Abstract: A chalk line apparatus with a housing having a body with a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and laterally spaced sides. The body defines an internal space within which a spool is operatively mounted. A drive assembly is operable through an actuator to cause line to be accumulated on the spool through a fill opening on the housing. A supply of chalk can be introduced into the internal space to contact the line. A stopper assembly can be selectively placed in closed and open states. The stopper assembly has a blocking portion that: a) blocks passage of chalk through the fill opening with the stopper assembly in the closed state; and b) permits chalk to be directed through the fill opening and into the internal space with the stopper assembly in the open state. The stopper assembly is adjacent to the drive assembly actuator.

Abstract: Art operating shall rises and fails by abutting against a cam surface of a cam rotatably built into the upper part of a stem. A swivel-preventing plate part is fixed to the lower end of the operating shaft. An engagement member is fixed to a support yoke and regulates the swiveling by engaging with the swivel-preventing plate part. A brake shoe part is fixed to the lower part of the swivel-preventing plate pail and brakes by abutting against a treat surface of a wheel when the operating shaft falls. A link cam causes a link cam to pivot and causes a brake plate to rise and fall by connected to the brake shoe part. A protruding part for braking, by displacement of the brake plate, is capable of engaging with and disengaging from an annular engagement receiving part formed in the inner periphery of the wheel.

Abstract: A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. The drive axle shaft includes an elongate tubular body and a wheel flange. The elongate tubular body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first end portion and a second end. The second end is configured to be coupled to a side gear in a differential. The wheel flange is disposed at the first end portion and is configured to support a vehicle wheel. The elongate tubular body and the wheel flange are formed as a unitary body without any weld therebetween.

Abstract: A traction device that provides increased traction of a tire on a poor tractional surface. The traction device includes a base and a top cover. The base has a main portion, a pair of short side portions, and a plurality of traction blocks. The top cover is affixed to the base. The pair of short side portions of the base are serrated to facilitate engaging under the tire and are separate from the main portion of the base to increase flexibility of the top cover. The plurality of traction blocks of the base are affixed to the base and increase traction of the tire on the poor tractional surface when the poor traction surface is at least one of mud and snow.

Abstract: Provided are: a rubber composition for treads having high grip performance, abrasion resistance, and tensile properties and capable of reducing the occurrence of blowing even during high-temperature running although it is a high softener content composition incorporating at least a certain amount of a softener with a rubber component including diene rubber; and a pneumatic tire including a tread formed from the rubber composition for treads. Included is a rubber composition for treads containing: a diene rubber including styrene-butadiene rubber; at least one softener selected from the group consisting of low temperature plasticizers, process oils, and resins having a softening point of 160° C. or lower; zinc dithiophosphate; and sulfur, wherein, per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, there are 40 parts by mass or more of the softener, 0.2-15 parts by mass of the zinc dithiophosphate, and less than 2.5 parts by mass of zinc oxide.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular shear band and geodesic connecting web, preferably made of tire ply.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular shear band and geodesic ply.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular shear band and geodesic ply.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular shear band and at least one spoke disk connected to the shear band, wherein the spoke disk has at least one spoke, wherein the spoke extends between an outer ring and an inner ring in a first parabolic curve. The spoke disk may further includes a second spoke having a second parabolic curve different from the first curve, and overlapping with the first spoke.

Abstract: The steel reinforcing element is coated with an adhesive layer coating at least a portion of the reinforcing element. The adhesive layer comprises an adhesive composition comprising: at least one unsaturated elastomer latex, and at least one phenol/aldehyde resin based on at least one aromatic aldehyde and one polyphenol comprising one or more aromatic nucleus/nuclei.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes first and second side blocks formed respectively on a side portion such that the first and second side blocks extend toward the inside in a tire radial direction from a tread shoulder portion. The first and second side blocks are arranged alternately in a tire circumferential direction. The first side block has a recessed portion formed so as to be indented with respect to a side surface. In a first region, the second side block projects outwardly in a tire width direction more than the first side block. In a second region disposed inner side than the first region, the first side block projects outwardly in the tire width direction more than the second side block. In a third region disposed inner side than the second region, the second side block projects outwardly in the tire width direction more than the first side block.

