Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle door panel, a removeable structure having a retention member fixed on the vehicle door panel, and a holding element associated with the retention member to provide a pocket that can be configured in different ways to accommodate a plurality of powered devices. A power interface in the vehicle door panel powers at least one of the plurality of powered devices. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing the power interface in the vehicle door panel to power at least one of the plurality of powered devices, and providing a communications link between at least one of the plurality of powered devices and a vehicle touchscreen or control.

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: Vehicle exterior lighting systems may be equipped with fascia mounted lamp assemblies. The proposed systems are capable of controlling a fascia lamp assembly to reveal the lamp assembly within the vehicle fascia and then produce various lighting effects based on sensed vehicle conditions. Exemplary fascia lamp assemblies may include a conductive lens that can be charged in order to reveal the lamp assembly within the vehicle fascia.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cargo bed of a vehicle, a passenger side rail mounted to a passenger side wall assembly of the cargo bed, and a driver side rail mounted to a driver side wall assembly of the cargo bed. A crossbar is slidably coupled to the passenger and driver side rails. The crossbar is slidable along the passenger and driver side rails between a forward position and a rearward position. The crossbar is closer to a cab of the vehicle when the crossbar is in the forward position than when the crossbar is in the rearward position.

Abstract: Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a door coupled to the body. The door is operable between opened and closed positions. A cinch assembly is operably coupled to the door. A door seal is positioned along at least a portion of a door opening, wherein the door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal. A controller is configured to monitor the capacitive signal and control the cinch assembly in response to the capacitive signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other things, a spare tire cover comprising an attaching ring configured to surround an outer circumference of a tire and a center panel that is attached to the attaching ring. At least one exciter is mounted to the center panel. A method includes, among other things, molding at least one temperature sensor to a center panel, mounting the center panel to enclose one open side of an attaching ring to form a spare tire cover, and mounting at least one exciter to the center panel to selectively generate a desired sound.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate and a resistance heating element bonded to the substrate. The resistance heating element is comprised of, by weight, 10 to 45% of graphene, 0.25 to 45% of carbon nanostructure (CNS) material different than the graphene, and a remainder of glass frit. The graphene and the CNS material include a coupling agent that bonds the graphene and the CNS material with at least the glass frit.

Abstract: Charging cord assemblies for transferring power between electrified vehicles during in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events may include a cable including a wire bundle coated with a conductive foamed plastic shielding to establish a cable subassembly. The conductive foamed plastic shielding is configured to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the cable. Various cable routing arrangements may be utilized for routing the cable of the charging cord assembly during the in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode of a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured by roll to roll printing a conductive layer onto a polymer layer and forming a mutual capacitance sensor layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a foam dielectric layer and forming a coextruded layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, and pressure rolling the mutual capacitance sensor layer and the coextruded layer together and forming the multi-layer electrode. The conductive polymer layer includes between about 2 wt. % to about 15 wt. % graphene and between about 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. % of the carbon nanotubes. Also, the conductive polymer layer has a flexural modulus equal to or greater than 5,000 MPa and an electrical resistivity less than or equal to 10 Ohm/mm3, and the polymer layer and/or the conductive polymer layer is formed from recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A system for forming a glass panel includes a mixing apparatus for weighing and mixing glass particles and additives, an oven for melting and holding molten glass, a float chamber for floating molten glass thereover, an annealing lehr, and at least a nozzle for delivering compressed air at least of one of a first pressure and a second pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo compartment system includes an electric outlet mounted within an accessible location within a vehicle cargo compartment and a sensor assembly mounted proximate the electric outlet within the cargo compartment for detecting a presence of an electrical power cord. The cargo compartment system integrates powered features such as an electric outlet, powered tailgate and the powered top that utilizes environmental information gathered by various sensors on the vehicle in combination with predefined actions to simplify use and automate operation.

Abstract: Example embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a plastic enclosure that provides EMI shielding and heat sinking to an electronic assembly. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a housing portion formed of a base material that includes a polymer containing graphene nanostructures and carbon nanostructures. The graphene nanostructures provide a thermal conductivity characteristic to the base material. A set of standoff elements made of the base material is provided inside the housing for mounting the electronic assembly. Heat generated by the electronic assembly is conducted out of the enclosure by the standoff elements due to the graphene nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures provide an electrical conductivity characteristic to the base material. A lid formed of the base material may be attached to the housing portion. The carbon nanostructures in the housing portion and the lid provide EMI shielding to the electronic assembly inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A roof structure of a motor vehicle includes an outer sheet and a headliner below the outer sheet. A telematics control unit (TCU) is disposed in an insulated space of the roof structure. The TCU is configured to provide Wi-Fi within a passenger space of the vehicle above an electrically non-conductive grille extending across an opening in the headliner. The grille permits airflow between the insulated space and a passenger space below the headliner to cool the TCU, without interfering with Wi-Fi signals from the TCU.

Abstract: A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer using an additive manufacturing process, 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, 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, and forming a protective layer over at least a portion of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermedia

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a running board for a motor vehicle, and in particular relates to a linkage assembly for the running board and a corresponding method of using the same. An example running board assembly includes a deck and a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the deck. The linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link further from the deck than the first link. The second link is curved such that the second link exhibits a concave contour from a perspective of the deck.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a hanger connected to the assist handle and configured to hang a holder configured to hold an electronic device, a charger configured to charge an electronic device held in the holder hanging on the hanger, and a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle having remote terminals accessible via a charging port door. An example electrified vehicle a charging port configured to couple to a plug to charge the electrified vehicle, and remote terminals. The electrified vehicle can be jump started via the remote terminals. Further, the electrified vehicle includes a charging port door moveable between a closed position, a normal open position in which the charging port is accessible such that a plug may couple to the charging port to charge the electrified vehicle, and an extended open position in which the charging port door has moved beyond the normal open position. The remote terminals are accessible when the charging port door is in the extended open position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an aperture. A closure panel is coupled to the body and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure panel covers the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. A support member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the body. The second end is coupled to the closure panel. The support member is operable between a compressed position and an extended position. The extended position of the support member corresponds with the open position of the closure panel. A collapsible member is coupled to the body and the support member. The collapsible member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The collapsible member includes a first section and a second section. The collapsible member also includes a fluid drainage system.