Abstract: An edge clip which uses precoated sheet metal stock, is stamped in a high speed progressive die, and has a robustly configured triangularly shaped body. A solid blank of the sheet stock is die cut into a patterned blank including a base, a projection forward of the base, and first and second wings located at either side of the base. Each of the first and second wings has an outboard member and an inboard member, wherein the outboard member includes a barb. A pointed flange projects from the rear edge of the patterned blank at each of the first and second wings. The projection is stamped to form a standard attachment appendage, and the first and second wings are folded, wherein a spring arm is formed at an apex thereof and provided by an overlap of the outboard members. A tab of the outboard member of the second wing secures the overlap of the outboard members. The folding also provides first and second rails, wherein each is radiused to provide a basal corner of the triangular configuration.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use in an SIR system comprises a connector housing which has a plug portion with a filter cavity disposed therein. A filter element which has a pair of longitudinally disposed receptacles is disposed within the filter cavity. The connector also has a pair of terminals each of which has a barrel portion that is disposed within each of the receptacles within the filter element and a perpendicular crimp portion. A retaining cap which has a connector position assurance portion (CPA) and a cover portion connected by a pair of flexible straps is fastened to the connector housing to align and retain the terminals within the connector housing. The terminals have a U-shaped transition area that allows for a smaller terminal.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine improves high-voltage sealing performance and moreover reduces housing outer diameter. The ignition coil for an internal combustion engine is made up of a transformer portion of cylindrical configuration housed within a housing chamber of a case, a control-circuit portion, that is positioned on one end portion of this transformer portion, causing primary current of the transformer portion to be intermittent, and a connecting portion that is positioned on another end portion of the transformer portion, supplying secondary voltage of the transformer portion to a spark plug. A silicone rubber injection molding serves as the encapsulant while forming the high voltage boot to the plug.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control includes a vehicle body control responsive to body/wheel velocity at the corners of the vehicle body to derive a demand force command for dampers at each corner of the vehicle body for vehicle body control and applies each of the derived demand force commands to its respective damper only when a comparison of the direction of the demand force command with the sensed relative velocity of the damper indicates that a force corresponding to the demand force command can be effectively exerted by the damper. But the suspension control also includes a vehicle stability control responsive to an indicated vehicle lateral acceleration in a turn to determine, independently of the vehicle body control, a stability compression damping command for the suspension dampers on the side of the vehicle opposite the direction of the lateral acceleration and a stability rebound damping command for the suspension dampers on the side of the vehicle in the direction of the lateral acceleration.

Abstract: An evaporator (20) of the stacked plate, straight flow type achieves multi pass flow while locating the inlet (28) and outlet (30) adjacent to one another, without the use of embedded inlet or outlet pipes, and with only two basic plate shapes. A standard plate (32), included in all plate pairs but for the last plate pair at the far end, has a pair of identical protruding cups (34, 36), one of which (34) is open to the flow tube formed by the pair of facing plates, and the other of which, (36) is discrete from both the flow tube and the other cup (34). When stacked and aligned, the main cups (34) make up a header pipe (48) that is open to the flow tubes, one at both the top and bottom. Each header pipe (48) is adjacent to an entirely discrete transfer pipe (50). A next to last special plate (40) has an identical pair of cups (34, 36) at the bottom end, but a single, wider cross over cup (42) at the top end, which is open to the header pipe (48) and transfer pipe (50) a the top side.

Abstract: A power-operated tailgate has a bottom end that is pivotally attached to a vehicle by a hinge so that the tailgate pivots about a hinge axis between a raised position and a lowered position. A rotor is mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a rotor axis between a first position and a second position. A link is pivotally attached to the rotor and to the tailgate so that the tailgate is raised and lowered when the rotor is rotated back and forth between the first and second positions by a motor. The link cooperates with an over center stop on the vehicle when the tailgate is in the raised position and with a second stop on the vehicle when the tailgate is in the lowered position.

Abstract: An ion sensor glow plug assembly includes a shell for attachment to a cylinder head of a compression ignition engine and having a passageway extending axially therethrough. The ion sensor glow plug assembly also includes a center terminal disposed at least partially in the passageway of the shell and connected to a source of power to create a heating circuit. The ion sensor glow plug assembly includes a glow sheath disposed at least partially in the passageway of the shell and about the center wire to create an ion sensing circuit. The ion sensor glow plug assembly further includes a coating disposed about a portion of the glow sheath between the glow sheath and the shell to isolate the shell from the glow sheath.

Abstract: An ignition coil has concentrically arranged components including a core, a secondary winding spool adjacent to the core, a secondary winding wound on the spool, a case made of electrical insulating material, a primary winding wound on an outer surface of the case, and a shield disposed radially outwardly of the primary winding. The case is configured so as to allow the primary winding to be wound thereon and to space the shield a predetermined space from the primary winding. A radially inner surface of the case and a radially outer portion of the secondary winding define a single potting channel for receiving an epoxy potting material. The configuration eliminates the primary winding spool, which reduces material cost, and further eliminates the effective dielectric contribution of the primary winding spool for reduced capacitance to thereby provide improved secondary winding output.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) comprising a first part (12) including a housing (16) having opposed side walls (18,20) each having an upper wall (24) and a lower wall (26) defining opposed slide surfaces (28) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the mating axis. Each side wall (34,36) includes first and second spaced apertures (34,36) and an upward extension (70). A slider (30,31) is positioned adjacent each side wall and includes a pair of inclined cam surfaces (46) having openings (48) alignable with the apertures in the lower wall, and a resilient tab (52) for making a snap fit in the first aperture in a fully unmated position or the second aperture in a fully mated position. A substantially U-shaped lever (58) having a pair of arms (60) and pivot means (62,72) on each arm allowing the lever to pivot relative to the housing. Drive means (66,74;68,80) on each arm and each slider slide each slider relative to the adjacent side wall on pivoting of the lever relative to the housing.

