Abstract: A motor vehicle lock having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, comprising an electric drive unit. The drive unit interacts at least indirectly with the locking mechanism, and the drive unit has an electric motor with an output shaft and an output means secured to the output shaft, wherein means for guiding and/or binding a lubricant are arranged between the electric motor and the output means.

Abstract: A secure electronic enclosure comprising a storage apparatus having very lower power consumption is designed for operation in a standard consumer refrigerator to protect children from access to potentially dangerous substances, such as medications, drugs, or other articles and substances. A lockable access door is devoid of any knobs or handles and is controlled by an electronic access control system which is preferably responsive to an electronic access control device such as a card reader, key fob, or smart phone interface. In a preferred embodiment, the access door latching system incorporates springs which facilitate the automatic opening of the door upon authentication by the electronic access control system. Incorporating spring-assisted latching allows the system to consume very little electrical power whereby the batteries are capable of lasting up to one year with daily use.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a vehicle includes a control unit and a communication unit. The control unit is configured to acquire, from the vehicle via the communication unit, vehicle information including at least one of open-close information of a door of the vehicle and location information of the vehicle, and determine a personality of a driver of the vehicle based on the vehicle information.

Abstract: An actuator for a side door of a motor vehicle is described, which brings about automatic opening or closing of the side door depending on a signal and has a device for holding the side door in any open position. The holding device is realized by a function of the electric motor itself, according to which function the control device initiates a short-circuit function of the motor phases when the motor is activated, which causes a high current flow and thus a high torque for holding the side door open. By short-circuiting the motor phases, no additional components are required, since this is a special activation function of the motor.

Abstract: The driver isolation apparatus comprises a first vertical support, a second vertical support, a third vertical support, a first barrier panel, and a second barrier panel. The driver isolation apparatus may isolate a driver of a vehicle from one or more passengers such that exposure of the driver to airborne droplets that may cause disease may be reduced. The first barrier panel may be supported by the first vertical support and the second vertical support and may be positioned between the driver and one or more rear passengers. The second barrier panel may be supported by the first vertical support and the third vertical support and may be positioned between the driver and a front passenger. The first barrier panel and the second barrier panel may be transparent so that the driver's view is not obstructed by the first barrier panel or by the second barrier panel.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle and a corresponding system is described. The vehicle door handle comprises a first pair of switches with a first on-off switching unit and a second on-off switching unit, wherein the switching units of the first pair of switches are arranged adjacent to one another on the car door handle, the first on-off switching unit is connectable to a first input of a control unit as to control switching between a high level and a low level at the first input, and the second on-off switching unit is connectable to a second input of the control unit as to control switching between a high level and a low level at the second input.

Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.

Abstract: A school bus stop sign assembly for enhancing safety of children entering and exiting a school bus includes a hinging unit that is coupled to an outer wall of a school bus. The hinging unit is actuated into a deployed position and a stored position. A member is coupled to the hinging unit and the member extends outwardly from the school bus when the hinging unit is actuated into the deployed position. Thus, the member extends across a roadway on which the school bus is driving to inhibit a vehicle from passing the school bus thereby enhancing safety for children entering or exiting the school bus. A pair of video cameras is each coupled to the member to capture imagery of the environment around the member.

Abstract: A door latch power supply device includes an electricity storage unit, a charger, a discharger, a contactless power receiver, an input port configured to be connected to an external power supply, an output port configured to be connected to an actuator, and an operation signal receiver configured to receive an operation signal sent in response to an operation for opening a door. While an input voltage input to the input port is higher than or equal to a first input threshold, the charger operates using power supplied from the external power supply so as to cause a storage voltage of the electricity storage unit to become a first storage voltage value, and the discharger outputs power in the electricity storage unit to the output port to place the actuator in the unlatched state in response to the operation signal received by the operation signal receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to facilitate equipment status verification in a storage device. An example vehicle comprises: an equipment rack, a processor and memory, and a display. The equipment rack includes sensors to generate presence and securement information. The processor and memory are in communication with the sensors and are configured to: determine a presence status of an object assigned to the equipment rack, determine a securement status of the object in the equipment rack, and display a report of the presence and securement statuses via the display.

Abstract: A hood latch system for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle hood latch assembly configured in operable communication with a gearshift member. The vehicle hood latch assembly is prevented from unintended release of a vehicle hood striker, fixed to a hood of the motor vehicle, from a ratchet of the latch assembly when the gearshift member is shifted into a non-parked mode. When the gear shift member is selectively actuated in a park mode, the vehicle hood latch assembly is actuated to release the striker from the ratchet, thereby allowing the hood to be opened.

