Abstract: A vehicle includes a tailgate configured to enclose a truck bed, a power tailgate system configured to cause the tailgate to move between a closed position and an open position, at least one sensor disposed on the tailgate, a cable stay configured to couple to the tailgate and a body of the vehicle such that the cable stay is extended between the tailgate and the body of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open position, and a cable stay ramp assembly disposed on the body of the vehicle and configured to guide the cable stay as the tailgate moves from the open position to the closed position. The sensor is configured to detect an object between the tailgate the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle inside door lever assembly includes a frame, a lever rotatably mounted on the frame so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame, and a torsion spring structured and operably connected to the lever and the frame so as to rotationally bias the lever in a first rotational direction, toward a closed and latched condition of the lever. An extension spring is structured and operably connected to the lever and the frame so as to rotationally bias the lever in the first rotational direction when the spring is in tension. In a lever where a side impact force acting on the lever would tend to rotate the lever in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the arrangement described may prevent the lever from swinging inwardly in the second rotational direction toward an unlatched condition and releasing the door latch.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed including a bed deck with a bed deck lid configured to move between a closed position covering a compartment below the bed deck and an open position exposing the compartment through the bed deck. A storage system includes a bin assembly located in the compartment. The bin assembly includes a bin configured to hold one or more cargo items and a linkage assembly operatively connected to the bin. The linkage assembly configured to raise the bin assembly from a stowed configuration with the bin recessed into the compartment and the bed deck lid in the closed position to a deployed configuration at least partly outside the compartment with the bed deck lid in the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle door assembly that includes a vehicle door assembly including a door interior handle assembly including a primary spring that biases a door interior handle toward a latched position and a door latch assembly. One or more cables where at least one cable of the one or more cables operably connects the door interior handle to the door latch assembly. A spring module is operably connected to the door interior handle by the one or more cables such that the spring module provides a secondary biasing force that biases the door interior handle toward the latched position.

Abstract: A vehicle inside door lever assembly includes a frame, a lever rotatably mounted on the frame so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame, and a torsion spring structured and operably connected to the lever and the frame so as to rotationally bias the lever in a first rotational direction, toward a closed and latched condition of the lever. An extension spring is structured and operably connected to the lever and the frame so as to rotationally bias the lever in the first rotational direction when the spring is in tension. In a lever where a side impact force acting on the lever would tend to rotate the lever in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the arrangement described may prevent the lever from swinging inwardly in the second rotational direction toward an unlatched condition and releasing the door latch.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a power hood system. The power hood system includes a powered hood rotatable between a closed position and an open position, at least one hood latch (e.g., a primary hood latch and/or a secondary hood latch) configured to secure the powered hood in the closed position (or a half latch position). The power hood system further includes an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the power hood. The electronic control unit is configured to automatically control the powered hood to move to the closed position in response to (1) receiving a drive mode signal indicating that the vehicle has been shifted into drive and (2) receiving a latch position signal indicating that a hood latch (e.g., the secondary hood latch) is not in the latched state.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a power hood system. The power hood system includes a powered hood rotatable between a closed position and an open position, at least one hood latch (e.g., a primary hood latch and/or a secondary hood latch) configured to secure the powered hood in the closed position (or a half latch position). The power hood system further includes an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the power hood. The electronic control unit is configured to automatically control the powered hood to move to the closed position in response to (1) receiving a drive mode signal indicating that the vehicle has been shifted into drive and (2) receiving a latch position signal indicating that a hood latch (e.g., the secondary hood latch) is not in the latched state.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a tailgate configured to enclose a truck bed, a power tailgate system configured to cause the tailgate to move between a closed position and an open position, at least one sensor disposed on the tailgate, a cable stay configured to couple to the tailgate and a body of the vehicle such that the cable stay is extended between the tailgate and the body of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open position, and a cable stay ramp assembly disposed on the body of the vehicle and configured to guide the cable stay as the tailgate moves from the open position to the closed position. The sensor is configured to detect an object between the tailgate the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tailgate support cable assembly includes a cable and a retainer portion attached to an end of the cable. The retainer portion rotatably attaches the end of the cable assembly to a vehicle tailgate. The retainer portion includes a tailgate retention portion, an object contact portion extending from the tailgate retention portion, and a sensor engagement portion extending from the object contact portion. The retainer portion is structured to rotate with respect to the tailgate responsive to contact between the object contact portion and a foreign object positioned in a seam between the tailgate and another portion of the vehicle, during a closing movement of the tailgate. Rotation of the retainer portion brings the sensor engagement portion into contact with (and activates) a touch sensor mounted on the tailgate. Activation of the touch sensor causes a stoppage and/or reversal of tailgate movement, thereby preventing “pinching” of the foreign object.

Abstract: A tailgate support cable assembly includes a cable and a retainer portion attached to an end of the cable. The retainer portion rotatably attaches the end of the cable assembly to a vehicle tailgate. The retainer portion includes a tailgate retention portion, an object contact portion extending from the tailgate retention portion, and a sensor engagement portion extending from the object contact portion. The retainer portion is structured to rotate with respect to the tailgate responsive to contact between the object contact portion and a foreign object positioned in a seam between the tailgate and another portion of the vehicle, during a closing movement of the tailgate. Rotation of the retainer portion brings the sensor engagement portion into contact with (and activates) a touch sensor mounted on the tailgate. Activation of the touch sensor causes a stoppage and/or reversal of tailgate movement, thereby preventing “pinching” of the foreign object.

