Abstract: A steering wheel heating system (10) includes a modular controller (18) electrically connected to a heating element (12) and temperature sensor (20) disposed beneath the surface of a rim portion (14) of a steering wheel (16). Controller (18) includes a cabin temperature sensor (26), a remote control receiver (30), a temperature adjustment control (34), and an on/off/reset switch (36). Steering wheel heating system (10) receives electric current from power system (42) and allows this current to pass through heating element (12) to heat steering wheel (16). Controller (18) controls the flow of current to heating element (12) using control inputs from one or more of steering wheel temperature sensor (20), cabin temperature sensor (26), temperature adjustment control (34), and vehicle climate control system (44). A timing module automatically shuts off the flow of current after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A condenser (10) with a return header tank (14) has a receiver or reservoir canister (22) physically attached along side the return header tank (14), and open thereto through a discrete upper inlet (20) and lower outlet (21). The bottom of canister (22) is closed by an end cap (34) that is, preferably, welded or brazed in place. Before end cap (34) is attached, a tube of desiccant material (24) is installed and located within canister (22) by a standoff (26) comprised of a tight fitting, notched, disk shaped base (28) and narrow central post (30) which is comparable in length to the height of the inlet (20) above the lower end cap (34). The tight fit allows the tube (24) to be inserted up into the canister (22), well away from the bottom of canister (22) and free of heat damage as the end cap (34) is attached. Later, in operation, the central post (30) keeps the tube (24) located clear of the inlet (20) and outlet (21).

Abstract: A pin terminal alignment system which serves to fix pin terminal spacing, provide indexable spacing and provide ease of installation. A pair of alignment bodies, each having a generally planar, elongated shape and preferably formed of plastic, each have a plurality of alignment holes formed therein, wherein each alignment hole is allocated to a respective pin terminal of a header assembly. The system preferably includes an abutting interaction between the alignment bodies and the header assembly which indexably spaces the bodies with respect to the header assembly, as well as with respect to a printed circuit board to the pin terminals connect. The rigidity and locating features provided by the terminal pin alignment system serve to ensure geometrical dimension and tolerance precision of the pins as a whole, and the pin terminals in particular, with respect to both the header assembly and the PCB.

Abstract: A brake booster (10) comprising a housing (12); a diaphragm (16,18) mounted within the housing to define front and rear chambers (30-36) within the housing; and a cylindrical component (38) mounted within the housing and having an end (42) which passes through a sealing aperture (40) during installation within the housing to make a seal with the cylindrical component; wherein the cylindrical component has a plurality of fingers (46) extending away the said end, the fingers being circumferentially spaced apart around the end, and the outer surface (48) of each finger being chamfered such that the free ends (50) of each finger lie on a circle having an outer diameter (D1) which is less than the inner diameter (D2) of the sealing aperture prior to installation. Easier installation of the cylindrical component during booster assembly, especially where blind installation is required.

Abstract: A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle includes a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle, an inflator mounted to the bracket, and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator. The air bag system also includes a trim molding housing the inflator, bracket and the air bag. The air bag is inflated by the inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An improved vehicle active brake control based on an estimate of vehicle yaw rate, wherein the estimate is based on the speeds of the un-driven wheels, but compensated to reflect slipping of the un-driven wheels during braking. Prior to braking, the yaw rate is estimated solely on the basis of the measured speeds of the un-driven wheels. During braking, the slip speeds of the un-driven wheels are estimated based on the measured speeds, the reference speed of the vehicle and the previous estimate of yaw rate, and used to compute a new yaw rate that is compensated for the estimated slip speeds.

Abstract: A throttle lever assembly for controlling the actuation of a throttle valve in an internal combustion engine has a throttle shaft pivotally secured to a housing. An idle stop lever is mounted to and radially extends from an end portion of the shaft for engaging a depending member of the housing to stop the rotation of the throttle lever assembly at an idle position. A return cam formed of thermoplastic/thermoset material is overmolded the end portion of the shaft and a portion of the idle stop lever. The molded return cam has a channel disposed about its cam surface for receiving an accelerator cable, a stud extending axially from the outer surface of the cam return, and a spring retainer extending axially from the inner surface of the return cam for maintaining a return spring in coaxial relationship with the shaft. The return cam may also include an idle stop member to replace the discrete idle stop lever.

