Abstract: A system and in-vehicle communication module for relaying a remote keyless entry command from a cellular network to a vehicle keyless entry receiver. The module include a cellular network receiver configured to receive a remote keyless entry command from a cellular network; and a keyless entry transmitter located in the vehicle and in communication with the cellular network receiver. The keyless entry transmitter is configured to transmit a remote keyless entry signal to a vehicle keyless entry receiver in the vehicle in order to execute a vehicle operation. By sending a remote keyless entry signal to a vehicle remote keyless entry system, installation and engineering costs can be reduced.

Abstract: An electronic control valve having a valve stationary portion defining a substantially central bore extending along an axis of the valve, and a valve train including a movable member of the valve. The valve train moveable member is disposed in the central bore, and the valve train is adapted for reciprocal movement along the axis. A mass is engaged is with the valve train and adapted for reciprocal movement along the axis. A biasing means is disposed between the valve train and the mass. Reciprocal movements of the mass along the axis induced by forces exerted along the axis by the valve train are transmitted through the biasing means, whereby reciprocal movement of the valve train along the axis is dynamically reduced by the mass.

Abstract: A method to fit a contact portion in a plug housing by a robot is presented. Steps in the method include attaching a plug housing to a holder and gripping the contact portion by a gripping device of the robot. Other steps in the method include taking at least one spatially resolved picture by at least one optical detection device such that the plug housing and the contact portion are contained in the picture, determining a respective position of the plug housing and the contact portion in the picture by a control unit of the moveable robot, calculating a robot movement by the control unit that is a function of the determined positions, and performing the calculated movement by the robot to fit the contact portion in the plug housing. An apparatus to perform the method and another method to calibrate the control unit of the robot are also presented.

Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes a plurality of first connectors matable to a plurality of second connectors along mating axes, and a connector position assurance (CPA) member. The CPA member includes a plurality of tabs and a plurality of release fingers. The plurality of first connectors include a plurality of lock arms and the plurality of second connectors include a plurality of inclined ramps. The plurality of tabs receive the plurality of lock arms and the plurality of inclined ramps deflectingly engage said plurality of release fingers to allow movement of the CPA member in to a position of the CPA member, that when disposed in the position, keeps the plurality of second connectors from unmating from the plurality of coupled first connectors. Methods of fabricating an electrical connection system and a ganged electrical connection system that include the CPA member are also presented.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a housing with a harmonic gear drive unit disposed therein. The harmonic gear drive unit includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed radially within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed radially within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. One of the circular spline and the dynamic spline is fixed to the housing. A hub is rotatably disposed radially within the housing and attachable to the camshaft and fixed to the other of the circular spline and the dynamic spline. A first arcuate input stop member is rotatable with one of the circular spline and the dynamic spline and is received within a first arcuate output opening defined by at least a first arcuate output stop member rotatable with the other of the circular spline and the dynamic spline.

Abstract: A transmission clutch position sensor includes two Hall sensors located at opposite ends of a flux concentrator outside the casing of the transmission to sense a magnetic field generated by a magnet attached to the clutch piston. To reduce sensitivity to magnet-to-sensor gap tolerances, a ratio of the voltage of one Hall sensor to the sum of the voltages from both Hall sensors is used to correlate to the piston and, hence, clutch position.

Abstract: The described principles provide a method and system for circumventing the use of live MDNs and nongeographic prefixes in new vehicle-hosted telematics devices, while allowing the purchaser/user convenient use of the vehicle-hosted telematics device. The telematics unit is programmed or configured from the manufacturer with the same parameters as a cancelled or deactivated unit, with a cleared number for re-acquisition. A geographically specific MIN/MDN is later programmed into the device based on one or more preset locational and other VDU triggers.

Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement having a spring including a plurality of engagement portions. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in a plurality of receptacles in the arrangement and a plurality of second connectors is matable to the coupled first connectors along mating axes. The plurality of coupled first connectors have floatable movement in the plurality of receptacles. The floatable movement is in at least an axial direction in relation to the plurality of receptacles and the axial positional mating tolerance variation of each second connector in the plurality of second connectors in relation to each first connector in the plurality of coupled first connectors that manifests at each receptacle in the plurality of receptacles is assimilated by each respective spring engagement portion when the plurality of second connectors mate to the plurality of coupled first connectors.

Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes a plurality of first connectors matable to a plurality of second connectors along mating axes, and a connector position assurance (CPA) member. The CPA member includes a plurality of tabs and a plurality of release fingers. The plurality of first connectors include a plurality of lock arms and the plurality of second connectors include a plurality of inclined ramps. The plurality of tabs receive the plurality of lock arms and the plurality of inclined ramps deflectingly engage said plurality of release fingers to allow movement of the CPA member in to a position of the CPA member, that when disposed in the position, keeps the plurality of second connectors from unmating from the plurality of coupled first connectors. Methods of fabricating an electrical connection system and a ganged electrical connection system that include the CPA member are also presented.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser attachment system is provided for attaching a camshaft phaser to a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The camshaft phaser attachment system includes a camshaft phaser for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and the camshaft. The camshaft phaser attachment system also includes a camshaft phaser installation tool having a handle with a head sized to be inserted through an opening of a cover of the camshaft phaser. A plurality of notches formed on a rotor of the camshaft phaser interfit with a plurality of tangs of the head. The head includes a recess on the periphery to provide clearance relative to a bias spring capture flange extending radially inward from the opening. The head also includes a central passage extending through the head to allow a tightening tool to tighten a bolt used to hold the camshaft phaser to the camshaft.

