Abstract: Disclosed is and airbag apparatus including an inflator which generates gas; an airbag which has a first expandable portion that is coupled to the inflator and inflated when gas flows into the first expandable portion, and a second expandable portion that is inflated by gas discharged from the first expandable portion; and a partition wall which is disposed in the airbag to divide the airbag in a left and right direction into the first expandable portion and the second expandable portion, and has a communicating hole through which gas in the first expandable portion is discharged into the second expandable portion.

Abstract: Provided is a driver airbag apparatus capable of adjusting deployment pressure of an airbag by adjusting an amount of gas discharged to the outside of the airbag. To this end, according to the airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vent cover and a tether are installed to the airbag, and a vent hole formed in the airbag is opened or shielded by the vent cover and the tether.

Abstract: An airbag includes a main bag section which protrudes rearward out of a housing and deploys in front of a front passenger seat and a center bag section which deploys toward an inboard direction from the main bag section in a width direction of the vehicle and in front of a space between the front passenger seat and a driver's seat in such a manner as to extend rearward from a side of the housing. A rear end region of the center bag section is deployable rearward relative to the main bag section. The airbag further includes an outer tether which extends outside of the airbag from a front end region of the center bag section and is connected to a vicinity of the housing by a leading end of the outer tether.

Abstract: Provided is an airbag apparatus capable of adjusting deployment pressure of an airbag. To this end, an airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag which is inflated when gas flows into the airbag, and has a vent hole through which the gas flowing into the airbag is discharged; a vent cover which is disposed outside the airbag; and a tether which penetrates the vent hole and pulls the vent cover while being tightened as the airbag is inflated so that the vent cover shields the vent hole.

Abstract: A hood front cover assembly usable on a vehicle in which the hood has a leading edge and an underside adjacent the leading edge to reduce pedestrian injury in a pedestrian-vehicle impact event is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a deployable cover and a cover housing. The housing is located on the underside of the hood adjacent the leading edge. The cover is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover may be entirely rigid or may be partially deformable and may include a hollow flexible front portion. A mechanism is provided for moving the cover between the stowed and deployed positions. The mechanism is associated with the housing and may be driven by a spring driver, a motor or a pneumatic driver. A pedestrian impact sensor is provided in the front end of the vehicle. The sensor is operatively associated with the hood front cover assembly.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device is obtained in which the number of rotations of a spool from the start of deformation of a first energy absorption member until the start of deformation of a second energy absorption member can exceed one rotation. In a webbing take-up device, a restricting tab is provided at an open side of the engagement recess portion. Although the leading end of the stopper pawl and the engagement recess portion face each other in the first rotation of the lock ring, a leading end of a stopper pawl is thereby unable to enter inside the engagement recess portion. The restricting tab is restricted from rotating when the leading end of the stopper pawl abuts an abutting portion of the restricting tab. When the lock ring accordingly rotates in a pull-out direction, the restricting tab moves relative to the open side of the engagement recess portion.

Abstract: Computing devices, methods, and systems for locking vehicle operations when an occupant is not wearing a correctly positioned seatbelt are disclosed. One example method for locking vehicle operations includes identifying an occupant position and a seatbelt position based on information relating to an occupant of the vehicle and a seatbelt associated with the occupant; determining whether the occupant is correctly wearing the seatbelt based at least in part on the occupant position, the seatbelt position, and a reference model; and locking one or more vehicle operations if the occupant is not correctly wearing the seatbelt. Example implementations include using depth-sensing cameras, rendering a three-dimensional model representing the occupant position and the seatbelt position, and comparing the three-dimensional model and the reference model. Examples of vehicle operations that may be locked include ignition operations, gear shift operations, and autonomous driving operations.

Abstract: A heated light enclosure having an adaptable heating system is provided with a controlled heating system to deliver enough heat to a lens on a lamp assembly to remove snow, frost, and/or condensation without overheating the lens. By heating the lens using a combination of one or more of PTC heaters, heat sinks and heat pipes, accumulation of snow, ice, or vapor is mitigated or eliminated from a surface of the lens, thereby enabling light to transmit through the lens. Applications include lamps and bulbs on conveyance devices, including vehicles, boats, planes, and trains, as well as sedentary structures, such as lamp posts, street lights, railroad crossing markers and lights, and airport ground and runway lighting systems.

