Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device (34) with a reduced initial peak load (50) for enhancing the management of crash energy in an end structure (30?) for a vehicle (30). The energy-absorbing device (34) has a deformable construction adapted for progressively folding along a longitudinal axis (60) under an oscillating crash load (34?). The oscillating crash load (34?) is comprised of a mean load (48) and a peak load (50) that is in close proximity to the mean load (48).

Abstract: A safety system (10) for a host vehicle (12) includes a voice sensor (38) that detects voice signals from a vehicle occupant. An occupant classifier (30) determines a state of mind of the vehicle occupant. A controller (13) performs a safety countermeasure in response to the state of mind of the occupant including the transmission of the state of mind to a target vehicle. A vehicle voice control system (24) includes the voice sensor (38), which detects voice signals from the vehicle occupant. A speech classifier (32) monitors a speech characteristic, including a vehicle occupant identifiable and associated speech characteristic, in response to the voice signals and associates the voice signals with a vehicle related task in response thereto. A controller (13) performs the vehicle related task in response to the voice signals and the association.

Abstract: A system and process for gas-assisted injection molding of plastic materials to form laminate-type products. A laminate material is positioned in a mold and the mold is closed to a pre-set position, leaving a gap. Plastic material is injected into the mold cavity onto the laminate material, and gas is injected into the plastic material. Thereafter, the mold is closed, compressing the gas in the plastic material. Once the process is complete and the plastic has cooled, the gas is vented from the molded component, the mold is opened, and the completed molded part is removed.

Abstract: A method and system for forming an injection molded plastic part. After the injection of plastic material has started, a volume of gas from a fixed volume reservoir is introduced into the plastic material at a low pressure forming a hollow cavity. The introduction of this volume of gas is initiated when the temperature of the plastic material in the mold has reached a predetermined value. After the mold is filled and packed with plastic, pressurized gas is introduced into the hollow cavity forming the completed plastic part.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a left rear seat portion including a left rear seat base and a left rear seatback, a right rear seat portion including a right rear seat base and a right rear seatback, and a center rear seat portion including a center rear seat base and a center rear seatback. A head restraint assembly is mounted to the center rear seatback and defines a head restraint protrusion distance above the upper seatback surface. The head restraint assembly is movable between a head restraint operational position and a head restraint stowed position. The head restraint stowed position reduces the head restraint protrusion distance for improved visibility. A convenience feature assembly is formed within the center rear seatback and is movable between an convenience feature stowed position and an convenience feature deployed position.

Abstract: An automotive door panel fastener assembly is provided including a substrate and a doghouse structure molded thereon. The doghouse structure includes a doghouse floor, a doghouse ceiling, a first doghouse sidewall having a first forward end and a first rearward end, a second doghouse sidewall having a second forward end and a second rearward end, a doghouse endwall, and a doghouse insertion opening. A pin chamber is formed through the doghouse ceiling. An entrance slot is formed in the doghouse ceiling to provide a path from the doghouse insertion opening to the pin chamber. The entrance slot has a first slot side and a second slot side. A first flexible arm has a first fixed end and a first free end. The first flexible arm is flexible in response to an inward force and is rigid in response to an outward force.

Abstract: A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a viscous type coupling is accomplished by controlling the relative positioning of a spring loaded valve arm relative to a fluid port through the use of an electrically-activated, temperature-sensitive wire. The characteristics of wire are such that the wire is hard above a predetermined temperature, but soft and ductile below a predetermined temperature. When engagement or disengagement of the coupling is desired, electrical current is introduced through the wire, therein heating the wire above a predetermined temperature to harden the wire. This hardening causes the valve arm to either move to either cover or uncover a fluid port, depending upon the design arrangement of the valve arm relative to the fluid port. A controller coupled to a plurality of engine operating sensors and a power source controls the electrical activation as a function of a desired operating condition.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled fan drive system (12) having a method of engagement includes a housing assembly (20) containing a hydraulic fluid (48) and an engaging circuit (36). The engaging circuit (36) includes a pitot tube (152) coupled within the housing assembly (20) that receives at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid (48). An engaging circuit (36) engages the housing assembly (20) to a fan shaft (44) in response to supply of the hydraulic fluid (48) from the pitot tube (152).

Abstract: An automotive ejection prevention assembly is provided comprising an airbag mounted within the beltline of a vehicle door. The airbag has an airbag stored condition and an airbag deployed position. The airbag expands vertically upwards from the beltline when in the airbag deployed position. A cover cloth assembly is mounted within a window frame of the vehicle door. The cover cloth assembly has a vertical restraint edge mounted to a vertical portion of the window frame and a horizontal restraint edge mounted to the beltline. The cover cloth assembly includes an inner cloth surface and an outer cloth surface joined to form an internal pocket. The airbag is positioned within the internal pocket. The cover cloth assembly fills a portion of the window frame upon the airbag entering the airbag deployed position. The cover cloth assembly prevents occupant ejection through the window frame.

