Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary portable power systems for vehicles. The portable power systems may be configured as a secondary battery pack that is removably stored within a front trunk of a vehicle. The portable power systems may include a plurality of individually removable battery units that can be used to extend vehicle driving range or power electrically powered devices that are separate from the vehicle. In some embodiments, when the portable power system is stored in the vehicle and an electrically powered device is connected to the portable power system, the vehicle may be controlled in a Following Mode in which the vehicle is autonomously moved to follow an operator of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: This disclosure details cargo management systems for monitoring the regulatory compliance of cargo positioned on a vehicle. Exemplary cargo management systems may be configured to estimate a distance an item of cargo extends beyond a perimeter of the vehicle and then compare the estimated distance with a cargo-related regulation to confirm compliance of the item of cargo with the cargo-related regulation. The cargo management system may further be configured to detect positional changes of the item of cargo to ensure continued compliance of the item of cargo with the cargo-related regulation during vehicle operation. The cargo management system may issue an alert when the item of cargo is determined to be non-compliant with the cargo-related regulation or when the item of cargo shifts during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A vehicle including a passenger compartment is configured with one or more seats, a storage compartment separated from the passenger compartment by way of at least one wall, a housing extending through the at least one wall, and a drawer slidably positioned within the housing and movable between a first position accessible from within the passenger compartment and a second position accessible from the storage compartment.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a needle motion of a material applicator are disclosed. The system includes an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric device, where the actuator assembly is connected to a needle and translates the needle along a vertical direction, and a sensor assembly that includes an emitter for emitting light, where a portion of the actuator assembly occludes a portion of the light. The sensor assembly also includes a receiver for receiving a non-occluded portion of the light and a sensor holder that secures the emitter and the receiver. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the piezoelectric device, emitter, and receiver, where the controller adjusts operation of the actuator assembly based on feedback received from the receiver.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to storage bin for a door of a motor vehicle. In an example, a door, which provides a boundary between a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and an exterior of the motor vehicle, includes a storage bin configured such that an item in the storage bin is accessible both from the passenger compartment and from the exterior.

Abstract: A vehicle including a passenger compartment is configured with one or more seats, a storage compartment separated from the passenger compartment by way of at least one wall, a housing extending through the at least one wall, and a drawer slidably positioned within the housing and movable between a first position accessible from within the passenger compartment and a second position accessible from the storage compartment.

Abstract: This disclosure details cargo management systems for monitoring the regulatory compliance of cargo positioned on a vehicle. Exemplary cargo management systems may be configured to estimate a distance an item of cargo extends beyond a perimeter of the vehicle and then compare the estimated distance with a cargo-related regulation to confirm compliance of the item of cargo with the cargo-related regulation. The cargo management system may further be configured to detect positional changes of the item of cargo to ensure continued compliance of the item of cargo with the cargo-related regulation during vehicle operation. The cargo management system may issue an alert when the item of cargo is determined to be non-compliant with the cargo-related regulation or when the item of cargo shifts during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rotatable rim comprising a core structure, a steering angle sensor sensing an angle of rotation of the rim, and a plurality of proximity sensors located on the rim and spaced apart from one another along an arc length. The vehicle steering wheel also includes a controller processing sensed outputs generated by each of the plurality of proximity sensors and determining operator input commands based on the sensed outputs. The controller assigns a function to each of the proximity sensors that changes as the rim is rotated at an angle such that a given function associated with a proximity sensor remains at the same position in space.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a needle motion of a material applicator are disclosed. The system includes an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric device, where the actuator assembly is connected to a needle and translates the needle along a vertical direction, and a sensor assembly that includes an emitter for emitting light, where a portion of the actuator assembly occludes a portion of the light. The sensor assembly also includes a receiver for receiving a non-occluded portion of the light and a sensor holder that secures the emitter and the receiver. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the piezoelectric device, emitter, and receiver, where the controller adjusts operation of the actuator assembly based on feedback received from the receiver.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to storage bin for a door of a motor vehicle. In an example, a door, which provides a boundary between a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and an exterior of the motor vehicle, includes a storage bin configured such that an item in the storage bin is accessible both from the passenger compartment and from the exterior.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rotatable rim comprising a core structure, a steering angle sensor sensing an angle of rotation of the rim, and a plurality of proximity sensors located on the rim and spaced apart from one another along an arc length. The vehicle steering wheel also includes a controller processing sensed outputs generated by each of the plurality of proximity sensors and determining operator input commands based on the sensed outputs. The controller assigns a function to each of the proximity sensors that changes as the rim is rotated at an angle such that a given function associated with a proximity sensor remains at the same position in space.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary portable power systems for vehicles. The portable power systems may be configured as a secondary battery pack that is removably stored within a front trunk of a vehicle. The portable power systems may include a plurality of individually removable battery units that can be used to extend vehicle driving range or power electrically powered devices that are separate from the vehicle. In some embodiments, when the portable power system is stored in the vehicle and an electrically powered device is connected to the portable power system, the vehicle may be controlled in a Following Mode in which the vehicle is autonomously moved to follow an operator of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a needle motion of a material applicator are disclosed. The system includes an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric device, where the actuator assembly is connected to a needle and translates the needle along a vertical direction, and a sensor assembly that includes an emitter for emitting light, where a portion of the actuator assembly occludes a portion of the light. The sensor assembly also includes a receiver for receiving a non-occluded portion of the light and a sensor holder that secures the emitter and the receiver. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the piezoelectric device, emitter, and receiver, where the controller adjusts operation of the actuator assembly based on feedback received from the receiver.

Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus and method that provides for precise adjustment of one or more dispensing modules relative to a substrate. The liquid dispensing apparatus and method includes a manifold which has a liquid discharge orifice that is adapted to connect to a source of liquid, such as adhesive. The manifold further has an elongated slot which has a plurality of walls and a recess portion formed in one of those walls. A mounting block has a flange portion that is disposed in and cooperating with the recess portion of the slot so that the mounting block is retained in and selectively slidable along the slot. A dispensing module with a liquid passageway is removably affixed to the mounting block with the liquid passageway in fluid communication with the liquid discharge orifice in the manifold.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus and method that provides for precise adjustment of one or more dispensing modules relative to a substrate. The liquid dispensing apparatus and method includes a manifold which has a liquid discharge orifice that is adapted to connect to a source of liquid, such as adhesive. The manifold further has an elongated slot which has a plurality of walls and a recess portion formed in one of those walls. A mounting block has a flange portion that is disposed in and cooperating with the recess portion of the slot so that the mounting block is retained in and selectively slidable along the slot. A dispensing module with a liquid passageway is removably affixed to the mounting block with the liquid passageway in fluid communication with the liquid discharge orifice in the manifold.