Abstract: The invention controls a power cinching function of a motor vehicle door latch in order to improve door seal performance under conditions wherein vibrations could otherwise reduce seal effectiveness. With the door latched closed in a flush condition, the vehicle speed is compared to a slow-speed threshold. When the vehicle speed is greater than the slow-speed threshold, then a vehicle vibration parameter is compared to a vibration threshold. When the vibration parameter is greater than the vibration threshold, then the power cinching function is activated to move the door to to a subflush condition which increases a compression of the seal between the door and a vehicle door frame. When the door is in the subflush condition, the vehicle speed continues to be compared to the slow-speed threshold, and when the vehicle speed is less than the slow-speed threshold then the door is released back to the flush condition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tie-down bracket for a motor vehicle. The tie-down bracket includes at least one light. In this way, the tie-down bracket may function as one or more of a signature light, turn signal, cornering light, etc. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to supercapacitor systems for supporting relatively high power transient electrical loads within vehicles. An exemplary supercapacitor system includes a mounting assembly and a supercapacitor housed within the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may be employed to mount the supercapacitor system within a vehicle, such as within a cowl assembly or cargo space of the vehicle. The mounting assembly may include multiple panels. At least one of the multiple panels may be made of a thermally conductive polymer, and at least one other panel of the multiple panels may be made of a polymer that is reinforced by a structural foam.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rear bumper including a section configured to support a license plate, a spare tire carrier, and a light assembly mounted to the spare tire carrier. The light assembly is configured to illuminate the section of the rear bumper. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a vehicle body panel and a camera having a field of view. The camera is disposed on the vehicle body panel. A grille assembly is coupled to the vehicle body panel. The grille assembly includes a plurality of light sources, an optic layer defining channels disposed adjacent to the light sources, and a metalized sheet disposed on the optic layer.

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: A vehicle charging system may include a charging plug including at least one handle cover covering at least a portion of the plug, and a vehicle charge receptacle configured to receive the plug, the plug and receptacle comprising a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material of at least one polymer and at least one ceramic to transfer heat generated during charging through the plug portion and receptacle into the vehicle body for dissipation.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, 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. A vehicle lighting assembly includes, among other things, 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. The lens is more transparent than the housing. The first and second material compositions each includes a thermally conductive additive. A vehicle lighting method includes, among other things, concealing at least a portion of a vehicle with a camouflaging cover, and positioning a camouflaging lighting device over a light of the vehicle. The camouflaging lighting device is integrated with the camouflaging cover.

Abstract: A pickup truck and tonneau cover including hard panels configured to selectively secure horizontally and vertically over a pickup truck bed, with a window in each panel, each window located to align with the other windows when the panels are oriented vertically in a fully retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure defining a front trunk having a front opening. A grille coves the front opening in a closed position and is pivotable about a vertical hinge, or a horizontal hinge along a top edge, secured to the body structure to provide access to the front opening. The grille may include a bin mounted on an inner surface of the grille and pivotable with the grille, a heating/cooling duct or a video display.

Abstract: A badge may include an amorphous metal shell having a visible surface and an opposed back surface, and a plastic base molded to the back surface. The badge may also include a polymer visible layer molded to a portion of the visible surface.

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 hood is disclosed and is movable to access an engine compartment. A compartment defining a storage space is accessible through a lid within the closure panel. The compartment includes a temperature control system maintaining a temperature within the storage space.

Abstract: A lamp assembly is provided herein. The lamp assembly includes first and second light sources operably coupled to an exterior portion of a vehicle. The first light source illuminates a front door and the second light source illuminates a rear door. A controller is configured to activate the first and second light sources to selectively illuminate the front or rear doors to indicate a predefined door of entry into the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. A grille has raised members pointing in a vehicle-forward direction. Light sources are disposed within each raised member and a photoluminescent structure is coupled to each raised member and is configured to luminesce in response to light excitation from one or more of the light sources.

Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input button icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller determining a location of a user input from the proximity sensors, determining an offset of the input from one of the virtual input icons and adjusting a sensor area of the proximity sensors for the icon based on the offset.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle may include activating a first touch screen, mounted on an exterior of the vehicle, illustrating a keypad and activating a first privacy screen in the first touch screen; and activating a second touch screen, mounted on the vehicle exterior, displaying information without activating a second privacy screen in the second touch screen. The touch screens may have built-in heaters, produce ads based on user distance from the vehicle and provide countdown timers for ride-share vehicle departure time.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a substrate. A first conductor is positioned on the substrate. A dielectric layer is coupled to the first conductor. A semiconductor layer is configured to emit a first light. A second conductor is coupled to the semiconductor layer. A polymeric layer comprising a photoluminescent element coupled to the second conductor. The photoluminescent element is configured to emit a second light in response to receiving the first light.

Abstract: A vehicle having a front trunk and a method of controlling a vehicle to access the trunk may include raising a hood from a closed position adjacent body structure to a fully open position with the hood oriented horizontally to provide access to a front trunk, raising a grille with the hood; and pivoting the grille about a hinge affixed to the hood. Front trunk lighting and bins maybe included in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a substrate. A first conductor is positioned on the substrate. A dielectric layer is coupled to the first conductor. A semiconductor layer is configured to emit a first light. A second conductor is coupled to the semiconductor layer. A polymeric layer comprising a photoluminescent element coupled to the second conductor. The photoluminescent element is configured to emit a second light in response to receiving the first light.