Abstract: An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.

Abstract: A motorcycle (1) including: —a supporting structure; —at least two wheels (2,3) constrained to the supporting structure; —a traction engine (4) constrained to the supporting structure and a transmission system (5) adapted to transmit the motion from the traction engine (4) to at least one (3) of the two wheels (2, 3); —a storage container (10) fixed to the supporting structure having an internal compartment (11) and a closing device (12) movable with respect to the supporting structure between a closing position and an opening position in order to prevent the access to the internal compartment (11) in the closing position and to allow the access to the internal compartment (11) in the opening position. The storage container (10) includes at least one presence detector (30) adapted to output an electrical signal representative of the presence and/or absence of at least one object (9) in the internal compartment (11) of the storage container (10).

Abstract: A lock trim assembly incorporates an escapement assembly comprising a control member and an escapement spring. The escapement assembly is movable between a locking position that blocks rotation of the spindle and an unlocking position that does not block rotation of the spindle. A coupling assembly that couples the handle to the spindle rotates between a default orientation and a blocking orientation. The default orientation allows the escapement assembly to move into the locking position. The blocking orientation blocks the escapement assembly from moving into the locking position. When the coupling assembly is in the blocking orientation, operation of the motor to drive the blocked escapement assembly into the locking position causes the escapement assembly to store energy in the escapement spring for forcing the escapement assembly into the locking position once the coupling assembly is reoriented back to the default orientation.

Abstract: A door latching device includes a latch motor connection switch, a converter line which includes a converter power supply, a latch motor and a latch. The latch motor connection switch has an input side connected with the converter line, and an output side connected with the latch motor. The latch is caused to perform an opening operation when the latch motor is driven. Based on an instruction for causing the latch to perform the opening operation, the latch motor connection switch is closed, and the converter power supply is activated to step up an input voltage to the converter power supply and output the input voltage to the latch motor connection switch.

Abstract: A pilot check valve includes: a fluid channel body; a moveable body that moves in an axial direction under effects of pilot pressure; a packing including a lip portion that is displaceable, integrally with the moveable body, between a valve close position and a valve open position; and a detector to detect position of the moveable body. The packing, in the valve close position, allows flow of an operating liquid from a first port side of the fluid channel body to a second port side and prevents the flow of the operating liquid from the second port side to the first port side, and in the valve open position, connects the first port and the second port.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a chassis, a latch bolt moveably mounted on the chassis and having a closed position for retaining a striker and an open position for releasing the striker, a pawl having an engaged position at which the pawl is engaged with the latch bolt to hold the latch bolt in the closed position and a disengaged position at which the pawl is disengaged from the latch bolt, thereby allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position, an eccentric arrangement defining an eccentric axis and a pawl axis remote from the eccentric axis. The eccentric arrangement is rotatable about the eccentric axis, and the pawl is rotatable about the pawl axis. When the pawl moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the eccentric arrangement rotates in one of a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction about the eccentric axis.

Abstract: A microphone structure has a diaphragm; a frame of which an inside is processed in a shape of a semispherical surface, a parabolic surface, or a conical surface; an acoustic transducer that converts sound pressure into an electric signal; and a wire that transmits the electric signal from the acoustic transducer to outside. A sound pressure input surface of the acoustic transducer is disposed on a bottom surface portion of the semispherical surface, the parabolic surface, or the conical surface inside the frame. The diaphragm and the frame, and the frame and the wire include waterproof mechanisms preventing ingress of water.

Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if the vehicle is operating with at least one occupant inside the vehicle. If the vehicle is operating without at least one occupant inside the vehicle, the system may control the vehicle so as to disable and/or deactivate selected ones of driver-usage systems/components and passenger-usage systems/components.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sunroof of a parked vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: monitoring a state of an engine; monitoring a state of the sunroof; monitoring a state of at least one accessory; initiating a timer when the state of the engine changes to an off state, the state of the sunroof is an open state, and the state of the at least one accessory is an off state; and closing the sunroof a period of time after initiation of the timer. The method may further include sensing for precipitation throughout the period of time, and closing the sunroof upon sensing precipitation regardless of whether the period of time has elapsed. The method may further include sensing for an occupant within the vehicle when the period of time has elapsed or when precipitation is sensed, and foregoing the step of closing the sunroof if an occupant is sensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, particularly for a rear area of a vehicle, and a related method for operating the device, where the device includes a camera unit serving to record an image of the exterior area of the vehicle with the camera unit being protectively arranged via a support element at the vehicle, particularly protected in a housing, and a mobile closing element being provided for closing the housing opening, which by a drive unit can be moved into at least two end positions, namely a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A power door actuation system for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body between an open position and a closed position includes a motor assembly connectable to one of the vehicle door and the vehicle body that is configured to generate a rotational force. A drive shaft is interconnected to the motor assembly and extends from a first end disposed adjacent the motor assembly to a second end. The second end of the drive shaft is rigidly attached to one of a body strap or a door strap of a hinge for transferring the rotational force from the motor assembly to the respective rigidly attached strap to rotate the respective rigidly attached strap relative to the other of the door strap and the body strap for automatically moving the vehicle door between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A door hooking arrangement for a motor vehicle for protecting against an impact on a vehicle door (1) including a catch hook (5) and a receiver (6) for the catch hook (5), the catch hook (5) and receiver (6) being correspondingly arranged on the vehicle door (1) and a door frame (4) in the vehicle. The catch hook (5) includes at least one barb (9). Thus, with plastic deformation of the vehicle door, the catch hook (5) is hooked very firmly in the receiver (6).

Abstract: A motor car (10) has windows (28, 49) which can have a first H1 fully closed position and a lower H2 position in which water tightness is still provided but opening of a frameless window assembly/door assembly can be achieved more quickly from the point in time in which the door handle 44, 46) is operated. The Hi position may be selected as the vehicle accelerates above a given speed and the H2 position may be selected when the vehicle door is closed, and the window may also have a short-drop H3 lower re-spool H4 position or in the case of a rear window a three quarter lowered H5 position.

Abstract: A door locking system is provided for a motor vehicle. The door locking system includes, but is not limited to a mechanical door opening safety catch and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by a manual activation of the mechanical door opening safety catch. A motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a vehicle body, a rear vehicle door that is linked on the vehicle body and facing away from a vehicle travel direction, the rear vehicle door configured to pivot, a door opening safety catch configured to be mechanically activate upon the pivot of the rear vehicle door, and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by the mechanical activation of the door opening safety catch.

Abstract: An anti-theft guard for a vehicle component includes a housing adapted to substantially enclose a vehicle component which is to be protected from theft and an attachment mechanism carried by the housing and adapted for attachment to a structural element of the vehicle. The anti-theft guard is forming including a cavity for covering/receiving the vehicle component. The guard includes a plurality of mounting wings extending outward from an edge formed about a periphery of the cavity, wherein the mounting wings are provided to secure the anti-theft guard to the structural element of the vehicle. A suggested application of the anti-theft guard is a cover placed over an electronic control module of a diesel engine.

Abstract: A motor vehicle outside door handle with a wall surrounding an interior space, a first sensor electrode of a first capacitive sensor for triggering a final locking operation, a second sensor electrode of a second capacitive sensor for triggering a locking operation, and an evaluation circuit, which is connected to the first sensor electrode. The second sensor electrode is arranged in the interior space. The first sensor electrode, the second sensor electrode and the evaluation circuit are accommodated in a single sensor module which can be inserted into the interior space. The sensor module has a flat plastic trough which has a bottom wall and is open on one side. A printed circuit board provided with connecting cables is placed into the plastic trough filled with a plastics compound. The sensor electrodes are formed by metal-coated layers of the printed circuit board or by metal bodies mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A connecting device arranged in a motor vehicle releasably connects a structural member of the vehicle to the vehicle chassis and includes a bolt joint system. The connecting device further includes a pyrotechnical charge and an igniter. The igniter detonates the pyrotechnical charge upon receipt of an ignition signal. The pyrotechnical charge is located near the bolt joint system such that, upon detonation, it destroys the connecting function of the bolt joint system and thereby releases the structural member from the chassis.

Abstract: A motor vehicle theft protection and disablement system that is safe, not easy to circumvent, and offers benefits to vehicle owners as an incentive for their participation. The system is for preventing vehicle theft and carjacking. The system comprises five elements, a motor vehicle, a programmable safety switch, a keypad transmitter, an automatic security switch, and at least one remote activation transmitter.

