Door Extending Across Front Or Rear Of Body Patents (Class 296/146.8)
  • Patent number: 11724576
    Abstract: A liftgate assembly having finished show surfaces, and process of manufacturing same. The liftgate assembly includes local reinforcements that are overmolded to first reinforcements, and the first reinforcements are infrared welding to a first panel. Second and third reinforcements are also infrared welded to the first panel. To infrared weld the respective reinforcements to the first panel in predetermined locations with respect to the first panel, nesting structures are provided to hold the respective reinforcements and first panel. At least one infrared heating fixture heats various predetermined surfaces on the reinforcements and first panel, and the parts are then pressed together for joining the predetermined surfaces of the respective parts together. The process is repeated, if needed, until all of the reinforcements are infrared welded to the first panel. Outer panels are bonded to the second and third reinforcements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislav Tichy, Mark P. Birka, Riad Chaaya, Paul Hasl
  • Patent number: 11661784
    Abstract: A method of using detection devices for hazard detection when activating a physical closure member of an automobile generates a combined output signal from a first-detection device having a first-operational range and a second-detection device having a second-operational range. The combined output signal is generated for activity detected within a full-operational range, wherein the full-operational range is a mathematical union of the first-operational range and the second-operational range. A cumulative safety threshold is determined for the physical closure member using processing circuitry. Hazard-related data within the combined output signal is analyzed using processing circuitry. If the hazard-related data exceeds the cumulative safety threshold, a current state of the physical closure member is changed. If the hazard-related data does not exceed the cumulative safety threshold, a current state of the physical closure member is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Scott L. Frederick, Scott P. Robison
  • Patent number: 11607935
    Abstract: A sliding/swing complex door for a vehicle includes a sliding door configured to be opened upon a first operation of an outside handle positioned on an outside of the sliding door, a swing door configured to be integrated and opened with the sliding door upon a second operation of the outside handle, and a fixing unit configured to be opened in such a way to be integrated and rotated with the swing door in a state in which the sliding door is fully opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 11597037
    Abstract: A method for producing a component by brazing and a related component are disclosed. The component may include a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the first part includes a first junction part, the second part includes a second junction part and a cross junction part, and the third part includes a third junction part, and wherein the third junction part has a part and a remaining part. In an embodiment the method includes coupling the first part and the second part to each other by performing a preceding weld in a state of overlapping a part of the first junction part and the second junction part and, after performing the preceding weld, coupling the first part, the second part, and the third part to each other by performing a following weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ki Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 11535299
    Abstract: A vehicle may include: a vehicle body including an opening in a rear portion thereof; a door configured to close the opening; and a hinge swingably connecting the door to the vehicle body. The vehicle body may further include: a frame extending along an upper edge of the opening in a left-right direction of the vehicle; and a rear header located between the frame and the upper edge of the opening. The rear header may include: a hinge mounting portion to which the hinge is attached; and an intermediate portion located between the hinge mounting portion and the frame. The intermediate portion may be located below the hinge mounting portion in an up-down direction of the vehicle. The intermediate portion of the rear header may have a lower flexural strength than the frame against a collision load that acts in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noritaka Kosaka
  • Patent number: 11351590
    Abstract: A method of adding a reinforcement to a metal blank prior to a forming process. The reinforcement is attached via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) to create a composite blank which is then subjected to a forming process to bend and deform the composite blank and form a reinforced vehicle component. The reinforcement is placed on the metal blank such that after being subjected to the forming process, there is reinforcement in key areas of the formed vehicle component. The reinforcement results in the final formed vehicle component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Ryan M. Hahnlen, Duane Trent Detwiler, Allen B. Sheldon, Marcelo J. Dapino, Mark Bryant Gingerich, Leon M. Headings
  • Patent number: 11293210
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a drive arrangement for a flap of a motor vehicle by a control arrangement, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a first electric drive and a second electric drive that are coupled in each case to the flap in terms of providing a drive, wherein in a determining routine current values that occur during the motorized adjustment of the flap are determined for the drives, wherein in an anti-trap protection routine the determined current values of the two drives are monitored to establish if at least one a predetermined trapping event criterion exists that represents a trapping event and wherein in the event that a trapping event criterion has occurred a trapping event routine is performed. It is proposed that a trapping event criterion is defined by virtue of the fact that a predetermined relationship of the current value of the first drive to the current value of the second drive exceeds or is below a trapping event threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventor: Sebastian Schoedel
  • Patent number: 11293211
    Abstract: A vehicle door opening and closing device includes: a detection unit having three or more detection sections configured to detect an object, wherein each of the detection sections has a detection range for the object, and two or more operation zones are defined by partial overlapping of the detection ranges of the detection sections which are adjacent to each other; and a control section configured to cause a door driving section to control a door to open and close when a predetermined movement performed by the object is detected in any of the two or more operation zones. The control section is configured to use detection results of two of the detection sections corresponding to the operation zone where the object has first been detected for detection of movement of the object in preference to other detection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: U-SHIN LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Tokudome
  • Patent number: 11142049
    Abstract: Provided is a resin back door for a hatchback vehicle including a resin inner panel, a resin outer panel, and a lower-side reinforcing member made of metal extending in a vehicle width direction to be fixed to a lower side portion of the inner panel. The lower-side reinforcing member is locked to a vehicle lower structure via a door lock mechanism when the resin back door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KYUSHU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Chiba, Takayuki Okubo, Kiyokazu Nitta, Futoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 10940897
    Abstract: A tailgate for a motor vehicle includes a metallic main body and at least one fiber-reinforced tape disposed on and/or in the metallic main body. The at least one fiber-reinforced tape has reinforcement fibers embedded in a matrix material composed at least in part of a metallic material. The tailgate can include at least one additional component that is at least in part embedded in the main body. The at least one additional component can have at least one connection portion and a loop of the fiber-reinforced tape can be guided around the at least one connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Baranowski, Maik Broda, Markus Franzen, Pascal Rebmann
  • Patent number: 10918335
    Abstract: A sensing module is disclosed in the present invention and includes a body attaching member, a base module, a transmission member and a first sensor. The body attaching member is attached to a human limb and disposed on the base module. The transmission member is coupled to and moved with the body attaching member. The first sensor is disposed on a side of the body attaching member and separate from the body attaching member. When the body attaching member is driven to move along a direction by the human limb, the body attaching member drives the transmission member to activate the first sensor to generate a first signal. Since the first sensor is separate from the human limb, the first sensor is not affected by muscle swelling and skin friction during movement. Accordingly, the actuating module is able to drive the exoskeleton member more precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Zhong-Jheng Lin
  • Patent number: 10899202
    Abstract: A composite liftgate including an inner panel construction having strengthening channel structure in combination with a ribbing. Structural steel reinforcements are bonded to the inner panel where additional strength is needed. Where the extra structure is needed, a minimum amount of steel is used and the structural reinforcement is bonded in place using adhesive. A plurality of access doors are provided that are removable for easier maintenance and repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Kuntze
  • Patent number: 10774574
    Abstract: According to one aspect, vehicle power door operation is described herein. A first accelerometer may be mounted to a first portion of a vehicle and a second accelerometer may be mounted to a second portion of the vehicle. A motor controller may control a power operation of a door of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive a first measurement from the first accelerometer, receive a second measurement from the second accelerometer, determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to a reference plane based on the first measurement and the second measurement, determine any movement of the vehicle relative to the reference plane based on the first measurement and the second measurement, and adjust the power operation of the power door by the motor controller based on the determined orientation and the determined movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Lamm
  • Patent number: 10754054
    Abstract: Home security system installed in an enclosure, window or door and comprising un controlled magnetic field sensor (3) connected to an antenna (4) configured as a single electrode, in such a way that said sensor measures disturbances of the magnetic field around said antenna; and is characterized in that the controlled magnetic field sensor is configured to detect a disturbance in the magnetic field detected by its antenna and establish if there is a presence of a person depending on the power of the disturbance; and send an alert for the presence of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: ONTECH SECURITY, S.L.
