Abstract: The present invention discloses a mirror substitute device for a vehicle, with at least one camera designed to cover at least a part of the surroundings of a vehicle and to provide a corresponding image signal, with an image processing device coupled to the camera and designed to process the image signal of the at least one camera and to output a processed image signal, and with at least one display device designed to display the processed image signal. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a corresponding vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a distance and direction between a video camera secured on a vehicle and a target point relies on an electronic control unit. The system maps and stores grid points representing a world coordinate grid onto a screen coordinate grid and displays the video image on a display using the screen coordinate grid. The system obtains a target point of an object in the video image and determines a locus of four closest grid points of the screen coordinate grid that encircle the target point. The system determines screen distances from the target point to each of the four grid points and maps the four grid points onto the world coordinate grid. The electronic control unit interpolates the location of the target point in the world coordinate grid as weighted by the screen distances. Using the video camera location in world coordinates and the target point location in world coordinates, the system determines a distance between the video camera and the target point.

Abstract: A vehicle departure support system and method are provided. The vehicle departure support system supporting departure of a vehicle parked in a parking space, includes a speed measurement unit installed in the vehicle and configured to measure a speed of the vehicle, and a vehicle departure support device configured to display a vehicle departure mode on a screen installed in the vehicle based on whether there is movement of the vehicle in the parking space and a parking mode when the vehicle is parked in the parking space.

Abstract: There is disclosed a viewing system coupled to a motor vehicle having a frame having a roof, at least one support, and a body with the at least one support supporting the roof over the body. The system can comprise at least one camera, at least one screen coupled to the support. In addition each camera is coupled to the at least one support and wherein said at least one screen is in communication with the first set of cameras, wherein said at least one screen displays images presented by the first set of cameras. This device can provide additional view in the blind spot of the vehicle.

Abstract: A door mirror is disposed at a side of a vehicle body, and the door mirror includes a mirror body that is provided at a tip of a door mirror stay extending from the side of the vehicle body in at least one of a width direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle body, and an actuator that changes an interval between the vehicle body and the mirror body. The mirror body is actuated in accordance with at least any of a traveling environment and a passenger state.

Abstract: A folding drive with an electric motor having a first component, a second component operatively connected to the first component for movement relative thereto, and an axial ball bearing arranged between the first component and the second component such that a rolling friction and a sliding friction are present in different percentage proportions depending on a direction of rotation of the axial ball bearing. The first component and the second component are rotatable relative to each other about a rotary axis which deviates from the vertical.

Abstract: An adjustable mirror assembly. The adjustable mirror assembly includes one or more mirrors that are affixed to a front portion of a vehicle and configured to view the underside of the vehicle. The mirrors allow for both vertical movement and horizontal and vertical angular adjustment. Thus, the mirrors can have a field of view of the underside of the vehicle, which may include a blade for grading road and ground surfaces. In one embodiment, the mirrors are controllable from a control box positioned within the vehicle by a vehicle operator. Further, one or more light sources can be activated to illuminate a desired area for improved vision in low and no light conditions.

Abstract: An image display control apparatus according to an embodiment includes, as an example, an image generation portion generating an output image which resembles a map of a room mirror using at least a vehicle outside image based on at least one of a detection result of an eye point position acquisition portion detecting a position of an eye point of a driver and a detection result of an angle acquisition portion detecting an angle of a display device, and a display control portion controlling the display device so that the display device displays the output image generated by the image generation portion. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as an example, the output image similar to the map of the room mirror may be displayed at the display device.

Abstract: Rocker guards with automatic step are disclosed that provide robust protection from damage due to rock obstacles to rocker panels and also provide an automatic step to facilitate easy entry and exit from a lifted vehicle. Some embodiments of a rocker guard with automatic step for a vehicle (rocker) can include a body formed to protect rocker panels of a vehicle without damaging the rocker or a step located within the body when the step is in a retracted position, mounts attached to the body for attaching to a vehicle, and an actuator coupled to the step and the body, the actuator being configured to automatically lower the step out of the body to an extended position and retract the step to the retracted position. One embodiment of the invention has a body with an interior volume operable to receive a cartridge with an actuator for moving the automatic step and one or more support legs for extending the automatic step away from the body when the automatic step is coupled to the one or more support legs.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a side wall at least partially defining a cargo area. The side wall has an electrical fixture. A storage compartment assembly has a storage compartment and is moveable between an uninstalled orientation and an installed orientation where the storage compartment assembly is directly fastened to the side wall. An outboard panel of the storage compartment assembly includes a fixture receiving opening aligned with the electrical fixture with the storage compartment assembly in the installed orientation such that the electrical fixture is only accessible from within the storage compartment.

