Abstract: A vehicle may include a body, a closure member, a hinge assembly and a sleeve. The body may define a cavity having an opening. The closure member may be movable relative to the cavity to provide access to the cavity. The hinge assembly may be attached to the body and the closure member and may include first and second torsion rods extending between first and second sides of the opening of the cavity. The first and second torsion rods may urge the closure member toward an open position. The sleeve may be attached to the first torsion rod and may include an outer surface having a profile defining a plurality of peaks and valleys. The outer surface may contact the second torsion bar to prevent direct contact between the first and second torsion rods.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a latch mechanism, an actuator, and an actuation link. The latch mechanism may be movable to allow and restrict movement of a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame. The actuator may be configured to be movable by a user to cause corresponding movement of the latch mechanism. The actuation link may interconnect the latch mechanism and the actuator. The actuation link may include a portion that is laterally compliant to absorb a lateral force and axially rigid to transmit motion of the actuator to the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a propshaft, a vehicle body and a seat assembly. The propshaft is coupled to a source of rotary power and a rear axle of the vehicle. The source of rotary power may be disposed in a front portion of the vehicle. The vehicle body includes an occupant cabin defined by a floor panel and a back wall panel. The floor panel is disposed above the propshaft and defines a lower boundary of the occupant cabin. The back wall panel extends upward from the floor panel and defines a rearward boundary of the occupant cabin. The seat assembly is disposed above the propshaft and is movable between a seating position and a stowed position. The seat assembly may be at least partially received in a space of the vehicle body that is separate from the occupant cabin when the seat assembly is in the stowed position.

Abstract: An airbag deployment system for a vehicle is provided. The system can include an airbag positioned between a vehicle frame and a headliner, and a trim member positioned inboard of the frame. The system can also include a deployment ramp coupled to the frame and the trim member. The deployment ramp can have a ramp surface. The ramp surface can be positioned and configured such that when the airbag is deployed a portion of the airbag engages the ramp surface and the trim member to urge the trim member in an outboard direction toward the frame.

Abstract: A system for controlling a valve in an engine is provided. The system includes a pump piston operably coupled to the valve. The valve is displaceable with electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation. The system also includes a cam lobe operably coupled to the pump piston. The cam lobe includes a profile configured so rotation of the cam lobe directs movement of the pump piston. The pump piston movement includes an increasingly accelerated first duration, followed by a decreasingly accelerated second duration, followed by an increasingly accelerated third duration, wherein when the valve is actuated the valve movement is in accordance with the configuration of the cam lobe.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle part information includes a build configuration module that provides delta information that indicates a change in build configurations for vehicles. The build configuration indicates vehicle parts that were used at specific manufacturing plants on the vehicles during a time period. A build data module includes vehicle identification information that indicates predetermined build parameters for the vehicles. A display control module includes a database that combines the delta information and the vehicle identification information in a matrix and that stores the matrix.

Abstract: A fluid system for an intercooler has a fill level defining a maximum volume of liquid in the fluid system, a main fluid circuit and a secondary fluid volume. The main fluid circuit includes the intercooler, and one or more passages through which fluid is circulated with operation of the engine, and at least a portion of the main fluid circuit is located above the fill level. The secondary fluid volume has at least a portion located below the fill level that communicates with the main fluid circuit to receive liquid from the main fluid circuit at least when the engine is not operating to drain at least some of the liquid from the portion of the main fluid circuit that is located above the fill level. This reduces the volume of liquid that remains above the fill level when the engine is not operating.

Abstract: An airbag assembly including an airbag inflatable from a housing in operation with an occupant classification system is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The occupant classification system is incorporated into a vehicle seat and is in communication with the airbag. A selectively actuatable vent formed in the airbag is opened during deployment of the airbag based on a determination from the occupant classification system.

