Abstract: A liftgate handle assembly for actuating a remotely mounted liftgate latch comprising a liftgate handle assembly including a housing having a handle pivotally mounted therein, a key cylinder rotatably mounted therein, a main lever slidably and pivotally mounted thereon, a subordinate lever mounted thereon and in pivotal communication with the main lever which is operably engageable by the handle and operably connected to the key cylinder. The liftgate handle assembly includes a cable connected between the subordinate lever and the liftgate latch. The main lever is adapted to be reciprocally slidably actuated between a locked and an unlocked mode by rotation of the key cylinder, and pivotally actuated in an unlocked mode by manually lifting the handle to move the cable via the subordinate lever to operate the liftgate latch.

Abstract: A swing-away spare tire carrier for a motor vehicle includes a cross tube extending transversely for attachment to underside vehicle structure of the motor vehicle and an arm support bracket secured to the cross tube. The swing-away spare tire carrier also includes a carrier arm having a first arm portion pivotally attached to the arm support bracket and a second arm portion pivotally attached to the first arm portion for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent a vehicle body of the motor vehicle and a second position extending substantially laterally from the vehicle body when the second arm portion is moved toward the first arm portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method employing a first Bowden cable retention member to retain the first cable member of a first Bowden cable and a second Bowden cable retention member to retain the second cable member of a second Bowden cable. The first Bowden cable retention member is sized to receive the first cable member, but not the second cable member. The manner in which the first cable member is sized may relate to a particular dimension, such as diameter or length or its overall shape in relation to the corresponding particular dimension or overall shape of the second cable member.

Abstract: A mounting system for a vehicle steering system is provided. The mounting system includes a bushing, an isolator and a fastener. The bushing includes a retaining flange and a threaded internal cavity. The isolator includes a hollow body portion and a first end wall. The isolator is installed to a steering gear assembly such that the inner surface of the end wall contacts one surface of the steering gear housing. The bushing is installed through the isolator such that the retaining flange contacts an outer surface of one of the end walls. The steering gear assembly is positioned against a vehicle chassis such that the exterior surface of the other end wall contacts a structural member. The fastener is installed through the structural member and threadably engages the internally threaded cavity. The bushing limits the amount of clamping force transmitted to the end walls and permits the isolator to effectively dampen noise and vibration.

Abstract: A text fixture for testing a transfer case electronic control unit according to this invention comprises an eletro-mechanical shift mechanism having electronic inputs and outputs for coupling to electronic inputs and outputs output of the transfer case electronic control unit and an output shaft coupled to a transfer case load simulator. In a preferred embodiment, the transfer case load simulator comprises first and second oppositely wound torsion springs having identical torque characteristics coupled in opposed relation to the output shaft of the eletro-mechanical shift mechanism.

Abstract: A module for interfacing with a serial data bus of an on-board computer system of a motor vehicle to provide a means by which an external device such as a lap top computer, electronic compass, etc., can exchange useful data therefrom. The module includes a controller having a vehicle data bus interface circuit which interfaces the module with the serial data bus. An accessory device interface circuit interfaces the module with the external device. The module provides a power connection terminal to provide power from the vehicle's electrical system to the external device. The module forms a low cost means by which various external devices can be interfaced with the on-board computer of the vehicle to exchange useful information and to enhance operation of the vehicle or the external device.

Abstract: An apparatus for lubricating a cooling rotary components in a vehicle drivetrain. The apparatus is defined by a single component bearing cap having integrally formed lubricant deflectors to direct lubricant flow to lubricant-starved side bearings in a drive axial differential carrier assembly. The lubricant deflectors extend angularly outward from the ends of the bearing cap. The bearing cap is secured to a housing portion of a drive axle differential carrier assembly of the vehicle drivetrain. A differential bearing assembly is pinched between the bearing cap and bearing mounting surfaces of the drive axle differential carrier assembly.

Abstract: A method for temporarily connecting a body half and a door half of a hinge, said body half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving said door half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving the body half, one of said connecting means including a portion having disposed proximate the end thereof at least one groove for receiving a resilient flexible retainer; said method including the steps of; (a) fastening the hinge when assembled to a vehicle and a door so as to fasten the door with the vehicle temporarily; (b) painting the vehicle and door together while temporarily connected; (c) subjecting the vehicle and door and the resilient flexible retainer to heat such as that found in a curing process for a painting process for vehicles; (d) separating said body and door halves of said hinge by removing the retainer and separating said halves; (e) separating said door from said vehicle by separating the body half and the door half of said hinges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for side impacting testing of motor vehicles at a sub-system level. By advancing a side impact barrier into the vehicle shell mounted on the fixture at a predetermined speed, full-scale crashworthiness for side impact collisions can be predicted, thereby significantly reducing development cost and time. The fixture includes a base for supporting the vehicle shell, a side portion for reinforcing a lateral side of the vehicle shell and protecting against deformation and a roll-over prevention structure. The fixture additionally includes a plurality of casters attached to the base.

Abstract: A pedal modifier regenerative braking system is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle having regenerative braking system. The pedal modifier regenerative braking system provides a mechanism for superimposing on a traditional vacuum power hydraulic system a reduction in the energy introduced by the vehicle driver into the friction brake system by an amount that is a function of the vehicle braking provided by an electric motor in a regeneration mode.

