Abstract: A tamper proof electrical connector has a plug which inserts into a receptacle housing. A leading portion of the plug resides within the receptacle housing and a unitary trailing portion of the plug projects outward from the housing. A tab projects laterally outward from the receptacle housing and snap locks to a cantilevered member engaged unitarily to the trailing portion of the plug. A barrier wall projects laterally outward from the receptacle housing and substantially surrounds the cantilevered member and tab. A hood has a perimeter wall and a resilient hinge engaged to a base of the cantilevered member. When assembled, the perimeter wall of the hood surrounds the barrier wall of the receptacle housing. Two prongs project downward from a top portion of the hood snap locking to opposing first and second walls of the barrier wall disposed on either side of the tab. The first and second walls are disposed between the perimeter wall and the respective first and second prongs of the hood.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a vapor canister includes a partition adapted to be disposed in an interior chamber of the vapor canister and having at least one opening extending therethrough. The valve assembly also includes a valve connected to the partition and covering the at least one opening and being movable to provide variable flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator assembly for use in an air conditioning system including an evaporator and a compressor. The accumulator-dehydrator assembly also includes a canister with an upper portion, an inlet, an outlet and a delivery tube with a first tube end positioned in the upper portion of the canister and a second tube end connected to the outlet. A baffle is disposed within the canister that includes a first end connected to the canister and a second end positioned to define a partition between the first tube end of the delivery tube and the inlet. The purpose of the baffle is to reduce pulsations that result from pressure fluctuations in the air-conditioning system.

Abstract: A pressure sensor connector (10) for use with a pressure sensor element (12) that includes a plurality of pressure sensor terminals (13). The pressure sensor connector (10) includes a housing (18), a plurality of connector terminals (20) and a flexible circuit (22). A plurality of electrical pathways (24), formed on the flexible circuit (22), connect each of the plurality of connector terminals (20) to a corresponding pressure sensor terminal (13).

Abstract: A compact constant velocity joint includes outer and inner joint members having surfaces to provide articulation of the joint. The surfaces are formed with aligned grooves to receive torque-transmitting balls. A ball retainer is provided axially adjacent the balls, adjacent an open end of the outer joint member to retain the balls in the grooves during operation. The ball retainer articulates on the same center point as that of the outer and inner joint members.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an outer race, cage, and inner race where the opening of the cage is sized to be equal to or greater than the minimum projected height of the inner race to allow the inner race to transitionally slide through the opening and rotate within the cage to be installed therein. The lobes of the inner race are thicker than the length of the windows of the cage. All the windows have the same length.

Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle subsystem comprises a reference model and a feedforward controller. The reference model computes desired states of the subsystem. The feedforward controller computes a first control value based on input from the reference model, and computes a second control value based on yaw rate of the vehicle and a control variable for the subsystem.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system comprises a torsion bar and a first arm extending-substantially perpendicular to the torsion bar. The first arm is fixed to the torsion bar at one end and connectable to one of the axles at the other end. A hydraulic actuator is attached to the torsion bar; and a control connected to the hydraulic actuator controls the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition. The hydraulic actuator comprises a housing, a piston making a sealing sliding fit inside the housing to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the second fluid chamber and out of the housing.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an instrument panel having an instrument panel cover including a hidden deployment region integrally formed within an inner surface thereof by an ultrasonic embossing process is provided. More specifically, the deployment region comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of scores or cuts formed in the inner surface according to a predetermined pattern. The scores represent weakened portions of the instrument panel cover designed so that the force of an inflating air bag cushion causes the instrument panel cover to separate along the scores to thereby provide an opening for the inflating air bag cushion to deploy therethrough and be directed into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The deployment region may be defined by any number of scores and therefore may have a variety of patterns, including but not limited to “H” pattern, “U” pattern, and “I” pattern.

Abstract: A method for altering engine ignition timing includes removing a centered gear tooth sensor from an engine. The centered gear tooth sensor is replaced with an offset gear tooth sensor. The offset gear tooth sensor includes a sensing element that forms a sensing angle, &agr;, with respect to a center diametric axis defined by a target wheel. The engine ignition timing is altered by an angular amount equal to the sensing angle, &agr;, of the sensing element.

Abstract: A system for seating a head of a valve shaft that is received within a first axial bore in a primary bushing includes a second bushing having a second axial bore. The second axial bore has a second bore diameter, and is substantially concentric relative to the first axial bore. The valve shaft has a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first portion has a first portion diameter, and the second portion has a second portion diameter. The first portion diameter is a predetermined amount less than the second bore diameter, whereas the second portion diameter is substantially equal to the second bore diameter. The first shaft portion is received within the second axial bore when the valve shaft is in the closed position. The second shaft portion is received within the second axial bore when the valve shaft is in the open position.

