Abstract: A structural assembly includes a frame and a plurality of panels. The frame includes a wall that at least partially defines an interior region. The plurality of panels is disposed at least partially in the interior region and is coupled to the frame. The plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface defines a first plurality of depressions and the second surface defines a first plurality of protrusions complementary to the first plurality of depressions. The second panel includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface defines a second plurality of depressions. The fourth surface defines a second plurality of protrusions complementary to the first plurality of depressions. The first panel is coupled to the second panel.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoplastic plastic component includes applying an amount of pigmented powder to a sheet of thermoplastic, heating the sheet of thermoplastic to a selected temperature, melting the amount of pigmented powder on the sheet of thermoplastic to form a coating, re-heating the sheet of thermoplastic to another selected temperature, positioning the sheet of thermoplastic over a pattern, and vacuum forming the sheet of thermoplastic to form the sheet of thermoplastic into the pattern.

Abstract: Presented are electric machines with optimized stator tooth geometries and multi-gauge stator conductors, methods for making/using such electric machines, and motor vehicles equipped with such electric machines. An electric machine includes a housing, a rotor assembly rotatably attached to the housing, and a stator assembly coaxial with and separated by an airgap from the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes one or more magnets mounted to a rotor core. The stator assembly includes a stator core with multiple axially elongated, circumferentially spaced stator slots, multiple radially aligned stator teeth interleaved between and separating the slots, and multiple electromagnetic windings wound through the slots. Each stator tooth has an elongated tooth body with a tooth head at a radial end of a tooth root, which attaches to a cylindrical hub of the stator core. The tooth head has an axial cross-section with a trapezoidal crown integral with a rectangular tip.

Abstract: A door molding for a door of a vehicle includes a main body securable to a door panel, and a bulb portion extending from the main body. The bulb portion includes a first bulb portion extending from the main body to a bulb peak. The first bulb portion is configured to contact a door glass of the door. A second bulb portion extends from the bulb peak to the main body. The second bulb portion includes a first contact area configured to contact a first location of the door panel, a second contact area configured to contact a second location of the door panel, and a hinge portion connecting the first contact area to the second contact area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state electrochemical cell having a uniformly distributed solid-state electrolyte and methods of fabrication relating thereto. The method may include forming a plurality of apertures within the one or more solid-state electrodes; impregnating the one or more solid-state electrodes with a solid-state electrolyte precursor solution so as to fill the plurality of apertures and any other void or pores within the one or more electrodes with the solid-state electrolyte precursor solution; and heating the one or more electrodes so as to solidify the solid-state electrolyte precursor solution and to form the distributed solid-state electrolyte.

Abstract: A virtual LiDAR sensor system fora motor vehicle includes a plurality of camera modules and algorithms that generate a depth image, a RGB image, and a segmentation information image. The system is implemented with an algorithm that associates the backscattered signals with information from a color-reflectivity table, incident angle determination and depth information.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generator, a rechargeable energy storage circuit, an auxiliary load, a converter circuit, and a switch circuit. The fuel cell generator is operable to generate electrical power in a stack output signal. The auxiliary load is powered by the rechargeable energy storage circuit while in a first mode, and powered by a local signal while in a second mode. The converter circuit is operable to convert the stack output signal into a plurality of recharge signals while in the first mode and in the second mode, and convert the stack output signal into the local signal while in the second mode. The switch circuit is operable switch the plurality of recharge signals to one or more electric vehicles, and switch the local signal to the auxiliary load while in the second mode.

Abstract: A transmission system for a vehicle includes a first helical pinion gear having a helix angle coupled to a first shaft and configured to receive an input torque. The transmission system includes a second helical pinion gear having a first helix angle coupled to a second shaft and configured to receive the input torque. The second shaft is disposed within the first shaft and rotatable within the first shaft. The transmission system includes a differential assembly having a third helical gear having the first helix angle coupled to the first helical pinion gear, and a fourth helical gear having the helix angle coupled to the second helical pinion gear. The third helical gear and the fourth helical gear are coupled to a differential gear set to drive a first output shaft and a second output shaft associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes two or more smart battery packs to power drive units of the vehicle to move the vehicle. Each of the two or more smart battery packs includes a battery pack, and a battery management system (BMS) to monitor a state of charge of the battery pack. An energy distribution unit facilitates charge transfer among the two or more smart battery packs.

Abstract: A multi-actuator capable vehicle headrest includes a headrest support and a multi-cam release mechanism mounted to the headrest support. The multi-cam release mechanism includes a first cam and a second cam. A headrest shell member is pivotally mounted to the headrest support through the multi-cam release mechanism. An actuator is mounted to the headrest shell member. The actuator includes a first actuator portion operable to disengage the multi-cam release mechanism based on a first input and a second actuator portion operable to disengage the multi-cam release mechanism based on a second input that is distinct from the first input allowing the multi-actuator capable vehicle headrest to transition between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration.

