Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a belt shaft rotatably supported in a frame and two force-limiting devices acting in parallel. The first and the second part of the belt shaft axially overlap forming an annular space. The second force-limiting device is a band element abutting a radial outer wall of the annular space with a first section, and on the radial inner wall with a second section and is deflected in a deflection fitting between the first and the second sections (20, 21, 29, 30). During relative movement between the first and second parts, the band element can be unwound or wound up from the outer wall onto the inner wall or vice versa in an energy-dissipating manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety belt system for vehicle seats, including: a vehicle seat part which includes a seat portion, and a backrest; a safety belt which includes a shoulder belt, and a waist belt, and restricts a body of an occupant; a headrest which is connected with the backrest by a rotation shaft, and protects a face or neck region of the occupant from the shoulder belt using a cushion having both convex sides; a sensor which senses impact of the vehicle; and a rotation locking unit which prevents the headrest from being rotated when the sensor senses an accident signal that is equal to or greater than a predetermined output.

Abstract: A steering apparatus which includes: an inner column (3); an outer column (4) fitted with the inner column (3) in such a manner that it is movable in a telescopic manner; a steering shaft (102) which is rotatably supported on the inner column (3) and outer column (4), and on the vehicle body rearward side of which a steering wheel (103) can be mounted; a lock apparatus (7) including a lock pin (73A) which can be operated by an actuator to thereby prevent the rotation of the steering shaft (102); and, a lock housing (71) which is formed integrally with the outer column (4) and stores the lock apparatus (7) therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and assistance system for warning of an unauthorized access to a parked vehicle. The process includes a first step for providing a communication as to whether the vehicle is at least partially unlocked. In a second step, in the case of an affirmative communication, the transmission of the current location of the vehicle takes place. In a third step, a comparison is made between the current location with at least one predetermined home location. In a fourth step, in the case in which the current location does not correspond with at least one home location, a wireless transmission of a warning signal to a mobile unit is given. In a fifth step, following the receipt of the warning signal by the mobile unit, a warning that is perceptible optically and/or acoustically and/or haptically is undertaken.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system to sense the presence of an intruder in proximity to a vehicle via motion sensors which activates one or more cameras and sends real-time video to a remote location accessible by a user to monitor their vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper device includes a wiper arm, a drive source, a drive shaft that is pivoted by the drive source, and a wiper arm urging member. The wiper arm urging member includes a swing member, an inclination member, a rod, and a compression spring. The inclination member includes a wiper fixing portion and a drawing portion. The rod includes a basal end supported by the drawing portion. A first end of the compression spring is supported by the swing member and the second end applies an urging force to a distal end of the rod. The compression spring acts to draw the drawing portion and urge a distal end of the wiper arm toward a wiped surface.

Abstract: A conventional wiper blade has such drawbacks that during the wiper portion is moved on the surface of the windshield in order to remove rainwater etc. attached on the surface of the windshield, the rainwater etc. trapped by the wiper portion flows from a free end portion of the wiper portion to the surface of the windshield by the centrifugal force applied to the trapped rainwater etc., so that the visibility of the windshield is lowered. [Manner for solve the Task] The wiper device of the present invention comprises a wiper portion having a lip portion sliding on a surface of the vehicle windshield for wiping the surface of the windshield, and a rainwater reserving portion formed on one side surface of a tip end portion of the lip portion, the rainwater reserving portion being extending normally to and outwardly from one side surface of the tip end portion of the lip portion and having a concave rearward surface.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device comprising a wiperblade having at least one yoke which is attached to a carrier and an oscillating arm pivotally connected to the carrier about a pivot axis near one end with the interposition of a connecting device, the oscillating arm comprising two longitudinal arm sections connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate arm section, wherein the connecting device comprises a resilient leg comprises at least one upwardly extending protrusion and at least one downwardly extending protrusion, wherein the upwardly extending protrusion is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in an oscillating arm of a first type, and wherein the downwardly extending protrusion is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in an oscillating arm of a second type, the oscillating arms of the first and the second types mutually differing in the distance between their respective longitudinal arm sections.

Abstract: When receiving no reverse state signal, which indicates that a vehicle is in reverse, a wash control circuit allows the actuation of the wiper motor by the interlocking operation and retains a changeover valve device on the side of the window washing nozzle. When receiving a reverse state signal, the wash control circuit switches the changeover valve device from the window washing nozzle to a camera washing nozzle and inhibits the actuation of the wiper motor by the interlocking operation.

