An arrangement for a sensor having a sensor-active surface on or behind an exterior attachment part of a vehicle includes a sensor guide. The sensor guide includes a traction element made of a shape-memory alloy and a restoring element. The traction element moves the sensor in the direction of the vehicle interior between an active position and a protected position in response to a detected impending collision in the low-speed range or a detected collision in the low-speed range. The restoring element moves the sensor back to the active position from the protected position.

Removable solar panels from corresponding body parts (removable or fixed) of a vehicle may allow removal and replacement of the panels without removing and replacing the corresponding body parts. In an example, a removable photovoltaic panel for a vehicle may include an array of photovoltaic devices interconnected and assembled together, the array of photovoltaic devices may have a form factor of a surface of a corresponding body panel of the vehicle. The removable photovoltaic panel may also include an attachment layer configured to attach the array of photovoltaic devices to the surface of the corresponding body panel.

Methods of flocking and various embodiments of head-up displays for a vehicle are contemplated. Some embodiments of a head-up display unit can include a display unit configured to display an image onto an observation surface of a vehicle and trim structure located about a periphery of the display unit. The trim structure can have an exterior surface configured to be exposed to an interior compartment of the vehicle. A substantially uniform and continuous adhesive layer can be located directly on and in contact with an entire extent of the exterior surface. Flocking can be applied by an air gun such that flocking is dispersed directly on and in contact with the adhesive layer and such that no backing layer exists between the flocking and the exterior surface. Some embodiments of the methods of flocking can include spraying an adhesive and spraying flocking onto trim for a head-up display device.

A mounting platform attached to a vehicle by existing openings and holes in a truck bed. A base portion having an L-clamp or bolt assembly registered and bolted to the vehicle and is securely held to the bed rails of a pick-up truck. Two formed metal vertical uprights or supports are attached to the base portion. A platform portion is attached to the two upright vertical forms or supports. The mounting platform is used to mount accessories such as light bars, emergency lights, spot lights, antennas, or any other accessory. The mounting platform may be easily installed and removed from the vehicle without any damage or modification to the vehicle and without drilling any additional holes in the vehicle.

A vehicle is disclosed that includes: an electronics module (e.g., an audio unit, a GPS unit, etc.); an instrument panel that is configured to receive the electronics module; and first and second brackets that are secured to the electronics module. The instrument panel includes a first track and a second track collectively defining a non-linear installation and removal path for the electronics module, and the first and second brackets include first and second bosses that are configured for insertion into the first and second tracks, respectively.

An ultrasonic sensor is secured to an attachment object and passes through the attachment object. The ultrasonic sensor includes an oscillator which has a transceiving surface which transmits or receives an ultrasonic wave, a cylindrical elastic member which surrounds an outer surface of the oscillator extending from the transceiving surface in a thickness-wise direction of the transceiving surface and has an inner surface contacting the outer surface of the oscillator, a body which has a housing with a bottom and in which the to oscillator and the elastic member are disposed except a protruding portion on a side of said transceiving surface, and an annular body which surrounds the protruding portion of the elastic member and is disposed in the body in contact with a front of the attachment object. A gap is provided between an outer surface of the protruding portion of the elastic member and an inner surface of the annular body which faces the outer surface of the protruding portion, thereby minimizing the ingress of water into the body.

Mounting tabs, kits and methods of using the mounting tabs where none previously existed or for replacing/repairing broken mounting tabs are disclosed. For example, the mounting tabs, kits and methods disclosed herein are well suited for the repair of high value components, including automotive components.

A glass sealing system includes a glass portion and a first adhesive layer disposed along an exterior surface of the glass portion. The glass sealing system also includes a cover with a first surface secured to the first adhesive layer and a second surface opposing the first surface. The glass sealing system includes a second adhesive layer disposed on the second surface and configured to secure the cover to a support structure. The cover obscures the second adhesive layer from view of a user looking through the glass portion toward the support structure.

A holder device includes a first joint portion, and a second joint portion. One of the first joint portion and the second joint portion is movable in a directions toward and away from the other of the first joint portion and the second joint portion, and the one of the first joint portion and the second joint portion is urged by an urging member to a side where the one of the first joint portion and the second joint portion contacts the other of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. The one of the first joint portion and the second joint portion is provided with an operating portion that moves the one of the first joint portion and the second joint portion in the direction away from the other of the first joint portion and the second joint portion against an urging force of the urging member.

A hardware system and method for mounting a tablet computing device in a vehicle dash. The invention makes use of an inventory of prior art mounting kits that are configured to mount standardized aftermarket stereo head units in a vehicle dash while smoothly blending the aftermarket head unit into the surrounding dash to create a finished appearance.