Abstract:
A latch assembly for a closure panel and corresponding method of operation are provided. The assembly includes an actuation group to latch and unlatch the closure panel using power from a main power source during normal operation. A first backup energy source is selectively coupled to the actuation group and stores energy during normal operation and supplies the energy during a failure. A second backup energy source is selectively coupled to the first backup energy source and supplies energy thereto during the failure. A latch controller is coupled to the backup energy sources and detects latch operation and whether there is normal operation. The latch controller charges the first backup energy source using energy from the second backup energy source based on the detection of latch operation and the failure and disconnects the second backup energy source during normal operation to conserve energy stored in the second backup energy source.
Abstract:
A rotary drive actuation system for actuating a latch including: an output shaft having a member affixed at one end of the output shaft for coupling to a component of the latch; a common drive element affixed to the output shaft at the other end of the output shaft; and a plurality of motors coupled to the common drive element for simultaneously driving the common drive element and the output shaft in a first rotary direction to effect actuation of the latch.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a blocking component for a latch of a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch having latch components including a ratchet and pawl, the method comprising: determining whether an occupant is in the vehicle and whether a speed of the vehicle is above a first threshold; and blocking release of the latch by positioning the blocking component whenever the occupant is in the vehicle and the speed is above the first threshold, automatically without occupant intervention, into a blocking position adjacent to at least one of the latch components to restrict movement of the at least one of the latch components which movement would cause the latch to open, wherein the blocking position is adjacent either the ratchet or the pawl, and restricts movement of the ratchet or pawl, respectively.
Abstract:
In an aspect, a latch is provided for a vehicle door, and includes a housing, a ratchet and pawl, a release lever, a primary lock lever, an inside lock lever and a double lock lever. The primary lock lever is movable between locked and unlocked positions to prevent or permit a connection of the release lever to the pawl. The inside lock lever is movable by a lock knob on the door and is operatively connectable to the primary lock lever to cause movement of the primary lock lever to the locked position and unlocked position respectively. The double lock lever is movable between a double locked position to operatively disconnect the inside lock lever from the primary lock lever (e.g. via a link), and a non-double locked position in which the double lock lever operatively disconnects the inside lock lever to the primary lock lever.
Abstract:
A bed, comprising: a user support structure including a body support member having a head region and a foot region, and a foot support member positioned proximate the foot region of the body support member and projecting laterally from the body support member; a frame for supporting the user support structure on a support surface; a coupling mechanism coupling the user support structure to the frame and providing for relative movement there-between; and an actuator that is configured to move the user support structure relative to the frame between a user rest position and a user reception/departure position, such that when in the user rest position the body support member is oriented to support the body of a user lying at least indirectly thereon, and when in the user reception/departure position, the body support member is oriented laterally to the foot support member such that the foot support member is oriented to support the user standing thereon.
Abstract:
An integrally moulded object body is disclosed for retaining fasteners in a pre-attachment position and deforming to accommodate attachment tolerances. The object body has a fastener retaining portion that has an aperture defined therein that has a fastener-engaging edge that grips the shaft of the fastener in the pre-attachment position. The fastener retaining is deformable to allow the fastener to move laterally and be attached off-center from the pre-attachment position to accommodate attachment tolerances. The fastener retaining portion can have areas of weakness to allow deformation. These areas of weakness can comprise areas of reduced thickness or radial extensions that extend towards the perimeter of the fastener retaining portion. The object body also has a clearance portion that defines a mounting face that the fastener does not extend past in the pre-attachment position. The object body can further comprise a compression portion that engages with the shoulder of the fastener and is compressed between the shoulder the object that the object body is attached onto in the attachment position. The compression portion can also have a bushing that provides increased torque retention by engaging with the fastener shoulder and the object that the object body is attached onto.
Abstract:
A counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel for at least a portion of a path between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including: a frame; a biasing element mounted on the frame and configured to have a first biasing state to provide an opening force to assist in the opening of the closure panel and a second biasing state to provide a closing force to assist in the closing of the closure panel, the opening force opposite in direction to the closing force with respect to a weight of the closure panel.
Abstract:
In an aspect, the invention is directed to a door assembly for a vehicle, that includes an outer panel, an inner panel and a carrier/intrusion member assembly. The outer panel and the inner panel are connected together to form a door panel structure, and together define a door cavity. The carrier/intrusion member assembly includes a carrier and an intrusion member connected to the carrier and mounted to the door panel structure. The carrier/intrusion member assembly further includes a plurality of door hardware components mounted to at least one of the carrier and the intrusion member. The hardware components extend into the door cavity.
Abstract:
A window regulator assembly having cables for driving one or more lifter plates along rails includes connectors for connecting the ends of cables together. The connectors are connectable together in a 'use' position and can be held in a lifter plate in the use position. By having the connectors connect to each other they withstand the tension in the cables when the window regulator assembly is at rest and the lifter plate is only required to withstand the differential tension between first and second cable segments during movement of the lifter plate. This allows the lifter plate to be formed from a relatively lower strength and less expensive material since it is subject to relatively lower stresses than prior art lifter plates.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snowice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.