Abstract: A method of provisioning car access in a vehicle includes establishing, at data processing hardware, a secure connection between a production tool and more than one low energy communication node of the vehicle. The method also includes acquiring, at the data processing hardware, communication node information from the production tool regarding the more than one low energy node of the vehicle, the more than one low energy node having at least one main node and at least one satellite node. The method further includes communicating, from the data processing hardware, the communication node information about the at least one main node and at least one satellite node, and determining, by the data processing hardware, a mounting location of the at least one satellite node according to signal characteristic data of at least one low energy signal data packet from the at least one satellite node.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a housing, a sensor, a door, and a primary actuator. The sensor is disposed within the housing. The door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The sensor is exposed when the door is in the open position. The primary actuator is operable to (i) apply a first force on the door to move the door from the closed position to the open position and (ii) apply a second force on the door to move the door from the closed position to the open position when the first force does not move the door into the open position.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle having a closure panel is disclosed. The assembly includes a sensor, a housing supporting the sensor within the closure panel between a first deployed position and a second deployed position, a link rotatably attached to the housing and a plunger coupled to the link. The sensor is operable to sense an area proximate to the closure panel in the first deployed position and in the second deployed position. The plunger is operable to selectively engage a surface of the vehicle to move the housing between the first deployed position and the second deployed position via the link.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle access device relative to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a first communication node of the vehicle, an advertisement from the vehicle access device, and transmitting a connection request to the vehicle access device associated with the received advertisement. The method includes establishing, at the first communication node, a connection with the vehicle access device, and determining a general location of the vehicle access device. When the general location of the vehicle access device is less than a threshold distance, the method includes transmitting, from the first communication node, a high duty cycle advertisement command to a second communication node in communication with the first communication node. The method includes receiving, at the first communication node, a signal from the vehicle access device, the signal indicative of a location of the vehicle access device relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless communications system for an automotive vehicle includes a vehicle control unit and a fob. The vehicle control unit includes a vehicle transceiver. The fob includes a fob transceiver and a fob control unit and is configured to transmit and receive communications through at least two channels. The fob control unit is programmed to transmit a preamble through the first of the at least two channels, transmit a preamble through the second of the at least two channels during a null space following the preamble transmitted through the first channel, transmit a data packet payload through the first channel when a null space following the preamble in the second channel is detected, and transmit a data packet payload through the second channel when a null space following the preamble in the second channel is detected. Communications are interleaved between the first and second channels.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a housing, a sensor, a door, and a primary actuator. The sensor is disposed within the housing. The door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The sensor is exposed when the door is in the open position. The primary actuator is operable to (i) apply a first force on the door to move the door from the closed position to the open position and (ii) apply a second force on the door to move the door from the closed position to the open position when the first force does not move the door into the open position.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle having a closure panel is disclosed. The assembly includes a sensor, a housing supporting the sensor within the closure panel between a first deployed position and a second deployed position, a link rotatably attached to the housing and a plunger coupled to the link. The sensor is operable to sense an area proximate to the closure panel in the first deployed position and in the second deployed position. The plunger is operable to selectively engage a surface of the vehicle to move the housing between the first deployed position and the second deployed position via the link.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle having a closure panel is disclosed. The assembly includes a sensor, a housing supporting the sensor within the closure panel between a first deployed position and a second deployed position, a link rotatably attached to the housing and a plunger coupled to the link. The sensor is operable to sense an area proximate to the closure panel in the first deployed position and in the second deployed position. The plunger is operable to selectively engage a surface of the vehicle to move the housing between the first deployed position and the second deployed position via the link.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for using a Bluetooth device for interacting with a key fob and vehicle controller. The Bluetooth device can be used in combination with the key fob to increase the security of access to vehicle functions such as passive start, door and window locking, unlocking, closing, and opening. The Bluetooth device can also be used in conjunction with the key fob to access data from vehicle control system, and to authenticate additional key fobs.

Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a bracket mountable to the door and an insertion member received in and retained in the bracket via a retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism includes a biasing member and a movable locking member that retains the insertion member in the bracket. The movable locking member is biased into a securing position by the biasing member when the insertion member is fully received in the bracket to retain the insertion member in the bracket. The movable locking member is selectively displaceable from the securing position against a force of the biasing member either to permit insertion of the insertion member in the bracket during assembly or to accommodate disassembly by permitting the insertion member to be removed from the bracket.

Abstract: Protocols for wireless communications between controllers in vehicles, key fobs, and sensors are shown. In particular, methods of parallel processing and interweaving data in signals are provided.

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a bracket mountable to the door and extending along a longitudinal direction from a forward end to a rearward end. The forward end of the bracket provides a hook portion. A door retaining member is received proximate the rearward end of the bracket. The door retaining member has a clip portion which is moveable relative to the bracket between a home position and a displaced position. A first longitudinal distance is established between the clip portion and the hook portion in the home position, and a second longitudinal distance is established in the displaced position. The first longitudinal distance is different than the second longitudinal distance. A biasing member biases the door retaining member toward the home position and permits the movement of the door retaining member against the biasing member to the displaced position.

Abstract: A method for accessing a vehicle includes determining a charge level of a battery of a first vehicle access device. The method also includes creating a permission scheme for a second vehicle access device. The method further includes communicating the permission scheme to a vehicle and accessing the vehicle with the second vehicle access device.

Abstract: A handle assembly including a path of transmission of a force for releasing a latch through the handle assembly that can be broken under extreme loading conditions.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a deployable sensor assembly is provided. The closure assembly includes a housing; a sensor disposed within the housing; a door supported by the housing; an actuation member operable between a first position and a second position; and an attachment mechanism. The door is movable between a closed position and an open position. The sensor is exposed when the door is in the open position. The actuation member moves the door from the closed position to the open position when moved from the first position to the second position and moves the door from the open position to the closed position when moved from the second position to the first position. The attachment mechanism is operable in a first state to couple the door for movement with the actuation mechanism and in a second state to decouple the door from the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A motorcycle cargo storage system is disclosed having a lid that is translatable and rotatable relative to a compartment body to permit for the lid to be fully cleared of the access opening of the cargo storage system. The system may further include a securing system that selectively holds the lid of the cargo storage system in a closed position relative to the compartment body.

Abstract: A mechanism whereby a camera or other sensing type device is deployed into multiple positions as a result of inputs such as relative housing position, field of view assessment, and so forth to locate the device to allow an optimized position of the camera or sensor for the desired functionality.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wireless communications system for a fleet of automotive vehicle comprising: a server in communication with a wireless wide area network and including a database; a fob including a memory storing a unique fob identifier, the fob in communication with a wireless local area network; and a control unit in the automotive vehicle including a memory storing a vehicle identifier. The control unit is in communication with the server via the wireless wide area network and with the fob via the wireless local area network, wherein the server stores data correlating the fob identifier to the vehicle identifier in the database, and when the fob transmits a communication to the vehicle through the local area network the vehicle accesses the database to validate the key fob.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hands-free activation of vehicle functions such as accessing doors and windows, and establishing driver preferences such as seat positions is disclosed. A capacitive sensor is embedded in a non-metallic portion of the vehicle such as a tail light, window, or cladding on the vehicle. The capacitive sensor is in communication with a vehicle control unit, which can detect the proximity of a user or a specific gesture to activate a predetermined vehicle function.

Abstract: A door handle arrangement for vehicles including an electrically insulating cover having an outer actuating surface for a user characterized by at least one metal actuating electrode disposed on the inner side of the cover that is on the side of the cover facing away from the actuating surface. The cover is elastically deformable by an actuation in the area of the actuating surface. The arrangement includes at least one sensor electrode that is disposed at a distance from the actuating element and opposite the inner side of the cover, wherein the sensor electrode lies opposite the actuating electrode at least in certain sections so that the distance between actuating electrode and sensor electrode is variable during deformation of the cover in the region of the actuating surface. The arrangement also includes a control and evaluation device which is coupled at least to the sensor electrode to detect a capacitance between sensor electrode and actuating electrode.