Abstract: A heater for the injection nozzle of a die casting machine includes a mounting block which is clamped to the nozzle and has a cavity for receiving an off-the-shelf electric cartridge heater. The mounting block includes a casing formed from a high strength material such as steel and a quantity of a second material having a high thermal conductivity such as copper encased in the casing. A hole sized to receive the injection nozzle is formed through the block and passes through the second material so that the second material forms a portion of the inner surface of the hole. The heater cavity extends into the block along an axis generally perpendicular to the hole such that the second material forms a portion of the inner surface of the hole. The quantity of second material connects the two holes and forms a heat conductive path between the heater receiving hole and the nozzle receiving hole.

Abstract: A side impact air bag with a self-tensioned lower edge to prevent the occupant from ejection during a rollover event or subsequent impact, A side air bag is secured to the vehicle roof rail between the front and rear pillars. A pair of tethers are secured to the air bag at a lower portion thereof and one each in turn secured to the front and rear pillars. A plurality of substantially inverted V-shaped zero length tethers extend from the lower portion to define a plurality of chambers, which when inflated cause the lower portion of the air bag to shrink and induce tension therein and to the tethers. When the side impact air bag is inflated the air bag positions itself between the occupant and vehicle window and is held in place by the tension created by the inflated sections.

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 substantially perpendicular to a mating axis (X), first and second spaced apertures (34,36) in the upper wall, a pair of spaced apertures (38) in the lower wall, and a longitudinally extending slot (66) in the upper wall; a slider (30,31) positioned adjacent each side wall, each slider having an upper edge (54) and a lower edge (50) making a sliding engagement with the slide surfaces of the upper wall and the lower wall, a pair of inclined cam surfaces (46) having openings (48) in the lower edge alignable with the apertures in the lower wall, and a resilient tab (52) in the upper edge for making a snap fit in the first aperture in the upper wall in a fully unmated position, or in the second aperture in a fully mated position; a substantially U-shaped lever (58) having a pair of arm

Abstract: Disclosed is an intercell buss system 10 comprising:at least a pair of electrical cells 12, 14, each having an electrical terminal 12A, 14B thereon;a lid 18 having an up and a down position, such that in the down position, the lid covers at least a portion of the terminals of the cells; further, the lid has a projection 20 thereon; anda current carrying member 16 located on the projection 20 of the lid 18 such that when the lid is in the down position electrical current can pass from one cell to the other through the current carrying member which acts as an intercell buss and when the lid is in the up position, no current can pass through the current carrying member.

Abstract: A vacuum booster for a vehicle brake system provides a working pressure valve seat on a valve member axially movable with respect to an input member. A rotary electric motor within the booster has an output shaft coupled through rotary to linear motion conversion apparatus to move the valve member with its working pressure valve seat relative to the input member. The combination of elements is designed as a drop-in replacement for a standard air valve member. The motion conversion apparatus provides much greater mechanical force than a linear solenoid; and this allows a more straightforward design of the valve arrangement, particularly the use of a high friction seal such as a simple "O"-ring in a groove. In further contrast to a linear solenoid, it further provides positive control of the working pressure valve seat position and an extended range of travel with constant force throughout the range.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing thick film circuit wherein an IC is attached to a central conductor pad with adhesive, and wherein spreading of the adhesive is constrained by a ring of porous dielectric material formed between the central conductor pad and the peripheral conductor pads to which the IC terminals are bonded. When the adhesive material is printed and begins to spread, it contacts the porous dielectric ring, which absorbs the adhesive material and stops the spreading. In this way, the porous dielectric ring controls the dimensions of the cured adhesive, thereby preventing the adhesive from contaminating the peripheral conductor pads. Even with the addition of the intervening dielectric ring, the length of the wire-bond connections and the overall dimension of the IC and its conductor pads are both significantly decreased, contributing to improved circuit area utilization and wire-bond durability.

