Abstract: A vehicle air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion and at least one tether having a first portion is provided. The first portion includes a first loop supported at a first location at the cushion. The tether is releasably restrained such that the cushion inflates to a first amount of expansion when the tether is restrained and to a greater second amount of expansion after the tether is released.

Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a structural member extending longitudinally. The structural assembly also includes an insert disposed within and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the structural member and having at least one corrugation to act as a crush initiator during an axial impact on the structural assembly.

Abstract: A fastener nut for hydroformed parts comprises a nut body for receiving a threaded fastener and a locking ring with depending fingers that is received on the nut body. The nut body is adapted to pierce and then form a collar thereabout in a hydroformed part while the part remains in a die cavity under hydroforming pressure. The nut body and the collar formed thereby have a configuration that prevents turning of the locking ring while permitting turning of the nut body relative to the locking ring on full insertion of the nut in the collar, and a cam surface on the nut body that on partial turning of the nut body then forces the locking ring into locking engagement with the collar to thereby attach the fastener nut to the hydroformed part.

Abstract: Self-adjusting clutches for automotive vehicles include a hydraulic cylinder as part of a clutch linkage connecting a clutch foot pedal to a clutch plate biased by a clutch spring to urge a friction disk into engagement with a flywheel of an engine. The hydraulic cylinder has a housing with a stop thereon that engages a bracket fixed to the vehicle when the clutch is engaged under the bias of the clutch spring. A piston within the housing is connected through a linkage in the form of a cable or rod assembly to the clutch. As the clutch wears, the piston is pulled toward the clutch for elongating the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for clutch wear by adjusting the length of the clutch linkage. A valve within the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the clutch pedal and is closed upon pressing the clutch pedal to retain the elongated length of the hydraulic cylinder and thus the adjusted length of the clutch linkage while the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: The presence of a child restraint seat on a vehicle seat is detected by movement of a pair of anchors from a first position to a second position when the child restraint seat is coupled with straps to the anchors. The anchors are pivotally or deflectively mounted on a cross bar which extends between side frame members within the back of the vehicle seat. Upon a sensor detecting the presence of the child restraint seat, an associated air bag is disabled so that the air bag will not be deployed against a child sitting in the child restraint seat if the car is in an accident. Upon removing the child restraint seat, the anchors return to the first position in which the sensor again enables the air bag for deployment because, in the absence of a child restraint seat, an occupant of the seat is more likely to be an adult than a child.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for connecting wires from a primary vehicle to a towing vehicle through an improved wire harness connector. There is described an assembly of a vehicle bumper with a connector attached to the bumper. The bumper has a set of holes, snap-fit holes, and locking holes, that allow the connector to attach. The connector includes a set of snap-fits and at least one depressable lock. The snap-fits are configured so as to insert through snap-fit holes thereby restricting movement of the connector. The lock is also configured to pass through the locking hole thereby restricting movement of the connector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for rendering electronic keys left behind in a vehicle temporarily inactive. The apparatus comprises a vehicle security control module in wireless communication with the electronic keys, and having operatively coupled together a receiver, a processor, non-volatile memory and a short-range transmitter. When the module receives a valid lock command from any source it sends a short-range interrogation signal to keys within the vehicle. Left-behind keys respond and send their unique ID(s) to the module's receiver. The processor obtains the unique ID(s) from the receiver and sets one or more inhibit flags in memory or equivalent to identify those keys as left-behind keys. The processor thereafter ignores commands from such left-behind keys, thereby rendering them temporarily inoperative until a valid unlock command is received form another source, whereupon the processor clears the inhibit flags from memory and restores the left-behind keys to active status.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module retention system that employs at least one spring. The at least one spring performs two functions. First, the at least one spring provides snap-fit engagement to retain the air bag module to the armature of the steering wheel. Second, the at least one spring biases the airbag module in a first position in which the air bag module “floats” a distance from the armature. The at least one spring is deformable when a driver depresses the air bag module so that the air bag module is movable to a second position to activate a horn circuit and cause horn actuation.

Abstract: A roof rail air bag assembly includes an air bag module having an air bag inflator and an air bag with a plurality of cushion retention tabs. Also included in the assembly are an inflator bracket and a plurality of snap-in clips. The bracket is attached to the air bag inflator; the snap-in clips are attached to the cushion retention tabs and to the bracket with threaded fasteners. The air bag assembly is positioned within the vehicle by an operator standing outside the vehicle, and each of the snap-in clips are inserted into openings in the vehicle roof rail. Removing the air bag module for service is accomplished by removing each of the threaded fasteners while the snap-in clips remain permanently attached to the vehicle roof rail.

Abstract: A punch assembly used with a hydroforming die includes a punch cylinder for mounting to the hydroforming die and having a movable rod. The punch assembly also includes a punch for piercing an opening in a tubular member disposed in the hydroforming die. The punch assembly further includes a quick change assembly interconnecting the rod of the punch cylinder and the punch for allowing the punch to be removably attached to the punch cylinder.

