Abstract: A vehicle system includes a memory device, a communication interface, and a processing device. The memory device stores a primary keyless entry code associated with a vehicle. The communication interface receives an update command to change the primary keyless entry code to an updated keyless entry code. The processing device stores the updated keyless entry code in the memory device. When an authorized person provides the updated keyless entry code to the vehicle via, e.g., a keypad, the authorized person may gain access to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine system is described herein. The method includes moving a plurality of vanes in a variable geometry turbocharger toward a closed position in response to tip-out and after moving the plurality of vanes toward the closed position, moving an EGR valve from a fully closed position toward an open position in response to tip-in, the EGR valve in fluidic communication with an exhaust sub-system upstream of the turbine.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest assembly includes a vertically operable armrest. A door frame is coupled to the armrest and the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism that selectively positions the armrest between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the door frame. A control is in communication with the adjustment mechanism. An interior door trim is configured to slidably engage a recess defined in the armrest. The recess positions the door trim distal from a substrate of the armrest.

Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a method are disclosed, including determining a baseline gradient and an increased gradient for a brake application force for a vehicle. Exemplary methods may further include actuating the baseline gradient in response to a first braking event for the vehicle, and actuating the increased gradient in response to a second braking event for the vehicle. Exemplary illustrations of a vehicle may include a braking system configured to apply braking force to at least one wheel of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a baseline gradient and an increased gradient for a brake application force for a vehicle. The controller may be configured to actuate the baseline gradient in response to a first braking event for the vehicle, and actuate the increased gradient in response to a second braking event for the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine block has a cylinder bore wall comprising a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion axially adjacent to the first portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. A series of parallel, circumferentially-extending grooves is formed in the second portion to roughen the surface and enhance adhesion of a later-applied, sprayed-on metallic coating. A non-masking section is formed between the first and the second portions to provide for a less-abrupt corner between the larger diameter and smaller diameter portions and eliminate any spray-masking that may otherwise. The non-masking section may be a flat or a curved chamfer. The non-masking section may be a non-grooved section of constant diameter.

Abstract: An example electric vehicle component includes a current sensor shield that blocks magnetic fields of a contactor from influencing a current sensor. An example method of improving current sensor measurements includes blocking magnetic fields moving from a contactor toward the current sensor.

Abstract: An active isolated circuit is provided for precharging and discharging a high voltage bus, such as within a hybrid electric vehicle, in a quick, efficient, and optimal manner. The circuit can include a battery, a DC-DC converter coupled between the battery and a main contactor, the main contactor coupled between the converter and a bus for selectively connecting the battery to the bus through the converter, and a control module for controlling the converter to selectively precharge the bus from the battery and selectively discharge the bus to the battery. The converter can be configured to isolate the battery and the bus. When a precharge signal is generated, the bus can be precharged from the battery through a transformer in the converter. The bus can be discharged to the battery through the transformer in the converter when a discharge signal is generated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, an auxiliary unit, a cooling arrangement that includes a condenser and a plurality of cooling loops, and a controller. The cooling loops are arranged to transport heat from cabin air and the auxiliary unit to the condenser. In response to an auxiliary unit cooling request while the cooling arrangement is cooling the cabin air, the controller is programmed to ramp-up the fluid flow at a specified rate through portions of the cooling loops that are arranged to cool the auxiliary unit in order to dampen a rate of increase in the cabin air temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle traction battery system may include a battery pack, a fan configured to direct air flow to the pack, and a controller. The controller may be programmed to, in response to a predicted pack temperature being greater than a first predefined temperature, direct the fan to operate at a predefined generally constant speed that does not change with vehicle speed or engine on/off state until the predicted battery pack temperature falls below a second predefined temperature. A method is also provided for cooling the vehicle traction battery system based on a predicted battery pack temperature and a heat generation rate.

Abstract: An adjustable front fascia for vehicles includes a second vehicle structure that is fixed to a first vehicle structure at a location that is predefined relative to a hood of the vehicle. During assembly, the front fascia is movably supported on the second vehicle structure utilizing a temporary retaining mechanism that prevents unintended fore-aft movement of the front fascia unless a force exceeding a predefined release force is applied to the fascia. The front fascia can be fixed at a location providing a predefined gap relative to a front edge of the hood. The vertical position of the fascia relative to the hood can also be adjusted during assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle battery cooling system may include a cooling arrangement to cool a battery, and a controller programmed to operate the arrangement according to each of a series of estimated temperatures of the battery that are based on heat generation, stored thermal energy, and heat transfer rates associated with the battery such that the series forms an estimated temperature waveform that temporally leads a sensed temperature waveform of the battery.

