Rivian IP Holdings, LLC

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.

Ford Global Tech.inc

Rajinder Pal Singh

Randall Frank

Mark Taylor

Mary Teresa Bell

Roger A Shipman

Richard Maciejewski

Maneesh Gangal

Pinak Narhari Dave

Shun Yi Jin

Thomas R Young

Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott

Jason Falenski

Dave Michael Lechkun

Justin T Johnson

Marcus Merideth

Jeffrey D Elliott

Eric William Barrett

Kostandinos Papanikolaou

Robert Edward Kosior

David Tobon

Siavash Osooli

Richard Borsos

Rick Bargardi

Sergio E Romero

James Mario Hagerman

Charles Lincoln Varney

Giuseppe Joe Cannella

Timothy Dean Pusilo

Francisco Javier Gutierrez Marines

Parth Shaileshbhai Shah

Mohit Nagallapuram

Gulshan Dileep Raghani

Object-shifting mechanisms, control systems for object-shifting mechanisms, and methods of manufacturing, assembling, and using the same. The object-shifting mechanism can include a base, a frame, at least one pickup device, at least one actuator, and a control system that is used to control operation of different components of the object-shifting mechanism and/or associated systems. In addition, methods of using a object-shifting mechanism to engage, shift, position, and release a component during an assembly and installation process are also disclosed. In addition, methods of manufacturing, configuring, and integrating object-shifting including in different manufacturing operations are also disclosed.

Object-shifting mechanism, control system for object-shifting mechanism, and methods of manufacturing and using the same

A vehicle window system includes a vehicle door that has a window region. The system includes a fixed window having an exterior surface and an interior surface, a division bar, and a movable window. The fixed window is arranged in a first portion of the window region, and the division bar is arranged along a first region of the interior surface. The movable window is arranged in a second portion of the window region and is configured to close against the division bar. The division bar is not directly visible from outside of the vehicle door when viewed at an elevation of the fixed window. To illustrate, the movable window can be configured to move vertically within the first portion of the window region and the fixed window arranged at the top of the window region and the division bar is arranged substantially horizontally along the interior surface.

Hidden division bar for a vehicle window

A system for managing door operation of a vehicle includes a door system and a doorjamb system configured for the door to close against. The door system includes a door having a handle mechanism, an indicator mechanism coupled to the handle mechanism and actuated by motion of the handle mechanism, and a latch feature configured to be engaged for latching the door closed. The doorjamb system includes a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a state of the indicator mechanism, and a latching mechanism configured to secure and release the latch feature of the door. Control circuitry of the vehicle is coupled to the sensor and latching mechanism, and is configured to receive the sensor signal, and control the latching mechanism based on the sensor signal. The control circuitry determines state information for the vehicle and determines whether to secure or release the latch mechanism.

Automatic door release with mechanical linkage

A system for managing opening and closing a pocket door includes a spindle, an actuator, and brackets. The spindle extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, and is configured to be coupled to the pocket door. The actuator is coupled to the spindle and is configured to cause the spindle to move axially along the longitudinal axis. The brackets are connected to the spindle at each end and are constrained from longitudinal motion relative to the spindle. The brackets are configured to affix the spindle to the pocket door. A bushing system couples each bracket to the spindle and is configured to dampen impact between the spindle and the brackets. For example, the bushing system may include lobed elements, made of a rubber material, that engage each other to transmit azimuthal forces. In some embodiments, another actuator is included to improve cycle life and redundancy.

Power pocket sliding door

Disclosed embodiments include seals, vehicles, and methods for providing a seal for a door that is configured to travel laterally relative to a door opening. In an illustrative embodiment, a seal assembly includes first and second upper and lower lateral seals configured to seal outer and inner surfaces of the upper and lower edges of the door, respectively, as the door laterally moved into a closed position. The seal includes first and second front and rear transverse seals configured to seal the outer and the inner surfaces of the front and rear edges of the door, respectively, in response to the door laterally moving into the closed position.

Sealing apparatus for a laterally-sliding door

A system for managing opening and closing a pocket door includes a spindle, an actuator, and brackets. The spindle extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, and is configured to be coupled to the pocket door. The actuator is coupled to the spindle and is configured to cause the spindle to move axially along the longitudinal axis. The brackets are connected to the spindle at each end and are constrained from longitudinal motion relative to the spindle. The brackets are configured to affix the spindle to the pocket door. A bushing system couples each bracket to the spindle and is configured to dampen impact between the spindle and the brackets. For example, the bushing system may include lobed elements, made of a rubber material, that engage each other to transmit azimuthal forces. In some embodiments, another actuator is included to improve cycle like and redundancy.

