Abstract: An electric drive module for an electrified vehicle includes an electric motor, a transmission, a multispeed actuation mechanism (MAM), and a controller. The transmission is driven by a rotatable output of the electric motor and includes a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft. The transmission has a first gear set that selectively converts rotatable motion of the first drive shaft into rotatable motion of the second drive shaft in a first gear mode, and a second gear set that selectively converts rotatable motion of the first drive shaft into rotatable motion of the second drive shaft in a second gear mode. The MAM has magnetic fluid therein that activates causing selective rotatable communication between the first and second drive shafts. The controller commands activation of the MAM whereby a limited slip condition occurs between the first and second drive shafts thereby mitigating vibrations in the electric drive module.

Abstract: A tailgate cable pretensioner includes a cable having at least one end having a terminal for securing to a vehicle or a tailgate. A pretensioner is on the other end of the cable. The pretensioner includes a fastener to secure it to the vehicle or the tailgate. The pretensioner takes up cable slack when the pretensioner is secured on the vehicle or the tailgate.

Abstract: A deployable rear step and diffuser system for a vehicle having a frame and a rear bumper or fascia includes a rear step and diffuser configured to slidably couple to the frame at a rear of the vehicle and including a lower diffuser surface and an upper step surface. An actuator is operably coupled to and configured to move the rear step and diffuser between (i) a retracted position where the rear step and diffuser is nested beneath the vehicle, and (ii) a deployed position where the rear step and diffuser extends outwardly from a rear of the vehicle such that the lower diffuser surface functions as a diffuser to reduce drag and smooth airflow around the vehicle, and the upper step surface provides a user stepping surface to facilitate access to a cargo area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for determining a trailer brake magnitude for a trailer brake system of a trailer being towed by a vehicle includes determining connection of a trailer to a vehicle, determining at least one trailer parameter relating to a size, shape or a weight of the trailer, and determining a trailer braking magnitude as a function of the at least one trailer parameter.

Abstract: A ram air system for a vehicle includes a duct having an inlet positioned adjacent a grille of the vehicle. The inlet receives high pressure ambient air when the vehicle is moving. A body extends from the inlet. The body extends along an entire axial length of a hood of the vehicle and terminates adjacent a dash panel of the vehicle. An outlet at an end of the body directs air to an area past an engine toward the dash panel.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a damper of a vehicle may include receiving a signal from a control, determining that one or more parameter thresholds are not met, increasing a compression resistance of one or more dampers from a first compression resistance to a second compression resistance, determining that an actuation threshold has occurred, and reducing the compression resistance of the one or more dampers from the second compression resistance to or toward the first compression resistance after the actuation threshold has occurred.

Abstract: A method of determining energy use during operation of a vehicle includes determining an aggression rating associated with current use of a vehicle and determining an energy use rating as a function of the aggression rating over a period of time. The determined energy use rating is compared to an energy use threshold, and an output is provided to a driver of the vehicle when the energy use rating exceeds the energy use threshold.

Abstract: A system that implements a dynamically adjusting coasting regeneration for an electrified vehicle includes an electrified powertrain, first and second sensors and a controller. The electrified powertrain includes an electric motor that provides drive torque to a driveline. The first sensor senses dynamic artifact data. The second sensor senses one of static and pseudo-static artifact data. The controller is configured to receive a current velocity of the vehicle; determine first and second candidate deceleration rates based on the data; estimate a first proposed change in velocity over a first time based on the first and second deceleration rates; determine a second proposed change in velocity over a second time based on the first proposed change in velocity; determine a proposed total distance travelled by the vehicle based on the second proposed change in velocity; and determine whether a target velocity has been reached based on the proposed total distance.

Abstract: A calibration technique for a multi-dimensional surface for functional safety verification of a control system of a vehicle involves accessing a memory configured to store operation data relative to the control system of the vehicle, the operation data representing a multi-dimensional surface comprising a plurality of data points, identifying a plurality of breakpoints for representing the multi-dimensional surface based on a maximum allowable number of breakpoints, instantaneous data point slopes, and minimum/maximum breakpoint spacing constraints, and generating a calibrated look-up table for the control system, the calibrated look-up table including the plurality of breakpoints, wherein the calibrated look-up table is configured to be utilized for functional safety verification of an output of the control system.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle including a tailgate inner panel and a stop lamp assembly. The stop lamp assembly includes a stop lamp and a stop lamp wiring harness configured to provide electricity to the stop lamp. The stop lamp assembly is configured to mate with the tailgate inner panel. The tailgate inner panel includes a first opening and a second opening in communication with each other via an enclosed tunnel structure configured for receipt of the stop lamp wiring harness.

