Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a pivot structure, a seat and a bushing. The pivot structure has at least one link member that includes a pivot pin extending through an opening in the at least one link member. The pivot pin defines a pivot axis about which the at least one link member pivots. The seat is attached to the pivot structure. The pivot structure and the seat are configured to move between a seating or in-use orientation and a rear access orientation. The bushing is fitted into the opening of the at least one link member with the pivot pin extending through the bushing. The bushing is configured to deflect in response to movement of the link member relative to the pivot pin.

Abstract: A vehicle front end assembly includes a front fascia a first lamp assembly, a second lamp assembly and a first support. The front fascia is configured to be attached to a front portion of a vehicle frame structure. The first lamp assembly is attached to the front fascia. The second lamp assembly is configured to be attached to the portion of a vehicle frame structure. The first support includes a vehicle attachment portion and a first lamp attachment portion. The vehicle attachment portion is configured to be attached to the front portion of the vehicle frame structure. The first lamp attachment portion is attached to the first lamp assembly. The first support supports the first lamp assembly to the front portion of the vehicle frame structure in an installed state where the vehicle front end assembly is attached to the vehicle frame structure.

Abstract: Estimating fuel consumptions of a vehicle is disclosed. A first fuel consumption value in a first time interval is estimated using fuel-sender resistance data. A second fuel consumption value in a second time interval is estimated using fuel-injected mass data. At least the first fuel consumption value and the second fuel consumption value are combined to obtain a fuel consumption value. The fuel consumption value is then output.

Abstract: Categorizing driving behaviors of other road users includes maintaining a first history of first lateral-offset values of a road user with respect to a center line of a lane of a road; determining a first pattern based on the first history of the first lateral-offset values; determining a driving behavior of the road user based on the first pattern; and autonomously performing, by a host vehicle, a driving maneuver based on the driving behavior of the road user. The first history can be maintained for a predetermined period of time. An apparatus includes a processor that is configured to track a trajectory history of a road user; determine, based on the trajectory history, a driving behavior of the road user; and transmit a notification of the driving behavior.

Abstract: An accent lighting system for a vehicle that includes a light module, which may be flexible or rigid in construction, and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member, and the transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module. The light module may be reconfigurable between unfolded and folded configurations and may emit light via a light-permeable diffuser that extends along an outer perimeter of the housing or via a display panel (e.g., an OLED screen).

Abstract: A vehicle roof has an antenna and a roof rack assembly installed thereon. The roof rack assembly has a first pipe and a second pipe at opposite sides of the vehicle roof. The first and second pipe have respective rearward portions that extend rearward of the antenna but are shaped, positioned and dimensioned to extend along and outside of an interference perimeter of the antenna thereby eliminating or minimizing possible interference with the reception capabilities of the antenna.

Abstract: An acoustic force assisted painting system includes a housing, a nozzle, and at least one first transducer. The conduit is configured to receive paint from an external source. The nozzle is disposed in the housing. The nozzle has an inlet that is fluidly connected to the conduit and is configured to receive paint from the conduit. The nozzle has an outlet configured to dispense the paint. The at least one first transducer is disposed in the housing at a location downstream of the nozzle outlet in a flow direction of the paint.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system includes tire pressure sensors installed within vehicle tires, a receiver, an alerting device, an electronic input/output device and an electronic controller. The receiver receives tire pressure signals from the tire pressure sensors, The electronic input/output device provides manual input of instruction and data. The electronic controller is configured to monitor tire pressure and in response to tire pressure in each of vehicle tires achieving a change from a first preset tire pressure to a second preset tire pressure the alerting device is operated to alert a person changing the tire pressure that the change has been achieved. The first preset tire pressure corresponds to paved road driving conditions and the second preset tire pressure corresponds to off-road driving conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a support structure that is connected to the vehicle body and which is configured to provide a framework for one or more thermal components of the vehicle; a reinforcement member that is connected to the vehicle body and which is configured to absorb impact forces; and an active grille shutter that is connected to the support structure. The active grille shutter includes an integral pedestrian guard that is configured for contact with a pedestrian's leg to protect the pedestrian's leg during an impact.