    Inventor: Juan Aponte Luis
  • Patent number: 10731385
    Abstract: A bed illumination and tailgate lock system is presented that includes a bed light and tailgate lock controller connected to a bed light system and a tailgate lock system and tailgate pull handle actuator. The bed light and tailgate lock controller is electrically connected to the wiring system of a vehicle and receives control signals, in the form of power being sent to the brake lights, and in response to receiving these control signals bed light and tailgate lock controller locks and unlocks the tailgate and illuminates the bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Bradley Roll Whitham
  • Patent number: 10661640
    Abstract: A resin back door for a vehicle includes a resin inner panel, a resin lower outer panel, a metal left reinforcing member, and a damper stay bracket. The metal left reinforcing member is disposed in a hollow space defined by the inner panel and the lower outer panel, and is fixed to the inner panel with an adhesive leaving a gap. The damper stay bracket is attached on an outer side of the inner panel in a vehicle width direction. In the resin back door for a vehicle, the damper stay bracket is fastened to the left reinforcing member across a collar having one end inserted into a hole provided in the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KYUSHU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Chiba, Takayuki Okubo, Shingo Koyama
  • Patent number: 10626652
    Abstract: It is provided a driving device for adjusting a vehicle part, in particular a tailgate, comprises an electric drive for driving the vehicle part, with an output shaft for transmitting an adjusting force to the vehicle part, and a first braking device operatively connected to the output shaft, which includes at least one permanent magnet element and is configured to provide a braking force for arresting the vehicle part in a currently adopted position. There is also provided a second braking device that is configured to switch the electric drive into a generator braking mode in order to at least partly feed a power generatorically produced by the drive back into the drive and thereby provide a braking force for braking a movement of the vehicle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, BAMBERG
    Inventor: Florian Wölker
  • Patent number: 10604056
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle (RV) includes a ramp door configurable as a ramp or as a patio deck. A stair is attachable to a side of the door. A railing extends about the perimeter of the door when in the deck configuration. First and second support cables may be connected between the door and the RV to support the door when in the deck configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Roth, Jeffrey Albrecht, Dominick Bilancio, Nick Plummer, Kevin Peachey, David G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 10583718
    Abstract: A rear structure of a vehicle includes a flip-up back door for opening and closing an opening formed in the rear part of the vehicle. The back door has lamp fitting recesses, into which rear lamps are fitted, extending inwardly from the ends of the back door in the vehicle width direction which are recessed in a vehicle inner side. The lamp fitting recesses are provided, on its bottom walls, with flow restraint recesses extending in upward and downward directions in the lamp fitting recesses which are recessed in the vehicle inner side. The lamp fitting recesses are provided with, on portions or the lower walls thereof that are located more outwardly in the vehicle width direction than the flow restraint recesses, inclined parts in which lower walls of the lamp fitting recesses are inclined downward toward the rear of the vehicle or the outside in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 10544615
    Abstract: An actuator includes a yoke having an inner circumferential surface; an armature including a rotary shaft provided inside the yoke; a drive shaft configured to be driven to rotate when receiving a rotating force from the rotary shaft; a cylindrical first housing; a second housing relatively movable with respect to the first housing; a speed reduction gear part is disposed between the rotary shaft and the drive shaft; and a driven member is connected to the drive shaft for moving in an axial direction of the drive shaft in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The yoke is disposed within the first housing and a damper member is disposed between the first housing and the speed reduction gear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Takizawa, Takayuki Ikeda, Yoshitaka Sekine, Masazumi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10449841
    Abstract: A vehicle back door main body includes (1) an outer upper panel made of carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic that is joined to an upper portion of an inner panel made of carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic, and (2) an outer lower panel made of a resin that is weaker than the carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic and that is joined to a lower portion of the inner panel. A first portion of the inner panel is reinforced by the outer upper panel. A second portion of the inner panel has a lower strength than the first portion. A boundary between the first and second portions, at which there is a strength difference, is located adjacent to a small window opening in the vehicle back door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Ikeda, Tatsuya Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 10399415
