公开(公告)号：US20220316564A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-06

申请号：US17217508

申请日：2021-03-30

Applicant: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.

Inventor： Nicholas Ozog ,  Ryan Heins ,  Takashi Nishio

IPC: F16H25/20

Abstract: Embodiments of an actuator assembly for a power tailgate system are disclosed. The actuator assembly includes an actuator having a housing, a guide with a first end extending from the housing and a second end opposite the first end, and a slide coupled to the guide so as to be movable with respect to the guide second end. The actuator assembly also includes a bellows having a first end attached to the guide first end, a second end opposite the first end and attached to an end of the slide, and a body extending between the first and second ends. At least one hole is formed in the bellows proximate the bellows second end and enables fluid communication between an interior of the bellows and an exterior of the bellows. The bellows may expel moisture collected therein during operation of the actuator.

公开(公告)号：US20220297771A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-22

申请号：US17205244

申请日：2021-03-18

Applicant: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.

Inventor： Nicholas Ozog ,  Ryan Heins ,  Gowtham Harsha Pulikonda ,  Yasuyuki Noiri

IPC: B62D33/027 ,  E05F15/611 ,  H02P27/08

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system are disclosed. A vehicle includes a rotatable element structured for operable connection with, and disconnection from, a tailgate when the rotatable element resides in a predetermined tailgate removal orientation. A motor is connected with the rotatable element for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit is provided for the motor. During a driving event, the system identifies when no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element. If no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element, the system determines if the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation. If the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation, the system may check the rotatable element against rotation during the driving event by operating a motor circuit to electrically brake the motor to prevent the rotatable element from rotating out of the predetermined tailgate removal orientation.

公开(公告)号：US20220258579A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-18

申请号：US17702881

申请日：2022-03-24

Applicant: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.

Inventor： Jacob Grimaldo ,  Micah Wedekind ,  Michael Mixon ,  Tatsuya Matsui

IPC: B60J7/057 ,  B60J7/043

Abstract: Sunroof drive apparatus and related sunroof assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed assembly includes a sunroof panel, a rail, a guide block attached to part of the rail, a bracket beneath the sunroof panel, a link in the rail removably connected to the guide block, and a drive shoe in the rail slidably coupled to the link. The drive shoe includes first and second slots to receive respective first and second pins of the link. The link can rotate about a rotation axis from a first orientation in which the link is inseparable from the guide block to a target orientation in which the link is separable from the guide block. When the first pin enters a locking area at an end of the first slot, the drive shoe imparts one or more loads on the first pin that urge the link into the target orientation.

公开(公告)号：US11260732B1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-01

申请号：US17103598

申请日：2020-11-24

Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Micah Wedekind ,  Jacob Grimaldo ,  Chanli Ke

IPC: B60J7/043 ,  B60J10/72 ,  B60J10/82

Abstract: A disclosed assembly includes a rail and an inner seal fixedly coupled to the rail that is arranged along a length of the rail. The inner seal includes a flap hiding a part of the rail adjacent the flap from view in a vehicle cabin. A shoe slidably coupled to the rail adjacent the flap is movable along the rail to open or close a sunshade held by the shoe. A channel extending through the shoe receives the flap. The shoe is engaged with a first segment of the flap folded in the channel while a second segment of the flap external to the channel is unfolded. Movement of the shoe causing the second segment to pass into the channel and fold therein as the first segment exits the channel and unfolds to prevent the part of the rail from being exposed.

公开(公告)号：US11225195B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-18

申请号：US16259397

申请日：2019-01-28

Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Koji Nagase ,  Daisuke Yamada

IPC: B60R3/02 ,  H03K17/955 ,  E05F15/73 ,  E05F15/41

Abstract: An occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered occupant step, a kick sensor mounted to the occupant step, and a controller having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry detects a kick gesture signal from the kick sensor, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step, and upon detection of a step gesture signal from the kick sensor while the occupant step is being operated, halts operation of the occupant step.

公开(公告)号：US11027599B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-08

申请号：US16359137

申请日：2019-03-20

Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Shintaro Katsura

IPC: B60J3/04 ,  B60J7/00 ,  B60J7/043 ,  E06B9/24

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods to adjust dimming associated with dual panel sunroof are disclosed. A disclosed sunroof dimming system for a vehicle includes a first dimmable panel of a sunroof and a second dimmable panel of the sunroof. The first dimmable panel is moveable relative to the second dimmable panel to open or close the sunroof. The sunroof dimming system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the first and second dimmable panels. The controller is configured to adjust dimming associated with the first and second dimmable panels to maintain a brightness of an external light associated with a vehicle cabin that is experienced by a vehicle occupant when the sunroof changes between a closed state and an open state.

公开(公告)号：US20210107342A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-15

申请号：US16600792

申请日：2019-10-14

Applicant: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc. ,  Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Inventor： Thomas Bernath ,  Joel T. Runyan ,  Kevin J. James ,  James D. Cunningham

IPC: B60J7/043

Abstract: A mounting package includes a sunroof assembly, a roof crossbeam, and a hanger hanging the roof crossbeam underneath the sunroof assembly. The sunroof assembly includes a guiderail. The hanger includes a lower hook hooked with the roof crossbeam, and an upper hook hooked with the guiderail. The hanger is configured to flexibly accommodate multidirectional movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail. The multidirectional movement includes lifting movement of the roof crossbeam relative to the guiderail.

公开(公告)号：US20200298685A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-24

申请号：US16356331

申请日：2019-03-18

Applicant: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.

Inventor： Erik Carlson ,  Shintaro Katsura

IPC: B60J7/043 ,  B60J7/057

Abstract: An tilt and slide apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle, includes a movable panel, a rail provided at each edge portion in the opening, a receiver bracket affixed to the movable panel, a guide block having a first guide channel that extends along a length of the guide block and has an angled portion, a second guide channel positioned at an end of the guide block, an upper guide channel extending away from the second guide channel to an opposite end of the guide block and above the first guide channel, and a drive shoe that slides along the rail. A pivot link is configured to slide along the first guide channel to control tilting of the movable panel as the drive shoe slides in a forward direction. A lift guide facilitates sliding of the tilted movable panel along the upper guide channel in a rear direction.

公开(公告)号：US20200298684A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-24

申请号：US16356189

申请日：2019-03-18

Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Erik CARLSON ,  Shintaro KATSURA

IPC: B60J7/043 ,  B60J7/057 ,  B60J7/19

Abstract: A tilt and slide apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle includes a movable panel, a drive shoe configured to slide in a forward/rearward direction relative to the front of the vehicle, a lift guide connected to an end of the movable panel, and a check assembly including a locking component. The check assembly couples the drive shoe and the lift guide when the drive shoe is slid in the forward direction to the lift guide. A guide ramp formed on the drive shoe is an angled indented surface configured to align a portion of the locking component in order to couple the drive shoe and the lift guide. The guide ramp is formed as a tapered groove that has a width in a vehicle width direction that is continuously broadened from a front end of the groove toward a rear end of the groove.

公开(公告)号：US20200298682A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-24

申请号：US16358992

申请日：2019-03-20

Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Chanli KE ,  Jacob Grimaldo ,  Michael Mixon

IPC: B60J7/043 ,  B60J7/00 ,  B60J1/20

Abstract: Tensioner apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed. A disclosed assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a sunshade tensioner defining a body that is configured to engage a sunshade of the vehicle sunroof to prevent the sunshade from wrinkling. The assembly also includes a first tab supported by a first component of the vehicle sunroof. The first tab is configured to extend through a first aperture positioned on the body to removably couple a first end of the body to the first support component.