Abstract: A latch assembly for a closure panel and corresponding method of operation are provided. The assembly includes an actuation group to latch and unlatch the closure panel using power from a main power source during normal operation. A first backup energy source is selectively coupled to the actuation group and stores energy during normal operation and supplies the energy during a failure. A second backup energy source is selectively coupled to the first backup energy source and supplies energy thereto during the failure. A latch controller is coupled to the backup energy sources and detects latch operation and whether there is normal operation. The latch controller charges the first backup energy source using energy from the second backup energy source based on the detection of latch operation and the failure and disconnects the second backup energy source during normal operation to conserve energy stored in the second backup energy source.

Abstract: A sealed latch assembly for a vehicle closure panel is provided. The latch assembly includes a housing having an interior sized for receipt of internal components of the latch assembly. A cover is attached to the housing to enclose at least a portion of the cavity. At least one release cable is configured for operable connection to at least one of the internal components. A cable bushing is attached to the cover. The latch bushing can have a coupling mechanism including a tab and slot arrangement for releasably coupling a body of the cable bushing in a receptacle of the cover. The latch bushing can have a retaining mechanism oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis for inhibiting disconnection of the cable bushing from the cover in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A carrier of a carrier module for a motor vehicle door assembly and method of manufacture thereof is provided. The carrier has a body with opposite wet and dry sides bounded by an outer periphery configured for attachment to an inner panel of the motor vehicle door assembly. The body is made of a recyclable, environmentally sustainable natural fibrous material.

Abstract: An electromechanical biasing member for moving a closure panel between an open and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body is provided. The electromechanical biasing member includes a housing having an inner cavity for housing an electric motor having a motor shaft and a rotary output member rotatable relative to the housing. An extension member within the housing and engageable with the rotary output member moves the closure panel between the open and closed positions in response to driving the electric motor. Also provided is a control unit positioned within the inner cavity and configured to drive the electric motor, the control unit including at least one controller board juxtaposed to the electric motor, and a plurality of control components mounted to the at least one controller board and configured to supply a drive signal to the electric motor and receive signals representative of operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A radar detection system for activation of a powered closure member of a vehicle and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a radar sensor assembly having a radar transmit antenna for transmitting radar waves and a radar receive antenna for receiving the radar waves after reflection from an object in a detection zone. The radar sensor assembly outputs a sensor signal corresponding to the motion of the object in the detection zone. An electronic control unit is coupled to the radar sensor assembly and includes a data acquisition module to receive the sensor signal and a plurality of analysis modules to analyze the sensor signal to detect extracted features and determine whether extracted features are within predetermined thresholds representing a valid activation gesture. The electronic control unit initiates movement of the closure member in response to the extracted features being within the predetermined thresholds representing the valid activation gesture.

Abstract: In an aspect, a latch for a closure panel for a vehicle is provided, and includes a ratchet, pawl, release lever, and extension member. The ratchet is movable between a primary closed position, secondary closed position and open position. The pawl is movable between a primary locking position, secondary locking position and unlocking position. The release lever is movable between home and actuated positions. When the pawl is in the primary locking position the release lever has a selected amount of reach for driving the pawl to the secondary locking position during movement of the release lever to the actuated position. When the pawl is in the secondary locking position the extension member is movable to extend the reach of the release lever to drive the pawl from the secondary locking position to the unlocked position during movement of the release lever from the home position to the actuated position.

Abstract: A power actuator for actuating separate mechanically driven members includes a motor and a drive gear configured to be selectively driven in opposite directions. A common gear is configured in operable communication with the drive gear to be selectively driven from a home position in opposite directions in response to movement of the drive gear. A first drive member is attached to the common gear with a first cable extending between the first drive member and one of the mechanically driven members. A second drive member is attached to the common gear with a second cable extending between the second drive member and the other of the mechanically driven members. Movement of the common gear from the home position in one direction moves of one mechanically driven member and movement of the common gear from the home position in an opposite direction moves the other mechanically driven member.

Abstract: A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

Abstract: A friction based counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel of a vehicle to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including: a first housing having a first pivot connection mount for connecting to one of a body of the vehicle and the closure panel; an extension member coupled to the first housing at one end and being extendable and retractable with respect to a second housing coupled adjacent to the first housing along an axis, the second housing for connecting by a second pivot connection mount to the other of the body and the closure panel; a sliding friction mechanism having: a shaped sleeve mounted on an exterior surface of the extension member, the shaped sleeve providing an exterior friction surface; and a resilient friction element mounted to the second housing in a fixed location on the axis, the resilient friction element positioned between second housing and the shaped sleeve and biased into contact with the exterior friction surface; wherei

Abstract: A door system presenter assembly and method for controlling movement of a motor vehicle closure panel between a closed position, a presented position and an open position. Presenter assembly includes an electric motor and a clutch assembly having an engaged state when electric motor is energized and a disengaged state when electric motor is de-energized. A presenter unit has a presenter lead screw and an extensible member moveable between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position and an extended position corresponding to the presented position. Presenter lead screw is rotatably driven when electric motor is energized and when clutch assembly is in the engaged state to move the extensible member to the extended position. Extensible member is automatically biased to the retracted position by a presenter biasing member when the electric motor is de-energized and when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged state.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: a first latch mounted in a first location, the first location positioned on a first side of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component; a second latch mounted in a second location, the second location positioned on a second side of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component; wherein one of the first latch and the second latch is maintained in a latched state and the other of the first latch and the second latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection feature for a closure latch assembly and method for moving a hood of a motor vehicle to a pop-up position and an open position are provided. The pedestrian protection feature includes an actuator configured to translate a slide cam member to cause a hook to pivot into a striker retaining position to prevent removal of a striker from the closure latch assembly and to pivot a lift lever into engagement with the striker to move the striker toward the hook, whereat the hood is moved to the pop-up position, and optionally a release feature to move the hook from the striker retaining position to a striker releasing position to allow the hood to be moved from the pop-up position to an open position.

