Abstract: A vehicle provided with at least three wheels, with a first frame part having at least two footboards, and a second frame part. The second frame part is connected to the first frame part in such a way that it can tilt about a tilting axis running in the longitudinal direction. The second frame part includes a control element and a driver's seat. A tilting member is connected to a first and second frame part, in order to exert a tilting force upon the second frame part on the basis of a control signal, a sensor being connected to the first frame part for measuring a force or moment exerted by a driver upon the first frame part and/or to determine a position of the rider relative to the footboard. The sensor is connected to the tilting member and feeds the control signal to the tilting member.

Abstract: A motor-driven seatbelt retractor is provided in which vibrations of a cover can be minimized while minimizing increase in weight. In one form, a predetermined number of ribs are provided on a thin plate portion of a cover of a power transmission gear mechanism. These ribs extend in parallel with each other from top to bottom (in a vertical direction) of a seatbelt retractor. Since rigidity of the cover is increased by these ribs, even though vibrations are generated when a motor is driven and the power transmission gear mechanism is operated respectively, the cover is prevented effectively from being vibrated due to the vibrations of these members. Accordingly, generation of noise due to the vibrations of the cover can also be effectively restrained.

Abstract: The knee-protecting airbag device includes an airbag that protrudes rearward from a housing and deploys upward when fed with inflation gas. The airbag includes an upstream part located toward lower end of the completely inflated airbag and located upstream of inflation gas, and a downstream part located toward upper end of the completely inflated airbag and located downstream of inflation gas. The downstream part is adapted to protect an area from shins to knees of an occupant when the airbag is completely inflated. In the course of airbag inflation, internal pressure of a shin-protecting area, which is part of the downstream part for protecting shins, peaks 5 to 15 ms later than a peak time of internal pressure of the upstream part.

Abstract: An airbag is provided which is folded with a duct part and an expansion part, the duct part having an inlet for allowing fluid communication throughout the duct part, the expansion part communicating with the duct part, wherein the airbag comprises an aggregative part obtained by aggregating a downward portion of the airbag, and a plurality of arms obtained by folding an upward portion of the airbag and being in fluid communication along the length direction of the airbag. The arms cover the aggregative part on the back thereof with respect to the expansion direction of the airbag. Thus, even having greater length from one end to another end, the airbag can deploy smoothly with less time difference between the front and the back in the length direction.

Abstract: An airbag for rear-end collision of a vehicle is accommodated in the interior of the vehicle while being folded in a state extending along a lateral direction of the vehicle. When supplied with gas, the airbag is inflated and deployed in a part of the passenger compartment rearward of the rearmost seat. The airbag has a supply port and a distribute section. The supply port permits gas to be supplied to the interior of the airbag. The distribution section is connected to the supply port. The distribution section distributes gas that has passed through the supply port end sections of the airbag in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for locking a steering column of a vehicle has a force-loaded locking member and a control device for adjusting the locking member relative to the steering column between a locking position preventing rotation of the steering column and a release position allowing rotation of the steering column. The locking member has one or more clamping jaws having a smooth friction surface without profile. A smooth counter friction surface without profile is provided on the circumference of the steering column. A force generator is connected to the control device and exerts in a locking situation, where the locking member is in the locking position, a clamping force onto the locking member directed against the counter friction surface and turns off the clamping force in a release situation, where the locking member is in the release position.

Abstract: A structure of a suspension mounting portion of the invention is provided with a side member which extends in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and is connected to a lower surface of a floor panel, a closed cross sectional portion which is formed by use of the floor panel and the side member, a suspension bolt which mounts a suspension system constituting element to a lower side of the closed cross sectional portion, a first mounting surface which is provided by use of a recess portion formed on a bottom wall of the side member and mounts the suspension bolt, a reinforce which is provided to an inner portion of the closed cross sectional portion, and a second mounting surface which is provided to the reinforce and mounts the suspension bolt. The suspension system constituting element is mounted to the lower side of the closed cross sectional portion by the suspension bolt fixed through the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface.