Abstract: A backup energy source (1) for an automotive system (102) in a motor vehicle (101) is designed to receive a main supply voltage (Vbatt), during a normal operating condition, and to provide a backup supply voltage (Vsc) during a failure operating condition, different from the normal operating condition. The backup energy source (1) has a control unit (2), and a supercapacitor group (4), operable by the control unit (2) to store energy during the normal operating condition and to provide the backup supply voltage (Vsc) during the failure operating condition. A diagnostic module (10) is coupled to the supercapacitor group (4) to provide the control unit (2) with information concerning an operating status of the supercapacitor group (4).

Abstract: A latch for a door of a motor vehicle includes a supporting body, a closing assembly adapted to cooperate with a latch striker, and an opening mechanism which can move between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. An inertia lever is fitted to the supporting body and is free to oscillate from a first position to a second position. The latch includes a blocking lever movable between a release position and a stable blocking position. The inertia lever and the blocking lever are coupled in such a way that movement of inertia lever from the first position and the second position causes the movement of blocking lever from the release position to the stable blocking position.

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: An electronic latch assembly for a closure device of a motor vehicle, having an actuator group operable for actuation of the closure device and an electric motor controllable to drive the actuator group (6). The electronic latch assembly has a backup energy source, and a control unit controlling the electric motor and the backup energy source to provide a backup supply voltage (Vsc) during an emergency operating condition. The control unit is configured to enter an emergency mode to cause disabling of actuation of the closure device, upon detecting the occurrence of the emergency operating condition, and to maintain disabled the actuation of the closure device, during the emergency operating condition.

Abstract: A vehicle latch is provided having a ratchet, a primary pawl, an auxiliary ratchet and a secondary pawl, and further including a gear that is movable to a secondary pawl locking position wherein the gear directly blocks movement of the secondary pawl and locks the secondary pawl in an auxiliary ratchet holding position to prevent premature or unintended opening of the latch.

Abstract: An automated retractable step system has at least one linkage subassembly for attachment to a vehicle frame. A step is attached to the linkage subassembly and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled with the linkage subassembly for moving the step between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor subassembly includes a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed adjacent to the sensing electrode and a driven shield electrode extending generally parallel to and in a spaced relationship with the sensing electrode and the reference electrode. A controller is electrically connected to the sensing electrode and to the reference electrode and to the driven shield electrode. The controller is also electrically connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator to move the step between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to the signal from the sensor subassembly.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: In an aspect, an enclosure member for a circuit board includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls that define an interior. The first and second walls face each other. The third and fourth walls face each other. The fifth wall faces an opening. The first and second support members face the second wall. The second support member is spaced longitudinally from the first support member. The first and second walls are spaced apart by a distance that increases towards the opening. Any surfaces in the interior that at least partially face the second wall have a distance from the second wall that does not decrease towards the opening. The interior is free of surfaces that face the fifth wall and are perpendicular to the second wall thereby preventing die lock during molding, while providing the enclosure member with first and second support members that are spaced longitudinally.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a vehicle operation includes a first user-input interface, a second user-input interface, and a vehicle controller. The first user-input interface is configured to interact with a user via a swipe-up input. The second user-input interface is configured to interact with the user via an application independent of the swipe-up input. The vehicle controller is configured to control the vehicle operation in response to detecting a first swipe-type user-input via the first user-input interface and a second user-input via the second user-input interface within a predetermined time.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut for moving a closure member between open and closed positions relative to a vehicle body includes a housing having an inner surface bounding a cavity extending along a central axis between opposite first and second ends. A power screw is disposed in the cavity in operable communication with a motor, with a gear assembly operably connecting the motor to the power screw. An extensible member has an outer cover tube received in the housing cavity and a drive mechanism for converting rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible member. An annular gap extends between the inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the outer cover tube. An annular bushing is disposed within the annular gap to minimize laterally play between the housing and the outer cover tube.

Abstract: A variable resistance conductive rubber sensor and method of detecting an object/human touch therewith is provided. The sensor has a sensor body constructed from electrically conductive rubber. The sensor body extends between opposite first and second ends. A first wire is operably connected to the first end and a second wire may be operably connected to the second end, with the first and second wires being brought into electrical communication with one another by the intermediately extending electrically conductive rubber of the sensor body. A microcontroller is operably connected to the sensor body to detect the presence of an applied force or human touch on the sensor body.

Abstract: A latch assembly is provided and has a latch housing containing latch components and is integrally coupled to an electronic control assembly having control electronics for controlling the latch components and sensors and switches external to the latch housing. The control housing includes an exterior wall defining an interior cavity for mounting the control electronics. The control housing provides a mechanical connector with an external connector including a set of double sided connectors for coupling an electrical connector to the control electronics. The double sided connectors have a first portion projecting away from the exterior wall and outside of the interior cavity and associated with the mechanical connector for connecting with an electrical system of the vehicle and a second portion projecting away from the exterior wall and into the interior cavity to connect to the control electronics.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal closure member 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 closure member and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is connected to the other of the closure member and the motor vehicle body for slidable movement relative to the housing. A motor-gear assembly operably drives a rotatable power screw. A 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 closure member and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the closure member. A clutch/coupling assembly is operably disposed between the motor-gear assembly and the power screw and integrates a slip clutch device and a flexible coupling into a common unit.

Abstract: A friction based counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel for at least a portion of a path between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including: an elongate member positioned on a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the counterbalance mechanism, the elongate member having a peripheral surface, the elongate member having a proximal end for coupling to one of the closure panel and a body of a vehicle; a travel member having a body and at least one friction member mounted on the body, the travel member positioned on the longitudinal axis for reciprocation there along and for providing contact between the at least one friction member and the peripheral surface, said contact for generating a friction force in a first region along the longitudinal axis and in a second region along the longitudinal axis; and a support member coupled to the travel el

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a vehicle operation includes a first user-input interface, a second user-input interface, and a vehicle controller. The first user-input interface is configured to interact with a user via a swipe-up input. The second user-input interface is configured to interact with the user via an application independent of the swipe-up input. The vehicle controller is configured to control the vehicle operation in response to detecting a first swipe-type user-input via the first user-input interface and a second user-input via the second user-input interface within a predetermined time.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snow/ice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A tire inflation apparatuses is provided for maintaining a predetermined inflation pressure of a pair of tires mounted a dual wheel unit of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first and a second pump unit that are connected to a housing that includes a mounting structure for engaging a complementary mounting structure of the dual wheel unit. The first and second pump include first and second pump rods configured to translate in response to rotation of the dual wheel unit. A gearset and an eccentric drive mechanism are arranged to reciprocate the first and second pump rods.

Abstract: A powered deployable spoiler assembly includes a support member adapted for mounting to a motor vehicle and a spoiler panel disposed in a recessed segment of the support member. A pair of power-operated drive units interconnect the spoiler panel to the support member and are operable to move the spoiler panel between a non-deployed position, a first deployed position to provide aerodynamic assistance at a first vehicle speed, and a second deployed position to provide augmented aerodynamic assistance at a second higher vehicle speed. Each drive unit defines a guide slot and includes a stanchion fixed to the spoiler panel and a follower assembly fixed to the stanchion and disposed for movement within the guide slot. Electric motors are coupled to rotary-to-linear conversion mechanisms for converting rotation into translation of the follower assemblies to control movement of the spoiler panel.