Abstract: The invention concerns braking systems for vehicles. The invention provides one, or more, electrically actuated pressure generators, which provide hydraulic pressure for actuating hydraulic brakes. Electric actuation allows control by electronic signals, which are generated by a microprocessor-based controller. The pressure generators can be retro-fitted to existing hydraulic brake cylinders. The controller may be incorporated into, or operate in conjunction with, the on-board engine computer.

Abstract: An auxiliary energy brake system of automotive vehicles has a central pressure source and a hydraulic system which includes pressure medium lines, electrically controllable hydraulic valves, and pressure medium orifices. A pressure sensor is located at the outlet of the pressure source. The braking pressure in the wheel brakes (P.sub.Rb) is established from the measured values (P.sub.meas), determined by the pressure sensor, and from the hydraulic conductance (D) of the orifices of the hydraulic system in accordance with formulaP.sub.Rb f (D,P.sub.meas).

Abstract: A system and method for sealing a windshield washer reservoir is illustrated comprising a one-piece molded cap and strap. The one-piece cap and strap comprises integrally molded and mating hinge members which facilitate hingeably mounting the cap onto the strap after they have been separated from each other. This facilitates providing a sealing system and method having some of the advantages of a one-piece molded construction, while at the same time permitting the user to experience the advantages of a two-piece hinge construction. In another embodiment, an integrally molded cam defining a cam surface and a mating engaging surface are provided which cooperate to not only separate the cap from the strap, but also to cause the pin associated with the cap to be guided into the socket such that when the cap is actuated from an open position to a closed position, the integrally molded cap and strap become separated and substantially simultaneously hingeably mounted together.

Abstract: A quick connector assembly includes a female component having an axial bore adapted to sealingly receive a first end of a mating tube, wherein the female component further includes a transverse slot intersecting the axial bore adapted to receive and retain a U-shaped retainer, first, in a partially-inserted "shipping" position wherein the legs of the retainer engage complementary surfaces on opposite sides of the slot to releasably secure the retainer therein while otherwise permitting axial passage of an upset bead on the tube's first end into the axial bore past the retainer's legs and, second, in a fully-inserted position wherein inner surfaces on the retainer's legs resiliently engage the periphery of the tube while axially-disposed surfaces on the retainer's legs and bight oppose axial displacement of the tube's upset bead to lock the tube in the female component.

Abstract: A pipe joining construction which maintains airtightness for a long period of time, easily ensures the required dimensional accuracy, and surface finish accuracy, and can decrease cost. The pipe joining construction is characterized by a seal member S mounted at the outer periphery of a male end form (2) on a connector (1) or a pipe M and a collar (5) covering the outer periphery of the tip end of the male end form (2). The collar (5) has a tapered portion with a tapered outer periphery. The collar (5) is used as a holding member for the seal member S. Alternately, a ring member (11) is mounted between the seal members and a bead (26) on the male end form (2).

Abstract: An insertion indicator for a metal quick connector assembly includes an annular base adapted to be releasably received within the mouth of a female connector component's axial bore, such that the male end form of the connector assembly's male component, including an external flange thereon, is insertable through the indicator's base into the axial bore. The indicator further includes two legs projecting both axially and radially-inwardly from its base so as to extend deeper within the female component's axial bore than the "locking" abutment surfaces of a retainer, also disposed within the bore, when the indicator is releasably received therein.

Abstract: An actuating unit for a locking-protected motor vehicle brake system having a main brake cylinder and a vacuum brake booster arranged upstream of the main brake cylinder. The movable wall of the brake booster movable against the direction of actuation in the brake pressure control mode separately from the control housing by a pneumatic pressure equalization initiated within the booster housing.

Abstract: An engine cooling system and method and apparatus for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between a plurality of hydraulic components in a hydraulic system is shown. The system and method utilized at least one hydraulic sensor for actuating a hydraulic valve which controls the fluid delivery to the hydraulic components. At least one of the hydraulic sensors includes a thermosensitive material which causes the sensor to deliver hydraulic pressure to an actuator on the valve when the material is heated in response to an increase in temperature of, for example, a coolant associated with the engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic controllable vibration absorber for an automotive vehicle has a power cylinder that is divided a vibration absorber piston into a first power chamber, which is configurated above the vibration absorber piston, and a second power chamber, which is configurated beneath the vibration absorber piston. These configurations allow both chambers to be brought into connection with a balancing chamber. The vibration absorber is equipped with a sensor arrangement which affords a recognition of the direction of movement of the vibration absorber piston. The sensor arrangement is inserted between the second power chamber and the balancing chamber.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An adjusting lever pivoted on the attachment part moves during operation of the windshield wiper along a cam of a fixed rocker arm and thus pivots the contact spring to vary the force with which the wiper blade is pressed against the windshield being cleaned as a function of the particular wiper angle. The section of the adjusting lever on the rocker arm side has a fork-like design in which each fork leg rests upon an axially positioned cam of the rocker arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the driving behavior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has front and rear axles, each having a plurality of wheels. Each wheel has a brake. Sensor are provided for measuring the rotational speed of each wheel, the vehicle yaw rate and the vehicle lateral acceleration. An anti-lock braking system provides first preset pressure values for controlling each brake, to prevent the wheels from locking during braking. A traction slip control system provides second preset pressure values for controlling each brake, to prevent the wheels from slipping during acceleration. A brake effort proportioning system provides third preset pressure values for distributing braking pressure between the wheels of the front axle and the wheels of the rear axle. A yawing moment controller provides fourth preset pressure values used to control each brake during cornering, to avoid application to the vehicle of an unbalanced moment which would cause the vehicle to understeer or oversteer.

