Abstract: A Lidar system, a mirror assembly for a Lidar system and method of operating the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly of the Lidar system includes a first frame and a first conductor. The first frame is rotatable about a first axis. The first conductor extends along the first frame to one side of the first axis. The first conductor extends through a first magnetic field on the one side of the first axis in a direction parallel to the first axis. A first current is passed through the first conductor to interact with the first magnetic field to induce a first rotation of the first frame about the first axis.

Abstract: An optical mirror assembly includes a mirror with a reflective surface and a back surface, opposite the reflective surface. The mirror is tilted around a first axis or a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. The optical mirror assembly also includes an inverted light emitting device (LED) of a feedback sensor arranged to emit light onto the back surface of the mirror, and four photodiodes of the feedback sensor arranged to receive reflected light resulting from the back surface of the mirror reflecting the light emitted by the inverted LED. Each of the four photodiodes is disposed in a different one of four quadrants defined by the first axis and the second axis and the inverted LED being disposed at a center of the four photodiodes.

Abstract: A Lidar system, a mirror assembly for a Lidar system and method of operating the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly of the Lidar system includes a first frame and a first conductor. The first frame is rotatable about a first axis. The first conductor extends along the first frame to one side of the first axis. The first conductor extends through a first magnetic field on the one side of the first axis in a direction parallel to the first axis. A first current is passed through the first conductor to interact with the first magnetic field to induce a first rotation of the first frame about the first axis.

Abstract: A method of mitigating rear end contamination of a vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system includes providing an active rear spoiler to a square back vehicle. Next, determinations are if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, if the rear end of the vehicle is contaminated, and if the vehicle wipers are on. The method then moves to deploying the active rear spoiler when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is contaminated, and the vehicle wipers are on.

Abstract: An exemplary automotive vehicle includes a body having a wheelhouse, the wheelhouse including a wheelhouse edge defining a wheelhouse opening, and a wheel disposed in the wheelhouse opening, a suspension system including a suspension component adjacent to the wheelhouse, the suspension component configured to vertically deflect during vehicle operation, an aerodynamic system including an aerodynamic member disposed within the wheelhouse opening and coupled to the suspension component, the aerodynamic member having a first position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel and a second position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel, wherein the aerodynamic member moves from the first position to the second position with deflection of the suspension component such that a distance between the aerodynamic member and the wheel is greater when the aerodynamic member is in the second position than when the aerodynamic member is in the first position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a fore portion, an aft portion, and an underbody portion. The vehicle additionally includes a panel pivotably coupled to the underbody portion proximate the aft portion of the body. The panel has a fore edge and an aft edge and is pivotable about the fore edge. The panel is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the aft edge is spaced a first distance from a driving surface and in the deployed position the aft edge is spaced a second distance from the driving surface. The second distanced is less than the first distance. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator configured to move the panel between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to satisfaction of an operating condition.

