Abstract: There is provided a sidestep platform servo/electrical removal mechanism, a running board with a step that is operably removable without tools.

Abstract: A process for joining polymer molded parts. Providing a first part made from a first material and a second part made from a same or different first material. Attaching an infrared or other thermal bonding material to at least one of the parts in a place for the parts to be joined. Thereafter, heating the at least on infrared bonding material with an infrared heating element and pressing the first part into contact with the second part wherein a bond is formed.

Abstract: A step board that is a multi-piece board including at least a first piece and a second piece that can be easily pierced at predetermined locations to create predetermined apertures for attaching step board assembly components, such as step mats, end caps, bracket attachments, and etc. The first and second pieces are then secured together.

Abstract: There is provided a badge adapted for a vehicle that includes a first portion formed from a first injection molded process of light transmissive material and a second portion formed from a second injection molded process of plateable material. The plateable portion provides a chrome exterior of trim. The first portion provides a light-through decoration where the light transmissive material is back lit with at least one lighting element.

Abstract: A metal and composite thermoplastic sandwich overmold adapted to achieve predetermined performance requirements without having to add metal and mass penalty to the assembly, and process to manufacture same. This is achievable by using the thermoplastic material that allows for a predetermined improved ribbing pattern that is connected to a base material. The ribbing can transfer load due to improved connection to the base material. There is provided increased plastic surface and edge encapsulation on the non-visible side of the part and the capability to provide well connected ribbing.

Abstract: An active rear diffuser for a rear portion of a vehicle. The rear diffuser assembly is formed from a set of components that are uniform across all vehicle platforms, with some of the components being scalable and allowing them to be adjusted to an appropriate length without any retooling.

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 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: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined geometry and ratio of links to each other for movement of the active front deflector assembly between at least a deployed position and a retracted position. The deflector panel is positionable at multiple heights. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. A drive shaft transmits the drive from one side to the other side. The deflector is both rigid and semi rigid to absorb impact energy.

Abstract: An active front wheel deflector assembly (10) including a deflector panel (20) moveable between a stowed position and at least one deployed position wherein the deployment of the deflector panel (20) moves the deflector panel (20) into an airflow to direct air and improves aerodynamics. The active front wheel deflector assembly (10) combines linear actuation with rotational motion.

Abstract: A hard top removal assist system for a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle body having a plurality of rails mounted to the vehicle body. A hard top has a connection that is used to connect the hard top to the plurality of rails. There is at least one connection on the hard top that is slidable in the one or more rails between an installed position and a removed position. The hard top can be fully removed from the vehicle body and the one or more rails.

Abstract: A single LED module that can be used in different configurations to provide a customizable vehicle light.

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 active underbody panel system having a frame arrangement mounted under the vehicle and at least one deployable panel moveable between stowed and deployed positions to improve aerodynamics under the vehicle. A deployment/retraction mechanism is provided having a pair of linkage assemblies and driven by an actuator, which allows the deployable panel(s) to be moved automatically downward into the air flow as needed.

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 liftgate assembly having finished show surfaces, and process of manufacturing same. The liftgate assembly includes local reinforcements that are overmolded to first reinforcements, and the first reinforcements are infrared welding to a first panel. Second and third reinforcements are also infrared welded to the first panel. To infrared weld the respective reinforcements to the first panel in predetermined locations with respect to the first panel, nesting structures are provided to hold the respective reinforcements and first panel. At least one infrared heating fixture heats various predetermined surfaces on the reinforcements and first panel, and the parts are then pressed together for joining the predetermined surfaces of the respective parts together. The process is repeated, if needed, until all of the reinforcements are infrared welded to the first panel. Outer panels are bonded to the second and third reinforcements.

Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.

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).