Abstract: Transport device for an object, in particular for a pressing tool with a large weight, with a plurality of cable elements, which comprise a securing element, to which the object to be transported can be releasably fastened. According to the invention, a spreader device is provided, which is configured with a spreader weight, which is fastened to a chain hoist, which is movable in vertical direction by a drive unit, and with struts articulated to the spreader weight, wherein on the side opposite to the spreader weight each strut is fixedly connected to a cable element having the securing element on the free end.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically updating the calibration parameters of a vehicle from a remote location. The apparatus typically comprises an onboard computing platform connected to electronic control units in the vehicle. The computing platform is typically pre-programmed with initial vehicle calibration parameters for downloading to the electronic control units. A remote calibration data system is generally configured to acquire vehicle performance data via a wireless communication link, and to update the vehicle calibration parameters based on statistical analysis of the acquired data. The updated calibration parameters are then typically transmitted by the remote calibration data system to the computing platform via the communication link. The computing platform can then download the updated calibration parameters to the electronic control units.

Abstract: An algorithm residing in, for example the ECM of a motor vehicle, which predicts brake booster vacuum for vehicles using vacuum for brake pedal assist. The predicted brake booster vacuum is compared to a calibrated brake booster vacuum threshold to determine if adequate brake booster vacuum is available to meet vehicle braking requirements, whereupon engine operation can be modified, as necessary, to improve intake manifold vacuum such that brake booster vacuum requirements for vehicle braking are better satisfied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for programming a plurality of Electronic Central Units (ECUs) for controlling devices in a motor vehicle. A host module positioned within the vehicle is coupled to each of the ECUs. The host module stores the software programs to be downloaded to the ECUs. A software down load enabler included in the host module is responsive to a radio frequency control signal to cause the host module to download the software programs the ECUs. A software down load initiator is located external to the vehicle. The software down load initiator is selectively coupled to the software down load enabler. The software down load initiator provides the control signal to initiate the download of the software programs from the host module to each ECU so that each ECU can control the functioning of a device connected thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a center pillar structure including an outer reinforcement having an outer wall and two side walls defining a channel. Two reinforcements are located within the channel, each rigidly interconnecting the outer wall with a respective one of the sidewalls. A tension panel preferably interconnects the two sidewalls. The center pillar structure is characterized by continuity of strength along its height and increased resistance to vertical compressive loads.

Abstract: A universal attachment system for attaching to a motor vehicle the license plate from a number of countries, even though the locations of the attachment holes of the license plates may be different from country to country. A right nut body has a first plurality of license plate attachment holes, a left nut body has a second plurality of license plate attachment holes, and an attachment panel which carries the left and right nut bodies. The first and second pluralities of license plate attachment holes provides a plurality of pairs of license plate attachment holes for aligning with the license plate mounting holes of any, or all, of a North American, Japanese, Korean, Persian Gulf States and European license plate.

Abstract: A vehicle deceleration display system includes a serial data bus operable for communicating a plurality of sequentially-measured vehicle speed datums in a respective sequential manner. A control unit is operatively connected to the serial data bus and is operable for receiving and processing the vehicle speed data therefrom. The control unit is programmed to sequentially calculate vehicle deceleration values respectively corresponding with the sequential speed data to provide a variable output signal. The variable output signal corresponds with and varies in accordance with the sequential vehicle deceleration values. A variable display is connected to the control unit and varies in response to the deceleration values. A method of calculating and displaying vehicle deceleration values is also provided.

Abstract: An antenna system improves the radiation pattern of an antenna on a vehicle. An antenna includes a ground plane and receives RF signals. The antenna is mounted on a vehicle surface in close proximity to a vehicle window. A conductive structure is located on the vehicle window adjacent to the vehicle surface and communicates with the antenna. The conductive structure extends the ground plane of the antenna.

Abstract: Automotive lamps are configured having at least one array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) supported within the lamps. A bezel is positioned in each lamp adjacent to the LEDs, the bezel having a dark surface, the dark surface having a high gloss finish with reflector shaped surfaces to reflect light from the LEDs while absorbing visible light from external sources. A lens of light transmitting material covers the array of LEDs. The automotive lamp is especially useful as a rear combination lamp having red LEDs serving both tail light and stop light functions, as well as amber or red LEDs providing turn and hazard signals. A center, high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL), also using an array of LEDs surrounded by a dark bezel with high gloss reflector shaped surfaces, is used in combination with a pair of the rear combination lamps. In one embodiment the rear combination lamps include side marker LEDs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an air spring and jounce shock assembly for use in an automotive vehicle suspension system. The assembly may include a base adapted to be mounted on one of an axle assembly and a suspension component, a top cap adapted to be attached to a vehicle frame, and a diaphragm disposed between and attached to the base and the top cap, with the diaphragm including an inner surface defining a first portion of a compressed air cavity. A jounce shock reaction surface defines a second portion of the compressed air cavity and is included in a one of the top cap and the base.