Abstract: A door for an entryway includes an exterior-facing surface, an inner structure, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is connected to the inner structure and configured to be fastened or released for controlling access to the entryway. The door also includes a key-cylinder accessible from the exterior-facing surface and configured to selectively lock and unlock the latch mechanism. The door additionally includes a pawl configured to be rotated by the key-cylinder about a pivot axis, connected to the latch mechanism, and defining a pass-through aperture distal from the pivot axis. The door also includes a shield defining a shield attachment aperture and connected to the inner structure. The door further includes a security fastener to fix the shield relative to the key-cylinder at the shield attachment aperture and extending through the pass-through aperture without impeding the pawl's rotation or contacting the pawl as the pawl operates the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A door assembly of a vehicle includes a first door panel located in a first guide groove and movable at least partially across a door opening from a first side of the door opening toward a second side of the door opening, and a second door panel spaced apart from the first door panel and located in a second guide groove. The second door panel is movable at least partially across the door opening from the first side toward the second side. One or more first magnetic elements are located at the first door panel, and one or more second magnetic elements disposed at the second door panel. A magnetic force between the one or more first magnetic elements and the one or more second magnetic elements urges the first door panel into contact with a sidewall of the first guide groove.

Abstract: A door assembly of a vehicle includes a first door panel movable at least partially across a door opening from a first side of the door opening toward a second side of the door opening, a second door panel spaced apart from the first door panel and movable at least partially across the door opening from the first side toward the second side. A first magnetic element is located at the first door panel and a second magnetic element is located at the second door panel. The second magnetic element is interactive with the first magnetic element such that moving of the first door across the door opening causes movement of the second door panel across the door opening.

Abstract: An indexing multi-panel door includes a leading door panel supported on a first track and moveable between open and closed positions, a trailing door panel supported on a second track and moveable between open and closed positions, a motion control track mounted to one of the door panels, a follower mounted to the other one of the door panels, the follower including a first distal end received within the motion control track, the motion control track including features to frictionally engage the first distal end, wherein when the leading door is moved between the open and closed positions, engagement between the first distal end and the features moves the trailing door panel along with the leading door panel, and allows slippage, wherein the leading and trailing door panels move relative to one another as the leading and trailing door panels are moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An indexing multi-panel door includes a leading door panel supported on a first track and moveable between open and closed positions, a trailing door panel supported on a second track and moveable between open and closed positions, a motion control track mounted to one of the door panels, a follower mounted to the other one of the door panels, the follower including a first distal end received within the motion control track, the motion control track including features to frictionally engage the first distal end, wherein when the leading door is moved between the open and closed positions, engagement between the first distal end and the features moves the trailing door panel along with the leading door panel, and allows slippage, wherein the leading and trailing door panels move relative to one another as the leading and trailing door panels are moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A door for an entryway includes an exterior-facing surface, an inner structure, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is connected to the inner structure and configured to be fastened or released for controlling access to the entryway. The door also includes a key-cylinder accessible from the exterior-facing surface and configured to selectively lock and unlock the latch mechanism. The door additionally includes a pawl configured to be rotated by the key-cylinder about a pivot axis, connected to the latch mechanism, and defining a pass-through aperture distal from the pivot axis. The door also includes a shield defining a shield attachment aperture and connected to the inner structure. The door further includes a security fastener to fix the shield relative to the key-cylinder at the shield attachment aperture and extending through the pass-through aperture without impeding the pawl's rotation or contacting the pawl as the pawl operates the latch mechanism.

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: 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: A system for controlling a locking module for a vehicle door having an electronic latch mechanism is provided. An electronic handle switch is operatively connected to the door and a controller. The electronic handle switch is configured to at least partially control operation of the electronic latch mechanism. The locking module is configured to block the electronic handle switch, thereby preventing the door from being unlatched. The locking module is enabled when one or more predefined operating parameters are met. The controller disables the locking module when one or more entry conditions are satisfied. At least one sensor is operatively connected to the controller, the sensor being configured to indicate one of two states, a first state and a second state. The entry conditions include at least one sensor indicating the second state.

Abstract: A system for controlling a locking module for a vehicle door having an electronic latch mechanism is provided. An electronic handle switch is operatively connected to the door and a controller. The electronic handle switch is configured to at least partially control operation of the electronic latch mechanism. The locking module is configured to block the electronic handle switch, thereby preventing the door from being unlatched. The locking module is enabled when one or more predefined operating parameters are met. The controller disables the locking module when one or more entry conditions are satisfied. At least one sensor is operatively connected to the controller, the sensor being configured to indicate one of two states, a first state and a second state. The entry conditions include at least one sensor indicating the second state.

Abstract: An assembly includes a first member and a second member spaced from and the first member, with the first member and the second member moveable relative to each other. A shape memory alloy actuator couples the second member to the first member. The shape memory alloy actuator includes a first end and a second end, both attached to the first member, with the shape memory alloy wrapped around a guide device to redirect the path of the shape memory alloy actuator. Having both the first end and the second end attached to the second member doubles the tensile force applied to the second member when the shape memory alloy actuator contracts.