Abstract: The present invention is a steering column for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a guide bracket, a pivot bracket movably attached to the guide bracket, and a tilt cartridge attached to the pivot bracket. A steering shaft is pivotably attached to the pivot bracket and pivotably attached to the tilt cartridge.

Abstract: A bucket seat fold out diaper changing table located within a vehicle. The table provides a surface for use while changing the diaper or clothing of an infant or for other activities and objects that require a surface area. The table is configured as a plastic molded seat back of a bucket seat. The table includes a surface member that provides a surface area, a first open end and a second open end. A first panel and a second panel are arranged within the surface member. The first panel slides out of the first open end of the surface member and retracts back into the surface member via the first open end. The second panel slides out of the second open end of the surface member and retracts back into the surface member via the second open end. The first panel and the second panel are used to provide additional surface area for facilitating the changing of an infant or other activity requiring table surface area.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: An electronic throttle controller adjusts vehicle acceleration based on accelerator pedal movement. The controller compares a rate of change of a pedal voltage with a rate of change of a filtered pedal voltage. The filtered pedal voltage depends on filter alpha values that vary as a function of engine speed divided by vehicle speed. If the rate of change of the pedal voltage exceeds the rate of change of the filtered pedal voltage by a threshold, the controller selects a performance mode. The performance mode determines how the controller adjusts a transmission ratio and power request damping. Additionally, the controller adjusts a duration of the performance mode based on an acceleration condition. The acceleration condition is indicative of whether engine speed, vehicle speed, and pedal position are constant.

Abstract: An improved system for determining the value of a resistive load is provided. The system includes: a reference voltage source; a reference resistor of known value having a first and second terminal, the first terminal connected to the reference voltage source and the second terminal connected to the resistive load; and a software program stored in a control unit connected to the first and second terminal, the control unit operative to read a value of the reference voltage source and a voltage at the second terminal of the predetermined reference resistor and to calculate the value of the resistive load as a function of the readings of the reference voltage source and the second terminal voltages.

Abstract: A vehicle controller adjusts fuel delivered to an engine to compensate for an unknown fuel type being added to a fuel tank in a flexible fueled vehicle. The controller fuels a first set of engine cylinders according to first fueling scheme. For example, the controller fuels the first set assuming that E85 fuel was added to the fuel tank. The controller fuels a second set of engine cylinders according to a second fueling scheme. For example, the controller fuels the second set assuming that E0 fuel was added to the fuel tank. The controller continues to fuel the engine in this manner until an oxygen sensor becomes available. When the oxygen sensor becomes available, the vehicle controller may fuel the engine according to information from the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling slip in an EMCC equipped torque converter is provided. The method determines whether an EMCC slip rate exceeds a predetermined RPM, determines whether a crankshaft RPM acceleration exceeds a predetermined rate, reduces an output torque of an engine in response to one of said EMCC slip rate exceeding said predetermined RPM and said crankshaft RPM acceleration exceeding said predetermined rate; and disables said output torque of an engine in response to said EMCC slip rate being less than said predetermined RPM and said crankshaft RPM acceleration being less than said predetermined rate.

Abstract: A method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of a vehicle navigation system comprises determining a first position of the motor vehicle using a Global Positioning System. This first position is then recorded in the vehicle navigation system. A second position of the motor vehicle is determined after the motor vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance from the first position. This second position is also recorded in the vehicle navigation system. The first position is then connected to the second position in order to form a route in the vehicle navigation system. The route has a segment in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system. The route is then stored in the vehicle navigation system and may be retrieved at a later time.

Abstract: A shear mount assembly and a compression mount assembly are combined to control ride harshness of a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a body and a shock rod having a hydraulically sealed portion within the body and a distally extending free portion. A mount assembly is connected at the free portion having both a compression mount and a shear mount therein. The shear mount absorbs low-input vertical loads transferred from the shock rod, and the compression mount limits vertical displacement of the shear mount and absorbs a medium-input vertical load. The shear mount and the compression mount are tuned by selecting the durometer, dimensions, and physical configuration of each mount.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A dual displacement engine is provided with first and second crankshaft portions which are fluidly coupled to one another, for example, by a torque converter in order to provide an engine that can be utilized with alternative configurations of engine cylinders. Specifically, a first crankshaft portion can be provided with, for example, four pistons as a primary crankshaft portion for driving the vehicle, while a second crankshaft portion can be selectively engaged via a fluid coupling to supplement the power provided by the primary crankshaft portion. Thus, the vehicle can be operated using the primary crankshaft portion for fuel efficient operation while the second crankshaft portion can be selectively engaged for meeting higher torque demand requirements as necessary.

Abstract: A vibration damper includes a crankshaft drive sprocket, a bearing, a friction module, and at least one bumper. The bearing is seated directly upon the crankshaft of the engine and receives the vibrations of the crankshaft. Bosses of the bearing are received within the well of the drive sprocket. Specifically, the bosses are seated within gaps formed within the well by bumpers, which are also seated within the well. The gear is seated upon the raised collar of the bearing and held in secure contact with the bearing by a wave spring. A friction ring is located between the bearing and the drive sprocket. The friction ring dampens the vibrations transferred between the bearing and the drive sprocket.

Abstract: An objective method is provided for selecting gear ratios for use in a motor vehicle transmission having multiple selectable gears. The method includes selecting gear ratios for a specific application includes calculating a low gear ratio, and a high gear ratio based upon vehicle parameters and performance requirements. The total ratio spread is determined by dividing the low gear ratio by the high gear ratio. Using the total ratio spread, a geometric sequence is created with a plurality of terms, such that each of the terms respectively represent the ratio steps between the gears. Lastly, each gear ratio is divided by its respective ratio step plus one to find the gear ratio for the next gear. This method provides an objective method for selecting gear ratios, such that the steps between each of the ratios are uniformly progressive.

Abstract: A battery mounting system includes a bracket mounted to the automobile frame, a battery tray mounted to the bracket, and a battery retention assembly comprising a formed rod spanning the battery and attaching to the bracket, and a top mount molding adapted to distribute the retention force over the upper surface of the battery. The top mount molding has a substantially flat lower surface for contacting the battery, with a cut-out portion for receiving the caps of the battery cells, and an arcuate upper surface with a center receptacle for receiving the spanning rod. The receptacle is formed by a peripheral wall having opposing slots for directing the rod; the wall also has indexing slots for adapting the mounting system to more than one battery height. The molding also includes laterally extending ears at the surface of the battery for centering the molding between upstanding battery posts.

Abstract: A cable end fitting assembly, adapted for attachment to a mounting plate in a motor vehicle, has a circumferential groove for receiving the edge of the mounting plate. A second part of the assembly is rotatable relative to the circumferential groove, and has a thumb pad for pressing the assembly into a recess in the mounting plate. The thumb pad also serves to align the assembly in the recess so that resillient projections extending from the assembly can engage indentations in the recess to secure the assembly to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.

Abstract: A method and system for flashing motor vehicle electronic control modules incorporates a networked system to transfer data from an entertainment system associated with the vehicle to electronic control modules. The data is stored on a data storage medium accessed by the entertainment system component and transferred to the database network which then transports the data to the electronic control modules.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation valve for venting crankcase gases from a crankcase of an engine has a valve casing with an inlet adapted to communicate with the crankcase and an outlet adapted to communicate with an engine intake manifold for the flow of crankcase gases drawn from the crankcase through the valve casing by the engine manifold when the engine is running. A metering pintle reciprocates in the casing. A crossbar extends across the casing adjacent to the inlet. A spring presses the pintle against the crossbar when the engine is not running. The pintle is moved away from the crossbar against the pressure of the spring by the flow of the crankcase gases when the engine is running to meter the flow of the crankcase gases. The crossbar is a narrow roll pin so that if moisture between the roll pin and pintle freezes when the engine is not running, the frozen moisture will quickly break away when the engine is started.