Abstract: A portable high voltage charging apparatus (HVCA) can be configured to controllably charge a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) traction battery using energy provided by a low voltage (LV) lead acid vehicle battery. An HVCA can include a DCDC converter configured to boost a lower input voltage from the LV battery to a higher output voltage provided to the HV battery. The HVCA can be configured with a traction battery interlock, allowing offline charging of the traction battery. In an example embodiment, an HVCA can be configured to communicate with an HV battery control module via a CAN bus. An HVCA can be configured to transfer energy to the HV battery for a predetermined time period, then automatically stop the transfer process. An HVCA can be configured to receive user input to start and/or stop a charging process. An example embodiment can include a supplemental charger to boost LV battery voltage.

Abstract: A movement prevention system preventing undesired travel of a vehicle. A transmission gear sensor senses an out of park position of a vehicle transmission. An occupant detection system senses a presence of a driver in a driver seat of a vehicle in response to the vehicle transmission being out of the park position. A processor determines whether movement of the vehicle is likely to occur in response to a determination of the non-presence of the driver. A vehicle movement prevention device prevents movement of the vehicle in response to the processor determining whether movement of the vehicle is likely to occur.

Abstract: Embodiments for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, at least one exhaust line for discharging combustion gases via an exhaust-gas discharge system, and at least one intake line for supplying charge air via an intake system are provided. In one example, an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust-gas recirculation arrangement which comprises a recirculation line which branches off from the exhaust-gas discharge system and which opens into the intake system, an exhaust-gas turbocharger comprising a compressor arranged in the intake system and a turbine arranged in the exhaust-gas discharge system, a throttle element which is arranged in the intake line downstream of the compressor, a bypass line which branches off from the intake line upstream of the throttle element and which opens into the intake line again downstream of the throttle element, and an expansion machine for gaining additional energy arranged in the bypass line.

Abstract: A fascia assembly may include a fascia having an inner surface, a sensor assembly including a housing integrated with the inner surface, a sensor having a connector, and a lever rotatably attached to the sensor. The lever may be configured to selectively rotate between first and second positions when inserted into the housing, and may include a tab to prevent mating access to the connector when the lever is in the first position but not in the second position.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a polyolefin composition suitable for packaging applications, films, multilayer structures and packaging devices made therefrom. The polyolefin composition according to the present invention comprises: an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer composition comprising (a) from 50 to 75 percent by weight of a first ethylene/?-olefin copolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.908 g/cm3, a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.2 to 1 g/10 minutes, and (b) from 25 to 50 percent by weight of a second ethylene/?-olefin copolymer fraction, and wherein said ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer composition has a density in the range of 0.910 to 0.924 g/cm3, a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.5 to 2 g/10 minutes, a zero shear viscosity ratio (ZSVR) in the range of from 1.15 to 2.5, a molecular weight distribution, expressed as the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) in the range of from 2.0 to 4.0, and tan delta at 0.

Abstract: An applique assembly for a vehicle door includes a body defining an attachment surface with an edge. The body has a margin extension member coupled with the attachment surface inward of the edge that defines a margin channel open toward the edge. The assembly also includes a margin seal having a first portion receivable within the margin channel with a second portion extending inward over and spaced apart from the margin extension member outside the margin channel.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a crosslinkable aqueous composition, method of producing the same, crosslinked compositions, and method of producing the same. The crosslinkable composition comprising: an aqueous dispersion comprising; (a) water; (b) a polycarbamate comprising at least an average of 2.0 carbamate functional groups; (c) a polyaldehyde comprising at least two aldehyde groups; (d) an acid catalyst; and (e) optionally one or more surfactants; wherein said aqueous dispersion has a pH in the range of less than 7; and wherein said composition is capable of being crosslinked at a temperature in range of less than 80° C. upon substantial removal of water.

Abstract: Traffic density is estimated around a host vehicle moving on a roadway. An object detection system remotely senses and identifies the positions of nearby vehicles. A controller a) predicts a path of a host lane being driven by the host vehicle, b) bins the nearby vehicles into a plurality of lanes including the host lane and one or more adjacent lanes flanking the predicted path, c) determines a host lane distance in response to a position of a farthest vehicle that is binned to the host lane, d) determines an adjacent lane distance in response to a difference between a closest position in an adjacent lane that is within the field of view and a position of a farthest vehicle binned to the adjacent lane, and e) indicates a traffic density in response to a ratio between a count of the binned vehicles and a sum of the distances.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an intake air temperature sensor in a hybrid electric vehicle. An engine temperature is compared to each of an intake air temperature sensed before an engine start but after sufficient engine soak, as well as an intake air temperature sensed after selected vehicle operating conditions have elapsed since the engine start. Based on discrepancies between the air temperature and the engine temperature, degradation of the sensor is determined.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door and armrest assembly using a thin plate that is vertically strong while laterally collapsible. The plate is comprised of a matrix of intersecting parallel struts forming four sided cells having a first set of opposing acute angles and a second set of opposing obtuse angles. The obtuse angles span a direction normal to the motor vehicle door and allow the plate to more easily limit force transmission from a side impact force. The struts are coupled to a frame, the coupling struts variable in cross sectional area to further determine the lateral stiffness of the plate.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling battery power in a hybrid vehicle for a given driver demand that balances battery state of charge and battery capacity limits while operating the engine at a system efficient engine power. Predictive information may be used to predict battery energy usage during a future time window that indicates a charging opportunity (excess power will be absorbed by the battery) or a boosting opportunity (battery power will be discharged). Based on this information and the current state of charge of the battery, an associated battery power for a given driver demand is determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle responsive to a seasonal grade of the fuel available in the vehicle's fuel tank. If the seasonal grade of fuel in the fuel tank does not correspond to the seasonal grade of fuel mandated during the time of engine operation, a fuel injection amount is adjusted to compensate for differences between seasonal grades of a fuel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the temperature of intake air entering an engine. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, the position of an induction valve is adjusted to draw in air from a warm or cool air duct. Induction valve operation is further controlled to reduce fuel economy losses.

Abstract: A system for method for emptying a gas storage tank of a vehicle is presented. In one example, engine valve timing is adjusted to facilitate reducing pressure within the gas storage tank. The system and method may extend the use of the gas stored in the gas storage tank.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, application of a driveline disconnect clutch to start an engine is described. The approach applies the driveline disconnect clutch to rotate an engine and at least partially disengages the driveline disconnect clutch to reduce the possibility of a reduction in torque applied to vehicle wheels.

Abstract: An electric vehicle has a thermal circuit connected to a traction battery and a cabin climate system, a user interface, and a controller. The controller is configured to charge the traction battery to a target state of charge, condition the traction battery to a target battery temperature, and condition a vehicle cabin to a target cabin temperature based on a charging profile based on the user input in response to receiving a user input requesting vehicle conditioning from the user interface and the traction battery being connected to an external power source. A method for controlling an electric vehicle while connected to an external power source includes charging a traction battery to a target state of charge and conditioning the battery to a target temperature according to a charging profile based on a user initiated request for vehicle conditioning.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly is provided having a beverage retainer formed in a storage compartment on the door of an automotive vehicle. The trim assembly includes a storage receptacle and a trim component such as a trim panel arranged to define at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The trim panel includes a base portion connected to a beverage retainer portion via a living hinge. The beverage retainer portion is pivoted about the living hinge into position within the storage receptacle. The trim assembly may include a trim component assembled onto a pillar and pivoted about the living hinge between a use position and a stored position.

Abstract: A portable charging device can provide controllable fast DC charging of an electric vehicle (EV) high voltage battery by a separate EV high voltage battery. The charging device can be configured to comply with universal standards for EV charging so as to be compatible with various automobile models of various manufacturers. The device can be configured to establish a communication link with a donor and recipient vehicle and conduct a voltage matching process between the batteries of the two vehicles prior to transferring power to the recipient vehicle battery. To prevent energy theft, control of a charging process can be shared among the charging device and the donor and receiver vehicles. A charger device can be configured to enable a charging process only when no faults are detected. A charger device can allow a motorist to quickly recharge a depleted high voltage battery at a convenient time and location.

Abstract: A method for reducing the particle emissions of a spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises operating at least one cylinder superstoichiometrically, responsive to an injector coking level and sufficiently high cylinder temperature, for a duration to increase oxidation of coking residues.