Abstract: A weatherstrip and associated method of forming the weather-strip includes a body having a core formed of a first material and at least partially encapsulated in an extrusion material. A bright strip or metal show surface is integrated within the extrusion body to provide an aesthetically pleasing bright strip. The end of the bright strip is formed at an end of the weatherstrip to provide a one-piece structure.

Abstract: A below belt bracket assembly includes a weatherstrip or glassrun having first and second sidewalls interconnected along a base member that form a cavity configured to receive an associated window edge. A support member has a cavity configured to at least partially receive the weatherstrip. A first end of the support member includes first and second retention members that each operatively engage an end region of the weatherstrip. A recess/opening formed between the first and second retention members is dimensioned to receive the end region of the base member such that the end region of the weatherstrip base member ramps downwardly from the support member base wall through the recess/opening.

Abstract: An engine mount assembly includes a housing, an inertia track received in the housing and an elongated fluid damped first path that is adapted to communicate with an associated first fluid chamber on a first side and an associated second fluid chamber on a second side. A non-damped second path is adapted to communicate with the associated first and second fluid chambers. A decoupler is received in the housing, an idle diaphragm in the housing that selectively controls communication between the first and second fluid chambers to selectively alter the damping. First and second ports in the housing communicate with the decoupler and the idle diaphragm, respectively. A first solenoid selectively controls fluid flow through the first port and a second solenoid selectively controls fluid flow through the second port.

Abstract: A below belt bracket assembly includes a weatherstrip or glassrun having first and second sidewalls interconnected along a base member that form a cavity configured to receive an associated window edge. A support member has a cavity configured to at least partially receive the weatherstrip. A first end of the support member includes first and second retention members that each operatively engage an end region of the weatherstrip. A recess/opening formed between the first and second retention members is dimensioned to receive the end region of the base member such that the end region of the weatherstrip base member ramps downwardly from the support member base wall through the recess/opening.

Abstract: An example mount assembly includes a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element and a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a serpentine passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element.

Abstract: A trim or weatherstrip assembly secured to an associated vehicle. The assembly includes a cover portion that overlies an associated vehicle adjacent an edge. A connection member is defined on the cover portion. A fastener portion includes a detent connection member having first and second portions for operatively and alternatively engaging the connection member in a shipping, first position and in an installed, second position.

Abstract: A two vacuum actuated switch mechanism is provided within an engine or hydromount. First and second ports are provided along a peripheral portion of an inertia track assembly. A decoupler or vacuum diaphragm is selectively exposed to vacuum through a first port. Under the influence of the vacuum, the decoupler can no longer oscillate. If vacuum is applied only to the decoupler, and not and idle diaphragm, the fluid is forced through a low frequency inertia track which creates high levels of damping and low frequencies. If vacuum is also applied to the decoupler and the idle diaphragm, the high frequency inertia track is opened and causes the fluid to flow therethrough. This creates a high frequency dynamic rate dip. Alternatively, if no vacuum is applied to either the decoupler or the idle diaphragm, the decoupler is allowed to freely oscillate creating a decoupled state for low input displacements. Higher input displacements results in fluids being forced through the low frequency inertia track.

Abstract: A one-piece retainer assembly comprises a first retainer portion that operatively couples to a second retainer portion. The first retainer portion includes an outer show portion that extends from a first base portion, a retaining flange that protrudes from an inner surface of the show portion, and a first mechanical securing member provided in the first base portion. The second retainer portion includes a leg portion that extends from a second base portion, a retaining flange that protrudes form an inner surface of the leg portion, and a second mechanical securing member provided in the second base portion. An interior weatherstrip-receiving cavity is formed when the first retainer portion mechanically engages the second retainer portion. In the preferred embodiments, the male mechanical securing member includes a locking tab and the female mechanical securing member includes a locking recess.

Abstract: A switchable locking torque strut assembly and associated method are provided. The strut assembly is interposed between an associated vehicle chassis and an associated vehicle powertrain to provide high elastomeric rate resistance during start-up and/or shutdown of an associated internal combustion engine (ICE) and low elastomeric rate resistance during idle and/or driving events. The strut assembly includes a housing and a shaft at least partially received in the housing and operatively mounted for selective relative movement relative to the housing. A locking assembly is interposed between the strut and the housing for selectively locking the strut relative to the housing in response to start-up and/or shutdown of the ICE.

