Abstract: A wire cable assembly, such as those used in electric or hybrid electric vehicles, having a plurality of shielded wire cables spliced together. The center conductors are joined together and enclosed in an inner insulator. The shield conductors of the cable are joined by an electrically conductive sleeve enclosing the inner insulator and attached to the shield conductors of the shielded wire cables. The sleeve separates the outer insulating layers of the shielded wire cables. The sleeve is encased by an outer insulator that is sealed to the outer insulating layers of the shielded wire cables. A method of splicing shielded wire cables together is also presented.

Abstract: An electrical contact element formed of sheet metal having a first region and a second region. Each one of the first and second regions is coated with a coating including a first layer containing a first material having a lower standard electrode potential than the sheet metal material. The coating includes a second layer in the first region which is absent in the second region. The second layer is arranged underneath the first layer and contains a second material that has a lower standard electrode potential than the first material.

Abstract: A radar object detection system includes a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor emits a first radar signal toward a first area about a vehicle, and outputs a first signal indicative of detected targets proximate to the vehicle. The controller receives the first signal from the first sensor, determines when a trailer is connected to the vehicle based on the first signal, defines a shadow-zone that corresponds to a first portion of the first area obstructed by the trailer from being viewed by the first sensor, and ignores detected targets within the shadow-zone that are indicated by the first signal.

Abstract: In a method of generating a training image for teaching of a camera-based object recognition system suitable for use on an automated vehicle which shows an object to be recognized in a natural object environment, the training image is generated as a synthetic image by a combination of a base image taken by a camera and of a template image in that a structural feature is obtained from the base image and is replaced with a structural feature obtained from the template image by means of a shift-map algorithm.

Abstract: An escape-path-planning system to operate an automated vehicle includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect an other-vehicle in an adjacent-lane next to a present-lane traveled by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector. The controller is configured to, in response to a lane-change-request, determine a first-route-plan that steers the host-vehicle from the present-lane to the adjacent-lane, determine a second-route-plan that steers the host-vehicle into the present-lane, initiate the first-route-plan when a forecasted-distance between the other-vehicle and the host-vehicle is greater than a distance-threshold, and cancel the first-route-plan and select the second-route-plan when the forecasted-distance between the other-vehicle and the host-vehicle becomes less than the distance-threshold after the first-route-plan is initiated.

Abstract: A connector includes a first housing, a second housing, a mate assist slider, and a cam gear. The first-housing has a first outer surface. The second housing is configured to mate with the first housing, and the second housing includes a pin extending from a second outer surface. The connector also includes a mate assist slider moveable from an unmated position to a mated position. The connector also includes a cam gear mounted to the first outer surface. The cam gear moves in response to a movement of the mate-assist-slider from the unmated position to the mated position. The cam gear has a cam slot with an inertial detent. A vibratory feedback is provided to an assembler indicative of a properly positioned connector housing when the pin is moved past the inertial detent.

Abstract: A scenario aware perception system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a traffic-scenario detector, an object-detection device, and a controller. The traffic-scenario detector is used to detect a present-scenario experienced by a host-vehicle. The object-detection device is used to detect an object proximate to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the traffic-scenario detector and the object-detection device. The controller configured to determine a preferred-algorithm used to identify the object. The preferred-algorithm is determined based on the present-scenario.

Abstract: A data transmission cable assembly includes an elongate first conductor, an elongate second conductor, and a sheath at least partially axially surrounding the first and second conductors. The sheath contains a plurality of electrically conductive particles interspersed within a matrix formed of an electrically insulative polymeric material. The conductive particles may be formed of a metallic material or and inherently conductive polymer material. The plurality conductive particles may be filaments that form a plurality of electrically interconnected networks. Each network is electrically isolated from every other network. Each network contains less than 125 filaments and/or has a length less than 13 millimeters. The bulk conductivity of the sheath is substantially equal to the conductivity of the electrically insulative polymeric material. The data transmission cable assembly does not include a terminal that is configured to connect the sheath to an electrical ground.

Abstract: A motor control system includes a shaft configured to be rotationally driven by a motor. A rotor position sensor is configured to detect rotation of the shaft and output a rotor position signal. A controller is in communication with the motor and the rotor position sensor. The controller converts the rotor position signal to an angle with error, tracks the angle with error to provide an angle that retains mechanical dynamics as stationary reference frame signals, transforms the stationary reference frame signals and the angle with mechanical dynamics to rotating reference frame signals, filters the rotating reference frame signals, transforms the filtered rotating reference frame signals to provide filtered stationary frame signals, and takes an arctangent of the filtered stationary reference frame signals to create a corrected motor control angle. The controller commands the motor based upon the corrected motor control angle.

Abstract: An electrical connector system including a first connector having a lock nib extending from a floor into a terminal cavity and a flexible member overlying the floor. The beam has two terminal hold down bumps extending into the terminal receiving cavity. The electrical connector system also includes a terminal having a lock edge. The terminal is received in the terminal cavity such that the hold down bumps engage a top surface of the terminal, applying a force that biases the terminal towards the rigid floor. The lock nib engages the lock edge, thereby preventing the terminal from being inadvertently withdrawn from the terminal cavity. A second connector defines a shroud into which a portion of the first connector is inserted, wherein the beam compressively contacts an inner surface of the second connector further increasing the force applied to the terminal. The connectors may be formed by an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: An electrically conductive hybrid polymer material is described herein. The hybrid polymer material includes 0.01% to 1% by weight of carbon nanoparticles, 1% to 10% by weight of a conductive polymeric material, 1% to 20% of electrically conductive fibers having a metallic surface and 69% or more by weight of a nonconductive polymeric base material. The carbon nanoparticles may be carbon nanotubes, graphite nanoparticles, graphene nanoparticles, and/or fullerene nanoparticles. The conductive polymeric material may be an inherently conductive polymer, a radical polymers, or an electroactive polymer. The electrically conductive fibers may be stainless steel fibers, metal plated carbon fibers, or metal nanowires. The nonconductive polymeric base material may be selected from materials that are pliable at temperatures between ?40° C. and 125° C. or materials that are rigid in this temperature range.

Abstract: A right-angled electrical plug includes a first plug terminal and a second plug terminal longitudinally spaced apart from one another. First and second electrical wires are interconnected with the first and second plug terminals respectively. A housing configured to secure the first and second plug terminals has a generally planar surface from which the first and second plug terminals project and has a portal through which the first and second electrical wires exit the housing. The surface has a first lateral edge that is closer to the portal than a second lateral edge opposite the first lateral edge. A first distance between the first lateral edge and the first plug terminal is at least two times less, and is preferably is at least three time less, than a second distance between the second lateral edge and the second plug terminal. The right-angled electrical plug may conform to NEMA 5-15P standards.

Abstract: A wire harness having at least wire harness assembly having a splice of at least three shielded wire cables is presented. The assembly includes a flexible insulation layer wrapped about the joined core conductors of the three cables, a flexible conductive layer wrapped about the shield conductors of the cables, and a section of dual wall heat shrink tubing enclosing the flexible conductive layer and portions of the insulative jackets of the cables. The flexible conductive layer does not include any solder.

Abstract: An operator-evaluation system for an automated vehicle includes a traffic-detector and a controller. The traffic-detector is used to determine a complexity-ranking of a traffic-scenario approached by a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the traffic-detector and is configured to operate the host-vehicle in: an automated-mode where the controller steers the host-vehicle toward a desired-position of a travel-lane; a monitored-mode where an operator steers the host-vehicle and the controller assists the operator to steer the host-vehicle toward the desired-position when the host-vehicle is farther than a lateral-threshold from the desired-position; and a manual-mode where the operator steers the host-vehicle without assistance from the controller.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a variable-lift camshaft follower of an internal combustion includes detecting a first knock using a spark knock sensor of the internal combustion engine; retarding ignition timing of the internal combustion engine after detecting the first knock such that the ignition timing is retarded sufficiently to ensure that spark knock is no longer possible; detecting a second knock using the spark knock sensor after retarding the ignition timing sufficiently to ensure that spark knock is no longer possible; determining that the variable-lift camshaft follower is not functioning as desired based on the second knock; and activating a malfunction alert based on the determining that the variable-lift camshaft follower is not functioning as desired.

Abstract: An electrochemical detection system for determining a concentration of a gas in exhaust gases of a combustion process. The system includes an electrolyte, a reference electrode, and a sense electrode that cooperate to form an electrochemical sensor that exposes both the reference electrode and the sense electrode to the exhaust gases. The electrochemical sensor is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a species concentration of a species gas in the exhaust gases. The sensor signal exhibits a transient error in response to a change in a reference concentration of a reference gas in the exhaust gases. The processor is configured to determine the species concentration based on the sensor signal, and to determine an estimate of the transient error based on an operating condition of the combustion process.

Abstract: A redundant-controls system suitable for use an automated vehicle includes a primary-control-device, a secondary-control-device, an occupant-detection-device, and a controller. The primary-control-device is installed in a vehicle. The primary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from an operator-seat of the vehicle by an operator of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is installed in the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from a passenger-seat of the vehicle by a passenger of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The occupant-detection-device is used to determine an operator-state-of-awareness of the operator and a passenger-state-of-awareness of the passenger. The controller is in communication with the primary-control-device, the secondary-control-device, and the operator-detection-device.

Abstract: A cold-test system for testing a camera at a cold temperature includes a test-chamber with a window, a nozzle, and a recirculator. The window is installed in the test-chamber so the camera is provided with a view of a test-target outside of the test-chamber. The nozzle is located proximate to a first edge of the window. The nozzle is configured to direct air from an air-source in a first direction and adjacent to an outside-surface of the window. The recirculator is located proximate to a second edge of the window opposite the first edge. The recirculator is configured to receive the air moving in the first direction and re-direct that air in a second direction opposite the first direction and adjacent to the air moving in the first direction opposite the window. The nozzle and the recirculator cooperate to form a bi-directional air-curtain proximate to the outside-surface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising an engine having coolant passages defined therethrough, a first coolant pump, and a first radiator. The system additionally comprises a second coolant pump, a second radiator, and a liquid-to-air heat exchanger configured to condition the temperature of intake air to the engine. The system further includes a coolant valve means. For a first configuration of the coolant valve means the first coolant pump is configured to urge coolant through the coolant passages in the engine and through the first radiator, and the second coolant pump is configured to urge coolant through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and through the second radiator. For a second configuration of the coolant valve means the second coolant pump is configured to urge coolant through the coolant passages in the engine and through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. A method for controlling the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the distance of an object from an automated vehicle based on images taken by a monocular image acquiring device. The object is recognized with an object-class by means of an image processing system. Respective position data are determined from the images using a pinhole camera model based on the object-class. Position data indicating in world coordinates the position of a reference point of the object with respect to the plane of the road is used with a scaling factor of the pinhole camera model estimated by means of a Bayes estimator using the position data as observations and under the assumption that the reference point of the object is located on the plane of the road with a predefined probability. The distance of the object from the automated vehicle is calculated from the estimated scaling factor using the pinhole camera model.