Abstract: A horn activation system, which activates a switch for driving a horn, the horn activation system includes a discriminating device that discriminates between the forces being applied to the switch. The discrimination device connects the switch to a power supply for activating the horn when the force being applied to the switch is applied for a time period greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An integrated pressure sensitive adhesive label application surface and pull card holder in the form of a placard component and an integral pocket component. The placard component includes a placard wall having a first side and an opposite second side, wherein a pressure sensitive adhesive coating is present on the first side. A rear wall of the pocket component is integrally connected with the placard wall, wherein a fold-over is provided at an imaginary demarcation therebetween. A front wall is superposed the rear wall, and secured to the rear wall along the mutual peripheries, except adjacent the fold-over. In one form of the present invention, the placard wall is provided with a preferably white color, the pocket component is clear, and the second side of the placard wall has a release coating. In another form of the present invention, the placard wall and pocket component are clear, and a conventional label system (ie.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) comprises a disc (12, 14), friction material pads (26) arranged on opposite sides of the disc, and an operating mechanism (50, 52) operable to bring the pads into contact with the disc so that the pads apply a braking force to the disc. The brake (10) also comprises a slideway (72a) on which at least one of the pads (26) is suported for sliding movement towards or away from the disc (12, 14). The slideway (72a) is formed by a guidance member (72) which defines at least two parallel grooves (72b) in a surface (72c) of the guidance member. The grooves (72b) extend parallel to the direction of the slideway (72a). The guidance member (72) is supported by parallel rods (70) which are received in the grooves (72b).

Abstract: A disc brake system (10) comprises a disc (12, 14), and a hub (16) which is arranged to rotate about an axis (18) thereof. The hub (16) comprises a mounting portion (16d) which is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The system (10) also comprises grooves (20) and teeth (22) by which the disc (12, 14) is mounted on the external surface of the mounting portion (16d) for rotation with the hub (16) as a unit about the axis (18) and the disc (12, 14) can perform axial sliding movement on the hub. The hub (16) carries vanes (62) arranged so that, during rotation of the hub (16) about the axis (18), the vanes act to force air into the interior of the mounting portion (16d). The mounting portion (16d) has openings (60) therethrough arranged so that air forced into the interior of the mounting portion (16d) passes through the openings and flows over said disc (12, 14).

Abstract: A method of compensating for errors in the measurement of the kinematic properties of an electric power steering motor for an automobile is disclosed. The method comprises generating a set of M-ary signals; measuring the pulse width of the set of M-ary signals; and measuring the time between the edges of the set of M-ary signals. The motor velocity may be directly measured by a tachometer or other such device. The motor position signal can be used to estimate the angular velocity of the motor, by determining the change in angular position of the motor divided by the change in time.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft coupled between the steering wheel and wheels of the vehicle. The shaft is operable for rotating when the steering wheel is turned to thereby turn the vehicle wheels. A vibration damping system for absorbing vibrations in the steering wheel and shaft includes a rotor coupled to the steering shaft to rotate with the shaft and a case surrounding the rotor and a clutch surface proximate the rotor. A magnetic circuit generates a magnetic flux in the rotor. The rotor is operable to engage the clutch surface and thereby vibrationally couple the steering shaft to the case to absorb vibrations in the shaft, and when a magnetic flux is generated therein, to disengage the clutch surface so that the steering shaft may more freely rotate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating brake pressure in a disk brake caliper, on the basis of a simplified mathematical model. The simplified model is limited to operating conditions in which the caliper piston is holding the brake pads in contact with the rotor, wherein higher order terms and certain fluid dependent terms of the model can be eliminated, thereby simplifying the model to the point that it can be readily used in an effective and efficient manner for estimating fluid pressure in the cylinder of the caliper. The displacement of the piston is estimated while the piston is holding the brake pad in contact with the rotor, as a function of an exchange of fluid between the pressure source and the cylinder. The brake pressure in the cylinder is determined as a function of the displacement of the piston while the piston is holding the brake pad in contact with the rotor.

Abstract: A spark plug boot keeper assembly interconnects between a spark plug boot and an internal surface of a surrounding structure which defines an elongated spark plug well. A pivoting member of the assembly is located above an annular upper shelf of the internal surface and a circumferential lower rib of the boot. When the boot is properly seated on the spark plug, the lower rib engages the upper shelf. Once engaged, the pivoting member pivots to lock the boot onto the spark plug. The pivot axis lies within an imaginary plane disposed perpendicular to a centerline of the elongated spark plug well.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector having improved wear characteristics comprises a body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. A valve seat is sealably connected to the body, and a moveable valve member positioned at the fuel outlet for controlling the flow of fuel from the outlet comprises a valve outlet element that provides a sealing interface with the valve seat. The valve member and included valve outlet element further comprise wear surfaces that are subject to repeated impact and/or sliding contact; at least a portion of these wear surfaces comprise an applied layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) stabilized by inclusion of greater than 30 weight percent of a carbide-forming material selected from the group consisting of silicon, titanium, and tungsten.

