Abstract: A data communications system having a plurality of communication devices including a host having a first receiver and a second receiver; and one or more clients, each client including a transmitter coupled between a signal node and a transmitter node, the transmitter selectively transmitting a multistate signal from the signal node to the transmitter node; and a single conductor daisy-chain loop redundantly communicating each multistate signal from each the transmitter to both receivers, the single conductor daisy-chain loop electrically communicating each transmitter node to the receivers. A data communications method including a) transmitting selectively a multistate signal from each of one or more clients; b) communicating electrically each multistate signal to a first location on a host using a single conductor coupled to each the client; and c) communicating electrically each multistate signal to a second location on the host using the single conductor.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for configuring the touch-sensitive area and/or the tap duration associated with a plurality of touch-sensitive soft buttons of a vehicle user interface in response to varying vehicle conditions. In particular, as a monitored vehicle condition deteriorates, the system controller coupled to the vehicle user interface expands the touch-sensitive region and/or increases the tap duration of the touch-sensitive soft buttons, thereby improving the user's ability to successfully interact with the interface. Vehicle conditions that may be monitored and used to configure the touch-sensitive area and/or tap duration include passenger cabin vibration levels, vehicle speed, turn radius, lateral force levels, precipitation levels and external ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment.

Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.

Abstract: Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.

Abstract: Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use with the front trunk, motor or engine compartment of an automobile is provided, the seal assembly including a sealing flange, a sealing member attached to an end portion of the sealing flange, and a hood assembly that includes an upper panel and an inner surface comprised of a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the hood assembly is configured to form a seal with the sealing member when the hood assembly is in a closed position. The sealing surface of the hood assembly is spaced apart from the end portion of the sealing flange, thereby allowing the sealing surface to pass by the end portion of the sealing flange when a downward force, such as that experienced during a head-on collision with a pedestrian, is applied to the hood causing the hood assembly to be downwardly displaced past the closed position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a door handle assembly used in a vehicle door having an illumination module and illumination source that directs light in a first direction and a second direction using a pair of light pipes. The door handle from the door handle assembly includes a first illumination aperture oriented in the first direction and a second illumination aperture oriented in the second direction. As the illumination source generates light, the first light pipe receives a first portion of light and directs it toward a first illumination surface and the first illumination aperture in the first direction. By molding the second light pipe around the first light pipe, remaining light is captured from the illumination source as a second portion of light. The second portion of light reflects along the interior surfaces of the second light pipe towards the second illumination surface oriented in the second direction.

Abstract: The apparatus for charging an energy storage system (ESS) from an AC line voltage includes a boost stage for converting the AC line voltage to a first ESS charging voltage; an isolation stage, coupled to the boost stage, for converting the first ESS charging voltage to a second ESS charging voltage with the second ESS charging voltage less than the first ESS charging voltage, the isolation stage removing a common mode current between the ESS and the boost stage; a configurator, responsive to a control signal, to set a direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in a bypass mode and to open the direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in an isolation mode; and a controller, coupled to the configurator, for setting the modes responsive to a battery voltage, a peak of the AC line voltage, and a total leakage current at an input of the AC line voltage, the controller asserting the control signal to the configurator.

Abstract: Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.

Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is used when the user selects an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles.

Abstract: An integrated retainer in which an inner part of a retainer upper part extending above a door belt line and an inner part of a retainer lower part extending below the door belt are continuous without a joint line is employed for an automobile door. The retainer lower part has an approximate U shape including an inner part and an outer part as glass-run holding parts. The retainer upper part includes only an inner part as a glass-run holding part.

Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: The bus bar includes a first bus bar layer formed of a first generally uniform thickness of a first bus bar conductor; a first dielectric layer overlying a top surface of the first bus bar layer; and a second bus bar layer formed of a second generally uniform thickness of a second bus bar conductor overlying a top surface of the first dielectric layer and the top surface of the first bus bar layer wherein: the first bus bar layer includes a first via for receipt of a first electrical lead of an electrical component and a second via for receipt of a second electrical lead of the electrical component and wherein: the first dielectric layer and the second bus bar layer each include a via aligned with the first via wherein the first electrical lead is extendable from beneath the first bus bar layer through the first dielectric layer and through the second bus bar layer.

Abstract: A system and method for improving on conventional techniques for connecting energy storage elements of a high-voltage battery pack. A tuned flexible printed circuit individually coupled to each electrode of each cell of a matrix of cells of the battery pack provides improved manufacturability and reliability.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a nozzle seal mounting nut that holds the nozzle seal within the exhaust nozzle during normal operation and then melts during a thermal runaway event, thereby allowing the nozzle seal to be ejected through the exhaust nozzle during the event.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a nozzle seal mounting nut that holds the nozzle seal within the exhaust nozzle during normal operation and then melts during a thermal runaway event, thereby allowing the nozzle seal to be ejected through the exhaust nozzle during the event.

Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into an electric vehicle's battery pack enclosure is provided, where the heat exchanger conduits are mechanically and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the enclosure base plate and where the battery pack enclosure is mounted such that ambient air flows over the outside surface of the enclosure base plate during vehicle motion. A thermal management system is coupled to, and controls operation of, the integrated battery pack heat exchanger such that in a first operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the batteries within the battery pack, and in a second operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally decoupled from the batteries within the battery pack.

Abstract: A system and method for a shielded coaxial cable including a collar including a cylindrical housing having a cylindrical inner bore, the inner bore having top and bottom openings the top opening having a diameter about equal to an outer diameter of an outer insulating layer of the cable and the bottom opening having a diameter about equal to an outer diameter of a shield layer of the cable with a terminating portion of the shield layer exposed and returned over an exterior portion of said collar near the bottom opening with the terminating portion overlapping said exterior portion; and a termination ferrule joined to the terminating portion that overlaps the exterior portion to simultaneously provide an electrical communication between the shield layer and the collar and provide a strain relief for the shielded cable disposed within the inner bore.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle.