Abstract: A sliding door drive assembly for a motor vehicle having a sliding door includes a transmission operatively connected to a motor for transmitting a rotating force to an output shaft. A cable drum is fixedly secured to the output shaft and rotates therewith. First and second cables are wound about the cable drum in opposite directions. The first cable extends from the cable drum forward along the sliding door. The second cable extends from the cable drum rearward along the sliding door. Support guides extend tangentially out from the cable drum to guide the first and second cables outwardly and away from the cable drum along a path minimizing frictional forces. Front and rear pulley assemblies are mounted to the motor vehicle and are operatively coupled to the first and second cables between the sliding door drive assembly and the sliding door for tensioning the first and second cables.

Abstract: An automatic length compensating device (30) for a flexible cable transmission (8) having a core (12) sliding inside a sheath (10). The device (30) has a first and a second member (31, 32) inserted at least partly one inside the other in a predetermined direction (B) and defining, in that direction (B), respective through seats (33, 34) fitted through with the core (12) of the transmission (8); elastic means (35) interposed between the first and second member (31, 32), and which provide for increasing mutual withdrawal of the first and second member (31, 32); and releasable locking means (50) defining a number of mutually engaged positions of the first and second member (31, 32) corresponding to different extensions of the device (30) in the aforementioned direction (B).

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A window regulator including a drive rod having a linear axis; a runner connected to the drive rod for movement therealong; a window carrier pivotally secured to the runner for supporting a window; and a guide engaged by the window carrier having a radius of curvature such that the window carrier moves the window along a path coincident with the radius of curvature as the runner moves linearly along the drive rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locking a first door of a motor vehicle in place relative to a second door as the first and second doors abut against each other when closed. The apparatus includes a base plate mounted to the first door. A latch release lever is pivotally mounted to the base plate for movement between a neutral position and a release position. In the release position, the latch release lever actuates at least one door latch to release the first door. A plunger is slidably mounted to the first door and movable between an open position and a closed position engaging the latch release lever. Closing the second door while the first door is closed moves the plunger from the open position to the closed position to prevent the latch release lever from pivoting into the release position.

Abstract: A single piece striker for a latch formed from stock, comprising a mounting plate with an integral striker bar. The striker bar extends out from the mounting plate via a neck portion. The engagement area of the striker bar has a greater diameter than the thickness of the mounting plate. The striker is formed using a progressive die. The striker bar is formed by compressing a portion of the stock to a greater thickness than the rest of the striker. Compressing a portion of the stock also provides a rounded engagement area across the length of the strike bar. Compression occurs over a series of dies that provide a progressively rounder shape. Locator channels within the dies help retain the striker bar during compression.

Abstract: A power-release door lock system for an automotive door having a latch, including a ratchet (18) and pawl (20), and an electro-mechanical exterior latch release mechanism (220) for actuating the pawl to release the ratchet. The system includes a controller (210) and a pressure sensitive switch (216) mounted to an outside door handle (214) of the automotive door and electrically connected to the controller. The controller is programmed to disable the pressure sensitive switch in response to a predetermined “lock” signal and enable the pressure sensitive switch in response to a pre-determined “unlock” signal, in which case the controller energizes the exterior latch release mechanism to release the ratchet in the event the pressure sensitive switch is actuated. The system eliminates the need for an exterior lock assembly and its attendant inside lock button or rod.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) for a motor is mounted to a drum housing or the like in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the surface of the drum housing on which the motor is mounted. The housing for the motor includes an aperture window. Power contacts from the ECU mate with contacts from the motor through the window. Hall-effect sensors attached to the ECU can extend through the aperture to be proximate a ring magnet attached to the armature shaft of the motor. Alternatively, flux guides attached to the drum housing to transmit magnetic flux information from the motor to the Hall-effect sensors. Alternatively, optical sensors attached to the ECU can detect rotations of a reflector ring attached to the armature shaft through the window.

Abstract: A power door drive system for moving a sliding side door on a vehicle body having an aperture between an open position substantially clear of the aperture and a closed position substantially covering the aperture. A guide track having channel and rack portions is mounted to the vehicle body adjacent the aperture. The rack portion includes a plurality of rack teeth. A hinge member is adapted for mounting to the side door and includes a plurality of guide rollers for rollingly engaging the channel portion of the guide track. A power drive mechanism mounted to the hinge member includes a reversible motor for producing a drive torque, a pinion gear having a plurality of drive teeth meshingly engaging the rack teeth, and an endless belt for transferring the drive torque from the motor to the pinion gear thereby driving the sliding door between the open and closed position.

Abstract: A sliding door drive assembly for a motor vehicle having a sliding door includes a transmission operatively connected to a motor for transmitting a rotating force to an output shaft. A cable drum is fixedly secured to the output shaft and rotates therewith. First and second cables are wound about the cable drum in opposite directions. The first cable extends from the cable drum forward along the sliding door. The second cable extends from the cable drum rearward along the sliding door. Support guides extend tangentially out from the cable drum to guide the first and second cables outwardly and away from the cable drum along a path minimizing frictional forces. Front and rear pulley assemblies are mounted to the motor vehicle and are operatively coupled to the first and second cables between the sliding door drive assembly and the sliding door for tensioning the first and second cables.

Abstract: A latch comprises a ratchet moveable between a latched position and a released position with the ratchet being biased to the released position. A pawl is moveable between a ratchet-engaged position in which the pawl checks the movement of the ratchet and a ratchet-disengaged position with the pawl being biased to the ratchet-engaged position. An electromechanical actuator has an output member for moving the pawl to the ratchet-disengaged position with the actuator output member moving between a start position and an end position and vice versa. A snowload lever is moveable between a pawl-disengaged position and a pawl-engaged position, wherein, in the pawl-engaged position, the snowload lever blocks the actuator output member from returning to the start position.

Abstract: A window regulator, e.g., for a vehicle window, includes block and pulley arrangements each including a lift pulley mounted to a lift plate that slides along a rail. Operative movement of a crank assembly in a first sense tensions a cable to move the lift plate towards a first end of the rail and operative movement of the crank assembly in a second sense, opposite the first sense, tensions a cable to move the lift plate towards a second end of the rail. The regulator enables the reduction of the operating torque requirements without affecting the packaging of the crank assembly.

Abstract: A panel assembly for covering and uncovering an opening in a vehicle includes a guide rail extending longitudinally therealong. A panel extends between front and rear edges and is movable relative to the guide rail. A guide mechanism is slidably coupled to the guide rail. A carrier bracket is fixedly secured to the panel and slidably coupled to the guide mechanism. A latch is operatively coupled to the panel and slidably coupled to the guide rail. The latch is operable between a locked position preventing longitudinal movement of the panel and an unlocked position allowing longitudinal movement of the panel. A motor drives the guide mechanism forward along the guide rail moving the panel from a close position to a venting position, and rearward along the guide rail actuating the latch to the unlocked position and moving the panel from the close position to an open position.

Abstract: A device for automatically compensating the length of cables comprises a length-variable receiving element (1, 3, 4) for a section of a pulling means (5), a spring element (2) for applying a tensile force on the received pulling means (5) and a locking element (4), which is rotatable relative to a section of the receiving element (1, 3) about an axis that agrees substantially with the axis of the pulling means, wherein the relative motions of two sections of the receiving device (3, 4) intended to bring about the length variations are coupled to the rotational motion of the locking element (4) by means of mechanical devices (311, 421) with clearance and detent elements (15, 43) substantially block the rotation of the locking element (4) in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A cable window regulator assembly is mounted to a carrier panel. At least four pulleys are spaced around the carrier panel, each rotating around an axis substantially perpendicular to the carrier panel. A lift plate assembly is displaced away from the carrier panel and is constrained to travel in a closure plane solely by the closure panel. An upper and a lower cable is trained around a first pair of the pulleys. One end of each of the upper and lower cables is affixed to a drive assembly; the other end of the upper and lower cables is affixed to the lift plate assembly on opposite sides near opposing edges of the lift plate assembly. Engaging the drive assembly causes the lift plate assembly to move towards either an open or a closed position. A follower cable, affixed to the lift plate assembly at opposite sides thereof and trained about a second pair of the pulleys, maintains coordinated travel of the lift plate assembly.

Abstract: A driver (4, 5) of a window lift mechanism to simplify subsequent adjustment of a window pane. The driver (4, 5) includes a flat receiving fork (7) having first and second sides (9, 10). A screw (14) extends through the receiving fork (7) for pulling the first and second sides (9, 10) together. In the vicinity of the axis of the screw (14), the first side (9) includes a number of openings (19). A pressure piece (13), which can be operated from outside of the first side (9), protrudes through the openings (19) into a gap (8) between the first and second sides (9, 10). The pressure piece (13) can be displaced in a substantially parallel direction to the axis of the screw (14). A threaded nut (11) contacts the pressure piece (13) to operate the pressure piece (13).

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes a handle body that is attached to the vehicle door. A key cylinder is mounted to the handle body and is operable to manually lock and unlock the vehicle door. A cover is provided that is movable between a covered position that hides the key cylinder from view and an open position that exposes the key cylinder. The cover can slide or pivot between the open and closed positions. The cover protects the key cylinder from the elements and improves the overall appearance of the vehicle door.

Abstract: A temperature sensing assembly for a motor having an armature includes a Hall Effect sensor disposed adjacent the armature. The Hall Effect sensor senses rotation of the armature. The Hall Effect sensor includes an electrical output and generates a stepped output signal. The temperature sensing assembly also includes a thermistor connected to the electrical output in series therewith. The temperature sensing assembly also includes a pull-up resistor electrically connected to the thermistor, a voltage source and a signal output such that the stepped output signal changes depending on the temperature of the motor due to changes in the resistivity of the thermistor as is changes its resistivity as a function of temperature.