Abstract: An expandable seat for a vehicle comprising a support structure movable between an expanded state and a contracted state, the support structure forming a seating region that is greater in size when the support structure is in the expanded state than when the support structure is in the contracted state, and a flexible covering movably coupled to the support structure. The support structure and the flexible covering cooperate to ensure that the flexible covering covers the seating region of the support structure when the support structure is in the expanded state and when the support structure is in the contracted state.

Abstract: A battery pack retention assembly includes, among other things, a conforming bracket that secures a battery array within a battery pack. The conforming bracket includes platforms that flexes as the conforming bracket is secured. The flexing facilitates aligning an area of the conforming bracket with a thermal exchange plate. A battery pack retention method includes, among other things, flexing a conforming bracket to reduce a gap between the battery array and a thermal exchange plate. The flexing occurs when securing a battery array to within a battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle electric machine may include a stator having end windings extending axially from the stator. A rotor may be disposed within the stator and including an endcap having an outer face defining outlets and a furrowed outer periphery with an edge configured to distribute coolant released from the outlets onto the outer face to different axial locations of the end windings during rotation. The furrowed outer periphery may taper toward an in inner flat portion. The outlets may be contained within the inner flat portion. The furrowed outer periphery may be symmetric about any axis perpendicular to and passing through an axis of rotation of the rotor. The outer face may further define channels extending from the outlets to the edge. The channels may be recessed in the outer face. The furrowed outer periphery may define concentric circumferential ridges.

Abstract: A self-cleaning system is provided for the interior of a motor vehicle. That self-cleaning system includes a photoactive self-cleaning surface, a sun shade, an actuator displacing the sun shade between an opened position and a closed position and a controller. A related method of self-cleaning a surface in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cupholder is provided. The cupholder preferably includes a fixed cupholder and a reversible cupholder pivotally attached with and nested within the fixe cupholder. The reversible cupholder may be configured to be pulled inside out such that a surface of the reversible cupholder in contact with the fixed cupholder when nested defines an interior cavity of the reversible cupholder when inside out, and positioned next to the fixed cupholder.

Abstract: A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.

Abstract: A solar module (2) comprising; (a) an active portion (4) and (b) a support portion (6), wherein the support portion (8) includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs (20) in a series of interconnected or partially interconnected patterns. The solar module (2) may include an intermediate portion (6C) acting as a structural interface between the active portion (4) and the support portion (6). The intermediate portion (6C) may include one or more gate locations (10, 12). The plurality of reinforcement ribs (20) may extend at an angle along the support portion (6) so that an effective modulus of the support portion (6) along a width direction is substantially equal to an effective modulus of the support portion (6) along a length direction.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain has a power inverter that includes a load switch with a main emitter and a current mirror emitter, a variable resistor coupled between the current mirror emitter and the main emitter, and a controller. The controller may be configured to adjust a gate voltage based on a voltage across the variable resistor, and responsive to the gate voltage exceeding a Miller plateau gate voltage, increase a variable resistor resistance such that feedback increases as the load switch saturates.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a first seating assembly and a second seating assembly. The first seating assembly is positioned vehicle rearward of the second seating assembly and is comprised of a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat-base, a headrest coupled to the seatback via a connecting feature, and a panel assembly coupled to the connecting feature. The seatback is operable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The panel assembly is configured to protrude vehicle forward of the headrest when the seatback is in the folded position.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a support structure, an array frame including a fastener housing, and a fastener received through the fastener housing for mounting the array frame to the support structure. The array frame may be mounted to the support structure using a top-down approach that includes inserting a fastener through a fastener housing of the array frame.

Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a route based on at least one of (a) an amount of snow accumulation, and (b) a predicted amount of remediation material, for each of a plurality of road segments, actuate a vehicle to follow the route, and actuate at least one of a snow plow and a material spreader on the vehicle.

