Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Cooper Technology Services, LLC

Gregory James Grudzinski

Chester Stanislaus Walawender

George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr

Leo James Lanctot

Robert Vendt

Stuart C Salter

Paul Kenneth Dellock

James J Surman

Joshua Robert Hemphill

David Arthur Wade

Ronald M Lovasz

David Richard Tengler

Spencer Monroe Dinkins, Iii

Gregory Alan Conner

Greg Conner

Dave Richard Tengler

George Michalopoulos

Azfar Qamar

Greg Ehlert

Jonathon H Balbaugh

Steven A Ingraham

Casey R Gill

Chester Stansilaus Walawender

An antenna assembly includes: (a) a ground plane having a plateau; (b) a glass panel including a metalized layer; and (c) an antenna including a base interfacing with the metalized layer and the plateau. The antenna assembly is characterized by a through glass panel connection to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Antenna assembly

An antenna assembly includes: (a) a ground plane, having a plateau, (b) a roof panel overlying the ground plane around the plateau, (c) a metal foil overlying said plateau and (d) an antenna including a base juxtaposed to the plateau. The antenna assembly is characterized by a through roof panel connection so as to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

A power optimizer system for power closure panels includes a closure panel power actuator system comprising at least a motor operatively connected to a lift-assist member and a closure panel counterbalancing member. A controller is configured at least to determine an optimal electrical current draw for the power actuator system according to one or more inputs relating at least to a vehicle ambient temperature and grade. One or more sensors are provided for providing the one or more inputs. The controller may also further be configured to receive a vehicle battery voltage condition input for calculating the optimum electrical current draw consistent with the environmental conditions to efficiently control the power actuator system motor. Methods of modeling/optimizing the appropriate electrical current draw for power closure systems operating in varying voltage, temperature and grade conditions relative to a vehicle, or other similar mechanisms are also described.

Power closure panel system performance optimizer

A device for preventing intrusion of collected water into a vehicle is provided, defined by a water diverter configured and dimensioned to divert water from at least a vehicle-rearward edge of a roof panel aperture provided for a vehicle sun roof/moon roof assembly. The water diverter further includes end portions configured and dimensioned to divert water from at least a portion of opposed vehicle-outboard edges of the roof panel aperture.

Moon roof/sunroof water intrusion diverter

A light-producing assembly is provided herein and includes a first portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a first direction, a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a second direction that is different than the first direction, and a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs.

Dual direction light producing assembly

An integral window surround for a vehicle. The window surround includes upper, front, and rear glass runs for guiding and sealing a glass window, as well as a mirror sail for mounting a side mirror, and a B-pillar appliqu&#xe9; for providing decorative covering for the B-pillar. A belt molding extends across the bottom of the surround, with attachment means for securing the surround to the vehicle body. Sealing elements are also provided. If desired, an alternative implementation can be provided without the mirror sail, suitable for rear windows and windows that do not have a side mirror. The components of the surround are integral, which is accomplished by forming the surround in a two-shot molding process. The structural elements are molding in a first shot, and at that point decorative films can be inserted into the mold to provide a desired surface finish. The second shot forms the sealing elements.

Window surround for a vehicle

A glass guiding system is provided comprising first and second glass pieces, each having an inboard surface, a front edge and a rear edge. The system also includes a first guiding assembly comprising a guide bonded to the inboard surface of the first piece and a retaining structure having a channel to slideably retain the guide, wherein the rear edge of the first piece and the front edge of the second piece engage when the first piece is fully raised.

Flush glass assembly interfaces

An automobile flush glass assembly is provided that includes a moveable glass piece having an inboard surface, a front edge and a rear edge and a first glass guide operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece proximate the front edge. The assembly also includes a second glass guide operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece proximate the rear edge and retaining structures, each having a channel configured to slideably retain the glass guides.

Vehicle (automobile) flush glass appearance assembly

A method for assembling an automobile door is provided that comprise providing a lower frame comprising a movable glass piece disposed within an inner panel and an outer panel, a daylight opening module comprising a glass guide, a retaining structure having a channel to slideably retain the glass guide and first and second openings. The method also includes sliding the module downward until a portion of the module contacts the inner panel. The method further includes securing the module to the inner panel.

Method for assembling flush glass assembly

An automobile door assembly is provided that includes an outer panel, an inner panel, a moveable glass piece having an inboard surface, wherein the moveable glass piece is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The assembly also includes a glass guiding member operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece. The assembly further includes a retaining structure having a channel configured to slideably retain the glass guiding member, wherein the retaining structure is operably connected to the inner panel.

Lower door structure for flush glass system

A weatherstrip for the outer belt of a an automotive door includes a controllably compliant sealing element configured with tip-conjoined leaves which afford controllable, selectively discontinuous compliance along not only the distance from the roots to the tip of the leaves, but also along the length of the sealing element.

Weatherstrip system for automotive vehicle door

An automotive glazing system includes a closure structure having a storage space for a moveable glazing panel which is slidably housed within the closure structure. A deployable air deflector mounted to a sash portion of the closure structure is moveable between a stowed position which the entirety of the air deflector is inboard of the glazing panel, and a deployed position in which the free end of the air deflector extends laterally outboard of the outermost part of the sash.

Automotive glazing system with deployable wind excitation suppressor

A system for measuring an automotive convertible top operating parameter, such as the amount of force required to operate the convertible top, includes a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position. The pulldown actuator is equipped with position and force transducers. A controller which operates the pulldown actuator records the operational position of the top, as well as the force required to close the top.

Method and system for determining automotive convertible top operating characteristics

An apparatus and method for joining the ends of a weatherstrip from inside a channel section of the weatherstrip. A v-shaped fastening clip has a plurality of teeth extending therefrom and the orientation of the teeth can be altered to securely grip both ends of the weatherstrip. The v-shaped clip may also have a structural frame depending from it to define a w-shaped configuration. The w-shaped configuration provides flexural rigidity to the spliced section of the weatherstrip and additional strength and rigidity that is particularly useful for heavy components. The method comprises inserting the fastening clip (either the v-shaped or w-shaped configuration) into the first end of the weatherstrip and then inserting the fastening clip into the second end of the weatherstrip. The teeth of the fastening clip are then re-oriented to mechanically grip the weatherstrip.

Growing community of inventors

Perrysburg, OH, United States of America

Gregory James Grudzinski