Abstract: A column stalk assembly for controlling lighting and wiper functions of a motor vehicle is provided. The column stalk includes a wiper stalk controlling the front wipers, rear wipers, front washer, and rear washer of the motor vehicle and a lighting stalk controlling the headlamps, high beam headlamps, interior lights, and turn signals of the motor vehicle, the wiper stalk and the lighting stalk being structurally similar. Each stalk includes an outer rotatable knob and an inner rotatable ring separated by a stationary ring. The stationary ring cooperates with the outer knob to control a specific function. Each stalk also includes a base disposed adjacent to the inner ring. The base cooperates with the inner ring to control a specific function.

Abstract: An upper control arm assembly for a rear axle of an uni-body vehicle. The uni-body vehicle includes a pair of longitudinally spaced opposing sills generally extending along the length of the vehicle. The upper control arm assembly comprises an upper control arm having a central portion and a pair of end portions. The central portion of the upper control arm is positioned over the rear axle of the vehicle. Each of the pair of end portions of the upper control arm is positioned adjacent the pair of opposing sills of the vehicle and define a bushing aperture. A pair of spool bushings is also provided for retaining the upper control arm. The pair of spool bushings are vertically disposed in the bushing apertures so as to pivotally couple the upper control arm to the pair of opposing sills of the uni-body vehicle. The vertical orientation of the spool bushings maximizes the lateral stiffness of the rear suspension system of the uni-body vehicle, while providing lower fore/aft and vertical stiffnesses.

Abstract: A valve assembly having an advantageous construction for directing fluid flow between a fluid source and a fluid actuating device in a transmission of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a manual lever being actuated in response to a manual input from an operator. The manual lever is positionable in a plurality of positions corresponding to predetermined operating modes of the transmission. The assembly further includes a valve body having valve member disposed therein. The valve member being movable for directing fluid flow between the fluid source and the fluid actuating device. A plate member slidably engaging the valve body is further provided. The plate member is operably coupled to the manual lever to linearly translate the plate member relative to the valve body in response to the manual input. Cam member is included for positioning the valve member at a predetermined position corresponding to the plurality of positions of the manual lever when the plate member is linearly translated.

Abstract: A resilient detent mechanism for selectively maintaining a vehicle door in the open position is provided. The detent mechanism including a hinge pin receptacle adapted to allow insertive mounting with a door hinge by engagement with a hinge pin of the door hinge. The detent mechanism also includes a planar side surface to contact both the stationary and pivotal components of the door hinge. The detent also includes a working corner portion that contacts a portion of the door hinge and tends to maintain the vehicle door in the open position. The contact between the working corner portion and the stationary component of the door hinge can be overcome by a sufficient door closing effort.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operation of a four-stroke reciprocating internal combustion engine with a homogenous lean base mixture of air, fuel and retained exhaust, as well as with compression ignition and direct fuel injection into a combustion chamber with gas displacement devices.In order to keep the design cost low for this concept, the reciprocating internal combustion engine is operated at partial load with compression ignition and preferably mechanically controlled exhaust retention, whereas operation in the full load and high partial load range occurs as a spark ignition engine.

Abstract: A vehicle heating system having an additional heating component that can operate independently of the internal combustion engine is provided. When the additional heating component is not operating, the water flows through the coolant circuit loop between the internal combustion engine and the typical heat exchanger in a customary manner. The additional heating component includes a thermostatically actuated switching element which is designed in such a way that with the additional heating component operating, the water heated thereby flows exclusively through the traditional heat exchanger at a temperature below that set by the thermostatically actuated switching element. At a water temperature above that set by the thermostatically actuated switching element, the coolant heated by the additional heating component flows through the traditional heat exchanger and additionally through the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly for an automatic transmission having a plurality of planetary gear sets. The overrunning clutch assembly includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race radially surround the inner race. The overrunning clutch assembly further includes a plurality of rollers disposed between the inner race and the outer race for permitting relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race in a first direction and limiting relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race in a second direction. The outer race includes a radially extending portion extending radially inward beyond an outer periphery of the inner race. The radially extending portion cooperates with the inner race to react a thrust load generated by the plurality of gear sets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to learn and accommodate the amount of air that needs to be purged from a clutch circuit after being off for a predetermined time. The scheme helps to maintain proper control timing as necessary for good shift quality and clutch durability and further helps to minimize unnecessary delays in clutch application. Once the air has been purged, then normal control timing can be resumed.

Abstract: The present provides a shutdown shift schedule which allows a vehicle driver an increased number of gear states to increase driveability. This method monitors the gear state conditions indicative of the gear state which said automatic transmission is in. When the shift state conditions vary from predetermined standards, the controller uses the shutdown shift schedule in place of the shift schedule for changing gears of the automatic transmission. This shutdown shift schedule is adapted to allow a 3-1 shift when the shift solenoid is in a shift D position and the shift state is 3. The shutdown shift schedule is also adapted to allow a 3-2 shift when the shift state is 3 and the shift solenoid is in the shift 2 position.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring a vehicle storage compartment for the presence of a confined individual includes at least one sensor adapted for sensing the presence of a living being confined in a vehicle storage compartment and generating a sensor signal in response thereto and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and generating an actuation signal in response to the sensor signal. The actuation signal may be used to automatically open the vehicle storage compartment and/or to cause an audible warning device coupled to the controller to produce a predetermined warning in response to the actuation signal. The actuation signal may also be used to produce a visual signal which draws attention to the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering linkage arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an axle assembly, a tie rod assembly and a steering damper. The tie rod assembly includes a tubular member. The steering damper has a first end connected to the axle assembly and a second end connected to a mounting member. The tubular member is integrally formed to include a portion for positively locating the mounting member along the length of the tubular member.

Abstract: A novel transmission is provided that has a first, second, third and fourth gear, wherein said second gear includes two alternate and selectable speed ratios. The primary speed ratio of the second gear is used during upshifts and downshifts of adjacent gears. The alternate speed ratio of the second gear is utilized exclusively during downshifts from non-adjacent gears and may also be utilized during a downshift from the third gear depending on certain conditions and parameters. The primary speed ratio is larger than the alternate speed ratio of the second gear to provide better acceleration characteristics of the transmission during upshifting. The smaller alternate speed ratio of the second gear can provide smoother downshifts because of the less abrupt speed ratio change from the higher gears. Also, a method for controlling the gear selection of an automatic transmission having a plurality of gears is provided, wherein one position includes two speed ratios.

Abstract: An adjustable storage compartment for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The storage compartment includes a trim panel with a cavity formed therein. The cavity is comprised of a central region from which a first portion extends horizontally therefrom and a second portion extends vertically therefrom. A partitioning panel is also provided that can be disposed to separate the first portion and the central region from the second portion. The partitioning panel can also be pivoted such that the panel separates the first portion from the central region and the second portion. The partitioning panel can also be removed to provide a storage area that encompasses the central region along with both the first and second portions.

Abstract: An annulus gear for an automatic transmission and method of construction. The annulus gear is a one-piece or monolithic gear having a set of gear teeth formed on an inner surface thereof for operably coupling with a set of planetary gears. A plurality of lugs extend axially from a rearward edge of the annulus gear and cooperate with a plurality of radially extending tangs formed on an adjacent clutch hub for rotatably coupling the annulus gear with an adjacent clutch mechanism. Similarly, a forward edge of the annulus gear has a plurality of reliefs formed therein which are adapted to receive a plurality of tangs radially extending from an adjacent planetary gear set carrier. In this manner, the annulus gear may also be operably coupled to an adjacent planetary gear set.

Abstract: A cooling fan system includes an engine driven mechanical fan and an electrically driven fan. The mechanical fan and the electrical fans are placed in series within a common shroud that directs air between them. In one application, the electrical fan generates an axially directed air flow and the mechanical fan produces a radially directed air flow. The electrical fan is rotated counter to the mechanical fan.

Abstract: A sensing system for detecting the position of a manually operated shift lever in an automatic transmission. The sensing system includes a plate member movable in response to movement of a shift lever. The plate member includes a generally flat contact surface having a predetermined pattern of electrically conductive and non-conductive areas. An electrical sensor unit is mounted in the transmission and positioned to communicate with the contact surface of the plate member. At least five electrical contact members engage the conductive and non-conductive areas on the contact surface generate binary codes having combinations that are indicative of the shift lever position in each of the predetermined operating modes. The engagement between the contact members and the contact surface further generates at least four unique binary codes indicative of the transitions between the predetermined operating modes.

Abstract: An automatic transmission hydraulic control system is provided with lubrication and cooler circuits fed in parallel. The lubrication circuit is fed by regulated pressure which prevents lubrication starvation concerns under extremes of temperature and speed conditions. As the lubrication demand increases the controlled pressure increases the lube flow to meet the component lubrication requirements.

Abstract: A method of filling a transmission with oil is provided. The method compensates for temperature variations of the oil initially put into the transmission prior to a final top off oil fill.

Abstract: A method for reacting an axial thrust load generated by a planetary gear system of an automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle is provided. The axial thrust load is transmitted along a first thrust load path between a sun gear of the planetary gear system and a clutch hub of an clutch assembly. The axial thrust load is then transmitted along a second thrust load path between the clutch hub and a thrust bulkhead extending from the transmission housing. A first portion of the axial thrust load is reacted by the transmission housing. A second portion of the axial thrust load is transmitted along a third thrust load path between the thrust bulkhead and an oil pump housing.