A vehicle liftgate system comprises an outer panel that includes a Class A surface and a sole lamp opening extending for a first horizontal distance that greater than half, but less than all, of a width of the outer panel. The liftgate system further comprises a reinforcement having a perimeter corresponding to a perimeter of the lamp opening and configured to accommodate at least one lamp assembly.

Vehicle liftgate reinforcement

A reinforcement assembly for a liftgate system includes vertical and horizontal portions. The horizontal portion includes a protuberant portion that includes a top wall configured to be affixed to an outer panel of the liftgate system, and to form a space with an inner panel of the liftgate system. The vertical portion is configured to be affixed to a vertical portion of an inner panel.

Liftgate hinge reinforcement

The present invention relates to an improved retention sealing strip () that improves the ease of assembly, and reduces manufacturing costs. The sealing strip () includes a retention section () having an upper hub (), a first retention leg () positioned forward of the upper hub (), a second retention leg () rearward (e.g., positioned at an inner-side of a vehicle cabin) of the first retention leg (), an upper recess () positioned rearward of the upper hub (), and a lower recess () positioned between the first and second retention legs (respectively). The sealing strip () also includes a sealing section () integrally formed with the retention section ().

Sealing strip and vehicle frame assembly

A vehicle door articulating mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle structure at one end thereof, a vehicle door pivotally mounted via first and second hinge mounts to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm, a first cam mounted to the first hinge mount at one end of the hinge arm, a second cam mounted to the second hinge mount at an opposite end of the hinge arm, and a belt encircling both first and second cams. The hinge arm is disposed at first and second angular positions when the vehicle door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions. The vehicle door articulating mechanism allows the door to articulate away independent of an adjacent vehicle door during initial and continued opening of vehicle door.

Vehicle door belt and cam articulating mechanism

An assembly for use with a vehicle sliding door,which includes a first wheel,, which is movably disposed within a first track,located on the vehicle and having a ramped portion,, and a second wheel,which is movably disposed within a second track,. The assembly includes a brake pad,, which is disposed within the second track,, which frictionally engages the second wheel,, and which cooperates with the ramped portion,to hold door,in an open position.

Vehicle door assembly

A door bumper assembly for an automotive vehicle sliding door has an adjustable bumper head with a door face for mating with a door inner surface when the door is in a closed position to provide a predetermined lateral load to the door. A bumper base is mounted between the bumper head and a vehicle body surface at a rearward end of a door track and has a hinge face for contacting a door hinge to prevent door rearward longitudinal movement when the door is moved to a fully open position. A bolt threaded on both ends is attached on a first end to the bumper head to allow lateral adjustment with respect to the bumper base, and passes through the bumper base for attachment on a second end to a vehicle body portion.

Dual function adjustable bumper for automotive vehicle sliding door

In an automotive vehicle having a body opening closable by a sliding door, a door bumper wedge for restraining longitudinal and lateral movement of the sliding door has a wedge member attached to a door mating surface of the body opening, a receptacle member attached on a body mating edge of the sliding door defining a receptacle pocket, a pair of flexible, opposed prongs extending from the receptacle member a predetermined distance into the receptacle pocket, and a bumper member positioned within the receptacle pocket. The bumper member has a base portion, a pair of opposed arms extending from the base portion, each of the pair of arms positioned between one of the pair of prongs and a surface of the receptacle pocket, and a trough, defined by the pair of arms and the base portion, for receiving the wedge member therein when the sliding door is moved to a closed position, the wedge member restraining generally longitudinal movement of the sliding door by impacting the base portion, the pair of prongs and the pair of arms absorbing energy from the wedge member and limiting sliding door movement in a generally lateral direction when the sliding door is in the closed position by restraining relative movement between the wedge member and the receptacle member. An adjustment bracket is attached to an inner surface of the body pillar on an opposite side of the door mating surface for attaching the wedge plate to the door mating surface. The adjustment bracket adjustable to accommodate tolerance variation between the receptacle member and the wedge member upon first closure of the sliding door.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Rajinder Pal Singh