A control apparatus for a vehicle opening/closing member that operates the opening/closing member provided in the vehicle in response to a physical expression of a user, having a user authentication unit that authenticates a user whose physical expression is to be detected, a physical expression detecting unit that detects the physical expression of the user, an operation determining unit that determines an operating state of at least one of the user authentication unit and the physical expression detecting unit, and a notification unit that sends notification that, in accordance with a determination result of the operating state determined by the operation determining unit, the user has been authenticated, the detection of the physical expression has been completed, or the detection of the physical expression has failed.

A torque assembly including an inner member; an outer member; a first torque member disposed between the inner member and the outer member; and a second torque member disposed radially exterior or interior to the first torque member; where upon rotation in a first circumferential direction, the first torque member is allowed to generally freely rotate and in a second circumferential direction, the first torque member is radially shifted to impede or prevent rotation, and where the second torque member provides a circumferential slip interface between the inner member and the outer member to allow rotation in the second circumferential direction.

In at least some implementations, a motor vehicle window assembly includes a guide rail, a movable pane movable along the guide rail between open and closed positions and a defroster. First and second guide rail conductors are carried by the guide rail and adapted to be connected to a power source. First and second movable conductors are each electrically communicated with a respective one of the first and second guide rail conductors, each electrically coupled to the defroster and each movable with the movable pane relative to guide rail when the movable pane is moved between the open and closed positions. To provide power to the defroster, the movable conductors are in contact with the guide rail conductors when the movable pane is in the closed position and during movement of the movable pane between the open and closed positions.

A protector with a sensor operatively coupled on a sliding door detects an object by touch between two conductive parts in a hollow part with a space therebetween. The two conductive parts including a conductive part on a lower part of the hollow part as a side of the installation base member and a conductive part on an upper part of the hollow part as a side of a top end are shaped and positioned in a manner that an inner-cabin side end and an outer-cabin side end of the space are continuously provided directly on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part. A coating layer covers at least an outer peripheral surface of the outer coat of the hollow part having the inner-cabin side end and the outer-cabin side end of the space continuously provided directly on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

A satellite dispenser is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity configured to receive a payload; and a composite guide rail comprising a groove configured to receive at least a portion of a payload, the composite guide rail having an orientation that substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the groove with an ejection axis of the dispenser.

A stowage bin assembly includes a bin bucket assembly having a bin bucket which includes at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall including a notch and the at least one sidewall having an interior surface. The stowage bin assembly also includes at least one hinge assembly. The at least one hinge assembly includes a housing which is received in the notch, the housing having an interior surface, wherein the interior surface of the housing is substantially flush with the interior surface of the at least one sidewall when the housing of the at least one hinge assembly is received in the notch. The stowage bin assembly also includes a stowage bin door pivotably coupled to the bin bucket assembly via the at least one hinge assembly, the stowage bin door moveable between an open position and a closed position. Related components, assemblies, and devices are also provided.

An apparatus includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine a window point for an automatic change of state of a window pane of a vehicle. The control unit is also configured to determine event data for a plurality of window events in which an occupant of a vehicle has caused a change in the state of a window pane of the vehicle. The event data for a window event indicate a location at which the change of state of a window pane was effected. The control unit is also configured to determine at least one window point with a location at which a similar change of state of window panes was effected. The control unit is also configured to provide one or more vehicles with point data in relation to the determined window point, wherein the point data indicate the location of the window point and the change of state of a window pane automatically effected at the window point.

A structure for assisting with opening and closing of a lower door includes a lower door having an upper end configured to be rotated open with respect to a bottom surface of a vehicle body, and a rotary unit configured to be fixed to the bottom surface of the vehicle body and configured to rotate in opposite directions to assist with opening and closing of the lower door.

A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.

A sliding window assembly includes a frame with a track, and a sliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in the track between a closed position and an open position. The sliding window portion includes a handle pivotable between a lock position and a slide position, and a driving pin coupled with the handle and engaging the track. The driving pin defines a pivot axis for the handle. A guide pin spaced from the driving pin is selectively engageable with the track when the handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position. With the handle in the slide position, the sliding window portion is displaceable from its closed position to an open position.