Abstract: An exemplary automotive vehicle includes a body having a wheelhouse, the wheelhouse including a wheelhouse edge defining a wheelhouse opening, and a wheel disposed in the wheelhouse opening, a suspension system including a suspension component adjacent to the wheelhouse, the suspension component configured to vertically deflect during vehicle operation, an aerodynamic system including an aerodynamic member disposed within the wheelhouse opening and coupled to the suspension component, the aerodynamic member having a first position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel and a second position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel, wherein the aerodynamic member moves from the first position to the second position with deflection of the suspension component such that a distance between the aerodynamic member and the wheel is greater when the aerodynamic member is in the second position than when the aerodynamic member is in the first position.

Abstract: A system to provide alerts to guide visually-impaired passengers to a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a passenger identification module that is configured to identify a passenger based upon sensor data received at an autonomous vehicle and a passenger proximity module that is configured to determine a distance between the passenger and the autonomous vehicle. The system also includes an alert module that is configured to generate an alert having an alert characteristic corresponding to the distance.

Abstract: A system to provide alerts to guide visually-impaired passengers to a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a passenger identification module that is configured to identify a passenger based upon sensor data received at an autonomous vehicle and a passenger proximity module that is configured to determine a distance between the passenger and the autonomous vehicle. The system also includes an alert module that is configured to generate an alert having an alert characteristic corresponding to the distance.

Abstract: A system and method to control a cellular device in a vehicle includes determining whether the cellular device is associated with a driver of the vehicle based on a location of the cellular device or an identity of the cellular device. The method also includes signaling the cellular device to inhibit functionality of the cellular device based on determining that the cellular device is associated with the driver of the vehicle. The inhibiting functionality includes disabling one or more functions of the cellular device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first member and a second member moveable relative to the first member. A compliant member is compressible between the first member and the second member. A compression control device is attached to one of the first member and the second member for engaging another of the first member and the second member, or the compliant member. The compression control device is moveable between a first position and a second position. When disposed in the first position, the compression control device is not engaged with the first member, the second member, or the compliant member, and allows compression of the compliant member into a first compressive state. When disposed in the second position, the compression control device is engaged with one of the first member, the second member, or the compliant member, and is operable to compress the compliant member into a second compressive state.

Abstract: Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.

Abstract: A vehicle ignition system includes an ignition cylinder housing defining an exterior portion, an interior portion and a channel extending at least partially through the interior portion. An ignition cylinder is at least partially received by and adjustable relative to the ignition cylinder housing. The ignition cylinder includes an elongate body defining an exterior portion and an interior portion. A cam member is at least partially received in the channel of the ignition cylinder housing and includes a clutch disposed adjacent to and engaging a portion of the ignition cylinder. A locking mechanism cooperates with the ignition cylinder housing and ignition cylinder includes a locking member having a projection extending therefrom that releasably engages a portion of the ignition cylinder housing when the locking mechanism is placed in the at least one second position to prevent adjustment of the ignition cylinder relative to the ignition cylinder housing.

Abstract: Systems are provided for a backup entry and user authentication system for a vehicle. In one example, the system includes a smart phone having a housing that defines at least one recess. The system also includes an entry key having a blade adapted to mate with a lock of the vehicle to gain entry into the vehicle. The entry key is removably retained within the at least one recess. The system includes a transponder associated with the smart phone that outputs one or more signals that identifies a user to a processor of the vehicle, and the processor of the vehicle enables a startup of a propulsion system of the vehicle based on the identification.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a door locking system includes a controller and at least one locking mechanism operatively connected to each of a plurality of doors. At least one lock switch connected to the controller selectively locks the at least one locking mechanism based at least partially on actuation of the at least one lock switch. At least one sensor array connected to the controller detects a vehicle condition from at least one of a first vehicle state and a second vehicle state.

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 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: An injection mold assembly for injection molding an object includes a first mold tool having a first tool surface and a second mold tool having a second tool surface. The first and the second tool surfaces are cooperatively configured to define a mold cavity between the tool surfaces for an injection molding of an object. The first mold tool has a tool element with a first side that has the first tool surface, and with a second side opposite the first side. Multiple fins extend from the second side of the tool element. A base supports the fins. The tool element, the fins and the base define a coolant flow cavity at the second side of the tool element. A method of designing the mold assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door.

Abstract: One variation may include a truck body having one or more cargo pod lift systems around the perimeter of a truck's center aisle which may be lifted or lowered to load/unload one or more cargo pods and a method for doing the same.

Abstract: A door for a vehicle having a body controller includes a vehicle interior-facing surface. The door locking system includes a latch mechanism configured to alternately attain a first state that locks and a second state that unlocks operation of the latch mechanism. The door locking system also includes a control switch on the interior-facing surface for generating a signal to alternatively select one of the first and second latch mechanism states. The door locking system additionally includes an indicator light integrally mounted on the control switch and configured to provide a visual signal indicative of the selected latch mechanism state. The controller is configured to receive the signal from the control switch, command the latch mechanism to attain one of the first and second states in response to the signal, and trigger the indicator light when the latch mechanism has attained one of the first and second states.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first member and a second member moveable relative to the first member. A compliant member is compressible between the first member and the second member. A compression control device is attached to one of the first member and the second member for engaging another of the first member and the second member, or the compliant member. The compression control device is moveable between a first position and a second position. When disposed in the first position, the compression control device is not engaged with the first member, the second member, or the compliant member, and allows compression of the compliant member into a first compressive state. When disposed in the second position, the compression control device is engaged with one of the first member, the second member, or the compliant member, and is operable to compress the compliant member into a second compressive state.

Abstract: One variation may include a cargo truck which may include one or more cargo latching/locking systems integrated into a body portion of the cargo truck which comprise at least one hoist plate which latches and locks at least one cargo pod to the hoist plate and which may be operatively connected to a hoist system which may raise and lower a hoist platform which may be attached to the hoist plate and a method for doing the same.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a pillar, a vehicle door movably coupled to the vehicle body, and an assembly for at least partially opening the vehicle door. The assembly is coupled to the vehicle door and includes an actuator having an actuator body and an actuator shaft movable relative to the actuator body between a retracted position and an extended position. Further, the assembly includes a lever pivotally coupled to the vehicle door and a spring coupled between the lever and the actuator shaft. The spring biases the lever toward the pillar. When the vehicle door is unlatched, the lever exerts a force on the pillar and, consequently, pushes the vehicle door away from the pillar to a partially open position. The present disclosure also relates to the assembly for at least partially opening the vehicle door as described above.

Abstract: A product is disclosed for latching a closure having a striker. A fork bolt may engage the striker. Primary and secondary detent levers may be positioned for selective engagement with the fork bolt. The primary detent lever may engage and retain the fork bolt in a primary latched position. Upon a first rotation, the primary detent lever may disengage the fork bolt which rotates to a secondary latched position and into retaining engagement with the secondary detent lever. Upon a second rotation, the primary detent lever may interact with the secondary detent lever to rotate it to the disengaged position and disengage it from the fork bolt which then rotates to the open position.