Abstract: A power door actuation system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a housing mounted to the door and an actuator mounted within the housing that includes an electric motor configured to output a motor force. The actuator also includes a geartrain with a geartrain input coupled to an output of the electric motor for receiving the motor force and a geartrain output for applying an output force to the door. An extendible member is configured for extension and retraction in response to actuation by the geartrain output for moving the door. The system determines the output force to compensate for external forces affecting the motion of the door, adjusts the output force determined to an adjusted output force to compensate for internal forces affecting the operation of the actuator, and controls the electric motor to move the door at the adjusted output force.

Abstract: A system for opening or closing a closure member of a vehicle and an accelerometer calibration method are provided. The system includes an actuator assembly with an electric motor operably coupled to an extensible member for opening or closing the closure member. The system also includes an accelerometer configured to sense movement of the closure member and output an accelerometer signal. An actuator controller is coupled to electric motor and to the accelerometer and is configured to determine an adjusted accelerometer signal as the accelerometer signal adjusted using one of a plurality of predetermined compensation factors determined through an accelerometer calibration process temporally before installation of the accelerometer in the vehicle. The actuator controller then controls the opening or closing of the closure member using the electric motor based on the movement of the closure member as represented by the adjusted accelerometer signal.

Abstract: An actuator assembly of an actuation system for a closure member of a vehicle is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing including a sensor housing. The actuator assembly also includes an electric motor disposed in the actuator housing and configured to rotate a driven shaft operably coupled to an extensible member that is coupled to one of a body or the closure member for opening or closing the closure member. The actuator assembly also includes an actuator controller disposed in the sensor housing of the actuator housing and coupled to electric motor and an accelerometer configured to sense movement of the closure member. The actuator controller is configured to detect the movement of the closure member using the accelerometer. The actuator controller then controls the opening or closing of the closure member based on the movement of the closure member using the electric motor.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.

Abstract: A non-contact obstacle and gesture detection system and method are disclosed. The system includes first and second electronic control units in communication with one another and obstacle and gesture sensors coupled to the first electronic control unit. First and second power actuators are coupled to the first and second electronic control units for moving first and second closure members, respectively. The first electronic control unit detects the obstacle or gesture using the obstacle and gesture sensors, communicates the detection of the obstacle or gesture to the second electronic control unit, and controls movement of the first closure member using the first power actuator. The second electronic control unit is configured to request the detection of the obstacle or gesture adjacent the motor vehicle from the first electronic control unit and control movement of the second closure member using the second power actuator accordingly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly of an actuation system for a closure member of a vehicle is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing including a sensor housing. The actuator assembly also includes an electric motor disposed in the actuator housing and configured to rotate a driven shaft operably coupled to an extensible member that is coupled to one of a body or the closure member for opening or closing the closure member. The actuator assembly also includes an actuator controller disposed in the sensor housing of the actuator housing and coupled to electric motor and an accelerometer configured to sense movement of the closure member. The actuator controller is configured to detect the movement of the closure member using the accelerometer. The actuator controller then controls the opening or closing of the closure member based on the movement of the closure member using the electric motor.

Abstract: A system for detecting an obstacle between a closure panel and a body of a vehicle, comprising: an actuator for moving the closure panel from a partially closed position to a closed position; a sensor for sensing a position of the closure panel between the partially closed and the closed position; and a controller for receiving position signals from the sensor and for controlling operation of the actuator; wherein the controller is adapted to inhibit moving of the closure panel when the sensor detects an improper change in the position of the closure panel during operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A power drive mechanism includes an electric motor configured to rotate a drive member, a housing having an inner wall bounding a cavity, and an extensible actuation member linearly moveable in a first direction to move a vehicle swing door in an opening direction and in a second direction to move the vehicle swing door in a closing direction. A clutch/brake assembly is disposed in the cavity of the housing. The clutch/brake assembly operably connects the drive member with the extensible actuation member. The clutch/brake assembly is moveable from a disengaged state, whereat the extensible actuation member is inhibited from moving relative to the housing, to an engaged state, whereat the extensible actuation member moves relative to the housing. The clutch/brake assembly moves mechanically from the engaged state to the disengaged state in response to the electric motor changing from the energized state to the de-energized state.

Abstract: A non-contact obstacle and gesture detection system and method are disclosed. The system includes first and second electronic control units in communication with one another and obstacle and gesture sensors coupled to the first electronic control unit. First and second power actuators are coupled to the first and second electronic control units for moving first and second closure members, respectively. The first electronic control unit detects the obstacle or gesture using the obstacle and gesture sensors, communicates the detection of the obstacle or gesture to the second electronic control unit, and controls movement of the first closure member using the first power actuator. The second electronic control unit is configured to request the detection of the obstacle or gesture adjacent the motor vehicle from the first electronic control unit and control movement of the second closure member using the second power actuator accordingly.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.

Abstract: In an aspect, an enclosure member for a circuit board includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls that define an interior. The first and second walls face each other. The third and fourth walls face each other. The fifth wall faces an opening. The first and second support members face the second wall. The second support member is spaced longitudinally from the first support member. The first and second walls are spaced apart by a distance that increases towards the opening. Any surfaces in the interior that at least partially face the second wall have a distance from the second wall that does not decrease towards the opening. The interior is free of surfaces that face the fifth wall and are perpendicular to the second wall thereby preventing die lock during molding, while providing the enclosure member with first and second support members that are spaced longitudinally.

Abstract: A latch assembly is provided and has a latch housing containing latch components and is integrally coupled to an electronic control assembly having control electronics for controlling the latch components and sensors and switches external to the latch housing. The control housing includes an exterior wall defining an interior cavity for mounting the control electronics. The control housing provides a mechanical connector with an external connector including a set of double sided connectors for coupling an electrical connector to the control electronics. The double sided connectors have a first portion projecting away from the exterior wall and outside of the interior cavity and associated with the mechanical connector for connecting with an electrical system of the vehicle and a second portion projecting away from the exterior wall and into the interior cavity to connect to the control electronics.

Abstract: A switching system is disclosed and includes a first device including a dormant local supply and a ground source and a first device connector having a plurality of first device terminals. The first device includes a switching unit for selectively coupling a first device power terminal to the dormant local supply in an on mode and for decoupling the first device power terminal and the dormant local supply in an off mode. A cable subassembly includes a shield and a first cable connector including a plurality of first cable connector terminals for connection to the first device terminals. The shield is connected to a first cable ground terminal for interconnecting the first device power terminal to the dormant local supply in response to the first cable connector engaging the first device connector and forming a conductive path through the shield to the ground source and activating the switching unit.

Abstract: A modular latch for an automotive vehicle is provided. It includes a latch core (a housing and a ratchet and pawl rotatably mounted to the housing), a mounting plate that secures the latch core to the vehicle. The latch cure can use any of a plurality of different mounting plates for a lift gate latch, a decklid latch, and a sliding door latch; A latch module is mounted to the latch core to provide different functional including a manual release latch module, a power release latch module, a power lock and unlock latch module, and a power cinching and release latch module. The latch cure may fit a more or less universal envelope. The latch may employ one or more status sensors. Those status sensors may sense striker position, and may not necessarily include any sensors mounted to monitor ratchet position. The latch may include a layered latch core in which one or more sensor members move in different planes from the pawl and ratchet.

Abstract: A latch assembly is provided and has a latch housing containing latch components and is integrally coupled to an electronic control assembly having control electronics for controlling the latch components and sensors and switches external to the latch housing. The control housing includes an exterior wall defining an interior cavity for mounting the control electronics. The control housing provides a mechanical connector with an external connector including a set of double sided connectors for coupling an electrical connector to the control electronics. The double sided connectors have a first portion projecting away from the exterior wall and outside of the interior cavity and associated with the mechanical connector for connecting with an electrical system of the vehicle and a second portion projecting away from the exterior wall and into the interior cavity to connect to the control electronics.

Abstract: In an aspect, an enclosure member for a circuit board includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls that define an interior. The first and second walls face each other. The third and fourth walls face each other. The fifth wall faces an opening. The first and second support members face the second wall. The second support member is spaced longitudinally from the first support member. The first and second walls are spaced apart by a distance that increases towards the opening. Any surfaces in the interior that at least partially face the second wall have a distance from the second wall that does not decrease towards the opening. The interior is free of surfaces that face the fifth wall and are perpendicular to the second wall thereby preventing die lock during molding, while providing the enclosure member with first and second support members that are spaced longitudinally.

Abstract: A modular latch for an automotive vehicle is provided. It includes a latch core (a housing and a ratchet and pawl rotatably mounted to the housing), a mounting plate that secures the latch core to the vehicle. The latch cure can use any of a plurality of different mounting plates for a lift gate latch, a decklid latch, and a sliding door latch; A latch module is mounted to the latch core to provide different functional including a manual release latch module, a power release latch module, a power lock and unlock latch module, and a power cinching and release latch module. The latch cure may fit a more or less universal envelope. The latch may employ one or more status sensors. Those status sensors may sense striker position, and may not necessarily include any sensors mounted to monitor ratchet position. The latch may include a layered latch core in which one or more sensor members move in different planes from the pawl and ratchet.

Abstract: A door latch assembly of a motor vehicle is provided for selectively engaging a striker between latched and unlatched positions. The door latch assembly includes a ratchet for receiving and engaging the striker. The door latch assembly also includes a pawl movable between a locked position, in which the pawl abuts the ratchet into engagement with the striker, and an unlocked position, in which the pawl and the ratchet are spaced apart from one another so that the ratchet releases the striker. In addition, the door latch assembly includes an electromagnet disposed adjacent the pawl for generating a magnetic field to alter the force required to move the pawl out of the unlocked position and into the locked position.

Abstract: A method as disclosed for operating a motor bidirectionally to cinch and release a closure panel of a motor vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to a pawl, ratchet and spring of a latch for the closure panel. The method includes the step of driving the motor in a cinching direction to rotate the ratchet to cinch the closure panel in the closed position. The motor is then returned to a park position by driving the motor in a park direction opposite to the cinching direction. Power is applied to the motor to drive the motor in a release direction to drive the motor past the park position with respect to the cinching direction. In doing so, the motor contracts the spring as it moves in the release direction. Power is then removed from the motor allowing the spring to force the motor to return to the park position as the spring returns to its steady state position.

Abstract: A latch assembly (100) releases a closure structure (12) of a motor vehicle (10). The latch assembly includes a latch housing (37). A latch (28) for releasing the closure structure (12), allowing the closure structure to move toward an open position, is housed within the latch housing. A voltage regulator (46) is electrically connected to the latch (28) and provides power to the latch (28). Also, the latch assembly includes a microprocessor (44) that is electrically connected to the voltage regulator (46) to receive the power supplied by the voltage regulator, wherein the microprocessor (44) and the voltage regulator (46) are housed within the latch housing (37).