Abstract: An air bag deployed from a mounted member mounted with the air bag toward an occupant by an insertion of a gas, the air bag includes a front surface portion confronting the occupant, the front surface portion being arranged to be deployed toward the occupant. The front surface portion includes a lower expansion portion arranged to inflate to abut on a breast portion of the occupant, a pair of side expansion portions arranged to inflate to left and right sides of a head portion of the occupant to avoid the head portion of the occupant, and a recessed portion surrounded by the lower expansion portion and the side expansion portions, and recessed toward the mounted member.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a plurality of suspension members, each suspension member including a housing having an interior surface that bounds a chamber and a piston slidably disposed within the chamber. The piston seals against the interior surface of the housing so as to separate the chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment and second compartment being filled with a gas. A first gas lines extends in fluid communication between the first compartment of a first suspension member and the second compartment of a second suspension member. A second gas lines extends in fluid communication between the second compartment of a first suspension member and the first compartment of a second suspension member.

Abstract: A vehicle collision detector is configured to reliably activate an airbag system at a collision and prevent the airbag system from erroneously operating. The collision detector includes two acceleration sensors disposed at different positions in a vehicle to detect acceleration for collision determination, first and second collision routines in which a determination is made on whether or not a variation in the detected acceleration is caused by a collision, and a final collision routine in which an airbag module is activated when all of results of the first and second collision routines indicate a collision.

Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement includes a steering wheel frame and an airbag unit positioned at the hub region of the steering wheel frame. The airbag unit includes an airbag housing and an airbag cover. The airbag cover covers the airbag housing and incorporating opaque cover portion projecting outwardly beyond a side of the airbag housing. The arrangement further includes a light source shielded behind the cover portion and positioned outside the airbag housing such that light emitted from the light source passes outwardly from beneath the opaque cover portion and is incident on, and illuminates, part of the steering wheel frame.

Abstract: A tilt angle detecting apparatus removes an unnecessary component included in an angular velocity detecting signal (an input ?) inputted from an angular velocity sensor 1 with the deadband (??o to +?o) of an unnecessary component removing means 2, performs integration processing on the angular velocity detecting signal (an output ?) which is allowed to pass through the passband (input ?>?o or input ?<??o) of the unnecessary component removing means 2 and which is outputted from the unnecessary component removing means by using an arithmetic processing means 3, performs a process of resetting the integral value to zero using a fixed integral value resetting value which is determined in such a way as to be suited to the above-mentioned deadband by using an integral value resetting means 4 after the integration processing, and outputs a signal showing the roll angle ?v of a vehicle.

Abstract: A roof-side structure includes a roof center rail which is engaged with the bottom surface of a roof panel and one end of which extends to a position of a curtain airbag, a roof rail gusset engaged between a roof side outer reinforcing panel and the one end of the roof center rail, and a side inner panel which is engaged with the roof rail gusset in a state that a curtain airbag is engaged with a front side of the one end of the roof center rail. Accordingly, since the roof rail gusset is arranged inside of the side inner panel so that it does not interfere with the curtain airbag, a layout of the curtain airbag is advantageous. Also, since it is not required to bend the roof rail gusset to connect the roof center rail and the side inner panel, in the event a broadside collision is applied to a vehicle, the roof rail gusset remains unbroken, and thus the rigidity of the roof center rail can be sufficiently reinforced.

Abstract: Inflatable restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle are disclosed herein. An inflatable restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an airbag carried by a web. The web has an end portion coupled to a vehicle and is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant. The restraint system further includes a gas source that is also carried by the web. The gas source is operably coupled to the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a rapid deceleration or other dynamic event.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.

Abstract: An airbag module comprising an airbag and a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing is provided. Said gas generator having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof. The tubular gas generator can be fastened to the module housing using two clamp rings which can move along the tubular gas generator and along sections of the module housing. The module housing comprises an opening at the base thereof for introducing the tubular gas generator. A support for the tubular gas generator is disposed at the module housing below said opening, wherein the support has a smaller length than the tubular gas generator.