Abstract: A guard assembly is provided for use with a sectional garage door. The sectional garage door includes a plurality of sectional panels connected by garage door hinges. Each hinge is comprised of a first hinge plate attached to one of the sectional panels with a first attachment, a second hinge plate attached to an adjoining sectional panel with a second attachment, a hinge knuckle extending upwards from the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and a hinge shaft mounted within the hinge knuckle. The hinge shaft rotatably joins the first hinge plate to the second hinge plate. The guard assembly comprises a first guard element comprising a first shaft engagement end configured to rotatably engage the hinge shaft, the first shaft engagement end having a first shaft engagement upper surface configured to protrude beyond the hinge knuckle when the first guard element is attached to the hinge shaft. A first plate engagement end is adapted to engage the first hinge plate.

Abstract: An improved outdoor illuminated display device. The device generally comprises a modular housing, a base member and a plurality of lights positioned in the housing—either horizontally or vertically. A plurality of display modules are positioned on the housing and backlit by the lights. A door member is pivotally connected along its upper edge to the housing covering the modules. A pair of gas-assisted spring members are provided between the door member and the housing. Air gaps or air vents are provided in order to allow air circulation in the housing. A second member above the door member is provided for holding and displaying posters and other advertising and promotional is materials. A plurality of clamping members hold the display materials in place. The second member can be illuminated or non-illuminated. Various modular units can be provided to increase the size and display space provided by the device.

Abstract: A battery system for an automotive vehicle includes a battery case having a number of battery cells housed within the case. Coolant passages extend about the battery cells, and a coolant pump or driver circulates coolant from the coolant supply through the passages so as to transfer heat from the battery cells to the coolant. A controller periodically reverses the direction of flow through the coolant passages so as to minimize the differential temperature arising between various cells of the battery stack.

Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment system for a central console includes a lid and at least one hinge mechanism rotatable coupled to the lid and moveably coupled to the storage compartment. Each of the set of hinge blades define limit stop openings and receive limit stoppers therethrough, thereby limiting vertical movement of the set of hinge blades. The system also includes a set of tracks, and each of the tracks receives one of the set of hinge blades, such that the set of hinge blades move upwardly and downwardly as a function of opening and closing the lid. This movement allows the lid to flip open 180° and lie flushly against an adjacent object.

Abstract: An automotive center stack panel assembly is provided comprising an instrument panel face plate having an outer face plate surface and an internal face plate surface. A display window region is formed into the instrument panel face plate and has a curved internal window surface. A flat flex circuit assembly is in direct contact with the curved internal window surface. The flat flex circuit assembly includes a plurality of field effect sensors. A clamp plate backer is mounted to the internal face plate surface. A soft durometer backer is positioned between the clamp plate backer and the flat flex circuit assembly. The clamp plate backer compresses the soft durometer backer such that the soft durometer backer presses the field effect sensors into direct contact with the curved internal window surface without adhesives.

Abstract: A method to influence material flow during the injection molding of thermoplastic, polymeric ring type fans such that a major portion of the materials flowing in opposite directions preferably flow past one another, or collide at an angle relative to one another, rather than colliding at an 180 degree angle relative to each other to form weld lines. This flow bypassing results in better material mixing or integrating than merely allowing flow fronts to collide and cool. In one embodiment, a portion of the fan's ring is thickened in the weld line area to minimize the amount of material colliding at a 180-degree angle relative to each. Alternatively, at least one appendage could be added to the ring fan that will influence the material flow during molding conditions. Each appendage will be removed prior to introducing the ring fan to a cooling system.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automotive vehicle having a turning radius includes determining a hand wheel torque and applying brake-steer as a function of hand wheel torque.

Abstract: An automotive center stack panel assembly is provided comprising an inner retainer panel including a recessed display mount. A video display panel assembly is mounted to the recessed display mount and has a display angle orientation. At least one roller guide formed on the inner retainer panel. An outer main bezel is included having a bezel outer panel surface. A control panel is positioned between the inner retainer panel and the outer main bezel. A plurality of roller elements are positioned within the at least one roller guide and retained therein by the outer main bezel. The control panel is movable between a display hidden position and a display exposed position. The control panel covers the recessed display mount when in the display hidden position.

Abstract: An actuator which, by a movement of a component which is generated by means of an electric current, can effect control of another component in a mechanical environment having rotating parts which are housed in a very small space. A rotating element, for example a clutch shaft (1; 21), is hollow, and an electromagnetic coil arrangement (7; 24) is housed in this cavity in such a way that the excitation of the coil is converted into a mechanical displacement of a component arranged outside the clutch shaft, for example of a sleeve sliding axially on the clutch shaft. For this purpose, parts of the clutch shaft are made ferromagnetic and are integrated in the magnetic loop of the coil (7; 24). The actuator according to the invention can be used, for example, in a viscous clutch for controlling the throughput of shear medium.

Abstract: A host vehicle system includes a blind-spot warning system providing an indication to the host vehicle a target vehicle entering a blind-spot. The system includes a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals, magneto-resistive sensors receiving proximity information as a function of magnetic field variations, a smart algorithm controller analyzing bus signals and sensor signals, and various vehicle collision systems such as passive restraints, optical light guides, and audible warnings operating in response to a threat from a target vehicle.