Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a seat including a seat back and a seat base and a passive restraint system mounted adjacent to the seat. The passive restraint system includes a lap belt. A belt adjuster is mounted at the seat. The belt adjuster includes a member operable to engage and shift the lap belt away from the seat back upon being exposed to a selected deceleration force.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a virtual view of a virtual camera based on an input scene are described. A capturing device typically includes a physical camera and a depth sensor and captures an input scene. A controller determines an actual pose of the capturing device and a desired pose of the virtual camera for showing the virtual view. The controller defines an epipolar geometry between the actual pose of the capturing device and the desired pose of the virtual camera. The controller generates an output image for the virtual camera based on an epipolar relation between the actual pose of the capturing device, the input scene, and the desired pose of the virtual camera.

Abstract: A flip hinge for a motor vehicle includes an inner strap affixed to a body of the motor vehicle, an outer strap separate from the inner strap and affixed to a removable panel of the motor vehicle, and an intermediate link extending from the inner strap to the outer strap. The intermediate link is rotatably attached to the inner strap at a first link end by a spring-loaded pivot. The intermediate link is rotatably attached to the outer strap at a second link end by an outer strap pivot. The intermediate link is movable between at least a first position and a second position. The spring-loaded pivot biases the intermediate link towards the second position whenever the intermediate link is not in the first position, and the outer strap is separable from the intermediate link only when the intermediate link is in the first position.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters (TC) with planetary-type vibration dampers, methods for making/using such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a TC housing drivingly connected to a prime mover to receive torque therefrom, and a TC output member drivingly connected to a transmission to transfer torque thereto. Rotatably mounted within an internal fluid chamber of the TC housing are juxtaposed turbine and impeller blades. The impeller blades are rotatably mounted to the housing. A TC clutch is operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member. A torsional vibration damper, which is disposed within the internal fluid chamber, includes a sun gear attached to the TC output member for unitary rotation, a ring gear attached to the TC clutch for unitary rotation, and a planet carrier intermeshed with the ring and sun gears and attached to the turbine blades for unitary rotation.

Abstract: An automated driving system includes perception, intervention, and vehicle control modules. The perception module detects an upcoming situation to be experienced by a vehicle. The intervention module: determines that a low confidence level exists for a driving decision to be made for the upcoming situation; enables intervention of an autonomous driving mode and indicate information pertaining to the upcoming situation to a driver of the vehicle via an interface; based on the upcoming situation, requests assistance from the driver by (i) indicating available options for the situation via the interface, or (ii) requesting information from the driver to aid in making the driving decision; and determine whether an input has been received from the driver via the interface indicating (i) a selected one of the available options, or (ii) the requested information. The vehicle control module autonomously drives the vehicle based on whether the input has been received.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for shape controlled gripping of a workpiece. A layer jamming structure includes a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity. A shape conforming tool includes at least one part configured to move to apply a force to the layer jamming structure. The shape conforming tool, by operation of the part, conforms the layer jamming structure to the workpiece. The pressure system, with operation of the pump, changes a pressure in the internal cavity to impart rigidity to the layer jamming structure.

Abstract: A method for updating a localization of an autonomous vehicle includes receiving perception input data from a sensor of the autonomous vehicle and receiving map data including road lane information in a vicinity of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes processing the perception input data to extract perceived road lane information including a perceived x position, a perceived y position, a perceived z position, a perceived lane type, a perceived lane color, and a perceived lane curvature and processing the map data to extract map road lane information including a map x position, a map y position, a map z position, a map lane type, a map lane color, and a map lane curvature. The method includes calculating a transformation matrix from the perceived road lane information and the map road lane information and updating the map data and a localization of the vehicle based on the transformation matrix.

Abstract: A storage enclosure includes a first support member spaced from a second support member. The first support member includes a first rotating shelf support and the second support member includes a second rotating shelf support. A third support member is spaced from a fourth support member. The third support member includes a first fixed shelf support and a second fixed shelf support and the fourth support member includes a third fixed shelf support and a fourth fixed shelf support. A shelf includes a first end connected to the first rotating shelf support and the second rotating shelf support and a second end. The shelf is positionable in a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having a lighting system therein. The lighting system includes a layer of an optical medium, a light source and a lens array. The layer of the optical medium has a first interface and a second interface. The light source emits a light ray that is incident at the first interface and travels through the optical medium to exit the optical medium at the second interface. The lens array is configured to reduce an occurrence of total internal reflection of the light ray at the second interface.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for an automobile includes a transmission adapted to provide power to wheels of the automobile, an engine adapted to provide power to an input shaft of the transmission, and an electric motor-generator unit adapted to provide power to the input shaft of the transmission, wherein the electric motor-generator is positioned within the transmission, coaxial with the transmission input shaft, the electric motor-generator being supported by and enclosed within a pump support of the transmission.

