Abstract: A vehicle includes an enclosed cargo area having a floor with a recessed area. A reversible load floor covers the recess, and includes a first, substantially flat surface and a second surface with a perimetric wall projecting therefrom. The reversible load floor is configured to cover the recess in a first position wherein the first surface is substantially flush with the surrounding floor, and in a second inverted position wherein the second surface is substantially flush with the surrounding floor. In the second position, the perimetric wall projects upwardly to form a basin for receiving cargo in a fluid tight manner to prevent spillage in the rest of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hemming machine for joining an inner sheet metal panel with an outer sheet metal panel comprising: a hemming tool containing an electromagnetic coil positioned to electromagnetically crimp and/or weld the outer sheet metal panel to the inner sheet metal panel, where a backing die positioned outside the inner metallic sheet and the outer metallic sheet opposite the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes an underbody having one or more underbody bolting flanges attached thereto, with each underbody bolting flange being adapted for bolted attachment to a mating bodyside bolting flange. Left and right bodyside subassemblies are joined to the underbody, with each bodyside including a supplemental bodyside support structure having attached thereto one or more bodyside bolting flanges, with each bodyside bolting flange being adapted for bolted attachment to one of the underbody bolting flanges after the bodyside subassemblies are otherwise joined to the underbody. The underbody bolting flanges are attached to supplemental crossmembers that are attached to and extend across the underbody.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft arrangement and method relies on matching vehicle identifiers upon detection of vehicle battery cycling to confirm whether or not the component being protected is still resident in an authorized vehicle. The arrangement and method further includes a facile way for authorized personnel to override the protection mechanism using code word entries retrievable from a component manufacturer generated database.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an engine with an exhaust catalyst and an oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst and an oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst, a method for detecting whether the catalyst has aged. Over a test block period of time, the method periodically obtains upstream data points from an oxygen sensor located upstream of the catalyst and from and oxygen sensor located downstream of the catalyst. Absolute differences are calculated between consecutive pairs of the upstream data points and the downstream data points. A ratio between the sums of absolute differences is then calculated, and the ratio is used to determine whether the catalyst has aged.

Abstract: A handle for a vehicle door is mounted on a frame by a pivot assembly for swinging movement from a door latching position to a door unlatching position. The frame is secured in an interior space of the door in a position such that when the handle is in the latching position, the handle registers with an opening in a door panel, and when the handle is in the unlatching position, the handle extends into the interior space. The pivot assembly has a hinge which provides a floating axis for the swinging movement of the handle, enabling the handle to be shifted laterally outwardly into contact with a flange on the panel when in the latching position, thereby positioning the outer surface of the handle flush with the outer surface of the door panel. A spring urges the handle laterally outwardly into contact with the flange.

Abstract: A close-out panel for a stowable vehicle seat assembly having pivotable connections to a vehicle floor, the close-out panel having: a first edged attached to the stowable vehicle seat assembly, a second edge, parallel to the first edge, and a living hinge positioned between and parallel to the first edge and the second edge. The living hinge enables the close-out panel to fold when the stowable vehicle seat is deployed and to open into a flat panel flush with the vehicle's floor that conceals the pivotable connections when the vehicle seat is pivoted to a stowed position.

Abstract: An impact absorption system for a motor vehicle has a steering column with a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The first sleeve is sized to receive a portion of the second sleeve. The sleeves extend between a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket. A piston cylinder assembly is mounted between the first and second mounting brackets. A plurality of igniters is in communication with the piston cylinder assembly. The plurality of igniters, when activated, are capable of releasing a pressurized fluid to pressurize the piston cylinder assembly. A plurality of sensors are mounted within the motor vehicle for signaling the vehicle and driver conditions. A controller is in communication with the plurality of sensors and the plurality of igniters. The controller activates at least one of the plurality of igniters based on the signals from the plurality of sensors during an impact event.

Abstract: A method and system for upfront analysis of at least one substance used in the design process of a vehicle. A vehicle ontology is created that is stored in a database. The vehicle ontology records all the substances used in the design of the vehicle along with all the attributes of the substances and the relations between the substances. All the standards for the substances and the attributes of the standards are recorded in a materials ontology. A knowledge base engine, e.g., the database, analyzes the materials ontology to determine whether a substance conforms to a standard, e.g., a recyclability requirement.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a cargo area over an in-floor recess for storing a spare wheel and tire, a multiple height load floor system for covering the in-floor recess provides the option of selecting the depth of the recess. The floor system is adapted to allot a lesser volume to the in-floor recess for use with an undersized spare, or a greater volume when a full-size spare is provided. In a motor vehicle with folding seats, the folding seats are selectively raised or lowered to align with the upper surface of the load floor system in its selected position, in order to present a substantially flat surface for carrying cargo. The selective raising or lowering of the seats and the floor system can be achieved through manually actuated or electrically powered mechanisms.

