Abstract: A head restraint assembly for use with a vehicle seat, the head restraint assembly having a head restraint armature that is adapted to be attached to a seat back, including two spaced apart support posts, a cushion surrounding the head restraint armature and a strap that is affixed to the head restraint armature, the strap extending between the two spaced apart support posts. The strap is surrounded by the cushion.

Abstract: Strategies other than immediate elimination of regenerative braking (FIG. 2) are invoked when an incipient wheel lock-up is detected, the ABS becomes active, and/or incipient wheel slip is detected. The strategies include: reducing the regenerative braking torque as a function of the coefficient of friction of a surface on which the vehicle is traveling (FIG. 3); and adjusting regenerative braking in relation to the rate at which wheel slip is changing (FIG. 4). Some of the strategies may be applied on an individual wheel basis (FIG. 5), and some of the strategies may be applied in conjunction with operating friction brakes of the vehicle to apply at least some of the reduction in regenerative braking torque as friction brake torque (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A steering system (10) and method (70) for controlling the steering of a vehicle having a steering wheel (12), a steering column (14) connected to said steering wheel (12), and an electric motor (20) operatively engaged with the steering column (14) for supplying torque assist. A steering angle sensor (32) is employed for sensing an angular position &thgr;c of the steering wheel (12). The system has a torque estimator (40) for determining an estimated torque signal (Tdest) as a function of the measured steering wheel angle, and a motor controller (30) for generating a motor control signal (U) as a function of said estimated torque. Accordingly, the present invention reduces the complexity and cost of the electric power assist steering system by eliminating the need for a conventional pinion torque sensor, without sacrificing vehicle steering performance.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly 12 for a vehicle includes a pedal 14 and a foot pad 16 operatively engageable by the operator of a vehicle. The pedal assembly 12 also includes a collapsible push rod 22 connected between the pedal 14 and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20. The push rod 40 has a transverse slot 44 formed therein with a tapered surface 46 that increases in separation distance from a first end 48 toward a second end 50. A pin 42 is disposed in the second end of the slot 44 for connecting the push rod 40 to pedal 14 during normal vehicle operation. The pin 42 is movable toward the second end of slot 44 upon experiencing a force greater than a predetermined force threshold. In doing so, pin 42 deforms slot 44 of push rod 40 in an energy consuming manner to reduce the amount of force otherwise applied to pedal 14. Accordingly, the pedal assembly 12 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the operator of the vehicle during a collision.

Abstract: A wheel suspension assembly 10 for use with a vehicle having a wheel 11. Assembly 10 includes a tie rod 12, a knuckle 14 having an integrally formed knuckle arm 16, and a ball joint 18 which rotatably couples the tie rod 12 to the knuckle arm 16. Tie rod 12 includes an outer end 24 having an integrally formed ball socket 26 and a pair of opposed and outwardly extending members 28, 30, which include a pair of orthogonally projecting foot members or “feet” 32, 34. Knuckle arm 16 includes an end portion 40 which is attached to a ball stud 44. Ball stud 44 is mated with socket 26 and cooperatively forms ball joint 18. End portion 40 includes a generally circular bottom surface 52 disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to “feet” 32, 34. Two resilient elements or “pads” 62, 64 are abuttingly disposed between “feet” 32, 34 and surface 52.