Abstract: Doors of a vehicle, such as a delivery vehicle, are controlled based on user inputs. A user may input a vehicle exit mode and stop the vehicle. When an exit mode has been input and the stopping of the vehicle has been sensed, an exit door of the vehicle is opened, with the door being selected based upon said exit mode.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for checking the switching region of a touch-free switching system with at least one sensor and at least one signal emitter, wherein the signal emitter sends data to the sensor. An extremely flexible and practical switching region check is achieved in at least one embodiment by the fact that a change in at least one system parameter of the switching system derives at least one first piece of information on the position of the signal emitter. The method represents an inexpensive possibility for checking a switching region, which has options for the definition and allocation of the switch-on, switch-off, and hysteresis regions.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) may include a central processing unit (CPU); an interface that can engage with at least one vehicle component; and, a lockable ECU cover that covers at least a portion of the ECU and that limits access to the ECU.

Abstract: A car antitheft system includes a main controller invisibly mounted on a car, and an antitheft state indicator embedded in an engine start button of the car and electrically connected to the main controller for indicating a current antitheft state of the car. With these arrangements, the engine start button serves to start the car when the car antitheft system is released, and to indicate the current antitheft state of the car when the car antitheft system is enabled and the antitheft state indicator embedded in the engine start button is lighted, so as to warn and stop a thief from invading the car.

Abstract: A safety logic for vehicle rollover detection systems comprising a main rollover detection logic and at least one protection device for the occupant or occupants of the vehicle, including a vehicle lateral acceleration sensor (11), which generates an output signal indicating a near rollover event, when a lateral acceleration of a vehicle exceeds the first predefined threshold value (15) or, when a lateral acceleration of vehicle exceeds the second predefined threshold value (16) that is lower than the first predefined threshold value (15) and simultaneously at least one additional safety logic activation signal is present (1, 1?, 1?, 1??).

Abstract: An engine of a hybrid electric vehicle is started following a determination that the vehicle is not moving, the ignition system is in a run state, a door is open, and the engine is not running to alert a driver that the vehicle is in a drive state.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus detecting an object position based on a reflected wave generated by reflection of a transmitted ultrasonic wave from the object includes a transmitting portion transmitting the ultrasonic wave, a receiving portion receiving the ultrasonic waves as received signals, a detecting position detecting an envelope and an operation portion detecting a peak of each envelope and obtaining an approximate line with a maximum change amount of the envelope in a change amount increasing period set to a gradient of the approximate line, provided that the change amount increasing period is defined as a period that an amount of change per a predetermined unit time of the envelope, heading to the peak, continues to increase, the operation portion obtaining a time that a voltage value of the approximate line equals a reference value as a receipt time and detecting the object position based on the receipt time.

Abstract: A safety system for a locking device of a motor vehicle includes a unit control device which has at least one power switch for controlling an electromechanical unit in a blocking state, a central control device including signal links to the unit control device and further unit control devices of the motor vehicle, at least the electromechanical unit being controllable through the central control device via the signal links, and an electrical lead connection which is independent of the signal links. The unit control device is connected to the central control device through the independent electrical lead connection. A potential of a control connection of the power switch or a power connection of the unit control device is controllable by the central control device via the independent electrical lead connection.

Abstract: An operator presence system for a cotton harvester including an on-board cotton module builder, the system including a mount for installing a ground access ladder at a first position for providing access to a service platform for routine service and maintenance, and a second mount at a second location for installing the ground access ladder adjacent to a ladder segment extending to an upper region of the machine, the mount at the second location including a switch or other device for disabling or locking out at least a hydraulic system of the module builder when the ladder is mounted to the second mount, and which re-enables operation when the ladder is removed therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the position-dependent control of a mobile element in a motor vehicle, wherein the element is movable in a drive movement by an electrically powered positioning device, wherein the positioning device has several different operational modes, and characteristics of a drive signal of the positing device, in particular a waviness of a drive current, are used for the determination of the position of the element. According to the invention, a characteristic variable, which influences the drive movement of the positioning device, and/or a specific value, which characterizes the positioning device, are evaluated for the determination of an error value of the determined position of the mobile element, and that the operating modes of the positioning device are controlled in dependence of the determined error value.

Abstract: When a compartment internal transmitter of a vehicle-side unit transmits a request signal with vehicle doors opened, at least one of strength of the request signal and sensitivity of a hand-held device to receive the request signal are set at a level lower than a normal level. Thus, even when the vehicle doors are in an open state, a communication area of the compartment internal transmitter is prevented from being extended to cover the outside of the compartment. As a result, when the holder of the hand-held device operates any of the vehicle doors from a location outside the vehicle compartment, it is possible to avoid an erroneous assumption that the hand-held device is left behind in the vehicle compartment and to execute a sequence of consecutive operations.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) may include a central processing unit (CPU); an interface that can engage with at least one vehicle component; and, a lockable ECU cover that covers at least a portion of the ECU and that limits access to the ECU.