Abstract: A tent enclosure for a pickup truck cargo box includes a pair of support tracks mounted to the side rails of the cargo box, a number of flexible support rods connected to the support tracks, and a fabric siding spanning the support rods and connected to the support tracks. The flexible support rods can be made up of multiple sections linked together, and, being longer than the width of the cargo box, describe an arch when connected to the support tracks. The forwardmost support rod can be secured to the truck cab. The fabric siding includes a U-channel edge for engaging the support track on each side of the cargo box, and is stretched over the support rods. The tent enclosure includes a door assembly for the end of the cargo box, which may be formed of fabric and integral with the fabric siding.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the validity of a data signal communicated between two microprocessors by a dual port RAM includes a sender for providing a data signal and an initialization status indicator and a dual port RAM in communication with the sender for receiving the data signal and the initialization status indicator. The RAM has a first location for storing the data signal and a second location for storing the initialization status indicator. The sender performs initialization on the RAM at the beginning of a data transfer cycle which includes a plurality of data transfer from the sender to a receiver. The sender updates the initialization status indicator as the initialization progresses. The receiver reads the initialization status of the RAM from the second location and subsequently reads the data signal from the first location in association with the initialization status of the RAM.

Abstract: A method of estimating an internal temperature of a vehicle battery is based on heat transfer between a heat source and the battery. In addition to the heat source, airflow generated by vehicle movement and radiator fans affects the internal temperature of the battery. The method estimates an initial internal temperature of the battery at engine startup based on how long the engine was off. The temperature of the heat source is determined. A transfer function is determined to represent the effect of the airflow. The method updates a current internal temperature of the battery based on the initial internal temperature and an integration of the transfer function and the heat source temperature.

Abstract: A tilt setting device for a steering column includes a rod and a sleeve, with the rod being telescopically disposed in a hollow center of the sleeve. The rod is pivotably coupled to one of the steering column's main column and tilt head. The sleeve includes a lateral extending elongated hole through which a pin, fixed to the other of the main column and the tilt head, extends so that the sleeve is able to pivot about the pin relative to the other of tie main column and the tilt head. The elongated hole also allows the sleeve to rotate about its axis relative to the rod. The elongated hole includes a narrower end, a wider end, and sides extending between the narrower and wider ends. At least one of the sides includes a lateral, untapered region adjacent the narrower end.

Abstract: A vehicle battery mounting method and thermal regulation system eliminate seat removal during battery maintenance and costly seat modifications. The thermal regulation system maintains the battery at a desired temperature range to encourage efficient charging and prolonged battery life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a vaporized reductant to an engine exhaust stream find particular utility in the regeneration of a nitrous oxide absorber in a Diesel engine exhaust treatment system. The method and apparatus are based on fueling the Diesel engine with a mixture of Diesel oil and an alcohol, such as methanol. At least a portion of the alcohol vaporizes in the fuel tank, or is forced to vaporize by passing the fuel mixture through a heat exchanger. The vapor is then stored in a canister for subsequent selective injection of the alcohol into the exhaust stream upstream of the adsorber. The alcohol then thermally decomposes to provide sufficient hydrogen and carbon monoxide to regenerate the adsorber.

Abstract: Optionally expandable passenger seating is provided in a second compartment of a vehicle body including a first compartment and a second compartment rearwardly adjacent the first compartment, through use of a passenger seating cushion attached to an interior surface of a rear wallgate, of the first compartment, optionally separating the first and second compartments from one another. The rear wallgate is attached at a lower edge thereof for pivoting movement from a vertical position, whereat the rear wallgate at least partially separates the first compartment from the second compartment with the interior surface of the wallgate facing into the first compartment, to a horizontal position, whereat the rear wall gate extends into the second compartment with the interior surface of the rear wallgate facing generally upward, thereby allowing a passenger to sit on the cushion when the rear wall gate is in the horizontal position.