Abstract: A storage system for a motor vehicle includes a floor panel, a cargo space overlying the floor panel, a storage compartment underlying the floor panel and a versatile tonneau cover. The tonneau cover is displaceable between a storage position in the storage compartment and at least one use position in the cargo space. A shelf support is provided in the cargo space above the floor panel. In one use position, the tonneau cover rests on the shelf support forming a shelf to hold different items.

Abstract: A layout system for a cargo area of a vehicle includes a divider and cargo side-trims. The divider includes a first rod, a second rod, and a screen. The cargo side-trims are installed in the vehicle to form sidewalls of the cargo area. The cargo side-trims include rails that include guide rail portions and rail-side securing portions. The guide rail portions are for guiding end portions of the first and the second rods along a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The guide rail portions include horizontal portion and extending portions that extend from the respective horizontal portions toward a lower rear of the vehicle. The rail-side securing portions are connected to the guide rail portions, respectively. The rail-side securing portions are for holding the end portions of the first and the second rods to secure the first and the second rods to the cargo side-trims.

Abstract: A shelving system includes side members that each define a first channel having a slide disposed therein. A cross member extends between and connects the slides. The cross member defines a second channel having a guide member disposed therein. The guide member defines a third channel and a flange. A container includes side walls having a rail. One of the rails is movably disposed in the third channel. The rails include a first locking element and a second locking element. The handle includes a third locking element that engages the first locking element. The handle is movable between a first position in which the second locking element engages the flange and the container is fixed relative to the guide member and a second position in which the second locking element is spaced apart from the flange and the container can translate relative to the guide member.

Abstract: A detachable tote bag system is provided for a motor vehicle. That tote bag system includes a vehicle seat, a tote bag receiver on the vehicle seat and a detachable tote bag releasably held by the receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an article carrier system particularly adapted for use with a pickup truck. The system employs a first pair of support tracks secured to a roof surface of a pickup truck, and a rear spoiler portion coupled to each of the first support tracks and extending therebetween adjacent a rear area of the roof surface. A second pair of support tracks is secured to a pair of truck bed sidewalls. A combination spoiler/support subsystem is supported from the second pair of support tracks and is adjustably positionable to provide a variable spacing between the rear spoiler portion and the spoiler/support subsystem, to thus tailor the system to support articles of various lengths thereon. The rear spoiler portion and the spoiler/support subsystem provide an appearance of a single, integrated spoiler when positioned closely adjacent one another.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is moveable between an uninstalled orientation and an installed orientation in which the storage compartment assembly is directly fastened to a side wall of a cargo area. The storage compartment assembly defines an opening along an upper end thereof providing access to the storage compartment. A lid is pivotally supported to the storage compartment assembly by a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism extends in a direction parallel to the side wall with the storage compartment assembly in the installed orientation. The lid is movable between a closed orientation covering the opening and concealing the storage compartment, and an open orientation uncovering the opening and exposing the storage compartment. The lid contacts the elongated support projection in the open orientation such that the lid is supported by the elongated support projection.

Abstract: A reconfigurable utility system that is mountable to a standard trailer hitch. The utility system has small basic units that can be temporarily combined to make members and connections. The connections can be fixed or pivoting. The members can be oriented both parallel and orthogonal (although not necessarily intersecting) to the hitch. The utility system is constructed from durable materials such as steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”). The utility system components can have a square cross-sectional mating area, so that it is most easily integrated with a standard trailer hitch.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly has a main body including an inboard panel and an outboard panel defining a storage compartment therebetween. With the storage compartment assembly installed to a side wall, at least a first portion of the main body extends under an overhanging portion of the side wall and a second portion of the main body extends inboard relative to the overhanging portion over an area of a cargo area floor. An upper end of the first portion of the storage compartment assembly includes at least one upwardly extending projection that extends upwardly adjacent to the overhanging portion within a space between the upper end of the side wall and a utility attachment track such that the utility attachment track restricts movement of the upper end in an inboard direction with the storage compartment assembly installed to the side wall.

