Abstract: A track assembly for a rail-mounted component of a vehicle includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track and defines a first slot. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel. The connection cartridge includes first and second sidewalls joined by a bottom wall. A second electrical connector is positioned within the channel and is configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel and is movable between first and second positions. The actuation member is biased to the first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member to selectively move the actuation member into the second position against the bias.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component and a restraint monitoring system. The rail-mounted component can include one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module, an encoder-decoder module, and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop. The restraint deployment loop can include a deployment signal amplifier. The restraint diagnostic loop can include a diagnostic signal amplifier. In examples that include both the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier, the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier may be wired in parallel.

Abstract: A restraint system operating method includes, among other things, when a detachable door is attached to a vehicle, operating a restraint system of a vehicle at least in part in response to a signal from a door sensor of the detachable door. When the detachable door is detached from the vehicle, the method operates the restraint system of the vehicle without relying on the signal from the door sensor.

Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a track that defines a lateral channel and a central channel. The lateral channel is in communication with the central channel. A plurality of contact strips are coupled with the track and are positioned within the lateral channel. A rail cartridge is positioned within the central channel and is slidable along the track. The lateral channel is at least partially enclosed by the track and the rail cartridge. A support is operably coupled with the rail cartridge and extends from the central channel into the lateral channel. A plurality of contacts are operably coupled with the support and are configured to engage the plurality of contact strips.

Abstract: A track assembly for a rail-mounted component of a vehicle includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track and defines a first slot. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel. The connection cartridge includes first and second sidewalls joined by a bottom wall. A second electrical connector is positioned within the channel and is configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel and is movable between first and second positions. The actuation member is biased to the first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member to selectively move the actuation member into the second position against the bias.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel and includes a second electrical connector configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel of the connection cartridge and is coupled with the second electrical connector. A spring is operably coupled to the actuation member and is configured to bias the actuation member in a first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member. The actuator is moved upward against the bias of the spring to move the actuation member to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.

Abstract: A restraint system operating method includes, among other things, when a detachable door is attached to a vehicle, operating a restraint system of a vehicle at least in part in response to a signal from a door sensor of the detachable door. When the detachable door is detached from the vehicle, the method operates the restraint system of the vehicle without relying on the signal from the door sensor.

Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a track that defines a lateral channel and a central channel. The lateral channel is in communication with the central channel. A plurality of contact strips are coupled with the track and are positioned within the lateral channel. A rail cartridge is positioned within the central channel and is slidable along the track. The lateral channel is at least partially enclosed by the track and the rail cartridge. A support is operably coupled with the rail cartridge and extends from the central channel into the lateral channel. A plurality of contacts are operably coupled with the support and are configured to engage the plurality of contact strips.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel and includes a second electrical connector configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel of the connection cartridge and is coupled with the second electrical connector. A spring is operably coupled to the actuation member and is configured to bias the actuation member in a first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member. The actuator is moved upward against the bias of the spring to move the actuation member to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component. The rail-mounted component can be equipped with one or more restraints. A restraint monitoring system monitors the one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop for relaying restraint deployment signals and restraint diagnostic signals, respectively, between the restraint control module and the rail-mounted component control module.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting a water depth level using capacitive sensors. The systems and methods disclosed herein receive a first capacitive signal from a first capacitive sensor in a wheel well of a vehicle. The systems and methods may determine that the first capacitive signal is not below a threshold value. The systems and methods display an image in a cab of the vehicle, wherein the image corresponds to a water depth level associated with the first capacitive signal. The systems and methods receive a second capacitive signal from a second capacitive sensor corresponding to a rising water level. The systems and methods display a warning message, on a display, indicating the rising water level.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component. The rail-mounted component can be equipped with one or more restraints. A restraint monitoring system monitors the one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop for relaying restraint deployment signals and restraint diagnostic signals, respectively, between the restraint control module and the rail-mounted component control module.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component and a restraint monitoring system. The rail-mounted component can include one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module, an encoder-decoder module, and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop. The restraint deployment loop can include a deployment signal amplifier. The restraint diagnostic loop can include a diagnostic signal amplifier. In examples that include both the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier, the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier may be wired in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a center component defining a center chamber therein and first and second side components defining first and second chambers therein, respectively. The first and second side components are coupled to opposing ends of the center component with the first and second chambers in fluid communication with the center chamber. The center, first side and second side components are configured to extend substantially across a width of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes first, second and third pressure sensors in communication with the first, second and center chambers, respectively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of anti-sway bar chains of trailer hitch systems. An example disclosed trailer hitch system includes a hitch including a hitch ball to receive a trailer, an anti-sway bar extending from the hitch, anti-sway chains to couple the anti-sway bar to the trailer, sensors, and a controller. The controller is to emit an alert responsive to detecting, via the sensors, that at least one of the anti-sway chains is decoupled from at least one of the anti-sway bar and the trailer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for cleaning a rear view vehicle camera. An example vehicle camera cleaning system includes a camera, a blade for cleaning a lens of the camera, a fluid reservoir for dispensing fluid using gravity via a one-directional gateway valve, and an actuator for moving the blade vertically across the lens, wherein the fluid reservoir dispenses fluid responsive to actuation of the blade.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of anti-sway bar chains of trailer hitch systems. An example disclosed trailer hitch system includes a hitch including a hitch ball to receive a trailer, an anti-sway bar extending from the hitch, anti-sway chains to couple the anti-sway bar to the trailer, sensors, and a controller. The controller is to emit an alert responsive to detecting, via the sensors, that at least one of the anti-sway chains is decoupled from at least one of the anti-sway bar and the trailer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for classifying non-contact event around a vehicle based on a restraint control module accelerometer. An example vehicle includes impact sensors, a metal panel on an underside of the vehicle, an accelerometer mounted to the metal panel to measure vibrations of the metal panel caused by sound, a restraint control module. The restraint control module (a) classifies the sound as a collision event or a non-collision event, and (b) deploys an airbag when the sound is classified as the collision event and the impact sensors indicate the collision event.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle flood detection. An example vehicle includes an engine, a humidity sensor, a GPS receiver to determine a vehicle location, a communication module, and a control module. The control module is to collect, via the humidity sensor, a humidity measurement within the engine and collect a humidity level of the vehicle location. The control module also is to identify a flooding event when the humidity measurement exceeds the humidity level by a predetermined threshold and record the flooding event with a remote server via the communication module.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a pressure sensor, and a door. The instrument panel defines a sensor cavity and a first opening in fluid communication with the sensor cavity. The pressure sensor is in the sensor cavity. The door defines a door cavity and a second opening in fluid communication with the door cavity. The door is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first and second openings are engaged with each other in the closed position and disengaged with each other in the open position.