Abstract: A vehicle environment monitoring system is disclosed which includes a people detection unit for detecting the presence of people in the environment of a vehicle and a danger signaler for generating danger signals of at least one first kind. A decision unit for deciding on the generation of a danger signal of the first kind when detecting a person by means of the people detection unit in dependence of the visibility of the person for the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive vehicle occupancy detection and alert system. The system alerts users when a young child is left unattended in a vehicle in order to prevent the young child from being exposed to dangerously high or low temperatures within the interior of the vehicle. The system utilizes sensor data captured by a plurality of different sensors, including at least one occupancy sensor, at least one temperature sensor, and at least one distance sensor. The system applies logic to the captured sensor data to determine whether to alert a user as to the fact that an occupant has been left unattended and to control various functions of the automobile that would allow individuals external to the vehicle to rescue the occupant from the dangerous conditions or provide relief to the child from the conditions, including by unlocking the vehicle's doors, lowering the vehicle's windows, and/or activating the vehicle's temperature control system.

Abstract: A visual system (50) for a vehicle, having a capturing unit on the vehicle. The capturing unit is provided with at least a capturing device (52), a calculation unit (58), and a display unit (60). The capturing device (52) is adapted to acquire a capturing region (21, 22, 23) behind the vehicle (10). The capturing region including a substantially undistorted, backward-directed capturing region (21) behind the vehicle and a substantially downward-directed capturing portion (22) behind the vehicle. The visual system (50) is adapted to extract from the capturing portion (21, 22, 23) a first image (62), which corresponds to the undistorted capturing portion (21), and a second image (63), which corresponds to the downward-directed capturing portion, and to display the first image (61) in an upper image portion (64) and the second image (62) in a lower image portion (66) of the display unit (60).

Abstract: A method for capturing and displaying images includes a plurality of operations. A first video camera is fixedly attached to a vehicle at a first fixed location in a prescribed orientation relative to a cargo area defined within a vehicle body structure of a vehicle. An electronic display is provided within the vehicle. Video images of the cargo area are captured using the first video camera. The video images of the cargo area captured by the first video camera are processed and a simulated video overhead view of the cargo area is generated. A still image representing an overhead view of the vehicle is displayed on the electronic display, and the generated simulated video overhead view of the cargo area is superimposed on the display over an area of the still image corresponding to the location of the cargo area.

Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror, a mirror housing accommodating electric components is rotatably supported at a base member that is mounted to a side door, and a coupler that is electrically connected to the electric components is attached to the base member. A sheet member that is positioned to and held by the base member and is sandwiched between the side door and the base member is fastened to the side door by being fastened together with the base member, and the coupler is clamped between the base member and the sheet member. Accordingly, the coupler can be attached using a fewer number of components and a fewer number of working steps.

Abstract: A rotatable and stowable parcel shelf assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The parcel shelf assembly may include a parcel shelf body having a first edge and at least one attachment feature configured to attach the parcel shelf body to the vehicle within a cargo area. The parcel shelf body first edge is disposed proximate a partition, which is disposed between the cargo area and a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The parcel shelf body may occupy one of a deployed position and a stowed position, and may be rotatable about the at least one attachment feature in a first direction from the deployed position to the stowed position and in a second direction from the stowed position to the deployed position. The parcel shelf body may be secured in the stowed position to prevent further rotation in the first direction from the stowed position into the cargo area.

Abstract: A remote deployment gun safe assembly. An exemplary assembly includes a top plate mounted to a package tray in a vehicle, a drawer assembly, a drawer slide mechanism, a deploying mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The assembly is configured to securely conceal a variety of different weapons. Upon activation of a remote switch, the gun safe assembly will unlatch and automatically deploy to expose the weapons for use. In other embodiments, the safe assembly may hold articles other than guns or weapons.

Abstract: A barrier apparatus (“car cache' for purses” or “handbag hammock”) has a substrate sized to approximately traverse a space between a pair of front seats and slightly behind a front center console of a motor vehicle. Straps attached to corners of the barrier apparatus are attachable respectively to an upper portion of each front seat and to the console, holding the barrier in place to receive a purse/handbag or similar small article.

Abstract: A center console has a basic support on which functional parts and trim parts are attachable. In order to provide a center console having a basic support which is of simple construction and/or is manufacturable in a cost-effective manner, the basic support (3), in a front region (5), is formed from a plastic material and, in a rear region (6), is formed from a metallic material.

Abstract: An under cover apparatus of a rear bumper multi-carrier includes a fixed rail cover coupled to a pair of fixed rails to cover a first opening part between the fixing rails. The pair of fixed rails is installed at left and right sides of a vehicle body in front and rear directions. A moving rail cover is coupled to a pair of moving rails to cover a second opening part between the moving rails. The pair of moving rails is coupled to the fixed rails to be slidable along the fixed rails, withdrawn rearward together with a rear bumper, and has the carrier coupled thereto.

Abstract: A retractable workstation that is mounted within the dashboard of a vehicle is provided. In the retracted position the workstation is hidden from sight, while in the extended position it provides a convenient and ergonomic desk for use by the front seat passenger. The retractable workstation includes a desktop and may additionally include a rear desk organizer and/or an integrated display screen and/or an integrated keyboard.

Abstract: A method is provided for learning driver preferences relative to the use of a vehicle's camera system, where the system automatically activates a specific camera based on these driver preferences, and where the driver preferences include both identification of the specific camera and the geographic locations associated with activating and then deactivating that camera.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hydraulic vehicle power system. The auxiliary mobile power system may be configured to supply power to at least one auxiliary function and a primary hydraulic system for a vehicle. The auxiliary mobile power system may include a hydraulic pump configured to provide hydraulic pressure to the at least one auxiliary function and the vehicle's primary hydraulic system. The auxiliary mobile power system may also include a control valve connected to the hydraulic pump. The control valve may be configured to control the hydraulic pressure to the at least one auxiliary function and the primary hydraulic system for the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel well liner for use in the wheel well of motor vehicles has inner and outer surfaces each defining one or more acoustical sections. Each acoustical section includes a pattern of irregular or convoluted portions configured and arranged to absorb/attenuation sound. A layer of flock material is deposited on the inner surface of the wheel well liner to enhance aesthetics and provide supplemental sound attenuation.

Abstract: An active control system for a LDC (Low-voltage DC/DC Converter) in a vehicle is disclosed. The LDC is disposed between a high voltage battery and a low voltage battery, rectifies the voltage in two directions and a VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) configured to control the LDC. The VCU is configured to control when a DC active control mode is initiated to obtain the minimum charging time of the low voltage battery.

Abstract: An elastically averaged alignment and retention system includes a first component having a first alignment member and an elastically deformable alignment and retention element, and a second component having a second alignment member and an alignment and retention feature. The first alignment member includes an electrical wiring harness, the elastically deformable alignment and retention element includes a hollow tube, the second alignment member includes a support for the electrical wiring harness, and the alignment and retention feature includes an aperture. The elastically deformable alignment and retention element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the alignment and retention feature.

Abstract: A process of providing driver fuel economy feedback is disclosed in which vehicle sensors provide for haptic feedback on fuel usage. Such sensors may include one or more of a speed sensors, global position satellite units, vehicle pitch/roll angle sensors, suspension displacement sensors, longitudinal accelerometer sensors, throttle position in sensors, steering angle sensors, break pressure sensors, and lateral accelerometer sensors. Sensors used singlely or collectively can provide enhanced feedback as to various environmental conditions and operating conditions such that a more accurate assessment of fuel economy information can be provided to the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for warning reduction in fuel efficiency of a vehicle includes a driving sensor configured to sense driving of the vehicle. A window position sensor is configured to sense an opened degree of each window in the vehicle. A controller is configured to enable a fuel efficiency reduction predictor when the window position sensor senses that a window of the vehicle is opened, in the state in which the driving sensor senses the driving of the vehicle, the fuel efficiency reduction predictor predicting reduction in fuel efficiency depending on the opened degree of each window sensed by the window position sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided that is able to (i) identify a particular driver from other potential drivers and (ii) monitor various vehicle functions in order to determine if the identified driver repeatedly performs the same behavior at approximately the same time each day. When the control system determines that the identified driver repeats the same behavior in response to the same temporal conditions, the controller learns that behavior and associates it with the identified driver so that it can be automatically performed, without driver interaction, under the same temporal conditions in the future.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is operated to control a vehicle. A digital key for accessing a vehicle is stored for accessing the vehicle. Profile information is associated with the digital key for configuring operation and/or use of a vehicle. The profile information may include one or more outside parameters for implementing one or more pre-entry vehicle configurations. When one or more proximity conditions are detected as being satisfied as between the mobile computing device and the vehicle, a communication is sent to the vehicle in order to cause the vehicle to implement one or more pre-entry vehicle configurations. The communication can be based on the digital key and may specify the one or more outside parameters.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a refuse vehicle includes a first control valve that operates a first hydraulically controlled mechanism and a second control valve that operates a second hydraulically controlled mechanism. The control mechanism also includes a plurality of switches and a pneumatic control mechanism. The plurality of switches generates a valve select signal and a mode signal. The pneumatic control mechanism selectively controls the first control valve and the second control valve based on the valve select signal and the mode signal. An operator of the refuse vehicle actuates the plurality of switches while the operator is operating the pneumatic control mechanism.

Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle comprises a pair of side members arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a pair of crash boxes arranged at front ends of the side members, and a body back-up structure located at a rear end of the front portion. The front structure is adapted to give an impact response curve with deceleration versus time, when subjected to a full frontal barrier impact at 35 mph according to USNCAP. The impact response curve comprises in sequence: a first phase during which deceleration increases, a second phase forming a first peak level of the deceleration, a third phase during which the deceleration is less than during the second phase, and a fourth phase forming a second peak level of the deceleration, during which fourth phase the deceleration is greater than during the third phase.

Abstract: A roof for a motor vehicle includes at least one roof element, at least one lining element by which the roof element is lined at least partially towards a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and at least one energy absorption element coupled to the lining element for at least partially decelerating an occupant impacting the energy absorption element at least indirectly during an accident-related application of force. The energy absorption element is formed as an essentially flat plate element.

Abstract: Provided is an interior side wall structure for a vehicle in which a cylindrical shape of a shock-absorbing member can be crushed and deformed in an axial direction in an orderly manner upon vehicle side collision. When a collision load (F) is input to a shock-absorbing member (10) in the axial direction, a flange portion (13) at a peripheral edge of an open part is uniformly pressed against a door trim (4). At a connecting portion (15) of a peripheral wall (11), stress is distributed by an arc shaped face, whereby the development of crack is avoided, thus enabling even distribution of the load. At the connecting portion (15), buckling rigidity is adjusted by a slit for compression buckling adjustment (16) so as to substantially equalize the buckling rigidity at each portion of the peripheral wall (11), whereby the cylindrical shape of the shock-absorbing member (10) is crushed and deformed in the axial direction in an orderly manner.

Abstract: An airbag system assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of a vehicle that includes an aft wall configured to be positioned forward of a passenger seat and an airbag system. The aft wall includes front and aft surfaces and the aft wall includes a first flap that is formed by a plurality of weakness lines in at least the front surface thereof. The airbag system includes at least a first airbag module having a first airbag support plate with front and aft surfaces. The first airbag support plate is secured to the front surface of the aft wall, and the first airbag support plate includes a first airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the first airbag support plate. The first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap.

Abstract: An airbag housing can be detachably fixed to at least one abutting wall area via at least one fixing device. The airbag housing has a plurality of tongues protruding laterally outwards on at least two opposing sides. The tongues arranged next to one another on one side are each spaced from the next by the width of at least one tongue. For the tongues of the airbag housing, a fixing frame on the dashboard has corresponding undercuts, and therefore the fixed airbag module is connected to the tongues in a form-locking manner in the undercuts.

Abstract: An airbag is formed in a bag shape by joining margins of one pair of main body cloth portions. Inflation gas is supplied from an inflator to the airbag according to an impact given from the side of a vehicle seat. With this supply, the airbag deploys and inflates. A longitudinal partition portion is laid between the one pair of main body cloth portions. The longitudinal partition portion partitions an interior of the airbag into a front part and a rear part and has a communication hole. An inside one of the main body cloth portions constituting the airbag is attached to a car. The airbag is attached to a side frame inside the vehicle seat at a position between a rear end of the inside main body cloth portion and the longitudinal partition portion.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a front center airbag system comprising: a first airbag mounted on an inboard side of a first front seat and a second airbag mounted on an inboard side of a second front seat, wherein the first airbag and the second airbag are constructed and arranged so that in a deployment condition the first airbag and the second airbag fill a space between and partially forward of the first front seat and the second front seat.

Abstract: Airbag housings that each house an airbag are respectively provided beneath the lateral face of the driver's seat backrest and the lateral face of a front passenger seat backrest inward in a vehicle width direction. The airbags are inflatable and deployable inwardly in the vehicle width direction as well as in a fore-and-aft direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat cushion airbag system may include: a cushion body installed on a seat of a vehicle, unfolded by receiving gas from an inflator, and including a rear chamber which lifts the rear part of the body of a passenger and a front chamber which lifts the front part of the body of the passenger while inflating more than the rear chamber; and an unfolding restriction unit installed between the rear chamber and the front chamber, and having a vent hole through which gas is passed.

Abstract: A passenger protection device includes an airbag having a roof panel arranged to deploy to cover at least a portion of and at least one tether having a first end attached to a first attachment point on a surface of the airbag that faces a vehicle roof when the airbag is deployed, and a second end attachable to a second attachment point.

