Abstract: A deployable vehicle rear wing conforms closely to the styled surface of the vehicle body in a retracted, or stowed, position while adaptively changing its cross section in a deployed position so as to provide a highly efficient airfoil section, with an integrated Gurney flap. Additionally, the adaptive cross section changes and Gurney flap deployment is provided via a linkage that utilizes a drive mechanism of a main deployment system.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle door includes the step of pushing an unlatched door to an ajar position. The unlatched door is mechanically held in the ajar position. In one embodiment, the method is performed using a door presenting system that includes a door checker that is configured to hold a door in the ajar position. A presenting actuator is movable between retracted and extended positions. The extended position corresponds to the ajar position. A controller is configured to move the presenting actuator between the retracted and extended positions in response to a presenting signal.

Abstract: A selectively switchable dual rate vehicle suspension system comprising a pushrod actuated inboard spring configuration, conventionally oriented between the unsprung mass and the sprung mass of one corner of the vehicle, comprising a torsion bar spring of a first predetermined rate, K1, and a coil spring of a second predetermined rate, K2, arranged in series so as to provide a total combined spring rate KT.

Abstract: An automotive door system includes a hinge that supports a door. A switch provides a first input in response to a user request to automatically open or close the door. An output shaft of a power drive module is connected to the door and a gearbox to provide an output torque that corresponds to a desired motion of the door about the hinge. A brake assembly is connected to a shaft member and has a normally closed position in which the shaft member is grounded to the housing and an open position that corresponds to one of a door closing mode and a door opening mode. A position sensor detects rotation of the output shaft and provides a second input in response thereto, which corresponds to a manually initiated movement of the door that exceeds a slip torque of the brake assembly in the normally closed position.

Abstract: A door checker includes a housing which has a base from which first and second opposing flanges extend. First and second guide pins are spaced apart from one another and are interconnected to the first and second flanges. A check arm extends through the base and is arranged between the first and second guide pins. The check arm is configured to move relative to the housing and includes a profile that corresponds to a variable door holding force. A bearing member is arranged on one side of the check arm and is slidably supported by the first and second guide pins. The bearing member coacts with the profile.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection automotive hinge includes a release assembly which includes a clip supported at one of the first and second opposing ends of a slot in one of first and second members, and a stop pin supported by the other of the first and second members. The stop pin is captured in the clip in the normally closed position and the normally opened position. An actuator is configured to engage the second member and to force the second member upward relative to the first member in response to a collision input. The stop pin is configured to break the clip in response to this force permitting the second member to pivot about a member pin relative to the first member to an opened hood collision position and the stop pin to move to the end of the slot opposite the clip.

Abstract: An automotive door system includes a hinge supporting a door. A door check module interconnects to one of the vehicle and the door by a linkage assembly. An output shaft is connected to the linkage assembly and rotates relative to a door check module housing. The output shaft provides an output torque to check the door in a desired door position. A sensor detects rotation of the shaft and produces a signal in response thereto. A brake assembly includes a shaft member operatively connected to the output shaft. The brake assembly has a normally closed position in which the shaft member is grounded to the housing in a door check mode. The brake assembly includes an open position that corresponds to one of a door closing mode and a door opening mode. The brake assembly moves from the normally closed position to the open position in response to the signal.

Abstract: A method is provided which forms a closed section hollow structural element by performing the following steps which include press forming an upper sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel downstanding interface flanges; press forming a lower sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel upstanding interface flanges; complementarily trimming the downstanding interface flanges and the upstanding interface flanges using five-axis laser cutting; and butt welding the interface flanges of the upper and lower sheet metal components to one another to form a continuous hollow structural element of variable cross section.

