Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Eric Archambeau

Aaron Welter

Mike Howlett

Katsuhiko Takeuchi

Patrick Stewart

Bradley Baskin

Stephanie Vasi

Ryan Heins

Nicholas Ozog

Takashi Nishio

Lindsey Szczygiel

Norman Kerr, Iii

Alexander Wells

Andres Garza

Yasuaki Nishio

Joseph Elghoul

Brad Baskin

A vehicle tailgate structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle tailgate structure includes a tailgate located at the rear of the vehicle; a garnish covering a top surface of the tailgate and configured to deform when an external load applies on the garnish, the garnish including a plurality of rib structures along an interior surface of the garnish and a screw portion including the garnish around a screw of the screw portion; and a touch sensor extending along the top surface of the tailgate and covered by the garnish, the touch sensor configured to detect deformation of the garnish, the touch sensor including touch sensor wires connecting to a control system of the vehicle.

Power tailgate cargo load sensor

An adjustable airfoil system for a vehicle includes a first airfoil shaft, a first airfoil having a first end mounted on the first airfoil shaft, and a first airfoil support structured for mounting to a portion of a vehicle and for rotatably supporting a portion of the first airfoil shaft at a location spaced apart from a first end of the first airfoil shaft. The system also includes a second airfoil shaft, a second airfoil having a first end mounted on the second airfoil shaft, and a second airfoil support structured for mounting to a portion of a vehicle and for rotatably supporting a portion of the second airfoil shaft spaced apart from a first end of the second airfoil shaft. A shaft end support is rigidly coupled to the first airfoil support and the second airfoil support. The shaft end support is structured to rotatably support the first end of the first airfoil shaft and the first end of the second airfoil shaft when the shaft end support is rigidly coupled to the first airfoil support and the second airfoil support.

Adjustable airfoil system for a vehicle

A fastening device integrated into a vehicle to fasten a cargo including a strap assembly with a strap, and a hook affixed to a first extremity of the strap, a shaft assembly affixed to a second extremity of the strap to roll the strap, a ratchet assembly to prevent rotation of the shaft assembly in an unrolling direction when engaged, a handle assembly to engage and force the ratchet assembly to rotate, a housing assembly affixed to the body of the vehicle to support the shaft assembly, and the handle assembly, a head cover to cover the shaft assembly, the ratchet assembly, and the housing assembly and provide access to the handle assembly, a neck cover that protrudes downwardly from the head cover to receive the strap and the hook, wherein the handle assembly is articulable to engage the ratchet assembly and tighten the strap around the cargo.

Vehicle integrated fastening system

A side step apparatus for a vehicle including a side step, a bracket having a base plate and a panel plate, and an actuation mechanism including a first link, a second link and an actuator connected between the base plate of the bracket and the side step to move the side step in at least one of a running board position, an aerodynamic position, and a stowed position based on a speed of the vehicle.

Side step apparatus and actuation mechanism

A running board apparatus including a first component with a hollow cross-section having an open end, the first component extending in a longitudinal direction; a second component with a closed cross-section that slides relative to the first component in a lateral direction, the second component extending in the longitudinal direction; and a positioning device with a first end attached to the first component and a second end attached to the second component. The positioning device is configured to move the second component with respect to the first component in the lateral direction and lock the second component and the first component in a plurality of positions.

Running board and loading ramp with sliding width adjustment

A platform apparatus for a vehicle including a first structure including a first surface and a first interlocking joint; a second structure including a second surface and a second interlocking joint to receive the first interlocking joint; and a linkage that connects the first structure and the second structure and articulates the apparatus from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position the first surface and the second surface are vertically stacked and in the open position the first structure and the second structure are interlocked through the first interlocking joint and the second interlocking joint and the first surface and the second surface are horizontally adjacent.

Removable running board and loading ramp with rotating width adjustment

An outside handle of a vehicle that releases a door latch, including a slot that includes a rotatable flap that sits flush against an outer panel of the vehicle in a closed position. The rotation of the flap provides an opening to an inside of the handle in an open position. The handle includes a rotating lever behind the outer panel, and a lock rod attached to the rotating lever. Downward rotation of the lever moves the rod downward, and the downward motion of the rod then triggers the latch.

Hidden flush outside handle

An outside handle of a door of a vehicle that opens a latch, including a rotatable flap that sits flush against an outer panel of the vehicle in a closed position and that provides an opening to an interior of the handle in an open position, and a rotating lever behind the outer panel, movement of the lever opening the latch of the door. The handle is arranged such that the flap rotates to the open position when the door is unlocked and rotates to the closed position when the door is locked.

Flush mounted vehicle handle

A vehicle headrest, including two side wings at opposite ends of the headrest that rotate around respective axes; and a locking mechanism that locks each of the side wings, and backwards movement is restricted by the locking mechanism when each side member is rotated around the respective axis.

Comfort headrest

A comfort recline seat including a seat back, a seat base, a pivotable connection point, a pivotable base structure, linkages, knuckle connectors may enable a seat base cushion and a seat back cushion to be manipulated to create a range of comfortable seating and bed-like surfaces. The seat may be configured such that the seat base cushion and the seat back cushion may be simultaneously adjusted together to reduce gaps or steps between the seat base cushion and the seat back cushion.

Comfort recline seat for a vehicle

A side camera of a vehicle, including a camera housing rotatable in a first axis and a second axis each relative to an exterior surface of the vehicle, and a camera attached to the camera housing that captures image data. The camera is positioned in a plurality of positions by rotating the camera housing along the first axis and the second axis.

Growing community of inventors

South Lyon, MI, United States of America

Eric Archambeau