Abstract: A headlight unit includes a housing, a micro-LED device mounted in the housing, a relay lens system mounted in the housing forward of the micro-LED device, and a projection lens system mounted in the housing forward of the relay lens system. The micro-LED device has a plurality of forward-facing micro-LEDs, wherein first, second and third subsets of the micro-LEDs are arranged in respective first, second and third 2D arrays. The relay lens system includes first, second and third relay lenses configured to receive and relay respective first, second and third streams of light emitted by the first, second and third subsets of micro-LEDs. The projection lens system includes first, second and third projection lenses configured to receive and project the first, second and third streams of light in respective first, second and third projection patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of a powertrain cooling system and embodiments of a radiator module are provided for deployment onboard a vehicle. In one embodiment, the powertrain cooling system includes a first airflow path, a second airflow path, a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path, an auxiliary radiator core position in the second airflow path, and a first airflow valve positioned in the second airflow path upstream of the auxiliary radiator core. The first airflow valve is movable between a closed position wherein the first airflow valve impedes airflow to the auxiliary radiator core and an open position.

Abstract: A method of initializing operation of a shutter arranged relative to a grille opening in a vehicle having a power-plant includes detecting a start-up of the power-plant. The method also includes sensing a temperature of ambient air. The method also includes commanding the shutter to achieve a fully-opened position when the temperature of ambient air is above a predetermined value such that a flow of ambient air to the power-plant through the grille opening is substantially unrestricted. The method additionally includes commanding the shutter to achieve a fully-closed position when a temperature of the power-plant is maintained below a threshold value such that the flow of ambient air through the grille opening to the power-plant is substantially blocked. A vehicle using a controller configured to perform the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electrical connector. In one embodiment, an electrical connector system is provided. The electrical connector system includes a first electrical connector portion and a second electrical connector portion defining a cavity to receive the first electrical connector portion. The electrical connector system also includes a locking system coupled to the first electrical connector portion. The locking system includes a biasing member and at least one locking arm. The biasing member is coupled to the at least one locking arm and the biasing member is movable from a first position to a second position. A force required to move the biasing member from the first position to the second position diminishes as the biasing member moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electrical connector. In one embodiment, an electrical connector system is provided. The electrical connector system includes a first electrical connector portion and a second electrical connector portion defining a cavity to receive the first electrical connector portion. The electrical connector system also includes a locking system coupled to the first electrical connector portion. The locking system includes a biasing member and at least one locking arm. The biasing member is coupled to the at least one locking arm and the biasing member is movable from a first position to a second position. A force required to move the biasing member from the first position to the second position diminishes as the biasing member moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first electrical conductor. A second connector is engagable with the first connector and has a second electrical conductor. The first and second electrical conductors establish an electrical connection through the electrical connector assembly when in contact together. A lock mechanism is arranged to both lock the first and second connectors together and to enable contact between the first and second conductors when the first and second connectors are in a fully engaged relation. A method of establishing an electrical connection through an electrical connector assembly is also included.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first electrical conductor. A second connector is engagable with the first connector and has a second electrical conductor. The first and second electrical conductors establish an electrical connection through the electrical connector assembly when in contact together. A lock mechanism is arranged to both lock the first and second connectors together and to enable contact between the first and second conductors when the first and second connectors are in a fully engaged relation. A method of establishing an electrical connection through an electrical connector assembly is also included.

Abstract: An auxiliary latch release assembly, and method of operation, for use with a vehicle having a body defining a cargo area, a door, and a door latch mounted in the door and including an auxiliary latch release. The assembly may comprise a handle that is accessible in the cargo area, a release cable having a first end engaging the handle and a second end extending in the body adjacent to the door having the door latch, and an e-latch override assembly mounted in the body that engages the second end of the release cable and includes a latch release member. The latch release member can be actuated by the e-latch override assembly to engage the auxiliary latch release to release the door latch.

