Abstract: A credit origination system and method are provided. The inventive method includes the step (22) of receiving an application for credit from a customer to purchase a product. The application may include a first set of information designed to evaluate the creditworthiness of the customer. The method also includes the step (24) of processing the credit application. The processing step (24) may include substeps (26, 28, 30, 32) designed to verify and evaluate information provided by the customer and to obtain additional information from the customer. The method also includes the step (34) of communicating a second set of information to the customer. This information may include a decision on the application for credit and the terms of any credit to be extended. The method may also include the step (36) of communicating a third set of information to a dealer of the product. The third set of information may include the first and second sets of information.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle has bleed and refill pressure thresholds in addition to high and low pressure thresholds. If a tire pressure remains at a level below the refill pressure threshold and above the low pressure threshold for a specific period of time, based on amount of deviation from the refill pressure threshold, a refill alert is generated. If a tire pressure remains at a level above the bleed pressure threshold and below the high pressure threshold for a specific period of time, based on amount of deviation from the bleed pressure threshold, a bleed alert is generated.

Abstract: A system and method of craftsmanship rating of vehicles includes the steps of receiving customer data relating to craftsmanship for a vehicle and building a component/system database from the collected customer data. The method also includes the steps of rating the vehicle for craftsmanship based on component/system database to obtain an actual rating and setting a target rating for the vehicle based on the actual rating. The method includes the steps of identifying craftsmanship issues that resolve a gap from the actual rating to the target rating. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the identified craftsmanship issues will resolve the gap from the actual rating to the target rating.

Abstract: A wheel suspension with a transverse leaf spring (1a–1c) which is articulated at both ends on wheel carriers. The transverse leaf spring shaped symmetrically to the vehicle longitudinal axis (L) has a curved profile with a middle region (1a) offset parallel to the wheel axis. The transverse leaf spring is supported on the vehicle body by means of two transverse leaf spring bearings (2) with high lateral rigidity. The curved profile of the transverse leaf spring with four arcs (1d, 1e) allows for a bending of the middle region (1a) to take place essentially without a change in the tread width.

Abstract: A method of recording a recommended plurality of audio signals (40) in an entertainment sound system (42) associated with an automotive vehicle (12)includes a central server (14) for processing a plurality of data (16) associated with a plurality of audio signals (18). A data input (22) within the vehicle (12) receives the plurality of data (16). An audio input (20) within the vehicle (12) receives the plurality of audio signals (18). The plurality of data (16) is transmitted from the central server (14) through said data input (22) to a controller (24) within the automotive vehicle (12). Furthermore, the plurality of data (16) is transmitted through the data input (22) to the controller (24). A preferred plurality of audio signals (34) received from the audio input (20) is acoustically played on the entertainment sound system (42). Then, a preferred plurality of data (36) associated with the preferred plurality of audio signals (34) is recorded onto a user profile stored on an electronic medium (30).

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a plurality of tires (14a–d) in respective rolling locations having a respective plurality of tire transmitters (16a–d) that generate a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals. A respective plurality of initiators (20a–d) are fixedly attached to the vehicle at a respective plurality of locations. A controller (22) activates the plurality of initiators and receives a plurality of respective sensor signals having respective tire identifications. When the plurality of respective sensor signals is indicative of an initial status and the respective plurality of tire identification signals is not existing in a memory, the plurality of sensor signals are configured and stored in the memory. When the plurality of respective sensor signals is indicative of an initial status and the plurality of respective tire identification signals is existing in the memory, the controller confirms the first sensor signal.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a sensor cluster within a housing generating a plurality of signals including a roll rate signal, a pitch rate signal, a yaw rate signal, a longitudinal acceleration signal, a lateral acceleration signal, and a vertical acceleration signal. An integrated controller includes a reference signal generator generating a reference lateral velocity signal as a function of a kinematics road constraint condition, a dynamic road constraint condition, and singularity removal logic, all of which are responsive to sensor cluster signals. A dynamic system controller receives the reference lateral velocity signal and generates a dynamic control signal in response thereto. A vehicle safety system controller receives the dynamic control signal and further generates a vehicle safety device activation signal in response thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric heating system for a motor vehicle in which a PTC heating element (4) is controlled by a regulator (1) by means of an infinitely variable electronic power system (2). The regulator (1) receives a status signal (u) that indicates the power available from the dynamo (6). The control signal (x) for the electronic power system (2) is preferably calculated from the latter by means of a PI algorithm in such a way that the dynamo/altenator (6) is utilized to a maximum degree without putting at risk a sufficient supply to other electrical loads (5). The regulator (1) can also be connected to a user interface (3) for displaying and/or inputting information.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system (12) for a tire (14a) of an automotive vehicle includes a first pressure sensor (94) coupled to the wheel, a pressure transmitter (90) coupled to the pressure sensor (94) whereby the transmitter generates a pressure signal. A controller (22) is coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (22) receives the pressure signal and in a first stage, compares the pressure signal to a pressure threshold to obtain a sensor status. In a second stage, the controller (22) qualifies the sensor status signal by generating a warning status in response to the sensor status.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head camshaft bearing ladder 210, is provided which includes a first body with an aperture to facilitate threaded connection 202 of the body to a cylinder head 2 with a cut out 212 for receiving a cam shaft 67, the first body also having a pocket 218, and a solenoid actuator 220 positioned within the pocket 218 for activating a switchable rocker arm assembly 9.

