Trunk lid stopper mechanism and method for controlling rotational speed of a trunk lid to slow down and halt its movement, and to hold the trunk lid at the halted position. The stopper mechanism comprises hinge arms for supporting the lid, torsion bars for applying biasing force to the lid, and link arms for transmitting biasing force from torsion bars to the hinge arms. Either each hinge arm or link arm is equipped with a stopper member that brakes the rotation movement of the trunk lid and halts the trunk lid fully-open. The stopper member has tapered surfaces for reducing relative rotational speed between the hinge and link arms by being forced therebetween during their relative rotational movement, and a stopper surface(s) for abutting against the other arm and halting the arms' relative rotational movement at the fully open position of the trunk lid.

A variable output torque rod system for panel counterbalance includes a torque rod having a first fixed end relative to a storage area and a second fixed end relative to a panel, wherein the torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A slider block is disposed on the torque rod between the first fixed end and the second fixed end wherein the slider block is free to be moved along an axis of the torque rod when a set screw is loosened from the torque rod, and wherein the slider block profiles against a portion of the panel to prevent rotation about the torque rod when the set screw is tightened.

An urging structure for a lid includes a spring member having one spring end linked to a supply-port-forming member and the other spring end linked to a lid, and provided so as to be most elastically deformed at an intermediate position between a closed position and a maximum open position of the lid to urge the lid. The spring member is linked to the lid in such a way so as to vary a distance between the other spring end and a turning center of the lid, and the distance stays constant when the lid is in the closed position and in the intermediate position, increases in a process of moving from the intermediate position to the maximum open position, and becomes maximum when the lid is in the maximum open position.

A hinge system includes a pillar hinge bracket connected to a door hinge bracket by a hinge pin. The pillar hinge bracket is secured to a vehicle body. The door hinge bracket is secured to a vehicle door. A checking device removably secured to the pillar hinge bracket and the door hinge bracket includes a spring portion and a pin portion. The spring portion biases the door hinge bracket to a first position and, in turn, the vehicle door to a fully open position. The pin portion has a first mounting post that secured to the pillar hinge bracket and a second mounting post that is received in an open-sided notch of the door hinge bracket. A ledge partially surrounding the second post includes a stepped portion to prevent unseating of the checking device as the door hinge bracket is caused to move relative to the pillar hinge bracket.

A variable output torque rod system for panel counterbalance includes a torque rod having a first fixed end relative to a storage area and a second fixed end relative to a panel, wherein the torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A slider block is disposed on the torque rod between the first fixed end and the second fixed end wherein the slider block is free to be moved along an axis of the torque rod when a set screw is loosened from the torque rod, and wherein the slider block profiles against a portion of the panel to prevent rotation about the torque rod when the set screw is tightened.

A display case door includes a door frame, a motor, and a torque rod. The door frame extends about and is coupled to a panel assembly. The motor is coupled to the door frame. The torque rod is coupled to the door frame and configured to couple with an enclosure for a display case. When the door is installed in an opening of the enclosure for the display case, the motor is operable to open the display case door, and the torque rod is configured to close the display case door.

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.

One aspect is an insert molded torsion bar hinge including a cylindrical metal torsion bar with a main bar body, a portion of which extends along a torsion bar axis, a first contoured bar end and a second contoured bar end on opposite ends of the main bar body. A first hinged element of molded plastic and with a first knuckle, is molded directly over and encompasses the first contoured bar end such that the first contoured bar end is fixed within and not rotatable relative to the first hinged element. The first knuckle is molded directly over and encompassing a portion of the main bar body. A second hinged element of molded plastic and with a second knuckle is molded directly over and encompasses the second contoured bar end such that the second contoured bar end is fixed within and not rotatable relative to the second hinged element. The second knuckle is molded directly over and encompassing a portion of the main bar body. The first and second hinged elements rotate and produce a torsional spring torque.

One aspect is an insert molded torsion bar hinge including a cylindrical metal torsion bar with a main bar body, a portion of which extends along a torsion bar axis, a first contoured bar end and a second contoured bar end on opposite ends of the main bar body. A first hinged element of molded plastic and with a first knuckle, is molded directly over and encompasses the first contoured bar end such that the first contoured bar end is fixed within and not rotatable relative to the first hinged element. The first knuckle is molded directly over and encompassing a portion of the main bar body. A second hinged element of molded plastic and with a second knuckle is molded directly over and encompasses the second contoured bar end such that the second contoured bar end is fixed within and not rotatable relative to the second hinged element. The second knuckle is molded directly over and encompassing a portion of the main bar body. The first and second hinged elements rotate and produce a torsional spring torque.

A clip assembly for torsion rods of a closure panel of a vehicle includes a clip and an elastic member. The clip is configured to receive a first torsion rod and a second torsion rod. The elastic member is configured to be received by the clip. The clip includes a body member, a first leg extending outwardly in a first direction, and a second leg extending outwardly in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A first groove is disposed in the first leg and a second groove is disposed in the second leg. The first groove and the second groove are configured to receive the elastic member.