Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.

Abstract: An indexing multi-panel door includes a leading door panel supported on a first track and moveable between open and closed positions, a trailing door panel supported on a second track and moveable between open and closed positions, a motion control track mounted to one of the door panels, a follower mounted to the other one of the door panels, the follower including a first distal end received within the motion control track, the motion control track including features to frictionally engage the first distal end, wherein when the leading door is moved between the open and closed positions, engagement between the first distal end and the features moves the trailing door panel along with the leading door panel, and allows slippage, wherein the leading and trailing door panels move relative to one another as the leading and trailing door panels are moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An indexing multi-panel door includes a leading door panel supported on a first track and moveable between open and closed positions, a trailing door panel supported on a second track and moveable between open and closed positions, a motion control track mounted to one of the door panels, a follower mounted to the other one of the door panels, the follower including a first distal end received within the motion control track, the motion control track including features to frictionally engage the first distal end, wherein when the leading door is moved between the open and closed positions, engagement between the first distal end and the features moves the trailing door panel along with the leading door panel, and allows slippage, wherein the leading and trailing door panels move relative to one another as the leading and trailing door panels are moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A system is used to control access into a vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a vehicle exterior, and an access opening. The vehicle also has an access door for selectively covering and uncovering at least a portion of the access opening. The system includes a latch configured to selectively fasten the door to the vehicle body and release the door therefrom. The system also includes a cable configured to operate the latch and thereby release the door from the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a door presenter configured to shift the door away from the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to sequentially actuate the cable and the door presenter. The system further includes an electric motor configured to power the mechanism such that the door is shifted away from the vehicle body by the door presenter after the door is released.

Abstract: A cinching system includes: a profile configured to determine a first time series of target values for cinching a closure closed; an adjustment module configured to determine an adjustment value based on at least one operating parameter; an adjusting module configured to generate a second time series of target values for cinching of the closure by adjusting at least one of the target values of the first time series based on the adjustment value; and a power control module configured to: apply power to a cinching motor when the closure is partially closed, where the cinching motor is configured to cinch and fully close the closure; and based on a comparison of a measured value of the cinching motor and one of the target values of the second time series, selectively one of: decrease power applied to the cinching motor; and disconnect the cinching motor from power.

Abstract: A system and method for actuating a vehicle system tracks approach to the vehicle and determines propriety of system actuation based upon trajectory information and other conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for actuating a vehicle system tracks approach to the vehicle and determines propriety of system actuation based upon trajectory information and other conditions.

Abstract: A system for operating an automatically movable panel that forms a portion of an exterior of a vehicle, and provides access to an interior of the vehicle; a motivator connected to the panel and moving the panel through a range of motion; a proximity sensor; and a control module disposed within the motor vehicle, the control module having a processor configured to execute control logic, the motivator and the proximity sensor in electronic communication with the control module. The control logic including: determining a position of the panel; receiving a plurality of passive inputs; selectively utilizing the motivator to move the panel through the range of motion based on the passive inputs; utilizing the proximity sensor to selectively determine when to initiate movement of the movable panel through the range of motion with the motivator; and informing a motor vehicle occupant of movement of the panel via a human-machine interface.

Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.

Abstract: A system is used to control access into a vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a vehicle exterior, and an access opening. The vehicle also has an access door for selectively covering and uncovering at least a portion of the access opening. The system includes a latch configured to selectively fasten the door to the vehicle body and release the door therefrom. The system also includes a cable configured to operate the latch and thereby release the door from the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a door presenter configured to shift the door away from the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to sequentially actuate the cable and the door presenter. The system further includes an electric motor configured to power the mechanism such that the door is shifted away from the vehicle body by the door presenter after the door is released.

Abstract: An obstacle detection sensor system for a movable panel of a motor vehicle includes an obstacle detection sensor disposed on an articulating mount, the obstacle detection sensor and articulating mount being hidden from view by an exterior surface of the motor vehicle in a first position, and the articulating mount providing the obstacle detection sensor with a sensor detection range including an exterior surface of the movable panel in a second position. Movement of the articulating mount from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position is coupled to movement of the movable panel.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle, sensing a position of a vehicle door after movement of the interior door handle is sensed to determine if the door remains in an unopened position or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed, a timer is started to determine if the measured time period is equal to or greater than a maximum delay time. A active or inactive state of a double door lock feature of the door lock system is determined and a control signal to automatically generated to deactivate the double door lock feature if the double door lock feature is active, the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum delay time, and the door is in the unopened position.

Abstract: An obstacle detection sensor system for a movable panel of a motor vehicle includes an obstacle detection sensor disposed on an articulating mount, the obstacle detection sensor and articulating mount being hidden from view by an exterior surface of the motor vehicle in a first position, and the articulating mount providing the obstacle detection sensor with a sensor detection range including an exterior surface of the movable panel in a second position. Movement of the articulating mount from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position is coupled to movement of the movable panel.

Abstract: A system for operating an automatically movable panel that forms a portion of an exterior of a vehicle, and provides access to an interior of the vehicle; a motivator connected to the panel and moving the panel through a range of motion; a proximity sensor; and a control module disposed within the motor vehicle, the control module having a processor configured to execute control logic, the motivator and the proximity sensor in electronic communication with the control module. The control logic including: determining a position of the panel; receiving a plurality of passive inputs; selectively utilizing the motivator to move the panel through the range of motion based on the passive inputs; utilizing the proximity sensor to selectively determine when to initiate movement of the movable panel through the range of motion with the motivator; and informing a motor vehicle occupant of movement of the panel via a human-machine interface.

Abstract: A system controls opening/closing of a power swinging door, e.g., in a vehicle, and includes a rotary actuator, position sensor, and controller. In a controller-executed method, the actuator applies torque to the door in response to control signals. The controller uses a measured raw angular position from the sensor to determine wind- or grade-based external forces acting on the door during opening or closing, and adjusts the actuator torque in response to the external forces. The sensor may be a rotary encoder, with the actuator being an electric motor. Lookup tables contain data relating oscillation to the external forces. The controller may induce door oscillation and to relate oscillation decay to the external forces. An obstacle-based current threshold may be adjusted in response to the external forces.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting a vehicle side door from opening into an oncoming traffic lane includes sending a remote door open command to the vehicle and detecting if a location of the transmitting device is greater than a predetermined distance from the vehicle to verify safe conditions to execute the command. If the transmitting device is determined to be at a location greater than a predetermined distance from the vehicle to verify safe conditions then GPS and on-board compass information is used to identify which vehicle doors should be inhibited from fully opening in the traffic lane to prevent causing damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system controls opening/closing of a power swinging door, e.g., in a vehicle, and includes a rotary actuator, position sensor, and controller. In a controller-executed method, the actuator applies torque to the door in response to control signals. The controller uses a measured raw angular position from the sensor to determine wind- or grade-based external forces acting on the door during opening or closing, and adjusts the actuator torque in response to the external forces. The sensor may be a rotary encoder, with the actuator being an electric motor. Lookup tables contain data relating oscillation to the external forces. The controller may induce door oscillation and to relate oscillation decay to the external forces. An obstacle-based current threshold may be adjusted in response to the external forces.

Abstract: A 3-point seat belt system having a seat belt retractor (20) with a spool (32), the spool (32) having a locked mode of operation and a freewheeling mode of operation; a seat belt (411) characterized as having a known elongation rate under stress; a collapsible member (40) wrapped about a center portion of the spool (32) of the retractor (20), the member (40) having an initial diameter dl when unstressed and collapsible to a lesser diameter of d2 under stress. The method having the step of generating a retarding force on the occupant (404) in proportion to the degree by which the collapsible member (40) collapses.