Abstract: A seat belt anchor (“anchor”) for a vehicle. The anchor is comprised of a bracket and a pair of nested plates. The bracket has a first plate portion and a second plate portion extending from the first plate portion. The second plate portion is attached to the nested plates, which extend substantially across the second plate portion. The nested plates are comprised of an intermediate plate and an outer plate. The intermediate plate is fixedly attached to the second plate portion. Also, the outer plate is rotatably attached to the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises first and second joint yokes having axially opposite yoke arms with bearing bores configured to receive bearings having pin bores, a cross member comprising orthogonally-arranged pin bearers having pins configured to be inserted into the pin bores, and at least one insulation element configured to be inserted between the pins and respective pin bores or the bearings and respective bearing bores, the at least one insulation element having an elliptical cross section that forms crescent-shaped recesses between its inner wall and the pin or bearing that resides therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle, having a lower link for the fastening of a wheel which is coupled to a chassis underframe and is supported on the body via a spring. The chassis underframe is mounted on the body via elastic bearings and has an annular mounting on which the spring plate of the spring is supported before the wheel suspension system is installed. In the fitted state, the spring plate is pressed out of the mounting by the body and is therefore decoupled from the chassis underframe.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof including a sunroof frame mounted to a vehicle roof opening and having opposing lateral sides. The sunroof frame has an outer edge adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle roof and an inner edge located within the vehicle cabin. The vehicle sunroof also includes a number of solar panels. Each solar panel includes a solar collection surface for collecting sunlight for producing solar energy. The solar panels extend between and are connected to the opposing lateral sides of the sunroof frame.

Abstract: A path prediction system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes vehicle state sensors (18) that generate vehicle state signals. A tracking sensor (20) generates a path characteristic signal. A path prediction module (16) determines predicted path estimations in response to data received from each of the vehicle state sensors (18) and the tracking sensor (20). The path prediction module (16) determines a resultant predicted future path and a path confidence level in response to the predicted path estimations. A controller (14) performs a countermeasure (26) in response to the resultant predicted future path and the path confidence level.

Abstract: A vehicle structural frame member incorporates an internal lightweight brace member spanning between the opposing flanges of the co-joined hat-shaped members forming the structural frame member. The internal brace is formed of thin material, such as steel, to help the frame member retain its geometric shape when placed under a load. The internal brace can be formed into a ladder-like configuration with longitudinally spaced members that span between the opposing flanges to keep the geometric shape from collapsing. A substantial improvement in load carrying capability before collapse is obtained with a small increment in additional weight in the structural frame member.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.

Abstract: A side door impact reinforcement beam incorporates a cantilevered member that is welded at one end thereof internally of the impact reinforcement beam and projects forwardly thereof. Upon side impact, the bending of the impact reinforcement beam deploys the cantilevered member outwardly from within the section of the reinforcement beam to strike an energy transfer block placed on a forward portion of the inner door panel to engage the outwardly projecting cantilevered member and receive impact energy therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement beam has a hat-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is formed with a pipe welded at a rearward portion thereof to project forwardly to be positioned for engagement with the energy transfer block when projected outwardly during impact bending of the reinforcement beam. The energy transfer from the outwardly deploying cantilevered pipe directs impact loads away from the pelvic region of the occupant toward the femur region.

Abstract: An attachment mount apparatus connects a subframe component to the lower frame midrail structure for an automotive vehicle that is formed from a pair of tubular members manufactured through a hydroforming process. The two tubular members are formed with a pair of opposing semi-cylindrical depressions to receive a cylindrical mounting member internally of the frame structure. One of the semi-cylindrical depressions and the corresponding outer wall of the tubular member are pierced to receive the cylindrical mount and a mounting plate. The opposing semi-cylindrical depression serves as a stop to locate the cylindrical mount along the centerline of the frame structure. The mounting plate spans the entire frame structure and is supported on four wall thicknesses to provide a stable mount structure for subframe components. The cylindrical mounting member is threaded to receive a fastener for the mounting of the subframe member.

