Abstract: A vehicle seat is thinned in a seat front to back direction. In the vehicle seat, a center seat has a seat back frame, a headrest which is provided above the seat back frame, a pillar which supports the headrest, and brackets which mount the pillar to the seat back frame. The pillar is arranged between the brackets and the seat back frame, the brackets have a weld bead which holds the pillar and a portion where a welding trace to be mounted to the seat back frame is formed, and the weld bead and the portion where the welding trace is formed are arranged at different positions in a direction which intersects a front to back direction of the center seat.

Abstract: A headrest storage structure includes a headrest storage portion configured to store a headrest in an interior member of a vehicle door. The headrest storage portion includes a headrest fixing portion configured to store a headrest main body and a headrest pillar fixing portion configured to store a headrest pillar portion extending from the headrest main body, and the headrest fixing portion and the headrest pillar fixing portion are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising a shell assembly, a base assembly operably coupled to the shell assembly, and a control assembly including a handle. The control assembly comprises a spindle gear positioned within the base assembly, a gear plate disposed in the shell assembly proximate the spindle gear, a locking key configured to simultaneously engage the spindle gear and the gear plate, a locking leaf spring configured to bias the locking key into engagement with the spindle gear and the gear plate, and an actuator configured to withdraw the locking key from engagement with one of the gear plate and spindle gear and subsequently withdraw the locking key from engagement with the other of the gear plate and spindle gear.

Abstract: A retractable table assembly (5) for an automobile has a housing (6) located between the rear seats (2,3). Two tabletops (17a, 17b) are stowed in the housing and deployed on rotatable arms (12a, 12b). The arms are resiliently biased to the deployment position and when stowed, the tabletops are kept in place by push-push latches. A secondary link (16) between the tabletops and the pivot-point of the arms is provided, which maintains the relative disposition of the tabletop in relation to the housing during deployment. The tabletops can be deployed side-by-side so as to provide an expanded surface for working on.

Abstract: A dump truck configured to move in both front and back directions and dump loads in a first one of the directions includes: a chassis including an engine within a wheelbase; and a dump body covering an upper portion of the chassis across an entire length in travel direction and an entire width in vehicle width direction, the dump body supported so as to be able to be raised and lowered via a hinge by a side of the chassis near which loads are dumped. The dump body includes: a first inclined a side of the dump body from portion rising upward from a bottom portion of the dump body toward the side thereof from which loads are dumped; and a second, inclined portion inclined downward from an upper end of the first inclined portion to an end of the side of the dump body from which loads are dumped.

Abstract: A trailer lift that rises to high levels that may tilt for loading and unloading. The trailer lift includes a lift-and-tilt mechanism, a trailer base, and a trailer platform. The lift-and-tilt mechanism includes a lower-strut link, an upper-strut link, a support member, a lower lift cylinder, and an upper cylinder. The lower-strut link and the upper-strut link are pivotably and terminally attached to each other. The support member is positioned offset to the lower-strut link and is pivotably attached to the upper-strut link to guide the upper-strut link. The trailer platform is terminally and pivotably connected to the upper-strut link. Similarly, the trailer base is pivotably and terminally connected to the lower-strut link and the support member. The upper lift cylinder is pivotably mounted in between the upper-strut link and the trailer platform. The lower lift cylinder is pivotably mounted between the upper-strut link and the lower-strut link.

Abstract: A magnetic marker retaining method that includes placing a plurality of sheet-shaped magnetic markers on a surface of a band-shaped carrier sheet, the plurality of sheet-shaped magnetic markers being so as to be spaced in a longitudinal direction of the band-shaped carrier sheet; and retaining the plurality of sheet-shaped magnetic markers in a state of a roll body with the band-shaped carrier sheet rolled up in a roll shape, the band-shaped carrier sheet being rolled up such that each surface of the plurality of sheet-shaped magnetic markers directly contacts the other side of the surface of the band-shaped carrier sheet, on which the plurality of sheet-shaped magnetic markers are placed, and the plurality of sheet-shaped magnetic markers being to be laid on a road.

