Abstract: An assembly for deploying a device from a cavity. The assembly includes a translatable cover and a mounting surface defining an opening sized to receive the translatable cover thereover. The device is received in the cavity beneath the mounting surface and is actuatable between a first device position and a second device position. A plurality of linkages are positioned within the cavity. At least one of the plurality of linkages is coupled to a power source for actuating the plurality of linkages and at least one of the plurality of linkages is coupled to the translatable cover and to the device. Thus, when the power source actuates the plurality of linkages, the translatable cover is translated relative to the mounting surface from a first cover position to a second cover position and the device is actuated from the first device position to the second device position.

Abstract: A closure release for a closure of a vehicle has a camera attached thereto. The closure release is moveable between a primary position and a secondary position. In the primary position, the camera is in a stowed position within the closure and the closure release is in accessible for user operation. In the secondary position, the closure release is moved relative to the closure such that the camera is moved into a deployed position to provide a desired field of view.

Abstract: A mechanism whereby a camera or other sensing type device is deployed into multiple positions as a result of inputs such as relative housing position, field of view assessment, and so forth to locate the device to allow an optimized position of the camera or sensor for the desired functionality.

Abstract: Handle assemblies are disclosed in which the path of transmission of a force for releasing the latch through the handle assembly can be broken under extreme loading conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle outer door handle assembly includes a base, a latch release mechanism, and an inertial catch. The latch release mechanism includes a countermass assembly with a primary catch point and a secondary catch point, and the latch release mechanism and the counterassembly rotate between a rest position and an active position in response to movement of a door handle. The inertial catch includes a blocking shoulder and rotates from an unblocking position to a blocking position in response to inertia forces acting upon the inertial catch. When the inertial catch is in its blocking position, it prevents the countermass assembly from rotating into its active position by the blocking shoulder engaging the primary catch point or the secondary catch point.

Abstract: In a vehicle door latch, a motion restriction device is coupled to an auxiliary pawl that is connected to the pawl of a ratchet and pawl combination. The auxiliary pawl must be actuated by one or more release levers in order to actuate the pawl and release the ratchet from a striker-containing position and open the latch. Because the only criterion for selectively prohibiting movement of the auxiliary pawl is its speed, it is possible to prevent the latch from unintentionally opening in a crash situation regardless of the direction the inertial forces of the crash are applied to the latch or the release levers therein or the outside or inside handles.

Abstract: A method of color marking a metal or metal-plated part is described involving setting at least one laser parameter of a laser, such as the power, scan speed, Q-switch, spot size, line separation, and scan repetition, and then energizing a metal containing surface layer of the part using the laser to change the color reflected by the surface layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device with a camera unit, serving to take pictures of the outside of a motor vehicle, and a lid element movable via a drive between a closed position, in which the lid element covers an opening of the device and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the opening, wherein in the closed position of the lid element the camera unit is inaccessible from the outside behind the lid element and in the open position of the lid element pictures can be taken. According to the invention provision is made for the lid element to be an actuating element for the camera unit in order to move the camera unit between an idle position and an operating position.

Abstract: A vehicle outer door handle assembly includes a base, a latch release mechanism, and an inertial catch. The latch release mechanism includes a countermass assembly with a primary catch point and a secondary catch point, and the latch release mechanism and the counterassembly rotate between a rest position and an active position in response to movement of a door handle. The inertial catch includes a blocking shoulder and rotates from an unblocking position to a blocking position in response to inertia forces acting upon the inertial catch. When the inertial catch is in its blocking position, it prevents the countermass assembly from rotating into its active position by the blocking shoulder engaging the primary catch point or the secondary catch point.

Abstract: A handle assembly for preventing inadvertent opening of a motor vehicle door during a crash event. The handle assembly includes an activation mechanism coupled to an electrically-activated leg. When the activation mechanism is activated, then the electrically-activated leg is moved to an engaged position to engage an actuation pawl to prevent rotation of the actuation pawl so that, upon actuation of a handle strap, the actuation pawl engages and actuates the door latch release. However, if the activation mechanism is not activated, then the leg does not engage the pawl, and a movement of the handle strap does not actuate the door latch release as the pawl is permitted to rotate.

Abstract: A motion restriction device is provided for selectively preventing movement of a structural member. The motion restriction device includes a container abutting against the structural member. The container is at least partially filled with a velocity-dependent material that transitions between a fluid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity below a predetermined threshold to permit movement thereof and a solid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity above a predetermined threshold to block movement thereof.

Abstract: A motion restriction device is provided for selectively preventing movement of a structural member. The motion restriction device includes a container abutting against the structural member. The container is at least partially filled with a velocity-dependent material that transitions between a fluid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity below a predetermined threshold to permit movement thereof and a solid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity above a predetermined threshold to block movement thereof.

Abstract: A motion restriction device is provided for selectively preventing movement of a structural member. The motion restriction device includes a container abutting against the structural member. The container is at least partially filled with a velocity-dependent material that transitions between a fluid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity below a predetermined threshold to permit movement thereof and a solid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity above a predetermined threshold to block movement thereof.

Abstract: In a vehicle door latch, a motion restriction device is coupled to an auxiliary pawl that is connected to the pawl of a ratchet and pawl combination. The auxiliary pawl must be actuated by one or more release levers in order to actuate the pawl and release the ratchet from a striker-containing position and open the latch. Because the only criterion for selectively prohibiting movement of the auxiliary pawl is its speed, it is possible to prevent the latch from unintentionally opening in a crash situation regardless of the direction the inertial forces of the crash are applied to the latch or the release levers therein or the outside or inside handles.

Abstract: A motion restriction device is provided for selectively preventing movement of a structural member. The motion restriction device includes a container abutting against the structural member. The container is at least partially filled with a velocity-dependent material that transitions between a fluid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity below a predetermined threshold to permit movement thereof and a solid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity above a predetermined threshold to block movement thereof.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for preventing a motor vehicle door from opening when a handle portion of a handle assembly moves with acceleration above a predetermined threshold relative to a base thereof. The locking device includes a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth. The locking device also includes a spool rotatably coupled to the lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion. The spool includes a pawl rotatably mounted thereto. The locking device further includes an inertia element disposed between the lock cup and the spool. The inertia element is coupled to the pawl such that upon the acceleration above the predetermined threshold the inertia element lags rotation of the spool and forces the pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of teeth to stop movement of the handle portion relative to the base and prevent the door from opening.