Abstract: A protective barrier for fortifying a portion of a vehicle wheel house liner includes the wheel house liner having an arching shaped molded main body with opposing ends configured for providing a barrier between a tire and a wheel house cavity. A ballistics material patch is integrally molded with a predetermined portion of the molded main body and is configured to provide a protective barrier between the tire and a vehicle body structure.

Abstract: A sealing boot assembly comprises a flexible boot having a first end in sealing engagement with an outer surface of a shaft to define an inner chamber therein. A venting orifice extends from the inner chamber through the flexible boot to ambient and a moisture-blocking, vapor-breathable membrane is disposed across the venting orifice between the inner chamber and ambient to vent gas from the inner chamber during high temperature operation of the shaft and to allow air to returns to the inner chamber upon cooling thereof.

Abstract: A sealing boot assembly comprises a flexible boot having a first end in sealing engagement with an outer surface of a shaft to define an inner chamber therein. A venting orifice extends from the inner chamber through the flexible boot to ambient and a moisture-blocking, vapor-breathable membrane is disposed across the venting orifice between the inner chamber and ambient to vent gas from the inner chamber during high temperature operation of the shaft and to allow air to returns to the inner chamber upon cooling thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liner, such as a wheelhouse liner, includes the following steps: (a) providing a textile blank; (b) dispensing a liquid-impermeable polymer only on a portion of the textile blank; (c) bonding the liquid-impermeable material to the textile blank; (d) changing a shape of the textile blank to form the liner; and (e) trimming the liner. The liner includes a substrate wholly or partly made of a textile. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The liner further includes a liquid-impermeable coat bonded to the substrate. The liquid-impermeable coat partially covers the first surface of the substrate in order to minimize liquid flow through the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liner, such as a wheelhouse liner, includes the following steps: (a) providing a textile blank; (b) dispensing a liquid-impermeable polymer only on a portion of the textile blank; (c) bonding the liquid-impermeable material to the textile blank; (d) changing a shape of the textile blank to form the liner; and (e) trimming the liner. The liner includes a substrate wholly or partly made of a textile. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The liner further includes a liquid-impermeable coat bonded to the substrate. The liquid-impermeable coat partially covers the first surface of the substrate in order to minimize liquid flow through the substrate.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch movable between released and restrained positions and a latch spring biasing toward the released position. A first lever is movable between open and closed positions, corresponding to the released and restrained positions, respectively. A first lever spring biases toward the closed position. A second lever is movable between unlocked and locked positions, corresponding to the first lever open and closed positions, respectively. A second lever spring biases toward the locked position. An active material based actuator selectively moves the second lever from the locked to unlocked position in response to an activation signal. A primary activation mechanism selectively produces the activation signal without a mechanical connection to the passenger compartment. An auxiliary activation mechanism does not rely on the vehicle power system. A key or portable energy storage device may cause the activation signal from the primary or auxiliary activation mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle interior may comprise a backlight having an interior surface and a solar load reduction system. The solar load reduction system may include a louver support supported by the vehicle structure, a plurality of pivotable louvers located in the vehicle interior, each of the louvers may be pivotally mounted to the louver support and spaced from the other louvers, and a tilting mechanism adjacent to the backlight and operatively engaging the plurality of louvers to selectively cause the louvers to pivot relative to the louver support. A pane of translucent material may enclose the louvers in a cavity between the pane and backlight.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch movable between released and restrained positions and a latch spring biasing toward the released position. A first lever is movable between open and closed positions, corresponding to the released and restrained positions, respectively. A first lever spring biases toward the closed position. A second lever is movable between unlocked and locked positions, corresponding to the first lever open and closed positions, respectively. A second lever spring biases toward the locked position. An active material based actuator selectively moves the second lever from the locked to unlocked position in response to an activation signal. A primary activation mechanism selectively produces the activation signal without a mechanical connection to the passenger compartment. An auxiliary activation mechanism does not rely on the vehicle power system. A key or portable energy storage device may cause the activation signal from the primary or auxiliary activation mechanism.