Abstract: The tread has a total width W and two main grooves. The main grooves divide the tread into a middle region and edge regions. The middle region has an axial width Lm that is 45% to 70% of the total width W. The volume void ratio of the tread when new is less than 17%. An internal surface extends parallel to the tread surface when new and is in contact radially with the innermost points of the deepest main grooves. The middle part has a plurality of transverse sipes, each of which has a depth at least equal to the depth of the main grooves. The transverse sipes open into the main grooves. The middle region has a volume void ratio when new that is less than half the total volume void ratio of the tread, and at least one circumferential channel appears when the tread becomes part worn.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire where a profile line (PL1) of a center land portion (X) defined by the center main grooves protrudes outward in a tire radial direction further than a standard profile line, the standard profile line (PL0) being a curved line including all both end points (A1), (A2), (A3), (A4) of center main grooves (14a), (14b) in a tire width direction. Profile lines (PL2), (PL3) of sub-center land portions (Y1), (Y2) and shoulder land portions (Z1), (Z2) defined outward of the center main grooves in the tire width direction protrude outward in the tire radial direction further than the standard profile line, the shoulder land portions (Z1), (Z2) being defined even further outward than the sub-center land portions (Y1), (Y2).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an axis of rotation and comprises two radially inextensible annular bead portions, a carcass having at least one reinforced ply, an air impermeable innerliner extending along an interior of the carcass from one bead portion to the other bead portion, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass and the tread, and a sealant component having a three dimensional fabric and a flowable sealant material contained by the three dimensional fabric.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device is provided for at least one tire of a commercial vehicle, having a relay valve which performs compressed air loading of a working line which leads to the tire starting from a pressure source in accordance with a pneumatic pilot controller which has an electropneumatic converter for converting an electric actuating signal into a corresponding pneumatic pilot control signal for the relay valve. The converter has an electropneumatic aeration valve and an electropneumatic ventilating valve for pneumatic signal specifying for increasing or reducing the tire pressure. The pneumatic signal specifying takes place according to special regulations.

Abstract: A tire pressure controlling device for a tire of a vehicle wheel filled with compressed air, includes a control valve unit for filling the tire with compressed air and/or venting compressed air therefrom. The control valve unit is supplied from a compressor for generating the tire filling pressure. The compressor for compressing air drawn in from the atmosphere is driven by the mechanical rotary movement of the vehicle wheel, as a transmission disposed therebetween transmits the rotary driving movement of the vehicle wheel to the drive shaft of the compressor unit.

Abstract: A standalone tire identification tag and standalone sensor module are mounted to a tire and configured to share and store tire identification and tire parameter-measuring sensor data through a common data sharing interface.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system comprising a tire pressure monitoring device for mounting on an internal surface of a tire and including a pressure sensor for monitoring the fluid pressure in the tire. The system has an RFID tag located on the tire separately from the tire pressure monitoring device. In response to detecting a tire pressure event from monitoring the fluid pressure of said fluid, the tire pressure monitoring device causes the RFID to transmit data, which is received by the tire pressure monitoring device.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring device for a wheeled vehicle that is capable of detecting vehicle motion from the output of a pressure sensor. The device determines from the output signal an indication of the power of the signal, for example the variance of the signal, and detects if the vehicle is stationary or in motion depending on the determined indication of power. The device may determine that the vehicle is in motion if the determined indication of power exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A compression device for a self-inflating tire is provided that includes a first surface made from a flexible memory material, where the first surface is mechanically connected to a pumping chamber, where the first surface includes a first arm, a second arm and a fulcrum along an X-Y plane, where the fulcrum is disposed between the first arm and the second arm, an arc-shape length along a Y-Z plane that is configured to conform to an inner surface of a tire, a first state, where when in the first state, the first surface conforms to an unloaded, pressurized inner surface of the tire, and a second state, where when in the second state, the first surface collapses radially outward about the fulcrum by the first arm and the second arm, where air is drawn in from the atmosphere and pushed through the pumping chamber into the tire.

Abstract: A system is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The first system includes a plurality of pumps attached circumferentially to the wheel rim, each pump having pump parameters, and a control valve for controlling inlet air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire. The control valve has valve parameters. The system predicts system performance under various configurations and conditions through use of the pump parameters and the valve parameters.

Abstract: Tire bead holding pliers includes a first jaw having a lipped plate configured to engage an outboard side of a wheel rim to locate the pliers, and a second jaw defined by a first and second hook and configured to curve around the wheel rim, move toward the first jaw, and engage an inboard side of the wheel rim as the pliers are tightened. The first hook has a first concave portion facing away from the first jaw and configured to receive a bead. The second hook extends from the first hook opposite the first concave portion, has a second concave portion facing the first jaw, and clamps the wheel rim therebetween. During tire installation or removal, the bead is hooked onto the second jaw, which holds the bead in place during the operation in a hands-free fashion.

Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer coupling system comprises a plurality of proximity sensors which, through a controlled area network bus system, transmits data to an engine/electronic control module which, depending upon the sensor readings, is adapted to transmit an alert to an operator or transmit signals to control units to alter operating parameters of a tractor. The plurality of sensors comprises a fifth wheel position sense adapted to detect fifth wheel positioning beneath a trailer chassis; a kingpin sensor adapted to determine kingpin positioning within a fifth wheel yoke; a jaw sensor adapted to determine jaw positioning; a fifth wheel height sensor adapted to determine fifth wheel height; and a weight sensor adapted to measure the weight of the trailer near the weight sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an articulated coupler for attachment between a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle. The articulated coupler includes a first attachment member for attachment to the towing vehicle and a second attachment member for attachment to the towed vehicle. A ball joint member extends between the first and second attachment member. The ball joint member includes a ball at a proximal end and an elongated portion at a distal end such that the elongate portion is attachable to the first attachment member and the ball is attached to the second attachment member. The ball is retained to the second attachment member with a collar. The collar may have an aperture with an elliptical shape and a surface with a concave shape for defining a pivotal range of motion. The ball joint member may be pivotal relative to the first attachment member and may be rotatable and pivotal relative to the second attachment member.

Abstract: A trailer having a hitch assembly, intended to be used with a receiver on the towing vehicle, enables the vehicle/trailer pair to back up easily by locking the trailer's orientation relative to the towing vehicle. The vertical pivot axis (yaw) may be locked while the lateral (pitch) and longitudinal axes (roll) may remain free to rotate to allow for bumps and dips in the road. Furthermore a steerable suspension can be provided for many embodiments such as with an actuator receiving a signal from the back up wiring of the vehicle to change the mechanical constraints of the steering system upon receipt of the signal (such as to lock the position of a first tie rod connecting the wheels to the frame while freeing another, and possibly altering the angle of the wheels relative to the frame in the process). Meanwhile a toe-in effect of the wheels can be achieved by using multiple tie rods with a front tie rod bent rearwardly towards a rear tie rod.

Abstract: A system for initializing hitch angle detection is provided herein. An imaging device is configured to capture images of a trailer connected to a vehicle. A controller is configured to select between a plurality of hitch angle detection routines based on at least one of a current driving condition and an availability of a template image of the trailer.

Abstract: A system for determining a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer is provided herein. An imaging device is configured to capture images of the trailer. A controller is configured to process image data to determine an optical flow. The controller distinguishes between optical flow vectors of pixels associated with the trailer and an operating environment. The controller calculates an average angular velocity for the pixels associated with the trailer and determines the hitch angle based on the average angular velocity.