Abstract: A device for sensing oil condition includes an oil condition sensor that includes a first sensing plate separated from a second sensing plate by a spacer. Affixed to the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate is a platinum sensing electrode and a resistance temperature device. The sensing electrodes are separated by a gap that is filled with engine oil when the sensor is installed in an oil pan. A processor connected to the sensor can be used to determine when the engine is experiencing a first stage of oil degradation, a second stage of oil degradation, and a third stage of oil degradation. Each stage of degradation is characterized by a first sensor output signal trend, a second sensor output signal trend, and a third output signal trend, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain torque control provides an engine drag control mode of operation during periods of undesired engine drag induced wheel slip by modifying the torque of the vehicle engine in closed loop control to maintain a driven wheel speed at a predetermined target velocity lower than the vehicle speed by a target velocity difference providing as much engine braking as is consistent with a desired degree of lateral traction. The control derives a velocity error as the difference between the driven wheel speed and the target velocity and derives and delivers to the powertrain a torque command for reducing the velocity error. The torque control determines the engine drag control mode in response to the wheel speed sensors, preferably causing entry of the engine drag control mode when the driven wheel speed that is closest to the vehicle speed falls below the target velocity while powertrain delivered torque and throttle position are below predetermined values indicative of deceleration.

Abstract: A brake system and method of controlling the system are disclosed. The system provides secondary hydraulic braking in a de-energized mode. The system includes a wheel brake associated with wheels of a vehicle typically at each corner of the vehicle. The wheel brake typically includes a caliper or drum for deceleration of the vehicle. The system includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with the wheel brake. In the de-energized mode, the master cylinder operates the wheel brake. A solenoid isolation valve decouples the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the system is in a normal, i.e., an energized, mode. As such, the master cylinder is isolated from the wheel brake and is prevented from operating the wheel brake. Alternatively, in the de-energized mode, the isolation valve couples the master cylinder with the wheel brake to provide the secondary hydraulic braking.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the output cam. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. A frame member is pivotally disposed upon the input shaft. Lash adjusting means include an eccentric pin and a force applying means. The eccentric pin pivotally couples together a first end of the frame member and a second end of the rocker arm. The force applying means applies a force upon the eccentric pin causing the eccentric pin to pivot which, in turn, adjusts the position of the rocker arm relative to the input shaft and thereby removes lash from the mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece mounting bracket for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle, a vehicle damper assembly, and a method for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle. The one-piece mounting bracket includes a body having first and second opposing portions; the body portions include at least one opening formed therein. The bracket further includes a plurality of straps operably attached adjacent end portions of the first and second body portions. The bracket is adapted for operable attachment to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly with a plurality of proximate welds. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube, and a one-piece mounting bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube with a plurality of proximate welds. The mounting method includes providing a one-piece mounting bracket, attaching the bracket to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly by a proximate welding process, and attaching the bracket to the knuckle.

Abstract: A combination circuit board (12) and segmented bus structure (54) defines a composite circuit board/bus assembly (52) upon which an electrical circuit may be assembled. The various segments (54a-54f) of bus structure (54) may be variously configured to achieve one or more assembly, performance, testing, and/or reliability goals. For example, one bus segment configuration provides integral connector tabs (54a and 54e) for mechanical and/or electrical connection to interconnecting wires or electrical terminals of one or more external devices. Another bus segment configuration (54d) provides for mechanical and high current electrical interconnections between one or more bus segments (54a-54f) and one or more electrical components (16, 18, 20) and/or conductive film patterns(64) formed on top surface (12b) of the circuit board (12).

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a constant velocity joint of tripod type which is both highly strong and durable, and which can minimize rolling resistance when transmitting torque at a joint angle. A tripod type constant velocity joint comprises a housing secured to a first rotating shaft and a tripod having trunnion axes spaced apart equally in a circumferential direction and securing equally to the second rotating shaft. The cross section normal to the trunnion axis is shaped to an ellipse and the direction of its short diameter is arranged parallel to the second rotational shaft.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for control of a vehicle generator. The voltage regulator is selectably responsive to a voltage representing the generator output voltage at the alternator output terminal, or to an external voltage sensed at a load or source point on the vehicle. The voltage regulator determines the relationship between these two sensed voltages and in response thereto chooses one of the sensed voltages for use in controlling the generator output by controlling the field excitation current input thereto. Certain conditions also cause the voltage regulator to latch in a mode where it is controlled only by one of the alternator output terminal voltage or the external voltage. Manual resetting may be required to discontinue the latched operational mode.