Abstract: A vehicle including a passenger compartment is configured with one or more seats, a storage compartment separated from the passenger compartment by way of at least one wall, a housing extending through the at least one wall, and a drawer slidably positioned within the housing and movable between a first position accessible from within the passenger compartment and a second position accessible from the storage compartment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to vehicle exterior imaging systems that capture and display views of the exterior environment to vehicle operators. An exemplary vehicle exterior imaging system may include a glass panel including a combiner positioned between a first layer of glass and a second layer of glass, a first exterior side-view imager assembly configured to capture images of a vehicle exterior environment, and a projector assembly configured to project an output image onto the glass panel. The output image is based on the images captured by the first exterior side-view imager assembly. The glass panel may be part of either a windshield or a door window, and the projector assembly may be mounted either outside or inside of a housing of the first exterior side-view imager assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cargo bed of a vehicle, a first crossbar spanning the cargo bed, and a second crossbar spanning the cargo bed. The first and second crossbars are slidable relative to the cargo bed. The first and second crossbars are slidable relative to each other.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode for a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured according to a method including co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a dielectric foam layer and forming coextruded layers of the capacitive pressure sensor and pressure rolling an XY layer and the coextruded layers together and forming the multi-layer electrode.

Abstract: An item repositioning method includes, in response to a request for an item, moving a vehicle along a first route to a location of the item, loading the item in the vehicle using a lift assist device mounted to the vehicle, moving the vehicle along a second route to transport the item to a desired location, and at the desired location, unloading the item from the vehicle using the lift assist device.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a polymeric material, a first filler, and a second filler. The polymeric material can be present at a concentration of at least about 35% by weight of the vehicle component. The first filler can be a carbon-containing filler dispersed within the polymeric material. The carbon-containing filler can be present at a concentration of at least about 20% by weight of the vehicle component. The second filler includes a substrate and carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes extend from a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo management system includes, among other things, an outer member of a cargo retention frame and an inner member of the cargo retention frame. The inner member is at least partially received within the outer member. A locking device is transitionable back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position. The outer and inner members are slideable relative to each other when the locking device is in the locked position. The outer and inner members are fixed relative to each other when the locking device is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: Exemplary spare tire cover systems for motor vehicles may include features for assisting in raising/lowering a spare tire to/from a vehicle mounted position. Exemplary system features may include, but are not limited to, a deployable ramp, a wheel stop, a wheel catcher, and a strut assembly for moving the deployable ramp between stowed and deployed positions. The spare tire cover systems may additionally include features designed for increasing the functionality of the system, including but not limited to integrated deployable steps and handrails, lighting, sensors, etc.

Abstract: In-vehicle transducers (speakers, sound exciters, or vibrating window panels) are used to generate the ultrasonic waves to repel pests, without driving away family pets or exposing nearby people. In one preferred method, a pest deterrent mode is activated in response to a first user command by emitting ultrasonic soundwaves from a transducer driven by an onboard audio system. A region around the vehicle is monitored for human-related activity within the region. The emission of ultrasonic soundwaves is deactivated when the human-related activity is detected. Emission of the ultrasonic soundwaves is resumed when the human-related activity is no longer detected. Then the pest deterrent may be set to a deactivated mode in response to a second user command.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer, forming a first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer onto the base layer using an additive manufacturing process, placing an electronics component onto the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer, the electronics component comprising a plurality of vias, and forming a second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer over the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and over at least a portion of the electronics component using an additive manufacturing process, wherein a material of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer extends through the vias to contact the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and the vias, thereby forming a bond therebetween.

Abstract: An active air dam notification method includes, among other things, transitioning an air dam of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, and providing an alert to a user. The alert indicates that the air dam is transitioning. The air dam is vertically higher when the air dam is in the first position than when the air dam is in the second position.

Abstract: A face shield assembly includes, among other things, a shield configured to be placed adjacent a front of a head of a user, a tube configured to be placed against a rear of the head of the user, and fasteners. Each of the fasteners binds the tube to at least the shield.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a manifold having pump compartments separated by dividers. The manifold is constructed of an electrically conductive material to shield electromagnetic fields. A pump is disposed within each compartment and configured to generate the electromagnetic fields when activated. A power connector is coupled to the manifold. The power connector is configured to power each pump and is a common ground for the manifold. An upper level sensor is proximate to the manifold. A lower level sensor is proximate to the manifold. The upper level sensor and the lower level sensor are configured to sense fluid level in a washer bottle.

Abstract: A disclosed windshield washer fluid storage system includes a fluid storage container with a thermal interface. The thermal interface provides for the transference of thermal energy into the container from a heat producing electrical component. Thermal energy from the component is communicating into the container to cool the component and heat washer fluid within the container.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a polymeric material, a first filler, and a second filler. The polymeric material can be present at a concentration of at least about 35% by weight of the vehicle component. The first filler can be a carbon-containing filler dispersed within the polymeric material. The carbon-containing filler can be present at a concentration of at least about 20% by weight of the vehicle component. The second filler includes a substrate and carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes extend from a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for vehicle turning in confined spaces are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein instructions, at least one memory, a processor to execute the instructions to operate a first brake of a first wheel of a vehicle, operate a second brake of a second wheel of the vehicle, determine a frictional coefficient of a driving surface of the vehicle by rotating a third wheel of the vehicle, determine based on the frictional coefficient, if a turn command can be conducted by the vehicle, and when the turn command can be conducted, conduct the turn command.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a cargo bed having a first and a second sidewall. A rail assembly is disposed on the first sidewall. The rail assembly is movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the first sidewall. An actuator system raises and lowers the rail assembly to move the rail assembly between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror system for a vehicle coupled to a trailer is provided. The vehicle mirror system includes first and second mirror assemblies configured to be located on first and second sides of the vehicle, a trailer angle sensor for sensing a hitch angle between the trailer and the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the first mirror assembly to control a first viewing window of the first mirror assembly for a driver of the vehicle, wherein the first mirror assembly is adjusted to redirect the viewing window to track a feature on the trailer as the trailer articulates relative to the vehicle based on the hitch angle. The second mirror assembly may be controlled to move inwards and downwards.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to storage bin for a door of a motor vehicle. In an example, a door, which provides a boundary between a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and an exterior of the motor vehicle, includes a storage bin configured such that an item in the storage bin is accessible both from the passenger compartment and from the exterior.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle headlamp assembly comprising at least one laser and a controller in communication with the vehicle headlamp assembly to control the at least one laser to provide a plurality of functions. An input device is configured to receive input commands to control the at least one laser to provide a selected one of the plurality of functions.