Abstract: An electronic component housing defining an EMI shield and an ESD protection cover includes a polymeric core formed from a first polymeric material with a reinforcement material and an overmolded outer layer formed from a second polymeric material with between about 2 wt. % and about 30 wt. % graphene. The reinforcement material provides structural reinforcement to the electronic component housing and is at least one of carbon fiber, glass, talc, mineral filler, and combinations thereof, the overmolded outer layer defines a housing skin disposed on the polymeric core.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a tailgate configured to enclose a truck bed, a power tailgate system configured to cause the tailgate to move between a closed position and an open position, at least one sensor disposed on the tailgate, a cable stay configured to couple to the tailgate and a body of the vehicle such that the cable stay is extended between the tailgate and the body of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open position, and a cable stay ramp assembly disposed on the body of the vehicle and configured to guide the cable stay as the tailgate moves from the open position to the closed position. The sensor is configured to detect an object between the tailgate the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A powered latch assembly for a vehicle tailgate includes a latch having a slot structured to receive a striker therein during closing of a tailgate. The latch is structured to be rotatable about a rotational axis into a latched position of the latch when the striker is received in the slot so as to maintain the tailgate in at least one closed position of the tailgate associated with the latched position. The latch is also structured so that, with respect to a vertical plane extending through the rotational axis, a centroid of a cross-section of the striker taken through a portion of the striker residing inside the slot resides along a first side of the plane when the latch is in a fully-latched position.

Abstract: Sunroof drive apparatus and related sunroof assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed assembly includes a sunroof panel, a rail, a guide block attached to part of the rail, a bracket beneath the sunroof panel, a link in the rail removably connected to the guide block, and a drive shoe in the rail slidably coupled to the link. The drive shoe includes first and second slots to receive respective first and second pins of the link. The link can rotate about a rotation axis from a first orientation in which the link is inseparable from the guide block to a target orientation in which the link is separable from the guide block. When the first pin enters a locking area at an end of the first slot, the drive shoe imparts one or more loads on the first pin that urge the link into the target orientation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for controlling a vehicle power tailgate are described. The system includes a motor operably connectible to a tailgate and configured to open the tailgate at any of at least a first opening speed and a second opening speed lower than the first opening speed. The system is operable to, responsive to a determination that an external load is being applied to the tailgate when the tailgate is in a closed condition, control operation of the motor to open the tailgate at the second predetermined tailgate opening speed if an estimated magnitude of the load is below a predetermined threshold load.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a foam core formed from a first polymer and between about 0.5 wt. % and about 2.5 wt. % graphene. The foam core has an average pore size between about 25 ?m and about 75 ?m, and a cell density between about 4×106 cells/mm2 and about 6×106 cells/mm2. Also, an overmolded skin formed from a second polymer and between about 0.25 wt. % and about 5.0 wt. % graphene is disposed on the foam core. A method of manufacturing a composite structure includes injection molding a foam core from a first polymer containing between about 0.25 wt. % and about 5.0 wt. % graphene, and injection molding an overmolded skin from a second polymer containing graphene between about 0.25 wt. % and about 5.0 wt. % graphene.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle power tailgate includes a latch structured to be movable to a latching position when the latch is engaged with a portion of a tailgate so as to maintain the tailgate in a closed position associated with the latching position of the latch. A latch actuator operably connected to the latch to control operation of the latch. A memory is communicably coupled to the processor and stores a tailgate control module including instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to, responsive to receipt of a tailgate opening command, control operation of the latch actuator to attempt move the latch to an over-stroke position of the latch and, responsive to a failure to move the latch to the over-stroke position within a predetermined time period, control operation of the latch actuator to move the latch to a fully-latched position of the latch.

Abstract: A wire-mounting device is provided for securing a portion of at least one wire to a piece of glass. The device includes a wire-engaging portion and a positioning portion extending from the wire-engaging portion. The positioning portion is structured to contact an edge of the piece of glass to position the wire-engaging portion at a predetermined distance from the edge of the piece of glass. An overmold is applied along the edge of the glass to encapsulate the wire-mounting device and the attached wire.

Abstract: A weather seal system is provided for sealing a perimeter of a vehicle sunroof. The system includes a mounting base having an outboard first channel, and an inboard second channel spaced apart from, and extending generally parallel to, the outboard first channel. At least two connecting portions are positioned between and connecting the first and second channels. A spine is supported by the at least two connecting portions so as to reside above the first and second channels when the mounting base is mounted on a vehicle. The spine extends generally parallel to the outboard first channel. At least a first and a second opposed weather strip retention projections extend from respective opposite first and second sides of the spine. A weather strip is structured to engage the opposed first and second weather strip retention projections so as to secure the weather strip to the spine.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system involve a vehicle that includes a tailgate, a motor connected with the tailgate for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit for the motor. The embodiments include, upon the initiation of a driving event in the vehicle, identifying that the tailgate is unclosed. The embodiments further include, in response to identifying that the tailgate is unclosed, upon the initiation of the driving event, irrespective of whether the tailgate is moving or not moving, checking the tailgate against movement during the driving event, wherein checking the tailgate against movement includes operating the motor circuit to electrically brake the motor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for controlling a vehicle power tailgate are described. The system includes a motor operably connectible to a tailgate to open and close the tailgate, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a tailgate control module including instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to, responsive to a value of a motor speed parameter being above a predetermined motor speed threshold and a value of a motor acceleration parameter being above a predetermined motor acceleration threshold during opening of a tailgate, control operation of the motor to apply a braking force to the tailgate.

