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: 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: An interlocking occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered door, a powered occupant step, a kick sensor, and a controller having processing circuitry. While in an interlocking state, the processing circuitry detects a first gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a kick, upon detection of the first gesture signal, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step to an extended position, and controls operation of the powered door to move to an opened position. The processing circuitry detects a second gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a lateral swing, the second gesture signal being for a second gesture different from the first gesture. Upon detection of the second gesture signal, the processing circuitry switches to a non-interlocking state.

Abstract: An assembly for a sunroof can include a rail extending in a length direction of a vehicle, a bracket beneath a sunroof panel, an adapter coupled to the bracket, and a drive mechanism connected to a part of the bracket. Movement of the drive mechanism along the rail moves the bracket between a first position in which the sunroof is closed and a second position in which the sunroof is open. A catch device can slide along the rail relative to the adapter and includes a channel extending through a structure of the catch device to receive the adapter when the bracket is in the first position. When the adapter is in the channel, the structure is configured to engage the adapter to maintain the bracket in the first position and resist deflection of the bracket.

Abstract: An assembly for a sunroof can include a rail extending in a length direction of a vehicle, a bracket beneath a sunroof panel, an adapter coupled to the bracket, and a drive mechanism connected to a part of the bracket. Movement of the drive mechanism along the rail moves the bracket between a first position in which the sunroof is closed and a second position in which the sunroof is open. A catch device can slide along the rail relative to the adapter and includes a channel extending through a structure of the catch device to receive the adapter when the bracket is in the first position. When the adapter is in the channel, the structure is configured to engage the adapter to maintain the bracket in the first position and resist deflection of the bracket.

Abstract: A disclosed assembly includes a rail and an inner seal fixedly coupled to the rail that is arranged along a length of the rail. The inner seal includes a flap hiding a part of the rail adjacent the flap from view in a vehicle cabin. A shoe slidably coupled to the rail adjacent the flap is movable along the rail to open or close a sunshade held by the shoe. A channel extending through the shoe receives the flap. The shoe is engaged with a first segment of the flap folded in the channel while a second segment of the flap external to the channel is unfolded. Movement of the shoe causing the second segment to pass into the channel and fold therein as the first segment exits the channel and unfolds to prevent the part of the rail from being exposed.

Abstract: An occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered occupant step, a kick sensor mounted to the occupant step, and a controller having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry detects a kick gesture signal from the kick sensor, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step, and upon detection of a step gesture signal from the kick sensor while the occupant step is being operated, halts operation of the occupant step.

Abstract: An adjustable airfoil system for a vehicle includes a first airfoil shaft, a first airfoil having a first end mounted on the first airfoil shaft, and a first airfoil support structured for mounting to a portion of a vehicle and for rotatably supporting a portion of the first airfoil shaft at a location spaced apart from a first end of the first airfoil shaft. The system also includes a second airfoil shaft, a second airfoil having a first end mounted on the second airfoil shaft, and a second airfoil support structured for mounting to a portion of a vehicle and for rotatably supporting a portion of the second airfoil shaft spaced apart from a first end of the second airfoil shaft. A shaft end support is rigidly coupled to the first airfoil support and the second airfoil support.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods to adjust dimming associated with dual panel sunroof are disclosed. A disclosed sunroof dimming system for a vehicle includes a first dimmable panel of a sunroof and a second dimmable panel of the sunroof. The first dimmable panel is moveable relative to the second dimmable panel to open or close the sunroof. The sunroof dimming system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the first and second dimmable panels. The controller is configured to adjust dimming associated with the first and second dimmable panels to maintain a brightness of an external light associated with a vehicle cabin that is experienced by a vehicle occupant when the sunroof changes between a closed state and an open state.

Abstract: A mounting package includes a sunroof assembly, a roof crossbeam, and a hanger hanging the roof crossbeam underneath the sunroof assembly. The sunroof assembly includes a guiderail. The hanger includes a lower hook hooked with the roof crossbeam, and an upper hook hooked with the guiderail. The hanger is configured to flexibly accommodate multidirectional movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail. The multidirectional movement includes lifting movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail.

Abstract: A tilt and slide apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle includes a movable panel, a drive shoe configured to slide in a forward/rearward direction relative to the front of the vehicle, a lift guide connected to an end of the movable panel, and a check assembly including a locking component. The check assembly couples the drive shoe and the lift guide when the drive shoe is slid in the forward direction to the lift guide. A guide ramp formed on the drive shoe is an angled indented surface configured to align a portion of the locking component in order to couple the drive shoe and the lift guide. The guide ramp is formed as a tapered groove that has a width in a vehicle width direction that is continuously broadened from a front end of the groove toward a rear end of the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle, including a movable panel, a rail, a drive shoe, a pivot link to control tilting of the movable panel as the drive shoe slides in the forward direction, a lift guide facilitating sliding of the movable panel, and a check assembly for engaging and disengaging the lift guide and the drive shoe. The check assembly includes a mechanical lock, a locking pin, a rotatable lock rotatable about the locking pin and configured with a locked position to prevent movement of the lift guide when the check assembly is disengaged, and a lock guide to guide the rotatable lock into the locked or an unlocked position. The rotatable lock includes a notch to catch an end portion of the mechanical lock and prevent the rotatable lock from rotating into the unlocked position when the check assembly is disengaged.