    Abstract: The motor vehicle tailgate has a plastic box structure including at least one structural element supporting a rear screen. The structural element delimits, with the rear screen, a housing including an interior opening, the interior opening being closed by way of a lining which is attached in such a way that the housing houses an electrical element of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Franck Leterrier, Issam Khayat, Martin Struss
  • Patent number: 10358854
    Abstract: A means for opening tailgates of vehicles having a split tailgate with a lower door section and an upper door section. The upper door section would essential comprise the rear glass and mounting means of the upper door section to the vehicle. Further, it includes a pair of side guide tracks in the outer frame about the rear glass or panel. The lower door section includes at least four rollers for moving in the guide tracks. A locking and lifting handle in the lower door section releases the lower door to move vertically into the guide tracts. An upper detent or similar device would hold the lower door section on the outside of the upper door section when pushed to the upper extent. When the handle is release, the lower section would be locked to the upper door section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Wudthipong Guygaew
  • Patent number: 10355554
    Abstract: An electric linear actuator includes include a housing, a puck, an actuator rod, and an electric motor. The puck is contained within the housing and configured for substantially linear motion, within the housing. The actuator rod is capable of being contained, at least in part, within the housing and configured to actuate, in a substantially linear fashion, in response to substantially linear motion of the puck. The electric motor is disposed within the rod and configured to provide mechanical force to cause the substantially linear motion of the puck, within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nainesh Parmar, Kevin Martin
  • Patent number: 10348083
    Abstract: A method is provided, including providing an accelerometer responsive to motion of a closure forming part of an automatic closure system, providing an output of the accelerometer to first and second comparator circuits, the first comparator circuit having a first reference voltage such that the output of the first comparator circuit is indicative of a direction of closure motion and the second comparator circuit having an adjustable second reference voltage such that the output of the second comparator circuit is scaled relative to this adjustable second reference voltage to adjust the sensitivity of the output of the second comparator, providing a microcontroller coupled to the first and second comparator circuits, the microcontroller determining both a motion sequence of the closure and whether the closure has impacted an object, and providing an interface circuit for communicating the output from the microcontroller to a remote controller circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: Erik Dumais
  • Patent number: 10221600
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof panel, hinge bracket, cover, and retaining clip. The roof panel defines a recess. The hinge bracket is secured to the roof panel within the recess. The cover is disposed in the recess. The cover has a doghouse that extends downward toward the bracket. The retaining clip has a head that is disposed within the doghouse, a stem that extends downward from the head beyond the doghouse, and a biasing element that forces an opposing surface of the stem into contact with an edge of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Slemons, David James Spolyar, Jeffrey Scott Mayville, Patrick Reed
  • Patent number: 10189337
    Abstract: A composite liftgate including an inner panel construction having strengthening channel structure in combination with a ribbing. Structural steel reinforcements are bonded to the inner panel where additional strength is needed. Where the extra structure is needed, a minimum amount of steel is used and the structural reinforcement is bonded in place using adhesive. A plurality of access doors are provided that are removable for easier maintenance and repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Kuntze
  • Patent number: 10137826
    Abstract: A vehicle applique is provided that includes a decorative layer and an over-mold positioned over the decorative layer. The over-mold is substantially transparent. A light conversion layer is positioned on an opposite side of the decorative layer from the over-mold and configured to convert ambient illumination. A reflective layer is configured to convert ambient illumination. A reflective layer is configured to reflect light into the light conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Talat Karmo, Michael Musleh
  • Patent number: 10081400
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and an active air dam assembly. The body has a first end facing an ambient airflow and a second end facing away from the ambient airflow. The assembly is disposed at the first or second end and controls the ambient airflow between the body and a road surface. The assembly includes an adjustable flap, an actuator, sensors, and a controller. The flap shifts between different stowed and deployed positions. The actuator moves the flap, e.g., via a shaft. Each sensor measures a separate performance parameter of the actuator. The controller executes a method to receive the measured performance parameters, identify a fault mode of the air dam assembly from among different possible fault modes using the performance parameters, and execute a control action corresponding to the identified fault mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Abdoul Karim Abdoul Azizou, Piranavan Suntharalingam
