Abstract: A valve controller and method for controlling a valve having a solenoid are disclosed, including receiving a least one input signal, detecting a first edge of the at least one signal and in response to the detection activating the valve. Activating the valve includes activating the valve in a rise-to-peak phase during which the valve is opened, a hold phase following the rise-to-peak phase during which the valve remains open and a current level of the valve is less than a current level of the valve during the rise-to-peak phase, and an ending-of-activation phase following the hold phase during which current ripple in the valve is less than the current ripple in the valve during the hold phase.

Abstract: A system, method, and battery control module for detecting negative contactor status of a battery, such as a high voltage vehicle battery, is disclosed. The method includes applying a constant current to a bipolar transistor element having a base, an emitter, and a collector, wherein the base is electrically connected to a first resistor and an analog-to-digital converter, the collector being electrically connected to a second resistor and a diode. A collected current is delivered by the collector, and the method includes injecting the collected current through the second resistor and the diode and into a negative contactor of a battery. The method also includes determining a resistance across the negative contactor of the battery. The system may include a battery having a negative contactor, the negative contactor having a switch side, and a battery control module in communication with the battery.

Abstract: An automotive component assembly comprises an input circuit portion for a sensor and a component portion. The input circuit portion is aligned with the component portion in a desired assembly position. A pocket is at least partially defined by the component portion to receive the input circuit portion and a clamping force retains the input circuit portion between a first layer and a second layer of the component portion forming the pocket. An overmold material is applied to retain the input circuit portion and the component portion to one another.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a driver assistance system comprises entering a calibration mode for a driver assistance system, determining a first estimated position and heading of the vehicle at a first location, capturing an image from a camera and selecting at least one feature in the image. The method of calibrating also includes moving the vehicle to a second location and heading and determining a second estimated position and heading of the vehicle, capturing a second image from a camera and selecting at least one feature in the second image, where the selected feature in the second image the same feature as the selected feature in the first image. The method also includes calculating new vehicle motion parameter values based on the first estimated position and heading, second estimated position and heading, first recorded at least one feature data, and second recorded at least one feature data.

Abstract: A fluid injector for injecting fluid is disclosed, including a body, a fluid passageway defined through the body and extending from an inlet to an outlet of the fluid injector; a valve seat disposed internally of the body and forming part of the passageway; and a valve element that is selectively reciprocated relative to the valve seat to close and open the passageway to the flow of fluid by seating and unseating the valve element on and from the valve seat, respectively. The fluid injector further includes an orifice disc disposed in the passageway downstream of the valve seat in a direction of the flow of fluid through the fluid injector. The orifice disc includes a plurality of dimples and a plurality of orifices defined through the orifice disc, with each dimple including at least one orifice defined therethrough.

Abstract: A race start assistance system and method includes sensing an external indication indicative of a forthcoming start of a vehicle race. A time of an actual start of the race is determined based on the sensed external indication. At least one signal is automatically sent to the vehicle to accelerate the vehicle at the actual start of the race in response to calculating the time of the actual start of the race.

Abstract: An air suspension system which uses software logic and internal signals and/or external signals available to automatically adjust the ride height of the vehicle. The air suspension system also may respond to requests from other vehicle systems requesting a change in ride height. Signals available to the vehicle may be used to detect parking lot maneuvers (for example, a combination of low speed, high steering angle, and low lateral acceleration) and automatically begin to lower the ride height of the vehicle to a calibrated “entry/exit” ride height. Additionally, a camera, radar, and/or parking sensor signals are utilized to detect potential roof or undercarriage clearance issues, and automatically adjust the ride height of the vehicle. The air suspension system may also adjust the ride height of the vehicle when the electronic brake system (EBS) detects rough road, automatically increasing the ride height of the vehicle to increase ground clearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radar system for use in driver assistance systems in motor vehicles. According to the invention, the radar system has optimized storage of temporary data when using periodic linear frequency modulation and a multidimensional discrete Fourier transform.

Abstract: A valve controller and method for controlling a valve having a solenoid are disclosed, including receiving a least one input signal, detecting a first edge of the at least one signal and in response to the detection activating the valve. Activating the valve includes activating the valve in a rise-to-peak phase during which the valve is opened, a hold phase following the rise-to-peak phase during which the valve remains open and a current level of the valve is less than a current level of the valve during the rise-to-peak phase, and an ending-of-activation phase following the hold phase during which current ripple in the valve is less than the current ripple in the valve during the hold phase.

Abstract: A pressure sensing element includes a supporting substrate including a cavity. A device layer is bonded to the supporting substrate, with a diaphragm of the device layer covering the cavity in a sealed manner. A plurality of piezoresistors is coupled to the diaphragm. A plurality of metal stress equalizers is disposed on the device layer such that each stress equalizer is generally adjacent to, but separated from, a corresponding piezoresistor. A plurality of metal bond pads is disposed on the device layer. The plurality of stress equalizers are constructed and arranged to reduce thermal hysteresis of the pressure sensing element caused by stress relaxation of the metal bond pads during a cooling and heating cycle of the pressure sensing element.

Abstract: A method for detecting and identifying modules of a bus system is provided. The bus system includes a control unit, a bus starting from the control unit, and a plurality of modules connected to the bus. The method includes providing a current sink associated with each of the one or more modules. The current sink includes a transistor. The method includes providing a hall sensor associated with each of the one or more modules. The hall sensor detects a current on a low-side data line of the bus. For each one of the one or more modules: when the hall sensor detects a current on the low-side data line, the method includes maintaining a closed position of the transistor; and when the hall sensor fails to detect a current on the low-side data line, the method includes opening the transistor such that current does not flow to the module.

Abstract: A method and system for initializing a sensor fusion system is disclosed, wherein the sensor fusion system includes a base system and at least one correction system. Measured values are captured by the base system and by the correction system, and the measured values directly or indirectly describing physical quantities are afflicted with error values. The error values describe deviations of the measured values from the described physical quantities, and at least the physical quantities indirectly described in the measured values of the base system and the error values of the physical quantities cannot be determined during initialization. The measured values are continuously fused into a fusion data set after initialization. For at least one of the physical quantities associated with the measured values of the base system and the error values of the physical quantities, starting values are determined from the measured values of the correction system.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for a camera wash system of an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The manifold assembly includes a fluid inlet; a plurality of fluid injectors, each fluid injector configured to switch between an open state in which fluid passes through the fluid injector and a closed state in which fluid does not pass through the fluid injector; a block member configured to hold the fluid injectors in a fixed position; and a rail member including a fluid passage in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and each fluid injector for providing a cleaning fluid to each of the fluid injectors.

Abstract: A method for autonomously maneuvering a vehicle in a rearward direction towards a point of interest is provided. The method includes receiving one or more images from a camera positioned on a back portion of the vehicle. The method includes overlaying a path on the one or more images. In addition, the method includes receiving a command by way of a user interface. The command includes instructions to adjust the path. The method includes adjusting the path based on the received command. The method also includes transmitting a drive command to a drive system supported by the vehicle. The drive command causes the vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the adjusted path in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle image system supported by a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving data from one or more sensors supported by the vehicle. The one or more sensors capture sensor data of objects in the surrounding environment of the vehicle. The method also includes receiving a storage indication from a user input device. The storage indication is indicative of storing the data from the one or more sensors in the non-transitory memory. The method also includes storing the data after receiving the storage indication and transmitting a command to one or more remote devices causing the one or more remote devices to generate a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional object based on the received data.

Abstract: A method for tracking a trailer coupler positioned behind a tow vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving one or more images from a camera positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle. The method also includes determining a trailer coupler position within the one or more images. The trailer coupler position associated with the trailer coupler. Additionally, the method includes receiving vehicle sensor data from one or more vehicle sensors. The method includes determining vehicle motion data based on the received vehicle sensor data. The method also includes determining an updated coupler position based on the trailer coupler position and the vehicle motion data.

Abstract: A disclosed adjustable display assembly includes a display viewable by a vehicle occupant, a mount supporting the display relative to the vehicle occupant. The mount is movable to adjust a position of the display relative to the vehicle occupant. A controller receives information utilized to determine an orientation of the display that would result in a reflection effecting viewing of the display by the vehicle occupant and commanding movement of the mount to eliminate reflections on the display viewable by the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A method for autonomously maneuvering a tow vehicle. The method includes receiving images from one or more cameras positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle and receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method also includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image and a previous received image. The method includes determining a camera pose and a trailer pose with respect to a world coordinate system. The camera pose and the trailer pose are based on the images, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference. The method includes determining a tow vehicle path based on the camera pose and the trailer pose. The method also includes instructing a drive system supported by the tow vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the tow vehicle path in a reverse direction causing the tow vehicle to hitch with the trailer.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a dial face including a plurality of printed indicia. A plurality of illuminable chaplet tick marks extend through openings in the dial face. The dial face includes dark outlines around a perimeter of each of the openings for reducing a luminance of each of the chaplet tick marks. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting and localizing a trailer coupler of a trailer is provided. The method includes receiving images from a camera positioned on a back portion of a tow vehicle and determining a region of interest within the images. The region of interest includes a representation of the trailer coupler. The method includes determining a camera plane and a road plane. In addition, the method includes determining a three-dimensional point cloud representing objects inside the region of interest and within the camera plane and the road plane. The method also includes receiving sensor data from a sensor system and determining a coupler location of the trailer coupler based on the 3D point cloud and the sensor data. The method also includes sending instructions to a drive system causing the tow vehicle to autonomously drive along a path in a rearward direction towards the coupler location.