Abstract: An tilt and slide apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle, includes a movable panel, a rail provided at each edge portion in the opening, a receiver bracket affixed to the movable panel, a guide block having a first guide channel that extends along a length of the guide block and has an angled portion, a second guide channel positioned at an end of the guide block, an upper guide channel extending away from the second guide channel to an opposite end of the guide block and above the first guide channel, and a drive shoe that slides along the rail. A pivot link is configured to slide along the first guide channel to control tilting of the movable panel as the drive shoe slides in a forward direction. A lift guide facilitates sliding of the tilted movable panel along the upper guide channel in a rear direction.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes: a fixed glass panel having a first outer rim, and a movable glass panel having a second outer rim. A portion of the first outer rim of the fixed glass panel in the forward direction of the vehicle is adjacent to the movable panel and includes a water channel. A majority of the water channel is formed underneath of the movable glass panel such that the movable glass panel covers a majority of an upper open portion of the water channel when the movable glass panel is in a closed position.

Abstract: A method to prepare a composite laminate object containing an extrusion grade 7xxx Al substrate and a fiber-reinforced polypropylene layer adhesively laminated to the substrate; is provided. The process includes shaping and cutting an extruded 7xxx aluminum to a profile, assembling a layered arrangement of the 7xxx Al profile as substrate, an adhesive film and a fiber reinforced polypropylene preform, heating the layered arrangement to a temperature of 160-175° C. to melt the polypropylene and activate the adhesive film, applying pressure to at least a surface of the fiber reinforced polypropylene preform to mold the preform to the shape of the extruded 7xxxAl substrate and obtain a semi-finished laminate object, cooling the semi-finished laminate object to 90° C., optionally, cooling the semi-finished laminate object to room temperature for inventory storage; heat treating the semi-finished laminate object at 90° C. for 2 to 8 hours; and then heat treating the semi-finished laminate object at 130° C.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle, including a pivot link pivotally coupled to a drive shoe, the pivot link having a first pivot pin configured to slide along a first guide channel of a guide block to control tilting of a movable panel as the drive shoe slides, a lift guide, and a check assembly including a mechanical lock. The mechanical lock includes an inner surface having a locking guide channel to guide a second pivot pin of the pivot link, the locking guide channel includes an upper guide portion. The pivot link is configured to pivot to a raised position to tilt the movable panel when the drive shoe is slid in the forward direction and becomes coupled to the lift guide by the check assembly. The upper guide portion engages the second pivot pin to lock the pivot link in the raised position.

Abstract: Dual panel sunroof systems and apparatus for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed sunroof for a vehicle includes a first bracket movable along a rail and coupled to a first panel. The sunroof also includes a second bracket movable along the rail and coupled to a second panel. The sunroof also includes an actuator configured to move the first or second bracket. Movement of the first bracket is to position the first panel over the second panel. Movement of the second bracket is to position the second panel over the first panel. The sunroof also includes a central guide block operatively interposed between the first and second brackets to guide movement thereof. The central guide block configured to apply a resistance to at least a first end of the first bracket to enable the actuator to raise or lower the first panel.

Abstract: A tilt and slide apparatus for a sunroof of a vehicle includes a movable panel, a drive shoe configured to slide in a forward/rearward direction relative to the front of the vehicle, a lift guide connected to an end of the movable panel, and a check assembly. The check assembly couples the drive shoe and the lift guide when the drive shoe is slid in the forward direction to the lift guide. The check assembly includes a cylindrical portion, a cylindrical portion a locking component that is positioned on the cylindrical portion, and a check collar that is positioned on and coupled to an end of the cylindrical portion adjacent the locking component.

Abstract: Tensioner apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed. A disclosed assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a sunshade tensioner defining a body that is configured to engage a sunshade of the vehicle sunroof to prevent the sunshade from wrinkling. The assembly also includes a first tab supported by a first component of the vehicle sunroof. The first tab is configured to extend through a first aperture positioned on the body to removably couple a first end of the body to the first support component.

Abstract: Touch sensor apparatus for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed touch sensor assembly for a vehicle gate includes a sensor configured to operatively couple to the vehicle gate. The touch sensor assembly also includes a cover having a tubular body that extends over the sensor and ribs interposed between the tubular body and the sensor. At least one of the ribs is configured to transfer a load from the tubular body to the sensor to change a state of the sensor.