Abstract: A material includes a base polymer, cellulose fibers dispersed through the base polymer, a pigment coloring the base polymer and the cellulose fibers, and a sealant selected from epoxidized soybean oil and polyolefin. The sealant coats and seals the cellulose fibers.

Abstract: A vehicle access control system is disclosed and includes a touch sensitive display for generating an input image and controller configured to control the input image generated on the touch sensitive display responsive to information regarding a height of an operator. The system controls a lock actuatable responsive a signal from the controller.

Abstract: A composite material is provided. The composite material includes a polypropylene blend, at least one additive, and at least one structural filler in an amount between 1.0 wt. % and 10.0 wt. %. The polypropylene blend includes a homopolymer polypropylene having a minimum ASTM D638 tensile strength of 4,000 psi in an amount between 40 wt. % and 70 wt. %, a high crystallinity homopolymer polypropylene having a minimum ASTM D638 tensile strength of 6,000 psi in an amount between 5 wt. % and 30 wt. %, and an impact copolymer having a rubber content greater than zero and less than 30 wt. %, the impact copolymer being in an amount between 3 wt. % and 10 wt. %.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes a polypropylene material, a rubber material, a heat stabilizer in an amount between 0.25 wt. % and 3.0 wt. %, a coupling agent in an amount between 1.0 wt. % and 5.0 wt. %, and reinforcements in an amount between 5.0 wt. % and 40 wt. %. The polypropylene material is a recycled polypropylene material in an amount between 50 wt. % and 85 wt. %, while the rubber material is a recycled tire rubber material in an amount between 2.0 wt. % and 30 wt. %. The reinforcements may include fibers of glass, carbon, and recycled carbon fibers. Other forms of the composite material further include a flow enhancer in an amount between 0.01 wt. % and 2.0 wt. %.

Abstract: A composite material is provided. The composite material includes a polypropylene blend, at least one additive, and at least one structural filler in an amount between 1.0 wt. % and 10.0 wt. %. The polypropylene blend includes a homopolymer polypropylene having a minimum ASTM D638 tensile strength of 4,000 psi in an amount between 40 wt. % and 70 wt. %, a high crystallinity homopolymer polypropylene having a minimum ASTM D638 tensile strength of 6,000 psi in an amount between 5 wt. % and 30 wt. %, and an impact copolymer having a rubber content greater than zero and less than 30 wt. %, the impact copolymer being in an amount between 3 wt. % and 10 wt. %.

Abstract: A switch assembly comprising a housing configured to operably couple to a trim panel and defining a cavity, a feedback device operably coupled to the housing and positioned within the cavity, a printed circuit board operably coupled to the feedback device, a proximity sensor operably coupled to a connector and configured to actuate the feedback device, and a light source operably coupled the printed circuit board and configured to luminesce in response to actuation of the proximity sensor. The trim panel comprises a panel substrate operably coupled to a backup layer, an icon layer positioned within the cavity and operably coupled to the backup layer, an outline positioned about a periphery of the backup layer, and a translucent panel skin bonded to a foam layer positioned over the panel substrate, wherein the panel skin stretches over the panel substrate and the backup layer.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a sensor device that detects a location of a structure outside a vehicle, a running board moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure detected by the sensor. An exemplary running board deploying method includes, among other things, detecting a location of a structure outside a vehicle, and transitioning a running board from a stowed position to a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure.

Abstract: A material includes a base polymer, cellulose fibers dispersed through the base polymer, a pigment coloring the base polymer and the cellulose fibers, and a sealant selected from epoxidized soybean oil and polyolefin. The sealant coats and seals the cellulose fibers.

Abstract: An exemplary heatable keypad assembly includes, among other things, a touch-sensitive sensor providing a keypad, and a heating element that includes a conductive polymer-based material and is disposed adjacent the touch-sensitive sensor. An exemplary keypad heating method includes, among other things, holding a heating element having a conductive polymer-based material near a touch-sensitive sensor. The touch-sensitive sensor provides a keypad adjacent a transparent panel of a vehicle. The method further includes activating the conductive polymer-based material to heat an area of the transparent panel adjacent the keypad.

Abstract: An exemplary heatable keypad assembly includes, among other things, a touch-sensitive sensor providing a keypad, and a heating element that includes a conductive polymer-based material and is disposed adjacent the touch-sensitive sensor. An exemplary keypad heating method includes, among other things, holding a heating element having a conductive polymer-based material near a touch-sensitive sensor. The touch-sensitive sensor provides a keypad adjacent a transparent panel of a vehicle. The method further includes activating the conductive polymer-based material to heat an area of the transparent panel adjacent the keypad.

Abstract: A storage assembly for positioning between vehicle seats, includes an enclosable compartment that has opposing longitudinal sidewalls and opposing lateral sidewalls that are connected to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls to define an interior volume. A plurality of retention features are spaced along an upper edge of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing lateral sidewalls. A hanging storage module has a rigid panel suspended in the interior volume and a pair of support elements protrudes horizontally from opposing ends of the rigid panel to removably engage a corresponding pair of the plurality of retention features on a select one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing longitudinal sidewalls. The rigid panel has a side portion configured to vertically hold at least one object.

Abstract: A storage assembly for positioning between vehicle seats, includes an enclosable compartment that has opposing longitudinal sidewalls and opposing lateral sidewalls that are connected to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls to define an interior volume. A plurality of retention features are spaced along an upper edge of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing lateral sidewalls. A hanging storage module has a rigid panel suspended in the interior volume and a pair of support elements protrudes horizontally from opposing ends of the rigid panel to removably engage a corresponding pair of the plurality of retention features on a select one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing longitudinal sidewalls. The rigid panel has a side portion configured to vertically hold at least one object.

Abstract: A lighting system and method enables the generation of light in a manner that reduces the generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). In one embodiment, a light source emits light upon receiving a substantially linear signal that is generated in response to a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.

Abstract: A lighting system and method enables the generation of light in a manner that reduces the generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). In one embodiment, a light source emits light upon receiving a substantially linear signal that is generated in response to a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a lighting device configured to emit light having varying colors and intensities. In one embodiment, the emission of light occurs in response to pulse width modulated (PWM) signals generated by a control module. The lighting system may be programmed to emit light in accordance with user programming and various inputs.