Abstract: An electrically controlled suspension includes a first spring with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the first spring is connectable to a forward frame bracket of a frame of a vehicle and where the second end of the first spring is connectable to a rear frame bracket of the frame of the vehicle via a rear spring support. The suspension includes a second spring with a first end and a second end, where the second end of the second spring is connected to the second end of the first spring. An electrically operated suspension control actuator is provided where the first end of the second spring is connected to the electrically operated suspension control actuator.

Abstract: An electrically controlled suspension includes a first spring with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the first spring is connectable to a forward frame bracket of a frame of a vehicle and where the second end of the first spring is connectable to a rear frame bracket of the frame of the vehicle via a rear spring support. The suspension includes a second spring with a first end and a second end, where the second end of the second spring is connected to the second end of the first spring. An electrically operated suspension control actuator is provided where the first end of the second spring is connected to the electrically operated suspension control actuator.

Abstract: A window winder drive functions with a freewheeling coupling, which has an outer coupling part and an inner coupling part, which is concentric thereto, and comprises clamping bodies arranged between a clamping face of the outer coupling part and a clamping face of the inner coupling part, wherein the clamping bodies are arranged in pairs in the annular space formed between the clamping faces, and the first clamping body of a pair of clamping bodies demonstrates a clamping effect exclusively in a specific direction of rotation of the outer coupling part in relation to the inner coupling part, while the second clamping body of the pair of clamping bodies exclusively has a clamping effect in the opposite direction of rotation.

Abstract: A frictional engagement assembly for an automotive device, including: at least one frictionally engageable plate; a first piston plate displaceable in a first axial direction to urge the at least one frictionally engageable plate into frictional contact; a first resilient element engaged with the first piston plate and urging the first piston plate in a second axial direction substantially opposite the first axial direction; a check valve controlling fluid flow to displace the first piston plate; and an accumulator. As fluid from a chamber, at least partially formed by the first piston plate, discharges through the check valve, the accumulator controls fluid volume in the chamber to maintain a distal portion of the first piston plate, urging the at least one frictionally engageable plate into frictional contact, in a furthest position in the first axial direction.

Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft (1) on which at least one rotatable cam (2) is arranged fixed in the axial direction, wherein a rotationally fixed connection of the at least one cam (2) with the camshaft (3) can be selectively established and released by an associated coupling-like locking device (3).

Abstract: A sealing element for rotatable parts is provided by the invention. To achieve low and uniform wear, automatic reshaping of the sealing surfaces for advancing wear, low friction forces, and long service life, the sealing element has sealing surfaces (4) and sealing counter surfaces (5), whose sealing effect is provided by the interaction of a sealing element (3, 11) constructed as a tractrix body with a correspondingly shaped sealing counter element (6, 13, 14).

Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft (1) on which at least one rotatable cam (2) is arranged fixed in the axial direction, wherein a rotationally fixed connection of the at least one cam (2) with the camshaft (3) can be selectively established and released by an associated coupling-like locking device (3).

Abstract: The combined radial/axial bearing has an outer running track formed by a radially inward-pointing rim of the cylindrical sleeve, an inner running track formed by a radially outward-pointing rim of an inner ring and the axes of rotation of the cylindrical rolling bodies in the inner running track intersect with the axes of rotation of the cylindrical rolling bodies in the outer running track virtually at a center of the cylindrical rolling bodies in the outer running track.

Abstract: A frictional engagement assembly for an automotive device, including: at least one frictionally engageable plate; a first piston plate displaceable in a first axial direction to urge the at least one frictionally engageable plate into frictional contact; a first resilient element engaged with the first piston plate and urging the first piston plate in a second axial direction substantially opposite the first axial direction; a check valve controlling fluid flow to displace the first piston plate; and an accumulator. As fluid from a chamber, at least partially formed by the first piston plate, discharges through the check valve, the accumulator controls fluid volume in the chamber to maintain a distal portion of the first piston plate, urging the at least one frictionally engageable plate into frictional contact, in a furthest position in the first axial direction.

Abstract: A window winder drive functions with a freewheeling coupling, which has an outer coupling part and an inner coupling part, which is concentric thereto, and comprises clamping bodies arranged between a clamping face of the outer coupling part and a clamping face of the inner coupling part, wherein the clamping bodies are arranged in pairs in the annular space formed between the clamping faces, and the first clamping body of a pair of clamping bodies demonstrates a clamping effect exclusively in a specific direction of rotation of the outer coupling part in relation to the inner coupling part, while the second clamping body of the pair of clamping bodies exclusively has a clamping effect in the opposite direction of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stator and clutch assembly for a torque converter including first and second halves for a stator, each formed from first and second single pieces. Blades for the stator are disposed within respective annuli for the first and second halves. The assembly also includes a one-way clutch. The first and second halves have inner circumferential portions configured to form a portion of the clutch. The assembly includes an axially displaceable plate connected to a hub. The plate and a circumferential portion are operatively arranged to form a portion of the clutch. In some aspects, the plate and the circumferential portion are arranged to lockingly engage and the assembly includes a displacement element arranged to urge the plate toward the circumferential portion. In some aspects, the plate and hub are formed from a single piece or the plate is axially displaceable with respect to the hub.