Abstract: A motor assembly for a sunroof system is provided with a motor cover to prevent water intrusion. The motor assembly includes a motor including a motor yoke, a connector electrically connected to the motor, a central portion including a pinion gear rotated by the motor, and a motor cover. The motor cover includes a motor yoke cover that covers the motor yoke, a central cover that covers the central portion, and a connector cover that covers the connector, the motor cover configured to prevent water in the central portion from entering the motor yoke and the connector.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle tailgate structure includes a tailgate located at the rear of the vehicle; a garnish covering a top surface of the tailgate and configured to deform when an external load applies on the garnish, the garnish including a plurality of rib structures along an interior surface of the garnish and a screw portion including the garnish around a screw of the screw portion; and a touch sensor extending along the top surface of the tailgate and covered by the garnish, the touch sensor configured to detect deformation of the garnish, the touch sensor including touch sensor wires connecting to a control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A perimeter frame for a sunshade module includes a sunshade opening, a guiderail, and a housing. The guiderail includes an end face, and a guideway, a mounting flange, and an attachment channel extending therefrom. The guideway opens inwardly to the sunshade opening, the mounting flange projects outwardly away from the sunshade opening, and the attachment channel opens downwardly from therebetween. The housing includes a guiderail adaptor. The guiderail adaptor is inserted into the attachment channel, secured to the attachment channel using a fastener installed from above the attachment channel, and engages the attachment channel from below.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system include overload checking a tailgate latched by a latch that is in a full-latching position, connected with a latch actuator, and activated by the latch actuator for non-revertible movement in a latching direction. Overload checking the tailgate includes operating the latch actuator to over-stroke the latch, identifying an over-stroking load on the latch actuator, and based on the over-stroking load on the latch actuator, determining whether the tailgate is overloaded or not overloaded. Over-stroking the latch includes moving the latch in the latching direction from the full-latching position to an over-stroking position, and the over-stroking load on the latch actuator is associated with its operation to over-stroke the latch.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system are disclosed. A vehicle includes a rotatable element structured for operable connection with, and disconnection from, a tailgate when the rotatable element resides in a predetermined tailgate removal orientation. A motor is connected with the rotatable element for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit is provided for the motor. During a driving event, the system identifies when no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element. If no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element, the system determines if the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation. If the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation, the system may check the rotatable element against rotation during the driving event by operating a motor circuit to electrically brake the motor to prevent the rotatable element from rotating out of the predetermined tailgate removal orientation.

Abstract: A motor assembly for a sunroof system is provided with a motor cover to prevent water intrusion. The motor assembly includes a motor including a motor yoke, a connector electrically connected to the motor, a central portion including a pinion gear rotated by the motor, and a motor cover. The motor cover includes a motor yoke cover that covers the motor yoke, a central cover that covers the central portion, and a connector cover that covers the connector, the motor cover configured to prevent water in the central portion from entering the motor yoke and the connector.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle tailgate structure includes a tailgate located at the rear of the vehicle; a garnish covering a top surface of the tailgate and configured to deform when an external load applies on the garnish, the garnish including a plurality of rib structures along an interior surface of the garnish and a screw portion including the garnish around a screw of the screw portion; and a touch sensor extending along the top surface of the tailgate and covered by the garnish, the touch sensor configured to detect deformation of the garnish, the touch sensor including touch sensor wires connecting to a control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sunshade structure is disclosed. The sunshade structure includes a sunshade; a guide rail; a sunshade stopper configured to stop a movement of the sunshade, the sunshade stopper including a first side wall and a second side wall; and an end cap configured to cap an end of the guide rail, the end cap including a bottom plate, a first sunshade stopper retention wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend around the first side wall a second sunshade stopper retention wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend around a junction of the first side wall and the second side wall a third sunshade stopper retention wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend around the second side wall; and a fourth wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend from an end of the second side wall to the end of the guide rail.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a tailgate bracket securable to a vehicular tailgate, a support bracket securable to a vehicular bed, a torque shaft, and a crank. The tailgate bracket includes a socket. The support bracket includes a support. The torque shaft is supported by the support for axial rotation. The torque shaft includes a tailgate-side head and a crank-side head. The tailgate-side head and the socket are configured to make a head-and-socket connection with one another. The crank-side head includes an external profile. The crank includes a shaft-side base and an actuator-side base, a load arm extending therebetween, and at least one of a dogleg along the shaft-side base, the load arm and the actuator-side base, and an embossed rib extending along the load arm. The shaft-side base includes an internal profile. The external profile and the internal profile are configured to make a shaft-and-hub connection with one another.