A method and device for generating a signal includes a housing having a wall. A fork bolt is pivotally coupled to the housing and movable between an unlatched and a latched position. A detent lever is pivotally coupled to the housing and cooperates with the fork bolt. A flexible member is connected to the housing of the latch. Proximate to a free end of the flexible member is a protruding portion. A link has a first end rotationally coupled to the fork bolt and a second end arranged to move linearly between a first position and a second position. When the fork bolt is in an unlatch position, the second end of the link applies a rotational force to the flexible member.

A method and device for generating a signal includes a housing having a wall. A fork bolt is pivotally coupled to the housing and movable between an unlatched and a latched position. A detent lever is pivotally coupled to the housing and cooperates with the fork bolt. A flexible member is connected to the housing of the latch. Proximate to a free end of the flexible member is a protruding portion. A link has a first end rotationally coupled to the fork bolt and a second end arranged to move linearly between a first position and a second position. When the fork bolt is in an unlatch position, the second end of the link applies a rotational force to the flexible member.

A wheeled vehicle includes a rear opening that is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body, a tailgate that is provided to open and close the rear opening, a sub door opening that is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate, and a sub door that is provided to open and close the sub door opening. In the tailgate, a tailgate side window panel is provided on the tailgate, and a sub door side window panel is provided on the sub door. These tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are made substantially level with each other while being disposed continuously in a transverse direction. The control unit prohibits the operation of a wiper device that moves over the individual window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom, with the sub door left open.

A wheeled vehicle includes a rear opening that is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body, a tailgate that is provided to open and close the rear opening, a sub door opening that is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate, and a sub door that is provided to open and close the sub door opening. In the tailgate, a tailgate side window panel is provided on the tailgate, and a sub door side window panel is provided on the sub door. These tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are made substantially level with each other while being disposed continuously in a transverse direction. The control unit prohibits the operation of a wiper device that moves over the individual window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom, with the sub door left open.

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 door system and related method for a passenger door for a motor vehicle is provided for preventing inadvertent movement of the passenger door from a presented position toward an open position and a closed position until desired. The system includes latch with a safety catch and a door presenter. The latch and door presenter are configured for coordinated movement to allow the door to move from the closed position to the presented position and to be maintained in the presented position. The safety catch blocks the door from moving to the open position, and the door presenter blocks the door from moving to the closed position. Subsequent actuation releases the safety catch or retracts the door presenter to allow the door to open or close from the presented position.

A door system and related method for a passenger door for a motor vehicle is provided for preventing inadvertent movement of the passenger door from a presented position toward an open position and a closed position until desired. The system includes latch with a safety catch and a door presenter. The latch and door presenter are configured for coordinated movement to allow the door to move from the closed position to the presented position and to be maintained in the presented position. The safety catch blocks the door from moving to the open position, and the door presenter blocks the door from moving to the closed position. Subsequent actuation releases the safety catch or retracts the door presenter to allow the door to open or close from the presented position.

An electrically-powered accessory for vehicles includes a vehicle structure. A connector mechanically connects an electrically-powered accessory to vehicle structure. The connector includes a movable lock member that mechanically locks the electrically-powered accessory to the vehicle structure when the movable lock member is in a locked position. The movable lock member causes the electrically-powered accessory to be electrically connected to an electrical power supply of the vehicle when the movable lock member is in the locked position, and electrically disconnects the electrically-powered accessory from the vehicle power supply when the movable lock member is in the unlocked position.

An electrically-powered accessory for vehicles includes a vehicle structure. A connector mechanically connects an electrically-powered accessory to vehicle structure. The connector includes a movable lock member that mechanically locks the electrically-powered accessory to the vehicle structure when the movable lock member is in a locked position. The movable lock member causes the electrically-powered accessory to be electrically connected to an electrical power supply of the vehicle when the movable lock member is in the locked position, and electrically disconnects the electrically-powered accessory from the vehicle power supply when the movable lock member is in the unlocked position.