Abstract: Opposite ends of a torsion beam are connected to left and right trailing arms, and a spindle which supports a wheel is secured to a spindle support plate which is welded to each of the left and right trailing arms. Bent flanges which are formed in the outer periphery of a body of the spindle support plate, are fitted to the outer periphery of the end of trailing arm and secured by welding. With this arrangement, thermal warp of the body of the spindle support plate which supports spindle can be prevented, and not only can the mounting precision of the spindle be improved, but also the thickness of the spindle support plate can be reduced to reduce the weight.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator for an airbag module is disclosed. The pyrotechnic inflator may have a generally tubular housing that contains an initiator, a baffle, and a quantity of inflation gas generant. The generant is disposed in a compartment defined by the baffle. The baffle has a passageway with a first end and a second end. Direct fluid communication between the first and second ends is restricted by a blockage within the passageway. Upon receipt of an activation signal, the initiator directs initiation gas into the first end. The initiation gas may exit the first end through a plurality of first end holes to reach and ignite the generant with or without requiring any intermediate igniter material. The generant combusts to produce inflation gas, which enters the second end of the passageway through a plurality of second end holes. The inflation gas exits the inflator to inflate a cushion.

Abstract: A coil spring mounting structure for a suspension strut includes a spring bracket secured to a shock-absorber. The spring bracket has a coupling hole, which is configured to receive a screw threaded end of a coil spring. Nuts are screw-coupled to the screw threads of the coil spring, thereby fixing the coil spring to the spring bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a passenger module (10) with a cover coupling mechanism (12, 14, 28, 30). The cover coupling mechanism has a generally C-shaped bracket (12, 14), which interfaces with a plurality of slots (65, 66) defined in an air bag cover (20). The C-shaped bracket further has a plurality of apertures (22) which interface with a plurality of threaded studs (24) on the module's housing.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor assembly including a Hall effect sensor; an overmolded housing which is overmolded onto the Hall effect sensor; and a magnet movably connected to the Hall effect sensor by a movable connection with the overmolded housing. The movable connection restrains movement of the magnet to a path along and aligned with a Hall effect central sensing axis. The magnet is substantially prevented from tilting relative to the sensing axis.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for adjusting an energy absorbing system of an automobile vehicle steering column mounted in a support assembly which is connected to and attached to the structure of the vehicle by fixing devices each having a respective fixing axis. At least one fixing device includes at least one energy absorbing capsule disposed in the support assembly on a retaining axis and clamped in the support assembly by fastening devices. The fixing axis and the retaining axis coincide. The fastening devices are independent of the fixing devices and include a nut and a rod shoulder in order to allow adjustment to achieve the required clamping of the fastening devices to obtain the required energy absorption. Adjustment of the clamping of the energy absorbing capsule or capsules is therefore independent of the clamping of the devices for fixing the support assembly to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for an automobile includes an airbag case for accommodating an airbag in a folded condition, the airbag case being disposed behind a surface panel which is made of a thermoplastic resin material and provided within the automobile; a fracture-opening section of the surface panel, the fracture-opening section facing an opening of the airbag case and being defined by means of fracture grooves formed on an inside surface of the surface panel; at least one reinforcement plate member fixed to the inside surface of the surface panel in a region corresponding to the fracture-opening section; and a frame member surrounding the reinforcement plate member and fixed to the inside surface of the surface panel in a region surrounding the fracture-opening section. The frame member and the reinforcement plate member are each made of a thermoplastic resin material, and are fixed to the inside surface of the surface panel through vibration welding.

Abstract: An algorithm for evaluating information from sensors interacting with strips that are extended during activation of the airbag determines whether the airbag has contacted an out-of-position occupant. In one embodiment, each strip includes an alternating pattern that generates a frequency in a sensor through which the strip passes during deployment. The frequency generated is based upon the speed with which the strip passes by the sensor and, in turn, the speed of deployment of the airbag. A controller evaluates the frequency and the changes in frequency from the sensor during deployment. Depending upon the specific configuration of the system and the specific vehicle, a decrease in the speed of deployment of the airbag may be indicated by a decrease in the frequency of the signal.

Abstract: A vehicle impact sensing system for detecting impact events to a vehicle, and allowing deployment decisions of passive restraint devices based on information gathered and relayed regarding such impact events. The sensing system includes one or more sensor elements capable of directly detecting vehicle deformation occurring as a consequence of the impact event. The sensor elements generate an output that varies upon deformation of the element. The sensor elements are in communication with a restraints control module. Upon deformation of the sensor element, the control module receives impact signals from the sensor elements based upon the altered output, and discriminates between impact events that warrant deployment of a passive restraint, such as a side air bag, and those that do not. The control module utilizes information gathered from the sensor elements to make deployment decisions, such as which restraint to deploy and the appropriate degree of deployment.

Abstract: A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system comprises an elongated housing that has first and second side pieces which are joined by means of a back and have edges as well as inner faces lying opposite each other. The module further comprises a gas bag arranged folded in the housing as well as at least one flap provided on the edge of the first side piece remote from the back, which flap is pivotally connected via a hinge with the first side piece. At least a major part of the flap, before an activation of the gas bag module, is arranged inside the housing and adjoins the inner face of the second side piece.

Abstract: Fastening element for a shock absorber includes a first part which is fixed to the piston rod of the a shock absorber and is provided with an aperture for a bearing bolt and a second part with a bearing surface for a helical spring surrounding the shock absorber. The second part coaxially surrounds the first part and is held relative to the first part at least in an axial direction by a securing ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for adjusting weight distribution throughout all axle groups of the truck and trailer. The trailer has at least one axle group mounted on a pair of rails attached to the frame of the trailer. These axle groups are locked in position on the rails by locking pins. The system for adjusting weight distribution according to the present invention measures the weight on every axle group on the truck and trailer. The measurement may be of weight directly by load cells etc. or indirectly, by taking measurements from the air suspension system to calculate weight. The measurements are delivered as an electrical signal to one or more microprocessors capable of receiving the electrical signals and calculating the optimum position of the axle group on the trailer. The position of the trailer axle groups relative to the rails is also determined and the position delivered to the microprocessor(s).

Abstract: An air bag module for venting inflation gas if an out-of-position vehicle occupant is too close to the module for proper air bag deployment. The module has an air bag canister having a gas channel port, an inflator, an air bag cushion, a deployment door, a structural gas channel, and a venting system. The venting system connects the structural gas channel to the gas channel port and includes a plug and a plug pulling system for controlling the venting of gas.

Abstract: An occupant classification system for recognizing the type of occupant of a motor vehicle seat especially for use in controlling an inflatable restraint system. The classification system utilizes a number of on-off electrical switches arranged in a pattern on a seat cushion mat. Signals from the switches may be processed in a variety of manners to characterize the occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle safety device includes a seat mounted within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, in which the seat is movably connected to a vehicle frame by a seat position adjusting mechanism that allows the seat to move along an axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position. An air-bag is mounted within the passenger compartment in front of the forward-most position of the seat, with the forward-most position of the seat defined as a position of the seat in which a distance between a passenger seated in the seat and the air-bag is equal to a minimum safe clearance.

Abstract: A working vehicle with a traversing system wherein a front wheel is installed on a swing member rotatable about a vertical axis relative to a body and including a rotating cylinder for rotating the swing member. The entire part of the front wheel is formed compact in connection with a drivingly running device stored in the swing range of the front wheel. A battery mountable on the body comprises a wide front part movable in the vehicle longitudinal direction between rear wheels in the straight forward running attitude. A narrow rear part is positioned between the rear wheels in the transverse running attitude, whereby the attachment and detachment of the wheel can be preformed easily and can be mounted stably.

Abstract: A safety device against a crash for a motorcycle is equipped with an air jacket, a cartridge and an opening device. Before the moving motorcycle collides with an obstacle existing ahead, a control signal is outputted and the opening device is operated when a first condition where interval between the motorcycle and the obstacle becomes a certain distance, and a second condition where relative velocity of the motorcycle toward the obstacle becomes over a certain value, are fulfilled. When this occurs, a seal plate of the cartridge is opened and pressurized gas filled in the cartridge flows into and expands an airbag of the air jacket whereby a rider of the moving motorcycle is protected.

Abstract: Such systems typically have an extendable rollover bar, which in its extended position is locked against being pushed back in by a locking pawl that is in operative locking engagement with a toothed segment. To make it possible by simple means to use both hands to return the rollover bar to its retracted position when required, the invention provides a reversing lever, which can be manually brought to a self-holding position above dead center while unlocking the locking pawl before the rollover bar is pushed in. This self-holding position can be automatically canceled again just before the rollover bar reaches its standby position.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system and method of removably securing the same is disclosed. The method and system include an instrument panel disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle having an opening to receive an airbag module and a cover removably secured thereto. The cover is configured to cover the opening and to flushly mount with a surface defining the instrument panel. A chute extends from a bottom surface of the cover and is configured to operably connect with the airbag module. A securement feature extends from one side wall defining the chute and is configured to slidingly engage one edge defining the opening of the instrument panel to mechanically wedge the one edge between the bottom surface of the cover and the securement feature. A plurality of apertures are configured in an opposite side of the cover that are configured to receive a mechanical fastener therethrough to secure the opposite side of the cover to the instrument panel.

Abstract: An accident sensor for a motor vehicle for triggering a safety system is provided. A deformable and radiation transparent synthetic material part is penetrated by a defined quantity of light traveling in a beam path. A radiation sensitive detector optically detects the deformation of the material part by detecting a change in the beam path to determine a position of impact on the motor vehicle based on a signal waveform and a determination of the transit time between the impact and the detection of the signal. The material part is arranged externally on the motor vehicle.