A switching device includes at least one (a first) sheet of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, a switch attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, and a sensor assembly facing the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. The switch includes a movable portion operatively coupled with the sensor assembly such that upon operation of the switch, the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position and the movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position is detectable by the sensor assembly. The switching device may be part of a window or door for a building or a vehicle.

A trunk door opening/closing assistance apparatus including: a torque detection part which detects a torque input by a user to open/close the trunk door of a vehicle; a control unit which provides assist torque support in addition to the torque applied by the user within a total torque range required to open/close the door when the user manually opens or closes the trunk door; and a motor drive part which drives a motor for assisting the opening or closing of the trunk door with a direction and a strength which are controlled by the control unit.

A bodywork part for a motor vehicle is provided. The bodywork part includes a main body made from a plastic material and an anti-pinching system. The latter comprises a capacitive sensor comprising at least a first conductive wire integrated into the thickness of the main body by welding, said capacitive sensor being able to detect the presence of an object or a hand of a user in said peripheral zone.

A torque rod for a closure panel of a vehicle includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a fixing portion, and first and second coiled spring portions. The first end portion is configured to be connected to a first hinge member connected to the closure panel. The second end portion is configured to be connected to a second hinge member connected to the closure panel. The fixing portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body structure. A first coiled spring portion is disposed between the first end portion and the fixing portion. A second coiled spring portion is disposed between the second end portion and the fixing portion.

A latching mechanism for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch mechanism comprising: a first latch mounted in a first location to one of a body of the vehicle and the closure panel, the first location positioned on a first side of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component; a second latch mounted in a second location to one of the body and the closure panel, the second location positioned on a second side of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component; wherein one of the first latch and the second latch is maintained in a latched state and the other of the first latch and the second latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between an open position and a closed position.

A vehicle including a vehicle cargo area includes a hinge pin in a wall of the vehicle cargo area, a cargo cover defining first and second slots, a single-piece clip which includes a first fixing feature positioned in the first slot, and a second fixing feature positioned in the second slot. The clip defines a channel receiving the hinge pin

A vehicle body includes a rear opening and a rear header. The rear header includes a first and a second rear header panel. A closed cross-section space is defined by the first and the second rear header panels. The vehicle body includes a reinforcing member that is disposed in the closed cross-section space. The first and the second rear header panels each include a first portion extending downward in the vehicle up-down direction and a second portion bending from a lower end of the first portion and extending rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction. The reinforcing member is disposed in a region in which the first portion of the first rear header panel and the first portion of the second rear header panel face each other. A space is provided between a lower face of the reinforcing member and the second portion of the first rear header panel.

In one embodiment a retrofittable soft-close device is configured to close an automobile hatch. Once a cycle is initiated a hook plate may pull a striker towards a latched position.

A hinge based counterbalance mechanism for operating a hinge of a closure panel of a vehicle to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis, the hinge drive mechanism including: a hinge having a body side portion for connecting to a body of the vehicle and a panel side portion for connecting to the closure panel, the body side portion and the panel side portion coupled via the pivot axis; a torsion element having a fixed end coupled to the body and a free end coupled to the body side portion, the fixed end inhibited from rotating relative to the free end and the free end able to rotate about a torsion axis of the torsion element; and a mechanical coupling mechanism coupling the free end to the panel side portion, the mechanical coupling mechanism providing for variability in torque output of the torsion element applied from the torsion element to the panel side portion as the hinge moves between the open position and the closed position.

A vehicle body structure with a reinforced trunk hinge mounting part includes a side outer rear extension 11 extending from a side outer 16 to the rear of a vehicle; a quarter inner 12 located under the side outer rear extension 11 and forming a space where wheels of the vehicle are mounted; a trunk hinge 31 installed on a front end of a trunk lid 30 and fastened to an outer surface of the side outer rear extension 11; and a connection member 35 connecting the side outer rear extension 11 to the quarter inner 12.