Abstract: A fuel injector control system including a fuel injector, a sensing device configured to provide a transition signal indicative of a fuel injector transition from the closed-state to the open-state, and a controller configured to determine an injector control signal based on the transition signal. The injector control signal closing time can be adjusted base on the transition signal and so compensate for injector opening delay due to, for example, a stuck closed fuel injector, cold temperatures, or low injector drive voltages.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a housing with a harmonic gear drive unit disposed therein. The harmonic gear drive unit includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. A coupling adapter is disposed coaxially within the housing bore and fixed to the wave generator and supported in the housing by a bearing which is press fit onto a bearing surface of the coupling adapter. The coupling adapter has a coupling adapter bore with opposing drive lugs extending radially inward therefrom which are axially coincident with the bearing surface. A coupling of the rotational actuator is disposed within the coupling adapter bore and has opposing drive slots which receive the opposing drive lugs, thereby transmitting motion from the coupling to the coupling adapter.

Abstract: In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a variable valve lift system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated two-step actuation device, and the other includes an associated valve deactivation device. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence, one valve may be operated in a high-lift or low-lift state while the other valve may be deactivated.

Abstract: A system, controller, and method for controlling a light distribution pattern. A light source and an electrowetting lens cooperate to vary a light distribution pattern of light from the light source. An object detector is used by a controller determine the location of an object and operate the electrowetting lens in order to control the light distribution pattern based on the location of the object. The electrowetting lens provides for faster redirecting of light toward an object when compared to mechanical based system. The light source may be an array of light emitting diodes to provide a reliable, energy efficient source of light.

Abstract: A system, heated fuel injector, and controller for closed-loop temperature control of a heated fuel injector having simultaneous two-way data communication over a single-line data connection. The system includes a voltage source to output a heater enable signal and a variable current sink configured to draw a current value indicative of a temperature value related to the heated fuel injector. The heater signal and the current value are simultaneously present on the single-line data connection. The configuration reduces the effect of ground shift on the accuracy of determining a feedback signal from the heated fuel injector. The feedback signal is a temperature value related to the heated fuel injector and is indicated by a current value. Because the feedback signal is a current value, the feedback signal is generally immune from being influenced by ground shift between the controller and the heated fuel injector.

Abstract: A transreflective vehicle mirror system configured to be attached to a vehicle. The system includes an interior unit and/or exterior unit, each of which includes various arrangements of a transreflective layer optionally combined with a transparent display layer and/or a variable tint layer. The units can be configured and operated in a variety of ways to provide the same and/or enhanced features/functions normally associated with conventional side view mirrors, rear view mirrors (with or without an integrated information display), fold down visors (with or without a vanity mirror), and graduated tinting commonly found on the upper portion of automobile windshields. The interior unit and exterior unit can operate to a transparent state so that a field of view or direction viewed by the operator is not obstructed as is the case with conventional rear and side view mirrors, and fold-down sun-visors.

Abstract: A night-time rear collision warning system that includes a camera and a controller. The system identifies a bright spot corresponding to a light source present in the field of view of the camera, determines if the bright spot corresponds to headlights of an approaching vehicle, and determines if a collision is likely. The headlights of a distant approaching vehicle may appear as a single bright spot and so the bright spot is classified as a fused spot. By analyzing bright spots from headlights, the system is able to operate at night when no other information regarding the size or shape of the approaching vehicle is available.

Abstract: A vehicle front lighting assembly, or headlight assembly, that includes one or more variable tint electrowetting elements overlying a portion of the assembly lens surface. The variable tint electrowetting element is configured to operate to a transparent state whereby the hue of light passing therethrough is not changed, and a tinted state where the hue of light passing therethrough is changed. Alternatively, the variable tint electrowetting element is configured to operate to the tinted state and an opaque state where light is blocked from passing through the electrowetting element. The assembly may use light emitting diodes (LED) as an alternative to more conventional light sources.

Abstract: An over-torque protector device including a drive pulley and a drive hub. A plurality of receptacles extends from a pulley face, and a plurality of links extends from a drive hub plate. Each link has a first end pivotably engaged to the plate and a second end provided with coupling means for releasably coupling the drive hub and the drive pulley for unified rotation through operative engagement with the receptacles in a device engaged state, the coupling means and the receptacles out of operative engagement in a device released state. The coupling means and the receptacles have relative axial movements induced by relative rotation between the drive pulley and the drive hub. Transition from the device engaged state to the device released state is induced by the relative axial movements of the coupling means and the receptacles.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a lightweight electronic device for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a one-piece case formed of a layered composite structure including polymer based, electrically insulating sheet material and electrically conductive sheet material that is compression molded or hydroformed to provide three-dimensional case details to accept one or more electronic devices such as circuit boards required for electrical control and display of vehicle based systems. The conductive sheet material is preferably a wire mesh which provides shielding from electrical anomalies and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment.