Abstract: In a vehicle passive entry system including a remote transceiver, a system and method for detecting the location of the remote transceiver relative to the vehicle. An exterior vehicle antenna is provided for use in transmitting a first signal for receipt by the remote transceiver, and an interior vehicle antenna is provided for use in transmitting a second signal for receipt by the remote transceiver. A controller is provided on board the remote transceiver for determining a signal strength of the first signal, determining a signal strength of the second signal, and determining whether the remote transceiver is located inside or outside the vehicle based on the signal strengths of the first and second signals.

Abstract: A super-regenerative receiver is provided with a regenerative oscillator controlled by a frequency sweep circuit to control the bandwidth at which the receiver can receive a signal. A quench control circuit controls both the regenerative oscillator and the frequency sweeping circuit to “turn on” at the same time. The frequency sweep circuit forces the regenerative oscillator to function as a center frequency movable bandpass filter allowing the receiver to automatically tune to the actual transmitter frequency ftx to provide the best reception. This allows the receiver/filter bandwidth to be very narrow. The receiver operates as an amplitude detector, as well as a frequency or phase detector, thereby allowing the same receiver to detect AM (ASK) signals and FM or FSK signals without adding a frequency discriminator.

Abstract: An in-mold applicator and method for spraying a coating on difficult-to-reach surfaces of a mold is disclosed. The applicator includes a spray head and a base portion at an oblique angle to each other. The outer dimensions of the body portion and the spray head are sufficiently small so that taken in combination with the oblique angle, the applicator and method can enhance the spraying of the coating to difficult-to-reach surfaces within the mold.

Abstract: A headliner assembly for a vehicle. The headliner assembly includes a headliner body and a flexible air duct. The headliner body includes a vent aperture and first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed adjacent to a roof of the vehicle and the second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The flexible air duct includes an inlet for receiving pressurized air and a duct portion that channels pressurized air from the inlet to the vent aperture. The flexible air duct is attached to the first surface and inflates when air is provided through the inlet and at least partially deflates when air is not provided through the inlet.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for a vehicle. The seat moveable into a stadium position in which a seat cushion assembly and a seat back assembly are substantially upright. The seat can also include incline and recline features which allow the seat back to fold forward to kneel on the seat cushion and to recline backward to a flat position. The stadium positioning provides, amongst other benefits, easier access to an area behind the seat.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim component assembly includes providing a first mold assembly comprising a first mold section and a second mold section. The first mold assembly defines a first cavity. A third mold section is then provided. The third mold section and the first mold section combine to define a second mold assembly. The second mold assembly defines a second cavity. A pin is provided and extends from a first mold surface of the first mold section into the first cavity and into a portion of the second cavity. A first material is introduced into the first cavity, thereby producing a first trim component portion. The pin defines a first void portion in the first trim component portion. The second mold section is then replaced with the third mold section to define the second cavity of the second mold assembly. A second material is then introduced into the second cavity, thereby producing a second trim component portion.

Abstract: A console lighting assembly is provided for illuminating an interior of a vehicle comprising a housing assembly mounted in the interior of a vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of pulleys are positioned in the housing assembly, each of the plurality of pulleys is individually rotatable. A plurality of illumination units each includes a respective cable and a light generator at a distal end of the cable. Each cable is spooled on a respective pulley and the illumination units are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A plurality of switch pads are located on the housing assembly and are positioned around the plurality of illumination units for activating and deactivating a respective illumination unit. A retractor is coupled to the pulleys for retracting the plurality of illumination units from the extended position to the retracted position. Each of the plurality of illumination units is pliable so as to maintain a selected orientation of illumination as determined by a user.

Abstract: An electric switch of mechanical structure and functioning, and with electric contacts by means of membranes, suitable for optionally arranging seven different control signals by means of other such contact positions selectively induced by a single button means, four of these positions are differentiated when a slight rolling movement is carried out on said button means in any of four opposite directions and 90° equidistant from each other, a fifth contact position in its clockwise axial rotation, the sixth position by means of its counter-clockwise rotation, and a last contact position by means of a linear pulsating movement.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner including a shell having a first layer made of a polymeric resin sheet with glass fibers interspersed within the resin sheet, and a second layer of fibrous material having sound attenuating properties. In a preferred method of manufacturing the shell of a headliner the first and second layers are heated such that the temperature of the first layer is different than the temperature of the second layer. The first and second layers are then inserted into a mold having a desired contoured shape. The first and second layers are then compressed together to bond the layers, thereby forming the shell.

