Abstract: This disclosure relates to vehicle exterior lighting systems that include lamp assemblies that may be customized for meeting customer styling preferences. Exemplary lamp assemblies may include a lamp housing, a removable insert mounted to an interior wall of the lamp housing, and an access panel mounted to the rear exterior surface. The access panel is removable from the rear exterior surface to expose an access opening for inserting or removing the removable insert. The removable insert may include one or more customized features for personalizing the lamp assemblies.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to vehicle exterior lighting systems that include lamp assemblies that may be customized for meeting customer styling preferences. Exemplary lamp assemblies may include a lamp housing, a removable insert mounted to an interior wall of the lamp housing, and an access panel mounted to the rear exterior surface. The access panel is removable from the rear exterior surface to expose an access opening for inserting or removing the removable insert. The removable insert may include one or more customized features for personalizing the lamp assemblies.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle lens assembly includes, among other things, a transparent base and a transparent film. The transparent film includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is bonded directly to the transparent base. The second layer is polymethylmethacrylate-based and is more resistant to ultraviolet radiation than the first layer and the transparent base. An exemplary lens manufacturing method includes, among other things, coextruding a first layer having a first material composition together with a second layer having a second material composition to provide a transparent film. The method further includes bonding the first layer to a transparent base of a vehicle lighting lens. The second material composition is more resistant to ultraviolet radiation than the first material composition.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle lens assembly includes, among other things, a transparent base and a transparent film. The transparent film includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is bonded directly to the transparent base. The second layer is polymethylmethacrylate-based and is more resistant to ultraviolet radiation than the first layer and the transparent base. An exemplary lens manufacturing method includes, among other things, coextruding a first layer having a first material composition together with a second layer having a second material composition to provide a transparent film. The method further includes bonding the first layer to a transparent base of a vehicle lighting lens. The second material composition is more resistant to ultraviolet radiation than the first material composition.

Abstract: A radiant heating system is provided for a motor vehicle. That radiant heating system includes a first surface configured to reflect IR radiation toward a motor vehicle occupant and a first IR heating element oriented to direct IR radiation toward the first surface whereby the motor vehicle occupant is warmed indirectly by the IR radiation emitted from the first IR heating element.

Abstract: A moon roof module includes a first transparent panel, a second transparent panel and a third transparent panel packaged in a compartment between the first transparent panel and the second transparent panel. The moon roof module also includes an actuator configured to displace the third transparent panel between a first position and a second position. A related method of switching a moon roof module between a transparent state and an opaque state is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric glazing of a vehicle includes a polycarbonate glazing substrate having interior and exterior vehicle sides, a hardcoat layer applied directly to the interior vehicle side, and a co-extruded film, having polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate portions, in direct contact with the exterior vehicle side such that the polymeric glazing lacks a hardcoat layer outside the exterior vehicle side and the polymethylmethacrylate portion forms an outer-most layer of the polymer glazing.

Abstract: A moon roof module includes a first transparent panel, a second transparent panel and a third transparent panel packaged in a compartment between the first transparent panel and the second transparent panel. The moon roof module also includes an actuator configured to displace the third transparent panel between a first position and a second position. A related method of switching a moon roof module between a transparent state and an opaque state is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate includes a frame, pair of hinges, inner tailgate panel, and outer tailgate panel. The frame has a first outer side-member and a second outer side-member. Each of the outer side-members is secured to ends of a lower outer cross-member. The outer side-members each have an internal surface and an external surface. The internal surfaces define T-slots. One of the pair of hinges is secured to each external surface of the outer side-members. The inner and outer tailgate panels are secured to opposing outer sides of the frame such that the external surfaces of the outer side-members remain exposed.

Abstract: A beam sub-assembly for a vehicle includes a beam member and at least one carbon-fiber prepreg bonded to a first portion of an exterior surface of the beam member so as to cover an entire length of the beam member along the first portion.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: A bumper beam includes an aluminum tubular carrier that is wrapped with a plurality of carbon fiber fabric layers. The carbon fiber fabric is pre-impregnated with a two-part epoxy resin system. The layers of carbon fiber fabric are applied in an alternating series with the carbon fibers in adjacent layers extending perpendicularly relative to the carbon fibers in adjacent layers.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: A vehicle roof module includes a front extruded cross member, a first pair of nodes each received in an end region of the front cross member, a first and a second extruded side rail with each end region receiving one of the first pair of nodes, a second pair of nodes each received in another end region of the first and second rails, a rear extruded cross member with each end region receiving one of the second pair of nodes, and a panel mounted to the front cross member, rear cross member, and first and second side rail. Each end region of each side rail defines an interior hollow portion and has at least one nodule extending from the side rail into the hollow portion to maintain a bond gap between the side rail and the node received into the side rail end region for receiving adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle roof module includes a front extruded cross member, a first pair of nodes each received in an end region of the front cross member, a first and a second extruded side rail with each end region receiving one of the first pair of nodes, a second pair of nodes each received in another end region of the first and second rails, a rear extruded cross member with each end region receiving one of the second pair of nodes, and a panel mounted to the front cross member, rear cross member, and first and second side rail. Each end region of each side rail defines an interior hollow portion and has at least one nodule extending from the side rail into the hollow portion to maintain a bond gap between the side rail and the node received into the side rail end region for receiving adhesive.

Abstract: An automotive liftgate assembly for limiting movement of a liftgate along a predetermined direction by utilization of a liftgate limiter. This liftgate limiter is secured to the entryway and has a retractable cable which is coupled to the pivoting liftgate. The extractable cable length is adjustable so as to vary the liftgate's open position.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery device having: a condenser in communication with fuel vapor from a fuel tank, the condenser condenses fuel from the fuel vapor; a reservoir collecting condensate from the condenser, the reservoir maintains the condensate at a temperature sufficient to maintain the condensate in a liquid state; and return means returning the condensate to the fuel tank. Also disclosed is a method of removing fuel from a fuel vapor including the steps of: passing the fuel vapor from a fuel tank through a condenser; condensing the fuel from the vapor; cooling the condensate to a temperature sufficient to maintain the condensate in a liquid state; and returning the condensate to a fuel tank periodically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter apparatus having a filter vessel into which liquid to be filtered is inlet near the bottom of the vessel. The liquid rises in the vessel and is forced through a filter screen running the height of the vessel. After flowing through the filter screen, the filtered liquid enters an annular enclosure outside the filter screen. The filtered liquid rises in the enclosure to the height of a discharge outlet near the top of the enclosure wall. This assures the even depositing of solids filtered from the liquid along the entire height of the filter screen.