Abstract: A powered hinge assembly includes a first gate hinge feature, a drive unit connected to the first gate hinge feature and a controller configured to displace the first gate hinge feature to an installation position upon connection to a power source. A powered tailgate assembly, incorporating the powered hinge assembly, and a method of installing a tailgate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes cylinders that may be deactivated are presented. In one example, intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder may be operated according to valve operation for a conventional four stroke cycle. The same valves may be operated differently during a four stroke cycle to provide air charge and exhaust charge to active cylinders during a different four stroke cycle.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to approve an application vehicular-system-access request based on a temporary key and device ID transmitted with the access request matching a stored temporary key and device ID pair previously stored by the processor. This can assist in ensuring that only validated devices and/or applications are requesting access to a vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle includes selecting a first target engine speed in response to a driver power request, calculating an available engine torque at the first target engine speed, adjusting the target engine speed if the available engine torque is insufficient to satisfy the driver power request, and commanding an engine to run at the target engine speed. The first target engine speed is optimized for fuel economy. The calculated available engine torque is less than a calculated maximum engine torque at the target engine speed, such that a torque reserve is maintained for engine vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing mitigating actions in response to detecting a fuel injector leak. In one example, a method may include in response to detecting a fuel injector leak, performing first high pressure mitigating actions including increasing a fuel rail pressure, increasing a pulse width delivered to the leaking fuel injector, and commanding fuel injection during compression stroke; in response to the first mitigating actions not reducing the leak below a threshold rate, performing second high pressure mitigating actions including increasing the fuel rail pressure, increasing the pulse width delivered to the leaking injector, and commanding fuel injection during intake stroke for a cylinder receiving fuel from the leaking injector; and in response to the second mitigating actions not reducing the leak below the threshold rate, reducing the fuel rail pressure, and commanding intake stroke fuel injection to all cylinders.

Abstract: Arrangements (e.g., method; vehicle; non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable media embodying a program) for controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. A method of controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics includes determining an actual position of an adjustable steering component of the vehicle, comparing the actual position to a reference position of the component, and based at least in part on the comparison, adjusting at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system. In one embodiment, based at least in part on the comparison, a percentage of change in a steering ratio for a range of steering wheel angles is calculated and, based on the percentage of change, at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system is adjusted to a nominal value associated with the nominal vehicle steering characteristics.

Abstract: A method for climate control for an interior of a motor vehicle includes acquiring climatically relevant data of the interior and/or surroundings of the vehicle, creating a thermodynamic model of a vehicle climate system, the model including at least one of a first thermal capacity of the interior and a first heat loss of the interior, introducing into the interior a quantity of air having a temperature different from an existing interior temperature, calculating at least one of a second thermal capacity of the interior and a second heat loss of the interior existing after the air quantity is introduced into the interior, and adapting the thermodynamic model to include at least one the second thermal capacity and the second heat loss.

Abstract: The clutch pedal system for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The clutch pedal system includes a pedal carrier having a fastening region configured to be associated with an aperture in a bulkhead and/or a dashboard carrier of the vehicle. A clutch pedal is pivotably mounted on the pedal carrier. A master cylinder is supported on an adapter region of the pedal carrier and is connected to the clutch pedal. The master cylinder is positioned such that at least a portion of the master cylinder extends through the aperture, wherein the pedal carrier is configured to position the master cylinder in a predetermined position relative to the bulkhead and/or of the dashboard carrier.

Abstract: A method of operating a tilting running gear for a non-rail-borne vehicle having at least one actuator is disclosed. The method includes calculating an angle of tilt of the vehicle around an axis of rotation based on prevailing values of centrifugal acceleration and gravitational acceleration as the vehicle enters a curve. Based on a comparison between an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a desired lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the vehicle is accelerated or decelerated to achieve the calculated angle of tilt. When the calculated angle of tilt has been achieved, the actuator is deactivated. The actuator provides acceleration of the vehicle and a braking device provides deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A securing arrangement for a steering gear housing is provided. The securing arrangement includes at least one steering gear securing portion formed on the steering gear housing and at least one bodywork securing portion formed on a bodywork component of a vehicle. Each steering gear securing portion has a steering gear bearing surface and each bodywork securing portion has a bodywork bearing surface configured to support a respective steering gear bearing surface so as to form a respective pair of bearing surfaces when the steering gear housing is arranged on the bodywork component. Each pair of bearing surfaces includes a convex bearing surface and a substantially planar bearing surface.

Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement for a tilting running gear of a non-rail-borne vehicle is disclosed. The stabilizing arrangement includes a balance beam configured to have each end coupled to a respective suspension side of a multi-track running gear axle of the tilting running gear. A pivot bearing is connected to a frame or body of the vehicle and defines a stationary axis of rotation. The pivot bearing rotatably supports the balance beam about the stationary axis of rotation. At least one stabilizing element is connected to the balance beam and is supported with respect to a frame or body of the vehicle. The at least one stabilizing element is configured to provide a reaction force to counteract a tilting moment of the vehicle. A non-rail-borne vehicle comprising the stabilizing arrangement also is disclosed.

Abstract: A bushing for the oscillation-damping connection of two components such as a vehicle frame or vehicle structure and a steering gear is disclosed. The bushing includes an inner bearing element having first and second ends. An opening extends through the first end of the inner bearing element in a longitudinal direction. The inner bearing element includes a support face on the first end. A resilient member at least partially surrounds the inner bearing member. At least a portion of the resilient member extends below the support face in the longitudinal direction. The bushing also may include an outer bearing element, such that the resilient member is positioned between the inner and outer bearing elements.

Abstract: A torsion profile for a twist beam axle of a vehicle is provided and includes a base body having an open hollow cross section. The body comprises first and second end portions adjacent a central portion and a cross section having first and second limbs connected by a central web portion, the cross section having a U-shape or a V-shape. At least one of the limbs varies in length along the longitudinal axis of at least one of the first and second end portions. At least one of the limbs has a flange arranged on a free end thereof, the variation in length of the at least one limb providing the first and second end portions with a continuously varying cross section along the length of the base body.

Abstract: A method for operating an electromechanical vehicle brake system is provided. The method comprises determining that an activation condition has been met, building an initial portion of the pre-charge pressure in the brake system, applying the initial portion of the pre-charge pressure to at least one wheel brake, building a secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure in the brake system, and adjusting the secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure to an expected braking pressure. Adjusting the secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure may include reducing the secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides a plurality of forward speed ratios and one or more reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. An input and an output are provided. Three planetary gear sets are located at an offset position relative to the input axis and the output axis. Axis transfer gears are provided to transfer rotational energy from the input to one of the planetary gear sets, and from one of the planetary gear sets to the output.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for the non-driven wheels of a vehicle comprises a wheel carrier for rotatably mounting a wheel of the vehicle, the wheel carrier being connected to a first transverse link and a second transverse link. The first transverse link is configured to be torsionally stiff and comprises a U-shaped opening in the link. The first transverse link is connected to the vehicle body via two link bearings on a body side and is connected to the wheel carrier via two link bearings on a wheel carrier side. The wheel suspension includes a bearing spring supported on the vehicle body and on the wheel carrier and positioned within the U-shaped opening of the first transverse link.

Abstract: A pinion carrier includes a shell including a face plate, a lip spaced axially from the face plate, a hub including a plate spaced from face plate and a collar spaced axially from the lip, posts, each post spaced angularly about an axis, secured to the plate and face plate by welds, shafts spaced angularly about the axis, secured to the plate and face plate, and pinions, each pinion supported on one of the shafts.