Abstract: The present relation is directed to solenoid valve comprising an input port including a spring biased input sealing tip, a first and second output port. The second output port including an output sealing tip, and a solenoid coil arrangement for generating magnetic fields which result in a force either on the input sealing tip or the output sealing tip. Wherein the solenoid valve arrangement consists of a single solenoid coil, that includes a permanent magnet movable in a first and second axial direction by a magnetic field. The permanent magnet being connected to the input sealing tip and to the output sealing tip such that movement of the permanent magnet in the first direction pulls the input sealing tip to open the input port and movement of the permanent magnet in the opposite direction pulls the output sealing tip to open the second output port.

Abstract: An assembly for adjusting a lumbar region of a seat having a back frame. A seat support adapted for suspension in the frame is movable between first and second lumbar positions. An actuator is operatively attached to and concurrently moves with the support, and has a chassis mount and a drive mount selectively movable therewith between first and second positions. A wire extends between longitudinal ends adapted for attachment to the frame. A first guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the chassis mount. A second guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the drive mount. Movement of the drive mount from the first position urges the guides away from each other towards the ends of the wire such that the actuator and the seat support move toward the second lumbar position as a unit.

Abstract: A device for receiving or providing a fluid and a method of selectively coupling a tube (22) to the device with the tube receiving or providing the fluid. The device includes a housing (24) and a female port (26) extending from the housing. The female port has an engagement surface (28) and defines an interior chamber (30) with a retainer (62) disposed in the interior chamber. The retainer has a base (64), a finger (66) extending from the base to selectively engage the engagement surface, and a barb (88) proximate to the finger for selectively engaging the tube. A seal (52) is disposed in the interior chamber of the female port adjacent the retainer. The retainer (90) has a stud extending from the base beyond the barb to engage the seal for biasing the retainer away from the housing to facilitate movement of the finger against the engagement surface and engagement of the tube with the barb.

Abstract: A shifter assembly (23) for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a lever (24) having a retention surface (34) and defining a first engagement feature (36) and a shroud (48) at least partially disposed about the lever. A collet 54) is at least partially disposed about the lever and is movable. An actuator (58) has a second engagement feature (68) selectively engaging the first engagement feature and has an abutment surface (60) selectively engaging the collet. The actuator rotates about the lever from an unlocked position to a locked position which facilitates engagement of the abutment surface with the collet and correspondingly moves the collet to sandwich the shroud between the collet and the retention surface of the lever. The actuator further defines a cable passage (78) and the shifter assembly includes a cable (46) with the cable extending through the cable passage.

Abstract: A shifter assembly (20) for a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a shaft (36) defining a longitudinal axis (LA) and having a knob (42) mounted to a first end (38) of the shaft. A selector plate (46) is mounted to a second end (40) of the shaft. The selector plate is movable as a unit with the shaft. The shifter assembly includes a guide plate (54) coupled to the housing (24). The guide plate defines a first path (56) and a second path (58) spaced from the first path. A portion (52) of the selector plate is movable through the first path during an automatic mode for facilitating automatic selection of the gear positions within the transmission. The selector plate is rotatable about the longitudinal axis into a manual mode. In the manual mode, the portion of the selector plate is movable through the second path for permitting manual selection of gear positions within the transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable includes a lockout mechanism to prevent movement of a head rest to a folded position if an occupant is present in the vehicle seat. In response to pivoting of a back rest relative to a bottom seat cushion, the head rest normally moves to the folded position, except if the occupant is present. A sensor determines whether the occupant is present, and if the occupant is present, prevents actuation of the head rest. The lockout mechanism can incorporate a lockout pin that is spring biased to fit within a recess of a plunger, such that when the lockout pin is engaged in the recess of the plunger, the head rest is permitted to move to the folded position.

Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed which has a heating element disposed along a predetermined path in a zone of a bottom seating surface or back seating surface. The heating element provides electrical heating of variable temperature along the predetermined path to the zone. The heating element includes first and second sections continuously alternating along the predetermined path. Each of the first sections provides electrical heating to the zone at a first temperature and each of the second sections provides electrical heating to the zone at a second temperature which is greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: A gear change actuator (40) including first and second rotary members (54) each rotatable in opposite first and second directions, the rotary members (54) engaged with a select unit (60), which is engaged with an output member (162) having an output axis. The select unit (60) has opposite first and second input motions, and opposite third and fourth input motions, induced by simultaneous rotation of the first and second rotary members (54. The select unit (60) has opposite first and second output movements that are transmutations of the select unit (60) first and second input motions, respectively. The select unit (60) also has opposite third and fourth output movements that are transmutations of the select unit third and fourth input motions, respectively. The output member (162) has movements, respectively imparted by the select unit (60) output movements, that are one of rotationally about the output axis and axially along the output axis.

Abstract: A valve selectively opens and closes a passageway defined by a port. The valve comprises a body defining outer and inner surfaces; the inner surface defining an inner cavity. A sealing arm extends from the body into the inner cavity and is movable between first and second positions for closing and opening the passageway, respectively. A shape memory alloy member is disposed at least partially along the outer surface and alternates between first and second lengths in de-energized and energized states, respectively. The first length is greater than the second length, which constricts about the body. A leg extends from the body into the inner cavity and is moveable between initial and activated positions in the de-energized and energized states, respectively. The leg engages and moves the sealing arm from the first position to the second position when the leg moves from the initial position to the activated position.

Abstract: A valve selectively opens and closes a passageway defined by a port. The valve comprises a body defining outer and inner surfaces; the inner surface defining an inner cavity. A sealing arm extends from the body into the inner cavity and is movable between first and second positions for closing and opening the passageway, respectively. A shape memory alloy member is disposed at least partially along the outer surface and alternates between first and second lengths in de-energized and energized states, respectively. The first length is greater than the second length, which constricts about the body. A leg extends from the body into the inner cavity and is moveable between initial and activated positions in the de-energized and energized states, respectively. The leg engages and moves the sealing arm from the first position to the second position when the leg moves from the initial position to the activated position.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission of a vehicle includes a housing having an index track for defining a first mode and a second mode. A shift lever is movably coupled to the housing and interfaces with the index track as the shift lever moves between the modes. A blocker coupled to the housing has a first engagement surface engageable by the shift lever when in the first mode to prevent the shift lever from entering the second mode with the blocker moving in a first direction when the shift lever abuts the first engagement surface. The blocker has a second engagement surface engaged by the shift lever when moving from the first mode to the second mode with the blocker moving in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction when the shift lever abuts the second engagement surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heating device for a seat heater of a motor vehicle, which heating device is adapted to be placeable between a base body (2) of foam and a seat cover (8) of a vehicle seat, and which heating device comprises a heating mat (6) having a carrier layer which carries a heating conductor extending over a heating area, and a foam layer as a seat cover upholstery (4), which seat cover upholstery (4) is connected to the heating mat (6) surface which carries the heating conductor, characterized in that the heating device is adapted to be, with the heating mat (6) in direct contact with the seat cover (8), sewable by stitches going through the seat cover (8), the heating mat (6) and the seat cover upholstery (4) to form seams (12) extending through the heating area, by forming the heating conductor as a stranded conductor comprising at least 100 metal filaments.

Abstract: The subject invention provides for a shifter assembly for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a pin engaging a lever and one of a handle and a support and rotatable towards first and second ramps to define a first range of movement between the lever and one of the handle and the support. A first post and a second post extend from the lever. A first bushing is attached to the first post and a second bushing is attached to the second post. A pair of first and second engagement surfaces are disposed on the one of the handle and the support. The first bushing is sandwiched between the pair of first engagement surfaces and the second bushing is sandwiched between the pair of second engagement surfaces to define a second range of movement.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a fluid routing device for directing the transportation of a fluid including a housing defining first and second corridors selectively fluidly coupled to one another, and a valve assembly capable of alternating between an open configuration fluidly coupling the first and second corridors and a closed configuration fluidly separating the first and second corridors. A shape memory alloy member alternates between a de-energized state and an energized state. A link is pivotably mounted to the housing and is coupled between the valve assembly and the shape memory alloy member. The link pivots between a first position when the shape memory alloy member is in the de-energized state and a second position when the shape memory alloy member is in the energized state which alternates the valve assembly between the closed configuration and the open configuration for selectively fluidly coupling the first and second corridors.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly includes a support bracket having a first engagement section and a moveable bracket movable between first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a pawl defining a cam surface. The pawl has a second engagement section and is pivotable between an engaged position, with the second engagement section engaging the first engagement section, and a disengaged position, with the second engagement section spaced from the first engagement section. The headrest assembly further includes a first tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the engaged position, and a second tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the disengaged position as the moveable bracket moves between the first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a biasing member engaging the cam surface to continuously bias the pawl into both of the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foldable head rest assembly (1) for a vehicle comprising a bracket (3), an armature (5) for carrying a head rest, a locking mechanism (33) and a release mechanism, wherein the armature comprises a first arm, which is mounted to the bracket by an armature shaft (17) and pivotable with respect to the bracket about a first axis (18) between an upright position and a folded position, wherein the first axis is defined by the armature shaft, wherein the locking mechanism (33) prevents pivoting of the armature from the upright position to the folded position and wherein the release mechanism (49) can move the locking mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked position, characterized in that an abutment surface (34) of the first arm abuts a locking shaft (31) in the upright position, the locking shaft extending along a second axis that extends parallel to and spaced apart from the first axis, and the release mechanism is mounted to the locking shaft (31) and pivotable about the second

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact and efficient rotary shift actuator for a shift-by-wire transmission comprising a motor having a motor shaft that is rotatable about a motor axis, an output head arranged towards a second end of an output lever and adapted for connection with a shift shaft of a transmission and a gear train for transferring torque from the motor shaft to the output head, wherein the gear train comprises a first shaft rotatable about a first axis, a second shaft rotatable about a second axis and the output lever pivotable about a lever axis and wherein the gear train further comprises means for transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the first shaft, from the first shaft to the second shaft and from the second shaft to the output lever, characterized in that the means for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft is formed as a worm gear.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a fluid flow apparatus for transporting a fluid to inflate and deflate a device including a pumping device and a housing defining a chamber, an inlet port, a fill port, and an exhaust port. A seal member is movable between a seated position closing the exhaust port and an unseated position. A motor has a shaft rotating in each of a first and second rotational direction. A clutch is disengaged from the shaft as the shaft rotates in the first rotational direction and is engaged with and rotates with the shaft as the shaft rotates in the second rotational direction. A centrifugal member is mounted and rotates with the clutch when the shaft rotates in the second rotational direction and engages the seal member to move the seal member to the unseated position for permitting the fluid within the chamber to escape through the exhaust port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assembling a pedal assembly for a motor vehicle, the method including:—pivotally mounting a pedal lever (10) by inserting a cylindrical end portion (12) thereof through an opening in a first housing part (1) to be at least partially received in a complementary shaped first cylindrical bearing space portion (7) provided in the first housing part.

Abstract: A knob for a shifter assembly of a vehicle includes a housing having an interior surface defining a cavity and an opening. A body is at least partially disposed within the cavity, has first and second surfaces, extends to a periphery, and is formed of an at least partially transparent material. An illumination device is disposed within the cavity for emitting light rays. At least one reflective surface is disposed along the periphery for receiving the light rays. A first portion of the light rays is internally reflected within the body off of the first surface. At least one indicium is disposed along the body. The body defines at least one indicium cavity having a bottom substantially parallel to the first surface with the indicium disposed within the indicium cavity along the bottom for reflecting the first portion of the light rays toward the opening for illuminating the indicium.