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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.

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 supporting assembly for a lock of a motor vehicle having a shell made of plastic material, which defines a housing for a part of the mobile members of the lock and with at least one metal element, which supports respective pins for hinging the aforesaid mobile members. The shell, which is made of plastic material, is co-molded on the metal element.

Abstract: A cable window regulator (10) is provided which comprises a first pulley (42) rotatably mounted to a first pulley bracket (44) for rotation about a first pulley axis and a second pulley (52) rotatably mounted to a second pulley bracket (54) for rotation about a second pulley axis. The regulator further comprises a lift plate (60) securable to a window glass (70), a cable (80, 82) affixed at opposite ends thereof to the lift plate (60) and running over the first and second pulleys (42, 52). A window regulator drive assembly (90) is operably connected to the cable for causing movement of the cable and in turn moving lift plate (60) relative to the first and second pulleys (42, 52). The first pulley bracket (44), second pulley bracket (54) and window regulator drive assembly (90) are mountable to a structure housing the window independently of any window rail.

Abstract: A latching assembly is used on a door of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes a main electric supply and a striker. The latching assembly includes a ratchet that is selectively rotatable with respect to the striker to latch and unlatch the door. The latching assembly includes a pawl that is selectively engagable with the ratchet to selectively prevent the ratchet from rotating. The latching assembly includes a motor which is electrically connected to the main electric power supply. The motor is operatively connected to the pawl for pivoting the pawl into and out of engagement with the ratchet. The latching assembly also includes a backup battery disposed adjacent the motor for supplying electric power when the motor is disconnected from the main electric supply.

Abstract: A retractable roof assembly (53) is provided for a motor vehicle (10) having a rear seat (24) and spaced apart roof side frame members (30) defining a roof opening (31). The retractable roof assembly (53) includes a split rail assembly (33) having a fixed rail (34) adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members (30) and extending along a portion thereof, and a movable rail (40) extending rearward of the fixed rail (34) along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members (30). A plurality of roof panels (58, 60, 62) extends between the roof side frame members (30) and slidably engages the split rail assembly (33) for selective movement into a stacked configuration above the movable rail (40).

Abstract: A locking device is provided for preventing a motor vehicle door from opening when a handle portion of a handle assembly moves with acceleration above a predetermined threshold relative to a base thereof. The locking device includes a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth. The locking device also includes a spool rotatably coupled to the lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion. The spool includes a pawl rotatably mounted thereto. The locking device further includes an inertia element disposed between the lock cup and the spool. The inertia element is coupled to the pawl such that upon the acceleration above the predetermined threshold the inertia element lags rotation of the spool and forces the pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of teeth to stop movement of the handle portion relative to the base and prevent the door from opening.

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.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for selectively latching a door to an automotive vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a latch hook movable between locked and unlocked positions relative to a striker bar fixedly secured to the vehicle. A release lever is operatively coupled between the latch hook and the latch mechanism for selectively actuating the latch hook between the locked and unlocked positions. An inertia lever is engagable with the release lever to prevent movement of the latch hook between the unlocked and locked positions. The inertia lever is movably coupled to the latch mechanism for movement in and out of engagement with the release lever in response to a threshold acceleration of the vehicle. A slot is formed in the release lever presenting sides engagable with the inertia lever to automatically rock the inertia lever in response to movement of the release lever to prevent seizing of the inertia lever within the latch mechanism due to lack of use.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly has an inner sheet metal layer (16) which presents a substantially U-shaped structure. The inner sheet metal layer includes a latch mounting surface and at least one hinge mounting surface. An outer, substantially planar, sheet metal layer (14) is attached to the inner sheet metal layer to form a cavity. A structural reinforcement member (30) is disposed in the cavity to reinforce the inner and outer sheet metal layers, including reinforcements (44A, B and 28 A, B) for the latch and hinge mounting surfaces. A carrier assembly (60) is mounted to the structural reinforcement member, covering the U-shaped area, and a trim component (50) covers the carrier assembly. By incorporating the structural door member, the thickness of the inner and outer sheet metal layers can be reduced, for a net weight and reduced material cost savings.

Abstract: A power closing assembly operates a closure panel hingedly secured to a motor vehicle. The power closing assembly includes an actuator mounted to the motor vehicle, a movable striker also mounted to the motor vehicle to receive the closure panel's latch, and a rotary power cable connecting therebetween. The actuator has a closure cable on a spooling drum extending to the closure panel for closing from an open position when the actuator operates. The movable striker moves between a nominal inboard position and an outboard position. A rotary power cable connects between a provided output on the actuator and an input on the striker so that the striker's movement is powered and synchronized by the actuator. With the closure panel open, the actuator begins a closing cycle by driving in a direction to spool in the closure cable extending to the closure panel. The actuator's direction, using the rotary power cable, simultaneously causes the striker to move outboard.

Abstract: A brake assembly has a frame configured to mount to a vehicle. A link is pivotally mounted to the frame. A pedal is pivotally mounted to an end of the link, defining a pedal pivot point. A latch is mounted on the frame and is operable to selectively engage and disengage the link. The link is able to move selectively between an operational position and a crash position. When the link is in the operational position, the link supports the pedal and positions the pedal pivot point for normal operational movement of the pedal through a normal operating range to operate braking of the vehicle. When the link is in the crash position, the latch is released and the pedal pivot point moves to allow the pedal to move beyond the normal operating range minimizing risk of injury to the driver.

Abstract: A pedal assembly including a bracket, a pedal lever pivotally mounted to the bracket, a spring mounted to the bracket, and a cam pivotally mounted to the bracket. The cam engages one end of the spring so as to load the spring while the cam pivots. The cam has a pre-determined profile and the pedal lever engages the cam profile to pivot the cam and load the spring during the stroke of the pedal lever, thus enabling the assembly to provide a pre-determined force versus stroke profile.

Abstract: A mechanically-activated decoupler is used in the actuator of the cinching latch mechanism. The decoupler activates with an input from door handle operation such that the motor drive within the actuator decouples from the remainder of the actuator gear train and latch mechanism whenever the door handle is operated. At rest the actuator is direct-coupled to the latch mechanism having a lost motion provision to allow manual latch function. Because of this the actuator with its motor drive is unloaded and routine door handle-activated decoupling carries little friction. In the event of a power failure during a cinching or release cycle, the handle input activates the clutch and decouples the otherwise binding motor drive of the actuator allowing the remainder of the latch mechanism to return to its at rest state using light return springs. After returning to its at rest state the latch mechanism retains normal manual function until the power failure is corrected.