system wherein a front pillar garnish is mounted on a passenger compartment side of a front pillar which supports a roof with a predetermined amount of space being maintained therebetween for accommodating a side airbag, as well as a small impact absorbing member for absorbing an impact of such a small magnitude that the side airbag remains unopened, whereby the side airbag is inflated by gas generated when an impact of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied to a side of a vehicle so as to expand into a passenger compartment while forcibly opening one end portion of the front pillar garnish. A bottom surface of the small impact absorbing member is divided into two portions, a rear half portion located closer to the side airbag and a front half portion located farther away from the side airbag. Only the front half portion is attached to the front pillar garnish.

Abstract: Independent wheel suspension for motor vehicles comprising: a wheel support (12) with a suspension movement and a steering movement, suspension movement guide devices including a steering element (16), elastic device (34) and shock absorbing devices (16, 26), and a control device (42, 44, 46, 40) of the wheel support steering movement. The wheel support (12) slides along steering element (16), which is slanted with respect to a vertical axis, and the steering movement control device comprises an electric actuator (42) controlled by an electronic control unit (50) arranged to correct the steering movements induced by the suspension movement.

Abstract: A glove compartment assembly incorporates a compact airbag module with a cushion constructed at least partially of a rigid material. The cushion may be sandwiched between front and rear door covers so that inflation of the cushion moves the front door cover toward the knees of a vehicle user to provide antisubmarining protection. The cushion may incorporate the front door cover as a portion of its inflation gas-containing membrane. The glove compartment assembly may utilize a uniquely designed latching system, such as an electric latching assembly, a latching assembly disposed generally off the door, or a break-away latching assembly disposed generally on the front door cover, to permit motion of the front door cover away from the instrument panel without interfering with the airbag module.

Abstract: An antitheft apparatus, which is installed in a vehicle having an expandable body system to expand expandable body that confine a motion of a burglar in predetermined space portions in a compartment, ejects material as a source of foam polystyrene into the compartment and then injects a steam to the material to confine the motion of the intruder by the foam polystyrene when a presence of the intruder in the compartment is sensed.

Abstract: A head protective airbag which is adapted to not be inflated or to be scarcely inflated when dragged out of a pillar cover is provided. The airbag can be extremely smoothly pulled or dragged out of the pillar cover. The head protective airbag is provided with a triangular first cell in a front portion of the airbag. The first cell is in communication with a gas inlet through first and second gas passages. As an inflator is actuated, gas flows first mainly into the first gas passage through the gas inlet so that the airbag pushes and opens a roof trim above a B-pillar and thus starts to deploy into a vehicle cabin. The first cell is pulled by the first gas passage and an area around the first gas passage so as to tear a trim of an A-pillar and come out of the trim. After that, the first cell is inflated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering system, suspension system, braking system, and energy conversion system, wherein at least one of these systems is reprogrammable such that the vehicle's ride, response, or handling is selectively variable. The systems may be programmed automatically when a body is mated to a chassis to provide the desired performance characteristics. The invention enables increased vehicle functionality for vehicle users, retailers and manufacturers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an An articulated robot wrist. One embodiment comprises a includes a first body, a second body and a third body. The first body comprising includes first and second ends, the first end being for mounting on a robot component which is rotatable around a first axis; a. The second body comprising includes first and second ends, the first end being rotatably mounted on said the second end of said the first body around a second axis inclined angled with respect to said the first axis; and a. The third body comprising includes a first and a second end, the first end being rotatably mounted on said the second end of said the second body around a third axis inclined angled with respect to said the second axis. The first and third axes form an angle substantially of 90° with respect to said the second axis, and wherein in. In at least one position of said the robot wrist said the first and third axes are substantially aligned with each other.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle including an axi-symmetric framing system rotatable about a centerline to define a shell of revolution having a uniformly-convex outer boundary. A narrow-beam sonar array is mounted on the axi-symmetric framing system, and includes a multitude of simultaneously-fireable and/or asynchronously-fireable transducers distributed substantially evenly over a 4?-steradian viewing angle. The present invention provides the necessary configuration for a vehicle wherein an internal algorithm can compare a “new” geometry to an “old” geometry collected earlier to construct a best fit of the new world map with the old world map and locate the vehicle within the context of the new world map. This then provides a completely independent mechanism for correction of the gradual drift in x and y that is not dependent on any form of external navigation aid.

Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of spaced deformable attenuator members extend in a longitudinal direction and have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are staggered downstream from the impact member in the pre-impact position. At least a portion of the deformable attenuator members are bent in a non-outboard direction as the impact member is moved from the pre-impact position to the impact position.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is manufactured with a rear fabric panel and two front fabric panels. Each front fabric panel has a projecting tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel. The front fabric panels are, firstly, superimposed on each other. A back first end of the projecting tether portion is sewn to a part of a periphery of the front fabric panel, to form a second stitch portion in a recessed shape. A front second end of the tether portion is then sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel. A periphery of the rear fabric panel is, in addition, sewn to a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel, to form a third stitch portion.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a chassis including a tunnel. An engine is connected to the chassis. An endless drive track is disposed below the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine. A suspension assembly supports and tensions the endless drive track. The suspension assembly has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The suspension assembly includes a rail engaging the endless drive track. The rail extends in the longitudinal direction. A suspension arm has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis about a first lateral axis, and a lower end pivotally connected to the rail about a second lateral axis. At least one shock absorber is connected between the chassis and the rail for biasing the rail away from the chassis. The chassis is pivotally connected to the rail via the suspension assembly about a longitudinally extending axis. A suspension assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A propeller related vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is described as a helicopter having an airframe housing a motor mechanism for powering a main propeller attached to a main drive shaft that extends vertically through the airframe and for powering a tail rotor. The helicopter further includes a horizontal stabilizing mechanism attached between the main propeller and the main drive shaft, which permits the main propeller to freely pivot about the main drive shaft independently from the airframe. As such when the main propeller is rotating and the main propeller begins to pitch, the rotating main propeller has a centrifugal force created by the rotation thereof and will tend to pivot about the horizontal stabilizing mechanism in a manner that offsets the pitch such that the helicopter remains in a substantially horizontal position. In addition various main propeller configurations may be employed that provide additional self-stabilization.

Abstract: A side-by-side refrigerator having a door opening device which includes a cabinet and a door to open and close a front surface of the cabinet, the door opening device comprising: a handle which is mounted on a front surface of the door to perform a seesaw motion; and a push kit which is mounted on a side surface of the door to interwork with the handle, wherein a portion on which the handle and the push kit are mounted is formed to be recessed in the door.