Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa

Strattec Power Access LLC

Other

Brian Norman Orr

Lloyd Walker Rogers, Jr

Waldemar Wawrzyniec Gmurowski

Joseph M Johnson

Franck Sauvonnet

Ronald Helmut Haag

Howard Kuhlman

John R Rice

Michael Antonio Ciavaglia

Eric Ransford Hansen

John Ion Moceanu

Norman Joseph Weigert

David Joseph Chapman

Doru N Serban

Theodore J Lindsay

Hans-Joachim Buscher

Jeff S Hamminga

A system and method detects an obstruction in the path of a vehicle access control member moving from an open position to a closed position. The method includes transmitting a detection signal along an edge of the member towards a reflective surface mounted on the member. The detection signal includes a sequence of pulses having different amplitudes with the amplitudes varying linearly moving from a first pulse to a final pulse of the sequence of pulses. The method further includes receiving a detection response signal corresponding to the detection signal following reflection of the detection signal by one of the reflective surface and the obstruction. The detection response signal includes another sequence of pulses and the method further includes generating an obstruction signal indicating whether the obstruction is in the path of the access control member responsive to differences in amplitude between adjacent pulses in the sequence of pulses.

Fault tolerant power liftgate obstruction detection system

A drive unit comprising a guide channel that has a first pulley at one end that rotates about a fixed pulley axis. The drive unit also includes a flexible drive member having a plurality of spaced windows, an attachment assembly moveably attached to the guide channel, and an adjustable pulley assembly coupled to the guide channel that has a second pulley that rotates around a moveable pulley axis that can be adjusted to change the distance between the fixed pulley axis and the moveable pulley axis to take up slack in the flexible drive member.

Attachment assembly and drive unit having same

An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.

Adjustable pulley assembly and drive unit having an adjustable pulley assembly for an endless flexible drive member of the drive unit

A modular drive assembly for a sliding door, comprising: a guide track having a hinge slidably received therein; a pair of pulleys disposed on either end of the guide track; a pair of cables each having an end that is secured to the hinge and the other end is secured to a cable drum of a motor drive unit mounted to the guide track, the motor drive unit being configured to rotate the cable drum, wherein the cable drum is also capable of freely rotating within the motor drive unit when the motor drive unit is not rotating the cable drum, wherein rotation of the cable drum causes the hinge to move in the guide track as one of the cables wraps onto the cable drum while the other one of the cables wraps off of the cable drum.

Apparatus and method for providing a modular sliding door mechanism

A brake pedal () for a vehicle, in particular, a motor vehicle, includes a framework structure () mounted for rotation about a first rotation spindle () connectable to the bulkhead of the vehicle. A peg () is fixed to one end () of a pedal web () and slides in a slot () provided in the framework structure (). A movement mechanism () causes the peg to slide in the slot, defining a length (L) between the rotation spindle of the framework structure and the other end () of the pedal web. A first link () is connected to the framework structure and is mounted for rotation about a second rotation spindle () connectable to the bulkhead of the vehicle. The first link includes a connection () for receiving an end of the rod of the brake booster of the vehicle at a distance (R) from the second rotation spindle. The brake pedal operates to provide a constant step-down ratio (L/R).

Brake pedal designed to equip a motor vehicle

A clutch pedal () for a vehicle, in particular, a motor vehicle, includes at least one side plate () mounted for rotation spindle () connectable to the bulkhead of the vehicle. A peg () is fixed to one end of a pedal web () and slides in a first slot () provided in the side plate. A movement mechanism () causes the peg to slide in the slot, defining a length (L) between the rotation spindle of the side plate and the other end of the pedal web. A stud () is mounted in the side plate () at a distance (R) from the rotation spindle, for receiving the end of the rod of the clutch mechanism of the vehicle. The clutch pedal operates to provide a constant step-down ratio (L/R).

Clutch pedal designed to equip a motor vehicle

An adjustable footrest ( ) is connected to the floor of a vehicle, in particular, a motor vehicle, and includes a framework structure ( ) having at least one panel ( ) which is inclined toward the front of the vehicle, for accommodating the foot of a driver. A drive mechanism ( ) for causing linear displacement along the axis of the vehicle is fixed to the rear of the panel ( ), and to the floor, for moving the framework structure ( ).

Footrest for motor vehicle

An adjustable pedal assembly includes a support structure adapted to connect to a vehicle, with the support structure defining first and second slots arranged in a spaced-apart manner. A pedal assembly is disposed adjacent the support structure, where the pedal assembly includes a pedal. First and second pins extend from the pedal assembly through the first and second slots whereby the pedal assembly is supported for sliding movement on the support structure along the slots. A linear actuator is interconnected with the pedal assembly for sliding the pedal assembly to a desired position along the support structure. The invention may be adapted for use in connection with brake pedals, clutch pedals, and accelerator pedals. In the case of accelerator pedals, the invention can be adapted for use with conventional pedals as well as electronic throttle control pedals.

Adjustable pedal assembly

A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a bracket that is secured to the vehicle body for supporting several parts including a reversible electric motor, a gear unit and a track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage inside the track via a gear reduction unit and a sprocket. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link arm that slides in an arcuate track portion of the track and a power roller chain that is stored in a storage track portion when the liftgate is closed. The outboard end of the link arm is pivotally connected to the liftgate to open and close the liftgate as the link arm is extended and retracted by the power roller chain.

Vehicle liftgate power operating system

A cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly for a vehicle includes a housing for connection to vehicle structure and a linear actuator operatively connected to the housing. The cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly also includes a pedal operatively connected to the linear actuator for adjusting a position of the pedal relative to the housing. The pedal has a cam surface to cooperate with the housing as a force is applied to the pedal such that the housing and the pedal effectively act as one solid member to transfer force to an actuating member in a manner of a conventional pedal.

Cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly

A transmission assembly for a powered sliding door system for an automotive vehicle. The transmission assembly includes a rotatable input member, a stationary hub, and a planetary gearset disposed within the hub and operatively cooperating with the input member. The transmission assembly also includes an electromagnetic brake disposed within the hub and operatively cooperating with the planetary gearset to lock and unlock a gear of the planetary gearset. The transmission assembly further includes a rotatable output member operatively cooperating with the planetary gearset.

Transmission assembly for a powered sliding door system

A drive apparatus, in particular for the automatic actuation of a sliding door of a motor vehicle, comprising a fast running motor, the motor shaft of which is connected to a transmission with a large step-down ratio, the transmission having a first gear wheel which can be secured against rotation, via a releasable blocking device, and a second rotatable gear wheel which is rotationally fixedly connected to an output drive shaft and which is rotatable relative to the first gear wheel by the rotation of the motor when the first gear wheel is blocked, with the number of teeth of the first gear wheel only differing by a few teeth from the number of teeth of the second gear wheel and with the large step-down ratio being determined by this difference of the tooth numbers. By releasing the blocking device, the step-down ratio of the transmission changes. In particular a step-down ratio of 1:1 results. The transmission is thereby capable of being driven in reverse, so that a manual actuation of the sliding door of a motor vehicle is possible, without the requirement for a releasable clutch device between the sliding door and the drive apparatus.

Drive apparatus, in particular for a sliding door of a motor vehicle

An actuator assembly for a powered sliding door system for an automotive vehicle. The actuator assembly includes a housing having a cavity and a first cable reel and a second cable reel disposed in the cavity. The first cable reel is operatively connected to one end of a cable and the second cable reel is operatively connected to another end of the cable. The actuator assembly includes a transmission assembly being disposed in the cavity and operatively connected to either the first cable reel or the second cable reel. The actuator assembly includes a motor operatively connected to the transmission assembly for rotating the first cable reel and the second cable reel. The actuator assembly further includes a motor bracket operatively connected to the transmission assembly and enclosing the motor. The motor bracket is adjustable relative to the housing to form either a right-hand assembly, left-hand assembly or intermediate assembly for a right-hand and left-hand sliding door for a powered sliding door system.

Growing community of inventors

Chesterfield, MI, United States of America

Brian Norman Orr