Abstract: A housing has a housing portion with a main portion and a retainer extending from the main portion. The retainer may cooperate with a first printed circuit board element to hold the first printed circuit board element in spaced relation to the main portion and hold a second printed circuit board element in spaced relation to the first printed circuit board element. The housing may have first and second housing portions that cooperate to form an enclosure for supporting a printer circuit board. A support element extends from the first housing portion. The retainer cooperates with the first printed circuit board element to pull the first printed circuit board element toward the support element, which supports the first printed circuit board element in spaced relation to the first housing portion. The retainer also holds a second printed circuit board element in spaced relation to the first printed circuit board element. The housing may be used in a control module.

Abstract: A method of attaching a component to a vehicle door includes first providing a carrier. The component, such as a lock-latch assembly or a window regulator assembly, is then attached to the carrier. The carrier is then attached to the vehicle door. Subsequent to attaching the carrier to the vehicle door, the component is attached to and supported by the vehicle door. The component can then be unattached from the carrier. The carrier may then be removed from the vehicle door subsequent to unattaching the component from the carrier, thereby providing access to the component, such as for repair or removal of the component.

Abstract: A method and system for producing thin walled plastic products with hollow rib members using gas-assisted plastic injection molding. The mold is allowed to open a predetermined distance as the gas is injected into the plastic material in the mold cavity. A plurality of post members, such as ejector pins, are located on a biased ejector frame and maintain their positions relative to the mold cavity in order to form solid portions or areas in the molded part.

Abstract: A seat track assembly having a first track member and a second track member that defines a first recess. A single slide member is disposed between the first and second track members. The slide member additionally has an integral flange extending therefrom wherein the flange is adapted to engage the first recess for fixing the slide member relative to the second track member. The sliding member has a contact surface engaging the second track member and a sliding surface in sliding engagement with the first track member.

Abstract: A headliner assembly, for use with a vehicle having a roof, includes a headliner body that is positionable proximate the roof, and a support frame attached to the headliner body. The support frame cooperates with the headliner body to provide a sufficient structural characteristic such that the headliner assembly is self-supporting.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a head restraint which limits the magnitude of neck deflection of a vehicle occupant during a rear impact collision. The head restraint includes a support member attached to the top of a head restraint post. The support member includes a convex surface shaped to substantially conform to the profile of an occupant's head and neck. The support member is covered by a resilient material such as foam. The foam thickness is reduced due to the presence of the support member. Reduced foam thickness in addition to the shape of the support member provides for reduced occupant neck deflection during a rear impact collision.

Abstract: A method of forming a part with a solid urethane elastomer skin is provided, wherein the mold is moved by a mold manipulation tool to present differently oriented surfaces of the mold in a horizontal orientation when the urethane elastomer is sprayed on each of the differently oriented surfaces. A multi-axis robot is provided with a spray head that sprays the urethane elastomer onto a mold surface. A mold manipulator moves the mold that has a plurality of differently oriented mold surfaces so that the surface to be sprayed is held in a horizontal orientation as they are coated with the urethane elastomer and for a predetermined time period after spray coating until the urethane elastomer sets up.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-layered trim component for attachment to a structure of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a mold having a cavity formed therein which defining first and second surfaces. The mask is magnetically secured to the mold to cover the first surface. A first material is applied in the cavity so as to form a first layer conforming to the second surface. The mask is removed from the cavity of the mold. A second material is then applied in the cavity so as to form a second layer conforming to the first surface, wherein the first and second layers define a multi-layered trim component.

Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, an amplitude modulation (AM) radio frequency (RF) oscillator includes a modulator and a generator. The modulator may be configured to generate a modulation signal in response to a data input signal. The generator may be configured to generate an AM output signal having an RF carrier frequency and an envelope, wherein the envelope is amplitude modulated by the modulation signal and the generator includes a frequency determining device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved fuse and relay puller, consisting of a puller especially adapted to handle given electronic components such as fuses and relays due to the fact that it adjusts to characteristic shapes and dimensions thus making it possible to manipulate said elements in boxes and housings not easily accessible.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyurethane article wherein first and second components of a polyurethane system are sprayed into an unconfined space above a mold. The first and second components are sprayed together to mix initially in the space above the mold and then are deposited in the mold on an in-mold coating that was previously applied to the mold. The two components of the polyurethane system and in-mold coating are subsequently removed from the mold as a flexible polyurethane skin. The skin may then be placed in a second mold along with a reinforcement. Structural polyurethane foam may then be injected to the second mold where it bonds to the reinforcement and the skin to form a finished polyurethane article having a flexible skin adhered to its surface. A post-mix spray nozzle assembly is provided with a central nozzle forming a first hollow conical spray pattern and a coaxially aligned annular nozzle forming a second hollow conical spray pattern.