Abstract: Thermal management in a vehicle involves a compressor to output a refrigerant in vapor form for circulation in a refrigerant loop. A thermal management system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in the refrigerant loop including an evaporator and an HVAC condenser, and an exterior condenser in the refrigerant loop configured to vent heat to an exterior of the vehicle. A first variable refrigerant flow valve controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the HVAC condenser, and a second refrigerant flow valve controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the exterior condenser. A controller controls the first refrigerant flow valve and the second refrigerant flow valve based on a target output temperature for the HVAC condenser.

Abstract: A system that determines a nominal path based on interpolated lane edge data can include a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is configured to receive a sensor data representing a perceived lane edge; receive map data including a lane edge; interpolate the sensor data and interpolate the map data; fuse the interpolated sensor data and the interpolated map data; and generate predicted lane edge lane edge centers based on the fused interpolated sensor data.

Abstract: A system, map server and method of navigating a vehicle through an intersection. The map server includes a remote processor and a communication device. The remote processor determines a first road edge for a first road entering an intersection and a second road edge for a second road entering the intersection. The remote processor constructs an intersection edge that connects a first point on the first road edge to a second point on the second road edge. The communication device communicates the intersection edge to the vehicle. A vehicle processor at the vehicle navigates the vehicle through the intersection using the intersection edge.

Abstract: A deployable rollable display for a vehicle includes a vehicle component having at least one surface. A guide track is provided in the at least one surface. A screen deployment member is selectively shiftable through the at least one surface and along the guide track. A rollable display is spooled onto the screen deployment member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a temperature regulating system including an anisotropic material for use as a heating material or element (e.g., an active heater) and a cooling material or element (e.g., passive cooling) in a battery pack including one or more electrochemical cells. The temperature regulating system includes one or more temperature control elements. Each temperature control element is configured to be in a heat transfer relationship with one or more electrochemical cells so as to heat and/or cool the one or more electrochemical cells of the battery pack. Each temperature control element includes two or more structural elements and one or more anisotropic elements disposed between the two or more structural elements. The temperature control elements may be disposed between the electrochemical cells of the stack, disposed around the electrochemical cells of the stack, or both.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first sensor to obtain first sensor data from a first field of view and provide a first top-view feature representation. The system also includes a second sensor to obtain second sensor data from a second field of view with an overlap with the first field of view and provide a second top-view feature representation. Processing circuitry implements a neural network and provides a top-view stixel representation based on the first top-view feature representation and the second top-view feature representation. The top-view three-dimensional stixel representation is used to control an operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle head restraint includes a head restraint support, a first head restraint member fixedly coupled to the head restraint support, and a second head restraint member attached to the first head restraint member. The second head restraint member is selectively moveable relative to the first head restraint member.

Abstract: Methods for forming a function-infused feed material for a three-dimensional printing technique, methods for manufacturing an additive-infused three-dimensional printed object, and vehicles including additive manufactured components are provided. An exemplary method for forming a function-infused feed material for a three-dimensional printing technique includes solubilizing a functional additive into a medium. Further, the method includes contacting a three-dimensional printing feed material with the medium to infuse the functional additive into the three-dimensional printing feed material to form the function-infused feed material.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method that includes determining whether a charging station for charging a battery of a vehicle is operating in a first high voltage mode or a second high voltage mode. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the charging station is operating in the first high voltage mode: enabling an electric motor and a traction power inverter of the vehicle to operate as a boost converter to boost an accessory bus voltage of the vehicle while charging in the first high voltage mode, and charging the battery of the vehicle by supplying electric power, at a first high voltage, from the charging station to the battery.

Abstract: A transmission hydraulic control system includes a manual valve, a default valve, and a clutch prime valve. The manual valve allows fluid flow from a pressurized line to a drive line when the manual valve is open (when a transmission is in drive or reverse). The manual valve prevents fluid flow from the pressurized line to the drive line when the manual valve is closed (when the transmission is in neutral or park). The clutch prime valve allows fluid to flow from the pressurized line to the drive line, and thereby bypass the manual valve, when the manual valve is closed and the clutch prime valve is open. The default valve allows fluid bypassing the manual valve to flow to prime a clutch of the transmission when the default valve is open. The clutch prime valve prevents fluid from bypassing the manual valve when the clutch prime valve is closed.

