Abstract: A transmission range selection sensor includes a housing defining a bore extending along a central axis. A piston is slideably disposed within the bore. A magnet carrier is attached to and moveable with the piston. A magnet is supported by and moveable with the magnet carrier. A first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are supported by the housing and are spaced from each other along the central axis. A position of the magnet carrier along the central axis is determinable from a sensed magnetic flux from the first and second magnetic sensors. The sensor includes at least one magnetic flux concentrator attached to one of the magnet carrier or the housing. The flux concentrator is operable to concentrate the magnetic flux toward at least one of the first magnetic sensor or the second magnetic sensor depending upon a position of the magnet along the central axis.

Abstract: Slot antennas built into metallic body panels utilize the vehicle body itself as an antenna radiator. Building the slot antennas directly into the metallic body panels converts the vehicle body from functioning as an RF shield into an RF antenna, which significantly improves mobile communication reception for a wide range of RF communication devices. Different types of slot antennas may be included for different communication channels utilized by different types of devices. Multi-band slot antennas are configured to receive multiple bands within a larger frequency channel. Dual-polarity antennas are configured to receive signals propagating in a dual-polarity mode. Multiple slot components may be configured as multi-band, dual-polarity antennas. Each slot antenna may be passive (without an RF pickup) or active with an RF pickup and coaxial cable connecting the antenna to an electronic device, such as receiver or amplifier located inside or otherwise interconnected with the vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission range selection sensor includes a housing defining a bore extending along a central axis. A piston is slideably disposed within the bore. A magnet carrier is attached to and moveable with the piston. A magnet is supported by and moveable with the magnet carrier. A first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are supported by the housing and are spaced from each other along the central axis. A position of the magnet carrier along the central axis is determinable from a sensed magnetic flux from the first and second magnetic sensors. The sensor includes at least one magnetic flux concentrator attached to one of the magnet carrier or the housing. The flux concentrator is operable to concentrate the magnetic flux toward at least one of the first magnetic sensor or the second magnetic sensor depending upon a position of the magnet along the central axis.

Abstract: Slot antennas built into metallic body panels utilize the vehicle body itself as an antenna radiator. Building the slot antennas directly into the metallic body panels converts the vehicle body from functioning as an RF shield into an RF antenna, which significantly improves mobile communication reception for a wide range of RF communication devices. Different types of slot antennas may be included for different communication channels utilized by different types of devices. Multi-band slot antennas are configured to receive multiple bands within a larger frequency channel. Dual-polarity antennas are configured to receive signals propagating in a dual-polarity mode. Multiple slot components may be configured as multi-band, dual-polarity antennas. Each slot antenna may be passive (without an RF pickup) or active with an RF pickup and coaxial cable connecting the antenna to an electronic device, such as receiver or amplifier located inside or otherwise interconnected with the vehicle.

Abstract: A solenoid having a housing and a coil disposed in the housing for generating a magnetic field when an electric current passes through the coil. A center pole is disposed within the coil, and the center pole is made of a ferromagnetic material. A rod assembly is movably disposed in the housing for movement between a rest position and an energized position. The rod assembly has a portion thereof disposed in the center pole, and includes a magnet having a polarity causing the magnet to be repelled from the center pole when an electric current passes through the coil. The magnet is encapsulated by an elastomeric material that contacts a stop surface when in the rest position to reduce noise resulting from shifting of the rod assembly from the energized position to the rest position.

Abstract: A solenoid having a housing and a coil disposed in the housing for generating a magnetic field when an electric current passes through the coil. A center pole is disposed within the coil, and the center pole is made of a ferromagnetic material. A rod assembly is movably disposed in the housing for movement between a rest position and an energized position. The rod assembly has a portion thereof disposed in the center pole, and includes a magnet having a polarity causing the magnet to be repelled from the center pole when an electric current passes through the coil. The magnet is encapsulated by an elastomeric material that contacts a stop surface when in the rest position to reduce noise resulting from shifting of the rod assembly from the energized position to the rest position.