Abstract: A rear deck post assembly is provided for reinforcing a cargo bed of a utility vehicle. The assembly includes a first deck mount coupled to a vehicle frame, and a first rear deck post coupled to the first deck mount. A second deck mount is provided coupled to the vehicle frame and spaced apart from the first deck mount. A second rear deck post is coupled to the second deck mount. A deck sill component is provided longitudinally extending between the first deck post and the second deck post. Deck bolts may be used to couple the deck sill component, deck mounts, and deck posts to the vehicle frame. The first and second deck mounts and deck posts may be a cast aluminum alloy, a cast magnesium alloy, or a fiber reinforced composite material.

Abstract: A computing system for an autonomous engine module stores a self-driving capability and is configured to determine, by communication between an autonomous engine module in which the computing system resides and other autonomous engine modules, and responsive to a user request for use of an autonomous engine module, at least one suitable autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also generate a notification directed to the user including information relating to the at least one suitable autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also receive a selection by the user of an autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also, using the self-driving capability, autonomously drive the autonomous engine module to a designated pickup location responsive to selection by the user of the autonomous engine module as the autonomous engine module use candidate.

Abstract: A transportation system includes at least one passenger module and at least one autonomous engine module configured to operatively couple with the at least one passenger module to form an autonomous passenger vehicle.

Abstract: A stake pocket insert is structured to be positionable in a stake pocket of a vehicle cargo bed side wall. The stake pocket insert includes a stake receptacle defining a stake-receiving cavity and a mounting member secured to the stake receptacle and structured to define an opening leading from an exterior of the stake pocket insert into the stake-receiving cavity. A stake securement mechanism is mounted along a first portion of the stake pocket insert. The stake securement mechanism is structured to be operable to press against a stake positioned in the stake-receiving cavity so as to bias the stake against a bearing surface, thereby securing the stake within the stake receptacle between the stake securement mechanism and the bearing surface.

Abstract: A stake pocket insert is structured to be positionable in a stake pocket of a vehicle cargo bed side wall. The stake pocket insert includes a stake receptacle defining a stake-receiving cavity and a mounting member secured to the stake receptacle and structured to define an opening leading from an exterior of the stake pocket insert into the stake-receiving cavity. A stake securement mechanism is mounted along a first portion of the stake pocket insert. The stake securement mechanism is structured to be operable to press against a stake positioned in the stake-receiving cavity so as to bias the stake against a bearing surface, thereby securing the stake within the stake receptacle between the stake securement mechanism and the bearing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for designing a reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure includes a deck sill with a connecting end, having substantially uniform area moment of inertia throughout a length of the deck sill. Also, the reinforcement structure includes a rear post with a connecting end and a free end, having a varying area moment of inertia, and where the rear post is attached to the deck sill in a substantially perpendicular manner by attaching the connecting end of the deck sill to the connecting end of the rear post forming the reinforcement structure that limits deflection of the free end of the rear post to a target value upon application of a cantilever force at the free end of the rear post.

Abstract: A system and method that detects, using processing circuitry, a predetermined energy condition. The processing circuitry determines a geographic location of a vehicle, identifies at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors, determines a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation, determines whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle, and enters an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Headlight leveling systems and methods are described. A determination can be made as to whether an input corresponding to a loading condition of the vehicle has been received from a vehicle occupant. If an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle has been received from the vehicle occupant, a headlight level setting can be determined based upon the input. Further, an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly can be caused to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting. Manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level setting can be avoided. In some instances, responsive to receiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition of the vehicle, a prompt can be presented to a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A load support structure is provided for a vehicle tailgate. The structure includes a base incorporated into the tailgate, a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base, and a second retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base.

Abstract: A transportation system includes at least one passenger module and at least one autonomous engine module configured to operatively couple with the at least one passenger module to form an autonomous passenger vehicle.

