Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a height adjustable headrest of a child safety seat includes an actuator and a locking device. The child safety seat includes a seat shell and a headrest. The headrest is slidably mounted to the seat shell for up-and-down movement. The locking device is configured to releasably lock the headrest at a selected height. The actuator is configured to allow the locking device to be released by actuation of the actuator, thus allowing the height of the headrest to be adjusted. The actuator is positioned between the headrest and the seat shell and is configured to project above the headrest. The locking device includes a first component mounted to the seat shell and a second component mounted to the headrest. The second component is configured to releasably engage with the first component.

Abstract: An energy absorber 10 that has a spine 12 which has a relaxed configuration and a deployment configuration. In the deployment configuration, the spine 12 lies proximate to a substrate 14 to protect the substrate 14 from an impacting object 16. Preferably, the spine 12 is bendable to conform to the substrate 14. The spine includes a number (N) of energy absorbing modules 18, 20, 22, 24, . . ., where 1<=N<=1000. At least some of the modules have a number (L) of mutually supporting energy absorbing vertebral members 30, where 1<=L<=100. Each vertebral member 30 includes a number (U) of coalesced energy absorbing units 32, 34, were 2<=U<=10. At least some of the energy absorbing units 32, 34 have a base 36 that preferably but not necessarily is oriented toward the impacting object 16.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat in which the transmission direction of deformation of a seat when an impact load is applied thereto is diffused so that impact absorbability is improved. This vehicle seat includes a seat back having a seat back frame that serves as a framework. The seat back frame has side frames positioned on the left and right sides, and a lower frame connecting lower parts of the side frames. The lower frame has a weakened part that is deformed when an impact load is applied, and a deformation guiding part for guiding the deformation direction of the weakened part. The weakened part and the deformation guiding part are arranged in the centers of areas obtained by extending the center portion of the lower frame toward the right and left sides with the same vertical-direction width, are provided on the same horizontal plane.

Abstract: A console armrest assembly includes a support, a displaceable cover and a hinge pivotally attaching that cover to the support. A dampening strut is connected between the hinge and the support. Further, a detent mechanism is carried on the strut and a support for holding the cover in a closed position.

Abstract: A head and neck support (HANS) device comprises a collar, a left leg unit, a right leg unit, and a leg unit rotation control assembly. The collar may be positioned behind a wearer's neck. The left leg unit may be coupled to a left side of the collar to engage the wearer's left shoulder and chest area. The right leg unit may be coupled to a right side of the collar to engage the wearer's right shoulder and chest area. The leg unit rotation control assembly may include male splines and female splines to allow the leg units to rotate with respect to the collar when the female splines are separated from the male splines and to rigidly fix the position of the leg units with respect to the collar when the female splines are interlocked with the male splines.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a ventilation system for a “climate object”, in particular all components with which the user of a vehicle may come in contact in a passenger compartment such as, for example, a steering mechanism for a vehicle, a dashboard, an armrest, a door paneling, a seat cover, a heating blanket, a padding, a cover or a seat, all which include at least one air flow device to guide air through the climate object.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports that define a seatback frame. A front trim piece is coupled between the first and second side supports. A suspension component is coupled with a central area of the front trim piece and has flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom. A passenger support panel has a periphery coupled to distal ends of the flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.

Abstract: A lumber support apparatus may include a base plate installed in a fixed wire installed in seatback frame to be elevated, nut units having left and right nuts coupled to upper portions of opposite sides of the base plate to be slid leftwards and rightwards, respectively, link units having left and right links located outside the nut units to be spaced apart from each other and ends of which are hinge-coupled to upper portions of opposite sides of the base plate, respectively, arm units having left and right arms leftward/rightward movements of which are restricted by the link units and raised forwards and rearwards when the nut units are slid, and a screw rod having a screw structure passing the left and right nuts leftwards and rightwards to be screw-coupled to the left nut and right units, for moving the left and right nuts in opposite directions during rotation thereof.

