Abstract: A system and method for enabling an abrupt bias fault in a vehicle motion sensor (24), such as a yaw rate sensor or a lateral acceleration sensor to be both quickly and accurately diagnosed. When a potential fault is first indicated, it is signaled as true only if the vehicle is in a stable state and vehicle vibration is ruled out as a cause of abrupt signal change. Processing of signals is conducted by microprocessor.

Abstract: A method of using relative steering wheel angle of an automotive vehicle, vehicle yaw rate, and vehicle speed to determine whether the vehicle is traveling forward or backward. Forward and backward steering wheel angles are calculated from vehicle speed and yaw rate (22). A difference between relative steering wheel angle and forward steering wheel angle (10), and a difference between relative steering wheel angle and backward steering wheel angle (12) are calculated. The difference between relative steering wheel angle and forward steering wheel angle is filtered (14), and a difference between the filtered and the unfiltered difference between relative steering wheel angle and forward steering wheel angle is calculated to obtain a forward net difference (18).

Abstract: A front structure of a motor vehicle increases the energy transfer and dissipation thereof within the front structure upon impact with another object. The front structure includes right and left front side frame members (12, 14) each having a front end (24,26). Right and left front spring hangers (34, 36) extend downward from the front side frame members at a point substantially adjacent to the front ends and each include a bottom end (58) having a mounting flange (56) thereon. A cross member (20) extends transversely within the motor vehicle, having right and left cross member ends (62) attached to the mounting flange (56).

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic gear pump power pack (10), including a hydraulic pump disposed in a pump reservoir (12) and an electric motor disposed in a motor housing (14), are secured together to form a single assembly. The pump reservoir (12) and the motor housing (14) are secured together by a pair of mounting brackets (18) that also serve to attach the power pack (10) to a vehicle structure (20).

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle seat assembly includes a lower seat with a seat back pivotally connected with respect to the lower seat and having a flat back. Front and rear legs are pivotally connected to the lower seat. The lower seat, seat back and legs are selectively movable between a first position for seating wherein the legs and seat back are substantially upright, a second position for storage wherein the legs and flat back are generally horizontal such that the flat back forms a load floor, and a third position for ingress/egress wherein the lower seat and seat back are substantially upright.

Abstract: A folding vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally movable between upright and folded positions, with a latch assembly operative to latch the seat back in the upright position. A drive motor is engaged with a worm gear. A follower block is driven by the worm gear and operatively engageable with the latch assembly for unlatching the seat back. A seat block is movable with the follower block and operatively connected with the seat back for pivoting the seat back to the folded position after the follower block unlatches the seat back.

Abstract: A quick installing axial deformation transducer has diametrically opposite strain gages to measure the axial deformation or load on a uniform or tapered cross-section member. The strain gages are four in number with two on each diametrically side of the member. Adjacent strain gages are orientated and electrically connected on adjacent arms of a bridge to measure axial deformation and to cancel outputs caused by bending or torsional moments as a result of the axial force applied.

Abstract: A torsional damper significantly reduces vibrations in a steering system of a motor vehicle. The torsional damper (12) includes a housing (30) defining an interior (42) and flanges (34) for secure attachment to a structural member (28) of the motor vehicle. The torsional damper also includes a pump (78) driven by rotational movement of a steering shaft. The housing includes first and second chambers (120, 124) disposed within the interior and in fluid communication with the pump and each other through a fluid track (60). The housing also includes a diaphragm partitioning the first and second chambers and a predetermined stiffness. The fluid track is sized so as to establish a critical frequency above which steering shaft cyclic rotational motions are attenuated and below which steering shaft cyclic rotational motions are unaffected.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension has a hub carrier (12) to which a wheel of a vehicle may be rotatably mounted, the hub carrier is connected to a chassis or sub-frame (14) of the vehicle, by means of a pair of vertically separated upper and lower suspension arms (16,18) being pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle chassis or sub-frame and at the other end to the hub carrier. The hub carrier has an arm (40) which extends upwardly from the point of connection of the hub carrier to the upper suspension arm, to an upper end (42) which is aligned substantially vertically above the load application point between the wheel and the ground, the upper end of said arm being connected to a spring (60).

Abstract: A rear suspension for use in a motor vehicle that allows improved package space for additional seating capacity. The suspension includes upper and lower control arms (32, 34), each having first and second ends (40, 42, 50, 52) respectively, being pivotally attached to a vehicle structure (10). Each of the control arms also includes an outer end (44, 54) for attachment to a wheel support member (22). A toe link (36) is provided for controlling toe change during dynamic loading of the suspension. The first and second upper ends (40, 42) of the upper control arm (32) are arranged so as to allow the load floor to extend rearward in the vehicle sufficient to package a third row passenger seat capable of providing excellent passenger comfort.

