Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump housing; an inlet which introduces fluid into the pump housing; an outlet which discharges the fluid from the pump housing; a pump section which pumps the fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and a strainer through which the fluid passes in order to enter the inlet. The fluid pump extends along an axis and the strainer includes a straining medium configured to allow the fluid to pass therethrough while preventing foreign matter of a predetermined size from passing therethrough. The straining medium defines a strained volume with the pump housing such that the strained volume is defined radially between the straining medium and the pump housing and such that the strained volume is in fluid communication with the inlet.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly is presented. The wiring harness assembly is formed by a method that includes the steps of crimping an electrical wire cable within a crimping feature of an electrical terminal having wire strands protruding from the crimping feature and fusing the wire strands of protruding portion, or “wire brush” so that the wire strands are in intimate contact, thereby eliminating voids between individual wire strands of the wire brush. The wires may be fused by laser welding, soldering, or brazing. The method may be especially beneficial for wire strands having an insulative oxide layer, such as aluminum. The bonding reduces the resistance between the wire strands due to insulating oxide layers on the surface of the wire strands and inhibiting of corrosion by eliminating inter-strand gaps where electrolytes in solution may enter and cause galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining an advance chamber and a retard chamber with the input member; a camshaft phaser attachment bolt which clamps the camshaft phaser to a camshaft, the camshaft phaser attachment bolt having a bolt valve bore extending along an axis. A valve sleeve is located coaxially within the bolt valve bore such that an annular clearance is provided radially therebetween. A valve spool is located coaxially within the valve sleeve such that the valve spool is moved coaxially between an advance position and a retard position. A compliant sealing ring radially between the bolt valve bore and the valve sleeve prevents fluid communication through the annular clearance axially between opposing axial sides of the sealing ring and isolates the valve sleeve from radial expansion of the camshaft phaser attachment bolt.

Abstract: A coaxial connector assembly is described herein. The coaxial connector assembly includes an inner contact that is configured to terminate a center conductor of a coaxial cable, an insulative inner sleeve holding the inner contact, a tubular outer contact surrounding the inner sleeve and the inner contact, said outer contact configured to terminate a shield braid of the coaxial cable and an insulative cylindrical outer sleeve defining a central cavity extending longitudinally therethrough in which said outer contact is disposed. The cavity has an opening configured to receive a corresponding coaxial connector. A lip on a forward end of the outer sleeve extends into the opening such that a forward edge of the outer contact is not exposed within the opening. The coaxial connector assembly may be configured to meet the FAKRA connector standards.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly which is either driven by a drive chain or which drives the drive chain includes a hub centered about a sprocket axis and defining a hub radially outer surface; a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from the hub; and a cushion ring assembly adjacent to the plurality of sprocket teeth and circumferentially surrounding the hub radially outer surface. The cushion ring assembly includes a cushion ring adjacent to the plurality of sprocket teeth and circumferentially surrounding the hub radially outer surface; the cushion ring being resilient and compliant. The cushion ring assembly also each includes a retention ring which is partially embedded within the cushion ring and which engages the hub radially outer surface in an interference fit, the retention ring providing axial and radial retention of the cushion ring to the hub.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of operating a capacitive vehicle entry control device includes: determining a plurality of capacitance values of the vehicle entry control device during a measurement period; determining an average capacitance of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined average capacitance exceeds an average threshold; determining a range of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined range exceeds a range threshold; and initiating a vehicle entry process when the determined average capacitance exceeds the average threshold or when the determined range exceeds the range threshold.

Abstract: A Pseudo-Random Phase Modulation (PRPM) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a first transmit-antenna that transmits a first transmit-signal generated by a first PRPM-code, a second transmit-antenna that transmits a second transmit-signal generated by a second PRPM-code, a receive-antenna used to detect a first reflected-signal arising from the first transmit-signal and a second reflected-signal arising from the second transmit-signal, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the receive-antenna and is operable to generate the first PRPM-code and the second PRPM-code.

Abstract: A rear-wheel steering system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, and actuator, and a controller. The object-detector is used to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The actuator is used to adjust a rear-steering-angle of rear-wheels of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and the actuator. The controller is configured to determine a location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on information from the object-detector, and operate the actuator to avoid the object when the host-vehicle moves.

Abstract: A safe-stop-zone mapping system suitable for use on an automated-vehicle includes a digital-map and a controller. The digital-map indicates a travel-path suitable for travel by a host-vehicle. The digital-map also indicates a safe-stop-zone proximate to the travel-path. The controller is in communication with the digital-map. The controller is configured to navigate the host-vehicle into the safe-stop-zone when an emergency-situation occurs.

Abstract: A wire cable assembly, such as those used in electric or hybrid electric vehicles, having a plurality of shielded wire cables that are spliced together is presented. The assembly includes a splicing device having a generally planar bus bar formed of a conductive material, wherein the exposed core conductors of the shielded wire cables are welded to the bus bar, thereby electrically interconnecting the exposed core conductors. A conductive sleeve encloses bus bar and interconnects the shield conductors of the shielded wire cables, providing shielding for the exposed core conductors and continuity for the shield conductors. An outer insulator enclosing the conductive sleeve. A method of splicing shielded wire cables using such a device is also presented herein.

