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.

Abstract: A power, split tailgate system is provided that allows each of an upper and a lower tailgate door to be simultaneously or independently driven between open and closed positions. The tailgate system may be operated in a chauffer mode where the lower tailgate door is opened to allow for the storage of luggage and other materials and in a manner that limits exposure of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a liftgate or a trunk lid. The opening and/or closing of the liftgate or the trunk lid is assisted or carried out by the operating force of a device. Lateral profiles formed at the liftgate or the trunk lid each have a hollow space, and one device for the lifting and/or lowering of the liftgate or the trunk lid is arranged in each hollow space. Each device is arranged between the roof section of the vehicle body and the liftgate or the trunk lid.

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.

Abstract: To obtain a vehicle rear door structure that can improve a fitting performance of a rear door. A pair of connecting beads, that connect a lock mechanism placement portion with regions positioned at vehicle transverse direction outer sides with respect to a lateral bead, are formed at a rear door inner panel. Upper end portions of the connecting beads are disposed at positions apart from the lateral bead and are connected to an annular bead, and have outer side wall portions and inner side wall portions, that stand erect in a door thickness direction of a rear door. The outer side wall portions and the inner side wall portions both extend in a direction orthogonal to an extension line of the lateral bead as seen in a door elevation view. Further, the outer side wall portions are made integral with an inner peripheral wall portion of the annular bead.

Abstract: At a back door structure, a back door, that is rotatably supported at a rear roof header via a pair of door hinges, rotates around hinge shafts and opens and closes a rear opening portion. The back door is held in a fully open posture that opens the rear opening portion, by a single damper that is provided only at a right side with respect to the rear opening portion. In the back door structure, a fit posture of the back door is corrected due to a vertical position of a mounting surface of the door hinge at the right side being set at an upper side with respect to a mounting surface of the door hinge at a left side in a state of not supporting the back door.

Abstract: The present invention provides a back door for an automobile including an inner panel and an outer panel made of resin. A pair of reinforcement metal plates is disposed on an inner wall of the inner panel at end portions in a left-to-right direction of a space formed between the inner panel and the outer panel integrated together. The reinforcement metal plates each include a damper attachment portion to which a damper-connecting member connected to a damper is attached, and a hinge attachment portion to which a hinge extending toward a car body is fixed.

Abstract: An inner panel of a lift gate includes an outer-frame forming portion comprising a pair of side edge frame portions including a pair of pillar portions and a lower end frame portion integrally formed at the side frame portions, an inner-frame forming portion formed at a lower edge portion of a window opening to connect to the outer-frame forming portion, and a panel portion covering over a portion enclosed by the outer-frame forming portion and the inner-frame forming portion. The panel portion comprises an outside panel portion provided to contact the outer panel and an inside panel portion integrally formed at the outside panel portion to connect to the outside panel portion and project toward a vehicle-compartment side beyond the outside panel portion and connects to the outer-frame forming portion and the inner-frame forming portion of said inner panel.

Abstract: A tailgate inner-handle is vertically rotatably mounted and includes: cylinders having sliding holes formed in outer circumferential surfaces along a longitudinal direction; pistons inserted in the cylinders and having fitting holes; a handle mounted at one end of the piston; a carrying bar entering the cylinders through the sliding holes to be inserted in the fitting holes; a motor connected so as to slide the carrying bar; and a control module configured to apply power to the motor according to whether the tailgate is opened or closed. The inner-handle according to the present invention protrudes from the tailgate or returns to an original position according to an opening/closing state of the tailgate, so that a user may more easily and conveniently hold the inner-handle regardless of a height of the user without needing to adjust an opening angle of the tailgate.

Abstract: A lift gate having a deformable section which allows the lift gate to deform rather than break during a low speed impact event. The lift gate has a deformable section located between an inner panel and an outer panel. The deformable section is able to deform during a low speed impact event against the outer panel, thereby preventing the inner panel from receiving any of the impact. This allows the inner panel to be significantly more rigid than the outer panel and the deformable section, and, therefore, provides the necessary structural support for the lift gate while withstanding collisions on the Impact Zone.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.

Abstract: A method for installing a spring-assisted liftgate in opposition to the gravity force includes temporarily fixing a coupling rod in a defined position corresponding to an installation position of the liftgate, and holding the in an open position or in an intermediate position above the installation position and placing the apparatus in the vehicle. After lowering the liftgate from the open position or intermediate position into the installation position, the coupling rod is connected to the hinge lever and then released.

Abstract: Hatch system (1) for a motor craft, in particular for an automobile vehicle, for example, the hatch (1) being mounted articulated about a substantially horizontal fixed main rotation axis (A) supported by the chassis of the motor craft, and being movable about the main rotation axis (A) manually or automatically by drive means (5) between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that, during a phase of movement of the hatch (1), the drive means (5) driving rotation of the hatch (1) about the main rotation axis (A) actuate means (7) for maneuvering the hatch (1) in rotation in the opposite direction about a secondary rotation axis (B), the combination of these two movements in rotation causing the hatch (1) to move in a substantially vertical plane without necessarily causing lateral movement of the hatch during this phase of movement of the hatch (1).

Abstract: A vehicle door having a window glass and a support element extending the window glass, the support element includes a door fastener for fastening the door to a body-in-white of the vehicle and a window glass fastener for fastening the window glass to the support element.

Abstract: A yard tractor incorporating a fluid cylinder pressurized by fluid from a control valve actuated by a switch accessible from the driver's seat.

Abstract: A counterbalanced hinge system rotatably attaches a closure panel to a body for rotation about a rotation axis. The counterbalanced hinge system applies an assist torque to the closure panel to bias the closure panel about the rotation axis from a closed position into an open position. A pop-up system is moveable from an un-sprung position into a sprung position to apply an opening force to the closure panel. A reset system includes a connecting cable interconnecting the counterbalanced hinge system and the pop-up system. The reset system converts a portion of the assist torque applied by the counterbalanced hinge system into linear motion of the connecting cable to move the pop-up system from the sprung position into the un-sprung position automatically upon the closure panel moving from the closed position into the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle with a door that provides an opening for more easily accessing a storage space and greater utility of a storage space. The door includes a portion of a side wall and a portion of a back wall and is hingedly connected to a side wall of the vehicle at a position that is offset from the back end of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device in vehicle component, comprising an electric drive motor, the armature shaft thereof being connected to a gearbox device for driving an output shaft. The gearbox device comprises at least one double gearbox unit, made of two gear stages having two changes in direction.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor unit is not susceptible to failure and remotely actuates a door of a vehicle. The sensor unit contains an electrode assembly having an elongated sensor electrode and a supply line for electrically connecting the sensor electrode to an evaluation unit. The supply line is surrounded by a shield. An additional ground conductor, which is electrically conductively connected to the shield over the entire length of the supply line, is connected in parallel to the supply line.

Abstract: A trunk lid for a motor vehicle includes an inner lining, a rear window, and a structural reinforcement. The structural reinforcement includes an upper portion which defines a rear-window opening and a lower portion which extends the upper portion toward the bottom of the trunk lid. The structural reinforcement is made in a single piece of a polymer material. An outside of the structural reinforcement is completely covered at least by the rear window and an outer covering panel placed beneath the rear window. An inside of the structural reinforcement is completely covered by the inner lining. The structural reinforcement and the inner lining interact to form a first hollow frame, of a first closed section, surrounding the rear-window opening, and to form a second peripheral hollow frame, of a second closed section, that is close to the outer edges of the trunk lid.

Abstract: A panel that may be raised and lowered in the rear area of a vehicle to provide added headroom. The panel may be secured to an opening defined by a roof of the vehicle. The panel may be secured to an opening defined in a tailgate of the vehicle. Side walls and a real wall may be provided that extend between the opening and the panel.

Abstract: The tailgate (1) or rear door for a motor vehicle with a rear window includes a single-piece main carrying structure (10) with a peripheral, flexurally resistant frame (11), with an upper transverse beam (12), two lateral longitudinal beams (13, 14) and at least one lower transverse beam (15). The main carrying structure consists of a fibre-reinforced moulding compound (20) with at least two impregnated, integrated continuous-fibre bands (21) and this moulding compound is non-positively connected to the rear window (2) and together with this forms a flexurally resistant structure. Thereby, the continuous-fibre bands (21) in sections are integrated into the frame (11) in an arrangement vertical (v) to the surface (H) of the tailgate, by way of the continuous-fibre bands (21) being arranged vertically to the surface (H) and/or at a vertical distance (d) to the surface (H).

Abstract: A method for operating a hatch arrangement of a motor vehicle is provided. The hatch arrangement has a hatch leaf with a hatch drive associated with the hatch leaf, and a hatch controller, with, amongst other things, a motor-operated closing process triggered by the hatch controller. The hatch arrangement has a motor vehicle lock, it being possible to reverse the hatch leaf starting from an opening and/or closing process in a motor-operated reversing process in a manner triggered by the hatch controller. As part of a reversing process which is initiated starting from a closing process, the motor vehicle lock and possibly the hatch drive is or are actuated, at least in phases as a function of the lock state, in such a way that engagement in a retaining manner between the motor vehicle lock and the lock striker or the like is avoided or released during the reversing operation.

Abstract: A vehicle window panel mounted in a window opening formed in a vehicle to close the opening includes a panel body obtained by molding a resin material. A light-transmitting window is integrally connected to the panel body, and a protrusion is integrally connected to the panel body to protrude toward at least one of an inside or outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle with a door that provides an opening for more easily accessing a storage space and greater utility of a storage space. The door includes a portion of a side wall and a portion of a back wall and is hingedly connected to a side wall of the vehicle at a position that is offset from the back end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle window panel mounted in a window opening formed in a vehicle to close the opening includes a panel body obtained by molding a resin material. A light-transmitting window is integrally connected to the panel body, and a protrusion is integrally connected to the panel body to protrude toward at least one of an inside or outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle user is notified of a rear gate ajar condition so that the user can take corrective action by opening and then re-closing the rear gate. The method includes the steps of determining that the rear gate latch has engaged a latch striker but has not reached a fully latched position; operating a vehicle mounted signaling device that is cognizable by a user while still standing at the rear gate so that the user will receive immediate notification that the rear gate latch has not reached the fully latched position, thereby enabling the user to take immediate corrective action by opening and then re-closing the gate to attempt a fully latched position of the rear gate latch; and then, if the vehicle is started without the lift gate operator having taken corrective action to obtain full latching of the rear gate latch, energizing a lift gate ajar light on the instrument panel so that the vehicle driver is notified to take corrective action before driving away.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a tailgate box and at least one link designed to be fitted on the box. The box is designed to receive a part that is fastened to the box by adhesive, said box having for this purpose an adhesive track, the box also including at least one lateral upright comprising a section member of open cross-section with the opening therein interrupting the adhesive track. The link comprises an additional segment of adhesive track, and the link and the upright being shaped so that the link can be fitted on the upright in such a manner that it closes the cross-section of the section member and causes the additional segment to span the interruption in the adhesive track.

Abstract: In the case of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger motorcar, with a body in which at least one opening, such as a door opening, a trunk opening or the like is provided, which can be closed off by a pivotably articulated covering element, such as a door, a tail gate, a trunk lid or the like, which has an outer skin and a support structure and at least one function element arranged in between, which is connected to the outer skin, the function element is provided to stiffening structures and directly connected to the support structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermoplastic composite liftgate system with reinforcements in key areas to allow the system to meet performance requirements, while lowering the tooling investment, lowering the system mass, and improving the styling flexibility. The present invention includes an inner panel and at least one bracket or reinforcement member connected to the inner panel such that when a force is applied to the bracket, the force is distributed to the inner panel.

Abstract: An adjustable tailgate support contains a fixed inner tube, which is connected to a lower housing part and on which is arranged a spiral spring. The spiral spring on the one hand is supported at the lower end on a setting element held on the inner tube and, on the other hand, is held fixed at a remote, upper, free end in the upper housing part. An increase or reduction in the spring force of the spiral spring can be set by turning the setting element, which has a supporting ring, on an external thread of the fixed inner tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle includes a first panel that defines a loading surface and has first and second sides. The apparatus also includes a support frame connected to the first panel and having first and second supports. A second panel is pivotably connected to the first panel. The first and second supports are configured to be selectively connectable to and releasable from the vehicle body. The apparatus is positionable in a stowed position when the supports are connected to the vehicle body. In the stowed position, the apparatus is within the interior cargo area and the first panel is substantially parallel with and above the floor. The apparatus is pivotable with respect to the vehicle body to a deployed position in which the supports are connected to the vehicle body and in which the apparatus extends at least partially out of the vehicle to provide additional cargo area.

