Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing temperature of an engine or single cylinder(s) of the engine at start/stop events where the engine is stopped from combusting air and fuel, and in response to an overheating engine condition. In one example, a method comprises activating an electric air compressor to direct cooling air flow through a first single cylinder of the engine, to reduce a temperature of the first single cylinder to a desired temperature prior to a request to restart the engine. In this way, a single cylinder indicated to be overheating may be effectively cooled, without employing methodology that would otherwise cool the engine as a whole, which may thus prevent engine degradation and which may conserve power of an onboard energy storage device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling one or more side mirrors of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a trailer sensor, brake sensor, and speed sensor, a side mirror, and a processor. The processor is configured to set the side mirror in a first position responsive to determining via the trailer sensor and speed sensor that a trailer is attached, and that a vehicle speed is above a threshold speed. And the processor is further configured to transition the side mirror to a second position responsive to determining that vehicle brakes have been applied for a threshold duration.

Abstract: A computer having a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor that include: to determine whether a vehicle cabin is occupied; and based on the determination, to control actuation of a lamp, located on a bezel of a display, to impinge upon a screen having a light-sensitive coating.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting degradation of a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system valve and a cylinder valve. In one example, a method may include comparing a rate of pressure bleed-up in a PCV system during each of a cold-engine condition and a hot-engine condition to differentiate between the PCV valve and the cylinder valve.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the step of capturing loading data of the seat, evaluating the loading data to determine a control dataset for periodically adjusting the seat based on the control dataset.

Abstract: A vehicle battery insulating system includes an inner wall and outer wall forming an insulating cavity filled with a microporous material such as microporous silica. A vacuum pump is coupled to a first connection of the cavity and a valve is coupled to a second connection of the cavity. A controller operates the vacuum pump and the valve to lower/raise pressure within the cavity to decrease/increase thermal conductivity, respectively, of the insulating layer to influence temperature of a vehicle battery. A battery housing may include inlet and outlet ports coupled to a pump to circulate a heat exchanging fluid. The controller may monitor temperatures from sensors and/or receive wireless information relative to traffic, ambient temperature, weather forecasts, and similar information for use in controlling the insulating system in an attempt to keep the vehicle battery within a desired operating temperature range.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for a vehicle is provided. The lighting assembly includes a light source fixed to a vehicle mount structure to direct light toward ground level, and a lens covering the light source, wherein the lens includes an outer surface having a sawtooth profile, wherein the sawtooth profile is oriented at an angle in the range of approximately 30 to 60 degrees, and more preferably of approximately 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal or lateral axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automatically controlling various lights of a vehicle. The systems and methods are configured to determine whether a vehicle is being driven off-road or on a public road, determine a first light activation condition that is based on whether the vehicle is being driven off-road or on the public road, and execute a vehicle lights control procedure to grant to a driver of the vehicle on-off control of a first light in the vehicle based on the first light activation condition and to withdraw grant of the on-off control of the first light based on a second light activation condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an adaptive cruise control system with a stop-and-go function, having the steps of: bringing the motor vehicle to a stop upon detecting that a vehicle in front has stopped, providing a start signal within a predetermined first time period upon starting of the vehicle in front, reading safety-relevant data after the first time period has ended and if the vehicle in front is still stopped, and suppressing a start signal if the safety-relevant data indicate a hazardous traffic situation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for providing cautionary driving notifications to a driver of an automobile. The cautionary driving notifications may be generated and stored by the driver himself/herself after driving along a travel route a few times or by a different driver who has driven along the travel route a few times. The notifications, which may be provided in various ways such as by audible warnings or beeps, warn the driver of a driving hazard or a driving limitation that is coming up as the automobile is subsequently driven along the travel route. Some examples of a driving hazard can include a traffic accident or a bad road condition. Some examples of a driving limitation can include a speed limit due to a blind curve in the road or in a school zone during certain times of the day.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion supported by a seat frame and a retention device disposed laterally through the cushion in front of a predetermined H-point so as to be able to restrain a seated occupant. The retention device is selectively deployable from a design position to a deployed position in response to a sudden deceleration of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a seat frame member, an airbag disposed outboard of the seat frame member, an inflator disposed inboard of the seat frame member, and a bracket extending through the seat frame member. The bracket includes an upper portion and a lower portion spaced from each other and disposed inboard of the seat frame member, and an intermediate portion extending from the upper portion to the lower portion and disposed outboard of the seat frame member. The bracket supports the inflator and the airbag.

Abstract: Electric vehicle predictive range estimating systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining an initial state of charge (SOC) for an energy source of a vehicle at a first point in time; determining one or more boundary conditions for the vehicle during a time frame extending from the first point in time to a second point in time, the one or more boundary conditions causing a loss in the energy source during the time frame; determining a predicted future SOC for the energy source based on the one or more boundary conditions and the initial SOC; and predicting an availability of a vehicle operating condition based on the predicted future SOC for the energy source.

Abstract: A situational awareness system is described that comprises a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions comprise to: determine at least one object of interest relative to a target vehicle; determine an assignment optimization at least one of a plurality of mobile devices to the at least one object of interest; and assign the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices to the at least one object of interest.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes first and second electronic control units (ECUs). The first and second ECUs are programmed to monitor, respectively, a first operating condition and a second operating condition. Each operating condition includes one of path deviation, lane width, user awareness, or steering torque. The second ECU is programmed to monitor the second operating condition according to a protocol with a security measure. The first or second ECU is further programmed to control vehicle operation based on the first or second operating condition.

Abstract: A method for training an image-based trailer identification system comprises capturing a plurality of captured images in a field of view and identifying a detected trailer angle for a trailer in connection with a vehicle in each of the captured images. The method further comprises comparing the captured images and the corresponding trailer angles to a predetermined image set comprising a plurality of teaching trailer angles and identifying at least one required trailer angle of the teaching trailer angles that is not included in the captured images. Based on the captured images, a simulated angle image is generated. The simulated image comprises a depiction of the trailer in connection with the vehicle at the at least one required angle not included in the captured images. The method further comprises supplying the simulated angle image to the identification system for training.

Abstract: A fastening element for friction welding onto a planar workpiece includes a nut head, a through-bore extending at least locally within the nut head, a friction welding face on one end side of the nut head, and a cutting device for introducing a drilled hole into the workpiece on the one end side of the nut head having the friction welding face.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for optimizing a travel route of a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone. In one exemplary embodiment, a travel route optimization system can be used to determine a charge level of a battery in the hybrid-electric vehicle and to locate charging stations inside and/or outside the emissions-free zone. The charge level provides an indication of a distance that the hybrid-electric vehicle can travel before a gasoline engine is started. The system can use factors such as the location of the charging stations and the charge level of the battery to generate an optimized travel route for the hybrid-electric vehicle that eliminates starting of the gasoline engine inside the emissions-free zone. The optimized travel route may be updated in real-time so as to allow recharging of the battery on an as-needed basis at a charging station inside or outside the emissions-free zone.

Abstract: A system and method for generating vibrations in a fuel cell system include a vibration device which can be arranged on the fuel cell system or is formed by at least one component of the fuel cell system, for generating excitation vibrations which can be transmitted to the component. An electronic actuating system includes a controller and memory for actuating the vibration device, which may include a coolant pump or a compressor, at a natural frequency of a fuel system component for de-icing. At temperatures below 0° C., the electronic actuating system is adapted to actuate the vibration device during a switch-on process and/or a switch-off process of the fuel cell system taking into consideration at least one natural frequency of the component. Embodiments including actuating a compressor, cooling pump, and/or valve to transmit vibrations to a component to be de-iced at a natural frequency of the component.