Abstract: Presented are flutter countermeasure devices and control logic for active aerodynamic systems, methods for making/using such active aero systems, and vehicles equipped with spoiler flutter countermeasure devices for increasing downforce and decreasing drag. A method of operating an active aerodynamic system of a motor vehicle includes detecting, via a system controller based on sensor data received from one or more sensing devices, a flutter excitation experienced by a spoiler of the active aero system during operation of the motor vehicle. The controller determines a harmonic oscillation amplitude of the flutter excitation experienced by the spoiler, and then determines if this harmonic oscillation amplitude exceeds a vehicle-calibrated threshold amplitude. If so, the system controller determines a damping force sufficient to mitigate or eliminate the harmonic oscillation amplitude.

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 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: Presented are flutter countermeasure devices and control logic for active aerodynamic systems, methods for making/using such active aero systems, and vehicles equipped with spoiler flutter countermeasure devices for increasing downforce and decreasing drag. A method of operating an active aerodynamic system of a motor vehicle includes detecting, via a system controller based on sensor data received from one or more sensing devices, a flutter excitation experienced by a spoiler of the active aero system during operation of the motor vehicle. The controller determines a harmonic oscillation amplitude of the flutter excitation experienced by the spoiler, and then determines if this harmonic oscillation amplitude exceeds a vehicle-calibrated threshold amplitude. If so, the system controller determines a damping force sufficient to mitigate or eliminate the harmonic oscillation amplitude.

Abstract: An exemplary clip assembly for adjusting a length of a cable includes a base including a tab and a first stop member, a cover rotatably coupled to the base, and a barrel assembly nesting within the base and the cover. The base and the cover define a first passage extending longitudinally through the cover and the base. The barrel assembly includes a first barrel member having a first interaction surface and a first threaded channel, and a second barrel member includes a second interaction surface and a second threaded channel. The first and second interaction surfaces form a barrel interaction surface and the first and second channels define a second passage through the barrel assembly. The first and second passages have a common longitudinal axis and rotation of the barrel interaction surface results in longitudinal translation of the cable through the second passage of the barrel assembly.

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 obstacle detection sensor system for a movable panel of a motor vehicle includes an obstacle detection sensor disposed on an articulating mount, the obstacle detection sensor and articulating mount being hidden from view by an exterior surface of the motor vehicle in a first position, and the articulating mount providing the obstacle detection sensor with a sensor detection range including an exterior surface of the movable panel in a second position. Movement of the articulating mount from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position is coupled to movement of the movable panel.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.

Abstract: An exemplary clip assembly for adjusting a length of a cable includes a base including a tab and a first stop member, a cover rotatably coupled to the base, and a barrel assembly nesting within the base and the cover. The base and the cover define a first passage extending longitudinally through the cover and the base. The barrel assembly includes a first barrel member having a first interaction surface and a first threaded channel, and a second barrel member includes a second interaction surface and a second threaded channel. The first and second interaction surfaces form a barrel interaction surface and the first and second channels define a second passage through the barrel assembly. The first and second passages have a common longitudinal axis and rotation of the barrel interaction surface results in longitudinal translation of the cable through the second passage of the barrel assembly.

Abstract: An obstacle detection sensor system for a movable panel of a motor vehicle includes an obstacle detection sensor disposed on an articulating mount, the obstacle detection sensor and articulating mount being hidden from view by an exterior surface of the motor vehicle in a first position, and the articulating mount providing the obstacle detection sensor with a sensor detection range including an exterior surface of the movable panel in a second position. Movement of the articulating mount from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position is coupled to movement of the movable panel.

Abstract: A check link assembly includes a link movable between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, a vehicle includes the check link assembly. The check link assembly also includes a braking apparatus coupled to the link. The braking apparatus includes a brake member movable between an applied position and a released position. The brake member is configured to apply a force to the link when the brake member is in the applied position. The brake member is configured to release the link when the brake member is in the released 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: A check link assembly includes a link movable between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, a vehicle includes the check link assembly. The check link assembly also includes a braking apparatus coupled to the link. The braking apparatus includes a brake member movable between an applied position and a released position. The brake member is configured to apply a force to the link when the brake member is in the applied position. The brake member is configured to release the link when the brake member is in the released position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.

Abstract: A beltline reinforcement member for a door of a vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis, between a first end and a second end. The body includes, an inner belt wall extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, an outer belt wall extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the inner belt wall for receiving a window between the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall, a first end wall interconnecting the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall at the first end of the body, and a second end wall interconnecting the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall at the second end of the body. The inner belt wall, the outer belt wall, the first end wall, and the second end wall are integrally formed together as a single, unitary structure, such as by a casting process.

Abstract: A vehicle and a door assembly each include an inner panel and an outer panel coupled to each other to define a door. A first handle is attached to the outer panel. A mirror apparatus is supported by the door and spaced apart from the first handle. A lock apparatus is supported by at least one of the door and the mirror apparatus. The lock apparatus is disposed closer to the mirror apparatus than the first handle.

Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a stem attached to a mirror head. The stem includes a first portion directly attached to the mirror head. The first portion includes a catch. The second portion is attached to a support structure, and includes a retention portion. The catch of the first portion is engaged with the retention portion of the second portion for supporting the first portion and the mirror head relative to the second portion. Once the first portion is supported by the interaction between the catch and the retention portion, fasteners may be installed to fixedly attach the first portion to the second portion.

Abstract: A vehicle and a door assembly each include an inner panel and an outer panel coupled to each other to define a door. A first handle is attached to the outer panel. A mirror apparatus is supported by the door and spaced apart from the first handle. A lock apparatus is supported by at least one of the door and the mirror apparatus. The lock apparatus is disposed closer to the mirror apparatus than the first handle.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a first heat sink that may include a first face opposite a second face, a plurality of fins disposed on the second face, and a recess that may be defined by the first face; a second heat sink may be disposed within the recess and may have a third face opposite a fourth face wherein the fourth face may be disposed within the recess; and a light-emitting diode may be disposed on the fourth face of the second heat sink.

Abstract: A beltline reinforcement member for a door of a vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis, between a first end and a second end. The body includes, an inner belt wall extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, an outer belt wall extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the inner belt wall for receiving a window between the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall, a first end wall interconnecting the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall at the first end of the body, and a second end wall interconnecting the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall at the second end of the body. The inner belt wall, the outer belt wall, the first end wall, and the second end wall are integrally formed together as a single, unitary structure, such as by a casting process.