Patents Assigned to Magna Closures Inc.
  • Patent number: 11125002
    Abstract: A carrier module for a motor vehicle and door assembly therewith is provided. The carrier module includes a pair of carrier members, each extending lengthwise between opposite first and second ends. The carrier members are operably coupled to one another via at least one cable, wherein at least one of the carrier members is formed of plastic material and includes at least one of, a plurality of weight reduction through openings bounded by strength and rigidity enhancing walls, at least one non-planar side having weight reduction, strength and rigidity enhancing undulations, and a plurality of strength and rigidity enhancing ribs bounding weight reduction recessed pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Milos Pavlovic, Vesna Pavlovic
  • Patent number: 11124051
    Abstract: A carrier module for a motor vehicle door assembly having inner and outer panels defining a door panel structure with the inner panel having an opening for selective access to an internal door cavity between the inner and outer panels is provided. The carrier including an outer periphery configured for attachment to the inner panel to substantially close off the opening, and at least one reinforcement member fixed to the carrier, the at least one reinforcement member being formed of a material having a resistance to loading that is greater than a resistance to loading of a material of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Philip Grella
  • Patent number: 11072950
    Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system includes a power release mechanism and an inside handle release mechanism mechanically connected to an inside door handle. The power release mechanism is used to shift the inside handle release mechanism from a normally Disengaged operating state to an Engaged operating state. In the Disengaged state, the inside handle release mechanism is uncoupled from the latch release chain of components to prevent latch release via actuation of the inside door handle. In the Engaged state, the inside handle release mechanism is coupled for the latch release chain of components to permit latch release via actuation of the inside door handle. The power release mechanism only shifts the inside release mechanism from its Disengaged state into its Engaged state in the event of an emergency condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Marco Taurasi
  • Patent number: 11066854
    Abstract: A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate by a pair of linkages, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle, the pair of linkages including a pair of arms and a pair of meshed gears coupled to one another; and an actuation mechanism for mounting on at least one of the support plate or the body for extending the pair of linkages in order to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from a home position to an extended position; wherein the mounting plate is moved from the home position to the extended position during operation of the actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Csaba Szente, John Distefano, Ioan Dorin Ilea
  • Patent number: 11067667
    Abstract: A radar detection system for activation of a powered closure member of a vehicle and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a radar sensor assembly having a radar transmit antenna for transmitting radar waves and a radar receive antenna for receiving the radar waves after reflection from an object in a detection zone. The radar sensor assembly outputs a sensor signal corresponding to the motion of the object in the detection zone. An electronic control unit is coupled to the radar sensor assembly and includes a data acquisition module to receive the sensor signal and a plurality of analysis modules to analyze the sensor signal to detect extracted features and determine whether extracted features are within predetermined thresholds representing a valid activation gesture. The electronic control unit initiates movement of the closure member in response to the extracted features being within the predetermined thresholds representing the valid activation gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Wassim Rafrafi, Samuel R. Baruco
  • Patent number: 11054514
    Abstract: A detection module for a closure panel of a motor vehicle and method for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent a closure panel of a vehicle to facilitate operation of the closure panel is provided. The detection module includes a housing and a radar emitting sensor disposed in the housing. The radar emitting sensor is configured to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent the closure panel and to output data corresponding to at least one of an object and motion. A radar shield portion is operably attached to the housing. The radar shield portion is configured to shape a radar beam and form a patterned detection zone emitted from the radar emitting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: J. R. Scott Mitchell, Gabriele Wayne Sabatini, Jeffrey Richard F. Domenchini, Kurt Matthew Schatz
  • Patent number: 11044821
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for enclosing an electronic controller. The enclosure assembly comprises a housing having a plurality of cavities formed therein for receiving electrical components of the electrical controller. The enclosure assembly further includes an over-molded part formed from an elastic material that lines at least a portion of each cavity. The over-molded part reduces the effect of deceleration forces on the electrical component that is received in the cavity thereby protecting it from damage. The over-molded part includes a retention feature that locates the over-molded part within the cavity and secures it to the enclosure assembly. An interference fit is provided between the over-molded part and the electrical component received in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Marco Taurasi
  • Patent number: 11035157
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a closure latch for a vehicle door, and more particularly to a closure latch for a vehicle door equipped with a passive entry feature. To this end, the present disclosure relates to the use of a bidirectional power release mechanism operable in a first mode to release a latch mechanism under normal operating conditions and which is operable in a second mode to release the latch mechanism under emergency operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Francesco Cumbo
  • Patent number: 11008797
    Abstract: A power door actuation system for a vehicle door includes a power-operated presenter actuator mounted to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door. The power-operated presenter actuator includes a motor and an extensible member being translatable between a retracted position and an extended position along a first axis in response to selective actuation of the motor. The motor has a motor shaft that extends along a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis along which the extensible member translates. Powered movement of the extensible member between its retracted and extended positions results in corresponding movement of the vehicle door between closed and presented positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Fabio Termine, Francesco Cumbo
  • Patent number: 11008780
    Abstract: A power door presenter system for pivoting a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body between a closed position and a partially open deployed position includes a presenter assembly mounted to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door with an auxiliary striker fixed to the other one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door. The presenter assembly has an extensible member configured for movement between retracted and extended positions corresponding to the closed and deployed positions and an auxiliary latch mechanism moveable between latched engagement with the auxiliary striker when the vehicle door is indicated as not being under manual control of a user to allow automated return of the vehicle door to the closed position and unlatched engagement from the auxiliary striker when the vehicle door is indicated as being under manual control of the user to allow the door to be moved to a fully opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Lance Oxley, Kristopher B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 11001128
    Abstract: A vehicle panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a structural door panel body having an inner door panel and an outer door panel defining an internal cavity. A carrier module is secured to the structural door panel body. The carrier module has a carrier having an outer periphery for attachment to the inner door panel to substantially close off an opening therein to separate a wet side of the door panel body from a dry side of the door panel body and having a recessed pocket configured for receipt of a rear side of a speaker therein to maintain the speaker on the dry side of the door panel body. At least one of a barrier and shroud is coupled to the carrier. The barrier forms an air pocket with the carrier on a side of the carrier facing the wet side of the structural door panel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Raymond Edward Fortin
  • Patent number: 10953731
    Abstract: A door assembly for a motor vehicle comprised of an outer door panel and an inner door panel interconnected to define a door panel structure having an internal door cavity. A collapsible carrier module is configured to be oriented in a collapsed arrangement to facilitate installation into the door cavity through an opening in the inner door panel. The collapsible carrier module can be moved from its collapsed arrangement into an expanded arrangement upon installation within the door cavity to facilitate subsequent mounting to the door panel structure. The collapsible carrier module includes a barrier configured to close off the opening in the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Edward Fortin, Eric V. Kalliomaki, Amandeep Kalra
  • Patent number: 10941592
    Abstract: A latch for a vehicle hood and method of construction thereof is provided. The latch includes a housing; a ratchet pivotally mounted on the housing and a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing for pivoting between a first position in locked engagement with the ratchet and a second position out of locked engagement with the ratchet, with the pawl being biased into the first position. A pawl lever is pivotally mounted on the housing to engage the pawl and rotate the pawl from the first position to the second position. A double pull lever having an abutment surface is pivotally mounted on the pawl lever. A safety catch member is pivotally mounted on the housing, wherein the safety catch member selectively engages the abutment surface of the double pull lever to pivot the safety catch member from a locked first position to an unlocked second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Marco Taurasi
  • Patent number: 10934764
    Abstract: A radar detection system for activation of a powered closure member of a vehicle and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a radar sensor assembly having a radar transmit antenna for transmitting radar waves and a radar receive antenna for receiving the radar waves after reflection from an object in a detection zone. The radar sensor assembly outputs a sensor signal corresponding to the motion of the object in the detection zone. An electronic control unit is coupled to the radar sensor assembly and includes a data acquisition module to receive the sensor signal and a plurality of analysis modules to analyze the sensor signal to detect extracted features and determine whether extracted features are within predetermined thresholds representing a valid activation gesture. The electronic control unit initiates movement of the closure member in response to the extracted features being within the predetermined thresholds representing the valid activation gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Wassim Rafrafi, Samuel R. Baruco
  • Patent number: 10927585
    Abstract: A system for waking an electronic control unit upon movement of a controlled member, such as a vehicle lift gate or window, and protecting the electronic control unit from motor back EMF are provided. The system includes a power drive unit coupled to the controlled member and to the electronic control unit for moving the controlled member. A comparator subsystem is coupled to the power drive unit and is configured to compare an electrical output of the power drive unit generated due to motor back electromotive force in response to a manual movement of the controlled member to an electrical reference to determine whether to wake the electronic control unit. The system detects manual movement of the controlled member, e.g. from unauthorized entry, and causes an alarm and/or for the motor to brake or to drive to counteract the manual movement of the controlled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Thomas McGettrick, Xu Yang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10913397
    Abstract: An automated retractable step system has at least one linkage subassembly for attachment to a vehicle frame. A step is attached to the linkage subassembly and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled with the linkage subassembly for moving the step between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor subassembly includes a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed adjacent to the sensing electrode and a driven shield electrode extending generally parallel to and in a spaced relationship with the sensing electrode and the reference electrode. A controller is electrically connected to the sensing electrode and to the reference electrode and to the driven shield electrode. The controller is also electrically connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator to move the step between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to the signal from the sensor subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Mirko Pribisic
  • Patent number: 10914110
    Abstract: A detection system and method of operating the detection system are provided. The system includes a power supply unit and at least one sensor for sensing at least one of an object and a motion. A communication unit is electrically coupled to the power supply unit for communicating with a plurality of vehicle system controllers. A microprocessor is operable in a plurality of modes and electrically coupled to the power supply unit and the at least one sensor and the communication unit. The microprocessor is configured to determine which of the plurality of modes should be active based on communication with the vehicle system controllers and to receive and process the data from the at least one sensor. The microprocessor is also configured to initiate movement of the closure panel in response to processing the data corresponding to the at least one of the object and the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: J. R. Scott Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10907794
    Abstract: A motor vehicle light assembly includes a housing; a light source disposed in the housing, and a light-transmissive lens operably attached to the housing. A heater member is disposed between the housing and the light-transmissive lens. The heater member is configured to radiate heat emitted from the light source, with the heater member being routed to direct the radiated heat onto the light-transmissive lens to regulate the temperature of the light-transmissive lens to inhibit fogging, frosting and icing of the light-transmissive lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Traian Miu, Gabriele Wayne Sabatini, Kurt Matthew Schatz
  • Patent number: 10890018
    Abstract: A hood latch system for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle hood latch assembly configured in operable communication with a gearshift member. The vehicle hood latch assembly is prevented from unintended release of a vehicle hood striker, fixed to a hood of the motor vehicle, from a ratchet of the latch assembly when the gearshift member is shifted into a non-parked mode. When the gear shift member is selectively actuated in a park mode, the vehicle hood latch assembly is actuated to release the striker from the ratchet, thereby allowing the hood to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: John Distefano, Csaba Szente
  • Patent number: 10865586
    Abstract: A door, a door module therefor, and a method of constructing a door for a motor vehicle is provided. The door module includes a carrier; an electrical latch secured to the carrier, and a latch control system. The latch control system has an inside micro-switch operably connected to the electrical latch via an inner electrical connector, and an outside micro-switch operably connected to the electrical latch via an outer electrical connector. Electrical communication between the electrical latch and latch control system, initiated via selective actuation of the inside and outside micro-switches, provides full normal operation of a vehicle door without need for mechanical linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Mario Magazzini