Abstract: A technique for determining the charge air temperature within an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle without using a dedicated temperature sensor. The technique includes identifying a non-linear dynamic model based on the physical concepts of thermal transfer and system identification technique. The charge air temperature model uses several available physical measurements from the vehicle, including inlet air temperature, engine coolant temperature, vehicle speed, manifold pressure, engine speed, exhaust gas recirculation condition, and the engine fan on/off state. The model parameters are determined based on specific vehicle characteristics, and collected data from the vehicle. The charge air temperature is predicted by the model at regular predetermined intervals from the physical measurements, the vehicle parameters and the charge air temperature from the previous time.

Abstract: A system and method for use in a motor vehicles is disclosed for calculating a fuel multiplier during transient engine operation. The fuel multiplier modifies the amount of fuel released from a fuel actuator into an engine. The fuel control system uses neural network logic to establish the fuel multiplier. The neural network logic involves taking inputs from engine sensors, processing the inputs through an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer resulting in a fuel multiplier.

Abstract: A pickup truck having an extended cab passenger compartment and a pair of front doors disposed on opposite sides of the passenger compartment. A sliding rear door is disposed rearward of one of the pair of front doors. The sliding rear door is supported for sliding movement between a closed position and an open position by an upper track and a pair of lower tracks which are each engaged by a corresponding guide arm which is mounted to the sliding rear door. The upper and lower tracks are mounted so as to be concealed from view when the sliding rear door is in the closed position.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a security feature that protects against theft of compact discs (“CDs”) left in a compact disc player in a vehicle is implemented in a conventional compact disc player that has a CD insertion/ejection servo mechanism, a controller that controls the compact disc player including the insertion/ejection servo mechanism, and an eject switch coupled to the controller. The controller is configured so that it knows the state of the ignition switch, typically from a signal or data from a controller in the vehicle, such as a body controller, engine controller or transmission controller. The controller senses whether the eject switch is actuated when the ignition switch is turned from off to on. Each time that the controller senses that the eject switch is actuated when the ignition switch is turned from off to on, the controller transitions between a security off state and a security on state.

Abstract: In order to minimize instability and significantly reduce braking noise, especially at low speeds, a disc brake's hydraulic piston and piston bore (or other brake actuating element), is angled away from the normal direction perpendicular to the pad backing plate and to the rotor. The brake-applying forces are directed in an inward angled direction, generally toward the rotor and toward the leading edge of the brake pads. Such an arrangement results in reactive forces exceeding or at least equaling the magnitude of force couples caused by the thickness of the brake pads thus causing the pads to exert a greater compressive force on the rotor at the trailing edge of the brake pads than at the leading edge of the brake pads when the vehicle is traveling in a to forward direction. This significantly increases stability when the brakes are applied and minimizes braking noise, especially at low vehicle speeds when such brake noise is typically most significant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible fuel compensation system for determining the percent alcohol content of fuel in a flexible fueled vehicle at the instance of fueling and in an open loop operating mode. According to the invention, two estimated percent alcohol content values are calculated based on the old fuel mixture's alcohol content and two fueling possibilities. A first value is calculated for the possibility that E85 fuel was added to the tank and a second value is calculated for the possibility that E0 fuel was added to the tank. If the inferred ethanol content increases above a positive threshold during closed loop operation, the system assumes that E85 fuel has been added to the tank. Conversely, if the inferred ethanol content decreases below a negative threshold, the system assumes that E0 fuel was added to the tank.

Abstract: An exhaust system is provided including two catalysts and three oxygen sensors. The second catalyst is disposed downstream of the first catalyst. The first oxygen sensor is disposed upstream of the first catalyst, the second oxygen sensor is disposed downstream of the first catalyst and upstream of the second catalyst, and the third oxygen sensor is disposed downstream of the second catalyst. A goal voltage corresponding to a desired level of oxygen within the exhaust is provided for the third oxygen sensor based on engine RPM and MAP. The engine controller compares the goal voltage to an actual voltage generated by the third oxygen sensor and an error value is obtained and converted into a goal voltage for the second oxygen sensor. The engine controller compares the goal voltage to an actual voltage generated by the second oxygen sensor and an error value is obtained and converted into a goal voltage for the first oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A trim panel assembly for a door of a motor vehicle includes a trim panel substrate mounted on an inner panel of a door, a trim panel cover mounted on the trim panel substrate, and an arm rest portion formed by the trim panel substrate and trim panel cover extending longitudinally and inwardly into an occupant compartment of a motor vehicle and having an arm rest pad disposed between the trim panel cover and the trim panel substrate.

Abstract: An in-line combination steering pump with a shaft and water pump having a housing defining a pumping chamber into which the outer end of the shaft extends. The water pump housing supports an annular adapter member for supporting a seal which encompasses the shaft and is press mounted in the adapter. An impeller is removably secured to the outer end of the shaft adjacent the seal. A bushing encompasses the shaft between the seal and the impeller and is compressed by attachment of the impeller to the shaft so as press the seal firmly into the adapter. For replacement, the seal and bushing are removable over the outer end of the shaft after the impeller is removed.

