Abstract: A vehicle interior panel such as an instrument panel includes a substrate having a thickness between 0.5 mm and 2.25 mm, inclusive, a decorative layer, and an intermediate layer located between the substrate and the decorative layer. A post-form warpage of the substrate is less than 15 mm at an edge region of the substrate. A serpentine rib located near the edge region helps impart structural rigidity to the panel during a foaming process to achieve an adequate degree of post-form warpage.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly comprising: a crossmember (2) including a first beam (4) and a second beam (6), a center support assembly (8) with a first structural arm (30), a second structural arm (32), and a center support bracket (34); wherein the first beam (4) is hollow and has a larger diameter than the second beam (6), and the second beam (6) is adapted to slide into the first beam (4).

Abstract: A fairing assembly for a vehicle and methods for mounting and removing portions of the fairing assembly are provided. The fairing assembly may be easily removed while a user is on the roadside. The fairing assembly may include a fairing, a lock, and a support coupled to a vehicle. The lock may be removably coupled to the support to allow for mounting and removal of the fairing when the lock is in an unlocked configuration. The support may include a plurality of mounting positions. The fairing and lock may be slid between mounting positions in the unlocked configuration. In a locked configuration, the lock may be engaged in a particular mounting position.

Abstract: Provided is a bumper apparatus of a robot, including: a bumper elastically coupled with a chassis of the robot; and at least one elastic element coupled to or interfacing with both the chassis and the bumper; wherein: the at least one elastic element facilitates movement of the bumper relative to the chassis upon impact with an object and disengagement from the object after impact; the at least one elastic element facilitates a return of the bumper to a neutral position upon disengaging from the object after impact; and the bumper covers at least a portion of the chassis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hybrid material panel assembly for a vehicle. The panel assembly includes a panel and a plurality of mounting flanges integrally formed with the panel. The panel is formed of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The plurality of mounting flanges are formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, where each of the plurality of mounting flanges include a mounting area that defines a mounting surface and at least one mounting hole. The first coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than the second coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for a vehicle, comprising a carrier component. A fastening point for fastening the carrier component is provided at a fastening area of the carrier component made of a fiber composite material, which specifies a position for a through-opening yet to be formed by the attachment of a fastening element along a direction of attachment and which forms at least one support element protruding along the direction of attachment, against which a head portion of the fastening element rests at least in a non-positive manner when a fastening portion of the fastening element properly extends through the material of the carrier component.

Abstract: An active rear airfoil arrangement (10) for a trailing area of a vehicle having a turbulence creating area. The arrangement (10) is for connection with a static rear horizontal spoiler (20) associated with the rear portion of a vehicle and includes an active rear horizontal spoiler (30a, 30b, 30c). The active rear horizontal spoiler (30a, 30b, 30c) moves to a deployed position and forms a flow passage (48a, 48b, 48c, 48d) that extends horizontally across the top of a liftgate (12). In another aspect of the invention the active rear airfoil arrangement (10) includes vertical left and right active spoilers (32a,32b; 36a,36b) that move to create a flow passage (74,76,88,90) on the left side and right side of a liftgate (12).

Abstract: An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a first frame subassembly and a second frame subassembly, each of the first and second frame subassemblies defining a wheel axle of a vehicle, the first frame subassembly including a first bridge portion oriented generally upward relative to the wheel axle, the second frame subassembly including a second bridge portion oriented generally downward relative to the wheel axle, and a central frame couplable to the first frame subassembly via the first bridge portion and couplable to the second frame subassembly via the second bridge portion, the central frame configured for a first ride height when coupled to the first frame subassembly and configured for a second ride height when coupled to the second frame subassembly, the first ride height greater than the second ride height.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an airfoil configured to be disposed at a distal end of a tank. In an illustrative example, the airfoil may be configured such that, when the tank travels at a predetermined minimum speed in a proximal direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tank, the airfoil coalesces off-coming air from the tank and distally repositions a low-pressure region downstream of the tank below a plane horizontal to the longitudinal axis. The region may be distally displaced, for example, by at least one of a length scale of the tank. A cross-section of the tank may, for example, define a substantially conic section. A span of the wing may, for example, be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The wing may, for example, be below an upper surface of the tank. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce turbulence in the wake of the tank.

Abstract: Described herein are aerodynamically enhanced sensor housings. An aerodynamically enhanced sensor housing has an asymmetrical lateral cross-section that includes a first portion having a substantially spherical curvature and a second portion having a non-spherical curvature. The second portion having the non-spherical curvature may be elongated in relation to the first portion. An aerodynamically enhanced housing can also include one or more indentations formed in an exterior surface thereof to further enhance drag reducing characteristics of the housing. In addition, air flow characteristics around the sensor housing during vehicle operation can be assessed and a drag reduction protocol can be generated and implemented to further enhanced the drag reducing characteristics of the sensor housing.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a quick release grill guard further comprising at least one latching system configured for the quick release and pivot of the grill guard away from the vehicle grill face. The quick release grill guard may comprises a vehicle coupling portion, a clasped member an elongate bar and a clasping member. The clasping member may be constructed and arranged to be releasably engaged with the clasped member. Further, actuation of the elongate bar may cause the clasping member and clasped member to disengage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotatable fairing panel at a rear end of a sleeper cab. The rotatable fairing panel covers an opening between a trailer attached to a vehicle and the sleeper cab of the vehicle. The rotatable fairing panel has a closed position and an opened position. At least one locking assembly locks the rotatable fairing panel in place when in the closed position. The at least one locking assembly is configured to be unlocked by a user such that the rotatable fairing panel may be rotated from the closed position to the opened position such that a user may access the opening between the trailer attached to the vehicle and the sleeper cab of the vehicle. The at least one locking assembly automatically locks when the user rotates the rotatable fairing panel into the closed position.

Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure for reducing second-order vibration of a windshield, and improving NVH performance in a vehicle cabin. A tower bar coupling each of left and right front suspension housings with a region around a vehicle-width-direction center portion of a cowl forming a lower edge of an opening for a front windshield has a center portion extending in a vehicle width direction along the cowl. A bracket extending from the cowl toward a front of a vehicle is provided in a region including a vehicle-width-direction center portion of the front windshield in the lower edge of the opening. The center portion of the tower bar is fixed to the bracket from above, and a reinforcement member supporting the fixing region from below is provided.

Abstract: An active spoiler system for a vehicle is disclosed that changes from a stowed position to a deployed position. In the stowed position, one or more flexible sheets are stored on rollers inside the body of the vehicle. The flexible sheets are pulled outward out of the body of the vehicle by a rigid bar that rotates around a pivot, in response to a controller. The deployed active spoiler may decrease drag thereby increasing fuel efficiency, while also allowing for the active spoiler to be stowed when not needed due to road or weather conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle, a server configured to store position information, and a skirt coupled to the vehicle. The skirt includes a graphical representation. A global positioning system (GPS) tracking device is coupled to the vehicle and is associated with the graphical representation. The GPS tracking device wirelessly is coupled to the server and includes an electronic processor and a memory. The electronic processor is configured to receive, via a GPS interface, a position of the graphical representation, and transmit, via a transceiver, the position of the graphical representation to the server. The position of the graphical representation is accessible via an application on a mobile device.

Abstract: To improve the appearance of a tailgate provided with a rear spoiler, a tailgate of a vehicle includes a tailgate main body having a rear window opening a rear spoiler extending rearward from a part of the tailgate main body above the rear window opening a rear window panel that is mounted on an outer peripheral portion of the rear window opening of an outer surface of the tailgate main body and closes the rear window opening and a plate-shaped shield member mounted on a lower surface of the rear spoiler so as to shield a space formed between the lower surface of the rear spoiler and an upper end portion of the rear window panel.

Abstract: A subframe structure includes: a pair of right and left vehicle body side frames disposed at side portions of a vehicle body; a pair of right and left longitudinal members extending along the pair of right and left vehicle body side frames at positions centrally spaced apart in a vehicle width direction for a predetermined distance from the vehicle body side frames; and a rear cross-member extending in the vehicle width direction between longitudinally rear portions of the pair of right and left longitudinal members. The rear cross-member has a first attachment portion, an extension portion, and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion is attached to the longitudinal member, the extension portion extends from the first attachment portion in a laterally outward and upward direction, and the second attachment portion is attached to the vehicle body side frame at a laterally outer end portion of the extension portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connecting structure between a quarter portion and a rear floor of a vehicle and, more specifically, to a connecting structure between a quarter and a rear floor, which can strengthen torsional rigidity of a vehicle body and secure durability of an opening of a tailgate.

Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus includes a downward airflow generator, a rearward airflow generator, and a controller. The downward airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow, and is disposed at a front edge of a movable body to generate the airflow traveling in downward direction. The rearward airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow, and is disposed at a lower surface of the movable body to generate the airflow traveling in a rearward direction. The controller is configured to perform switching between a lifting-force increase control and a lifting-force suppression control in accordance with a state of the movable body to execute one of the controls. The lifting-force increase control is a control of activating the downward airflow generator and deactivating the rearward airflow generator. The lifting-force suppression control is a control of deactivating the downward airflow generator and activating the rearward airflow generator.

Abstract: A safety system for detecting a body part in a dangerous area of a vehicle, a convertible roof having such a safety system and a corresponding method. The safety system includes at least one sensor node which respectively has a capacitive sensor and a processing unit, wherein the capacitive has at least one electrode and is designed to capture a capacitance change on account of a body part approaching the electrode, and wherein the processing unit is designed to generate capacitance change data on the basis of a capacitance change captured by the capacitive sensor; an evaluation unit which is designed to detect that there is a body part in a dangerous area at least on the basis of received capacitance change data; a data transmission device for transmitting the generated capacitance change data from a sensor node to the evaluation unit.