A vehicle door lock apparatus includes housings respectively having a housing chamber and a latch chamber formed therein, a latch mechanism housed in the latch chamber and being configured to retain a door closed with respect to a vehicle frame, and an actuating mechanism housed in the housing chamber for actuating the latch mechanism. A first and a second switch are housed in one of the latch chamber and the housing chamber, and respectively detect states of the actuating mechanism and the latch mechanism. A plurality of terminals is arranged in a first row and a second row in the housing. The first switch is connected to terminals in the first row and the second switch is connected to terminals in the second row such that the plurality of terminals is sandwiched by the first switch and the second switch.

Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth? sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines/estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth? or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth? sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines/estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth? or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

A disclosed accessory mount for a vehicle includes a housing with openings, at least one bearing, a lock cylinder movable within the housing and holding the at least one bearing in a locked position extending through the openings and a released position where the at least one bearing is not held within the openings, and a mount including a groove receiving the at least one bearing in the locked position.

A disclosed accessory mount for a vehicle includes a housing with openings, at least one bearing, a lock cylinder movable within the housing and holding the at least one bearing in a locked position extending through the openings and a released position where the at least one bearing is not held within the openings, and a mount including a groove receiving the at least one bearing in the locked position.

Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth? sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines/estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth? or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth? sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines/estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth? or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.

Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.

A keyless vehicle entry and start system for motor vehicles includes an input device such as a keypad and a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon receiving a signal from a mobile phone, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch if an authorized code is input via the keypad. The system is configured to communicate with a portable wireless device such as a smartphone utilizing various frequency bands. The system permits entry and operation of a vehicle utilizing only a smartphone.