Abstract: An electronic backing/hitching system that assists drivers with connecting towing devices such as trailers, haulers, etc., to ball hitches attached or affixed to vehicles.

Abstract: A removable trailer tow hitch is provided. The removable trailer tow hitch includes a tongue having a first clamping portion located at one end and is configured to receive a towing connection at the other end. The first clamping portion is configured to engage a vehicle bumper. A lever arm having a second clamping portion is pivotally attached to the tongue. The second clamping portion is configured to removably secure the trailer tow hitch to a vehicle when the lever arm is moved from an open position to a closed position. The second clamping portion is configured to engage a vehicle frame.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly sized and shaped to fit within a trailer hitch receptacle, wherein the trailer hitch assembly includes a first tubular element and a second tubular element. Each tubular element has an angled end, wherein the angled ends of the first tubular element and the second tubular element are complementary to each other. The trailer hitch assembly may further include at least one guide to assist in aligning the first tubular element with the second tubular element along the angled ends. The trailer hitch assembly may further include an actuator configured to engage both the first tubular element and the second tubular element and to diagonally displace the first tubular element relative to the second tubular element.

Abstract: A vehicle has a front and rear left wheel, and a front and rear right wheel. A left suspension operatively connects one of the left wheels to the left suspension support. A right suspension operatively connects one of the right wheels to the right suspension support. The one of the right front wheel and the right rear wheel is the right front wheel when the one of the left front wheel and the left rear wheel is the left front wheel. A driver seat and at least one passenger seat are disposed side-by-side. A rack and pinion assembly (RPA) is operatively connected to the one of the left front wheel and the left rear wheel and to the one of the right front wheel and the right rear wheel. The RPA is connected to both suspension supports. A steering wheel is operatively connected to the RPA.

Abstract: A press-formed product includes a main body part having a first end part and a second end part respectively on both ends, and a protruded part that protrudes outward of bending from a bent part of the main body part. On a surface of the top plate part of the main body part, a groove part is provided in a domain on the first end part side from a root of the protruded part. A first vertical wall part extending from the first end part of the main body part to the protruded part has a corner part connecting the main body part and the protruded part. An angle that is formed by a part which is on the main body part side from the corner part and a part which is on the protruded part side from the corner part is an acute angle.

Abstract: A leaf spring for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, comprises a first spring part made from a fibre reinforced plastic material and a second spring part made from a steel material. The first spring part and the second spring part are connected to each other. The ratio of the length of the first spring part to the length of the second spring part is larger than two. A leaf spring assembly can include such a leaf spring and receiving devices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle suspension member includes a body of a vehicle suspension member made of a metal, a first layer provided to cover a surface of the body and a second layer provided to cover at least a portion of a surface of the first layer. The first layer includes an epoxy resin, and the second layer includes an epoxy resin and a fluororesin.

Abstract: An air spring includes: a first housing having a first annular supporting unit opening upward; a second housing disposed at a predetermined distance above the first housing and having a second annular supporting unit opening downward; and a diaphragm configured of an elastic tubular member forming an air chamber by upper and lower opening end portions of the elastic tubular member being air-tightly bonded to the first and second annular supporting units respectively, wherein at least one of the first and second housings has a main body unit made of a synthetic resin, at least one of the first and second annular supporting units is a metallic annular member integrated with the main body unit made of the synthetic resin, and one of the opening end portions of the diaphragm is air-tightly bonded to an outer peripheral surface of the annular member.

Abstract: The present invention field relates to a braking device of the tilting system of vehicles that have at least three wheels and can lean sideways by virtue of the presence a so-called wheel tilting system. The device is characterized in that it comprises an electronic control unit adapted to receive and process a plurality of signals coming from devices capable of detecting parameters related to the instantaneous dynamic behavior of the vehicle and to selectively actuate said braking means.

