Abstract: A locator pin assembly includes a locator pin with a locator portion and a threaded portion and a bracket assembly including a tab portion and a nut portion that receives the threaded portion. A structure includes an opening receiving the locator pin and a slot near the opening that receives the bracket assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling brake pressure during a shift of a vehicle out of park may include determining that a first status condition is met when the vehicle is in park with an electric parking brake applied, determining that a second status condition is met when the vehicle is not moving, responsive to detecting a shift of the vehicle out of park when the first and second status conditions are both met, directing a build-up of brake pressure until a brake pressure target is reached, and holding the brake pressure at the brake pressure target until a release condition is met.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a cabin interior, a seat configured to hold a passenger, a window having a movable panel actuatable between open and closed positions, and an actuator to power the window between the open and closed positions. The vehicle also includes an imaging device located in the cabin interior and oriented to capture images of a passenger seated on the seat and at least a portion of the movable panel of the window, and a controller processing the images to determine one or more characteristics of a face of the passenger. The controller further processes the images to monitor a position of the movable panel.

Abstract: A device and method for protecting an optical sensor of a vehicle are disclosed, wherein the sensor is protected from environmental pollutants which may adhere to an optical surface of the sensor if the sensor is exposed to them, and wherein the environmental pollutants are kept away from the sensor by an ultrasonic cleaning of the sensor surface using an ultrasonic field. The ultrasonic field of the ultrasonic cleaning is emitted by a protection device into the air to provide a protection zone around the optical surface of the sensor such that a contact of the optical surface with the environmental pollutants is avoided, wherein the environmental pollutants are moved and/or destroyed in the air away from the sensor if they enter the protection zone), and wherein the protection zone provides a contactless cleaning of the sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an environmentally sustainable peer-to-peer electricity source network. An example method may include receiving, by a processor, a request to perform a charging of a first device. An example method may include determining, by the processor and using a peer-to-peer network including one or more charging sources, a first charging source to provide charge to the first device, wherein determining the first charging source is based on an amount of emissions that would result from charging using the first charging source. An example method may include determining, by the processor, a first time and a first location at which to perform charging of the first device using the first charging source. An example method may include determining, by the processor, that the charging of the first device has been performed.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a sensor lens, the sensor lens defining an axis; a housing panel including an aperture centered on the axis, the sensor lens being recessed from the aperture along the axis; and an air nozzle positioned between the aperture and the sensor lens along the axis and oriented to blow horizontally across the sensor lens. The aperture and the sensor lens define a gap positioned on an opposite lateral side of the sensor lens from the air nozzle.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for receiving from a mobile device that is optically tethered to a vehicle for remote driver assistance, an estimate of a speed of the vehicle, an orientation of the vehicle and a trajectory of the vehicle, comparing the estimate of the speed, orientation and trajectory received from the vehicle with a measured speed determined by one or more vehicle sensors, and preventing vehicle motion if a threshold difference from the comparison is exceeded. Another method is directed to determining at a mobile device an estimate of a speed of a vehicle, an orientation of the vehicle, a trajectory of the vehicle and a time stamp, transmitting the data to the vehicle, and untethering from optical tethering if the data are outside of a threshold or if the data indicate that the mobile device is tethered to an unintended vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a controller may respond to a presence or absence of a prediction of an increase in vehicle speed during a look ahead window. The controller may inhibit or allow automatic engine stopping in response to the presence or absence of the prediction of the increase in vehicle speed during the look ahead window.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle winch includes, among other things, a winch and a charge port connector that connects to a charge port of an electrified vehicle. The winch is powered through the charge port connector. A winch operating method includes, among other things, operating a winch to move a load and, during the operating, powering the winch through a charge port of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a coupling member, a seat, a seatback, a swivel plate, and a base. The seat is pivotably coupled to the coupling member. The seatback is pivotably coupled to the coupling member. The swivel plate is coupled to the coupling member. The swivel plate includes a plurality of swivel anchors. The base is coupled to the swivel plate. The swivel plate enables rotational movement of the coupling member, the seat, the seatback, and the swivel plate about a vertical axis. The base includes a plurality of base anchors. The plurality of base anchors receive the plurality of swivel anchors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, adjusting a position of a sun shade based on at least one of an ambient temperature outside of the vehicle and a sun load of the vehicle, and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.

Abstract: A system comprises a first control module that meets specified operational criteria for controlling a component of a vehicle and a second control module that meets specified operational criteria for actuating the component. The first control module is arranged to send a first signal to open a relay that, when closed, electrically couples a power output of the second control module to ground via a fuse, send a second signal to cause the second control module to power a motor for actuating the component, receive a third signal indicating a completion of actuation of the component, and responsive to receiving the third signal, send a fourth signal to close the relay.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ranking routes based on driving complexity are provided. The systems and methods may generate routes for a user based on factors indicative of difficulty levels of the routes (for example, based on the types of road features that exist on the route, among various other factors). The difficulty levels of the generated routes may then be used to automatically select, by a navigation system of a vehicle, a route that is suitable for the user based on their driving experience level. Alternatively, the routes may be presented to the user via the vehicle or a mobile device for selection by the user. The systems and methods may also be dynamic in that the difficulty levels of the routes may be adjusted as the user gains more driving experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the internal combustion is started via closing a driveline disconnect clutch and limiting a torque output rate of an electric machine so that vehicle speed may increase continuously without decreasing during engine cranking and run-up periods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for energy efficient mobility are provided. The method may include identifying a vehicle moving on a road, calculating a first energy required to complete a trip, determining a size of an air pocket zone of the vehicle, calculating a second energy required to transition to the air pocket zone of the vehicle and to complete the trip in the air pocket zone of the vehicle, and transitioning to the air pocket zone of the vehicle if the second energy is more energy efficient than the first energy.

Abstract: A vehicle, system, and control method include a traction battery having a plurality of cells, a temperature sensor configured to measure battery temperature of the traction battery, an electric machine powered by the traction battery and configured to provide propulsive power to the vehicle, and a controller configured to control at least one of the electric machine and the traction battery using an estimated battery power capability or estimated battery state of charge based on battery parameters initialized upon requesting activation of the traction battery with an open circuit voltage that varies based on elapsed time from the traction battery becoming inactive. The open circuit voltage may be estimated using parameters including a first resistance, a second resistance in series with the first resistance, and a capacitance in parallel with voltage across the capacitance initialized based on an exponential function of the elapsed time.

Abstract: A plasma transfer wire arc thermal spray system includes a section for feeding a wire acting as a first electrode, a source of plasma gas providing plasma gas, a nozzle directing the plasma gas stream from the source of plasma gas to a free end of the wire, and a second electrode located in the plasma gas stream towards the nozzle. In certain instances, the nozzle is made at least partially of electrically insulating material. The thermal spray apparatus with the inventive spray gun may have a simplified and faster starting procedure and the spray nozzle can be more durable.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to heat a catalyst of an after-treatment system for a vehicle. The after-treatment system is powered by a battery. An operational parameter of the battery and the driving mode of the vehicle is determined. After receiving an indication that a first operational parameter threshold has been surpassed and a torque demand of the vehicle has been predicted, heat is provided to the catalyst of the after-treatment system based on the predicted torque demand of the vehicle surpassing a second operational parameter threshold.