Abstract: An airbag for an airbag device for a front passenger seat is housed in a housing in the shape of a folded-up body in front of a front passenger seat. The airbag includes a main bag section that includes at the rear plane as deployed a front-collision arresting plane for catching a passenger as moves forward and an auxiliary bag section that protrudes rearward out of the front-collision arresting plane. The lateral of the auxiliary bag section facing towards the front-collision arresting plane serves as an oblique-collision arresting plane for catching the passenger as moves diagonally forward, The folded-up body of the airbag includes a means for temporarily jointing the auxiliary bag section in a folded up configuration to the main bag section and preventing the auxiliary bag section from protruding out of the front-collision arresting plane in an initial stage of airbag deployment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag module including: a main cushion which is expanded by inflow gas; an auxiliary chamber which is provided at one side of the main cushion; and an active vent which is provided between the main cushion and the auxiliary chamber, selectively forms a vent in accordance with an operation of an operating unit, and allows the main cushion and the auxiliary chamber to communicate with each other, and has an effect in that a problem with an excessive decrease in internal pressure due to an active vent may be improved, and as a result, injury to a head or a neck of an occupant may be reduced when an airbag is operated.

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: The invention relates inter alia to a gas generator (10) for generating a driving gas for a vehicle safety device, wherein the gas generator has an ignition device (30) and propellant (50) which generates gas after being ignited by the ignition device (30). It is provided according to the invention that the gas generator (10) has a tube (20), to one tube end (21) of which the ignition device (30) is fixed by means of a moulded-in or moulded-on injection-moulded body (40).

Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed, and includes a seat having opposing sides, a back support, and a seat pan. The seat assembly also includes at least two harness straps extending in a generally vertical direction between the back support and the seat pan. The harness straps both have a lower portion and ends, where the ends of the harness straps are secured to the seat pan. An insert may be located within each of the harness straps. The inserts may extend in a generally upward direction away from the seat pan. The inserts are each a spring biased element that exerts a biasing force on a respective harness strap to urge the lower portion of the respective harness strap towards one of the opposing sides of the seat.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly includes an adjuster having a guide slidable in a first direction. The assembly also includes a cover defining upper and lower edges and coupled with the guide and first and second extension plates slidably disposed relative to the cover in the first direction so as to be extendable respectively from the upper and lower edges thereof and to be retractable behind the cover.

Abstract: An electric retractor comprises a winding part configured to extract and wind a seatbelt that restrains an occupant, an electric driving part for extracting or winding the seatbelt by a driving of a motor, and a control part configured to control the driving of the motor, wherein respective external covers of each of the parts are electrically connected to the same potential, and at least one of the external covers is connected to a GND.

Abstract: [Object] To cancel both a function of a vehicle sensor and a function of a webbing sensor at a predetermined condition while having a simple structure and a fewer number of parts. [Solution] When fully retracting a seat belt 4, a cam follower 22b abuts against a first cam portion 20a; accordingly, an actuator holding portion 23b urges an actuator 13b in a non-operable position and a function of a vehicle sensor 13 is canceled. When a large load is applied to the actuator holding portion 23b while in the above canceled state, the load is supported by the first cam portion 20a; accordingly, first and second levers 22 and 23 do not pivot and cancellation of the function of the vehicle sensor 13 is prevented from being canceled. Furthermore, when a lock claw 22c is separated from a ratchet tooth 17b, a ring gear 17 becomes rotatable and a function of a webbing sensor 12 is canceled.

Abstract: A linear drive, especially for a belt tensioner, includes a housing (10) including a piston seat (12), a piston element (16) accommodated in the piston seat (12) and a pyrotechnical drive element adapted to supply gas for displacing the piston element (16). The inner wall of the piston seat (12) includes a groove (30) extending in the displacing direction (R) of the piston element (16) through which gas can flow off the piston seat (12).

Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a cylinder includes a housing portion that houses a piston and a guide portion that extends from one end portion in length direction of the housing portion. A pinion is rotatably supported at the guide portion. The piston is guided by the guide portion. A member that houses the piston and a member that rotatably supports the pinion do not accordingly need to be separately provided. An increase in number of components can therefore be suppressed. Positioning of the piston and the pinion can be respectively determined by the cylinder due to the piston and the pinion being provided to the cylinder. Good positioning precision between the piston and the pinion is thereby enabled compared to a case where separate members are used to house the piston and to rotatably support the pinion.

