Abstract: A two piece vehicle panel construction is provided. The first and second piece of the vehicle panel are made by injection molding. The first and second piece cooperate to provide proper aesthetics, structural integrity, and increased sun load resistance. The proper positioning and alignment of the two piece construction is facilitated by at least two alignment fixtures that are nested within the first and second pieces.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for mounting a header to an insulator body of an automatic transmission solenoid assembly. The insulator body is provided with an overmolded lead frame. The insulator body and lead frame each include a plurality of terminal pin receiving holes for receiving respective terminal pins of a header therein. The terminal pins are fountain soldered to the lead frame in order to provide a connection between the terminal pins and the lead frame. The header is also provided with a pair of header posts which extend through corresponding holes in the insulator body. Weld nuts are ultrasonically welded to the header posts in order to secure the header to the insulator body.

Abstract: A pump gear for an automatic transmission oil pump having a plurality of teeth. The thickness of each tooth varies randomly from a baseline thickness T.sub.B. Correspondingly, the clearance between each tooth varies randomly between each pair of adjacent teeth. The random variation in tooth thickness prevents the formation of resonant frequencies when the gear pump operates, thereby reducing noise produced by the automatic transmission oil pump.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The solenoid assembly includes a housing, a valve, an armature and an electromagnetic device. The valve is mounted within the housing. The valve is operative in a vented state and a non-vented state and includes a plunger and ball combination movable between a first position for establishing the vented state and a second position for establishing the non-vented state. The armature is associated with the valve and is movable in response to the presence and absence of a magnetic field for selectively moving the plunger and ball combination between the first and second positions. The electromagnetic device is operative for creating the magnetic field. The electromagnetic device includes a core and an energizable coil. The core has an upwardly extending outer post with a generally rectangular cross section in a horizontal plane. The energizable coil defines an opening for receiving the first upwardly extending outer post.

Abstract: A system for controlling torque transfer in a motor vehicle includes a transfer case, a front inter-axle differential unit and a rear inter-axle differential unit. The transfer case is operative for automatically transferring torque between front and rear pairs of wheels. The front inter-axle differential unit is operative for automatically transferring torque between the wheels of the front pair of wheels. The rear inter-axle differential unit is operative for automatically transferring torque between the wheels of the rear pair of wheels. Under extreme operating conditions, the system is operative for delivering substantially all torque to a single tractive wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for shifting from a first gear state to a second gear state which holds one element at a predetermined level until the second reaches its fill volume. In this method, one element is applied while the other element is released. The element which reaches its fill volume first is held at a control limit. This control limit is defined by a volume between the first clutch element and a predetermined point above the fill volume of the first clutch element. This clutch element is then maintained at within the control limit until the other clutch element reaches its fill volume. The maintained clutch element is then released shortly after the other clutch element has reached its fill volume. This method ensures that neither fighting or slipping occurs between the two elements.

Abstract: A manual valve arrangement is provided for an automatic transmission which provides for uninterrupted friction element control even though manual valve porting is being switched. An extra multi-select solenoid combined with porting through the manual valve and dual acting ball check assemblies permits selected friction elements to be controlled from two solenoids simultaneously. The extra multi-select solenoid, which is a normally-open solenoid valve, permits an energy savings logic mode in which the a normally-closed solenoid valve can be de-energized. Output from the extra multi-select solenoid is switched to different clutch elements when the manual valve is moved from the reverse position to the drive position and from the drive position to the second position.

Abstract: A wheel well liner for a motor vehicle includes a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are connected by a living hinge. Preferably, the wheel liner is injection molded to include the first portion, the second portion and the living hinge.

Abstract: An adjustable solenoid assembly having a solenoid manifold and a first pair of rods mounted to the solenoid manifold. The solenoid assembly further includes a plate member having a pair of slots for receiving the first pair of rods. The pair of slots cooperates with the pair of rods to enable the solenoid manifold to be translated to a fixed position relative to the plate member and enable dimensional variations between the first pair of rods to be accommodated.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal apparatus for a motor vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a pedal that can be translated in a longitudinal fashion parallel to the vehicle floor. The apparatus includes a pedal pivotally attached to a pivot pin. The pivot pin is threadedly attached to a powered screw to allow translation thereon in response to rotation of the screw. The pivot pin is received in a second longitudinal slot formed in a base formation. An attachment link is pivotally attached to the pivot pin and includes an elongated opening for receiving a driving pin and a pushrod attachment. Driving pin and pushrod attachment are free to slide and pivot with their attachment to the attachment link. A power link is also provided. The power link is pivotally attached to the pedal at an elevation lower than the pivot pin. The power link also includes an elongated opening.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a motor vehicle having an upper joint, a middle joint and a lower joint. The upper joint pivotally interconnects a door to a body. The middle joint pivotally interconnects the door to a rod. A door axis of rotation is defined by the upper and middle joints. A lower joint pivotally interconnects the body to the rod. A control linkage pivotally interconnects the door and the body defining a conical path for the door axis of rotation to follow.

