Abstract: A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the delivery of fuel to an engine of an automotive vehicle equipped with a dynamic crankshaft fuel control system and an oxygen sensor feedback based fuel control system. The method includes determining an averaged combustion metric from the dynamic crankshaft fuel control system. The combustion metric is compared to an allowable engine roughness value and a dynamic crankshaft fuel control fuel multiplier is adjusted based on the comparison via a proportional-integral-derivative control calculation. Thereafter, the integral term of the dynamic crankshaft fuel control system's proportional-integral-derivative control calculation is stored.

Abstract: A method for improving the transient response of a multi-port fuel injection system wherein the delivery of a pulse to an injector is fragmented into a variable number of pulse fragments and the delivery of the pulse fragments to the injector is spaced throughout a respective fueling window. The magnitude and delivery angle of each of the pulse fragments is variable and depends upon the current engine operating conditions. Calculations of the magnitude of each pulse fragment are based upon a constantly recalculated total pulse width.

Abstract: A method of installing a carpet member in a motor vehicle includes the general step of orienting the carpet member so that an underside faces upward. The method additionally includes the step of engaging an edge of the carpet member with a plurality of studs upwardly extending from the vehicle. The method of the present invention further includes the step of rotating the carpet member about the plurality of studs to conceal the plurality of studs.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rear shoulder belt loads to a frame of a motor vehicle includes a unitarily constructed reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to a C-pillar joint construction. The C-pillar joint construction includes an upwardly extending strut tower which is welded to a rail of the vehicle frame. The reinforcement member includes an upper end to which a turning loop of a rear seat belt assembly is attached, and a lower end to which a retractor mechanism of the seat belt assembly is attached. Loads from the seat belt are transferred from the reinforcement member through the strut tower and to the rail.

Abstract: An ambient temperature learning algorithm provides a series of ambient temperature estimates which are calculated as a function of the induction air temperature as measured by an induction temperature sensor and this series of estimates is then filtered to provide an accurate reading of the actual ambient temperature. To increase the accuracy of the ambient temperature following an engine-off soak period, the initial estimate of the ambient can be made based upon several criteria. If the engine has not run for several hours, the induction system measurement from which the estimates are made is a good starting value. How long the engine has been off can be determined by a soak timer in the vehicle or by comparing the engine coolant temperature with the induction system temperature. If the coolant and induction system temperatures are very close, the soak period can be assumed long enough for the induction temperature to be a good starting point for the learned ambient temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly tool includes a base and a frame pivotably coupled to the base. The frame is configured for holding a plurality of vehicle parts to be welded together. A motor is coupled to the frame via a gear system to move the frame relative to the base. Per the present disclosure, the base can be juxtaposed with a plurality of robotic welders, each having an end effector with six degrees of freedom, and the frame then moved relative to the base to essentially provide a seventh degree of freedom for welding the parts together. Also, the frame can be programmed to return, after welding, to one of several user-defined load positions, each of which load positions can be tailored to a respective individual for facilitating ergonomic loading of parts into the frame by the particular individual.

Abstract: An adjustable suspension system for a motor vehicle is operative in a first mode or on-road mode and a second mode or off-road mode. The vehicle ride height in the second mode is significantly greater than that in the first mode. The adjustable suspension system includes first and second control arms pivotally interconnecting a wheel of the motor vehicle with the frame. A shock absorber has a first end fixedly interconnected to one of the control arms and a second end adjustably interconnected to the frame. A connector member is pivotally attached to the frame and has a first end attached to the shock absorber. A second end of the connector member is attached to a drive unit which rotates the connector member about a transverse pivot axis and thereby functions to establish the first and second modes.

Abstract: Pin and slot structure for rotationally positioning a bearing and spring seat assembly relative to a strut mount of a spring and strut module. The bearing and spring seat assembly includes a spring seat having a slot. The strut mount includes a strut mount plate having a slot registering with the slot in the spring seat. The pin has opposite side walls which taper longitudinally toward one another. The slot in the spring seat has side walls which have a taper corresponding to the taper of the side walls of the pin. The pin is insertable into the slots with the tapered side walls of the pin in wedging engagement with the tapered side walls of the slot in the spring seat. One of the side walls of the slot in the spring seat is axially serrated to provide ridges which grip the pin when the pin is inserted. The pin has end walls provided with integral shear strips engageable with the end walls of the slot in the strut mount when the pin is inserted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ induction tempering is provided in which an induction coil is used to temper a part in-situ at the location. The use of an induction coil in-situ at the heat treating location eliminates the need (and time and expense) of a multi-step process wherein in part to be tempered would otherwise have to be moved from the quenching location to the tempering location, such as at a tempering furnace. It also eliminates the need for the tempering furnace, which is a great space savings. In one form of the invention, the power supplied to the induction coil is controlled by a closed-loop temperature controller that is controlled by the temperature in the vicinity of the tempered part, as opposed to simply be controlling on time at temperature.

Abstract: Heat is removed from electronic components located within a closed housing by the use of a heat-conducting metal clip mounted on the housing cover so as to be in pressure contact with the electronic components. The metal clip includes a U-shaped mounting portion firmly clamped to a clip-mounting wall projecting from the cover, and a series of spring arms extending through a slot opening in the cover into pressure contact with individual electronic components. The clamp force of the clip on the mounting wall is designed to act independently of the pressure exerted by each spring arm on an associated electronic component.

Abstract: The coil spring of a vehicle shock absorber is seated on an annular elastomeric pad that is equipped with a reinforced peripheral flange adapted to maintain the lowermost convolution of the spring on the elastomeric pad should the spring break during service. An annular steel band is incorporated into the elastomeric band to provide a reinforced flange structure resistant to deformation.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle body painting system can be equipped with a paint purge mechanism that includes a densitometer responsive to density changes in the fluid flowing through the mechanism. The densitometer can be used to selectively direct pure paint into a pure paint collection receptacle or a solvent-paint solution into a mixed paint collection receptacle. The system achieves a relatively high percentage recovery of pure paint that is purged from the painting system during each paint color change.

Abstract: An energy management system for monitoring an energy storage device is disclosed. The energy management system includes a plurality of cells forming the energy storage device. Each of the cells includes a line for communicating a voltage signal. A local module is connected to the cells of the energy storage device. The local module has a plurality of inputs for receiving the voltage signals generated by the cells. The local module provides a multiplexed output signal. A processor is provided for receiving the multiplexed output signal from the local module and monitoring the voltage signals produced by the energy storage device.

Abstract: A method of determining a vehicle battery temperature by a non-linear dynamic model based on the physical concepts of thermal transfer and a system identification technique. The battery temperature model uses several available physical measurements from the vehicle, including the engine coolant temperature, surrounding air temperature, vehicle speed and the engine fan on/off state. This method also includes the estimation of an initial value of battery temperature before starting the iteration process by the battery temperature prediction from the dynamic model.

Abstract: A method of power output level control for a hybrid powertrain system includes the step of checking if there is a predetermined level of energy stored in a energy storage apparatus. The method further includes the step of checking if there is a predetermined level of power available if there is a predetermined level of energy. The method also includes the step of reserving a predetermined power level amount from the energy storage apparatus if there is power available. The method includes the step of determining if a predetermined enabling condition is met and releasing the reserved power level amount if the predetermined enabling condition is met.

Abstract: A tie rod assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inner tie rod member, an outer tie rod member and an intermediate member. The intermediate member is telescopically associated with both of the inner and outer tie rod members. A generally C-shaped clamp is adapted to arrest relative movement between the inner and outer tie rod members. The clamp includes first and second ends which are spaced apart so as to define a gap. The outer tie rod member includes a longitudinally extending slot. The clamp is fixedly attached to the inner tie rod member such that the gap between the first and second ends of the clamp is aligned with the longitudinally extending slot of the inner tie rod member. As a result, clamping forces are more effectively transferred from the inner tie rod member to the intermediate member, and in turn from the intermediate member to the outer tie rod member.

Abstract: A method for operating a power sliding door and a power liftgate in an automobile, such as a minivan, using a remote keyless entry (RKE) is comprised in a control system that includes a user input interface for receiving sliding door actuation requests from a user. The actuation signals are carried to a body control module (BCM) where the request is broadcast to a power sliding door module (PSDM) over a serial data bus communications network meeting the SAE J1850 multiplex communications protocol standard. Upon receipt of the actuation message the PSDM monitors several operating conditions of the automobile and makes a determination whether or not to carry out the power sliding door activation request. Power sliding door actuation is controlled by the PSDM via electric motors located at or near the power doors. A power liftgate module (PLGM) controls the power liftgate actuation upon via electric motors located at or near the liftgate.

Abstract: A method of leak detection for an evaporative emission control system is provided which determines if a potential leak is present in a portion of the system. The method includes the steps of monitoring an engine shut-off event and subsequently sealing the evaporative emission control system atmospheric vent such that the evaporative emission control system's internal pressure is isolated from external influences, absent a leak. After sealing the system, the internal pressure of the system is monitored for changes which should occur upon the cooling of the evaporative emission control system components. That is, when the components cool, the pressure within the sealed system should decrease. If the internal pressure of the evaporative emissions control system reduces so as to create a vacuum, the methodology assesses that no leaks in the system are present.