Abstract: Apparatus for providing heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface includes an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid, a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins extending outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through the reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir.

Abstract: A bus includes a vehicle body, a plurality of capacitive sensors mounted along a perimeter of the vehicle body, wherein one of the capacitive sensors capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the portion of the vehicle body such that the capacitance of the one of the capacitive sensors changes, and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensors, the controller being configured to alert an operator of the bus when the object is coupled to the at least one capacitive sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface includes an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid, a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins extending outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through the reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir.

Abstract: A bus includes a vehicle body, a plurality of capacitive sensors mounted along a perimeter of the vehicle body, wherein one of the capacitive sensors capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the portion of the vehicle body such that the capacitance of the one of the capacitive sensors changes, and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensors, the controller being configured to alert an operator of the bus when the object is coupled to the at least one capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A keyless entry assembly for a vehicle includes a sensor carrier, a sensor in the form of an electrically conductive pad, and a controller. The sensor is mounted to the sensor carrier and the sensor carrier is positioned adjacent a panel such that the sensor is adjacent the panel. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the panel while the sensor is driven with electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The controller is operable for driving the sensor with the electrical charge and controlling a vehicle operation as a function of the capacitance of the sensor.

Abstract: An illustrative assembly includes a panel and a capacitive sensor. The panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a closure of a vehicle body. The sensor is positioned on the panel such that at least a portion of the sensor is perpendicular to the closure of the vehicle body as the panel moves between the opened and closed positions. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the closure of the vehicle body such that capacitance of the sensor changes.

Abstract: An illustrative inventory of vehicle accessory control components includes a plurality of first circuit boards and a plurality of second circuit boards. The first circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on the substrate. The first circuit board substrates have an overall perimeter shape including an outer edge profile and a plurality of first deviations from the outer edge profile. The second circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on them. The second circuit board substrates have the overall perimeter shape including the same outer edge profile as the first circuit board substrates. The second circuit board substrates include a plurality of second deviations from the outer edge profile. At least one portion of the second deviations is different than the first deviations of the first circuit boards.

Abstract: A fascia panel assembly includes an electrically non-conductive fascia panel, an electrically non-conductive isolator, and a capacitance sensor. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the sensor while the sensor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The isolator is sandwiched between the fascia panel and the isolator.

Abstract: An illustrative inventory of vehicle accessory control components includes a plurality of first circuit boards and a plurality of second circuit boards. The first circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on the substrate. The first circuit board substrates have an overall perimeter shape including an outer edge profile and a plurality of first deviations from the outer edge profile. The second circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on them. The second circuit board substrates have the overall perimeter shape including the same outer edge profile as the first circuit board substrates. The second circuit board substrates include a plurality of second deviations from the outer edge profile. At least one portion of the second deviations is different than the first deviations of the first circuit boards.

Abstract: An illustrative assembly includes a panel and a capacitive sensor. The panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a closure of a vehicle body. The sensor is positioned on the panel such that at least a portion of the sensor is perpendicular to the closure of the vehicle body as the panel moves between the opened and closed positions. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the closure of the vehicle body such that capacitance of the sensor changes.

Abstract: An illustrative assembly includes a panel and a capacitive sensor. The panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a closure of a vehicle body. The sensor is positioned on the panel such that at least a portion of the sensor is perpendicular to the closure of the vehicle body as the panel moves between the opened and closed positions. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the closure of the vehicle body such that capacitance of the sensor changes.

Abstract: An illustrative inventory of vehicle accessory control components includes a plurality of first circuit boards and a plurality of second circuit boards. The first circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on the substrate. The first circuit board substrates have an overall perimeter shape including an outer edge profile and a plurality of first deviations from the outer edge profile. The second circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on them. The second circuit board substrates have the overall perimeter shape including the same outer edge profile as the first circuit board substrates. The second circuit board substrates include a plurality of second deviations from the outer edge profile. At least one portion of the second deviations is different than the first deviations of the first circuit boards.

Abstract: An illustrative assembly includes a panel and a capacitive sensor. The panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a closure of a vehicle body. The sensor is positioned on the panel such that at least a portion of the sensor is perpendicular to the closure of the vehicle body as the panel moves between the opened and closed positions. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the closure of the vehicle body such that capacitance of the sensor changes.

Abstract: A keyless entry assembly for a vehicle includes a sensor carrier, a sensor in the form of an electrically conductive pad, and a controller. The sensor is mounted to the sensor carrier and the sensor carrier is positioned adjacent a panel such that the sensor is adjacent the panel. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the panel while the sensor is driven with electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The controller is operable for driving the sensor with the electrical charge and controlling a vehicle operation as a function of the capacitance of the sensor.

Abstract: A fascia panel assembly includes an electrically non-conductive fascia panel, an electrically non-conductive isolator, and a capacitance sensor. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the sensor while the sensor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The isolator is sandwiched between the fascia panel and the isolator.