Abstract: The technology described herein provides a system and method for automatically increasing the remaining driving range of a vehicle when a low fuel or other condition is detected by altering the operating parameters of one or more vehicle systems to improve propulsion system efficiency and thereby lower fuel consumption. The vehicle range extending system is capable of altering the operating parameters of any vehicle system, including for example variable displacement settings, start-stop technology settings, and HVAC operation. The disclosed technology can also provide information to the driver, suggesting which system operating parameters should be altered to reduce the fuel consumption rate.

Abstract: The technology described herein provides a system and method for automatically increasing the remaining driving range of a vehicle when a low fuel or other condition is detected by altering the operating parameters of one or more vehicle systems to improve propulsion system efficiency and thereby lower fuel consumption. The vehicle range extending system is capable of altering the operating parameters of any vehicle system, including for example variable displacement settings, start-stop technology settings, and HVAC operation. The disclosed technology can also provide information to the driver, suggesting which system operating parameters should be altered to reduce the fuel consumption rate.

Abstract: An assembly for holding open a locking mechanism for a motor vehicle folding seat includes a locking mechanism having a gear shaft and a release link fixedly attached to the gear shaft that transitions the locking mechanism between an engaged and a released orientation. A hold-open pin attached to the release link is received within a follower link notch to maintain the locking mechanism in the released orientation. An actuator positions the follower link notch to receive the hold-open pin within the follower link notch.

Abstract: A seat assembly arranged to pivot about a horizontal axis and capable of being repositioned between a forward seated position and a tailgate position. The assembly includes a first assembly including a pin. The assembly further includes a second assembly including a recliner link. The recliner link is arranged to engage or disengage the pin based on rotation of the seat assembly. Engagement of the pin with the recliner link locks the seat assembly into tailgate position and prevents the first assembly from inadvertently folding into a position parallel to said second assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat frame arranged to support a cushion, a rotatable armrest, a threaded receiver mounted to either the seat frame or the armrest, a translation shaft coupled with the other of the seat frame or the armrest which includes a thread disposed on the outside surface of the shaft arranged to matingly engage with the threaded receiver. Rotation of the armrest relative to the seat frame causes the armrest to translate toward or away from the seat frame as the threads of the translation shaft engage with the threaded receiver.

Abstract: A cover assembly covers a recess in the floor of a motor vehicle. With a stowed vehicle seat in the recess, the cover assembly serves to completely cover the recess to form a continuous load floor in the vehicle. With the seat in a use position outside of the recess, the cover assembly includes a portion that is folded within the bin so that the support legs of the seat can extend from the recess to support the seat. The cover assembly includes multiple panels for folding the cover to provide clearance by the seat for opening the cover.

Abstract: A close-out panel for a stowable vehicle seat assembly having pivotable connections to a vehicle floor, the close-out panel having: a first edged attached to the stowable vehicle seat assembly, a second edge, parallel to the first edge, and a living hinge positioned between and parallel to the first edge and the second edge. The living hinge enables the close-out panel to fold when the stowable vehicle seat is deployed and to open into a flat panel flush with the vehicle's floor that conceals the pivotable connections when the vehicle seat is pivoted to a stowed position.

Abstract: A steering column mounting system that includes a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a steering column and at least one pull strap made of a resiliently bendable material, the pull strap having a first leg with a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure and having a free second leg substantially parallel to the first leg. The pull strap has at least two portions having different widths. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may be selected so as to provide a predetermined amount of resiliency to the unwinding of the pull straps. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may also be selected so as to provide differing amounts of resiliency at different stages of the unwinding of the pull straps. A support frame is attached to the mounting bracket and maintains the first leg and the second leg of the pull strap substantially parallel relative to each other.

Abstract: A steering column mounting system that includes a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a steering column and at least one pull strap made of a resiliently bendable material, the pull strap having a first leg with a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure and having a free second leg substantially parallel to the first leg. The pull strap has at least two portions having different widths. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may be selected so as to provide a predetermined amount of resiliency to the unwinding of the pull straps. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may also be selected so as to provide differing amounts of resiliency at different stages of the unwinding of the pull straps. A support frame is attached to the mounting bracket and maintains the first leg and the second leg of the pull strap substantially parallel relative to each other.

Abstract: A tilt steering wheel in a vehicle is provided which can be locked in selected positions by a mechanism that includes a rod having pivot connections with stationary and movable components of the steering column. A rotatable locking sleeve encircles the rod to form a rigid connection between the rod and one of the pivot connections. Mesh teeth on the rod and sleeve prevent the sleeve from moving in the elongated direction. By rotating the sleeve on the rod it is possible to shift the teeth out of mesh such that the rod can move longitudinally to set the steering column in a selected position. The sleeve has a slot with major and minor portions and in the locking position the minor portion captures a pivot shaft of the steering column and prevents relative movement of the rod with respect to the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A tilt steering wheel in a vehicle is provided which can be locked in selected positions by a mechanism that includes a rod having pivot connections with stationary and movable components of the steering column. A rotatable locking sleeve encircles the rod to form a rigid connection between the rod and one of the pivot connections. Mesh teeth on the rod and sleeve prevent the sleeve from moving in the elongated direction. By rotating the sleeve on the rod it is possible to shift the teeth out of mesh such that the rod can move longitudinally to set the steering column in a selected position. The sleeve has a slot with major and minor portions and in the locking position the minor portion captures a pivot shaft of the steering column and prevents relative movement of the rod with respect to the pivot shaft.

Abstract: An air bag module which includes a panel member having an integral reaction canister having a plurality of reaction walls and a manifold assembly having a manifold. The manifold includes at least one deployment door retaining channel and is operable for retaining an air bag cushion, an inflator, and a deployment door. The deployment door includes at least one retaining bead and a trim portion which are separated by a pliant spacing leg. As the reaction canister is incorporated into the panel member, the need for a separate reaction canister component is eliminated, thereby reducing cost, weight and overall size of the air bag module and allowing the manifold assembly to be used across a wider range of vehicles. The retaining bead and spacing leg flexibly couple the cover door to the manifold and allow the cover door to be repositioned during installation of the manifold assembly into the panel member so as to eliminate gaps, puckering and other defects in the appearance or the vehicle interior.

Abstract: An air bag module mounted in an instrument panel has an air bag adapted to deploy through an opening in the instrument panel. The air bag module comprises a canister adapted to contain the air bag, and a door extending across the open rear of the canister. The door closes the opening in the instrument panel but is adapted to open when the air bag deploys. The canister is attached to vehicle support structure and the door is attached to the instrument panel. The door and canister are connected together by upper and lower beads on the door received in upper and lower channels on the canister. The beads have a floating fit in the channels. Accordingly, the canister can be rigidly attached to the vehicle support structure and yet there is enough float to allow the door to be secured in proper position to the instrument panel. As a result, the fit and finish of the door in the opening can be virtually perfect.

Abstract: A door mounted seat belt retractor has a spring biased reel winding the passive seat belt during closing movement of the door. An inertia locking mechanism locks the reel in response to a sensed acceleration condition. A brake level pivotally mounted on the retractor bears upon the outermost layer of belt wound on the reel to retard the windup of the belt as the door approaches the closed position to prevent the belt from being overly wound on the reel simultaneous with the occurrence of a door slam actuated locking of the reel. The brake lever is pivotally mounted on the retractor and includes a belt follower portion which causes the lever to be progressively pivoted as the windup of the belt progresses from the door open position to the door closed position. The lever has a belt braking portion which engages with the belt as the belt approaches the fully wound condition corresponding to closure of the door.