Abstract: A spoiler assembly for a rear hatch closure assembly on a vehicle includes a base member extending laterally across the hatch closure assembly, a latch mounted to the base member, and a shell member secured to the base member to cover and conceal the latch.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a seating row oriented in a passenger compartment and adjacent to a storage compartment. The seating row has a seat back that is pivotally connected to a vehicle body. A battery is disposed within the storage compartment. A tray is provided with a forward end that is pivotally connected to the seat back, and a rearward end that is supported slidably on the vehicle body. The tray is movable in a fore-and-aft direction as the seat back pivots on the vehicle body between a collapsed position and an upright position. The tray is disposed over the seat back and the battery when the seat back is in the collapsed position for providing a raised platform that extends into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a seat oriented in a passenger compartment forward of a storage compartment. The seat has a seat back that is pivotally connected to a body of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotable between a seating position and a storage position. A battery is disposed within the storage compartment. A tray is removably connected to the vehicle body in either one of a first and a second position. The tray is elevated from the battery within the storage compartment in the first position. The tray is connected to the vehicle body such that it is contiguous with and forward of the battery in the second position. A flat load floor is formed by the top surface of a housing of the battery together with the tray.

Abstract: A system for controlling access into a vehicle through an opening in a rear portion of the vehicle body includes a tailgate arranged to selectively open and close to thereby respectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the access opening. The system also includes a first actuator and a second actuator, wherein each of the first and second actuators operatively connects the tailgate to the vehicle body and is configured to selectively open and close the tailgate. The system additionally includes a flexible drive system configured to operate substantially simultaneously the first and second actuators. Furthermore, the system includes a motor operatively connected to the tailgate and configured to operate the flexible drive system to thereby substantially synchronize the operation of the first and second actuators. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided.

Abstract: The tailgate (1) or rear door for a motor vehicle with a rear window includes a single-piece main carrying structure (10) with a peripheral, flexurally resistant frame (11), with an upper transverse beam (12), two lateral longitudinal beams (13, 14) and at least one lower transverse beam (15). The main carrying structure consists of a fibre-reinforced moulding compound (20) with at least two impregnated, integrated continuous-fibre bands (21) and this moulding compound is non-positively connected to the rear window (2) and together with this forms a flexurally resistant structure. Thereby, the continuous-fibre bands (21) in sections are integrated into the frame (11) in an arrangement vertical (v) to the surface (H) of the tailgate, by way of the continuous-fibre bands (21) being arranged vertically to the surface (H) and/or at a vertical distance (d) to the surface (H).

Abstract: An adjustment device and a corresponding method for a movable body part of a vehicle, has an actuator for adjusting the movable body part and has a control device for activating the actuator in an operating state. The control device switches from the operating state to an idle state if no adjustment of the movable body part occurs within a defined period of time. A manual adjustment of the movable body part switches the control device back to the operating state from the idle state.

Abstract: A mounting frame member is provided for framing and sealing a frameless window pane of an after-market motor vehicle tailgate intended to replace a tailgate having a different structure. The mounting frame member includes a mounting frame body mounted to the motor vehicle, the mounting frame body including an integrally formed sealing weatherstrip at an inner peripheral region thereof. A supplemental sealing weatherstrip may be provided adjacent the sealing weatherstrip of the mounting frame body and over the frameless window pane. Accordingly, a single, unitary BIW structure may be utilized when effectuating after-market structural changes or replacements to an existing tailgate.

