Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube, the solenoid assembly having an induction coil surrounding the plunger. The assembly includes a Hall effect sensor that detects a magnetic field of the solenoid assembly. The assembly includes a computer in communication with the Hall effect sensor, the computer having a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to identify a resistance of the induction coil based on data from the Hall effect sensor, and to determine whether the plunger is at the closed position based on the identified resistance of the induction coil.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube. The assembly includes a first outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The solenoid assembly has a strain gage fixed to the spring. A strain detected by the strain gage indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for aligning a vehicle to be charged relative to a vehicle charging station. A method, comprising detecting, within an image of the vehicle charging station, one or more identifiers corresponding to one or more charging units supported by the vehicle charging station, each charging unit comprising a different charging mechanism, determining, using the one or more identifiers, locations of the one or more charging units relative to the vehicle, and types of the one or more charging units, determining, based on a selection of a compatible one of the one or more charging units, a target charging position of the vehicle corresponding to the selected compatible charging unit, and generating, based on the target charging position of the vehicle, a vehicle trajectory for maneuvering the vehicle between a current position of the vehicle and the target charging position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber. The sensor assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The sensor assembly includes a duct extending from a first end to a second end, the first end of the duct being open to an environment external to the chamber and the second end being fluidly connected to the chamber. The duct includes a first portion at the first end, a second portion at the second end, and a middle portion between the first portion and the second portion. The middle portion extends downward from the first portion, and the second portion extends upward to the second end.

Abstract: A vehicle light module, a headlight assembly, and a method for communicating information at a panel having transparent and opaque states; a projector device projects visual representations toward the panel where visual representations are displayed on the panel when in an opaque state and through the panel when in a transparent state.

Abstract: A lamp assembly for a vehicle comprising a housing, a reflector mounted in the housing, a light source, a printed circuit board or PCB mounted on a heatsink of the lamp assembly and coupled to the light source to control operation of the light source. The PCB has a first connector for coupling to a second connector comprising a body having a plurality of resilient or elastic arms that each have a detent for locking the connector to the component and retain electrical contact with the PCB. The wall of the heatsink defines an aperture for receiving the second connector and provides a locking surface that deflects the arms towards the body while engaging and cooperating with the detents to lock the connector to the PCB. The free end of the arms extend beyond the mounting wall and are actuated to unlock the connector from the PCB.

Abstract: A light masking system for a vehicle includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); at least one infrared (IR) light source disposed on a first surface of the PCB and configured to emit a first predetermined wavelength range of light; at least one masking light source disposed on the first surface of the PCB proximal to the IR light source and configured to emit a second predetermined wavelength range of light, wherein a portion of the emitted first predetermined wavelength range of light of the IR light source includes visible light; and the emitted second predetermined wavelength range of light of the at least one masking light source masks the emitted visible light from the first predetermined wavelength range of the at least one IR light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical arrangement system for an automotive lighting device that includes a low-beam module adapted to generate a luminous intensity distribution with a kink or hot-spot feature where the low-beam module includes: a high luminous source to emit light along an optical axis; a reflector directing light emissions from the at least one high luminous source forward; a projection lens having a thin aspect-ratio value that is arranged in operative relationship with the reflector; a folder arranged in an optical path between the reflector and the projection lens that facilitates the luminous intensity distribution that generates with adaption of the kink or hot-spot feature; and where the reflector has a reflection surface whose center axis is not aligned with the optical axis.

Abstract: A thin aspect lighting system and method are shown. The system and method include at least one module having a reflector that is generally elliptical in one cross-section and generally parabolic in another cross-section. Each module is adapted to generate at least one of a flat beam pattern, a high beam pattern or a low beam pattern, such as a low beam pattern with a kink or elbow. Also shown is a headlamp assembly having a plurality of modules that generate the same or a different light beam pattern. Manipulation and variation of facets or positions of various components, such as at least one light source provides improved characteristics in one or more of the light beam patterns.

Abstract: An IR illuminator used during the operation of autonomous vehicles, which provides improvement in the performance of cameras used in the vehicle at night time. An optical design of an outer lens of the IR illuminator is selected so that the outer lens forms a beam pattern for the output light from the IR light source, and also acts as a light guide for light emitted from a secondary visible light source, which is located in the same module as the IR light source, and which may be positioned on the same or a different printed circuit board as the IR light source. The material of outer lens is opalescent including scattering bodies. The optical design of the outer lens allows for improved field of view of the IR illuminator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source support of an automotive vehicle. The light source support comprises: a first non-flexible part adapted to be mounted with a plurality of first electronic components; and a second non-flexible part adapted to be mounted with a plurality of second electronic components. The light source support further comprises a flexible arm adapted to join the first non-flexible part and the second non-flexible part to form the light source support, which is twistable and rotatable. The first non-flexible part and the second non-flexible part are joined in a non-axial manner by the flexible arm such that a longitudinal axis of the first non-flexible part is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second non-flexible part when the first non-flexible part is joined with the second non-flexible part.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an automotive vehicle windshield cleaning system for cleaning outer windshield surfaces by an alternative means to wiper blades. The alternative windshield cleaning system includes a windshield component that applies a nano-hydrophobic coating or photocatalytic coating. A plurality of nozzles are arranged near the windshield periphery to spray or distribute generated compressed air. A control valve controls compressed air flow to the plurality of nozzles and regulates compressed air flow. A control unit operably connects and controls valving based on information received from one or more sensors. The control valve regulates compressed air flow towards the plurality of nozzles. Nozzles spray or direct compressed air onto a windshield's outer surface to remove extraneous elements residing on or along windshield surfaces.

