Abstract: This disclosure relates to an exterior lighting system for a motor vehicle. An example system includes a plurality of lights configured to illuminate an area adjacent the motor vehicle, a plurality of sensors, and a controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the lights based on signals from the sensors. The example system includes various aspects configured to preserve energy, including reducing the polling rate of sensors corresponding to deactivated lights, increasing light intensity in proportion to the speed of detected motion, and only illuminating those lights that correspond to locations of a recognized user.

Abstract: Methods for preparing thermoplastic automotive appliques include applying heat from an auxiliary heater to a tool cavity of a forming tool. The auxiliary heater is activated for a period of time until a temperature of the heated tool cavity is heated to less than or equal to about a melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The heated tool cavity is filled with the thermoplastic, and a cooling fluid is pulsed through the forming tool. The thermoplastic applique is then removed, and the supply of cooling fluid is turned off.

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: Example embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to an automated triage nurse system in a vehicle. In an example scenario, the system issues a set of questions to evaluate a severity of a medical emergency event associated with an occupant of the vehicle. The questions may be issued through an audio system in the vehicle and the medical emergency event may be caused by a vehicular accident or may be a medical trauma suffered by the occupant. The system provides medical advice to the occupant, if the occupant provides a response that indicates to the system that it is unnecessary to summon a first responder. The medical advice can be a first-aid instruction. On the other hand, the system may contact a first responder located in a medical facility if the occupant of the vehicle provides no response, or provides a response that indicates a serious medical problem.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a switchable glass structure supported within a vehicle and comprised of a plurality of layers. A power source is selectively applied to the switchable glass structure to change the switchable glass structure from opaque to clear. Markings are formed within at least one of the plurality of layers to identify user input areas. A control system includes a circuit configured cooperate with the power source to allow the switchable glass structure to act as a capacitive sensor such that user input to the user input areas can be sensed to change the switchable glass structure between opaque and clear modes.

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 vehicle assembly includes a sensor system of a bumper or a skid plate. The sensor system includes a plurality of first sensors and at least one second sensor. The sensor system emits a first electrical field from each of the first sensors when the plurality of first sensors are active and the at least one second sensor is inactive. The sensor system emits a second electrical field when the plurality of first sensors are active and the at least one second sensor is active. The first electrical field projects a first distance from the skid plate. The second electrical field projects a longer, second distance from the skid plate.

Abstract: A drainage system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. A drain is disposed within a vehicle substrate and has a floor. A receiver is disposed proximate to the floor. A cap feature is operably coupled to the drain and is operable between first and second positions relative to the drain. The cap feature includes an upper platform and a sidewall that extends generally downward from the upper platform. A cutout is defined by the cap feature and is configured to allow liquid to flow through the cap feature. An engagement feature is coupled to the cap feature and is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the engagement feature is engaged with the receiver. Movement of the cap feature from the first position to the second position moves the engagement feature from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to accessories configured to be supported by door strikers of motor vehicles. In particular, the accessories may be mounted to a motor vehicle when a traditional, or factory, door is removed. Some example accessories are useable as a step when mounted to the vehicle, and are also useable as a tool (i.e., as a shovel, flashlight, bit driver, socket wrench, and/or hex wrench) when removed from the vehicle.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, cutting opposing notches in side edges of a flat metallic strip to provide a flat notched strip with pairs of notches extending along a length of the flat notched strip. The flat notched strip is rolled formed to provide a profiled notched strip and a flexible material is extruded to cover the profiled notched strip to provide a roof ditch molding. The roof ditch molding is cut at notch locations to achieve a desired molding length extending between molding cut ends comprising tabs, and a pattern of flexible material is removed from the notches associated with the molding cut ends. The tabs are bent to provide final formed ends for the roof ditch molding.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of fasteners includes extruding a continuous strip of material, the continuous strip defining a base portion, a tip portion, and a stem portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. A portion of material is removed from the continuous strip of material along the tip portion such that a plurality of tip portions are separated from each other and spaced apart, each tip portion having at least one flexible tab. The continuous strip of material is then extruded through a foaming die, wherein the flexible tabs are elastically displaced away from the base portion during a foaming process such that a foam material fills a cavity of the foaming die to form a sealing element around the stem portion. Portions of the continuous strip between each of the tip portions are separated to produce a plurality of individual sealed fasteners.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

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: 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: An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a display connected to the assist handle, a communication link operatively coupled to the display, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle.

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: A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory, and the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to determine that a wheelchair is located within a threshold distance of a vehicle; actuate a puddle lamp to project a light projection proximate to a door of the vehicle; determine whether the wheelchair is aligned with respect to the light projection based on an image captured by a camera, wherein the image includes image data comprising a position of the wheelchair relative to the light projection; and actuate the door of the vehicle to open in response to determining that a wheelchair user is located at a designated location relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system may include a charging plug including at least one handle cover covering at least a portion of the plug, and a vehicle charge receptacle configured to receive the plug, the plug and receptacle comprising a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material of at least one polymer and at least one ceramic to transfer heat generated during charging through the plug portion and receptacle into the vehicle body for dissipation.