Abstract: The electric-vehicle battery assembly includes a battery enclosure defining a cavity and includes battery cells enclosed by the battery enclosure in the cavity. An outlet extends through the battery enclosure and in fluid communication with the cavity. A vent includes a frame moveably supported by the battery enclosure. The frame is moveable relative to outlet between an open position allowing fluid flow from the cavity between the outlet and the frame and a closed position preventing fluid flow from the cavity between the outlet and frame. The vent includes a microporous membrane supported by the frame.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes an airbag inflator. The assembly includes a curtain airbag including a main lobe and an inflatable flap. The main lobe and the inflatable flap are each inflatable by the airbag inflator to an inflated position. The main lobe includes an inboard panel and an outboard panel. The inflatable flap is at the inboard panel in the inflated position. The inflatable flap, in the inflated position, is at the inboard panel and abutting the airbag inflator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an integrated starter/generator (ISG) provides torque to restart an engine after the engine has been shut down and before engine speed is zero. An opening of a throttle is delayed to reduce driveline torque disturbances during engine restarting.

Abstract: A method of joining at least two substrates includes welding the at least two substrates together with a multi-step welding process. The multi-step welding process includes: reducing a mismatch between the at least two substrates by melting on both sides of the at least two substrates to form a melted portion that does not overlap a joint line between the at least two substrates with a first welding step; and increasing melt volume and penetration depth of the melted portion between the at least two substrates with a second welding step.

Abstract: A system receives a request for an identified vehicle to complete a task. The system determines at least one route usable to complete the task and access a database of vehicle data snapshots to obtain data snapshots for one or more portions of the at least one route. The system simulates travel over at least the one or more portions, for the identified vehicle, including comparing and evaluating vehicle characteristics of the identified vehicle against route characteristics of the one or more portions identified from the data snapshots to identify any risks that the identified vehicle may encounter over the one or more portions. Additionally, the system, based on the results of the comparing and evaluating, presents any risks identified as likely to occur when using the identified vehicle to complete the task and traveling over at least the identified portions.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a vehicle hammock and a thermal energy adjustment device of the vehicle hammock. A method of controlling thermal energy within a hammock includes, among other things, providing a vehicle hammock having a thermal energy adjustment device, and adjusting the thermal energy level of the vehicle hammock based, at least in part, on a thermal energy level outside the vehicle hammock.

Abstract: A lamp includes a light source and a light pipe including a light transmissive medium with an elongated body extending along an axial axis. The light pipe has an input for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optics extending into an outside surface of the elongated body in a direction of the axial axis, wherein the plurality of prism optics each has an angle in the range of about 115° (degrees) to 145° (degrees).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a support structure, a base supported on the support structure, a table supported on the base and movable relative to the base, and first and second arcuate cam slots provided on one of the base and the table. The vehicle also includes first and second pivot pins provided on the other of the base and the table and operatively coupled to the first and second arcuate cam slots and a locking mechanism configured to lock one of the pivot pins in a position to prevent one pivot pin from sliding within the arcuate cam slots and to allow the one pivot pin to rotate while the other of the first and second pivot pins slides within the corresponding arcuate cam slot to rotate the table to a use position.

Abstract: A controller, responsive to a signal indicating deactivation of a vehicle and disconnection of a traction battery from an inverter, generates a d-axis current command for the inverter having a ramp portion that defines a rate of change in current magnitude that depends on an electric angle between a rotor and stator of an electric machine.

