Abstract: A rocker shaft arrangement for a valvetrain system of an engine is provided. The rocker shaft arrangement includes a split rocker shaft having two fluidly separate internal regions. Each of the fluidly separate internal regions is arranged to selectively carry an independent supply of pressurized oil for distribution to valvetrain components. The two fluidly separate regions of the split rocker shaft are each further arranged to supply pressurized oil independent of each other to one of a high lift rocker arm and a low lift rocker arm of a rocker arm assembly for an engine valvetrain system.

Abstract: A deactivation arrangement for a vehicle park assist system is provided. The deactivation arrangement includes a trailer hitch receiver affixed to the vehicle and arranged to receive a trailer hitch. A switch assembly is provided that is associated with the vehicle park assist system and includes a switch arranged to engage the trailer hitch when the trailer hitch is inserted into the trailer hitch receiver. The switch assembly is arranged to deactivate the vehicle park assist system when the trailer hitch is inserted into the trailer hitch receiver and engages the switch.

Abstract: A cargo bed management system for dividing or extending a bed of a motor vehicle. The cargo bed management system includes a main panel having a length approximately equal to a width of the bed, and a pair of side panels hingedly connected to the main panel so that the side panels may rotate relative to the main panel from a stowed position where the side panels are directed toward the main panel to an extended position where the side panels extend outward from the main panel. At least one bumper is affixed to an end of each of the side panels that are hingedly connected to the main panel such that the bumper increases a length of the main panel when said the panels are in the stowed position. The bumpers compress to secure the main panel and the side panels to the bed.

Abstract: A glove box assembly for a vehicle is provided. The glove box assembly includes a storage bin and a dedicated climate controlled bin. The climate controlled bin is arranged to receive cooled air from a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit for cooling the climate controlled bin independent of the storage bin. The glove box assembly further includes a cooled air inlet. The cooled air inlet is arranged to draw cooled air from the HVAC unit upstream of a blend door when air conditioning is operating so as to provide cooled air to the climate controlled bin independent of a vehicle cabin temperature setting.

Abstract: A method for controlling a rate of change of speed ratios in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes sensing a vehicle speed, sensing an engine speed, and sensing a change in a position of an accelerator pedal. The method includes determining a desired engine speed based on the change in the position of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle speed, and the engine speed. The method includes increasing a target engine speed at a first rate to a predetermined value, wherein the target engine speed corresponds to a speed ratio. The method includes measuring a difference between the target engine speed that is held at the predetermined value and an actual engine speed, and increasing the target engine speed to the desired engine speed at a second rate when the difference substantially equals a predetermined threshold, wherein the second rate is less than the first rate.

Abstract: A control method for coupling a first engine to a second engine in a vehicle includes determining a current position of a throttle body that regulates power output from the first and second engines. Determining a set speed for the first and second engines that corresponds to a desired power output from the first and second engines. Determining a compensation position for the throttle body and moving the throttle body to the compensation position. Actuating a clutch to a closed position such that the first engine is coupled to the second engine. Determining whether the first engine and the second engine are in phase. Actuating the clutch to slip if the first engine is not in phase with the second engine and actuating the clutch to the closed position when the first engine and the second engine are in phase.

Abstract: An offset transmission shift lever assembly and isolator arrangement is provided. The shift lever assembly includes an insert arranged to fit over a transmission shift stub. An isolator is provided that encircles the insert and is formed thereto. The isolator has a varying outside diameter such upon assembling the isolator into a canister that encircles the isolator, a portion of the isolator outside diameter is press fit into the canister and another portion of the isolator outside diameter does not contact the canister thereby leaving a gap between the canister and the isolator. The isolator also includes axial holes formed in a lower end thereof and extending axially for a portion of the isolator length. Affixed to the canister is a shift lever aligned parallel to and offset from the shift stub. A fastener is provided for securing the shift lever assembly via the insert to the shift stub.

Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for selectively operating a vehicle in a skid-steer configuration is provided. The arrangement includes an engine coupled to a differential. A first torque transfer mechanism is coupled to a coupling mechanism and arranged to drive a first set of wheels on a side of the vehicle orientated parallel to a wheelbase of the vehicle. A second torque transfer mechanism is coupled to the differential and arranged to drive a second set of wheels on an opposite side of the vehicle. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the differential and includes a rotation selector arranged to selectively engage an output of the differential to provide a torque input to the first torque transfer mechanism of a direction so as to drive the first set of wheels in one of a same and an opposite direction as the second set of wheels.

