Abstract: A rock rail assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting structure, an arm mounted to the mounting structure, a motor bracket coupled to the mounting structure, a motor mounted to the motor bracket, a pivot bar pivotably coupled with the mounting structure, a rail coupled with the pivot bar and operable to move between stowed and deployed positions, and a sector gear coupled to the pivot bar. The motor has a shaft that includes a first end, a second end, and a worm gear portion. Operation of the motor drives rotation of the shaft. The sector gear is operably engaged with the worm gear portion of the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft by the motor drives pivotal movement of the pivot bar relative to the mounting structure, causing movement of the rail coupled thereto between the stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle assembly, including: a roof including a recess; a rail, wherein the rail is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the rail is at least partially within a recess of the roof in the retracted position, wherein the rail is able to connect to an accessory arranged above the roof in the deployed position; and a joint assembly, wherein the joint assembly is configured to guide movement of the rail between the retracted position and the deployed position, wherein the joint assembly includes a first foot, a second foot, and a slotted track, and wherein the first foot and the second foot are arranged at least partially within the slotted track.

Abstract: Charging cord assemblies for transferring power between electrified vehicles during in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events may include a cable including a wire bundle coated with a conductive foamed plastic shielding to establish a cable subassembly. The conductive foamed plastic shielding is configured to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the cable. Various cable routing arrangements may be utilized for routing the cable of the charging cord assembly during the in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes a base including a first locking feature, a lid including a second locking feature, and a metal joint fusing the first locking feature to the second locking feature. The metal joint is configured to melt to disconnect the first locking feature from the second locking feature.

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: An accessory attachment system includes a baseplate that provides an attachment interface on a support surface. The baseplate is configured to engage with at least one accessory via the attachment interface to secure the accessory to the support surface. The attachment interface provides a plurality of different mounting positions for the at least one accessory. At least one mounting foot is associated with the at least one accessory and is configured to be selectively coupled to the attachment interface to provide a desired one of the plurality of different mounting positions. The at least one mounting foot includes an adjustment feature to account for any warpage of the support surface when the at least one accessory is mounted in the desired one of the plurality of different mounting positions.

Abstract: A rock rail assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting assembly coupled to the vehicle and comprising a shock absorption pad, and a rail assembly pivotably coupled to the mounting assembly and having a rail. The shock absorption pad is the vehicle-laterally-outboardmost portion of the mounting assembly. The rail assembly is operable to pivot relative to the mounting assembly to move the rail between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position of the rail, a portion of the rail abuts the shock absorption pad.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine brake pad wear are disclosed herein. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a brake, memory, and a processor to execute instructions to detect the vehicle is in operation on a road, determine a deceleration capability of the brake in response to a first brake check event, compare the deceleration capability of the vehicle to a first threshold, and in response to determining the deceleration capability of the vehicle does not satisfy the first threshold, cause the vehicle to navigate to an exit of the road prior to a portion of the road with a grade higher than a threshold grade.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for controlling electrical power outlets in a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor of an electrical power outlet controller includes detecting a transitioning of a vehicle to a drive mode and further includes disconnecting, based on the transitioning, electrical power supplied to a first electrical power outlet in the vehicle. The transitioning of the vehicle to the drive mode may be detected based on a transition of a drive selector of the vehicle from a park position to a drive position. In another example method, the processor, detects the vehicle in motion and disconnects electrical power supplied to a second electrical power outlet in the vehicle. The first electrical power outlet and/or the second electrical power outlet are accessible from outside the vehicle, and may, for example, be located outside a cabin area of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various vehicle systems are proposed for facilitating access to and utilization of motor vehicle cargo spaces. The vehicle systems may include deployable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, cargo bed swing door systems, etc. The vehicle systems allow the cargo spaces to be accessed from a variety of positions relative to the cargo space.

Abstract: An accessory attachment system includes a baseplate that provides an attachment interface on a support surface. The baseplate is configured to engage with at least one accessory via the attachment interface to secure the accessory to the support surface. The attachment interface provides a plurality of different mounting positions for the at least one accessory. At least one mounting foot is associated with the at least one accessory and is configured to be selectively coupled to the attachment interface to provide a desired one of the plurality of different mounting positions. The at least one mounting foot includes an adjustment feature to account for any warpage of the support surface when the at least one accessory is mounted in the desired one of the plurality of different mounting positions.

Abstract: A vehicle closure module overtravel accommodating system includes a closure module of a vehicle. The closure module is pivotably coupled to a vehicle frame and is configured to pivot relative to the vehicle frame back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a breakaway mount of the vehicle, and a bumper assembly having a head disposed on a base. The bumper assembly engages the breakaway mount to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle running board assembly includes a step board, a movable arm coupled to the step board, an electric motor operably coupled to the movable arm to actuate the step board between stowed and use positions and a controller controlling the electric motor, wherein the controller controls the electric motor based on sensed temperature and a motor cycle count.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical distribution system includes an electrical box having at least one power outlet. The electrical box is configured to be moved between a stowed position where the electrical box is housed within a compartment of a vehicle, and an deployed position where the electrical box is outside the compartment.

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: An adjustable base plate system includes a first track structure configured to extend along one side of a vehicle cargo area and a second track structure configured to extend along an opposite side of a vehicle cargo area. At least one base plate has a first edge and a second edge opposite of the first edge, wherein the first edge is supported by the first track structure and the second edge is supported by the second track structure. The first track structure and the second track structure each comprise at least a first tier track and a second tier track such that a distance between a bottom surface of the at least one base plate and a support surface of the vehicle cargo area can be adjusted.

Abstract: A battery housing assembly for housing battery components of an electric vehicle includes a battery tray, a lid, and a sealant. The battery tray includes a channel located outwardly relative to the battery components. The lid is secured to the battery tray and includes an end portion disposed within the channel. The lid further includes at least one alignment feature configured to align the lid and the battery tray. The sealant is disposed within a portion of the channel of the battery tray and is configured to secure the battery tray and the lid to each other. The sealant is further configured to seal an internal cavity of the battery housing assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle winch control assembly includes, among other things, a winch, and a vehicle input device that is reassigned to control the winch. The vehicle input device can be an accelerator pedal. A vehicle winch control method includes, among other things, reassigning a vehicle input device, and, after the reassigning, controlling a winch using the vehicle input device.

Abstract: Various vehicle systems are proposed for facilitating access to and utilization of motor vehicle cargo spaces. The vehicle systems may include deployable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, cargo bed swing door systems, etc. The vehicle systems allow the cargo spaces to be accessed from a variety of positions relative to the cargo space.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to vehicle exterior imaging systems that capture and display views of the exterior environment to vehicle operators. An exemplary vehicle exterior imaging system may include a glass panel including a combiner positioned between a first layer of glass and a second layer of glass, a first exterior side-view imager assembly configured to capture images of a vehicle exterior environment, and a projector assembly configured to project an output image onto the glass panel. The output image is based on the images captured by the first exterior side-view imager assembly. The glass panel may be part of either a windshield or a door window, and the projector assembly may be mounted either outside or inside of a housing of the first exterior side-view imager assembly.