Magna International Inc.

Thomas Edwin Cobb

Anthony John Povinelli

Michael William Crane

James J Kowalski

Michael W Crane

Stephen R Roddy

Norman Guschewski

Gari Schalte

Steven R Roddy

Gari M Schalte

An active grille system which is mounted to a fascia, grille, or carrier, or is part of the carrier of an automobile. Two sets of louvers are rotatably mounted to a frame, and a camming mechanism provides selective actuation of both sets of louvers, and an actuator controls the camming mechanism such that the actuator moves the camming mechanism between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the camming mechanism is in the first position, both the first set and second set of louvers are in a closed position, when the camming mechanism is in the second position, the first set of louvers are in an open position and the second set of louvers are in a closed position, and when the camming mechanism is in the third position both the first set and second set of louvers are in an open position.

Variable or stepped louver activation for active grille system

A modular a bracket which forms a cavity such that the bracket surrounds and supports an actuator. In one embodiment, the bracket is made of multiple pieces and also connects together without the use of fasteners. The pieces are connected together through the use of several attachment features, with a portion of each of the attachment features integrally formed as part of each half. The bracket also includes a plurality of alignment features integrally formed as part of the bracket. The alignment features support and properly position the actuator within the cavity. The design of the bracket reduces and simplifies design and tooling, and also has minimal components and fasteners, which also simplifies and reduces labor time.

Bracket-active grille and actuator

A lift gate having a deformable section which allows the lift gate to deform rather than break during a low speed impact event. The lift gate has a deformable section located between an inner panel and an outer panel. The deformable section is able to deform during a low speed impact event against the outer panel, thereby preventing the inner panel from receiving any of the impact. This allows the inner panel to be significantly more rigid than the outer panel and the deformable section, and, therefore, provides the necessary structural support for the lift gate while withstanding collisions on the Impact Zone.

Composite lift gate deformable section

Growing community of inventors

Harrison Township, MI, United States of America

Thomas Edwin Cobb