Abstract: A body component of a first vehicle comprises at least one of an integrated retroreflector system configured to reflect radar waves from a second vehicle according to a predefined retroreflective pattern and an integrated light accent system configured to generate and emit light waves according to a defined light pattern. Receipt of at least one of the reflected radar waves and the light waves by the second vehicle causes a controller of the second vehicle to recognize, by accessing a memory database, at least one of the defined retroreflective and light patterns and, in response to recognizing at least one of the defined retroreflective and light patterns, more accurately control an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system of the second vehicle to thereby improve the performance of the AEB system.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle comprises a body component of the vehicle that is formed of a microcellular foam and optionally having one or more decorative layers applied thereto and a radar device arranged behind the body component and configured to transmit/receive radar waves therethrough. A method of manufacturing a body component of a vehicle comprises obtaining a molten resin, introducing a gas or a chemical foaming agent into the molten resin to form a microcellular foam, injecting molding the microcellular foam by injecting the microcellular foam into a mold to form the body component, removing the body component from the mold, optionally applying one or more decorative layers to the body component, and arranging the body component in front of a radar device of the vehicle.

Abstract: A body component of a vehicle can comprise a first substrate formed of at least one non-conductive material and defining a back surface that defines a retroreflector geometry and a front surface that defines a different geometry than the retroreflector geometry, wherein the front surface of the first substrate is an exposed A-surface of the body component. The body component can further comprise a conductive layer formed of a conductive material and arranged adjacent to the back surface of the first layer, the conductive layer (i) also defining the retroreflector geometry and (ii) reflecting radar waves transmitted from a radar device of another vehicle.

Abstract: Methods for recovering manganese etchant solutions are provided wherein a process solution used to rinse or neutralize a nonconductive substrate after etching the substrate is collected and evaporated to provide a concentrated process solution that is fed back into the manganese etchant solution or acid rinse.

Abstract: Methods for recovering manganese etchant solutions are provided wherein a process solution used to rinse or neutralize a nonconductive substrate after etching the substrate is collected and evaporated to provide a concentrated process solution that is fed back into the manganese etchant solution or acid rinse.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle comprises two or more first members each formed of a plateable resin and defining a front surface, wherein the front surfaces of the first members (i) are spaced apart from each other such that they appear discontinuous and (ii) collectively correspond to an outer surface of the component, a second member formed of a non-plateable resin and connected to each of the first members and a chrome plating applied to one or more exposed surfaces of each of the first members. A method of manufacturing the component involves utilizing one or more molds and removing a non-plated component comprising the first members and the second member from one of the one or more molds, attaching the non-plated component to a plating rack, such as via a permanent or temporary conductive circuit, and then performing the chrome plating.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing water from a manganese-based etchant bath are disclosed. Water is removed from the manganese-based etchant bath by transferring a portion of the manganese-based etchant bath to a vacuum evaporator for processing and transferring the concentrated portion of the manganese-based etchant bath back to the manganese-based etchant bath.

Abstract: Methods for recovering manganese etchant solutions are provided wherein a process solution used to rinse or neutralize a nonconductive substrate after etching the substrate is collected and evaporated to provide a concentrated process solution that is fed back into the manganese etchant solution or acid rinse.

Abstract: An active grille shutter (AGS) system for a vehicle can include a housing defining first, second, and third openings, the third opening being located between the first and second openings and being configured to receive an object detection device that is configured to detect objects in front of the vehicle, a first set of louvers arranged in the first opening, a second set of louvers arranged in the second opening, and a linkage connecting the first and second sets of louvers, wherein a set of actuators are configured to selectively open/close the first and second sets of louvers by driving the linkage or at least one of the first and second sets of louvers. The AGS system can be configured to be fully-integrated, semi-integrated, or standalone with respect to a grille assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: A body component of a vehicle can comprise a first substrate formed of at least one non-conductive material and defining a back surface that defines a retroreflector geometry and a front surface that defines a different geometry than the retroreflector geometry, wherein the front surface of the first substrate is an exposed A-surface of the body component. The body component can further comprise a conductive layer formed of a conductive material and arranged adjacent to the back surface of the first layer, the conductive layer (i) also defining the retroreflector geometry and (ii) reflecting radar waves transmitted from a radar device of another vehicle.

Abstract: A body component of a vehicle can comprise a first substrate formed of at least one non-conductive material and defining a back surface that defines a retroreflector geometry and a front surface that defines a different geometry than the retroreflector geometry, wherein the front surface of the first substrate is an exposed A-surface of the body component. The body component can further comprise a conductive layer formed of a conductive material and arranged adjacent to the back surface of the first layer, the conductive layer (i) also defining the retroreflector geometry and (ii) reflecting radar waves transmitted from a radar device of another vehicle.

Abstract: An active grille shutter (AGS) system for a vehicle comprises a housing defining at least one opening, a set of louvers disposed in the at least one opening, wherein a first louver of the set of louvers has a rotational offset with respect to a second louver of the set of louvers, and a louver compensation system connected between an actuator system of the AGS system and at least one of the first and second louvers, the louver compensation system comprising a first rotationally flexible member, wherein the actuator system is configured to rotatably drive the first and second louvers, and wherein the first rotationally flexible member rotatably flexes to compensate for the rotational offset. A grille assembly of the vehicle and/or a side vent assembly of the vehicle could incorporate the AGS system.

Abstract: A selectively chrome plated radome and its method of manufacture include molding a non-plateable resin to form one or more inner pieces, each inner piece defining an outer edge, inserting the one or more inner pieces into a final mold, injecting a plateable resin into the final mold to form an outer piece arranged about and coupled to the outer edge of each inner piece, wherein the one or more inner pieces and the outer piece collectively form a radome component, removing the radome component from the final mold, and chrome plating the outer piece of the radome component to obtain the selectively chrome plated radome. A selectively chrome plated radiator grille and its method of manufacture include molding a plateable resin portion of the grille, the plateable resin portion defining the outer piece of the radome component, and then chrome plating an exposed surface of the plateable resin portion.

Abstract: A vehicle grille shutter assembly is provided that may include first and second louvers and a drive link. The first louver may be mounted for rotation about a first rotational axis. The second louver may be mounted for rotation about a second rotational axis. The first and second rotational axes may be angled relative to each other. The drive link may be connected to the first and second louvers and may transmit rotational motion of the first louver to the second louver.

Abstract: A vehicle radome can include one or more front pieces each formed of a first resin and collectively defining a decorative feature and a back piece formed of a non-transparent second resin and defining a specific non-uniform thickness for mitigating electromagnetic attenuation through the radome with respect to a radar device. A method for manufacturing the multi-piece vehicle radome can include molding, using one or more first molds, a first resin to form one or more front pieces that collectively define a decorative feature, inserting the one or more front pieces into a second mold, molding, using the second mold, a non-transparent second resin to form a back piece, and removing the radome from the second mold.

Abstract: An active side vent system for a vehicle can include a housing disposed in a side vent opening defined by a recessed surface in a rear portion of a front fender of the vehicle, a set of louvers disposed in the housing and configured to pivot such that (i) in an open position, none of the set of louvers extends beyond an outer surface of the front fender and (ii) in a closed position, the set of louvers are substantially flush with the recessed surface of the front fender, and an actuator configured to control the pivoting of the set of louvers.

Abstract: A selectively chrome plated radome and its method of manufacture include molding a non-plateable resin to form one or more inner pieces, each inner piece defining an outer edge, inserting the one or more inner pieces into a final mold, injecting a plateable resin into the final mold to form an outer piece arranged about and coupled to the outer edge of each inner piece, wherein the one or more inner pieces and the outer piece collectively form a radome component, removing the radome component from the final mold, and chrome plating the outer piece of the radome component to obtain the selectively chrome plated radome. A selectively chrome plated radiator grille and its method of manufacture include molding a plateable resin portion of the grille, the plateable resin portion defining the outer piece of the radome component, and then chrome plating an exposed surface of the plateable resin portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a chrome plated component can include performing a two-shot (2K) molding process to form a component comprising first and second \members. A non-plateable resin can be molded to form the first member defining a front surface that defines a recess. A plateable resin can be molded to form the second member defining a back surface that defines the protrusion. The component can then be removed from its mold, where (i) an exposed surface of the second member defines a front surface of the component and (ii) the recess receives the protrusion such that the front surface of the first member is substantially flush with the back surface of the second member. An exposed surface of the second member can then be chrome plated to obtain the chrome plated component.

Abstract: An active grille shutter (AGS) system for a vehicle can include a housing defining first, second, and third openings, the third opening being located between the first and second openings and being configured to receive an object detection device that is configured to detect objects in front of the vehicle, a first set of louvers arranged in the first opening, a second set of louvers arranged in the second opening, and a linkage connecting the first and second sets of louvers, wherein a set of actuators are configured to selectively open/close the first and second sets of louvers by driving the linkage or at least one of the first and second sets of louvers. The AGS system can be configured to be fully-integrated, semi-integrated, or standalone with respect to a grille assembly of the vehicle.