  • Patent number: 10059178
    Abstract: A tailgate structure is provided that includes: a tailgate that is made of resin and is arranged in an opening of a vehicle body; a wiper that wipes a glass arranged in the tailgate; and a lock device that fixes the tailgate to the vehicle body by being engaged with the opening in a state that the tailgate is closed, wherein the wiper is connected with the lock device by a reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Masaru Takata
  • Patent number: 10005385
    Abstract: A truck bucket door has a door panel and at least one warning device. The least one warning device is mounted on the door panel, and each one of the at least one warning device has a casing, a circuit board, a detecting switch, and at least one illuminating device. The casing is translucent and is securely mounted on the door panel. The circuit board is held in the casing. The detecting switch is mounted on the circuit board and has a capability of detecting a movement of the door panel. The at least one illuminating element is mounted on the circuit board and is electrically connected with the detecting switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Chun-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9902438
    Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis with a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The system includes an aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body and configured to generate a downforce thereon via controlling the incident ambient airflow. The system also includes an adjustable flap arranged at the aerodynamic-aid element. The adjustable flap is configured to shift relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby control movement of the incident ambient airflow relative to the aerodynamic-aid element. The system additionally includes a mechanism configured to vary position of the adjustable flap relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby vary a magnitude of downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samantha J. Bray, Joshua R. Auden, Jason D. Fahland, David Dominguez
  • Patent number: 9791026
    Abstract: The invention concerns a spindle drive for the motorized adjustment of an adjusting element of a vehicle, comprising a drive motor with a motor shaft, a speed reduction gear mechanism, and a feed gear mechanism, the speed reduction gear mechanism having a planetary gear mechanism and the feed gear mechanism being designed as a spindle/spindle nut gear mechanism, the planetary gear mechanism having a rotatable sun gear and coaxially in relation thereto a rotatable planet-gear carrier and a fixed or fixable ring gear, and the planet-gear carrier carrying at least one rotatable planet gear, which is in axially parallel engagement with the sun gear on the one hand and the ring gear on the other hand, the drive motor, the speed reduction gear mechanism and the feed gear mechanism being accommodated one behind the other in a substantially elongate drive housing and aligned with a common longitudinal drive axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Christian Saxstetter, Alwin Macht, Andreas Diemar
  • Patent number: 9669688
    Abstract: A tailgate-equipped vehicle body structure includes a tailgate for opening and closing a rear opening section provided in a rear section of a vehicle, and a sub door provided on the tailgate for opening and closing a sub door opening section provided in the tailgate. The upper surface of a lower edge portion of the rear opening section and the upper surface of a lower edge portion of the sub door opening section are located in substantially flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoki Yamaguchi, Seiji Honda, Yusuke Fujita, Takuya Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9623733
    Abstract: A tailgate that is intended to be mounted onto motor vehicle body such as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and is intended to be connected to the body by means that generate an axial thrust for assisting in the opening of the tailgate. The tailgate includes an abutment, referred to as an anti-deformation abutment, for engaging, when the tailgate is in the closed position, with a complementary bearing of the body such that the complementary bearing exerts a reactive force against the anti-deformation abutment, having a direction parallel to a direction of thrust of the assistance means, or angled at most 45° relative to the thrust direction, and having at least one component in the direction opposite the direction of thrust of the assistance means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Alexis Rajon, Philippe Coudron, Pascal Depardon
  • Patent number: 9487068
    Abstract: A liftgate for a vehicle and a method of making the liftgate are disclosed. The liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The die-cast inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section has a header member and a pair of supports extending from opposite ends of the header member to partially define a window aperture. The lower section includes a pair of side portions and a base portion that define a generally “U” shaped aperture. Each side portion is coupled to a respective one of the supports and the “U” shaped aperture opens into the window aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Scott W Rejc, Clifford L Eberle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9487069