Abstract: A spoiler mechanism (13) for a vehicle (10) includes a spoiler (16) that has a stowed position and first and second deployed positions. An actuator (22) is configured to move the spoiler (16) though the stowed and first and second deployed positions in response to a command. A multi-link assembly (20) is interconnected by pivot points. The multi-link assembly (20) is operatively connected to the spoiler (16). In the first deployed position at least three pivot points are aligned with one another in a plane and provide a first geometrically locked position. In the second deployed position a second geometrically locked position is provided in which a link of the multi-link assembly (20) abuts another structure.

Abstract: A method is provided which forms a closed section hollow structural element by performing the following steps which include press forming an upper sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel downstanding interface flanges; press forming a lower sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel upstanding interface flanges; complementarily trimming the downstanding interface flanges and the upstanding interface flanges using five-axis laser cutting; and butt welding the interface flanges of the upper and lower sheet metal components to one another to form a continuous hollow structural element of variable cross section.

Abstract: An automotive hinge assembly adapted to facilitate motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure comprises a door component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle closure panel, a body component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a simple formed feature and the pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body structure, such that the pivot pin structurally assembles the two hinge components, facilitates relative rotary motion between them and structurally connects the multiple press formed angle brackets so that the resulting assembly achieves a much higher material efficiency than the prior art with an associated significant cost reduction.

Abstract: An automotive door system includes a hinge that supports a door. A switch provides a first input in response to a user request to automatically open or close the door. An output shaft of a power drive module is connected to the door and a gearbox to provide an output torque that corresponds to a desired motion of the door about the hinge. A brake assembly is connected to a shaft member and has a normally closed position in which the shaft member is grounded to the housing and an open position that corresponds to one of a door closing mode and a door opening mode. A position sensor detects rotation of the output shaft and provides a second input in response thereto, which corresponds to a manually initiated movement of the door that exceeds a slip torque of the brake assembly in the normally closed position.

Abstract: An automotive hinge assembly adapted to facilitate motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure comprises a door component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle closure panel, a body component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a simple formed feature and the pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body structure, such that the pivot pin structurally assembles the two hinge components, facilitates relative rotary motion between them and structurally connects the multiple press formed angle brackets so that the resulting assembly achieves a much higher material efficiency than the prior art with an associated significant cost reduction.

Abstract: A control device is used to move a pick-up truck tailgate. The control device comprises a first gear arrangement connected to a drive cup and a second gear arrangement that is connected to a motor for driving the second gear arrangement. The control device also includes a clutch arrangement positioned between the first and second gear arrangements. When the clutch arrangement is in an engaged position, it couples the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement to transmit torque to the first gear arrangement and the drive cup. When the clutch arrangement is in the disengaged position, the first and second gear arrangements are not coupled. Optionally, the control device comprises a brake unit to slow or stop movement of the tailgate. The control device can be positioned within the pick-up truck tailgate.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.

Abstract: A handle assembly is used with a pick-up truck tailgate. The handle assembly comprises a guide tube with an open end, a handle that is housed within the guide tube and a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly comprises a pivot pin connected to one end of the handle and a locking pin. The handle is moveable within the guide tube between a retracted position and an extended position. While in the extended position the handle passes through the open end and the handle may pivot about the pivot pin to move to a support position. When the handle is in the support position, the locking pin can engage the handle and releasably lock the handle in the support position. The guide tube is configured to be secured within a tailgate of a pick-up truck.

Abstract: A beam for a vehicle bumper is formed from a continuous web of material as a closed tubular body. The body has top and bottom walls connected by inner and outer walls. A support extends between the inner and outer walls and a reinforcement overlies at least a portion of the outer wall between the support and the bottom wall to provide a double walled structure.

Abstract: A method is provided which forms a closed section hollow structural element by performing the following steps which include press forming an upper sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel downstanding interface flanges; press forming a lower sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel upstanding interface flanges; complementarily trimming the downstanding interface flanges and the upstanding interface flanges using five-axis laser cutting; and butt welding the interface flanges of the upper and lower sheet metal components to one another to form a continuous hollow structural element of variable cross section.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.