Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

General Motors of Canada Limited

Doru N Serban

Norman Joseph Weigert

James C O'Kane

Shawn G Quinn

Khristopher S Lee

Pei-chung Wang

Amanda Kalhous

Craig A Kollar

Hesham Ahmed Ezzat

Brian Norman Orr

Wolfgang Rasel

Brad L Pietryga

Artur Jerzy Ostrowski

Edward M Sanocki, Jr

Princess Len Carlos

Chris J T Wisniewski

Kathiravetpillai Kandiah

Norman Brooks

Bradley W Jewell

Hans-Georg Wessollek

Carol A Johnston

A check link assembly includes a link movable between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, a vehicle includes the check link assembly. The check link assembly also includes a braking apparatus coupled to the link. The braking apparatus includes a brake member movable between an applied position and a released position. The brake member is configured to apply a force to the link when the brake member is in the applied position. The brake member is configured to release the link when the brake member is in the released position.

Check link assembly and a vehicle that utilizes the check link assembly

Disclosed are object detection systems for automated compartment closure assemblies, methods for operating such systems, and motor vehicles with a power liftgate assembly and foreign object detection capabilities. A method is disclosed for detecting objects obstructing the path of an automated closure assembly. The method includes receiving a command signal to move the closure assembly to an open or closed position, and receiving gesture-sensitive sensor signals with a location and velocity of an object within a supervision field. Responsive to the object being inside a protected zone within the supervision field or the object's velocity being towards the protected zone, commanding an automated driving mechanism to: slow the closure assembly's speed; if the object is still located inside the protected zone after a calibrated period of time, stop the closure assembly; and if the object moves outside the protected zone, increase the closure assembly speed to a default speed.

Foreign object detection systems and control logic for vehicle compartment closure assemblies

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

An access control system for a vehicle includes a rear closure and a system that controls movement of the rear closure between closed and open positions. The control system including a controller and a wireless communication module having a wireless interface configured for short range wireless communication. The controller receives an actuation signal requesting transition of the rear closure to an open position from a mobile communication device carried by a vehicle user. The controller then determines when the user enters authentication and actuation zones proximate the vehicle via communication between the wireless communication module and a short range wireless communication device carried by the user. One the user is within the actuation zone, the controller generates a rear closure control signal configured to cause the rear closure to move from the closed position to the open position.

Hands-free access control system for a closure of a vehicle

An obstacle detection system of a vehicle includes a first group of transceivers mounted on the first closure structure and a second group of transceivers mounted on the second closure structure. A controller is configured to, during the first mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a first signal, command, upon receiving the first signal, the second group of transceivers to generate a second signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine a presence or absence of an obstacle based on the second signal. The controller is configured to, during the second mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a third signal such that the third signal is reflected off the second closure structure as a fourth signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine the presence or absence of the obstacle based on the fourth signal.

Vehicle closure obstacle detection systems and methods

A flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The flexible electrical circuit assembly also includes a second flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface of the second flexible substrate abuttingly joins with the second surface of the first flexible substrate. A flexible circuit member is arranged between the first and second flexible substrates. The flexible circuit member includes an input end and an output end. A first connector is electrically connected to the input end of the flexible circuit member. The first connector is configured and disposed to electrically connect with a source of electrical energy. A second connector is electrically connected to the output end of the flexible circuit member. The second connector is configured to electrically connect with an electrical component in the motor vehicle.

Flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle

An obstacle detection system includes a first component and a second component. The motor is configured to move the second component toward the first component. Radio frequency identification tags (RFIDs) are connected to one of the first component and the second component. A controller is operatively connected to the motor and has a transmitter operatively connected to the other of the first component and the second component. The transmitter is operable to create a magnetic field between the first component and the second component. Each of the RFIDs is operable to provide a respective signal in response to the field. The controller is configured to modify power delivery from a power source to the motor when the respective signals received by a receiver change due to at least a portion of the magnetic field being at least partially blocked or attenuated. A method of detecting an obstacle is also provided.

Noncontact obstacle detection system using RFID technology

An apparatus is provided for controlling an automated closure panel in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a command module configured to generate a control signal. A motor is configured to actuate the automated closure panel based upon the control signal. A motor sensor is configured to measure an output characteristic of the motor, with the motor sensor having a motor sensor output signal. An adaptive logic module is coupled to the command module and to the motor sensor. The adaptive logic module is configured to provide an output to the command module to thereby adjust the control signal, wherein the adaptive logic module is configured to determine when the automated closure panel is obstructed by an obstacle based upon the motor sensor output signal.

Adaptive control system for automated vehicle applications

A muffler includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and at least one variable resonance chamber defined by a slidable member. The slidable member may be actuated by the pressure of exhaust gas flowing through the housing. Actuation of the slidable member changes the length of the resonance chamber, which alters the resonance and/or the flow path of the exhaust to provide varying tuning for acoustic damping.

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Richmond Hill, Canada

Doru N Serban