Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises body side panels each comprising a roof mounting surface, a roof panel having opposing sides, and a brazed joint attaching the roof panel to the body side panels along a line of contact. The roof panel comprises a raised bead portion on each side of a central portion, character lines having sloped surfaces extending downward from each raised bead portion to the central portion, and a side mounting flange at each side of the roof panel that curls under the raised bead portions. Each side mounting flange has a line of contact with a corresponding roof mounting surface.

Abstract: A sensed element is disclosed for incorporation into an apparatus that includes a rotatable shaft. The sensed element includes a base portion mounted directly on the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft, at least one sensor-detectible feature coupled to the base portion, for use in measuring a rotational speed of the shaft, and a projection extending from the base portion and engageable with a portion of the apparatus other than the shaft to limit movement of the element along the shaft.

Abstract: A sensed element is disclosed for incorporation into an apparatus that includes a rotatable shaft. The sensed element includes a base portion mounted directly on the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft, at least one sensor-detectible feature coupled to the base portion, for use in measuring a rotational speed of the shaft, and a projection extending from the base portion and engageable with a portion of the apparatus other than the shaft to limit movement of the element along the shaft.

Abstract: A method for estimating a brake pressure, a longitudinal tire force and a tire-road ? during periods of antilock control that measures deceleration of a wheel during a period of constant brake pressure, reduces a brake pressure to cause slip on the wheel to begin reducing, measures reacceleration of the wheel after a point in time in which the change in brake pressure is completed, calculates a change in acceleration based on the measured reacceleration and the measured deceleration, estimates a change in brake pressure from a proportional relationship between the change in acceleration and a brake pressure value, estimates a brake pressure from the relationship between a time for valve activation during a change in acceleration and the change in brake pressure. The method also estimates a longitudinal tire force from a mathematical relationship between the change in acceleration, a tire radius, and the estimated brake pressure.

Abstract: A traction control method is provided for dynamically maintaining safe driving traction between a tire (12) and a driving surface in a decelerating motor vehicle (10) through a modulated braking device (18, 24). The method monitors the acceleration response of a tire (12) to a torque change induced by modulation of a braking device (18, 24). Observation of the acceleration profile over time is used to determine whether additional braking torque or pressure can be applied without causing the tire (12) to slip. A Traction Reserve value is computed through observing the acceleration trend of the tire (12) over time after a single change in torque, whether that change is accomplished as an increase or a decrease.

Abstract: A sensed element is disclosed for incorporation into an apparatus that includes a rotatable shaft. The sensed element includes at least one sensor-detectible feature detectible by a sensing device for use in measuring a rotational speed of the shaft, a base portion coupled to the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft, and a projection extending from the base portion. The projection is engageable with a portion of the apparatus to limit movement of the sensed element along the shaft. The projection may also aid in positioning the sensed element within the apparatus during installation and removal of the sensed element.

Abstract: A method for compensating for wheel speed and acceleration calculation errors comprising the steps of collecting a wheel speed signal, creating at least one compensation factor for the wheel speed signal, correlating each compensation factor with a rotational position of the wheel, modifying each compensation factor individually based on variations in calculations made from the information collected according to the rotational position of the wheel, and calculating wheel speed and acceleration using the at least one compensation factor applied according to the rotational position of the wheel from which the wheel speed signal is collected.

Abstract: A method for controlling an antilock brake system on a vehicle, the method comprising calculating a prediction of tire normal forces and modifying a brake torque applied to a brake based on the predicted tire normal forces. The prediction of tire normal forces may be calculated using predicted longitudinal forces or estimates of longitudinal forces that are obtained by predicting a master-cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises body side panels each comprising a roof mounting surface, a roof panel having opposing sides, and a brazed joint attaching the roof panel to the body side panels along a line of contact. The roof panel comprises a raised bead portion on each side of a central portion, character lines having sloped surfaces extending downward from each raised bead portion to the central portion, and a side mounting flange at each side of the roof panel that curls under the raised bead portions. Each side mounting flange has a line of contact with a corresponding roof mounting surface.

Abstract: A sensed element is disclosed for incorporation into an apparatus that includes a rotatable shaft. The sensed element includes at least one sensor-detectible feature detectible by a sensing device for use in measuring a rotational speed of the shaft, a base portion coupled to the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft, and a projection extending from the base portion. The projection is engageable with a portion of the apparatus to limit movement of the sensed element along the shaft. The projection may also aid in positioning the sensed element within the apparatus during installation and removal of the sensed element.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a safety system of an automotive vehicle having a transmission and a differential. The system includes left and right wheel speed sensors associated with respective vehicle wheels and generating left and right wheel speed signals, and a transmission output shaft speed sensor generating a transmission output shaft speed signal. A controller is coupled to the wheel speed sensors and the transmission output speed sensor, and determines a reference wheel speed for one of the left or right wheels as a function of the other of the left or right wheel speed signal and the transmission output shaft speed signal. The controller controls the safety system in response to the determined reference wheel speed.

