Abstract: A printed circuit board, containing thermal pads, is adhered to a rigidizer plate whereupon the entire unit can then be bent over itself to create a compact assembly which can be substantially smaller, but contain the same number of traces and electrical components, as an unbent printed circuit board of the same surface area. Further, a complete housing assembly is formed which is sealed on each edge of the rigidizer by inserting the edge into a panel with a groove. This assembly provides a secure fit that provides great stability with a relatively low weight and volume. The assembly also provides a better RF non-mechanical connection and much better thermal performance.

Abstract: An impact energy absorbing arrangement is provided for a vehicle interior having a protuberance designed and configured as part of an interior surface covering a vehicle pillar and butting into a headliner surface. The protuberance is arranged so that if an occupant's head forcibly strikes the roof headliner directly above the pillar, the protuberance on the pillar surface would absorb at least a portion of the impact force as well as minimize potential rotation of the head about the occupant's neck by being positioned so as to contact a portion of the occupant's head at approximately the same time as contact would occur with the headliner.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle spare tire having a tool retaining cover. The cover includes a main body defining tool retaining portions. The tool retaining portions frictionally retain tools placed in them.

Abstract: A dealer inventory management system is provided for recommending which types of vehicles a dealer should order from the automotive manufacturer. The computer-implemented system includes a vehicle sales data structure for storing vehicle sales information, a dealer data structure for storing dealer information, and a vehicle availability data structure for storing which vehicles are available to each dealer. A market determination module accesses the vehicle sales and dealer data structures to determine an ideal sales mix of vehicles for each dealer based upon a sampling of vehicle sales made in the dealer's local market. A dealer assessment module then accesses the vehicle availability data structure to formulate a recommended order for each dealer by comparing the dealer's ideal sales mix to the mix of vehicles available to that dealer.

Abstract: A process for forming closed sections using electromagnetic force. A sheet metal stock is folded into a generally closed section having flanges. The folded section is placed in a die and the die is closed. An electromagnetic force is applied to the die to expand the sheet metal towards interior walls of the die, thereby forming the closed section to a predetermined shape. During expansion, the flanges are drawn inward toward the die. After removed from the die, excess flanges are trimmed from the section if needed, the sections welded closed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roll top seat assembly structure that is slidable between an active position and an inactive position. In the active position, the seat assembly is slid along opposing tracks located on either side of a vehicle's interior sides to form a fully functioning rear seat equipped with head rests and seat belts. In the inactive position, the roll top seat assembly is slid along the opposing tracks to stow flat along the cargo floor of the vehicle's interior, thereby providing the entire area with cargo room.

Abstract: A new and improved cooling system for an internal combustion engine that includes a flow control assembly having a housing formed with a heater core inlet passage, a heater core bypass passage, an intake passage receiving coolant from the radiator, and an outlet passage connected to the coolant pump and in which the flow control assembly is characterized in that the pellet enclosed body portion of the thermostat cooperates with a tapered opening formed in the bypass passage for effectively controlling the flow of the liquid coolant through the bypass passage.

Abstract: An upper control arm adjustment system for an automobile is described. The system includes a bracket, a pair of spaced and opposed indexing fingers located on top of the bracket, and a lever that rotates about a slot formed in the bracket. As a manipulation device is selectively rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise, the lever is rotated towards one of the indexing fingers, thus causing a bolt or cam fastened to the lever to move within the slot, thus causing the upper control arm to move either inboard or outboard with respect to the slot, thus altering the pivot position of the upper control arm.

Abstract: An assembly tool for setting a lateral position of a rear window panel placed on a window glass support surface of a rear window opening of an automotive vehicle is provided. The tool includes an upper jaw for extending over a C pillar of the automotive vehicle, the upper jaw has a weather strip channel contact member and an adjustable length extending finger with an extreme edge window contacting surface for setting a lateral position of the rear window panel within the window glass support surfaces. A lower jaw pivotally is connected with the upper jaw for contacting and gripping an inboard surface of the vehicle C pillar. A quick connect vice mechanism for closing the upper jaw and the lower jaw toward one another to grip the C pillar is also included.

Abstract: A pressure adhesive film backed automotive vehicle exterior body panel decal applicator tool for applying a decal to a planar and/or non-planar surface of an automotive vehicle external body panel is provided. The tool includes an applicator blade having two blade edge portions formed on opposite longitudinal edges. The blade has a central portion including a pair of parallel spaced-apart protrusions and a valley between the spaced-apart protrusions, the valley having a generally flat portion with a first thickness. A handle is provided by a polymeric tubular member having a wall thickness between 3 and 6 mm with a slot of a second thickness which is one-half or less of the first thickness. The slot has opposing edge walls and at an extreme end the slot has an axially expanding tapered opening to receive the blade valley.

Abstract: A multiple function automotive door adjustment tool is provided. The adjustment tool has a lightweight polymeric hammerhead having one end with a hard plastic impact member and an opposite end with a soft rubber impact member. The adjustment tool has a handle with a lower end adapted for insertion into a socket. The socket has a lower end for connection with a drive member. The plastic impact member is utilized to hit the striker to adjust a position of the striker with relationship to the vehicle car body. The rubber impact member is utilized to hit the door without damaging the finish thereof. The single adjustment tool eliminates the use of three previously required adjustment tools and performs the same functions.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column can be frictionally locked in selected positions of adjustment by a cam-operated friction disk clamping mechanism. The cam operator includes a rotary shaft having an anti-friction thrust bearing on one end and an anti-friction cam mechanism on the other end. Anti-friction elements in the bearing and cam mechanism enable the shaft to be easily operated, while permitting the friction disks to have a strong clamping action.

Abstract: An automotive suspension system bushing is provided, including an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve having an upwardly generally perpendicular extending flange, and a non-fluid filled elastomeric isolator bonded to the inner and outer sleeves, the isolator having transversely aligned solid sections and first and second generally arcuate axial slots geometrically spaced with respect to one another, the first slot having a major arcuate portion with a generally uniform axial first thickness and the second slot having a major arcuate portion with a non-uniform axial second thickness, the second slot on an axial upper end having a thickness more than one millimeter and less than the first slot thickness and the second slot thickness being tapered axially downward wherein at least one-third of the axial length of the second slot along the lower end has contact between the fore and aft walls of the second slot.

Abstract: A lower control arm adjustment system for an automobile suspension system is described. The system primarily includes a substantially U-shaped bracket member selectively fastened to a lower control arm member with a cam bolt, wherein when the cam bolt is moved in a first direction, the lower control arm member moves to a first position, and when the cam bolt is moved in a second direction, the lower control arm member moves to a second position. In this manner, the lower control arm member can be moved inboard/outboard with respect to the automobile body.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the fueling of an engine assembly. The engine assembly includes an internal combustion engine, a fuel control system, a fuel vapor storage canister and a purge control system for purging the fuel vapor storage canister. The control system includes a purge fuel vapor measuring device for measuring an amount of purge fuel vapor flowing from the vapor storage canister to the internal combustion engine, a fuel corruption estimating device for estimating an amount of fuel corruption as a function of the amount of purge fuel vapor flowing from the vapor storage canister to the internal combustion engine and a controller for adapting the control of the internal combustion to the estimate of the amount of fuel corruption. A method for fueling an engine assembly having an internal combustion engine is also provided.

Abstract: A window switch orientation for a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first switch assembly that is disposed within the instrument panel of the vehicle along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The first switch assembly is adapted to control the translation of the front left and front right windows. The vehicle also includes a second switch assembly that is disposed within the center console of the vehicle along the longitudinal centerline thereof. The second switch assembly is adapted to control the translation of the rear left and rear right windows. This allows the driver and front passenger to activate all of the windows of the vehicle with ease while reducing costs associated with window switch orientations of the prior art.

Abstract: A vehicle steering mechanism can be supported for controlled collapse in crash situations, by constructing the support mechanism as a rigid assembly having a metal die casting as a principal component. The rigid die casting transmits a shock force from the vehicle steering wheel to shearable fasteners that connect the die casting to a mounting structure on the vehicle. Undesired resilience or spring in the steering shaft support mechanism is eliminated, such that the system has a desired predictability in frontal crash situations.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a power sliding door system having a power drive mechanism for propelling the sliding door and a power latching mechanism for latching the sliding door in a latched condition. The methodology provides enhanced monitoring and control of the power sliding door system to improve the operation of the sliding door in both the power-assisted and manual modes. The control methodology inhibits the operation of the power sliding door system in response to the actuation of any of the sliding door handles or if a fuel door is in the path of the sliding door. The control methodology also inhibits the operation of the sliding door system if a child guard mechanism is enabled. The control methodology includes an obstacle detection routine which detects obstacles in two directions of travel. The control methodology does not require the power drive mechanism or inertia to cause the latch mechanism to latch the sliding door in the latched condition.

Abstract: A tappet is provided including a foot having a cam contact surface and an axial bore formed therein; a tappet body having a body portion with an axially extending hub for reception in the axial bore of the foot; and a bearing assembly positioned between the foot and the tappet body, the bearing assembly operating to reduce friction as the foot separately rotates axially about a centerline of the tappet body.