Abstract: An air bag module is provided for inflating an air bag cushion at variable rates in response to rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The air bag module includes an inflator for generating inflator gas to inflate an air bag cushion upon the sensing rapid deceleration of a vehicle. An annular cushion retainer is disposed about the inflator for directing gases from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The cushion retainer includes an annular cavity in fluid communication with the air bag cushion by a vent opening to selectively direct gas away from the air bag cushion during a reduced level of deployment. A controller generates an ignition signal to the inflator in response to velocity responsive sensors. In response to the ignition signals, the inflator releases an appropriate predetermined volume of gas into the air bag cushion.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: A torch jet spark plug (10) for use in a spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The spark plug (10) of this invention provides for ignition of an air/fuel mixture within a combustion prechamber (12) within the plug (10), which creates a jet of burning gases that are propelled through an orifice (32) into the engine main combustion chamber to increase the burning rate of the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. The orifice (32) is oriented in the plug (10) so that its axis is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the plug (10), enabling the jet of burning gases to be selectively directed to any desired region within the combustion chamber, such as a region within the chamber that would not otherwise burn well compared to other regions of the chamber.

Abstract: A molded inner door panel for an automotive vehicle having a header extending above a beltline. The inner door panel has a notched metal frame insert, and a polymeric molded frame encasing the metal frame insert within the header. Advantageously, the notches provide precise inboard and outboard adjustability of the header of the inner door panel during assembly to the vehicle. The molded inner door panel has a resilient insert, e.g., elastomeric thermoplastic, disposed between the notches of the metal frame insert and the polymeric molded frame. Additionally, the polymeric material of the polymeric molded frame is substantially thinner in the area covering the notches than in the area bordering the notches. These features prevent the polymeric material from cracking upon adjustment.

Abstract: A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle includes an inflator mounted to vehicle structure of the automotive vehicle and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator. The side air bag system includes an internal flap disposed within the air bag for inflation by the inflator and for retaining the inflation adjacent an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A poppet valve wherein centering of the valve stem and head and mating of the valve head to the valve seat are compliantly directed by contact with the valve seat. The poppet valve employs an integral radially-floating valve stem sealing guide or bearing in the valve body, permitting lateral compliant movement of the valve stem as required. The guide also is configured to form a face seal against the valve body, thus permitting the face seal and a valve actuator solenoid to be biased by separate, independent springs, each of which may be optimized for its particular function. Further, the valve head is tiltably and sealably disposed upon the valve stem to permit the valve head to be guided and oriented into the valve seat by contact with the seat itself.

Abstract: A valveless fuel tank assembly for a vehicle including a fuel tank having an interior chamber to hold fuel therein. The valveless fuel tank assembly also includes a vapor canister to adsorb fuel vapor in the fuel tank. The valveless fuel tank assembly includes a fill-limit tube connected to the fuel tank and communicating with the interior chamber and a tank vent tube connected to the vapor canister and operatively connected to the fill-limit tube. The valveless fuel tank assembly further includes an oleophobic filter connected to the fill-limit tube to allow vapor fuel to communicate with the vapor canister and to prevent liquid fuel from communicating with the vapor canister.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to deliver an output signal indicative of engine rotational speed and/or generator rotational speed. The output signal preferably is delivered to, or developed internally and used by, a voltage regulator. The output signal can be generated based on a ripple on a positive voltage input to the voltage regulator from a generator. A charging system containing such a voltage regulator and/or apparatus also is provided. Use of this apparatus and method advantageously circumvents the need for a separate connection between one or more phases of the generator (e.g., taken from an AC input to a bridge rectifier of the generator) and the voltage regulator, which connection typically was heretofore required by voltage regulators that are load-responsive or otherwise operate in a manner dependent upon the rotational speed of the generator and/or engine.

Abstract: A system and method of providing multicharge ignition are provided. The method and system preferably are adapted to trigger at least some of the multicharge events of the system and method in a current-dependent manner. Preferably, existing power train control units (PTCUs) can be used with the system and method, without the need for signals other than the timing signal (e.g., EST pulse) from the PTCU.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for use in a micro-processor managed brake control system that utilizes wheel speed sensors and a brake off/on switch when the system requires information as to whether the vehicle is experiencing hard braking. In accordance with the process, the average deceleration of the undriven wheels is estimated and the slip of each undriven wheel is estimated and the results are compared with predetermined values for these parameters over a suitable test period. At the conclusion of these tests, the data may be used in place of data from a brake pedal position sensor or to confirm the data from such a sensor.

Abstract: A female electrical connector (100) having a connector position assurance (CPA) component (130) which is permanently captured thereto. A female electrical connector includes a prestage CPA lock mechanism (142) composed of a lock seat (144) formed in a CPA component (130) interfaced with a torsional lock (146) of the female electrical connector. The torsional lock is composed of a prestage lock finger (148) having a lock boss (154), a prestage lock release finger (150) and a torsion pivot (152) connected with a slide assist cover (106) of the female electrical connector and joined with both the prestage lock finger and the prestage lock release finger. The lock boss is interferingly received in the lock seat while the slide assist cover is at a prestaged position, and the lock boss moved out of the lock seat responsive to the slide assist cover reaching a staged position.