Abstract: A vehicle component may include a crossbeam, a cylinder, a piston, a panel, and a heterogeneous mixture. The cylinder has a chamber and is fixed relative to the crossbeam. The piston is linearly movable in the chamber. The panel is fixed relative to the piston. The heterogeneous mixture is enclosed by the piston in the chamber. The heterogeneous mixture includes hydrophobic nanoporous particles and a liquid.

Abstract: A vehicle running board includes opposing vertical walls extending along a length of a tubular structure and including a carbon-fiber component. Opposing horizontal walls extend between the opposing vertical walls and include a glass component. The opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls form the tubular structure having a generally rectilinear cross section. A polymer outer covering extends over the opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a sleeve and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. A smaller initialization piston extends from the piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a first chamber. The sleeve is within the cylinder and receives the initialization piston. The sleeve and the initialization piston define an initialization chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: A ride-share server communicates with both a primary-connected device and a secondary-connected device over a wide-area network. The ride-share server is programmed to receive a request from the secondary-connected device to apply a setting change to a vehicle, and responsive to verifying the secondary-connected device is authorized to command the vehicle, send a second request to the primary-connected device to direct the primary-connected device to command the vehicle to implement the setting change. A secondary-connected device is in communication with a ride-share server over a wide-area network and programmed to send a request to the ride-share server to change a vehicle setting. A primary-connected device is in communication with a computing platform via a device link interface over a local-area connection and with the ride-share server over the wide-area network, and is programmed to request the computing platform to change the setting responsive to validation from the ride-share server.

Abstract: A selective torque transfer device is provided to transfer torque between one rotating component and a decoupled non-rotating component. The torque transfer device has an input shaft that extends along an axis and is connected to an input hub. The input shaft and input hub rotate about the axis on which they extend. A slider is disposed within the input hub and is capable of moving in a direction transverse to the axis. An output shaft extends along the axis and is connected to an output hub. The output shaft and output hub rotate about the axis on which they extend when the selective torque transfer device is in the engaged position. A link pivotally connects the output hub to the slider. The input hub is configured to rotate about its axis to create a torque.

Abstract: An engine system has a balance gear coupled to a balance shaft. The balance gear is formed by a disc having first and second opposite sides extending radially outwardly to a circumferential edge defining a series of teeth, with a first sector of the disc having a first aperture therethrough, and a second opposite sector of the disc having a second aperture therethrough. A damper is positioned within the second aperture and extends across the disc. The damper has a container enclosing a plurality of particles therein. Opposed ends of the container are outboard of the first and second sides of the disc. A method of forming the balance gear is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device holder is provided that comprises a support member operably coupled to a housing and pivotable between first and second positions. The support member includes first and second arms defining a slot. The electronic device holder further comprises a locking assembly disposed within a cavity. The locking assembly is configured to secure the support member in one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for garage door detection for a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a rearview camera, memory, and a processor. The rearview camera monitors a garage door. The memory stores a first height associated with a field of view of the rearview camera and a second height. The a processor, when a bottom edge of the garage door exceeds the first height, calculates a time until the bottom edge will reach the second height. Additionally, until the calculated time, the processor prevents movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a service brake, a brake booster, a parking brake, a wheel-speed sensor and an inclination sensor is disclosed. The method including measuring the speed of motor vehicle using the wheel-speed sensor to create a speed signal. An inclination of the motor vehicle with respect to the direction the motor vehicle is sensed and an angle signal is created. The internal combustion engine is started when the speed measured is greater than zero and the inclination of the motor vehicle is greater than a predetermined value, such that the internal combustion engine creates a partial vacuum to power the brake booster to assist with the operation of the service brake.

Abstract: An exemplary charge port covering assembly includes, among other things, a biasing device configured to move to a first position when a charger is decoupled from a charge port, and to a second position when the charger is coupled to the charge port. A charge port door is moveable to a closed position when the biasing device is in the first position, and is held in an open position when the biasing device is in the second position. An exemplary charge port covering method includes, among other things, biasing a charge port door toward an open position with a biasing device in a first position, and moving the biasing device from the first position to a second position to close the charge port door.

Abstract: A vent register includes an adjustable vane, an actuator carried on the adjustable vane and a fragrance element carried on the actuator. A related method of distributing a fragrance in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor supported by a sensor arm and a wiper blade. The sensor includes a cylindrical windows having an obstructed portion and a viewing portion. The wiper blade is attached to the sensor and movable across the viewing portion from a resting position contacting the obstructed portion.

Abstract: A navigation system for a parking area comprises a plurality of nodes and a server communicating with the nodes. Each node comprises a camera capturing images of the parking area and a low power radio transmitting a radio signal. The server analyzes the images to propose a parking space and provides an arrival sequence of waypoints to the parking space. Each of the waypoints comprises strength and time of flight values of the radio signals.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an engine assembly, which includes at least one cylinder head including a first surface, and at least one camshaft cover including a second surface, the first and second surfaces together defining a passageway positioned next to a seal for reducing oil leakage. The passageway may be defined by a recess on at least one of the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a computer programmed to determine that a vehicle is traveling in a wrong-way direction. Upon such determination, the computer is programmed to actuate a light of the vehicle to provide a user-detectable pattern external to the vehicle.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprises an arcuate bracket mounted to a seatback assembly and having a first pivot point proximate a first end of the arcuate bracket, a forward mount operably coupled within a curved slot formed in the arcuate bracket, a rearward mount, and a control link operably coupled with each of the first pivot point and the rearward mount. The seatback assembly pivots forwardly and translates rearwardly when rotated to a forward folded stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions including receiving an alert signal, deploying a drone from a host vehicle in response to receiving the alert signal, and commanding the drone to follow the host vehicle and to present a perceptible alert.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes a processor programmed to apply, on the vehicle, upon detecting an occupant alertness level below a first threshold, a first periodic component to a first torque applied to one or more first-end wheels and a second periodic component to a second torque applied to one or more second-end wheels.