Safety release for a trunk of a vehicle

A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment and comprising:

• a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism;
• a release actuating device which is adapted for interconnection with one of said handle and the release mechanism;
• an occupant detection system for detecting an occupant of the compartment;
• and
• a control which is operable to activate said release actuating device in response to at least one of said handle and said occupant detection system, said handle and the release mechanism being interconnected by a release cable, said handle being operable to pull at an end of the release cable via a lever arm, wherein said actuating device is engagable with said lever arm and is operable to pivot said lever arm independent of operation of said handle to activate the release mechanism in response to said occupant detection system.

A release module adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release module being positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release module adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment and comprising:

• an actuating device for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said actuating device being adapted for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
• an occupant detection system for detecting a presence of an occupant within the compartment;
• a manual input device for actuating the release mechanism from within the compartment;
• a control which is operable to actuate said actuating device in response to at least one of said occupant detection system and said manual input device;
• and
• a housing, said occupant detection system, said actuating device, said control and said manual input device being at least partially contained within said housing.

A release module adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release module being positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release module adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment and comprising:

• an actuating device for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said actuating device being adapted for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
• an occupant detection system for detecting a presence of an occupant within the a compartment;
• a manual input device for actuating the release mechanism from within the compartment, said manual input device comprising a handle, said handle and said actuating device being connectable to the release mechanism via at least one mechanical linkage;
• and
• a control which is operable to actuate said actuating device in response to at least one of said occupant detection system and said manual input device, wherein said handle is operable to activate the release mechanism independent of said actuating device.

A release module adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release module being positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release module adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment and comprising:

• an actuating device for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said actuating device being adapted for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
• an occupant detection system for detecting a presence of an occupant within the compartment;
• a manual input device for actuating the release mechanism from within the compartment;
• a control which is operable to actuate said actuating device in response to at least one of said occupant detection system and said manual input device;
• and
• at least one illumination source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of said manual input device, wherein said control is operable to activate said at least one illumination source in response to said occupant detection system.

A release module adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release module being positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release module adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment and comprising:

• an actuating device for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said actuating device being adapted for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
• an occupant detection system for detecting a presence of an occupant within the compartment;
• a manual input device for actuating the release mechanism from within the compartment, said manual input device comprising a handle;
• a control which is operable to actuate said actuating device in response to at least one of said occupant detection system and said manual input device;
• and
• at least one self luminous light source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of said manual input device, said at least one self-luminous light source being mounted along said handle, wherein said handle further comprises a back lit cover plate along a surface thereof, said at least one self luminous light source being mounted within said handle such that said back lit cover plate substantially encases said at least one self luminous light source and is illuminated by said at least one self luminous light source.

A release module adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release module being positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release module adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment and comprising:

• an actuating device for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said actuating device being adapted for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
• an occupant detection system for detecting a presence of an occupant within the compartment;
• a manual input device for actuating the release mechanism from within the compartment;
• a control which is operable to actuate said actuating device in response to at least one of said occupant detection system and said manual input device;
• and
• at least one of an illumination source and an audio device, said control being operable to activate at least one of said illumination source and said audio device in response to an initial detection of an occupant by said occupant detection system.