Abstract: A hitch-mounted door carrier for supporting vehicle doors is provided. The carrier comprises a lower frame having a front and a rear, whereby the front includes a plurality of door pin sleeves and the rear preferably includes a plurality of door strike pins. The strike pins and pin sleeves form pairs of door supports. Each pair is aligned longitudinally, whereby a vehicle door can be supported therebetween. The sleeves are used to support the front of the vehicle door, while the door strike pins engage the rear door latch thereof. The sleeves are supported by upright members extending from the front of lower frame. The strike pins are supported along a rear frame, which extends upwards from the rear of the lower frame. The carrier device is supported by the hitch of a tow vehicle and may be suited to carrying one or more vehicle doors.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier system for a vehicle includes a guide rail provided on a bumper back beam and formed to extend in forward and backward directions, a carrier portion connected to the guide rail to be slidably drawn out or accommodated along the guide rail, an extended support portion installed on the carrier portion to extend or return in both side directions to carry a bicycle, a motor module installed on the carrier portion and including a first driving portion to enable the carrier portion to move along the guide rail and a second driving portion to extend/return the extended support portion, and a communication control module to store a drawing/accommodating command of the carrier portion and an extending/returning command of the extended support portion and to control operation of the first driving portion and the second driving portion in accordance with an input signal.

Abstract: A holder for a portable device includes a mounting member having a mount body with a first holding arm opposite a second holding arm. A support rod assembly is coupled to the first holding arm. A first biasing member is coupled to the support rod assembly on one end and a support shaft on an opposite end such that the first holding arm is extendable to accommodate portable devices of all sizes. The holder also includes a fixing member having an outer housing with a lower fixing wing extending therefrom. A button body having an upper fixing wing extending therefrom. A second biasing member is coupled to and engages the outer housing and button body such that the upper fixing wing is movable toward the lower fixing wing for engaging a CD slot. The mounting member and fixing member are operably coupled together such that the mounting member is adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting device for a vehicle.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle for receiving a latch plate of a vehicle seat belt includes a housing having a slot for receiving the latch plate, a locking mechanism within the housing for securing the latch plate within the slot, a display supported by the housing for displaying information and for releasing the latch plate from the locking mechanism when depressed, and a cable connected to a vehicle power source to provide power for the display. The display includes a controller and a transceiver. A method of displaying information within a vehicle includes the steps of: (a) supporting a display with a seat belt buckle housing; (b) receiving data via a transceiver positioned in the seat belt buckle housing; and (c) controlling the information displayed on the display based upon the data received via said transceiver.

Abstract: A structure is used wherein a clip holding component of a harness protector can be formed as a separate item from a clip. A clip holding component of a type that is moveable in the X axis direction is used for a least one of the clip holding components of the harness protector. This clip holding component that is moveable in the X axis direction has a widened slit to accommodate misalignment in the X axis direction b. The clip holding component may be combined with other stationary type clip holding components or clip holding components which are moveable in the Y axis direction.

Abstract: The device for the protection of the interior of an automotive vehicle comprises a flexible liner at the inside of the vehicle and means for holding the liner in this interior. The liner has, at least in part surrounding its rear opening, a protective flap arranged to cover the edge of the trunk opening and at least the upper portion forms a flap continuous with the top side of the liner and incorporates means to hold the flap in position in the upper rabbet of the periphery of the trunk opening. The side flaps are provided for covering the rear edges of the lateral sides of the vehicle, and a rear closure panel, in a rearward extension of the bottom side of the liner, the trunk threshold and the bumper to be covered and is also sized to provide, when pulled up, a rear closure wall of the liner.

Abstract: A vehicular door garnish assembly and methods of adhesively coupling the vehicular door garnish to the vehicular frame include a vehicular door garnish and an adhesive material applied to at least one of the vehicular door garnish and a portion of vehicular frame at least partially defining a door opening to couple the vehicular door garnish to the vehicular frame.

Abstract: Two outer skin parts of a vehicle body border one another at a joint. The first outer skin part includes an apron which engages in the interior of the vehicle body and overlaps with the second outer skin part. A screen engages with a guiding contour of the apron running in the direction of the joint from an end of the joint between the apron and the second outer skin part.

Abstract: A corrugated plate portion of a core panel is sandwiched between an upper panel and a lower panel, and is formed in a shape in which upwardly-facing concave portions, that open toward a side of the upper panel and extend in a vehicle transverse direction, and downwardly-facing concave portions, that open toward a side of the lower panel and extend in the vehicle transverse direction, are lined-up alternately. A sum of contact surface areas of the upper panel and bottom wall portion sides of the downwardly-facing concave portions at the corrugated plate portion is smaller than a sum of contact surface areas of the lower panel and bottom wall portion sides of the upwardly-facing concave portions at the corrugated plate portion.

Abstract: A wheel resonator for a vehicle may include a resonant plate which has an annular structure that is wound around a rim portion of a wheel while maintaining predetermined tension, has resonant holes formed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, and forms a resonant chamber together with a surface of the rim portion, and sealing plates formed integrally with both end portions of the resonant plate, and tightly attached to and supported on an inner wall surface of the rim portion.