Abstract: An isolation system for an electric motor of an actuatable mechanism is provided. The system includes a primary motor driving circuit and a secondary motor driving circuit each coupled to the electric motor. The secondary motor driving circuit is coupled to an external motor controller configured to provide a secondary driving signal to the secondary motor driving circuit. A primary controller is coupled to the primary motor driving circuit and configured to monitor the secondary driving signal and control the primary motor driving circuit. An isolation logic unit is coupled to the primary and secondary motor driving circuits and the primary controller and the external motor controller. The isolation logic unit is configured to isolate the primary motor driving circuit from the secondary motor driving circuit in response to the external motor controller providing the secondary driving signal to the secondary motor driving circuit.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system includes a power release mechanism and an inside handle release mechanism mechanically connected to an inside door handle. The power release mechanism is used to shift the inside handle release mechanism from a normally Disengaged operating state to an Engaged operating state. In the Disengaged state, the inside handle release mechanism is uncoupled from the latch release chain of components to prevent latch release via actuation of the inside door handle. In the Engaged state, the inside handle release mechanism is coupled for the latch release chain of components to permit latch release via actuation of the inside door handle. The power release mechanism only shifts the inside release mechanism from its Disengaged state into its Engaged state in the event of an emergency condition.

Abstract: A power actuator for a latch of a motor vehicle closure panel has an electric motor to rotate a lead screw about an axis. A nut is disposed about the lead screw for selective translation along the lead screw. A clutch plate is configured for selective rotation about the axis when engaged with the nut, with a biasing member biasing the nut out of engagement with the clutch plate when the electric motor is de-energized. A carrier member is coupled with the nut to cause the nut to translate into engagement with the clutch plate during rotation of the lead screw, whereupon the nut and carrier member co-rotate with the clutch plate and leadscrew. A driven member is operably coupled with the clutch plate and with the latch via a cable/rod, such that the driven member maintains the latch in a cinched state when the electric motor is energized.

Abstract: A powered actuator for moving a motor vehicle closure panel from a closed position to an open position and method of construction thereof. Powered actuator includes an electric motor configured to rotate a driven shaft and a gearbox coupled to the driven shaft. An extensible member extends through the gearbox to a proximal end on one side of the gearbox for attachment to one of a vehicle body or the closure member and to a distal end on an opposite side of the gearbox. Extensible member is configured to move between retracted and extended positions in response to rotation of the driven shaft. A contamination cover enshrouds the extensible member between the gearbox and the distal end of the extensible member. Contamination cover moves between an axially extended state and an axially retracted state while the extensible member moves between the respective retracted position and the extended position.

Abstract: A powered actuation mechanism for operating a closure panel device coupled to a closure panel of a vehicle, the closure panel operated between a closed position and a partially open position, the mechanism including: a motor operatively coupled to a control member; a lever body mounted at a pivot end to a body of the vehicle by a first pivot connection and coupled at an output end to a closure panel device by a second pivot connection, the lever body for driving the closure panel device; the control member having a control connection coupling the control member to the lever body, the control connection moveable between the first pivot connection and the second pivot connection such that the lever body has an opening to provide a releasable engagement of the control connection between the lever body and the control member.

Abstract: A power-operated vehicle closure system includes a vehicle door equipped with a cinch assembly having a power actuator and a closure latch assembly having a latch mechanism and a latch cinch mechanism. Actuation of the power actuator in a first direction provides a power cinch operation to cause the latch cinch mechanism to cinch the latch mechanism. Actuation of the power actuator in a second direction provides a power ice breaking operation to cause the latch cinch mechanism to open the latch mechanism. The system includes a controller that receives signals indicating the positions of a ratchet and a pawl of the latch mechanism and controls the power actuator to operate the latch cinch mechanism in either the first or second direction.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a closure panel of a motor vehicle and corresponding method of operation are provided. The latch assembly includes a latch housing for attachment to the closure panel and contains an actuation group to latch and unlatch the closure panel. An electronic control circuit that has a latch controller is disposed within the latch housing and is coupled to the at least one actuation group. The electronic control circuit includes a motor voltage and current sensing circuit for sensing a motor current and a motor voltage of a remote electric motor disposed remotely from the latch housing. The latch controller monitors and controls the actuation group and determine at least one of a motor rotational position and a motor speed of the remote electric motor based on at least one of the motor current signal and the motor voltage signal and controls the remote electric motor accordingly.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly equipped with a double pawl latch mechanism and including a resilient linkage arrangement between a component of the double pawl latch mechanism and a component of a latch release and reset mechanism which is configured to assist in both latch release and latch reset operations.