Abstract: A damper assembly is provided including a telescopic damper having a piston rod extending from a first end. A mount assembly is mounted on the piston rod. A dust tube is provided the damper assembly including a substantially closed end, the closed end positioned between the telescopic damper and the mount assembly. The closed end of the dust tube includes an opening for receiving the piston rod and a rate surface for contacting a bumper portion of the mount assembly when the damper assembly contracts.

Abstract: A reluctance rotor and method for manufacturing reluctance rotors having soft magnetic regions and regions with magnetic properties that are dissimilar to those of the soft magnetic region so as to create a flux barrier. The method generally entails producing a magnetic body having a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. The body is composed of concentric regions, at least one of which is a soft magnetic region while at least a second region of the concentric regions is formed of a material with dissimilar magnetic properties to the soft magnetic region. Once formed, the body is divided along radials thereof to form wedge-shaped members, with each wedge-shaped member having coaxial arcuate regions that are portions of the concentric regions of the body.

Abstract: An outer tie rod assembly connector body includes a first end and a second end, the first end comprising at least one hole for mounting to a steering knuckle and the second end comprising an aperture for receiving and containing a socket plug of an outer tie rod assembly.

Abstract: An improved vehicle climate control system develops a fog factor indicative of the relative potential of windglass fogging, and uses the index to schedule offsets to normal control settings of the system. The air dewpoint temperature at the front windglass is estimated based on relative humidity and a reference temperature, and the fog factor is determined as a function of the estimated air dewpoint temperature and a measure of the windglass temperature. The fog factor is used to offset an air inlet door, mode doors, refrigerant compressor capacity, discharge air temperature, and blower motor speed.

Abstract: A door mounted side restraint system is provided. The door mounted side restraint system includes an air bag module and a retention mechanism. The air bag module includes an inflatable cushion and an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion. The inflator is activatable to inflate the inflatable cushion. The retention mechanism includes a retention strap and a tensioning device. The retention strap is connected to the inflatable cushion and is deployable across a side window of a vehicle such that a tarp-like effect is provided to the inflatable cushion by the retention strap.

Abstract: A method of making an interior trim panel for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes the steps of loading a trim blank into a cavity of a mold and loading an edge of the trim blank on a movable slide of the mold. The method also includes the steps of depositing a molten thermoplastic material onto a core of the mold and partially closing the mold. The method further includes the steps of moving the slide into a channel of the core, completely closing the mold, and forcing the molten plastic material into a down-turned flange area of the mold to form the interior trim panel with a down-turned flange.

Abstract: The drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by an electrode fluid distributor. The electrode fluid distributor comprises a fluid passageway having a first end with an inlet and a second end with an outlet. A baffle is included that diagonally traverses the fluid passageway from the first end to the second end, and from a base of the fluid passageway toward an at least partially open side of the fluid passageway. The baffle defines at least a portion of a first reservoir and at least a portion of a second reservoir, with the inlet defining at least a portion of one end of the first reservoir and the outlet defining at least a portion of one end of the second reservoir. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet over the baffle. The first reservoir has a width proximate the open side which is smaller proximate the inlet than proximate the outlet.

Abstract: A method for resetting vehicle engine oil sensors includes determining whether a vehicle hood is opened. If the hood is opened, an oil sensor disposed in an oil pan is awakened and instructed to monitor the oil level. If, while the hood is opened, an oil parameter is altered a predetermined amount, the sensor and a corresponding output device are reset.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for retaining a component within a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular braking system. The system comprises a housing and a component wherein the housing includes an angled lead in formed in an opening of the housing and an outer retaining portion. The component includes an inner portion that is angled to contact the angled lead in at a single point. The component includes an outer portion to contact the retaining portion of the housing when deformed. A deformed portion of the housing retains a device, such as the component.

Abstract: A bi-directional mass air flow sensing device for measuring air flow, comprising a bridge circuit coupled across a voltage potential, wherein the bridge circuit comprises a first side including first and second temperature dependent sensor resistors connected in series and disposed on a thermally insulative substrate window in line with an air flow and arranged such that relative to a first direction of air flow, the first sensor resistor is upstream of the second sensor resistor, and a second side in parallel with the first side and including third and fourth temperature dependent sensor resistors connected in series and disposed on the thermally insulative substrate in line with the air flow such that relative to the first direction of air flow, the third sensor resistor is upstream of the fourth sensor resistor, and a temperature dependent balance resistor connected between the first and second temperature dependent sensor resistors on the first side of the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A pass-thru electrical connector assembly is an integral part of a barrier wall which separates a harsh environment from a controlled environment. A connector body having a staged position and a locked position on the barrier wall has a flange which extends radially outward from one end of an axial projecting portion. Via rotation of the connector body from the staged position to the locked position, the projecting portion of the connector body moves axially forward through a hole of the barrier wall as a ring seal is preferably axially compressed between the flange and one side of the barrier wall. Axial movement of the connector body is achieved via a plurality of locking lugs which protrude radially outward from and are spaced circumferentially about the projecting portion of the connector body. The lugs are aligned circumferentially with a plurality of slots spaced about and communicating with the hole of the barrier wall when the connector body is in the staged position.