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: 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: 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 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: 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.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for coordinating and executing bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and one or more participating electrified recreational vehicles. Energy may be transferred from an electrified vehicle to one or more electrified recreational vehicles, from the one or more electrified recreational vehicles to the electrified vehicle, or both during bidirectional energy transfer events. The proposed systems and methods may further be configured to provide various charging configurations between the electrified vehicle and the one or more electrified recreational vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, a load ramp, and a moisture sensor. The access aperture provides access to an interior of the vehicle. The closure panel selectively covers at least a portion of the access aperture. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the access aperture. The load ramp is deployably coupled to the closure panel. The load ramp includes a coupled end and a free end. The load ramp is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The moisture sensor is positioned proximate to the free end of the load ramp. Methods of controlling the vehicle are also disclosed.

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: Deployable step systems are disclosed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The proposed deployable step systems may include various deployment mechanisms that are capable of sliding, pivoting, rotating, swinging, and/or otherwise adjusting for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space. The proposed deployable step systems may provide improved access to the vehicle cargo space irrespective of what position the tailgate assembly is positioned in relative to the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for guiding an individual to an electrical power outlet in a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor of an electrical power outlet controller in a vehicle includes determining that an individual is seeking an electrical power outlet provided on the vehicle, selecting a first electrical power outlet from a plurality of electrical power outlets provided on the vehicle, and providing location information of the first electrical power outlet. The location information may be provided in various forms such as in the form of an audio signal (a beeping sound produced by a beeper, for example), a visual indication (a light source illuminating the electrical power outlet, for example) an audible instruction (navigation assistance provided via a speaker, for example), a graphical indication (navigation assistance via a personal device), and/or a text message (navigation assistance via a personal device).

Abstract: Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: A vehicle is described. The vehicle may include a vehicle sensor configured to detect cart location, and a lifting mechanism disposed at a vehicle sidewall. The lifting mechanism is configured to lift and secure a cart on a target location on the vehicle sidewall. The vehicle may further include a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain the cart location from the vehicle sensor, determine that the cart is aligned with the target location. Responsive to a determination that the cart is aligned, the processor is configured to transmit a command signal to the lifting mechanism to lift and secure the cart on the target location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, at least one seat located in the cabin interior, a support structure located near the at least one seat, and a workstation coupled to the support structure. The workstation includes a desk having a first desk panel and a second desk panel that moves relative to the first desk panel, a display screen, and a pivot mechanism coupled to the desk and the display screen and configured to allow the desk and the display screen to pivot relative to the support structure, wherein the desk and the display screen are configured to pivot to a vehicle downward position folded together and upward deployed use positions such that the desk may extend substantially horizontal in the use position and the display screen may extend upward relative to the desk.

Abstract: Vehicle systems for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include deployable step systems, deployable lift panel systems, deployable cargo extender systems, etc. The vehicle systems may be either separate from or integrated with the door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. An exemplary vehicle system may include a deployable step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in order to present a step surface to a user for accessing the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, a load ramp, and a moisture sensor. The access aperture provides access to an interior of the vehicle. The closure panel selectively covers at least a portion of the access aperture. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a dosed position relative to the access aperture. The load ramp is deployably coupled to the closure panel. The load ramp includes a coupled end and a free end. The load ramp is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The moisture sensor is positioned proximate to the free end of the load ramp. Methods of controlling the vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A base plate system includes at least one base plate configured to support at least one accessory and at least one sensor that is configured to determine at least one characteristic of the at least one accessory and/or the at least one base plate. A controller uses the at least one characteristic to estimate a stress and/or strain caused by the at least one accessory on the at least one base plate and predicts how the stress and/or strain could change depending on position of the at least one accessory and/or orientation of the at least one base plate within a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises user inputs, a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet within the vehicle, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the pet based on the monitored signals. The controller controls activation of the user input controls based on the determined location of the pet to disable an operating mode of one or more of the user inputs when the pet is detected proximate to the user inputs.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a tonneau cover with moveable panels. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a cargo area; and a tonneau cover including a first side panel, a second side panel, and a central panel between the first and second side panels, wherein the tonneau cover is configurable in a first configuration in which the central, first side, and second side panels provide a cover for a top of the cargo area, and wherein the tonneau cover is configurable in a second configuration in which portions of the first side panel and the second side panel are raised relative to the first configuration.