Abstract: A rear combination lamp for a vehicle comprises: a first housing member that is opaque; a first light source inside the first housing member; a first lightguide abutting the first housing member and enclosing the first light source, a first taillight portion extending from the first lightguide; a structural member that is opaque and abuts the first lightguide on an opposite side from the first housing member; a second lightguide abutting the structural member on an opposite side from the first lightguide, a second taillight portion extending from the second lightguide; a second housing member that is opaque and that abuts the second lightguide on an opposite side from the structural member; and a second light source inside the second housing member, wherein the second lightguide encloses the second light source.

Abstract: A height adjuster for a vehicle seatbelt comprises: a rail having windows, each of the windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seatbelt; a slider; a first pin slidingly mounted to the slider, the first pin being moveable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the first pin engages with one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position where the first pin does not engage with any of the windows and the slider is not restricted; an actuator for moving the first pin to the retracted position; and a member coupled to the actuator and abutting the first pin in the extended position to restrict the first pin from moving in the second direction, the actuator configured to move the member upon actuation to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position.

Abstract: In a general aspect, an electrical device assembly (e.g., a battery module) can include first, second and third electrical contact surface. The first and second electrical contact surfaces can be spaced from the third electrical contact surface in a common direction. The assembly can include a ribbon wire electrically coupling the first electrical contact surface with each of the second electrical contact surface and the third electrical contact surface. A first end of the ribbon wire can be wedge bonded to the first electrical contact surface with a first wedge wire bond, a second end of the ribbon wire can be wedge bonded to the second electrical contact surface with a second wedge wire bond, and a portion of the ribbon wire that is intermediate between the first and second ends can be wedge bonded to the third electrical contact surface with a third wedge wire bond.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for an occupant of a vehicle comprises: an anchor point attached to a body of the vehicle; seatbelt webbing extending from the anchor point toward the occupant; and a dynamic guide for the seatbelt webbing positioned between the anchor point and a shoulder of the occupant, the dynamic guide comprising a lid attached to a base, the seatbelt webbing extending through the dynamic guide and exiting through an opening between the lid and the base, the dynamic guide configured so that the lid at least partially separates from the base at a first predetermined tension in the seatbelt webbing laterally in the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensors of a first vehicle associated with a first person, the sensor data generated by the sensors; applying a machine-learning algorithm to the sensor data to define a driving envelope for an assisted-driving system, the assisted-driving system installed in a second vehicle; and providing the driving envelope to the assisted-driving system installed in the second vehicle.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided that ensures that a car is able to operate safely in an autonomous mode. The system includes multiple power rails, including a pair of safety critical power rails. Associated with each safety critical power rail is a safety switch, vehicle sensors (e.g., vehicle location and obstacle sensors), vehicle actuators (e.g., braking and steering actuators) and an autonomous control unit. If a fault is detected during vehicle initialization or general operation, the safety switch which detected the fault opens and that particular power rail is decoupled from the general purpose power rail as well as the remaining safety critical power rail. The remaining safety critical power rail is then able to provide power to a sufficient number of sensors, actuators and controllers to allow the car to safely and autonomously complete an emergency stop on the side of the road.

Abstract: A rotary valve comprises: a valve body having a cylindrical cavity; a rotor having a cylindrical surface that abuts a surface of the cylindrical cavity, the rotor including: a center bore; a first channel extending between the center bore and a first opening in the cylindrical surface; a second channel extending between the center bore and a second opening in the cylindrical surface; a third channel extending between the center bore and a third opening in the cylindrical surface; and a fourth channel not connected to the center bore, the fourth channel extending between a fourth opening in the cylindrical surface and a fifth opening at an end surface of the rotor, the end surface adjacent the cylindrical surface; and ports extending through the valve body between the surface of the cylindrical cavity and an outside of the valve body.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a wire bonding apparatus can include a supply of bond wire, a wire bonding head, and an electrical continuity tester. The wire bonding head can including a wire cutter. The wire cutter can be electrically conductive. The electrical continuity tester can be coupled between the supply of bond wire and the wire cutter.