Abstract: An electrical connector system is presented herein. The electrical connector system includes a first connector body containing a first plurality of terminals and a second connector body containing a second plurality of terminals that are configured to interconnect with the first plurality of terminals. The second connector body is configured to receive the first connector body. The electrical connector system further includes a locking feature configured to secure the first connector body to the second connector body in a pre-staged position in which the first plurality of terminals is not connected to the second plurality of terminals and further configured to secure the first connector body to the second connector body in a staged position in which the first plurality of terminals is connected to the second plurality of terminals after disengaging the locking feature in the pre-staged condition.

Abstract: A connector assembly including a first connector having a primary locking lever pivotably mounted to the first connector. The primary locking lever defines a pair of beams extending to a primary latch. The primary latch defines a ridge along a rearward edge providing a secondary striker. The second connector includes a primary striker that with the primary latch locks the first and second connectors together. The assembly further includes a CPA device slideably mounted to the first connector and a CPA lever defining a secondary latch. The secondary latch engages the lateral ridge to inhibit movement of the CPA device from an initial position to a final position until after the first and second connectors are fully mated. The secondary latch of the CPA device engages the secondary striker when the CPA device is moved to the final position, thereby preventing disengagement of the primary latch from the primary striker.

Abstract: An electrical cable includes a first wire conductor separated from a second wire conductor and a compensation area proximate to, but separated from, an end portion of the cable and a method of manufacturing such an electrical cable. The first and second wire conductors are each connected to a contact element. The first and second wire conductors are separated by a first distance within the compensation area. The first and second wire conductors are separated by a second distance outside of the compensation area. The first distance is less than the second distance, thereby decreasing an impedance of the cable within the compensation area.

Abstract: An electrical connector configured to be mated with a corresponding counter connector to establish an electrical connection is presented. The connector includes a connector housing having at least one terminal cavity for receiving at least one female contact terminal. The cavity defines a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. A step is arranged between the first and the second cavity portion. A female contact terminal likewise comprises a step arranged between first and second terminal portions such that, in a mounted condition, the respective steps of terminal cavity and female contact terminal engage each other.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an exchangeable crimping die insert for a crimping die for crimping electrical contact terminals to electrical cables. The exchangeable crimping die insert includes a first and second crimp profile integrated in one part, the first crimp profile having an essentially identical profiles with the second crimp profile. Furthermore, the exchangeable crimping die insert includes an indicator to differentiate the first crimp profile from the second crimp profile.

Abstract: A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage.

Abstract: An electrical connector including electrical terminals along with a connector housing defining a first and second cavity, the first and second cavities configured to receive the terminals. The connector housing further defines a third cavity extending along a lateral axis. The electrical connector includes a terminal position assurance (TPA) device received within the third cavity. The TPA device is moveable from an terminal insertion position to a terminal locking position. The TPA device has flexible first and second primary locking features and rigid first and second secondary locking features configured to engage locking features of the terminals. Only the first primary and first secondary locking features engage the locking surface of the first electrical terminal and only the second primary and second secondary locking features engage the locking surface of the second electrical terminal when the TPA device is in the terminal locking position.

Abstract: A humanized steering system for an automated vehicle includes one or more steering-wheels operable to steer a vehicle, an angle-sensor configured to determine a steering-angle of the steering-wheels, a hand-wheel used by an operator of the vehicle to influence the steering-angle and thereby manually steer the vehicle, a steering-actuator operable to influence the steering-angle thereby steer the vehicle when the operator does not manually steer the vehicle, a position-sensor operable to indicate a relative-position an object proximate to the vehicle, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the steering-angle and the relative-position, determine, using deep-learning techniques, a steering-model based on the steering-angle and the relative-position, and operate the steering-actuator when the operator does not manually steer the vehicle to steer the vehicle in accordance with the steering-model, whereby the vehicle is steered in a manner similar to how the operator manually steers the vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a fuel system component with an attachment bracket includes an upper isolation member; an upper isolation member retainer which captures the upper isolation member axially between the upper isolation member and the attachment bracket; a lower isolation member; a lower isolation member retainer which captures the lower isolation member axially between the lower isolation member the attachment bracket; and a retention member extending from the lower isolation member and having a retention member first end and a retention member second end such that the retention member first end is fixed to the lower isolation member retainer and such that the upper isolation member retainer is captured axially between the attachment bracket and the retention member second end.

Abstract: A connector includes a first-housing, a second-housing, a shroud, and a stacked-gear. The first-housing defines a guide-slot. The second-housing mates with the first-housing. The second-housing includes a linear-gear-rack extending from a second-outer-surface and engages the guide-slot. The shroud is moveable from an unmated-position to a mated-position. The shroud is longitudinally slideably mounted to and surrounding at least a portion of the first-housing. The shroud also includes a curved-gear-rack having a variable-pitch-radius. The stacked-gear is moveably mounted to the first-housing. The stacked-gear has a round-gear and a cam-gear having the variable-pitch-radius in communication with the round-gear. The round-gear engages the linear-gear-rack within the guide-slot. The cam-gear engages the curved-gear-rack such that the cam-gear moves in response to a movement of the shroud from the unmated-position to the mated-position.