An improved Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) harvests electrical power while providing additional features when the CHMSL is not powered during a brake application. Electronic circuitry determines if the different sources of electrical power have sufficient energy to activate the light-emitting device; senses a vehicle braking or emergency event to activate the light-emitting device upon sensing the event; and switches from one source of electrical power to a different source of electrical power if it is determined that a particular source of electrical power has become depleted or incapable of activating the light-emitting device. The different sources of electrical power may include a supercapacitor, a rechargeable battery, or a primary battery. The electronic circuitry operative to sense a braking or emergency event may include a brake signal input or an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

A vehicle may have vehicle controls that are used in steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle may have sensors that gather information on vehicle speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed between the vehicle and a following vehicle, information on risks of a collision between a vehicle and an external object, and other vehicle status information and vehicle operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display braking information, information on vehicle speed, the relative speed between a vehicle and a following vehicle, autonomous driving mode status information, custom brake light information or other user-selected information, or other information on vehicle status and the operating environment of a vehicle.

A control system for a subject vehicle includes an autonomous braking system, a forward monitoring sensor and a rearward monitoring sensor. The controller monitors a first speed of a first vehicle travelling in front of the subject vehicle and a second speed of a second vehicle travelling to the rear of the subject vehicle. A first gap-closing time is determined based upon the speed of the subject vehicle and the first speed of the first vehicle. A second gap-closing time is determined based upon the speed of the subject vehicle and the second speed of the second vehicle. The controller controls the speed of the subject vehicle based upon the first gap-closing time and the second gap-closing time when one of the first gap-closing time or the second gap-closing time is less than a first threshold time.

Disclosed is a warning system to be provided on a first vehicle, which includes a radar for measuring the distance D with a second vehicle that is following same, a display visible from the following vehicle, a unit for calculating the safety distance DS and a camera for reading the registration number of the second vehicle.

A component arrangement includes at least one basic component in which at least one additional component is integrated, the additional component forming at least one visible joint with the basic component. A holding device for the additional component is integrated in the basic component.

A vehicle communication system is provided. The system includes a housing having a first portion slidably affixed to a second portion. A first display is affixed between a first upper arm and a first lower arm of the first portion. A second display is affixed between a second upper arm and a second lower arm of the second portion. The first display and the second display are disposed along distinct parallel planes, such that the first portion and the second portion can selectively move between an extended position and a collapsed position. A fastener is disposed on each of the first end of the housing and a second end of the housing. A control circuit includes a power supply, a processor, and a memory disposed within the housing, and wherein the first and second displays can display a message stored on the memory across the first and second displays.

An auxiliary third brake light which is installed on a removable or collapsible truck bed enclosure or frame is disclosed. The auxiliary third brake light is preferably not physically secured by adhesive or mechanical fastener to the truck bed, cab or body or any part of the truck. Rather, the parts of the auxiliary third brake light that are mounted to the truck bed cover and contact the truck bed, cab or body is pressed into contact. In this way, when the truck bed cover is collapsed or removed, the user can have full use of the truck bed. The parts of the auxiliary third brake light that contact the truck bed, cab or body are pulled off therefrom. When the truck bed cover is deployed to the erected position or put back on the truck bed, the parts of the third brake light that contact the truck bed, cab or body are properly repositioned back into position.

A method of manufacturing a plastic glazing of a tailgate of a vehicle, the method comprising: injecting a first material into a molding apparatus to form a first component of the plastic glazing, wherein the first component comprises a panel of the plastic glazing; injecting a second material into the molding apparatus to form a second component of the plastic glazing, wherein the second component combines with at least the first component, wherein at least a portion of the first component and the second component comprises a transparent cover of a molded light assembly; and injecting a third material into the molding apparatus to form a third component, wherein the third component combines with at least the first component.

A method and an illumination arrangement for generating image effects in the interior of a motor vehicle or also outside the motor vehicle. To use existing installation space as efficiently as possible, light is radiated, in the form of at least a first optical reference wave field, onto a irradiation surface that is arranged laterally on an optical image storage device. In the optical image storage, which contains a holographic layer or a diffractive optical layer, the optical reference wave field is transformed into at least a first image wave field and is emitted on an emission side, at a first angular offset with respect to the irradiation surface.

An auxiliary spare tire brake light is provided for a vehicle having a spare tire with a rim that has spokes and openings and that is secured on lugs at the back of the vehicle. The auxiliary spare tire brake light includes a support disc having a central portion and a peripheral portion. An array of openings is formed in the central portion of the support disc and the openings are positioned to fit over the lugs at the back of the vehicle for positioning the support on the lugs behind the rim of the spare tire. An annular race extends around the peripheral portion of the support and a plurality of lights in the form of LEDs is disposed in the race. The LEDs are arrayed in a closely spaced substantially continuous array around the support to form a ring of LEDs. A wire and electrical connector electrically connect the plurality of LEDs to the brake circuitry of the vehicle so that the LEDs are illuminated when the vehicle's brake pedal is depressed. A first portion of the ring of LEDs align with and project light directly through the openings in the rim of the spare tire to be seen from behind as an indication that the vehicle is braking. A second portion of the ring of LEDs aligns behind the spokes and reflects off of the backs of the spokes to silhouette the rim against the glow of the reflected light.