Abstract: A propulsion torque distribution system for a vehicle includes a controller in electronic communication with a plurality of vehicle systems. The controller executes instructions to receive at least one or more computational faults, one or more sensor faults, and a driver torque request. In response to receiving at least one of the one or more computational faults and the one or more sensor faults, the controller determines a fault that affects calculation of a primary torque request has occurred. In response to determining the fault that affects calculation of the primary torque request has occurred, the controller determines a severity of the fault. The controller determines a remedial state based on the severity of the fault. The remedial state indicates a corresponding action that is executed by the propulsion torque distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake control device and a brake control method for a vehicle comprising a plurality of brakes which are respectively installed on wheels, the brake control device comprising an auto leveling sensor which senses a load state of the vehicle according to a change in an angle; a control unit which calculates a correction value according to the load state of the vehicle sensed by the auto leveling sensor; and an electronic brake booster which corrects a predetermined braking power set according to a brake pedal force with the calculated correction value so that the braking operation of each brake is made.

Abstract: An electrical connection unit for a battery pack includes a busbar having a first hole therein, a top surface and a bottom surface, an annular bushing having a top end abutting the bottom surface, a bottom end opposed to the top end and a bore hole therein registered with the first hole, a busbar cage secured to the busbar and retaining the annular bushing in abutment with the busbar, the busbar cage having a cavity therein above the top surface, and a fastener having a head portion captured within the cavity and a shank portion extending through the first hole. The annular bushing may include one or more indents formed on an outer surface thereof, and the busbar cage may include a plurality of fingers extending along the outer surface and interfacing with the one or more indents. Each finger may include a protrusion configured to rest within an indent.

Abstract: A two-stage actuation mechanism for a brake system includes a first lead screw having a first plurality of threads, a second lead screw having a second plurality of threads, a preloaded torsional spring, and an actuator assembly having an input shaft coupled with the preloaded torsional spring of the two-stage actuation mechanism. The preloaded torsional spring is configured to activate a first stage of movement of the two-stage actuation mechanism via rotation of the first lead screw. The size and pitch of each of the first and second lead screws are configured to minimize power consumption by the actuator assembly and satisfy a desired actuation time with a low current consumption and high actuator gear train ratio.

Abstract: A battery electric device includes a battery cell, e.g., a pouch, prismatic, or cylindrical cell, connectable to an electric load, and a direct-to-air thermoelectric assembly (TEA) or another heat pump connected to a surface of the cell. A pressure control device maintains constant pressure on the cell surface when the cell is connected to the load. Connection to the load causes the TEA/heat pump to pump heat from the cell. A sensor, e.g., thermocouple(s) and/or heat flux sensor(s), generate an output voltage signal indicative of the quantity of heat. A battery system includes the device and a processor in communication with the cell, the load, and the power supply. The processor generates an electronic control signal in response to the quantity of heat.

Abstract: A system for ambient temperature and battery voltage compensation for operation of a telematics module through an ignition-off low-power mode is provided. The system includes the telematics module configured for providing data communication and for operating in the ignition-off low-power mode through a telematics remaining reduced power operating period. The system further includes a battery system providing electrical power to the telematics module, a battery voltage sensor measuring a battery voltage of the battery system, and an ambient temperature sensor measuring an ambient temperature. The system further includes a computerized ignition-off low-power controller, including programming to periodically monitor the battery voltage, periodically monitor the ambient temperature, and determine a relative energy consumption ratio based upon comparing the measured values to nominal values.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for generating an action policy for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the method and apparatus are operative for detecting, by a vehicle sensor, a distance from a host vehicle to a lane edge, determining a status of a vehicle system, calculating, by a processor, a risk index in response to the status of the vehicle system, calculating, by the processor, an intervention threshold in response to the risk index, generating, by the processor, a vehicle path in response to the distance of the host vehicle to the lane edge being less than the intervention threshold, and controlling the vehicle, by a vehicle controller, in response to the vehicle path.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for implementing a lane-keeping assist unit of a vehicle by receiving information of a plurality of road geometries, and driving scenarios wherein at least one driving scenario is combined with a target path that is parallel and biased from a lane center by a desired path offset, and a reference path for guiding the vehicle to merge with the target path; adapting the reference path with control based on a selected road geometry and driving scenario; adjusting the desired path offset by considering lane markings during an intervention for an inner curve, an outer curve and a straight road; controlling the vehicle trajectory for enabling the vehicle to track the reference path; exiting the intervention once a trajectory tracking performance by the vehicle is confirmed; and aborting once an instability of the trajectory tracking performance is confirmed.