A vehicle liftgate includes a main portion comprised of a composite material and defining an opening. A window covers the opening and includes a body extending to a periphery, and having an inner layer, an outer layer, and an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is comprised of a transparent heat conductive material, and the inner and outer layers are comprised of a transparent polymeric material. A heat generation element is operably connected with the intermediate layer for generating heat to defrost the multi-layered polymeric window. A seal extends about the periphery and is disposed in interlocked relationship with the body to seal the intermediate layer between the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer layers of the body define at least one groove, and the seal includes at least one protrusion disposed within the at least one groove to establish this interlocking relationship.

A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor. The processor is programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a vehicle speed, selecting at least one actuator to vibrate a sensor housing based on the vehicle speed, and commanding the at least one actuator to vibrate the sensor housing in accordance with the vehicle speed to remove debris from the sensor housing.

A system for automatically controlling a defog/defrost function of a vehicle climate control system includes a controller configured to calculate an ambient dew point temperature value from a plurality of inputs received from a sensor array. The controller is further configured to set a condensation indicator if a calculated difference between a window exterior surface temperature value input received from the sensor array and the calculated ambient dew point temperature value is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The controller actuates the vehicle climate control system defog/defrost function and/or a window wiper system in response to the set condensation indicator.

A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.

A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.

A snow and ice vehicle accumulation determination and removal system for an electrified vehicle uses weight/load estimation methods based on vehicle sensors and user input to determine if the vehicle has accumulated a significant amount of snow/ice that could negatively affect the vehicle range. When a weight variation exists above a predetermined threshold which can be accounted for only as being due to snow and ice, then the invention may (1) warn the driver of reduced range and the reason for it, (2) perform drivetrain and/or cabin heating that may contribute to melting of the snow and ice (e.g., automatically adjusting powertrain performance to generate increase heat, such as running at a higher RPM), and/or (3) instruct the driver to proceed to an environment which can warm the vehicle (such as a facility equipped with a hot water spraying device).

A heater system for clearing moisture (frozen and liquid) from a windshield (14) around a through-windshield vehicle sensor (18) provides a chamber between the sensor and the windshield containing air that may be heated by a chamber supported heating element (30, 51). The warm air within the chamber applies heat over the windshield in the critical viewing area (26) without obstructing the sensor (18).

A heater system for clearing moisture (frozen and liquid) from a windshield (14) around a through-windshield vehicle sensor (18) provides a chamber between the sensor and the windshield containing air that may be heated by a chamber supported heating element (30, 51). The warm air within the chamber applies heat over the windshield in the critical viewing area (26) without obstructing the sensor (18).

A surround view system for a vehicle includes a plurality of brackets adjacent interior surfaces of windows of the vehicle. A plurality of camera assemblies are provided within the brackets. Each camera assembly includes a lens having a field of view extending through one of the windows for capturing images of a vehicle exterior. The images captured by the lenses through the windows are integrated together to form a 360 view of the vehicle exterior.

Motor vehicle comprising headlights and an air conditioning system fluidically connected to the headlights for supplying an air flow thereto, and comprising an electric fan to generate the air flow, an electric heater to heat the air flow generated by the electric fan, a sensory system to measure air temperature and moisture inside the headlights, an electric heater and an electric fan arranged inside each headlight, and an electronic control unit connected to the sensory system to receive the measured quantities, to the electric fan and the electric heater of the air conditioning system, and the electric heaters and the electric fans in the headlights to control operation thereof. The electronic control unit is further designed to carry out one or more of the following headlight defogging/defrosting operations based on air temperature and moisture inside the headlights: a) operating in a timed manner, with internal combustion engine off, the electric fans in the headlights; b) operating in a timed manner, with internal combustion engine off, the electric heater of the air conditioning system and, simultaneously, the electric fan of the air conditioning system or of the electric fans in the headlights; and c) operating in a timed manner the electric heaters in the headlights.