Abstract: The invention relates to a covering part with cable channels and a cabled covering part such as a carpet for vehicles, which is provided with several self-closing channels acommodating a cable network. These channels can be formed directly into the spring-elastic part of the covering or can comprise a plastic or foam rubber sleeve slotted on their longitudinal side and lying in the covering part. The inexpensive and simple to manufacture covering part permits an exact leading of the cables, a good protection for the cable network and a simple and quick application and exchange of the cables. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a covering part.

Abstract: An integrated active steering and braking control system for providing one or more corrective yaw moments to a vehicle in response to a plurality of signals indicative of operational and environmental conditions related to the vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a reference model, an estimator, a vehicle level brake/steer controller, and an actuator controller. The reference model provides a feedforward front steering angle correction signal a feedforward rear steering angle correction signal, a desired yaw rate signal, a desired lateral velocity signal, and a desired side slip angle signal. The estimator provides an estimated surface coefficient of adhesion signal, an estimated lateral velocity signal, and an estimated side slip angle signal. In response to the signals from the reference model and the estimator, the vehicle level brake/steer controller provides either a desired speed differential signal, a desired front steering angle signal and/or a desired rear steering angle signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for independent axle control of a variable force damper system by providing at least one axle velocity signal from at least one vehicle sensor. The method then applies an axle control algorithm to the at least one axle velocity signal, thus determining at least one axle damping command as a function of the axle control algorithm.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle is provided that includes a cylindrical reservoir tube with a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within the reservoir tube. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extending axially therefrom and through one end of the reservoir tube. An annular rod guide assembly surrounds the piston rod and includes a magnetic portion. A non-magnetic dust tube is disposed around the reservoir tube, the dust tube being operatively connected to the piston rod. A generally longitudinal sensor housing is formed in the dust tube adjacent the magnetic portion and a linear sensor is disposed in the sensor housing adapted to detect the position of the magnetic portion.

Abstract: A speed sensor for sensing a rotating speed of a wheel is provided. The speed sensor includes a thermoplastic sensor body. A mounting ring is connected to the sensor body. The mounting ring can include a flange portion. A plastic insert is integrally molded into the sensor body adjacent the mounting ring. An active sensor element is located in a lower end of the plastic insert, a face of the active sensor element being vertically spaced a predetermined distance from the flange portion. A pair of terminals is electrically connected to the active sensor element. The pair of terminals extends from an upper end of the plastic insert. The flange portion, when pressed onto a hub associated with the wheel, is adapted to space the active sensor element an operating distance from a tone wheel mounted to the hub.

Abstract: A system and method for ABS stability control is provided, the method comprising the steps of determining whether a first wheel is in an ABS mode; determining whether the first wheel is in an apply mode; determining whether a second parallel wheel is in the release mode; calculating an adjusted wheel slip if the first wheel is in the ABS mode, the first wheel is in the apply mode, and the second parallel wheel is in the release mode; and determining a control mode for the first wheel using the adjusted wheel slip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing labels onto cylindrical items includes an apparatus for applying a label onto a cylindrical object including a feed mechanism for feeding a label strip. A plate having a sharply angled separator edge is positioned to receive the label strip and peel a label from the label strip. A guide member has a pair of opposed rollers. The guide member and opposed rollers are positioned to receive the label. The opposed rollers are adapted to allow the cylindrical object to contact the label and affix the label to the cylindrical object as the cylindrical object is passed between the opposed rollers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to control a braking system. One method provides a command signal to a valve to control fluid pressure to a wheel brake in a braking system includes the steps of determining a pressure signal using a first control technique based on a first set for control gains and a pressure command signal, determining a first current signal based upon the pressure command signal, subtracting an actual pressure signal from the pressure command signal to produce an error signal, and determining a second current signal using a second control technique based on the second set of control gains and the error signal. The method further includes subtracting a supply pressure actual signal from a supply pressure nominal signal to produce a pressure differential signal, multiplying the pressure differential signal by a selected gain to produce a third current signal, and summing the first current signal, the second current signal and the third current signal to produce an output signal.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator that produces a pedal characteristic not unlike conventional vacuum boosted or hydraulic brake systems. The system includes a master cylinder, a first and second piston slidably carried in the master cylinder, a gas-filled bellows emulator and a spring emulator operably attached to the master cylinder, and a reservoir carrier near the master cylinder. When a brake force is manually applied, a gas within gas-filled bellows compresses thereby generating a first stage of emulator travel. Once a pre-load force is surpassed, a coil spring within the spring emulator compresses thereby generating, along with the gas-filled bellows, a second stage of emulator travel. The two stages of emulator travel comprise a characteristic rate of pedal travel versus pedal force.