Abstract: Joint portions (12A to 12H) are formed at a constant interval on a wire harness main body (10). Each joint portion has a common shape and function, and is configured of wires which are respectively branched from wires (11a to 11d) that configure the wire harness main body (10), and connectors (13A to 13H) which have connection terminals connected to the wires.

Abstract: A branch wire branching from a trunk wire of a floor harness routed to an automobile is used as a wire harness supplying power to the sliding seat. The wire harness is inserted within an extra length accommodation case, and in addition, the extra length accommodation case is fixated, facing downward, to a seat rail to which the sliding seat is slidably mounted, and is accommodated in a space below the seat rail. The wire harness U-turned within the extra length accommodation case is passed through the slider and extracted to a sliding seat side and connected to the seat harness within the sliding seat. A bottom portion of the slider is slidably mounted to a straight line direction slider sliding groove provided on a top end of the extra length accommodation case and a top portion of the slider is fixated to the sliding seat.

Abstract: The invention comprises a wireless electrical interface system and method for establishing a non-intrusive interface with the vehicle's electrical subsystems required for the operation of an aftermarket electrical device, such as an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) or a GPS tracking device with integrated immobilizer technology. Said non-intrusive interface is established through utilizing engineered connectors for electrical connections to the vehicle's electrical system, and by incorporating wireless interface technology to establish a wireless electrical interface between the vehicle's electrical subsystems accessible only within the passenger compartment and the vehicle's electrical subsystems accessible only within the engine/trunk compartment, eliminating the conventional hardwired electrical interface between aftermarket electrical devices and the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device for vehicle includes a distribution module that is disposed between an auxiliary connector and optional devices. The distribution module includes: semiconductor relays connected to a power supply line; input/output interfaces; a control unit configured to control the semiconductor relays and the input/output interfaces on the basis of various kinds of signals acquired via a communication line; and a connecting terminal for connecting outputs of the semiconductor relays and outputs of the input/output interfaces to the optional devices. The control unit controls operations of the semiconductor relays and the input/output interfaces corresponding to the optional devices connected to the connecting terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to a load in a vehicle with a DC voltage source includes: a first connection of the DC voltage source; a second connection of the DC voltage source; and a multicore line configured to transmit voltage from the DC voltage source to the load. The first connection of the DC voltage source is connectable to the multicore line and the second connection of the DC voltage source is connectable to a ground potential.

Abstract: A base station for providing dynamic power management is disclosed, comprising, a processor within an enclosure mounted in a vehicle, a power management unit coupled to the processor, a controller area network (CAN) bus monitoring system coupled to the power management unit and to a CAN bus of the vehicle, a voltage measurement module also coupled to the power management unit and to a battery of the vehicle; a baseband processor coupled to the processor, a first wireless access functionality coupled to the baseband processor, and a second wireless access functionality coupled to the baseband processor, wherein the power management unit is coupled to each of the first and the second wireless access functionality to enable access radio bringup, access radio shutdown, and graceful user detach based on a power state at the power management unit.

Abstract: A fuse header includes a housing with cavities and terminals mounted in the housing adjacent the cavities. Fuses can be mounted removably in the cavities so that the fuses connect to the terminals in the respective cavity. Ends of the terminals opposite the fuses have widths that are narrowed substantially and may equal the thickness of the terminals. The narrow widths impede a flow of heat from the fuse to large conductive regions on a circuit board that could function as a heat sink. Thus, the fuses will provide more reliable protection for components downstream of the fuses.

Abstract: An electric power management system for a vehicle includes a first power bus arranged in parallel with a second power bus between first and second nodes. A third power bus couples a first battery and an auxiliary load at the second node. The second power bus couples a starter, a second battery and a generator at the first node, and selectively couples the first node to the second node when a first switch is activated. The second battery couples to the first node when a second switch is activated and the engine starter couples to the first node when a starter switch is activated. The second power bus couples the first node to the second node when a third switch is activated. A controller monitors states of charge of the first battery and the second battery and controls activations of the first switch, the second switch and the third switch.

Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle includes a load-bearing component operatively positioned in a wheel cavity rearward of a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity. The load-bearing component is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment joint for attaching a first panel to a second panel includes a threaded bolt, a cooperating speed nut, and a support plate interposed between the speed nut and a surface of the first panel opposite a mating surface of the first panel. The support plate is configured to engage and support a contour formed in an edge of the first panel. A motor vehicle panel subassembly including a first panel having a mating surface and an opposed surface and including at least one contour formed in an edge thereof and a second panel having a cooperating mating surface and a cooperating edge contour is assembled using the described attachment joint. The first panel may be a plastic motor vehicle fascia and the second panel may be a metal motor vehicle body panel such as a fender.

Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.

Abstract: A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.

Abstract: A first pad and a second pad are configured to be arranged in a vehicle seat. A plurality of passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged behind, and to cause movement of, the pads. The passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: A plurality of pads are configured to be arranged in a vehicle seat. A plurality of passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged behind, and to cause movement of, the plurality of pads. The passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: A gullwing door that is mountable to a vehicle and that is capable of providing ballistics protection to occupants of the vehicle. The gullwing door includes an outer panel that is rotatably mountable to the vehicle at an upper edge of the outer panel and that is lined with a first protective shell, and an inner panel disposed adjacent to the outer panel that comprises a second protective shell. The inner panel is rotatably connected to the outer panel at an upper edge of the inner panel and the inner panel and the outer panel are capable of rotatably opening together or separately.

Abstract: A rollover protection system for a motor vehicle has a deformation crossbar (2) with a profiled strut (3) extending along a vertical axis (6) of the vehicle, and a deformation element (4) is held at a first end (9) of the profiled strut (3). The first end (9) faces away from a floor of the motor vehicle. The deformation element (4) has a first outer surface (11) that faces away from the profiled strut (3) to define an impact surface, and the deformation element (4) is designed as a strut profile extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis (8) of the motor vehicle. The profiled strut (3) has a contact surface (10) that faces the deformation element (4) and on which the deformation element (4) is held. The deformation element (4) is designed to at least partially match an inner contour of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag device for a driver's seat includes an exhaust strap which includes a cover section that closes off an outer opening of a vent hole at airbag deployment in an openable fashion and connecting bands extending from opposite sides of the cover section and joined to a driver-side wall. The exhaust strap is so configured, when the driver-side wall of the airbag cushions the driver at airbag deployment and moves toward a vehicle-side wall, that the connecting bands loosen and allow a region towards a distant edge of the cover section to loosen and pass through the outer opening such that the outer opening and an inner opening communicate to open the vent hole. The length of the distant edge of the exhaust strap is shorter than a length of a proximate edge of the exhaust strap.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag device for a driver's seat includes an exhaust strap which includes a cover section that closes off an outer opening of a vent hole at airbag deployment and connecting bands extending from opposite sides of the cover section and joined to the center of a driver-side wall. When the driver-side wall of the airbag cushions the driver at airbag deployment and moves toward a vehicle-side wall, the connecting bands of the exhaust strap loosen and allow a distant edge region of the cover section to loosen and pass through the outer opening such that the outer opening and an inner opening communicate to open the vent hole. The cover section includes a reinforcing element that prevents the distant edge from slipping towards a proximate edge while allowing a bending deformation of the distant edge to pass through the outer opening and open the vent hole.

Abstract: An airbag of a knee-protecting airbag device is mounted on a case together with an inflator with the aid of mounting means of the inflator. The airbag includes a vehicle body side panel, an occupant side panel, a mounting inflatable region which is located in a lower end region of the airbag as deployed and is secured to the case, and a knee-protecting region. The airbag further includes a tether which is joined to the occupant side panel in the mounting inflatable region of the airbag by the lower end inside the airbag for preventing a sagging movement of the vehicle body side panel in a region of the mounting inflatable region distant from the inflator in a left and right direction at airbag deployment.

Abstract: An airbag of a knee-protecting airbag device is mounted on a case together with an inflator with the aid of mounting means of the inflator. The case is provided with an airbag emergence opening at the lower end region. The airbag includes a vehicle body side panel, an occupant side panel, a mounting inflatable region which is located in a lower end region of the airbag as deployed and is secured to the case, and a knee-protecting region deployable in such a manner as to extend rearwardly and upwardly from the mounting inflatable region. The airbag further includes inside the mounting inflatable region a tether which joins the vehicle body side panel and occupant side panel for regulating a clearance between the vehicle body side panel and occupant side panel at airbag deployment.

Abstract: A vehicle seat airbag system includes an airbag which is caused by a vehicle seat airbag system to inflate and develop within a seat back. The airbag is disposed between a seat pad and a rear board provided in a rear of the seat back. Inflation and development of the airbag in the seat back allows the airbag to elastically support an upper body of a seated person, and causes the rear board to be pushed rearwardly to allow the airbag to elastically receive an impact force which is applied to the rear board.