Abstract: An articulated motor vehicle comprising: a body having a forward part and a rearward part, the forward part being articulated to the rearward part; and a load carrier, wherein the load carrier is disposed on the forward part of the vehicle and the rearward part is configured to support an operator, the forward part being engageable by the operator to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A connector has at least one aperture for receiving a buckle clip. The aperture has two crossed aperture extent portions. Each aperture extent portion has a different orientation such that the buckle clip received within the at least one aperture can be at one of two different orientations.

Abstract: A securement mat for mitigating the migration of loads within a shipping vessel. The securement mat having a length, a width, and a height, and including a first subsection and a second subsection, wherein an area of the second subsection is less than an area of the first subsection. The securement mat has a first fold boundary along the length or width of the sheet and proximate to one edge of the sheet defining a boundary between the first and second subsection, wherein the first subsection exhibits a first incline by folding, along the first fold boundary, the second subsection underneath the first subsection. The securement mat also has a notch on each end of the first fold boundary to facilitate folding of the second subsection under the first subsection.

Abstract: The vehicular headlight apparatus includes a control means configured to change a light illumination area following a position of a detected target object until a shift angle between a reference direction and a direction to the target object with respect to a headlight is calculated to exceed a maximum limit shift angle, and configured to, when a vehicle speed is detected to exceed a predetermined threshold value, set the maximum limit shift angle to a small deflection angle, and change the present light illumination area to a low-beam light illumination area covered by the headlight in a low-beam state if the shift angle is calculated to exceed the maximum limit shift angle set to the small deflection angle.

Abstract: A headlight control device automatically switches a light distribution pattern of a headlight for illumination ahead of a vehicle. The headlight control device including an imager that sequentially takes images of a view ahead of the vehicle in a predetermined frame rate, an another-vehicle recognizer that recognizes a light source of another vehicle from each of the images sequentially taken by the imager, a light distribution controller that switches the light distribution pattern according to a recognition result of the another-vehicle recognizer, and a signal provider that provides a signal to illumination light of the headlight by causing the luminance of the headlight to change in a predetermined cycle. The another-vehicle recognizer recognizes, as reflected light of the headlight of the vehicle, a light source which is present within the image and of which luminance change is substantially similar to a luminance change of the signal.

Abstract: To provide a lighting system which can solve the inconvenience experienced by a pilot entering and leaving a control cabin of a transport such as an aircraft. A lighting system LS of an aircraft 1 includes: lights 21 that illuminate a control cabin 15; a lighting power supply system 22 including a main path 22M which supplies power to the lights 21 and a sub path 22S which supplies power to the lights 21; a first switch SW1 that enables and disables power supply through the main path 22M; and a second switch SW2 that enables and disables power supply through the sub path 22S.

Abstract: A method of using a directional sensor for the purposes of detecting the presence of a vehicle or an object within a zone of interest on a roadway or in a parking space. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a microwave transmit pulse of less than 5 feet; radiating the transmitted pulse by a directional antenna system; receiving received pulses by an adjustable receive window; integrating or combining signals from multiple received pulses; amplifying and filtering the integrated receive signal; digitizing the combined signal; comparing the digitized signal to at least one preset or dynamically computed threshold values to determine the presence or absence of an object in the field of view of the sensor; and providing at least one pulse generator with rise and fall times of less than 3 ns each and capable of generating pulses less than 10 ns in duration.

Abstract: A working vehicle perimeter monitoring system includes: a plurality of object detecting devices which are attached to a working vehicle and detect an object existing in a periphery of the working vehicle; and a controller which enables or disables of a generation of an alarm notifying an existence of the object based on a detection value of the object detecting device and a predetermined threshold value and sets the predetermined threshold value to be different inside and outside a predetermined region set in the periphery of the working vehicle based on an operation range of the working vehicle.

Abstract: An image integration unit includes: an imaging section which is installed in a moving body and which images a plurality of time-series images at different times; a three-dimensional image information calculating section which calculates three-dimensional image information in each of the time-series images based on the time-series images imaged by the imaging section; a stationary body area extracting section which extracts stationary body areas in each of the time-series images based on the three-dimensional image information; and an integrating section which calculates the corresponding stationary body areas between the time-series images from each of the stationary body areas extracted in each of the time-series images, and matches the corresponding stationary body areas to integrate the time-series images.