Abstract: A hood release lever cover assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket assembly and a hood release lever. The bracket assembly is configured to be connected to a vehicle body structure of the vehicle. The hood release lever cover is pivotally connected to the bracket assembly. The hood release lever cover is movable between a first position preventing movement of a hood release lever of the vehicle and a second position allowing movement of the hood release lever.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting one or more window of a vehicle cabin are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for adjusting one or more window of a vehicle cabin includes at least one noise sensor, a plurality of windows, and a controller. The at least one noise sensor is configured to detect wind noise at one or more location of the vehicle cabin. The plurality of windows are each adjustable between a plurality of configurations to permit differing levels of air flow between the vehicle cabin and an atmosphere outside of the vehicle cabin. The controller is programmed to cause an adjustment of at least one window of the plurality of windows based on feedback from the at least one noise sensor regarding a detected level of wind noise.

Abstract: A tire tread depth estimation system for a vehicle includes a light source, a camera, an electronic controller, and a display. The light source is configured to emit light onto a surface of a vehicle tire. The camera is configured to capture an image of the surface of the vehicle tire. The electronic controller is connected to the light source and to the camera. The controller is configured to estimate a depth of a tire tread of the vehicle tire based on the image received from the camera. The display is configured to display the estimated tire tread depth.

Abstract: A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.

Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a portion of a vehicle body structure and a retractable sunvisor assembly. The vehicle body structure includes an A-pillar, a windscreen and a roof structure with the A-pillar and the windscreen extending downward from the roof structure. The retractable sunvisor assembly is attached to the A-pillar below the roof structure such that in a retracted orientation the retractable sunvisor assembly is positioned along-side the A-pillar and in an extended in-use orientation a portion of the retractable sunvisor assembly extends away from the A-pillar covering an upper area of the windscreen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for teaching control button functionality to an occupant of a vehicle are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for teaching control button functionality to an occupant of a vehicle includes a plurality of adjustable vehicle components, an audio device, a plurality of control buttons, and a controller. The audio device is configured to receive an audible trigger from the occupant. The plurality of control buttons are each configured to cause an adjustment of at least one adjustable vehicle component when actuated by the occupant. The controller is programmed to (i) disable the plurality of control buttons upon reception of the audible trigger by the audio device, and (ii) upon actuation of a control button of the plurality of control buttons, cause the audio device to output an audible message relating to the at least one adjustable vehicle component configured to be adjusted by the control button.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an interior trim panel having a projecting structure, a foam support structure and a foam member. The interior trim panel defines an audio speaker opening with the projecting structure at least partially surrounding the audio speaker opening. The foam support structure is shaped and dimensioned to attach to the projecting structure. The foam support structure has a receiving surface. The foam member is shaped to conform to the foam support structure and mounted to the receiving surface.

Abstract: A vehicle latch testing assembly includes a base, a latch assembly fixed to the base, a striker assembly configured to engage the latch assembly, and a strain gauge connected to the striker assembly. An operating member is connected to the strain gauge and pivotally connected to the base. The operating member is configured to move between a first position and a second position to apply a first force to the latch assembly.

Abstract: A data-based driveline map is determined using road-level map data and driveline data for road users. The map data includes way data comprising one or more ways, a way includes a series of nodes, and the driveline data includes drivelines, where a driveline is a series of poses representing a road user. A first section of the way data is identified as an intersection, and second sections are matched with the driveline data to generate multiple way bars, where a way bar includes one or more poses and one node. A way bar is categorized as either constant or changing based on lanes counted therewithin. Consecutive way bars are grouped into way bar sections based on the categorization and the lane count, and the map is generated using the way bar sections and the first section. A vehicle is operated using the map as input to a control system.

Abstract: A vibration dampening engine mount configured to mount an engine to a vehicle frame includes: a first bolt receiver having a first through hole configured to receive a first bolt; a second bolt receiver having a second through hole configured to receive a second bolt; and a mass damper connector integrally connecting the first bolt receiver and the second bolt receiver, wherein the vibration dampening engine mount has a predetermined mass.

Abstract: A chiral azobenzene dopant with helical twisting power has a structure represented by the following formula (I): wherein Z and Z? are independently selected from the group consisting of naphthalene and phenanthrene; when Z or Z? is naphthalene, the naphthalene optionally has R3 at the 6 position and R4 at the 6? position; when Z or Z? is phenanthrene, the phenanthrene optionally has R3 at the 7 position and R4 at the 7? position; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbons, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbons, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbons, and an aryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbons; and on any R1, R2, R3, and R4, on any CH2 a CH3 is optionally attached by replacing a hydrogen on a CH2.