Abstract: A plurality of motors for use in driving accessories on a vehicle, are each powered by three-phase current. A single controller controls the supply three-phase current to the plurality of motors. In another aspect of the invention, pseudothree-phase current is created from a direct current voltage source. A chopping circuit chops the voltage into a plurality of pulses, and a phase shift circuit then creates phase-shifted power signals from those pulses. The present invention thus enables the use of three-phase alternating current motors on a vehicle to drive accessories. This reduces the cost and size of the required motors.

Abstract: An AC motor is utilized to drive a closure on a vehicle. The use of the AC motor provides valuable benefits with regard to cost and size. Further, a three-phase AC motor may be utilized, and the pulses in its power supply monitored to determine an obstruction in the path of the closure. Frequency control may also be utilized to provide optimum control of the drive of the component at both start-up and stop.

Abstract: A control utilizes a unique linear motor for a vehicle closure system that has a plurality of rungs crossing between side pieces. The rungs are made to provide an individual signal to a sensor such that the sensor can identify the location of the closure as it passes the rungs. In one example the distance between adjacent rungs is varied such that each of the distances are unique. In this way, the control can identify the actual location of the closure by identifying the particular signal. In other embodiments the rungs are made to each be individual in some fashion. As an example, the size of each rung can be varied.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism is provided that includes a mounting member and one or more guides which may be integrally formed with the mounting member. The guide includes a cross-sectional shape and defines a path along which the window panel moves. A glass bar assembly is supported on the guide and is movable relative thereto along the path. The glass bar assembly includes a glass bar that supports the glass panel and a drive block that moves relative to the glass bar in a direction transverse to the guide path. A drive mechanism, which preferably includes a worm gear and a drive motor, is supported on the mounting member. The drive motor and the worm gear are supported by a support and a bracket, which are integrally formed with the mounting member. The worm gear is received within a threaded aperture in the drive block. The drive motor rotatingly drives the worm gear to move the glass bar assembly along the path defined by the guides.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism is provided that includes a mounting member and one or more guides which may be integrally formed with the mounting member. The guide includes a cross-sectional shape and defines a path along which the window panel moves. A glass bar assembly is supported on the guide and is movable relative thereto along the path. The glass bar assembly includes a glass bar that supports the glass panel and a drive block that moves relative to the glass bar in a direction transverse to the guide path. A drive mechanism, which preferably includes a worm gear and a drive motor, is supported on the mounting member. The drive motor and the worm gear are supported by a support and a bracket, which are integrally formed with the mounting member. The worm gear is received within a threaded aperture in the drive block. The drive motor rotatingly drives the worm gear to move the glass bar assembly along the path defined by the guides.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism including a rail, cursor and motor for moving a window. The rail provides a guide for the path of the window, when it is attached to the cursor, and houses a stator circuit associated with the motor. The motor also includes a moving element with suitable magnetic elements for generating a magnetic field perpendicular to the stator circuit. When the stator is engaged the magnetic field is cut thereby generating a directional force.

Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly includes a stationary panel and at least one moveable panel. The stationary panel includes at least one cut away recess adjacent an access passage to a vehicle, such as above a moveable door. The moveable roof panel preferably is normally received within the recess to form a completed roof panel. The moveable panel preferably is automatically retracted responsive to movement of the door handle to provide a larger access passage into the vehicle. Moveable panels may be provided on the driver and passenger side of the vehicle, for example.

Abstract: A reconfigurable intermediate panel provides the capability of reconfiguring the interior space of a vehicle. A first panel portion is moveable in the vehicle between various locations. A second panel portion is supported for movement with the first panel portion and for movement relative to the first panel portion. By selectively extending the second panel portion relative to the first panel portion, the vehicle interior space may be selectively divided and provides isolated vehicle compartments.

Abstract: A cargo supporting device supports cargo within a vehicle compartment in more than one position. The cargo supporting device includes at least one moveable panel having a cargo supporting surface. The moveable panel moves from a first position that is relatively distant from a cargo access point to a second position that is closer to the cargo access point. The moveable panel effectively brings one or more cargo items closer to an individual to make them more readily accessible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable intermediate panel (RIP) arranged between the cab and the cargo bed of a vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle body structure that separates the cab and the cargo bed. The RIP is arranged within an opening in the vehicle body structure for providing access to the cab from the cargo bed. The RIP includes a door structure having first and second opposing portions adjacent to opposing sides of the opening when the RIP is in a closed position. A plurality of cable spans the first and second portions for strengthening the door structure and barring the entry of cargo from the cargo bed into the cab when the structure is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the cables extend from opposing portions of a door frame. In another embodiment, the cables are embedded in a plastic panel, which is secured to a door frame. Accordingly, the above invention provides an RIP that provides an improved structural barrier between the cargo bed and the cab from heavy cargo.

