Abstract: A vehicle seat system is provided that includes heating, cooling, and occupant sensing functionality in a single unit. The system includes carbon nanotube (CNT) elements disposed adjacent the seat surface. The CNT elements may be woven or stitched to a vehicle seat cover, or may be disposed in a mat that is placed between a seat cushion and the seat cover. The CNT elements may be used for heating, cooling, and occupant sensing, without requiring separate units or circuits. The system may include Peltier elements attached to the CNT elements, with the Peltier elements transferring heat between the CNT elements and a heat bank. The heat bank may be in the form of a heat sink, or the heat bank may be the seat rails of the vehicle seat, with the Peltier elements attached to the seat rails.

Abstract: An automatic sun visor assembly is disclosed for use in automobiles or in other equipment with windows or windshields. The invention is designed to automatically adjust the position of a visor to provide maximum protection from sunlight and to enhance safety by preventing direct sunlight from interfering with the operator's or the passenger's vision. The invention utilizes motors that include interfaces that allow their control by electronic controllers for automatically adjusting visor's position and orientation based on sensing of environmental conditions such as position of the sun, vehicle orientation and the position of operator's eyes. Specifically, the invention utilizes three motors that enable controlling visor position in three spatial dimensions. The use of an extendable spring wire in the invention enables the visor to stretch out and block direct sunlight from entering at angles where the traditional visors are unable to reach.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a baseplate of thermally-conductive material and a radiator for transferring heat to atmosphere around the radiator. The baseplate is configured to be in thermal communication with a heat source, such as an integrated circuit or a power electronic device. The radiator is disposed upon the baseplate and includes a skin of melted material formed by additive manufacturing which encloses a chamber. An outer wick of porous material is disposed within the chamber, the outer wick coats an inner surface of the skin. A refrigerant is disposed within the chamber. The refrigerant changes between a liquid phase and a vapor phase to convey heat from the baseplate to the skin, and is conveyed back through the wick in the liquid phase by capillary action. The radiator also includes a plurality of fins extending from a cover to promote heat transfer to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An automatic sun visor assembly is disclosed for use in automobiles or in other equipment with windows or windshields. The invention is designed to automatically adjust the position of a visor to provide maximum protection from sunlight and to enhance safety by preventing direct sunlight from interfering with the operator's or the passenger's vision. The invention utilizes motors that include interfaces that allow their control by electronic controllers for automatically adjusting visor's position and orientation based on sensing of environmental conditions such as position of the sun, vehicle orientation and the position of operator's eyes. Specifically, the invention utilizes three motors that enable controlling visor position in three spatial dimensions. The use of an extendable spring wire in the invention enables the visor to stretch out and block direct sunlight from entering at angles where the traditional visors are unable to reach.

Abstract: A battery cell according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cell housing and a mounting member that is fixed to an outer surface of the cell housing. In one example, the mounting member is formed separate from the cell housing and attached to the outer surface of the cell housing. In another example, the mounting member is unitarily formed with the cell housing and protrudes from a planar surface of the cell housing.

Abstract: A cam shaft phaser, including: an axis of rotation; a rotor arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions; a stator including a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions; and a plurality of chambers. Each chamber is circumferentially bounded by first and second radially outwardly extending protrusions. A respective radially inwardly extending protrusion is located in each chamber.

Abstract: A cam shaft phaser, including: an axis of rotation; a rotor arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions; a stator including a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions; and a plurality of chambers. Each chamber is circumferentially bounded by first and second radially outwardly extending protrusions. A respective radially inwardly extending protrusion is located in each chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic clasp animal leash assembly for connecting to an animal collar having at least one metallic leash attachment ring defining an aperture. The assembly having a first member and a second member moveable with respect to one another between a closed position and an open position. The two members have an internal surface creating an aperture in a closed state. Outer ends of the two members are spaced from one another creating a clear passage with respect to the internal surface defining the aperture in an opened state. A magnet is located opposite from the clear passage proximate to the internal surface of the aperture. An actuator assembly is engageable with the two members to drive the two members toward the open position.

