Abstract: An electric drive unit includes a polyphase alternating current (AC) motor, an inverter. A motor controller employs field oriented controls to achieve torque and heat production objectives for the electric drive unit. Additional heat may be generated through inverter operation control.

Abstract: An olfactory communication system for generating aroma-based notifications to one or more occupants of a vehicle includes an aroma diffuser that emits aromas into an interior cabin of the vehicle and a controller in electronic communication with the aroma diffuser. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive a message indicating a specific event is occurring, where the specific event is an occurrence that the one or more occupants experience while in the interior cabin of the vehicle. In response to receiving the message, the one or more controllers determine a customized aroma based on the specific event, where the customized aroma creates an odor that informs the one or more occupants of the specific event. The one or more controllers instruct the aroma diffuser to emit the customized aroma into the interior cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of assembly includes forming a first member to include a plurality of elastically deformable locating protrusions extending outward from an exterior surface of the first member. A locating protrusion is an elongate member having an arcuate portion, a first linear leg portion extending from a first arc end, and a second leg portion extending from a second arc end. The method additionally includes forming a second member to include a plurality of elastically deformable compression features. The locating protrusions are inserted in press fit engagement with the plurality of compression features such that the first member and the second member are secured relative to each other and the average of the elastic deformation between all of the plurality of locating protrusions and all of the plurality of compression features precisely aligns the first member relative to the second member.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include equipment and process schemes for using a glass panel of a vehicle as a high-speed optical interconnect. An exemplary method can include forming a first insert in a first region of a glass panel of a vehicle and a second insert in a second region of the glass panel. A light emitter can be placed on a surface of the first insert. A light receiver can be placed on a surface of the second insert. The method can include injecting, by the light emitter, light into the first insert. The method can include receiving, by the light receiver, the light at the surface of the second insert.

Abstract: A mold for molding a composite preform that has an outer edge thereabout and a plurality of tethers each attached at respective opposed ends thereof to the outer edge. The mold includes first and second mold halves defining a mold body and being configured to transition between an open position and a generally closed position, and a plurality of moveable members each having a moveable gage pin configured for being wrapped thereabout by a respective one of the tethers and a respective actuator configured for moving the moveable gage pin between a respective first position in which the respective moveable gage pin is disposed at a respective first distance from a center of the mold body and a respective second position in which the respective moveable gage pin is disposed at a respective second distance from the center of the mold body that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, system and method of navigating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors for obtaining data with respect to a remote stationary vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to classify the remote stationary vehicle into an object hypothesis based on the data, determine an actionable behavior of the autonomous vehicle based on a probability for the object hypothesis, and navigate the autonomous vehicle with respect to the remote vehicle via the actionable behavior.

Abstract: A system for facilitating transfers of control includes an input module configured to acquire a set of user preferences relating control states to contexts, the control states including at least a manual control state, and an autonomous and/or semi-autonomous control state. The system includes a processing device configured to automatically perform, during operation of a semiautonomous system, generating a transfer of control (TOC) policy based on the set of user preferences and a current context state, the TOC policy prescribing transitions between control states in response to actions. The processing device is also configured to perform, based on an action performed by the user or a control system, determining whether to perform a transition from a current control state to a second control state, and in response to the TOC policy prescribing the transition, transitioning from the current control state to the second control state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smoothing automated lane change (ALC) operations. A mission planner, upon receipt of an ALC request, sends a ALC heads up signal to a lateral control. The mission planner then begins confidence building operations, for a preprogrammed duration of time, and awaits an ALC ready signal from the lateral control. The lateral control, upon receipt of the ALC heads up, calculates an index of readiness, RALC, as a function of the requested ALC, a current trajectory, and a lane centering control path. When RALC is less than or equal to a readiness threshold, Rt, the lateral control sends the ALC ready signal. When RALC is greater than Rt, the lateral control generates a steering correction and applies the steering correction to reduce the RALC and thereby stabilize the vehicle and send the ALC ready signal. Upon receiving the ALC ready signal, the ALC operation is executed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a virtual view of a scene associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining image data including a plurality of images captured by a plurality of cameras of the vehicle; obtaining steering angle data captured by a sensor of the vehicle; detecting, by a processor, a shadow in at least one image of the plurality of images; determining, by the processor, auto-white balance data for each image of the plurality of images; selectively combining, by the processor, the auto-white balance data of the images based on the detected shadow, and the steering angle data; and generating, by the processor, output image data based on the combined auto-white balance data and the image data.

Abstract: A gel polymer electrolyte for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions comprises a polymer matrix infiltrated with a liquid electrolyte solution. The polymer matrix comprises poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene). The liquid electrolyte solution comprises a nonaqueous organic solvent, a first lithium salt in the nonaqueous organic solvent, and a second lithium salt in the nonaqueous organic solvent. The first lithium salt comprises lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate and the second lithium salt comprises lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide.

Abstract: A cell temperature measurement system for a battery includes a heat spreader and a temperature sensor. The heat spreader is configured to thermally conduct energy through a substrate from a cell contact to a sensor contact. The temperature sensor is configured to generate a measurement reflective of a cell or another component temperature of the battery. The temperature sensor may generate the temperature measurement according to readings taken with a probe positioned proximate the sensor contact.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions, where the electrochemical cell includes an electrode, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and a solid-state interlayer disposed between the electrode and the solid-state electrolyte layer. The solid-state interlayer includes a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles. In certain instances, the solid-state interlayer includes a plurality of through-holes dispersed therewithin. The through-holes have an average diameter between about 0.05 to about 100 micrometers. The solid-state interlay covers between about 50% and about 100% of a total surface area of the electrode. In each variation, solid-state interlayer has a thickness greater than or equal to about 0.1 to less than or equal to about 8 micrometers, and the electrochemical cell may include a polymeric gel electrolyte that at least partially fills voids between solid-state electroactive particle and solid-state electrolyte particles.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrode is provided. The method includes adding one or more dry powders to an extruder barrel of an extruder at a first location, adding one or more solvents to the extruder barrel at a second location that is downstream of the first location to form a material mixture, applying a mixing force to the material mixture to form a paste, and extruding the paste as a continuous film onto one or more surfaces of a current collector to form the electrode. The one or more dry powders include an electroactive material. The paste is a homogeneous semi-solid having a solids content greater than or equal to about 60% to less than or equal to about 90%. The continuous film has a thickness greater than or equal to about 50 ?m to less than or equal to about 500 ?m.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling fuel injection by a fuel injector of a direct injection engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a first data storage device, a first table of values; storing, in a second data storage device, a second table of values; and adjusting, via instructions provided by a processor of the vehicle, a minimum mass value used to control the fuel injection based on an injector learned value, the first table, and the second table, wherein the injector learned value is set based on an amount of injector learning completed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermally stable battery pouch that includes one or more films assembled together to define a cavity, where a stack including a plurality of electrochemical cells and an electrolyte are disposed in the cavity. The cavity is at least about 50% larger than the stack. In certain variations, the thermally stable battery pouch further includes an elastic material film that coats at least a portion of an exterior surface of the one or more films. A method for forming the thermally stable battery pouch is also provided. The method includes adding the electrolyte to a precursor battery pouch via an opening, where the precursor battery pouch defines the cavity, and sealing the opening of the precursor battery pouch having the electrolyte and the stack disposed therein to form the thermally stable battery pouch.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a header for a vehicle upper body structure. The header includes an elongated body extending between a first side and a second side. The elongated body includes a polymer and a plurality of fibers. The elongated body includes a front end and a back end. The front end is configured to be coupled to a windshield. The back end is configured to be coupled to a roof. At least a portion of the elongated body has a transparency of greater than or equal to about 4%.