Abstract: A vehicle hood locking mechanism includes a locking member including a helical portion structured to be insertable into a cavity formed in a vehicle hood. The helical portion is structured to be rotatable with respect to the hood so that contact between the hood and the helical portion during insertion of the helical portion into the cavity causes a rotation of the helical portion from a first rotational position to a second rotational position different from the first rotational position. The locking mechanism is also structured so that the helical portion is rotatable from the second rotational position back to the first rotational position when the helical portion becomes positioned inside the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle hood locking mechanism includes a housing and a hood lock having a locking portion positioned exterior of the housing. The hood lock is coupled to the housing such that the locking portion is rotatable with respect to the housing between a first rotational position and a second rotational position different from the first rotational position. Rotation of the locking portion to the first rotational position enables insertion of the locking portion through a shaped opening formed in the hood. Rotation of the locking portion to the second rotational position after insertion of the locking portion through the opening prevents withdrawal of the locking portion through the opening until the locking portion is rotated back to the first rotational position. This prevents the hood lock from being inadvertently detached from the raised hood, thereby maintaining the hood in the raised condition.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a hood prop assembly for a vehicle having a hood panel with a slot. The hood prop assembly includes an elongated member, a housing, and a retainer mechanism. The elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the vehicle. The housing includes a cavity. The housing further includes a distal end and a proximate end. The cavity extends axially from the proximate end and receives the second end of the elongated member. The retainer mechanism extends from the distal end of the housing. The housing and the retainer mechanism rotatably move with respect to the second end of the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the retainer mechanism engages with the slot to retain the hood panel and in the unlocked position, the retainer mechanism disengages with the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle hood locking mechanism includes a locking member including a helical portion structured to be insertable into a cavity formed in a vehicle hood. The helical portion is structured to be rotatable with respect to the hood so that contact between the hood and the helical portion during insertion of the helical portion into the cavity causes a rotation of the helical portion from a first rotational position to a second rotational position different from the first rotational position. The locking mechanism is also structured so that the helical portion is rotatable from the second rotational position back to the first rotational position when the helical portion becomes positioned inside the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle hood locking mechanism includes a housing and a hood lock having a locking portion positioned exterior of the housing. The hood lock is coupled to the housing such that the locking portion is rotatable with respect to the housing between a first rotational position and a second rotational position different from the first rotational position. Rotation of the locking portion to the first rotational position enables insertion of the locking portion through a shaped opening formed in the hood. Rotation of the locking portion to the second rotational position after insertion of the locking portion through the opening prevents withdrawal of the locking portion through the opening until the locking portion is rotated back to the first rotational position. This prevents the hood lock from being inadvertently detached from the raised hood, thereby maintaining the hood in the raised condition.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a hood prop assembly for a vehicle having a hood panel with a slot. The hood prop assembly includes an elongated member, a housing, and a retainer mechanism. The elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the vehicle. The housing includes a cavity. The housing further includes a distal end and a proximate end. The cavity extends axially from the proximate end and receives the second end of the elongated member. The retainer mechanism extends from the distal end of the housing. The housing and the retainer mechanism rotatably move with respect to the second end of the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the retainer mechanism engages with the slot to retain the hood panel and in the unlocked position, the retainer mechanism disengages with the slot.

Abstract: A mounting package includes a sunroof assembly, a roof crossbeam, and a hanger hanging the roof crossbeam underneath the sunroof assembly. The sunroof assembly includes a guiderail. The hanger includes a lower hook hooked with the roof crossbeam, and an upper hook hooked with the guiderail. The hanger is configured to flexibly accommodate multidirectional movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail. The multidirectional movement includes lifting movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail.

Abstract: A mounting package includes a sunroof assembly, a roof crossbeam, and a hanger hanging the roof crossbeam underneath the sunroof assembly. The sunroof assembly includes a guiderail. The hanger includes a lower hook hooked with the roof crossbeam, and an upper hook hooked with the guiderail. The hanger is configured to flexibly accommodate multidirectional movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail. The multidirectional movement includes lifting movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail.

Abstract: A door latch assembly includes a handle bezel, a rotatable handle coupled to the handle bezel, and a bezel cap. The handle bezel includes a main body portion and a rib extending from the main body portion. The rotatable handle includes a handle lever extending through the main body portion of the handle bezel, wherein the handle lever extends alongside the rib of the handle bezel. The bezel cap is positioned in a first position at an end of the rib so as to provide clearance for the handle lever of the rotatable handle to rotate thereby. The bezel cap is configured to move along the rib toward the main body portion of the handle bezel to interfere with a rotation of the handle lever during a side impact condition.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a multi-purpose removable gear shift knob disposed on a gear shift lever in a vehicle. In one aspect, a removable gear shift knob includes a body comprising a central aperture for receiving the gear shift lever and a plurality of compartments disposed around the central aperture. An individual compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to hold one or more accessories, where the one or more accessories are selected from: one or more screwdriver bits, one or more light emitting diodes (LED), and a battery.