Abstract: A vehicle seat that articulates and dumps is provided. The vehicle seat includes an articulation link connected to a bottom frame and a seat frame. The seat frame is also connected to a seatback frame. The seatback frame is connected to a bottom frame. The articulation link allows the seat frame to rotate down to the bottom frame while the seatback frame articulates forward and downwardly toward the seat frame. The vehicle seat can be dumped forwardly and upwardly around a dumping pivot. A dumping mechanism releases the bottom frame from the vehicle deck so that the bottom frame can rotate forwardly and upwardly. The bottom frame rotates about the dumping pivot which is attached to a dumping frame. The dumping frame is shaped so that it provides clearance for the headrest and the seat cushion end of the seat frame when the vehicle is substantially dumped in a vertical position relative to a vehicle floor pan.

Abstract: A sliding door system for maintaining electrical communication between a sliding door and a vehicle body.

Abstract: An improved sunroof assembly is provided. The sunroof assembly includes a sunroof portion and an air dam portion. The sunroof portion includes a sunroof panel which is positionable between an open and a closed position. The air dam portion includes an air dam structure, a drive assembly and a wind noise determining portion. The air dam structure is pivotally coupled to the sunroof portion and is positionable between a retracted position and an extended position. The drive assembly is coupled to the sunroof portion and the air dam structure and operable for positioning the air dam structure between the retracted position and the extended position. The wind noise determining system determines the amount and characteristics of the noise transmitted into the vehicle passenger compartment through sunroof assembly and generates a signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A support bracket kit, particularly for use with vehicles having a cargo storage area including sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a pair of wheel wells. The kit is comprised of at least one cross-beam for disposition generally between upper portions of the wheel wells. A plurality of corner support brackets are disposed between the sidewalls and the floor in each corner of the cargo storage area. The support bracket kit allows a cargo box of a pick-up truck to be adapted to receive, for example, four-by-eight-foot sheets of plywood or drywall which are supported above the wheel wells by the support bracket kit.

Abstract: A tool for removing a retainer from the opposed tangs of a spring-type hose clamp is provided. The tool includes a first member adapted to fit between the retainer and the hose clamp and dislodge the retainer from the tangs of the hose clamp. The tool also includes a second member adapted to retain the retainer to the first member after the removal of the retainer from the hose clamp. A method for employing the tool is also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a piston arranged in a cylinder bore, a pair of intake passages to the cylinder bore, and having a piston crown provided with a crescent-shaped depression. The inlet passages are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry running through the center of the cylinder bore between the two intake passages. The crescent-shaped depression formed in the piston crown extends across and is symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A method for controlling an airbag system is provided. The airbag system includes an airbag module which may be deployed at different rates to optimize performance of the airbag module to a given impact. The airbag system includes a control module, an impact sensor, a seatbelt restraint sensor and an airbag module. The airbag module includes an inflator having two independent squibs, a first one of the squibs being coupled to a first charge and a second one of the squibs being coupled to a second charge. The method monitors various vehicle dynamics and controls the generation of first and second squib pulses which cause the deployment of the first and second charges so as to optimize the rate at which the airbag is deployed for an impact of a given magnitude. The method also monitors the integrity of each squib circuit and when a fault in a squib circuit is detected, the deployment algorithm is modified to ensure that the airbag will deploy.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for measuring voltage signals in an energy storage device is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a plurality of energy storage cells forming the energy storage device. A voltage divider circuit is connected to at least one of the energy storage cells. A current regulating circuit is provided for regulating the current through the voltage divider circuit. A voltage measurement node is associated with the voltage divider circuit for producing a voltage signal which is proportional to the voltage across the energy storage cell.

Abstract: A body panel assembly is provided for dissipating impact energy. The body panel assembly includes an inner member having a desired inner area. The inner area is defined by a perimeter which includes a top, bottom, and sides. The assembly has an outer member with a desired outer area, defined by a perimeter which includes a top, bottom, and sides. The inner and outer members are positioned with respect to one another to define a cavity. An intermediate member is positioned in the cavity between the inner and outer members. The intermediate member extends from the top to the bottom of the inner and outer members. In addition, a structural material is positioned in a space between the outer member and the intermediate member for dissipating impact energy. The structural material extends from the top to the bottom of the intermediate and outer members and is comprised of foam or a honeycomb plastic.

Abstract: A flexible top for a motor vehicle is provided. The flexible top includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a plurality of air cells coupled between the inner and outer surfaces along the length of the flexible top and a plurality of air inlet ports coupled to the plurality of longitudinal air cells. Operation of the vehicle above a predetermined speed causes air to be forced over an air scoop device which directs a portion of the air over the outer surface as well and another portion of the air into the plurality of air inlet ports. Air flowing into the plurality of air inlet ports flows and into the plurality of longitudinal air cells, inflating and pressurizing the plurality of air cells and tending to separate the outer and inner surfaces to provide the flexible top with increased rigidity. When inflated, the plurality of air cells provide the outer surface with an air foil-like longitudinal cross-section that further enhances the resistance of the flexible top to vibration and flapping.