Abstract: A dimming mirror device has a substrate having an electrochromic material that has a controllable transparency. At least one organic optoelectronic element, which has an organically functional layer stack, is arranged on the substrate. This element has at least one organic optoelectronic layer between two electrodes. The layer detects, in a first operational state of the mirror device, ambient light through the substrate such that the organic optoelectronic element acts, in the first operational state, as an element detecting organic light. The transparency of the substrate can be controlled in the first operational state in accordance with a measurement signal from the organic optoelectronic element.

Abstract: A load compartment arrangement for a vehicle is disclosed. The load compartment arrangement includes a board device with a loading board having a flap section pivotably connected to one another. The flap section assumes an upper position such that the loading board is in a low position. Conversely, the flap section assumes a lower position such that the loading board is a high position. The load compartment arrangement includes at least one load compartment-fixed holding device for holding the flap section in the lower position. A basic body of the flap section supports itself in the holding device and is secured in a direction directed towards the load compartment floor in a positively joined manner when the flap section assumes the lower position.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the loading and unloading of heavy ladders from the roof of a motor vehicle comprises a pair of crossbar members affixed to the roof of the vehicle that extend transversely to the length dimension of the vehicle. A four-bar linkage arrangement affixed to the rearmost crossbar member is adapted to be driven by a shaft journaled for rotation in the spaced-apart crossbar members is arranged to displace a ladder support bar to which ladder hooks are attached. A front ladder hook is attached by a coupler to the elongated shaft at the forward facing end of the ladder rack assembly where the coupler is designed to allow the shaft to be rotated through a predetermined angle before the front ladder hook will rotate with the shaft and in this way the front and rear hooks remain parallel to one another through their range of motions.

Abstract: On an on-vehicle apparatus that is installed on a vehicle, a display that has a long side and a short side and displays an image is rotated so that a vertical position of an upper side of the display in a first position where the long side becomes the upper side substantially coincides with the vertical position of the upper side of the display in a second position where the short side becomes the upper side. This allows the display to be set at an easily visible position for a user with less eye movement.

Abstract: A low-weight sound-absorbing dash pad for a vehicle includes a sound-absorbing/blocking multilayer bonded to a surface of a sound-absorbing member. The sound-absorbing/blocking multilayer is formed by sequentially bonding a first sound-absorbing layer, a sound-blocking layer, and a second sound-absorbing layer that are made of thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-weight sound-absorbing type dash pad for a vehicle which can maximize sound-absorbing and sound blocking performances, reduce manufacturing cost and steps of processes, and improve in-line work efficiency. In particular, the low-weight sound-absorbing type dash pad for a vehicle is manufactured by bonding a first sound-absorbing layer made of microfibers, a sound-blocking layer made of thermoplastic resin, and a second sound-absorbing layer made of thermoplastic fiber or thermoplastic multi-lobal fiber to each other.

Abstract: A power distribution module for a vehicle includes an insulating housing including a component grid, the component grid defining a plurality of circuit protection footprints, the housing further including at least one connector mount or terminal mating location; a printed circuit board (“PCB”) located within the housing and beneath the component grid, the PCB holding a plurality of fuse mounting terminals and at least one connector mounting terminal, the PCB including a plurality of conducting traces connecting the fuse mounting terminals to the at least one connector mounting terminal; and a cover that threadingly engages the housing, the threading engagement leading to a locking of the cover to the housing that tends to prevent the cover from loosening from the housing when the vehicle is being driven, the locking of the cover able to be overcome by a person so that the cover can be unthreaded readily from the housing.

Abstract: When a movable reel is rotated, a rotating ring is rotated following the rotation of the movable reel. An annular elastic member is fitted to a support on the rotating ring. In a laying-out space, a cable is pressed by a first elastic belt portion and a second elastic belt portion of the annular elastic member. As a result, a reversing portion of the cable can keep its shape constant. Since the annular elastic member is able to circle around the support following the movement of the rotating ring, damage of the cable can be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle power unit is operable to, when not driving the starter, charge first and second capacitors. A controller is operable to, when driving the starter, cause the battery to supply power to the starter if a total voltage of first and second capacitor voltages is smaller than a predetermined total voltage. The controller is operable to, when driving the starter, form a parallel circuit of the battery and the first capacitor, and connect the second capacitor in series to the parallel circuit if the total voltage is not smaller than the predetermined total voltage at a beginning of use of the vehicle. The controller is operable to, when driving the starter, disconnect the battery from the starter. The vehicle power unit reduces a load applied to the battery when driving the starter, accordingly extending a life time of the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle manipulating system using sound waves includes a friction pad, and a sound wave generation film that generates film sound waves when adhered to the friction pad and moved. A smartphone is configured to control devices in a vehicle using the sound waves generated by the sound wave generation film, in order to control various devices in the vehicle while driving.

