Abstract: A cage assembly is provided to protect a battery pack in a vehicle. The cage assembly includes a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly that are secured together to protect the battery pack. U-shaped frames and base frames are connected together by tubular members. A method of making a cage for a battery pack of a vehicle is provided. The method may include assembling a first plurality of spaced tubes and a plurality of spaced inverted U-shaped frames to from a first sub-assembly. The method may also include assembling a second plurality of spaced tubes and a plurality of spaced frames to form a second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly may be assembled together to enclose the battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.

Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. The power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying as swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying to the controller one or more user-inputted selections for controlling door swing, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.

Abstract: A sub-frame assembly supports a pair of wheels on a vehicle. The base may be an extrusion having a matrix of panels extending in a vertical direction. The sub-frame assembly has control arm brackets disposed on opposing ends of the base and attachment towers extending above the brackets providing attachment points to connect portions of an independent suspension to the vehicle and support a pair of wheels. The base, control brackets and attachment towers may be individual modular pieces. Left and right hand control brackets and attachment towers may be provided by respective unitary support pieces attached to opposing ends of the base. The unitary support pieces may be extrusions having panels extending in a transverse direction, nonaxial to the base. The base, control arm brackets and attachment towers, alternatively, may be provided by a single unitary extrusion having a matrix of panels extending in a transverse direction.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.

Abstract: A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls the motor and a user-input device supplies the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door.

Abstract: A motor vehicle sub-frame is provided. That motor vehicle sub-frame includes a front cross member, a rear cross member and first and second side rails connected to the front and rear cross members at each side of the sub-frame. The side rails both include a first component having a first extrusion axis and a second component having a second extrusion axis. The first and second components are joined together so that the two components effectively form an at least partially closed or boxed construction providing enhanced bending and torsion resistances while minimizing component weight.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.

Abstract: A soft close mechanism that may have a cam track housing, a damper housing, and a cam follower. The cam track housing may have first and second grooves. The damper housing may rotate with respect to the cam track housing. The cam follower may be disposed in the first groove when the damper housing is rotated in a first direction and may be disposed in the second groove when the damper housing is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.

Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls a mechanical resistance applied by the motor to the door to resist door swing. The mechanical resistance applied to the door is a function of an angular position of the door.

Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.

Abstract: A bi-directional element drive system includes a motor having a drive shaft, a cable anchor and a cable connector. The cable connector is carried on the drive shaft and has two ends connected to the cable anchor. In addition the drive system includes a support and a driven element. The driven element is displaced between a first position and a second position relative to the support by the motor.

Abstract: A cushion module is provided herein and includes a mounting manifold and a retaining plate. An array of pneumatic assemblies is coupled to and disposed between the mounting manifold and the retaining plate. Each pneumatic assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder having a piston rod and configured to receive pressurized air for moving the piston rod to a selected position. The pressurized air supplied to each pneumatic cylinder is variable and the piston rods collectively define a support surface having variable contour and firmness, and on which an object is rested to assess the comfortability of the support surface.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle door includes a power assist device coupled between a door and a door opening of the vehicle and a sensor. The system further includes a controller that receives a signal from the sensor, identifies a recognized user from image data within the signal, interprets a control gesture by the recognized user from video data within the signal, and causes the power assist device to move the door in response to the control gesture.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, at least one communication circuit, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to receive a request for the vehicle to retrieve an occupant via the communication circuit. The controller is further configured to receive an authentication signal via the communication circuit authenticating an identity of the occupant. In response to the authentication, the controller is configured to control the actuator to make the vehicle accessible to the occupant.