Abstract: A system for managing vehicle body and wheel motion control with a dual clutch differential includes sensors and actuators disposed on the vehicle, the sensors measuring real-time static and dynamic data and the actuators altering static and dynamic behavior of the motor vehicle. A control module executes program code portions stored in memory. The program code portions receive the real-time static and dynamic data; selectively prioritize torque output from a prime mover of the vehicle through the differential to driven wheels of the vehicle to control a body and the driven wheels; model and estimate clutch torque for each clutch of the dual clutch differential; model and estimate a joint clutch torque, a tire force, and corner torque; and generate a torque output for each clutch of the dual clutch differential that is selected to maintain one or more of body control, wheel control, and stability of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Presented are electric motors and apparatuses thereof for discharging an electric charge buildup on the rotor. In an embodiment, an electric motor apparatus includes a case, a stator arranged within the case, a rotor, a motor shaft extending longitudinally through the rotor to include an axial end, a grounding brush having an outer surface and an elliptical surface, and a spring including one portion maintaining slidable contact with the case and another portion coupled to an outer surface of the brush, the elliptical surface attached to the axial end of the motor shaft for causing a current flow via the brush through the case, which can act as system ground, for discharging an electric charge buildup on the stator due to a parasitic capacitance between the stator and rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting a blind spot of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, head position data indicating a position of a head of a driver of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, pillar position data associated with at least one pillar of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, at least one angle based on the head position data and the pillar position data; determining, by the processor, at least one blind spot area based on the at least one angle; detecting, by the processor, at least one object within the at least one blind spot area; and generating at least one of notification data, decision data, and control data based on the at least one object.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell may include a first electrode that includes a positive electroactive material, a second electrode that includes a negative electroactive material and a polyacrylate binder, and a separating layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The polyacrylate binder has a molecular weight greater than or equal to about 250,000 mol/g to less than or equal to about 500,000 mol/g. The second electrode is prepared by disposing an electrode forming slurry having a temperature greater than or equal to about 4° C. to less than or equal to about 15° C. one or near a surface of a current collector. The electrode forming slurry includes the negative electroactive material and the polyacrylate binder. The negative electroactive material can be a silicon-containing material.

Abstract: A system of controlling operation of a vehicle includes one or more sensors operatively connected to the vehicle. The sensors are configured to obtain respective data of a scene and include a radar unit. A command unit is adapted to receive the respective data and includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is configured to determine an orientation angle of a pedestrian in the scene, a Doppler frequency of the pedestrian and a distance of the pedestrian from a border of a road, based in part on the respective data. The orientation angle is based on a heading of the pedestrian relative to a direction of a road. The command unit is configured to designate a status of the pedestrian as either crossing or not crossing based on the distance, the orientation angle and the Doppler frequency of the pedestrian.

Abstract: An antenna system operates in a hybrid coplanar waveguide and rectangular waveguide mode. A slot array with a conductive layer is disposed on a substrate and defines a coplanar waveguide joining a number of side slots arranged in a line forming the slot array. Another substrate is spaced apart from the substrate and a ground plane is defined thereon. A defined volume waveguide is disposed between the substrates. The array is configured to radiate a radiation pattern in a hybrid mode that results from a combination of the slot array and the defined volume waveguide. The side slots may be elliptical in shape for side lobe level reduction.

Abstract: An augmented reality system operable to provide passengers with a personalized augmented reality environment and experience. The augmented reality system may select the augmented reality environment according to a plurality of augmented reality themes, with the passengers being enabled to personalize their traveling experience and/or to interact with virtual objects to generate virtual commands suitable for use in implementing real control of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A system of controlling operation of a vehicle includes a lidar unit and a radar unit configured to obtain measured lidar datapoints and a measured radar signal, respectively. A command unit is adapted to receive the measured lidar datapoints and the measured radar signal, the command unit including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is configured to identify respective objects in the measured lidar datapoints and assign a respective radar reflection intensity to the measured lidar datapoints in the respective objects. A synthetic radar signal is generated based in part on the radar reflection intensity. The command unit is configured to obtain an enhanced radar signal by adjusting the measured radar signal based on the synthetic radar reference signal.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided that include: sensors configured to obtain sensor data for a vehicle having both friction braking and regenerative braking capabilities and coupled to a trailer, the sensor data including: friction braking data as to a vehicle friction braking force for the vehicle; and regenerative braking sensor data as to a vehicle regenerative braking force for the vehicle; and a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to at least facilitate controlling braking of the trailer by providing trailer braking force, via instructions provided by the processor, based on both the friction braking data and the regenerative braking sensor data, with a sensitivity toward the vehicle regenerative braking force such that the trailer braking force is affected differently by the vehicle regenerative braking force versus the vehicle friction braking force.