Abstract: A risk assessment system is provided and includes a transceiver, an output device, and activity, localization, tracking, and risk assessment modules. The activity module: receives signals from sensors or electrical devices of a supporting structure; and tracks activities in or within a set distance of the supporting structure to generate an activity history log. The localization module relates the activities to aspects of the supporting structure and generates corresponding localization data. The transceiver receives a notification key identifying a network device used by a user exposed to a contaminant. The tracking module, in response to the notification key, tracks contamination states of the aspects of the supporting structure contacted directly or indirectly by the user. The risk assessment module determines and reports an exposure risk level of an occupant of the supporting structure based on the contamination states, the localization data and the activity history log.

Abstract: Methods of making negative electrode materials for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided. A surface of the electrode material formed of silicon, silicon-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, or combinations thereof is treated with an oxidant at a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 100° C. to form a continuous intermediate layer comprising oxides. The method also includes pyrolyzing a carbon-containing precursor over the continuous intermediate layer at a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 600° C. to form a continuous carbon coating thereon. The intermediate layer oxides may be transformed to carbides. The continuous carbon coating comprises both graphitic carbon and amorphous carbon and may be a multilayered coating, where the inner layer predominantly includes amorphous carbon and the outer layer predominantly includes graphitic carbon.

Abstract: A system for providing driver status to a driver of a vehicle includes a data processor, a plurality of sensors mounted within the vehicle and adapted to send vehicle information to the data processor, a driver monitoring system within the vehicle adapted to send driver information to the data processor, the data processor further adapted to collect information from external sources via a wireless data communication network, and a driver state display adapted to receive information from the data processor and to display a short-term status indicator, a long-term status indicator and contextual information.

Abstract: A vehicular communication controller includes a microcontroller (MCU) located within a vehicle to publish a newly defined protocol data unit (PDU) including a header and a payload portion to a destination device. The destination device may utilize a first protocol or a second protocol. If the destination device utilizes the first protocol that includes an automotive/embedded communication protocol then the MCU serializes the payload portion of the PDU and binds the PDU to the first protocol. The destination device may then receive the PDU using the first protocol, deserialize the payload portion, and remove the header leaving the payload portion unchanged and recreate, based on the deserialized payload portion, the PDU.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting weld defects, and methods for manufacturing vehicles using such methods or systems, are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving an input indicating a weld material and material thickness by a portable computing device and determining, with the portable computing device, a detection protocol for the weld material and material thickness. Further, the method includes communicating the detection protocol from the portable computing device to a portable heating source and to a portable thermographic sensor, heating a weld with the portable heating source according to the detection protocol, and recording thermographic data from the weld with the portable thermographic sensor according to the detection protocol.

Abstract: A power control system for a battery system of a vehicle includes a first contactor, a second contactor, N fuses and N vehicle loads. An active sacrificial protection device includes a third contactor and a first fuse. The active sacrificial protection device is connected to a positive or negative terminal of the battery system. A current sensor is configured to sense a measured load current flowing through one of the first contactor and the second contactor. A battery management module is configured to selectively close the third contactor to reduce current flowing through one of the first contactor or the second contactor and selectively open the one of the first contactor or the second contactor after closing the third contactor.

Abstract: An inflatable insulation panel includes a bladder configured to contain air, plurality of tethers disposed within an interior cavity of the bladder, and at least one reflective film disposed within the interior cavity of the bladder. The bladder includes a first wall, a second wall opposite of the first wall, and perimeter walls extending between and connected to perimeter edges of the first and second walls. The first and second walls and the perimeter walls collectively defining the interior cavity of the bladder. The plurality of tethers extend between and are connected to interior surfaces of the first and second walls. The plurality of tethers limit movement of the first and second walls away from one another when the bladder is inflated. The at least one reflective film is disposed between the interior surfaces of the first and second walls.

Abstract: A protective cover for a camera includes a housing configured for attachment to one of the camera and a support structure which supports the camera, a lens attached to the housing and configured for alignment with an imaging axis of the camera, a light source attached to the housing and configured for providing light to a field of view of the camera, and an electrical connector carried by the housing and configured for receiving power and/or signal commands and for conveying the power and/or signal commands to the light source. The lens may be a meniscus-shaped macro lens, and a lightguide may be attached to or incorporated into at least one of the housing and the light source. The protective cover may be used to protect a camera mounted in a wheel well or anywhere along an outer surface of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating alignment parameters for processing data associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; receiving lidar data associated with the environment of the vehicle; processing, by a processor, the image data to determine data points associated with at least one vehicle identified within image data; processing, by the processor, the lidar data to determine data points associated with at least one vehicle identified within the lidar data; selectively storing the data points in a data buffer based on at least one condition associated with a quality of the data points; processing, by the processor, the data points in the data buffer with a joint analysis method to generate alignment parameters between the lidar and the camera; and processing future data based on the alignment parameters.

Abstract: A depth imaging system in a vehicle includes a lens that includes a polarization-coded aperture. The polarization-coded aperture includes a perpendicular polarization portion to pass incident light entering the perpendicular polarization portion of the polarization-coded aperture as perpendicularly polarized light. The polarization-coded aperture also includes a parallel polarization portion to pass the incident light entering the parallel polarization portion of the polarization-coded aperture as parallel polarized light. An image sensor provides a perpendicularly polarized image based on the perpendicularly polarized light and a parallel polarized image based on the parallel polarized light. A controller processes the perpendicularly polarized image and the parallel polarized image to identify one or more objects in a field of view of the depth imaging system and to determine a range to each of the one or more objects.

Abstract: A method includes placing a physical target on a windshield of a vehicle, mounting a fixture inside the vehicle to position a camera array on the fixture within a line of sight of a passenger, capturing images of the physical target using the camera array, and determining a difference between actual and target locations of the physical target in each image. In addition, the method includes controlling the HUD to display a virtual target on the windshield, capturing images of the virtual target using the camera array, and determining a target location of the virtual target in each image based on the difference. Further, the method includes determining an offset between an actual location of the virtual target in each image and the target location of the virtual target in each image, and adjusting the location of an image projected onto the windshield by the HUD based on the offset.

Abstract: A die of a stamping press is described and includes: an upper portion including one or more first features; a lower portion including one or more second features that are complementary to the first features and apertures at locations, respectively, that extend through the lower portion; and optical sensors that are disposed within the apertures, respectively, of the lower portion and that are configured to measure directions of movement and distances of movement inward of outer edges of a substrate at the locations, respectively, during stamping of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for communicating vehicle-specific features to one or more personal electronic devices includes one or more controllers in wireless communication with a centralized computer system including one or more database for storing the vehicle-specific features. The one or more controllers execute instructions to undergo a passive wireless interaction with the one or more personal electronic devices. The passive wireless interaction involves determining the one or more personal electronic devices are located within a predefined proximity around a vehicle without human interaction. In response to undergoing the passive wireless interaction, the one or more controllers transmit one or more vehicle-specific features to the one or more personal electronic devices, where the one or more vehicle-specific features are unique to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of eliminating microstructure inheritance of hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys. The method includes heating a first amount of the Al—Si alloy to a predetermined temperature above a liquidus temperature of the Al—Si alloy to form a first amount melt; holding the first amount melt at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time; stirring the first amount melt during the predetermined amount of time; heating a second amount of the Al—Si alloy above the liquidus temperature of the Al—Si alloy to form a second amount melt; and mixing the first amount melt and the second amount melt to form a processed Al—Si casting alloy. The predetermined temperature is between about 750° C. to 850° C. The predetermined amount of time is between 0.1 hour to 0.5 hour. The processed Al—Si casting alloy contains about 30 wt % to about 40 wt % of the first amount of the Al—Si alloy.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for automated driver-assistance includes a model-based controller that generates a first control signal to alter an operation of a plurality of actuators of a vehicle based on a reference trajectory for the vehicle, and a present state of the vehicle and actuators. The vehicle control system further includes a neural network controller that generates a second control signal to alter the operation of the actuators of the vehicle based on a reference trajectory for the vehicle, and the present state of the vehicle and actuators. The vehicle control system further includes a combination module that combines the first control signal and the second control signal to operate the actuators based on a combined signal.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions. The processor receives an image for processing using a reinforcement learning based agent comprising a neural network trained using a reward function. The image includes N lane lines of a roadway, where N is a positive integer. The instructions configure the processor to traverse the image using the agent at least N times from a first end of the image to a second end of the image by: incrementally moving the agent from a first side of the image to a second side of the image after each traversal; and maximizing rewards for the agent using the reward function during each traversal of the image using the agent. The instructions configure the processor to identify the N lane lines of the roadway as a single cluster of lane lines after traversing the image using the agent at least N times.

