Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat pan that drops vertically in the event of a frontal impact event to help safeguard against the head of an unbelted seat occupant striking the headliner, windshield or other components of the vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat pan attached to a seat track. The seat track further includes an attachment bracket. A swing linkage movably connects the seat pan with the seat track by a movable fastener. A slot is formed in the bracket through which at least a part of the movable fastener passes. A pyrotechnic fastener also attaches the swing linkage to the bracket. In a frontal impact event, the pyrotechnic fastener is caused to explode thus separating the pyrotechnic fastener into two parts and allowing the swing linkage and its attached seat pan to drop vertically relative to the seat track and lowering the unbelted occupant.

Abstract: A method for controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine, with which a device for the detection of misfires is provided, comprises operation of the internal combustion engine in a calibration mode, wherein the calibration mode includes stepwise reduction of the ignition energy by changing the ignition parameter starting from an initial value, detecting the reaching of a combustion failure limit based on the signal of the detection device and again reducing the ignition energy if the combustion failure limit has not yet been reached, and storing the ignition parameter at the point in time of reaching the combustion failure limit. When not in the calibration mode, operation of the ignition system takes place according to the stored ignition parameter. With such feedback control, electrode burn of the spark plugs is reduced, leading to an extension of the service life of the spark plugs.

Abstract: A development system and method are provided for testing proximity sensor interfaces, such as a capacitive switch assembly which may be employed in an automotive vehicle. The system includes software routines stored in memory for operating a proximity sensor interface having a plurality of sensors, and a data log including user outputs of the proximity sensors. The development system includes a replicator for replicating the proximity sensor interface based on the software routines and the data log and generating outputs of the proximity sensor interface to determine performance. The system further includes an analyzer for processing the test data for proper activation of the proximity sensor interface and generating an output indicative of the test results.

Abstract: A system and a method for pretreating an aluminum assembly includes selecting a blank having a thin film pretreatment layer and a lubricant coating applied to a surface. The blank is formed to a desired shape and an adhesive is applied to a selected portion of the surface. A cleaner is applied to the assembly to remove the thin film pretreatment layer and the lubricant coating from the surface except at the selected portion and a zirconium oxide conversion coating is applied to the assembly before painting.

Abstract: A two-component curable epoxy resin system is disclosed. The resin system includes an epoxy resin component containing at least 80% by weight of a polyglycidyl ether of a polyphenol that has an epoxy equivalent weight of up to about 200 and contains no more than 2% by weight of monohydrolyzed resin species.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic brake system is described. A method of operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle having a mechatronic brake booster to boost a hydraulic pressure generated in a brake master cylinder of the brake system by a brake pedal of the motor vehicle determines whether a propulsion request is present during operation of the motor vehicle and actuates the mechatronic brake booster when a propulsion request has ended or been substantially reduced. During a predetermined time interval after the propulsion request has ended or been reduced, the mechatronic brake booster is operated at a minimum intensity such that no braking effect occurs during the predetermined time interval, unless a braking request occurs.

Abstract: Striker cover for use with a vehicle closure. The striker cover having two cover pieces with coaxial pivot edges, that when contacted by a latch, pivot into a cam and separate to provide access of the latch to the striker. When the vehicle closure is open, springs bias the cover pieces toward each other and into the cam, rotating the cover pieces back into a first position. In the first position the cover pieces cover the striker and obstruct the striker from view.

Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing flurochloridone and 3-Iodo-2-propynyl-butylcarbamate is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying a proportion of compressed air recirculated to a compressor inlet from a location downstream of the compressor and upstream of a charge air cooler and a location downstream of the charge air cooler. A temperature-controlled compressor recirculation flow is used to reduce condensation from EGR being ingested into the compressor. The temperature-controlled compressor recirculation flow is also used to address compressor surge.

Abstract: A folding and reclining seat that can be folded against the back wall of the interior of an extended cab or super cab pick up vehicle is disclosed. The seat may be folded flush into the back wall thereby maximizing usable interior cargo space when not in use. The angle of the back seat can be adjusted by selective fore-and-aft movement of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A method of down-shifting a transmission avoids output shaft oscillations by briefly increasing the torque capacity of an off-going element at the end of the inertia phase. The torque capacity of the off-going element is then reduced to zero when the measured transmission speed ratio begins to decrease. The method is suitable for downshifts that involve multiple off-going elements and multiple on-coming elements such as a shift from tenth gear to sixth gear in a ten speed transmission.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a polymeric article includes a polymeric composition which in turn includes a volume of polymer intermixed with a number of color balloons, at least a portion of the number of color balloons each including a shell enclosing a colored agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restarts in a hybrid vehicle. In response to a wide-open pedal tip-in, maximum torque is rapidly provided by cranking an engine while advancing intake cams and while discharging compressed air from an accumulator into the engine intake. Motor torque can be transitioned out faster since maximum engine torque output is enabled earlier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof rack (2) for a vehicle (K) comprising a front crossmember (3) and a rear crossmember (4), the crossmembers (3, 4) comprising fastening feet (5) at the end, by which they are supported on the lateral roof rails (DR), and in which at least the fastening feet (5) of the front crossmember (3) comprise fastening means (8), by means of which the fastening feet (5) are able to be secured to the respectively associated roof rail (DR) of the vehicle (K). For improved securing of the roof rack (2) to the vehicle (K) it is proposed that at least one crossmember (3, 4) is connected to the rear roof rail (HR) via at least one connection element (12).

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle that is reversible between a 3-point arrangement and a 4-point arrangement is provided. The seat and seat belt arrangement includes a seat having a centerline, a seat back and a seat base. The seat and seat belt arrangement further includes a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of moveable shoulder belt guides and associated moveable retractors. A pair of lap belts is also provided. A buckle assembly is also provided to which the shoulder belts and lap belts are attached. Lap belt retractors are provided. One of the retractors is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the buckle assembly is to one side of the centerline and non-retracted position in which the buckle assembly is generally on the centerline. In the retracted position the moveable guides are moved away from the centerline while in the non-retracted position the moveable guides are moved toward the centerline.

Abstract: A power unit includes a drive unit and a power sprocket for engaging the transmission band of a bicycle. The power unit includes a first free-wheeling sprocket arranged on a first side of the power sprocket and a second free-wheeling sprocket arranged on a second side of the power sprocket. The power sprocket receives the transmission band from the first free-wheeling sprocket on the first side and passes the transmission band to the second free-wheeling sprocket.

Abstract: A demand is identified based on input from a vehicle operator. Data is received providing a history of vehicle velocities. An estimated reference velocity is generated based at least on the velocity data. A final demand is generated based at least in part on a reference velocity indicated by the velocity control signal and the estimated reference velocity.

Abstract: A brake component for a motor vehicle may include a body and at least one cable positioned within the body. The at least one cable may include a plurality of wires positioned relative to one another, each of the plurality of wires having a surface in sliding contact with surfaces of adjacent wires of the plurality of wires. During braking of the motor vehicle, sliding movement of the surfaces of the plurality of wires relative to each other may dampen a resonant frequency of the component.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a charging interface that is configured to connect to a bicycle battery and a processing device programmed to determine a state of charge of the bicycle battery. The processing device further estimates traveling ranges of a vehicle and a bicycle. The vehicle system further includes a navigation module programmed to generate a route to a selected destination based on the estimated traveling ranges of the vehicle and the bicycle.

Abstract: A vehicle impact is determined to be likely to occur. Determinations are made that a vehicle speed is below a first predetermined threshold, that a vehicle pedal condition is met, and that a vehicle acceleration is below a second predetermined threshold. At least one instruction is then provided that includes at least one of an instruction to override an acceleration request and an instruction to suppress a throttle.