Abstract: A vehicle taillight assembly is provided that includes a housing having a light transmissive lens, a brake light located in the housing, a strobe light located in the housing and a controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the brake light is activated. The strobe light may also be activated when a turn signal light or reverse light is activated. The strobe light has a light source illuminating light onto a light pipe.

Abstract: A disclosed tailgate accessory assembly includes an accessory body portion and a mount portion. The accessory body portion can include features that provide additional storage space, work surfaces or cargo securement features. The mount portion includes a first post spaced a distance from a second post, wherein each of the first post and the second post are configured for insertion into corresponding openings in a tailgate. A clip is provided for engaging a portion of the tailgate in a locked position for holding the accessory body portion to the tailgate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle headlamp de-condensation. An example exterior lamp of a vehicle includes a housing, a cover coupled to the housing to define a cavity, and a lamp assembly within the cavity. The lamp assembly includes an LED, a heat sink coupled to the LED that is configured to dissipate heat and define a chamber, desiccant located within the chamber to collect moisture from the cavity, and a vent fluidly coupled to the chamber to remove the moisture from the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes a housing. A light source is positioned within the housing. A lens is coupled with the housing. The lens defines a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of optical gratings is integrally defined in at least one of the first and second surfaces. The plurality of optical gratings is arranged in a spaced apart configuration.

Abstract: A vehicular lighting assembly (and methods of making the same) that includes a parabolic reflector; a condenser lens comprising a non-planar rear surface; an outer lens; a bezel between the lenses; and a light source that emanates light that strikes the reflector and exits the assembly through the condenser lens and the outer lens. Further, the non-planar rear surface of the condenser lens refracts ambient light entering the condenser lens away from the bezel. In embodiments, the non-planar rear surface can comprise a convex or a concave surface.

Abstract: A running board top plate is provided that comprises a plurality of light-diffusing waveguides, a reflective layer positioned around a portion of each light-diffusing waveguide, a base layer configured to receive one or more of the light-diffusing waveguides and the reflective layer, and a clear lens layer positioned over the light-diffusing waveguides, the reflective layer, and the base layer.

Abstract: A vehicular lighting assembly (and methods of making the same) that includes a parabolic reflector; a translucent lens element; and a light source configured to emanate light that strikes an interior surface of the reflector and exits the assembly through the element. Further, an interior surface of the lens element comprises one or more fluted regions that are substantially invisible and configured to refract light from the source away from oncoming vehicles. In addition, the fluted region can be within, on, or integral with, the interior and/or exterior surfaces of the lens element in certain configurations.

Abstract: A running board top plate is provided that comprises a plurality of light-diffusing waveguides, a reflective layer positioned around a portion of each light-diffusing waveguide, a base layer configured to receive one or more of the light-diffusing waveguides and the reflective layer, and a clear lens layer positioned over the light-diffusing waveguides, the reflective layer, and the base layer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a running board assembly for a motor vehicle, and in particular relates to a heated running board and a corresponding method. An exemplary running board assembly includes a running board with a deck having a plurality of spaced-apart raised sections. The raised sections are made of a thermally conductive polymer and include an electrically conductive element configured to allow electric current to flow through the raised sections.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for operating a rear camera with an embedded defroster and proximity switch. An example vehicle includes a rear view camera having a lens, an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coating applied to the lens, and a control system. The control system is configured to detect a water-based obstruction on the lens, run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction, detect a lens touch event, and release a vehicle trunk latch responsive to the lens touch event.

Abstract: A vehicular lighting assembly (and methods of making the same) that includes a parabolic reflector; a translucent lens element; and a light source configured to emanate light that strikes an interior surface of the reflector and exits the assembly through the element. Further, an interior surface of the lens element comprises one or more fluted regions that are substantially invisible and configured to refract light from the source away from oncoming vehicles. In addition, the fluted region can be within, on, or integral with, the interior and/or exterior surfaces of the lens element in certain configurations.

Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a light source, and a lens arrangement configured to direct light from the light source in a first direction toward a running board and a second direction away from the vehicle. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dome light assembly that includes a light-producing element comprising a polymeric film between two glass substrates, a reflective surface facing an interior, and a plurality of edges; and a controller configured to direct LED sources to (a) excite photoluminescent structures within the element to transmit decorative light patterns, and (b) transmit functional light patterns, into the interior. Further, the sources are configured to direct incident light into the edges.

Abstract: A door entry system for a vehicle is provided. The door entry system for a vehicle includes a door, an actuator, a puddle lamp generating light beam, a light sensor configured to sense reflected light from the light beam, and a controller processing a light signal generated by the light sensor and controlling activation of the actuator to open the door in response to sensing a user entering the beam of light.

Abstract: A vehicle light assembly including a housing, a light source, a lens disposed in front of the light source, a light sensor disposed in the housing outside of light output from the light source directed at the lens for sensing light reflected off the lens caused by moisture, and a heater disposed on the lens for reducing the moisture when moisture is sensed.

Abstract: A light assembly is provided herein. The light assembly includes a pair of light assemblies disposed on opposing sides of a rear portion of a vehicle. Each light assembly includes a housing and a lens. A light source is disposed in the housing and is configured to create a first predefined illumination pattern. A controller is configured to selectively activate the first illumination pattern from one of the pair of housings corresponding to a direction of a vehicle steering wheel rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle taillight assembly is provided that includes a housing having a light transmissive lens, a brake light located in the housing, a strobe light located in the housing and a controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the brake light is activated. The strobe light may also be activated when a turn signal light or reverse light is activated. The strobe light has a light source illuminating light onto a light pipe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle headlamp de-condensation. An example exterior lamp of a vehicle includes a housing, a cover coupled to the housing to define a cavity, and a lamp assembly within the cavity. The lamp assembly includes an LED, a heat sink coupled to the LED that is configured to dissipate heat and define a chamber, desiccant located within the chamber to collect moisture from the cavity, and a vent fluidly coupled to the chamber to remove the moisture from the cavity.

Abstract: An illumination assembly is provided herein. The illumination assembly includes a first light source configured to generate an illumination pattern. A second light source is configured to generate an image within the illumination pattern. A lens is optically coupled with the first and second light sources. A controller is configured to control the activation state of the first and second light sources.

Abstract: A vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a liftgate rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and a video projector mounted to the liftgate. Further, the video projector is configured to project video in a direction away from the vehicle when the liftgate is in the open position. This disclosure also relates to a video projector operable in a video projection mode and a secondary mode, and further relates to a method.