Abstract: A height adjustable top mount for adjusting a ride height of a vehicle comprising includes a top plate, a worm wheel, a core, and worm gear. The top plate is configured to mount to a body of the vehicle and movable between a first position and a second position. The worm wheel is received in the top plate and includes an inner wheel surface and an outer wheel surface. The core is received within the worm wheel and helically meshed to the inner wheel surface of the worm wheel. The worm gear is meshed to the outer wheel surface of the worm wheel. Rotation of the worm gear drives rotation of the worm wheel, rotation of the worm wheel simultaneously moves the top plate vertically relative to the core, and movement of the top plate adjusts the ride height of the vehicle in a corresponding direction.

Abstract: A data analytics system for a vehicle includes one or more controllers having a multi-layered control software architecture including two or more software layers and a health monitoring structure. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive a fault, and in response to receiving the fault, generate, by the health monitoring structure, a plurality of unique triggers as the fault propagates throughout the multi-layered control software architecture. The controllers build a network including a plurality of propagation paths and identify one or more main propagation paths that are part of the network based on a data analysis of a mock big data set. The one or more controllers build a complete propagation pathway including two or more main propagation paths. In response to determining only one main propagation path, the controllers determine a root cause of the fault based on the only one main propagation path.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for testing a trailer light system including a trailer connector for coupling a first voltage to a first trailer light and a second voltage to a second trailer light, a transmission state detector for determining a vehicle transmission state, and a trailer interface module for detecting an electrical connection to a trailer at the trailer connection, and for applying the first voltage to the trailer connector and the second voltage to the trailer connector in response to the detection of the electrical connection and the vehicle transmission state being in a park state.

Abstract: A method for displaying infrastructure information on a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a vehicle includes receiving infrastructure data. The infrastructure data includes information about a location of at least one infrastructure along a route of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving vehicle-location data. The vehicle-location data includes information about a location of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a position of the vehicle relative to the location of the least one infrastructure using the infrastructure data and the vehicle-location data. The method further includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display to display a virtual image showing the infrastructure information of the infrastructure on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display.

Abstract: Lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles and methods of making such lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles are provided herein. The method includes combining precursor zeolite particles with (NH4)3PO4 to form a first mixture including intermediate zeolite particles including NH4+ cations. The method further includes adding a lithium salt to the first mixture to form the lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles, or separating the intermediate zeolite particle from the first mixture and combining the intermediate zeolite particles with the lithium salt to form the lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles.

Abstract: A system within an ego vehicle for robust association of a physical identity and a virtual identity of a target vehicle includes a data processor, including a wireless communication module and a visible light communication module, positioned within an ego vehicle, and a plurality of perception sensors, positioned within the ego vehicle and adapted to collect data related to a physical identity of the target vehicle and to communicate the data related to the physical identity of the target vehicle to the data processor via a communication bus, the data processor within the ego vehicle adapted to receive, via a wireless communication channel, data related to a virtual identity of the target vehicle, associate the physical identity of the target vehicle with the virtual identity of the target vehicle, and initiate, via the wireless communication channel and a visible light communication channel, a challenge-response protocol between the ego vehicle and the target vehicle.

Abstract: An ultra wide band antenna includes: a first antenna body including: a first planar portion; a first tapered side portion; and a first cylinder; and a second antenna body including: a second planar portion; a second tapered side portion; and a second cylinder, and a connecting portion connecting at least one of the first planar portion and the first tapered side portion on a back side of the first antenna body to at least one of the second planar portion and the second tapered side portion on a back side of the second antenna body.

Abstract: A bi-material permanent magnet for an electric machine includes a core including a first magnetic material and a shell portion located on the core and made of a second magnetic material. The first magnetic material comprises a magnet material with an energy less than 20 Mega Gauss Oersteds (MGOe). The second magnetic material comprises a magnet material with an energy greater than 30 MGOe.

Abstract: Methods and systems provided for determining a phase state and/or for determining a degree of subcooling in a fluid. An exemplary method for operating a refrigeration cycle includes flowing a refrigerant through a metering device and calculating a pressure differential of the refrigerant across the metering device. Further, the method includes determining whether the refrigerant is a saturated liquid based on the pressure differential. The method includes, when the refrigerant is not a saturated liquid, cooling the refrigerant upstream of the metering device.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a motor mount assembly, first and second parallel chains, a serial translation assembly, a sensor and a control module. The motor mount assembly includes rotary motors, where the rotary motors include a first rotary motor and a second rotary motor. The first and second parallel chains are connected to the movable platform, the rotary motors and the motor mount assembly. The serial translation assembly is connected to the supporting structure and the motor mount assembly and includes a linear actuator and a third rotary motor. The sensor is connected to the movable platform and detects force applied by a human operator on the movable platform and generates a signal indicative of the force applied. The control module controls the rotary motors and the third rotary motor based on the signal to assist the human operator in moving the movable platform.