Abstract: Front bumper assemblies for vehicles are disclosed. The front bumper assemblies may include a bumper reinforcement with a plurality of pedestrian energy absorbers positioned adjacent to a front face of the bumper reinforcement. The plurality of pedestrian energy absorbers are arrayed along a width direction of the bumper reinforcement. A plurality of bumper cover supports are positioned at least one of atop or adjacent the bumper reinforcement and may be attached to the bumper reinforcement. Each of the plurality of bumper cover supports is offset from the forward contact surfaces of the pedestrian energy absorbers in a front impact direction. Each of the plurality of bumper cover supports is more compliant in a front impact direction than in a vertical direction. As a result, a bumper cover of the front bumper assembly is more compliant in a front impact direction while being more rigid in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a bumper, and a crush can that secures the bumper to the frame. The crush can includes a plurality of cells that are arranged in a fanned configuration relative to the frame such that walls of the cells deform during offset impact events to deflect objects away from the frame.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining whether it is necessary to utilize safety equipment of a vehicle. The method includes detecting an impending impact of an object with a vehicle's windscreen by obtaining data concerning the object from a vehicle-mounted vision sensor, analyzing the data to determine whether the object will impact the windscreen, and activating the safety equipment only if the windscreen impact is imminent.

Abstract: An airbag controller in a vehicle occupant protection device deploys airbags when one of a front-right acceleration sensor and a front-left acceleration sensor disposed on a front face of a vehicle detects an over-threshold acceleration exceeding a front threshold and one of a side-right acceleration sensor or a side-left acceleration sensor, which are disposed on a side face of the vehicle, detects an over-threshold acceleration exceeding a lateral threshold. A threshold acceleration storage device stores the front threshold and plural lateral thresholds that have respectively different values. An image processor processes image data from an in-vehicle camera and calculates the offset rate, an offset direction, a collision angle, a collision direction, and a relative speed at a timing just-before an offset collision between a subject vehicle and another vehicle. Based on a detection result, the airbag controller selects one of the plural lateral thresholds stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag assembly includes a chute including a side wall defining an aperture with a top side and a bottom side. A first retention tab extends from the top side, and a second retention tab extends from the bottom side. The assembly also includes an airbag module including a housing enclosing a deployable airbag and a hook coupled with the housing to engage with the aperture between the first tab and the second tab.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting an airbag module to a seat frame having a bottom frame and a back frame mounted to the bottom frame and having at least one side member extending in a substantially vertical direction. The mounting device includes a mounting bracket, mounted to an outside surface of the side member and connected to the airbag module, and at least one load transfer device, mounted to an inside surface of the side member and engaging a front portion or a rear portion of the side member, having a main body shaped to engage the inside surface and an engagement portion extending from the main body and shaped to engage the front portion or the rear portion. The load transfer device distributes a load, originating at the airbag module as a result of deployment or occupant loading of the airbag, from the mounting bracket to the seat frame.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag, a gas supplying unit configured to supply gas to the airbag to expand the airbag, a housing configured to support the airbag disposed therein, and a cover configured to cover the airbag, wherein the housing has sidewalls extending toward the cover, hooks protruding from the sidewalls, and at least one guide allocated to one of the sidewalls and situated below the hooks, wherein the cover has mount walls to which the housing is mounted, and wherein the mount walls have engagement holes formed therethrough such that a rotating movement of the cover around a lower tip of one of the mount walls while the lower tip is rested against the guide causes the hooks to be inserted into the engagement holes of the one of the mount walls.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a base member including a door portion and a cover member adhered to a surface of the base member by an adhesive layer. The door portion includes an end that is opened by an inflation pressure of an airbag. The end of the door portion forms a base member end together with an end of a base member body of the base member. The adhesive layer has an adhesive force set so that the cover member that covers a portion of the base member body that is adjacent to the door portion is separated from the adjacent portion as the door portion opens when pushed by the inflation pressure of the airbag.

