Abstract: A preformed heating element for use in a steering wheel including a heating element, embedded into a rubber or polyurethane material and preformed with manufacturing methods such as vacuum forming, resin impregnating, injection molding, and pultrusion progressive die.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism. The detent is moved by an intermittent lever that is part of the release mechanism and part of the locking mechanism. A lock lever forming part of the lock mechanism moves the intermittent lever back and forth between an unlock position where the intermittent lever drives the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock position where the intermittent lever free wheels with respect to the detent. The intermittent lever is pivotally connected to an unlatching lever of the release mechanism that is operated by inside and outside release levers. The lock lever includes a lower lock lever, an upper lock lever and a spring that stores energy when the lower lock lever pivots with respect to the upper lock lever.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for steering the rear wheels of a vehicle supported on a multi-link suspension includes a live axle and a track bar pivotally connecting the axle to a vehicle frame. Steering knuckles at opposite ends of the axle support road wheels for rotation and for steering. Steering arms extend from the steering knuckles and a drag link extends between and interconnects the steering arms. An actuator is connected between the frame and the drag link and steers the rear road wheels by alternately pushing and pulling on the drag link.

Abstract: A magnetoresistor voltage divider includes a bottom layer disposed on a substrate. A middle layer is disposed on the bottom layer. A top layer is disposed on the middle layer. The bottom and top layer are resistive layers and the middle layer is an insulating layer. A common terminal is connected to the bottom layer and the top layer. A reference resistor terminal is connected to the bottom layer only. Moreover, a sensing MR terminal is connected to the top layer only. Accordingly, a sensing MR is established between the common terminal and the sensing MR terminal and a reference resistor is established between the common terminal and the reference resistor terminal. Thus, the sensing MR is stacked on top of the reference resistor.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a motor vehicle includes an inner tube concentrically aligned within an outer housing. A piston shaft having a piston attached at an end thereof is slidably inserted into the inner housing. A support ring encloses the inner housing defining a pumping chamber inside the inner housing. The piston shaft is inserted through the support ring. The support ring includes a seal cover having an inner surface with a rim. A rod guide is inserted into the seal cover and abuts the rim. The rod guide guides the shaft through the support ring and provides lateral support to the shaft. A retainer sleeve is secured to the rod guide having the rim disposed between the rod guide and the retainer sleeve securing the rod guide to the retainer sleeve.

Abstract: A cover for use with a fuel injector. The cover formed of at least two separate pieces that are assemble over the fuel injector. The pieces are held together by a detent member and cooperate to form a cavity that houses the fuel injector. A complaint member is positioned within the cavity to minimize relative movement between the cover and the fuel injector.

Abstract: An ion sensor glow plug assembly includes a metal shell for attachment to a cylinder head of a compression ignition engine. The ion sensor glow plug assembly also includes a center terminal at least partially disposed in the metal shell and connected to a source of power to create a heating circuit. The ion sensor glow plug assembly includes a metal glow sheath disposed at least partially in the metal shell and about the center terminal. The ion sensor glow plug assembly further includes an insulator disposed about the metal glow sheath and at least partially in the metal shell and extending axially into a glow area of the metal glow sheath to clean off soot on the insulator by glowing.

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 rebound cut-off assembly for a motor vehicle suspension component comprises a rebound cut-off piston and a disc. The rebound cut-off piston is disposed around a piston rod of the suspension component. The disc is disposed around the piston rod and proximate the rebound cut-off piston. The disc has an outside diameter less than an inside diameter of a flask of the suspension component to create a fluid path therebetween.

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 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 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 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 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 method of testing magnetorheological fluid comprises cycling the fluid at an elevated temperature, allowing the fluid to stand, performance testing the fluid, cycling the fluid at superimposed frequencies, and noting settling characteristics of the fluid.

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 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 contact assembly for a circuit board includes a first side with a conductive pad disposed thereon and a second side also having a conductive pad disposed thereon. The contact assembly further includes a conductive contact member. The conductive contact member has an arm with a central portion and an end portion adjacent to the central portion. The contact member also has a second arm which has a central portion and an end adjacent to that central portion. The conductive contact member also includes a junction at the connection between the two arms. The conductive contact member is designed to contact the circuit board. When implemented, it electrically connect the two conductive pads of the circuit board. This attachment creates a complete circuit between the two sides of the circuit board. Additionally, a holder member is coupled to the conductive contact member substantially near the junction and substantially opposite the circuit board.

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.