Abstract: A vehicle door includes a belt structure and a rigid handle having a rigid base and a rigid outer grip portion. The rigid outer grip portion includes a portion that is spaced apart from the base to form a gap. The base of the handle is rigidly connected to the belt structure whereby the outer grip portion of the handle does not move relative to the belt structure. The vehicle door may include a powered door opening mechanism that moves a portion of the door away from a vehicle body when actuated.

Abstract: A system includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is configured to be movably mounted within a vehicle structure to move between an open position and a closed position. The second panel is moveable independently of the first panel within the vehicle structure by a drive mechanism between a deployed position and a non-deployed position. The second panel is automatically or selectively moved to the deployed position to provide a privacy mode within a passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a belt structure and a rigid handle having a rigid base and a rigid outer grip portion. The rigid outer grip portion includes a portion that is spaced apart from the base to form a gap. The base of the handle is rigidly connected to the belt structure whereby the outer grip portion of the handle does not move relative to the belt structure. The vehicle door may include a powered door opening mechanism that moves a portion of the door away from a vehicle body when actuated.

Abstract: A discloses latch module assembly includes a channel and a bracket supported on the channel. The bracket supports a handle assembly and is movable between a collapsed position and an installed position to enable assembly through small openings within a door. A method of installing a door latch module assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for forming a glass panel includes a mixing apparatus for weighing and mixing glass particles and additives, an oven for melting and holding molten glass, a float chamber for floating molten glass thereover, an annealing lehr, and at least a nozzle for delivering compressed air at least of one of a first pressure and a second pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a belt structure and a rigid handle having a rigid base and a rigid outer grip portion. The rigid outer grip portion includes a portion that is spaced apart from the base to form a gap. The base of the handle is rigidly connected to the belt structure whereby the outer grip portion of the handle does not move relative to the belt structure. The vehicle door may include a powered door opening mechanism that moves a portion of the door away from a vehicle body when actuated.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly is disclosed that includes a screen assembly mountable within an opening and a motor operable to move a movable window to engage the screen assembly and hold the screen assembly within the opening. A controller is provided that is configured to operate the motor to apply a desired force against the screen assembly with the movable window to hold the screen assembly within the opening.

Abstract: Processes and methods for preparing glass panels for use with automobiles include mixing and melting glass particles. Molten glass is passed along into a lehr, where the molten glass is annealed. Annealed glass is cut into glass panels. A nozzle systems delivers compressed air to the glass panels to form a curvature for providing a top seal contact area. A nozzle system delivers a second blast of compressed air, which marks the glass panel to identify characteristics of the glass panel.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly is disclosed that includes a screen assembly mountable within an opening and a motor operable to move a movable window to engage the screen assembly and hold the screen assembly within the opening. A controller is provided that is configured to operate the motor to apply a desired force against the screen assembly with the movable window to hold the screen assembly within the opening.

Abstract: A liquid diverter assembly for a vehicle door includes, among other things, a funnel adjacent a vertically lower end portion of a glass run within a vehicle door, and a conduit that communicates liquid from the funnel around an electrically powered component of the vehicle door. A method of diverting liquid within a vehicle door includes, among other things, collecting liquid from a glass run of a vehicle door within a funnel, communicating liquid from the funnel to a conduit, and communicating liquid through the conduit such that the liquid moves around an electric component of the vehicle door.

Abstract: Methods for preparing thermoplastic automotive appliques include applying heat from an auxiliary heater to a tool cavity of a forming tool. The auxiliary heater is activated for a period of time until a temperature of the heated tool cavity is heated to less than or equal to about a melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The heated tool cavity is filled with the thermoplastic, and a cooling fluid is pulsed through the forming tool. The thermoplastic applique is then removed, and the supply of cooling fluid is turned off.

Abstract: An iridescent vehicle badge (and methods for making it) that includes a translucent, polymeric badge having a non-planar shape and comprising an interior and an exterior surface. Further, at least one of the surfaces of the badge comprises a plurality of diffraction gratings that are integral with the badge, each having a thickness from 250 nm to 1000 nm and a varying period from 50 nm to 5 microns. In some cases, the thickness can range from 500 nm to 750 nm. The period, in some cases, can vary within a set of discrete values in one or more portions of the at least one of the surfaces of the badge, e.g., from 150 nm to 400 nm.

Abstract: A liquid diverter assembly for a vehicle door includes, among other things, a funnel adjacent a vertically lower end portion of a glass run within a vehicle door, and a conduit that communicates liquid from the funnel around an electrically powered component of the vehicle door. A method of diverting liquid within a vehicle door includes, among other things, collecting liquid from a glass run of a vehicle door within a funnel, communicating liquid from the funnel to a conduit, and communicating liquid through the conduit such that the liquid moves around an electric component of the vehicle door.

Abstract: This disclosure details two toned door handles for vehicle doors. An exemplary two toned door handle may include a non-metallized portion and a metallized portion. The metallized portion may include a metallic layer that is transparent to signals sent and received by an antenna module packaged inside the two toned door handle. Exemplary methods for cost-effectively manufacturing the two toned door handle are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vehicle windows may include water management features. In some embodiments, the vehicle windows include a water management corner piece for managing the flow of water or other precipitation around the window. The water management corner piece may be secured to a window glass pane and may positioned and shaped for channeling the water along an engineered drainage path.

Abstract: A discloses latch module assembly includes a channel and a bracket supported on the channel. The bracket supports a handle assembly and is movable between a collapsed position and an installed position to enable assembly through small openings within a door. A method of installing a door latch module assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A discloses latch module assembly includes a channel and a bracket supported on the channel. The bracket supports a handle assembly and is movable between a collapsed position and an installed position to enable assembly through small openings within a door. A method of installing a door latch module assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly is disclosed that includes a screen assembly mountable within an opening and a motor operable to move a movable window to engage the screen assembly and hold the screen assembly within the opening. A controller is provided that is configured to operate the motor to apply a desired force against the screen assembly with the movable window to hold the screen assembly within the opening.

Abstract: Processes and methods for preparing glass panels for use with automobiles include mixing and melting glass particles. Molten glass is passed along into a lehr, where the molten glass is annealed. Annealed glass is cut into glass panels. A nozzle systems delivers compressed air to the glass panels to form a curvature for providing a top seal contact area. A nozzle system delivers a second blast of compressed air, which marks the glass panel to identify characteristics of the glass panel.

Abstract: Methods for preparing thermoplastic automotive appliques include applying heat from an auxiliary heater to a tool cavity of a forming tool. The auxiliary heater is activated for a period of time until a temperature of the heated tool cavity is heated to less than or equal to about a melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The heated tool cavity is filled with the thermoplastic, and a cooling fluid is pulsed through the forming tool. The thermoplastic applique is then removed, and the supply of cooling fluid is turned off.