Abstract: A battery disconnection system (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a rod (12) having a longitudinal axis (A), an external threaded surface (14) extending from one end and a cylindrical member (16) extending coaxially with the rod (12), from the other end. Reversible drive means (20,22,24) engage the threaded surface (14). A first annular member (30) coaxial and in sliding contact with the cylindrical member (16). A second annular member (32) coaxial and in sliding contact with the cylidrical member (16). Either annular member being connectable with a motor vehicle battery. The other annular member being connectable with a starter motor and/or a generator (38) of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electric motor actuator used in an environment of varying loads for varying time periods is efficiently designed to a predetermined specification in terms of both motor load and time and operated up to but not exceeding this specification over the full expected operating range. A motor load signal is low pass filtered with a plurality of time constants spanning a range of expected motor operation to generate a plurality of filtered motor load signals each associated with one of the time constants. Each of these filtered motor load signals is compared with a predetermined reference value corresponding to the associated time constant. If one or more of the filtered motor load signals exceeds the predetermined reference value with which it is compared, the one that so exceeds by the greatest margin is selected. A command current limit factor is derived from the selected filtered motor load signal and used to limit the commanded motor current.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for a tractor-trailer jumper cable has an outer connector housing with an internal block of terminal cavities that is recessed to provide cylindrical sockets in each end of the outer connector housing. Each cavity receives a lead terminal and a lead seal attached to an end of one of the insulated leads of the jumper cable. A terminal position assurance (TPA) device having an integral clam shell strain relief is plugged into the socket at the cable end of the outer connector housing to make sure that the lead terminals and lead seals are properly positioned and to provide a strain relief for the cable. A disposable transition connector is plugged into the socket at the contact end of the outer connector body to seal the contact end and protect the cable terminals against corrosion.

Abstract: A friction material pad comprises a lamination of stacked sheets, each of which has a top edge forming the friction face that is generally parallel to the direction of relative rotation between the friction pad and an opposing rotary member. Each sheet is formed by a wet paper making process and has a plurality of unwoven fibers, platelets, flakes, or the like, more than half of which are oriented within 45.degree. of perpendicularity to the top edge, the sheets being bound together by a resin binder to form a lamination in which the sheet edges progress from inner to outer sheets to form the friction face of the pad, each sheet having the same blend of friction and lubricating particles, fibers and fillers in a resin matrix. Three groups of sheets are heat aged to different densities and have different friction, hardness and stiffness characteristics.

Abstract: A vehicle backlite antenna system that includes separate FM antenna/defogger elements and AM antenna elements. The antenna system includes various FM impedance matching elements that provide FM impedance matching between the defogger elements or the antenna elements and an RF amplifier. These impedance matching elements include a shorting bar connecting a plurality of the AM antenna elements that is positioned between end bars of an AM antenna grid. The shorting bar can be a certain distance from the AM feedpoint to provide impedance matching for the low end of the FM frequency band. Additionally, a floating impedance matching element is connected to the FM antenna/defogger elements between the defogger elements and the AM antenna grid. The floating element can have a certain length to provide impedance matching for the upper end of the FM band.

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 inflator gas is discharged. A housing has a wall adjacent the discharge port of the inflator and includes at least one vent opening. The module also 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. A device is activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during inflator. activation.

Abstract: A vehicle has a body with a track beneath a side opening and a sliding side door for closing the side opening that has a roller assembly that engages the track. A flexible electric cable that connects electrical components on the sliding side door to a power source in the body includes a flat cable and a flexible stiffener attached to the flat cable inside an outer sheath. A clamp attaches an inner portion of the flexible electric cable to the track in cantilever fashion, and a second clamp attaches an outer portion of the flexible electric cable to the roller assembly of the sliding side door in cantilever fashion. The flexible electric cable has a vertical loop portion attaching a free end of the inner portion to a free end of the outer portion. The first clamp includes an attachment strip that is attached to the flat cable and the flexible stiffener inside the sheath and that has a portion projecting out of the sheath through a slot in the sheath for attachment to the track.