This disclosure relates to a micro manipulator having a simple structure and having high possibility of recording a biological signal of a neuron at a desired position by improving positioning resolution of an electrode disposed adjacent to a subject's brain neuron or an electrode holder attached with the electrode. The micro manipulator according to the disclosure includes: a motor which includes a shaft and a vibration portion; a mobile which is connected to the shaft so as to be movable along the shaft; and a frame which supports the motor, wherein an electrode is connected to the mobile in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and wherein when the mobile moves linearly in accordance with a vibration of the shaft due to the vibration portion, the electrode moves linearly.

A method and a system for supplying power to a microcontroller with a single cell. One embodiment of the present invention discloses incorporation of a power supply pump circuit with the microcontroller and their dynamic interaction. The microcontroller sends its power requirements to the power supply pump circuit and in response, the power supply pump circuit controls the operating voltage with optimal efficiency. The dynamic update of power supply pump circuit results in an efficient use of the power supply pump circuit and thus results in a reduction of the number of dry cell batteries to only a single cell. Incorporation of the microcontroller and power supply pump circuit onto a single chip reduces the pin number requirements as well as the space required on the printed circuit board.

There are provided an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible which can prevent the deterioration of the inner surface property in the manufacturing process of a vitreous silica crucible. The apparatus includes a mold defining an outer shape of a vitreous silica crucible, and an arc discharge unit having electrodes and a power-supply unit, wherein each of the electrodes includes a tip end directed to the mold, the other end opposite to the tip end, and a bent portion provided between the tip end and the other end.

A non-contact and non-disposable electric induction LED lamp includes a power source and a luminous-radiating unit combined together. The power source is formed with a power source module electrically connected with a first electric induction plate, while the luminous-radiating unit is provided with a second electric induction plate corresponding with the first electric induction plate and electrically connected with an LED module. Thus, the electricity of the power source can be transmitted to the luminous-radiating unit via electromagnetic induction produced between the first and the second electric induction plates to enable the LED module to emit light. The LED lamp of this invention can partially be replaced conveniently and has water proof and dustproof effects.

Hitch for securing a racing sulky to a harness or saddle of a horse. The hitch has an elongated, generally cylindrical body which includes a frustoconical tapered front portion, a generally cylindrical mid-portion and a cylindrical rear portion of slightly smaller diameter than that of the mid-portion so as to form a shoulder. The rear portion is adapted to be inserted into the open end of a tubular shaft, such as a shaft of a racing sulky. When so inserted, the hitch may be permanently secured to the shaft. The mid-portion of the hitch includes cylindrical front and rear end members which adjoin the front portion and the rear portion respectively of the hitch. The mid-portion of the hitch has one or more cutouts which define a longitudinally extending rigid strut and (when there is more than one such cutout) one or more transverse spacer discs, which are spaced from the end members and from each other. A rigid rod extends through the rear portion and the mid-portion of the hitch. The strut and the rigid rod (and the spacer discs when present) together define one or more slotted openings for receiving a strap or the like which is associated with a harness or saddle. Preferably the entire hitch except for the rigid rod is formed from a single piece of material; the rigid rod may be formed from a second piece of material and joined to the remaining structure. Either metal (such as steel or aluminum) or rigid plastic can be used for forming the hitch.

A yttria sintered body is provided which includes yttria as a principal ingredient and 5 to 40 vol. % silicon nitride, and which exhibits enhanced corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage devices. One storage device is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other storage device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage or charge receiving devices. One of these devices is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge. The present invention further relates to a system for protecting the charging device from being damaged from an electrical surge, such as from a lightening strike.

A device and method to facilitate wearing of jewelry items which have hoop and clasp closures, comprising: a base or clamp for stabilizing the device on a surface; a wire guide member protruding from the base and affixed securely thereto, the wire guide having hook at its opposite end for engaging a distal hoop or link on an unclasped jewelry item, thereby permitting a person to: a. engage one end of a jewelry object with a device, b. open a complementary jewelry clasp with one or both free hands, c. position a wrist or neck within the bight of the jewelry item, d. close the clasp upon the hoop link, and e. slidably remove the clasped jewelry item from the device.