Abstract: A vehicular emergency reporting device includes a voltage step-down unit, an auxiliary power source, a voltage step-up unit, a control unit, an emergency report executing unit, and a switching unit. When a decreased voltage decreased by the voltage step-down unit is lower than an increased voltage increased by the voltage step-up unit, the emergency report executing unit performs an emergency report using the increased voltage as the operation voltage. When the decreased voltage is lower than the increased voltage, the switching unit switches a power supply mode between a first mode in which the increased voltage is supplied to the control unit and the emergency report executing unit and a second mode in which an auxiliary power source voltage is supplied to the control unit and the emergency report executing unit without being increased by the voltage step-up unit.

Abstract: A portable device includes: a reception unit which receives state information of a vehicle from the vehicle; a transmission unit which transmits a signal to the vehicle; a control unit which controls communication with the vehicle; and a storage unit which stores at least two signal transmission intensities including a signal transmission intensity during engine stop and a signal transmission intensity during engine operation higher than the signal transmission intensity during engine stop, the signal transmission intensities being able to be set by the control unit. The control unit sets a signal transmission intensity of the signal transmitted from the transmission unit based on the state information received by the reception unit and the signal transmission intensities stored in the storage unit. The transmission unit transmits the signal based on the signal transmission intensity set by the control unit.

Abstract: Provided is a system capable of reducing production costs. The system (on-board device) comprises an acquisition unit provided in a vehicle and comprising a camera unit that captures images and/or a microphone unit that captures sound; and an error detection unit that detects vehicle errors. The system sends the acquisition results from the acquisition unit, such as images and sound, to outside the vehicle in conjunction with a mobile information terminal provided in the vehicle, when the error detection unit has detected an error. Ideally, the mobile information terminal has a rechargeable battery unit and the acquisition unit and/or the error detection unit have power supplied thereto from the battery unit in the mobile information terminal, and can operate thereby. Also, the error detection unit ideally changes the error detection mode in accordance with the state of the battery unit in the mobile information terminal.

Abstract: A windshield includes a notch formed along an edge, and a motor pocket secured adjacent the notch. The motor pocket includes assembly components for securing a windshield accessory, such as a windshield wiper system. A pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket such that the notch is covered for use without the windshield accessory. The assembly facilitates installation of the windshield accessory if desired.

Abstract: An energy-saving frameless wiper includes a connector, a steel sheet, a rubber strip, sealing strips, and a wiper head. The steel sheet is attached to the connector. Two ends of the steel sheet are sleeved by the sealing strips. The connector is connected to the wiper head. The steel sheet is an integrated structure, wherein a long groove is longitudinally arranged in the middle of the steel sheet. The long groove has an inlet opening on one end. The rubber strip is clipped in the long groove of the steel sheet. The wiper exerts even forces on glass, has an artistic appearance and curved shape, can effectively reduce the wind resistance and improves the effectiveness of rain wiping.

Abstract: A tool box device for locking and/or unlocking a battery that powers a motor that drives a motor vehicle, including a support housing, a movement transmission system including at least one gear box and at least one transmission shaft, connected to at least one system for engaging a battery locking/unlocking mechanism.

Abstract: A jacking system for a utility vehicle comprises a telescopic beam suspended under the vehicle body which is extractable in a generally horizontal direction and tiltable by a tilting mechanism to lower the extracted outer support end to the ground, said tilting mechanism comprising a pivot support supporting the telescopic beam at the vehicle body pivotable around a horizontal axis and a support drive comprising an telescopic drive element of variable length, with a first end of the drive element being pivotably attached to the vehicle body and its opposite second end being supported at the telescopic beam at a position between the pivot support and the support end of the telescopic beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides vehicle transportation and storage assemblies that can include a moving frame coupled to a loading frame and a support frame extending at an angle other than normal from the moving frame to the loading frame. Vehicle moving, storage, and/or maintenance methods are provided that can include supporting a vehicle with an assembly in a first position, with the first position supporting the vehicle substantially parallel to the road surface, and pivoting the assembly to support the vehicle in a second position, the second position supporting the vehicle substantially normal to the road surface.

Abstract: A drum brake is provided that improves the direction of the actuating forces to reduce stress, improve efficiency and permit thicker brake linings. First and second brake shoes each have a first end pivotally coupled to a brake spider. First and second cam followers are disposed at corresponding second ends of the brake shoes. A cam engages the cam followers with movement of the cam causing the brake shoes to move between positions of engagement and disengagement with a braking surface. The cam followers are offset such that a center of the first cam follower is disposed at a first distance from a center axis of the brake and a center of the second cam follower is disposed at a second distance from the center axis with the first distance different from the second distance so as to improve the direction of the cam force vector.