Abstract: An active bolster system for a vehicle includes a trim substrate panel adapted to be mounted to a structural element of the vehicle, wherein the substrate panel has a bolster opening. A bolster has a main body configured to fit within the bolster opening, wherein the main body has an A-side substantially flush with the substrate panel and a B-side facing the structural element. The main body has a plurality of lateral side tabs extending from the main body, and the main body expands during a deployment of the active bolster system so that a distance between the A-side and B-side increases. A retainer bracket retains the bolster against the substrate panel, wherein the retainer bracket comprises a frame extending around a periphery of the main body.

Abstract: A micro-hybrid motor vehicle 2 having an engine 5 started by an electrical starter 6 is disclosed having a starter system that adaptively responds to ageing of an electrical power source such as a capacitor 12 used to power the starter motor 6 so as to maintain engine starting performance. The starter system includes a controller 20 which is programmed to increase the voltage used to charge the capacitor 12 when it is determined that the state of health of the capacitor 12 has degraded.

Abstract: An interior system of a vehicle includes an instrument panel substrate having a driver side, a passenger side, and a center section between the driver and passenger sides. The instrument panel substrate has an opening on the passenger side. A trim panel is mounted to the instrument panel substrate covering the opening and comprising a connector hub having a plurality of electrical connectors for mobile electronic devices. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the trim panel is releasable and pivotable after mounting in order to access a rear side of the trim panel. The trim panel may further include a cradle on the rear side to receive a printer, a paper holder on the rear side to receive and supply paper for the printer, and an elongated slot aligned with the cradle for feeding printed paper from the printer to a front side of the trim panel.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a steering column shroud which supports a steering shaft for a steering wheel, a support bracket which is fixed in position relative to a part of vehicle, and a clamp mechanism which is movable between a locked position in which the clamp mechanism fixes the shroud in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp mechanism permits movement of the shroud relative to the support bracket. The support bracket comprises a generally U-shaped member with two depending arms of the U extending from its base having a portion of the column shroud located therebetween. A clamp mechanism is also provided which upon locking of the clamp mechanism provides tension between the two arms of the U shaped member together thereby clamping the steering column shroud in position.

Abstract: A snap-in glass carrier, engageable with a window regulator for snap fitting a door glass having a glass retention hole to the carrier, comprises a carrier base, a regulator attachment extending from the carrier base, a glass retention portion and a finger. The glass retention portion extends from the base spaced from the window regulator portion to define a gap for the glass. The finger, cantilevered from the base, includes a vertical portion extending parallel to the support finger on the same side of the glass as the support finger, a retention tab extending from the vertical portion into the gap that engages the retention hole, a hinge point adjacent to the glass carrier base and located on the same side of the gap as the window regulator attachment, and a spring leg extending through the gap from the hinge point to the vertical portion.

Abstract: Methods of assembling machines for distributing loosefill insulation from packages of compressed loosefill insulation are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a chute having an inlet end, the inlet end configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation, providing a lower unit including a shroud, the lower unit being configured to be attached to the chute to form the machine, the lower unit having an outlet for the discharge of loosefill insulation, installing a plurality of shredders in the lower unit, the shredders being configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation, installing a discharge mechanism in the lower unit, the discharge mechanism being configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the outlet of the lower unit, providing a bottom wall structure, the bottom wall structure having a first bottom wall spaced apart from a second bottom wall and connecting the bottom wall structure to the shroud.

Abstract: A noise control system operable within a box-like structure provided by the dual bulkhead plenum of the vehicle dashboard positioned within the transfer path along which the noise is being transmitted from the source of the generated noise to the receiver of the noise in the passenger compartment of an automobile. The plenum is divided into discrete chambers into each of which is provided smart materials affixed to the walls of the plenum to be operable for selectively changing a property characteristic of the chambers to vary the acoustic resonance of the plenum and change the effectiveness of controlling the transmission of noise energy therethrough. A controller is coupled to the smart materials to change said property characteristic of the smart material in response to noise cancellation requirements.

Abstract: A work surface/storage system can be attached to a motor vehicle which has a passenger compartment with a driver seat, a passenger seat, a passenger restraint belt, and a dash panel in front of the passenger seat. A main body section of the system includes at least one flat surface for providing a writing support for a person in the driver seat, at least one storage bin, and a bottom surface for positioning on the passenger seat. A belt receptacle is located at a rearward end of the main body for capturing the passenger restraint belt so that tension in the passenger restraint belt loads the rearward end against the passenger seat. A front wing section extends forward and upward from the main body section to a distal end. The distal end includes an attachment tab. A bay is provided in the dash panel including a holder for capturing the attachment tab.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to components of electrochemical devices, and to methods of preparing the components. The components and methods include the use of a composition comprising an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, where the polymer and the solvent are selected based on the thermodynamics of the combination. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a component for an electrochemical device which is prepared from a composition comprising a true solution of an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, the polymer and the at least one solvent being selected such that |? solvent?? solute|<1, where ? solvent is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the at least one solvent and where ? solute is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle includes stopping the vehicle and holding the vehicle stationary, reducing engine speed, increasing a rate of reduction of engine speed, if engine speed is less than a reference speed when a desired restart of the engine is indicated, and initiating an engine restart when engine speed is substantially zero.

Abstract: A method for controlling restart of an engine in a hybrid electric powertrain includes stopping the vehicle and engine, initiating the restart, estimating time required to restart the engine after the restart is initiated, filling and stroking launch elements of a transmission, when the estimated time substantially equals a second estimated time required to fill and stroke said launch elements, and increasing the torque capacity of the launch elements to accelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: An expansion valve for an air conditioning system circulates refrigerant through a fixed-displacement compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. An inlet is provided for receiving refrigerant liquefied in the condenser. An outlet of the expansion valve supplies refrigerant to the evaporator. A valve element controls flow of refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the valve element is normally closed. A control assembly is coupled to the valve element and is responsive to at least one temperature or pressure in the air conditioning system to open the valve element to variably meter the refrigerant to the evaporator. A bleed passage bypasses the valve element to conduct refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An electronic system to operate an electromechanical parking brake for a land vehicle comprises at least one input unit to detect a driver request for parking brake and at least two control units in connection with the input unit to evaluate the driver request for parking brake transmitted thereto. The control units are in connection with at least one actuator for activating the parking brake, in order to control said actuator. In addition, the system comprises an energy supply to feed the input unit, and the control units of the at least one actuator. On occurrence of a single fault from a set of possible fault states in the system, at least one control unit and at least one actuator are supplied with energy and/or control signals, the at least one control unit supplied controls the at least one actuator supplied so that the land vehicle is fixed in a parked position when a corresponding driver request for parking brake is present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit which serves for security-critical control of a consumer with an inductive load portion, to be connected to a direct voltage source, and a method for failure control. It is in this case assumed that the control circuit has a power driving assembly, a free-wheeling assembly and a reverse-connection protected assembly. In order to increase the probability of failure recognition, this control circuit is extended by a method for failure control. For this purpose the semiconductor switches of the assemblies, each formed by a MOSFET, are individually driven. The different switching statuses are checked by a diagnostic device which processes voltage values to be read out at outputs of the control circuit. In this way failure-free functionality and also possible causes of failure in the control circuit can be diagnosed.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a gearset alternately producing forward and reverse drive, an inter-axle differential dividing torque at an output of the gearset between first and second wheel sets, and an inter-wheel differential dividing torque transmitted to the first wheel set differentially between wheels comprising the first wheel set.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar for an automotive vehicle includes a stabilizer bar, and a generally ring shaped first mechanical stop mounted onto and extending about an outer diameter of the stabilizer bar. The first mechanical stop is crimped in place onto the stabilizer bar such that the first mechanical stop is positioned within a groove formed within the outer diameter of the stabilizer bar as the first mechanical stop is crimped onto the stabilizer bar, whereby the first mechanical stop is retained within the groove to prevent movement of the mechanical stop along the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: A wheel chuck assembly includes a support plate having at least one aperture formed therethrough. The support plate is adapted to be mounted upon a lathe spindle. An air conveying device is mounted adjacent to the support plate and is operable to induce an air flow through the support plate aperture such that metal chips are drawn through the support plate aperture.