Abstract: A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles includes a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The latch system includes a user input device having first and second user input features. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the second user input feature. The user input device may comprise a wireless portable device that generates first and second wireless signals upon actuation of the first and second user input features, respectively.

Abstract: A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles includes a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The latch system includes a user input device having first and second user input features. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the second user input feature. The user input device may comprise a wireless portable device that generates first and second wireless signals upon actuation of the first and second user input features, respectively.

Abstract: A door for vehicles includes a mechanism that prevents unlatching of the door if the door handle is moved at a high rate of speed, but permits unlatching during normal (e.g. manual) handle operation. The mechanism includes a wheel having a wheel tooth. The door mechanism also includes an inertia lever having a first pair of teeth. An input lever has a second pair of teeth that engage the wheel tooth and the first pair of teeth. This engagement prevents rotation of the input lever only when the input lever rotates at a rate above a predefined maximum rate thereby rotating the inertia lever relative to the wheel. Rotation of the input lever unlatches a door latch.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a door-operating mechanism for selectively releasing a vehicle door from a closed position. A door handle is in communication with the door operating mechanism. The door handle is operable between a flush position, wherein an outer face of the door handle is flush with a portion of an exterior surface of the vehicle door such that only the outer face of the door handle is accessible, and an extended position, wherein the outer face of the door handle is moved away from the exterior surface of the vehicle door such that a rear surface of the door handle is accessible. A heating mechanism is in thermal communication with the outer face of the door handle and the exterior surface of the vehicle door. A remote transmitter is in communication with the heating mechanism, wherein the remote transmitter selectively activates the heating mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a handle having an angled or inclined ramp surface. A bellcrank is rotatably connected to the door structure for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The bellcrank includes a follower that engages the inclined ramp surface such that movement of the exterior handle from the rest position to the opened position causes the bellcrank to rotate and shift linkage that unlatches a the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a vehicle ignition switch, a door lock actuator, a primary vehicle entry and ignition control circuit, a backup vehicle access control circuit and a key including a principal vehicle control subsystem and a backup vehicle entry circuit. Advantageously, the system is devoid of any ignition lock cylinder, any door lock cylinder and any key blade thereby reducing vehicle manufacturing costs. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door structure and a movable door handle that is connected to a latch mechanism by a cable. A rotatably biased stop member is connected to the cable. The vehicle door further includes a housing having a channel that receives portion of the stop member. The channel includes first and second linear portions and a transverse stop portion that is engaged by the follower to prevent further lengthwise movement of the lock member and cable if a speed of the cable exceeds an allowable value.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cargo box having an opening and opposed apertures on opposite sides of the opening. The vehicle further includes a tailgate having locks retaining a pair of outwardly-biased pins in retracted positions when the tailgate is open. The locks engage the cargo box and release the pins when the tailgate is closed whereby the pins shift outwardly into the apertures when the tailgate is closed. A release lever selectively retracts the pins to permit the tailgate to be opened.

Abstract: A method for increasing the robustness of a mechanism for a vehicle including the steps of determining a primary function of the mechanism, identifying components of the mechanism used during the primary function, analyzing each component under in-specification conditions, analyzing each component under decreasing out-of-specification conditions during performance of the primary function to determine a lower failure value for each component, analyzing each component during performance of the primary function under increasing out-of-specification conditions to determine an upper failure value for each component, determining a modified robustness value for each component, wherein the modified robustness value is between the lower and upper failure values and modifying each component in the vehicular mechanism to have a robustness that is approximately the modified robustness value of the respective component.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door structure and a movable door handle that is connected to a latch mechanism by a cable. A rotatably biased stop member is connected to the cable. The vehicle door further includes a housing having a channel that receives portion of the stop member. The channel includes first and second linear portions and a transverse stop portion that is engaged by the follower to prevent further lengthwise movement of the lock member and cable if a speed of the cable exceeds an allowable value.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cargo box having an opening and opposed apertures on opposite sides of the opening. The vehicle further includes a tailgate having locks retaining a pair of outwardly-biased pins in retracted positions when the tailgate is open. The locks engage the cargo box and release the pins when the tailgate is closed whereby the pins shift outwardly into the apertures when the tailgate is closed. A release lever selectively retracts the pins to permit the tailgate to be opened.

Abstract: A decklid assembly includes a striker that movably engages a vehicle body structure. The striker includes first and second opposed surfaces that face each other. The decklid assembly includes a decklid having a latch that releasably engages the striker. A cam is rotatably mounted to the body structure. The cam is disposed between the opposed surfaces of the striker, such that rotation of the cam in first and second directions causes the cam to engage the first and second opposed surfaces, respectively, thereby shifting the striker up and down, respectively.

Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a bypass mechanism that mechanically disconnects a linkage assembly if an exterior door handle is moved towards an open position at a high speed. The bypass mechanism ensures that the door latch mechanism does not unlatch in the event a crash causes the exterior door handle to move open at a high speed, while providing for normal unlatching operation if the exterior door handle is opened at a relatively low velocity by a user.

Abstract: Striker cover for use with a vehicle closure. The striker cover having two cover pieces with coaxial pivot edges, that when contacted by a latch, pivot into a cam and separate to provide access of the latch to the striker. When the vehicle closure is open, springs bias the cover pieces toward each other and into the cam, rotating the cover pieces back into a first position. In the first position the cover pieces cover the striker and obstruct the striker from view.

Abstract: A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles includes a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The latch system includes a user input device having first and second user input features. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the second user input feature. The user input device may comprise a wireless portable device that generates first and second wireless signals upon actuation of the first and second user input features, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a vehicle ignition switch, a door lock actuator, a primary vehicle entry and ignition control circuit, a backup vehicle access control circuit and a key including a principal vehicle control subsystem and a backup vehicle entry circuit. Advantageously, the system is devoid of any ignition lock cylinder, any door lock cylinder and any key blade thereby reducing vehicle manufacturing costs. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A pawl actuation device includes a movable input member that shifts from a first position to an actuated position. The pawl actuation device also includes linkage that selectively interconnects the movable input member and the pawl such that movement of the movable input member at a first velocity causes the pawl to shift to an unlatched position, and movement of the movable input member at a second velocity that is substantially greater than the first velocity does not cause the pawl to shift to its unlatched position, such that pawl remains in its latched position.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a handle having an angled or inclined ramp surface. A bellcrank is rotatably connected to the door structure for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The bellcrank includes a follower that engages the inclined ramp surface such that movement of the exterior handle from the rest position to the opened position causes the bellcrank to rotate and shift linkage that unlatches a the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door structure having an interior space and a ramp disposed within the interior space. The vehicle door further includes a latch and a handle that is pivotably connected to the door structure. The handle includes a pair of inwardly and forwardly extending hooks. The vehicle door also includes a cable or other linkage connected to the latch. The cable has a fitting that is pushed along the ramp by the hooks upon pivoting of the handle to thereby shift the cable and unlatch the latch.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door structure and a movable door handle that is connected to a latch mechanism by a cable. A rotatably biased stop member is connected to the cable. The vehicle door further includes a housing having a channel that receives portion of the stop member. The channel includes first and second linear portions and a transverse stop portion that is engaged by the follower to prevent further lengthwise movement of the lock member and cable if a speed of the cable exceeds an allowable value.