Abstract: A method for determining driving conditions from network vehicles, includes receiving at a backend portion information relating to a loss of traction event, associating the loss of traction event with a location, comparing the information relating to the loss of traction event to one or more driving condition thresholds for the location, and sending a notification from the backend portion to multiple vehicles when one or more driving condition thresholds are met. The multiple vehicles may be limited to vehicles associated with the location, and this may include, for example, vehicles in a geographic location including the location or vehicles determined to be heading toward the location.

Abstract: A vehicle passing assistance system to assist a passing maneuver through an oncoming traffic lane includes a wireless communications system configured to connect with surrounding vehicles, a user interface configured to provide information about the passing maneuver, and sensors configured to measure operating parameters of the vehicle during the passing maneuver. A controller is in signal communication with the wireless communications system, the user interface, and the one or more sensors. During the passing maneuver, the controller is programmed to detect the vehicle is traveling on a non-divided roadway where the passing maneuver will occur through the oncoming traffic lane, detect initiation of the passing maneuver, scan for and connect to surrounding vehicles via the wireless communications system, receive data from the connected vehicles, and display information to a driver of the vehicle, based on the received data and measured operating parameters, regarding the initiated passing maneuver.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of detecting a wireless device in or on a vehicle, includes detecting a wireless signal that includes identification information, comparing the identification information with a registry of authorized devices to determine if the identification information corresponds to one of the authorized devices, and providing an output when the identification information does not correspond to one of the authorized devices to indicate that an unauthorized device is present in or on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a light source, a trim component having a show surface, a graphically alterable panel including light reflectors that move when an actuating electrical signal is applied to the graphically alterable panel, and a control system. The control system is coupled to the graphically alterable panel and selectively provides an actuating electrical signal to cause movement of at least some of the light reflectors. Light emitted from the light source is reflected off the graphically alterable panel, and movement of the light reflectors changes the reflectivity of the light reflectors such that movement of the light reflectors changes the reflection of light off of the panel and the appearance of the show surface. The graphically alterable panel defines at least part of the show surface or the graphically alterable panel is arranged to reflect light onto the show surface of the interior trim component.

Abstract: A cable driven power tailgate system has at least one cable connected with a truck box for raising and lowering a tailgate of a vehicle. A motor/actuator drives the at least one cable to move the tailgate into a closed position. At least one nut on a spindle, the nut connected with the at least one cable. The spindle rotates in response to the at least one cable movement to move the tailgate into an open position.

Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle frame, a wheel attached to the vehicle frame, and an anti-tip device attached to the vehicle frame. The anti-tip device includes a deflector assembly having a deflector section that extends angularly outward from the vehicle frame and a tail section unitary with deflector section that extends along and in parallel with a length of the vehicle frame, and the anti-tip device is configured, in the event of an offset frontal impact to the vehicle that forces the wheel in a direction toward the vehicle frame, to be struck by the wheel and deflect the wheel in a direction away from the vehicle frame to prevent the wheel from travelling beneath the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An emergent situation vehicle response system and method of facilitating a response to an emergent situation at a vehicle. The emergent situation vehicle response system includes at least one sensor and an onboard communications network for transmitting sensor data captured by the at least one sensor, as well as a responder subsystem having a responder computer configured to provide electronic data to a responder stationed at the responder computer. The emergent situation vehicle response system is configured to perform the method, including detecting an emergent situation at the vehicle; in response to detecting the emergent situation at the vehicle, obtain snapshot data that is generated based on a snapshot of sensor data being transmitted over an onboard communications network; and providing the snapshot data and an indication of the emergent situation to the responder subsystem located remotely and separate from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for communicating temperature information of a high voltage battery system of an electrified vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a controller, sensed parameters including a maximum temperature of the high voltage battery system and a coolant temperature at the high voltage battery system; determining, at the controller, cool down parameters indicative of a time required to return the high voltage battery system from an elevated temperature to a reduced temperature suitable to achieve peak performance; sending, from the controller, a signal to a human machine interface indicative of the cool down parameters; and displaying, at the HMI, the cool down parameters.