Abstract: An intake system for an engine includes: an intake manifold including a plurality of ports; a cover mounted to the intake manifold over the plurality of ports; a fluid distribution track defined by the cover, the fluid distribution track including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with an interior of the intake manifold by way of the plurality of ports of the intake manifold; and a dampening material between the cover and the intake manifold, the dampening material configured to dampen at least one of noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical cell includes providing an admixture including an electroactive material, a binder, and a solvent. The method further includes rolling the admixture to form a sheet and forming a multi-layer stack from the sheet. The method further includes forming an electrode film precursor by performing a plurality of sequential rollings, each including rolling the stack through a first gap. The plurality of sequential rollings includes first and second rollings. In the first rolling, the stack is in a first orientation. In the second rolling, the stack is in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method further includes forming an electrode film by rolling the electrode film precursor through a second gap less than or equal to the first gap. The method further includes drying the electrode film to remove at least a portion of the solvent.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a virtual view of a scene associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining image data including a plurality of images captured by a plurality of cameras of the vehicle; obtaining steering angle data captured by a sensor of the vehicle; detecting, by a processor, a shadow in at least one image of the plurality of images; determining, by the processor, auto-white balance data for each image of the plurality of images; selectively combining, by the processor, the auto-white balance data of the images based on the detected shadow, and the steering angle data; and generating, by the processor, output image data based on the combined auto-white balance data and the image data.

Abstract: A system for real-time video streaming for a vehicle includes a camera system configured to capture videos of an environment surrounding the vehicle. The system also includes a vehicle communication system configured to communicate with a remote server and a vehicle controller in electrical communication with the camera system and the vehicle communication system. The vehicle controller is programmed to determine a system enablement state. The vehicle controller is further programmed to determine a camera system configuration in response to determining that the system enablement state is a system enabled state. The vehicle controller is further programmed to capture at least one video frame using the camera system based at least in part on the camera system configuration. The vehicle controller is further programmed to transmit the at least one video frame to the remote server using the vehicle communication system.

Abstract: A system for determining when additional information is needed by a passenger with color deficient vision within a vehicle includes a plurality of perception sensors within the vehicle adapted to collect data related to a physical identity of a primary object and to communicate the data related to the physical identity of the primary object, via a communication bus, to a data processor within the vehicle, the data processor adapted to determine that the physical identity of the primary object may be unclear to a passenger with color deficient vision based on the data related to the physical identity of the primary object, and that assistance should be provided to the passenger with color deficient vision to aid the passenger with color deficient vision in identifying the primary object.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses to build an explainable user output to receive input feature data by a neural network of multiple layers of an original classifier; determine a semantic function to label data samples with semantic categories; determine a semantic accuracy for each layer of the original classifier within the neural network; compare each layer based on results from the comparison of the semantic accuracy; designate a layer based on an amount of computed semantic accuracy; extend the designated layer by a category branch to the neural network to extract semantic data samples from the semantic content to train a set of new connections of an explainable classifier to compute a set of output explanations with an accuracy measure associated each output explanation for each semantic category of the plurality of semantic categories, and compare the accuracy measure for each output explanation to generate the output explanation in a user understandable format.

Abstract: A master alloy including an alloy composition including magnesium (Mg) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 1.00 wt. % to less than or equal to about 90 wt. %, boron (B) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.01 wt. % to less than or equal to about 20 wt. %, and aluminum (Al) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 90 wt. %, wherein the alloy composition includes MgB2 particles at a volume fraction greater than or equal to about 0.01% to less than or equal to about 20%.

Abstract: A cargo bed extension system includes: a cargo bed; a tailgate configured to pivot to a down position via one or more first hinges, where the tailgate includes: an outer portion having first lateral sides and one or more second hinges; an inner portion having second lateral sides that are disposed adjacent to the first lateral sides when the tailgate is in the down position, where the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges, where the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the down position; at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly and to directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.

Abstract: An environment awareness system includes a memory and first and second modules. The memory is configured to store environmental data, one or more music composition templates, and one or more maps, where the environmental data is indicative of at least one of a state, condition, or change in an environment in which the environment awareness system is located. The first module is configured to receive and store the environmental data in the memory. The second module is configured to: based on the one or more music composition templates and the one or more maps, convert the environmental data to a music signal including modifying variables in the one or more music composition templates based on the environmental data; and based on the music signal, play out a musical composition via an audio system to audibly indicate the at least one of the state, condition, or change in the environment.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a display for a vehicle includes a reference calibration system including a reference windscreen and a reference transparent windscreen display (TWD) projector including a reference TWD camera. The reference calibration system also includes a reference camera and a reference controller in electrical communication with the reference TWD projector and the reference camera. The reference controller is programmed to project a reference graphic on the reference windscreen using the reference TWD projector. The reference controller is further programmed to capture a first reference image of the reference graphic using the reference camera. The reference controller is further programmed to calculate at least one reference calibration matrix based at least in part on the first reference image of the reference graphic.

Abstract: An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.