Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Abstract: An extendable windshield wiper system includes a wiper blade assembly having: a resilient material wiper blade; and a wiper extension rod connected to the wiper blade. A wiper sleeve is configured to move about an arc of rotation with respect to an axis of rotation of the wiper sleeve. A bore of the wiper sleeve has the wiper extension rod slidably disposed within the bore. An actuation portion directs a pressurized fluid to outwardly extend the wiper extension rod from the wiper sleeve and thereby to outwardly extend the wiper blade in an extension direction during a first portion of the arc of rotation. The wiper blade is induced to traverse an extended arc of travel during rotation of the wiper extension rod and the wiper sleeve along the arc of rotation.

Abstract: An alignment member includes a first body member having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite the first end, a second body member having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite the first end, the second body member coupled to the first body member such that the first and second body members define a longitudinal axis of the alignment member, a first base member coupled to the second body member, a second base member rotatably coupled to the first base member, and a locking mechanism configured to engage with the first base member. The first base member rotates relative to the second base member to position the alignment member from a first position to a second position and the locking mechanism engages with the first base member to retain the alignment member in the second position.

Abstract: An assist step assembly includes a linkage assembly including a first linkage member and a second linkage member, an assist step coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first assist step position to a second assist step position, an aerodynamic member coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first aerodynamic member position to a second aerodynamic member position, a movement mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position, and a controller in electronic communication with the movement mechanism, the controller configured to determine an operating condition, determine a position of the assist step based on the operating condition, and generate one or more control signals to move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position.

Abstract: An alignment device includes a first body and a second body, at least one retention member flexibly coupled to the first body, and a locking member coupled to the first body. The second body has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical opening, a first retention opening extending through the cylindrical wall and a second retention opening extending through the cylindrical wall. The first body translates within the cylindrical opening of the second body and the locking member engages with the first retention opening to position the alignment device in a first position and the locking member engages with the second retention opening to position the alignment device in a second position.

Abstract: An alignment member includes a first body member having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite the first end, a second body member having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite the first end, the second body member coupled to the first body member such that the first and second body members define a longitudinal axis of the alignment member, a first base member coupled to the second body member, a second base member rotatably coupled to the first base member, and a locking mechanism configured to engage with the first base member. The first base member rotates relative to the second base member to position the alignment member from a first position to a second position and the locking mechanism engages with the first base member to retain the alignment member in the second position.

Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle including a cylindrical housing including a housing surface, the housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an imaging sensor extending from the first end of the housing, the imaging sensor rotatable from a first position to a second position, a connection member coupled to the imaging sensor and enclosed within the housing, and a cap coupled to the housing at the second end, the cap including a cap surface having an alignment indicator. Rotation of the cap rotates the imaging sensor from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle including a cylindrical housing including a housing surface, the housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an imaging sensor extending from the first end of the housing, the imaging sensor rotatable from a first position to a second position, a connection member coupled to the imaging sensor and enclosed within the housing, and a cap coupled to the housing at the second end, the cap including a cap surface having an alignment indicator. Rotation of the cap rotates the imaging sensor from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An assist step assembly includes a linkage assembly including a first linkage member and a second linkage member, an assist step coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first assist step position to a second assist step position, an aerodynamic member coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first aerodynamic member position to a second aerodynamic member position, a movement mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position, and a controller in electronic communication with the movement mechanism, the controller configured to determine an operating condition, determine a position of the assist step based on the operating condition, and generate one or more control signals to move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Abstract: An extendable windshield wiper system includes a wiper blade assembly having: a resilient material wiper blade; and a wiper extension rod connected to the wiper blade. A wiper sleeve is configured to move about an arc of rotation with respect to an axis of rotation of the wiper sleeve. A bore of the wiper sleeve has the wiper extension rod slidably disposed within the bore. An actuation portion directs a pressurized fluid to outwardly extend the wiper extension rod from the wiper sleeve and thereby to outwardly extend the wiper blade in an extension direction during a first portion of the arc of rotation. The wiper blade is induced to traverse an extended arc of travel during rotation of the wiper extension rod and the wiper sleeve along the arc of rotation.