Abstract: A structure for a vehicle may include first and second spaced-apart members, first and second internally-threaded members, a module, first and second connecting members, and first and second fasteners. The first and second internally-threaded members may be connected to the first and second members, respectively. The module is positioned between the first and second members for a predetermined alignment relative thereto. The first and second connecting members include an outer surface having external threads and an inner surface having internal threads. The outer surface may engage a corresponding one of the internally-threaded members. The external and internal threads have opposite thread-handedness. The first and second fasteners engage the internal threads of the first and second connecting members, respectively. The first and second fasteners may move the first and second connecting members toward the module to clamp the module relative to the first and second members and maintain alignment therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical contactor for use in a high voltage bus utilizes two capacitor plates and a dielectric element movable in a gap between the plates under a charging voltage applied to the plates. The dielectric element is biased to a contactor off, or open, position by a biasing element, such as a spring. Once activated, the contactor remains closed under the influence of the charging voltage across the capacitor plates, yet does not draw a current during this state. The contactor may be released by a controllable discharge circuit placed across the capacitor plates.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seat bottom and a seatback. The seat bottom may include a seating surface and a first cargo surface. The seat bottom may be movable between a first position in which the seating surface may face upward and a second position in which the first cargo surface may face upward and the seating surface may face downward. The seatback may include a backrest surface and a second cargo surface. The seatback may be movable relative to the seat bottom between a third position in which the backrest surface may face a front end of the seat assembly and a fourth position in which the second cargo surface may face upward and is substantially level with the first cargo surface when the seat bottom is in the first position.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle to implement an engine torque management strategy. The engine torque management strategy implements a sophisticated engine knock control method that alleviates/mitigates the cause of the knock while also optimizing vehicle performance and engine efficiency without compromising engine hardware protection. Whenever suitable, the system and method attempt to reduce the amount of air trapped in a knocking cylinder to reduce its effective compression ratio and to eliminate the knock while keeping the same optimal spark timing for combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A voltage booster system for use, for example, in an electric vehicle places a switched capacitor voltage converter between a high voltage battery and the vehicle's electrical load, typically a traction power inverter for driving the vehicle's electric motor. The battery input to the converter is pulsed to couple a charging voltage to the converter while the converter is disconnected from the load. The converter is then coupled to the load during the period that the pulse input is disconnected.

Abstract: An airbag module including an inflatable airbag and an inflator configured to provide gas for inflating the airbag. The airbag includes a vent opening in a surface of the airbag to allow inflation gas to escape the airbag. A tether is aligned against the surface of the airbag adjacent the opening. The tether includes a first tether opening and wherein the tether is configured so that the first tether opening and the vent opening are aligned prior to the full deployment of the airbag. During deployment of the airbag the position of the tether changes so that the first tether opening and vent opening are no longer aligned.

Abstract: An improved brake system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes a rotor attached to a rim of a wheel and a caliper assembly mounted to a hub of the wheel. The caliper is arranged to retain a friction element and operatively engage the friction element against the rotor.

Abstract: A method and system of dynamically displaying a plurality of electric drive range estimations for a vehicle having an electric motor and an energy storage system configured to provide electric power to the electric motor. The display providing information to a driver such that an electric drive range of the vehicle can be optimized.

Abstract: A collapsible fuel-door housing is provided and may include a first housing and a second housing slidably attached to the first housing and moveable from a first state overlapping the first housing to a second state adjacent to the first housing. The fuel-door housing may also include a locking mechanism moveable between an unlocked state permitting movement of the second housing into the second state and a locked state restricting relative movement between the first housing and the second housing to maintain the second housing in the second state.

Abstract: An injector relay diagnostic system is provided. The system comprises a first fuel injector, a first electrical relay disposed between an electrical potential and the first fuel injector, wherein the first electrical relay is configured to connect the first fuel injector to the electrical potential upon receipt of a first control signal, and a control module configured to transmit the first control signal to the first electrical relay, receive an output from the first fuel injector, and determine a state of the first electrical relay by comparing the output from the first fuel injector to a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A diagnostic test for a secondary air system comprising an air pump, a first mass air flow sensor connected to the air pump and a first check valve connected to the first mass air flow sensor. A first testing phase is disclosed comprising a first delay period and a first testing period, wherein the air pump is activated. A second testing phase is disclosed comprising a second delay period and a second testing period wherein the first check valve is opened. A third testing phase comprising a third delay period and a third testing period is disclosed wherein the first check valve is closed. A fourth testing phase is disclosed comprising a fourth delay period and a fourth testing period wherein the air pump is deactivated. An optional fifth testing phase is also disclosed comprising a fifth delay period and a fifth testing period wherein the air pump remains off but the check valve is reopened and engine RPMs are increased.