Abstract: A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a rigid trim portion and a flexible trim portion. The rigid trim portion includes an assist grip opening. The flexible trim portion is attached to the rigid trim portion along an edge of the assist grip opening with the flexible trim portion at least partially covering the assist grip opening of the rigid trim portion.

Abstract: A vehicle information system operating method performs operations comprising determining an operational period, determining a movement period, determining a modification factor, determining a fuel economy value and determining an adjusted fuel economy value. The determining of the operational period determines the operational period during which a vehicle is running. The determining of the movement period determines the movement period during which the vehicle is in motion. The determining of the modification factor determines the modification factor based on respective durations of the operational period and the movement period. The determining of the fuel economy value determines the fuel economy value associated with the operational period. The determining of the adjusted fuel economy value determines the adjusted fuel economy value based on the fuel economy value and the modification factor.

Abstract: A console for use in a vehicle includes a compartment that is defined by a first wall and a second wall that are spaced apart from one another in a first direction. A first channel is disposed adjacent to the first wall and defines an opening that is oriented in an upward direction. First and second pairs of laterally spaced-apart retainer structures are disposed within the first channel. A tray member has a first pair of spaced-apart engagement structures that are configured to be received within the first channel and are configured to engage the retainer structures. The tray member is positionable within the compartment in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first pair of engagement structures are disposed within the first channel and engaged with the first pair of retainer structures. In the second position, the first pair of engagement structures are disposed within the first channel and are engaged with the second pair of engagement structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of vehicle consoles and hinges for vehicle consoles are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a hinge for a vehicle console has a fixed component attached to the base structure of the console, a movable component attached to the lid of the console and a shaft connecting the fixed component to the movable component. A spacer is positioned on the shaft between and in contact with at least a portion of both the fixed and movable components and a securing member is positioned on the shaft to apply pressure against at least one of the fixed component and the movable component to produce friction between the movable component and the spacer and to resist rotational movement of the lid about an axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a security vehicle lighting system. The system includes a rocker panel trim member arranged to conceal at least a portion of a vehicle rocker panel, the trim member having a lower wall portion having at least one aperture formed therein, the lower wall portion defining an interior surface and an opposing ground-facing surface and extending inboard toward the rocker panel, and at least one light member disposed between the rocker panel and the interior surface and adjacent the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one light member is mounted on the interior surface of the trim member and operable to illuminate a portion of the ground proximate the trim member.

Abstract: A vehicle radiator structure includes a radiator core, a first fluid tank, a second fluid tank, a first lift assist contact member and a second lift assist contact member. The radiator core has a cooling fin portion. The first and second fluid tanks are fluidly coupled to the radiator core. The first lift assist contact member extends from the first fluid tank with at least a portion of the first lift assist contact member being disposed directly vertically beneath the first fluid tank in a vehicle installed position of the vehicle radiator structure. The second lift assist contact member is separate and spaced apart from the first lift assist contact member, and extends from the second fluid tank with at least a portion of the second lift assist contact member being in lateral alignment with the first lift assist contact member and the radiator core.

Abstract: A vehicle end structure mainly includes a vehicle bumper fascia and a grille assembly. The vehicle bumper fascia includes a sill portion and a receiving member extending from the sill portion. The receiving member defines a channel with an opening extending in a forward vehicle facing direction. The grille assembly includes inner grille and outer grille members that are coupled together. The inner grille member has a support member formed at a periphery of the inner grille member. The support member is disposed in the channel of the receiving member to limit movement of the inner grille member in a direction normal to the forward vehicle facing direction. The outer grille member is disposed on a forward vehicle facing side of the inner grille member to conceal the support member from view in the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of impact absorption blocks and vehicle seatbacks and seats comprising impact absorption blocks. One embodiment of a vehicle seatback assembly comprises a seatback frame, a seat pad and an impact absorption block. The seatback frame comprises a first side member having an upper end and a lower end, a second side member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first side member and having an upper end and a lower end and a cross-member extending between the first and second side members. The seat pad overlies the seatback frame to define a forward surface. The impact absorption block is positioned between the seat pad and the cross member.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant information controller includes a fuel volume determining section, a fuel economy determining section, a first distance determining section, a traveled distance determining section and a second distance determining section. The first distance determining section determines a first obtainable travel distance based on a remaining fuel volume from the fuel volume determining section and a fuel consumption rate from the fuel economy determining section. The traveled distance determining section determines a vehicle traveled distance between two locations.

Abstract: A vehicle interior structural assembly includes an instrument panel that is dimensioned to extend laterally between opposing interior side walls of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A structural member extends between first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel. A stay bracket is connected to the structural member and extends downward from the structural member. The stay bracket is located forward of a rearmost extent of the instrument panel. A reinforcement member is connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another. The reinforcement member includes a support portion cantilevered from and extending rearward of the rearmost extent of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member.

Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes an outer side panel and an inner side panel. The outer side panel has an outer window area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window area. The outer window area includes a removable portion that spans the outer window area. The inner side panel has an inner window area and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window area. The attachment flange is rigidly attached to the window sash along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel. The removable portion of the outer window area is located adjacent to the connection area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an interior structural assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a defrost panel forming at least a portion of a defrost duct, the defrost panel has first and second panel extensions laterally extending at opposite ends of a defrost base and an instrument panel overlaying the defrost panel, the instrument panel having at least one defrost aperture and first and second ends generally horizontally extending across the interior width of the vehicle, wherein the first and second panel extensions extend to the first and second ends of the instrument panel, respectively.

Abstract: A fastener assembly secures loads to a track in a truck bed and is retainable within a track slot of the track. The fastener assembly may include a retainer adapted to fit at least partly within a track slot and a rotatable handle operating on the retainer, the rotatable handle being rotatable between at least an engagement position and a release position. A pressure applicator is positioned between the track and the rotatable handle, the pressure applicator having a bottom surface for applying a pressure on a top surface of the track in response to the position of the rotatable handle. The pressure applicator includes at least one projection projecting from an interior region of the bottom surface and adapted to engage a positioning scallop of the track.

Abstract: A cowl cover assembly for a vehicle includes a first fender and a cowl cover having a first lateral end and a second lateral end. A first coupling structure disposed on the first lateral end of the cowl cover. The first coupling structure has a groove that is engageable with the first fender for rigidly connecting the cowl cover to the first fender.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is mainly provided with comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a valve and an energy recovery device. The compressor is fluidly connected to the evaporator to compress low-pressure refrigerant exiting the evaporator to high-pressure refrigerant. The condenser is fluidly connected to the compressor to receive the high pressure refrigerant and dissipate heat therefrom. The valve controls flow of high pressure refrigerant exiting the condenser. The energy recovery device includes a movable expander having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the valve to receive the high pressure refrigerant. The movable expander phase changes the refrigerant from high pressure refrigerant at the inlet to low pressure refrigerant at the outlet. The energy recovery device extracts work from movement of the movable expander due to the phase change of the refrigerant from the high pressure refrigerant to the low pressure refrigerant.

Abstract: A fan assembly is mainly provided with a center hub and a plurality of fan blades. The center hub has a center rotational axis. The fan blades extend from the center hub. Each of the fan blades has a leading surface and a trailing surface. The trailing surface of at least one of the fan blades includes an intake opening disposed at a first radial distance from the center rotational axis and a jet disposed at a second radial distance from the center rotational axis. The jet is in direct fluid communication with the intake opening such that during operation of the fan assembly airflow is directed from the intake opening to the jet for reducing power required to operate the fan assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle console comprise a base structure defining a cavity and having an opening permitting access to the cavity, a lid having a surface area sufficient to cover at least a portion of the opening when the lid is in a closed position at the base structure, a hinge member connected between the base structure and the lid and configured to allow rotational movement of the lid between the closed position and an open position, a slide coupled to the lid and configured to allow translational movement of at least a portion of the lid between a retracted position and an extended position spaced apart from the retracted position and a slide mounting member including a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the first mounting portion coupled to the hinge member and the second mounting portion coupled to the slide.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes a controller that initially controls operation of a compressor to switch between inactive and active states in response to detecting that an operating condition is equal to or surpasses a first operation threshold. The controller determines a first time delay occurring between initiating the switch from one of the inactive and active states to the other of the compressor, and an actual change in the operating condition. The controller subsequently defines a first limit that is offset from the first operation threshold such that the controller controls the operation of the compressor to subsequently switch from the one of inactive and active states to the other in response to detecting that the operating condition is equal to or surpasses the first limit.

Abstract: Embodiments of steering wheels with switches for sunroofs or convertible tops and vehicles having the same are disclosed herein. One embodiment disclosed herein is of a steering wheel assembly for a vehicle having a sunroof located in an aperture of a roof of the vehicle having a panel movable with respect to the roof to open and close the aperture. The assembly comprises a steering wheel disposed in the vehicle and a sunroof switch disposed on the steering wheel and electrically connectible to the sunroof to move the sunroof panel.

Abstract: A vehicle radiant heating control system is provided that comprises a radiant heating element, a power source and a controller. The power source is operatively connected to the radiant heating element. The controller operatively controls the radiant heating element and the power source. The controller operates the radiant heating element by intermittently supplying power generated by the power source to the radiant heating element.