Abstract: A front end of a motor vehicle, e.g., a passenger vehicle, having two longitudinal members, extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an integral member on which a drive unit of the motor vehicle is mounted. The integral member has, on each side of the vehicle, a base member which extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is fastened in each case by a front supporting pillar and by a rear supporting pillar to one of the longitudinal members. Each longitudinal member being of deformable configuration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at least between the supporting pillars. In order to improve the deformation behavior of the front end, each base member is fastened exclusively via its front supporting pillar and its rear supporting pillar at the bottom to associated longitudinal members.

Abstract: A boot is disposed between two members movable relative to each other. The boot includes a plurality of contracting portions situated adjacent to each other. In an unloaded condition, the contracting portions extend in a longitudinal direction and are gradually offset in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In a contracted condition when at least one of the members moves toward the other member along the longitudinal direction, the contracting portions are overlapped with each other in the lateral direction.

Abstract: Tandem rear axle air suspensions for trucks and truck-tractors wherein a non-reactive, roll compliant drive axle suspension equipped with wheel slip sensing and control apparatus is combined with a roll stable, non-drive tag or pusher axle suspension equipped with apparatus for transferring weight to the drive axle suspension. The preferred technology for the non-drive tag or pusher axle suspension is a rigid beam suspension. The wheel slip sensing and control apparatus and the weight transfer apparatus may be either automatically or manually operated.

Abstract: Systems of this kind typically are equipped with a roll bar (1) mounted within a cassette-like housing (7) which can be firmly attached to the vehicle and has two U-shaped lateral parts (8, 9) which are linked to one another at the bottom by a bottom part (10) and at the top, by a guide block (11). In order to ensure small assembly dimensions while at the same time offering a low-cost connection method, the invention provides a connection of the guide block (11) to the U-shaped lateral parts (8, 9) in the shape of a form-fit connection (8a, 11a).

Abstract: An assembly that includes a mounted component that is suspended from a mounting component by a novel suspension-system in such a manner that relative movement between the mounted component and the mounting component is allowed only in certain directions and only within certain ranges. The novel suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged to the mounted component at one connection point and also engaged to the mounting component at another connection point. The travel-limiting link is pivotally engaged to the mounted component at its connection point thereto and/or is pivotally engaged to the mounting component at its connection point thereto. The travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that cooperates with a first bump-stop structure of the assembly to limit the rotation of the travel-limiting link relative to the mounted component and/or the mounting component.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle is able to compensate for the severity of a crash and the weight of the driver to better manage the absorption of energy in a crash event. A housing has at least one fixed abutment surface, and at least one adjuster disposed in the housing for selective lateral slidable movement. At least one anvil is disposed adjacent an initial abutment surface of the adjuster in spaced relation to the fixed abutment surface of the housing in a first position of the anvil associated with high energy absorption. A plastically deformable strap is supported between the anvil and the housing. The adjuster slides out of the path of the anvil in a crash event in response to input of a control signal allowing the anvil to slide into contact with the fixed abutment surface of the housing to define a second position of the anvil associated with lower energy absorption.

Abstract: The invention provides a kit to enable a vehicle with an unequal arm type suspension to be replaced with a McPherson strut type suspension without modification to the vehicle chassis. A mounting assembly attaches to the upper suspension mounting points of the vehicle and the upper end of the McPherson strut attaches to the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device, including a first hollow body with a bottom and sides, gas generants filled densely in the first hollow body, an electric ignitor formed by housing igniting agents in a second hollow body with a bottom and sides, and closing the second hollow body with a plug, and a holder positioning the second hollow body in a center of the first hollow body and fixing the first hollow body while holding the plug of the electric ignitor. Particularly, a ratio of an empty space to a full volume of a space partitioned by an inner surface of the first hollow body, an outer surface of the second hollow body, and the holder is less than 20% by volume.

Abstract: An assembly unit comprises an airbag module, a vehicle part, in particular a steering wheel, and a removable latching connection for attaching the airbag module to the vehicle part. The latching device has a journal provided with a recess and a locking element that can be moved crosswise, preferably perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the journal. The locking element is radially displaced towards the longitudinal axis of the journal when it latches in place in the recess. In the locked position, the locking element is prestressed towards a release position so as to move out of the recess.

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. A decrease in speed of deployment may indicate that the airbag is in contact with an occupant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraining device comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint. The front wall has a depression which is produced in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from moving when the gas bag is inflated. The gas bag restraining device further comprises a module cover closing a ring-shaped outlet opening of the gas bag module. The module cover has a central hole which is covered by a cap which is stationary during opening of said gas bag module. The module cover has an edge defining the central hole and opens, preferably tears, towards outside starting from the edge. A holding connection is provided between the edge and the cap which is released when said gas bag module is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle axles. Self-steering axle systems are known and are adequate when the vehicle is moving forward but not when the vehicle is reversed. The invention avoids this by having a stub axle assembly located on a support by a first pivot the support being mounted on an axle beam by a second pivot, a drive means to cause the support to pivot between two opertional conditions, and the two pivots being angularly disposed to provide a first castor angle in one position, second opposite castor angle in the second position.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (20). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that has a lower edge (70) connected to the side structure (20). The protection device (14) is deployable from a stored position located in the side structure (20) to a deployed position in which at least a portion of the protection device is positioned above a sill (26) of the side structure and adjacent the vehicle occupant. A deployment device (16) is fixedly connected to the side structure (20) and includes an elongated rigid deployment member (52) connected to the protection device (14). The deployment device (16) is actuatable from a stored position to a deployed position in which the deployment member projects above the sill (26). The deployment member (52) moves the protection device (14) from the stored position to the deployed position when the deployment device (16) is actuated.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable element having two opposed side faces. Mounting straps extend from each side face to mounting points provided in the roof of the motor vehicle. The mounting points are spaced apart transversely. When inflated the inflatable element extends down from the roof of the motor vehicle to be located between heads of the occupants of two adjacent seats. Part of the inflatable element between the straps is in contact with the roof and the straps associated with each side face are tensioned so that the airbag is held firmly in position.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a central beam pivotally mounted to hanger brackets at one end and rigidly attached to an axle at another end along substantially the entire length of the axle. The hanger brackets being mounted to the vehicle frame. The vehicle suspension system further including an air spring positioned intermediate the central beam and the vehicle frame. The air spring is fastened with fasteners to a support plate attached to the vehicle frame. The fasteners extend into the air spring. The air spring may also be fastened with similar fasteners to the central beam. A supplemental support plate may also be provided inside of the air spring for sandwiching the air spring between the supplemental support plate and the support plate and/or the supplemental support plate and the central beam. One or more of the fasteners may be an air inlet/outlet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to the suspension and steering of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are disclosed. An ATV having a frame and a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel is provided. A tie rod is coupled to the wheel carrier at an outer joint. An inner joint of the tie rod is preferably located in a desirable location. A method for identifying the desirable location may include the steps of defining a first reference plane associated with a full compression position of the suspension, defining a second reference plane associated with a full extension position of the suspension, identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, and selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.

Abstract: A seat belt control device is provided which comprises a drive motor connected to a seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt, a controller for controlling the drive motor, a wearing state sensor for detecting a wearing state of the seat belt, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, and a deceleration sensor for detecting deceleration of a vehicle. The controller shorts electrodes of the drive motor when the seat belt is worn, the vehicle speed is higher than a first predetermined vehicle speed value, and an absolute value of the deceleration of the vehicle is lower than an absolute value of a first predetermined deceleration value. A seat belt control method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of deploying a passenger side airbag as a function of the actual mass of the occupant on the passenger seat. This is accomplished by providing force sensors at one or more of the anchor pieces at which a seat belt is connected to the vehicle. The sensors may be strain gauges that measure the deflection of bolts connecting the ends of the seat belt to the anchor pieces. By sizing the nominal resistance of strain gauges at two anchor pieces, the two resistors can be put in a series circuit such that only the sum of the two resistances need be measured. The measurements obtained are then used to obtain the vertical components of force due to the seat belt. This value is then be subtracted from the total vertical force measured by a seat cushion weight sensor to determine the mass of the seat occupant.

Abstract: A cold gas inflator has a pressure vessel made of first and second cylindrical members that are joined by friction welding, the friction welding producing curls that serve to preclude an orifice plate from sliding into the second cylindrical member. The cold gas inflator is filled with stored gas. The cold gas inflator has a burst disk, which prevents the stored gas from exiting the pressure vessel. In the event of an automobile accident, an opening device is actuated, which causes the ignition of pyrotechnic material. This ignition generates a shockwave of sufficient energy to rupture a burst disk. The stored gas flows from the cold gas inflator in a radial direction.

Abstract: A driveline assembly module includes a drivetrain assembly that is a rigid, substantially box-like member, that is the main support structure for all the driveline components. An independent suspension system having an associated wheel hub is also attached to the drivetrain assembly. By mounting the driveline components and independent suspension as an integral module, the components are replaced or serviced by replacement of the entire module. Thus, the individual mounting, replacement and servicing of the individual components, each having multiple independent attachment points, is avoided.