Abstract: A method for controlling fuel vapor purge flow in an automotive type internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of determining existence of a purge ON condition and determining a simulated engine airflow value. A desired purge flow is calculated as is a value for a desired purge solenoid current. Utilizing a PID control methodology, the desired purge solenoid current is produced and a purge driver generates a PWM signal with to control a purge solenoid with the purge solenoid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical grounding of metallic vehicular components incorporates a conductive clamping mechanism. The conductive clamping mechanism includes a first portion having an housing defining an opening. The housing rotatably carries an externally threaded member. A conductive band has a first end fixedly attached to the clamping mechanism and a second end adjustably associated with the threaded member. Rotation of the threaded member adjusts the second end of the band relative to the first end to thereby tighten the band around the metallic vehicular component. A grounding strap having a width substantially greater than a height interconnects a ground surface of the vehicle with a second portion of the clamping mechanism. The second portion is preferably unitarily formed with the housing and is adapted to crimp the end of the strap.

Abstract: Contact noise generated between a striker cap mounted on a strut and a jounce bumper connected to a shock tower is reduced by providing an axial projection on the roof of the striker cap. The projection progressively displaces and compresses the elastomeric jounce bumper material and thereby avoids large compressive impulse forces and associated noise generation.

Abstract: A pillar assembly for a motor vehicle includes a frame portion, an interior trim panel attached to the frame portion and an energy absorbing member attached to one of the frame portion and the interior trim panel. The energy absorbing member is disposed between the frame portion and the interior trim panel. The energy absorbing member is inelastically deformable and includes an open side and a closed side. The open side is oriented to face the other of the frame portion and the interior trim panel.

Abstract: A device for momentarily mounting a sliding door to a B column of a vehicle body. This device allows to mount the sliding door to the vehicle body during manufacture of the vehicle such that it may be pivoted—similar to a pivotal vehicle door—between opening and closing positions so as to provide for easy access to the vehicle body and sliding door. The device comprises a securing mechanism for removably securing the device to the B column, a holding mechanism for removably holding the sliding door at the device, and pivot member for pivotally connecting said securing mechanism and the holding mechanism. The device is a structural unit which may be mounted and dismounted to and from the vehicle body in a very simple manner.

Abstract: A text fixture for testing a transfer case electronic control unit according to this invention comprises an eletro-mechanical shift mechanism having electronic inputs and outputs for coupling to electronic inputs and outputs output of the transfer case electronic control unit and an output shaft coupled to a transfer case load simulator. In a preferred embodiment, the transfer case load simulator comprises first and second oppositely wound torsion springs having identical torque characteristics coupled in opposed relation to the output shaft of the eletro-mechanical shift mechanism.

Abstract: A module for interfacing with a serial data bus of an on-board computer system of a motor vehicle to provide a means by which an external device such as a lap top computer, electronic compass, etc., can exchange useful data therefrom. The module includes a controller having a vehicle data bus interface circuit which interfaces the module with the serial data bus. An accessory device interface circuit interfaces the module with the external device. The module provides a power connection terminal to provide power from the vehicle's electrical system to the external device. The module forms a low cost means by which various external devices can be interfaced with the on-board computer of the vehicle to exchange useful information and to enhance operation of the vehicle or the external device.

Abstract: An apparatus for lubricating a cooling rotary components in a vehicle drivetrain. The apparatus is defined by a single component bearing cap having integrally formed lubricant deflectors to direct lubricant flow to lubricant-starved side bearings in a drive axial differential carrier assembly. The lubricant deflectors extend angularly outward from the ends of the bearing cap. The bearing cap is secured to a housing portion of a drive axle differential carrier assembly of the vehicle drivetrain. A differential bearing assembly is pinched between the bearing cap and bearing mounting surfaces of the drive axle differential carrier assembly.

Abstract: A test system having a bifilar wound isolation network disposed in between a device under test (DUT) and a device under test support system for providing a high isolation impedance to common mode signals present at the input terminals of the isolation network, while still providing a relatively lossless path for differential signals present across the input terminals of the isolation network. The isolation network comprises a plurality of four resonators each having a precise, predetermined number of turns and serially interconnected by a bifilar winding. The bifilar winding allows coupling to the inputs of a balanced DUT and enables a worst case operating environment to be provided for the balanced DUT to assist in testing and/or design of the DUT so as to minimize the effects on the DUT of electromagnetic interference and to assist in modifying the balanced DUT so as to immunize it from susceptible EMI receptors therewithin.

Abstract: A spring and strut mount assembly for an automotive vehicle including a strut in the form of a shock absorber having a piston reciprocable within a cylinder, and a piston rod extending axially outwardly from the piston through a cap on an end of the cylinder. The assembly also includes a strut mount adapted to be secured to rigid frame structure of the vehicle. The piston rod is secured to the strut mount. A spring unit resists retraction of the piston rod into the cylinder. A jounce bumper of flexible compressible material is sleeved on the rod between the strut mount and the end of the cylinder. The jounce bumper is compressed axially by contact with the end of the cylinder when the piston rod strokes. A cup is provided to limit radially outward expansion of the jounce bumper when it is compressed by the end of the cylinder. The cup includes a side wall of plastic material surrounding the jounce bumper. The base of the cup is a metal washer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for side impacting testing of motor vehicles at a sub-system level. By advancing a side impact barrier into the vehicle shell mounted on the fixture at a predetermined speed, full-scale crashworthiness for side impact collisions can be predicted, thereby significantly reducing development cost and time. The fixture includes a base for supporting the vehicle shell, a side portion for reinforcing a lateral side of the vehicle shell and protecting against deformation and a roll-over prevention structure. The fixture additionally includes a plurality of casters attached to the base.