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 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 apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

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: The present invention provides a drive mechanism for a vehicle lift gate. The drive mechanism includes a housing including a first end securable to a vehicle frame and an opposite second end securable to a lift gate. The drive mechanism further includes a spring disposed for movement within the housing along the axis between the first and second ends and biasing the first end axially relative to the second end. A damper extends around the housing for absorbing energy released by rapid axial movement of the spring relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for controlled bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a closure movable relative to a vehicle opening between closed and open positions. A latch is coupled to one of a threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure, and a striker is coupled to the other of the threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure. The striker and latch are engageable to secure the closure in the closed position. A striker cover is movable relative to the striker between a concealing position in which the striker is substantially concealed from the latch, and an exposing position in which the striker is substantially exposed to the latch. An actuator is coupled to the striker cover and is operable to move the striker cover to the concealing position or the exposing position from the other position in response to movement of the closure relative to the vehicle opening.

Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a closure movable relative to a vehicle opening between closed and open positions. A latch is coupled to one of a threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure, and a striker is coupled to the other of the threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure. The striker and latch are engageable to secure the closure in the closed position. A striker cover is movable relative to the striker between a concealing position in which the striker is substantially concealed from the latch, and an exposing position in which the striker is substantially exposed to the latch. An actuator is coupled to the striker cover and is operable to move the striker cover to the concealing position or the exposing position from the other position in response to movement of the closure relative to the vehicle opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for controlled bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

Abstract: A drive unit for a power operated vehicle closure has a track, a guide moveable along the track, a link attached to the guide at one end and adapted to be attached to the vehicle closure at the opposite end, and a motor assembly for moving the guide along the track. The motor assembly has an electric motor and a speed reducer driven by the electric motor that has a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a belt drive and the second stage is a spur gear set. Alternatively the first stage is a worm gear and a mating helical gear. The worm gear preferably has a high lead angle and a high number of leads. The speed of the electric motor is reduced to about 1000 rpm or less in the first stage permitting the use of spur gears in the second stage while retaining quiet operation.

Abstract: A power striker assembly effects final positioning of a vehicle closure member and includes a fixed frame and a striker member carried on a striker plate for selective engagement of a latch carried on the closure member, to displace the closure member from a presented position to a cinched position. Guide means interconnects the frame and striker plate to effect simultaneous translational and rotational displacement of the striker plate between end limits of travel to produce linear displacement of the striker member. An actuator selectively displaces the striker plate between its end limits of travel in response to a control signal. Finally, an interlock fixes the striker plate in the cinched position in the absence of the control signal.

Abstract: A power striker assembly effects final positioning of a vehicle closure member and includes a fixed frame and a striker member carried on a striker plate for selective engagement of a latch carried on the closure member, to displace the closure member from a presented position to a cinched position. Guide means interconnects the frame and striker plate to effect simultaneous translational and rotational displacement of the striker plate between end limits of travel to produce linear displacement of the striker member. An actuator selectively displaces the striker plate between its end limits of travel in response to a control signal. Finally, an interlock fixes the striker plate in the cinched position in the absence of the control signal.

Abstract: A drive unit for a power operated vehicle closure has a track, a guide moveable along the track, a link attached to the guide at one end and adapted to be attached to the vehicle closure at the opposite end, and a motor assembly for moving the guide along the track. The motor assembly has an electric motor and a speed reducer driven by the electric motor that has a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a belt drive and the second stage is a spur gear set. Alternatively the first stage is a worm gear and a mating helical gear. The worm gear preferably has a high lead angle and a high number of leads. The speed of the electric motor is reduced to about 1000 rpm or less in the first stage permitting the use of spur gears in the second stage while retaining quiet operation.