Abstract: A lower frame midrail structure for an automotive vehicle is formed from a pair of tubular members manufactured through a hydroforming process. The two tubular members are welded together in a longitudinally extending portion to provide support for the mounting structure of a bumper assembly. The joinder of the two tubular members creates a lower frame midrail cross-section that has a generally vertical internal web to strengthen and stiffen the midrail structure. The two tubular members laterally diverge from one another in a divergent zone in which the laterally spaced tubular members provide a stable interior and exterior support for a shock tower support member to be welded to the top of the tubular members. The hydroforming process can form openings in the sidewalls of the tubular members to permit passage of cross frame members to enhance the welding of the cross frame members to the midrail structure.

Abstract: A deployable step and body-side assembly including a step body-side structure, one or more link assemblies, and an actuator. The step body-side structure is attached to the vehicle by the link assemblies. Each link assembly includes a carrier, an extending arm, a first link, a second link, a first rotating arm, and a second rotating arm. The carrier is attached to the step body-side structure and pivotally attached to the extending arm. The extending arm is pivotally attached to the vehicle by the first link and the second link so as to move the step body-side structure in an inboard direction and an outboard direction. The first rotating arm and second rotating arm rotate the step body-side structure, with the carrier pivotally attached to the vehicle by first rotating arm. The second rotating arm is pivotally attached to the first rotating arm, as well as the extending arm, the first link, and/or the second link. The step body-side structure is moved between the stored and deployed positions by an actuator.

Abstract: An object relative status determination system (54) for a vehicle (52) includes an orthogonal frequency domain modulation (OFDM) transceiver (56) that generates an object range signal (83). The system (54) may also include a global navigation system (GNS) (58) that receives a satellite range signal (70). A controller (66) is coupled to the OFDM transceiver (56) and the GNS (58) and determines object information relative to the vehicle (52) in response to the object range signal (83) and the satellite range signal (70).

Abstract: A system and method for maximizing the post-ABS regenerative braking capability of an automotive vehicle having regenerative braking available for more than one axle determines the availability of surplus regenerative braking capacity on a first axle and then uses the surplus, if any, to satisfy the brake demand for another axle having insufficient regenerative braking capacity. This system restores regenerative braking without causing the regenerative braking to trigger a subsequent ABS event.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12-16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.

Abstract: A structural joint is formed between the upper frame rail, which bends downwardly to define a generally vertically extending portion, and a generally fore-and-aft extending lower frame rail that can be tuned to manage the flow of crash energy during an impact situation. The upper frame rail is formed as a conventional four-sided tube, but is reformed at the intersection with the lower frame rail into a multiple-sided configuration that defines a mating surface for connection to the lower frame rail. The size of the mating surface has a fore-and-aft width dimension of between 20 and 40 millimeters and can be tuned to selectively control the management of crash forces encountered during an impact. The welded connection between the upper and lower frame rails forming this structural joint provides adequate stiffness and rigidity for the function of an automotive frame, yet presents a reduced shear strength in the fore-and-aft direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic reinforcement system (14) (“system”) for a body structure (12) of a vehicle (10) includes an air bladder (28), an inflator device (30), a sensor (32), and one or more mounting members (34a, 34b, 34c). The sensor (32) detects a crash condition and actuates the inflator device (30) to inflate the air bladder (28). The air bladder (28) is attached to the body structure (12) by mounting members (34a, 34b, 34c), with the inflated air bladder (28) and mounting member (34a, 34b, 34c) strengthening the body structure (12) during a crash condition.

Abstract: A device for removably attaching a TPMS sensor to a wheel is provided. The device has a structure having a first end section, a second end section and a base. The base separates the first end section from the second end section. A first connector is formed in the first end section and a second connector is formed in the second end section. The device may be selectively attached to a wheel. The device may selectively receive a sensor, the sensor being releasably connectable to the first connector and the second connector of the device. The device may be a cradle for connecting a sensor thereto. Also, a method of using a cradle in a first wheel for use with an automotive vehicle is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member that includes a valve assembly for permitting the injection of a hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annulus between the tubular member and a preexisting structure.

Abstract: A motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention includes a body having a front end, a rear end, a roof, and a rear structural member located at the rear end of the body. A motor vehicle further includes a plurality of wheels coupled to the body. A pair of brackets is coupled to the rear structural member. A rear bumper is configured to both cover the structural member and to allow for access to the brackets. A step is pivotally coupled to the brackets, and therefore to the structural member and motor vehicle. The step is operative to articulate about an axis between a first and second position.