Abstract: A tow hook includes a monolithic additively manufactured side wall defining a vehicle attachment member, a hollow main body extending from the vehicle attachment member, and a hollow towing member extending from the hollow main body. The vehicle attachment member is configured to rigidly attached to a vehicle and the hollow towing member is configured to securely attach to a towing machine such that the vehicle is towable via the tow hook. The vehicle attachment member can be a threaded shaft with a bore extending along a length of the threaded shaft. The side includes a chamfered plurality of apertures extending from an inner surface of the side wall to an outer surface of the side wall, and having with an inner dimension along a length direction of the hollow main body greater than an inner dimension along a circumferential direction of the hollow main body.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining vehicle data associated with the plurality of vehicles, obtaining charging station data associated with the plurality of charging stations, and obtaining robot data associated with the one or more robots. The method includes determining, based on the vehicle data, whether a given vehicle has a given amount of electrical energy that is less than a threshold amount of electrical energy. The method includes, in response to determining that the given amount of electrical energy is less than the threshold amount of electrical energy: selecting a given charging station based on the charging station data and a given robot based on the robot data, instructing the given vehicle and the given robot to navigate to the given charging station, and instructing the given robot to initiate a charging routine when the given vehicle and the given robot are proximate to the given charging station.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles includes a robot, an electric charger, a vehicle localization structure, and a control system. The vehicle localization structure defines a charge zone located at a fixed position. The control system is configured to determine that a corresponding electric vehicle of the electric vehicles is in the charge zone, determine a position of a charge port of the corresponding electric vehicle based on the fixed position of the vehicle localization structure and vehicle parameters of the corresponding electric vehicle, and instruct the robot to move a charger of the electric charger from the electric charger to the charge port of the corresponding electric vehicle such that the charger is electrically coupled to the corresponding electric vehicle.

Abstract: A foam material includes the reaction product of a polyol mixture and an isocyanate mixture and a graphite filler obtained from spent lithium-ion batteries. The graphite filler defines a layered structure and adhesion anchor points.

Abstract: A system for charging a plurality of electric vehicles includes a rail structure, a mobile base unit, at least one battery and a controller. The mobile base unit is supported by the rail structure and is configured to move along the rail structure between respective vehicle charging stations. The battery is configured to provide power to the mobile base unit to move along the rail structure. The controller is configured to obtain a charge request from one or more electric vehicles, determine a charging sequence of the electric vehicles based on vehicle parameters and charge parameters of the battery, and move the mobile base unit along the rail structure based on the charging sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods associated with transactions involving electric trailers. An example method executed by a processor of an electric trailer administrative system in a vehicle can include evaluating a distributed ledger for obtaining information about one or more electric trailers, identifying an electric trailer that is compatible with the vehicle, and storing, in the distributed ledger, information pertaining to a transaction associated with the electric trailer. In an example scenario, the transaction is a rental request and the method further includes determining, based on evaluating the content of the distributed ledger, a charge level of a battery in the electric trailer, determining that the charge level of the battery is equal to, or greater than, a threshold charge level, and storing, in the distributed ledger, the first rental request based on the charge level being equal to, or greater than the threshold charge level.

Abstract: A foam material includes the reaction product of a polyol mixture and an isocyanate mixture and a graphite filler obtained from spent lithium-ion batteries in an amount of ?0.025 wt. % to ?0.5 wt. % such that the graphite filler provides a foam material that has a plane wave absorption coefficient of greater than or equal to about 0.75 at 600 Hz.

Abstract: A method includes estimating, by a vehicle communication system, a vehicle-localized time based on a previous vehicle system time and at least one internal factor in response to a primary synchronization data not being received and in response to an auxiliary synchronization data not being received. The previous vehicle system time is based on at least one of a previous primary synchronization data or a previous auxiliary synchronization data. The method further includes synchronizing, by the vehicle communication system, a vehicle system time employed by one or more vehicle modules disposed in the vehicle based on one of the primary synchronization data received, the auxiliary synchronization data received, or the vehicle-localized time estimated.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive operator input from an operator in response to an operator assessment questionnaire, identify a preference grouping for the operator based on the operator input, and actuate at least one vehicle component based on the preference grouping.

Abstract: A tool for a robotic arm is configured to move an electric charger to an electric vehicle. The tool includes a base configured to be secured to the robotic arm, a vision sensor disposed on the base, a hook including a proximal end fixed to the base, a distal end having an arcuate shape, and a void defined between the proximal end and the distal end, and a gripper extending below the base. The gripper includes a track, two opposing fingers configured to move along the track, and an actuator configured to retract the two opposing fingers along the track.