Abstract: This motorized reduction gear includes a toothed wheel (1) for driving an output member mounted on its hub (4), and one or more damping springs (6) interposed between the wheel (1) and the output member; the damping spring(s) (6) is(are) flat and metal and formed of two flexible branches (7) which are symmetrical with one another with respect to a median plane; each branch includes a convolution, a first section (8) of which extends around the hub (4), is extended by a fold (11), and a second section (9) terminated by a radial segment (12), a flat (13) for bearing on a rib (17) of the wheel (1), and a claw (14) for holding the spring in the wheel (1), around the hub (4). When the window pane comes to rest in abutment at the end of its path, one of the branches (7) is compressed and moves closer to the other, damping out the halting in the rotation of the toothed wheel (1). This(these) spring(s) has(have) a small overall size and high operational stability.

Abstract: This device comprises mechanical link including a pawl (25) establishing a rigid drive link between a driving input member (2) and an output member (22), interacting with a prestressed element (31) which tends to hold the pawl in connection with the driving input member or with the driven output member, for so long as the force transmitted by the pawl remains below a predetermined value; this system automatically interrupts the kinematic drive chain of the movable member in the case of a force exceeding a predetermined value. This arrangement makes the device practically insensitive to friction and eliminates the uncertainty on the threshold of the triggering force.

Abstract: This electrical switch (1) consists of a flat spring, profiled in order to provide both a contact function and a spring function; the flat spring (1) includes a first leg (2) which can be deformed by bearing on a fixed pivot pin (3) of a support (4), and a second leg (5), which can move at the same time as the first leg deforms and whose end (5a) can assume either of two positions for contacting pins (14,15) of an electrical circuit. The switch according to the invention is less bulky than the usual switches by virtue of its flat shape, less expensive to manufacture, because it only consists of a single component, and easy to install on its support.

Abstract: This safety device for electric window lifters of the Bowden cable (3) type comprises electromechanical means for detecting and measuring the force exerted on the cable (3); a compression spring (11), housed in a sheath (9) coaxial to the cable (3) bears, on the one hand, on a stationary support (8) and, on the other hand, on a tubular component (12) mounted so as to slide inside the sheath (9) and carrying a tab (13) which interacts with an electric switch (14) forming part of an electric circuit for controlling the motor capable of automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the motor when the force (F) exerted on the window and the cable (3) gives rise to a movement of the tubular component (12), which opens the switch (14). This electromechanical safety device is of simple and inexpensive construction.

Abstract: A safety device for electric glass-winders of the cable type employs a guide rail movably mounted on the door panel of a vehicle so as to be capable of being driven downwardly in vertical translation by the cable upon encountering a force opposing travel of the glass which exceeds a predetermined value. The rail is maintained in its normal position by, for example, a magnet which attracts a tab of ferromagnetic material fixed to the rail. A switch forming part of the electrical supply circuit for the winder motor cooperates with the rail and reverses the direction of rotation of the motor when the rail is displaced from its normal position to a lower position. The electromechanical safety device is inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

Abstract: In a window lifter of the cable type, comprising a motor for driving the cable bearing a slide (6) linked to a second slide (7) supporting the window, the two slides (6, 7) may be coupled via an elastic tension element (16) and one (6) of the slides is fitted with an electrical switch (17), associated with the second slide (7) so as to change state when the load on the slide (7) carrying the window (8) exceeds a predetermined value and when the elastic element (16) undergoes an extension corresponding to the separation between the slides; the switch (17) forms part of an electrical supply circuit for the motor, capable of reversing its direction of rotation when this switch (17) changes state, so as to free the movable member from an obstacle in its path. This electromechanical safety device has a simple structure and a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A warp yarn tensioning device for a loom, in which the warp yarns are wound about a compensator roller through an arc of approximately 180.degree.. The roller is movable against the action of counteracting springs either by rotation or by translation in the direction of the thus wound substantially parallel warp yarns and is supported about an axis by bearings. The device operates in feeding the shed with yarns from the warp beam and in maintaining a constant yarn tension during loom operation. This is accomplished by supporting the compensator roll to undergo only a small amount of swing or translational movement in order to follow the warp yarn tension variations.