Abstract: A housing for configuring a compact heat exchanger module includes separate fluid flow conduits integrally formed on at least one wall thereof and connected to at least one inlet and at least one outlet of at least one heat exchanger disposed within the housing. The separate fluid flow conduits configures at least a part of the heat exchange circuit that facilitates passage of fluid cooled/heated by the at least one heat exchanger through at least one region to be cooled/heated to extract/reject heat there-from/thereto and return heated/cooled fluid back to the at least one heat exchanger for cooling/heating thereof.

Abstract: An IR illuminator provides infrared radiation for a digital camera that includes a camera lens including a camera field of view; also including equidistant mounting substrates arranged adjacent to the digital camera with IR LEDs mounted to each mounting substrates and a cover lens positioned over the IR LEDs. The free-form cover lens shape facilitates an emitted radiation emission pattern but prevents visible light reflectivity into the camera lens such that the IR radiation emission pattern has an asymmetric field of view. Two IR illuminators near the camera are angled away from the camera optical direction. The cover lens may be a Fresnel lens, may include a diffractive layer or a collimator to shift radiation emitted from the LED towards an asymmetric distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device that includes a light guide; at least a first and a second light source; at least a first and a second optical coupler; and at least one collimator to generate a first collimated light beam and a second collimated light beam. The at least one first optical coupler is configured to receive the first collimated light beam that is directed along a first optical axis towards a first region of the light exit face producing a first photometric function. The at least one second optical coupler is configured to receive the second collimated light beam that is directed along a second optical axis towards a second region of the light exit face producing a second photometric function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical arrangement system for an automotive headlamp that includes a first low-beam module adapted to generate a first luminous intensity distribution with a kink or elbow feature where the low-beam module includes: a high luminous source to emit light along an optical axis; a reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the at least one high luminous source forward; a projection lens having a height of about 10 mm that is arranged in operative relationship with the reflector; a folder arranged in an optical path between the reflector and the projection lens where the folder includes a bump feature to facilitate the first luminous intensity distribution generation with application of the kink or elbow feature; and where the reflector has a reflection surface which features an elliptical surface whose center axis is not aligned with the optical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for an automotive lamp are provided. The apparatus includes a housing made of plastic having an impact groove formed on a surface of the housing, wherein the impact groove is designed as a function of a depth, a width, a desired force, a cross section, and a profile to cause a designed rupture upon application of an applied force.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for providing three-dimensional stereo sound to a vehicle to promote active safety and awareness to hazards. For instance, the present disclosure describes a method for providing three-dimensional stereo sound comprising receiving data signals from sensors positioned around an exterior of a vehicle, detecting a hazard based on the received data signals, determining characteristics of the detected hazard, generating an alert based on the determined characteristics of the detected hazard, and outputting the generated alert as the three-dimensional stereo sound via speakers arranged around an interior of the vehicle, the outputted alert communicating to a driver of the vehicle the determined characteristics of the detected hazard.

Abstract: A sensor-cleaning apparatus includes an upper piece, a lower piece fixed to the upper piece, a plurality of inserts inserted into the upper piece, and a plurality of nozzles. The upper piece and the lower piece form a tubular segment that is elongated along an arc of circle and encloses a chamber. Each nozzle is formed of the upper piece and one of the inserts. Each nozzle includes a deflection surface and a tunnel from the chamber to the deflection surface, and each tunnel is partially formed of the upper piece and partially formed of the respective insert.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium that modulate a composition of an audio output in accordance with a noise level of an environment. For instance, the present disclosure describes a method for modulating an audio output of a microphone array, comprising receiving two or more audio signals from two or more microphone capsules in the microphone array, each audio signal comprising an electrical noise of a corresponding microphone capsule and a response to acoustic stimuli in an environment perceived by the microphone capsule, estimating an acoustic contribution level of the environment based on the received audio signals, and determining, by processing circuitry, a composition of the audio output of the microphone array based on the estimated acoustic contribution level of the environment, the composition being based on at least a relationship between acoustic noise and directivity indices of each of a plurality of beamformers.