Abstract: A position control apparatus for an adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a friction clamp, a control shaft rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a hollow rectangular frame moveable relative to the control shaft when the steering column is adjusted, a first toothed pawl a second toothed pawl, and an elastic bushing resiliently supporting the first and second toothed pawls on the control shaft inside of the rectangular frame. When the control shaft is rotated to its locked position the friction clamp frictionally captures the adjusted position of the steering column. The pawls have gear sectors thereon which are relatively angularly offset by one-half tooth pitch. When the control shaft is rotated to its locked position, the one-half tooth pitch offset assures that at least one of the gear sectors will mesh with a rack gear on the rectangular frame even if the other engages the rack gear peak-to-peak.

Abstract: A tilt-adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a stationary mast, a tilt housing supported on the mast jacket for up and down pivotal movement, an articulated steering shaft having a lower portion rotatably supported on the mast jacket and an upper portion rotatably supported on the tilt housing, a steering hand wheel on the upper portion of the steering shaft, and a long composite balance spring preloaded in compression flexure between the tilt housing and the mast jacket. The composite balance spring consists of a hinge and a pair of short helical coil springs on opposite sides of the hinge. To preload the composite balance spring in compression flexure, the short coil springs are first arrayed as straight sides of a "V" between respective ones of a pair of spring seats on the mast jacket and the tilt housing.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell. The fuel tank assembly also includes a plurality of column supports disposed between and attached to the first half shell and the second half shell. The fuel tank assembly further includes a cradle baffle disposed between the first half shell and the second half shell and attached to the column supports. The cradle baffle has at least one compliant joint disposed between a pair of the column supports to allow the cradle baffle to distort when a force is applied to the tank shell.

Abstract: A method for monitoring motor position in a multiple phase switched reluctance motor having phase windings which are energized by a controller involves producing a signal indicative of a current delivered to an active phase winding and producing a signal indicative of a voltage across the active phase winding. A flux linkage associated with the active phase winding is then established based at least in part upon the current indicative signal and the voltage indicative signal. A position of the motor is then estimated based at least in part upon the current indicative signal and the established flux linkage.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a planetary gear set that has a sun gear, at least one planet gear and a partial ring gear. The sun gear which is located on the pivot axis is driven by a reversible electric motor. The planet gears are rotatably mounted on a carrier that is attached to the hinge portion that moves with the lift gate and the partial ring gear is attached to the hinge portion that is fixed on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A tilt-adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a stationary mast jacket, a tilt housing supported on the mast jacket for up and down pivotal movement, an articulated steering shaft having a lower portion rotatably supported on the mast jacket and an upper portion rotatably supported on the tilt housing, a steering hand wheel on the upper portion of the steering shaft, and a balance spring preloaded in compression flexure between an inboard spring seat on the mast jacket and an outboard spring seat on the tilt housing. The tilt housing has a spring bore therein facing the inboard spring seat. The outboard spring seat is a screw thread in the spring bore defined by a raised boss in the spring bore. The balance spring is a helical coil spring having a helix angle matching the screw thread in the spring bore. Rotation of the balance spring in the spring bore advances an inboard end of the balance spring toward the inboard spring seat.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating on metal particles that can be used to produce powder metallurgy articles, including those for electromagnetic and structural applications. The method is generally a solution-blending process that employs a coating solution that contains a solvent and one or more particulate additives, at least one of which is a polymeric binder that is only partially soluble in the solvent. As a result, only a portion of each binder particle is dissolved in the solvent. Notably, the coating solution is free of a discrete adhesion-promoting (tackifier) additive for adhering the polymeric binder to the metal particles. Instead, each binder particle is sufficiently dissolved in the solvent to promote adhesion of the binder particles to the metal particles during mixing, so that each metal particle is encapsulated with a coating containing the polymeric binder. The particles may then be compacted to bind them together with the coating and form a solid article.