Abstract: Gas guides or airbag assemblies including gas guides are disclosed. The gas guides can direct inflation gas within an inflatable cushion. The gas guides can include a forward opening that delivers inflation gas to a forward portion of an inflatable cushion and a rearward opening that delivers inflation gas to a rearward portion of an inflatable cushion. The gas guides can further include a downward opening that delivers inflation gas downward to a lower portion of an inflatable cushion. The area of the downward opening can be greater than the areas of the forward opening or the rearward opening such that a greater portion of the inflation gas is directed downward into the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: Provided is an airbag apparatus in which a discharge rate of gas discharged from an airbag is adjusted. To this end, the airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag which has a vent hole through which gas is discharged; and a vent rate adjusting member which is coupled to the airbag while covering the vent hole, and adjusts a discharge rate of gas discharged through the vent hole, in which the vent rate adjusting member is folded and coupled to the airbag, and has a communicating hole, such that the communicating hole comes into communication with the vent hole when the vent rate adjusting member is unfolded by expansive force of the airbag.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a cowl top and a cowl inner. A bracket assembly is connected between the cowl top and the cowl inner, and includes a frangible member having a fracture portion. The fraction portion has a reduced cross-sectional area, and is configured to shear in response to a drive-cycle impact to the cowl top.

Abstract: A high intensity light source blocking system for a vehicle operated by a crew member within a cockpit includes an crew member position or eye-position detection system, a transparent dynamic-darkening display covering a window in the crew member cockpit, and a scene imager configured to detect a presence of a high intensity light source and an emanation direction relative to the crew member cockpit. A computing device is connected to the position or eye-position detection system, the transparent dynamic-darkening display and the scene imager, and controls the darkening of a portion of the dynamic-darkening display upon the occurrence of either the high intensity light source having an intensity value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or the crew member position or eye-position being subject to either a direct portion of the high intensity light source or a substantial reflection thereof off a surface within the crew member cockpit.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt bypass warning system involves, a video camera, at least one processor, face detection software, a safety belt, and a safety belt engagement sensor circuit. The processor detects that a human face is present and associated with an individual seat. An infrared (IR) emitter output is positioned on the safety belt and transmits individually coded light pulses unique to the occupied seat. At least one IR receiver receives individually coded light pulses from occupied seat IR emitters and, in response, will output coded electrical signals indicative of which occupied seat(s) the individually coded light pulses were received from. The at least one processor will wait for receipt of the coded electrical signals from the IR receiver. If the processor does not receive an indication for a particular occupied seat, the processor will trigger a safety belt bypass warning indicator.

Abstract: The invention is a belt tightening drive for tightening a seat belt that can be wound about a winding shaft, comprising a spindle shaft driven by a drive unit and a worm drive with a worm supported in a torque-proof fashion on the spindle shaft and a driven wheel, engaged therewith and supported in a torque-proof fashion on the winding shaft. According to the invention it is provided that the worm comprises a first toothed section with a first toothed geometry, wherein the first position of the worm the first toothed section engages the driven wheel, the worm comprises at least a first toothed section and following a second toothed section with a second toothed geometry, with the first and second toothed geometries being embodied differently.

Abstract: A seat belt wearing detection device includes: a tongue unit supported by a seat belt; a buckle unit into which the tongue unit is inserted and held; a wearing detection unit that detects an insertion and holding state; a seat belt side communication unit that transmits a detection result; a control unit that determines a wearing state based on the detection result and controls the seat belt side communication unit; power supply means for supplying electric power to the seat belt side communication unit; and a vehicle side device that performs radio communication with the seat belt side communication unit to receive the detection result. The power supply means includes a power supply section, a power storage section, and a charging section. The power supply section charges the power storage section by supplying electric power to the charging section when the seat belt is in a housed state.