Abstract: A quick connector formed of a housing having a through bore receiving one end of a male connector with a radially enlarged flange. At least one and preferably a plurality of circumferentially spaced retainer fingers are integrally formed as a one piece extension from the first end of the housing and are deployable from a first axially extending position to an angular inwardly extending position in the bore in the housing to engage the flange on the male connector after the male connector has been inserted into the bore in the housing to lockingly couple the male connector in the housing. In a connector having a metal housing, a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers are formed to axially extend from a first open end. The fingers are bent into an angular, inwardly extending position to engage the flange on the male connector. In another embodiment for use with a metal quick connector housing, a molded annular band has a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers extending therefrom.

Abstract: A blade for a vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly. The blade combines a particular distribution of four, key, blade-design parameters--planform sweep, airfoil chord, maximum airfoil camber, and airfoil pitch angle--to achieve a fan assembly having high pumping, high efficiency, and low noise. Specifically, the blade has a planform with a forward sweep angle continuously increasing in absolute value along the span from the root to a maximum absolute value not exceeding about 15 degrees at the tip. The airfoil of the blade has a chord that continuously increases from the root to the tip, a maximum camber that continuously decreases from a value not greater than about 12% of chord at the root to a value not less than about 5% of chord at the tip, and a solidity not greater than about 1.1 at the root and not less than about 0.5 at the tip.

Abstract: A brake unit for motor vehicles with electric drive with a hydraulic pressure transducer and hydraulic friction brakes to increase the brake effect applied by the electric drive motor. The cooperation of the electric drive motor with the hydraulic friction brakes is controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: A power striker apparatus engages a striker with a latch to move the striker with respect to the latch mechanism from a secondary latch position to a primary latch position. A base member supports the striker for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the latch mechanism. A biasing member urges the base member toward the first position. A drive moves the base member from the first position against the urging of the biasing member toward the second position and selectively releases the base member when in the second position if the striker is in the secondary latch position when the base member reaches the second position, such that the striker snaps back to the first position in response to the urging of the biasing member to inertially drive the striker into the primary latch position with respect to the latch mechanism from the secondary latch position before the moveable closure can move with respect to the opening.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for monitoring a control circuit, which has a driver transistor with an inductive load and a second transistor in a circuit branch parallel to the inductive load, includes an additional, external current measuring device. A switching element, in particular a transistor and an ohmic measuring resistor, is provided parallel to the driver transistor. At a test instant, the current flowing through the inductive load is diverted to the measuring device and induces a voltage at the measuring resistor which is indicative of the status of the control circuit.

Abstract: An electric switch for operating a windshield wiper and washer apparatus of a motor vehicle has a housing in which a switching member for operating the wipers in a selected operation mode is swivelably mounted from a neutral position around a first axis to at least one operational position and a switch lever which, for operating the washer from a neutral position into an operational position, is swivelably mounted on the switching member around a second axis preferably perpendicularly intersecting the first axis. By a single actuation, it is possible by switching on the washer to also switch on the wipers.

Abstract: A powered sliding door system for a vehicle can include a flexible cable having at least one helically wound gear tooth formed on a flexible core or an elongated tape with longitudinally spaced apertures, for generally longitudinal movement along a fixed path. The tape or cable can have a first longitudinally disposed end connected to a movable closure, such as a vehicle sliding door, window, or roof panel. A rotatable drive member drivingly engages the cable or tape intermediate the first and second longitudinal ends. A reversible motor powers the rotation of the rotatable member. A clutch in the form of an axially shiftable transmission gear is operable to selectively interconnect the motor to the rotatable drive member, such that actuation of the motor and engagement of the clutch will cause the rotatable drive member to move the cable or tape longitudinally for opening and closing the portal with the movable closure.

Abstract: A power striker apparatus for a movable closure assembly includes a fixed frame defining a portal through a barrier. A movable closure is mounted on the frame for movement along a fixed path between a first end limit of movement wherein the closure is in a closed position obstructing the portal and a second end limit of movement wherein the closure is in an open position. The power striker apparatus can include a striker mounted on one of the frame and the closure. A latch mechanism is mounted on the other of the frame and the closure, so that the latch mechanism is engageable with the striker for releasibly latching the closure in the closed position. A base member is provided for supporting the striker for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the latch mechanism. A biasing member urges the base member toward the first position. A drive mechanism moves the base member from the first position against the urging of the biasing member toward the second position.