Abstract: A system is disclosed herein. The system having a backdrive assembly that includes a spring body retainer having a first body portion, the spring body retainer configured for rotational movement about an axis. A biasing member is provided that is configured to exert a backdriving force on the spring body retainer. A spring leg retainer is provided having a second body portion and a plurality of projections, the spring leg retainer being configured to incrementally apply a preload torque to the biasing member. A spring locking plate is operably connected to the spring leg retainer, the spring locking plate being configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections.

Abstract: A latch and a method for preventing a latch from failing to open while a connected handle is lifted are provided. The latch includes a primary pawl pivotally mounted to the latch. An end piece having a protrusion extending from it is fixed to the primary pawl. An inner lever is rotatably coupled to the end piece. The inner lever includes a tail adjacent the protrusion of the end piece. The inner lever is movable between a first position and a second position. A secondary pawl is pivotally mounted to the latch and is movable between a first position and a second position. A blocking lever is also coupled to the latch and movable between a first position and a second position. When the inner lever is in a second position, the tail abuts the protrusion and the blocking lever limits movement of the inner lever and the primary pawl.

Abstract: An actuator for a shift by wire system is provided. The actuator having: a motor; a rack; a gear train configured to cause linear movement of the rack in response to rotational movement of the motor; a clutch mechanism for coupling and decoupling the rack to the motor; and a manual override for operating the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A method for stitching an interior component is provided. The method including the steps of: stitching an outer skin layer of the interior component with a single needle chain stitch machine having a rotary looper; descending a needle of the machine through the interior component; retracting the needle after is has descended through the interior component; engaging a thread loop formed during the retraction of the needle after it has descended through the interior component with a hook of the rotary looper, wherein a portion of interior component is located above and below the rotary looper as it rotates; and moving the interior component relative to the needle and rotary looper in order to establish a stitch length.

Abstract: A plastic carrier plate for vehicle door is provided. The plastic carrier plate having: a channel structure molded into the plastic carrier plate, the channel structure having a pair channels integrally molded into the plastic carrier plate, wherein the channels provide structural reinforcement to the plastic carrier plate and the channels intersect each other.

Abstract: A method of permanently joining plastic components is provided. The method includes orienting a first plastic component having at least one first rib in close proximity to a second plastic component having at least one second rib. Also included is positioning a plurality of fiber-optic cables in a location between the first plastic component and the second plastic component, wherein each of the plurality of fiber-optic cables include a first end and a second end. Further included is generating a laser beam that is directed into the first end of the plurality of fiber-optic cables and terminating proximate the second end of the plurality of fiber-optic cables.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle latch assembly is provided, the component having: an electrical sub-system having a plurality of circuit paths each being electrically connected to a common ground, the electrical sub-system being molded into a pre-mold by a first molding process, the pre-mold comprising an encapsulation layer molded around the common ground and an at least one structural member secured to the encapsulation layer and at least one of the plurality of circuit paths, the structural member providing rigidity to the pre-mold; and a plurality of locating features extending from at least one of the encapsulation layer and the structural member.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for coupling and decoupling a motor to a rack is disclosed herein. The clutch mechanism having: a clutch lever pivotally mounted to an axis for movement from a first position to a second position; a cam gear having a cam surface, wherein rotational movement of the cam gear causes the cam surface to move the clutch lever from the first position to the second position; and a gear train configured to cause linear movement of the rack in response to rotational movement of the motor, wherein movement of the clutch lever from the first position to the second position disconnects a pair of gears of the gear train.

Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein.

Abstract: A pre-weakened cover of an airbag module is provided. The pre-weakened cover including an outer layer member having an outer show surface and an opposing inner surface; a plurality of first cuts arranged on the inner surface; and a plurality of second cuts arranged on the inner surface, wherein each of the plurality of second cuts intersects at least one adjacent first cut, wherein a plurality of weakened regions are formed at the intersections between the plurality of first cuts and the plurality of second cuts and wherein each of the plurality of first cuts and the plurality of second cuts each have end portions that extend past each intersection to weaken the outer layer member near each intersection.

Abstract: A latch is provided including a fork bolt configured to rotate between an unlatched position and a latched position. A bellcrank lever is operably coupled to the fork bolt via a detent lever. The bellcrank lever has an engagement ledge located adjacent a slot of the bellcrank lever. The engagement shelf prevents movement of a gear configured to move the detent lever via movement of the bellcrank lever.

Abstract: A panel having a deployable cover for an airbag module is provided. The panel having: an outer layer having a show surface and an inner surface opposite the show surface; a tear seam formed in the outer layer, the tear seam defined by a plurality of holes formed in the outer layer extending from the inner surface towards the show surface, wherein a residual wall thickness of the outer layer is located between each of the plurality of holes and the show surface, wherein the outer layer includes at least one filler material, that exhibits an absorbance of a wavenumber of a laser used to form the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A latch and a method for preventing a latch from failing to open while a connected handle is lifted are provided. The latch includes a primary pawl pivotally mounted to the latch. An end piece having a protrusion extending from it is fixed to the primary pawl. An inner lever is rotatably coupled to the end piece. The inner lever includes a tail adjacent the protrusion of the end piece. The inner lever is movable between a first position and a second position. A secondary pawl is pivotally mounted to the latch and is movable between a first position and a second position. A blocking lever is also coupled to the latch and movable between a first position and a second position. When the inner lever is in a second position, the tail abuts the protrusion and the blocking lever limits movement of the inner lever and the primary pawl.

Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein. The interior component having only a single layer of a substrate layer. The method including the steps of: a) penetrating substrate layer with an awl to form a piercing therethrough; b) retracting the awl from the substrate layer; c) inserting a needle of a robotic sewing head through the piercing through the substrate layer to grasp a thread positioned on a show surface of the outer skin layer; d) pulling the thread through the substrate layer; e) looping the thread with a previous stitch passed through the substrate layer; f) advancing the robotic sewing head to another position with respect to the interior component, wherein a backside of the substrate layer is free of obstructions; and g) repeating steps a-f until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for coupling and decoupling a motor to a rack is disclosed herein. The clutch mechanism having: a clutch lever pivotally mounted to an axis for movement from a first position to a second position; a cam gear having a cam surface, wherein rotational movement of the cam gear causes the cam surface to move the clutch lever from the first position to the second position; and a gear train configured to cause linear movement of the rack in response to rotational movement of the motor, wherein movement of the clutch lever from the first position to the second position disconnects a pair of gears of the gear train.

Abstract: A latch is provided including a fork bolt configured to rotate between an unlatch position and a latched position. A detent is configured to cooperate with the forkbolt. A bumper includes an upper contact portion and an elongated lower portion. The bumper is configured to receive a striker when the fork bolt is in the latched position. A guide member includes a generally curved flexible portion. The flexible portion is configured to deflect about a first end to guide the striker towards the upper contact portion of the bumper.

Abstract: A striker plate assembly for use with a latch includes a base plate having an angled first end and an angled second end. A generally u-shaped striker wire extends perpendicular to the base plate. A first sidewall and a second sidewall are connected to the first end and the second end of the base plate respectively. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend generally perpendicular to the base plate in the same direction as the striker wire. The first sidewall and the second sidewall include a geometric feature. A first bumper is connected to the first sidewall through the geometric feature and a second bumper is connected to the second sidewall through the geometric feature.

Abstract: A pre-weakened cover of an airbag module is provided including a layer having an outer show surface and an opposing inner surface. A plurality of first cuts is arranged at a first angle on the inner surface. A plurality of second cuts is arranged at a second angle on the inner surface. Each of the second cuts intersects two adjacent first cuts to form a generally V-shaped pattern.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polypropylene composition comprising polypropylene, a hydrogenated block copolymer, 3 to 6 wt % high density polyethylene, 5 to 10 wt % of a processing oil, and greater than or equal to 3 wt % of a surface modifier comprising an ultra high molecular weight polydialkyl siloxane, an ultra-high molecular weight polydialkyl siloxane in combination with silica, a polyolefin siloxane or a combination thereof, wherein weight percent is based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for stitching a component is provided. The apparatus includes an awl bar assembly coupled to a first drive device. The awl bar assembly is moved from a first position to a second position along the stitch path with an external drive device. A second drive device is coupled to the first drive device. A needle bar assembly is provided having a needle. The needle moves between an inserted and a withdrawn position, the needle bar assembly being pivotally coupled to the second drive device, the needle bar assembly moves from the first position to the second position with the same external drive device driving the awl bar assembly. A biasing member is coupled to the needle bar assembly, the biasing member being arranged to pivot and align the needle bar assembly in the second position in response to the needle bar being moved to the withdrawn position.