Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Erin Rose Briggs

Kosta Papanikolaou

Livianu Dorin Puscas

Christopher Matthew Radjewski

David Manuel Rogers

Constantin Manolescu

Muhammad Omer Khan

An exemplary latching system includes, among other things, a striker, a latch assembly that engages the striker to transition the latch assembly to a latched position, and a bumper containing rheological material. The bumper contacts the striker when the latch assembly is in the latched position. An exemplary latching method includes, among other things, contacting a striker with a bumper when a latch assembly engages the striker in a latched position, and increasing a hardness of the bumper by aligning particles within rheological material of the bumper.

Latching system and latching method utilizing rheological material

A door latch for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pawl, a release lever, and a clutch selectively engaged by a magnetic field. Further, when the clutch is engaged, motion of the release lever is transmitted to the pawl via the clutch. A method is also disclosed.

Door latch with clutch selectively engaged by magnetic field

A door latch system for vehicle doors, deck lids, hatches, hoods, or the like includes a latch. The latch has a predicted life that may be based on a number of times the latch is used. A sensor that generates a signal that can be used to determine if the latch has reached the predicted life and/or if the latch is approaching the predicted life and/or if the latch has exceeded the predicted life. The system may include a controller that causes a display in a vehicle interior to display an end-of-life signal.

Method to detect end-of-life in latches

A convertible vehicle includes a door having a window and a powered actuator that moves the window from a closed position to a partially open (set) position to permit the vehicle door to open. A controller actuates the powered actuator to shift the window to a set position upon receiving a door open request signal. The controller actuates a powered vibrating mechanism to break ice on the window if actuating the powered actuator does not cause the window to move to the set position.

Growing community of inventors

Detroit, MI, United States of America

Erin Rose Briggs