Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of doors, each secured by a lock, peripheral control units, each connected to one of said locks, for sending a command signal to an actuator of the lock, a central control unit for sending command signals to the actuators of the locks, and an accident detector. If the accident detector has detected an accident, at least one of the actuators is switchable from a central operating mode in which it executes command signals of the central control unit and its associated peripheral control unit into a peripheral operating mode in which it executes only command signals from its peripheral control unit.

Abstract: An elastically deformable retaining hook for matable components includes a first component having a body portion extending from a first end to a second end. Also included is a second component extending from a first end to a second end. Further included is a slot disposed in the first end of the second component and defined by a first, second, third, and fourth slot wall. Yet further included is a hook portion disposed proximate the first end of the body portion. The hook portion includes a first segment extending angularly from the body portion. The hook portion also includes a second segment extending angularly from the first segment and configured to fittingly engage the slot of the second component, wherein the second segment is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the first slot wall and the second slot wall.

Abstract: An elastic averaging alignment system includes a first component comprising a surface, a thickness and a plurality of elastically deformable apertures spaced apart on the surface and extending through the thickness, each of the elastically deformable apertures comprising an aperture peripheral shape and having at least one slit extending radially-outwardly therefrom defining at least one elastically deformable wedge member. A method of making a component alignment system includes providing a first component having a surface and a thickness. The method also includes forming a plurality of alignment features through the thickness of the first component, the alignment features comprising a plurality of elastically deformable apertures spaced-apart on the surface and extending through the thickness, each of the elastically deformable apertures comprising an aperture peripheral shape and having at least one slit extending radially-outwardly therefrom defining at least one elastically deformable wedge member.

Abstract: An elastic clip retaining arrangement includes a first structure having a main portion. Also included is a second structure having a plurality of receiving apertures, wherein the second structure is configured to be mated with the first structure. Further included is a plurality of elastically deformable clips extending from the main portion, each of the plurality of elastically deformable clips comprising a neck portion and a head portion, wherein the plurality of elastically deformable clips is configured to elastically deform proximate the neck portion upon contact with the plurality of receiving apertures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical trace includes forming a continuous electrical trace strip having a plurality of electrical trace elements, stamping one or more electrical trace isolators onto the continuous electrical trace strip across select ones of the plurality of electrical trace members forming one or more electrical trace sub-assemblies, and detaching the one or more electrical trace sub-assemblies from the continuous electrical trace strip.

Abstract: A transport clip for attachment to a key fob is provided. The transport clip includes a neck at least partially surrounding a key blade, which is selectively rotatable between a stowed position in which the key blade is substantially within a fob body and a deployed position in which the key blade extends away from the fob body. The neck prevents rotation of the transport clip relative to the key blade. The transport clip also includes an ear portion that depresses a latch button to an unlocked position, which allows substantially free rotation of the key blade, relative to the fob body, between the deployed position and the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of isolating a metallic fastener from a carbon-fiber composite panel includes inserting the metallic fastener within an electrically isolating annular collar; inserting the metallic fastener and electrically isolating annular collar within a hole defined by the carbon-fiber composite panel; and securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel. The annular collar may be circumferentially disposed about the metallic fastener such that the annular collar separates and electrically isolates the entire metallic fastener from the carbon-fiber composite panel. As such, the annular collar may minimize the galvanic reaction between the fastener and the carbon-fiber composite panel.

Abstract: A door latch system of a vehicle includes a fork bolt lever engagable with a striker and is movable between a latched position for securing the striker and an unlatched position. A detent is movable between an engaged position in which the detent engages with the fork bolt lever to hold the fork bolt lever in the latched position and a disengaged position in which the detent is disengaged from the fork bolt lever to permit the fork bolt lever to move to the unlatched position. A motor, controllable by the controller, is coupled to the detent lever to move the detent lever between the engaged and disengaged positions. A switch may send an unlatch command to the controller. The controller actuates the motor to position the detent in the disengaged position such that the detent is held in the disengaged position until a predetermined condition occurs.