Abstract: Hollow automotive parts, methods for fabricating hollow automotive parts, and methods for fabricating hollow castings are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating a hollow casting includes casting at least a first casting section and a second casting section from a slurry using a semi-solid casting process, and welding the casting sections together at interfaces therebetween.

Abstract: Catalyst systems that are resistant to high-temperature sintering and methods for preparing such catalyst systems that are resistant to sintering at high temperatures are provided. Methods of forming such catalyst systems include contacting a support having a surface including a catalyst particle with a solution comprising a metal salt and having an acidic pH. The metal salt is precipitated onto the surface of the support. Next, the metal salt is calcined to selectively generate a porous coating of metal oxide on the surface of the support distributed around the catalyst particle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traffic light indication system (system) with one or more input devices for generating a status input signal associated with a status of a traffic light. The input devices further generate an overriding input signal associated with a hazardous driving condition. The system further includes a notification device for providing a traffic light notification to the user. The system further includes a computer having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (CRM) storing instructions. The processor is programmed to generate an actuation signal based on the status input signal. The processor is further programmed to refrain from generating the actuation signal, in response to the processor determining the predicted collision based on the status input signal and the overriding input signal. The notification device provides the traffic light notification to the user, in response to the notification device receiving the actuation signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a sunshade of a vehicle. The methods and systems receive a route plan from a first location to a second location, predict a sun parameter indicative of sun glare on the window for the route plan based on solar direction and vehicle heading at distributed locations throughout the route plan, and activate the sunshade based on the sun parameter so as to shade the window.

Abstract: A hood bumper for a vehicle having a hood including: a housing having a wall, a base, an internal chamber, and an opening to the internal chamber. The wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. the interior surface defines the internal chamber. The hood bumper further including a biasing mechanism operably connected to the housing and a plunger operably connected to the biasing mechanism and configured to receive an exerted force from the hood. The hood bumper further including a bumper head operably connected to the housing and a support frame operably connecting the bumper head to the housing. The plunger is configured to first move into the bumper head to absorb an impact force to the hood, next the bumper head compresses to further absorb the impact force, and then the support frame collapses to even further absorb the impact force.

Abstract: A transmission system associated with a vehicle includes a shaft to rotate about an axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to a gear set. The transmission system includes a target wheel to be coupled to the gear set and to rotate with the gear set. The target wheel includes at least one void. The transmission system includes a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor spaced apart from the target wheel by a gap. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor is configured to observe the at least one void of the target wheel to determine a rotation speed of the shaft based on a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. The transmission system further includes a rotating shell located in the gap between the target wheel and the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: A method for securing an electronic control unit (ECU). The method may include generating a granular security control adjustment authorization ticket (G-SCAAT) for securing the ECU according to a plurality of security parameters determined based on to a role selected for a corresponding user. The G-SCAAT may include security values to be used in controlling the ECU to operate according to the security parameters.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a top plate, a bottom plate and N pairs of hinged plates. The N pairs of hinged plates are connected by 2N pairs of hinges to N sides of the top plate and the bottom plate, where N is an integer greater than 2. A bladder is arranged between the top plate and the bottom plate and between inner edges of the N pairs of hinged plates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting a blind spot of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, head position data indicating a position of a head of a driver of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, pillar position data associated with at least one pillar of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, at least one angle based on the head position data and the pillar position data; determining, by the processor, at least one blind spot area based on the at least one angle; detecting, by the processor, at least one object within the at least one blind spot area; and generating at least one of notification data, decision data, and control data based on the at least one object.