Abstract: A folding seat and storage console assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a storage console positioned on a seat bottom frame. A pair of front legs is each pivotally connected to the seat bottom frame. A pair of rear legs is pivotally connected to the seat bottom frame, wherein said seat bottom frame is translatable between an unfolded position and a folded position by folding the front legs and the rear legs about their respective pivotal connections.

Abstract: A load-bearing reinforcement structure for assisting the secure mounting of a load producing element, such as a rear-view mirror assembly, to a vehicular body is advantageously fashioned from a heat and creep resistant plastic, such as glass-reinforced Polyethylene Terephthalate. The reinforcement structure features a mounting element capable of mechanically connecting the reinforcement structure to a surface of a vehicular body, such as an internal surface of a panel of a door assembly, without the need for welding, placement fixtures or use of separate fastening elements.

Abstract: A seat assembly arranged to pivot about a horizontal axis and capable of being repositioned between a forward seated position and a tailgate position. The assembly includes a first assembly including a pin. The assembly further includes a second assembly including a recliner link. The recliner link is arranged to engage or disengage the pin based on rotation of the seat assembly. Engagement of the pin with the recliner link locks the seat assembly into tailgate position and prevents the first assembly from inadvertently folding into a position parallel to said second assembly.

Abstract: A combination storage and tread unit has a housing which is installed beneath a second row of seating in an automotive vehicle body. The housing has a tread pad at each end which a person can step on to reach a third row of seating when a seat in the second row is tumbled forwardly. The housing has two module-receiving compartments for storing electrical control modules and related wiring. The compartments are covered and protected by the second row of seating when the seats in the second row are in a normal occupant-supporting position, but are readily accessible when the seats are tumbled forwardly, so that the modules may be removed and serviced without removing the seats.

Abstract: A method for generating an acceleration profile for a valve operating cam of an internal combustion engine varies an adjustment point of an initial draft acceleration profile curve such that a determinant of a set of equations defining valve motion constraints and scaling factors is forced to zero. The equations may then be solved for values of the scaling factors which are applied to the initial draft acceleration profile curve to generate a desired profile which satisfies valve motion constraints.

Abstract: A vehicle package design system includes a data store of vehicle packages defined in terms of spatial dimensions relating vehicle hard points. A design engine adaptively renders a vehicle space based on a vehicle package, and, in response to user input defining a required change in a target spatial dimension, alters the target spatial dimension according to the required change, and alters one or more potentially altered spatial dimensions based on alteration of the target spatial dimension. A user interface communicates potentially altered spatial dimensions to the user, including indicating them as potentially altered according to alteration of the target spatial dimension.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle determines functionality of one of a purge valve and/or a vacuum switch and valve assembly. The vacuum switch and valve assembly is located between a carbon canister and atmosphere and is either open or closed according to whether the system is in a high or low negative pressure condition. A controller determines if the vacuum switch and valve assembly is functioning properly according to the high or low negative pressure condition. The controller determines if the purge valve is functioning properly based on engine performance characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the quality of spot weld joints between pieces of metal includes an ultrasound transducer probing a spot weld joint. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasonic radiation into the spot weld joint, receives corresponding echoes, and transforms the echoes into electrical signals. An image reconstructor connected to the ultrasound transducer transforms the electrical signals into numerical data representing an ultrasound image. A neural network connected to the image reconstructor analyzes the numerical data and an output system presents information representing the quality of the spot weld joint. The system is trained to assess the quality of spot weld joints by scanning a spot weld joint with an ultrasound transducer to produce the data set representing the joint; then physically deconstructing the joint to assess the joint quality.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag assembly, method of deployment and manufacture. The airbag assembly includes at least one inflatable portion and at least one non-inflatable portion. At least one mass is operably attached to the non-inflatable portion. Upon inflation of the inflatable portion, the mass provides a substantial tautness to the non-inflatable portion. The deployment method includes providing at least one inflatable portion and at least one non-inflatable portion. The airbag assembly is operably attached to the vehicle. A mass operably attached to the non-inflatable portion is provided. The inflatable portion is inflated. The non-inflatable portion of the airbag is extended substantially taut upon inflation of the inflatable portion with the mass. The manufacturing method includes forming at least one inflatable portion and at least one non-inflatable portion. At least one mass is operably attached to the non-inflatable portion.

Abstract: A stowage system for a retractable roof of a convertible automotive vehicle has a tonneau and a deck lid for covering the open top of a stowage compartment. The tonneau is hinged to a fixed frame structure of the vehicle and the deck lid is hinged to the tonneau. In their closed positions, the tonneau and the deck lid close the open top of the stowage compartment and in their open positions the tonneau and the deck lid provide clearance enabling the retractable roof to be moved into and out of a stowed position in the stowage compartment.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first plurality of gears, a second plurality of gears, and a series of engagement elements operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A controller is further provided to selectively toggle the series of engagement elements between the engaged position and the disengaged position to selectively couple one of the first plurality of gears or one of the second plurality of gears to the input shaft and the output shaft. The series of engagement elements sequentially couples the first plurality of gears to the input shaft and the output shaft during operation of the transmission and selectively couples one of the first plurality of gears or the second plurality of gears to the input shaft and the output shaft during a downshift operation of the transmission.

Abstract: An EGR valve position control method controls a position of an EGR valve according to a pressure change across the valve and a desired EGR valve position. The method calculates a desired EGR valve position and generates one or more duty cycle control terms based on a difference between the desired EGR valve position and an actual EGR valve position. Additionally, the method provides feedforward control based on the pressure change and the desired EGR valve position in order to generate feedforward duty cycle control terms. The method controls the position of the EGR valve based on the duty cycle control terms.

Abstract: A dual shaft rack and pinion steering assembly for a vehicle includes a housing mounted to the vehicle and containing first and second parallel shafts linked to one another for synchronized axial movement. The first and second shafts are slidably positioned within the housing. One of the shafts includes a piston operable by hydraulic fluid contained within the housing. The other of the shafts includes a rack of teeth for meshing with a pinion gear driven by a steering column. The hydraulic fluid operates the piston by pressure coordinated with the driving of the rack by the pinion gear to assist the coordinated movement of the dual shaft assembly. The linked parallel shafts are connected to a drag link to direct a first wheel in response to axial movement of the shafts, which is further connected to a cross car link simultaneously directing a second wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system includes a door beam having a first end and second end, and a load transfer element disposed proximate the first end of the door beam. In addition, an airbag sensor is disposed proximate the load transfer element, whereby the load transfer element is operable to receive a load from the door beam and transfer the load to the airbag sensor.

Abstract: An electrical diagnostic tool for in situ testing of a tone wheel sensor mounted in proximity of a rotatable tone wheel. The tone wheel sensor produces a periodic pulse train signal as the rotatable tone wheel is rotated. The tool has a signal conditioning block for receiving the periodic pulse train signal and generating therefrom a logic-level signal having a frequency. A digital counter has a plurality of outputs and is clocked by the logic-level signal. A plurality of LEDs controlled by the digital counter are used to determine the operational condition of the tone wheel sensor by sequentially illuminating the LEDs at the frequency and in accordance with a counting sequence of the digital counter.