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: 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: An electronic door latching assembly for a side door of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a retaining member and an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the retaining member and moves the retaining member between a primary position and an unlatched position. The electronic door latching assembly also includes a control module in electrical communication with the actuator. The control module executes instructions to: receive as input a power signal indicating that a loss of electrical power in the vehicle is imminent. After receiving the power signal, the control module receives a door open signal indicating that a door of the vehicle is being opened. In response to receiving the door open signal, the control module commands the actuator to rotate the retaining member from the unlatched position to the primary position where the side door is unable to latch shut.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing inadvertent actuation of a door release handle of a motor vehicle includes a cover with a lip that engages with an edge of an opening in an inner body panel, and at least one rib attached to the cover, the at least one rib being positioned relative to the door release handle to prevent actuation of the handle when the cover is positioned in the opening of the inner body panel.

Abstract: A dynamic lock mechanism includes a lock body defining a longitudinal axis, the lock body including an opening extending from a first end of the lock body to a second end of the lock body, a lock plunger configured to travel within the opening in the lock body such that the lock plunger is enclosed within the opening when the lock plunger is in a first position and at least a portion of the lock plunger extends out of the opening when the lock plunger is in a second position, the lock plunger including a retention channel, a catch member disposed within the lock body and configured to engage with the retention channel of the lock plunger when the lock plunger is in the second position, and a first tensionable member coupled to the lock plunger and a second tensionable member coupled to the catch member.

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 locking a plurality of doors of a vehicle includes sensing a deceleration event with an accelerometer of the vehicle in which a deceleration of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a threshold deceleration. After sensing, the method includes deploying a supplementary inflatable restraint of the vehicle and, substantially concurrent to deploying, locking each of the plurality of doors.

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 electronic door latching assembly for a side door of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a retaining member and an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the retaining member and moves the retaining member between a primary position and an unlatched position. The electronic door latching assembly also includes a control module in electrical communication with the actuator. The control module executes instructions to: receive as input a power signal indicating that a loss of electrical power in the vehicle is imminent. After receiving the power signal, the control module receives a door open signal indicating that a door of the vehicle is being opened. In response to receiving the door open signal, the control module commands the actuator to rotate the retaining member from the unlatched position to the primary position where the side door is unable to latch shut.

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 exemplary automotive vehicle includes a body having a wheelhouse, the wheelhouse including a wheelhouse edge defining a wheelhouse opening, and a wheel disposed in the wheelhouse opening, a suspension system including a suspension component adjacent to the wheelhouse, the suspension component configured to vertically deflect during vehicle operation, an aerodynamic system including an aerodynamic member disposed within the wheelhouse opening and coupled to the suspension component, the aerodynamic member having a first position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel and a second position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel, wherein the aerodynamic member moves from the first position to the second position with deflection of the suspension component such that a distance between the aerodynamic member and the wheel is greater when the aerodynamic member is in the second position than when the aerodynamic member is in the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing inadvertent actuation of a door release handle of a motor vehicle includes a cover with a lip that engages with an edge of an opening in an inner body panel, and at least one rib attached to the cover, the at least one rib being positioned relative to the door release handle to prevent actuation of the handle when the cover is positioned in the opening of the inner body panel.

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: 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: 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 vehicle ignition system includes an ignition cylinder housing defining an exterior portion, an interior portion and a channel extending at least partially through the interior portion. An ignition cylinder is at least partially received by and adjustable relative to the ignition cylinder housing. The ignition cylinder includes an elongate body defining an exterior portion and an interior portion. A cam member is at least partially received in the channel of the ignition cylinder housing and includes a clutch disposed adjacent to and engaging a portion of the ignition cylinder. A locking mechanism cooperates with the ignition cylinder housing and ignition cylinder includes a locking member having a projection extending therefrom that releasably engages a portion of the ignition cylinder housing when the locking mechanism is placed in the at least one second position to prevent adjustment of the ignition cylinder relative to the ignition cylinder housing.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a door locking system includes a controller and at least one locking mechanism operatively connected to each of a plurality of doors. At least one lock switch connected to the controller selectively locks the at least one locking mechanism based at least partially on actuation of the at least one lock switch. At least one sensor array connected to the controller detects a vehicle condition from at least one of a first vehicle state and a second vehicle state.

Abstract: Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.