Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Corporation

Fca US LLC

Daimlerchrsler Corporation

John S Kargilis

John W Pohill

Gene E Compton

Richard W Carter

Syed T Razzacki

E Mackey King

Martin S Berger

Shawn Sterling

Daniel J Pearlman

James L Carlson

Terence P Grace

Derek Chance

David W Pennala

Roger E Schamanek

Frank M Lopick

Daniel E Cullen

Hugh W Ireland

James M Lemens

Ronald A Evans

David A Bustamante

Michael A Thomson

Philippe Pontols

A vehicle panel assembly and related method are provided. The vehicle assembly includes a push plug that is movable between a pre-installed position and an installed position where the push plug is aligned with a hole in a vehicle panel. A fastening post extends from the vehicle panel and is received in an aperture in the push plug. An engagement member projects from a side of the fastening post and retains the push plug on the fastening post when the push plug is in the pre-installed position. The aperture is larger than the fastening post in at least one dimension such that the engagement member of the fastening post does not retain the push plug when the push plug is in the installed position. This allows the push plug to fall from the vehicle panel if the push plug is improperly installed in the hole.

Push plug with passive seating feature and installation method

A window washer system for a vehicle may include a fluid reservoir and a nozzle. The fluid reservoir may be disposed on an exterior side of a tailgate of the vehicle and may be adapted to store a quantity of window washer fluid. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and may be operable to deposit the window washer fluid onto a rear window of the vehicle. The window washer system may be disposed proximate a spare tire carrier.

Rear window washer system

A system for a vehicle may include a motor assembly, a wiper and a switch. The motor assembly may be mounted to a spare tire carrier on a tailgate of the vehicle and may include an output shaft that is rotatable relative to the spare tire carrier. The wiper may be attached to the output shaft for rotation with the output shaft relative to a rear window pane of the vehicle. The switch may be electrically connected to the motor assembly and may be operable to allow electrical current to reach the motor assembly when the wiper is in contact with the rear window pane. The switch may be operable to prevent electrical current from reaching the motor assembly in response to the wiper and the rear window pane being spaced apart from each other.

Rear wiper system

A vehicle includes a vehicle body that supports an electrical line that is electrically connected to a power source and that terminates at a first terminal. The vehicle also includes a window member with an electrical device supported thereon. A second terminal of the electrical device is supported on the window assembly, and the window member is moveable relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle further includes a passive electrical connector with a plunger that moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The passive electrical connector also includes a biasing member that biases the plunger toward the extended position. The passive electrical connector electrically connects the first and second terminals when the window member is in a first position. The plunger is biased toward the extended position when the window member is in the second position to electrically disconnect the first and second terminals.

Electrical circuit with passive wiring connector for electrical device mounted on vehicle window

A vehicle window assembly includes a cap that includes a rooftop section, which extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a side wall that extends from the rooftop section generally in a normal direction. The side wall includes an opening. The window assembly also includes a rigid window that includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. Moreover, the window assembly includes a pivot coupling that pivotally connects the window to the cap for rotational movement between a closed position and an open position. The window covers the opening and the interior surface is operable to face the vehicle passenger compartment when the window is in the closed position. The window overlaps the rooftop section and the exterior surface faces the rooftop section when in the open position.

Flip-over window assembly for vehicle

A door lock retainer may include a door-latch-mechanism frame, a retainer, and a door-lock cylinder. The door-latch-mechanism frame may support a linkage and include a landing surface. The retainer may include an aperture and a first surface engaging the landing surface and restricting deflection of the linkage. The door-lock cylinder may be received in the aperture and supported by the retainer.

Door lock retainer

A latch system for a liftgate of a motor vehicle. The system includes a handle rotatable relative to the liftgate. The system also includes a switch having a first contact biased apart from a second contact by a biasing member. The first contact is movable relative to the second contact to close the switch upon rotation of the handle. The system further includes a power actuation system in communication with and responsive to the switch to move the liftgate from the closed position to the opened position when the switch is in the closed position.

Liftgate latch linear cable switch

A retainer assembly for resisting detachment of a door lock cylinder from an opening in a door panel includes a retainer clip engaged with the door lock cylinder to prevent the door lock cylinder from being separated from the opening in the door panel, and a keeper for holding the retainer clip engaged with the door lock cylinder.

Retainer for a door lock

A method and system for determining a full open position of a closure member of a motor vehicle that articulates between an open position and a closed position includes a left pinch sensor coupled to the left side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the left side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal. A right pinch sensor is coupled to the right side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the right side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal. Left and right gas springs are coupled respectively to the left and right sides of the closure member for assisting in articulating the closure member and each of the gas struts has an extension at an end thereof for compressing their corresponding pinch sensor when the closure member is at its full open position.

Method and system for determining full open position of a power liftgate

A compact temperature compensating gas spring including a gas filled hollow cylinder and a piston assembly slidably received in the gas filled hollow cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a temperature compensation chamber. The piston head includes an aperture formed therein in communication with the temperature compensation chamber. A temperature activated valve is operably connected to the aperture to control gas flow between the cylinder and the temperature compensation chamber.

Compact temperature compensating gas spring

A convertible vehicle having a body with a removable soft top and a separate rear window with an electrically-operable component. The rear window being selectively attachable to and removable from the top. A separable fastener assembly such as a zipper is provided with the top and the rear window so that the electrically-operated component is electrically connected with a vehicle power supply upon attachment of the rear window to the soft top.

Zipper assembly with integrated electrical contacts

A vehicle step assembly which easily mounts to and removes from a motor vehicle and includes a main body portion and a pair of mounting brackets. The main body portion defines a step surface. The assembly further includes fasteners for attaching the main body portion to the mounting brackets as well as the brackets to the vehicle body or frame. The brackets attach to the vehicle through a downwardly facing tab and removable fasteners. The fasteners secure the bracket to the body or frame. The downwardly facing tabs help to carry and allow for easy installation and removal.

Vehicle side step assembly

A method for attaching a clutch pedal assembly to a vehicle with a brake pedal assembly for a manual transmission conversion from an automatic transmission application including extension of a brake support shaft laterally from an existing brake pedal assembly and through a clutch pedal supporting bushing and then further outward into engagement with a wall of the vehicle. Specifically, the outward end of the support shaft is insertably extended through a hole in the wall of the vehicle for supporting that end portion of the shaft. The method further includes utilizing a metal cutting edge or tip on the outward end of the support shaft such that rotation of the support shaft can drill the support hole in the vehicle wall.

Method for attaching a clutch pedal assembly to a vehicle for adaptation from an automatic transmission to a manual transmission application

A phantom image is temporarily displayed on a body panel of a motor vehicle. The image appears under certain weather conditions and then vanish after a few moments. The image is created when a temperature dependent substance material is present on the body panel and a heat source is applied to the opposite side of the panel with an intervening insulated area in a predetermined pattern.

Arrangement for temporarily displaying an image on a motor vehicle panel

The secondary wide open throttle induction system according to the invention includes a throttle body for use in an engine intake manifold having a primary intake and at least one secondary intake. The throttle body device associated with the secondary intake. The throttle body includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a throttle plate disposed within the channel, and a throttle control coupled to the throttle plate. The outlet is adapted to connect to a secondary intake in the engine intake manifold. The throttle control regulates the throttle body.

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Northville, MI, United States of America

John S Kargilis