Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a multi-plate clutch having an applied state and a released state and an overrunning clutch having an engaged state and an overrunning state. In addition, the transmission includes a controller that effectuates a gear shift of the transmission by applying a volume of fluid to the multi-plate clutch to toggle the multi-plate clutch from the released state to the applied state at approximately the same time the overrunning clutch is toggled into the overrunning state. The applied volume of fluid at which the multi-plate clutch is applied is substantially given by the following equation: VF=VL?(k*T) where VF is the volume, VL is the instantaneous volume at any time, k is a constant, and T is the input torque to the transmission.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the level of fuel contained in the tank of a motor vehicle includes a fuel pump disposed in the tank for creating a flow of fuel in the tank. An elongated tube is placed vertically in the tank. The system also includes a venturi tube coupled between the fuel pump and the elongated tube for creating a vacuum as a result of a portion of the flow of fuel therethrough from the fuel pump thereby drawing fuel vapor from the elongated tube at a varying pressure, the pressure decreasing as the amount of fuel vapor in the tank increases. A controller is coupled to the elongated tube for determining the level of fuel in the tank based on the pressure.

Abstract: A storage system is provided for a motor vehicle seat having a seat bottom, the storage system having a pivot rod assembly pivotally attached to the floor of the vehicle at a lower pivot axis by a floor mounting assembly, a storage bin assembly removably secured to a front edge of the seat bottom and pivotally attached to the pivot rod assembly at an upper pivot axis. When a torque load force is placed on the pivot rod assembly about the upper and lower pivot axes the storage bin assembly is biased against the front edge of the seat bottom in a normal closed position. When the torque load force on the pivot rod assembly is overcome, the storage bin assembly moves into an open position.

Abstract: A laminated automobile side glass includes an insert for engaging the window opening mechanism. The insert is molded for integration into the lamination layers, with a mechanism interface section, having a maximum thickness equal to the overall thickness of the glass. This mechanism interface section is arranged in a cutout of the window, so that the window presents a substantially continuous sheet without protrusions. The insert is formed to constitute substantially the entire engagement of the window with the opening mechanism, and to absorb the stresses imposed by vibration, opening and closing of the window, and the slamming of the automobile door.

Abstract: A computer-implemented-ergonomic system for designing manufacturing workstations is provided. The system includes a data store for storing a plurality of workstation templates. Each workstation template includes parameters for a particular type of manufacturing workstation. Additionally, the system provides a data store for storing vehicle data indicative of a vehicle to be manufactured in the workstation. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a configuration subsystem adaptive to receive vehicle data and at least one workstation template and operative to configure the workstation template for the vehicle. Additionally, the system provides a data store for storing ergonomic design rules that govern a design of a manufacturing workstation. The system further includes an evaluation subsystem adaptive to receive the ergonomic design rules in data communication with the configuration subsystem.

Abstract: An assembly for holding open a locking mechanism for a motor vehicle folding seat includes a locking mechanism having a gear shaft and a release link fixedly attached to the gear shaft that transitions the locking mechanism between an engaged and a released orientation. A hold-open pin attached to the release link is received within a follower link notch to maintain the locking mechanism in the released orientation. An actuator positions the follower link notch to receive the hold-open pin within the follower link notch.

Abstract: An exemplary wire routing device routes a wire between a vehicle body and a vehicle door movably mounted to the vehicle body. The device includes a flexible restraint having an attachment portion arranged to be attached to the vehicle body and another attachment portion arranged to be attached to the vehicle door. The device also includes a flexible conduit carried by the flexible restraint and arranged to carry the wire therethrough.

Abstract: A welding gun assembly including a housing that defines a first chamber and a second chamber. The assembly also includes a first piston moveably disposed in the first chamber and a second piston moveably disposed in the second chamber. The assembly includes an intensifying rod that can move at least partially into the first chamber due to movement of the second piston within the second chamber. The assembly includes a controller with a pressure sensor operable to detect pressure within the first chamber. The controller is operable to increase pressure within the first chamber up to a predetermined extension pressure while the intensifying rod is disposed outside of the first chamber. The controller is further operable to increase pressure within the second chamber to thereby move the intensifying rod into the first chamber to thereby increase pressure within the first chamber above the predetermined extension pressure.

Abstract: A method of simulating a vehicle impact that involves generating a first finite element model of the vehicle, a multi-body model, and a partial vehicle finite element model. The method also involves generating a coupled model that includes at least a portion of the multi-body model and at least a portion of the partial vehicle finite element model. Additionally, the method includes running at least one impact simulation with the coupled model to thereby identify the effects of the impact on the vehicle and/or the occupant.

Abstract: An automated tool installation and workspace analysis method determines an axis of a fastener in order to determine positioning a fastener actuating tool. A center of gravity of the fastener is determined. The axis of the fastener is calculated based in part on the center of gravity. Additionally, the axis of the fastener is calculated based on distances between vertices of the fastener and an initial assumed axis of the fastener. Once the axis of the fastener is determined, the positioning of the tool can be determined.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer matrix composite material with anti-anisotropy reinforcement array is disclosed having coupled fiber reinforcement structures. The coupled fiber reinforcement structures are formed of a plurality of bound or bonded fibers, which form multi-dimensional structures capable of maintaining cross structure during molding. The structures are sized to allow their use in various molding processes. The coupled multiple fiber structures preferably have an aspect ratio of less than ten.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly for a vehicle includes a storage panel assembly. The seat assembly has a seat back foldable between upright and generally horizontal positions relative to a seat bottom. The seat back has a rear surface incorporating the storage panel assembly. The storage panel assembly has a platform and at least one sidewall moveable relative to the platform between a retracted position preferably generally flush with the rear surface of the seat back and an extended position inclined relative to the platform to facilitate receiving and retaining objects on the platform.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle with a seat bottom attached to a forward leg at a first upper pivot, and a seat back attached to a rear leg. The forward leg is attached to the vehicle at a first lower pivot and rear leg is attached to the vehicle at a second lower pivot. The vehicle includes a floor with a first seat receiving recess in front of the forward leg and a second seat receiving recess behind the rear leg. The seat assembly is capable of being moved between a deployed position and a stowed position in which the seat bottom and forward leg are placed in the first seat receiving recess and the seat back and rearward leg are placed in the second seat receiving recess.

Abstract: A structural load transfer member for a vehicle including a housing having a first open end, a second open end, and a central bore. A first end member having an inner side is attached to the housing and an outer side of the first end member is attached to a sill of the vehicle. A second end member having an inner side is attached to the housing and an outer side is attached to a frame rail of the vehicle.

Abstract: A collapsible storage container is provided for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a floor and a seat assembly having a seat back frame pivotally coupled to a seat bottom frame. The seat assembly is capable of being pivoted between a deployed position where the seat bottom frame is substantially perpendicular to the seat back frame and a stowed position wherein the seat bottom frame is substantially parallel to the seat back frame. A collapsible storage container having an attachment mechanism is provided which is capable of being moved from a collapsed position to an operative position. The floor includes a receiving mechanism located beneath the seat bottom frame in its deployed position arranged to removably secure the container to the floor.