Abstract: An electric starter for an internal combustion engine has a coaxial pinion drive mechanism for urging the pinion gear into a positively fully meshed arrangement with the flywheel of the internal combustion engine prior to full power application to the cranking motor. The pinion drive mechanism is incompressible throughout its motion. The drive solenoid has a solid plunger which is limited in its stroke corresponding to the fully meshed position of the pinion gear by a pair of electrical contacts which are shorted at full stroke by the plunger functioning as a contact therebetween. The cranking motor is operated at a slow rotation at all times prior to full meshing of the pinion gear to aid in meshing thus reducing tooth wear and gear lash.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack including a plurality of batteries ganged together in an underlying tray. The tray preferably has a plurality of pockets therein each for receiving an individual battery. The batteries are interlocked one to the next and held in place in the tray by a housing which bears down on the batteries by means of a resilient spacer positioned between the tops of the batteries and the ceiling of the housing. The pack forms a structural part of the vehicle in which it is used.

Abstract: An electric engine starter for cranking an internal combustion engine. The starter has a drive housing which is shaped to define a solenoid compartment and a starter drive compartment. The drive housing has a pair of spaced walls connecting the solenoid compartment to the starter drive compartment. A starter drive that includes a pinion gear and an overrunning clutch is located in the starter drive compartment. A shift lever retainer is located between the spaced walls of the drive housing and pivotally supports a shift lever. The retainer has outwardly projecting ribs and the spaced walls have inwardly projecting spaced ribs. These ribs impede the passage of water from the starter drive compartment to the solenoid compartment. The shift lever has a plate or flap which, in an at-rest position of the shift lever, forms a barrier for the passage of water from the starter drive compartment toward the retainer.

Abstract: An electric engine starter that has a motor frame and a planetary gear mechanism is provided with an internal shield that is operative to prevent brush dust from entering the planetary gear mechanism. The shield is formed of steel and has an outer annular flange that, prior to assembly to the starter, is located at an angle to a plane that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the shield. When the shield is assembled to the starter, it is compressed between the motor frame and a support for the ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism. During this compression, the flange is deflected to develop a spring force. This spring force causes a gasket interposed between the flange and the motor frame to tightly seal against the motor frame. This spring force further causes the shield to tightly engage the ring gear support.

Abstract: A shift lever mechanism for an engine starter for translating axial movement of the plunger of a starter solenoid into axial movement of a starter drive pinion. The shift lever mechanism has a retainer that has two axially extending spaced arms. Each arm has an opening that is defined by a circular portion and a radially extending slot. A shut lever is pivotally supported by the retainer. The shift lever has opposed bosses that are respectively located in the openings in the arms. The bosses have radially extending ribs that are located in the slots. The slots and ribs allow the shift lever to be assembled to the retainer in only one proper orientation of the shift lever relative to the retainer.

Abstract: A starter solenoid for electric starting apparatus and its method of manufacture. The solenoid has hold-in and pull-in coils and a cap formed of insulating material that carries a start switch terminal and a motor terminal. Both terminals have axially extending internal bores and when the cap is moved into engagement with the case of the solenoid to secure it thereto end lead wires of the coils are inserted into the bores of the terminals. The terminals are radially crimped into engagement with the wires and the crimped portions are then welded to the wires. The ground connection for one end of the hold-in coil is made by inserting an end lead wire of the hold-in coil into the bore of a hollow metallic terminal that is carried by a metallic plate member, crimping the terminal to the wire and then welding the crimped portion to the wire.

Abstract: A starter solenoid for electric starting apparatus and its method of manufacture. The solenoid has hold-in and pull-in coils and a cap formed of insulating material that carries a start switch terminal and a motor terminal. Both terminals have axially extending internal bores and when the cap is moved into engagement with the case of the solenoid to secure it thereto end lead wires of the coils are inserted into the bores of the terminals. The terminals are radially crimped into engagement with the wires and the crimped portions are then welded to the wires. The ground connnection for one end of the hold-in coil is made by inserting an end lead wire of the hold-in coil into the bore of a hollow metallic terminal that is carried by a metallic plate member, crimping the terminal to the wire and then welding the crimped portion to the wire.