Abstract: A high pressure polymerization, as described herein, to form an ethylene-based polymer, comprising the following steps: polymerizing a reaction mixture comprising ethylene, using a reactor system comprising at least three ethylene-based feed streams and a reactor configuration that comprises at least four reaction zones, and at least one of the following a) through c), is met: (a) up to 100 wt % of the ethylene stream to the first zone comes from a high pressure recycle, and/or up to 100 wt % of the last ethylene stream to a zone comes from the output from a Primary compressor system; and/or (b) up to 100 wt % of the ethylene stream to first zone comes from the output from a Primary compressor system, and/or up to 100 wt % of the last ethylene stream to a zone comes from a high pressure recycle; and/or (c) the ethylene stream to the first zone, and/or the last ethylene stream to a zone, each comprises a controlled composition; and wherein each ethylene stream to a zone receives an output from two or more cyli

Abstract: A system, comprising a processor; and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to acquire a first image of a scene, acquire a second image of the scene while illuminating the scene, identify pixel blooming in a subtracted image determined by subtracting the first image from the second image, remediating the pixel blooming based on empirically determined parameters, and operate a vehicle based on the subtracted image.

Abstract: A dimpled substrate for use in an assembly having joined substrates is provided that defines at least one preformed interior cavity, at least one preformed exterior profile adjacent the interior cavity and defining a wall therebetween, and at least one locating feature configured to identify a location of the at least one preformed exterior profile. In one form, the locating feature is disposed in the preformed exterior profile or adjacent to the preformed exterior profile. Alternatively, the locating feature is a notch formed into the dimpled substrate away from the preformed exterior profile.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly is provided. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity switch comprising a proximity sensor providing an activation field, and control circuitry monitoring a signal responsive to the activation signal and determining an activation of the switch, detecting a first peak value above a threshold when the signal is not stable followed by a drop and a subsequent rise to a second peak value followed by a sharp drop.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to prevent a traction battery from providing power to a vehicle powertrain below a charge threshold, and then, upon one of (a) receiving an acceleration demand above an acceleration threshold and (b) predicting that a planned maneuver classified as high acceleration will occur within a time threshold, permit the traction battery to provide power to the vehicle powertrain below the charge threshold.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to shift a transmission of the vehicle from a gear into park upon receiving a first signal from a first active sensor beyond a signal threshold and then, within a time threshold, receiving a second signal from a second active sensor beyond the signal threshold. The signals are correlated with distances from the respective active sensor to a detected object.

Abstract: A high-level vehicle command is determined based on a location of the vehicle with respect to a route including a start location and a finish location. An image is acquired of the vehicle external environment. Steering, braking, and powertrain commands are determined based on inputting the high-level command and the image into a Deep Neural Network. The vehicle is operated by actuating vehicle components based on the steering, braking and powertrain commands.

Abstract: A system for delivering articles (34) from a start point (54) to a destination point (56), having at least one drone (20), which a) has a flight control unit (22) configured for autonomous flying, b) has at least one flight motor realized as an electric motor (24), c) has a battery (28) that supplies the flight motor with voltage, d) has a programmable control (30) unit, and e) on its underside has a coupling (34) for electrical, and preferably also mechanical, connection, having a control center (50), which is wirelessly connected to the control unit (30) of the drone (20), having a mobility network consisting of a fleet of vehicles (44), in particular road vehicles, each vehicle having a drone carrier (40), which has a mating coupling (38) that acts in combination with the coupling (36), and having a digital mobility platform (46), which is wirelessly connected to the fleet of vehicles (44) and which is informed about their travel schedules, drone carriers (40) and current locations of the vehicles (44), an

Abstract: A restraint system includes a seatback an airbag. The airbag includes two lateral portions and a central chamber connecting the lateral portions. When the airbag is inflated, each lateral portion includes a plurality of lateral chambers arranged consecutively from the seatback to the central chamber, and the lateral portions and central chamber define a gap positioned directly above and directly in front of space for a head of a 50th-percentile dummy sitting against the seatback.