Abstract: A control device is provided for activating and deactivating a child safety lock function of rear doors of a motor vehicle. The control device includes a safety lock device connected to rear inside door handles of the rear doors. The control device also includes a central control unit for controlling the safety lock device between a first operating position that defines a normal operating mode, in which the safety lock device allows the rear doors to be opened using both the rear inside door handles and the rear outside door handles, and a second operating position that defines a safety lock mode, in which the safety lock device does not allow the rear doors to be opened using the rear inside door handles. A selector device is included for manually selecting between the normal operating mode and the safety lock mode.

Abstract: This automobile anti-theft device comprises a removable stick gear shifter, release mechanism, and possibly a second level safety release mechanism, steel ball bearing, an exclusive shaft key lock component, and electrical connections depending on the type of transmission in use. These components are designed to function in unison to allow a car operator to remove a gear shifter to prevent automobile theft.

Abstract: An electrical circuit arrangement includes an unlatching actuator, a primary power source and a secondary power source. The electrical circuit arrangement further includes an operator actuated switch and an electrically controlled bypass switch having an energized condition at which the bypass switch adopts a first switching configuration and a de-energized condition at which the bypass switch adopts a second switching configuration. The circuit has a first configuration in which the bypass switch is in the first switching configuration so that the primary power source, the operator actuated switch, the bypass switch and the unlatching actuator are configured so that actuation of the operator actuated switch causes the unlatching actuator to be energized by the primary power source.

Abstract: A drive system operation apparatus that is easy to operate and improves the level of security in a vehicle. A gearshift operator and an engine switch are located near each other. A cover covers the gearshift operator and the engine switch. The cover is opened when predetermined conditions, including establishment of wireless communication with an authorized key, are satisfied.

Abstract: A construction machine which is less vulnerable to theft compared with conventional machines is provided. The system includes an antenna (6) for detecting removal of an engine key (8) after the engine has stopped, an angle detector (35) for detecting a posture of the upper structure, and an anti-theft unit (31) for forcing the engine to stop and outputting an alarm signal in cases the upper structure is not in a given posture when parked.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for an adaptive vehicle locking system. The system includes a plurality of vehicle door locks, each configured to lock and unlock in response to a first signal, a plurality of sensors each configured to sense opening and closing of an associated vehicle door and to send second signals in response to opening and closing of the associated vehicle door, and a lock requester configured to send a third signal. A control module that includes a memory for storing a history of the second signals and a timer adaptively settable in response to the history of the second signals is configured to receive the second signals from the plurality of sensors and the third signal from the lock requester. The control module is also configured to send a first signal to the plurality of vehicle door locks causing the vehicle door locks to lock in response to timing out of the timer following receipt of the third signal.

Abstract: An antitheft device is provided, whereby a person who attempts to commit a theft of a vehicle can be captured, having an improved crime prevention performance to thefts of vehicles, electrical equipment mounted on vehicles, money and articles left inside vehicles and the like. The antitheft device includes an expansible body system to expand an expansible body for blocking the motion of an intruder in a prescribed space inside a vehicle, which emits a substance to be a base of foaming polystyrene inside the vehicle and applies steam to the substance so that the foaming polystyrene blocks the motion of an intruder, when the presence of the intruder inside the vehicle is detected.

Abstract: The control device includes a switch (12) controlling the power supply to the motor and an actuator which actuates this switch by rotatably reacting against the moving object being restrained so as to cause said switch to be opened and to cut off the power supply to the motor. This actuator consists of a bistable mechanical device (11) capable of taking up a first state in which the switch (12) is closed and a second state in which the switch is open. The actuating device also comprises exclusively manual means, such as a cable (17) for putting the actuating device into its first state, this device being brought into its second state by reacting against the moving object.

Abstract: A mine protection device for a wheeled vehicle having a plurality of wheels, wherein each wheel is connected to the vehicle by a wheel suspension, and the device includes: at least one sensor associated with each wheel, wherein each sensor operates to detect when the associated wheel has driven over a mine or when a proximate mine is ignited; at least one ignition and analysis unit connected to receive sensor signals from each sensor, wherein the at least one ignition and analysis unit processes individual sensor signals; and a separation means associated with each wheel, wherein the separation means operates to separate the associated wheel from the vehicle, when the associated wheel has driven over a mine or when a proximate mine has been ignited, by separating the wheel suspension connected to the associated wheel from the vehicle.