Abstract: A system for closing a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes: at least one sensor configured to detect a velocity and a position of the door; a brake configured to decrease the velocity of the door; an actuator configured to move the door to a closed position; and a controller configured to control operation of the at least one sensor, the brake, and the actuator.

Abstract: An articulating mechanism for opening and closing a vehicle door utilizes a first mechanism having a first motion profile and a second mechanism having a second motion profile. To open the door, the first mechanism begins the first motion profile before the second mechanism begins the second motion profile. To close the door, the second mechanism completes the second motion profile before the first mechanism completes the first motion profile.

Abstract: A system for operating a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include an actuator configured to move the door between an open position and a closed position. The system may also include a controller configured to determine a first open-door angle associated with a predetermined first velocity profile, determine a second open-door angle based on the open position relative to the closed position, determine a second velocity profile based on the first open-door angle, the second open-door angle, and the first velocity profile, and control the actuator to operate the door according to the second velocity profile.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. A powered accessory port may be utilized to selectively reveal/conceal an interior portion, such as charging connection when the powered accessory port is disposed on the exterior of a vehicle, or a user device connection, such as when the powered accessory port is disposed in the interior of the vehicle. The powered accessory port, when energized, provides a rotational force that is partially translated into a longitudinal force such that the single rotational force provides both a lifting (or lowering) motion as well as a rotational motion.

Abstract: An air vent achieves selective horizontal aiming of air flowing through the air vent by rotating a shaft that extends across the air vent and to which a plurality of vanes are fixedly attached. The vanes are mounted to the shaft at an angle, such that rotation of the shaft changes the angle of the vanes relative to the air flowing through the air vent. Each vane is a cylindrical section and has a circular perimeter when viewed along the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle modular side view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mirror base has a first section capable of attachment to a vehicle and a second section capable of attachment to a mirror head, wherein the second section is movable relative to the first section. The mirror assembly can include a mirror head having a reflective surface and a motor for moving the mirror head relative to a mirror base, the mirror head detachably connectable to the mirror base. Lidar sensors can be mounted in addition to, or in place of, the side view mirrors. Interchangeable modular heads can allow a user to customize the vehicle to have mirror heads, sensors, both, or neither. Mirror bases can move, allowing the mirrors and/or sensors to be positioned at different angles. In some configurations, the position of the sensors can be dynamically adjusted according to the speed and/or direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. A powered accessory port may be utilized to selectively reveal/conceal an interior portion, such as charging connection when the powered accessory port is disposed on the exterior of a vehicle, or a user device connection, such as when the powered accessory port is disposed in the interior of the vehicle. The powered accessory port, when energized, provides a rotational force that is partially translated into a longitudinal force such that the single rotational force provides both a lifting (or lowering) motion as well as a rotational motion.

Abstract: A latch having an adjustable primary/final position includes mounting plate with a plurality of mounting holes or mounting locations to which a primary pawl can be selectively attached. The latch also includes a latch cam that is rotatable between an open position and a primary, fully engaged position. When in the primary, fully engaged position, the latch cam secures a striker within a receiving slot of the mounting plate. The position of the striker within the receiving slot when the latch cam is in the fully engaged position can be adjusted by selectively attaching the primary pawl to a different one of the plurality of mounting holes or mounting locations.

Abstract: A system for closing a door of a vehicle may include at least one sensor configured to detect a velocity and a position of the door, and a brake configured to decrease the velocity of the door. An actuator may be included to move the door to a closed position, and a controller may be included to control operation of the at least one sensor, the brake, and the actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge system may include an actuator configured to pivot a vehicle door and a door hinge. The actuator may include a door strut. The door hinge may include a body strap, a door strap, and a strut strap having a strap end and a strut end. The strap end may be attached to the body strap, and the strut end of the strut strap and the door strut may be pivotally coupled to one another, such that the door of the vehicle is opened when the door strut is extended and closed when the door strut is retracted.

Abstract: An articulating mechanism for opening and closing a vehicle door utilizes a first mechanism having a first motion profile and a second mechanism having a second motion profile. To open the door, the first mechanism begins the first motion profile before the second mechanism begins the second motion profile. To close the door, the second mechanism completes the second motion profile before the first mechanism completes the first motion profile.

Abstract: A system for closing carriage doors of a vehicle may include first and second carriage doors configured to open and close via respective first and second actuators. The system may also include a controller configured to receive signals indicative of angles of the first and second doors relative to closed positions. The controller may also be configured to determine respective first and second velocity profiles for the first and second carriage doors based on the angles of the first and second doors. In addition, the controller may be configured to control operation of at least one of the first and second actuators based on the first and second angles, such that the first carriage door and the second carriage door stay farther apart from one another than a predetermined threshold distance while closing.

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge system may include an actuator configured to pivot a vehicle door and a door hinge. The actuator may include a door strut. The door hinge may include a body strap, a door strap, and a strut strap having a strap end and a strut end. The strap end may be attached to the body strap, and the strut end of the strut strap and the door strut may be pivotally coupled to one another, such that the door of the vehicle is opened when the door strut is extended and closed when the door strut is retracted.

Abstract: A system for closing carriage doors of a vehicle may include first and second carriage doors configured to open and close via respective first and second actuators. The system may also include a controller configured to receive signals indicative of angles of the first and second doors relative to closed positions. The controller may also be configured to determine respective first and second velocity profiles for the first and second carriage doors based on the angles of the first and second doors. In addition, the controller may be configured to control operation of at least one of the first and second actuators based on the first and second angles, such that the first carriage door and the second carriage door stay farther apart from one another than a predetermined threshold distance while closing.

Abstract: A system for operating a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include an actuator configured to move the door between an open position and a closed position. The system may also include a controller configured to determine a first open-door angle associated with a predetermined first velocity profile, determine a second open-door angle based on the open position relative to the closed position, determine a second velocity profile based on the first open-door angle, the second open-door angle, and the first velocity profile, and control the actuator to operate the door according to the second velocity profile.

Abstract: A vehicle modular side view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mirror base has a first section capable of attachment to a vehicle and a second section capable of attachment to a mirror head, wherein the second section is movable relative to the first section. The mirror assembly can include a mirror head having a reflective surface and a motor for moving the mirror head relative to a mirror base, the mirror head detachably connectable to the mirror base. Lidar sensors can be mounted in addition to, or in place of, the side view mirrors. Interchangeable modular heads can allow a user to customize the vehicle to have mirror heads, sensors, both, or neither. Mirror bases can move, allowing the mirrors and/or sensors to be positioned at different angles. In some configurations, the position of the sensors can be dynamically adjusted according to the speed and/or direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A closure system for a vehicle comprises: a dual-hinge closure comprising a first portion hinged to the vehicle by a first hinge, and a second portion hinged to the first portion by a second hinge; a frame that at least in part surrounds an opening in the vehicle; an adjustable bump stop subassembly mounted to the first portion, wherein the adjustable bump stop subassembly rests on the frame when the first portion is in a closed position; and a latch system comprising a latch configured to engage a horizontal striker, the latch system configured so that an end of the second portion opposite the second hinge latches to and unlatches from a distal portion of the frame by essentially horizontal motion.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced automated visual inspection of a physical asset includes a visual inspection device capable of generating images of the physical asset and a computing device including a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The computing device includes a storage device coupled to the memory device and coupled to the processor. The storage device includes at least one historic image of the physical asset and at least one engineering model substantially representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured to receive, from a present image source, at least one present image of the physical asset captured by the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching historic image corresponding to the at least one present image. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching engineering model corresponding to the at least one present image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.