摘要:
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between the vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) defines an inflatable volume (58) that includes a forward portion (64) and a rearward portion (66). An inflation fluid source (24) is in fluid communication with a fill tube (22) and provides helium inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). The fill tube (22) includes outlet apertures (100) that direct the inflation fluid into the inflatable volume to inflate the device (14) initially to a first pressure and maintain the device inflated above a second pressure for a predetermined time. The inflation fluid directed into the inflatable volume (58) has a temperature and a pressure that are generally the same in the forward and rearward portions (64 and 66) during initial inflation of the device. The temperature is about equal to an ambient temperature in which the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of the predetermined time.
摘要:
An apparatus for enclosing an air bag (38) on a steering wheel (22) includes an inner cover (34) at least partially enclosing the air bag (38) and having a tear seam central portion (50) along which the inner cover ruptures upon inflation of the air bag (38). An outer cover (36) at least partially encloses the inner cover (34) and the air bag (38) and includes a tear seam central portion (49) with a length substantially equal to the length of the tear seam central portion (50) in the inner cover (34). A horn switch (58) is disposed between the inner and outer covers (34 and 36) for effecting operation of a horn. The horn switch (58) includes first and second tear seams (64, 65) aligned with the tear seam central portions (50 and 49) in the inner and outer covers (34 and 36). The first and second tear seams (64, 65) in the horn switch (58) have a combined length substantially less than the length of each of the tear seams (49 and 50).
摘要:
An apparatus (10) includes a switch assembly (12). The switch assembly (12) includes a housing (16) and a set of contacts (14) supported by the housing. The set of contacts (14) includes a first contact (20) and a second contact (40). The first contact (20) includes a first pad portion (22) supported in the housing (16) and a first connector portion (26) protruding from the housing. The first connector portion (26) includes a compliant connector (220). The second contact (40) includes a second pad portion (42) supported in the housing (16) and a second connector portion (54) protruding from the housing. The second pad portion (42) is movable relative to and is engageable with the first pad portion (22). The second connector portion (54) includes a compliant connector (220).
摘要:
A vehicle communication path-tracing system (10) has a portable transmitter (12) and transceiver/controllers (14A–14N, 14T), located separately from the transmitter (12). A transmitter/controller (14T) is located at a target vehicle (16T) and at least one other transceiver/controller (e.g., 14A) is located at an intermediate location. An intermediate transceiver/controller receives a command signal intended for the target vehicle and transmits a retransmitted command signal intended for the target vehicle. The target transceiver/controller receives the retransmitted command signal and transmits an acknowledgement signal, intended for reception by the at least one intermediate transceiver/controller that transmitted the retransmitted command signal received at the target vehicle. The at least one intermediate transceiver/controller receives an acknowledgement signal and transmits a retransmitted acknowledgement signal.
摘要:
A vehicle steering column (10) comprises an axially extending input shaft (12) for connecting to a vehicle steering wheel. The input shaft (12) is rotatable about an axis (A) upon rotation of the steering wheel. The vehicle steering column (10) also comprises a housing (16) at least partially enclosing the input shaft (12). A bearing (92) is interposed between the housing (16) and the input shaft (12) and supports the input shaft (12) for rotation about the axis (A). The housing (16) has at least one series of axially spaced, annular ribs (52) that at least partially extend around the bearing (92). Axially adjacent annular ribs (52) are separated by an annular groove (58). A gasket (100) is interposed between the bearing (92) and the ribs (52). The gasket (100) encircles the bearing (92). The ribs (52) resist axial movement of the gasket (100).
摘要:
An apparatus (30) and associated method determine a vehicle occupant characteristic. An imager (32) collects a first image of an occupant location while the occupant location is subject to a first lighting condition. A light source (38) provides light onto the occupant location. The imager (32) collects a second image of the occupant location while the occupant location is subject to the first lighting condition and the provided light. A subtractor device (50) generates a third image of the occupant location indicative of the difference between the first and second images. An image processing device (52) processes the third image to determine the vehicle occupant characteristic.
摘要:
A steering apparatus (10) for a vehicle having steerable wheels. The apparatus (10) comprises a rotatable vehicle steering wheel (12) and a first assembly (100) operatively coupled to the steering wheel. The first assembly (100) includes a sensor (30) for sensing applied torque and angular position of the steering wheel (12) and a first electronic control unit (50) for generating a first signal corresponding to the sensed torque and angular position of the steering wheel. A second assembly (100) is operatively coupled to the steerable wheels. The second assembly (100) includes a second electronic control unit (110) for receiving the first signal, a first electric motor (120) controlled by the second electronic control unit, and a steering gear (130) which is actuated by the first electric motor (120) to turn the steerable wheels of the vehicle. A signal transmitting conductor (250) transmits the first signal to the second electronic control unit (110).
摘要:
A vehicle occupant airbag deployment system (50) that detects, identifies and tracks a person (16) in the passenger seat (18) of a vehicle (12), and provides a signal for no fire, soft fire or hard fire of the airbag (20) depending on the location of the person (16) in a crash event. The airbag deployment system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal towards the passenger seat (18) of the vehicle (12) and an infrared detector (34) that receive reflected radiation from objects in the seat (18). Processing circuitry (52), including face recognition software, is employed to detect human face features to provide the necessary detection and tracking of the person (16). In this manner, the system (50) prevents the airbag (20) from firing if the seat (18) is not occupied by a person (16), prevents the airbag (20) from firing if a person (16) is detected, but is too close to the airbag (20), and provides a soft fire if a person (16) is detected, but is within a soft fire range of the airbag (20).
摘要:
A steering column (10) includes a support (24), through which a steering column member (12) extends, connected with a mounting bracket (66). The support (24) supports the steering column member (12) for rotation about a longitudinal axis (26) of the steering column member. The support (24) is movable in a first direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis (26) of the steering column member (12) relative to the mounting bracket (66). The support (24) is movable in a second direction extending transverse to the first direction and to the longitudinal axis (26) relative to the mounting bracket (66). The support (24) is also movable along the longitudinal axis (26) relative to the mounting bracket (66). A locking mechanism (130) locks the support (24) in any one of a plurality of positions along the first direction relative to the mounting bracket (66), in any one of a plurality of positions along the second direction relative to the mounting bracket, and in any one of a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis (26) relative to the mounting bracket.
摘要:
A steering apparatus (10) comprises a steering feel motor (14) that is operatively connected to a steering shaft (16) of the vehicle (12). A sensor (20) detects operator applied steering inputs to the steering shaft (16) and outputs a steering signal indicative of the monitored operator applied steering inputs. A controller (28) receives the steering signal and, in response to the received steering signal, controls energization of the steering feel motor (14). A security device (38) is operatively connected to the controller (28) and is actuatable for providing a lock steering signal to the controller (28). The controller (28), in response to the lock steering signal, enters a lock steering mode in which the controller (28) controls energization of the steering feel motor (14) to counterbalance all operator applied steering inputs and thereby prevent steering of the vehicle (12).