Abstract: A transparent spoiler for a vehicle including a first section, at least a portion of the first section having a first visual characteristic, and a second section, at least a portion of the second section having a second visual characteristic, the second visual characteristic defining a greater visibility through the second section than the visibility through the first section.

Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is provided. The sensor mounting assembly includes a cover having a base portion and a shroud portion. The base portion is coupled to a glass roof of a vehicle and forms a first protrusion. The shroud portion has a first extension that is coupled to the first protrusion and encloses a sensor that is disposed proximate to the glass roof of the vehicle. The sensor mounting assembly further includes a bracket coupled to a roof rail that is located beneath the glass roof of the vehicle. The bracket is secured to the roof rail from an interior cabin of the vehicle, to hold the sensor proximate to the glass roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may include a housing having a wall defining an opening in the housing and at least a portion of four side surfaces of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may further include a display at least partially within the housing, a front cover positioned in the opening in the housing and over the display, the front cover defining a front surface, a peripheral side surface extending from the front surface and at least partially surrounded by the wall of the housing, and a notch that, together with a portion of the wall of the housing, defines an acoustic port of the portable electronic device. The electronic device may further include an acoustic port cover positioned at least partially in the acoustic port and a speaker at least partially within the housing and configured to direct sound through the acoustic port cover.

Abstract: A center camera mirror system spoiler mounting for a vehicle that can include a spoiler inner panel, a spoiler outer panel and a camera assembly. The spoiler inner panel can be configured to be mounted onto an exterior panel of the vehicle and the spoiler outer panel can be connected to the spoiler inner panel. The spoiler outer panel can include an outer surface that is an exterior surface of the vehicle, a camera opening passing through the spoiler outer panel, and a first datum. The camera assembly can be fixed to the spoiler inner panel in a predetermined orientation with respect to the spoiler inner panel, and can include a lens, and a second datum engaging the first datum. The lens can be in a predetermined alignment with respect to the camera opening when the second datum engages the first datum.

Abstract: A garnish for a vehicle door includes an outer molding comprising a first surface forming an outer surface of the garnish, an inner liner molding comprising a second surface forming an inner surface of the garnish, a vertical edge formed between a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the inner liner molding and the outer molding are bonded together, and the outer surface and the inner surface face away from each other, a first protruding structure extending outward from the second surface of the inner liner molding, and a second protruding structure, adjacent to the first protruding structure, and extending outward from the second surface of the inner liner molding, wherein the inner liner molding is formed without an undercut.

Abstract: A self-deployable mast, typically for supporting a payload. The mast has top longerons, bottom longerons, and hinge linkages that form a series of moveable parallelograms operable to fold and unfold. The mast further has springs and trusses, with at least one spring and one truss associated with each of the parallelograms. The springs are operable to deploy the mast from a folded position to a deployed position. Each truss is operable to become in tension diagonally across its associated parallelogram once the mast is deployed into a final position. In other embodiments, motors may be used instead of springs.

Abstract: A garnish assembly and method for a vehicle includes a garnish housing having a show surface delineated by an end edge surface for mounting on the vehicle. The garnish assembly further includes a seal extending along an entirety of the end edge surface and a doghouse structure adapted to mount the garnish housing and the seal to the vehicle. The seal is secured along the end edge surface wherein the end-to-end length of the seal matches an end-to-end length of the end edge surface. The doghouse structure is secured to the garnish housing so that attachment to the doghouse structure to the vehicle mounts the seal and the garnish housing to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle grill mounting structure for float-mounting a vehicle element includes a bracket body, at least one mounting structure, and at least one anti-rotation tab. The at least one mounting structure extends away from the bracket body for securing the bracket body in a floating orientation that is spaced apart from other vehicle components. The at least one anti-rotation tab extends away from the bracket body and is spaced apart from the at least one mounting structure to inhibit rotation of the bracket body.

Abstract: An insect watering station includes a bowl, a stem, and an ultraviolet pattern. The bowl is configured to capture water for bees to drink. The stem is attached to an outside surface of a bowl and configured to support the bowl. The ultraviolet pattern is applied to an inside surface of the bowl. The ultraviolet pattern includes a center portion of a non-ultraviolet color, and alternating ultraviolet and non-ultraviolet concentric rings around the center portion.

Abstract: A passively deployable solar panel array. A truss backing is attached to the back of the solar panels and has longerons and hinge linkages that form a series of moveable parallelograms operable to fold and unfold. The truss backing further has springs and diagonals, with at least one spring and one diagonal associated with each of the parallelograms. The springs are operable to deploy the solar panels from a folded position to a deployed position. Each diagonal is operable to become in tension diagonally across its associated parallelogram once the solar panels are deployed into a final position.

Abstract: A bee cup includes a bowl, a stem, and an ultraviolet pattern. The bowl is configured to capture water for bees to drink. The stem is attached to an outside surface of a bowl and configured to support the bowl. The ultraviolet pattern is applied to an inside surface of the bowl. The ultraviolet pattern includes a center portion of a non-ultraviolet color, and alternating ultraviolet and non-ultraviolet concentric rings around the center portion.

Abstract: A system for deploying D-pillar spoilers on a vehicle is described. The system includes a deployment control system including controller logic having at least one processor and a memory storing instructions for implementing deployment and retraction of D-pillar spoilers on a vehicle. The system also includes at least one vehicle sensor in communication with the deployment control system. The system further includes a motor in communication with the deployment control system. At least one D-pillar spoiler is connected to the motor through a linkage, where the motor is configured to rotate the linkage. The at least one D-pillar spoiler is folded along an underside of a rear upper spoiler of the vehicle in a retracted position and is rotated to a position extending between the rear upper spoiler of the vehicle and a D pillar of the vehicle in a deployed position.

Abstract: A drag reduction spoiler for a vehicle includes a fixed portion configured for attachment to the vehicle and an extendable top portion configured for movement relative to the fixed portion, the extendable top portion includes a first top portion and a second top portion. The drag reduction spoiler further includes first and second side spoiler portions configured for movement relative to the vehicle, and at least one actuator configured to deploy the extendable top portion, the at least one actuator being secured to the first top portion. The first top portion includes a first engagement element and the second top portion includes a second engagement element, the first engagement element being configured to engage the second engagement element when the first top portion is deployed by the at least one actuator such that the first top portion draws the second top portion outwardly as the first top portion is deployed.

Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body including a front portion, an opposing rear end portion and an underbody portion configured to face a road surface; and an active diffuser assembly disposed on the underbody portion and configured to control ambient airflow passing under the vehicle body. The active diffuser assembly includes a fixed panel disposed on the vehicle underbody; a movable active panel disposed adjacent the fixed panel and configured for selective movement to be deployed away from the vehicle body and to be retracted toward the vehicle body for stowage; and an actuator configured to deploy and retract the movable active panel, the fixed panel and the movable active panel defining a continuous plane when the movable panel is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Rear fences and a system for deploying the rear fences on a vehicle are described. The rear fences are disposed inboard of and spaced apart from the rear pillars. The rear fences may be folded against the rear panel of the vehicle when retracted and are rotated to a central position in a deployed position. The system includes a deployment control system including controller logic having at least one processor and a memory storing instructions for implementing deployment and retraction of rear fences on a vehicle.

Abstract: An active spoiler for a vehicle including a fixed portion configured for attachment to the vehicle, an extendable portion configured for movement relative to the fixed portion, and a flexible portion secured between the fixed portion and the extendable portion. The spoiler has a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, whereby the flexible portion is stowed within the spoiler in the retracted configuration and the flexible portion is deployed in the extended configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing data on a substrate including a color-changeable material are provided. One system includes a processing circuit and a device including an energy source. At least a portion of a printed publication is printed on the substrate using a commercial printing press based on fixed data. The device including the energy source is configured to add variable data to the substrate. The processing circuit is configured to receive the variable data and to control the energy source to change a color of the color-changeable material based on the variable data to provide at least a portion of the printed publication. The processing circuit is configured to control the energy source to change the color of the color-changeable material in-line with a flow of the substrate through one of a printing line, a finishing line, or a packaging line of the commercial printing press.

Abstract: A stretchable fabric signal path may include a conductive strand located between first and second outer fabric layers. The outer fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of elastic material. The conductive strand may have a wavy shape to accommodate stretching of the stretchable fabric signal path. First and second inner fabric layers may be located between the outer stretchable fabric layers. The inner fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of non-elastic material. The inner fabric layers may have strands that are intertwined with the outer fabric layers to serve as anchor points for maintaining the shape of the conductive strand as the stretchable fabric signal path expands and contracts. The outer fabric layers and inner fabric layers may be woven. The conductive strand may convey electrical signals such as audio signals, power signals, data signals, or other suitable signals.

Abstract: A passively deployable solar panel array. A truss backing is attached to the back of the solar panels, and has top segments, bottom segments, and hinge linkages that form a series of moveable parallelograms operable to fold and unfold. The truss backing further has springs and trusses, with at least one spring and one truss associated with each of the parallelograms. The springs are operable to deploy the solar panels from a folded position to a deployed position. Each truss is operable to become in tension diagonally across its associated parallelogram once the solar panels are deployed into a final position.