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 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 hinge assembly for a trunk lid, includes: a hinge bracket attached to a trunk compartment; a hinge arm attached to a trunk lid and pivotally connected to the hinge bracket; and a damping mechanism disposed between the hinge bracket and the hinge arm, and damping a pivoting movement of the hinge arm, where the hinge arm has a hollow portion in which the damping mechanism is received.

A vehicle is disclosed that includes: a vehicle body having an outer body panel; a tailgate that is movable in relation to the vehicle body via a tailgate actuation system between a closed position and an open position; and a bracket that is configured to receive the tailgate actuation system. The bracket includes a main body portion and an appendage that extends transversely from the main body portion such that the appendage engages the vehicle body to inhibit rotational deflection of the tailgate actuation system and, thus, lateral flexure of the outer body panel during movement of the tailgate.

An extension mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel of a vehicle between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the extension mechanism including: an inner tube having an outer surface; an outer tube having an inner surface and overlapping the inner tube for at least a portion of the outer surface along an extension axis, such that the inner surface and the outer surface are adjacent to one another when overlapped; a first spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the outer tube; a second spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the inner tube; a seal positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface; and a stopper to engage the first spring at one end and engage the second spring at an opposite end such that the first spring and the second spring are in series with one another along the extension axis; wherein the one end and the opposite end are spaced apart from one another such that the seal is positioned between the one and opposite end.

A hinge assembly for a trunk lid, includes: a hinge bracket attached to a trunk compartment; a hinge arm attached to a trunk lid and pivotally connected to the hinge bracket; and a damping mechanism disposed between the hinge bracket and the hinge arm, and damping a pivoting movement of the hinge arm, where the hinge arm has a hollow portion in which the damping mechanism is received.

In at least one implementation, a torsion rod preload device, includes a body, a driver and a retainer. The body may have a base adapted to be connected to a vehicle and at least one stop. The driver is carried by the body for movement relative to the body, and is adapted to engage a torsion rod so that movement of the driver relative to the body increases a torsion force within the torsion rod. The retainer is carried by one or both of the body and the driver, and is movable by the driver as the driver moves relative to the body. The retainer is engageable with the stop to inhibit or prevent movement of the driver when the retainer is engaged with the stop to maintain a desired torsion force in the torsion rod.

In a design method of torsion bars used for a trunk lid, free shapes of the torsion bars unhitched from the trunk lid are designed. A center line model of the initial free shape is geometrically and statically created on the basis of a design specification. The center line model of an open shape is created from the free shape model and is deformed into a center line model of a closed modified shape. The center line models of the analyzed closed shape and the target closed shape is compared with each other to obtain a difference torque and a difference vector occurring between corresponding nodes on the center lines. The center line model is so changed as to decrease the difference torque and the difference vector.

A door hinge is provided to slant such that a free end of a door is rotated obliquely upward while the door is opened, and an energizing type balancer to assist an opening/closing operation of the door is provided. A hinge axis of the door hinge slants relative to a vertical line, having an upper side thereof being positioned on an inward side in a vehicle width direction and on a forward side in a vehicle longitudinal direction such that a locus of the free end of the door while the door is opened becomes substantially horizontal or lowers in an opening direction at a point before the door is opened to a maximum open 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, the hinge based counterbalance mechanism including: a pair of hinges each 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 to one another by a respective mechanical coupling; a pair of torsion elements each having a free end coupled to a respective gear and a fixed end coupled to either of the body side portion or the body, 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; wherein the pair of torsion elements are positioned relative to one another in a non-overlapping manner.