Abstract: A charging system may include a plug adapter for receiving a charging current and a processor configured to receive data from the plug adapter. The plug adapter may include a thermal sensor configured to measure temperature associated with the plug adapter. The processor may be configured to decrease the charging current if the temperature measured by the thermal sensor exceeds a first threshold temperature. The processor may be further configured to turn off the charging current if the temperature measured by the thermal sensor exceeds a second threshold temperature.

Abstract: An electric door release system and an electric door release method are disclosed. The system and method may be used for releasing a vehicle door when a primary power source of the vehicle is drained. According to certain embodiments, the system includes a power interface configured to receive a direct-current (DC) power from an external mobile device. The system also includes one or more door latches. The system further includes an isolation circuitry configured to prevent the DC power from powering circuitry not included in the electric door release system. The system further includes a controller configured to activate a door latch using the DC power.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device may include a support beam with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side may be designed to be closer to a passenger compartment of a vehicle than the second side. The support beam may also define a first aperture extending through the support beam from the first side to the second side. The impact absorbing device may also include an energy absorbing member associated with the second side of the support beam, which may defines a second aperture that is substantially aligned with the first aperture of the support beam. The first and second apertures may be configured to provide flow communication through the impact absorbing device.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system and method are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the regenerative braking system is engaged and adjusted when the navigation system recognizes that the vehicle is descending down a long grade. This can be pre-stored information, or information derived from prior experience or from the shared experiences of other drivers. The regenerative braking system does not engage to the full stop of the vehicle, but instead can release at approximately three mph and allows friction braking to handle the rest of the stop. The navigation system in this embodiment recognizes that a stop sign or other full-stop situation is present.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a first seat configured to accommodate an occupant and an onboard interface device adjacent to the first seat. The onboard interface device may include a housing configured to accommodate a palm of the occupant, a first groove positioned in the housing and configured to accommodate a first finger of the occupant, and a first input device positioned in the first groove and configured to be actuated by the first finger and generate a first signal for controlling a first operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting drive mode of a vehicle are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the system may include a processor configured to: receive sensor data generated by one or more sensors in communication with the processor; determine motion of the vehicle based on the sensor data; determine, based on the motion of the vehicle, characteristics of the surface or driving behavior of a user of the vehicle; and determine a drive mode of the vehicle based on the determined characteristics of the surface or driving behavior of the user. The system may further include one or more actuators configured to implement the drive mode.

Abstract: A battery for an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery may be a low voltage battery for powering low voltage systems. The battery may include a housing formed from at least two parts. For example, the housing may include a top portion that is sealed to a bottom portion. A plurality of rechargeable electrochemical cells may be disposed within the bottom portion. A printed circuit board and/or a bus bar may be disposed within the top portion. The housing can includes a desiccant and/or a two-way pressure valve extending through a surface of the housing. The valve may be used to prevent moisture ingress into an interior of the housing and/or may allow a pressure inside of the housing to equilibrate to the external air pressure.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for flexibly and movably mounting a charge port in front-facing portions of an electric vehicle. When not in use the charge port can be concealed by the body of the vehicle. In a pre-charging or charging mode the charge port can be automatically moved to a charging position where it is exposed through the vehicle body and thus available for coupling with a charging connector at a charging station. Further, the charge port can be flexibly mounted to the vehicle so as to absorb impact forces in one or more directions. The charge port can include oscillation dampening mechanisms for electrical cables coupled to the charge port.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for enhancing the visibility of a driver of a vehicle. The control system may include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a weight placed on a passenger seat and at least one motor configured to adjust a position of the passenger seat. The control system may also include a controller in communication with the sensor and the at least one motor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, determine that the passenger seat is unoccupied based on the signal, and automatically generate a command signal directed to the at least one motor to adjust the passenger seat to a prospective position.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power source for an electric automobile includes at least one window including a transparent photovoltaic cell; a DC-DC converter in electrical communication with the at least one window transparent photovoltaic cell; and a battery in electrical communications with the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle may include a control interface configured to receive an input from a driver and generate a signal, and at least one camera configured to capture video of an interior of the vehicle. The camera system may also include a display configured to output video to the driver, and a controller in communication with the control interface, the camera, and the display. The controller may be configured to receive the signal from the control interface, actuate the at least one camera to capture video based on the signal, and output the video to the display based on the signal.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle for transferring data from a communication device, which may include at least one control interface configured to receive a first input from a driver and a display configured to generate an output visible to the driver. The control system may also include a controller in communication with the communication device, the at least one control interface, and the display. The controller may be configured to receive data from the communication device and generate and output a query to the display based on the data. The controller may also be configured to receive the first input from at least one control interface and output the data to the display based on the first input.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system of a vehicle for improving occupant safety. The system may include a camera configured to capture an image of an interior of the vehicle and responsively generate a signal, and a controller in communication with the camera. The controller may be configured to receive the signal from the camera, determine that the vehicle is occupied based on the signal, and generate and send an alert to a communication device based on the vehicle being occupied.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle may include a manual control configured to receive an input from an occupant indicative of a vehicle operation and responsively generate a signal. The camera system may also include a turn signal configured to illuminate and a camera configured to capture video of an area exterior to the vehicle. The camera system may further include a display configured to display video, and a controller configured to receive the signal from the manual control, actuate the turn signal to illuminate based on the signal, actuate the camera to capture a video based on the signal, and output the video to the display based on the signal.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to topologies for an interior permanent magnet (IPM) electrical machine having increased saliency torque, increased flux-linkage, reduced magnet leakage flux, and reduced detrimental slotting effects compared to existing IPM electrical machines. The IPM electrical machine includes a rotor having a number of poles and a flux barrier formed along the edge of the rotor between poles. The flux barrier contains a magnet or set of magnets having a varying thickness, with a central thickest portion located along the d-axis of the rotor. A magnet retention structure, which may be formed integrally with the rotor or provided as a separate structure, surrounds the rotor and magnets. The rotor and magnets combine to form a smooth circular profile having no air gaps.

Abstract: In an emergency stop situation, the regenerative braking system is used to assist in rapid deceleration, by combining regenerative braking with conventional friction brakes. Sensors can also be used to trigger the braking systems, even before the driver is able to react. These sensors might include external cameras, ABS activation detection, radar and ultrasound.

Abstract: Power inverter assemblies are provided herein for use with motor vehicles. An inverter assembly may have a symmetrical structure configured to convert DC input power to AC output power. The inverter assembly may include a housing enclosing a symmetrical DC input portion, a symmetrical AC output portion, a DC link capacitor, and a gate drive portion having a pair of power modules. The symmetrical DC input portion can include a DC input bus bar sub-assembly to which the DC link capacitor is coupled, and a second DC bus bar sub-assembly that may electrically couple the DC link capacitor with the power modules. The symmetrical AC output portion may include a three phase output AC bus bar sub-assembly to which the power modules can be electrically coupled. A cooling sub-assembly may be provided for cooling the power modules with fluid transfer using a coolant.