Abstract: A cross member including a base including a first side wall inclined at a first angle with the base and a second side wall inclined at a second angle with the base creating a hollow portion between the first side wall and a second side wall, a first outer flange and a second outer flange projecting from the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively, in a direction away from the hollow portion, and a first inner flange projecting from a top side of the first side wall into the hollow portion, wherein the base, the first side wall and the second side wall, the first outer flange and the second outer flange, and the first inner flange form an open cross-section.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body that has a cabin area and a cargo area including a truck bed assembly. A tailgate assembly is pivotally connected to the truck bed assembly at a location between a pair of tailgate posts, the tailgate assembly being moveable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration. A vehicle video system includes a first rear video camera that captures a first field of view at least partially rearward of a rear bumper assembly of the vehicle body with the tailgate assembly in the raised configuration and a second rear video camera that captures a second field of view rearward of the tailgate assembly with the tailgate assembly in the lowered configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for designing a reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure includes a deck sill with a connecting end, having substantially uniform area moment of inertia throughout a length of the deck sill. Also, the reinforcement structure includes a rear post with a connecting end and a free end, having a varying area moment of inertia, and where the rear post is attached to the deck sill in a substantially perpendicular manner by attaching the connecting end of the deck sill to the connecting end of the rear post forming the reinforcement structure that limits deflection of the free end of the rear post to a target value upon application of a cantilever force at the free end of the rear post.

Abstract: A cross member including a base including a first side wall inclined at a first angle with the base and a second side wall inclined at a second angle with the base creating a hollow portion between the first side wall and a second side wall, a first outer flange and a second outer flange projecting from the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively, in a direction away from the hollow portion, and a first inner flange projecting from a top side of the first side wall into the hollow portion, wherein the base, the first side wall and the second side wall, the first outer flange and the second outer flange, and the first inner flange form an open cross-section.

Abstract: One or more vehicle sensors can be integrated into existing vehicle housings or structures to provide a streamlined appearance, potentially improved sensing capabilities, and a reduction in the use of extra structures to hold the one or more vehicle sensors. In one or more arrangements, one or more vehicle sensors can be located within a body of the vehicle and can be spaced from the vehicle emblem in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The one or more sensors can be configured and/or operatively positioned to sense at least a portion of an external environment of the vehicle through the vehicle emblem. In one or more arrangements, one or more sensors can be located within a front grille of the vehicle. The one or more sensors are configured to sense at least a portion of an external environment of the vehicle through the front grille.

Abstract: A load support structure is provided for a vehicle tailgate. The structure includes a base incorporated into the tailgate, a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base, and a second retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base.

Abstract: A system and method that detects, using processing circuitry, a predetermined energy condition. The processing circuitry determines a geographic location of a vehicle, identifies at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors, determines a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation, determines whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle, and enters an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Determination of electrical network topology and connectivity are described herein. A zero-crossing is indicated at a time when the line voltage of a conducting wire in an electrical grid is zero. Such zero-crossings may be used to measure time within a smart grid, and to determine the connectivity of, and the electrical phase used by, particular network elements. A first meter may receive a phase angle determination (PAD) message, including zero-crossing information, sent from a second meter, hereafter called a reference meter. The first meter may compare the received zero-crossing information to its own zero-crossing information. A phase difference may be determined between the first meter and the reference meter from which the PAD message originated. The first meter may pass the PAD message to additional meters, which propagate the message through the network. Accordingly, an electrical phase used by meters within the network may be determined.

Abstract: Systems for altering vehicle functions are provided. A system for altering a vehicle function includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions may cause the system to determine a presence of a roof mounted article on a vehicle and disable at least one movable roof member function in response to the determination. In some embodiments, in response to determining that the vehicle is proximate a structure and determining the presence of the vehicle mounted article on the vehicle, the system may generate a notification pertaining to the vehicle mounted article. In some embodiments, the system may provide navigation assistance based on the determination that the vehicle mounted article is present on the vehicle.

Abstract: Headlight leveling systems and methods are described. A determination can be made as to whether an input corresponding to a loading condition of the vehicle has been received from a vehicle occupant. If an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle has been received from the vehicle occupant, a headlight level setting can be determined based upon the input. Further, an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly can be caused to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting. Manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level setting can be avoided. In some instances, responsive to receiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition of the vehicle, a prompt can be presented to a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle.