Abstract: A vehicle includes a liftgate system with a vertically-opening liftgate and a power actuator responsive to a user opening command for opening the liftgate to a variable opening height. The vehicle has an active sensor adapted to detect objects and their respective distances within a detection zone and a camera adapted to capture a search image with a field-of-view showing objects in the detection zone. In response to the user opening command, a controller 1) performs facial recognition on the search image to detect image locations containing a face of each respective person visible in the search image, 2) identifies distances for each respective person according to coincidence with the detected objects, 3) determines a user height according to the respective image location and distance of at least one respective person visible in the search image, and 4) sets the variable opening height in response to the user height.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a running board assembly for a motor vehicle and a corresponding method. An example method includes supplying current to a motor to move a running board between a retracted position and a deployed position, monitoring a level of the current, and permitting the level of current to exceed a threshold (i.e., overcurrent is permitted) in response to a user input.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle is provided that includes a deployable handle body located on a door, keypad contacts on an outer side of the handle body, an actuator configured to deploy the handle to a deployed position, a plurality of proximity sensors located on the handle body and generating activation fields, and a controller processing signals generated by the sensors to determine an input command for controlling the actuator and to determine a keypad input. The controller may sense ice on the handle and determine ice thickness and may control the actuator to break the ice based on the ice thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle body panel, a mount surface associated with the vehicle body panel, and at least one exciter mounted to the mount surface. The mount surface has a first stiffness and the vehicle body panel has a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness such that sound is effectively transmitted to a surrounding environment via the mount surface and sound transmission back to a vehicle interior is dampened via the vehicle body panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a puddle lamp control system configured to control a puddle lamp to display vehicle identification information, passenger information, advertisements, company logos, and other information on a ground surface proximate to the vehicle. The puddle lamp control system may communicate with a central server using high-speed wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Wi-max, or other protocols to select images and animations based on vehicle location and pedestrian activity nearby the vehicle. The system may also activate the vehicle puddle lamps based on vehicle sensor triggers associated with vehicle location, based on population and pedestrian density indicative of potential message viewers indicating when pedestrians are close enough to the vehicle to view the advertisement, and based on ridehail activity such as ridehail user information, and seat assignments. The messages and images may be customized using an interface device onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a heater for an exterior interface. An example assembly includes a human-machine interface adjacent an exterior of the motor vehicle, and a heater configured to selectively thermally condition the human-machine interface. The heater includes a conductive polymer. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle running board assembly includes, among other things, a tubular support member extending longitudinally along an axis. The tubular support member is formed of a reinforced polymer-based material. The assembly further includes a bonding layer formed of an unfilled polymer-based material. The bonding layer is disposed along a radially outer surface of the tubular support member. The assembly further includes a decorative film secured directly to a radially outer surface of the bonding layer.

Abstract: This disclosure details motor vehicle wiper systems and associated methods for heating wiper blades of the wiper systems. In exemplary embodiments, a wiper blade of a wiper may include a beam blade portion, a tip portion, and a heater element. Each of the beam blade portion, the tip portion, and the heater element may include a different material composition. The material composition of the heater element, for example, may include a thermally conductive polymer. The temperature of the blade may be regulated by adjusting a current flow through the thermally conductive polymer heater element.

Abstract: A roof panel storage system for vehicle is disclosed herein. A storage bag is configured to hold a roof panel of the vehicle. The sensor is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to sense a position of the storage bag. A sound source device is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to issue an auditory alert based on the sensed position of the storage bag.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preventing an unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle. This disclosure may be particularly useful when the autonomous vehicle is used in on-demand transportation applications, including ridesharing applications, or shuttle applications. An example method includes identifying a condition indicating an autonomous vehicle should remain stationary, and taking an action configured to prevent unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle when the condition has been identified. Several example conditions and actions are discussed in the written description.

Abstract: A vehicle grille assembly is disclosed that is passively illuminated by accent lighting sources provided in a corresponding headlamp assembly. A primary light guide in communication with a light source and a secondary light guide is disposed within the vehicle grill. The secondary light guide receives light from the primary light guide to illuminate a portion of the vehicle grille.

Abstract: A vehicle grille assembly includes a body panel and a housing coupled to the body panel. The housing includes a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface defines a cutout. A display assembly is disposed adjacent to the housing and aligned with the cutout. The display assembly includes a light source disposed on a circuit board and a heatsink coupled to the circuit board. The light source emits light towards the front surface of the housing. A deflector is disposed adjacent to the display assembly and includes a base and a guide wall extending vertically from the base. The deflector includes a first surface and a second surface. The deflector defines a first airflow path and a second airflow path.

Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle assemblies that are made up of a plurality of loose layered build components. One or more of the loose layered build components may include locating features for locating and supporting the component relative to other components of the assembly while still permitting movement of the component or one of the other components in at least one direction during the assembly process.

Abstract: A structural cooling assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first pocket between a front face and a back face. The housing comprising a single integrated part including a fluid reservoir portion, a vane portion, a fan shroud portion, a bolster portion, and at least one mounting portion mountable to a frame of a vehicle. A condenser is mounted within the first pocket, a charge air cooler is mounted in a second lower packet, a fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator is mounted to the back face.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including remote terminals connected to battery so as to prevent electronic tampering, and a corresponding method. An example vehicle includes a battery with battery terminals. The vehicle further includes remote terminals electronically connected to the battery terminals so as to prevent electronic tampering with the battery via the remote terminals.

Abstract: A washer fluid delivery system includes, among other things, a washer fluid reservoir having a first zone with a first low point and a second zone with a second low point. A first valve is disposed in the first zone. The first valve is moveable back and forth between a flow permitting position and a flow restricting position in response to an amount of washer fluid within the first zone. A second valve is disposed in the second zone. The second valve moveable back and forth between a flow permitting position and a flow restricting position in response to an amount of washer fluid within the second zone. A pump operates to draw a washer fluid from the first zone through the first valve when the first valve is in the flow permitting position, and to draw a washer fluid from the second zone through the second valve when the second valve is in the flow permitting position.

Abstract: Vehicle-based package delivery and alignment systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes performing a first alignment of a delivery door of a vehicle with a receiving door of a package locker using location signals that are indicative of a location of the package locker, performing a second alignment of the delivery door with the receiving door based on camera images of an alignment target, and transferring a package from the vehicle to the package locker.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a tie-down bracket including a latch pivotably coupled to a body. A method includes, among other things, securing a tie-down line to a tie-down bracket of a vehicle. The method further includes monitoring a load applied to the tie-down bracket.

Abstract: An exemplary wheel well heating method includes, among other things, in response to an environmental condition, generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle. The method further includes powering the generating with power from a power source that is external to the vehicle. Another exemplary wheel well heating method includes generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle, and adjusting the generating in response to a state of charge of a power supply of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a camouflaging cover configured to be placed over an exterior surface of a vehicle to conceal at least a portion of the vehicle, and a camouflaging lighting assembly integrated with the camouflaging cover and positioned over a light of the vehicle. The vehicle lighting assembly includes at least one light emitting device, a circuit board operatively connected to the at least one light emitting device, a housing having a first material composition, and at least one lens having a second material composition, such lens being more transparent than the housing. The first and second material compositions each includes a thermally conductive additive. The vehicle lighting method includes the steps of concealing at least a portion of a vehicle with the camouflaging cover, and positioning a camouflaging lighting device over a light of the vehicle.