Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure supporting a camshaft and a valve lift mechanism. The camshaft may include a cam lobe and may define a longitudinally extending rotational axis. The valve lift mechanism may define a longitudinally extending cam engagement surface and a first side wall. The cam engagement surface may be engaged with the cam lobe at a first location. The first side wall may be fixed to the cam engagement surface and may include first and second portions. The first portion may extend from the cam engagement surface. The second portion may extend continuously inward from an end of the first portion. The inward extent of the second portion may be greater than or equal to a first height at the first location defined from the cam engagement surface to the end of the first portion.

Abstract: A shifting clutch includes, but is not limited to a synchronizer body rotationally fixed on a shaft, a first and a second gear wheel, at least two synchronizing rings, a shifting sleeve which is displaceable over a neutral position on the synchronizer body in axial direction of the shaft between a first and a second shifted position, in which it establishes a non-positive connection between synchronizer body and the first or second gear wheel, and at least one thrust piece which is displaceable over a neutral position through the shifting sleeve between a first and a second synchronizing position, in which it loads the first or second synchronizing ring in each case against the first or second gear wheel. The shifting sleeve comprises at least one inwardly directed projection which in the first shifted position restricts the axial freedom of movement of the thrust piece.

Abstract: A waste heat accumulator/distributor system for use in a vehicle. The system includes an engine coolant loop directing engine coolant through a power plant, a powertrain electronics coolant loop directing electronics coolant through a powertrain electronics system; and a transmission fluid loop directing transmission fluid through a transmission. The system includes a multi-fluid heat exchanger including an engine coolant inlet receiving the engine coolant from the engine coolant loop, an electronics coolant inlet receiving the electronics coolant from the powertrain electronic coolant loop, and a transmission fluid inlet receiving the transmission fluid from the transmission fluid loop; a first valve controllable to cause engine coolant to flow into the engine coolant inlet or to bypass the engine coolant inlet; and a second valve controllable to cause electronics coolant to flow into the electronics coolant inlet or to bypass the electronics coolant inlet.

Abstract: A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter including an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A radiant zoned heater includes N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of the N zones includes M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one. A control module selectively activates at least a selected one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones, restricts exhaust gas flow in a portion of the PM filter that corresponds to the selected one of the N zones, and deactivates non-selected ones of the N zones.

Abstract: A method for stamping a desired shape from a sheet blank includes providing the sheet blank. The method also includes locally cooling the sheet blank with a stream of fluid in a predetermined area of high stress concentration to be experienced during forming of the sheet blank into a desired shape. The method additionally includes forming the metal sheet blank into the desired shape in a stamping press with a punch. A system employing the method for forming a sheet blank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transmission for a car has a first gearwheel group that includes, but is not limited to s a fixed gearwheel first gear on an input shaft and that is meshing with an idler first gear on a first layshaft. The transmission further includes, but is not limited to an idler reverse gear on a second layshaft, the idler reverse gear meshing with the idler first gear on the first layshaft, wherein gearwheels of a second gearwheel group, of a third gearwheel group, and of a fourth gearwheel group being arranged on the input shaft and on the first layshaft.

Abstract: A device for improving the communication in a motor vehicle with front and back seats includes, but is not limited to at least one first loudspeaker directed and the front seats, at least one second loudspeaker directed at the back seats, at least one first microphone directed at the front seats and an audio signal processor that can be activated in order to output speech recorded by the first microphone on the second loudspeaker. A first control element for activating the audio signal processor can be actuated from the back seats and a signal generator for displaying the activated state of the audio signal processor is visible from the front seats.

Abstract: An airbag configuration is provided for a motor vehicle, having an airbag and a filling device for filling the airbag, the airbag configuration being provided for an installed location in the motor vehicle, in which an airbag reserve is situated in an unfilled storage position above a lower edge of the filling device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring electric isolation of a high voltage DC bus to detect ground isolation faults includes monitoring voltage differentials between a positive DC electric power bus and a negative DC electric power bus and a chassis ground. Electrical isolation between each of the positive and negative DC electric power buses and the chassis ground is monitored using a ratio of the voltage differentials.

Abstract: A double clutch includes, but is not limited to an inner clutch for connecting to an inner input shaft to a crankshaft of an engine. The double clutch also includes, but is not limited to an outer clutch for connecting to an outer input shaft to the crankshaft. The double clutch further includes, but is not limited to one or more differentiators coupled to at least one levers of the two clutches for providing adjustments in stroke distance to at least one of the two clutches for clutching.

Abstract: An embodiment an infotainment system for an automobile includes a navigation system, an entertainment system, an audio output device and a control system coupled to the navigation system, the entertainment system and the audio output device. The control system controls access by the navigation system and the entertainment system to the audio output device and includes a conversation recognizer that determines if a conversation is being conducted. The control system of this embodiment varies operation of the audio output device in the event a conversation is being conducted.

Abstract: An engine block assembly for an internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder portion having a plurality of cylinder walls disposed therein. A water jacket, having opposed side walls, extends about the plurality of cylinder walls to define a coolant flow path. A coolant inlet in fluid communication with the water jacket delivers coolant thereto and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the water jacket removes coolant therefrom. Opposed sealing shoulders extend into the coolant flow path from the water jacket side walls and a longitudinally extending coolant baffle is disposed in the water jacket adjacent to the sealing shoulders. The coolant baffle includes a baffle sealing face configured to engage the opposed sealing shoulders to direct the coolant entering the water jacket in a single direction around the cylinder walls of the cylinder portion.

Abstract: A powertrain of a vehicle includes, but is not limited to a prime drive coupleable to a multi-speed transmission by actuation of one or more clutches and a system for operating the powertrain for clutch protection. The system includes, but is not limited to an estimator for estimating the thermal load on the clutch from drive resistance of the vehicle and the torque deliverable by the prime drive at a sensed position of the throttle and an apparatus for increasing the torque delivered by the prime drive to above the estimated torque at the sensed position of the throttle to reduce the thermal load on the clutch if the estimated thermal load on the clutch is higher than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A ventilation nozzle is provided for the interior of a motor vehicle comprising first and comprising second adjustable vanes for changing an air flow. The second vents are disposed downstream of the first vents and first and second vents are mounted so that they can be swiveled by means of a common control member in a casing of the nozzle. The control member is mounted swivelably downstream of the second vents.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth member. The second compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, and a fourth member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. An interconnecting member continuously connects the first member of the first compound planetary gear set for common rotation with the second member of the second compound planetary gear set. The transmission has seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, including three brakes and four rotating-type clutches, that are engagable to establish up to fourteen forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A catalytic converter fastening is provided for a combustion engine. The catalytic converter fastening includes, but is not limited to an engine block bracket that is releasably connected to an engine block. The engine block bracket fixes the catalytic converter at a distance to the engine block. A catalytic converter support is materially connected to the catalytic converter, and connecting elements releasably connect the engine block bracket to the engine block. The catalytic converter support comprises at least one arm angled-off towards the engine block bracket, while on the arm at least one angled-off strap is arranged. The strap is materially connected to a catalytic converter housing. Here, the catalytic converter fastening of engine block bracket and catalytic converter support is of the unitary type.

Abstract: When a friction stir weld tool penetrates the interface of two workpieces of dissimilar metal alloy materials, the resultant weld of the different alloy materials may produce a weak weld joint. Such weak joints are often experienced, for example, when attempting to form spot welds or other friction stir welds between a magnesium alloy sheet or strip and an aluminum alloy sheet or strip. It is discovered that suitable coating compositions including an adhesive placed at the interface of assembled workpieces can alter the composition of the friction stir weld material and strengthen the resulting bond. In the example of friction stir welds between magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy workpieces, it is found that combinations of an adhesive with copper, tin, zinc, and/or other powders can strengthen the magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing friction stir weld material.

Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system generally includes a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine. A grid of electrically resistive material is applied to an exterior upstream surface of the PF and selectively heats exhaust passing through the grid to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. A catalyst coating applied to at least one of the PF and the grid. A control module estimates a temperature of the grid and controls the engine to produce a desired exhaust product to increase the temperature of the grid.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pair of adjacent cylinders, each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders includes a piston, a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a primary port associated with the first intake valve, and a secondary port associated with the second intake valve. Each of the ports is configured to provide a predominant direction of airflow therethrough during engine operation when viewed from above the cylinders and effectively oriented to provide respective in-cylinder air-swirl of opposite direction in each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders during an intake stroke of a respective piston.

Abstract: A center console is provided between two vehicle seats arranged next to each other. At least one front side of the center console, at least one container can be arranged in a detachable manner.