Abstract: A flexible assembly cell is provided for adding a selected one of a plurality of available components to one of at least two different types of motor vehicle subassembly which may be presented. The flexible assembly cell comprises a work station including a platen having at least one head movable thereover, and a conveyor for presenting a subassembly to the work station. An optical scanner is also provided for identifying whether the subassembly is of a first type or a second type. The head moves magnetically over the platen to retrieve one of the first components from the supply of first components if the optical scanner determines that the subassembly is of the first type, or to retrieve one of the second components from the supply of second components if the optical scanner determines that the subassembly is of the second type. After retrieval, the head presents the retrieved component for addition to the subassembly.

Abstract: Transmission shifting method with clutch pedal and accelerator pedal control for the automatic operation of manual shifting mechanisms in an automotive vehicle include gear shifting, open loop accelerator pedal control during shifting, acceleration from idle with slow clutch release, deceleration to idle, control of coasting, and determining clutch engagement point and shifter positions at various gear shift points.

Abstract: An automatic driver system includes an accelerator pedal actuator system with a contact sensor for sensing contact between the actuator system and the accelerator pedal. A mechanical actuation system is mounted in the vehicle to contact and move the accelerator pedal. An electronic actuator is mounted outside the vehicle for causing movement of the accelerator pedal and includes a motor coupled to a tachometer for measuring rotational speed, a lead screw assembly for transforming rotational movement to linear movement and a linear displacement transducer for measuring linear position of the lead screw assembly. The system permits a new reference point to be established each time the accelerator pedal actuator system is installed in a vehicle.

Abstract: Transmission gear and clutch shifting apparatus for the automatic operation of manual shift mechanisms in an automotive vehicle include gear and clutch actuation mechanisms mounted onboard the vehicle and coupled by cables to control actuation mechanisms mounted offboard the vehicle. The onboard gear shift actuator includes two intersecting movable slot means for causing movement of the shift lever.

Abstract: The determination of specific faulty components in an automotive type DC voltage regulator is accomplished by detecting the presence or absence of harmonic frequencies, of the base operating frequency of an associated DC voltage generator, on terminals of the regulator in its operating environment.

Abstract: A gear shifting mechanism includes an actuator for fore-aft movement with a tachometer and a linear displacement transducer to form a velocity and position feedback actuator. The gear shifting mechanism also includes a solenoid and a pivotal mounting to provide movement of the actuator assembly in a second direction, i.e. from first-second to third-fourth gear shift positions. A second pivotal mounting allows the actuator assembly to follow the curvilinear travel of the gear shift level which is facilitated by the ball joint attachment to the gear shift lever. A spring loaded mounting bracket provides force cushioning to the said gear shift lever. The actuator assembly is mounted on a base plate with legs to straddle the vehicle's floor hump and to secure the said base plate by mounting bolts to engage the vehicle's seat belt anchor openings.

Abstract: An automatic driving system for operating a vehicle on traction rollers of a chassis dynamometer includes an accelerator pedal actuator for moving the accelerator pedal. A sensing means senses vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and accelerator pedal actuator velocity. Accelerator pedal control means drives the accelerator pedal actuator and is coupled to the sensing means for generating a triple loop accelerator pedal control signal using vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and actuator motor velocity feedback to reduce throttle fluctuations.