Abstract: A latchbolt assembly having a carrier with a solenoid operator mounted on the carrier is slidably received in a base or mounting cap with an annular groove formed in the carrier with a projection formed in the groove at a vertically downward location. A split ring is received in the groove with the projection orienting the gaps in the split ring and the split ring is compressed radially for sealing between the carrier and a base. A latchbolt is slidably received in the carrier and is connected to the solenoid armature for movement to the unlocking position upon energization of the solenoid. A cable extends through the housing and armature and is connected to the latchbolt for manual retraction by the user pulling on the cable. The latchbolt assembly is particularly suitable for motor vehicle fuel filler door latching applications.

Abstract: A sandwich solenoid manifold assembly is provided which includes a steel plate having a plurality of fluid passages formed therethrough, a plastic manifold including a plurality of worm passages formed in a lower surface thereof and a plurality of insert receiving holes provided therein. The lower surface of the plastic manifold being connected to the steel plate. A plurality of steel inserts are inserted in the through holes in the plastic manifold, the steel inserts having a first end provided with a radial flange which abuts against a surface of the plastic manifold and a second end which abuts against the steel plate. The sandwich solenoid manifold assembly is less expensive to manufacture in comparison with conventional die cast solenoid manifolds.

Abstract: A low voltage solenoid operated pressure control valve having a valve body with an adjustable inlet orifice plug in one end with a valve seat formed around the orifice. The orifice communicates with a precision valving bore with a one-piece valve rod having a valving surface on the end for throttling flow over the valve seat. An annular magnetic armature is press fitted on the end of the valve rod extending externally off the valving bore. A nonmagnetic cover is disposed and sealed over the armature to enclose the valving bore. An encapsulated coil is disposed over the cover. A cylindrical pole casing is disposed over the coil and a flanged tubular pole member disposed over the cover and registered on the casing to provide a flux loop about the coil. A retaining ring frictionally engages the cover to retain the assembly. The valving bore is cross ported through the body to provide the flow outlet and the interior of the armature cover is ported to the outlet.

Abstract: A power steering system employs a valve which directly controls the direction of flow of steering fluid and the degree of pressure of the steering fluid. In another aspect of the present invention, a sensor is used to detect steering wheel induced torque. The sensor supplies a signal to an electrical control unit which, in turn, sends a signal to an electromagnetic device controlling a spool within a valve. In a further aspect of the present invention, a non-rotary valve controls steering fluid pressure and flow through left and right turn assist outlets. In still another aspect of the present invention, a valve employs a pair of bores within which spools are linearly movable by electromagnetic devices. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a valve is provided for controlling the magnitude and direction of steering fluid pressure and flow to a steering cylinder; the valve is not mechanically engaged with a rotating member of the steering system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ON/OFF solenoid valve assembly which utilizes a set of common or universal components and a set of non-common or special components that can be assembled into a normally-open solenoid valve or a normally-closed solenoid valve. In particular, the common components are assembled into a base assembly onto which the non-common components are assembled to provide either of the normally-open or normally-closed solenoid valves.

Abstract: A release mechanism for use with fuel filler door latch systems that provides superior control of door movement during the entire service life of the motor vehicle. The biasing mechanism of the present invention includes a kick-out spring that acts directly against the striker bar. As such, the kick-out spring is not exposed to over-stressing and does not cause undue wear of the automobile body. The kick-out spring is a leaf spring having a first end that is secured to the housing, an intermediate section routed between posts extending outwardly from the housing, and a cantilevered second end that is oriented to be engaged and resiliently deflected by the striker bar when the fuel filler door is moved toward its closed position. In the closed position, the striker bar forcibly biases the second end of the kick-out spring to a deflected position.

Abstract: A variable force solenoid valve assembly is provided for use in an automatic transmission controller for controllably reducing a fluid inlet pressure to a desired outlet control pressure. The invention includes a solenoid sub-assembly secured to a valve body sub-assembly. The valve body includes a spool valve having three radially extending lands which translate within a valve body central bore in response to movement of an armature sub-assembly provided in the solenoid sub-assembly. Movement of the spool valve generates first and second flow restriction for controllably regulating the reducing of inlet pressure. In addition, the lands and the central bore comprise two differing diameters for improved outlet pressure regulation. Other various improvements in spool valve design are described including a design which enabled a reduction in the overall size of the solenoid sub-assembly.

Abstract: A passive keyless entry system that is specifically adapted for use with automotive vehicles is designed to automatically unlock the vehicle as the operator approaches the vehicle. The system is further designed to automatically lock the vehicle as the operator, carrying the beacon, moves away from the vehicle. The system includes a portable beacon that is carried by the operator, a receiver/controller located in the vehicle, and an antenna connected to the receiver/controller for receiving the encoded transmission from the beacon. The beacon includes a motion sensor to conserve battery life when the beacon is stationary. Transmission between the beacon and the receiver/controller is characterized by a magnetically coupled radio frequency signal embodying differential phase encoded data with error correction coding of the data to enhance noise immunity and signal discrimination.

Abstract: A combined bearing/diaphragm seal for use in a solenoid valve assembly or the like is disclosed which provides a flexible fluid seal between the solenoid sub-assembly and the valve sub-assembly. The solenoid and valve sub-assemblies communicate mechanically via a portion of a solenoid armature which translates through the combined bearing/diaphragm seal and controls elements of the valve sub-assembly for regulating outlet fluid pressure. The bearing portion of the combined bearing/diaphragm seal comprises a flat spring-plate that is adapted to resiliently deflect in response to movement of the solenoid armature. The diaphragm portion of the combined bearing/diaphragm seal is an elastomeric seal material applied to at least one side of the spring plate.

Abstract: A flow regulator for automotive vehicles of the type having a computer-controlled emission control system. The flow regulator has an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve that regulates the vacuum signal provided to a vacuum regulator valve in accordance with the current signal supplied to the EVR valve by the engine controller unit. The vacuum regulator valve includes a control chamber and a valve chamber that are separated by a movable diaphragm valve assembly. The preload on a biasing spring acting on the diaphragm valve assembly can be adjusted during calibration of the flow regulator for setting a first calibration point. An adjustable flow restrictor provided in the inlet portion of the vacuum regulator valve can be varied during calibration for setting a second calibration point. In addition, an anti-permeation filter is provided for inhibiting the venting of fuel vapors to atmosphere that have permeated through the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: An encryption process for a rolling code of a remote keyless entry system. The encryption process makes use of a command code shift register, a security code shift register, and a sequence code shift register in which the contents of these registers is transmitted from a portable transmitter to a receiver associated with the vehicle in order to perform a desirable function. The command code shift register provides the code of the function to be performed and the sequence code shift register provides a sequence code for updating the sequence of the receiver. The security code shift register includes a security code which is updated by a first and second pseudo random number generator after each transmission. Each of two pseudo random number generators include associated shift registers and exclusive NOR gates such that a first bit location and a tap bit location of each of the shift registers are exclusively NORed to provide a first bit location in the shift register.

Abstract: A passive keyless entry system is specifically adapted for use with automotive vehicles. The system includes a portable beacon that is carried by a vehicle operator, a receiver/controller located in the vehicle, and an antenna connected to the receiver/controller for receiving an encoded transmission from the beacon. The system is designed to automatically unlock the vehicle as the operator approaches the vehicle. The system is further designed to automatically lock the vehicle as the operator, carrying the beacon, moves away from the vehicle. The beacon includes a motion sensor to conserve battery life when the beacon is stationary. Transmission between the beacon and the receiver/controller is characterized by a magnetically coupled radio frequency signal embodying differential phase encoded data with error correction coding of the data to enhance noise immunity and signal discrimination. In addition, the transmitted signal between the beacon and the receiver is continually changing in order to deter theft.

Abstract: A vehicle compass system that is adapted to be calibrated in the assembly plant during final assembly of the vehicle. In particular, two factory calibration modes are disclosed: an automatic factory calibration mode wherein the calibration sequence is automatically initiated upon the occurrence of a uniquely definable event on the assembly line, and a manual factor calibration mode wherein a calibration button sequence is actuated at a specified location on the assembly line. In addition, an automatic adaptive calibration process is disclosed which continuously updates the calibration constants each time valid new heading data is obtained. In particular, heading vectors for the four main N, S, E, and W heading directions are calculated and stored in memory when the system is initially calibrated. Thereafter, whenever new heading direction data is obtained, the value of the new heading vector is used to update the value of the closest of the four main heading vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical switch that is adapted to compensate for dimensional variations in the alignment between a resilient switch member and a movable actuation member. To this end, the electrical switch has general utility but is primarily intended for use in automotive applications. More specifically, the improved electrical switch is incorporated into a latching mechanism for controlling an electrical circuit that is provided for indicating whether the latching mechanism is in a latched or an unlatched condition. The electrical switch has a pair of overlapping and offset terminal blades and further includes a biasing arrangement for biasing each terminal blade into a predetermined alignment relative to the other. The biasing arrangement is further operable for biasing both blades relative to the movable actuation member of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic headlamp dimmer system for switching a vehicle's headlamps from high beam to low beam when lights from another vehicle are detected in front of the vehicle. To prevent spurious responses to reflected light from signs and other sources, the dimmer system includes a light detector which is responsive only to infrared light. Also, unwanted responses to flashing lights are avoided by detecting the presence of a periodically varying light signal, and inhibiting switching between high and low beams in response thereto. The system is also capable of sensing the activation of windshield wipers and preventing headlamp switching caused by interruption of light to the system's light sensor by action of the wiper blades.

Abstract: A passive keyless entry system is disclosed that is specifically adapted for use with automotive vehicles. The system is designed to automatically unlock the vehicle as the operator approaches the vehicle. The system is further designed to automatically lock the vehicle as the operator, carrying the beacon, moves away from the vehicle. The system includes a portable beacon that is carried by the operator, a receiver/controller located in the vehicle, and an antenna connected to the receiver/controller for receiving the encoded transmission from the beacon. The beacon includes a motion sensor to conserve battery life when the beacon is stationary. Transmission between the beacon and the receiver/controller is characterized by a magnetically coupled radio frequency signal embodying differential phase encoded data with error correction coding of the data to enhance noise immunity and signal discrimination.

Abstract: A flow regulator for automotive vehicles of the type having a computer-controlled emission control system. The flow regulator has an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve that regulates the vacuum signal provided to a vacuum regulator valve in accordance with the current signal supplied to the EVR valve by the engine controller unit. The vacuum regulator valve includes a control chamber and a valve chamber that are separated by a movable diaphragm valve assembly. The preload on a biasing spring acting on the diaphragm valve assembly can be adjusted during calibration of the flow regulator for setting a first calibration point. An adjustable flow restrictor provided in the inlet portion of the vacuum regulator valve can be varied during calibration for setting a second calibration point.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated control valve for a variable assist power steering system of an automobile vehicle includes a valve structure which defines a variable flow orifice in response to a predetermined variable (e.g., vehicle velocity) thereby providing fluid pressure needed to modify user input torque supplied to the steering wheel. The valve structure features a unique nonmagnetic core tube which reduces manufacture costs, enhances the ease of assembly of the magnetic housing elements needed to complete a magnetic circuit, and ensures the armature responds as needed to control orifice closure.

Abstract: An automatic headlamp dimmer system for switching a vehicle's headlamps from high beam to low beam when lights from another vehicle are detected in front of the vehicle. To prevent spurious responses to reflected light from signs and other sources, the dimmer system includes a light detector which is responsive only to infrared light. Also, unwanted responses to flashing lights are avoided by detecting the presence of a periodically varying light signal, and inhibiting switching between high and low beams in response thereto. The system is also capable of sensing the activation of windshield wipers and preventing headlamp switching caused by interruption of light to the system's light sensor by action of the wiper blades.

Abstract: A vehicle light sensor for controlling light responsive systems such as an automatic headlamp dimmer. The sensor includes an enclosure containing a lens and a photo responsive detector. An optical chamber within the enclosure permits unwanted light from reaching the detector. A series of baffles within the chamber prevent light from outside a desired entrance angle from reaching the detector. A thin-film aperture is attached to the detector for controlling the size and shape of the detector's field of view. Gray scale shading may also be incorporated into the aperture to reduce the intensity of incoming light in selected portions of the field of view. An adjustment mechanism provides very fine angular view adjustments, beyond what is practical by simple assembly of molded parts.