Abstract: A vehicular powertrain system includes an engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine arranged in an input-split hybrid configuration. A control system for the powertrain system includes a control module signally connected to a plurality of input devices and configured to execute program code stored on a computer readable medium to control the powertrain. The program code monitors operator inputs, determines an intent to service the vehicle based upon the operator inputs, commands the electric machine to generate a net torque output of zero, and controls the engine speed correlative to an operator depression of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A method for producing a body-in-white of a passenger car is provided. A support structure assigned to the body-in-white of the motor vehicle and which includes at least one support part is produced. The support part of the support structure is, depending on a variant of the motor vehicle, at least in some regions provided with at least one reinforcing part.

Abstract: A plug connection between a wiper blade and a wiper arm of a wiper mechanism for a windscreen of a vehicle is provided. A bolt standing laterally away from the wiper arm can be introduced into a socket. The bolt includes a recess extending in the direction of the middle axis of the bolt. When the socket is pushed onto the bolt, a raised element extending in radial direction and arranged on an inner wall of the socket can be guided along the recess. The recess includes an extension region, into which the raised element can be brought by twisting the bolt and the socket relative to each other. A stop limiting the twisting is formed in the extension region between the bolt and the socket. A locking position of the socket is thus precisely defined.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that is capable of operating at high temperatures and near-ambient pressure with partial humidification of air supplied to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cells of the stack incorporate gas diffusion barrier layers at the cathode side thereof. The system includes a cooling loop for circulating a liquid coolant through the stack. In some embodiments, an incoming air stream is partially humidified with water vapor transferred from a cathode exhaust stream in a gas-exchange humidifier or enthalpy wheel. In other embodiments, a cathode recycle is employed to partially humidify the incoming air. The humidity of the air and cathode exhaust streams is maintained below a stack saturation point. Methods of operating the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A method to control a powertrain including a transmission, an engine, and an electric machine includes applying through a series of clutch fill events a series of incrementally changing command pressures in a pressure control solenoid controllably connected to a clutch within the transmission, monitoring a pressure switch fluidly connected to the pressure control solenoid and configured to indicate when the pressure switch is in a full feed state, determining changes in cycle times of the pressure switch corresponding to sequential applications of the series of incrementally changing command pressures, selecting a preferred command pressure to achieve a transient state in the clutch based upon the changes in pressure switch cycle times, and controlling the clutch based upon the preferred command pressure.

Abstract: A method for the automatic operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode not requiring user action is provided. This involves detection of a present traffic situation, a check whether the traffic situation fulfils a first criterion, and a blocking of a functionality which offers to a driver during the autonomous driving mode a secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle if the first criterion is fulfilled. A device for the automatic operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode not requiring user action includes devices designed for carrying out the method for the automatic operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode not requiring user action.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an anode circuit by means of which unused gas from the anode region of a fuel cell can be recirculated via a recirculation delivery device into the anode region. At least one liquid separator is provided in the anode circuit. The liquid separator is integrated with the recirculation delivery device to form an assembly. Fresh hydrogen is supplied to the anode region by feeding the hydrogen into the liquid separator.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper system with an associated windscreen washer system for a motor vehicle is provided. The windscreen washer system includes a washer fluid supply line leading to outlets. The outlets are preferably provided on the wiper blade and are therefore capable of moving together with a corresponding wiper arm of the windscreen wiper system. A coupling part moving together with the moving wiper arm and connecting the wiper blade to the respective wiper arm is provided with changeover valves. An emergence of washer fluid from the outlets can be controlled by the changeover valves.

Abstract: A method and a device for warning following vehicles in a group of several sequential vehicles, including at least a leading vehicle, a middle vehicle and a following vehicle, wherein a warning is transmitted from the middle vehicle to the following vehicle. A total distance and a total relative speed between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle are calculated based on measurements made by the middle vehicle. The total distance and total relative speed are used to determine whether a critical approach of the following vehicle to the leading vehicle is occurring, and if so, an automatic warning is transmitted from the middle vehicle to the following vehicle.

Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment installment and associated exhaust gas aftertreatment method utilizes a nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter and an SCR catalytic converter. A particulate filter is provided upstream of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or between the latter and the SCR catalytic converter or downstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The time of regeneration operating phases of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter can be determined as a function of the nitrogen oxide content of the exhaust gas downstream of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or of the SCR catalytic converter and/or as a function of the ammonia loading of the latter. Moreover, a desired ammonia generation quantity can be determined for a respective regeneration operating phase. The installation and method are adopted for use for motor vehicle internal combustion engines and other engines which are operated predominantly in lean-burn mode.

Abstract: A system for controlling air-conditioning of a vehicle includes an input, an offset generator module, and an evaporator temperature control module. The input receives an input temperature. The offset generator module receives a psychrometric parameter of air inside the vehicle and generates offsets based on the input temperature and the psychrometric parameter. The evaporator temperature control module generates a target evaporator temperature based on the offsets.

Abstract: A steering column arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a bracket, to which a jacket tube of a steering column supporting a steering shaft is releasably fixed by a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes at least one clamping part that is supple in the transverse direction (y direction) of the steering column arrangement and rigid in shear terms in the longitudinal direction (x direction and z direction) of the steering column arrangement.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes torque machines and an energy storage device connected thereto. Thee hybrid transmission is operative to transfer power between an input member and an output member and the torque machines. A method for controlling the hybrid transmission includes monitoring operating parameters of the hybrid transmission, monitoring an operator demand for power, determining an output torque range to the output member based upon states of the operating parameters of the hybrid transmission, constraining the output torque range to the output member based upon the operator demand for power, and determining input torque constraints to the input member based upon the constrained output torque range to the output member.

Abstract: In a valve drive arrangement for an internal combustion engine including a camshaft carrying axially movable cam elements provided with cams for operating gas exchange valves of the internal combustion engine and an actuation device having at least one shift element which is provided to shift cam element by means of a shifting gate between opposite axial positions, the valve drive arrangement has a change-over device for changing the axial shift direction of the shift element from one to the opposite axial position.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having several combustion chambers formed in in-line cylinders wherein an air/fuel mixture can be combusted and which include a common cylinder head, with discharge passages formed within the cylinder head and extending to a common confluence zone in communication with a discharge manifold, the common confluence zone is delimited on a first side (A) by at least one cylinder head wall and a separate shell element on a second side mounted to the outside of the cylinder head, the shell element being curved funnel-like for conducting the exhaust gas away from the engine.