Abstract: A parking lock device includes: a transmission shaft supported by a first case and a second case and connected to drive wheels; a parking gear fixed to the transmission shaft; and a parking pole engageable with the parking gear. A cover member is fixed to an inner wall surface of the second case. The cover member covers at least an outer peripheral surface of the parking gear with a predetermined clearance therebetween in a state where the second case is joined to the first case. When the second case to which the cover member is attached in advance is joined to the first case to which the parking gear is attached in advance, the cover member is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the parking gear. Thus, the second case 13 can be joined to the first case easily.

Abstract: A transmission parking lock has an actuating rod that is essentially translationally displaceable, which bears an actuating element, and with a locking lever that is essentially rotationally displaceable, bears a locking element For inserting the transmission parking lock through the displacement of the actuating rod, the locking lever is pivotable from a resting position of the same into a locked position in such a manner that the locking element engages in a recess of a gear wheel (8) allocated to a gear shaft, and with a device that withdraws the actuating element of the actuating rod in the resting position of the same from the locking lever.

Abstract: In a vehicle having a brake line communicating a brake pressure to a brake, a lubrication control circuit controls flow of lubrication fluid to a brake cooling circuit. The lubrication control circuit includes a lube pressure control proportional valve and a shuttle valve. The lube pressure control valve communicates lube fluid to an inlet of the shuttle valve when lube pressure is above a threshold. When the brake is applied, brake pressure in a pilot line operates on the shuttle valve and the shuttle valve communicates lube fluid to the brake cooling circuit and blocks lube flow to other cooling or lube circuits.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of and rearward of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, the collision avoidance system is operable to determine an approach of a vehicle rearward of the vehicle and to determine an excitation level depending on a difference between the speed of the approaching vehicle and the speed of the equipped vehicle and a distance between the approaching vehicle and the equipped vehicle. Responsive to the determined excitation level, the collision avoidance system may provide an alert to the driver of one or both vehicles, prepare for impact, control a vehicle braking system, vehicle steering system and/or vehicle acceleration system and/or communicate information to the approaching vehicle via a telematics system.

Abstract: In a vehicle combination including a hydraulically braked towing vehicle and a pneumatically braked trailer, a brake module serving as a trailer control valve has an electropneumatic pressure regulating module with an electronic controller that converts pressure signals from a sensor at a hydraulic pressure line from a hydraulically-actuated service brake master cylinder into control pulses for electromagnetic control valves in the regulating module. The control valves are connected via a pneumatic supply pressure inlet to a compressed air reservoir, and via a pneumatic control pressure outlet to a control pressure coupling head.

Abstract: A method and device for the electronic control of the brake force distribution according to a differential slip or differential speed between at least one wheel of the front axle and at least one wheel of the rear axle of a vehicle, in which, when a differential slip threshold value or a differential speed threshold value is exceeded by the differential slip or the differential speed, the brake pressure at the rear axle is limited, characterized in that the differential slip threshold value or the differential speed threshold value is determined according to the braking request.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking system has a brake actuator including hydraulic pumps that generate a W/C pressure by sucking and discharging a brake fluid from a master reservoir, and suck the brake fluid discharged from the W/C side for decompressing a W/C pressure during anti-lock braking. Further, open-when-self-priming valves that suck the brake fluid by themselves from the master reservoir in the hydraulic pumps are provided. Further, an accumulator is provided in a pipe connecting the hydraulic pumps and the W/C, and an accumulation to the accumulator is performed by the hydraulic pumps. Then, communication and cut-off of a pipe connected to the accumulator are controlled by lower limit indicating valves.

Abstract: A first slave piston and a second slave piston are disposed in tandem in series within a cylinder body, and the pistons are arranged so that part of the shaft section of the second slave piston overlaps with the inner periphery of an opening section provided in the backward side, in the displacement direction, of the first slave piston. A long hole extending along the axial direction of the second slave piston is provided in the shaft section, and a connection pin which regulates the initial position of the second slave piston is inserted into the long hole.

Abstract: A tractor park brake force sensing system includes a force sensor switch that is actuated if a tensile force applied to a linkage between a park brake lever and a park brake is adequate to compress a spring in the linkage a pre-specified amount as the park brake lever is moved to a park brake set position. A controller connected to the force sensor switch and to a tractor motion sensor turns on a solid indicator light if the force sensor switch is actuated, and flashes the indicator light if the park brake lever is moved to the park brake set position and the tractor motion sensor indicates the tractor is moving.

