Drag reducing systems for vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a drag reducing system generally includes a flow restricting deflector couplable to a mount and positioned upstream in a path of airflow to an object. The flow restricting deflector generally includes a body portion and a plurality of flow choking orifices configured to provide a choked airflow condition. In another aspect, the drag reducing system is configured for positioning adjacent a wheel and tire combination of a vehicle upstream in a path of airflow to the wheel and tire combination. The flow restricting deflector may be coupled to and extending downward from a splash shield adjacent the wheel and tire combination.

A glass fastening system includes a fastener having a first portion embedded along an interlayer within a laminated glass portion and a second portion extending outward from an exterior surface of the laminated glass portion for use in attachment to a support structure. Another glass fastening system includes a fastener having a first portion adhered to an exterior surface of a glass pane and a second portion extending from the first portion away from the exterior surface for use in attachment to a support structure. A glass sealing system includes a pair of glass panes having offset edge portions and a seal including an overmold portion capturing the edge portions. Another glass sealing system includes a seal having an internal portion embedded within a laminated glass portion and an external portion extending along an exterior surface of the laminated glass portion.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for accelerometer-based external sound monitoring during low speed maneuvers. An example vehicle includes accelerometers affixed to windows of the vehicle, speakers located inside the vehicle, and an infotainment head unit. Each of the speakers is uniquely associated with one of the accelerometers. The infotainment head unit, when a speed of the vehicle satisfies a threshold, selects a zone corresponding to a direction of travel of the vehicle. Additionally, the infotainment head unit plays signals captured by the accelerometers associated with the selected zone on the corresponding speakers.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for accelerometer-based external sound monitoring during low speed maneuvers. An example vehicle includes accelerometers affixed to windows of the vehicle, speakers located inside the vehicle, and an infotainment head unit. Each of the speakers is uniquely associated with one of the accelerometers. The infotainment head unit, when a speed of the vehicle satisfies a threshold, selects a zone corresponding to a direction of travel of the vehicle. Additionally, the infotainment head unit plays signals captured by the accelerometers associated with the selected zone on the corresponding speakers.

Systems and apparatuses for applying a plasma actuator system for reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle by discharging plasma is provided. The system includes: at least one pair of thin films configured to integrate into a pair of electrodes wherein each of the thin films of the pair of thin films is composed of a thin film piezo-electric material; a dielectric configured as an insulator region to separate each electrode integrated with the thin film piezo-electric material; and a power supply to deliver alternating current to each electrode to provide a high voltage output obtained by the thin film piezo-electric material integrated with the pair of electrodes wherein the high voltage output is about 10 kV.

An underbody panel for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, has at least one first underbody panel element which is arranged in a region of a pivotable vehicle wheel and moves with the wheel during a pivoting movement of the wheel and at least one second underbody panel element which is arranged in the region of the wheel and which is pivotable with the wheel during a pivoting movement of the wheel in the opposite direction.

An adjustable body skirting assembly and a vehicle that includes the assembly. The assembly includes a support structure and a skirt member. The support structure includes a side surface and a bottom surface, and the skirt member is supported by the support structure. The skirt member is movable between a deployed position in which the skirt member is disposed transverse to the bottom surface of the support structure such that the skirt member and the side surface cooperate with each other to define a wall configured to redirect an airflow away from the bottom surface, and a retracted position in which the skirt member retracts relative to the side surface such that the wall is removed which allows the airflow to interact with the bottom surface. The assembly includes an actuator coupled to the skirt member and configured to move the skirt member to the deployed and retracted positions.

An exemplary vehicle flow influencing assembly includes, among other things, a downforce generator extending laterally outward from an area of a vehicle that is forward a side window. The downforce generator is configured to influence flow to reduce buffeting. A vehicle flow influencing method includes, among other things, lowering a side window to provide an opening to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and influencing flow over the opening using a downforce generator that extends laterally outward from an area of a vehicle that is forward the side window. The influencing reducing buffeting.

A method for calibrating an augmented reality visual rendering system comprising at least one display device partially transparent with respect to the user thereof, comprises carrying out the steps of: displaying a two-dimensional calibration curve on a partially transparent display device of the partially transparent display device; recording a three-dimensional curve described by the user by a three-dimensional pointing device so that the trajectory described by the three-dimensional pointing device is aligned, according to the viewpoint of the user, with the two-dimensional calibration curve displayed on the display device; and matching the three-dimensional curve and the two-dimensional calibration curve displayed on the display device; and comprising a step of calibrating the augmented reality visual rendering system by determining the parameters of a model to represent the set comprising the eye of the user 1 and the partially transparent display device of the partially transparent display device at which the eye is looking, on the basis of matching.

A method for calibrating an augmented reality visual rendering system comprising at least one display device partially transparent with respect to the user thereof, comprises carrying out the steps of: displaying a two-dimensional calibration curve on a partially transparent display device of the partially transparent display device; recording a three-dimensional curve described by the user by a three-dimensional pointing device so that the trajectory described by the three-dimensional pointing device is aligned, according to the viewpoint of the user, with the two-dimensional calibration curve displayed on the display device; and matching the three-dimensional curve and the two-dimensional calibration curve displayed on the display device; and comprising a step of calibrating the augmented reality visual rendering system by determining the parameters of a model to represent the set comprising the eye of the user 1 and the partially transparent display device of the partially transparent display device at which the eye is looking, on the basis of matching.