Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for motor vehicles, with two subtransmissions, with a dual clutch, with a central disk (3) connected to the driving disk (2) and belonging to the dual clutch, with two outer pressure plates (4, 5) and with friction disks (6, 7) which are arranged between the central disk (3) and the pressure plates (4, 5) and which can be coupled individually to the central disk (3) and transfer the torque selectively to the sub transmissions via one of the clutch output shafts (solid shaft 10, hollow shaft 11). Dual clutch transmissions often suffer from noise and vibration problems which mostly arise during crawling actions, when starting from a standstill, in load alternation processes and during gear changes. In order to avoid this, the central disk (3) is decoupled from the driving disk (2) and is mounted on the hollow shaft (11); furthermore, the central disk (3) is connected cardanically to the driving disk (2).

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes at least one wheel, a friction brake, a motor, and at least one controller. The friction brake is coupled to the wheel and configured to provide friction brake torque, and the motor is coupled to the wheel and configured to provide regenerative brake torque. The controller is configured to command the motor to provide a regenerative brake torque to satisfy a low frequency torque component or a high frequency torque component of a required antilock wheel brake torque during an antilock braking event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation for a driveline disconnect clutch is provided. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle has an airbag with a receiving portion shaped to clamp onto or around a portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed to assist in securing the airbag in place. The receiving portion is formed by supplementary material adjacent to a seam between inner and outer panels of the airbag, the supplementary material forming a clamping pocket which grips an outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, the receiving portion is formed by first and second overlapping portions of the airbag which overlap one another when the airbag is deflated, the overlapping portions forming a clamping pocket configured to grip the outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An active bolster protects a passenger in an automotive vehicle during a crash event. An interior trim panel has a front wall with a front surface facing the passenger and a back surface including a plurality of closed bonding tracks spaced laterally across the panel. A plurality of bladder walls each has an outer flange bonded to a respective bonding track, a plurality of pleats disposed annularly adjacent the respective outer flange and defining a respective extension length, and central mounting towers attaching the respective bladder wall to a reaction structure. A plurality of micro gas generators are each mounted to a respective bladder wall for inflating the respective bladder walls. Inflation causes unfolding of the respective pleats while the trim panel deploys away from the reaction structure by a non-uniform distance resulting from a bladder wall having a pleat extension length not equal to another laterally-spaced bladder wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a twin scroll turbocharged engine with a junction configured to selectively control exhaust gas delivery to an exhaust gas recirculation system and a twin scroll turbine are provided.

Abstract: A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.

Abstract: A vehicle 1 towing a trailer 4 is fitted with three video cameras 5, 6, 7 fitted to the rear of the vehicle and on each door mirror. A view from any camera can be presented to the driver on a display 11. A predicted trailer path, calculated in a computing unit 10, is also presented to the driver on the display 11 as guide lines overlaid on the camera view. The computing unit 10 is also configured to calculate a hitch angle by tracking the position of a trailer-mounted marker in the camera view.

Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine and selectively to an engine through a disconnect clutch, a coupler located between the rotor hub and torque converter, providing a rotational connection and an axial connection between the coupler and the rotor hub, and a flex plate providing second rotational and axial connections between the coupler and the torque converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of a film-forming polymer, spherical polymer beads, a HASE rheology modifier, and optionally a pigment. The composition is useful in coatings compositions.

Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is provided herein. According to one embodiment, the fuel system includes a fuel supply coupled to a low pressure fuel pump, the low pressure fuel pump coupled to a high pressure fuel pump to provide fuel to a fuel rail. Further, the fuel system includes a plurality of injectors coupled to the fuel rail to provide fuel to a plurality of engine cylinders. Further still, the fuel system includes a first fuel return line coupling the fuel rail to the fuel supply and a thermal recirculation valve, the thermal recirculation valve further coupled to a low pressure pump intake line; a second fuel return line coupling the high pressure fuel pump to the first fuel return line; and a third fuel return line coupling the plurality of injectors to a high pressure pump intake line.

Abstract: A head rest is mountable on a vehicle seat back with at least one hollow support bar. The support bar is adjustable to adjust the height of the head rest relative to the seat back. An airbag is located in the head rest and a connection is provided in the hollow head rest support bar between the airbag and an airbag system component in the seatback.

Abstract: A power side door system for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle side door connected to a vehicle body and an actuator for displacing the side door between an open and a closed position. The system further includes a presence sensor to determine a change in presence of an individual in a seat position adjacent the side door. Further, the system includes a controller responsive to the presence sensor to control operation of the actuator. Advantageously the system automatically closes the door either after an individual enters the vehicle and occupies the seat or after an individual vacates the seat and leaves the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for dressing a resistance stop welding (RSW) tip and a tip dresser apparatus. According to the method, a circumferential shoulder is cut to a predetermined depth from a distal end of the RSW tip. The shoulder is cut in the side wall to provide a reduced radius side wall and a reduced radius distal end on the RSW tip. The depth of dressing the distal end of the RSW tip is controlled by providing a stop that engages a step formed in the side wall formed by the circumferential shoulder. The tip dresser apparatus includes a first cutting blade retained by a first holder that cuts a step into the side wall to a predetermined depth. A second cutting blade retained by a second holder cuts a radiused surface on the distal end until the stop engages the step.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle-based computing system. The vehicle-based computing system may identify from a first software update chunk retrieved from a subscribed topic for receiving vehicle updates, a number of chunks of the update, retrieve additional chunks of the update by subscription to each of a sequence of subtopics to the subscribed topic, each subtopic associated with a respective remaining one of the number of chunks, and update the software utilizing the retrieved chunks.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system is provided and comprises a catalyst positioned in an exhaust passage of a vehicle. The catalyst is in the form of a washcoat supported on a substrate. The system includes a phase change material located adjacent to the catalyst to maintain the temperature of the catalyst between engine shut-down and subsequent start-up as well as to regulate the temperature during engine operation. In some embodiments, the phase change material comprises particles of a metal or metal alloy encapsulated in a ceramic material. The metal or metal alloy is adapted to have a phase change that occurs within a temperature range wherein the catalyst is active.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system is provided and comprises a catalyst positioned in an exhaust passage of a vehicle. The catalyst is in the form of a washcoat supported on a substrate. The system includes a phase change material located adjacent to the catalyst to maintain the temperature of the catalyst between engine shut-down and subsequent start-up as well as to regulate the temperature during engine operation. In some embodiments, the phase change material comprises particles of a metal or metal alloy encapsulated in a ceramic material. The metal or metal alloy is adapted to have a phase change that occurs within a temperature range wherein the catalyst is active.

Abstract: A linear current regulator is provided for precharging a high voltage bus, such as within a hybrid electric vehicle, in a quick, efficient, and optimal manner. The linear current regulator can include a battery; a bus; a transistor having, a base, a collector coupled to the bus, and an emitter; a resistor coupled between a precharge switch and the base; the precharge switch coupled to the battery and the resistor; and a main contactor coupled to the battery, the emitter, and the bus. When the recharge switch is closed, the bus is connected to the battery through the resistor and the transistor so that the bus is charged. When the voltages of the bus and the battery are nearly equal, the transistor turns off, the precharge switch is opened, and the main contactor is closed for normal operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle discrete step-ratio automatic transmission shift strategy attempts to cause a speed of a motor to approach a target motor speed to increase fuel economy for a coupled engine when in hybrid mode. A controller shifts the transmission according to a magnitude of a driver torque demand, the current rotor or impeller speed, and whether the motor is consuming or producing current.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp component with a reflecting element and a light source. The reflecting element includes an array of selectively controllable portions, and the light source provides a first output to the reflecting element. The system further includes a computer coupled to the light source and the reflecting element. The computer selectively operating the portions of the reflecting element to shape the first output into illumination areas according to at least one vehicle user characteristic.