Abstract: An electrical connection between a high voltage terminal and a spark plug head. A case contains a high voltage terminal connected to a high voltage source. A connector portion extends from a bottom portion of the case, which in turn is secured to an insulator boot for attachment to the spark plug. The high voltage terminal has a nipple extending within the connector portion. A barrel shaped coil spring is snapped over the nipple and positively retained thereto. The head of the spark plug is inserted within the connector portion and engages the barrel shaped coil spring. The barrel shape of the coil spring offers a smaller height with an increased working length thereby providing a larger tolerance between the high voltage terminal and the spark plug head.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a terminal portion of a first flexible circuit to a terminal portion of a second flexible circuit has a first clamp member and a second clamp member that cooperate to clamp the terminal portions against each other. Each clamp member has a bed with a support cooperating with the support of the other clamp member for clamping the terminal portions of the flexible circuits together. Each bed has two posts and two assembly holes. Each post engages a pilot hole of each terminal portion and an assembly hole of the other bed to orient and position the terminal portions of the flexible circuits with respect to the clamp members and the clamp members with respect to each other. Each clamp member also has two latch arms and two lock nibs for engaging respective lock nibs and latch arms of the other clamp member for attaching the clamp members to each other. The clamp members are preferably identical but may come in several versions that are interchangeable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the folding of an inflatable airbag for motor vehicles which comprises the steps that an airbag to be folded is fastened with its open end at a carrier; that a preferably substantially cylindrical piston is pushed forward into the airbag through an opening in the carrier and against the closed end of the airbag; and that the carrier and the piston are introduced into a sleeve, with the airbag being pressed together irregularly. The invention also relates to a folding apparatus for carrying out this folding method.

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 insulative seal disposed at least partially around the metal glow sheath to isolate the metal shell from the metal glow sheath to create an ion sensing circuit.

Abstract: A protective splash shield assembly for electrical wiring has a plurality of fasteners installed in slots. The fastener has an elbow shaped conduit guide connected thereto with a distal end connected to a corrugated tubular conduit that extends along a wall of the splash shield. The fastener has a conduit connected to it that extends transverse from the splash shield.

Abstract: A system is provided for preventing spark-on-make in an internal combustion engine, using manifold pressure information. The system includes a pressure sensor and a controller. The pressure sensor is adapted to detect pressure in an intake manifold and provide an output signal indicative of that pressure. The controller is at least indirectly connected to the pressure sensor and is adapted to delay initiation of ignition dwell in a coil by a period of time sufficient to avoid spark-on-make, in response to the output signal from the sensor. Preferably, the pressure sensor is a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor. The controller preferably is implemented by suitably programming or otherwise configuring an electronic engine control unit (ECU). Also provided is a method for preventing spark-on-make in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A relatively simple pressure balanced high flow exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve includes an actuator and a separately formed valve assembly retained to the actuator by a deformed lip. The valve body has dual seats controlled by axially spaced heads which are pressure balanced when closed and allow high gas flow when open. The valve body and the associated valve shaft, or portions thereof, are formed of materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion so that the shaft and body experience similar thermal growth and good seating of the spaced valves is maintained regardless of gas temperature variations. Thickened portions at the valve seats comprise annular ends of a control portion which resist distortion of the seats. The valve body is configured for installation in a cylindrical bore or recess of an associated manifold or other gas passage defining member.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a motor vehicle having a left tail light assembly, a license plate light assembly and a right tail light assembly includes a power distribution block that has a plurality of bus strips embedded in the distribution block with each of the bus strips having at least one tab terminal that projects into an integral input connector socket and at least one tab terminal that projects into at least one of first, second and third output connector sockets. A spliceless chassis wiring harness is plugged into the input connector socket for energizing lights in the left tail light assembly, the license plate light assembly and the right tail light assembly via three spliceless output wiring harnesses operatively associated with the respective output connector sockets and the light assemblies. The power distribution system may also include optional right and left side marker light assemblies that are operatively associated with the second output connector socket.

Abstract: A battery protection system for a battery having a switching mechanism positioned intermediate to the positive terminal and an electrical load of the battery. A controller manipulates the switching mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the closed position connects the electrical load to the battery and the open position disconnects the electrical load from the battery. The battery protection system utilizes a battery state-of-charge detection system, which instructs the controller to open the switching mechanism when the detection system detects a battery state-of-charge that is lower than a threshold value. The battery protection system is also equipped with a vehicle status detection system, which instructs the controller to close the switching mechanism when a vehicle startup condition is detected by the vehicle status detection system.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which the inflator gas is discharged. A housing includes at least one inflator vent opening aligned with the discharge port. A variable inflation device is mounted on the inflator and includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member is movable relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas discharged into the air bag and the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. The movable member includes a gas impingement surface which serves to direct the flow of the inflator gas in such away that the movable member is maintained, after actuation thereof, in a position in which the vent opening is closed by the movable member.

Abstract: An accurate and low cost sensing apparatus for a swash or wobble plate compressor that requires no modifications in compressor design or operation, and which provides a repeatable and accurate measure of compressor speed and stroke. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a stroke sensing circuit. The compressor has an outer housing formed of aluminum or other non-magnetic material, as is customary in automotive air conditioning systems. The sensor module includes a magnetic field responsive sensor such as a Hall Effect or magneto-resistive (MR) sensor, and is attached to the periphery of the housing in proximity to a reciprocating ferrous element such as a bushing shoe on the swash or wobble plate assembly. The sensor produces a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage signal having a frequency proportional to compressor speed, and the stroke sensing circuit determines the compressor stroke by band-pass filtering, amplifying, and peak detecting the signal.