Abstract: A computing system for an autonomous engine module stores a self-driving capability and is configured to determine, by communication between an autonomous engine module in which the computing system resides and other autonomous engine modules, and responsive to a user request for use of an autonomous engine module, at least one suitable autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also generate a notification directed to the user including information relating to the at least one suitable autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also receive a selection by the user of an autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also, using the self-driving capability, autonomously drive the autonomous engine module to a designated pickup location responsive to selection by the user of the autonomous engine module as the autonomous engine module use candidate.

Abstract: The two stackable loading level pallet makes it possible to transport one or two stacked cars in a container or airplane pallet. Said pallet is non-motorized, capable of being folded flat, stackable, and capable of being opened out by a forklift truck. In a lower position, the top support structure of said pallet, which is framed and has a completely free central space, fits into the bottom support structure of said pallet, and the top and rear front wheel support devices of the top support structure are inserted onto or in alignment with the bottom wheel support assembly of the bottom support structure and thus form all or part of a lower rolling path that makes it possible to load a motor vehicle onto the top support structure of said pallet via the own movement thereof and without an access ramp.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in the space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and a circular plate is positioned within each ratchet wheel and configured to rotate through a selected arc with respect to each ratchet wheel to limit the pre-load applied to the load springs.

Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle, including a first lighting module adapted to project a pixelized first beam with a first resolution and a second lighting module adapted to project a pixelized low beam type second beam with a second resolution lower than the first resolution, the first and second lighting modules being such that the first and second beams overlap vertically at least in part to form a global beam, the device including a control unit able to control selectively a plurality of pixels of the first and second beams so as to project a motif in the global beam, characterized in that the control unit is adapted to control at least one pixel of each of the first and second beams when the motor vehicle enters a turn so as to create a movement of the motif in the global beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment element (10), with which an attachment part (50) can be positioned on a structure part (42) of a motor vehicle. The alignment element (10) is also suitable for retaining the attachment part (50) at a defined distance to the structure part (42) under non-destructive force transmission, and for compensating an occurring angular adjustment (W). The invention also relates to an illumination assembly (28) for a vehicle having the alignment element (10) and a corresponding method for mounting an illumination device (34) on the vehicle. Finally, a vehicle (32) comprising the illumination assembly (28) is also an object of the invention.

Abstract: An illumination device disposed on a moving body includes at least one main light source, and at least one auxiliary light source disposed in a periphery of the at least one main light source when seen along a traveling direction of the moving body. The illumination device further includes a first light guide disposed adjacent to the at least one main light source, that guides light transmitted from the at least one main light source, and a second light guide that is disposed adjacent to the at least one auxiliary light source, that guides light transmitted from the at least one auxiliary light source. The illumination device also includes an optical component that transmits the light from the first light guide and the light from the second light guide in the traveling direction of the moving body.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an illumination device for a motor vehicle. The illumination device provides a first light beam bundle with a first light distribution for illuminating an environment of the motor vehicle in a first operating mode, and provides a second light beam bundle with a second light distribution for displaying a measurement pattern onto the environment in a second operating mode. The illumination device comprises a control device designed to alternately periodically activate the first operating mode and the second operating mode. This disclosure also relates to a driver assistance system comprising such an illumination device and an image detection unit, as well as a motor vehicle comprising a driver assistance system of this type. This disclosure further relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: Provided is an illumination device which has a coherent light source that emits a first coherent light beam and a second coherent light beam, an optical device that diffuses the first coherent light beam to illuminate a first illumination zone and diffuses a wave of the second coherent light beam to illuminate a second illumination zone, and a timing control unit that individually controls incidence timing of the first coherent light beam and the second coherent light beam on the optical device or illumination timing of the first illumination zone and the second illumination zone, wherein the optical device includes a first diffusion region on which the first coherent light beam is incident, and a second diffusion region on which the second coherent light beam is incident, the first diffusion region is capable of illuminating the first illumination zone by diffusion of the incident first coherent light beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additional headlamp (3, 3?, 3?) for a vehicle, which headlamp is designed to produce a light image in front of the vehicle (1) by emitting light from at least one light module (5) and to project said light image in front of the vehicle by means of a downstream imaging optical unit (8), wherein a first light module (6) is designed to produce a first light image having at least one first light distribution having at lease one first, substantially vertically oriented, linear intensity maximum, and a second light module (7) is designed to produce a second light image having a second light distribution having at lease one second, substantially rectangular intensity maximum, and the light images of both light modules (6, 7) are superposed, wherein the first intensity maximum is vertically below the second intensity maximum.

