Abstract: A rack drive assembly adapted for use in the vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a steering member operatively connected to a vehicle steering wheel; an electric motor for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of the vehicle steering wheel; a planetary gear assembly operatively coupled to the electric motor; and a pinion assembly operatively disposed between the planetary gear assembly and the steering member whereby operation of the electric motor is operative to effect axial movement of the steering member, wherein the electric motor includes an output shaft which defines a motor axis and the pinion assembly includes an output shaft which defines a pinion axis, wherein the pinion axis is coaxial with the motor axis and perpendicular with respect to an axis of the steering member.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering assembly comprises a gearbox housing (20), an output shaft (23), a wheel gear assembly (22) comprising a hub (21) which is fixed to the output shaft by a locating means so as to prevent relative rotational and axial movement between the hub and the output shaft and a gear wheel fixed to the hub, at least one support bearing assembly (25,26) which supports the output shaft relative to the gearbox housing (20), a worm gear which engages the wheel gear (22), and a coupling for transmission of torque from the output shaft to an intermediate shaft that is external to the gearbox housing. The coupling includes a fixing part (31) which is fixed to the output shaft (23) through the gear assembly and the support bearing assembly is provided on the opposite side of the gear assembly (22) to the coupling (31) such that the gear assembly (22) is overhung from the portion of the output shaft supported by the bearings (25,26).

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 method and apparatus for generating a pulse width modulated voltage that has a duty cycle that is inversely proportional to a sensed battery voltage and using the generated pulse width modulated voltage to control a light emitting diode to maintain the intensity of light emitted as the battery voltage fluctuates.

Abstract: A rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a ball nut assembly operatively connected to a screw portion of a rack portion of a steering member of the power steering assembly for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of a vehicle steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the ball nut assembly includes a first bearing assembly disposed in the rack housing and carried by a ball nut, the first bearing assembly disposed on a first end of the ball nut adjacent a first side of the pulley; and a second bearing assembly disposed in the rack housing and carried by the ball nut, the second bearing assembly disposed on an opposite second end of the ball nut adjacent a second side of the pulley.

Abstract: A steering gear clutch includes a housing and an input shaft rotatably supported by the housing. An output shaft operatively connected with a steering gear is rotatably supported by the housing. The output shaft is rotatable relative to the input shaft. The input shaft rotates together with the output shaft relative to the housing when a torque below a predetermined value is applied to the input shaft. The input shaft rotates relative to the output shaft and the housing when a torque above the predetermined value is applied to the input shaft. The input shaft may rotate relative to a shaft portion of the output shaft and the housing through a predetermined angle. The input shaft and the shaft portion may rotate together relative to the housing when the input shaft has rotated through the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A tire condition sensing apparatus includes a tire-based sensor for sensing two relative rotational positions of its associated tire relative to the earth's horizon as the tire rotates and provides first and second signals indicative thereof. A transmitter for transmits tire condition information and a signal processing time delay value in response to the first and second signals. A vehicle-based sensor monitors tire rotation relative to the vehicle's chassis and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller for monitors the transmitted tire condition information signal, the signal processing time delay value, and the signal from the vehicle-based sensor and associates tire location in response thereto.

Abstract: An improved structure for a torque sensor assembly adapted for use in a vehicle steering system and method for producing the same. According to one embodiment, the torque sensor assembly includes a housing formed from a suitable material having a cavity; at least one flux concentrator and at least one hall effect IC disposed in the cavity of the housing; and a cover secured to the housing to close the cavity in the housing in a permanent and fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging a scene, comprising a focusing structure for focusing light emanating from a scene on an imaging subsystem, and an imaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem includes an imager, disposed within the optical path of the focusing structure, having an array of pixels sensitive to light at frequencies higher than far infrared frequencies, and a frequency shifter disposed between the lens element and the imager. The frequency shifter includes an array of frequency-shifting elements disposed over a subset of the array of pixels, the elements shifting the far infrared frequencies from the focused light to higher frequencies and transmitting the resulting signals to the subset of the array of pixels.

Abstract: A yoke assembly adapted for use in a rack and pinion steering gear assembly for a vehicle comprises a yoke housing having a bore; a yoke bearing disposed in the bore; a yoke cover secured in the bore; a spring disposed in the bore between the yoke bearing and the yoke cover; and an automatic-adjusting mechanism secured in the yoke cover. The automatic-self adjusting mechanism includes a member which is configured to self adjust and move in a direction toward the yoke bearing so as to maintain the member in constant contact against the yoke bearing as associated components of the rack and pinion steering gear wear.

Abstract: An active nibble control (ANC) includes an anti-notch filter that increases the gain margin of the control and, therefore, greater disturbance rejection. The closed loop frequency response of the ANC is further enhanced by the addition of a lag-lead phase compensator filter. The addition of the lag-lead compensation filter allows use of the higher ANC gains at higher wheel frequencies to increase disturbance rejection, thereby compensating for anti-notch filter gain reduction with increasing wheel frequency. Similar results are obtained by adding a lag-lead phase compensator filter to a resonator filter in an active ANC.

Abstract: A tire condition sensing apparatus includes a tire-based sensor for sensing two relative rotational positions of its associated tire relative to the earth's horizon as the tire rotates and provides first and second signals indicative thereof. A transmitter for transmits tire condition information and a signal processing time delay value in response to the first and second signals. A vehicle-based sensor monitors tire rotation relative to the vehicle's chassis and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller for monitors the transmitted tire condition information signal, the signal processing time delay value, and the signal from the vehicle-based sensor and associates tire location in response thereto.

Abstract: An insert (10) for an opening in a base (20) includes a housing (12) having a peripheral side wall (18) defining an interior space (24). The peripheral side wall (18) includes at least one latch member (90) having a latching position. The latch member (90) engages the base (20) to secure the housing (12) in the opening when the latch member (90) is in the latching position. The housing (12) is inserted into the opening in a first direction (A) to engage the latch member (90) with the base (20). At least one indicator (100) shows when the at least one latch member (90) is in the latching position. The indicator (100) is visible in the first direction (A) when the insert (10) is in the opening in the base (20).

Abstract: A crash sensor assembly including a printed circuit board and a crash sensor mounted on the printed circuit board, At least one connector pin is mounted to the printed circuit board so as to permit external electrical communication with the crash sensor. A first insert molded soft inner layer of material partially covers the printed circuit board and covers the crash sensor, and a second overmolded hard outer layer of material covers the first soft inner layer of material and bonded thereto and rigidly contacts the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus (10 or 10a) for use in venting a compartment of a vehicle includes valve elements (14 and 16 or 14a and 16a). A biasing spring (130 or 130a) is effective to urge one of the valve elements toward a closed condition. A spring connection (134 or 236) is effective to transmit torque urging the one valve element (16 or 16a) toward a closed condition. Another valve element (14) may overlie the one valve element (16). Alternatively, the valve elements (14a and 16a) may be spaced from each other.

Abstract: A power supply diagnostic strategy for discrete power supply diagnostic states is independent of the underlying memory structure. The values used in the associated algorithm are selected to ensure that random linked failures will be detected. This applies to planar memory structures with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 common lattices, or physical memory structures with individual bit dispersed memories with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 consecutive bit splices. Further, the strategy provides that the various monitored voltage tables remains distinct even with compiler optimization activated.

Abstract: An electronic assembly comprises a housing, a cover for the housing, a printed circuit board receivable in the housing, and a compliant pin header assembly. The compliant pin header assembly is mountable in the housing by inter-engaging features on the header assembly and the housing. The compliant pin header assembly has compliant pins for engaging corresponding features on the printed circuit board to connect the compliant pin header assembly electrically to the printed circuit board. The cover, when the electronic assembly is assembled, engages the housing and also engages the printed circuit board at a location spaced from an outer periphery of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A power supply architecture provides for the efficient distribution and failsafe monitoring of power in a microcontroller system. The power supply architecture incorporates various components with high integrity and diverse monitoring schemes that allow the associated control processors to operate with high safety standards. The various embodiments provide an integrated method or apparatus for an electronic module safety architecture which includes diversity, time and space independence for power supplies for the various microprocessors and control communication buses.

Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a ball joint having a housing defining an axis and a chamber having an open end. A bearing is disposed in the chamber. A ball stud having a ball portion is supported within the chamber by the bearing and a stud portion extends outwardly from the open end of the chamber. A retainer having a mounting portion is secured to the housing to retain the bearing in the chamber and an opening is formed therein through which the stud portion extends. The retainer is stamped and has a central portion configured with a dome shaped surface which extends over the open end of the chamber and is shaped complimentary to the ball portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a pitch-over condition of a vehicle comprises a first accelerometer for sensing acceleration in a Z-axis direction substantially perpendicular to both a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and a side-to-side axis of the vehicle and for providing a first acceleration signal indicative thereof. A second accelerometer for senses acceleration in an X-axis direction substantially parallel to said front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and provides a second acceleration signal indicative thereof. A controller determines a Z-axis velocity value from the first acceleration signal and a pitch-over condition of the vehicle in response to both the determined Z-axis velocity value and the second acceleration signal.