Abstract: A vehicle vent positioning apparatus includes a motion sensor, a blower of an HVAC system, a vent assembly, a positioning device and a controller. The motion sensor detects changes in direction of movement of a vehicle. The blower moves air into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The vent assembly is installed within the vehicle to direct airflow from the blower into a passenger compartment. The vent assembly includes at least one vane positionable to aim airflow into the passenger compartment in differing airflow directions. The positioning device is connected to the vane. The controller is configured to operate the positioning device to re-position the vane from aiming the airflow in a first airflow direction to aiming the airflow in a second airflow direction in response to the controller determining via signals from the motion sensor that the vehicle is changing direction of movement.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a first surface, a closure panel, an interactive display panel and a controller. The first surface has a first edge extending along an exterior portion of a vehicle and a second edge opposite the first edge extending along an interior portion of the vehicle. The first surface at least partially defines a door opening. The closure panel is movably coupled for movement between an open position exposing the first surface and a closed position covering the first surface such that a closure panel surface overlays the first surface. The interactive display panel is disposed along the first surface and is covered by the closure panel with the closure panel in the closed position and is exposed with the closure panel in the open position. The controller is in communication with the interactive display to display user inputted data on the interactive display panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a closure panel, a sill protector mounted adjacent to the closure panel, an energy harvesting device configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy, a storage device electrically connected to the energy harvesting device to store the electrical energy, an illumination member electrically connected to the storage device and configured to be powered by electrical energy supplied from the storage device, and a sensor connected to the sill protector and power the illumination member when movement of the closure panel is detected.

Abstract: An auxiliary power pack for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for converting energy from an ambient environment into electrical power, a storage device in communication with the energy harvesting device for storing energy in response to the electrical power, and an output interface in communication with the storage device for supplying the stored energy to an electronic device. The power pack further includes a portable housing for the energy harvesting system, the storage device and the output interface. The housing is configured for removable mounting to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle vent positioning apparatus includes a motion sensor, a blower of an HVAC system, a vent assembly, a positioning device and a controller. The motion sensor detects changes in direction of movement of a vehicle. The blower moves air into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The vent assembly is installed within the vehicle to direct airflow from the blower into a passenger compartment. The vent assembly includes at least one vane positionable to aim airflow into the passenger compartment in differing airflow directions. The positioning device is connected to the vane. The controller is configured to operate the positioning device to re-position the vane from aiming the airflow in a first airflow direction to aiming the airflow in a second airflow direction in response to the controller determining via signals from the motion sensor that the vehicle is changing direction of movement.

Abstract: An emblem device includes a back plate, an emblem and a lighting device. The emblem overlies the back plate, and has a translucent portion and an opaque portion. The lighting device is disposed between the emblem and the back plate, and is configured and arranged to be able to disperse light though the translucent portion of the emblem.

Abstract: A battery charging assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle battery and a charging module electrically connected to the vehicle battery and configured to supply electrical energy to the battery. An energy harvesting module is electrically connected to the charging module. The energy harvesting module is configured to harvest energy, to convert the harvested energy to electrical energy and to supply the electrical energy to the charging module. A cooling circuit supplies a cooling fluid to the energy harvesting module to cool the energy harvesting module.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for a vehicle includes a vehicle component having an outer surface facing an exterior of the vehicle and an inner surface facing an interior compartment of the vehicle, and an energy harvesting module disposed in the vehicle component. The energy harvesting module includes an accessory battery and first and second energy harvesting devices. The accessory battery is configured to supply power to a vehicle accessory. The first energy harvesting device is electrically coupled to the accessory battery and is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the exterior of the vehicle. The second energy harvesting device is electrically coupled to the accessory battery and is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the interior of the vehicle. The energy harvesting module converts the harvested ambient energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle includes a closure panel and a sill protector mounted adjacent to the closure panel. An energy harvesting device is configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy. A storage device is electrically connected to the energy harvesting device to store the electrical energy. An illumination member is electrically connected to the storage device and is configured to be illuminated by electrical energy supplied from the storage device. A sensor is connected to the sill protector and is configured to supply the stored electrical energy to the illumination member when movement of the closure panel is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a controller. The lighting fixture has a proximity detection layer and an illumination layer, with one of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer overlaying the other of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is operably connected to the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is configured to toggle the illumination layer on and off in response to detecting a first movement gesture at the proximity detection layer. The controller is configured to adjust a first prescribed lighting parameter of the light produced by the illumination layer in response to detecting a second movement gesture at the proximity detection layer.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement includes a cargo area wall structure and a lighting system. The cargo area wall structure includes a first wall surface facing a vehicle cargo area. The lighting system includes a rail, a mounting bracket and a lamp. The rail is fixedly coupled to the cargo area wall structure and defines a lamp receiving space located laterally between an outboard surface of the rail and the first wall surface. The mounting bracket includes a rail attachment section rigidly attached to the rail and a lamp attachment section. The lamp is attached to the lamp attachment section. The lamp is aimed to shine light beneath the mounting bracket and the rail toward the vehicle cargo area.

Abstract: An auxiliary power pack for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for converting energy from an ambient environment into electrical power, a storage device in communication with the energy harvesting device for storing energy in response to the electrical power, and an output interface in communication with the storage device for supplying the stored energy to an electronic device. The power pack further includes a portable housing for the energy harvesting system, the storage device and the output interface. The housing is configured for removable mounting to a vehicle.

Abstract: An emblem device includes an emblem body, a lighting device and a controller. The emblem body is configured to be positioned on a portion of a vehicle, and has a translucent portion and an opaque portion. The lighting device is configured and arranged to disperse light though the translucent portion of the emblem body. The controller is programmed to alter a status of the lighting device based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A vehicle emblem device includes a back plate, an emblem and a lighting device. The emblem overlies the back plate, and has a predetermined pattern. The lighting device is configured and arranged to project the predetermined pattern onto an adjacent surface.

Abstract: An emblem device includes a back plate, an emblem and a lighting device. The emblem overlies the back plate, and has a translucent portion and an opaque portion. The lighting device is disposed between the emblem and the back plate, and is configured and arranged to be able to disperse light though the translucent portion of the emblem.

Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a controller. The lighting fixture has a proximity detection layer and an illumination layer, with one of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer overlaying the other of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is operably connected to the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is configured to toggle the illumination layer on and off in response to detecting a first movement gesture at the proximity detection layer. The controller is configured to adjust a first prescribed lighting parameter of the light produced by the illumination layer in response to detecting a second movement gesture at the proximity detection layer.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a first surface, a closure panel, an interactive display panel and a controller. The first surface has a first edge extending along an exterior portion of a vehicle and a second edge opposite the first edge extending along an interior portion of the vehicle. The first surface at least partially defines a door opening. The closure panel is movably coupled for movement between an open position exposing the first surface and a closed position covering the first surface such that a closure panel surface overlays the first surface. The interactive display panel is disposed along the first surface and is covered by the closure panel with the closure panel in the closed position and is exposed with the closure panel in the open position. The controller is in communication with the interactive display to display user inputted data on the interactive display panel.

Abstract: A vehicle track lighted accessory includes a main body, a track attachment structure and a lamp. The track attachment structure is movably connected to the main body between a track attached orientation and a track released orientation. The lamp is at least partially disposed within the main body.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement includes a cargo area wall structure and a lighting system. The cargo area wall structure includes a first wall surface facing a vehicle cargo area. The lighting system includes a rail, a mounting bracket and a lamp. The rail is fixedly coupled to the cargo area wall structure and defines a lamp receiving space located laterally between an outboard surface of the rail and the first wall surface. The mounting bracket includes a rail attachment section rigidly attached to the rail and a lamp attachment section. The lamp is attached to the lamp attachment section. The lamp is aimed to shine light beneath the mounting bracket and the rail toward the vehicle cargo area.