Abstract: An assembly includes a first panel, a second panel having an aperture therethrough, and a pin. The pin has a base and a shaft. The base is secured to the first panel and the shaft is disposed at least partially in the aperture. The pin additionally includes at least one resilient clip member having a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed within the shaft, and the second end retains the second panel in a desired position relative to the first panel. The shaft comprises a first material and the clip member comprises a second material, different from the first material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a movement of a window of a vehicle to a selected position. The method includes receiving, by a processor, an input from a source that indicates the selected position for the window, and determining, by the processor, a coordinate location value based on the selected position. The method also includes determining, by the processor, a position for the window based on the coordinate location value and outputting, by the processor, one or more control signals to a motor associated with a window regulator of the window to move the window to the position.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a method that may include providing a glass substrate that may include a first surface and a second surface; disposing a ceramic frit that may include at least one bus bar and at least one grid line on the first surface to form a window assembly; bathing the window assembly in a first bath solution; and drying the window assembly.

Abstract: An alignment device includes a first body and a second body, at least one retention member flexibly coupled to the first body, and a locking member coupled to the first body. The second body has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical opening, a first retention opening extending through the cylindrical wall and a second retention opening extending through the cylindrical wall. The first body translates within the cylindrical opening of the second body and the locking member engages with the first retention opening to position the alignment device in a first position and the locking member engages with the second retention opening to position the alignment device in a second position.

Abstract: An assembly includes a first panel, a second panel having an aperture therethrough, and a pin. The pin has a base and a shaft. The base is secured to the first panel and the shaft is disposed at least partially in the aperture. The pin additionally includes at least one resilient clip member having a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed within the shaft, and the second end retains the second panel in a desired position relative to the first panel. The shaft comprises a first material and the clip member comprises a second material, different from the first material.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle with a wheel housing includes a wheel well liner secured to the wheel housing and disposed in a wheel well defined by the wheel housing. The system further includes a heating element in contact with the wheel well liner and operable to heat the wheel well liner. A method of heating a wheel well liner includes determining whether an ambient temperature around the wheel well liner is less than a predetermined temperature, determining whether a weight of a load on the wheel well liner is greater than a predetermined weight, and activating a heating element in contact with the wheel well liner if the ambient temperature is less than the predetermined temperature and the weight on the wheel well liner is greater than the predetermined weight.

Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle sunroof assemblies with enhanced water management systems, methods for making/using such sunroof assemblies, and vehicles equipped with sunroof assemblies having sunshade water drainage backup capabilities. A representative sunroof assembly includes a frame that attaches to the body of a motor vehicle, positioned within an aperture in the vehicle's roof structure. A center panel is movably mounted to the frame, and operable to transition between open and closed positions to thereby obstruct and expose the aperture. Also attached to the frame is a drain channel that collects and expels fluids from the sunroof assembly. A sunshade is movably mounted to the frame adjacent the center panel. The sunshade manually or automatically transitions between deployed and stowed positions to thereby prevent and allow the passage of light through the roof's aperture. When in the deployed position, the sunshade repels water and directs the repelled water into the drain channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle sunroof assemblies with enhanced water management systems, methods for making/using such sunroof assemblies, and vehicles equipped with sunroof assemblies having sunshade water drainage backup capabilities. A representative sunroof assembly includes a frame that attaches to the body of a motor vehicle, positioned within an aperture in the vehicle's roof structure. A center panel is movably mounted to the frame, and operable to transition between open and closed positions to thereby obstruct and expose the aperture. Also attached to the frame is a drain channel that collects and expels fluids from the sunroof assembly. A sunshade is movably mounted to the frame adjacent the center panel. The sunshade manually or automatically transitions between deployed and stowed positions to thereby prevent and allow the passage of light through the roof's aperture. When in the deployed position, the sunshade repels water and directs the repelled water into the drain channel.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a driver element, a driven element, and a panel disposed between the driver element and the driven element. The driver element has a first magnetic field generator configured to generate a rotating magnetic field. The driven element has a second magnetic field generator disposed thereon. The panel physically separating the driver element and the driven element, such that in response to the rotating magnetic field, the driven element is rotated relative to the panel.