Abstract: A compound shutter system includes a first shutter assembly having at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the first shutter assembly. The compound shutter system also includes a second shutter assembly disposed remotely from the first shutter assembly. The second shutter assembly includes at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the second shutter assembly. The compound shutter system additionally includes a drive element. The drive element operatively connects the first shutter assembly and the second shutter assembly and automatically coordinates operation of the first and second shutter assemblies. A vehicle employing the compound shutter system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Select variations may include a vehicle door locking system, which may have a vehicle door, a latch, a knob, a conduit an attachment, and a cable. The cable may extend through the conduit and connects the latch to the knob. The conduit may be connected only to the vehicle door but not to the latch or the knob.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to index the door window glass of a vehicle to disengage the glass from the window sealing interface prior to opening the door. A door latch including an unlatching lever selectively connectable to the inside and outside door handles is configured such that moving either handle to actuate the latch causes an initial change in the position of the unlatching lever prior to latch release. A sensor in the latch detects the initial change in position of the unlatching lever and signals an indexing mechanism to move the glass to the indexed position prior to latch release, such that the glass does not substantially interfere with the sealing interface when the door is moved from a closed position. The system may be configured such that the door lock mechanism must be unlocked prior to the indexing mechanism moving the window to an indexed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a release lever mounted within an interior cavity of a vehicle body. The release lever is manually rotatable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When disposed in the disengaged position, the release lever is fully disposed within the interior cavity of the body. When disposed in the engaged position, the release lever traverses across a gap between the body and a door into engagement with a latch mechanism to move the latch mechanism into an unlocked position.

Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.

Abstract: An actuating system for a vehicle having a body that defines an access opening includes a panel arranged to selectively open and close at least a first portion of the opening. The system also includes multiple components operatively connected to the panel and adapted to be actuated. The system additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the panel and adapted to actuate the multiple components. A vehicle employing the system and a method for sealing an access opening in a body of a vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: A latching system includes a striker defining an outer width and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a support structure including a first side plate, a second side plate spaced from the first side plate, and a top plate fixedly attached to and extending between the first side plate and the second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate are spaced from each other a separation distance that is greater than the outer width of the striker such that the outer width of the striker is completely disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate when the latch assembly is in a lock position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism secures a plug of a charging cord in a charging receptacle of a vehicle and includes an actuator, a linear-actuated cam connected thereto and driven along a linear travel path thereby (the cam defining a slot therein positioned at an angle relative to the path), and a locking arm pivotally mounted at a pivot point to a component disposed adjacent the arm. The arm includes a follower pin that engages the slot. The arm pivots about the point to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to movement of the cam along the path. A housing of the vehicle includes the receptacle, a charging interface connected with the plug to allow current to flow from a charging unit to a system of batteries of the vehicle during a charging operation, and the mechanism.

Abstract: A latch system for securing a panel assembly in a closed position relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker and a latch mechanism positioned relative to each other within an allowable assembly variance measured along a lateral axis. A bumper is fixed in position relative to the latch mechanism to engage the striker in abutting engagement when the striker is disposed in the closed position. The bumper includes a contact surface having an axial length measured along the lateral axis. The contact surface completely contacts the striker along the entire axial length of the contact surface when the striker is disposed in any position within the allowable assembly variance relative to the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of doors, each secured by a lock, peripheral control units, each connected to one of said locks, for sending a command signal to an actuator of the lock, a central control unit for sending command signals to the actuators of the locks, and an accident detector. If the accident detector has detected an accident, at least one of the actuators is switchable from a central operating mode in which it executes command signals of the central control unit and its associated peripheral control unit into a peripheral operating mode in which it executes only command signals from its peripheral control unit.

Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.

Abstract: A transport clip for attachment to a key fob is provided. The transport clip includes a neck at least partially surrounding a key blade, which is selectively rotatable between a stowed position in which the key blade is substantially within a fob body and a deployed position in which the key blade extends away from the fob body. The neck prevents rotation of the transport clip relative to the key blade. The transport clip also includes an ear portion that depresses a latch button to an unlocked position, which allows substantially free rotation of the key blade, relative to the fob body, between the deployed position and the stowed position.