Abstract: A head-up display system of a vehicle visually transmits information to eyes of an occupant. The head-up display system comprises an illumination device configured to emit a display light and a windshield spaced from the illumination device and extending transverse to the display light. The head-up display system comprises a holographic panel coupled to and extending with the windshield and arranged to diffract the display light toward the eyes of the occupant. The display light emits toward the holographic panel in an entrance direction at an entrance angle relative to an axis normal to the holographic panel and diffracts away from the holographic panel in an exit direction at an exit angle relative to the axis, which is different than the entrance angle.

Abstract: A system for providing weather conditions to a target vehicle includes a plurality of sensors mounted within the target vehicle adapted to measure weather conditions at the target vehicle and a computer processor adapted to collect data of weather conditions at the target vehicle from the plurality of sensors mounted within the target vehicle, collect data of measured weather conditions of at least one known location remote from the target vehicle, and build a temporal-spatial effectiveness model adapted to estimate weather conditions of at least one unknown location remote from the target vehicle using the data of weather conditions at the target vehicle and the data of measured weather conditions of the at least one known location remote from the target vehicle.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for implementing adaptive cruise control (ACC) established by Reinforcement Learning (RL) including executing, by a processor, adaptive cruise control to receive a set of vehicle inputs about a host vehicle's operating environment and current operations; identify, by the processor, a target vehicle operating in the host vehicle environment and quantifying a set of target vehicle parameters about the target vehicle derived from sensed inputs; modeling a state estimation of the host vehicle and the target vehicle by generating a set of speed and torque calculations about each vehicle; generating a set of results from at least one reward function based on one or more modeled state estimations of the host and target vehicle; processing the set of results with driver behavior data established by RL to correlate one or more control actions to the driver behavior data.

Abstract: An electrical contactor module includes a pair of contactor assemblies each having an input contact, an output contact spaced apart from the input contact, and a linear solenoid disposed proximate the input and output contacts. Each linear solenoid has a housing, a plunger disposed within the housing so as to permit axial displacement of the plunger between an open position in which an end of the plunger is spaced apart from the input and output contacts and a closed position in which the end mechanically contacts and electrically couples the input and output contacts, a spring for biasing the plunger in the open position, and a coil within the housing for urging the plunger from the open position to the closed position along a linear direction. The contactor assemblies are fastened and arranged within an enclosure, with the linear directions for the contactor assemblies pointing in generally opposite directions.

Abstract: An electrochemical device according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes an electrochemical cell and an inductor coil. The electrochemical cell includes a current collector. The current collector includes an electrically-conductive material. The inductor coil is configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is configured to induce an eddy current in the current collector to generate heat in the current collector. In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of internally heating an electrochemical cell. In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of controlling heating of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include hybrid thermal management systems configured to control an operating temperature of a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) based head-up display (HUD) unit. An exemplary thermal management system can include a liquid crystal on silicon layer and a phase change material on a surface of the liquid crystal on silicon layer. A thermoelectric device is positioned in direct contact with the phase change material and a heat sink is positioned on a surface of the thermoelectric device. The thermal management system can further include a controller configured to adjust a thermoelectric device current of the thermoelectric device responsive to a temperature of the liquid crystal on silicon layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a permanent magnet for a rotor of an axial flux electric machine is described herein. The method includes forming multiple permanent magnet (PM) pieces to have the same shape. Each of the PM pieces has an inner radial surface, an outer radial surface, and a pair of side surfaces extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. The method further includes attaching at least one of the side surfaces of each of the PM pieces to one of the side surfaces of another one of the PM pieces to form partitions configured to extend in a radial direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mountable in a vehicle, in accordance with a non-limiting example includes a seat back and a seat base connected to the seat back. The seat base includes a first side bolster and a second side bolster, and a selectively deployable air bag mounted in one of the first side bolster and the second side bolster.

