Abstract: A structural door module for a motor vehicle door body includes a carrier plate forming a first and second surface. The structural door module also includes a plurality of door hardware components mounted to at least one of the first and second surface in a pre-configured orientation. A handle support is integrally formed from the carrier plate, and provides a cavity to receive a door handle assembly on the first surface.

Abstract: A structural door module for a motor vehicle door, comprising of a carrier plate with a plurality of door hardware components mounted to the dryside and wetside surfaces of the carrier plate. The carrier plate includes a number of preformed components that allow door subsystems to be pre-mounted to the door module and tested prior to mounting the structural door module in the motor vehicle door body. An energy absorbing area is molded into the carrier plate. Additionally, a protruding arm rest support is designed to collapse during a side-impact collision.

Abstract: A locking device for a handle assembly of a motor vehicle door including a base and a handle portion includes a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth. A spool is rotatably coupled to the lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion. The spool has a pawl rotatably mounted thereto and includes a pawl pin extending out therefrom. An inertia element is disposed within the lock cup and is rotatable out of a rest position upon rotation of the spool. The inertia element includes an elongated slot extending between first and second ends for receiving the pawl pin therewithin. A spring extends between the spool and the inertia element. The spring biases the inertia element towards the rest position.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending between front and rear ends. The front end is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for pivoting the seat cushion between a seating position and a kneeling position. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the seat cushion and is adapted to be releasably secured to the floor. A drive link is pivotally coupled between the floor and the seat back. The drive link urges the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion as the seat cushion pivots between the seating and kneeling positions thereby maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back and seat cushion. A forward link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and base. A control bracket has a pair of pivotal links forming a four bar connection with the base. A control link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and control bracket. A seat back operatively coupled to the control bracket has a recliner mechanism for selectively pivoting the seat back between a forwardly folded position and a plurality of reclined seating positions. A guide link pivotally extends between the seat back and control link. Forward rotational movement of the seat cushion urges the seat back to rotate relative to the seat cushion moving the seat assembly to a stand-up position. Pivoting the seat back to the forwardly folded position urges the seat cushion to move forwardly and lower relative to the base moving the seat assembly to a kneeling position.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seatback that is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A linkage system is operatively coupled between the seatback, seat cushion, and the floor. The linkage system automatically moves the seat cushion downwards and forward and translates the seatback downward and rearward in response to movement of the seatback between the upright position and the folded position.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion. A front leg is pivotally coupled between the cushion and a floor for providing pivotal movement of the seat cushion between a seating position and a kneel position. A front link is pivotally coupled to the cushion and includes a hook for selectively engaging a striker mounted to the floor. A seat back bracket includes an upper portion operatively coupled to the seat back allowing pivotal movement of the seat back between upright and folded positions, and a lower portion releasably coupled to the floor. The hook is engaged with the striker in the seating position to secure the seat assembly to the floor and released from the striker in response to moving the seat cushion to the kneel position to allow pivotal movement of the seat cushion between the kneel position and a tumble position.

Abstract: A recliner assembly provides pivotal movement of a seat back relative to a seat cushion for a vehicle seat. The recliner assembly includes a rotatable rod extending between a first end and a second end. A first recliner is fixedly coupled to the first end of the rod and is operable between a locked condition wherein the seat back is fixed relative to the seat cushion and an unlocked condition wherein the seat back is selectively pivotally adjustable. A second recliner is operatively coupled to the second end of the rod and is operable between the locked condition and the unlocked condition. A bushing is disposed between the second recliner and the rod. The bushing biases the second recliner against the rod to synchronize the first and second recliners to unlock simultaneously. The bushing also provides a lost motion connection to allow the first and second recliners to lock independently.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism is disclosed for moving a movable member relative to a fixed member. A threaded screw is fixedly secured to the fixed member. A gear is rotatably disposed about the threaded screw. A housing includes a bore and an opening in a lower surface. A rotatably driven worm is disposed within the bore and includes a threaded outer surface that protrudes through the opening in the lower surface of the housing and threadably engages the gear. A generally U-shaped retainer strap partially surrounds the gear and is adapted to couple the housing and gear together to align and preload the worm and gear. A generally U-shaped bracket is adapted to be fixedly secured to the movable member, wherein the gear, housing, worm, and retainer strap are disposed within the bracket and the threaded screw passes through a pair of openings in the bracket.

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door substrate having an aperture, said door handle assembly comprising: a bell crank capable of pivoting about an axis, the bell crank including a first arm, a second arm and a base therebetween; a door handle that operatively engages the second arm of the bell crank, wherein a free end of the second arm extends upward and outward away from the base such that the free end of the second arm sweeps around a generally conical shape as the bell crank pivots about the axis; means for securing the door handle to the bell crank including a pin and notch assembly, wherein the pin is inserted through an aperture in the door handle and engages a notch located on the second arm; and a plurality of ribs formed on one or more surfaces of the bell crank.

Abstract: An adjustable bolster assembly is provided for use with a seat assembly. The adjustable bolster assembly includes a mounting bracket configured to be fixedly secured to the seat assembly. The adjustable bolster assembly also includes a pair of side bolster paddles. Each of the side bolster paddles is operatively mounted on the mounting bracket for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the pair of side bolster paddles extend forward of the mounting bracket. An actuator is mounted on the mounting bracket and operatively connected to the pair of side bolster paddles for effecting the movement.

Abstract: A vehicle panel (10) includes a core layer (12) and a layer of metalized film (14) bonded to the core layer (12). In one embodiment, the core layer (12) is made of a material with heat absorption or insulation properties. The layer of metalized film (14) is made of a material having heat reflective properties that can be bonded to the core layer (12). Alternatively, a compatible bonding agent can be applied to the core layer, the metalized film, or both. To form the vehicle panel (10), the layer metalized film (14) is positioned on one half of a mold tool and the core layer (12) is positioned on the other half of the mold tool. Heat is applied to the core layer (12) and the mold tool is closed such that the heat from the core layer (12) causes the metalized film (14) to be in a formable state and bonds to the core layer (12).

Abstract: A handle assembly selectively allows the door latch of a door of a motor vehicle to be released. The handle assembly includes a base fixedly secured to the door. The handle assembly also includes a handle portion and a lock trigger. The handle portion is operatively connected to a door latch mechanism effectuating the opening of the door. The lock trigger is movably engaged with the handle portion to allow or disallow the movement of the handle assembly and hence the opening of the door.

Abstract: A power riser assembly riser assembly includes a rear leg pivotally coupled between a seat assembly and a vehicle floor defining upper and lower axes. A drive linkage is operatively coupled between the seat assembly and floor. A drive mechanism coupled to the drive linkage actuates in a first direction causing the drive linkage to pivot the seat assembly about the lower axis from a seating position to an intermediate position whereat the drive linkage transfers pivotal movement of the seat assembly to the upper axis, thereby moving the seat assembly to the stowed position. The drive mechanism actuates in a second direction causing the drive linkage to pivot the seat assembly about the upper axis from the stowed position to the intermediate position whereat the drive linkage transfers pivotal movement of the seat assembly to the lower axis, thereby moving the seat assembly to the seating position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion coupled between a pair of risers and a seat back pivotally coupled thereto. A pair of front cushion support links and a pair of rear cushion support links are coupled between the seat cushion and the risers for pivotally supporting and guiding the seat cushion. A fold flat mechanism includes a transfer link operatively coupled between the rear cushion support link and the seat back for transferring pivotal movement of the seat back through the transfer link to each of the front and rear seat cushion support links to automatically move the seat assembly between a seating position wherein the seat back is in an upright position and the seat cushion is spaced above the floor, and a stowed position wherein the seat back is pivoted to a fold flat position and the seat cushion is lying flat against the floor.

Abstract: A structural door module for a motor vehicle door, comprising of a carrier plate with a plurality of door hardware components mounted to the dryside and wetside surfaces of the carrier plate. The carrier plate includes a number of preformed components that allow door subsystems to be pre-mounted to the door module and tested prior to mounting the structural door module in the motor vehicle door body. An energy absorbing area is molded into the carrier plate. Additionally, a protruding arm rest support is designed to collapse during a side-impact collision.

Abstract: A method for making a supporting body (1) for the lock of a motor vehicle, comprises the steps of: forming an intermediate element (8) made of electrically insulating material provided with conductive paths (3); setting the intermediate element (8) inside a mold (23) for forming the supporting body (1); and injecting electrically insulating material in the mold (23) for carrying out co-molding of the supporting body (1). The intermediate element (8) and the conductive paths (3) are made independently, and the conductive paths (3) are fixed on opposite faces (9, 10) of the intermediate element (8) by constraint means (15, 16) of a mechanical type.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back frame pivotally coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a fold flat position. A linkage includes first and second links having proximal ends pivotally coupled by a link pin. The first link includes a distal end pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. A control link is coupled at a first end to the link pin and at a second end to the seat cushion. A side bolster is pivotally coupled at an upper end to the seat back frame and at a lower end to a distal end of the second link. Pivoting of the seat back frame between the seating and fold flat positions urges the side bolster between a deployed position extending away from the seat back frame and a retracted position adjacent the seat back frame.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seatback that is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A linkage system is operatively coupled between the seatback, seat cushion, and the floor. The linkage system automatically moves the seat cushion downward and forward and translates the seatback downward and rearward in response to movement of the seatback between the upright position and the folded position.

Abstract: An anti-pinch assembly is used for a closure panel movable between open and closed positions on a motor vehicle. A controller operably connected to the closure panel controls operation thereof. A position sensor connected to the controller indicates the position of the closure panel between the open and closed positions. A capacitive sensor mounted on the vehicle and connected to the controller provides an output signal to the controller indicative of the presence of a foreign object in the path of the closure panel. The controller varies the function of the capacitive sensor through a plurality of threshold levels as a function of the position of the closure panel as indicated by the position indicator. In a critical zone of travel with the closure panel nearing the closed position, the capacitive sensor can be utilized in either a contact mode or a non-contact mode or a combination of both.