Abstract: Top side view windows are canted between a vehicle cabin roof and sides along a length of the vehicle, truncating a corner between the roof and sides. The top side view windows may open outwardly from an interior of the cabin, and may open outwardly and upwardly similar to a safari windshield. Hinges and a latch allow movement of the top side view windows, with the latch securing the respective window in an open or closed position. The latch may include a strap with a flexible end wrapping around interior trim, optionally with a magnet at the tip to hold the flexible end in position when wrapped. A rigid portion of the strap holds the window when in the open position, and may include openings receiving protrusions from the interior trim or teeth engaging with a tip of a rachet cam.

Abstract: An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mirror base configured to attach one or more accessories to the mirror base at an attachment point. The mirror base is attachable to a vehicle door. The vehicle mirror assembly also includes a powerfold assembly. The powerfold assembly includes a motor configured to move the mirror base, a motor assembly shield, a powerfold motor frame surrounding the motor, and a detent mechanism located between the powerfold assembly and the mirror base. The powerfold assembly is located in the vehicle door and is configured to allow movement of the mirror base when the mirror base experiences impact. Methods of manufacturing and operating the mirror assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A belt molding and sensor combination for a door of a vehicle may include at least one sensor and a belt molding. The at least one sensor may be configured to emit signals upon the detection of an action intended to cause a door to open or close, and the at least one sensor may present a sensor outer surface. The belt molding may be configured to extend along at least a portion of a length of a door, and include a cap which presents an outer surface. The belt molding may be configured to be mounted on a door. The sensor outer surface may provide an extension of a cap outer surface, such that the sensor outer surface and the cap outer surface combine to provide an uninterrupted outer surface where the sensor outer surface and the cap outer surface abut against one another.

Abstract: Top side view windows are canted between a vehicle cabin roof and sides along a length of the vehicle, truncating a corner between the roof and sides. The top side view windows may open outwardly from an interior of the cabin, and may open outwardly and upwardly similar to a safari windshield. Hinges and a latch allow movement of the top side view windows, with the latch securing the respective window in an open or closed position. The latch may include a strap with a flexible end wrapping around interior trim, optionally with a magnet at the tip to hold the flexible end in position when wrapped. A rigid portion of the strap holds the window when in the open position, and may include openings receiving protrusions from the interior trim or teeth engaging with a tip of a rachet cam.

Abstract: A method for opening and closing a door of a vehicle may include receiving a signal indicative of either opening or closing the vehicle door, determining whether the opening or closing will be performed by an operator or via a powered actuator based on the signal, and generating, if the opening or closing will be performed by the powered actuator, a first control signal indicative of a first position to which the door is to be moved. The method may further include controlling the powered actuator to cause the door to move from an original position to the first position.

Abstract: A system for closing a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes: at least one sensor configured to detect a velocity and a position of the door; a brake configured to decrease the velocity of the door; an actuator configured to move the door to a closed position; and a controller configured to control operation of the at least one sensor, the brake, and the actuator.

Abstract: An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.

Abstract: An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.

Abstract: A vehicle including a window regulator system is disclosed. The vehicle may include a vehicle door with an outer panel and an inner panel, a window regulator rail positioned between the outer panel and the inner panel, a glass pane which moves along the window regulator rail between the base of the window regulator rail and the top of the window regulator rail, and a rod attached to the window regulator rail. A motor may be configured to move the rod, and the movement of the rod may vary the position of the window regulator rail.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mirror base configured to attach one or more accessories to the mirror base at an attachment point. The mirror base is attachable to a vehicle door. The vehicle mirror assembly also includes a powerfold assembly. The powerfold assembly includes a motor configured to move the mirror base, a motor assembly shield, a powerfold motor frame surrounding the motor, and a detent mechanism located between the powerfold assembly and the mirror base. The powerfold assembly is located in the vehicle door and is configured to allow movement of the mirror base when the mirror base experiences impact. Methods of manufacturing and operating the mirror assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for closing a door of a vehicle may include at least one sensor configured to detect a velocity and a position of the door, and a brake configured to decrease the velocity of the door. An actuator may be included to move the door to a closed position, and a controller may be included to control operation of the at least one sensor, the brake, and the actuator.

Abstract: A belt molding and sensor combination for a door of a vehicle may include at least one sensor and a belt molding. The at least one sensor may be configured to emit signals upon the detection of an action intended to cause a door to open or close, and the at least one sensor may present a sensor outer surface. The belt molding may be configured to extend along at least a portion of a length of a door, and include a cap which presents an outer surface. The belt molding may be configured to be mounted on a door. The sensor outer surface may provide an extension of a cap outer surface, such that the sensor outer surface and the cap outer surface combine to provide an uninterrupted outer surface where the sensor outer surface and the cap outer surface abut against one another.

Abstract: A method for opening and closing a door of a vehicle may include receiving a signal indicative of either opening or closing the vehicle door, determining whether the opening or closing will be performed by an operator or via a powered actuator based on the signal, and generating, if the opening or closing will be performed by the powered actuator, a first control signal indicative of a first position to which the door is to be moved. The method may further include controlling the powered actuator to cause the door to move from an original position to the first position.

Abstract: A remote access system for a vehicle may include at least one receiver configured to detect a location of a mobile device, and a controller having a processor. The processor may be configured to determine an association of the mobile device to an authorized user when the mobile device is within a first range from the vehicle, and authenticate the user when the mobile device is within a second range from the vehicle, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range. The processor may also be configured to determine a vehicle function to perform based on data associated with the mobile device or the user, and perform the vehicle function when the mobile device is within a third range from the vehicle and the user is authenticated, wherein the third range is smaller than the second range.

Abstract: A remote access system for a vehicle may include at least one receiver configured to detect a location of a mobile device, and a controller having a processor. The processor may be configured to determine an association of the mobile device to an authorised user when the mobile device is within a first range from the vehicle, and authenticate the user when the mobile device is within a second range from the vehicle, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range. The processor may also be configured to determine a vehicle function to perform based on data associated with the mobile device or the user, and perform the vehicle function when the mobile device is within a third range from the vehicle and the user is authenticated, wherein the third range is smaller than the second range.

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge system may include an actuator configured to pivot a vehicle door and a door hinge. The actuator may include a door strut. The door hinge may include a body strap, a door strap, and a strut strap having a strap end and a strut end. The strap end may be attached to the body strap, and the strut end of the strut strap and the door strut may be pivotally coupled to one another, such that the door of the vehicle is opened when the door strut is extended and closed when the door strut is retracted.

Abstract: An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge system may include an actuator configured to pivot a vehicle door and a door hinge. The actuator may include a door strut. The door hinge may include a body strap, a door strap, and a strut strap having a strap end and a strut end. The strap end may be attached to the body strap, and the strut end of the strut strap and the door strut may be pivotally coupled to one another, such that the door of the vehicle is opened when the door strut is extended and closed when the door strut is retracted.

Abstract: An authentication-based multi-stage powering scheme is disclosed. An initial authentication stage can include low-power components to sense user initialization signal and authenticate the user. When the user is authenticated the vehicle system can be initialized and one or more subsequent sensing components can be powered up and activated. When the one or more subsequent sensing components receives further user information, such as user proximity to the vehicle, subsequent parts of the vehicle system can be powered up and activated to allow user access to the vehicle.