Abstract: A control for an electric motor in a vehicle. The control ascertains whether an obstacle is interfering with rotation of the motor. The control establishes a baseline speed, representing normal free running speed of the motor. This baseline speed will be different, in different operating environments. Then the control determines whether measured motor speed drops below the baseline speed by a predetermined amount. If so, then the motor is shut down, or reversed.

Abstract: A module in the form of a carrier with an optional decorative body is mountable on an exterior surface of a vehicle lift gate and provides a mounting platform for a plurality of components. The components include at least two of light sources in the form of LEDs or incandescent bulbs, an actuatable switch, a camera, a key lock cylinder and a movable handle. The carrier is affixed to the body and is alignable with apertures in the body for transmission of light from the light sources exteriorly of the body as well as to provide a field of view for the camera. The electric switch is actuatable through a resilient membrane.

Abstract: A control for an electric motor in a vehicle. The control ascertains whether an obstacle is interfering with rotation of the motor. The control establishes a baseline speed, representing normal free running speed of the motor. This baseline speed will be different, in different operating environments. Then the control determines whether measured motor speed drops below the baseline speed by a predetermined amount. If so, then the motor is shut down, or reversed.

Abstract: A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch output by providing an interruption in a conductive ground or switch trace on a printed circuit board in which the ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces to generate distinct analog voltage outputs when each switch trace is connected to the ground trace by the contactor. Interruption of the switch trace output and/or the ground trace changes the state of the output which defines a wake-up command.

Abstract: A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch on a printed circuit board in which a ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces and alternatingly connects the switch traces to two outputs to generate distinct analog voltage outputs. A logic gate determines when both outputs are at the same voltage corresponding to the contactor engaged between two adjacent switch traces and generates a wake-up command signal.

Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus supplies heat to wash fluid via a continuous, labyrinthian flow path in a thermally conductive body. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive body for imparting heat to the body. Fluid flowing through the thermally conductive body substantially envelopes the heat source to absorb heat from the body.

Abstract: An endplay adjustment system and method is shown having a slider body that has a thrust surface that lies in a plane that is generally perpendicular to an axis of an armature and that can be driven toward the armature by a plunger body. After the plunger body is driven into a plunger-receiving area of the housing, an angled surface of the plunger engages a mating surface of a slider body which forces the thrust surface into an end of an armature of an electric motor. The plunger body may then be secured, adhered to or welded to the housing and/or the slider body to lock the slider body and plunger into place, thereby reducing or eliminating endplay associated with the armature shaft.

Abstract: An engine cooling fan motor has a water baffle positioned in a water line of sight passage through structures surrounding the motor to prevent water from impacting on the air vents at the front end of the motor. The baffle blocks the water line of sight passage. In one aspect, a rear cover is spaced from the rear endwall of the motor and has one or more baffled inlets to create an airflow passage to air inlet vents on the rear endwall of the motor.

Abstract: A module includes a frame having opposed first and second ends. First and second mounts are associated with each of the first and second frame ends for mounting at least one of a plurality of components to the frame. In one aspect, the frame is formed of a flexible material allowing offset of the first and second ends relative to each other during mounting of the frame to a vehicle liftgate. In another aspect, the frame is formed as a rigid member. In one aspect, the mounts are separate mounting brackets or mounting flanges carried on the components, which are separably attachable to the frame. In the rigid frame aspect, the mounts are end portions of the frame.

Abstract: A power drive system is adapted for a sliding door mounted on at least one side of a vehicle for sliding movement forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. The system includes a reversible motor. A bracket is guided within a guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide and connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the door. The translator mechanism can include a rotatable hub, operably engageable with the drive member, a gear transmission for driving the hub, and a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor to the transmission. The translator mechanism preferably has sufficient power to pull the sliding door into a primary latch position with respect to the corresponding portions of a latch mechanism attached to the door and frame defining the door opening.

Abstract: A control for an electric motor in a vehicle. The control ascertains whether an obstacle is interfering with rotation of the motor. The control establishes a baseline speed, representing normal free running speed of the motor. This baseline speed will be different, in different operating environments. Then the control determines whether measured motor speed drops below the baseline speed by a predetermined amount. If so, then the motor is shut down, or reversed.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior surface wash apparatus includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump which is operable in one of two different outlet flow directions and/or one of two different outlet flow pressures. Distribution conduits extend from the pump to fluid nozzles for dispensing fluid over selected exterior surfaces. A valve is connected in each fluid distribution path to select one of the fluid paths for fluid flow depending upon the valve position. An optional heater may be interposed with the fluid distribution path to supply heated fluid to at least one of the exterior surfaces.

Abstract: A fault-handling system for a 2-phase motor. When an electric motor is used for power assist in a steering system in a vehicle, malfunctions can cause loss of assist, and detectable vibration. The invention utilizes a 2-phase motor in such an application, and implements alternate modes of operation when certain malfunctions occur, thereby maintaining the assist function in situations wherein the function would otherwise be lost or reduced.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor. Field Oriented Control, FOC, uses a digital control system, and attempts to maintain the rotating stator magnetic field ninety degrees ahead of the rotor field, in order to maximize torque. However, if a three-phase motor is used, which is very common, large amounts of computation are required, to convert from a three-phase coordinate system to an orthogonal coordinate system. The invention replaces the three-phase motor with a two-phase motor, which has been found to impose certain additional costs, but also provides benefits.

Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus supplies heat to wash fluid via a flow path in a thermally conductive body. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive body for imparting heat to the body. Fluid in a flow path in the thermal body enveloping the heat source absorbs heat from the body. A fluid expansion member is fixed to the mass over the open ends of the fluid flow path in the thermal body. The fluid expansion member is formed of a compressible foam material having shape memory. The fluid expansion member is sealingly joinable by fasteners to the thermal body through bores formed in the peripheral edge of the member.

Abstract: An electric motor and method for reducing or eliminating end play. The motor comprises an adjustment member that cooperates with an end lamina member to facilitate reducing end play. The adjustment member is slidably mounted on an armature shaft and inside an aperture of a portion of the end lamina tube to reduce or eliminate end play. Thereafter, the adjustment member is permanently secured to the end lamina tube. In another illustrative embodiment, the movable bearing retainer sets endplay and also retains brushes in an open position prior to, for example, assembly of the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.

Abstract: An electric motor having reduced cogging torque. Motors have stator teeth separated by a slot, or space, which is filled with air and/or copper. The magnetic field present in the space is reduced, compared to that present in the iron cores. Thus, when the rotor rotates, it sees a changing magnetic field as it passes a tooth face, then a slot, and then a neighboring tooth face. This change can produce a force or cogging torque in the motor. The invention changes the geometry of the tooth face and slot to reduce variation of reluctance and increase overall flux of the stator.

Abstract: An electrically powered axial-flow fan has a hub to house the motor and support the fan blades. Small blades or vanes on the inside of the hub function as a radial-flow blower to draw cooling air through cooling ports on the electric motor housing. The vanes inside the hub cooperate with a flange surrounding the motor to form a low pressure chamber under the hub to improve cooling flow through the motor. This motor cooling air flow is then ejected into the exhaust stream of the axial-flow fan.

Abstract: System for reducing electronic noise in a radio in a vehicle. Pulse Width Modulated, PWM, motors used in a vehicle receive pulses of electric current. These pulses have a Fourier spectrum of harmonics which can be picked up by a radio in the vehicle, causing the radio to produce unwanted noise. The invention reduces the noise by continually varying the base frequency of the PWM pulses, to thereby vary the spectrum of the noise. This varying spectrum is more difficult for humans to detect.