A fluid actuator includes a housing having a fluid chamber providing a first friction surface. An actuating member is arranged in the fluid chamber and has a second friction surface slideably engaging the first friction surface. The actuating member is configured to slide within the chamber between first and second positions. An insert is constructed from a first thermoplastic material and provides one of the first and second friction surfaces. A body structurally supports the insert and provides one of the housing or actuating member. The body is constructed from a second thermoplastic material molded about the insert and including short reinforcing fibers.

A leak-proof damper with a self-diagnostic feature. An auxiliary oil reservoir body is disposed externally with respect to the damper cylinder and generally adjacent the rod seal, wherein the auxiliary oil reservoir body is concealed by an end cap. The maximum volume of oil retainable by the auxiliary oil reservoir body is predetermined to coincide with a volume of oil which may be lost from the interior of the damper cylinder and yet the damper will still function properly. The auxiliary oil reservoir body may be a seal body having an internal cavity providing an oil retention volume or an absorbent body having an absorbency capacity that provides an oil retention volume.

The present invention relates to a position sensor and limit switch apparatus for an actuator. The actuator has a cylinder and a piston with at least one magnetized portion reciprocatingly disposed within the cylinder. The apparatus includes an elongate housing aligned parallel with the cylinder. A magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer is disposed within the housing for sensing the position of the at least one magnetized portion. The apparatus includes a switch means responsive to the transducer for operatively interrupting actuation of the piston upon the at least one magnetized portion reaching a limit position.

A pneumatic actuator comprises a containment jacket (2) and an activating bar (14) mounted through the containment jacket (2) and able to move between a first operating position and a second operating position. The actuator (1) also comprises a fixed part (23) integral with the jacket (2) having a main axis of extension (X), and a mobile part (26) slidably connected to the fixed part (23), and operatively connected to the activating bar (14) in such a way that it moves with the bar. The fixed part (23) also comprises at least a core (25) made of ferromagnetic material extending along the axis (X). Two magnets (29) are attached to the mobile part (26) on diametrically opposite sides relative to the main axis of extension (X). The mobile part (26) can also move relative to the fixed part (23) between a first position of maximum magnetic uncoupling between the magnets (29) and the ferromagnetic core (25), and a second position of maximum magnetic coupling between the magnets (29) and the ferromagnetic core (25). Finally, a sensor (30) for detecting the magnetic field is mounted at one end of the ferromagnetic core (25).

A piston-cylinder assembly, in particular for pneumatic, hydraulic or mechatronic systems, includes a cylinder housing and a piston. The piston is coupled to a piston rod and disposed in the cylinder housing such that it can move along a longitudinal axis. A measuring device for detecting piston or piston rod position is provided inside the cylinder housing.

A hydraulic actuator system including an actuator and a valve assembly configured for bi-directional regeneration. The actuator may include a hollow body and a rod disposed within and extending outwardly from the hollow body. The rod may include a first chamber within the rod and a piston disposed at one end of the rod, defining a second chamber and a third chamber within the hollow body. A valve assembly may be in fluid communication with a first conduit, a second conduit, the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively couple one of the first conduit and the second conduit to one or more of the first port, the second port, and the third port, wherein one of the first conduit and the second conduit is configured as a pressure source.

To improve productivity and increase seizing resistance and abrasion resistance of a sliding surface of a tilt adjustment cylinder, a plurality of pistons are arranged cirumferentially in a cylinder block configured to rotate with a rotating shaft. Tip end portions of the pistons slide along the swash plate, and the pistons reciprocate. The swash plate is supported to tilt with respect to the rotating shaft. Further, a tilt adjustment driving portion is included. The tilt adjustment driving portion includes tilt adjustment large- and small-diameter cylinder chambers and tilt adjustment large- and small-diameter pistons configured to slide in the cylinder chambers to change the tilt angle of the swash plate. A sliding surface of the inner peripheral surface of each of the cylinder chambers includes a quenched portion formed by quenching using laser light, the sliding surface being a surface on which the tilt adjustment piston slides.

An apparatus comprising a downhole tool having a body defining an outer surface, a plurality of standoffs distributed about the outer surface, and a hydraulic circuit operatively coupled to the standoffs. The hydraulic circuit includes a plurality of hydraulically actuated pistons, each of which is operatively coupled to a respective one of the standoffs to extend and retract the respective standoff. The pistons are hydraulically coupled and sized to extend or retract the respective standoffs at substantially the same rate in response to a hydraulic control signal.

A hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder assembly having a cylinder, defining an inner hydraulic chamber and being for reciprocating receipt of a piston and piston rod therein; a piston rod extending from the inner hydraulic chamber exteriorly of the cylinder; and a piston head assembly connected with the piston rod and disposed for reciprocation within the cylinder assembly. The piston head assembly includes a piston head and a valve assembly including a passageway defined in the piston head and a valve member having an outer surface and being sized and configured for reciprocation in the passageway between extended and retracted positions therein, the valve member defining at least one flat defined along the outer surface and at least one transition surface between the outer surface and the flat, the transition surface forming an angle with the flat of between about 40 and 50 degrees.

A port shield assembly includes a cup, a fitting, and a retaining pin. The cup includes a top with a hole, a sidewall, a cavity defined by the top and the sidewall, and a side port in the side wall. The fitting includes a body with a first end and a second end, a flange at the first end, and a central bore extending from the first end. The fitting also includes a port that communicates with the central bore, and a cross bore near the second end. The fitting extends through the hole of the cup and a retaining pin is disposed in the cross bore to retain the cup between the first end and the second end of the fitting.

The present disclosure relates to a piston-cylinder unit with a device for determining position, the device comprising at least one exciter that is indirectly or directly electrically connected with the cylinder jacket and the cylinder piston of the piston-cylinder unit, and that excites the electrical oscillating circuit formed by the piston-cylinder unit and the contact lines to oscillate at its resonant frequency, it being possible to measure an electrical signal characterizing the resonant frequency on the piston-cylinder unit. The invention also relates to a construction machine or piece of hoisting equipment with such a piston-cylinder unit.

A piston ring has a body member for sitting in a ring groove of a piston. The body member has an inner periphery, upper wall, lower wall and an outer periphery. The outer periphery has a concavity therein for storing lubricant therein. The upper wall has an outer section proximate to the outer periphery is constructed to be resiliently flexible between a flexed and unflexed position such during a portion of a power stroke, the volume of the concavity to store the lubricant is decreased by the flexing of the upper wall to the flexed position for expelling lubricant therefrom to a wall of the cylinder. The wall resiliently returns to the unflexed position during other times to allow excess lubricant from the wall of the cylinder to pass into the concavity.

A brake cylinder for pneumatic vehicle brakes, especially for commercial vehicles, includes in addition to a pneumatic locking mechanism, a manual release mechanism for manually releasing the spring brake section, and a device designed to visually recognize the manual release condition of the spring brake section outside of the housing.

Cam follower roller device, notably for an internal combustion engine fuel injection pump, comprising a tappet (12) and a roller (14) mounted to rotate on the tappet and intended to press against a cam. The tappet (12) comprises a roller support body (16), a shaft (26) for mounting the roller on the said body, and a guide sleeve (18) attached to the support body and at least partially surrounding the said body. The ends of the shaft are fixed in through-holes in the support body.

A device for actuating a flap, in particular a wastegate flap in an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, includes a control rod, which can be moved by an actuator substantially in an axial direction and is guided in a fist gate via a first pin at the side thereof facing away from the actuator. A carriage is articulated on the first pin and is guided in the first gate via a second pin on the side facing away from the first pin, wherein a pivot lever is articulated on the second pin and, on the side facing away from the second pin, the pivot lever is rotatably mounted in a machine housing, preferably a turbine housing, and the flap is arranged on the pivot lever on the side facing away from the second pin. By way of the articulated design, a non-linear adjustment of the flap is possible.

A device for the pulsed release of an amount (3) of fluid that is stored in a storage housing (2) includes a piston (5) biased by a first spring (4) and movable within the storage housing (2) to dispense the fluid by the spring bias, when triggered by an actuator (6) to release a lock holding the piston in place (7). The lock (7) has individual catches (8) keeping the piston (5) in its pretensioned position and, when actuated by the actuator (6), releases the piston (5).

Provided is a vehicle front structure including a front bumper and a lower grille. The front bumper includes a front-bumper lower surface extending in a vehicle rear direction, the front-bumper lower surface having a pair of bottom surface portions at respective side portions and a recessed surface at a center portion, the recessed surface extending from the pair of bottom surface portions and being recessed in an upper direction. The lower grille includes an annular portion arranged at the lower side of a rear end of the recessed surface and forming an opening, a protruding portion protruding from a lower portion of the annular portion so as to protrude in a front direction and oppose to the recessed surface, and a reinforcing portion extending from an upper portion of the annular portion to a back surface of the recessed surface and reinforcing the front-bumper lower surface.

There is provided a vehicle body structure that can improve collision performance at the time of a rear collision. The vehicle body structure includes first and second crash boxes that are provided at rear ends of rear side members. Further, the second crash boxes are disposed at positions different from the positions of the first crash boxes in a vertical direction of the vehicle. The second crash boxes, which are disposed at the positions different from the positions of the first crash boxes, can absorb a load applied from bumper reinforcement of another vehicle. Since a load at the time of a rear collision is absorbed by the second crash boxes, it is possible to suppress the deformation of a trunk that is provided at the rear portion of a vehicle body.

Disclosed herein is a drying apparatus for a vehicle using vehicle induced wind. The drying apparatus is capable of drying a wet object using vehicle induced wind generated by the driving of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a storage cover that is rotatably coupled to a rear bumper cover via a hinge module, to form a storage space between the storage cover and the rear bumper cover. In addition the apparatus includes an inlet cover that is coupled to the rear bumper cover to form an inlet passage through which the vehicle induced wind flows into the storage space when the vehicle is being driven. A plurality of outlet holes are formed in the rear bumper cover, and are configured to operate as a passage to allow air to be discharged from the storage space to an exterior of the vehicle.

A structure for absorbing frontal collision energy of a vehicle absorbs frontal collision energy of a vehicle using both front side members configured to support a bumper beam disposed at a front side of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel disposed outside the front side member, and a fender apron member disposed outside the shock absorber housing panel, and the structure includes: an enlarged member installed to be inclined between an outer surface of the front side member and a rear surface of the fender apron member so as to be spaced forward and apart from the outer surface of the front side member; and an enlarged frame engaged between a lower side of the fender apron member and a front mounting portion of a sub-frame.

A pedestrian-friendly forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a grill opening reinforcement (GOR), a front fascia located forward of and spaced from the GOR, and a support bracket extending transversely to the vehicle forward of the GOR and rearward of the front fascia. The support bracket has a transverse cross-bar and left and right legs extending rearward from a cross-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof. The legs are attached to respective outboard positions on the GOR, and the cross-bar has an upper flange underlying an upper rear panel of the front fascia. If a pedestrian strikes the forward structure, the fascia and support bracket yield rearward in an injury-reducing manner.

A vehicle bumper for use with police and other emergency vehicles for pushing another vehicle which is fabricated of a tubular loop defining a generally oval cross-section. The oval cross-section tubular loop is oriented such that the major axis of the oval cross-section extends front to back with respect to the host vehicle while the minor axis extends up and down. The vehicle bumper further supports a plurality of resilient pads to aid in controlling the pushed vehicle and to cushion impact transfer between the bumper and the pushed vehicle. The inventive vehicle bumper is substantially stronger and substantially lighter in weight while simultaneously providing a more attractive front view cross-section when mounted on a host vehicle. A plurality of attachments are secured to the tubular loop and are used in securing the vehicle bumper to a suitable portion of a host vehicle.

A bumper absorber (9) has a squared U-shaped cross section formed of: a vertical face (11) extending in a top-bottom direction and a vehicle width direction, and a top face (12) and a bottom face (13) respectively extending rearward from a top end and a bottom end of the vertical face (11). The bumper absorber (9) is configured such that the top face (12) and the bottom face (13) thereof are supported by the bumper reinforcement (10) via multiple attachment members (23 to 27), and an interval between the attachment members adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction is set to decrease from end portions (9b) in the vehicle width direction toward a central portion (9a) in the vehicle width direction.

