Abstract: A valve train system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust valve moveable between an exhaust closed position and an exhaust open position. A camshaft includes a main exhaust lobe for moving the exhaust valve between the exhaust closed position and the exhaust open position for expelling exhaust constituents from the combustion chamber and an exhaust rebreath lobe for moving the exhaust valve between the exhaust closed position and the exhaust open position for allowing exhaust constituents into the combustion chamber. A two-step device is provided for transmitting motion from the camshaft to the exhaust valve and is switchable between a motion transmitting position and a motion preventing position such that the motion transmitting position allows motion to be transmitted from the exhaust rebreath lobe to the exhaust valve and the motion preventing position prevents motion from being transmitted from the exhaust rebreath lobe to the exhaust valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network connector assembly for vehicles. The network communicates at data rates of 100 Mbit/s and/or 1 Gbit/s. The connector assembly includes a header having at least two pins forming a pin pair. The pins extend in a mating direction. The connector assembly also includes an electrically conductive shielding member shielding the pin pair on at least two sides. The shielding member has a front face that is oriented substantially normal to the mating direction. The connector assembly further includes a header shroud, wherein the header shroud is provided with a shielding cavity for receiving the shielding member. The front face of the shielding member is at least partly covered by the header shroud.

Abstract: A wire harness assembly and a method of forming such a wire harness assembly is presented. The wire harness assembly includes a plurality of wire cables and a wire support defining elongate slots having open and closed ends. The cables are disposed within the slots. Retaining teeth are defined by side walls of the slots and are configured to separate one wire cable from another wire cable in the same slot. The wire harness assembly also includes a slug formed of a moldable material that encases the wire support. The slug also encases a portion of each of the wire cables. The wire harness assembly further includes a grommet encircling the slug. The slug may be formed by disposing the cables within the slots of the wire support, arranging the wire support and the cables in a mold, injecting a moldable material into the mold, and curing the moldable material.

Abstract: A right angled coaxial electrical connector is provided and includes a housing having a first and second opening and a first terminal disposed within the internal cavity that is configured to be connected to a center conductor of a coaxial cable inserted in the first opening. The connector also includes a center contact disposed within the internal cavity, accessible through the second opening, and defining a corresponding second terminal configured to receive a tip of the first terminal. The connector additionally includes a conductive shield surrounding the center contact and disposed within the internal cavity and an insulator intermediate the shield and the center contact. The insulator defines a portal extending from the second opening to the location of the tip of the first terminal when fully seated within the second terminal. Methods of verifying proper assembly of the right angled coaxial electrical connector are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical outlet wall plate includes a plate having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a peripheral edge. The outlet wall plate defines a socket opening configured to receive an electrical outlet socket and defining a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener configured to secure the outlet wall plate to the outlet socket. The outlet wall plate further includes a plug stabilizing feature having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a top wall. The plug stabilizing feature projects from the outer surface of the plate and at least partially surrounding a perimeter of the socket opening. The outlet wall plate limits lateral and vertical movement of the plug terminals in the socket and protects the operator from inadvertent contact with plug terminals the as the plug is inserted into the socket.

Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electric fuel pump; a conduit which defines a flow path through which fuel flows from the electric fuel pump to the internal combustion engine; a fuel pump control module with electronics which drive the electric fuel pump, the fuel pump control module being disposed within a compartment defined by a wall; and a heat sink in thermal contact with the fuel pump control module and extending out of the compartment through an aperture of the wall and into the flow path such that the heat sink is sealed to the wall, thereby preventing fluid communication through the aperture.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator includes a housing defining a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a valve seat located between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet, the valve seat being centered about a valve seat axis; a valve member centered about a valve member axis, the valve member being moveable between 1) a closed position where the valve member engages the valve seat to prevent fuel flow from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet and 2) an open position where the valve member is disengaged from the valve seat to permit fuel flow from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet; and a grounding member grounded to the housing which engages the valve member to cause the valve member axis to tip relative to the valve seat axis when the valve member moves from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An electromechanical assembly includes a generally planar printed circuit board (PCB), an electrical terminal electrically and mechanically connected to the PCB and projecting from a major surface of the PCB, and a housing formed of a dielectric material having a base portion and a terminal portion. The terminal portion defines a cavity and the electrical terminal is disposed within this cavity. The terminal portion is disposed within a aperture that is defined by the base portion. The electromechanical assembly defines a gap between the base portion and the terminal portion. The terminal portion is connected to the base portion by a pair of flexible beams which may have a serpentine or ogee curve shape, each of which is attached between one of two opposed sides of the base portion and the terminal portion.

Abstract: A navigation system suitable for installation in a host-vehicle includes a navigation-device, a display, and a receiver. The navigation-device is configured to determine a first-location of a host-vehicle. The display is configured to show navigation-information to an operator of the host-vehicle. The navigation-information indicates the first-location relative to a map. The receiver is configured to receive profile-information associated with an other-vehicle. The profile-information includes a second-location of the other-vehicle. The system indicates the second-location on the map.

Abstract: A system for changing a control-mode of an automated vehicle from automated-control to manual-control includes an operator-detection device and a controller. The operator-detection device is operable to detect a readiness-state of an operator of a vehicle while a control-mode of the vehicle is automated-control. The controller is configured to forecast a future-time when the control-mode of the vehicle should change from automated-control to manual-control and determine a take-over-interval for an operator to assume manual-control of the vehicle once notified. The take-over-interval is determined based on the readiness-state. The controller is also configured to notify the operator that the control-mode of the vehicle should change from automated-control to manual-control no later than the take-over-interval prior to the future-time.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a cover, a mating assist lever pivotally mounted to the cover and configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position, and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) member slideably mounted to the cover and configured to slide between an inoperative position and a locked position. The CPA member comprises a flexible locking arm that is bendable between a bent position and a rest position. The flexible locking arm comprises a blocking ramp that cooperates with a blocking shoulder on the cover to generate a first threshold force resisting the CPA member from sliding from the inoperative position to the locked position and a locking ramp that cooperates with the locking shoulder on the mate assist lever to bend the flexible locking arm from the rest position to the bent position to prevent the blocking ramp and the blocking shoulder from cooperating.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to wirelessly charge an energy storage device, such as a battery. The charging system includes an off-transducer in electrical communication with an alternating power source and electromagnetically coupled to an on-vehicle transducer connected to the energy storage device. A controller adjusts a variable frequency oscillator within the power transmitter, thereby changing the frequency of the sourced electrical power. The charging system further includes a phase detection circuit in communication with the controller and the off-transducer and configured to determine a phase difference between the alternating voltage and the alternating current supplied by the power source. The controller is configured to adjust the variable frequency oscillator based on the phase difference such that the frequency of the sourced electrical power maintains the phase difference within a desired range.

Abstract: Combined reformer and fuel cell systems, and their methods of operation, are described in which air is introduced to the system to produce additional water by reacting with hydrogen produced from the reformer during the reformer's startup partial oxidation mode of operation.

Abstract: A relay assembly configured for use in a vehicle electrical distribution center. The relay assembly includes a circuit board, a first and second relay disposed the circuit board and a plurality of terminals electrically coupled to the first and second relays. The relay assembly also includes removable fuses to protect the circuits controlled by the first and second relays against over-current conditions. In one embodiment, the relay assembly is packaged as a mini-ISO relay package.

Abstract: A method of assembling the ignition coil assembly including a first spool, a first coil, and a second spool. The first coil is wound around a first spool outer surface. The first spool and the first coil are disposed within a cavity of the second spool and an electrically insulating material injected into an annular space defined between a first coil outer surface and a second spool inner surface. The first spool is configured to allow a decrease of a circumference of the first spool when the first coil is wound around an outer surface of the first spool. Decreasing the circumference of the first spool increases the annular space sufficient to inject the electrically insulating material into the annular space without creating substantial voids in the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connector system including a terminal, configured to be conductively connected to a printed circuit board and a cavity body element. The cavity body element has a cavity and a primary locking member. The cavity is configured to receive the terminal. The cavity extends from a front end to a rear end of the cavity body element. The front end is arranged opposite of the rear end. The primary locking member is configured to lock the terminal. The primary locking member includes a releasing arm protruding through a lateral surface of the cavity body element.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis; a camshaft rotatable by the crankshaft about a camshaft axis; an engine cover defining an engine cover volume within the internal combustion engine; a drive member disposed within the engine cover volume which transfers rotational motion from the crankshaft to the camshaft; a camshaft phaser disposed within the engine cover volume which controllably varies the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft; an actuator which operates the camshaft phaser; and an actuator mount within the engine cover volume which mounts the actuator structurally independent of the engine cover, thereby allowing removal of the engine cover independently of the actuator.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical plug connector for a safety restraint system, preferably for an airbag ignition system, including at least two contact terminals disposed within the plug connector and a shorting clip, that is configured to short circuit the at least two contact terminals in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. The shorting clip includes at least two shorting tongues. Each shorting tongue is electrically connected with a respective contact terminal. Each shorting tongue further includes at least one electrical contact surface and at least one of the shorting tongues includes an actuating member. The actuating member is provided with an actuating surface that is configured to interact with a separator device. The contact surfaces are not arranged within the same plane as the actuating surface(s).

Abstract: A connector system including a first connector body, a second connector body configured to mate with the first connector body, a locking feature configured to secure the second connector body to the first connector body, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device that, when engaged, inhibits operation of the locking feature. A portion of the second connector body and the CPA device cooperate to form a box to completely enclose the locking feature, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the CPA device from the locking feature. The CPA device has a flexible lock arm configured to secure the CPA device to the second connector body. A portion of the CPA lock arm may be configured to be frangible. The second connector body and/or the CPA device may define an aperture configured to provide access to the CPA lock arm. The aperture is at least partially blocked by a frangible tab.