Abstract: A functional vehicle component and related methods include a transmitter coil and a molded part. The molded part includes a first thermoformed film, a molded polymeric structural layer arranged under the film, a printed electronic circuit arranged under the film and adjacent the structural layer, an optional second thermoformed film, and graphics on the first film. The electronic circuit includes a receiver coil, conductive traces, and electronic elements. The first film is arranged to cover the polymeric structural layer and the electronic circuit to thereby define an exposed surface of the molded part. The first film and/or the graphics camouflages the circuit. The transmitter coil is connected to an external power source, and is arranged on the molded part such that the receiver coil is inductively coupled to the transmitter coil so as to wirelessly power the electronic elements of the circuit.

Abstract: A robotic device having in-mold electronics is provided. According to one or more aspects, a robotic device includes an electronic computing unit for controlling the robotic device and a molded part. The molded part includes a thermoformed first film, structural layer, electronic circuit, and a functional component. The molded structural layer is arranged under the first film. The thermoformed second film arranged under the structural layer. The electronic circuit arranged over the second film and adjacent the structural layer. The electronic circuit includes a functional component communicably coupled to the electronic computing unit. The first film is arranged to cover the structural layer, the second film, and the electronic circuit to define an exposed surface of the molded part.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a compartment includes a conductive thread incorporated near a surface that has microbes on it. An electric current may flow through the conductive thread to kill the microbes on the surface through low-frequency electromagnetic pulse sterilization of the surface. The conductive trace is also in contact with air in the compartment. The electric current flowing through the conductive trace also ionizes the air within the compartment, which produces charged particles that are removed from the air.

Abstract: A filter includes filter medium that screens out impurities from a fluid, and a conductive thread contacting the filter medium. A power source provides electric current flowing through the conductive thread, which causes electrical phenomena that is detected by a sensor. A sensor detects the electrical phenomena resulting from the flow of electric current through the conductive thread. Buildup on impurities in the filter causes a change in the electrical phenomena, which change is detected by the sensor and indicates the level of impurities in the filter. An indicator is in communication with the sensor, and provides an alert that the filter should be replaced when the level of impurities exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A functional vehicle component and related methods include a functional leather assembly fixed over a vehicle component. The functional leather assembly includes a leather sheet, a flexible electronic circuit arranged on a first surface of the leather sheet that faces away from the vehicle component to thereby define an outermost surface of the leather sheet, and including a receiver coil inductively coupled to a transmitter coil on the vehicle component for wirelessly transferring power to the functional leather assembly. Power from a vehicle power source can be wirelessly transferred between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil to power electronic elements of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A system for providing an alert to an owner of an object that the object is on a surface. The alert reminds the owner that the object is on the surface and to retrieve the object, thus inhibiting abandonment of the object by the owner. The system includes a material layer including a conductive thread thereon. The material layer can define the surface and be arranged in a vehicle. An electrical current flowing through the conductive thread produces an electrical phenomenon. The object produces a change in the electrical phenomenon detected by the sensor. If the object is detected on the surface and the owner of the object is leaving the object on the surface, the system provides the alert to the owner that the object is on the surface so the object can be retrieved by the owner.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a compartment includes a conductive thread incorporated near a surface that has microbes on it. An electric current may flow through the conductive thread to kill the microbes on the surface through low-frequency electromagnetic pulse sterilization of the surface. The conductive trace is also in contact with air in the compartment. The electric current flowing through the conductive trace also ionizes the air within the compartment, which produces charged particles that are removed from the air.

Abstract: A filter includes filter medium that screens out impurities from a fluid, and a conductive thread contacting the filter medium. A power source provides electric current flowing through the conductive thread, which causes electrical phenomena that is detected by a sensor. A sensor detects the electrical phenomena resulting from the flow of electric current through the conductive thread. Buildup on impurities in the filter causes a change in the electrical phenomena, which change is detected by the sensor and indicates the level of impurities in the filter. An indicator is in communication with the sensor, and provides an alert that the filter should be replaced when the level of impurities exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for providing an alert to an owner of an object that the object is on a surface. The alert reminds the owner that the object is on the surface and to retrieve the object, thus inhibiting abandonment of the object by the owner. The system includes a material layer including a conductive thread thereon. The material layer can define the surface and be arranged in a vehicle. An electrical current flowing through the conductive thread produces an electrical phenomenon. The object produces a change in the electrical phenomenon detected by the sensor. If the object is detected on the surface and the owner of the object is leaving the object on the surface, the system provides the alert to the owner that the object is on the surface so the object can be retrieved by the owner.

Abstract: A robotic device having in-mold electronics is provided. According to one or more aspects, a robotic device includes an electronic computing unit for controlling the robotic device and a molded part. The molded part includes a thermoformed first film, structural layer, electronic circuit, and a functional component. The molded structural layer is arranged under the first film. The thermoformed second film arranged under the structural layer. The electronic circuit arranged over the second film and adjacent the structural layer. The electronic circuit includes a functional component communicably coupled to the electronic computing unit. The first film is arranged to cover the structural layer, the second film, and the electronic circuit to define an exposed surface of the molded part.

Abstract: A vehicle having in-mold electronics is provided. According to one or more aspects, a vehicle includes a vehicle computing device, for controlling the vehicle, and a molded part. The molded part includes a thermoformed first film, structural layer, electronic circuit, and a functional component. The molded structural layer is arranged under the first film. The thermoformed second film arranged under the structural layer. The electronic circuit arranged over the second film and adjacent the structural layer. The electronic circuit includes a functional component communicably coupled to the vehicle computing device. The first film is arranged to cover the structural layer, the second film, and the electronic circuit to define an exposed surface of the molded part that forms an exterior portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A functional vehicle component and related methods include a transmitter coil and a molded part. The molded part includes a first thermoformed film, a molded polymeric structural layer arranged under the film, a printed electronic circuit arranged under the film and adjacent the structural layer, an optional second thermoformed film, and graphics on the first film. The electronic circuit includes a receiver coil, conductive traces, and electronic elements. The first film is arranged to cover the polymeric structural layer and the electronic circuit to thereby define an exposed surface of the molded part. The first film and/or the graphics camouflages the circuit. The transmitter coil is connected to an external power source, and is arranged on the molded part such that the receiver coil is inductively coupled to the transmitter coil so as to wirelessly power the electronic elements of the circuit.

Abstract: A functional vehicle component and related methods include a functional leather assembly fixed over a vehicle component. The functional leather assembly includes a leather sheet, a flexible electronic circuit arranged on a first surface of the leather sheet that faces away from the vehicle component to thereby define an outermost surface of the leather sheet, and including a receiver coil inductively coupled to a transmitter coil on the vehicle component for wirelessly transferring power to the functional leather assembly. Power from a vehicle power source can be wirelessly transferred between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil to power electronic elements of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: An electrical outlet assembly for a vehicle is provided. The electrical outlet assembly includes a panel and an electrical receptacle. The panel includes a sidewall and a bottom wall that extends from the sidewall, and is coupleable to a vehicle panel of the vehicle to define an interior cavity therewith. The electrical receptacle is coupled within a receptacle opening defined in the sidewall. The sidewall defines a first drain opening beneath the electrical receptacle, and the bottom wall at least partially defines a second drain opening, each of the first and second drain openings providing fluid communication with the interior cavity. The panel is configured to direct fluid that enters the interior cavity through the first drain opening out of the second drain opening and away from the electrical receptacle.

Abstract: An electrical outlet assembly for a vehicle is provided. The electrical outlet assembly includes a panel and an electrical receptacle. The panel includes a sidewall and a bottom wall that extends from the sidewall, and is coupleable to a vehicle panel of the vehicle to define an interior cavity therewith. The electrical receptacle is coupled within a receptacle opening defined in the sidewall. The sidewall defines a first drain opening beneath the electrical receptacle, and the bottom wall at least partially defines a second drain opening, each of the first and second drain openings providing fluid communication with the interior cavity. The panel is configured to direct fluid that enters the interior cavity through the first drain opening out of the second drain opening and away from the electrical receptacle.

Abstract: A multi-position switch assembly includes a housing, a first holder configured for both rotational and pivotal movement, and a second holder received in the first holder. In a pivoted position, first engagement members of the housing engage second engagement members of the first holder to prevent rotation of the first holder. The second holder is rotationally fixed and is pivotable with the first holder. The second holder supports the first holder but is not directly connected to the first holder. A pushbutton extends through the second holder, is fixed against rotation and is movable linearly relative to the second holder. A detector is adapted to detect rotation of the first holder. A first input device is actuated by pivotal movement of the second holder. The first holder is spaced from and does not contact the first input device. A second input device is actuated by linear movement of the pushbutton.

Abstract: A multi-position switch assembly includes a housing, a first holder configured for both rotational and pivotal movement, and a second holder received in the first holder. In a pivoted position, first engagement members of the housing engage second engagement members of the first holder to prevent rotation of the first holder. The second holder is rotationally fixed and is pivotable with the first holder. The second holder supports the first holder but is not directly connected to the first holder. A pushbutton extends through the second holder, is fixed against rotation and is movable linearly relative to the second holder. A detector is adapted to detect rotation of the first holder. A first input device is actuated by pivotal movement of the second holder. The first holder is spaced from and does not contact the first input device. A second input device is actuated by linear movement of the pushbutton.

Abstract: A multi-position switch assembly for controlling a vehicle display screen includes a rocker configured to spherically rotate. The rocker defines an interior space. A pushbutton extends through the interior space of the rocker. The pushbutton is fixed with respect to rotation and is movable linearly relative to the rocker. An encoder detects a rotation angle of the rocker. A first input device is actuated by the spherical movement of the rocker. A second input device is actuated by the linear movement of the pushbutton.

Abstract: A multi-position switch assembly for controlling a vehicle display screen includes a rocker configured to spherically rotate. The rocker defines an interior space. A pushbutton extends through the interior space of the rocker. The pushbutton is fixed with respect to rotation and is movable linearly relative to the rocker. An encoder detects a rotation angle of the rocker. A first input device is actuated by the spherical movement of the rocker. A second input device is actuated by the linear movement of the pushbutton.