Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.

Abstract: A retractable vehicle top and rear quarter window combination includes a roof formed by a front roof section and a rear roof section that are pivotally connected to each other and moveable by a top stack drive. The top stack drive includes a linkage having right and left balance links that pivotally connect a respective side of the front roof assembly to one of a right and left bracket. A window pivot bracket pivotally connects each of quarter windows to one of the balance links. The rear quarter windows are rotated inwardly by quarter window control links to pivot the rear quarter window on the balance link as the rear roof is moved.

Abstract: A kickdown mechanism provides a tactile feedback to the foot of a user depressing a vehicle pedal. The kickdown mechanism has a case and a plunger having a recess. The plunger is engaged by movement of the pedal so as to cause the plunger to travel linearly. A friction generating assembly is retained by the case and engages with the plunger so as to provide a tactile feedback to the user. The friction generating assembly has a rod that is retained by the case. The rod is biased into the recess such that the pedal, when depressed, urges the plunger from a first position in which the rod is located in the recess to a second position in which the rod is located outside the recess.

Abstract: A convertible top having right and left side rails that fold toward each other as the convertible top is retracted. A segmented one bow is articulated to allow the side rails to converge and move from an extended position wherein they extend longitudinally relative to the vehicle to a retracted position wherein the side rails extend transversely.

Abstract: An electrical brush wiper for use in a position sensor to contact an electrically resistive surface. The wiper has a metallic beam having a channel. The channel is formed from a pair of parallel extending flanges. One of the flanges is attached to the beam. Carbon fibers are secured within the channel between the flanges. The flanges have several tabs for securing the fibers in the channel. The tabs can be welded to the flanges.

Abstract: A hermetic ground pin assembly for making an electrical connection between a hermetically sealed enclosure and an external circuit. A case has an aperture and a plug located within the aperture. A low temperature braze alloy is located between the plug and the case to attach the plug within the aperture. Two different pins are attached to opposite sides of the plug. A high temperature braze alloy attaches one of the pins to the plug and the low temperature braze alloy attaches the other pin to the plug.

Abstract: A weight sensor for sensing an applied weight. The sensor includes a first and second outer substrate that have a first and second end and an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and second outer substrates are fixedly attached together. Several strain gauge resistors are located on the outer surfaces of the first and second outer substrates to generate an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed by the applied weight. The electrical signal changes as a function of the applied weight. The sensor is useful in measuring the weight of a vehicle seat occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight sensor for sensing the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The sensor includes a substrate that has a first and second end. The substrate is located between the seat bottom and the vehicle floor. Strain gauge resistors are located on the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed by the weight of the seat occupant. The electrical signal changes as a function of the weight of the seat occupant. Several mounting configurations to the vehicle seat are shown.

Abstract: In a non-contacting angular position sensor (10), an angular positioning of a rotating object, such as a crankshaft, is measured by a Hall effect device (34) that remains stationary in an air gap (33) between two discs (12, 22), both coupled to the rotating object via a shaft (11). A ring magnet (32) is attached to one of the two discs (22) that has a groove (26) therein. The groove (26) varies in width from a wide region (27) to a narrow region (29). There is a transition region (28) between where the groove (26) is narrowest and where it is widest. As the shaft (11) rotates, the Hall effect device (34) senses a magnetic field that varies with the width of the groove (26), thereby measuring the angular position of the rotating object coupled to the shaft (11).

Abstract: An automobile seat occupant sensor and airbag control system for detecting the location and weight of a person in a car and a seat inclination angle. The system includes an airbag and an airbag deployment mechanism for deploying the airbag. Several sensors are fixedly located in a weight path of the vehicle seat. The sensors are located between a seat bottom and a vehicle floor. A controller is connected between the airbag deployment mechanism and the sensors for controlling deployment of the airbag. The controller calculates a center of gravity of the seat occupant, weight of the occupant and a seat inclination angle and uses this information to control deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An electrical contactor or wiper that uses an elastomer near the tip to reduce flexing and improve electrical signal accuracy. The contactor includes an elongated beam having a U-shaped end. Several carbon fibers form a bundle attached to the beam. The fibers have ends and tips. The ends are compressively held inside the U-shaped end and the tips emanate from the U-shaped end. An elastomer is disposed over the carbon fibers where they emanate from the U-shaped end. The elastomer reduces flexing of the carbon fibers. The elastomer is located between the beam and adjacent to the tips with the tips being exposed. A laser is used to trim the carbon fibers and elastomer to form the tips.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering a retractable top for a motor vehicle, comprises a decklid and a tonneau cover. The decklid is attached to the vehicle, and is at least partially defining an opening through which the top may retract. The tonneau cover is slidably secured to the decklid to open and close the opening.

Abstract: In a wind deflector operating mechanism for a convertible with an adjustable top, wherein the wind deflector is supported by vertical guide rails so as to be movable between lowered and raised positions and the vehicle top is movable between a closed position and a storage position, a drive mechanism for opening and closing the vehicle top is adapted to engage an operating linkage for raising and lowering the wind deflector in such a way that movement of the wind deflector occurs only during certain movement phases of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A covercoat composition for electronic components that has improved performance to environmental and processing exposure. The covercoat composition has 15-30 wt. % of polyamide-imide, a polytetrafluoroethylene present in an amount up to 20 wt. % and a silica present in an amount up to 15 wt. %, wherein all of the covercoat components are dispersed in a 60-80 wt. % organic solvent. A more preferred range of polyamide-imide is 20-25 wt. % of the total composition. A preferred organic solvent is N-methyl Pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the relative displacement between two rotating shafts. The sensor can sense a torque applied to the steering wheel of a vehicle. The sensor has a housing that has apertures at each end. The rotating shafts pass into the housing. A sensor assembly is located in the housing and connected to the shafts. The sensor assembly generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the relative rotational displacement between the shafts. An electrical connector is located in the housing and electrically connects with the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly has a planetary gear assembly that is connected to the shafts. A variable magnetic field generator is connected to the planetary gear assembly and moves proportional to the relative rotational displacement of the shafts. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent the variable magnetic field generator and generates the electrical signal as the variable magnetic field generator moves.

Abstract: A linear position sensor for sensing the position of an attached object. The linear position sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a ramp shaped actuator located in the housing. The actuator is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in contact with the actuator. The actuator applies a strain to the strain gage as the actuator is moved. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.

Abstract: An adjustable folding top for a motor vehicle can be adjusted between a closed position covering the vehicle interior and a deposited position. The top is equipped with a folding top linkage having a plurality of movably arranged transverse and side bows. In order to provide a simply constructed and space-saving folding top, a rearward transverse bow of the folding top linkage, which faces the depositing space of the folding top, has a multipart construction with at least one center section and two lateral sections. The lateral sections are connected with the center section by way of articulations.

Abstract: A sealing element for a vehicle roof with a roof opening in which a movable roof element is arranged so as to be adjustable between open and closed position has a sealing surface which in closed position of the roof element engages with an edge of the roof element to form a seal. In order to improve the seal in a simple manner, the sealing element is provided with a sealing arm which rests on a support. The upper side of the sealing arm forms the sealing surface.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor for sensing the position of an attached rotating object. The rotary position sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a rotor located in the housing. The rotor is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in the housing adjacent the rotor. The rotor rotates so as to contact the strain gage and apply a strain to the strain gage. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.