Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link configured to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a functional bracket configured to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a bracket to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

Abstract: Drive link apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed herein. An example assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a drive shoe. The drive shoe is movable along a rail and includes a ramp portion positioned thereon. The assembly also includes a drive link that is rotatably coupled to the drive shoe and supports a panel. The drive link includes a guide portion that is positioned thereon and configured to slidably engage the ramp portion to prevent the drive link from rotating during a sunroof operation. The guide portion includes an extension that is positioned thereon and interposed between the drive shoe and a guide block. The extension is configured to slidably engage the drive shoe, the ramp, portion, or the guide block to prevent the drive link from twisting during the sunroof operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a bracket to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

Abstract: A guide assembly in a vehicle sunroof includes: a housing including a lock feature; a sunroof panel; a rail, wherein the sunroof panel is slideably connected to the rail; and a rail guide extending in a front-rear direction and including a rail channel extending a length of the rail guide, wherein the rail channel is closed at a first end of the rail guide adjacent to the housing, the rail channel is open at a second end of the rail guide adjacent to the rail, and the rail channel is connected to the rail at the second end and receives the slideably connected sunroof panel, and the first end of the rail guide slides under the lock feature.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link configured to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a functional bracket configured to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

Abstract: A tailgate interlocking occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered tailgate, a powered occupant step, a kick sensor mounted to the occupant step, and a controller having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry detects a signal from the kick sensor, operates the powered occupant step to move the occupant step to an extended position, operates the powered tailgate to lower the tailgate to an opened position, and when a pinch force is detected either in the occupant step or the tailgate, stops the operation of both the occupant step and the tailgate.

Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle including a bumper beam body having a tubular portion extending in a vehicle width direction, the bumper beam having a metal section and a composite section, wherein the metal section and the composite section are coaxial, the composite portion being along an inner surface of the metal section.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes at least one fixed glass panel having an outer rim, at least one movable glass panel having an outer rim, and an area between the outer of the movable glass panel in the width direction of the vehicle and the fixed panel that includes a rain channel.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a fixed glass panel having an outer rim, a movable glass panel having an outer rim, a weather strip between the glass panel and the movable glass panel, and a molded endcap attached to ends of the portion of the outer rim. A portion of the outer rim of the movable glass panel in the width direction of the vehicle is adjacent to the fixed panel and constitutes a water channel. A lock strip having a T-shaped cross-section extends along an inside of and beyond the ends of the water channel. The molded endcap places a force against a protruding portion of the lock strip that extends beyond the ends of the water channel to hold ends of the weather strip. The ends of the weather strip are prevented from being peeled back and creating a gap.

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: 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 guide assembly in a vehicle sunroof includes: a housing including a lock feature; a sunroof panel; a rail, wherein the sunroof panel is slideably connected to the rail; and a rail guide extending in a front-rear direction and including a rail channel extending a length of the rail guide, wherein the rail channel is closed at a first end of the rail guide adjacent to the housing, the rail channel is open at a second end of the rail guide adjacent to the rail, and the rail channel is connected to the rail at the second end and receives the slideably connected sunroof panel, and the first end of the rail guide slides under the lock feature.

Abstract: A holding assembly in a vehicle sunroof includes: a housing; a sunroof panel; a rail extending in a front-rear direction of the sunroof, the sunroof panel being slideably connected to the rail; a rail guide extending in the front-rear direction and including a rail channel extending a length of the rail guide from a first end of the rail guide to a second end of the rail guide; and a front wall extending in the front-rear direction and including a support arm and a lateral restrictor, wherein the support arm extends towards the rail guide and below the rail channel at the second end of the rail guide, and the lateral restrictor has a planar shape parallel to the length of the rail guide, is attached to the support arm, and is in contact with an exterior face of the rail channel at the second end of the rail guide.

Abstract: A driver assist system and method for a motor vehicle that includes processing circuitry configured to receive and store a sequence of images from perimeter view cameras, select at least a portion of a previously stored image based on an estimated position displacement of the motor vehicle, construct an under view image of at least a portion of the motor vehicle, and display the under view image on a display monitor.

Abstract: An articulable sunroof wind deflector system for a vehicle an upper member, a mesh portion affixed on a first side to the upper member, a lower member affixed to a second side of the mesh portion, the lower member having, a member front portion, a pair of arms that protrudes from the member front portion, and a housing affixed to the vehicle, the housing having a housing front portion to receive the member front portion, and a pair of shoulder to receive the pair of arms, wherein the pair of arms can slide and rotate around the pair of shoulders to guide the member front portion onto the housing front portion.

Abstract: A holding assembly in a vehicle sunroof includes: a housing; a sunroof panel; a rail extending in a front-rear direction of the sunroof, the sunroof panel being slideably connected to the rail; a rail guide extending in the front-rear direction and including a rail channel extending a length of the rail guide from a first end of the rail guide to a second end of the rail guide; and a front wall extending in the front-rear direction and including a support arm and a lateral restrictor, wherein the support arm extends towards the rail guide and below the rail channel at the second end of the rail guide, and the lateral restrictor has a planar shape parallel to the length of the rail guide, is attached to the support arm, and is in contact with an exterior face of the rail channel at the second end of the rail guide.

Abstract: An articulable sunroof wind deflector system for a vehicle an upper member, a mesh portion affixed on a first side to the upper member, a lower member affixed to a second side of the mesh portion, the lower member having, a member front portion, a pair of arms that protrudes from the member front portion, and a housing affixed to the vehicle, the housing having a housing front portion to receive the member front portion, and a pair of shoulder to receive the pair of arms, wherein the pair of arms can slide and rotate around the pair of shoulders to guide the member front portion onto the housing front portion.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a roof is disclosed. The sunroof apparatus includes a movable panel, a pair of guide rails extending along a length direction of the vehicle, a housing mounted to the roof and supporting the movable panel, and tubes. The housing is a split housing structure including a first housing panel and a second housing panel. A first pair of tubes are connected in a slideable manner to the first housing panel and a second pair of tubes are connected in a slideable manner to the second housing panel. The first housing panel and the second housing panel are moved by sliding them along the tubes away from each other to align outer edges of the first housing panel and the second housing panel with respective guide rails.