Abstract: A thermal isolator including first and second pads, the first and second pads shaped to cover first and second leg portions of a mount. The isolator further includes a friable connecting portion attached to each of the first and second pads. The connecting portion is positioned to disconnect when a housing is positioned on the mount.

Abstract: A splash shield for a vehicle wheel disc brake assembly is provided. Each wheel disc brake assembly includes a brake rotor having an inner brake surface and a splash shield. The splash shield includes a central attachment portion. Extending from the central attachment portion is a flange-shaped shield portion. The shield portion has an outer surface with a plurality of generally radially extending vanes formed on the outer surface of the shield portion, the vanes being positioned adjacent the inner brake surface of the brake rotor when the splash shield is mounted to the vehicle.

Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of said vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, at least one of the distal end and the proximal end of at least half the vanes having a first cross-sectional area, the mid-portion having a second cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area being substantially greater than the second cross-sectional area. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the distal end. The vanes can include an hourglass shaped portion. The vanes may taper from the distal end to the proximal end. The vanes can include a thicker cross-section adjacent a peripheral portion of the rotor.

Abstract: A system and method for ABS stability control is provided, the method comprising the steps of determining whether a first wheel is in an ABS mode; determining whether the first wheel is in an apply mode; determining whether a second parallel wheel is in the release mode; calculating an adjusted wheel slip if the first wheel is in the ABS mode, the first wheel is in the apply mode, and the second parallel wheel is in the release mode; and determining a control mode for the first wheel using the adjusted wheel slip.

Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of said vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal ends of a plurality of the vanes having a first width, the mid-portion having a second width, the first width being substantially greater than the second width. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the proximal end.

Abstract: A system and method of vehicle stability enhancement control during ABS operation, the method comprising the steps of determining whether ABS mode is active; determining whether VSE is required; calculating a target wheel speed for each wheel if ABS mode is active and VSE is required; calculating an adjusted wheel slip for each wheel by subtracting the wheel speed for each wheel from the target wheel speed for each wheel and dividing the difference by the target wheel speed for each wheel; and determining an ABS control mode for each wheel using the adjusted wheel slip. The method further provides the step of calculating the target wheel speed for each wheel, in which the step of calculating the target wheel speed for each wheel further comprises adding a VSE modification term for each wheel to the vehicle speed to calculate the target wheel speed.

Abstract: A system for barrier proximity detection, comprising a short-range detection (SRD) sensor, a barrier proximity detection system (BPDS) controller, and an operator display and control. The SRD sensor mounted on the vehicle detects the distance to objects and transmits a distance signal to the BPDS controller. The BPDS controller provides an operator control signal to the operator display and control for the driver's use. The BPDS controller may also store preset alarms, distance setpoints, or desired ranges for repeated use. The operator display and control may be a gradient alert display with audible alarms or an alphanumeric display to indicate the distance to an object with a preset target distance. The method provides the steps of measuring a desired range between the front of a vehicle and a barrier and storing the desired range in the BPDS, then using the desired range to provide a clear indication to the driver.

Abstract: Disclosed are a side airbag system, and manufacturing and folding methods of the side airbag system, by which a passenger's head and thorax can be safely protected, and manufacturing cost and labor can be reduced. The side airbag system has an airbag cushion and an inflator assembly. The airbag cushion has a first panel, a pair of second panels, and pairs of reinforcement panels. The airbag cushion has an upper chamber and a lower chamber partitioned by a tether. The inflator assembly has an inflator, a mounting ring, and a mounting bracket. The tether constantly maintains a pressure in and a shape of the airbag cushion so that a gas injected by the inflator is filled in the lower chamber prior to the upper chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake including a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator and a sensor assembly positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement.

Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.

Abstract: A master brake cylinder for use in a braking system of a vehicle, which contains pistons, having seals molded thereon. Overmolding the elastomer directly onto the pistons forms the seals. Also disclosed are improved master brake cylinder pistons having seals for automotive and other vehicles, and master brake cylinders which comprise brake fluid resistant, synthetic elastomer seals molded directly onto the piston of the master brake cylinder.