Abstract: A method is set forth for the detection of an object, in particular in a road, in particular of a pedestrian, in the surroundings in the range of view of an optical sensor attached to a carrier such as in particular a vehicle, wherein, from the range of view of the optical sensor, a relevant spatial region disposed below the horizon is determined, a gray scale image is produced by means of the optical sensor which includes a relevant image region corresponding to the relevant spatial region, and a search for a possible object is only made in this relevant image region corresponding to the relevant spatial region disposed below the horizon for the detection of the object.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly comprising a plurality of battery packs each including a plurality of cells and at least one metering plate for metering the quantity of air flowing respectively through each of the air paths of the battery packs. An inlet metering plate is disposed upstream of the battery packs to meter the uneven flow of cooling air generated by the inlet manifold. The inlet metering plate utilizes a plurality of apertures, which can vary in size and shape, to produce equal streams of cooling air to cool all the battery packs to a substantially uniform temperature. An outlet metering plate can be disposed downstream of the battery packs to meter the flow of outgoing cooling air through the channels of the upper cylindrical sections to produce equal air flow around all of the cells in a stack to cool all of the cells to a substantially uniform temperature.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes an intermediate locking pin and seat for locking the camshaft phaser at a position intermediate of its full advanced and retard positions. A feature is provided for radially orienting the locking pin with the seat.

Abstract: A dual view display system that displays two different images in different directions using a single display device to alternately time-multiplex the images and two shutter devices operated in coordination with the time-multiplexing to alternately allow or block viewing of the alternating images.

Abstract: A handling assistant apparatus for two-body connected vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus is applied to a two-body connected vehicle including a tractor and a trailer, the tractor and the trailer having different turn radius. A static signal acquisition means acquires static signals of the tractor and the trailer. A moving orientation signal acquisition means acquires moving orientation signals of the tractor and the trailer. A video signal acquisition means acquires original video signals. An angle acquisition means is mounted at the joint point of the tractor and the trailer and acquires an angle signal between the moving orientations of the tractor and the trailer. A dynamic signal generation means generates dynamic signals of the tractor and the trailer based on the original video signals, the static signals, the moving orientation signals and the angle signal. The dynamic signal reflects a prediction of the moving orientation and a position of the tractor and the trailer.

Abstract: Each generic gear includes one tooth disposed in each of the sockets, and each tooth extends radially outward from one of the sockets and throat thereof. The teeth of the generic gear include resilient material adjacent the throat for compressing and allowing movement of each tooth relative to the outer periphery. In the species of FIG. 1, each tooth is entirely of the resilient material and diverges or circumferentially widens from adjacent the throat to define a gap from the throat to the outer periphery. In the species of FIG. 2, each tooth has a shell integral with the hub and a core of the resilient material fills each shell and extends into the socket to define a crescent-shaped gap with the socket end.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds each extending between manifold ends and defining a plurality of slits disposed in a plurality of parallel slit rows and each slit having a center axis. The center axes of the slits in each of the slit rows are aligned in a row plane. Reinforcement members extend between reinforcement ends each of which have at least one tab for connection thereof to one of the manifold ends. Each of the manifolds has at least one retainer for clamping one of the reinforcement members thereto. Each of the tabs include at least one connector extending toward the adjacent manifold end. One of the connectors is centered on each of the row planes to define row isolating openings between adjacent connectors to isolate each of the row planes from differential forces of adjacent row planes.

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 fuse adapter adapts coplanar blades of fuse having a predetermined blade spacing to fit a pair of coplanar blade receiving terminal slots in a circuit having a different slot spacing. The fuse adapter includes a pair of adapter terminals. Each adapter terminal has a slotted, planar upper end spaced from the other terminal's slotted upper end by the fuse blade spacing. Each adapter terminal upper end also has an adjusting tab bent away from the upper end substantially perpendicular thereto and substantially parallel to the plane of the coplanar terminal slots. Each adjusting tab is integral with a transition portion that extends to an adapter blade. The two adapter blades are coplanar with and spaced apart to match the fuse blade receiving terminal slots in the circuit.

