Abstract: At least some implementations of a gear shift control system include first and second drive members, a drivetrain selectively driven by the first and second drive members and a retainer. The drivetrain includes a first input driven by the first drive member, a second input and an output coupled to and selectively driven by both the first input and the second input. The second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output through the second input during a second mode of operation to cause a transmission gear shift. The retainer is selectively coupled to the second input and movable between first and second positions to permit movement of the second input during the second mode of operation and prevent such movement during a first mode of operation.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire assembly for a steering system in a vehicle is described. The system includes a shaft rotatable in response to a steering input, a clutch that includes a brake member rotatable with the shaft and a reaction member, and an electromagnetic actuator that is selectively actuated to selectively provide a force to selectively engage the brake and reaction members. When the actuator is not actuated, the force between the brake and reaction members limits or prevents rotation of the brake member relative to the reaction member. And when the actuator is actuated, the force between the brake and reaction members is reduced or removed to permit rotation of the brake member relative to the reaction member.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a motor vehicle window assembly includes a guide rail, a movable pane movable along the guide rail between open and closed positions and a defroster. First and second guide rail conductors are carried by the guide rail and adapted to be connected to a power source. First and second movable conductors are each electrically communicated with a respective one of the first and second guide rail conductors, each electrically coupled to the defroster and each movable with the movable pane relative to guide rail when the movable pane is moved between the open and closed positions. To provide power to the defroster, the movable conductors are in contact with the guide rail conductors when the movable pane is in the closed position and during movement of the movable pane between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method for autonomously parking or un-parking a motor vehicle includes locating the motor vehicle relative to a parking area, selecting a destination location within the parking area, generating a path from the location of the motor vehicle to the destination location, wherein the path includes a plurality of linked nodes, each node having a cost associated therewith, wherein the cost of a child node is equal to an inherited cost plus a base cost and a change cost, wherein the change cost is a function of characteristics of a parent node, and autonomously driving the motor vehicle along the path from the location of the motor vehicle to the destination location.

Abstract: A connecting device for coupling first and second members includes a body having a first leg and a second leg integrally connected to the first leg. The first leg and the second leg are oriented at an angle with respect to each other. A rigid material core extends through both the first leg and the second leg, the core including a first core member integrally connected to a second core member. The first core member is angularly oriented with respect to the second core member such that the core defines a geometric shape. A resilient material sleeve commonly covers the core of both the first leg and the second leg. The first leg is frictionally received in a first member and the second leg is frictionally received in a second member to couple the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A parking brake control assembly having a brake actuator includes an engagement member, a retention member, a release actuator, and a biasing member. In a first position of brake actuator, the retention member is arranged to engage the engagement member upon movement of the brake actuator from a first position to a second position to hold the brake actuator in the second position. Movement of the brake actuator from the first to the second position causes the release actuator to move relative to the retention member such that the biasing member provides a force on the retention member tending to disengage the retention member from the engagement member so that upon movement of the brake actuator to return the brake actuator from the second position to the first position, the retention member disengages from the engagement member enabling the brake actuator to be returned to the first position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly includes a body formed of a metallic sheet having multiple apertures created therein. At least one reinforcement member of a polymeric material is integrally connected to the body proximate to and surrounding at least two of the multiple apertures. At least one connecting member of the polymeric material is integrally connected to each of the at least one reinforcement member, and extends away from the at least two of the multiple apertures on the body. At least one joining member of the polymeric material is integrally connected to the at least one reinforcement member and integrally connected to the body.

Abstract: A method for projecting information from a motor vehicle to an observer external to the motor vehicle includes receiving, by a controller, a data signal indicative of an operating state of the motor vehicle from a sensor, determining, using the controller, a projection profile based on the data signal which includes a dynamic feature and indicative of a status of the motor vehicle, and continuously projecting the projection profile onto a surface on which the motor vehicle is traveling using a dynamic projector system that animates the dynamic feature.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a spare wheel to a motor vehicle with a tether, the spare wheel having at least one bolt hole, includes an eyelet bracket having a first member angled with respect to a second member, the first member connectable to the tether and the second member defining an eyelet, a rod that defines an axis and is connected to the first member, the rod configured to be disposed in the bolt hole of the spare wheel, and a clip connected to the second member, the clip having a retaining feature extended towards the rod and a tab extended through the eyelet. The second member of the eyelet bracket prevents the eyelet bracket from rotating about the axis and the retaining feature of the clip prevents the eyelet bracket from moving in one direction along the axis.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for a vehicle that includes a shift lever connected to a shifter and in communication with the vehicle and a transmission. A display is positioned on the shift lever indicating data of the vehicle or transmission. A start button is positioned on the shift lever and is linked with an ignition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly includes a metallic sheet body. A body shelf defines a plane having multiple apertures. Each of the apertures is at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending away from the plane defined by the shelf. A first leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures is integrally connected to the shelf and is angularly oriented with respect to the shelf, and a second leg of the peripheral flange is angularly oriented with respect to the first leg. A reinforcement member of a polymeric material is integrally connected to at least the second leg of the peripheral flange. Multiple ribs formed of the polymeric material directly contact a surface of the body to stiffen the body. The ribs extend between successive peripheral flanges and integrally connect to the reinforcement member of the peripheral flanges.

Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly, one implementation of which includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window is in an open position. At least one implementation of the window assembly includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of the movable window, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window moves in a direction extending away from the open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window.

Abstract: A heated sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed window. A rail is attached to the fixed window. A sliding window is moveable along the rail between open and closed positions. The sliding window includes a heater grid and an electrical contact. A conductive member is attached to the at least one fixed window. The conductive member provides electrical coupling between the conductive member and the electrical contact through the entire movement range of the sliding window between the open and closed positions for providing current to the heater grid.

Abstract: A park brake assembly includes a base. A park brake lever is pivotal about the base. A pawl is pivotal about a pawl pivot. The pawl is linked to the brake lever. A sector is attached to the base and the pawl releasably locks and unlocks relative to the sector. The pawl includes a pivot slot that receives the pawl pivot and wherein the pawl translates about the pawl pivot changing an angle of engagement of the pawl relative to the sector when subjected to a force.

Abstract: A spare tire receptacle for a vehicle includes a receptacle body having a recessed portion and at least one side wall that extends from the recessed portion includes a monolithically formed cross car beam formed therein. The side wall extends to a body portion. A reinforcement structure is attached to the main body. The reinforcement structure includes a plurality of reinforcement members that extend radially from a central position of the recessed portion and a plurality of rib members that interconnect the reinforcement members. The receptacle body and reinforcement structure are formed of differing materials defining a hybrid structure.

Abstract: A modular hybrid cross-car beam assembly includes a base tube having opposed first and second free ends. Multiple assemblies are individually connected to the base tube, each of the assemblies having multiple metal plates coupled together by an overmolding of a polymeric material and each of the assemblies having at least one metal flange lacking the overmolding of the polymeric material. First and second end attachment portions are each connected to one of the base tube first or second free ends. The metal flange of each of the assemblies and the first and second end attachment portions are connected to the base tube using fasteners, the modular hybrid cross-car beam assembly having no welded connections.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly may be used to shift among gears of a vehicle transmission. The shift lever assembly may be of a so-called shift-by-wire type where a shift lever is not directly mechanically coupled to the transmission but is electrically communicated with the transmission to effect transmission gear changes. A driver may move the shift lever through a shift stroke to cause a transmission gear change, and, for example, when the driver releases the shift lever, an actuator may automatically return the shift lever to a home position during a return stroke. The shift lever assembly may include feedback features that provide feedback to the driver that the shift lever is moving among various positions during the shift stroke, and the assembly may be configured so that the shift lever returns to the home position with less or no feedback features being encountered during the return stroke.

Abstract: An actuator assembly may include a drive, a gear set coupled with the drive, an interface member coupled to the gear set, and an output coupled to the interface member. In at least one position of the interface member the gear set binds to prevent backdrive of the output.

Abstract: A transit window assembly for a vehicle includes a panel. A support frame is attached to the panel. An egress frame is removably attached to the support frame. A mounting frame is attached to the vehicle. The egress frame is linked to the mounting frame. A release actuator is attached to the egress frame. A latching mechanism is coupled to the release actuator latching and unlatching the panel relative to the mounting frame preventing and allowing movement of the panel relative to the mounting frame between open and closed positions. The latching mechanism is attached to the egress frame and mounting frame and retains the panel in two directions.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rail system includes a roof rail, a vehicle roof structure and a vehicle body structure. A tolerance compensator is disposed between the roof structure and the body structure. The tolerance compensator has an internal, oversized entry. The tolerance compensator includes an anchor fixing the tolerance compensator to the vehicle roof structure. A fastener passes through the oversized internal entry of the tolerance compensator linking the roof structure and body structure. An angle compensator is attached to the tolerance compensator. The angle compensator adjusts a contact angle of the tolerance compensator with the vehicle body structure.