Abstract: The development pertains to a powder gun spray nozzle (10) comprising a nozzle capable of attaching to a powder spray gun (20) having a center hole (16) and an inner (14) and an outer ring (12) of spaced apart holes in the nozzle, each hole of the inner ring being spaced equidistant from each other and each hole of the outer ring being spaced equidistant from each other, each hole being cut at an angle (18, 20) from center of the nozzle sufficient to give a swirling effect to the powder being shot from the nozzle.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes male and female connector bodies formed with a plurality of locking cavities in which electrical cables are disposed with the terminal ends thereof secured against removal from the cavities by lock arms within the cavities engaging catches of the terminal ends. A seal on the cables closes and seals the cavities in which they are installed. At least one of the cavities is unoccupied by a cable and is closed by a non-electrical locking plug. The plug has a catch that engages the lock aim of the unoccupied cavities in which it is installed to secure the plug against removal and carries a seal which engages and seals the unoccupied cavities.

Abstract: A frangible cover for a vehicle air bag assembly is provided. The cover includes at least one tear seam across the inner surface of the cover which tear seam is substantially invisible at the exterior surface. The tear seam is made up of a multiplicity of spaced apart depressions of substantially uniform depth extending from the inner surface of the cover towards the outer surface of the cover thereby reducing the thickness of the cover to a substantially uniform level at the locations of the depressions. The depressions are spaced at substantially regular intervals along the length of the tear seam substantially without preferential concentration of the depressions at any one location along the tear seam. The depressions may be of variable width along the length of the tear seam as measured in the direction substantially transverse to the tear seam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating and sealing a storage battery in an uncontrolled atmosphere. A tubular structure is coupled to a fill port of the battery, the battery is evacuated by connecting the tubular structure to a source of vacuum, and the battery is thereafter filled by connecting the tubular structure to a source of pressurized electrolytic fluid. After the battery has been evacuated and filled, a check valve, slideably positioned in the passage through which the battery has been evacuated and thereafter filled is driven along the passage into a press fit with a valve seat defined proximate the fill port of the battery to seal the battery from contaminants while allowing escape of gas from the interior of the battery housing.

Abstract: A target wheel sensor includes a sensing structure (112) disposed within a hollow sensor housing (102). The sensing structure (112) has a T-shaped spool (114) that includes a pole piece holder (116) that terminates in a magnet holder (118). Moreover, a pole piece (120) and a magnet (122) are slidably engaged within the pole piece holder (16) and the magnet holder (118) respectively. The magnet (122) and the pole piece (120) are magnetically coupled so that the pole piece (120) is magnetized by the magnet. Also, the magnet (122) and the pole piece (120) are physically coupled so that they move in unison within the sensing structure (112). A metal target wheel (130) having one or more teeth (132) is provided and works in conjunction with the sensor (100).

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch (10) including an input side rotating member (12), an output side rotating member (14), a pole piece (16) containing a cylindrical center bore (18), a coil spring (20) having a first end (22), a second end (24), an outer diameter (24A) and an inner diameter (24B), an end frame (26) and a switch element (28). The cylindrical center bore (18) maintains the outer diameter (24A) of the coil spring (20) thereby minimizing variations in the performance of the wrap spring clutch (10) and reducing the cost and difficulties associated with the manufacture and assembly of known designs.

Abstract: A method for determining whether the cable sealing force for a vehicle door cinching assembly exceeds a maximum limit. The method includes the steps of: determining a maximum cinching time corresponding to a predetermined maximum tolerable sealing force for cinching a vehicle door type from a partially-latched position to a fully-latched position; determining the time necessary to cinch the particular vehicle door from a partially-latched position to a fully-latched position; comparing the determined time with the maximum cinching time that corresponds to the predetermined maximum force; and generating an output indicating if the determined time exceeds the maximum cinching time.

Abstract: A force distribution seal for an electrical connection system having matable electrical connectors prevents leakage at the joint between the coupled connectors. The force distribution seal comprises a seal body with a plurality of radial bending ribs extending outward from the seal body. At least one external radial compression rail is disposed between each pair of adjacent bending ribs. At least one internal radial compression rail extends inward from the seal body. The internal radial compression rail is longitudinally disposed between a pair of adjacent bending ribs and corresponds to at least one external radial compression rail whereby force exerted upon a corresponding external radial compression rail by a radial bending rib is transferred to the internal compression rail to form a superior seal.

Abstract: An improved weight-based occupant characterization method that can inexpensively and reliably distinguish between a child or small adult and a tightly cinched child seat. When the sensed weight is in a specified range that could be produced by a tightly cinched child seat, the system characterizes the occupant based on a detected variation in sensed weight during movement of the vehicle. If the variance of the sensed weight is below a threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child seat, since a tightly cinched seat belt severely restricts variance. If the variance exceeds the threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child or small adult. A correlative factor that can be used in distinguishing between a child seat and a child or small adult is determined by computing a slope reversal rate, or frequency, of the measured weight.