Abstract: A traction control method is provided for dynamically maintaining safe driving traction between a tire (12) and a driving surface in a decelerating motor vehicle (10) through a modulated braking device (18, 24). The method monitors the acceleration response of a tire (12) to a torque change induced by modulation of a braking device (18, 24). Observation of the acceleration profile over time is used to determine whether additional braking torque or pressure can be applied without causing the tire (12) to slip. A Traction Reserve value is computed through observing the acceleration trend of the tire (12) over time after a single change in torque, whether that change is accomplished as an increase or a decrease.

Abstract: A method for estimating a brake pressure, a longitudinal tire force and a tire-road ? during periods of antilock control that measures deceleration of a wheel during a period of constant brake pressure, reduces a brake pressure to cause slip on the wheel to begin reducing, measures reacceleration of the wheel after a point in time in which the change in brake pressure is completed, calculates a change in acceleration based on the measured reacceleration and the measured deceleration, estimates a change in brake pressure from a proportional relationship between the change in acceleration and a brake pressure value, estimates a brake pressure from the relationship between a time for valve activation during a change in acceleration and the change in brake pressure. The method also estimates a longitudinal tire force from a mathematical relationship between the change in acceleration, a tire radius, and the estimated brake pressure.

Abstract: A method for controlling an antilock brake system on a vehicle, the method comprising calculating a prediction of tire normal forces and modifying a brake torque applied to a brake based on the predicted tire normal forces. The prediction of tire normal forces may be calculated using predicted longitudinal forces or estimates of longitudinal forces that are obtained by predicting a master-cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A method for compensating for wheel speed and acceleration calculation errors comprising the steps of collecting a wheel speed signal, creating at least one compensation factor for the wheel speed signal, correlating each compensation factor with a rotational position of the wheel, modifying each compensation factor individually based on variations in calculations made from the information collected according to the rotational position of the wheel, and calculating wheel speed and acceleration using the at least one compensation factor applied according to the rotational position of the wheel from which the wheel speed signal is collected.

Abstract: A combination regenerative and friction braking system for an automotive vehicle includes an active booster master cylinder and a number of wheel cylinders connected to the master cylinder. A brake control unit is connected with brake pipes extending from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders. At least one pressure reducing valve is positioned in one of the brake pipes so as to allow the active booster master cylinder to actuate selective ones of the wheel cylinders during regenerative braking without activating wheel cylinders servicing wheels which are being braked regeneratively.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (10) for a host vehicle (12) is provided. The ACC system (10) includes a forward-looking sensor (18) generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle (12) and a target vehicle. The forward-looking sensor (18) also generates a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that the distance between the host vehicle (12) and the target vehicle is changing. A controller (20) is electrically coupled to the forward-looking sensor (18). The controller (20) maintains a preset headway distance between the host vehicle (12) and the target vehicle, when the host vehicle velocity is less than about 40 KPH, by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to the range signal and the range rate signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: An early braking system for a vehicle having wheels comprising, a friction element, a brake pedal and a sensor. The friction element inhibits rotation of the wheels of the vehicle with the braking system having a dormant state wherein the friction element is at a first position spaced a first distance from the wheels. The brake pedal is adapted to be depressed to move the friction element into engagement with a portion of the wheels of the vehicle. The sensor senses an operational parameter of the vehicle. The friction element moves from the first position to a second position spaced a second distance from the wheels in response to a predetermined measurement of the operational parameter and before depression of the brake pedal, wherein the second position is closer to the wheels than the first position.

Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat for a vehicle includes a seat base that is slideably connected to the vehicle. The seat is moveable between a first position and a second position adjacent a storage area. The seat base has a seat back rotatably connected thereto that allows the seat back to rotate between a normally up position and a folded down position. The seat base also has a pivot hinge located on an underside thereof that allows the seat base to pivot when the seat is located in the second position from a flat position to an upright position such that the seat is at least partially disposed in a rear quarter panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system (10) is provided which compensates for brake pedal feel variation so as to provide for enhanced braking feel to the vehicle operator. The brake system (10) includes a brake command input (10), an accelerometer (22) for sensing longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and friction brakes (26) and regenerative brakes (29) for generating braking force to be applied to brakes on the vehicle. The vehicle brake system (10) further includes a controller (12) for detecting a brake torque variation as a function of the sensed acceleration and the brake demand signal. The controllers (12) further adjusts a torque command signal to adjust the amount of braking torque generated by the brakes (26) so as to compensate for brake torque variation.