Abstract: Exemplary traction battery pack designs are described for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary traction battery pack may include one or more thermal barrier structures. In some implementations, each thermal barrier structure may include both a heat exchanger portion for stabilizing a temperature of battery cells of the traction battery pack and a vacuum portion for isolating the battery cells and/or the heat exchanger portion from ambient conditions. In other implementations, the thermal barrier structure may include only the vacuum portion. The thermal barrier structure may be arranged to interface with a battery array of the traction battery pack and could be integrated as part of an enclosure assembly of the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system may include a vehicle chassis, a centerless wheel which may include a wheel rim and a tire, and a natural active suspension assembly which may operably couple the centerless wheel to the vehicle chassis via the wheel rim. The natural active suspension assembly may support the vehicle chassis at a substantially constant distance away from a ground plane by generating reactive torque to counteract displacement of the centerless wheel normal to the ground plane by moving a support location between the natural active suspension assembly and the wheel rim.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system may include a vehicle chassis, a centerless wheel which may include a wheel rim and a tire, and a natural active suspension assembly which may operably couple the centerless wheel to the vehicle chassis via the wheel rim. The natural active suspension assembly may support the vehicle chassis at a substantially constant distance away from a ground plane by generating reactive torque to counteract displacement of the centerless wheel normal to the ground plane by moving a support location between the natural active suspension assembly and the wheel rim.

Abstract: A system includes a support arm. The system includes an engine supported by the support arm. The system includes an armature supported by the support arm. The system includes a coupling device disposed around the armature and slidable between a first position in which the coupling device couples the engine to the armature, and a second position in which the coupling device is uncoupled from the engine.

Abstract: Exemplary closure member systems for motor vehicles may include one or more power hinge assemblies, non-powered hinge assemblies, or both and are configured to displace a closure member to a fully open position of at least 100 degrees relative to its closed position. The hinge assemblies may embody a multi-axis design for moving the closure member between the closed and fully open positions. The closure member systems may be further configured to move the closure member along different swing paths during an opening sequence and a closing sequence.

Abstract: A system of a vehicle includes a processor configured to control output current of a remote power distribution circuit (PDC) connected to the vehicle according to a temperature change of a power line or return line of the PDC. The temperature change is derived from a PDC output voltage or output current change. The PDC output voltage and output current are measured at an input to a load connected to the PDC. And, the PDC output voltage is measured between a ground line of the PDC and one of the power and return lines.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a hinge assembly having a movable hinge portion coupled to a door and a fixed hinge portion coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge pillar. The movable hinge portion includes first and second mounting portions. The first mounting portion is rotatably connected to the fixed hinge portion for rotation about a hinge axis of the hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the fixed hinge portion and further coupled to the second mounting portion of the movable hinge portion by a drive shaft. The power assist device includes a motor that is configured to drive the drive shaft for providing at least one of an opening and a closing movement of the door about the hinge axis of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A system for determining temperature includes a housing having an interior cavity defined by at least one electrically conductive wall having an inside surface exposed to the interior cavity, an outside surface opposite the inside surface, and a single sensor feed through hole defined from the inside surface to the outside surface. A temperature sensor is mounted to the inside surface, including an isolated single wire extending from the sensor to the outside surface via the single sensor feed through hole. The wall provides a first voltage signal responsive to a temperature change within the interior cavity to an electronic device, and the isolated single wire provides a second voltage signal, different from the first, responsive to the temperature change, to the electronic device such that the electronic device determines an interior cavity temperature based on a signal determined from the first and second voltage signals.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.

Abstract: This disclosure details illuminating vehicle closure member systems for selectively producing various exterior lighting effects. Exemplary closure member systems may include a closure member and a discrete illuminating section secured relative to the closure member and including a lighting module that is configured to produce at least one of a beltline lighting effect, a motion path lighting effect, or an operation status lighting effect at or near the closure member. A control module may control the various lighting effects emitted by the illuminating closure member system.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a hinge assembly having a movable hinge portion coupled to a door and a fixed hinge portion coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge pillar. The movable hinge portion includes first and second mounting portions. The first mounting portion is rotatably connected to the fixed hinge portion for rotation about a hinge axis of the hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the fixed hinge portion and further coupled to the second mounting portion of the mounting hinge portion by a drive shaft. The power assist device includes a motor that is configured to drive the drive shaft for providing at least one of opening and closing movement of the door about the hinge axis of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filling surface pores of a cylinder inner surface coating with one or more fill materials to provide desired material and performance properties. In one example, a cylinder for an engine includes an inner surface including a coating having a plurality of surface pores, at least a portion of the plurality of surface pores filled with one or more fill materials, the one or more fill materials configured to decrease friction, increase tribofilm formation, adjust heat transfer, decrease material deposit, and/or decrease run-in duration.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filling surface pores of a cylinder inner surface coating with one or more fill materials to provide desired material and performance properties. In one example, a cylinder for an engine includes an inner surface including a coating having a plurality of surface pores, at least a portion of the plurality of surface pores filled with one or more fill materials, the one or more fill materials configured to decrease friction, increase tribofilm formation, adjust heat transfer, decrease material deposit, and/or decrease run-in duration.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine, and stator. The electric machine has a magnetic armature and an electromagnetic armature. The electromagnetic armature is secured to a wheel and has an electrical circuit that includes primary and secondary coils. The engine is configured to rotate the magnetic armature to induce current in the circuit via the primary coils. The stator has tertiary coils that are configured to transfer power to the electromagnetic armature via the secondary coils to drive the wheel.

Abstract: A system includes a support arm. The system includes an engine supported by the support arm. The system includes an armature supported by the support arm. The system includes a coupling device disposed around the armature and slidable between a first position in which the coupling device couples the engine to the armature, and a second position in which the coupling device is uncoupled from the engine.

Abstract: A power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying a swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a door to a frame of a motor vehicle includes (a) a hinge bracket, having a first receiver and a second receiver, (b) a hinge pin pivotally connecting the door to the hinge bracket at the first receiver, (c) an actuator, having an output shaft, (d) a retention feature, connecting the output shaft to the hinge bracket at the second receiver, and (e) an actuator mounting feature securing the actuator to the door. A method of assembling an actuator in a hinge assembly that mounts a door to a frame of a motor vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A power door system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The system further comprises a plurality of detection devices configured to detect an approaching passenger approaching the vehicle and a seated passenger within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. An angular position sensor is configured to identify an angular position of the door. A controller is configured to control the actuator to position the door in a first opened position in response to the detection of the approaching passenger and control the actuator to control the door to a second closed position in response to detecting the seated passenger in the passenger compartment.