Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC

Dura Global Technologies, Inc.

Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.

Joseph Allen Wilbanks, Ii

Silvio Masaaki Yamada

Steven John Engelgau

Rajesh J Somnay

Christopher Matthew Radjewski

Ian Christopher Hoare

Shelley Lynn Bess

Pascal Emanuel Garrido

Gregory David Collins

Nathan Allen Clark

Christopher Clifford

Mark Volkmann

Jack P Pogodzinski

A door actuation system conducts or assists movement of sliding vehicle doors by connecting the door to a bi-directional motor via one or more helical cables that engage with gearing on the bi-directional motor. Rotation of the motor in either direction pushes or pulls the helical cables, causing the door to move toward the open or closed position. The motor can be stopped when the door reaches selected positions other than the open or closed position, holding the door in a partially open position.

Door actuation system with helical cable

A drive system drives a pulley along a curved track to open and close a sliding vehicle door. The pulley is pivotally mounted to the sliding door to permit the pulley to pivot when the pulley traverses the curved portion of the track. An electric motor drives the pulley through a drive belt. In operation, as the pulley pivots when it traverses the curved portion of the track, the drive belt twists. Torque transfer between the pulleys and the motor is maintained during twisting of the drive belt which thereby permits an uncomplicated yet effective system for driving the sliding door along the curved portion of track. Another drive system transmits torque through a drive shaft arrangement which rotates as the drive system traverses the curved portion of track.

Belt drive system for sliding vehicle door

A common drive system drives multiple systems within a sliding vehicle closure member with a single drive motor. A controller selectively connects the drive motor to either a door drive assembly, a window drive assembly, or a lock module drive assembly through a selector assembly in response to actuation of a particular input. The selector assembly includes a transmission which shifts the drive motor between multiple gear trains to drive the particular drive assembly.

Single drive system for driving components of sliding vehicle closure member

A vehicle includes an automated drive device for powered sliding movement of the door into open or closed positions. The drive device includes a belt that cooperates with a track. A biasing member urges the belt into engagement with a corresponding portion of the track to ensure adequate engagement to achieve the desired movement of the door responsive to rotary movement of the belt. In one example, the belt and track include teeth that cooperate such that rotary movement of the belt results in linear movement of the door relative to the vehicle body.

Power sliding vehicle door

A vehicle door lock system comprises a sliding vehicle door, having a door path of travel generally translational to a vehicle frame. A drive unit moves the vehicle door along a door path. A drive component communicates the movement from the drive unit to the vehicle door by moving along a drive component path of travel. A latch is selectively actuated to arrest movement of the drive component and the vehicle door by blocking the drive component path of travel.

Integral latch and drive system for a powered sliding door

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure and includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track. A support member presents a bearing surface that rotatably engages a bearing surface on the second track. At least one adjustment link is used to interconnect the support member and the seat bottom. The adjustment link is mounted on the support member for rotation therewith to provide vertical seat adjustment. A torque tube engages the support member to provide rotational input to the adjustment link.

Snap-on torque tube for seat track assembly

A vehicle seat mounting assembly includes a mounting pin rotatably retained in a support foot to removably retain a seat track assembly to a vehicle floor member. The support foot is located on the vehicle floor member and the mounting pin is moved downward through a slot in the vehicle floor member. The mounting pin is rotated within the support foot and released such that the biasing member moves the mounting pin upward into a receipt member. Another embodiment of the vehicle seat mounting assembly includes a pin having an engagement surface. The mounting pin is passed through the vehicle floor member an into a receipt member. To retain the mounting pin in the receipt member, a spring biased locking member engages the engagement surface of the mounting pin. The receipt member is preferably mounted such that the receipt member can move or &ldquo;float&rdquo; relative to the vehicle floor member such that during receipt of the mounting pin, various tolerance variations between the seat and the vehicle floor member are accommodated.

Seat adjuster quick install mount

A method and apparatus for preventing the capturing and pinching of a user within the path of a vehicle door includes a sensor for determining the presence of an obstruction when the door is being closed. When an obstruction is detected, a mechanism is actuated which prevents movement of the door to its fully latched position. In this way, any resultant pinching is minimized.

Growing community of inventors

Hermitage, TN, United States of America

Joseph Allen Wilbanks, Ii