Abstract: A seamless lighting arrangement for a vehicle panel. The vehicle panel has an inside surface and an outside surface. The vehicle panel has a light aperture extending from the inside surface of the vehicle panel to the outside surface of the vehicle panel. Connected to the inside surface of the vehicle panel is a bracket. The seamless lighting arrangement further includes a lens with a bracket connection portion that connects to the bracket and a transmission portion positioned within the light aperture of the vehicle panel. The lens further includes a light unit fixedly connected to the lens. The light unit has a projector port for emitting light from a light source. The light transmission portion of the lens has a light input surface region formed on an inside surface of the lens and a light output surface region formed on an outside surface of the lens.

Abstract: A box step lighting arrangement for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle. A step member and a linkage are connected to the mount, the linkage move the step member between a deployed position and retracted position. A motor is attached to the linkage to move the step between a deployed position and retracted position. Connected to the linkage is at least one light module. The light module has at least one light projection element that projects light onto the step member and the ground beneath the step member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hardtop for a vehicle that has an exterior thermoplastic roof panel and sides. The hardtop includes a top frame formed of at least two longitudinal sides and at least one cross vehicle piece formed from fiber reinforced polymer. Connected to the top frame is at least one roof panel forming an outer surface of the hardtop. There are also one or more side frames each having a side panel connected thereto. The roof panel and side panel are all formed of thermoplastic, so it is possible to have a Class A finish paint surface or mold in color finish.

Abstract: A molded panel that encompasses all forward surfaces of a vehicle. The molded panel extends from the forward edge from a driver side front wheel opening, laterally across the front of the vehicle and terminating at a forward edge of a passenger side wheel opening. The molded panel extends in the vertical direction (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) from a forward lower edge of a front valance up to a leading edge of one of a hood, a flunk, and a windshield of the vehicle. The molded panel further includes connection flanges formed on a back side surface for connection to a vehicle frame that does not have a front end module and front frame bulk head.

Abstract: A kinematic linkage assembly for an active grille shutter system having a frame connectable to a vehicle and forming an aperture. A kinematic linkage assembly with a plurality of vanes each moveable between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. The rotation force from an actuator is transmitted across the first vane of the plurality of vanes to the first link at the first connection.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A roof panel module for a vehicle that includes a frame of the roof panel module connectable to a vehicle. The frame includes an opening that extends between an inside surface and outside surface of the frame. The frame further includes an inner piece having a plurality of inner flanges and an outside piece having a plurality of outside flanges which allows bonding of one of the plurality of inner flanges to one of the plurality of outer flanges. The roof panel module further includes a window extending across the opening on the outside surface of the frame that provides a viewing surface through a roof panel module of a vehicle. Connected to the frame is a light emission unit positioned within the opening of the frame. The light emission unit selectively emits light away from the inside surface of the frame and selectively emits light away from the outside surface of the frame.

Abstract: Typical active grille shutter vanes meet the frame at either end, with a small clearance between the parts, to avoid the parts binding together. This invention adds a set of soft flaps, which are molded in a two-shot process, to allow the vanes to seal against the frame while closed but sit free of the frame while open. This clearance is accomplished by adding a stepped wall to the frame component, to create an interference between the vane flaps while turning to the closed position, causing the flaps to be deflected in a gradual manner, so the actuator motor is not taxed with a sudden increase in required torque.

Abstract: A seamless lighting arrangement for a vehicle panel. The vehicle panel has an inside surface and an outside surface. The vehicle panel has a light aperture extending from the inside surface of the vehicle panel to the outside surface of the vehicle panel. Connected to the inside surface of the vehicle panel is a bracket. The seamless lighting arrangement further includes a lens with a bracket connection portion that connects to the bracket and a transmission portion positioned within the light aperture of the vehicle panel. The lens further includes a light unit fixedly connected to the lens. The light unit has a projector port for emitting light from a light source. The light transmission portion of the lens has a light input surface region formed on an inside surface of the lens and a light output surface region formed on an outside surface of the lens.

Abstract: A box step for allowing a user to access the rear bed or box of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. The pivotable box step includes a housing that is mounted to the underside of the vehicle. The box step moves between a stowed position tucked underneath the vehicle, a rear position at the rear of the vehicle, a corner position at the rear corner of the vehicle and a side entry position at the side of the vehicle, forward from the corner entry position. The motor drives the drive assembly in opposing first and second directions to move the box step between the stowed position, the rear position, the corner position and the side entry position.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic assembly that includes a lift gate having a cavity formed between two panels. An aperture of formed on the outer panel providing access to the cavity. A frame connected to the lift gate within the cavity. A spoiler slidably connected to the frame and moveable along the deployment axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. At least one coupler link connected between the spoiler and the frame that is driven by the actuator along one of the plurality of tracks on the frame. There is also a moveable D pillar contained with the cavity that moves between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position such that a winglet of the moveable D pillar extends outside of the cavity past the outside surface of the lift gate.

Abstract: A method for producing an injection-moulded plastic component made of a plastic having at least one recess for accommodating sensors, having the following steps: producing the injection-moulded plastic component in a mould having top and bottom mould halves; raising the top mould half and introducing a thermoregulatable ram which is guided in a sleeve; placing the sleeve with integrated annular space on the surface of the injection-moulded component, to form an annular bead in the annular space; pressing the thermoregulated ram into the surface of the injection-moulded component; and cooling the ram and raising it from the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lever system for a wheel wind deflector which is fitted to a vehicle, having a first lever and a second lever which are rotatably connected to each other by means of an articulation, wherein the articulation contains at least one ball in a sleeve, a spring and a support, wherein the ball is guided on an outer contour of the second lever.

Abstract: A lighting assembly and method generate a three-dimensional lighting effect with parallax, depth and brightness variability or twinkling among different viewing angles using an LED substrate and different optic component layers including one or more obscuration patterns and a reflection chamber for unobscured light from LEDs components not obscured by the one or more obscuration patterns. The LED substrate can employ mini or micro scale package LEDs or their unpackaged LED dies for slim profile lighting assembly. The LED substrate and different optic component layers can be curved, employ direct illumination and occultation imaging.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly includes a solid state light emitter mounted on a first side of a substrate. A second side of the substrate is connected or adjacent to a heatsink. The heatsink may have a lower thermal conductivity than the second side of the substrate. A blower fluidly engages with the heatsink to flow fluid, e.g., air, through passages in the heatsink. The heatsink can include at least one aperture such that the moving fluid from the blower contacts at least a portion of the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: An ambient lighting system for automobiles configured to illuminate a passenger compartment, comprises: an optical system in turn comprising: a plurality of RGB LED light sources; a structural support on which the light sources are placed; and a contact surface on which a user can interact, and through which light rays can exit. The ambient lighting system also includes: a control unit configured to control the RGB LED light sources in order to present light animations; and a touch sensor configured to detect touch of the contact surface in a defined region, which is configured to define, along the optical system at least one soft key. The ambient lighting system further includes: a voice command recognition system electronically connected to the control unit and configured to recognize voice commands; and a projector configured to project an image, such as a symbol and/or logo, on the contact surface.

Abstract: An active rear airfoil arrangement (10) for a trailing area of a vehicle having a turbulence creating area. The arrangement (10) is for connection with a static rear horizontal spoiler (20) associated with the rear portion of a vehicle and includes an active rear horizontal spoiler (30a, 30b, 30c). The active rear horizontal spoiler (30a, 30b, 30c) moves to a deployed position and forms a flow passage (48a, 48b, 48c, 48d) that extends horizontally across the top of a liftgate (12). In another aspect of the invention the active rear airfoil arrangement (10) includes vertical left and right active spoilers (32a,32b; 36a,36b) that move to create a flow passage (74,76,88,90) on the left side and right side of a liftgate (12).

Abstract: Tool for plastic injection molding consisting of at least one metallic mold and at least one plastic carrier, wherein the metallic mold and the plastic carrier are connected to one another by an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A liftgate structure having a structural inner panel with an outside surface and an inner surface having a lower perimeter surface area extending across substantially the entire width of the structural inner panel. The structural inner panel includes a wiper motor housing recess formed on the inner surface. A plurality of brackets are connected to the outside surface of the structural inner panel, where each of the brackets has at least one friendly hole. The liftgate structure further includes a tether having 2 ends each having at least one over molded retainer for connecting the tether to a wiper motor housing positioned within the wiper motor housing recess of the structural inner panel. Additionally the tether is positioned through each of the at least one friendly holes of the plurality of brackets.