Patents Assigned to Meritor Light Vehicle Systems
  • Patent number: 6684568
    Abstract: A door panel assembly includes a panel with a window regulator mounted on one side and a power mechanism mounted on an opposite side. The panel has a first alignment feature for aligning the window regulator relative to the panel and a second alignment feature for aligning the power mechanism relative to the panel. The first and second alignment features facilitate alignment of the window regulator and the power mechanism to each other. Further, the first and second alignment features allow initial assembly of one of the window regulator or power mechanism components to the panel with a subsequent assembly of the remaining component to the panel without having to hold the first component in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems—France
    Inventors: Klaus B. W. Blume, Damien Cabanne, Pascal DeVries, Simon Dobson, Charles B. Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Mark G. Lawrie, Yaun le Gallo
  • Patent number: 6675455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling an opening leaf with a vehicle chassis, comprising the steps of measuring geometric references on the contour of an opening in a vehicle chassis, supplying an opening leaf corresponding to the opening in the chassis, adjusting at least one hinge secured to the chassis and to the opening leaf, according to references measured on the opening, assembling the opening leaf with the chassis using the adjusted hinge. The invention allows a door to be assembled with a vehicle precisely and in a minimum number of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Jacky Mercier, Pascal De Vries
  • Patent number: 6655089
    Abstract: A device for electrically driving a cable-actuated window regulator includes a casing and an electric motor. The electric motor drives an endless screw meshing with a toothed ring surrounding a conventional brake box that is connected to a cable winding drum disposed in the housing. The toothed ring presents a frontal wall obturating the opening of a cylindrical sleeve forming the casing of the brake box. The drum and the frontal wall define fingers capable of cooperating with the ends of a helical spring disposed in the cylindrical sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventor: Yann Le Gallo
  • Patent number: 6652009
    Abstract: An actuator including a device for providing a magnetic field including a magnetic field generator, the actuator further including an output element being moveable between a first position where it blocks or breaks an associated mechanical transmission path and a second position where it unblocks or forms part of an associated mechanical transmission path, the output element being moveable as a result of changes in its local magnetic field as generated by the magnetic field generator, at least a part of the device being moveable to change said local magnetic field to effect movement of the output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Sidney Fisher, Jagjiwan Birdi
  • Patent number: 6650025
    Abstract: A vehicle incorporating a switch, a window operable by a first power actuator, and a door having a child safety locking device operable by a second power actuator, the vehicle further including an associated window operating switch and an inside door opening handle for normal use by an occupant sitting adjacent the door, in which the switch is arranged to operate the second power actuator to put the child safety locking device into a child safety on condition, prevent the first power actuator from opening the window in response to operation of the associated window operating switch, and prevent the second power actuator from operating in response to operation of the inside door opening handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Mark Hao Li
  • Patent number: 6648350
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a stabilizer bar having an integral ball link directly formed as each end of the stabilizer bar. Because the ball link is integral to the stabilizer bar, there are no bolts, nuts or other fasteners that limit the articulation of the end link relative to the stabilizer bar. The present invention thereby provides greater end link articulation and improved suspension system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Clements, Joe Fader, Chris Keeney, Steve Yollick, Jim Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6642454
    Abstract: A device for guiding and retaining electric cables in a vehicle includes a first part with a cable guide channel and a second part with a cable retainer that retains the cables in the guide channel. The first part guides cables in a desired direction while the second part allows cables to be retained inside or extracted from the guide channel. The second part compresses the cables placed in the guide channel against the first part. The device also includes a securing means to connect to the vehicle. The second part compresses the cables placed in the guide channel against the first part. The device also includes a securing means to connect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Jacky Mercier, Jean-Charles Vial
  • Patent number: 6634142
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a simple and compact mount for attaching a power or manual window drive mechanism within a door module. The drive mechanism can be removed from a door panel without having to remove the driven mechanism that lowers and raises the window. The drive mechanism is positioned on one side of the panel and the driven mechanism is positioned on an opposite side of the panel from the drive mechanism. A retaining assembly retains the driven and drive mechanisms to the panel such that the drive mechanism can be selectively detached from the panel without detaching the driven mechanism from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Simon Dobson, Arnd Herwig
  • Patent number: 6601883
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly has an unlatching mechanism that includes an input member and an output member that are releasably drive connected together. An overriding element carries the input member and the output member into and out of drive connection and is urged in a clutch disconnecting condition. If the overriding element is displaced into a clutch connecting condition, power actuation of the input member is possible after a manually operable release member is shifted to disengage a latching pawl out of engagement from a latch. The overriding element prevents disengagement of the latch if there is a malfunction in the power actuator and ensures that power unlatching can be initiated only by the release member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Gurbinder Singh Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6592157
    Abstract: An entry door lock system includes an energy storage device (27) to permit unlatching if unlatching movement of a door handle occurs before the latch has been unlocked. The device (27) is passive if unlocking occurs before unlatching movement of the door handle. The invention avoids the need for repeat movement of the door handle in cases where unlocking follows initial door handle movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Victor Spurr
  • Patent number: 6588828
    Abstract: A drive system (10) operable to drive vehicle door functions comprises a drive member (20) mounted for rotation about a drive axis by a drive motor (12), a rocker (24) operable by the drive member (20), and translation means (16), (18), (22) operable to move the drive member (20) to a predetermined position on the drive axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Sidney Edward Fisher
  • Patent number: 6584731
    Abstract: A window lifter comprises a cable, a window linkage driven by the cable, a fixed device and a cable redirecting device. The cable redirecting device is rotatably mounted on the fixed device and adapted to automatically lock onto the fixed device upon reaching a predetermined angular position. In addition, the cable redirecting device has a cable guiding portion which is not a figure of revolution about the axis of rotation relative to the fixed device. This window lifting mechanism provides a simple structure with few elements. Its assembly is also simple: the cable-redirecting device is rotatably mounted on the fixed device; it is thereafter rotated for tensioning the cable and then locked in a position where the cable is tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Laurent Arquevaux, Pascal DeVries, David Lewicki, Jacky Mercier, Hong Vu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6580240
    Abstract: An activation device for a functional component of motor vehicle equipment having an electric motor includes a transmission device connected on the one hand to an output shaft of the motor and on the other hand to said functional component, so that the transmission device and the motor exert mutual forces upon one another, and a safety device adapted for modifying the electrical supply of the motor according to an operating parameter significant of said mutual forces. The motor is mounted on the equipment with at least one degree of movement with respect thereto, and the safety device has means of measuring the movement of the motor delivering measurement signals which determine the operating parameter. The activation device is particularly applicable to electric window winder or sun-roof systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Marc Buchheit, Francois Breynaert
  • Patent number: 6575524
    Abstract: A vehicle pick-up bed is disclosed that can be folded into shape by hand. The pick-up bed includes a generally flat sheet of colored material molded together with a generally flat sheet of reinforced polymeric material. Preferably, the sheet of colored material is placed in the mold and the reinforced polymeric material is injected into the mold, onto the back of the colored sheet. During the molding process, the reinforced polymeric material and the colored material are formed or molded into a single, generally flat, solid component. The sheet of colored material adheres to the reinforced polymeric material. Once molded, the sides of the pick-up bed are folded into shape along hinge edges and connected to stay in place. Hinge edges could be formed by locating few or no reinforcing fibers in the reinforced polymeric material in the desired location of the hinge edges. The colored material is preferably.a paintless polymer film. Alternatively, the colored material is pre-painted aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Grimm, Steven Foster, Holly Giangrande, Charlie Hopson, Roch Tolinski, Laurent Arquevaux, Carmelo Mondello, Nick Kalageros
  • Patent number: 6574922
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle door comprising an outer panel lined with an inner door panel having at least one opening therethrough, a rigid base door trim panel covered with a decorative covering, the rigid base door trim panel being fixed to the inner door panel and being disposed in front of the opening thereof, the rigid base door trim panel locally integrating a cup-shaped housing opened towards the decorative covering and covered thereby, and a window lift mechanism partially received within the cup-shaped housing and connected to the vehicle door, the window lift mechanism comprising a rotative drum for lifting or lowering the window. The rotative drum is rotatively fitted within the cup-shaped housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignees: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Sai Automotive Sal GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Velthaus, Bernhard Yves Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 6568721
    Abstract: A latch assembly including a latch bolt moveable between a closed position at which it is capable of retaining a striker and a open position at which it is capable of releasing a striker, the latch assembly further including a pawl moveable between a retaining position at which it is capable of retaining the latch bolt in at least it closed position and a released position at which the latch bolt is free to move between its open and closed position, in which the pawl is rotatably mounted via a rotating element bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Sidney Edward Fisher
  • Patent number: 6564666
    Abstract: A reducing motor including a rotor with an armature shaft, a reducer housing (2) containing a gear wheel (3) engaging a worm on the shaft, and a shock absorber (5) housed in the gear wheel and rotationally integral therewith. The unitary shock absorber has circumferential notches (8) engageable both by radial flanges 87) on the gear wheel and by elements (10) for driving an output member (11), and chamfers (90) are provided on the edges of the notches to ensure gradual torque-dependent angular deflection of the shock absorber and make it easier to mount the same automatically on the hub of the gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventor: Nomerange Herve Marcel
  • Patent number: 6560928
    Abstract: A system assembles an apparatus for activating a window on a fixed support. The apparatus includes a drum housing drum cover which has a cover body which is capable of being secured on the fixed support by a first securing member. The cover body includes lugs which block the drum in the drum cover. The system further includes a motor assembly for driving the drum in rotation. The motor assembly includes a principle body which is capable of being secured on the cover body by a second securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems -France
    Inventors: Damien Cabanne, Mark Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal De Vries, Klaus Blume, Charles Hopson, Hervé Laurandel, Simon Dobson
  • Patent number: 6553718
    Abstract: The window lifter comprises a window slider, a cable driving said window slider, a spring having a mobile cable tensioning portion and having a fixed cable return portion, both portions engaging the cable. This window lifter provides a simplified fabrication and a reduced number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Laurent Arquevaux, Yaun Le Gallo, Herve Doreau, Richard Dubas
  • Patent number: 6553720
    Abstract: This invention relates to a window regulator comprising a guide rail having a slideway of L-section and a window-bearing slider in which is made a notch adapted to allow fit of the slideway. The notch is defined by walls of which zones are in sliding abutment on the adjacent guiding faces of the slideway. The zones of abutment of the slider are formed by regular surfaces with generatrix parallel to the direction of displacement of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventor: Sophie Merlet