Abstract: A ventilation system for a seat cushion comprises a reticulated ventilation manifold disposed in the seat cushion. The ventilation manifold has an inlet disposed adjacent a first side of the cushion and a plurality of manifold ducts extending from the inlet to terminate in outlets disposed at or near openings in a second side of the cushion. A fan motor is attached adjacent the first side of the cushion and has a fan outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the ventilation manifold. The fan motor operates to apply a positive or a negative pressure, via the fan outlet to the ventilation manifold to supply air through the ventilation manifold and the cushion.

Abstract: An operator offset request for automatic lane following system of an automobile vehicle includes an operator offset request defining a lateral offset distance away from a first travel-line of an automobile vehicle in a displacement path moved until a second travel-line of the automobile is achieved. An operator input setting system when actuated generates an initiation signal forwarded to a controller to input the operator offset request. An achievement signal is generated to signify a selected offset position selected by a vehicle operator for the offset distance is achieved. A vehicle return travel path is elected by the vehicle operator to return the automobile vehicle to the first travel-line from the second travel-line by a return displacement path which is opposite to the displacement path.

Abstract: A method of using perception-inspired event generation for situation awareness for a vehicle, including receiving perception input data from a sensor of the vehicle and processing the perception input data to classify and generate parameters related to an external entity in a vicinity of the vehicle. The method includes generating a hierarchical event structure that classifies and prioritizes the perception input data by classifying the external entity into an attention zone and prioritizing the external entity within the attention zone according to a risk level value for the external entity. A higher risk level value indicates a higher priority within the attention zone. The method further includes developing a behavior plan for the vehicle based on the hierarchical event structure.

Abstract: A vehicle motion control system includes one or more input devices for generating one or more input signals associated with data indicative of a motion of the vehicle. The system further includes a computer, which has one or more processors. The computer further includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for storing instructions, such that the processor is programmed to compare a current tire state and a current tire prediction model to the data indicative of the motion of the vehicle. The processor is further programmed to calculate in real-time an adjusted tire state and an adjusted tire prediction model. The processor is further programmed to generate in real-time one or more actuation signals based on the adjusted tire state and the adjusted tire prediction model. The actuators in real-time adjust the motion of the vehicle in response to the actuator receiving the actuation signal from the processor.

Abstract: A system for detecting and estimating a property of an object based on radar includes a signal generator configured to generate a code sequence for a plurality of transmitters configured to emit radar signals over a selected time frame, the code sequence including a plurality of codes, each code of the plurality of codes having a different code length, each code repeated in the code sequence according to a repetition frequency, and each transmitter configured to emit a radar signal based on the code sequence. The system also includes a receiver configured to detect return signals from reflections of the emitted radar signal, and a processing device configured to estimate a property of an object based on the detected return signals.

Abstract: A head-up display system for displaying graphics upon a windscreen of a vehicle to provide a driver with a gamified experience includes a driver monitoring system including one or more cameras that determine a location of a head of the driver of the vehicle and an eye location of the driver, a graphic projection module for generating images upon the windscreen of the vehicle, and one or more controllers in electronic communication with the driver monitoring system and the graphic projection module. The controller executes instructions to instruct the graphic projection module to generate a vertical alignment graphic upon the windscreen of the vehicle. The vertical alignment graphic indicates when the eye location of the driver is positioned at a nominal height of an eyebox of the head-up display.

Abstract: A split-phase bidirectional on-board charger (OBC) has separate charging and discharging modes, and includes a switchgear block connectable to an offboard charging station during the charging mode, and to an external alternating current (AC) load during the discharging mode. The OBC includes first and second DC-AC converters connected to the switchgear block and DC-DC converter connected to the first and second DC-AC converters and a DC bus. During the charging mode, the DC-AC converters output a DC link voltage to the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter outputs a DC charging voltage or current to the DC bus when the link voltage reaches a predetermined value. During the discharging mode, the DC-AC converters receive a DC discharging voltage or current from the DC-DC converter and together selectively output a split-phase AC voltage through the switchgear block to the AC electrical load.

Abstract: A method and system for a target vehicle that includes an extra-vehicle communication system, a passenger cabin including an interior audio system and a visual display, and a controller is described. The controller is in communication with the extra-vehicle communication system, and operably connected to the interior audio system and the visual display. The controller includes algorithmic code that is executable to receive a proximity alert from a second vehicle via the extra-vehicle communication system, determine a location vector between the second vehicle and the target vehicle based upon the proximity alert, and control the interior audio system and the visual display to generate an alarm in response to the proximity alert, wherein the alarm generated by the interior audio system and the visual display is directionally controlled based upon the location vector. The proximity alert may be generated by an operator, or by a spatial monitoring system.

Abstract: A method for aerial-based event notification includes detecting a trigger event with one or more electronic units of a system. The system includes a telematics unit, a drone having one or more notification actuators, and a tether that connects the drone to the system. The method further includes launching the drone with the telematics unit in response to the trigger event, waiting a predetermined time after the trigger event, retracting the drone in response to a subsequent event being undetected within the predetermined time after the trigger event, detecting the subsequent event with the one or more electronic units, placing the drone in an alert configuration in response to detecting the subsequent event within the predetermined time after the trigger event, and generating one or more alert notifications from the one or more notification actuators while the drone is in the alert configuration.

Abstract: Wireless transmission of data packets between controllers is executed over a plurality of integrated hybrid wireless communication channels, with proportional allocation of communication links for guaranteed and best-effort communication links Data packets may be communicated across a plurality of wireless communication channels to ensure delivery of on-demand performance.

Abstract: A battery pack includes battery cells arranged a distance above a battery tray such that an exhaust passage is defined between the battery cells and the battery tray. Each respective one of the battery cells includes a casing defining a cell cavity therein and having an end surface disposed proximate the battery tray, an anode and a cathode disposed within the cell cavity, and a sacrificial vent cap. The sacrificial vent cap is constructed at least partially of a polymeric material and connected to the end surface of the casing. The sacrificial vent cap is configured to melt or fracture at a predetermined temperature or pressure, respectively, to thereby connect the cell cavity to the exhaust passage.

Abstract: A method for performance tuning an electronic control unit (ECU). The performance tuning may include determining one or more tunable values stored on a tunable implementation memory of the ECU to specify tunable calibration data for one or more tunable calibration parameters selected for performance tuning and controlling an application software of the ECU to execute according to the tunable calibration data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring seatbelt usage by an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes, by a processor: receiving sensor data generated by at least one sensing device of the vehicle, determining a seatbelt gaming activity has occurred based on the sensor data, wherein the seatbelt gaming activity occurs when a seatbelt of the vehicle is latched while the occupant is not secured to a corresponding seat with the seatbelt, performing a persistence check to compare a frequency of the seatbelt gaming activity over a period of time to a minimum seatbelt gaming activity threshold, determining a classification of seatbelt gaming activity attributed to the occupant based on the persistence check, and generating record data that includes the classification of seatbelt gaming activity attributed to the occupant.

Abstract: Presented are devices for measuring dimensions of tear seams, methods for making/using such devices, and handheld clamp calipers for gauging material thicknesses of tear seams in passenger airbag breakaway panels. A handheld or automated measurement tool for determining seam dimensions includes first and second jaws operatively attached to a calibrated scale. The calibrated scale displays a measurement value fora dimension of a seam. The first jaw includes a first jaw tip projecting from a first jaw mandible. The second jaw includes a second jaw tip projecting from a second jaw mandible, which is movably attached with the first jaw mandible. Each of the jaw tips contacts a respective surface of the seam. An interior edge of the second jaw tip is disposed at an oblique angle of less than 90 degrees from an interior edge of the second jaw mandible.

Abstract: A method for securing an electronic control unit (ECU). The method may include generating a granular security control adjustment authorization ticket (G-SCAAT) for securing the ECU according to a plurality of security parameters determined based on to a role selected for a corresponding user. The G-SCAAT may include security values to be used in controlling the ECU to operate according to the security parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring ground line degradation of electric devices coupled to a communication bus. The method includes, by a processor: receiving voltage data including measurements of voltages of messages transmitted by the electric device over the communication bus, generating health indicators from the voltage data associated with ground line degradation of the electric device, the health indicators including statistical moments calculated based on the voltage data, and determining a health stage of the electric device based on the health indicators, the health stage including a classification based on a relationship between ground line degradation and communication loss for the electric device.

Abstract: A battery pack includes one or more battery modules subject to generating hot vent gasses during a thermal runaway event, a housing enclosing the battery modules therein and defining perimeter vent openings, and a plurality of perimeter vent assemblies. Each vent assembly is connected adjacent a corresponding one of the vent openings, and includes a translatable member, a gas diffuser block, and at least one sacrificial post. The gas diffuser block is connected to an outer surface of the housing, covers a respective one of the vent openings, and defines a plurality of orifices. The at least one sacrificial post is configured to melt or incinerate at a predetermined temperature to cause the translatable member to translate relative to the diffuser block and thereby prevent the vent gasses from escaping the battery pack.

Abstract: An engine consumes fuel and air to generate an exhaust gas stream. An exhaust system channels the exhaust gas stream from the engine to a tailpipe. An aftertreatment system is included in the exhaust system and includes a catalyst. A transmission system is coupled with the engine. The transmission system includes a transmission and a torque converter coupled with the transmission through a shaft. A lock is included in the transmission system to selectively prevent rotation of the shaft to increase a load on the engine by the torque converter.