    Abstract: A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel and an outer header panel. The inner panel includes a header member, a pair of supports, a lower section, and at least one stiffener. The header member has a top edge and a bottom edge. The supports couple the header to the lower section. The supports and the bottom edge of the header member partially define a window aperture. The stiffener is coupled to the header member between the top and bottom edges and between opposite ends of the header member. The outer header panel is mounted to the header member to define a header cavity between the header member and the outer header panel. The stiffener protrudes from the header member into the header cavity and is fixed to the outer header panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Scott W Rejc, Clifford L Eberle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9409468
    Abstract: A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The lower section defines a rim, pair of taillight cans, and pair of first bridge members. The rim is disposed about a periphery of the lower section. The rim has a generally “U” shaped cross-section that protrudes in a fore direction from a fore face of the lower section to define a trough in an aft face of the lower section. Each taillight can has an inner portion and an outer portion separated by the trough. Each inner and outer portion has a side wall and a back wall. The side walls offset the back walls in the fore direction from the aft face. Each first bridge member spans the trough between a respective set of the inner and outer portions of each taillight can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Scott W Rejc, Clifford L Eberle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9409467
    Abstract: A vehicle with a tail gate wherein the movement distance around the vehicle is reduced. In a vehicle with a tail gate, a tail gate is supported on a vehicle body such that a rear opening formed on the rear part of the vehicle body opens and closes. The tail gate has a sub opening formed on the tail gate, and a sub door for opening and closing the sub opening in the vehicle width direction. The width of the sub opening in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the width of the rear opening. One side border of the sub opening in the vehicle width direction is located in the vicinity of one edge of the tail gate in the vehicle width direction. The sub door is supported on the tail gate so as to begin to open from the side border of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Hakamada
  • Patent number: 9315223
    Abstract: A lightweight metal spoiler is integrated with a tailgate of an automotive vehicle. The integrated tailgate spoiler is formed from the same material as the frame or rear portion of the tailgate body, preferably aluminum, in one arrangement and from different materials in another arrangement. First and second spoiler portions are joined together along overlapping, mating, abutting edges. The first and second portions of the tailgate are brazed together at an acute angle and the unitary spoiler is fused to the rear portion of the tailgate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Watanabe, Robert Bator
  • Patent number: 9045921
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for operating a hatch arrangement of a motor vehicle wherein a motor vehicle lock is controlled by means of a control arrangement in a relatch routine in such a way that a renewed latch state (a relatch state) is avoided or cancelled within a predetermined relatch time interval after the releasing process, and wherein in a relatch monitoring process the control arrangement monitors whether a relatch indication, in particular a relatch state, occurs within the predetermined relatch time interval after the releasing process and only then is the relatch routine triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, HALLSTADT
    Inventors: Juergen Eggeling, Dirk Hellmich, Klaus Duenne
  • Patent number: 8985675
    Abstract: A vehicle liftgate system comprises an outer panel that includes a Class A surface and a sole lamp opening extending for a first horizontal distance that greater than half, but less than all, of a width of the outer panel. The liftgate system further comprises a reinforcement having a perimeter corresponding to a perimeter of the lamp opening and configured to accommodate at least one lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maneesh Gangal, Rajinder Pal Singh, Siavash Osooli, Pinak Narhari Dave
  • Patent number: 8979170
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure that is able to rotatably support a tailgate at a left hinge attachment section of a rear outer panel with a left hinge member therebetween. The left hinge member is provided with: a vehicle-body-side hinge section affixed to the left hinge attachment section; and a door-side hinge section connected rotatably to the vehicle-body-side hinge section. A left rear combination lamp is provided to the rear outer panel in a manner so as to cover the vehicle-body-side hinge section from the outside of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kurita, Yasuyuki Katou, Norihiro Obama, Yosuke Kimura, Makoto Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150028621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle door which is mounted via a hinge (14) to an upper edge portion of a door opening portion (12) that is formed on a vehicle body and which is pivotable in an up-down direction and which includes a door body (15) formed of metal, a decorative member (18) that is attached to a vehicle outer side of a lower portion of the door body (15), an outer plate portion (30) which is mounted on the decorative member (18) and disposed to be spaced apart from a vehicle outer side surface of the door body (15) and which has a predetermined width in the up-down direction and extends over a substantially overall width in a door width direction, a bottom plate portion (31) which is mounted on the decorative member (18) and extends from a lower end of the outer plate portion (30) to a vehicle inner side so as to be directed to a position lower than a lower end of the door body (15), and a protruding plate portion (32) which is provided on the decorative member (18) and protrudes upward f
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hazawa, Shigeki Tanimoto, Takayuki Hira
  • Patent number: 8894128
    Abstract: An assembly consisting of an opening panel of a motor vehicle and at least two reinforcing elements. Each reinforcing element has an elongate shape and two ends, the panel comprising at least two connecting elements, each reinforcing element being connectable to the panel in such a way that each end of the reinforcing elements is at least partially superposed on one of the connecting elements, the reinforcing elements and connecting elements forming at least one continuous frame when the reinforcing elements and the panel are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Denis Barral, Jerome Fillon
  • Patent number: 8882174
    Abstract: An operating system and method for a vehicle having an automatically closing hatch, includes an operating switch, a programmable electronic controller, and a device for monitoring the hatch opening when the hatch is open. The operating switch generates an operating request signal for closing the hatch when the switch is actuated, the signal being an input signal to the controller. The monitoring device is a light barrier device having at least one light-emitting actuator and at least one light-detecting sensor arranged at the edge region of the hatch opening and also connected to the controller by electrical cables. The controller is programmed such that, when the operating request signal is present and the hatch is open, the controller outputs a pivot command to a closing system for closing the hatch only if the presence of an obstacle is not detected by the monitoring device for the hatch opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Wechs
  • Patent number: 8882168
    Abstract: A tailgate for an associated automotive vehicle. The tailgate is coupled via a rod to a motor. The tailgate includes a frame having a point of attachment to the rod. The rod passes through an opening in the vehicle body. The rod has a longitudinal axis that travels in a substantially linear axial direction in the region passing through the opening when the tailgate moves from a closed to an open position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacob Ivan Wasser, Makoto Watanabe, Travis Lonas
  • Patent number: 8870269
    Abstract: A system to access a passenger compartment, said system having a door hinged to a chassis frame by a first horizontal articulated joint and forming an inclined ramp, wherein said system comprises an actuator to move said door, linked to said door and said chassis frame, a step plate at least partially covering the outside of said door and hinged to said chassis frame by a second articulated joint parallel to said first articulated joint and with a hinge pin offset to the first articulated joint, said step plate linked to said door by a drive element connected to said door by a third articulated joint and to said step plate by a fourth articulated joint, the pins of said first through fourth articulated joints being parallel to one another and form the four summits of a parallelogram deformable between open and closed positions of said door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nexter Systems
    Inventor: Jerome Serpeault
  • Patent number: 8863359
    Abstract: A vehicle and a hinge assembly for a storage compartment of the vehicle are disclosed. The assembly includes a first component adapted to be attached to the vehicle and a second component. The second component includes a first end portion coupled to the first component and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion. The second component is movable relative to the first component between a first position and a second position such that the second end portion is disposed above the first component when in the second position. The assembly further includes a link coupled to the second component and movable with the second component as the second component moves between the first and second positions. The link extends away from the second component to a distal end. The assembly includes a guard attached to the link and covering at least a portion of the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Himanshu H. Mehta
  • Patent number: 8845006
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a liftgate that opens and closes to provide access to a rear storage compartment of the vehicle. A rotatable crossbar is attached to an upper portion of the vehicle and is connected to the liftgate via a bracket. A lever extends from an outer end of the crossbar. A retractable arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the vehicle body, and the second end is pivotally connected to the lever. Retraction of the arm pivots the lever, which rotates the crossbar and opens the liftgate. The arm and the lever are substantially concealed by a rear pillar of the vehicle so as to not be visible when operating to open and close the liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Lechkun, Murat Gueler