Abstract: A driving evaluation system includes an acquirer configured to acquire an operation state of a direction indicator and a relative position of a vehicle with respect to a traveling lane along which the vehicle travels, and an evaluator configured to refer to the relative position acquired and thereby evaluate a driver's skill in driving as higher as the vehicle travels at a position closer to the center of the traveling lane, the evaluator reducing an influence of the relative position of the vehicle on an evaluation during a first period from when the direction indicator is operated to be in an on state on the basis of the operation state of the direction indicator, and gradually reducing the influence during a second period shorter than the first period from when the direction indicator is operated to be in an on state.

Abstract: A system for detecting a surrounding condition relative to a body is provided. The system comprises a light-emitter, a sensor for detecting the surrounding condition, and a controller for changing a state of the light-emitter when the sensor detects a change of a condition at a position forward of the body. This system forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

Abstract: A system for detecting a surrounding condition relative to a body is provided. The system comprises a light-emitter, a sensor for detecting the surrounding condition, and a controller for changing a state of the light-emitter when the sensor detects a change of a condition at a position forward of the body. This system forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a movable panel assembly that is movable between a closed position and an open position, a track member that supports the movable panel assembly, and a structural member. The structural member includes a first wall portion that is connected to the track member and a second wall portion that is connected to the track member, and the track member is integrated into the structural member such that the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the track member define part of a closed geometric cross-sectional profile of the structural member.

Abstract: Lighting device indicating a configuration state of a seat of a motor vehicle, the lighting device being arranged to illuminate at least one part of the seat as a function of at least one datum relating to the configuration state of this at least one part of a seat relative to a configuration instruction for a given user.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly including a lens operably coupled with a substrate is provided herein. A light source may be disposed between the lens and the substrate. A first optic may be disposed on the lens and configured to direct light emitted from the light source in a downward direction. A second optic may be disposed on the first optic and configured to disperse light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: (a) an antenna, and (b) a software application; wherein the mobile device is a transmitting mobile device, a receiving mobile device, or both; wherein the software application directs the transmitting mobile device to transmit a signal, comprising an audio file, to the receiving mobile device running the same software application: wherein the signal is converted to an audible signal, a message, or a combination thereof by the software application of the receiving mobile device; wherein the audible signal, converted by the receiving mobile device, is used in lieu of an audible signal produced by an OEM horn.

Abstract: A vehicle alert method includes, among other things, in response to an alert event, altering at least one characteristic of power delivered within an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide an alert. A vehicle alert assembly includes, among other things, a power characteristic control system that, in response to an alert event, alters at least one characteristic of power delivered within an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide alert.

Abstract: A direction in which a driver is looking can be evaluated even when the direction in which the driver should look has changed depending on the driving situation. A driving support device includes a face direction determinator that determines the direction of the face of a driver of a movable body, a line-of-sight direction determinator that determines the direction of the line of sight of the driver, and an alert processing unit that determines at least one of the necessity and an extent of alerting the driver on the basis of an extent of the difference between the direction of the face and the direction of the line of sight.

Abstract: A dump truck security system and related methods for distinguishing a loading configuration and an unloading configuration of a truck bed are provided. The security system includes a transmitter, a target, a detector configured to generate a configuration signal, a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to receive and process the configuration signal, and an alarm system. The alarm system includes a visual alarm and an audible alarm, both being mounted inside the driver cab to be visible and audible by a user. The visual alarm is configured to display a first color when the configuration signal is indicating that the truck bed is the loading configuration and display a second color when the configuration signal is indicating the truck bed is in the unloading configuration. The audible alarm is configured to emit a sound when the configuration signal is indicating the truck bed is the unloading configuration.

Abstract: An alarm device includes: a host vehicle information acquisition unit; a vehicle external information acquisition unit; a visual attention target calculation unit calculating a target to which attention of a driver is required based on host vehicle information and vehicle external information; a sight line information acquisition unit acquiring sight line information about the driver; an eyeball position information acquisition unit acquiring eyeball position information about the driver; a visual attention point calculation unit calculating a point to which the driver pays attention, based on the sight line information and the eyeball position information; a determination unit determining whether the driver pays attention to the target, based on the target and the point; and a notification unit notifying the driver of a determination result when determined that the driver does not pay attention to the target.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operating vehicle includes: (a) determining, via a controller, a confidence level that the light of the other vehicle is ON based on images captured by a camera of the operating vehicle; and (b) controlling, via the controller, an alarm of the operating vehicle based on the confidence level that the light of the other vehicle is ON.

Abstract: A collision prevention system has one or more sensors for determining an instantaneous velocity of a vehicle. A computer is interfaced to the one or more sensors. The computer obtains the instantaneous velocity of the vehicle from the one or more sensors. The computer is operatively configured to execute software that operates the computer to display a dynamic safety zone in front of the vehicle that is visible to other vehicles that may merge into that vehicles lane, signaling the other vehicles to merge in front of the vehicle if the safety zone is shrinking or behind the vehicle if the safety zone is enlarging.

Abstract: A surroundings monitoring apparatus includes an image acquisition portion acquiring captured image data, an image conversion portion converting the captured image data to virtual image data with a plurality of virtual viewpoints, and a data control portion sequentially displaying the virtual image data at a display unit in a state where each of the virtual viewpoints moves from a first virtual viewpoint position at which an opposite side of the vehicle is viewed, through a second virtual viewpoint position at which the vehicle is viewed from an overhead region of the vehicle, and to a third virtual viewpoint position at which the one side of the vehicle is viewed. The data control portion rotates the virtual image data with reference to a line of sight of the virtual viewpoint while the virtual image data is displayed so that the virtual viewpoint passes through the second virtual viewpoint position.

Abstract: A system mounted on a vehicle for detecting an obstruction on a surface of a window of the vehicle, a primary camera is mounted inside the vehicle behind the window. The primary camera is configured to acquire images of the environment through the window. A secondary camera is focused on an external surface of the window, and operates to image the obstruction. A portion of the window, i.e. window region is subtended respectively by the field of view of the primary camera and the field of view of the secondary camera. A processor processes respective sequences of image data from both the primary camera and the secondary camera.

Abstract: In accordance with driving information that is obtained by a driving situation detecting sensor 13 and is related to the driving situation of a vehicle, a display control unit 20 sets the image area to be presented to the driver DR of the vehicle from an image obtained by a peripheral area imaging unit 11 imaging a peripheral area around the vehicle, and, in accordance with the driving situation, controls the visual recognition range in the peripheral area the driver DR can visually recognize from the image presented by a display unit 50 via a mirror 55. When the driving situation is such that the orientation of a cabin differs from the orientation of a trailer portion, for example, the image area to be presented is set so that the outer side of the trailer portion is included in the visual recognition range even though the orientation of the cabin differs from the orientation of the trailer portion. Thus, a desired peripheral area around the vehicle can be readily viewed.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle feature of a vehicle relative to an environmental feature located in an environmental zone of the vehicle feature includes: arranging a camera at the vehicle with a fixed orientation relative to the vehicle such that the vehicle feature and an environmental zone of the vehicle feature are disposed in the field of view of the camera; generating an index in the environmental zone of the vehicle feature for determining the location of the vehicle feature relative to an environmental feature located in the environmental zone; taking a measurement image that includes the vehicle feature, the index and an environmental feature located in the environmental zone of the vehicle feature; and determining the location of the vehicle feature relative to the environmental feature with reference to the position of the environmental feature relative to the index in the measurement image.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes an imager for capturing one or more images of a hitch assembly and a trailer coupler. The imager is operably coupled with a movable panel. The hitch assembly includes a ball mount and a hitch ball. A controller is configured to generate an image that includes the hitch assembly, identify the hitch assembly within the image, estimate a ball mount length based on a predefined reference length and/or estimate a hitch ball height.

Abstract: A rearview mirror having a tilting structure configured for securing a rear view through a display device by tilting an upper housing may include: a lower housing configured to be fixed to a windshield glass; an upper housing configured to be positioned at an opening portion of the lower housing; a mirror portion configured to be positioned at a rear surface of the upper housing; and a display device configured to be positioned at a rear surface of the mirror portion, in which the mirror portion and the display device are fixed to the upper housing, and the upper housing is tilted based on a first end portion to provide a rear view through the display device.

Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing and an electro-optic mirror reflective element. The front glass substrate of the reflective element has a planar first surface, a planar second surface and a periphery surface extending therebetween. The mirror casing includes a central mounting element and two spaced apart attachment surfaces. The rear glass substrate of the reflective element is adhesively attached at the attachment surfaces. The central mounting element includes a pivot element that pivotally mounts at a mounting structure. A central cavity exists between the central mounting element and the rear glass substrate. The mirror assembly includes a curved outer surface that provides a rounded transition between the planar first surface of the front glass substrate and a less-curved outer surface of a side all of the mirror casing. No part of the mirror casing encroaches onto the planar first surface of the front glass substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle systems and methods for controlling vehicle exterior mirror assemblies to reduce moisture accumulation on exposed surfaces of the mirror assemblies. An exemplary vehicle system includes a mirror assembly, a sensor system configured to detect moisture on a vehicle surface, and a control module configured to automatically command a mirror of the mirror assembly to a tilted position in response to detecting the moisture on the vehicle surface.

Abstract: The description relates to a bearing assembly for rotatably or pivotally connecting a first (4) and a second (6) component to each other, wherein the two components (4, 6) are connected by a connecting element (8) disposed to be coaxial to a rotary or pivot axis (A); each of the two components (4, 6) comprises at least one first contact zone (10.4, 10.6), the contact zones (10.4, 10.6) having first abutment faces (12.4, 12.6) which are complementary with respect to each other; the respective first abutment faces (12.4, 12.6) being urged towards each other with an elastic preload force by a biasing part; and a latching geometry acting as a first latching means (14) being arranged between the first abutment faces (12.4, 12.6). Each of the two components (4, 6) has at least one second contact zone (18.4, 18.6).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a camera, a sensor and a processor. The camera may generate a video signal based on a targeted view of a driver. The sensor may generate a proximity signal in response to detecting an object within a predetermined radius. The processor may determine a location of the object with respect to the vehicle, determine a current location of eyes of the driver, determine a field of view of the driver at a time when the proximity signal is received based on the current location of the eyes, determine whether the object is within the field of view using the current location of the eyes, and generate a control signal. The distance may be determined based on a comparison of reference pixels of a vehicle component in a reference video frame to current pixels of the vehicle component in the video frames.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rear-view mirror and a method for adjusting the reflectivity thereof. The rear-view mirror includes: a partially transmissive and partially reflective layer which has a light incidence surface for receiving external light, wherein one part of the external light reaching the light incidence surface is reflected and the other part is transmitted through the partially transmissive and partially reflective layer; and a reflective layer arranged at a side of the partially transmissive and partially reflective layer opposite to the light incidence surface, the reflective layer having a light reflection surface which is configured to at least partly reflect the light transmitted through the partially transmissive and partially reflective layer back to it, wherein an optical distance between the light incidence surface of the partially transmissive and partially reflective layer and the light reflection surface of the reflective layer is adjustable.