Abstract: A system 18 for controlling a safety system of an automotive vehicle has a first controller 76 generating a first control signal, a second controller 78 generating a second control signal and an arbitration module 80 coupled to the first controller 76 and the second controller 78. The arbitration module 80 chooses the higher of the first control signal and the second control signal to generate a final control signal. The safety system 38 is coupled to the arbitration module. The safety system 38 is operated in response to the final control signal.

Abstract: A method of densensitizing includes determining a relative roll angle, determining when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, and when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, setting a roll signal for control to the relative roll angle, reducing control effort and controlling a safety system (38) correspondingly.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a plurality of tires (14a-d) in respective rolling locations having a respective plurality of tire transmitters (16a-d) that generate a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals. A controller (22) is coupled to a counter that counts ignition cycle transitions. The controller enters a learn mode in response to the count and the brake condition signal. The system may also include a display for signaling the vehicle operator to perform a desired action. The controller generates a plurality of display signals on the display indicative of the respective plurality of tire locations and activates a timer when the plurality of transmitter identification signals are received before a predetermined time is counted by the timer.

Abstract: A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle having a vehicle body includes a sensor cluster having a housing oriented within the vehicle body. A roll rate sensor is positioned within the housing and generates a roll rate sensor signal corresponding to a roll angular motion of the sensor housing. A controller receives the roll rate sensor signal and generates a reference roll angle. The controller also compares the reference roll angle to the roll rate sensor signal and generates a roll rate sensor fault signal in response a fault determined in said roll rate sensor.

Abstract: A brake assembly including a brake pad; a selectively movable rotor, a backing plate which is coupled to the brake pad, at least a first roller which is coupled to the backing plate, a caliper, at least a second roller which is coupled to the caliper, a wedge member which is positioned between and which engages the at least first and the at least second roller, and a motor which is coupled to the wedge member and which selectively moves the wedge member, effective to brake a selectively movable assembly.

Abstract: An automotive suspension assembly 10 is provided, including an upper control arm 20, a lower control arm 22 and a knuckle 24. The lower control arm 22 is rotatably affixed to the knuckle 24 by way of a lower mount joint 29 rotatably engaging a lower rotational joint 28. The upper control arm 20 is rotatably affixed to the knuckle 24 by way of an upper mount joint 36 rotatably engaging an upper rotational joint 34, the upper mount joint 36 including an upper control arm shaft 38 positioned within a slotted guide 40 such that the camber is adjustable by adjusting the position of the upper control arm shaft 38 within the slotted guide 40.

Abstract: 25A brake assembly (10) which provides a controllably varying amount of self-energization by the dynamic adjustment of the position of a wedge member (22) which is based upon a measured amount of friction which exists between a pad assembly (14) and a rotor (12).

Abstract: An air bag module for venting inflation gas if an out-of-position vehicle occupant is too close to the module for proper air bag deployment. The module has an air bag canister having a gas channel port, an inflator, an air bag cushion, a deployment door, a structural gas channel, and a venting system. The venting system connects the structural gas channel to the gas channel port and includes a plug and a plug pulling system for controlling the venting of gas.

Abstract: A control system (24) for controlling a safety system (40) of an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of wheel speed sensors (30) generating a plurality of wheel velocity signals, a steering angle sensor (39) generating a steering actuator angle signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (32) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal and a pitch angle generator generating a pitch angle signal and a controller (26). The controller (26) generates a longitudinal vehicle velocity in response to the plurality of wheel speed signals, the steering angle signal, the yaw rate signal, the lateral acceleration signal and the pitch rate signal. The controller (26) may determine a slip-related longitudinal velocity and a non-slip longitudinal velocity as intermediate steps.