Abstract: A motor vehicle directional lighting and/or signaling device comprises a light module rotationally mobile about an axis (A-A) supported by a base bearing elements for guiding in rotation about the axis (A-A). A bearing of the rotation guiding elements is formed partly by the base and partly by a support piece of a fan.

Abstract: A vehicular lighting system includes low beam headlamps, high beam headlamps and a control unit configured so that during operation of the lighting system, the control unit determines the operational status of the high beam headlamp and selectively adjusts the illuminating intensity of the low beam headlamp. In particular, the brightness of the low beam headlamp can be increased during periods where the high beam is not being, thereby allowing the low beam to more closely approximate the brightness of the high beam, but without the glare associated with conventional high beam patterns. In this way, artificially low illuminating intensity limitations placed on the low beam headlamps can be overcome during periods where the lighting system is operating but the high beams are not in use.

Abstract: A mobile robot comprising: a vision system, the vision system comprising a camera and two or more light sources each arranged to provide a level of illumination to an area surrounding the mobile robot; wherein the two or more light sources are arranged to illuminate separate areas surrounding the robot corresponding to different sections of an image captured by the camera, and the level of illumination provided by each of the light sources is independently adjustable.

Abstract: A car door grommet plug has a holder, a light-emitting unit located in the holder, a top cap mounted on the top of the holder and restraining the light-emitting unit and a shell located in the holder. The light-emitting unit is electrically connected to a power supply. When the opening of car door is sensed, the light-emitting unit emits light outwards, providing a caution signal for vehicles or pedestrians coming from behind.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes: a light source including an LED and a lens; an illuminated body; and a cover, wherein: the light source is arranged inside the cover; the light from the light source passes between the edge of the cover and the illuminated body; the front edge of the cover defines the illumination range of the light from the light source with respect to the illuminated body; and the light transmittance of such portion of the lens as is near to the illuminated body is higher than that of the remaining portions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions. The running board includes a light source. An energy storage device is electrically coupled to the light source. An inductive receiving coil is electrically coupled to the energy storage device. A transmitting coil is positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle. The transmitting coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.

Abstract: A control system is operable within a host vehicle to control the operation of signaling apparatus indicative of a driver intent to execute right, left or U-turn actions. The control system includes a voice recognition circuit for activating turn signal devices within the vehicle. In some embodiments, a wireless link facilitates aftermarket applications while in other embodiments original equipment manufacturer is accommodated.

Abstract: An illuminator assembly for use in a conventional safety seat belt buckle is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the illuminator assembly comprises a base including a substrate mountable internally of the buckle housing. A light source is mounted on the substrate. The light source has a light emitting surface for emitting incoherent, visible optical radiation or light rays when the light source is energized. A lens has a light-transmissive input surface aligned to receive light rays emitted from the light emitting surface of the light source. A light-transmissive output surface is configured to be placed proximate an opening slot in the buckle housing. A waveguide is intermediate the input surface and the output surface. The waveguide may be configured to guide or direct light rays to the output surface in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the light rays emitted by the light source.

Abstract: A warning unit and a correspondingly configured method warns a driver in a vehicle where there is an imminent danger. The warning unit includes a control unit for bringing about a driver message when imminent danger is detected in the surroundings of the vehicle and an actuator system for outputting the driver message. When imminent danger is detected in the surroundings of the vehicle, the control unit outputs a signal for bringing about a flow of air in the direction of the driver.

Abstract: A driver state detection unit is configured to detect a state of a driver of a host vehicle. An environment detection unit is configured to detect an environment in which the host vehicle is traveling. A time setting unit is configured to set a predetermined time period on the basis of the detected environment. An external warning device is configured to perform an external warning operation that warns another vehicle traveling in the vicinity of the host vehicle. When a time determination unit determines that the predetermined time period has elapsed, an internal warning device is configured to perform an internal warning operation that warns the driver of the host vehicle.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology capable of increasing accuracy of determining a failure in a lighting device. A video acquisition unit acquires a video of an area including an illumination target area of a lighting device. A determination unit determines whether the lighting device is faulty on the basis of a video of the illumination target area of the video acquired by the video acquisition unit in cases in which an ON signal is supplied to the lighting device and a current position acquired by a position acquisition unit is a predetermined determination position where determination of a failure should be performed.

Abstract: An information presentation system includes an onboard device including a camera provided on a vehicle, and a terminal device having portability and performing wireless communication with the onboard device. The terminal device is configured to acquire an image around the vehicle captured by the camera, superimpose a distance marker on the image, the distance marker representing a distance from the vehicle, determine a delay state including a delay time of the wireless communication between the onboard device and the terminal device, and present the image on which the distance marker is superimposed. When the wireless communication is not delayed, the terminal device superimposes the distance marker on the image at a reference position at which a distance from the vehicle is a distance represented by the distance marker.

Abstract: A vision display system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera, a driver side camera, a passenger side camera, a front camera, and a display system including a video display screen. Rear backup video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera may be displayed by the video display screen for no more than ten seconds after shifting of the vehicle transmission of the vehicle out of reverse gear. Upon the engine of the vehicle being first started after initial ignition on of the vehicle, priority may be given to display by the video display screen of rear backup video images. Within two seconds after shifting of the vehicle transmission of the vehicle into reverse gear, rear backup video images may be displayed by the video display screen.

Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras viewing exterior the equipped vehicle and at least one non-visual sensor sensing exterior of the equipped vehicle. Captured image data and sensor data are provided to a central data processor. At the central data processor, image data is fused with sensor data and processed in order to detect vehicles that are present external the equipped vehicle. The central data processor includes a digital signal processor operable to process data at a data processioning speed of at least 30 MIPS. Via processing at the central data processor of image data and sensor data, a potential hazard present exterior the equipped vehicle is determined to exist. The potential hazard arises from presence of rear-approaching traffic in at least one of (i) a side lane to the equipped vehicle and (ii) a rear lane to the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A pivotable interior mirror for a vehicle includes a mirror surface, for example in the form of a first surface of a wedge mirror, a sensor device suitable for a light propagation-time measurement, for sensing at least one gesture of a driver of the vehicle and/or light incident on the first surface of the wedge mirror, and a pivoting device for pivoting the mirror surface from a normal position into at least one dimming position, in which blinding of the driver by light reflected at the mirror surface is reduced, wherein the pivoting device can be activated in dependence on at least one output signal of the sensor device. Further, a vehicle may include such an interior mirror and a method for using such an interior mirror is described.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head. The mirror head includes a first microphone operable to generate a first audio signal and a second microphone operable to generate a second audio signal. An audio sound processor is operable to process the first and second audio signals to enhance human voice to noise clarity. Responsive to processing by the audio sound processor of the first and second audio signals, an audio output is generated that, at least in part, distinguishes a human voice present in the vehicle from noise present in the vehicle. The audio output includes an input to an audio system of the vehicle that transmits wirelessly to a remote receiver. Processing by the audio signal processor of the first and second audio signals to enhance human voice to noise clarity utilizes electronic noise cancelation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for condensation detection for vehicle surfaces via light transmitters and receivers. An example vehicle includes a side mirror including a front surface and a back surface, a light transmitter adjacent to the front surface for emitting a light beam toward the side mirror, a first light sensor adjacent to the back surface for detecting a first light intensity of the light beam, and an opaqueness detector that determines whether condensation is on the side mirror based upon the first light intensity.

Abstract: A seat cover includes: a surface member; and a pocket including: a bag part arranged on a back surface side of the surface member and sewn on a folded portion of the surface member folded toward the back surface side along an edge of a pocket opening; a bead part interposed between the bag part and the folded portion extending along at least one of a pair of longitudinal edges of the pocket opening, sewn on the folded portion and the bag part, and arranged to protruding into the pocket opening; and a core member inserted into the bead part, wherein: the bead part and the core member respectively include extension portions extending beyond a pair of lateral edges of the pocket opening in a longitudinal direction of the pocket opening; and the extension portions of the bead part and the core member are fixed to each other.

Abstract: A modular rack system having a spine having a top end, a bottom end, a front surface, and a back surface; a hanger mounted to the spine, the hanger having at least partially cylindrical side surface; and a foot mounted to the spine longitudinally between the hanger and the bottom end, the foot having a foot volume.

Abstract: A jaw member (11) for a support assembly (10) for securing a bicycle (1) to a load carrier (2) for a vehicle (8), The jaw member (13, 14) comprises a frame work structure formed by at least one support element and at least one rib (31, 32, 35, 36), The frame work structure is specifically adapted to enable the jaw member to withstand a relative high amount of tensile stress while still being relatively light weight.

Abstract: A bracket and restraints control module assembly attached to the tunnel in the floor of a vehicle. The bracket includes a base plate and an intermediate plate supporting the restraints control module. The intermediate plate defines a plurality of holes and is secured by a limited slip connector assembly that extend through laterally elongated slots defined by the base plate and holes in the intermediate plate, respectively. The connector assembly is tightened to a predetermined level of torque so that the intermediate plate can slide relative to the base plate on upper and lower slide surfaces when a collision force of sufficient magnitude is applied to the bracket and RCM assembly.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for mounting an object such as a keyboard within a vehicle are disclosed. One mounting system includes a keyboard and a mounting apparatus. The keyboard includes at least one aperture. The mounting apparatus includes a base, a slide plate, a latch, and a locking mechanism. The slide plate is coupled to the base and is slidable in a predetermined direction relative to the base. The latch is movable between an engaged position that prevents the slide plate from sliding relative to the base and a disengaged position that does not prevent the slide plate from sliding relative to the base. The locking mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the locking mechanism engages the at least one aperture to lock the keyboard to the slide plate and an unlocked position in which the locking mechanism does not engage the at least one aperture.

Abstract: An instrument panel includes a panel body in which an opening is provided to extend from a fitting part for the display device to a part located on a display rear side with respect to the fitting part, when a display front side is defined as a side toward which a display surface of the display device faces in the instrument panel in which the display device is fitted, the display rear side is defined as a side opposite to the display front side, and the fitting part is defined as a part in which the display device is fitted in the instrument panel; and a cover that is attached to the panel body and that covers, from an outside of the panel body, a part of the opening that is located on the display rear side with respect to the fitting part.

Abstract: In a mounting assembly of a vehicular utility part mounting member and a vehicular interior part, the vehicular utility part mounting member includes first and second walls extending from a cover member to be opposite each other and configured to have a vehicular utility part therebetween, an extended wall including first and second extended portions extending from extended distal end portions of the first and second walls to an outside of the cover member and parallel to the cover member, and a connection portion connecting end portions of the first and second extended portions that are outside the cover member. The vehicular utility part arranged in a space inside the extended wall has an exposed portion that is disposed outside the cover member and the exposed portion overlaps an insertion hole edge of the insertion hole of the vehicular interior part.

Abstract: An on-vehicle camera apparatus capturing an image in front of a vehicle includes: a camera module outputting image data and a control circuit board. The camera module includes an optical element that refracts incident light so as to diverge or focus the incident light, and an image sensor element in which incident light transmitted through the optical element forms an image. The control circuit board executes, based on the image data outputted by the camera module, a recognition process recognizing a state in front of the own vehicle, and also executes at least two vehicle control processes among a headlight control process, a forward collision preventing process and a lane departure warning process, as a result of the recognition process. According to the on-vehicle camera apparatus, a resin-made lens is used for the optical element.

Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate coupled to a bezel. One or more apertures are defined by the substrate and extend from a front portion to a rear portion of the substrate. One or more troughs are defined by the substrate and are disposed on a rear portion of the substrate. An overmold material is disposed on the front portion of the substrate, through the one or more apertures, and within the one or more troughs.

Abstract: A fastening system has at least one holding part (7) that can be fitted to a component (1) and that on one side, has a flat carrier part (29L-35) provided with adhering or hooking elements (15) projecting on one side. The opposite side at the carrier part has at least one fastener (17). A sealing device (31; 41) is on the fastener (17).

Abstract: A molded and shaped acoustical insulating vehicle panel having a dry-laid needled fibrous composite composed of a first portion of about 50 to 80 percent meltable binder fibers and about 20 to 50 percent stable fibers and having a second portion of about 20 to 50 percent meltable binder fibers and 50 to 80 percent of staple fibers. The meltable binder fibers are in a molded and resolidified state such that the resolidified binder fibers of the first portion form a substantially continuous, semi-impervious, densified skin integrally associated with and bonded to a surface of the first portion. The molded composite is in such a heat and pressure molded state that the composite has over a predominance of its area a density of from about 12 to 22 lbs./cubic foot (192 to 352 kg/cubic meter) and the panel is sufficiently rigid as to be self-supporting.

Abstract: License plates (10) and number plates of vehicles are frequently forged or used for altered or stolen vehicles. To prevent this, license plates (10) are known, with which a contactlessly readable identification means (19) is associated in a license plate surface (12). This identification means (19) contains relevant data of the vehicle to which the license plate (10) belongs. As the license plate surface (12) is provided, primarily for motor vehicle identification or as a surface for the lettering (15), with numbers and digits for identification purposes, only little space or limited space remains for a further identification means (19). The invention provides a license plate (10) for a vehicle having an identification means (19), in which the at least one identification means (19) is associated with the periphery (13) of the license plate (10) which surrounds the license plate surface (12).

Abstract: Provided is a curvature restricting member, allowing for a curvature of the wire harness in a predetermined allowable direction, and regulating the curvature of the wire harness in a regulating direction beyond a predetermined limit state or more, the curvature restricting member includes: a plurality of member pieces arranged along the wire harness; a flexible connecting portion connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of member pieces to each other, wherein the curvature is allowed in the allowable direction by adjacent ones among the plurality of member pieces at the curbed portions separating from each other on the side opposite to the connecting portion and the connection portion bending, and wherein the curvature is not allowed in the restricting direction beyond the limit state by adjacent ones among the plurality of member pieces at the curbed portion abutting against each other on the side opposite to the connecting portion.

Abstract: Provided is a cable holder including a strap arranged in parallel with any one of a wire inserted into a car seat or a cable inserted into the seat, a fastening device which integrally couples the strap with one of the wire or the cable, and a tie which is coupled with the strap and coupled with another one of the wire or the cable.

Abstract: A grounding element is provided. The grounding element includes a metal plate; and a metal block attached to the metal plate. The grounding element may be welded to a body or frame of a vehicle and used to provide a plurality of attachment points for a vehicle wiring harness.

Abstract: An onboard electrical system for a motor vehicle includes a storage device with at least one first battery pack and a plurality of electrical loads supplied from the storage device. At least one control unit is configured to control the consumption of electrical energy by the remaining electrical loads. A main switch is controlled by the control unit and an auxiliary switch that can be manually activated, so as to connect the control unit with the first battery pack and activate the control unit to send a close command to the main switch.

Abstract: A power supply system control device for controlling a power supply system including an electric generator, a first electricity storage configured to be charged with and to discharge electric power generated by the electric generator, a second electricity storage configured to be charged with and to discharge the generated electric power, two paths connecting between the first electricity storage and the second electricity storage, a switching unit including a first switch configured to switch between a conductive state and a non-conductive state of one of the paths, and a second switch configured to switch between a conductive state and a non-conductive state of the other of the paths, and an electric load of a vehicle that is connected to the first electricity storage side of the switching unit.

Abstract: A vehicle can be configured to automatically provide settings for one or more components of the vehicle based on a measured anthropometric feature of a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a sensor configured to acquire data (e.g., visual data) of a portion of an external environment of the vehicle. The external environment can include a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a component that can be adjustable across a plurality of settings. The component can have a current setting. A processor can be operatively connected to the sensor and the component. The acquired data can be analyzed to measure an anthropometric feature of the person approaching the vehicle. A target setting of the component can be determined based on the measured anthropometric feature. The current setting of the component can be caused to match the determined target setting.

Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.

Abstract: A crush assembly for a vehicle is provided. The crush assembly includes a fiber-reinforced composite crush member and a cap assembly. The cap assembly is disposed on a terminal end of the crush member. The cap assembly includes an outer cap and an inner cap. The outer cap has a first base, a first side wall extending from the first base, and an interior portion formed by the first base and the first side wall. The inner cap includes a second base and a second side wall extending from the second base. The inner cap is nested at least partially within the interior portion.

Abstract: A truck bed guard is provided that includes an undulating protective panel having a plurality of longitudinally aligned bends that forms at least one groove and at least one protrusion configured to increase impact resistance. A first flange extends transversely from the top of the panel to provide a first attachment feature, and a second flange extends vertically down beneath the panel to provide a second attachment feature. The guard may be attached to a bed wall of a truck via the first attachment feature and the second attachment feature. A gap between the undulating protective panel and the bed wall is configured to prevent damage to the bed wall. The truck bed guard provides impact resistance to protect the bed wall from objects transported in the truck bed.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a crossbar structure for use with a vehicle having a front bumper assembly, the crossbar structure being configured to extend across an opening in the front bumper assembly. The crossbar structure can include a hollow bar defining a front face and a rear face, the hollow bar being configured to extend across the opening. The crossbar structure can also include ribs extending between opposing interior surfaces of the hollow bar, the ribs being formed in a zig-zag pattern along a direction of elongation of the hollow bar and exposed from the rear face thereof.

Abstract: A radiator guard assembly for a machine includes an aperture plate. The radiator guard assembly also includes a first side sheet extending perpendicularly with respect to the aperture plate. The radiator guard assembly further includes a second side sheet extending perpendicularly with respect to the aperture plate. The second side sheet is spaced apart from the first side sheet. The radiator guard assembly includes a mounting structure coupled to each of the first and second side sheets. The mounting structure includes a base member coupled to the respective side sheet. The mounting structure also includes a first plate extending from the base member. The first plate defines a first aperture. The mounting structure further includes a second plate extending from the base member. The second plate is parallel to first plate. Further, the second plate defines a second aperture that is coaxial with the first aperture.

Abstract: A method of providing road and vehicle diagnostics, includes providing a vehicle axle system having a first axle half shaft housing, a second axle half shaft housing and a differential housing. Attached to one or more of the housings is one or more tri-axis accelerometers. In communication with the accelerometers is one or more data processors configured to receive and analyze data from the accelerometers. An occurrence of one or more road events is determined by one or more spikes in the Z-direction of the data collected from the accelerometers. A depth of the road event is determined by a magnitude of the positive and negative changes in acceleration of the spike in the Z-direction and a length of road event is determined by an amount of time between two spikes of opposite magnitudes in said Z-direction. Once identified, the time and geographic location of the road event is identified.

Abstract: A system includes an airbag, a seat, a strap, and an inflatable webbing. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position. The seat includes a seat back. The strap has a first end connected the airbag and a second end connected to the seat back. The inflatable webbing is fluidly connected to the airbag and releasably connectable to the seat back.

Abstract: A steering column system of a vehicle includes: a rotatable, hollow steering shaft that has a proximal end attached to a steering wheel and is configured to transfer rotational input at the steering wheel to a steering rack of the vehicle; a stationary driver-side airbag (DAB) shaft that is surrounded by the steering shaft and extends along the steering shaft; and a DAB module that contains an airbag and is fixedly mounted to a proximal end of the DAB shaft within a region of the steering wheel. The airbag contained in the DAB module is formed to have a substantially circular center chamber and a pair of side extension chambers, one of the side extension chambers disposed on a right side of the center chamber, and the other of the side extension chambers disposed on a left side of the center chamber.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel and display interface. The steering wheel has an airbag module disposed within a hub of the steering wheel. The display interface is disposed on the steering wheel over the airbag module. The display interface has a first display segment disposed adjacent to a second display segment.

Abstract: A cover for an airbag device includes: a cover body including an opposed part covering an airbag housed underneath, and a tear line provided on the cover body and splitting when the airbag is inflated; and a covering material covering the opposed part of the cover body. The covering material includes: a fragile portion provided on a back surface of the covering material and at least partly overlapping with the tear line; and a stitched portion, at least part of the stitched portion being located at a position overlapping with the tear line and connected to the fragile portion.

Abstract: An airbag includes a panel and a strip. The panel defines an inflation chamber inflatable to an inflated position. The panel includes a top and a bottom spaced from the top along an axis in the inflated position. The strip is connected to the panel and disposed external to the inflation chamber. The strip is elongated in a direction from the top to the bottom of the panel. During a vehicle impact, the momentum of the occupant may move the occupant towards the strip. The strip may absorb energy from the occupant to reduce or prevent the head of the occupant from rotating.

Abstract: A belly pan is provided for a motor vehicle. The belly pan includes a body having at least one stiffener with a forwardmost zone of peak section force F1, an intermediate zone of peak section force F2 and a rearwardmost zone of peak section force F3 where F1<F2<F3. Advantageously, the belly pan functions to provide pedestrian protection while simultaneously limiting vehicle damage resulting from a low-speed collision.

Abstract: A seat includes a frame, a pyrotechnic actuator, a webbing guide, and a member. The pyrotechnic actuator includes a housing attached to the frame and a rod linearly movable relative to the housing from a retracted position to an extended position. The rod includes a slot. The webbing guide is attached to the rod. The member is supported by the frame and movable into the slot when the rod is in the extended position.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for determining the state of a restraint system provided within a vehicle includes incorporating one or more marker components into a restraint system component located within the vehicle, then receiving sensor data associated with the position of one or more of the marker components. The method further includes determining, with a processor, a state of the restraint system based on the sensor data.

Abstract: A response vehicle includes a transmission, a braking subsystem, and a vehicle management system coupled to at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem. The vehicle management system includes an interlock module configured to provide a signal to switch the at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem from a locked condition to an operational condition only in response to an authenticated user request thereby preventing undesired operation of the response vehicle.