The invention relates to a vehicle bumper assembly (1) having a bumper cross-member (2) and at least two energy-absorption components (3), which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are connected to the rear side of the bumper cross-member (2) and supported thereon by means of a first end. The energy-absorption components have an x-direction absorption effective direction oriented perpendicular to the y-axes longitudinal extension of the bumper. The energy-absorption components (3) are designed to be supported on a chassis part (4) of a vehicle by means of the end of the energy-absorption components pointing away from the bumper cross-member, wherein the energy-absorption component (3) has a slanted end face (5) in the direction toward the bumper cross-member (2). According to the invention, the entire or substantially the entire end face (5) of the energy-absorption component (3) is supported on the rear side of the bumper cross-member (2), and the plane of the end face (5) of the energy-absorption component (3) facing the bumper, and thus the bumper cross-member (2), is oriented such that the front side thereof is arranged at an angle to the plane extending orthogonally to the force application direction of the AZT structure test.

A motor vehicle includes a first side member having first lower and upper darts. The motor vehicle also includes a second side member parallel with and spaced apart from the first side member, the second side member having second lower and upper darts. The upper darts are positioned between the lower darts and end portions of the respective first or second side members. The motor vehicle further includes first and second bumper brackets coupled to the end portion of the respective first or second side members, a bumper reinforcement member coupled to the first and second bumper brackets, and a counter rotation bracket coupled to the bumper reinforcement member and extending upwards from the bumper reinforcement member. The lower darts and the upper darts form a preferential buckling zone of the first and the second side members.

A fascia support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly for a vehicle includes a fascia support structure, comprising: a top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle; and a bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle, the bottom portion attached to the first and second side fascia support members, the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a fascia support structure opening, at least one of the first side baffle, second side baffle or bottom baffle having a seal member disposed on a leading edge. The assembly also includes an aerodynamic shutter system comprising a shutter frame having a shutter frame opening and a plurality of rotatable shutters disposed therein.

A vehicle bumper beam including: a resin beam having an elongate body extending along a vehicle-width direction, two tubular shock-absorbing portions disposed at the beam body's opposite longitudinal end portions extending in front-rear direction, the beam body and shock-absorbing portions being formed with each other; a metal beam disposed outside the resin beam in the front-rear direction, fixedly fitted to the resin beam. Further, flat attachment portions, formed with inner end portions of the shock-absorbing portions in front-rear direction; bent portions bent in a crank extending from attachment portions outward in front-rear direction, the beam body being to attachment portions via bent portions, the metal beam fixedly fitted to an outer surface of the beam body's intermediate portion; metal beam's opposite end portions extending beyond bent portions covering the right and left sides, fixedly fitted to distal end portions; each space defined by shock-absorbing portion, metal beam and bent portion.

A body on frame vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a small offset impact load management system including upper and lower rear blocker structures and a reinforcement blocker structure for managing impact loads applied to the wheel and tire of the vehicle from being directed further toward the body. The reinforcement blocker structure includes a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending angularly outwardly and located rearward and distal the wheel and tire and proximal a longitudinal cross frame member for transferring the small offset impact loads transferred by the wheel and tire in a cross vehicle direction.

A material handling vehicle includes a laminated bumper that provides both durability and reduced energy transmissibility. The laminated bumper includes at least a first bumper layer and a second bumper layer, such that at least one of the first bumper layer and second bumper layer of the laminate bumper are allowed to translate upon bumper contact with an object.

A panel member having a U-shaped cross section includes step portions at an upper face portion and a lower face portion, and a distance, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, of the step potions from a panel member formed substantially in a flat-plate shape, is configured such that the distance at a central portion, in the vehicle width direction, of a bumper reinforcement is the maximum and the distance decreases gradually toward an outward direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle-body structure which can properly ensure the bending strength and also attain the light weight of the bumper reinforcement, improving the load transmission from the bumper reinforcement to crash cans, can be provided.

A system for protecting a pedestrian during impact with a vehicle, the system having a bumper adapted for attachment to an end of the vehicle, wherein the bumper is comprised of a plurality of air sacs, wherein the bumper has a horizontal thickness extends from the end of the vehicle, wherein at least some of the plurality of air sacs stretch and then burst during impact between the bumper and a pedestrian causing deceleration along the horizontal width of the bumper during the impact, wherein the bumper undergoes plastic deformation during impact with the pedestrian as the at least some of the air sacs burst during impact, and wherein the bursting of some of the plurality of air sacs reduces spring back of the bumper on the pedestrian.

A front-end assembly including a deflector and a catcher bracket. The V-shaped deflector is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, a rear leg of the deflector has a distal end disposed adjacent to the frame rail. In a collision, the distal end of the rear leg engages the catcher bracket to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The vehicle attachable carrier device includes a mounting bracket assembly for movably mounting a guard frame to a vehicle that includes a bracket coupled to the vehicle. A frame is movably coupled to the bracket. The frame may guard the vehicle. The frame is positionable between a stored position and an extended position.

An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.

A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, tractor trailer or the like-type vehicle, includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle that will function to push individuals and other animate objects lying in the path of the vehicle out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for telescoping movement to protect the safety guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.

When a collision load is transmitted to a gusset, the load is transmitted to an inner side in a vehicle width direction via an inclined wall. Accordingly, moment that causes a front side member to be projected and bent inward to the inner side in the vehicle width direction with an intersection being a starting point acts on the front side member. Then, the front side member, which has been projected and bent inward, collides with a power unit that is disposed in an engine compartment from an outer side in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, a lateral force to the inner side in the vehicle width direction can be obtained for a vehicle.

A first projection portion projecting outward, in a vehicle width direction, from a front side frame is provided. A front end of the first projection portion is located at the same position, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as a connection portion of a crash can to the front side frame or located in back of the connection portion. An outward side face of the first projection portion is configured to slant rearward and inward in a plan view. The first projection portion and a power unit are arranged to overlap each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Accordingly, an impact transmitted to a vehicle-compartment side in a small overlap collision can be reduced, restraining repair costs of the crash can broken in a low-speed collision as well as maintaining appropriate design flexibility of a vehicle-body front portion.

A thermoplastic energy absorber having a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and comprise: an array of energy absorbing lobes protruding from a base, the lobes arranged in two or more rows. The energy absorbing lobes can have a vertical length (L) and a horizontal width (D), and wherein a ratio of L:D is greater than 1. The energy absorbing lobes in each row can be disposed in a staggered manner with respect to energy absorbing lobes in an adjacent row. The energy absorber can be configured to be installed on a vehicle for absorption of impact energy. An energy absorbing system can comprise the thermoplastic energy absorber disposed between a bumper beam and a fascia. The fascia can optionally be configured to envelope the thermoplastic energy absorber and the bumper beam. This system passes EuroNCAP lower-leg impact requirements, version 5.1, June 2011, for lower leg impact requirement.

A fender front-side step portion has first and second fender front-side fixing portions that engage with and fasten a bumper spacer. The bumper spacer is provided with: a spacer body; a bumper-spacer reinforcing portion that extends toward a fender lower-end portion of a fender panel from the bottom end of the spacer body; and a bumper-spacer rear-side fixing portion which is disposed on the bumper-spacer reinforcing portion, and which overlaps with and fastens the front of the fender lower-end portion. The bumper-spacer rear-side fixing portion is disposed in a position further to the rear than the fender front-side step portion in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle.

A fascia support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly for a vehicle includes a fascia support structure, comprising: a top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle; and a bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle, the bottom portion attached to the first and second side fascia support members, the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a fascia support structure opening, at least one of the first side baffle, second side baffle or bottom baffle having a seal member disposed on a leading edge. The assembly also includes an aerodynamic shutter system comprising a shutter frame having a shutter frame opening and a plurality of rotatable shutters disposed therein.

What is described is a middle buffer coupling for rail-bound vehicles, comprising two coupling halves (2, 2') to be coupled together attached to vehicle parts (A, B), each of said coupling halves (2, 2') comprising a coupling rod (8, 8') with a coupling head (12, 12'), and comprising a connecting element (16) for manually connecting the two coupling heads (12, 12'). Disposed at each coupling head (12, 12') is an electrical contact element (32, 34) for contacting with the contact element of the other respective coupling head (12, 12') when the two coupling halves (2, 2') are coupled. Routed within each coupling rod (8, 8') are electrical lines (18, 18') that lead from the contact elements (32, 34) of the associated coupling head (12, 12') to the vehicle part (A, B) to which the coupling halves (2, 2') comprising said coupling rods (8, 8') are attached, respectively.