Abstract: A tonneau cover is provided for a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a body having a vehicle forward end and a vehicle rearward end. Further, the tonneau cover includes a collapsible storage assembly that depends from the body and has at least one rearwardly opening storage compartment accessible through an open tailgate of the pickup truck.

Abstract: A vehicle system configured to identify a location of emergency equipment is disclosed. The vehicle system comprises a storage compartment forming an interior cavity disposed in a cargo area and a cover configured to facilitate access to the storage compartment. An illumination apparatus is disposed in the storage compartment and configured to illuminate a first portion of the storage compartment in response to a first vehicle condition. The illumination apparatus is further configured to illuminate a second portion of the storage compartment in response to a second vehicle condition.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of joining a first part with a second part at an attachment area that includes a localized area on the first part. The localized area is cleaned and activated by a plasma jet. An organosilicon composition is applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to the localized area. An adhesive is applied to the localized area and the second part is mechanically fastened to the first part in the localized area.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a step portion and a first light source. The first light source is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The illumination apparatus further comprises a lighting controller in communication with the first light source. The lighting controller is configured to activate the first light source to illuminate the photoluminescent portion by exciting a photoluminescent material by emitting a first wavelength of light. In response to receiving the first wavelength, the photoluminescent material is configured to become excited to illuminate at least a portion of the step portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control fuel tank pressure to reduce fuel oxidation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are disclosed. A method comprises routing vapors from a fuel system canister to the fuel tank to maintain the fuel tank pressure at a desired pressure. In this way, the engine may be maintained off for greater durations while still retaining fuel quality of fuel stored on-board the vehicle.

Abstract: A vacuum prioritization system for a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, use and availability of vacuum provided via vacuum sources is allocated to higher priority vacuum operated actuators when a pressure in the vacuum system exceeds a threshold pressure. The lower priority vacuum operated actuators have access to vacuum supplied via the vacuum sources when pressure in the vacuum system is less than a threshold pressure. The approach may allow higher priority actuators to operate for an extended amount of time.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a dielectric fluid comprising a farnesene-based oligomer and an antioxidant and devices containing the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: A doorlock status display system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a door module and a lock status display module. The door module includes a controller, a doorlock and a doorlock status sensor for each door of the motor vehicle. The lock status display module includes a lock status controller, a first indicator for door unlocked status, a second indicator for all doors locked status and a third indicator for all doors locked and closed status.

Abstract: A display assembly for a vehicle includes an electronic display and a rod coupled to the electronic display. A guide defines a slot which receives the rod. The rod is movable along the slot from a first position to a second position. An energy absorption element is disposed along the slot and is deformable by the rod when the rod moves from the first position to the second position. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, a head of an occupant may contact the display assembly and may move the rod from the first position to the second position, during which movement the energy absorption element absorbs energy.

Abstract: A vehicle control system, a surface marking for a surface upon which a vehicle can be positioned and a method of positioning a vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to position a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a mobile inductive charging point. The vehicle control system comprises one or more parking sensors configured to determine the position of the vehicle relative to a surface upon which the vehicle is positioned and/or obstacles around the vehicle. The one or more parking sensors are further configured to locate a visual indicator indicating the position of a fixed inductive charging point relative to the vehicle, and a parking assistance controller configured to automatically park the vehicle in a parking space on the surface based on data from the one or more parking sensors.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a downward facing portion of the vehicle and a light source located proximate the downward facing portion. The light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion. In response to receiving the light at the first wavelength, the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength, longer than the first wavelength, to illuminate a surface beneath the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a microphone programmed to capture sounds in a passenger compartment of a vehicle and output a sound signal. A speech analyzer analyzes the sound signal for distressed speech and for action words. The speech analyzer outputs an alert signal if distressed speech and action words are detected. A processing device receives the alert signal and initiates contact with an emergency service provider in response to the alert signal.

Abstract: A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a sliding door arrester to prevent the sliding door from inadvertently closing during a deceleration event. The sliding door arrestor includes a base fixed relative to a guide rail and a locking element pivotally attached to the base. The locking element includes a mass and a lock. The locking element rotates relative to the base during a deceleration event of the vehicle to engage the lock with a biasing member to prevent movement of a sliding element that is displaceable along the guide rail.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a route collection module that collects drive history data describing a plurality of routes traveled by the vehicle and associated departure and arrival times for each of the routes, and a vehicle computing system that sends the drive history data and, in response, receives contact information for at least one driver of at least one other vehicle based on a similarity between the collected drive history data and drive history data associated with the at least one other vehicle. The vehicle further includes an interface that displays or plays the contact information to facilitate ride sharing between a driver of the vehicle and the at least one driver of the at least one other vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a layered structure comprising at least two layers: A) a first layer A, formed from a composition A, comprising a polyurethane; and B) a second layer B, formed from a composition B, comprising at least one functionalized polymer B comprising the following: i) at least one polymerized monomeric unit comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of the following: a) an acid group, b) an anhydride group, c) a primary or secondary amine group, and d) combinations thereof; or ii) at least one reacted functionalization agent comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of the following: e) an acid group, f) an anhydride group, g) a primary or secondary amine group, and h) combinations thereof; or iii) combinations thereof; and wherein the functionalized polymer B has a number-average molecular weight greater than 1,000 g/mole, and/or a melt index (I2) less than, or equal to, 2500 g/10 min.

Abstract: A method for making an anion exchange or chelant resin comprising a vinyl aromatic polymer including a repeating unit comprising an aromatic ring substituted with an aliphatic amino group, wherein the method comprises the step of reacting a vinyl aromatic polymer with a nitro compound comprising from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the ? carbon includes at least one hydrogen.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cleaning out condensate stored at a charge air cooler. In response to increased condensate accumulation at a charge air cooler, airflow through the engine is increased to purge the condensate while an engine actuator is adjusted to maintain engine torque. Combustion stability issues of engine cylinders are addressed by adjusting fueling of each cylinder individually during condensate ingestion.

Abstract: A running board of a vehicle is provided herein. The running board includes a housing and a light-producing assembly disposed inside the housing. The light-producing assembly includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the plurality of light sources, wherein luminescent light escapes the housing via a first light permeable portion and a second light permeable portion.