Abstract: A wheelchair-dock system includes a floor including an elongated depression, a movable member, an actuator drivingly coupled to the member, and a position sensor coupled to the member. The depression defines a lateral direction. The member is movable in the lateral direction between an extended position over the depression and a retracted position.

Abstract: A wheelchair-dock system includes a floor including an elongated depression, a movable member, an actuator drivingly coupled to the member, and a position sensor coupled to the member. The depression defines a lateral direction. The member is movable in the lateral direction between an extended position over the depression and a retracted position.

Abstract: A cup holder includes a support, a first arm connected by a first pivot to the support and a second arm connected by a second pivot to the support. The cup holder further includes a first link connected by a third pivot to the first arm and by a fourth pivot to the second arm and a second link connected by a fifth pivot to the first arm and a sixth pivot to the second arm whereby the first arm and second arm are displaceable between a stowed position and a deployed position to hold a cup.

Abstract: A vehicle-trailer hitch angle sensor assembly includes a mounting bracket including a base, a body rotatably coupled with the bracket about an axis spaced apart from the base and biased toward the base, and a sensor array including a plurality of sensors extending in first and second directions along a face of the body.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers. An example camera housing for vehicle trailers includes a first body defining an aperture and a second body coupling to the first body to define a cavity. The example camera housing also includes a panel that slides along the first body toward an open position to expose the aperture as the cavity receives a camera and toward a closed position to cover the aperture as the camera is removed. The example camera housing also includes a spring biasing the panel toward the closed position.

Abstract: A tow hook assembly includes a U-shaped tow hook received in a housing. The U-shaped tow hook includes first and second legs where the first and second legs each include forward and rearward locking flanges. The legs of the U-shaped tow hooks are received in a housing. The housing includes springs which bias the U-shaped tow hook in a forward direction and the locking flanges prevent the U-shaped tow hook from moving in a forward direction. The springs allow the U-shaped tow hook to deflect in a rearward direction upon a forward impact with the U-shaped tow hook.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers. An example camera for vehicle trailers includes a casing. The casing defines a cavity and includes a first face defining a first window and a second face defining a second window. The example camera also includes a core including a lens and coupled to the casing within the cavity via an axle. The core rotates to enable capturing of images through the first window and the second window. The example camera also includes gears within the cavity to facilitate rotation of the core.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a push bar, and a damper connecting the push bar to the body structure. The damper includes a base and a rod that are movable relative to each other. The rod is attached to one of the push bar and the body structure, and the base is attached to the other of the push bar and the body structure. The damper is controllable to adjust a damping ratio of the damper and/or adjust a resting position of the rod relative to the base to axially move the push bar.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a self-aligning exhaust sensor joint. In one example, a system may include a tapered pipe having a flange at its wider end; a nut having a head, an externally threaded bottom, and a tapered inner cavity that is adapted to fit around the tapered pipe; and a boss having a threaded inner cavity that is adapted to engage with the threaded bottom of the nut and having an engagement cavity for receiving the flange. By inserting the flange into the engagement cavity, mating the externally threaded bottom of the nut with the threaded inner cavity of the boss, and torqueing the nut until a bottom surface of the externally threaded bottom pushes against the flange, a seal may be formed between the tapered pipe and the boss.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers. An example camera for vehicle trailers includes a casing. The casing defines a cavity and includes a first face defining a first window and a second face defining a second window. The example camera also includes a core including a lens and coupled to the casing within the cavity via an axle. The core rotates to enable capturing of images through the first window and the second window. The example camera also includes gears within the cavity to facilitate rotation of the core.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers. An example camera housing for vehicle trailers includes a first body defining an aperture and a second body coupling to the first body to define a cavity. The example camera housing also includes a panel that slides along the first body toward an open position to expose the aperture as the cavity receives a camera and toward a closed position to cover the aperture as the camera is removed. The example camera housing also includes a spring biasing the panel toward the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame and a bumper pivotally connected to the frame. An actuator is mounted to the frame and coupled to the bumper. The actuator is operable to pivot the bumper relative to the frame between a substantially vertical position and an angled position. A user interface is used to activate the actuator. A vehicle controller is programmed to receive a signal from the user interface, and responsive to receiving the signal, activate the actuator to pivot the bumper. The controller may also issue warnings to the driver when the bumper is in an incorrect position for the current driving conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle window wiper system includes a wiper arm having a sliding joint operated by a linear actuator which selectively extends and retract the sliding joint. A controller is configured to cause the linear actuator to selectively extend and retract the sliding joint. A wiper arm rotational position provided to the controller determines whether the wiper arm should be in an extended or a retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield, a barrier, a barrier actuator drivably coupled to the barrier, and a computer in communication with the barrier actuator. The barrier is movable between a retracted position exposing the windshield and an expanded position extending along a portion of the windshield. The computer is programmed to, upon determining that a risk of objects striking the windshield exceeds a threshold while the vehicle is traveling, instruct the barrier actuator to move the barrier from the retracted position to the expanded position.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for detecting or predicting an underride impact. An example vehicle includes a camera for capturing an image of a target vehicle, sensors for detecting a speed and heading of the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a target vehicle classification, determine an open space of the target vehicle, determine a closing speed between the vehicle and target vehicle, predict an underride impact based on the classification, open space, and closing speed, and responsively execute an impact action.

Abstract: A trailer yaw sensing apparatus is provided. The trailer yaw sensing apparatus includes a housing, a yaw sensor, and a docking station. The housing is configured for installation on a trailer. The housing defines apertures that are configured to engage fasteners for mounting yaw sensors in a plurality of orientations. The yaw sensor includes an external casing and is disposed within the housing. The docking station is affixed to the housing and is configured to receive a trailer-to-vehicle electrical connector.

Abstract: An imaging system attaches to a frame on an underside of a vehicle to form an enclosure with an open bottom. A fixed camera is mounted in the enclosure having a first field of view directed through the open bottom. A reflector is supported by a carrier mechanism having a linear section and a rotary section. The linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position which deploys the reflector through the open bottom. The rotary section rotates the reflector into an alignment with the camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectably deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment.