Abstract:
An active side panel assembly having at least one deployable panel(22) and at least one actuator (30). The deployable panel deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides valuable reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract so the vehicle can still meet ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The active side panel provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.
Abstract:
A fail safe module for an active grille having two or more vanes movable between an open position and a closed position. In the event of failure of an electrically driven actuator, a fail safe module connected between a driven vane of the two or more vanes and the electrically driven actuator moves the vanes to a fail-safe position. The fail safe module has a locked and unlocked position. When the fail safe module is in the locked position the fail safe module, the electrically driven actuator and the two or more vanes move together in response to the power provided by the electrically driven actuator. When the fail safe module is in the unlocked position, the fail safe module disengages the two or more vanes from the electrically driven actuator and moves the two or more vanes to the fail-safe position.
Abstract:
An active grille shutter arrangement having a modular frame. The active grille shutter arrangement includes a primary frame piece defining a width and height of an aperture of the modular frame, wherein in the primary frame piece has a motor housing, and upper frame portion having a first end and a second end, a lower frame portion having a first end and a second end and the motor housing extends between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion. There is a plurality of secondary frame pieces. The modular frame of the active grille shutter arrangement is formed by the connection of the primary frame piece in the secondary frame piece, wherein the modular frame defines the aperture.
Abstract:
An active bed cover system having at least one deployable panel and at least one actuator. The deployable panel extends and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract within the tailgate and/or cargo bed liner allowing for access to the bed and improved usability and aesthetics. The active bed cover provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.
Abstract:
An active side panel assembly having at least one deployable panel(22) and at least one actuator (30). The deployable panel deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides valuable reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract so the vehicle can still meet ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The active side panel provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.
Abstract:
A sealed actuator with internal clutching assembly including an output shaft, output detent ring, moving detent ring, and a wave spring, which is fit inside a sealed housing. The moving detent ring is able to move axially to the output shaft and the output detent ring is able to rotate on the output shaft. Intermeshing ramped teeth of these rings are held together by a wave spring and allow the output shaft to rotate and transmit torque of a motor through a main gear operably coupled to an output gear mounted on the output shaft to the outside of the housing. During predetermined high loads, the output and moving detent rings ramped teeth create an axial force that overcomes the load from the wave spring, which allows moving detent ring to disengage and output shaft to rotate freely to help prevent damage to the actuator.
Abstract:
An active grille shutter arrangement having an assembled modular frame. The assembled modular frame includes an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion each having a first end and a second end. A first end cap is connectable to both the first end of the upper frame portion and the first end of the lower frame portion. The connection between the first end of the upper frame portion and the first end of the lower frame portion includes an upper bar end joint formed on the front end of the upper frame portion and a lower bar end joint formed on the first end of the lower frame portion. The upper bar end joint slides into an upper bar end cap joint formed on the first end cap and the lower bar end joint slides into a lower end cap joint formed on the first end cap.
Abstract:
An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.
Abstract:
An active bed cover system having at least one deployable panel and at least one actuator. The deployable panel extends and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract within the tailgate and/or cargo bed liner allowing for access to the bed and improved usability and aesthetics. The active bed cover provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.
Abstract:
An active grille shutter arrangement having a modular frame. The active grille shutter arrangement includes a primary frame piece defining a width and height of an aperture of the modular frame, wherein in the primary frame piece has a motor housing, and upper frame portion having a first end and a second end, a lower frame portion having a first end and a second end and the motor housing extends between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion. There is a plurality of secondary frame pieces. The modular frame of the active grille shutter arrangement is formed by the connection of the primary frame piece in the secondary frame piece, wherein the modular frame defines the aperture. The active grille shutter arrangement further includes a plurality of vanes rotatably positioned between the first end cap and the second end cap for controlling the amount of air flowing through the one or more apertures of the modular frame. The motor housing of the frame piece extends between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion.