Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly in which an impervious insert (41, 141) including a heating element and having a plurality of channels (42, 142) extending from an aperture (44, 144) positioned on a first side of at least one of a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (124) and in which a ventilation system (60) is coupled to a second side of the at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for drawing air along the plurality of channels through said aperture and through a hole (30, 130) in the seat cushion or seat back for controlling the temperature of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A shift fork assembly (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) including a shift rail member (122, 122a, 122c, 122d) having a slot (188) defined therein and a shift rail axis (24), and a fork member (126, 126b, 126c, 126d) mounted in the slot and carried by the shift rail member. The fork member and shift rail member have movement relative to each other. The fork member has pivoting motion relative to the shift rail member about a pivot axis (206) that extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the shift rail axis, and the pivot axis is adapted to extend substantially between the shift rail axis and a gear axis (48).

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a first temperature control unit and a second temperature control unit. Each control unit has power-input terminals for receiving power from a vehicle electrical power system and power-output terminals. The first control unit has a logic part for comparing received temperature selection and temperature measurement values along with a first pulse generator connected to a first output terminal of the logic part and a second pulse generator connected to a second output terminal of the logic part as well as a first switch unit coupled to the first pulse generator. The second temperature control unit includes a second switch unit coupled to the second pulse generator. First and second heating elements are coupled to the temperate control units. An occupant switch is coupled to the first temperate control unit. A first temperature sensor monitors the thermal output of the first heating element.

Abstract: A connecting device and a method for assembling a cable to a bracket are provided. The connecting device includes an outer body arranged circumferentially around the cable, the outer body being divided into a first portion with a substantially constant cross section and a second portion including a plurality of snap arms extending radially outwardly from a point of attachment with the first portion. The cable can be a transmission cable used in a vehicle, where the connecting device is configured to be received in an opening of the bracket, in order to anchor the cable to the vehicle body. The connecting device and cable can be received in any orientation relative to the bracket, where the snap arms are arranged in a continuous manner around the cable.

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 haptic device for an actuator of a gear selector for a vehicle. The haptic device includes a first element and a second element coupled to one another and movable from a rest position, when the actuator is in a disengaged position, to a triggered position, when the actuator is moved to an engaged position. The elements define a space for accepting a slide between the first and second elements. A biasing member continuously biases the first and second elements toward one another. The slide defines a contoured surface. A cam follower selectively engages the contoured surface and urges the first and second elements toward the triggered position to create the tactile feedback to the actuator.

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.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) also has an emitter (180) and a sensor (184) positioned near the emitter (180) that detect changes in an emitted signal resulting from the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along a longitudinal axis and a controller (101) electrically coupled to the sensor (184) to determine the axial position of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along the longitudinal axis.

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 linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) includes a stop mechanism (99, 112) limiting the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) in the extended position, the stop mechanism (99, 112) having a first portion (99) associated with said outer sleeve (90) and a second portion (112) associated with said inner sleeve (100) with the first (99) and second (112) portions abutting each other when said inner sleeve (100) is in the extended position to define a hard stop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knob assembly adapted to be secured to a top portion of a shaft (4) of a gearshift lever, the knob assembly comprising a knob (2) having a generally cylindrical bore adapted to fit over an end portion of the shaft (4), the knob assembly further having engaging members (6) connected to the knob and adapted to engage the shaft for securing the knob on the shaft (4), wherein the knob assembly is provided with at least two engaging members (6), a locking ring (30), and a compression ring (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a solenoid valve assembly including a housing (32) defining a cavity (34). A support (48) is disposed in the cavity and defines a bore (50). A coil (60) is disposed about the support and defines an energized state for generating a magnetic field and a de-energized state. A plunger (74) is movably disposed in the bore of the support between a first position engaging the housing and a second position spaced from the housing. The plunger is radially spaced from the support to define a gap (76) between the plunger and the support. A dampener (86) is coupled to one of the support and the plunger adjacent the gap to prevent direct engagement between the support and the plunger as the plunger moves between the first and second positions during the energized and de-energized states for reducing noise during operation.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission and a method of operating the same is disclosed. A shift lever is pivotable about a first axis in a first mode for providing mechanical actuation, and a second mode for providing electronic actuation to the transmission. An arm is pivotable about the first axis concurrently with the shift lever in at least the first mode. The arm includes a first and second engagement surface. The shifter assembly includes a cam pivotable about a second axis between a first and second position. The first engagement surface urges the cam to move between the first and second positions as the shift lever pivots in the first mode. The second engagement surface abuts the cam as the shift lever pivots in the second mode such that the arm pivots about the first axis while the cam remains stationary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor and pump assembly for mounting in a vehicle seat including a motor driven pump unit (3), a housing (9, 11) and a suspension arrangement for holding the motor driven pump unit within the housing, said motor driven pump unit having a longitudinal axis, characterized in that the suspension arrangement comprises: at least one helical compression spring (8) for holding said motor driven pump unit and balancing its weight, one end of the helical compression spring being connected to the housing and the other end being connected to the motor driven pump unit, at least one spiral spring (1), the inner end of which being connected to one axial end of the motor driven pump unit and an outer end portion of which being connected to the housing, wherein the spiral spring is located such that the spiral is centered around the longitudinal axis of the motor driven pump unit (3).

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 gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle includes a gearshift lever configured to engage a detent unit to select one of a plurality of gearshift positions in an operative position. The gearshift lever can be folded into a non-operative position by disengaging a locking mechanism from the detent unit, when the gearshift lever is in the neutral position. The non-operative position is selected by pressing a fold button, which causes a fold rod to engage the detent unit, and prevents accidental shifting of gears in the folded non-operative position.

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: The present invention relates to a knob assembly adapted to be secured to a top portion of a shaft (4) of a gearshift lever, the knob assembly comprising a knob (2) having a generally cylindrical bore adapted to fit over an end portion of the shaft (4), the knob assembly further having engaging members (6) connected to the knob and adapted to engage the shaft for securing the knob on the shaft (4), wherein the knob assembly is provided with at least two engaging members (6), a locking ring (30), and a compression ring (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-whiplash system for the use in vehicle seats.