Abstract: A magnetic clasp animal leash assembly for connecting to an animal collar having at least one metallic leash attachment ring defining an aperture. The assembly having a first member and a second member moveable with respect to one another between a closed position and an open position. The two members have an internal surface creating an aperture in a closed state. Outer ends of the two members are spaced from one another creating a clear passage with respect to the internal surface defining the aperture in an opened state. A magnet is located opposite from the clear passage proximate to the internal surface of the aperture. An actuator assembly is engageable with the two members to drive the two members toward the open position.

Abstract: A magnetic clasp animal leash assembly for connecting to an animal collar having at least one metallic leash attachment ring defining an aperture. The assembly having a first member and a second member moveable with respect to one another between a closed position and an open position. The two members have an internal surface creating an aperture in a closed state. Outer ends of the two members are spaced from one another creating a clear passage with respect to the internal surface defining the aperture in an opened state. A magnet is located opposite from the clear passage proximate to the internal surface of the aperture. An actuator assembly is engageable with the two members to drive the two members toward the open position.

Abstract: A magnetic clasp animal leash assembly for connecting to an animal collar having at least one metallic leash attachment ring defining an aperture. The assembly having a first member and a second member moveable with respect to one another between a closed position and an open position. The two members have an internal surface creating an aperture in a closed state. Outer ends of the two members are spaced from one another creating a clear passage with respect to the internal surface defining the aperture in an opened state. A magnet is located opposite from the clear passage proximate to the internal surface of the aperture. An actuator assembly is engageable with the two members to drive the two members toward the open position.

Abstract: A housing for an air conditioning module, in particular for an air conditioning module of a vehicle, includes a hinged cover for at least one part of the air conditioning module. The hinged cover can be molded in one piece with the housing and the housing can include a living hinge.

Abstract: A battery disconnect unit (BDU) is arranged to selectively enable current flow between a power source and a battery pack of a vehicle, and between the battery pack and the vehicle. The battery disconnect unit includes a housing having an exterior and an interior, a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, and an opening opposite the first interior surface. A plurality of BDU components are mounted within the interior of the housing. The BDU components are mounted at least one of on and adjacent to the first interior surface of the housing, and respective fasteners used to mount the BDU components to the first interior surface of the housing are not exposed on the first exterior surface of the housing. When the housing is mounted on a mounting surface associated with the battery pack, the opening is arranged adjacent to the mounting surface and the first interior surface is arranged opposite the mounting surface relative to the opening.

Abstract: A battery disconnect unit (BDU) is arranged to selectively enable current flow between a power source and a battery pack of a vehicle, and between the battery pack and the vehicle. The battery disconnect unit includes a housing having an exterior and an interior, a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, and an opening opposite the first interior surface. A plurality of BDU components are mounted within the interior of the housing. The BDU components are mounted at least one of on and adjacent to the first interior surface of the housing, and respective fasteners used to mount the BDU components to the first interior surface of the housing are not exposed on the first exterior surface of the housing. When the housing is mounted on a mounting surface associated with the battery pack, the opening is arranged adjacent to the mounting surface and the first interior surface is arranged opposite the mounting surface relative to the opening.

Abstract: A retention device for coupling a wire harness to an HVAC module comprises a retention clip coupled to the wire harness, the retention clip having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first channel disposed within the inner surface. A stud may be coupled to the HVAC module. The stud may comprise a first projection, a second projection opposing the first projection, the first and second projections disposed distal to the second component, and a recess disposed between the first projection and the second projection. One or both of the first projection and the second projection may be configured to engage the channel when the stud is received within the retention clip.

Abstract: A housing for an air conditioning module, in particular for an air conditioning module of a vehicle, comprising a hinged cover for at least one part of said air conditioning module.