Abstract: The present invention relates to a hardtop bus having at least six seats. The bus includes a chassis and a body with a U-shaped roof construction, which covers at least some of the seats of the bus. The roof construction can be retractable over at least some of the at least six seats such that the U-shaped roof construction has an open and closed position. The U-shaped roof construction comprises at least two substantially shape retaining, nestable roof elements having a U-shaped cross-section, which are movable relative to each other and which are positioned at least substantially one behind another, at least in the closed position.

Abstract: An active and passive boundary layer control system and method for reducing boundary layer separation and the resulting form drag from ground vehicles. Tubings with multiple venturis connected in series are attached to the side and/or roof of the ground vehicle. A flow of compressed air is created by an engine auxiliary, e.g., a turbocharger or a supercharger, or by a designated blower and injected into the tubings. Suction created by the venturis actively removes decelerated fluid from the boundary layer and keeps the boundary layer flow attached. Optionally, the system exhausts the air in concentrated free jets along the vehicle body to a series of passive boundary layer control devices, such as vortex generators.

Abstract: A vehicle panel (10) includes a core layer (12) and a layer of metalized film (14) bonded to the core layer (12). In one embodiment, the core layer (12) is made of a material with heat absorption or insulation properties. The layer of metalized film (14) is made of a material having heat reflective properties that can be bonded to the core layer (12). Alternatively, a compatible bonding agent can be applied to the core layer, the metalized film, or both. To form the vehicle panel (10), the layer metalized film (14) is positioned on one half of a mold tool and the core layer (12) is positioned on the other half of the mold tool. Heat is applied to the core layer (12) and the mold tool is closed such that the heat from the core layer (12) causes the metalized film (14) to be in a formable state and bonds to the core layer (12).

Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly is coupled to a windshield. The roof assembly includes an outer roof member and an inner roof member which form a duct for conducting conditioned air therethrough. A body panel includes a front panel and a bottom panel which are integrally joined together at a corner. The corner has a plurality of apertures formed therein. An adhesive strip attaches an upper edge of the windshield to the front panel. The apertures receive conditioned air from the duct and form an airflow boundary layer which flows over an inner surface of the windshield. This assembly forms a windshield defogging system.

Abstract: A pneumatic reinforcement system (14) (“system”) for a body structure (12) of a vehicle (10) includes an air bladder (28), an inflator device (30), a sensor (32), and one or more mounting members (34a, 34b, 34c). The sensor (32) detects a crash condition and actuates the inflator device (30) to inflate the air bladder (28). The air bladder (28) is attached to the body structure (12) by mounting members (34a, 34b, 34c), with the inflated air bladder (28) and mounting member (34a, 34b, 34c) strengthening the body structure (12) during a crash condition.

Abstract: A method and system for producing an article using a thermoplastic sandwich material such as, for example, a 3-D deep-drawn article is disclosed. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, two reinforced thermoplastic skins surround a generally planar honeycomb structure. During the manufacturing process, the skins and the honeycomb structure are bonded together by means of a thermocoupling process.

Abstract: An improved airbag system for vehicle consisting of a compartmentalized airbag wherein inflation of the airbag is controlled so that at least one compartment inflates at a lower pressure than the pressure with which at least one other compartment inflates in order that the affect of the airbag impacting upon vehicle occupants or cargo is cushioned; further enhancement of safety is accomplished by using hook and loop material to hold the inflated bag in position with respect to the vehicle and the occupants or cargo when inflated in order to reduce damage or injury due to excessive movement during and after an accident; and safety is further enhanced by prestressing vehicle comparments with inflated airbags within the vehicle compartments.

Abstract: When a rollover of a vehicle body is detected by a rollover detection sensor, an inflator is operated. When the inflator is operated, an air bag connected to the inflator through a hose is inflated by a gas ejected from the inflator, downwardly pushes open a front portion of a case accommodating portion of a ceiling interior member as shown by two-dotted chain lines, and expands to a position for closing a sunroof opening portion.

Abstract: A flexible top for a motor vehicle is provided. The flexible top includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a plurality of air cells coupled between the inner and outer surfaces along the length of the flexible top and a plurality of air inlet ports coupled to the plurality of longitudinal air cells. Operation of the vehicle above a predetermined speed causes air to be forced over an air scoop device which directs a portion of the air over the outer surface as well and another portion of the air into the plurality of air inlet ports. Air flowing into the plurality of air inlet ports flows and into the plurality of longitudinal air cells, inflating and pressurizing the plurality of air cells and tending to separate the outer and inner surfaces to provide the flexible top with increased rigidity. When inflated, the plurality of air cells provide the outer surface with an air foil-like longitudinal cross-section that further enhances the resistance of the flexible top to vibration and flapping.

Abstract: A panel attachment member and system for shielding a vehicle in an off-road setting. The panel includes an exterior portion and an interior portion. A lip is disposed around the interior portion. A magnetic cut-out is attached to the lip for magnetically securing the panel to the vehicle. Moreover, at least one suction cup is disposed on the interior portion for further securing the panel to the vehicle via vacuum pressure contained within the suction cup. A valve is attached to the suction cup for releasably securing the panel to the vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable roof for a passenger car extends in the inflated condition between a windshield frame and a rear area of the vehicle body and is divided into a plurality of air chambers. So that, while the drag coefficient is acceptable, a sufficient stiffness of the roof is achieved and, furthermore, any balloon-like swelling-up of the roof during the inflating of the air chambers is avoided, it is provided that the roof has air chambers with different pressure levels (operating pressure).

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for a vehicle closure, such as a door, includes a vacuum system for deflating the vehicle weatherstrips or sealing members. A plurality of deflatable sealing members may be connected to a single vacuum source. The system includes a sensor/actuator for detecting motion of the individual vehicle closures and a flow control circuit including valve arrangements for selectively connecting a particular sealing member to the vacuum source. In response to detected closing motion of a particular closure, the sealing member associated with that closure is deflated to allow the closure to close and latch with relatively low effort. Once closed, the sealing member is vented to atmosphere and reexpands by resilient memory to full cross-section thereby providing a relatively tight interference seal. The closure motion sensor/actuator includes a flexible strip having a series of aligned, closely spaced apertures and a cooperating pawl and actuator lever for operating the valves.

Abstract: In a sliding or sliding-lifting roof for a car, a lid, associated with a roof opening for the purpose of completely closing it, has a front edge which is wedge-shaped in cross-section. A sealing profile, sealingly filling the gap between the fixed vehicle roof and the lid when the lid is closed, is pushed from below onto a downward flange of the fixed vehicle roof and is deformable to form a trough, generally complementary in shape to the wedge shape. The wedge-shaped front edge here engages generally form-fittingly and force-transmittingly into the sealing profile, so that the lid, at its front edge due its engagement with the sealing profile, is reliably secured against high uplift forces, such as occur at high speeds of travel.