Abstract: An adjustable floating traction bar is disclosed. The traction bar comprises a rigid body having a threaded portion on a first distal end to receive a threaded eyelet having a spherical joint to provide a connection point to an axle of a vehicle. The traction bar further comprises an opposing distal slip end being machined and fitted with a UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) polyethylene bushing that acts as a slip-joint the slip joint having a first end that mounts to the UHMW polyethylene bushing of the tubular body and an opposing end having an eyelet to provide a connection point to a vehicle frame. A two-stage nested coil spring located inside the slip end of the rigid body that rests against the slip joint end when it is inserted into rigid body.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a shock absorber whose damping coefficient is variable. A control device includes: a road surface input sensor that generates a first signal corresponding to a vertical movement of each wheel; a sprung mass behavior sensor that generates a second signal corresponding to a vertical movement of a vehicle body at a position of each wheel; and a control unit that controls the damping coefficient. The control unit performs: a normal control that sets the damping coefficient to a hard-side value with regard to a wheel where the second signal indicates occurrence of a sprung mass behavior exceeding a standard; and a rear wheel softening control that sets the damping coefficient regarding a rear wheel to a soft-side value lower than the hard-side value, when determining, based on the first signal, that a rear-wheel-rising-time-point when the rear wheel reaches a rising point on a road surface comes.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for adjusting the height of vehicles. The vehicle is supported by a hollow cylinder and a piston having an undersized piston skirt is mounted on the suspension system's coil spring, and sealingly slidable within the cylinder bore. When a fluid is introduced into the expandable pressure space between the piston and the cylinder top, the piston and cylinder are forced apart, raising the vehicle. The undersized piston skirt can extend beyond the end of the cylinder, allowing the piston a greater travel length within the cylinder bore. The invention may be operated manually by a vehicle driver through push buttons, which can be the vehicle's existing cruise control buttons. Alternatively, the system can be automated using a control unit to automatically adjust ground clearance to avoid collision with obstacles in the vehicle's path.

Abstract: A stabilizer manufacturing apparatus is adapted to bond a rubber bush, which is a bush made of rubber disposed between a stabilizer and a vehicle body, to a rubber bush bonding location where an adhesive layer of the stabilizer is formed. The stabilizer manufacturing apparatus is provided with: a curing furnace for heating the stabilizer, which is conveyed by a manufacturing line conveying unit and has the rubber bush bonding location with which the rubber bush is press-contacted, and performing the bonding; a heat source device that heats air; a blower device that sends the air heated by the heat source device as hot air; and a plurality of nozzles that are disposed along the manufacturing line conveying unit in the curing furnace and blow the hot air against, at a near position from, a location in the vicinity of the rubber bush bonding location of the stabilizer.

Abstract: An automated vehicle (AV) can include a data processing system housed in a cooling rack, and a thermal reduction system to provide cooling for the data processing system. The thermal reduction system can include a fluid pump to pump cooling fluid through the cooling rack, a cabin radiator to receive the cooling fluid and pump cabin air from the interior cabin of the AV to cool the cooling fluid, and a main radiator to receive the cooling fluid and pump outside air to further cool the cooling fluid. Additionally, the thermal reduction system can include a secondary cooling unit that includes a condenser, evaporator, and compressor pump to further cool the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A heat pump system for climate control of an electric or hybrid vehicle includes an air conditioning unit having a heating heat exchanger, and an air conditioning unit evaporator having a refrigeration circuit, in which the air conditioning unit evaporator and a condenser are arranged. The refrigeration circuit includes a low temperature (LT) circuit in which at least one electrical power component is arranged. The heat pump system is configured to switch over between a cooling mode and a heating mode. The condenser, which is configured to transfer heat into the LT circuit, and an LT cooler are incorporated into the LT circuit. In the heating mode, the condenser outputs heat into the LT circuit and from there into a heating circuit, in which the heating heat exchanger is arranged, and in the cooling mode, the condenser outputs heat via the LT circuit to the LT cooler.

