Abstract: A trim cover for a seat assembly includes a front trim cover having first and second sides with first zipper portions disposed on the first and second sides. First and second intermediate strips include first and second ends. The first ends of the intermediate strips include second zipper portions that releasably couple to the first zipper portions of the front trim cover. A rigid back panel includes first and second sides that are operably coupled to the second ends of the first and second intermediate strips. The back panel is coupled to the front trim cover through the intermediate strips. The back panel is a rigid self-supporting member that is pierceable along an edge portion thereof, such that the second ends of the intermediate strips are stitched to the back panel in assembly.

Abstract: A telematics control unit (TCU) receives a short message service (SMS) message from a phone number of a mobile device and identifies an updated network address of the mobile device from the message. The TCU sends the updated network address of the mobile device to a packet data network (PDN) server configured to route data traffic between the network address of the mobile device and the vehicle. The PDN server communicates over a data network with a telematics control unit (TCU) of a vehicle and maintains a list of identification numbers of mobile devices and corresponding network addresses of the mobile devices for the TCU. The PDN server receives an updated network address associated with an identification number of a mobile device from the TCU; and updates the list with the updated network address of the mobile device.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a locking mechanism to secure a charge plug to a charge port of a vehicle. The system includes a wireless transceiver and a near field communication transceiver. The system further includes a controller programmed to, responsive to receiving a request to disengage the locking mechanism during charging, send the request to a vehicle owner via the wireless transceiver, and, responsive to receiving an unlock command via the wireless transceiver, disengage the locking mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure details electrified vehicle drive systems equipped with electric machine integrated axle assemblies. An exemplary electrified vehicle drive system includes a leaf spring assembly and an axle assembly mounted to the leaf spring assembly. The axle assembly may include a cradle and an electric machine mounted within the cradle. Shocks and stabilizer bar assemblies may extend between the cradle and a vehicle frame of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a vehicle including a seating assembly including a temperature altering element, a controller in communication with the temperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activation of the temperature altering element as a function of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured to allow the temperature altering element to be manually activated or deactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant; collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while the first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to activate the temperature alt

Abstract: A method of managing water entering through a hood vent includes steps of: collecting the water in a water collection tray of the hood vent, delivering the water, through a first water drain of the hood vent, to a water channel of a hood insulator and discharging the water from a second water drain in the hood insulator.

Abstract: A curable composition includes (A) a first component having from 5.0 wt % to 39.0 wt %, based on the total weight of the first component, of a toughening agent component including a Bisphenol F based epoxy resin and an urethane acrylate component, a hardener component having at least one amine based hardener and is present in a ratio of 0.8 to 1.2, based on a number of equivalents of amino hydrogen groups in the hardener component to a number of equivalents of reactive groups in the first component capable of forming a covalent link with the amine reactive groups in the hardener, and an epoxy base component that accounts for a remainder of the total weight of the first component and that has at least one epoxy resin separately provided from the Bisphenol F based epoxy resin. The Bisphenol F based epoxy resin is present in an amount from 2.5 wt % to 50.0 wt % and the urethane acrylate component is present in an amount from 50.0 wt % to 97.5 wt %, based on the total weight of the toughening agent component.

Abstract: A vehicle door check mechanism includes a bellows to act as a pneumatic retarder to prevent a high load from being transferred from the door check mechanism to a structural part of a door of the motor vehicle if that door is opened to a fully open position at high speed.

Abstract: An assembly includes a seat. The assembly includes a buckle supported by the seat. The assembly includes a buckle mechanism pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The assembly includes a latch plate supported by the carrier and engaged with the buckle when the buckle mechanism is in the latching position and the carrier is in the extended position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air outlet for a heating and ventilation or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, wherein the air outlet has a body defining an air discharge opening, over which at least one elongate louver extends, which is pivotable about a longitudinal axis. At least one electric or electronic display and/or operating element of the heating and ventilation or air-conditioning system of the motor vehicle is integrated in the at least one louver, wherein each display and/or operating element is carried by the louver and is substantially flush with a substantially flat surface of the louver.

Abstract: An exhaust sensor module assembly has a sensor module and a shield. The shield is shaped to receive the module. The shield has a first mounting leg and a first flange extending from a first end of a base plate, and a second mounting leg and a second flange extending from a second end of the base plate. The shield is rotationally symmetric about an axis extending through and normal to the base plate.

Abstract: A mounting bracket to hold a console frame member includes a base support component, a first side component plate, and a second side component plate. The base support component includes a base portion and a back support portion having a first end and a second end. The base portion is fixed to a floor of a vehicle and the back support portion vertically extends from the base portion. The first side component plate and second side component plates extend toward a front side of the mounting bracket from the first end and the second end. The base support component, the first side component plate, and the second side component plate collectively form an impact absorbing section.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an ultrasonic sensor including a layer of material such that vibration of the material is indicative of frequency of transmitted and received ultrasonic signals, and a controller configured to, through electrical excitation, cause the material to vibrate to transmit an inquiry ultrasonic signal and, responsive to receiving from an object an acknowledgement ultrasonic signal having frequency different from frequency of the inquiry signal, steer the vehicle from the object.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first panel having an opening, a second panel configured to cover the opening, and at least one swing clamp attached to the second panel. The swing clamp is configured to clamp the second panel to the first panel. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an iridescent, vehicular trim assembly is provided that includes: molding a polymeric base comprising an exterior surface; and over-molding an element over at least a portion of the exterior surface. The element comprises a polymeric, translucent material and an exterior surface with an integral diffraction grating having a thickness from 250 to 1000 nm and a period from 50 nanometers to 5 microns. Further, the molding can be conducted such that the polymeric base is molded with a tint. The method can also include forming a plated region over the exterior surface of the base. In addition, the method can also include cleaning the plated region with a plasma-etching process before the over-molding.

Abstract: A waterborne coating composition including: an aqueous emulsion polymer having a copolymerized Phosphorous-acid monomer, an aqueous dispersion of cement, and a solid inert filler, each in certain amounts, is provided. A method for providing a coated substrate employing the waterborne coating composition that has been subsequently activated and the coated substrate so formed are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an ignition coil dwell time based on an estimated ignition coil temperature. In one example, a method may include estimating the ignition coil temperature based on heat transfer between engine and the ignition coil, heat transfer between ambient and the ignition coil, and internal resistive heating of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A glove box assembly includes a first tab adapted for coupling to a dashboard substrate. A glove box door includes a second tab. The glove box assembly includes a living hinge. A hinge pin is located within the tabs. The tabs are pivotably coupled to the hinge pin and the living hinge retains a longitudinal position of the hinge pin.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, and a first one-way clutch. The torque converter has an impeller rotatably coupled to the engine. The torque converter also has a turbine. The first one-way clutch is configured to, responsive to turbine and electric machine speeds being equal, couple the turbine and electric machine in a first rotational direction to transfer power from the turbine to the electric machine. The first one-way clutch is also configured to, responsive to electric machine speed being greater than turbine speed, isolate the turbine from the electric machine.

Abstract: A stability control system for a vehicle that has an electric traction motor that provides torque to an axle through a differential. The traction motor responds to an instability event that is sensed by sensors on the vehicle by initially reducing the torque provided to the traction wheels to regain steering control. The traction motor then pulses increased torque in sequence with the application of braking force to provide enhanced direct yaw moment control.