Abstract: A one-piece inner garnish assembly module system (MS) joins an inner garnish molding (IG), primary seal (PS), glass run (GR), and inner beltline weatherstrip (IB) into a single component prior to installation of the module system on a vehicle. The garnish is secured to the glass run along the A and B pillars, and the interconnecting header portion of a vehicle door. In addition, the primary seal is operatively associated or secured to the garnish, and may be pin-mounted to the door, or mechanically connected, and/or adhesively secured to the door.

Abstract: A weatherstrip is configured for engagement with an associated vehicle window. A body of the weatherstrip has regions of high hardness that include soybean oil as an ingredient in the rubber formulation. Flexible seal portions extend outwardly from the body and are adapted for sliding engagement with the associated vehicle window. Preferably, the soybean oil is approximately 1-25 weight % of the rubber formulation in the high hardness regions. The body has a Shore A durometer on the order of 80-95. A method of forming the weatherstrip includes providing a rubber formulation and substituting at least a portion of a plasticizer with fully hydrogenated soybean oil.

Abstract: A hose for use in a fluid transfer system includes a first layer that is made of a plastic material and a second layer having fiber strands that are wound about the first layer. Optionally, the hose may also have additional layers to provide added strength, permeation resistance, or other properties.

Abstract: A decorative trim assembly and the process of manufacturing includes providing a clip, supplying an elongated metal bright strip, and inserting the clip inside the metal bright strip. Subsequently, bending the assembled bright strip with the clip along its longitudinal extent provides a final conformation of the structure. It is subsequently secured to a weatherstrip by snap-fit operation. The end customer maintains the ability to service the decorative trim piece independently of the weatherstrip system.

Abstract: A method and resultant apparatus for a window seal assembly is shown and described. A thin layer of elastomer is introduced between a reinforcement member and a first surface of a window member. The subassembly of the glass member, elastomer, and rigid reinforcement is then introduced into a mold. Preferably, the thin layer of elastomer is provided by an extrusion process, such as on a metal reinforcement member, or as a co-extrusion process when an extruded reinforcement member is formed. A curable, elastomer/plastomer material is then injection molded to provide a flush glass appearance where an outer surface of the window is devoid of any seal material.

Abstract: A weatherstrip includes an elastomeric body having a first material that encapsulates a carrier. A second material having a higher hardness than the first material of the body is selectively positioned at a predetermined location in the body to support compressive loads imposed on the body. In this manner, the neutral axis of the weatherstrip can be controlled by selective location of the second material in the cross-section.

Abstract: A system for quick warm-up of a motor vehicle having an engine, an exhaust system and a passenger cabin includes a heat collector disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the catalytic converter. The system additionally includes a heater core in the passenger cabin. The heater core is in fluid communication with the heat collector for receiving a heated fluid from the heat collector. The system further includes an expansion tank for receiving fluid from the heater core. The expansion tank is located below the heat collector such that fluid drains from the heat collector back to the expansion tank solely under gravitational force. The heat collector may be combined with a resonator or with a muffler. The heater core may be a combined heater core that extracts heat from both the exhaust system and the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat between a first fluid and second fluid in a motor vehicle includes a housing, a first header, a second header, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes. The housing defines a chamber and includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first and second headers separate a central portion of the chamber from a first and second header portion of the chamber, respectively. The first inlet and the first outlet are in fluid communication with the central portion. The second inlet is in communication with the first header portion. The second outlet is in fluid communication with the second header portion. Each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes passes through the central portion of the chamber and has a first end in fluid communication with the first header portion and a second end in fluid communication with the second header portion.

Abstract: A system for quick warm-up of a motor vehicle includes a housing, a heat collector, and a valve mechanism. The housing includes an input port and an output port, and defines a first exhaust flow path between the input port and the output port. The heat collector is in fluid communication with the housing and defines a second exhaust flow path. The heat collector includes an inlet and an outlet and further defines a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet. The valve mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operable to control the flow of exhaust between the first exhaust flow path and the second exhaust flow path.

Abstract: A weatherstrip and method of manufacturing an integral close-out or trim to seal off the weatherstrip is disclosed. A notched region in a seal fin accommodates the intersecting weatherstrip. The first seal fin further includes a cut line extending through one end to form the integral dose-out. In this manner, separate foam pads typically used to seal along opposite ends of the first weatherstrip can be eliminated, along with the attendant costs associated with material and labor.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.