Abstract: A nomadic device may be configured to connect to a vehicle computing system over a local connection and to an automation service over a wide-area connection, receive a message from the vehicle computing system over the local connection requesting a home automation action to be performed, and responsive to the message, send a command over the wide-area connection to an automation service to request the home automation action. A vehicle controller may be configured to connect to a nomadic device over a local connection, the nomadic device configured to connect to an automation service over a wide-area connection, receive input to a user interface of the vehicle computing system requesting performance of a home automation action of the automation service, and responsive to the input, send a command over the local connection to request the home automation action.

Abstract: A vehicle processor may track vehicle input during vehicle traversal of a travel path within a location region, match the vehicle input against a condition of a rule, such that when the vehicle input matches the condition, a driving scenario indication of a type corresponding to the rule is associated with the location region, and update a location demand identifier associated with the location region based on the driving scenario indication. The vehicle processor may further identify a location demand identifier for an approaching location region, the location demand identifier determined according to vehicle input satisfying a rule identifying a driving scenario and indicative of a level of likelihood of occurrence of the driving scenario; and when the location demand identifier exceeds a vehicle sensitivity level, provide a settings update to the vehicle to improve vehicle maneuverability during occurrence of the driving scenario.

Abstract: A method for an engine may comprise, in response to an EGR valve closing, determining an EGR oxygen content, and purging an EGR system when the EGR oxygen content is less than a threshold oxygen content.

Abstract: Exemplary arrangements for drive chains are disclosed. In one exemplary arrangement, a tooth shaped link member for a drive chain comprises a web portion, a first side tooth, a second side tooth and a central guide tooth. The web portion extends between opposing side portions of the link member. The first side tooth and the second side tooth each include an apex that is oriented at an angle to extend toward the central guide tooth. In another exemplary arrangement, a drive chain comprises a plurality of inner links that are operatively connected to a plurality of outer links, where a pair of rollers are mounted between the inner links with a pin being positioned between the rollers.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a controller configured to, in response to an anticipated vehicle route for a current drive cycle including at least two preferred electric drive (“EV”) zones, control an engine to charge a battery in response to a battery SOC falling below various thresholds at various portions of the vehicle route. The controller controls the engine to charge the battery in response to the battery SOC falling below a first threshold and the vehicle not having entered the first EV zone, in response to the battery SOC falling below a second threshold and the vehicle having entered the first EV zone but not the second EV zone, and in response to the battery SOC falling below a third threshold and the vehicle having entered the second EV zone. The first threshold is greater than the second threshold, and the second threshold is greater than the third threshold.

Abstract: An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded front wall deploys in a deployment direction toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle and a plurality of attachment towers projecting from a central region disposed within the baffle to join with a reaction surface. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. At least one of the attachment towers includes an elongated notch sunk partially into a surface of the attachment tower to provide a thinned wall section configured to tear open at a predetermined pressure during inflation.

Abstract: A vibratory screener including a screen with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of apertures, an attachment post extending above the upper surface of the screen, and a cleaning system positioned above the upper surface of the screen. The cleaning system includes a support plate, a plurality of arms extending radially from the support plate, and at least one brush extending downwardly from each of the arms. Each brush is positioned so that the distal end of at least one of its multiple bristles contacts the upper surface of the screen. The screener further includes a collection area positioned below the lower surface of the screen and a vibration generator that vibrates the screen and the cleaning system and causes the arms to rotate relative to the upper surface of the screen.

Abstract: An active glove box system comprises an instrument panel and a glove box door. The instrument panel housing defines a door space bordered by a curb flange along top and lateral sides of the door space. The glove box door comprises a trim wall providing an outside trim surface of the door, a bladder wall sealed along an outer edge to the trim wall defining an inflatable cavity, and a reaction wall. The reaction wall defines a back surface of the door, is attached to the bladder wall, and has an outer fringe surface abutting the curb flange when the door is closed. The fringe surface and the curb flange comprise interlocking features configured to engage and disengage in a door opening direction and to provide interference against movement of the reaction wall along an inward perpendicular direction when engaged.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting module is provided that includes a lens having a plurality of near-field lens elements, an input surface, and an exit surface. The lighting module also includes an LED light source that directs incident light through the input surface and out of the exit surface. The plurality of lens elements is configured to transmit from the exit surface a collimated light pattern containing at least 60% of the incident light. Further, a vehicle headlamp assembly is provided that includes a plurality of vehicle lighting modules, each module comprising a lens, and an LED light source that directs incident light through the lens. The assembly further includes a case for housing the lighting modules. The lens includes a plurality of lens elements configured to transmit at least 60% of the incident light in a collimated, vehicular light pattern.