Abstract: Novel adapters, connectors and wiper blade assemblies including same for securing windshield wiper blades and arms are described, including those that accommodate side-saddle wiper arms. A wiper blade adapter may have a mounting portion comprising a wiper blade securing element, the wiper securing element being capable of securing a wiper blade, and a side-saddle portion comprising a connector securing element, the connector securing element being capable of securing a connector that is capable of securing a wiper arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface includes an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid, a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid that passes from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to the fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins that extend outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through the reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element with a voltage to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for controlling and/or regulating at least one motor vehicle includes at least one integrated microcontroller system for executing software and at least two microcontroller units that each executes at least one independent operating system. The at least one interface is provided for the purpose of interchanging information between the microcontroller units.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.

Abstract: For traction control, different filters, i.e., a hydraulic-pressure-increase filter and a hydraulic-pressure-decrease filter, are provided for increasing and decreasing target pressure, respectively. The inhibiting effect that the hydraulic-pressure-increase filter exhibits with respect to target pressure changes is made less than the inhibiting effect that the hydraulic-pressure-decrease filter exhibits with respect to changes in the target pressure, and so the target pressure is increased quickly but decreased slowly. As such, even if the wheel-cylinder pressure decreases subsequent to the actual wheel-cylinder pressure having increased to follow the target pressure, the wheel-cylinder pressure decreases only gradually, reducing the amount of pressure increase needed to reach the target pressure when the wheel-cylinder pressure is next increased.

Abstract: A controller controls respective braking pressures at wheels on a vehicle. The controller includes a processor electrically communicating with each of a plurality of switching valves, which controls braking pressures at respective wheels. The processor, during a braking event having a brake demand above a braking demand threshold, controls each of the switching valves to maintain braking pressures at the respective wheels based on at least one additional criteria.

Abstract: Hydraulic transmission apparatus (20) including a pump (24) having a variable cylinder capacity and feeding one or more hydraulic motors (26A, 26B), and a control unit (50). In the apparatus, the feed and discharge orifices of the motors are arranged in such a manner that, when the pressures at said orifices are equal, the outlet torque from the motors is zero. To make the apparatus inactive, without physically bypassing the motors, the control unit is suitable for operating the apparatus in a “torque-free” mode by regulating the cylinder capacity of the pump in such a manner that the pressures at said feed and discharge orifices remain substantially equal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a hydraulically-actuated brake of an aircraft includes a brake control unit. The brake control unit is configured to receive a brake signal from an operator of the aircraft. A pump is in fluidic communication with a reservoir for holding hydraulic fluid and the brake for supplying the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the brake. An electric motor is in communication with the brake control unit and coupled to the pump to control pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied by the pump in accordance with the brake signal.

Abstract: An internal gear pump, in particular a hydraulic pump for a slip-controlled vehicle braking system, is configured to be pre-assembled. The internal gear pump includes a cartridge configured as a casing, which is configured to be inserted in a receptacle in a hydraulic block of a vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle, including: a master brake cylinder having a first chamber, a rod piston, which, together with at least one first hydraulically active surface area, bounds the first chamber, a second chamber and a floating piston; the rod piston being configured with or couplable to a second hydraulically active surface area; the second hydraulically active surface area bounding an auxiliary chamber of the master brake cylinder or of another brake cylinder, and the auxiliary chamber being attached to an accumulator chamber and/or to the hydraulic reservoir via a first nonreturn valve and a restrictor that is configured in a further fluid line.

Abstract: A brake cylinder limiting valve having a first portion that determines actual brake cylinder pressure and a second portion that determines intended brake cylinder pressure based on brake pipe pressure reduction. The two portions are combined so that brake cylinder pressure will be vented if the actual brake cylinder pressure exceeds intended brake cylinder pressure by a predetermined threshold amount, which is preferably two and one-half times the brake pipe pressure reduction. An exhaust cut-off valve may be used to prevent venting of the brake cylinder pressure if it falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An ECU (19) outputs control signals to an electric booster (16) of a fluid-pressure generating device (5) and to an ESC (22). In this way, the establishment and cutting off of communication through pressure-increase control valves (29), (29?), (31), and (31?) of the ESC (22) are controlled to connect each of wheel cylinders (1) to (4) in turn to the master cylinder (8). In doing so, the electric booster (16) is controlled for each of the wheel cylinders (1) to (4) to measure a stroke of a piston (10), (11) of a master cylinder (8), or a volume of brake fluid proportional to the stroke of the piston (1C), (11), and a fluid pressure detected by fluid-pressure sensors (20) and (21). The fluid volume-pressure characteristic of each of the wheel cylinders (1) to (4) so determined is used for comparison to detect any atmospheric air in each pipeline.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically updating engine mechanical losses, driveline electrical losses, and a desired driveline speed are disclosed. In one example, the desired driveline speed may be adjusted based on efficiency of operating a driveline at a most efficient speed of three different driveline speeds. The system and method may allow a driveline to operate more efficiently as the driveline ages.

Abstract: A method for determining a measuring point of a hybrid decoupler of a hybrid vehicle, which is operated by a hydrostatic clutch actuator, with the hybrid decoupler coupling or decoupling an internal combustion engine and an electro-traction drive. The measuring point is determined by a slow operation of the hybrid decoupler, starting from a position of the hybrid decoupler which it assumes in the idle state, when a defined increase in torque is detected at the electro-traction drive. In the method, the term for measuring adaption is considerably shortened, and the measuring point is adapted at a running internal combustion engine and a stationary electro-traction drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid work vehicle capable of smooth work travel using a work device with a low output internal combustion engine, while avoiding battery exhaustion. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that supplies drive power to a travel device and a work device via power transmission means, a motor generator that is driven by a battery, a load information generation part that generates load information representing a sudden increase in rotational load, an assist characteristic determination part that determines motor assist characteristics defining an assist amount and an assist time period of assist control based on load information, and a motor control unit that controls the motor generator based on the motor assist characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forcibly charging a high-voltage battery using a motor and a Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) which is capable of forcibly charging the high-voltage battery with maximum charging power using the motor and the HSG simultaneously. The method does so by calculating maximum chargeable power for the high-voltage battery using three dimensional (3D) maximum charging power maps of the motor and the HSG, adjusting maximum charging power using energy integration during forced charging using the motor and the HSG simultaneously, and applying excessive temperature prevention logics for protecting the motor and the HSG from an excessive temperature in a forced charging mode.

Abstract: A shift control system and method of a hybrid vehicle are provided and controlled by dualizing a brake shift pattern based on whether an engine clutch release is possible when a hybrid vehicle brake is engaged. The system includes a hybrid controller that is configured to detect whether engine clutch release is possible, based on battery state information and input data from a operation. In addition, a shift controller is configured to execute a gear shift by a brake shift pattern based on whether the engine clutch release is possible.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations in a hybrid vehicle. While an engine is cranked via motor torque, engine fueling is delayed until the engine speed is sufficiently high and the engine has been rotating in a forward direction continuously for a threshold duration. A disconnect clutch between the engine and motor is slipped while the engine cranks, the clutch engaged only after the engine has run up to the motor speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations occurring during a transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle. Engine speed is controller during cranking and run-up to approach a transmission input shaft speed that is based on the future gear of the transmission shift. Engine speed is controlled via adjustments to spark, throttle, and/or fuel, to expedite engine speed reaching the synchronous speed.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a battery, a generation unit having an internal combustion engine and a generator configured to supply electric power generated to a motor or the battery, the motor, and a mount which connects the internal combustion engine to a vehicle body. An internal combustion engine control device for the vehicle includes a generation unit activation determination portion which determines whether or not the generation unit needs to be activated to operate, a mount displacement quantity deriving portion which derives a mount displacement quantity indicating an extended/contracted length of the mount, and an internal combustion engine control portion which prohibits a start of the internal combustion engine a case the mount displacement quantity exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle including an engine, an electric motor coupled to a power transmission path between the engine and drive wheels, and a clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and both the electric motor and the drive wheels, the control device performing detection of air-fuel ratio variation between cylinders of the engine, the control device changing an operation state of the clutch based on a request drive force of the vehicle, and the control device performing the detection of air-fuel ratio variation when the clutch is in an open state or a slip amount of the clutch is equal to or larger than a preset value.

Abstract: Provided is a wearable device including: a biological-signal sensing unit that senses a biological signal of a user; a vehicle-state sensing unit that senses a state where a vehicle that the user gets in is moved; and a controller that determines a parking mode and a parking direction using a result of the sensing by the vehicle-state sensing unit, when the vehicle is parked, and that measures a level of user tension for the parking mode and the parking direction that are determined using the biological signal that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked, in which the controller selects the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, based on the measured level of user tension, and provides the user with information relating to a parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected.

Abstract: A system and a method of controlling a vehicle using a turning degree are disclosed. The method includes detecting input variables including a driving input variable and a turning input variable and calculating a driving tendency index based on the driving input variable. A turning degree related to the number of consecutive turnings is calculated based on the turning input variable and then the vehicle is operated based on the driving tendency index and the turning degree.

Abstract: A motor vehicle control system operable in a steering assist mode in which the system is configured to: detect steering angle; and control a distribution of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle in dependence on the detected steering angle thereby to induce a turning moment in the direction of turn indicated by the steering angle.

Abstract: A forward-facing vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-facing camera disposed in a windshield electronics module attached at a windshield of the vehicle and viewing through the windshield. A control includes a processor that, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects taillights of leading vehicles during nighttime conditions and, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane markers on a road being traveled by the vehicle. The control, responsive to lane marker detection and a determination that the vehicle is drifting out of a traffic lane, may control a steering system of the vehicle to mitigate such drifting, with the steering system manually controllable by a driver of the vehicle irrespective of control by the control. The processor, based at least in part on detection of lane markers via processing of captured image data, determines curvature of the road being traveled by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for warning road users of potential danger areas caused by a vehicle that is or is intended to be carrying out a driving maneuver use a control device that retrieves the steering angle of the vehicle by at least one steering angle sensor, retrieves the direction of travel from a driving speed selector and, from the steering angle and the direction of travel, cyclically determines a future road space that will be occupied within a specifiable time and speed in the event of maintaining the steering angle using a steering model of the vehicle accessible by the control device. The information thus obtained about the future occupied road space is used to control at least one projection device such that at least a part of the future occupied road space is made visible by a light projection onto the surface of the ground surrounding the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous and/or driver-assist navigation features. In some implementations, techniques for predicting the location of first roadway lane constraints are provided. The system may receive multiple images of a roadway in a vicinity of a vehicle, recognize a first roadway lane constraint, and, when lane prediction conditions are determined to be satisfied, predict a location of a second roadway lane constraint. In some implementations, techniques for detecting and responding to construction zones are provided. The system may receive multiple images of a roadway in a vicinity of a vehicle, recognize indicators of a construction zone in the images, determine that the vehicle is proximate to a construction zone, and output a signal indicating that the vehicle is proximate to a construction zone.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a free-wheeling motor vehicle including at least one internal combustion engine connected to drive wheels by a transmission. The method includes: determining engine torque at wheels; determining longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle when a free-wheeling driving mode is activated, on the basis of resisting torques on the wheels; determining longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle when the free-wheeling driving mode is deactivated on the basis of the engine torque and the resisting torques on the wheels; determining the difference in longitudinal acceleration between when the free-wheeling driving mode is activated and the free-wheeling driving mode is deactivated; and opening the transmission chain when the longitudinal acceleration difference leans substantially toward a value of zero.

Abstract: A charge control device for a battery is mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle comprises an engine, a generator driven with power of the engine, the battery configured to be chargeable with electric power generated by the generator, and auxiliary machinery operated with electric power of the battery.

Abstract: A driving support system includes a detector, a memory and a controller. The detector detects a present position of the vehicle. The memory stores lane information of a travelling lane and traffic light information in a state of being associated with each other. The traffic light information includes existing position information of a traffic light. The traffic light informs whether the vehicle travelling along the travelling lane is allowed to pass through the traffic light. The controller specifies the travelling lane on which the vehicle is travelling based on the lane information and the present position and supports the driving of the vehicle in accordance with the traffic light information and the traffic light associated with the travelling lane.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a driver of a vehicle using a driver state monitoring (DSM) system. The DSM system includes a sensing unit that senses biological information of a user of a vehicle. The DSM system also includes a controller that determines a drowsy state of the user based on the sensed biological information. The controller also determines a current condition of traffic and outputs information recommending rest for the user based on the determined drowsy state of the user and the determined current condition of traffic. The controller monitors the traffic and determines a rest state of the user, and outputs an alarm based on monitoring the traffic and the determined rest state of the user.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a reaction time of a vehicle driver of a vehicle includes a display device displaying at least one visual stimulus; and processing circuitry using a view recognition device to observe the direction of view of the vehicle driver, and determining the reaction time starting from the displaying of the visual stimulus, the reaction time corresponding to a specified time span if the direction of view of the vehicle driver is not recognized within the specified time span as running in the direction of the visual stimulus, or the reaction time corresponding to a time span in which the direction of view of the vehicle driver is recognized within the specified time span as running in the direction of the visual stimulus.

