Abstract: A wobble joint for use in automatic washing appliances and the like includes inner, outer and intermediate joint members which have nesting curved sliding surfaces that enable the joint members to pivot relative to one another. The joint has motion limiting features acting between the intermediate joint member and each of the inner and outer joint members to restrict relative movement between the outer joint member and the intermediate joint member to pivotal movement within a first plane and to restrict relative movement of the intermediate member and inner joint member to pivotal movement within a second plane transverse to the first plane. The motion limiting features comprise first and second arcuate grooves extending parallel to the first and second planes and retainers captured in the grooves and relatively moveable therealong.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: An On-Board Diagnostics/Inspection Maintenance (OBD/IM) Vehicle Analysis System (OVAS) includes the hardware and software necessary to access the onboard computer systems on 1996 and newer vehicles, determine On-Board Diagnostics Generation II (OBDII) readiness, and recover stored fault codes using the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standardized link. The analyzer is designed to guide the inspector through the OBDII inspection sequence for a particular vehicle and record the results. Information regarding OBDII scanning anomalies (such as “not ready” status of 1996 Subarus) is maintained in the OBD Vehicle Lookup Table (VLT). In addition, information regarding the Data Link Collector (DLC) location is maintained for 1996 and newer vehicles in the OBD-VLT. This information is downloaded to the OVAS analyzers upon initialization and when the OBD-VLT is updated, and is automatically displayed when vehicles undergoing testing match the vehicle criteria (such as make, model, and model year).

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for steering a set of road wheels is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and at least one actuator assembly connected to the controller and to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels. The at least one actuator assembly comprises an electro-mechanical actuator connected to the controller, a crank arm connected to the electro-mechanical actuator, a steering arm connected to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels; and a tie rod having a first end thereof connected to the crank arm and a second end thereof connected to the steering arm. The electro-mechanical actuator, in response to a signal from the controller, is operative to rotate the crank arm producing thereby a force acting through the tie rod so as to rotate the steering arm and the at least one road wheel to a desired position. The steer-by-wire steering system includes a backup system capable of assuming operative command of the steer-by-wire steering system.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a seal to a substrate includes a plurality of swage dies having overlapped side surfaces configured to prevent clamp ring fold up between the swage dies.

Abstract: The vehicle steering linkage connects a rack of a steering system to a knuckle. The steering linkage includes a tie rod, an inner ball joint and an outer connector assembly for transmitting steering forces between a rack and a knuckle. The outer connector assembly includes a primary connector and a secondary connector. The primary connector includes a socket in a socket member, a ball retained in the socket and a shank that is integral with the ball and secured to an arm of the knuckle. The secondary connector includes a slot in the socket member and a bolt. A bolt shank passes through the slot and screws into the arm. Upon failure of the primary connector, the secondary connector transmits steering forces to the arm.

Abstract: A limit switch includes a housing, a plunger, an actuator, a prime contactor, a redundant prime contactor, an adjustment contactor, and a redundant adjustment contactor disposed within the housing. The prime contactor and adjustment contactor are electrically coupled in series. The prime and redundant prime contactors are openable by the plunger, and the adjustment and redundant adjustment contactors are closable by the plunger. The redundant adjustment contact is electrically coupled in series with the redundant prime contactor. The limit switch controls a circuit by aligning the limit switch in a mid-position alignment. Opening the prime contactor or redundant prime contactor de-energizes the electrical circuit. Closing the prime contactor and the redundant prime contactor while the adjustment contactor and the redundant adjustment contactor are maintained closed energizes the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a multi-layered magnetic rod in which a steel powder is reduced and extruded through a die. To improve the magnetic properties, a layer of rare earth magnetic power formed around the low alloy steel in the extruder chamber. A second layer of coating formed around the rare earth powder and the three layers are co-extruded through the die to produce a layered rod having improved magnetic properties. The resulting magnetic rod may be machined using conventional machining methods.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the torque ripple produced by unbalanced phase currents in a sinusoidally excited motor is disclosed. The method comprises measuring the position of the motor; sampling the phase currents of the motor generating thereby at least one phase current; synchronizing the at least one phase current of the motor with the position of the motor; determining the imbalance in the magnitudes of the at least one phase current of the motor; generating a set of modulation index terms for reducing the imbalance in the magnitudes of the at least one phase current to ensure acceptable torque ripple characteristics over the operating velocity of the motor; and generating a set of minimized line-to-ground voltage commands.

Abstract: An electric power steering control for a motor vehicle reduces motor torque ripple and road generated disturbances communicated to the vehicle handwheel while promoting system stability. In deriving an output command torque signal to the EPS motor, the control (1) derives an electric motor speed signal, (2) differentiates the electric motor speed signal, (3) stores a schedule of gain as an increasing function of electric motor torque, (4) modifies the differentiated estimated electric motor speed signal in response to the gain to provide a damping correction value and (5) derives the output command signal responsive to the damping correction.