Abstract: A rear hatch assembly of a vehicle includes a hatch frame pivotally connected to a vehicle body at a first pivot axis such that the hatch frame is capable of movement relative to the vehicle body about the first pivot axis. A tailgate is pivotally connected to the hatch frame at a second pivot axis such that the tailgate is capable of movement relative to the hatch frame about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: An inner panel of a lift gate includes an outer-frame forming portion comprising a pair of side edge frame portions including a pair of pillar portions and a lower end frame portion integrally formed at the side frame portions, an inner-frame forming portion formed at a lower edge portion of a window opening to connect to the outer-frame forming portion, and a panel portion covering over a portion enclosed by the outer-frame forming portion and the inner-frame forming portion. The panel portion comprises an outside panel portion provided to contact the outer panel and an inside panel portion integrally formed at the outside panel portion to connect to the outside panel portion and project toward a vehicle-compartment side beyond the outside panel portion and connects to the outer-frame forming portion and the inner-frame forming portion of said inner panel.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises at least one vehicle body panel, a hinge and a vehicle door. The vehicle body panel includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, a first wall surface and a second wall surface. The second wall surface is disposed outboard of the first wall surface. The hinge includes a base component and an arm component. The arm component is pivotally coupled to the base component. The base component is mounted to the recessed support surface of the roof ditch. The arm component includes a vehicle door mounting structure. The vehicle door is fixed to the arm component by the vehicle door mounting structure, which defines at least one fastening point that is situated at a location outboard of the second wall surface of the roof ditch.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises at least one vehicle body panel, a hinge and a vehicle door. The vehicle body panel includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, a first wall surface and a second wall surface. The second wall surface is disposed outboard of the first wall surface. The hinge includes a base component and an arm component. The arm component is pivotally coupled to the base component. The base component is mounted to the recessed support surface of the roof ditch. The arm component includes a vehicle door mounting structure. The vehicle door is fixed to the arm component by the vehicle door mounting structure, which defines at least one fastening point that is situated at a location outboard of the second wall surface of the roof ditch.

Abstract: A rear door structure in which a rear door is openably and closably provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body, including a door panel, wherein: the door panel includes an upper door panel and a lower door panel provided on the lower portion of the upper door panel; and a lower edge portion of the upper door panel and an upper edge portion of the lower door panel mutually overlap so as to form a lateral beam having a closed cross section and extending in a vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes a door body, a window panel, and a washer hose. The door body is attached to a door opening of a vehicle such that the door body can be opened and closed. The window panel is attached to an outer surface of the door body such that a window opening of the door body is covered. The window panel includes an opaque portion that does not allow viewing therethrough at a peripheral region of the window panel. Through the washer hose, washer fluid is supplied. The washer hose is disposed between the outer surface of the door body and the opaque portion.

Abstract: A power, split tailgate system is provided that allows each of an upper and a lower tailgate door to be simultaneously or independently driven between open and closed positions. The tailgate system may be operated in a chauffer mode where the lower tailgate door is opened to allow for the storage of luggage and other materials and in a manner that limits exposure of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a hatch frame slidably mounted thereto. A hatch closure is pivotally mounted to the hatch frame. The hatch frame is slidably movable between a slide closed position and a slide open position and the hatch closure is pivotally movable between a pivot closed position and a pivot open position.

Abstract: A rear door that includes an upper section, a lower section that connects to the upper section, a trim provided to an inner face of the rear door, and a pull handle portion provided in an interior-side design surface of the trim, the pull handle portion including a handle opening formed in the interior-side design surface at a position spaced from a lower end of the trim in an upward direction, and a recessed portion that runs obliquely downwards, in a state where the rear door is closed, from the handle opening toward a rear of a vehicle body, wherein a section of the trim sandwiched between the handle opening and the lower end of the trim has an outer face that is sunken relative to the interior-side design surface of a general portion of the trim.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a cargo container door seal system can provide seal members to hinder leakage of conditioned air along the top edge and the side edges of an access door of a temperature-controlled cargo container. For example, the seal system may include mating seal members proximate to a top edge of a roll-up door of a refrigerated trailer, and may also include flexible side seal members proximate to the left and right side edges of the roll-up door.

Abstract: An assembly includes a body of an automobile and a tailgate mounted on the body so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The assembly also includes: an opening assistance device mounted between the body and the tailgate in order to apply a pushing force on the tailgate that tends to move the latter into an open position; and at least one abutment provided on the body, for applying on the opening assistance device, when the tailgate is in the closed position, a force opposite to the pushing force thereof so that the tailgate is not subjected, or barely subjected, to the pushing force of the opening assistance device.