Abstract: A housing for a battery pack of a vehicle is described herein. The housing includes a lateral baseplate, a central longitudinal baseplate, and at least one bracket. The lateral baseplate is configured to extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle and attach to a front cradle of the vehicle rearward of left and right body mount seats on the front cradle. The central longitudinal baseplate is configured to extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and attach to the lateral baseplate. The at least one bracket is configured to connect the central longitudinal baseplate to the lateral baseplate and to form an angle with the lateral baseplate that is greater than 40 degrees.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes an actuator control module and a damping ratio module. The actuator control module is configured to control an actuator of a vehicle to cause the vehicle to perform a yaw maneuver by rotating about its yaw axis. The damping ratio module is configured to determine a damping ratio based on an operating parameter measured during the yaw maneuver. The operating parameter includes at least one of a yaw rate of the vehicle, a yaw rate of a trailer connected to the vehicle, a lateral acceleration of the vehicle, a lateral acceleration of the trailer, a heading angle of the vehicle, and a hitch angle between a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a longitudinal axis of the trailer.

Abstract: A connecting rod includes an elongated body having a first connection end and a second connection end and an intermediate portion extending between the first connection end and the second connection end. The first connection end includes a cylindrical opening configured to receive a bushing and a link pin. The first connection end includes a first side face and a second side face each raised relative to the intermediate portion, the first side face includes a recessed slot that communicates with the cylindrical opening and an outer edge of the first side face. The slots can optionally be provided on the second side face, giving the connecting rod one or more slots on each side, which lubricate the link pin with splash oil.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle.

Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a panel defining an aperture, a fastener having a head, a shaft portion extending from the head, and a recess formed in the head, and a sacrificial primary anode insert disposed in the recess. The sacrificial primary anode insert is configured to corrode at a rate faster than a corrosion rate of the fastener.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configure the processor to estimate a rack force for a steering system of a vehicle based on current driving and environmental conditions and estimate a health of an actuator of the steering system of the vehicle. The instructions configure the processor to estimate maximum achievable angle, velocity, and acceleration for the actuator of the steering system based on the estimated rack force and the estimated health of the actuator. The instructions configure the processor to provide to the steering system a path planned for the vehicle based on the estimated maximum achievable angle, velocity, and acceleration for the actuator of the steering system.

Abstract: Radiant heating systems for warming an occupant of an enclosed space. The system includes a component with a surface that faces the occupant. The surface defines an A-surface quality meaning the surface is visible and is designed with styling objectives to have an aesthetic appearance. Conductive strands are exposed at the surface and a power supply supplies electric power to the conductive strands. A controller controls the electric power supplied to the conductive strands.

Abstract: A vehicle infotainment system that adds background sounds to an outgoing call on a mobile device. The infotainment system comprises: i) a database of selectable augmenting audio signals; and ii) audio processing circuitry configured to receive at a first input an uplink signal from the infotainment system and receive at a second input a selected augmenting audio signal. The audio processing circuitry adapts a spectrum of the first selected augmenting audio signal to prevent the selected augmenting audio signal from masking the uplink signal and combines the adapted selected augmenting audio signal and the uplink signal to produce an augmented uplink signal at an output.

Abstract: A device for hailing a vehicle includes a location sensor outputting location information indicative of a location of the device. The device further includes a device interface configured to receive an input from a user of the device. Responsive to the input, a transmitter of the device transmits the location information, input information, and identification information for the device to a dispatch server system. The transmitter is further configured to route the location information, the input information, and the identification information for the device to only the dispatch server system. The identification information is used by the dispatch server system to set a predefined location associated with the identification information as a destination for a trip for the user in the vehicle. The predefined location is defined in an account corresponding to the identification information of the device maintained by the dispatch server system prior to receipt of the input.

Abstract: A battery system includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) having battery cells, and a battery controller network configured to execute two-level logic to detect a thermal runaway condition. The network includes RESS-embedded cell monitoring units (CMUs) electrically connected to a respective cell group, and measuring and wirelessly transmitting cell data. A battery control module (BCM) is in communication with the CMUs. Thermal runaway sensors are mounted on the CMUs and/or the BCM. A master controller connected to the BCM includes a thermal runaway detection algorithm configured to detect a thermal runaway condition occurring within the RESS. The BCM uses data from the CMUs and thermal runaway sensors to execute first logic level which determines when to wake up the master controller. The master controller, in response to receipt of a wakeup signal, executes a second logic level to execute the algorithm.