Abstract: A power door system for a vehicle includes a door connected to a vehicle body, a door actuator comprising a clutch and a braking system and adapted to displace the door between a plurality of open positions and a fully closed position, and a controller system configured to disengage the clutch on determination of a manual door open or close operation. The controller system is further configured to engage the braking system on a determination that the manual door close operation exceeds a threshold door closing speed. The controller system is further configured to cause the braking system to stop the manual door close operation exceeding the threshold door closing speed at a spaced distance from the vehicle body, to re-engage the clutch, and to actuate a power cinch function to displace the door to the fully closed position.

Abstract: A method of preventing unintended actions associated with an input device accessible from an exterior of a vehicle includes the steps of: (a) monitoring a state of switches associated with keys of said keypad; (b) identifying an action associated with the state of said switches associated with said keys of said keypad; (c) determining a state of at least one component of the vehicle other than said keypad; and (d) precluding the action associated with the state of said switches associated with said keys of said keypad based on the determined state of said at least one component of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a processor associated with the keypad performs the steps of monitoring, identifying, determining, and precluding and the action may be locking a closure member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for allowing an operator to control one or more locks of a vehicle associated with a controller for controlling the one or more vehicle locks is provided. The system comprises a touchpad for mounting to the vehicle, the touchpad adapted for receiving a code from the operator for controlling the one or more locks. A generator is also provided for generating power for operating the touchpad based on kinetic energy associated with the vehicle. A wireless transceiver associated with the touchpad may transmit a signal to the controller when the code is provided to the touch pad. A second or alternative generator for generating power for operating the touchpad based on solar energy. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power door system for a vehicle including a plurality of power-operated doors is provided. The system includes a passive remote entry device configured to emit a signal to one or more cooperating vehicle receivers and a controller configured to cause the power door system to open the at least one power-operated door when the passive remote entry device signal is received and an individual is detected in a predefined activation zone for a predetermined period of time. The system further includes a vehicle-mounted user detection device. The passive remote entry device may be selected from the group consisting of a key fob, a smart key, a key card, a cellular telephone or smartphone configured with a phone-as-a-key function, a Bluetooth®-activated and vehicle-recognized cellular telephone, a Bluetooth®-activated and vehicle-recognized smartphone, and a Bluetooth®-activated and vehicle-recognized smartwatch. Methods for controlling a power door system for a vehicle are described.

Abstract: An improved selective power assist device includes a controller for controlling a motor selectively coupled to the door and a clutch interposed between a drive shaft and a motor shaft, each having an angular velocity, whereby the motor is operatively coupled with and decoupled from the door. A brake assembly is disposed to synchronize the angular velocities of the drive shaft and the motor shaft allowing the clutch to operatively couple the motor with the door.