Abstract: A vehicle having an active panel is disclosed. The vehicle defines a rearmost surface. The vehicle includes a frame defining a D-pillar, an active panel, and an actuation system. The active panel extends in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and covers at least a portion of the D-pillar. The active panel defines a trailing edge that is oriented towards an aft direction and is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The actuation system is operatively connected to the active panel and is configured to extend the active panel from the stowed position into the deployed position and from the deployed position into the stowed position. The trailing edge of the active panel is substantially aligned with the rearmost surface of the vehicle in the stowed position and extends beyond the rearmost surface of the vehicle in the deployed position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body with an upper surface defined by a front fascia disposed proximate a fore end, and a closure panel with a fore edge proximate the front fascia. A deflector with a first end and a second end is movably coupled to the upper surface and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the second end projects a first distance from the upper surface and in the deployed position the second end projects a second distance from the upper surface. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A controller is configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control an actuator to move the deflector from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A method of mitigating rear end contamination of a vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system includes providing an active rear spoiler to a square back vehicle. Next, determinations are if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, if the rear end of the vehicle is contaminated, and if the vehicle wipers are on. The method then moves to deploying the active rear spoiler when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is contaminated, and the vehicle wipers are on.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a fore portion, an aft portion, and an underbody portion. The vehicle additionally includes a panel pivotably coupled to the underbody portion proximate the aft portion of the body. The panel has a fore edge and an aft edge and is pivotable about the fore edge. The panel is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the aft edge is spaced a first distance from a driving surface and in the deployed position the aft edge is spaced a second distance from the driving surface. The second distanced is less than the first distance. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator configured to move the panel between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to satisfaction of an operating condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are active engine compartment venting systems, methods for making and using such systems, and vehicles equipped with an active engine compartment vent and control logic for operating the vent. A method is disclosed for regulating operation of an active venting device fluidly coupled to a vent in an engine hood of a motor vehicle. The method includes a vehicle controller determining if a calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, and determining if a calibrated vehicle speed condition exists. Responsive to determining that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, the controller commands the active venting device to transition to an open state and thereby unobstruct the vent and allow venting fluid flow therethrough. Conversely, in response to determining that the calibrated vehicle speed condition exists, the controller commands the active venting device to transition to a closed state to thereby obstruct the vent and restrict venting fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: An exemplary automotive vehicle includes a body having a wheelhouse, the wheelhouse including a wheelhouse edge defining a wheelhouse opening, and a wheel disposed in the wheelhouse opening, a suspension system including a suspension component adjacent to the wheelhouse, the suspension component configured to vertically deflect during vehicle operation, an aerodynamic system including an aerodynamic member disposed within the wheelhouse opening and coupled to the suspension component, the aerodynamic member having a first position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel and a second position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel, wherein the aerodynamic member moves from the first position to the second position with deflection of the suspension component such that a distance between the aerodynamic member and the wheel is greater when the aerodynamic member is in the second position than when the aerodynamic member is in the first position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body with an upper surface defined by a front fascia disposed proximate a fore end, and a closure panel with a fore edge proximate the front fascia. A deflector with a first end and a second end is movably coupled to the upper surface and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the second end projects a first distance from the upper surface and in the deployed position the second end projects a second distance from the upper surface. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A controller is configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control an actuator to move the deflector from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: Disclosed are active engine compartment venting systems, methods for making and using such systems, and vehicles equipped with an active engine compartment vent and control logic for operating the vent. A method is disclosed for regulating operation of an active venting device fluidly coupled to a vent in an engine hood of a motor vehicle. The method includes a vehicle controller determining if a calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, and determining if a calibrated vehicle speed condition exists. Responsive to determining that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, the controller commands the active venting device to transition to an open state and thereby unobstruct the vent and allow venting fluid flow therethrough. Conversely, in response to determining that the calibrated vehicle speed condition exists, the controller commands the active venting device to transition to a closed state to thereby obstruct the vent and restrict venting fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end configured to face oncoming airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and an opposing second end and an under-hood compartment provided in the first end of the vehicle body. An underbody extends between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and defines a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. At least one aerodynamic member is disposed adjacent a forward portion of the underbody and proximate to the under-hood compartment. The at least one aerodynamic member includes a housing and an airflow management device provided in an opening in the housing. The airflow management device is selectively positioned to direct the airflow from the front end of the vehicle into the under-hood compartment to improve vehicle performance.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end configured to face oncoming airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and an opposing second end and an under-hood compartment provided in the first end of the vehicle body. An underbody extends between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and defines a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. At least one aerodynamic member is disposed adjacent a forward portion of the underbody and proximate to the under-hood compartment. The at least one aerodynamic member includes a housing and an airflow management device provided in an opening in the housing. The airflow management device is selectively positioned to direct the airflow from the front end of the vehicle into the under-hood compartment to improve vehicle performance.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end configured to face oncoming airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and an opposing second. An underbody extends between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and defines a space between the vehicle body and the road surface and includes a first lateral edge, an opposing second lateral edge and a central region defined therebetween. One or more wheel wells are formed in the underbody proximate the front end of the vehicle body. At least one aerodynamic member is disposed adjacent the one or more openings in the underbody. The at least one aerodynamic member includes a leading portion positioned proximate the one or more openings, a trailing portion positioned proximate the central region of the underbody and at least one aerodynamic surface extending therebetween.

Abstract: A floor pan includes a mid-body portion having a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a forward end and a rearward end spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis. The mid-body portion of the floor pan is spaced above a reference plane, e.g., a ground surface, a first height at the forward end of the bottom wall, and is spaced above the reference plane a second height at the rearward end of the bottom wall. The second height is less than the first height to position the second end of the bottom wall nearer the reference plane than the first end of the bottom wall. The contoured shape of the mid-body portion provides an aerodynamic shield to direct airflow underneath components of the vehicle located rearward of the rearward end of the mid-body portion of the floor pan, as well as additional under-floor storage space.

Abstract: A floor pan includes a mid-body portion having a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a forward end and a rearward end spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis. The mid-body portion of the floor pan is spaced above a reference plane, e.g., a ground surface, a first height at the forward end of the bottom wall, and is spaced above the reference plane a second height at the rearward end of the bottom wall. The second height is less than the first height to position the second end of the bottom wall nearer the reference plane than the first end of the bottom wall. The contoured shape of the mid-body portion provides an aerodynamic shield to direct airflow underneath components of the vehicle located rearward of the rearward end of the mid-body portion of the floor pan, as well as additional under-floor storage space.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a shutter system cooperating with at least one grille opening in the body of a vehicle. The shutter system includes a shutter assembly to regulate airflow entering through the at least one grille opening. The shutter assembly includes a frame and at least one vane operably connected to the frame and selectively positionable between at least an open position and a closed position. The at least one vane includes a body shaped as a cambered airfoil defining a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge. The at least one vane is pivotally connected at a pivot point and is adjustable relative to the frame between at least the open position and the closed position in response to an airflow entering through the at least one grille opening interacting with the leading edge of the body of the at least one vane.