Abstract: An apparatus can include a door control mechanism that defines a cavity. The door control mechanism can include an actuator body comprising a contact surface. The door control mechanism can include a projection that extends from the actuator body into the cavity. The apparatus can include a spacer to be disposed in the cavity. The spacer can include a spacer body, a first stopper, and a second stopper. The first stopper can extend from the spacer body. The first stopper can interface with the contact surface of the actuator body. The second stopper can extend from a surface of the spacer body. The second stopper can interface with the projection of the door control mechanism. At least one of the first stopper and the second stopper can prevent the door control mechanism from actuating in response to a manual force.

Abstract: Mechanisms for raising at least a portion of a vehicle load floor in response to lowering of one adjacent seat, to allow for easier loading of vehicle cargo areas. Mechanisms may raise a portion of the load floor when any one or more adjacent seats are lowered, but only lower the load floor when all adjacent seats are raised. In this manner, mechanisms of embodiments of the disclosure raise the load floor to an inclined position so that the load floor gradually rises to the elevation of any adjacent folded seat backs, rather than having a step increase in height at the boundary between load floor and seats. This allows for easier sliding of cargo over the load floor and onto the seat backs.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative hinges, door assemblies, storage bins, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment a hinge includes a hinge bracket, a hinge pin, a hinge arm, and a detent assembly. The hinge arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via the hinge pin. The detent assembly is adapted to define a detent position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket that is between an open position and a closed position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket. The detent assembly includes a detent plate and a plunger assembly. The detent plate includes a recess formed therein. The plunger assembly includes an end that is biased at least partially into the recess while circumferentially aligned therewith to define the detent position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for managing operation of a latch securing a vehicle compartment hatch. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a primary latch that defines a slot configured to receive a striker extending from the hatch and is rotatable between a locked position where the slot is oriented to hold the striker to retain the hatch in a closed position and an unlocked position in which the slot is oriented to enable the striker to be withdrawn from the slot to permit opening of the hatch; and a secondary latch mechanism configured to be moved between: a first configuration configured to maintain the primary latch in the closed position; a second configuration configured to enable the striker to move within the slot to permit partial opening of the hatch; and a third configuration configured to enable the primary latch to rotate to the unlocked position.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative systems, structures, and methods for performing authenticated access to a structure. An illustrative system includes a connector configured to be operably connected to a personal electronics device and to receive an electric charge from the personal electronics device, a controller couplable to an electromechanical locking device and the connector, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive first authentication information, receive second authentication information from the personal electronics device, authenticate the personal electronics device responsive to the first authentication information and the received second authentication information, and activate an electromechanical locking device to unlock responsive to the electric charge and a successful authentication.

Abstract: A system for managing door operation of a vehicle includes a door system and a doorjamb system configured for the door to close against. The door system includes a door having a handle mechanism, an indicator mechanism coupled to the handle mechanism and actuated by motion of the handle mechanism, and a latch feature configured to be engaged for latching the door closed. The doorjamb system includes a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a state of the indicator mechanism, and a latching mechanism configured to secure and release the latch feature of the door. Control circuitry of the vehicle is coupled to the sensor and latching mechanism, and is configured to receive the sensor signal, and control the latching mechanism based on the sensor signal. The control circuitry determines state information for the vehicle and determines whether to secure or release the latch mechanism.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative systems, structures, and methods for performing authenticated access to a structure. An illustrative system includes a connector configured to be operably connected to a personal electronics device and to receive an electric charge from the personal electronics device, a controller couplable to an electromechanical locking device and the connector, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive first authentication information, receive second authentication information from the personal electronics device, authenticate the personal electronics device responsive to the first authentication information and the received second authentication information, and activate an electromechanical locking device to unlock responsive to the electric charge and a successful authentication.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative hinges, door assemblies, storage bins, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment a hinge includes a hinge bracket, a hinge pin, a hinge arm, and a detent assembly. The hinge arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via the hinge pin. The detent assembly is adapted to define a detent position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket that is between an open position and a closed position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket. The detent assembly includes a detent plate and a plunger assembly. The detent plate includes a recess formed therein. The plunger assembly includes an end that is biased at least partially into the recess while circumferentially aligned therewith to define the detent position.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative devices, systems, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a device includes a latch motor configured to generate a power value, a position sensor configured to generate a striker pin position signal, a processor configured to communicate with the latch motor and the position sensor, and a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to determine the striker pin position in response to the generated striker pin position signal, detect an obstruction in response to the striker pin position and the power value, and perform an anti-pinch function in response to the detected obstruction.

Abstract: Mechanisms for raising at least a portion of a vehicle load floor in response to lowering of one adjacent seat, to allow for easier loading of vehicle cargo areas. Mechanisms may raise a portion of the load floor when any one or more adjacent seats are lowered, but only lower the load floor when all adjacent seats are raised. In this manner, mechanisms of embodiments of the disclosure raise the load floor to an inclined position so that the load floor gradually rises to the elevation of any adjacent folded seat backs, rather than having a step increase in height at the boundary between load floor and seats. This allows for easier sliding of cargo over the load floor and onto the seat backs.

Abstract: A system for managing door operation of a vehicle includes a door system and a doorjam system configured for the door to close against. The door system includes a door having a handle mechanism, an indicator mechanism coupled to the handle mechanism and actuated by motion of the handle mechanism, and a latch feature configured to be engaged for latching the door closed. The doorjam system includes a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a state of the indicator mechanism, and a latching mechanism configured to secure and release the latch feature of the door. Control circuitry of the vehicle is coupled to the sensor and latching mechanism, and is configured to receive the sensor signal, and control the latching mechanism based on the sensor signal. The control circuitry determines state information for the vehicle and determines whether to secure or release the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A system for accessing a vehicle when the main battery is incapable of supplying sufficient power for actuating the vehicle's power door locks/latches comprises: a power supply in the door or release handle supplying power to the vehicle's power latch; an entry authentication device for receiving one or more inputs for authenticating a user's access to the vehicle, the entry authentication device powered by the rechargeable power supply; and a latch controller powered by the power supply and operatively connected to the power latch and the at least one entry authentication device to receive information from the entry authentication device corresponding to the one or more inputs. The latch controller can authenticate a user's access to the vehicle to place the power latch in an unlocked state so that the door can be opened.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly includes a latch lever connectable to a latch mechanism, a latch rod coupled to the latch lever, and a door handle operative to effect movement of the latch rod to unlatch the latch mechanism via actuation of the latch lever. The latch rod is configured so as to attenuate vertical motion of the latch rod in response to a sufficient force associated with a side-impact event. In one embodiment, the latch rod has a first member operatively connected to the door handle, and a second member pivotally connected to the first member. The second member is coupled to the latch lever, and the-second member is pivotally movable with the latch lever laterally in a direction away from the first member in response to a sufficient force associated with a side-impact event.

Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.

Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.

Abstract: An inertia-actuated locking device (“locking device”) for an improved latch assembly for a vehicle door. The locking device includes a housing, a plunger, and a detent lever. The plunger is slidably attached to the housing and movable to a locked position for locking the latch assembly. The detent lever is movable within the housing to a blocking position for holding the plunger in the locked position under the occurrence of a predetermined condition.