Abstract: A badge mounted on a vehicle is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate and a housing attached thereto defining a cavity therebetween. A light source is configured to emit an excitation light. A first photoluminescent structure and a second photoluminescent structure are disposed within the badge and each is configured to convert the excitation light emitted from the light source into a converted light of a different wavelength. A light scattering layer is disposed between the first and second photoluminescent structures.

Abstract: A vehicle applique is provided that includes a decorative layer and an over-mold positioned over the decorative layer. The over-mold is substantially transparent. A light conversion layer is positioned on an opposite side of the decorative layer from the over-mold and configured to convert ambient illumination. A reflective layer is configured to convert ambient illumination. A reflective layer is configured to reflect light into the light conversion layer.

Abstract: A composition for the manufacture of temperature resistant and sound attenuating automotive parts includes polyethylene terephthalate resin, basalt fibers, and mica. The basalt fibers and mica may be between 35 and 40% of the composition by weight of the total composition. The basalt fibers may be between 20 and 30% of the composition by weight and the mica may be between 5 and 15% of the composition by weight. The basalt fibers may be 25% of the composition by weight and the mica may be 10% of the composition by weight. A method is disclosed for molding a temperature resistant and sound attenuating part by blending a foaming agent with a thermoplastic olefin, basalt fibers and mica to form a resin mixture. The resin mixture is injected under pressure into a die to fill the die. The pressure is reduced to allow the foaming agent to form a microcellular core.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is an automotive acoustic panel including a porous sound-absorption material made from a polymer and an expanded perlite. One or more silane compounds may be coupled or coated onto the expanded perlite while a coupling agent and a chemical foaming agent may additionally be added to the automotive acoustic panel.

Abstract: A badge includes a housing having a front viewable portion, a first light source disposed rearwardly of the viewable portion, a second light source disposed adjacently to the first light source, a third light source disposed adjacently to the second light source, and a controller that illuminates the first, the second, and the third light sources sequentially at offset intervals.

Abstract: A vehicle badge is provided herein. A first number of light sources is configured to successively illuminate, wherein at least a majority of the first number of light sources ramps to a maximum intensity within a corresponding time interval prior to a time period elapsing. A second number of light sources is configured to successively illuminate, wherein each of the second number of light sources ramps to a maximum intensity once the time period is reached.

Abstract: A tie down cleat assembly includes a cleat body having a mounting lug, a first receiver, a second receiver and a third receiver. The multiple receivers provide versatility, enhancing the functionality of the cleat for tie down purposes.

Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a housing having an integrally formed first layer and second layer. A light source is disposed within the badge. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed between the light source and housing. The first photoluminescent structure is configured to emit outputted light in response to inputted light emitted from the light source. The outputted light exits the housing through a light transmissive portion. A substrate is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A method for making an insulated vehicle extension dash panel includes injection molding an extension dash panel from a structural polymer. The method further includes adding a plurality of components to a mixer to form an insulating foaming layer. The plurality of components includes a two-part liquid silicone compound, a catalyst, and a foaming agent. A screw is then coupled to the mixer and the insulating foaming layer is injection molded to an inner face of the extension dash panel. The insulating foaming layer is then cured to the inner face of the extension dash panel to form the insulated vehicle extension dash panel.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for a grounded reflector for a vehicle lighting fixture with a capacitive switch. An example disclosed lamp assembly for a vehicle includes a lamp assembly, a grounded reflector, and a capacitive switch. The grounded reflector has a metal layer electrically coupled to a ground plane of the vehicle. However, the metal layer is not directly coupled to the ground plane of the vehicle. The capacitive switch is electrically coupled to the lamp assembly to control the lamp assembly based on detecting a capacitive object within a detection field.

Abstract: A molded metallized polymeric structure includes a metal plate-able polymer component having a metallized surface wherein the component includes one or more locking members. The molded metallized polymeric structure additionally includes a polymer resin coupled to one or more binding regions of the metallized surface wherein the polymer resin is positioned to be in contact with the one or more locking members. The molded metallized polymeric structure has one or more visually exposed portions of the metallized surface.

Abstract: An exterior trim component for a vehicle is provided that includes: 39% to 45% recycled polypropylene copolymer; 27% to 43% recycled polypropylene homopolymer; 0.5% to 2.5% coupling agent; 0.01% to 0.5% flow enhancing agent; 0.5% to 1.5% coconut shell powder; 5% to 10% synthetic filler; and 3% to 17% carbon fiber (by weight). Further, the component is characterized by a flexural modulus of at least 1750 MPa. In certain aspects, the component is further characterized by a coefficient of linear thermal expansion between about 4×10?5 in/in*° C. and about 0.1×10?5 in/in*° C., as measured under the ISO 11359-2 protocol.

Abstract: A high heat polymer with improved sound deadening properties is provided. The material includes recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) as its base polymer and combination of mineral fillers and fibers to improve heat deflection temperatures and to create a barrier within the polymer that blocks noise. The material uses use a combination of basalt fibers and mica to provide improved resistance to heat and improved elastic modulus and significant dampening of sound. The high heat performance and improved sound attenuation of the material enables the deletion of heat shields and added NVH pads to many under body and under-hood parts, as well as significantly reducing the material cost and weight in automobiles.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel. A trim piece is positioned on the instrument panel and includes a surface defining a pattern. The pattern includes a body portion and a border portion. A diffraction grating is positioned within the boarder portion. The diffraction grating has a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm.

Abstract: A tie down cleat assembly includes a cleat body having a mounting lug, a first receiver, a second receiver and a third receiver. The multiple receivers provide versatility, enhancing the functionality of the cleat for tie down purposes.

Abstract: A vehicle running board includes opposing vertical walls extending along a length of a tubular structure and including a carbon-fiber component. Opposing horizontal walls extend between the opposing vertical walls and include a glass component. The opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls form the tubular structure having a generally rectilinear cross section. A polymer outer covering extends over the opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp is provided that includes: an LED source coupled to a housing; and a lens over the source and coupled to the housing. The lens, or a portion of the lens, includes a plurality of glass beads, each having a metal-containing coating (e.g., a coating comprising at least one of Ni, Al, Cu, In and brass) and dispersed in a polymeric matrix (e.g., an acrylic or a polycarbonate). Further, the lens has a thermal conductivity of at least about 2 W/m*K and an optical transmissivity of at least 80%.

Abstract: A running board includes an integral hollow body having a step face and a first sidewall. The integral hollow body is made from a base polymer material with continuous reinforcing fibers running from a first end to a second, opposite end of the first sidewall while the step face is made from unfilled base polymer material. A production method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle luggage rack rail includes a skin layer including a first polymeric material and defining interior and exterior surfaces. A coating is positioned on the exterior surface of the skin layer. A base layer is coupled to the interior surface and includes a second polymeric material. The base layer defines a void therein and a plurality of fibers extending through the base layer.

Abstract: A method for making an insulated vehicle extension dash panel includes injection molding an extension dash panel from a structural polymer. The method further includes adding a plurality of components to a mixer to form an insulating foaming layer. The plurality of components includes a two-part liquid silicone compound, a catalyst, and a foaming agent. A screw is then coupled to the mixer and the insulating foaming layer is injection molded to an inner face of the extension dash panel. The insulating foaming layer is then cured to the inner face of the extension dash panel to form the insulated vehicle extension dash panel.