Abstract: A vehicle safety system for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and at least one remote crash sensor mounted in the vehicle at a location remote from the ECU and operatively connected to the ECU. The remote crash sensor is configured to sense vehicle crash conditions and to provide data related to the sensed vehicle crash conditions to the ECU. An ECU remote sensor is mounted in the vehicle at a location remote from the ECU and near a vehicle center-of-gravity (COG). The ECU remote sensor includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and is configured to sense vehicle roll conditions and to provide data related to the sensed vehicle roll conditions to the ECU. The ECU is operative to receive the data provided by the at least one remote crash sensor and the ECU remote sensor, perform calculations to determine whether the data is indicative of a vehicle crash condition, and to provide a signal for actuating a vehicle occupant protection device.

Abstract: An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the window, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A tire condition monitoring apparatus includes a tire-based sensor configured to sense tire operating conditions and transmit a tire condition signal including the sensed tire operating conditions. The apparatus also includes a vehicle-based controller configured to receive the tire condition signal and monitor the tire operating conditions. At least one of the sensor and the controller are configured to determine that a tire pressure adjustment condition exists in response to determining, based on the sensed operating conditions, that a predetermined change in the number of moles of air in the tire has taken place.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for imaging a region of interest. A structured light source is configured to provide a substantially two-dimensional light curtain within a field of view of the camera formed by at least one projected laser beam at a wavelength detectable by the camera. An image analysis component is configured to detect objects within the region of interest from at least a position of the at least one projected laser beam within the image.

Abstract: A brake pad wear sensing system for measuring brake pad wear for a vehicle disc brake system includes an RF communication circuit for transmitting an RF signal including brake pad wear data. The system also includes a vehicle-based receiver including an RF communication circuit for receiving the brake pad wear data in the RF signal transmitted by the wear sensor. The vehicle-based receiver is operatively connected to a vehicle-based main controller. The vehicle-based receiver transmits the brake pad wear data to the main controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a camera housing (100) having a central axis (102) to a windshield (22) includes a bracket (20). The bracket (20) has a central axis (30) and extends from a first end (32) to a second end (34). A plurality of centering members (72) on the first end (32) of the bracket (20) is configured to engage the camera housing (100) to align the central axis (102) with the central axis (30). A plurality of locking members (90, 91) on the second end (34) of the bracket (20) is configured to form a snap-fit connection with the camera housing (100) to fasten the bracket (20) to the camera housing (100). The locking members (90, 91) are positioned on opposite sides of the central axis (30) of the bracket (20) with at least one locking member (90, 91) extending at an angle less than 90° to the central axis (30).

Abstract: An electric motor of an electric power steering assembly is activated in response to a response signal. The response signal includes a baseline control torque signal generated by a baseline controller and an auxiliary control torque signal generated by a disturbance rejection controller. At least one operating parameter of the electric power steering assembly is estimated as a function of the baseline control torque signal. The at least one operating parameter is also measured. An error amount is determined as a function of the at least one measured operating parameter and the at least one estimated operating parameter. The disturbance rejection controller refines the at least one estimated operating parameter as a function of the error amount. The auxiliary control torque signal is generated to minimize the error amount.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. A remote keyless entry fob is provided for remote control of vehicle access. The fob includes a receiver for receiving a message broadcast by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and a memory for storing at least some elements of said message.

Abstract: A magnet is fixed to an output shaft of a motor. The output shaft is rotated such that a magnetic field emitted by the magnet also rotates. A voltage pulse is generated from a passive sensor when the magnetic field rotates past the passive sensor. The voltage pulse is generated using a Wiegand wire. An active sensor is activated, from an unpowered state, in response to the voltage pulse. The active sensor detects a position of the magnet that correlates to a position of the output shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus detects a vehicle/pedestrian impact event by sensing impact events near a forward location of a vehicle using a multi-port pressure sensor and acceleration sensors. The multi-port pressure sensor includes multiple pressure sensors in a unified housing, connected via individual pressure ports to multiple impact-sensing hoses mounted along the vehicle bumper. An acceleration sensor may also be installed in the same housing. A single electrical connector provides connection to the multiple pressure sensors and also the acceleration sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for controlling an actuatable restraint (14, 16) in a vehicle (12). An sensor (24) is mounted in the vehicle (12) and outputs an electrical signal having a characteristic indicative of a vehicle event. A discrimination circuit (42) is coupled to the sensor (24) and determines if a predetermined event occurred. A safing circuit (50) is copied to the sensor (24) signal and sequestered from the discrimination circuit (42) for determining if the predetermined event occurred. An actuation device is actuates the restraint when both the discrimination circuit (42) and the safing circuit (50) determine the predetermined event occurred.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. A remote keyless entry fob is provided for remote control of vehicle access.

Abstract: A switching mode power supply generating reduced high frequency noise. The power supply includes a solid state switch, a modulator for driving the solid state switch with a periodic pulse drive signal, an output filter at the output of the solid state switch, where the output filter includes an inductor and a catch diode. A damping element is included for damping current spikes through the catch diode when said solid state switch turns on and thus reduce noise pulses that would otherwise be introduced by the current spikes.

Abstract: An apparatus detects a vehicle/pedestrian impact event by sensing impact events near a forward location of a vehicle using both acceleration sensors and pressure sensors and providing associated signals indicative thereof, determining metric values for each of the sensor signals, and determining if a vehicle/pedestrian impact has occurred in response to the determined metric values.

Abstract: A rack ball nut assembly for a vehicle steering gear has a ball nut, a ball return tube, and a tube retention clip. The ball nut has first and second recesses and the ball return tube has first and second tube portions. There is a snap fit between the first and second tube portions. The tube retention clip has first and second retention tabs. The first tab is engaged in the first recess and the second tab is engaged in the second recess. The ball return tube is secured between the ball nut and the tube retention clip.

Abstract: A vehicle power steering assembly has a pinion housing comprised of first, second, and third housings. The first housing is a drawn tube formed from a first material. The second housing is a casting formed from a second material. The third housing is a stamping formed from a third material. The second housing is press fit into the first housing. The third housing is press fit and welded to the first housing. The second material has a lesser unit weight than each of the first and third materials. The first, second, and third housings together form the pinion housing.

Abstract: Method for preventing security breaches via the two-thief method of attack of passive remote keyless entry systems for vehicles. The method involves the measurement of air travel time of the RF messages between the RKE fob and the vehicle. Multiple round trips between the fob and the vehicle are employed to magnify the distance covered by the messages and thereby allow accurate measurement of the air travel time.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. A remote keyless entry fob is provided for remote control of vehicle access. The fob includes a receiver for receiving a message broadcast by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and a memory for storing at least some elements of the message.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a camera module having an imager and adapted for mounting on the inside surface of a vehicle window. The apparatus comprising structures sized and positioned to block reflections that might otherwise impinge on the imager from below the module, while still permitting the flow of air onto the window surface within the imager's field of view.