Abstract: A system for controlling airflow through an under-hood compartment of a vehicle includes a first grille opening and a second grille opening each disposed at an entrance to the under-hood compartment. The first and second grille openings are configured to admit a first portion of the airflow and a second portion of the airflow, respectively, to the under-hood compartment from the ambient. The system also includes a selectable position shutter assembly disposed at the second grille opening and configured to control the second portion of the airflow admitted to the under-hood compartment. The system additionally includes a vent opening at least partially defined by the body and configured to exhaust at least a fraction of the first portion of the airflow from the under-hood compartment to the ambient. A vehicle employing the system and housing an internal combustion engine and a heat exchanger in the under-hood compartment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an adjustable shutter adapted for varying an amount of airflow to cool a powertrain in a vehicle includes monitoring the ambient temperature. The method also includes sensing an increase in the ambient temperature up to a threshold temperature value. The method additionally includes changing a position of the shutter after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed following the increase in the ambient temperature up to the threshold temperature value. A vehicle using a controller to perform such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A shutter set includes a first vane and a first vane stop. The first vane is moveable between a first position and a second position. The first vane stop is selectively moveable between a locking position and a free position, relative to the first vane. The first vane stop is configured to apply a bias force or is configured to bias the first vane by a predetermined clearance distance when the first vane stop is in the locking position, and is configured to allow movement of the first vane between the first position and the second position when the first vane stop is in the free position.

Abstract: A system for controlling an access opening in a vehicle body includes first and second doors arranged to selectively open and close first and second portions of the opening. The system also includes first and second latches operatively connected to the first and second doors, respectively, and configured to selectively latch the first and second doors to and release the first and second doors from the body. The system additionally includes a device operatively connected to the first door and configured to be selectively retracted before at least one of the first and second doors is opened and protracted when the first and second doors are closed to seal the opening. Furthermore, the system includes a third latch operatively connected to one of the first and second doors and configured to selectively latch the first door to the second door and release the first and second doors.

Abstract: A compound shutter system includes a first shutter assembly having at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the first shutter assembly. The compound shutter system also includes a second shutter assembly disposed remotely from the first shutter assembly. The second shutter assembly includes at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the second shutter assembly. The compound shutter system additionally includes a drive element. The drive element operatively connects the first shutter assembly and the second shutter assembly and automatically coordinates operation of the first and second shutter assemblies. A vehicle employing the compound shutter system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shutter system includes a first louver configured to rotate about a first pivot axis and a second louver configured to rotate about a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is arranged at an angle that is smaller than 180 degrees with respect to the first pivot axis. The shutter system also includes a dual-drive actuation mechanism configured to rotate the first and the second louvers about the respective pivot axes. The dual-drive mechanism includes a first driven element operatively connected to the first louver and a second driven element operatively connected to the second louver. The dual-drive mechanism also includes a drive element configured to receive a drive torque and apply the drive torque simultaneously to the first and second driven elements. A vehicle having the above shutter system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, passive release of a charge cord is provided for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a charging port having one or more sensors for detecting movement of the charging cable relative to the charging port. A transceiver responds to the detected movement by transmitting an authentication request and receiving an authentication signal, which is processed by a controller and unlocks the charging cable from the charging port responsive to verifying the authentication signal. In an exemplary method, an authentication request is transmitted responsive to detecting an uncoupling action of the charging cable from a vehicle. Upon receipt and verification of an authentication signal, the charging cable is automatically unlocked and unlatched facilitating release of the charging cable. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the charging cable can be passively released from the vehicle.

Abstract: A shutter system includes a first louver element having a first pivot axis and a second louver element having a second pivot axis. The first louver element is configured to rotate about the first pivot axis, and the second louver element is configured to rotate about the second pivot axis. The shutter system additionally having a flexible drive element connecting the first louver element and the second louver element to thereby substantially synchronize the rotation of the first and second louver elements.

Abstract: A secondary (backup) release (unlocking and unlatching) of a charge cord for plug-in electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles is provided. A charging port is configured to receive a charging cord and includes a lock bolt configured to lock the charging cord in the charging port during charging. The vehicle also includes a hood assembly having a hood latch with a first cable coupled to the hood latch. A second cable is coupled to the latch bolt and a sheath of the first cable for unlocking the lock bolt. A retainer is coupled to the hood assembly and is configured to limit movement of the second cable until the hood latch has released the hood assembly.

Abstract: An actuating system for a vehicle having a body that defines an access opening includes a panel arranged to selectively open and close at least a first portion of the opening. The system also includes multiple components operatively connected to the panel and adapted to be actuated. The system additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the panel and adapted to actuate the multiple components. A vehicle employing the system and a method for sealing an access opening in a body of a vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.