Abstract: A method for assigning a driver of a vehicle to a driver class stored in the vehicle and representing a specific driving behavior of the driver after a driving pause includes identifying the driver based on an acquisition of data indicating an occupancy of only one seat of the vehicle before and after the driving pause, and/or based on an acquisition, before and after the driving pause, of a recognition code of a technological device assigned to the driver, and, based on the identification, using the driver class assigned to the identified driver.

Abstract: A driving evaluation system includes: a passage determination unit configured to, when traveling through a caution-required location included in caution-required location information that indicates a plurality of caution-required locations that are determined in advance to be points where caution is required when a vehicle passes through the point based on the traveling history of a plurality of vehicles that is generated in advance, determine whether or not a vehicle has passed through the caution-required location in a safe traveling manner, based on a traveling aspect of the vehicle in the caution-required location; and a driving evaluation unit configured to, immediately after the vehicle passes through the caution-required location, evaluate the traveling aspect of the vehicle in the caution-required location based on a determination result determined by the passage determination unit and notify a driver of the vehicle of an evaluation result.

Abstract: A system includes a motion sensor system configured for deployment in a cab of a vehicle and to generate substantially in real-time a digital mapping of driver movement during operation of the vehicle. A computer is configured for deployment in the cab and coupled to the motion sensor system. A driver behavior detector is coupled to the computer and configured to detect a driver distraction event using the driver movement mapping. A communication device at the vehicle is configured to communicate an alert message to one or both of a user interface device in the cab and a remote system in response to the detected driver distraction event.

Abstract: A remote secondary control point for vehicle accessories is disclosed. This invention illuminates the brake (or other) lights for a period of time to verify their operation by means of a switch at the rear of the vehicle. This has the added benefit of using the existing engine compartment door switch so there is almost no operational overhead.

Abstract: A selection for a shared vehicle is received. Whether the shared vehicle is in view of a user device camera is determined. At least one of directions to the shared vehicle are provided to the user device. Data of the shared vehicle are identified.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a drive device in a rail vehicle includes a computer unit and a memory unit for storing at least one module of a drive control program. The module is provided for at least one drive control function to be carried out by the computer unit. In order to provide an apparatus of this generic type, by way of which a low level of outlay on construction in respect of implementing control functions can be achieved, the memory unit is used to store at least one module of a brake control program. The module is configured so that at least one brake control function for a brake device of the rail vehicle is carried out by the computer unit.

Abstract: The present utility model relates to design of open wagons used for transporting cargo that does not require protection from atmospheric precipitation. Disclosed is a railway car comprising at least two bodies supported by carriages, each body comprising a frame, two side walls and two end walls. Said at least two bodies are sequentially coupled to each other by means of at least one joint assembly, wherein each body is supported by two carriages, and wherein bodies adjacent to each joint assembly are supported by one common carriage. The distance between the closest points of mutually facing end walls of the neighboring bodies of said at least two bodies arranged on a straight track section is less than 800 mm. The technical result lies in increase of useable volume of the space between sequentially arranged railway car bodies and decrease of empty weight-to-carrying capacity ratio of the railway car.

Abstract: A variable securing configuration for an interior equipment element on the body of a vehicle, particularly a passenger seat on the side wall of a rail vehicle, includes at least one body-side engagement device and a securing rail connected to the interior equipment element. In order to be able to produce such a securing configuration easily and cost-effectively, the body has recesses disposed at equal distances between one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and at least one retention element of the engagement device engages with the recesses. The engagement device is connected to the securing rail in such a way that the securing rail with the interior equipment element is adjustable relative to the engagement device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by an adjustment path corresponding to at least the spacing between two successive recesses.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an open top railcar, the assembly having semi-rigid cover reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside the railcar or separate from it. The cover may be connected to the railcar with hinge-latches or linkage arms which permit the cover to be held flat alongside the railcar in an open position, or removed from the railcar during loading and unloading. A load grooming device shapes the load of a loaded railcar to a selected contour. Opening and closing of covers may be continuous and automated, using curved tracks, cranes or mechanical arms to engage and open covers, and conveying devices or vehicles to handle covers during loading and unloading of railcars.