Abstract: A reduced-corrosion assembly includes a first and a second component joined by a fastener having a head and a body. A coating covers a section of the body. The assembly also includes a washer, a compression limiter, and a nut arranged on the first component and adapted to engage the fastener body to thereby tighten the assembly. When the assembly is tightened, the compression limiter is arranged on the fastener body between the first and second components, while the second component is arranged on the fastener body between the compression limiter and the washer. Furthermore, the washer is arranged on the fastener body between the fastener head and the second component, while the coating covers the body substantially up to where the nut engages the body such that corrosion of the assembly is limited or reduced. A vehicle employing the reduced-corrosion fastening system is also provided.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system of a vehicle includes a first group of transceivers mounted on the first closure structure and a second group of transceivers mounted on the second closure structure. A controller is configured to, during the first mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a first signal, command, upon receiving the first signal, the second group of transceivers to generate a second signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine a presence or absence of an obstacle based on the second signal. The controller is configured to, during the second mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a third signal such that the third signal is reflected off the second closure structure as a fourth signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine the presence or absence of the obstacle based on the fourth signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a battery comprises a tray including a support surface, a recess having a elevation that is lower than an elevation of the support surface, ribs located in the recess and extending to the elevation of the support surface, thermal insulation supported on the ribs and the upper surface, and a battery contacting the insulation and supported on the ribs and the support surface.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system of a vehicle includes a first group of transceivers mounted on the first closure structure and a second group of transceivers mounted on the second closure structure. A controller is configured to, during the first mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a first signal, command, upon receiving the first signal, the second group of transceivers to generate a second signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine a presence or absence of an obstacle based on the second signal. The controller is configured to, during the second mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a third signal such that the third signal is reflected off the second closure structure as a fourth signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine the presence or absence of the obstacle based on the fourth signal.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, which forms a passenger compartment, and including a roof. The roof defines an upper vertical boundary of the passenger compartment. An air handling duct is disposed adjacent the roof, within the passenger compartment of the body. The air handling duct defines an internal cavity, which is operable to deliver a flow of air to the passenger compartment. The air handling duct includes an energy management system that is disposed within the internal cavity of the air handling duct. The energy management system includes at least one pillar, which is operable to deform against the roof to absorb energy transferred to the air handling duct from within the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The flexible electrical circuit assembly also includes a second flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface of the second flexible substrate abuttingly joins with the second surface of the first flexible substrate. A flexible circuit member is arranged between the first and second flexible substrates. The flexible circuit member includes an input end and an output end. A first connector is electrically connected to the input end of the flexible circuit member. The first connector is configured and disposed to electrically connect with a source of electrical energy. A second connector is electrically connected to the output end of the flexible circuit member. The second connector is configured to electrically connect with an electrical component in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.

Abstract: A flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The flexible electrical circuit assembly also includes a second flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface of the second flexible substrate abuttingly joins with the second surface of the first flexible substrate. A flexible circuit member is arranged between the first and second flexible substrates. The flexible circuit member includes an input end and an output end. A first connector is electrically connected to the input end of the flexible circuit member. The first connector is configured and disposed to electrically connect with a source of electrical energy. A second connector is electrically connected to the output end of the flexible circuit member. The second connector is configured to electrically connect with an electrical component in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating vibrations in the header of a vehicle to reduce acoustic noise. The apparatus includes a fluid damper configured to be coupled to a header of a vehicle and an accelerometer for sensing vibrations in the header and providing a signal to adjust the fluid damper thereby attenuating the vibrations. A method is provided which includes receiving a signal indicating a vibration in a header of a vehicle and adjusting a fluid damper coupled to the header in response to the signal thereby attenuating the vibration.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a housing rotatably supporting a first wedge block for rotation about a first axis, and a second wedge block for rotation about a second axis. The first wedge block includes a first cam surface that engages the striker assembly as the latch mechanism moves along a path to limit lateral movement of the latch mechanism in a first direction transverse to the path. The second wedge block includes a second cam surface that engages the striker assembly as the latch mechanism moves along the path to limit lateral movement of the latch mechanism in a second direction transverse to the path, opposite the first direction. The first wedge block and the second wedge block are disposed within an interior space of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating torsional vibration of a steering system. The apparatus can include a housing including a chamber. The housing can be couplable to a rim of a hand wheel of the steering system. The apparatus can include a mass disposed in the chamber of the housing. The mass can have a fixed stiffness. The apparatus can also include a damping fluid disposed in the chamber of the housing. The damping fluid can have a variable stiffness. The apparatus can include a control module that determines a torsional vibration experienced by the steering system and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the torsional vibration in substantially real-time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating translational vibration in a steering system. The apparatus can include a housing having a fluid chamber, a recess and a mounting bracket that couples the housing to a hand wheel of the steering system. The fluid chamber can be in communication with the recess. The apparatus can include a mass disposed in the recess of the housing, which can have a fixed stiffness. The apparatus can include a damping fluid disposed in the housing so as to flow between the fluid chamber and the recess. The mass can be movable in the damping fluid, and the damping fluid can have a variable stiffness. The apparatus can further include a control module that determines a translational vibration experienced at the hand wheel and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the translational vibration in substantially real-time.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a closure panel moveably attached to the body. When the closure panel is in a closed position, a closure restraint system interconnects the body and the closure panel and restricts lateral movement of the closure panel relative to the body. The closure restraint system includes a fixed wedge block attached to one of the body and the closure panel, and a rotatable wedge block attached to the other of the body and the closure panel. The rotatable wedge block includes a curved cam surface, and is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the fixed wedge block when engaged by the fixed wedge block to move the contact between the fixed wedge block and the rotatable wedge block along the curved cam surface to maintain a consistent closing force for closing the closure panel.

Abstract: A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a biasing mechanism that, when engaged by the latch mechanism, simultaneously biases the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. The biasing mechanism provides dual damping rates.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism moveable along a longitudinal path relative to each other. One of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism includes a plate defining a first surface, and the other of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism includes an articulating member defining a second surface moveable into abutting engagement with the first surface of the plate. The articulating member moves into abutting engagement with the plate after the latch mechanism and the striker assembly have moved into a closed position relative to each other to restrict lateral movement between the striker assembly and the latch mechanism relative to the longitudinal path.

Abstract: A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. A biasing mechanism includes a bumper fixedly attached to the striker assembly, and an arm fixedly attached to the latch mechanism. The arm is flexible about an axis in one of an inward direction or an outward direction. The arm engages the bumper and is biased inward in response to movement of the latch mechanism toward the striker assembly for simultaneously biasing the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly.

Abstract: A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. A biasing mechanism includes a bumper fixedly attached to the striker assembly, and an arm fixedly attached to the latch mechanism. The arm is flexible about an axis in one of an inward direction or an outward direction. The arm engages the bumper and is biased inward in response to movement of the latch mechanism toward the striker assembly for simultaneously biasing the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism moveable along a longitudinal path relative to each other. One of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism includes a plate defining a first surface, and the other of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism includes an articulating member defining a second surface moveable into abutting engagement with the first surface of the plate. The articulating member moves into abutting engagement with the plate after the latch mechanism and the striker assembly have moved into a closed position relative to each other to restrict lateral movement between the striker assembly and the latch mechanism relative to the longitudinal path.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a first wedge block and a second wedge block disposed opposite each other across a path. The first wedge block rotates about a first axis and includes a first cam surface defining a continuously variable distance to the first axis for engaging the latch mechanism. The second wedge block rotates about a second axis and includes a second cam surface defining a continuously variable distance from to the second axis for engaging the latch mechanism. Abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the first cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a first direction, and abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the second cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a first wedge block and a second wedge block disposed opposite each other across a path. The first wedge block rotates about a first axis and includes a first cam surface defining a continuously variable distance to the first axis for engaging the latch mechanism. The second wedge block rotates about a second axis and includes a second cam surface defining a continuously variable distance from to the second axis for engaging the latch mechanism. Abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the first cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a first direction, and abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the second cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction.