Abstract: A window regulator comprises: a carrier plate having a front surface and a rear surface, the carrier plate configured to be attached to a guide rail with the rear surface facing the guide rail; a first lifter attachment portion spaced from a second lifter attachment portion, the first lifter attachment portion and the second lifter attachment portion integral with the carrier plate and each having a lifter aperture configured to receive a window lifter; a flange extending at an angle along a length of an edge of the front surface of the carrier plate; and a window protection system proximate to the first lifter attachment portion and the second lifter attachment portion. At least a part of the window protection system is configured to extend beyond a distal edge of the flange in a front-facing direction.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicle operational management may include traversing, by an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle transportation network. Traversing the vehicle transportation network may include operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance, wherein the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance is an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module, wherein the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module implements a partially observable Markov decision process. Traversing the vehicle transportation network may include receiving a candidate vehicle control action from the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance, and traversing a portion of the vehicle transportation network based on the candidate vehicle control action.

Abstract: A battery housing is configured to encase multiple battery cells comprises a supercapacitor shell. The supercapacitor shell comprises two layers each of carbon fiber reinforced with plastic; an electrode between the two layers, the electrode comprising negative electrode material, positive electrode material, and an electrolyte; a positive electrode terminal connected to the carbon fiber of one of the two layers; and a negative electrode terminal connected to the carbon fiber of another of the two layers. Edges of the two layers are laminated together to contain the electrode with the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal extending external to the laminated edges.

Abstract: A front fender cover attachment assembly for a vehicle includes a windshield molding, a hook assembly, a front fender cover, and an engaging member. The windshield molding is configured to receive a windshield. The hook assembly is connected to an end of the windshield molding. The front fender cover is configured to engage the hook assembly of the windshield molding. The engaging member is connected to the front fender cover and configured to engage the hook assembly. A free end of the hook assembly extends in a vehicle inboard direction.

Abstract: A vehicle side mirror assembly includes a base member configured to be attached to a vehicle. A sensor is non-rotatably attached to the base member. A mirror housing is connected to the base member. An actuator is disposed within the mirror housing. A mirror assembly is connected to the actuator such that movement of the actuator controls a position of the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate assembly includes a vehicle body structure, a tailgate, a hinge assembly and a bumper. The vehicle body structure defines a tailgate opening and having a hinge support section. The tailgate is installed to the vehicle body structure for movement between an upright orientation and a horizontal orientation. The hinge assembly has a first portion installed to the hinge support section and a second portion installed to the tailgate. The bumper is installed to the vehicle body structure proximate the hinge support section such that with the tailgate in the upright orientation, the second portion of the hinge assembly contacts the bumper.

Abstract: An outer door panel and an inner door panel are fixed to one another defining a cavity therebetween. A door handle assembly is fixedly attached to the outer door panel, with at least a portion of the door handle assembly overlaying an inboard surface of the outer door panel within the cavity. An inboard portion of the door handle assembly has a connection structure. An upwardly extending bracket within the cavity is fixed to an upper end and a lower end of at least one of the inner door panel or the outer door panel. The upwardly extending bracket is spaced apart from the door handle assembly. A vibration absorbing member has a first end fixed to the connection structure of the door handle assembly and a second end attached to the upwardly extending bracket at a location spaced apart from upper and lower ends of the upwardly extending bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle rear bumper assembly includes a vehicle body structure, an exhaust system and a rear bumper fascia. The exhaust system is attached to the vehicle body structure and has an exhaust pipe. The rear bumper fascia has a main body and a finisher extension. The main body is attached to the vehicle body structure and has a recessed area shaped and dimensioned to complement the shape of the exhaust pipe. The finisher extension extends away from the main body proximate the recessed area. The main body and the finisher extension are formed with a living hinge therebetween such that the finisher extension is pivotable about the living hinge from an extending orientation to a finishing orientation. In the extending orientation, the finisher extension is spaced apart from the recessed area. In the finishing orientation, the finisher extension is located within the recessed area adjacent to the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a barrier is disclosed that is configured for connection to a vehicle dash assembly including an HVAC opening defined by a flange. The barrier includes a body that is configured to obstruct a flow of suds into the HVAC opening, and at least one clip that is supported on the body. The body includes open upper and rear portions to allow for continued airflow through the HVAC opening, and the at least one clip includes first and second clip members defining a receiving space therebetween that is configured to receive the flange such that the first and second clip members are positioned on opposite sides of the flange.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in inspecting a vehicle's air filter. The system includes a receptacle defining an enclosed interior space that is configured to receive the air filter, and a light source that is positioned within the receptacle. The receptacle includes an upper wall with an aperture that is arranged in generally parallel relation to the air filter, and the light source is configured to support the air filter such that the light source backlights the air filter to facilitate capture of an image of the air filter through the aperture in the upper wall of the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote support of autonomous operation of a vehicle includes a processor that is configured to perform a method including receiving, from a vehicle traversing a driving route from a start point to an end point at a destination, an assistance request signal identifying an inability of the vehicle at the destination to reach the end point, generating a first map display including a representation of a geographical area and the vehicle within the geographical area, receiving, from the vehicle, sensor data from one or more sensing devices of the vehicle, generating a remote support interface including the first map display and the sensor data, and transmitting instruction data to the vehicle that includes an alternative end point at the destination responsive to an input signal provided to the remote support interface.

