Abstract: An active aerodynamic assembly that includes a lift gate having a cavity formed between two panels. An aperture of formed on the outer panel providing access to the cavity. A frame connected to the lift gate within the cavity. A spoiler slidably connected to the frame and moveable along the deployment axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. At least one coupler link connected between the spoiler and the frame that is driven by the actuator along one of the plurality of tracks on the frame. There is also a moveable D pillar contained with the cavity that moves between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position such that a winglet of the moveable D pillar extends outside of the cavity past the outside surface of the lift gate.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler used on a liftgate of a vehicle. The liftgate has an upper surface and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator, which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: An active rear diffuser for a rear portion of a vehicle. The rear diffuser assembly is formed from a set of components that are uniform across all vehicle platforms, with some of the components being scalable and allowing them to be adjusted to an appropriate length without any retooling.

Abstract: An active front wheel deflector assembly (10) including a deflector panel (20) moveable between a stowed position and at least one deployed position wherein the deployment of the deflector panel (20) moves the deflector panel (20) into an airflow to direct air and improves aerodynamics. The active front wheel deflector assembly (10) combines linear actuation with rotational motion.

Abstract: A non-backdrivable clutched module for a bi-directional actuator such as actuators used for active aerodynamics on vehicles. The module has both a stopper mode and a clutch mode. During the stopper mode a back-driving force gets diverted away from the actuator using a locking bearing member. If the force is too great a clutch mode will disengage the back-driving force completely from the shaft connected to the actuator, thereby preventing damage to the actuator.

Abstract: A method of in tool formation and assembly of an active grille shutter system, followed by an automated testing process. The method includes providing a tool having a plurality of sliders that assist in the formation and assembly of the active grille shutter system. The components of the active grille shutter system are individually formed in a single tool, with each of the components being spaced apart from each other. After formation of the components a number of sliders and an end of arm tool push the components together to form the assembled active grille shutter system. The end of arm tool then takes the assembled active grille shutter system to a testing station where the operation is checked.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler used on a liftgate of a vehicle. The liftgate has an upper surface and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator, which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly for a vehicle capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position or any position there between. The active front deflector assembly has a cross member for attaching to an underbody of a vehicle. The frame member also includes a plurality of slip joint connections for connecting to the underbody of the vehicle. The cross member is a fixed link of an actuator link assembly that has an actuator, drive link, floating link and a blade.

Abstract: A kinematic linkage assembly for an active grille shutter system having a frame connectable to a vehicle and forming an aperture. A kinematic linkage assembly with a plurality of vanes each moveable between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. The rotation force from an actuator is transmitted across the first vane of the plurality of vanes to the first link at the first connection.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler (10;100;200;300;400) used on a liftgate (8) of a vehicle (6). The liftgate has an upper surface (4) and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing (11;104;202;302;412) is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel (12; 102;204, 208; 306, 308;402,403) connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage (20,20?; 106, 106?;210,210?; 311,311?;411, 411?) that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator (14;110;212;314;414), which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: A modular active grille shutter system that includes a frame connected to an automobile at a location forward of an engine or energy source such as a battery pack. The frame is formed from assembling several different sized components to create a cooling aperture. The modular active grille shutter system also includes an actuator pocket in the frame, the actuator pocket has an aperture and a surface that forms side walls of a pocket and the surface also includes a vane connection side. There is a plurality of alternate actuator output axes located within the actuator pocket, which depending on the actuator design they represent different possible locations for alignment of the actuator with the three vanes.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.

Abstract: An active aero panel assembly including at least one deployable panel, at least one drive mechanism, and at least one actuator. The active aero panel assembly improves aerodynamics.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic assembly that includes a lift gate having a cavity formed between two panels. An aperture of formed on the outer panel providing access to the cavity. A frame connected to the lift gate within the cavity. A spoiler slidably connected to the frame and moveable along the deployment axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. At least one coupler link connected between the spoiler and the frame that is driven by the actuator along one of the plurality of tracks on the frame. There is also a moveable D pillar contained with the cavity that moves between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position such that a winglet of the moveable D pillar extends outside of the cavity past the outside surface of the lift gate.

Abstract: A non-backdrivable clutched module for a bi-directional actuator such as actuators used for active aerodynamics on vehicles. The module has both a stopper mode and a clutch mode. During the stopper mode a back-driving force gets diverted away from the actuator using a locking bearing member. If the force is too great a clutch mode will disengage the back-driving force completely from the shaft connected to the actuator, thereby preventing damage to the actuator.

Abstract: An active aero panel assembly including at least one deployable panel, at least one drive mechanism, and at least one actuator. The active aero panel assembly improves aerodynamics.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler (10;100;200;300;400) used on a liftgate (8) of a vehicle (6). The liftgate has an upper surface (4) and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing (11;104;202;302;412) is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel (12; 102;204, 208; 306, 308;402,403) connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage (20,20?; 106, 106?;210,210?; 311,311?;411, 411?) that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator (14;110;212;314;414), which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.