Abstract: Prior to transitioning a multiple-displacement engine from a full-displacement engine operating mode to a partial-displacement engine operating mode, a base slip rate of a torque converter coupled to the engine engine is increased by a predetermined slip rate offset. The engine is then transitioned to partial-displacement mode upon the earlier of either achieving the desired offset slip rate, or once a maximum time delay has occurred since the slip rate offset was enabled. An offset slip rate is maintained throughout partial-displacement engine operation, and through a transition back to a full-displacement mode. The slip rate offset is removed or disenabled once the engine is again operating in the full-displacement mode. The slip rate offset is either a calibratable constant or is determined as a function of one or more suitable engine or vehicle operating parameters affecting vehicle NVH levels, such as engine speed and vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a steering system for selectively operating the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration. The system includes a forward steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a forward set of wheels. The forward steering assembly is arranged to receive an input from the steering wheel and includes a selectively actuateable forward motorized mechanism. A rear steering assembly is coupled to a rear set of wheels and includes a rearward motorized mechanism. Upon selective activation, the forward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the forward steering assembly and rotate the forward set of wheels toward a centerline of the vehicle and the rearward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the rearward steering assembly and rotate the rearward set of wheels toward the vehicle centerline such that the wheels are positioned to allow the vehicle to turn about a central point of the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly including a portion that is subject to deformation during vehicle impact events includes a body component, and at least one deformation control plate carried by the vehicle body assembly to engage the body component and inhibit deformation of the body component beyond a threshold amount. The deformation control plate is arranged to engage with the frame component only when the frame component is deformed beyond a first amount. Further deformation of the frame component bends or otherwise deforms the deformation control plate which provides a force resisting further deformation of the frame component and also dissipates the kinetic impact energy away from the deforming area of the frame component.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a guide track attached to a door, a slider positioned within the guide track, and a connecting member connecting the slider to the vehicle door frame. The connecting member has a vehicle end and a slider end and is arranged to be attached to the vehicle at the vehicle end and to the slider at the slider end. The connecting member and the slider are arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle along the guide track.

Abstract: A frame for a gaseous fueled vehicle is provided. The frame includes a floor pan, a tunnel positioned centrally and longitudinally in the floor pan extending a full length of the frame, and a tank integrated into the tunnel, where the tank is circular in cross-section and has a variable diameter. The tunnel may also integrate two or more tanks.

Abstract: An improved rocker system for actuating valve lift events of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes a rocker arm and an actuator link with the actuator link arranged to be in constant driving engagement with the rocker arm and a camshaft. A rocker shaft is positioned in a cylinder head and oriented to have a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the camshaft and the rocker arm is arranged to be rotated about the rocker shaft and engage a valve to actuate valve lift events of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an operating condition of a short runner valve in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine using an exhaust sensor in an exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine. The short runner valve is commanded to an open position for a test period, it is resolved whether the test period has elapsed, and it is determined whether a sensed exhaust gas parameter has exceeded a threshold during the test period. A pass signal is issued if the sensed exhaust gas parameter has exceeded the threshold within the test period. Otherwise, a fail signal is issued if the sensed exhaust gas parameter has not exceeded the threshold within the test period.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an integrated valve module in fluid communication with a carbon canister and atmosphere. The module is arranged to vent the system when exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions. The module includes a switch mechanism having a spring biasing member arranged to bias the switch mechanism to an open position. The switch is operable to indicate when the system is in a low negative pressure condition. The switch also includes a negative pressure valve coupled to a fluid passage between the canister, the atmosphere and the switch, and a positive pressure valve coupled to a fluid passage between the canister and atmosphere that bypasses the negative pressure valve and switch. The negative and positive pressure valves are positioned in a stacked arrangement in the integrated valve module.

Abstract: A detachable transmission shift lever theft deterrent arrangement is provided that includes a transmission shift stub accessible from a vehicle interior. A detachable shift lever is provided and arranged to slideably engage the transmission shift stub. A locking mechanism is positioned on the shift lever and arranged to engage the shift stub. A security system including a transponder is positioned on the shift lever, and the transponder is arranged to receive power from an antenna positioned on the shift stub and send a unique signal back to the antenna upon positioning the shift lever within a predetermined range of the antenna. A vehicle ignition system is then enabled when the antenna receives the unique signal from the transponder.

Abstract: A loose or missing fuel cap detection method for an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle detects a loose or missing fuel cap based in part on whether fuel level changed. The method determines whether the fuel level changed, which is indicative of a refueling event. The method then determines if one or more leaks are present. If the fuel level changed and one or more leaks are present, the method determines that the fuel cap is loose or missing.

Abstract: An engine torque management system of a V-style engine utilizes a cylinder head metal temperature sensor in each cylinder head to detect a temperature. When the sensor temperature rises above a threshold value for a particular time period, the response software shuts down the fuel injection of a bank of cylinders in which the sensor is installed. Cool, uncombusted intake air cools that bank and an external fan blows air over that bank. If the sensor in the second bank of cylinders rises above the threshold, the fuel injection on that bank shuts off to undergo cooling while the fuel injection on the first bank restarts. Alternation between the two banks occurs to maintain the desired level of torque demanded by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A bolt lock locks a bolt against rotation on an output gear. The bolt lock includes a locking plate having a ring-shaped body encircling the head of the bolt and provided with locking tabs bendable into locking engagement with the flat sides of the bolt head to prevent the bolt from rotating. The plate is secured to the output gear by additional bolts. The ring-shaped body has additional locking tabs bendable into locking engagement with the flat sides of the heads of the additional bolts.