Abstract: A lithium metal battery has a cathode current collector, a cathode active material layer, an electrolyte, and an anode current collector host structure interfacing with the electrolyte. The anode current collector host structure comprises a conductive layer, a non-conductive layer on the conductive layer, and recesses formed through the non-conductive layer and into the conductive layer, each recess having an opening in the non-conductive layer with a width that is smaller than a largest width of the recess.

Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes a front bumper assembly, an overrider bracket, and a vehicle sensor. The front bumper assembly has a reinforcement bracket and a first energy absorbing member attached to forward portions of a vehicle body structure. The reinforcement bracket is located rearward of and spaced apart from a forward section of the first energy absorbing member defining a space therebetween. The first energy absorbing member further has a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion with a central gap defined therebetween. The overrider bracket is installed to the reinforcement bracket and is located within the central gap between the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion. The overrider bracket defines a pocket area with a second energy absorbing member installed within the pocket area. The vehicle sensor is supported to vehicle body structure and positioned above the second energy absorbing member.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a first energy absorbing member extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle. A reinforcement member extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle and is connected to the first energy absorbing member. A second energy absorbing member is connected to the reinforcement member. The second energy absorbing member includes a first bracket member configured to be connected to a vehicle body structure of the vehicle. A retaining member extends outwardly from the first bracket member. The retaining member has a first portion having a substantially constant first height and a second portion having a second height less than the first height. At least one first compression member is movably disposed in the retaining member. The at least one first compression member is configured to move through the retaining member responsive to an impact event.

Abstract: A truck bracket assembly including a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket is provided to mount a sports bar to a side panel of a vehicle truck bed. The first bracket has a panel facing surface that faces the side panel. The second bracket has a first portion supported to the panel facing surface of the first bracket. The second bracket has a second portion that extends cantilevered with respect to the first portion.

Abstract: A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

Abstract: A vehicle work area assembly includes a tailgate moved to a horizontally oriented position. The tailgate has a main surface with a utility track fixed thereto. A fence accessory is releasably attached to the utility track and is positioned and fixed to any of a plurality of locations to the utility track. The fence accessory defines a stop location for one end of a workpiece. A clamp accessory releasably attaches to the utility track such that the clamp accessory temporarily clamps the workpiece to the main surface such that the workpiece can be measured and/or cut.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel, a pillar panel and a first cushioning pad. The inner door panel has an attachment area, a first edge portion and a second edge portion, with the first edge portion defining hinge attachment locations. The pillar panel is fixedly attached to at least the second edge portion and the attachment area such that the inner door panel and the pillar panel define a hollow B-pillar structure. The pillar panel further includes an offset portion that is spaced apart from a central portion of the attachment area of the inner door panel such that the attachment area and the offset portion define a recessed area therebetween. The first cushioning pad has a main body installed within the recessed area between the offset portion of the pillar panel and the inner door panel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising a first anode metal, an anode current collector, a cathode comprising a first cathode metal, a cathode current collector, and an electrolyte layer between the anode and the cathode. The electrolyte layer comprises a mesoporous material of polymer or glass and a salt electrolyte filling pores of the mesoporous material, wherein the pores are interconnected and the salt electrolyte is a salt of the first anode metal.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle wheel is disclosed that includes a cover and a backbone. The cover includes recessed portions and non-recessed portions defining inner surfaces that are spaced about a periphery of the cover, and the backbone defines at least one first support that is configured and positioned for contact with the inner surfaces defined by the recessed portions and at least one second support that is configured and positioned for contact with the inner surfaces defined by the non-recessed portions.