Abstract: A series of electric terminals in which each member of the series has an identical receptacle portion at one end and a unique cable attachment portion at an opposite end is manufactured by forming a generic strip of partially formed terminals having a receptacle portion at one end in a first progressive die forming operation for all members of the series of electric terminals. Strips of completely formed electric terminals of particular members of the series of electric terminals are then completed in respective unique die progressive die forming operations using the generic strip of partially formed terminals. A modular die may be used for forming the strips of completely formed electric terminals from the intermediate generic the strip of partially formed terminals.

Abstract: A receiver system and method for receiving signals are provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive a transmitted signal. A receiver device is in communication with the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the receiver device is configured to emit an output based upon the received signal, and communicate a control signal that corresponds to a determined signal quality of the received signal. A switch device is adapted to switch among the plurality of antenna elements to electrically connect a selected antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements to the receiver device. A controller is in communication with the receiver device, such that the controller receives the control signal, wherein the controller commands the switch device to directly switch to any of the antenna elements to electrically connect one of the plurality of antenna elements to the receiver device based upon the control signal.

Abstract: A system and method to display a plurality of different images at multiple distinct locations using a single image projector and an image propagation control means to control a propagation pathway from the projector to a display at each location.

Abstract: A dual view display system to display two different images in substantially opposite direction using a single transparent display to time-multiplex the images and shutter devices to alternately block each side from being viewed according to the image being displayed.

Abstract: A system to selectively display a symbol at a location on a vehicle window. The system includes an arrangement of a fluorescent material at the location, wherein the fluorescent material: a) is sufficiently transparent in the absence of ultraviolet (UV) light, b) fluoresces when illuminated with UV light, c) and has a shape corresponding to the symbol, and a UV light source configured to illuminate the location with UV light to display the symbol. Such a system may use unfocused UV light sources to illuminate the symbol shaped fluorescent material as opposed to focused UV light sources such as UV lasers.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensing system and a method for determining concentrations of exhaust gas constituents are provided. The exhaust gas sensing system includes a NH3 sensing cell, a NO2 sensing cell, a NOx pumping cell, and a current sensor that detects an electrical current flowing through the NOx pumping cell. A computer determines a NO2 concentration value, a NH3 concentration value, a NO concentration value, and a NOx concentration value based on signals from the NH3 sensing cell, the NO2 sensing cell, and the current sensor.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining eye closure state of the eye of a subject. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye of a subject and a video processor for processing the images generated with the video imaging camera. The video processor is configured to detect an eye in the video images and determine whether the images of the eye are noisy. The video processor processes geometrical and statistical shape of the eye in the images if the eye is not noisy, and processes changes in the size of the eye over time if the images are noisy. The processor further determines eye closure state based on a ratio of horizontal to vertical dimensions.

Abstract: An engine control system, controller, and method for estimating a stopped engine crank angle of an internal combustion engine. Typical crank sensors do not output a reliable crank signal when the engine is about to stop, and do not indicate crank direction which is necessary to determine if engine bounce-back occurs. A crank sensor signal is analyzed as the engine coasts to a stop so that a coast-down model can be adjusted to accurately estimate the stopped engine crank angle. A bounce-back model is also used to estimate an engine bounce-back angle and to make further corrections to the estimated stopped engine crank angle.

Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.

Abstract: A vision system in a vehicle and a method for operating the system. The system displays a field of view that is a portion of an image of an area proximate to the vehicle. The system includes an object detection means that provides an indication of an object being present in the area proximate to the vehicle. The field of view is selected at least in part based on the detection of the object, such as directing the field of view toward the object so the vehicle driver can more easily discern the presence of the object in a display.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing with a supply port receiving working fluid from a working fluid source, a control port connected to a working device, and a vent port for returning working fluid to the working fluid source. A spool with a spool bore in fluid communication with the control port controls the flow of working fluid between the supply port and the control port and between the control port and the vent port. An actuator assembly selectively alters the position of the spool. In a high pressure mode, the supply port is in fluid communication with the spool bore at a first pressure. In a pressure relief mode, the vent port is in fluid communication with the spool bore. In a pressure regulating mode, the supply port is in fluid communication with the spool bore at a second pressure which is less than the first pressure.