Abstract: An electric vehicle drive unit includes an electric motor generating a torque. An input differential splits the torque into a first torque created by a first side gear and a second torque created by a second side gear. A first pinion gear shaft assembly receives the first torque and has a first pinion gear. A second pinion gear shaft assembly receives the second torque and has a second pinion gear. A first stage transfer gear assembly has a first, a second, a third, and a fourth transfer gear. A first stage speed reduction meshes the first pinion gear with the first transfer gear and the third transfer gear, and meshes the second pinion gear, the second transfer gear and the fourth transfer gear. A second stage gear assembly engages the first stage transfer gear assembly and includes a first final drive gear and a second final drive gear.

Abstract: A radar signal processing method for improved occupant vital monitoring includes a method for detecting vital signs using at least one radar sensor mounted to a vehicle. The method includes detecting a plurality of target candidates using the at least one radar sensor, analyzing the plurality of target candidates to generate a list of targets, steering the at least one radar sensor towards the target using the angle of arrival to the target, and detecting a vital signal of the target based on the range using the at least one radar sensor.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anode, methods for fabricating a battery, and lithium batteries are disclosed. A method for fabricating an anode includes forming a melt comprising lithium and a surface tension reduction agent, wherein the surface tension reduction agent is selected from the group consisting of silver, tin, gallium, indium, zinc, and combinations thereof; and contacting an anode current collector with the melt, wherein a layer of the melt wets onto the anode current collector to form the anode as a lithium alloy.

Abstract: A system comprises an intake, a turbine enclosed within an explosion-proof enclosure, an explosion-proof motor enclosed within the explosion-proof enclosure, the explosion-proof motor configured to drive the turbine to create a suction force through the intake to force debris through the intake, a housing configured to contain the intake and the explosion-proof enclosure including the turbine and the explosion-proof motor, a plurality of sensors disposed on the housing and configured to obtain directional data, obtain location data, and debris data, one or more wheels, and a controller configured to control the wheels to move the housing based on at least one of the directional data, the location data, and the debris data.

Abstract: A method for removing excess powder from a part for a vehicle during an additive manufacturing process, comprises defining parameters for a part, defining parameters for a removal tool comprising a plurality of links to create a chain-like structure, simultaneously creating the part and the removal tool via additive manufacturing, wherein the part defines an interior passageway and the removal tool is created within the interior passageway and, upon completion of the creation of the part and the removal tool, the removal tool is surrounded by excess powder in the interior passageway, and wherein each link of the plurality of links are created with a gap between adjacent links of the plurality of links, and removing the removal tool from the interior passageway, forcing at least some of the excess powder out of the interior passageway.

Abstract: An impact monitoring system for a vehicle includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations performed by the data processing hardware include receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed along the vehicle and identifying an impact event based on the sensor data. The sensor data and the identified impact event are compared with a series of impact thresholds, and an impact score is determined based on the comparison of the sensor data and the identified impact event with the series of impact thresholds. The impact score is compared with an impact score hierarchy, the impact score hierarchy corresponding to the series of impact thresholds, and the impact event is monitored using updated sensor data.

Abstract: A radial flux electric motor includes a stator having a radially inner stator surface and a rotor mounted inside the stator. The rotor defines a rotational axis and has axially opposite rotor ends and a radially outer rotor surface positioned proximate the radially inner stator surface, thereby establishing an airgap therebetween. The rotor also includes a fluid circulation arrangement having at least one fluid channel extending through the rotor to the radially outer rotor surface and configured to receive a liquid via a first passage and a gas via at least one second passage. The fluid circulation arrangement is also configured to direct the liquid and the gas, via centrifugal force, into the airgap as the rotor rotates inside the stator sufficiently to discharge the liquid and the gas out of the airgap at the axially opposite ends of the rotor, thereby cooling the electric motor.

Abstract: A vent system for a motor vehicle includes a vent conduit defining a vent conduit inlet. A vent outlet is separated from the vent conduit inlet. A first vent channel includes a first vent channel inlet in fluid communication with the vent conduit inlet and a first channel nozzle defining a first fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a first direction. A second vent channel includes a second channel inlet in fluid communication with the vent conduit inlet and a second channel nozzle defining a second fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a second direction convergent with the first direction.

Abstract: A system comprises a donor foil, a carrier substrate disposed adjacent the donor foil, an optical system configured to generate a laser beam through the donor foil and the carrier substrate to create a plurality of cathode voxels, and a current collector foil defined by an X-Y plane and configured to collect the plurality of cathode voxels in the X-Y plane, wherein a first set of the plurality of cathode voxels at a first location on the X-Y plane are diluted with a first amount of a solvent and a second set of the plurality of cathode voxels at a second location on the X-Y plane are diluted with a second amount of a solvent, the second amount of the solvent being less than the first amount of the solvent.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle comprises a WiFi station, data processing hardware including, and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising detecting an access point, establishing a link between the access point and the WiFi station, obtaining recent yaw rate data of the vehicle, obtaining recent speed data of the vehicle, obtaining recent acceleration data of the vehicle, obtaining recent mobility pattern data of the vehicle based on geolocation data and map data, and determining optimal physical (PHY) parameters corresponding to highest data rate based on at least one of the recent yaw rate data, the recent speed data, the recent acceleration data, or the recent mobility pattern data.

Abstract: A system for estimating a state-of-charge of a battery assembly includes a sensor cell and an estimator circuit. The sensor cell is coupled in series to the battery assembly. The battery assembly has an assembly battery chemistry and the sensor cell has a sensor battery chemistry, and the assembly battery chemistry is different than the sensor battery chemistry. The estimator circuit is operational to acquire a sequence of current sensor cell state-of-charges based on a sensor cell model and a sequence of sensor voltages across the sensor cell, calculate a sequence of current battery assembly state-of-charges based on the sequence of current sensor cell state-of-charges, and calculate an estimated battery assembly state-of-charge of the battery assembly and an estimated sensor cell state-of-charge of the sensor cell by filtering in parallel the sequence of current battery assembly state-of-charges and the sequence of current sensor cell state-of-charges.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly includes a rim including a plurality of spokes, and an adjustment assembly that is operably coupled to the rim at one or more of the plurality of spokes. The adjustment assembly includes a motor. The adjustment assembly is configured to rotate the rim about an upper rim joint between an extended state and a partially stowed state via the motor, and the vehicle steering wheel assembly being operable in both the extended state and the partially stowed state.

Abstract: A vehicle, a system and a method of navigating the vehicle. The system includes a camera conveyed by the vehicle and a processor. The camera is configured to obtain an original image data file of an environment. The processor is configured to reduce the original image data file to obtain a reduced image data file and determine an alignment between a camera-centered coordinate system and a ground coordinate system using the reduced image data file.

Abstract: A method for inducing a vehicle occupant to bring a vehicle to a stop includes receiving malfunction data. The malfunction data is indicative of an impending vehicular malfunction will occur in a vehicle; determining that the impending vehicular malfunction will occur using the malfunction data. The method also includes determining that the vehicle is capable of operating without hazards for a predetermined amount of time in response to determining that the impending vehicular malfunction will occur. Further, the method includes commanding an actuator of the vehicle to provide a sensory feedback to the vehicle occupant to induce the vehicle occupant to stop the vehicle in response to determining that the impending vehicular malfunction will occur and determining that the vehicle is capable of operating without hazards for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: An axial flux electric motor includes a stator including a stator segment having a support frame formed with an opening defined by a continuous edge. A stator winding segment is arranged in the opening of the stator segment. The stator winding segment has an outer surface. A thermal interface material (TIM) is disposed between the outer surface of the stator winding segment and the continuous edge defining the opening in the support frame.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a relatively thin lens that leverages reflective surfaces to provide a thick lens appearance and methods of manufacturing the same. An exemplary vehicle includes a component having a lens. The lens includes a light pipe configured such that opposite sidewalls of the light pipe face each other across an airgap, a first reflector surface having a first reflective material formed on a first sidewall of the opposite sidewalls, a second reflector surface having a second reflective material formed on a second sidewall of the opposite sidewalls, and a third surface positioned between the first reflector surface and the second reflector surface and configured such that light can pass through the third surface and into the airgap. A path of light within the airgap is elongated due to internal reflections between the first reflector surface and the second reflector surface, thereby providing an infinity mirror effect.