Abstract: Temperature control of an interior of a motor vehicle having an electrical drive is carried out by a heat pump arrangement having a heating temperature region and a low temperature region, wherein the heating temperature region includes at least one interior heat exchanger thermally coupled to the interior and the low temperature region includes at least one of an exterior heat exchanger and a heat exchanger disposed on a component of the electrical drive.

Abstract: A heat exchanger air control system is provided that utilizes a central heat exchanger and a pair of side-mounted heat exchangers, where the central heat exchanger is positioned forward of the side-mounted heat exchangers. The air outlet of the central heat exchanger is coupled to both the air inlet and the air outlet of each of the side-mounted heat exchangers using several air ducts through which air flow is controlled, thus allowing air flow throughout the system to be optimized based on the needs of the thermal systems coupled to the heat exchangers. A pair of fans, one adjacent to the outlet of each of the side-mounted heat exchangers, can be used to draw air through various combinations of the three heat exchangers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger air control system is provided that utilizes a central heat exchanger and a pair of side-mounted heat exchangers, where the side-mounted heat exchangers are positioned forward of the central heat exchanger. The air outlets of the side-mounted heat exchangers are coupled to both the air inlet and the air outlet of the central heat exchanger using several air ducts through which air flow is controlled, thus allowing air flow throughout the system to be optimized based on the needs of the thermal systems coupled to the heat exchangers. A single fan proximate to the outlet of the central heat exchanger can be used to draw air through any combination of the three heat exchangers.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for refilling or servicing a device, such as an automobile coolant system, with pressurized contents are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an actuator pin adapted to control flow and is capable of operating with either a puncture top bottle or internal valve bottle containing pressurized contents are disclosed. The apparatus includes means to prevent flow and secure the pressurized contents once the puncture top bottle or internal valve bottle containing pressurized contents is actuated.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning system for a motor vehicle including a housing having an air outlet, a heating heat exchanger disposed inside the housing with a warm air path to heat air flowing therethrough, a warm air duct having a warm air intake opening and a warm air duct discharge opening disposed downstream of the heating heat exchanger channeling a partial flow of warm air from the warm air path to the air outlet, and a mode control damper rotatable about a rotational axis and connected downstream of the warm air duct in terms of flow, wherein the air outlet may be selectively opened completely or partially, and in a closed state may be partially or completely closed. The mode control damper functions simultaneously as the control damper for controlling the volume of air exiting the warm air duct discharge opening.

Abstract: A vehicle heating, ventilation, and air cooling (HVAC) system that includes a module, an evaporator, and a heater core; the module defines a defrost outlet, a side window outlet, a front face outlet, and a front foot outlet. The evaporator and heater core are both housed within the module. The defrost outlet being open and closed by a defrost door, the side window outlets being open and closed by a plurality of demist doors. The defrost door and demist doors share a common shaft, a torsion spring around the shaft allows the defrost door to remain offset from the demist doors.

Abstract: Provided is an air-conditioning device for a vehicle, including: a cooling device configured to cool air passing through a duct; a heater core, which is arranged in the duct on a downstream side of airflow with respect to the cooling device, and is configured to use an engine coolant as a heat source to heat the air; a water valve provided in a coolant circulation system on an upstream side of the heater core; and a controller configured to control those components, in which the controller is configured to decrease an opening amount of the water valve in a predetermined cooling mode. The control is configured to, when the opening amount of the water valve is decreased, decrease a rotational speed of a compressor of the cooling device, and increase a target evaporator temperature of an evaporator of the cooling device, thereby decreasing cooling performance of the cooling device.

Abstract: The document relates to a method and a device for starting an air exchange operation of a ventilation, heating and/or air-conditioning system which feeds recirculation air and/or fresh air to a space for at least one person. The air exchange operation is started if the person activates a dedicated operator control element, provided with a characteristic symbol for air exchange operation, and includes appreciably increasing previously applicable setting values both with respect to the portion of fresh air in the air fed to the space and also for an air flow targeted at least one person in the vehicle.