Abstract: A linear vibration isolator between a pair of shaft segments of a motor vehicle intermediate steering shaft including an outer member rigidly connected to one of the shaft segments, an inner member rigidly connected to the other of the shaft segments and cooperating with the outer member in defining an annular chamber therebetween, and an axially flexible and torsionally stiff disc pack in the annular chamber. The disc pack includes a plurality of flat outer spacer rings, a plurality of flat inner spacer rings nested inside of the outer spacer rings, and a plurality of elastomeric isolator discs stacked between the nested pairs of inner and outer spacer rings. The outer spacer rings with the isolator discs therebetween are clamped against a shoulder on the outer member and coupled to the outer member for unitary rotation therewith. The inner spacer rings with the isolator discs therebetween are clamped against a shoulder on the inner member and coupled to the inner member for unitary rotation therewith.

Abstract: An air bag module (10) for attachment to the roof of a motor vehicle comprising a longitudinally extending air bag (12) which is securable to the roof; an inflator (14) which is securable to the roof adjacent the air bag; and a longitudinally extending conduit (16) positioned inside the air bag, extending through an opening (26) in the air bag, and attached at one end (28,48) to the inflator, the conduit having a number of apertures (42) formed therein at predetermined positions along its length for the discharge of inflator gas from the inflator into the air bag.

Abstract: Latch release mechanism for a latch of the lid of a trunk storage compartment of an automobile. A detent retains the latch in a latching position holding the lid closed. The detent can be withdrawn from the latch-retaining position enabling the latch to be moved by a spring to the release position permitting the lid to be opened. A cable within the trunk can be used to withdraw the detent. An electric charge storage device is charged in response to movement of the trunk lid from closed to open position. A light-emitting device is energized by the electric charge storage device to illuminate the trunk for a period of time after the trunk lid is closed to make it easy for a person to find and operate the cable.

Abstract: A method for high resolution trimming of PCB components, such as capacitors, inductors, transmission lines, transformers, antennas, resistors, etc. The method includes drilling or milling the PCB to effect the electrical characteristics of the component. The actual component can be machined to reduce the size of the component, or electrical connections to the component can be severed. The method can be used to set the capacitance of a tuning capacitor for an oscillator circuit. The tuning capacitor is etched out of the conductive planes on opposing sides of the PCB. The dielectric substrate of the PCB acts as the dielectric for the capacitor. The conductive planes are also etched to define conductive traces and connection pads suitable for surface mounting and electrically connecting the various electrical components on the PCB. The area of the selectively etched capacitive plates has a capacitance that is predetermined.

Abstract: A horizontal-mount bracket system for holding a sensor position with respect to a horizontal-mount bracket once the air gap is first established by the gauging layer method; and, in a second embodiment thereof, for locking the sensor position with respect to the horizontal-mount bracket, wherein the sensor may be removed and then reinstalled without use of any position setting procedure, yet the air gap is automatically precisely reset to its original value. First and second bracket members lay juxtaposed, wherein the first bracket member has a first sensor opening and the second bracket member has a second sensor opening. The first and second sensor openings allow free placement of the sensor body therein, and when laterally displaced, cause the sensor body to be pinched holdably to the multi-component bracket, which is attached to a flat horizontal surface of an engine.

Abstract: A door latch (10) with a cinching mechanism (16) having a manual override (18). The door latch (10) includes an enclosure (12) and a latching mechanism (14) disposed in the enclosure. The latching mechanism (12) has a fork bolt (20) moveable between an unlatched position, a secondary latched position, and a primary latched position. The cinching mechanism (16) has a cinching gear (24) that can drive the fork bolt (20) to the primary latched position. The cinching mechanism (16) also has a gear lever (30) to drive the cinching gear (24). A motor driven cable (34), in turn, drives the gear lever (30). A conduit (44) extends over part of the cable (34). The conduit (44) is attached to a conduit lever (46), which, in turn attaches to the enclosure (12).

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector has an upper, middle and lower body. A solenoid and guide tube are mounted within the middle body. A plug is mounted within the guide tube. The armature moves from its lower position when the solenoid is not energized to its upper position. There are two air gaps which are closed when the armature moves to its upper position, one between the armature and a stop shoulder on the middle body and the other between the armature and the plug. During assembly, the plug is inserted partially into the guide tube. Next, the armature is inserted into the guide tube. The armature is pushed upward until it contacts a stop on the middle body. The armature and the plug then stop moving. Because the plug is in a tight fitting relationship with the upper body, it remains in place when the armature is moved back to its lower position. This positions the plug such that the two air gaps are equal. The second air gap is positioned between the top and bottom of the solenoid.

Abstract: A vehicle door module including window glass is presented which includes a box section belt having an angled bolt attachment and a double overlap attachment to maintain strength and rigidity of the door assembly. The incorporation of the box section belt to the vehicle door module permits the inclusion of the window glass and various parts of the lift system. The angled bolt attachment provides for efficient load transfer between the belt and the door frame through load sharing face contact and a bolt. The double overlap attachment provides for efficient load transfer through a lap joint and clamping forces provided by a bolt. The double overlap attachment further includes features which facilitate assembly while compensating for manufacturing tolerances and build variability. An embodiment of the double overlap joining includes interlocking ridges which engage to further enhance load transfer capability.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a connector body positioning mechanism that pulls a pair of connector bodies together, against a high resistance force, to a fully seated position. A cam crank axially retained to one connector body turns in a plane normal to the direction of relative connector body motion, drawing a pair of helical grooves along an opposed pair of projections in the other connector body. A releasable latch retains the cam crank in a postion that properly registers the grooves and projections. Turning the handle back breaks the connection with the same highly leveraged force.

Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a magnetostrictive section for pressure detection. A radially polarized biasing magnet is disposed adjacent the spark plug shell thereby generating an initial flux through a sensing winding. The sensing winding is wound about the lower end of the coil case to sense changes in the induction characteristics of the spark plug shell as a result of pressure changes in the cylinder. A first passive method of sensing pressure whereby the flux change due to the permeability change generates a signal voltage in the sensed coil. This voltage is proportional to the time rate of change of pressure which is integrated to produce a cylinder pressure waveform.

Abstract: A regulator assembly for extending a component, e.g., window, sunroof or adjustable seat, of an automotive vehicle utilizing a flexible belt. The regulator assembly has a drive that is rotationally coupled to a first gear element having a first set of teeth. A second gear element having a second set of teeth is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first gear element to allow the first and second sets of teeth to mesh and to allow the flexible belt to weave therebetween. The flexible belt is attached to the component, and loops around first and second belt guiding devices, e.g., pulleys, which are located on opposing sides of the first and second gear elements. The regulator assembly can further include having the second gear element rotationally coupled to the drive as well.

Abstract: An engine ignition coil and wiring arrangement uses a connection position assurance device to assist in the connection of ignition wires to an ignition coil and the maintenance of the connections in engine use. The ignition coil is provided with a pair of parallel terminal posts and a mounting surface adjacent a bolt opening. Each of a pair of ignition wires has a cable portion and a connector portion. The connection position assurance device is a T-shaped element having tower portion with a bolt opening extending lengthwise therethrough and pair of connector holding portions extending in opposite directions adjacent one end of the tower portion. Each of the connector holding portions defines a central cavity for the retention of a connector portion of one of the ignition wires. Specific insertion and access openings from the cavity are also provided for insertion and access of the ignition wire connector portion.

Abstract: An electric power steering control for a motor vehicle reduces motor torque ripple and road generated disturbances communicated to the vehicle handwheel while promoting system stability. In deriving an output command torque signal to the EPS motor, the control (1) derives an electric motor speed signal, (2) differentiates the electric motor speed signal, (3) stores a schedule of gain as an increasing function of electric motor torque, (4) modifies the differentiated estimated electric motor speed signal in response to the gain to provide a damping correction value and (5) derives the output command signal responsive to the damping correction.