Abstract: An arrangement for pivotally coupling an auxiliary axle frame to a vehicle chassis includes a pair of support brackets, each fastened to one of two opposite longitudinal rails of the chassis. Each bracket is coupled to its associated rail with a set of threaded fasteners extended through aligned openings in the bracket and rail. Each fastener is tightened to a predetermined level of tensile force, after which its movable components are welded together to positively and permanently set the fastener. Each bracket extends behind the chassis to support a rotational coupling device including a pin rotatable about a transverse axis. Opposite arms of the tag axle frame support clevis type coupling features at their forward ends. Each clevis type feature is integrally coupled to one of the pins. An actuator used to pivot the tag axle frame can be coupled to the chassis and frame through similar rotational coupling devices and clevis type features.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle is provided including a stabilization system configured to resist roll-over of a trailer portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An oscillation joint for a chain driven independent suspension is disclosed. The oscillation joint may include a stationary frame member configured to support a first end of a drive chain. The oscillation joint may also include an oscillating frame member configured to support a second end of the drive chain and rotate about the stationary frame member. The oscillation joint may further include a first thrust washer located between a first surface of the stationary frame member and a substantially parallel first surface of the oscillating frame member. A first wear sleeve may be located substantially perpendicular to the first thrust washer.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a suspension run height includes: pivotably mounting a leveling valve to a hanger bracket; attaching an indicator arm to a suspension component which displaces relative to the hanger bracket; and pivoting the leveling valve relative to the hanger bracket to thereby adjust the run height of the frame relative to the suspension component. A run height adjustment system includes: a leveling valve having a leveling arm pivotably mounted thereto at a first pivot, and an indicator arm being pivotably mounted to the leveling arm at a second pivot; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve about a third pivot; and the third pivot being positioned longitudinally between the first and second pivots. Another run height adjustment system includes: a leveling arm pivotably mounted to a leveling valve; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve; and the adjustment lever pivotably mounted to a hanger bracket.

Abstract: A torsion bar, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an elongated bar has a first end, a second end, and a mid-section between the first and second ends. The first end of the elongated bar has a material void. The first end preferably has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the mid-section. In one design, the material void is a slot extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending longitudinally. In another design, the material void is a bore extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of slots extending longitudinally and extending from the bore through an exterior surface of the elongated bar to leave a plurality of fingers at the first end. In these designs and other, the torsion bar and the material void may be cold forged, thereby eliminating a second forming step.

Abstract: An air bag comprises inside and outside base fabrics that are stitched to constitute an outer bag that is flat when receiving no gas. The outer bag is formed with a gas inlet opening through which an inflation gas is led into the outer bag to expand the same. The air bag further comprises inside and outside smaller fabrics that are stitched to constitute an inner bag that is installed in the outer bag. Given portions of the inside and outside smaller fabrics are stitched to given portions of the inside and outside base fabrics respectively to form a plurality of narrow auxiliary chambers between the inner bag and the outer bag.

Abstract: An active material hood impact mitigation mechanism is activated in response to a signal generated from an impact sensor or pre-impact sensor or manually. The mitigation mechanism is capable of changing either reversibly or irreversibly the stiffness, shape, location, orientation, or displacement force of the hood either globally or locally, before an impact against the hood. The active material mitigation mechanism is held in a device designed to be installed in operative communication with the hood surface. The active material is characterized by a first shape or stiffness and is operative to change to a second shape or stiffness in response to the activation signal. Such active materials include shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, shape memory polymers, magnetic shape memory alloys, magnetorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, electrorheological fluids, and piezoelectric materials.

Abstract: The methods for folding an airbag cushion into a housing provide for a predetermined deployment trajectory. The airbag cushion is defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a side airbag module for an automotive vehicle which includes an inflatable bag (11) configured to be deployed between an occupant and the vehicle body upon being filled with the gas produced by a generator, which bag comprises a front panel (21) intended to make contact with the occupant, a rear panel (23) and at least one inner panel (25) forming a first chamber (13) with the rear panel (23) and a second chamber (15) with the front panel (21), having a vent hole (19), the inner panel (25) including a duct (39) allowing the passage of gas from the first chamber (13) to the second chamber (15) and which is located in a position allowing it to be blocked upon the front panel (21) moving closer to the inner panel (25) during the contact of the bag (11) with the occupant.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.

Abstract: A method of damping axial shocks which affect a driver's lower extremity situated on an accelerator, when the vehicle impacts on an obstacle is provided. In this case, by way of a device for generating an adjustable restoring force applied to the accelerator, in response to an accident-detection signal of a control device, a defined restoring force is generated and applied to the accelerator.