Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090179360 | Hydraulic Ride Bushing Having Improved End of Bushing Travel Damping - An hydraulic ride bushing having improved damping at the end of its travel. In various aspects thereof to provide the improved damping at the end of bushing travel: the external snubbers are composed entirely of polyurethane; the abutment portions of the external snubbers are composed of polyurethane; the external snubbers are provided with a plurality of convolutes; the external snubbers are composed of a dual durometer composition; an internal snubber is added between an hydraulic damper and an outer cylindrical shell; an hydraulic lock is provided at the hydraulic damper; and an external hydraulic damper is provided which is disposed externally with respect to the outer cylindrical shell. | 07-16-2009 |
20100230449 | APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING COMPONENTS TO A VEHICLE - A mounting apparatus is provided for securing a component to a base on a vehicle. The component has a first longitudinal lip extending along a first side thereof and a second longitudinal lip extending along a second side substantially opposite the first side. The mounting apparatus comprises an elongate track assembly configured to be fixedly coupled to the base and having first and second edge sections. The first edge section is configured to secure the first lip, and the second edge section is configured to form a wall. A wedge assembly is coupled to the track assembly for engaging the wall and the second lip to secure the component on the track assembly. | 09-16-2010 |
20110104558 | Electric Storage Battery Support Apparatus - 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. | 05-05-2011 |
20120104292 | ACTIVE DRAIN PLUG FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY APPLICATIONS - 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. | 05-03-2012 |
20120155988 | REDUCED-CORROSION FASTENED ASSEMBLY - 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. | 06-21-2012 |
20130031843 | CLOSURE ASSEMBLY HAVING CONTINUALLY ADJUSTABLE LATERAL RESTRAINT - 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. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031844 | CLOSURE ASSEMBLY HAVING MULTI STAGE STRIKER ASSEMBLY - 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. | 02-07-2013 |
20130232882 | ARTICULATING MEMBERS FOR CLOSURE SYSTEMS - 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. | 09-12-2013 |
20130247473 | MULTI STAGE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY - 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. | 09-26-2013 |
20140117678 | INTERNAL LATCH CAMMING WEDGES FOR CLOSURE ASSEMBLY LATERAL CONSTRAINT - 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. | 05-01-2014 |
20140182959 | ACOUSTIC NOISE DAMPING FOR A VEHICLE - 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. | 07-03-2014 |
20140188336 | VIBRATION DAMPING FOR A CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE - Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating vibrations in the header of a convertible vehicle. The apparatus includes a fluid damper configured to be coupled to a header of a convertible 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 convertible vehicle and adjusting a fluid damper coupled to the header in response to the signal thereby attenuating the vibration. | 07-03-2014 |
20140331563 | FLEXIBLE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - 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. | 11-13-2014 |