Abstract: A system includes a base having a first window and a second window spaced from the first window. The system includes an optical sensor supported by the base. The system includes a mirror supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the mirror directs light from the first window to the sensor. In the second position the mirror directs light from the second window to the sensor.

Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle may comprise a display module comprising a display element; a partially reflective, partially transmissive element disposed generally parallel to the display element; optical bonding adhesive having a refractive index disposed between the display element and the partially reflective, partially transmissive element; and a plurality of refracting beads having a refractive index and incorporated in or on the optical bonding adhesive; wherein the display is optically bonded to the partially reflective, partially transmissive element with the optical bonding adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle cargo structure and a handle assembly. The vehicle cargo structure has a floor and a first side wall at least partially defining a cargo area at a rearward end of a vehicle. The handle assembly has a base and a grip handle. The base is attached to the first side wall above the floor within the cargo area. The grip handle is movable relative to the base between a stowed orientation in which the grip handle is at a location lower than an upper surface of the first side wall and a gripping orientation in which at least a portion of the grip handle extends higher than the upper surface of the first side wall. With the grip handle in the gripping orientation an individual entering the cargo area grabs the grip handle for assistance in stepping up into the cargo area.

Abstract: A blind for closing an opening of a storage compartment in a central console of a motor vehicle is provided. In order that a linear guide means of the blind has a small curve radius, the invention proposes to construct the blind with chain members onto which slats are snapped.

Abstract: A retainer for aiding vehicle transportability includes an openable rear closure and one or more strap connection surface inwardly disposed of the rear closure of a length X, and has a lightweight bag with a bottom panel and one or more side panel connected to the bottom panel and extending upward therefrom and forming a retaining mouth, and strap portions connecting to the bag and adjustably interconnecting the side strap portions to the strap connection surfaces such that when so connected, the mouth remains inwardly disposed within the vehicle to retain items from exiting a rear of the vehicle when the rear closure is open.

Abstract: A holder for an electronic device is mounted on a golf cart steering wheel. The holder preferably is rotatable relative to the golf cart steering wheel. The holder may include a weatherproof cover to protect the electronic device from the elements. The holder may also include a lock to releaseably secure the electronic device within the holder.

Abstract: An electronic device holder is provided comprising a housing defining a space and having an open end portion. The housing includes a first portion slidably coupled to a second portion. A flexible member is positioned around the housing. A retention feature is disposed on the second portion. The retention feature extends into the space.

Abstract: A flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and includes a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof and defining an arcuate travel path. A movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the integrated guide member and deployable support structure and has a first stored position and a second deployed position.

Abstract: A tonneau for use with a pick-up truck bed includes a frame for attachment over the truck bed and a cover configured on top of the frame to protect the contents of the bed. The tonneau further includes a slidable toolbox having a hinged lid that is configured at the rear of the pick-up truck bed for enabling easy access.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component includes a first board and a second board assembled together. The first board includes a design portion, a peripheral wall portion, and a flange portion. The second board includes a main wall portion and a clip mount portion. The clip mount portion includes an extending portion, a mount base, and at least one leg. The extending portion extends from an edge of the second board toward the first board and is fixed to the flange portion of the first board. The mount base is disposed parallel to and away from a back surface of the design portion and coupled with the extending portion. The at least one leg protrudes from the mount base toward the back surface of the design portion with a clearance between the at least one leg and the peripheral wall portion. The at least one leg is coupled with the extending portion.