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 vehicle door cinching apparatus for assisting the final closing motion of a sliding vehicle door includes an electromagnet, a ferrous metal plate, a cinch drive and a controller. The electromagnet mounts on either an outer periphery of a vehicle sliding door or an inner periphery of a vehicle sliding door frame that's shaped to receive the sliding door as the door moves along a final inward cinching portion of a door path to a final closed position within the door frame. The plate is supported on the other of the outer periphery of the door and the inner periphery of the door frame in a position where the plate can magnetically engage the electromagnet when the door is disposed along the final cinching portion of the door path. Whichever of the plate and electromagnet is supported on the inner periphery of the door frame is also supported for lateral movement in a direction generally parallel to the cinching portion of the door path.

Abstract: A self-backdriving jackscrew apparatus including a biasing member connected to a screw portion of a jackscrew that exerts backdriving force on the screw to turn the screw in a rotational direction that returns a nut portion of the jackscrew to a home position on the screw.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a power operated release mechanism for moving a detent from a latched position to a release position comprising a slide that engages the detent at one end and a rotary cam that engages an opposite end of the slide sot that the slide reciprocates when the rotary cam is rotated by an electric motor. The electric motor drives the cam via a concentric gear wheel that has a pin engaging the rotary cam. A forkbolt rotates a rotary block out lever from a by-pass position to a block out position where the block-out lever engages a shoulder of the gear wheel to stop rotation of the gear wheel when the forkbolt is moved to an unlatched position. The vehicle door latch also includes a mechanical override mechanism to rotate the rotary cam to unlatch the vehicle door latch.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment latch has a support that is fastened to a deck lid. A fork bolt is pivotally attached to the support and moved from an unlatched position to a latched position by a striker when the deck lid is closed. The fork bolt is held in the latched position by a moveable detent lever that is moved to a release position to release the fork bolt so that the deck lid can be opened. The closure latch includes a detent lock-out that holds the detent lever in the release position until the deck lid is opened once the fork bolt is released. The detent lock out includes a striker position lever that is moved to an engaged position by the striker being retained by the fork bolt and a detent pawl that holds the detent lever in the released position once the detent lever is released.

Abstract: A vehicle door cinching apparatus for assisting the final closing motion of a sliding vehicle door includes an electromagnet, a ferrous metal plate, a cinch drive and a controller. The electromagnet mounts on either an outer periphery of a vehicle sliding door or an inner periphery of a vehicle sliding door frame that's shaped to receive the sliding door as the door moves along a final inward cinching portion of a door path to a final closed position within the door frame. The plate is supported on the other of the outer periphery of the door and the inner periphery of the door frame in a position where the plate can magnetically engage the electromagnet when the door is disposed along the final cinching portion of the door path. Whichever of the plate and electromagnet is supported on the inner periphery of the door frame is also supported for lateral movement in a direction generally parallel to the cinching portion of the door path.

Abstract: A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure and a movable piston disposed in the housing. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a gas generator operatively connected to the housing for expelling a gas to move the piston. The piston includes a passageway extending therethrough to control a rate of stroke of the piston when the gas is generated to apply a force for pulling-down belt webbing of the seat restraint system.

Abstract: A vehicle pivoting closure assembly has a concealed power actuator remotely operated by a controller to open and close a closure or liftgate. A hinge member of the power actuator is engaged pivotally to a vehicle structure about a hinge axis, and rigidly to the closure. An armature extends pivotally from an elongated linear moving rack about a rack pivot axis and to the hinge member. The armature also pivotally engages the hinge member about a secondary pivot axis disposed parallel to the hinge axis and rack pivot axis. The rack is driven by a pinion gear train powered by a motor through a clutch. The hinge, the rack, the gear train and the motor are all supported by a reinforcement tray forming a modular engaged to the vehicle structure. The tray isolates the extreme dynamic loads placed upon the hinge by the motor, thereby eliminating the need to further reinforce the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A seat restraint buckle presenter assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a seat restraint buckle for receiving a latch plate of the seat restraint system. The seat restraint buckle presenter assembly also includes a buckle support connected to the seat restraint buckle and supporting the seat restraint buckle adjacent a seat of the vehicle. The seat restraint buckle presenter assembly further includes a drive mechanism cooperating with the buckle support for moving the buckle support and the seat restraint buckle longitudinally between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: A manual release mechanism of a power actuated sliding door used typically for van applications, includes a bullet assembly interconnected between the ends of a pull member, or cable, of a powered pulley system. The bullet assembly engages and disengages within a passage of a hinge roller assembly which rides within a track of the vehicle. When disengaged, the door is free to slide without causing movement of the bullet assembly or powered pulley system. When engaged, the hinge roller assembly supports a pin which projects into the passage when in a rest position. If the bullet assembly is in the passage, the pin also projects into a groove of the bullet assembly, thereby, locking the bullet assembly within the passage and causing the hinge rolling assembly, which is pivotally connected to the door to move via operation of the powered pulley system.

Abstract: A tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to the seat restraint system and a spring at least partially disposed in the housing for operatively cooperating with vehicle structure. The tension sensing switch assembly also includes a switch disposed in the housing and cooperable with the spring to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when the spring is deflected.

Abstract: A passenger van is equipped with a drive mechanism for power operation of a slideable side door. The drive mechanism has a flexible drive member that travels in a closed loop which includes travel through a center track that supports and guides a hinge and roller assembly that is attached to the rear of the side door. The flexible drive member has a cogged portion that is driven by an electric motor to open and close the side door. The remaining portion is uncogged for economy o f manufacture and for releasing the flexible drive member from a clutch of the hinge and roller assembly to open the side door manually very easily. An electromagnetic clutch may also be included to reduce manual operating effort.

Abstract: A passenger van is equipped with a drive mechanism for power operation of a slideable side door. The drive mechanism has an endless flexible drive member that travels in a closed loop which includes travel through a center track that supports and guides a hinge and roller assembly that is attached to the rear of the side door. A clutch is mounted on the hinge and roller assembly to clamp onto the flexible drive member for power operation. The clutch is operated by an actuator that includes a solenoid and a linkage between the solenoid and a moveable plate of the clutch. An electromagnetic clutch may be used as an alternative.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the respective vehicle pillars at the sides of the liftgate opening. Each drive unit includes a vertically oriented channel and a rack member that moves in the channel. The rack member comprises a rack bar and a plurality of rack links that are pivotally connected end-to-end. A transfer link is universally attached to the rack bar at one end and universally attached to the liftgate at the opposite end. The rack member is raised and lowered by a power unit that has a motor driven pinion gear that meshes with teeth of the rack bar and the rack links in succession. Raising and lowering the rack member opens and closes the liftgate via the transfer link.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body. An elongated rack is mounted in a housing for longitudinal movement. A rotatable pinion meshes with the rack to move the rack longitudinally in one direction or the other depending on the direction of rotation of the pinion. A reversible motor rotates the pinion in opposite directions. The deck lid is attached to a pair of arms pivoted to the vehicle body. A link has one end pivoted to the rack and the opposite end pivoted to one of the arms. The deck lid is moved to open position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in one direction or to closed position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in the other direction.

Abstract: A seat restraint buckle assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame having an open forward end defining a passage to receive a latch plate. The seat restraint buckle assembly also includes a locking member operatively connected to the frame and pivotal between a latched position in which the locking member retains the latch plate within the passage and an unlatched position in which the locking member is held clear of the passage. The seat restraint buckle assembly includes a release button slidably mounted on the frame above the passage for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The seat restraint buckle assembly further includes a blocking lever operatively connected to the frame and pivotal to contact the locking member and urging the locking member towards the latched position.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a bracket that is secured to the vehicle body for supporting several parts including a reversible electric motor, a gear unit and a track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage inside the track via a gear reduction unit and a sprocket. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link arm that slides in an arcuate track portion of the track and a power roller chain that is stored in a storage track portion when the liftgate is closed. The outboard end of the link arm is pivotally connected to the liftgate to open and close the liftgate as the link arm is extended and retracted by the power roller chain.

Abstract: A latch handle assembly for permitting power or manual unlatching of a door latch. The assembly includes a latch handle for manual unlatching of the vehicle door. A mechanical linkage is attached to the latch handle and is adapted to interconnect with the door latch. The latch handle assembly also includes a switch disposed on the latch handle. The switch interconnects with a power-assisted unlatching mechanism that allows the switch to unlatch the door. Finally, there is a handle lock disposed adjacent the latch handle for disabling the latch handle in the normal condition when power is on and the power-assisted unlatching function is operable. The handle lock is operative to move from a locked position preventing the latch handle from moving, and an unlocked position allowing movement of the latch handle.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor assembly for a restraint retractor of a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes an acceleration sprocket operatively connected to the restraint retractor. The acceleration sensor assembly also includes an acceleration pawl cooperating with the acceleration sprocket to operatively cause lock up of the restraint retractor. The acceleration sensor assembly includes a mass member cooperating with the acceleration pawl to move the acceleration pawl when an acceleration force is present. The acceleration sensor assembly further includes an electromagnet assembly cooperating with the mass member to hold the mass member in a predetermined position until the acceleration force exceeds a predetermined value and the mass member moves to actuate the acceleration pawl to engage the acceleration sprocket to operatively cause lock up the restraint retractor and prevent unwinding of a belt from the restraint retractor.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a toothed rack and channel track type of power liftgate attaches the liftgate lift rod to the toothed rack indirectly, through a shoe-yoke assembly that transfers axial loads, but isolates the rack from non axial reactive loads transferred through the lift rod. A rigid yoke fits closely within axially spaced ends of a notch in the rack, but has a clearance elsewhere from the outside of the rack. The outside of the yoke is closely surrounded by a shoe, which provides a close fitting, slidable bearing layer with the inside of the channel track, maintaining the yoke to rack clearance. The maintenance of the yoke-rack clearance prevents the transmission of undesired reactive loads back to the rack through the yoke.