Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine of a motor includes a piston head having an outer diameter surface spaced a first distance from the longitudinal axis and an annular surface spaced a second distance from the longitudinal axis, with the second distance being less than the first distance. Upper and lower walls extend between the annular surface and the outer diameter surface so as to define an annular groove in the outer diameter surface. A piston ring is received within the annular groove and includes an inner diameter surface facing the annular surface of the piston head. The inner diameter surface of the piston ring and the annular surface of the piston head cooperate with one another to define a plurality of pockets angularly spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis and configured to receive oil.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine of a motor includes a piston head having an outer diameter surface spaced a first distance from the longitudinal axis and an annular surface spaced a second distance from the longitudinal axis, with the second distance being less than the first distance. Upper and lower walls extend between the annular surface and the outer diameter surface so as to define an annular groove in the outer diameter surface. A piston ring is received within the annular groove and includes an inner diameter surface facing the annular surface of the piston head. The inner diameter surface of the piston ring and the annular surface of the piston head cooperate with one another to define a plurality of pockets angularly spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis and configured to receive oil.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly includes configuring a crankshaft with a crankpin journal having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial side to a second axial side of the crankpin journal, and opening at at least one of the first axial side and the second axial side. The method includes disposing a core plug in the cavity. The crankshaft has a first density and the core plug may have a second density which may be less than the first density. A crankshaft assembly includes the crankshaft and the core plug.

Abstract: An assembly such as a piston assembly for an engine includes a piston pin that has an outer member and a core. The outer member has a cavity extending lengthwise therethrough. The cavity has a first volume. The core is fit to the outer member in the cavity, and has a second volume less than the first volume. For example, the second volume may be less than the first volume because the core has an opening, because the core is shorter in length than the cavity, or both. A method of manufacturing a piston pin includes providing an outer member having a first density and a first length, creating a cavity that extends lengthwise through the outer member, providing a core having a second density and a second length, and inserting the core into the cavity of the outer member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly includes configuring a crankshaft with a crankpin journal having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial side to a second axial side of the crankpin journal, and opening at at least one of the first axial side and the second axial side. The method includes disposing a core plug in the cavity. The crankshaft has a first density and the core plug may have a second density which may be less than the first density. A crankshaft assembly includes the crankshaft and the core plug.

Abstract: An assembly such as a piston assembly for an engine includes a piston pin that has an outer member and a core. The outer member has a cavity extending lengthwise therethrough. The cavity has a first volume. The core is fit to the outer member in the cavity, and has a second volume less than the first volume. For example, the second volume may be less than the first volume because the core has an opening, because the core is shorter in length than the cavity, or both. A method of manufacturing a piston pin includes providing an outer member having a first density and a first length, creating a cavity that extends lengthwise through the outer member, providing a core having a second density and a second length, and inserting the core into the cavity of the outer member.

Abstract: A shutter system for controlling a flow of fluid through an entryway includes a plurality of louvers, wherein each louver includes a pivot axis and an actuating portion. The shutter system also includes a mechanism configured to select a position for the system between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed by rotating each of the plurality of louvers about the respective pivot axis. The mechanism is configured to engage each actuating portion and rotate each louver at a variable rate. A vehicle employing the shutter system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A check link assembly for positioning a vehicle closure has a selectively positionable detent feature. The check link assembly includes an elongated link having a distal end. At least one cover is attachable to the link in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The cover has a first end, a second end, and a contoured surface between the first end and the second end. At least one member is biased against the link and is configured to ride against the contoured surface of the cover. The contoured surface at least partially defines a detent feature that interferes with the biased member to increase resistance to relative movement of the link and the biased member, thereby establishing a stop position. The detent feature is further from the distal end of the link when the cover is in the first orientation than when the cover is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A roof rack system includes first and second longitudinal tracks mountable to the roof substantially parallel to one another. The roof rack system includes first and second roof rack assemblies. Each roof rack assembly has a cross member configured to span between the longitudinal tracks. The roof rack assembly has first and second support modules operatively connecting the cross member to the first and second longitudinal tracks, respectively, such that each of the support modules establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member. The roof rack assembly has a biasing member, as well as a locking mechanism that is configured to hold the support modules in a collapsed position, and is releasable to allow the biasing member to urge the support modules to a deployed position in which the cross member is raised above the longitudinal tracks. The for/aft position of the support modules is adjustable.

Abstract: A check link assembly for positioning a vehicle closure has a selectively positionable detent feature. The check link assembly includes an elongated link having a distal end. At least one cover is attachable to the link in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The cover has a first end, a second end, and a contoured surface between the first end and the second end. At least one member is biased against the link and is configured to ride against the contoured surface of the cover. The contoured surface at least partially defines a detent feature that interferes with the biased member to increase resistance to relative movement of the link and the biased member, thereby establishing a stop position. The detent feature is further from the distal end of the link when the cover is in the first orientation than when the cover is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes rails secured to a vehicle body, first joints secured to one of the rails and able to pivot about an axis through a first angle between a first reference position and a second reference position, a panel, and second joints secured to one of the rails, supporting the panel and able to pivot about a second axis through a second angle between a first reference position and a third reference position.

Abstract: A compartment includes a plurality of side walls and a floor configured to define a storage area. The compartment also includes a panel operatively connected to the floor or to at least one of the plurality of side walls. The panel is configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage area. The compartment additionally include a torque rod having a wall thickness, a hollow interior, a first end fixed relative to the storage area and a second end fixed relative to the panel. The torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby assist operation of the panel. A vehicle employing such an enclosure is also provided.

Abstract: A roof rack system includes first and second longitudinal tracks mountable to the roof substantially parallel to one another. The roof rack system includes first and second roof rack assemblies. Each roof rack assembly has a cross member configured to span between the longitudinal tracks. The roof rack assembly has first and second support modules operatively connecting the cross member to the first and second longitudinal tracks, respectively, such that each of the support modules establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member. The roof rack assembly has a biasing member, as well as a locking mechanism that is configured to hold the support modules in a collapsed position, and is releasable to allow the biasing member to urge the support modules to a deployed position in which the cross member is raised above the longitudinal tracks. The for/aft position of the support modules is adjustable.

Abstract: A shutter system for controlling a flow of fluid through an entryway includes a plurality of louvers, wherein each louver includes a pivot axis and an actuating portion. The shutter system also includes a mechanism configured to select a position for the system between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed by rotating each of the plurality of louvers about the respective pivot axis. The mechanism is configured to engage each actuating portion and rotate each louver at a variable rate. A vehicle employing the shutter system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes rails secured to a vehicle body, first joints secured to one of the rails and able to pivot about an axis through a first angle between a first reference position and a second reference position, a panel, and second joints secured to one of the rails, supporting the panel and able to pivot about a second axis through a second angle between a first reference position and a third reference position.

Abstract: A compartment includes a plurality of side walls and a floor configured to define a storage area. The compartment also includes a panel operatively connected to the floor or to at least one of the plurality of side walls. The panel is configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage area. The compartment additionally include a torque rod having a wall thickness, a hollow interior, a first end fixed relative to the storage area and a second end fixed relative to the panel. The torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby assist operation of the panel. A vehicle employing such an enclosure is also provided.

Abstract: A door latching system for a vehicle and method of latching are provided. The system includes a carrier and a receiver each connected to one of a door and a door interface. The latching system, when non-actuated, does not substantially protrude from the latching faces of the door and door interface into an opening therebetween. The latching system is adaptable to a vehicle defining a continuous access opening closed by independently openable and closeable doors. The latching member is actuated to move from a retracted position to a protracted position in response to a triggering event, which may be defined by a sensor. In the protracted position, the latching member engages the receiver and the carrier to operatively latch the door and door interface portion. A latching feature defined by the latching member may be selectively engageable with a retaining member when the latching member is in the protracted position.

Abstract: A door latching system for a vehicle and method of latching are provided. The system includes a carrier and a receiver each connected to one of a door and a door interface. The latching system, when non-actuated, does not substantially protrude from the latching faces of the door and door interface into an opening therebetween. The latching system is adaptable to a vehicle defining a continuous access opening closed by independently openable and closeable doors. The latching member is actuated to move from a retracted position to a protracted position in response to a triggering event, which may be defined by a sensor. In the protracted position, the latching member engages the receiver and the carrier to operatively latch the door and door interface portion. A latching feature defined by the latching member may be selectively engageable with a retaining member when the latching member is in the protracted position.

Abstract: An endgate assembly connectable to a vehicle body for opening and closing a vehicle bed formed by the body includes an endgate supportable by the vehicle body at a pivot connection and openable and closable by pivoting about the pivot connection. A keyed support member is securable to the vehicle body. A damper and a cable are connected to the endgate. Both the damper and the cable have ends that are configured to be retained by the keyed support member when the endgate is pivoted between the open and closed position. The cable and damper ends can be removed from the keyed support member without tools when the cable end is rotated relative to the keyed support member. A method of modifying the vehicle bed by detaching or reattaching the endgate assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An endgate assembly connectable to a vehicle body for opening and closing a vehicle bed formed by the body includes an endgate supportable by the vehicle body at a pivot connection and openable and closable by pivoting about the pivot connection. A keyed support member is securable to the vehicle body. A damper and a cable are connected to the endgate. Both the damper and the cable have ends that are configured to be retained by the keyed support member when the endgate is pivoted between the open and closed position. The cable and damper ends can be removed from the keyed support member without tools when the cable end is rotated relative to the keyed support member. A method of modifying the vehicle bed by detaching or reattaching the endgate assembly is also provided.