Abstract: A general wiper connecting apparatus (1) comprises: a main body (10) formed with a penetrated hole (13) allowing a pivotal shaft (2a?) of a wiper driving arm (2, 2?, 2?) to be received; a head portion (20) formed with a positioning groove (21) at the location connected with the main body (10) for positioning the wiper driving arm (2, 2?, 2?); a tail portion (30) formed with a pair of elastic clamping pieces (31) for latching the wiper driving arm (2, 2?, 2?); and a pair of side boards (40) disposed at two sides of the main body (10), and respectively formed with a through hole (41) corresponding to the penetrated hole (13), and an insertion slit (400) is respectively formed between the pair of side boards (40) and the main body (10) for allowing the wiper driving arm (2, 2?, 2?) to be inserted.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device of the “flat blade type” comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material and a connecting device for a oscillating arm comprising two longitudinal arm sections connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate section and a resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, wherein the resilient tongue comprises at least two, spaced-apart, downwardly extending protrusions, wherein a first protrusion is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in an oscillating arm of a first type, and wherein a second 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: An extraction cap of an integrated flat tire repair kit is provided with; an air-dedicated flow passage that normally connects the inlet mouth portion for taking compressed air to the outlet mouth portion without passing through the bottle container; and a puncture repair-dedicated flow passage that is connected to the inlet mouth portion instead of the air-dedicated flow passage by switching means. The puncture repair-dedicated flow passage comprises a first flow passage portion that connects the inlet mouth portion to the inside of the bottle container and a second flow passage portion that connects the inside of the bottle container to the outlet mouth portion.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a driver assistance unit that includes a braking unit and at least one detection unit to detect an environmental parameter. The driver assistance unit can control performance of an autonomous deceleration of the motor vehicle in the case of a risk of collision, which is recognized using the environmental parameter. The driver assistance unit is formed in such a way that an autonomous emergency stop is only then able to be carried out if the motor vehicle has at least one reversible seat belt pre-tensioner.

Abstract: When a trailer is pulled by a tow vehicle where the trailer begins to sway to the left and right of the tow vehicle a large sway can result in loss of control of the trailer and or tow vehicle. The field of the present invention is a system and method of controlling a trailer sway which comprises determining the sway of the trailer utilizing an electronic sensor and independently applying the left or right trailer brakes at varying levels to reduce trailer sway. The traditional single braking signal power from the tow vehicle is separated into two independent braking signals for each of the left and right brakes. All brakes are applied whenever the traditional braking signal goes active where trailer battery power is utilized to independently activate the left and or right brakes during trailer sway.

Abstract: A visual display for use by a user for navigation and obstacle avoidance. A typical user employs the invention in operating a vehicle. The display may include a conventional video feed. A visual arch metaphor is also provided. A ranging device mounted on the vehicle collects ranging data around the vehicle. As an example, the ranging device might collect 180 degrees of ranging data extending from the vehicle's left side, across the vehicle's front, and over to the vehicle's right side. The ranging data is correlated to a predefined color scale. The ranging data is also correlated to a position on the arch metaphor.

Abstract: A vehicle brake hydraulic control apparatus includes a reservoir, a hydraulic pressure pump, an orifice, a damper and a one-way valve. The reservoir absorbs an excess brake hydraulic pressure of a wheel brake. The hydraulic pressure pump suctions brake fluid absorbed by the reservoir and returns the suctioned brake fluid to a master cylinder through a return line. The orifice is provided in the return line. The damper is connected to the return line between the orifice and the hydraulic pressure pump and damps discharge pressure pulsation of the hydraulic pressure pump. The one-way valve is provided in the return line between the damper and the orifice and prevents a hydraulic flow from an orifice side to a damper side.

Abstract: A brake control system for a distributed power vehicle system includes a brake system and a distributed power control system in a first vehicle, and first and second separate communication links between the brake system and the distributed power control system. In operation, upon the initiation of a penalty brake application, the brake system transmits information about the brake level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system, over at least the first communication link. However, if the first communication link fails, the brake system redundantly transmits the information about the level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system over the second communication link. The information is transmitted from the distributed power control system in the first vehicle to remote vehicles for carrying out the penalty brake application.