Abstract: An automatic braking system for a vehicle is disclosed and includes an electronic brake system capable of applying wheel brakes to decelerate the vehicle and a controller. The controller includes instructions for maintaining the electronic brake system in a pre-charge condition when the vehicle is operating in a reverse gear, and applying the wheel brakes independent of a driver input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric parking brake apparatus. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a worm shaft is formed with a first protrusion, a rotating member is formed with a second protrusion, and after the rotating member rotates by a preset rotation angle, the first protrusion of the worm shaft contacts the second protrusion of the rotating member so that the worm shaft cannot rotate any more, thereby preventing a gear jam due to over-release of the rotating member.

Abstract: A service portion of a rail control valve includes a body defining a piston passageway, an inshot valve passageway, and a service accelerated release valve passageway. An inshot valve is received by the inshot valve passageway of the body and a service accelerated release valve is received by the service accelerated release valve passageway.

Abstract: A caliper brake device includes a brake shoe for exerting a friction force by sliding in contact with a disk, a caliper main body fixed to a vehicle and an actuator for pressing the brake shoe against the disk. The actuator includes an elastic film fixed to the caliper main body, a drive pressure chamber defined by the elastic film and supplied with a fluid, a valve introducing the fluid to the drive pressure chamber, and a piston interposed between the elastic film and the brake shoe. The fluid is supplied to the drive pressure chamber and the elastic film swells toward the brake shoe, whereby the piston brings the brake shoe into sliding contact with the disk. The valve introduces the fluid to the drive pressure chamber when the brake is applied while limiting the discharge of the fluid from the drive pressure chamber when the brake is released.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine clutch delivery torque of a hybrid electric vehicle when the engine clutch delivery torque is learned includes: an engine clutch configured to control power transmission between an engine and a motor; an integrated starter-generator (ISG) configured to start the engine or to generate electric power by output of the engine; a transmission configured to change power applied to wheels; and a controller configured to control the engine, the motor, the integrated starter-generator, and the engine clutch in a predetermined condition and to check their states under the predetermined condition, wherein while learning the engine clutch delivery torque, the controller operates and controls the integrated starter-generator in order for the engine to maintain an idle speed when the idle speed is varied above a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method and a device for steering a vehicle towards an object, an optimization of such steering leads to a close and accurate approach. In a method for controlling a vehicle having a drive unit and a braking device during a parking operation leading up to an object, the vehicle is brought to a parking speed up to a first distance of the vehicle from the object, the parking speed maximally corresponding to the drive speed that is achievable using the idling speed, the speed is maintained, and after the first distance has been reached, the braking device decelerates to standstill up to a second distance to the object, which corresponds to the stopping distance. Furthermore, a device is adapted for implementing the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is rotated to increase pressure within a fuel rail. The engine is rotated without combusting air and fuel within the engine.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle including an internal combustion engine and a torque machine rotatably coupled to an input member of a transmission includes operating the vehicle in a coasting mode in response to a driver-requested axle torque and commanding engine operation in an unfueled state. A controller is employed to operate the torque machine to spin the input member to control the engine during a transition across a predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving engine torque response are presented. In one example, engine idle speed is increased to shorten engine torque response based on engine operating conditions. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that is supplied a gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine, both capable of propelling the vehicle. The electric machine provides creep torque to propel the vehicle at a slow speed or hold the vehicle when on an incline. At least one controller is programmed to cancel or otherwise inhibit the electric machine from generating the creep torque in response to a brake torque or brake torque request exceeding a calibratible threshold. The calibratible threshold varies based upon vehicle incline, vehicle mass, and/or vehicle speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, vehicle brakes are held to reduce the possibility of vehicle motion and stopping of engine rotation is prevented until confirmation of vehicle hold is present. The approach may allow an engine to remain in an off state for a longer period of time while reducing the possibility of vehicle motion.

Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle automatic transmission. The hybrid vehicle being capable of EV travel in which drive wheels are driven by only a rotary electric machine with the internal combustion engine stopped. The control device having an electric oil pump control device to drive an electric oil pump that supplies oil to the friction engagement element. A neutral control device performs disengagement control on the friction engagement element. A drag determination device determines whether conditions under which drag of the friction engagement element occurs are met because of a shortage in amount of oil to be supplied to a cancellation oil chamber of the friction engagement element by the electric oil pump during the EV travel started from a state in which the hybrid vehicle is stationary. Drag elimination control device provides a command to start the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a location awareness module that determines an energy profile for a portion of a roadway or for a known route. The energy profile includes one or more measurements of regenerative braking operations for predicted braking events. The hybrid vehicle determines an efficient use of an electric motor and generator (EMG) based on the energy profile of the roadway portion or the route. When the energy profile includes a predicted braking event, the hybrid vehicle determines to engage the EMG to discharge the battery system prior to the regenerative braking operation for the predicted braking event.

Abstract: A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine with a drive shaft, an electric machine having a rotor and being operable as a motor and as a generator, and a multistage conventional gearbox with two coaxially arranged input shafts and a common output shaft. The first input shaft is arranged centrally within the second input shaft which is embodied as a hollow shaft. The first input shaft can be connected to the drive shaft of the internal combustion engine via an assigned clutch; the second input shaft has a drive connection to the rotor of the electric machine; and the two input shafts can be selectively placed in a drive connection with the output shaft via a plurality of gearwheel sets with a different transmission ratio and a shiftable speed clutch.

Abstract: A method for driving a vehicle having a propulsion system comprising a combustion engine with an output shaft, a gearbox with an input shaft, an electric machine comprising a stator and a rotor, and a planetary gear comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet wheel carrier. The vehicle is driven with the members of the planetary gear interlocked. The planetary gear is brought to the releasing position by controlling the torque of the electric machine and of the combustion engine towards torque balance in the planetary gear.

Abstract: An electric vehicle control device is provided that ensures a required coupling capacity precision of a friction coupling element by appropriately switching a torque sharing rate during a shift transition period. The control device includes a motor, an automatic transmission, a shift controller, a frictional engagement element, a control unit and an engagement capacity control section. The frictional engagement element is disposed in a power transmission path from the motor to a driving wheel. The control unit switching delays switching a torque sharing rate of the frictional engagement element during a shift transition period until the start of the shifting procedure, and continuously switches the current gear sharing rate to a subsequent gear sharing rate in accordance with a degree of the shifting procedure when the shifting procedure starts.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system of a vehicle, the drive system including a combustion engine with an output shaft, a gearbox with an input shaft, an electrical machine including a stator and a rotor, and a planetary gear with a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet wheel carrier. The combustion engine may be active or inactive. A braking device may be active or passive. The planetary gear may be released or locked. The method includes arranging the planetary gear in the released state, the combustion engine in inactive state, the braking device in active state, and, when information on a requested torque for the operation of the vehicle is received, controlling the electrical machine to provide the requested torque with the combustion engine inactive, the braking device active and the planetary gear released.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, negative torque of an electric machine is adjusted to mimic negative torque of an engine during engine braking so that the vehicle may transition from regenerative braking to engine braking in a seamless manner.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus configured to control a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a first electrical rotating machine, a second electrical rotating machine, a power supply, and an engagement mechanism, is provided with: a specifying device configured to specify a state of the power supply; and a controlling device configured to select and perform one control on the basis of the specified state of the power supply and required torque of engine brake, from among a plurality of controls including (1) first control in which the engagement mechanism is controlled to be in a disengaged state and the first electrical rotating machine is controlled according to the required torque of the engine brake and (2) second control in which the engagement mechanism is set to be in an engaged state and the second electrical rotating machine is controlled according to the required torque, if the engine brake is required.

Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle driving forward towards stop. The vehicle has a propulsion system including a combustion engine with an output shaft (2a), a gearbox (3) with an input shaft (3a), an electric machine (9) comprising a stator and a rotor, and a planetary gear comprising a sun gear (10), a ring gear (11) and a planet wheel carrier (12). When braking the vehicle, a reverse gear of the gearbox is engaged and the electric machine is controlled to apply brake torque requested to the input shaft of the gearbox.

Abstract: A control device for hybrid vehicle drive system includes an engine rotation speed control device performing a rotation speed control of an engine so that a rotation speed of an output shaft of the engine is assumed to be equal to a next gear shift stage input shaft rotation speed when an operation amount of an accelerator pedal increases from an operation amount smaller than a first predetermined amount to an operation amount greater than a second predetermined amount, at which gear stages are switched from a current gear shift stage to a next gear shift stage whose gear ratio is greater than the current gear shift stage, within a priority determining time, a front clutch engagement commanding device, a front clutch engaging device, a release side frictional engagement element releasing device, a motor generator rotation speed control device, and an engagement side frictional engagement element engaging device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle that is in a creep mode are presented. In one example, a torque converter lockup clutch is released and vehicle speed is closed loop controlled in response to a request to start an engine. The vehicle speed is controlled so that a torque disturbance related to closing a driveline disconnect clutch may be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine operatively coupled to a transmission and selectively coupled to an engine, and a controller. The controller, while operating the powertrain in an electric mode and in response to an accelerator pedal position initiating a transmission ratio change that results in a request to operate the powertrain in a hybrid mode and an engine start fault, outputs a cancellation request to cancel the transmission ratio change.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle includes a control unit for determining whether or not an Oil Pump Unit (OPU) and an Electric Oil Pressure (EOP) temperature sensor are normally operated; a phase current density comparison unit for comparing the mean density of phase currents acquired after shifting the gears of the vehicle with the density of coil phase currents which flow through a coil at a maximum permissible temperature at which the coil is not burning; and a torque control unit for controlling the value of torque to be applied to a transmission according to a result acquired by the phase current density comparison unit.

Abstract: A separation controller for motor vehicles, having a localization device for measuring separations from preceding vehicles, an actuator system for intervention in the longitudinal guidance of the own vehicle, and an electronic control device for applying control to the actuator system and for regulating to a target separation the separation from a preceding vehicle in the own lane, wherein the control device has an adjacent-lane mode in which the target separation is modified as a function of a measured separation from a vehicle driving in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a driveline and suspension system for a vehicle and, more particularly, methods and systems for driveline-suspension coupling in a narrow multi-track leaning vehicle with three or more wheels and with at least two driving wheels. There are provided graphical and computational methods for determining driveline and suspension geometries for narrow multi-track vehicles, as well as apparatuses including the geometric configurations, and exhibiting improved driveline-suspension coupling behaviors.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a motion status of a vehicle, a control device, plurality of data acquisition sensors, and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is customizable with the plurality of data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits based upon the needs of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the communication system is customized before it is installed within the vehicle. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication system is customizable after it is installed within the vehicle by turning on and/or turning off one or more of the data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is able to be implemented on a bus or other such fleet vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle driving control apparatus is provided for controlling an own vehicle to track a target vehicle. The vehicle driving control apparatus includes: (1) means for acquiring an actual relative speed of the target vehicle to the own vehicle; (2) means for detecting occurrence of an event which causes the actual relative speed to discontinuously change; (3) means for setting a target acceleration of the own vehicle based on the product of a relative speed gain and a tracking relative speed when the own vehicle tracks the target vehicle, the tracking relative speed being normally set to the actual relative speed; and (4) means for correcting, upon detection of occurrence of the event by the detecting means, the tracking relative speed so as to gradually increase the absolute value of the tracking relative speed from a value that is less than the absolute value of the actual relative speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a power take off are presented. In one example, the power take off may be rotated in two different directions. The approaches may improve operation of a power take off device.

Abstract: A method for safety improvement when a motor vehicle (100) having a power train with an engine (230), automatic gearbox (240) and torque converter (237) is stationary and particle filter (320) for the exhaust gases of the engine (230) is being regenerated; The step of applying safety brake action to keep the vehicle (100) stationary despite torque transfer being maintained in the power train. The step of choosing in the gearbox (240) a gear step which is higher than an initial gear step of the gearbox (240) in order to reduce the torque transferred to the vehicle's tractive wheels (247a, 247b) when the vehicle is thus kept stationary. Also a computer program product with program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method. Also a device for safety improvement when a motor vehicle (100) is stationary and a particle filter (320) for the exhaust gases of the engine (230) is being regenerated. Also, a motor vehicle (100) equipped with the device.

Abstract: A method of signaling an operator of a motor vehicle to optimize stopping distance including determining a vehicle speed, and determining a preferred time to stop based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed. A maximum acceptable time to stop is determined based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed. A coast rate for the vehicle is determined, and an optimal distance to begin coasting is also determined. The method further includes providing a signal to an operator of the vehicle to begin coasting when the vehicle is at the optimal distance.