Abstract: A deployable cup holder for use inside a vehicle having a retaining member depending outwardly frown a support member. The support member is adapted to be received within a receiving receptacle and the retaining member is stowed in a receiving area when the cup holder is in a stowed position. The support member travels out of the receptacle and locks into a deployed position. Once in this deployed position the retaining member provides a receiving area for receiving and supporting a beverage container.

Abstract: A method for metallurgically attaching together two tubes. A first tube is obtained having a far wall portion with a first through hole and a near wall portion with a second through hole. A second tube is obtained including first and second outward folds. The tubes are positioned with the first fold passed through the second through hole and contacting the far wall portion surrounding the first through hole and with the second fold located outside the near wall portion. A first resistance welding current path is created proximate the first fold and the far wall portion and the first fold is relatively moved deformingly against the far wall portion creating a first weld zone. A second resistance welding current path is created proximate the second fold and the near wall portion and the second fold is relatively moved deformingly against the near wall portion creating a second weld zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for motor vehicles comprising a housing for an inflatable airbag and a gas generator which is connected to a base element fixed to the module in the assembled state, with the gas generator and the base element being combined to form an assembly serving as a vibration absorber and being unreleasably connected to one another by at least one elastic and/or vibration damping coupling element via which the gas generator is supported over its area at the base element.

Abstract: An automobile hood assembly for disposition in overlying relation to a vehicle storage compartment in an automotive vehicle. The hood assembly includes an exterior show surface member, a support frame at a position below the exterior show surface member and at least one extensible tether element operatively connecting the exterior show surface member and the support frame. At least one inflatable air bag cushion is housed intermediate the support frame and the exterior show surface member. Upon introduction of inflation gas the inflatable air bag cushion is inflatable to an expanded profile forcing at least a portion of the exterior show surface member away from the support frame to define an energy absorbing impact surface.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus for providing a force to a moving element based upon receipt of an electrical force signal includes a force applying element coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator coupled to the force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus further includes a controller for determining when the force apply element is in an apply mode, determining the elapsed time until reversion to a normal mode, determining when the elapsed time is greater than a predefined minimum, modifying the value of the electrical force signal sent to the actuator, and modifying a stored control parameter.

Abstract: A flow control system and a valve for controlling a fluid flow in a flexible conduit. The valve includes a movable member movable to compressingly contact the outer surface of the flexible conduit to adjust the flow cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit. The flow control system includes the flexible conduit, the valve, and a controller. The controller is operatively connected to the movable member for controllably moving the movable member.

Abstract: A damper, such as a vehicle shock absorber, and a method for attaching a ring to a base cup of a damper. The method includes the step of autogenously welding the ring to the damper base cup. The damper includes a ring autogenously welded to the damper base cup. In one variation, the ring is continuous and the base cup has a substantially convex surface with an outward projection. In another variation, the ring is split and has an end portion having a tab which projects radially outward. In one implementation, the welding consists essentially of drawn arc welding.

Abstract: A direct current electric motor having a reduced inertia rotor includes a stator affixed to a housing wherein the stator comprises a plurality of electrically conductive windings. The stator further defines a central cavity in which is mounted a rotor. The rotor comprises a shaft, at least two magnets affixed in a radially spaced manner from the shaft, and a rotor core between the shaft and magnets that is rotationally de-coupled from the shaft and the magnets.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a capacitive strip having an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of the elongated body. A first elongated planar conductor is contained within an upper section of the elongated body, while a longitudinal cavity is formed through a central portion of the elongated body. The longitudinal cavity is disposed between the planar conductor and the bottom surface. A capacitance detector module is inserted within the longitudinal cavity, the capacitance detector module including a capacitance detector circuit therein that is coupled to the first elongated planar conductor.

Abstract: A braking apparatus and method are provided for applying a braking force to the inboard and outboard sides of a brake rotor, through the use of a pair of pistons disposed in a back-to-back relationship in a cylinder bore of a housing, and defining a space between them in the cylinder bore for receipt of a pressurized fluid. The rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis, and the cylinder bore defines a bore axis extending parallel to the rotor axis. A first piston of the pair of pistons is slidably disposed in the cylinder bore for movement in a first direction along the bore axis toward the inboard side of the rotor for applying a braking force to the inboard side of the rotor, and the second piston of the pair of pistons is slidably disposed in the cylinder bore for movement in a second direction opposite the first direction along the bore axis for applying a braking force to the outboard side of the rotor.

Abstract: A magnetic brake actuated spring clutch has an input shaft that is rotatably mounted in a housing, a coaxial output shaft that is rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation relative to the input shaft, and a coil spring surrounding a portion of the output shaft. The coil spring has one end attached to the input shaft and an opposite end attached to a rotor of a magnetic brake. The rotor is journalled on the output shaft, and the magnetic brake further includes a stator that is secured in the housing. The stator includes a permanent magnet and the rotor includes a copperplate that is juxtaposed the permanent magnet. The coil spring has a first part that is wound in one direction and a coaxial second part that is wound in an opposite direction so that the input shaft drives the output shaft in either direction when the spring clutch is engaged by input shaft via the magnetic brake. Alternatively, the stator may include a pair of spaced opposed magnets that are juxtaposed either side of the copper plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and method of assembling the same. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube and a stabilizer bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube. The vehicle damper assembly further includes a lower spring seat press-fit to the reservoir tube and stabilizer bracket. The vehicle damper assembly method includes providing a reservoir tube, attaching a stabilizer bracket to the reservoir tube, and press-fitting a lower spring seat to the reservoir tube and the stabilizer bracket.

Abstract: A dynamically adjustable automotive air bag gas venting system including an inflatable cushion stored in a non-inflated configuration; an inflator receptive of a first command signal for initiating the inflator; a retainer plate; a base plate; a rotatable ring positioned between the base plate and the retainer plate and a pyrotechnic actuator receptive of a second command signal for initiating the pyrotechnic actuator so as to at least partially vent inflation gas from an air bag.

Abstract: A suspension damper including a tube and a damping piston assembly disposed within the tube and slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement in the tube. The suspension damper also includes a piston rod extending through the tube and connected to the damping piston assembly, a rod guide assembly closing a top end of the tube, and a rebound cut-off disk and spring suspended in the tube between the rod guide assembly and the damping piston assembly and cooperating with the damping piston assembly to provide a rebound cut-off effect between the rebound cut-off disk and the damping piston assembly. The rebound cut-off disk and spring have specific gravities that are less than the specific gravity of the fluid in the tube, such that the disk and the spring are floatable in the fluid.

Abstract: A dash panel structure and method for forming such structure having an outer skin layer overlying a layer of foam cushioning material with a dimensionally stable support panel disposed below the foam cushioning material. A break-out pattern is applied across the surface of the substrate panel and into the overlying foam cushioning material in a pattern substantially corresponding to the desired deployment path of an underlying air bag cushion. The break-out pattern formed across the substrate panel is substantially aligned with a corresponding deployment opening pattern of grooved construction extending across the inner surface of the skin layer such that the deployment of the air bag cushion may be carried out at a controlled defined location within the dash panel structure.

Abstract: A load limiting seat restraint retractor for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure. The load limiting seat restraint retractor also includes a take-up spool operatively connected to the housing and connected to webbing of a seat restraint system for winding and unwinding the webbing. The load limiting seat restraint retractor also includes a rotatable torsion bar operatively connected to the housing to provide a constant load limiting on the webbing during an impact. The take-up spool is mounted on the torsion bar. The load limiting seat restraint retractor includes a locking mechanism operatively connected to the torsion bar and the housing. The load limiting seat restraint retractor further includes a load limiting device disposed between the locking mechanism and the take-up spool to deform the take-up spool to provide digressive load limiting on the webbing during the impact.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a track member. The orifice plate has an exit, a first surface sloping toward the exit, and an inner surface. The track member has an outer surface proximate the first surface of the orifice plate, and the outer surface of the track member has an entrance. A containment plate forms an orifice track with the first and inner surfaces of the orifice plate and with the outer surface of the track member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tubular assembly. A first tube is obtained. A first tubular connector is obtained having a first and second end portions. The first end portion is metallurgically attached to the first tube. A tubular member is obtained having a third end portion. At least one of the second and third end portions includes an annular outward fold including spaced-apart first and second fold portions. The first tubular connector and the tubular member are positioned with the second end portion aligned with and contacting the third end portion. A resistance welding current path is created through the first tubular connector and the tubular member proximate the second and third end portions and the second and third end portions are relatively and deformingly moved together creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the second and third end portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing labels onto cylindrical items includes an apparatus for applying a label onto a cylindrical object including a feed mechanism for feeding a label strip. A plate having a sharply angled separator edge is positioned to receive the label strip and peel a label from the label strip. A guide member has a pair of opposed rollers. The guide member and opposed rollers are positioned to receive the label. The opposed rollers are adapted to allow the cylindrical object to contact the label and affix the label to the cylindrical object as the cylindrical object is passed between the opposed rollers.

Abstract: A skin layer for covering a dash panel structure in overlying relation to an air bag cushion assembly. The skin layer is of a multi-layered construction including a top layer of virgin polymeric material forming a show surface of controlled predefined color across the vehicle dash panel and an underlying layer of regrind material formed from the scraps of material generated during molding and trimming of the dash panel covers. A tear seam may be scored across the underside of the skin extending into the underlying layer of recycled material in a desired break-out pattern for the air bag cushion. The skin layer may be disposed across an underlying layer of foam which in turn is disposed across a supporting panel structure.