Abstract: A suspension mechanism is provided for a motor vehicle including an axle, a spring seat, an isolator, and a coil spring. The spring seat is coupled to the axle and includes an aperture formed at a pre-selected location therein. An isolator is disposed on the spring seat and includes a locating member in the form of a projection extending therefrom. The projection engages the aperture in the spring seat so that the isolator assumes a preselected orientation relative to the spring seat when positioned thereon. A coil spring is secured to the isolator by a retention member in the form of an annular groove having a plurality of discrete protrusions overlapping the lowest coil of the coil spring. An orientation member in the form of a second projection is provided at a preselected location on the isolator. The second projection engages an end of the coil spring to that the coil spring assumes a preselected orientation relative to the isolator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for shifting from a first gear state to a second gear state which holds one element at a predetermined level until the second reaches its fill volume. In this method, one element is applied while the other element is released. The element which reaches its fill volume first is held at a control limit. This control limit is defined by a volume between the first clutch element and a predetermined point above the fill volume of the first clutch element. This clutch element is then maintained at within the control limit until the other clutch element reaches its fill volume. The maintained clutch element is then released shortly after the other clutch element has reached its fill volume. This method ensures that neither fighting or slipping occurs between the two elements.

Abstract: An exhaust stream aftertreatment system that selectively reduces NOx emissions during lean-burn operation of an internal combustion engine is provided. The apparatus includes a partial oxidation reactor having a fuel source, an ignition device, and various values. The partial oxidation reactor is disposed in the exhaust pipe of automobile between the engine and the threeway catalyst. A light-off catalyst is provided adjacent to the engine, upstream from the partial oxidation reactor. The three-way catalyst and the light-off catalyst are typical automotive catalysts having a substrate plated with a precious metal to facilitate the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) as well as the reduction of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx). The partial oxidation reactor is adapted to operate while the internal combustion engine is producing high levels of NOx or while the engine is operating in a lean burn regime.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The solenoid assembly includes a housing having a core opening passing vertically therethrough. A valve is mounted within the housing. The valve is operative in a vented state and a non-vented state. The valve includes a plunger movable between a first position for establishing the vented state and a second position for establishing the non-vented state. An armature is associated with the valve and is movable in response to the presence and absence of a magnetic field for selectively moving the plunger between the first and second positions. An electromagnetic arrangement for creating the magnetic field includes a core and an energizable coil. The core is inserted into the core opening from an underside of the housing. A first retaining member retains a portion of the core against the underside of the housing. A variable transducer is used to establish a reference plane including two upper surfaces of the coil.

Abstract: An air exhaust and water management system for a motor vehicle to allow air to flow out of the vehicle cabin and to restrict air and water from flowing into the vehicle cabin is provided. The system includes a vehicle body having an aperture formed therein. The system also includes an air exhauster received in the aperture including outboard actuating flaps to allow air to flow out of the cabin while restricting air from flowing into the vehicle. The system also includes a water diverter nested between the air exhauster and the vehicle body to collect and funnel water out of the cabin that may have entered the cabin through the aperture in the body.

Abstract: An attachment system for coupling a vehicle window to a window regulator. The attachment system includes a mounting bracket, a housing, a first securing structure and a second securing structure. The mounting bracket includes a clip structure adapted for coupling to the vehicle window. The mounting bracket also includes a pin member which is inserted into a pin aperture in the housing. The first securing structure is coupled to the housing and to the pin member and prevents withdrawal of the pin member from the pin aperture. The pin member extends through the pin aperture and into a central cavity where it engages the second securing member. The second securing member is slidably positionable in the central cavity and is operable for inhibiting the movement of the pin member relative to the housing along a predetermined axis.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided with failsafe operation via a unique manual valve and multi-select solenoid arrangement. The transmission also provides for an energy saving logic operation mode.

Abstract: An air distribution system having a plurality of vents for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a cylindrical housing having a plurality of passageways that lead to the vents attached thereto, The cylindrical housing encloses two inner barrels are rotatably mounted therein that can independently direct air to selected vents. This provides the ability for the passenger of the vehicle to receive air flow through a selected vent and the driver to receive sir flow through a possibly different selected vent.

Abstract: A partitioning system is for use in the storage area of a vehicle. The partitioning system includes a multipurpose shelf that can be positioned in a plurality of different locations. The shelf can be disposed (1) horizontally near the top of the rear row of seats to act as a security cover; (2) horizontally along the floor in the storage area; (3) horizontally to cooperate of a folded last row of seats to provide a generally flat surface from the end gate into the passenger area; (4) vertically and adjacent to the rear row of seats; and (5) horizontally, while the end gate is open, such that the shelf extends beyond the storage area as defined by a closed end gate. The shelf includes a pivotable support leg that may contact the vehicle body to support the shelf in this horizontal position that extends beyond the storage area defined by a closed end gate.