Abstract: A cable lock and release apparatus significantly reduces release efforts in cable lock mechanisms, as used in parking brake systems of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a cable actuator (20) rotatably disposed on a cable actuator shaft (26) and having a cable (22) attached to it. The cable actuator (20) includes a sector (28) having a plurality of sector teeth (30). A pawl member (32) includes a slotted pawl aperture (36) allowing rotation and translation of the pawl member about a pawl member shaft (31). A pawl tooth (34) is disposed on the pawl member for engagement with the plurality of sector teeth. A release means is provided for maintaining the pawl tooth in an engaged relationship with the plurality of sector teeth with the cable in the high tension position and releasing the pawl tooth from the engaged relationship with the plurality of sector teeth allowing the cable to return to the low tension position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing regenerative and friction braking on a vehicle having one or more wheels driven by a drive motor includes a master cylinder (28), a hydraulic control unit (30), a brake control unit (38), a drive motor control unit (52) and a drive motor (18). The drive motor control unit determines a coast down regenerative torque signal in response to an acceleration signal and a driver brake command regenerative torque signal in response to a pressure signal and a drive motor deceleration signal and commands the drive motor to regeneratively brake the driven left and right wheels in response thereto, thereby providing a desirable proportioning of front to rear braking.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed and vehicle steering wheel angle. A vehicle yaw rate is estimated using the monitored vehicle speed and monitored vehicle steering wheel angle. A control signal for setting the speed of the variable speed electric motor is compensated based based on the estimated vehicle yaw rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective clip (10) that may be affixed to a motor vehicle steering linkage ball joint (7), and in particular to a clip that presents a heat shield (28) between a rubber sealing gaiter (11) surrounding the ball joint (7) and a brake disc (5), and that also covers over a slot (38) in a steering knuckle (4) above the joint (7). The protective clip 10 has a planar mid-section (24) with a hole (26) therethrough through which a ball mounting shaft (40) may pass. The heat shield (28) extends transversely away from a first edge (30) of the planar mid-section (24). A steering knuckle engaging feature (49) is proximate a second edge (32) of the planar mid-section (24) opposite the first edge (30), the engaging feature (49) being non-coplanar with the planar mid-section. A spring clip (34) extends from the second edge (32) and is concave towards the planar mid-section (24).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for improving quality of actuator motion in a vehicle active tilt control system having front and rear stabilizer bars torsionally adjusted by front and rear actuators, respectively. The actuators are movable between first and second opposing fully stroked positions via pressurized fluid which is pumped through a directional control valve to the actuators. The method includes: a) communicating only a single accumulator with the pumped, pressurized fluid prior to the actuators reaching their respective fully stroked positions in order to cushion actuator movement near the fully stroked positions; and b) automatically discommunicating the single accumulator from the pumped, pressurized fluid as the actuators move away from their respective fully stroked positions.

Abstract: A disc brake apparatus for use in a hydraulic brake system including a master cylinder for generating a hydraulic signal which is communicated through a hydraulic line and proportional to an actuation force applied to inner and outer brake pads for resisting rotation of a brake rotor of the type found on motor vehicles. The disc brake apparatus includes an outboard cylinder member (92) having a bore (94) and a first shoulder (100) therein. An outboard piston (98) is slidably housed within the bore of the outboard cylinder member. The outboard piston (98) includes a first end (126) adapted to force the outer pad (48) toward the brake rotor in response to the hydraulic signal applied to a second end (128) of the outboard piston (98). The outboard piston (98) also includes a second shoulder (132) for engagement with the first shoulder (100) to retain the outboard piston (98) in an applied position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system is provided for increasing the operating efficiency and improving operator/passenger comfort associated with the operation of a motor vehicle having an active tilt control system. The tilt control system includes a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuators.

Abstract: A method for detecting a bank angle experienced by a motor vehicle (10) is disclosed. Three estimates of the vehicle bank angle, .gamma..sub.a, .gamma..omega. and .gamma..sub..nu. are determined from separate data and are then used to determine an estimate of the bank angle BIAS. The bank angle BIAS is then combined with one of the three bank angle estimates to determine a final bank angle estimate, .gamma..sub.final, to be used to modify the vehicle's yaw control calculations in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A seat mounting apparatus for supporting a seat on a floor of a motor vehicle and for allowing the seat to be positioned from an upright seating position to a folded position.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle, and vehicle steering wheel turning rate. A parking mode or a driving mode is selected based upon the monitored vehicle speed. The speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle steering wheel turning rate if the parking mode is selected. If the driving mode is selected, the speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle and vehicle steering wheel angle turning rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.