Abstract: An automobile vehicle information system includes a touchscreen having a touchscreen capacitive sensing grid. The touchscreen displays graphics and detects touch events using the touchscreen capacitive sensing grid. A virtual touchscreen and display device is in communication with and receives the touch events detected by the touchscreen via a first digital communication link. The virtual touchscreen and display device generates graphics and maps touch coordinates to intended functions. A location of a failed virtual switch is mapped by the virtual touchscreen and display device based on screen coordinates provided by the touchscreen, the virtual touchscreen and display device generating a switch failure signal identifying the failed virtual switch. A control unit diagnoses the switch failure signal and generates a default action according to a virtual switch type.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to distribute coolant to an electric motor. The apparatus includes a pan configured with a set of holes for coolant flow; an assembly including a set of bar linkages, a set of discs, and a single actuator motor wherein the assembly is attached to the pan wherein the single actuator motor is linked via bar linkages to discs that enable configuring a planar angle of the pan to obtain an optimum hole location of holes for coolant flow; and in response to external disturbances to the apparatus that redirect the coolant flow from the target region of the electric motor, the single actuator motor is controlled by an algorithm to change the planar angle of the pan to obtain the optimum hole location to direct coolant flow to the target region of the electric motor.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A system provides a gravity drive to distribute coolant oil flow including a nozzle for directing a flow of coolant oil over a surface of an electric motor wherein the flow of the coolant oil is caused by a gravity drive; a connector that is coupled to the nozzle that enables the nozzle to sway in response to external forces encountered by a vehicle operation and to distribute coolant oil over the exterior surface of the electric motor; and a counterweight that is coupled to the nozzle that provides a countermeasure to the external forces encountered by the vehicle operation to cause the nozzle to sway in a manner that enables the coolant oil distributed evenly across the exterior surface of the electric motor.

Abstract: A perception system is adapted to receive visual data from a camera and includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. A subsampling module, an object detection module and an attention module are each selectively executable by the controller. The controller is configured to sample an input image from the visual data to generate a rescaled whole image frame, via the subsampling module. The controller is configured to extract feature data from the rescaled whole image frame, via the object detection module. A region of interest in the rescaled whole image frame is identified, based on an output of the attention module. The controller is configured to generate a first image based on the rescaled whole image frame and a second image based on the region of interest, the second image having a higher resolution than the first image.

Abstract: A robotic system for presenting a payload within a workspace includes a pair of serial robots configured to connect to the payload, a parallel robot coupled to a distal end of one of the serial robots such that the parallel robot is disposed between the distal end and the payload, a sensor situated within a kinematic chain extending between the distal end and the payload, and a robot control system (RCS). The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a measured property of the payload. The RCS includes a coordinated motion controller configured to control the serial robots, and a corrective motion controller configured to control the parallel robot. Parallel robot control occurs in response to the sensor signal concurrently with control of the serial robots in order to thereby modify the property of the payload in real-time.

Abstract: Presented are oleophilic surface treatments for electric machines, methods for making/using such electric machines, and vehicles employing traction motors having stator windings with oleophilic treatments on select surfaces. An electric machine includes an outer housing with a direct-cooling thermal management system fluidly connected to the housing to circulate thereto a coolant fluid. A stator assembly, which is attached to the housing, includes a stator core with one or more electromagnetic windings mounted to the stator core. A rotor assembly is movably mounted to the hosing adjacent the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor core with one or more magnets mounted to the rotor core spaced, e.g., across an air gap, from the winding(s). Select components of the stator assembly have a target surface with an oleophilic surface treatment that enlarges the target surface's wetted area and increases a coolant mass of the coolant fluid contacting the target surface.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for executing a lane change for a host vehicle. In various embodiments, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, an indication that a lane change from an initial lane to an intended lane is desired for the host vehicle; defining, by the processor, an initial lane center target, a negotiation target, and an intended lane center target based on the desired lane change; and controlling, by the processor, the host vehicle to at least one of the initial lane center target, the negotiation target, and the intended lane center target based on a finite state machine, wherein the initial lane center target is at or in proximity to a determined center of the initial lane, wherein the intended lane center target is at or in proximity to a determined center of the intended lane, and wherein the negotiation target is offset from the initial lane center target and within the initial lane.

Abstract: A noise vibration harshness reduction assembly includes a housing, a component, and an axial ring. The component is supported via the housing and movable relative to the housing. The axial ring is disposed axially along the component. The axial ring is configured to attenuate axial sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of the component.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a method executable by a processor coupled to a memory. The processor is local to a vehicle can operable to determine initial location and direction information associated with the vehicle at an origin of a trip request. The processor receives one or more frames captured while the vehicle is traveling along a navigable route relative to the trip request and estimates an execution time for each of one or more computations respective to an analyzing of the one or more frames. The processor, also, off-loads the one or more computations to processing resources of a cloud-based system that is in communication with the processor of the vehicle in accordance with the corresponding execution times.

Abstract: A utility wall for a pickup truck includes: a first portion disposed along a first plane and including alternating first and second vertical columns of apertures, where: the first vertical columns include a vertically repeating pattern including: first rectangular apertures with longer sides oriented in a first direction; ovular apertures; and circular apertures; and the second vertical columns include second rectangular apertures with longer sides oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction; second and third portions disposed along a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, the second and third portions including bolt apertures through which bolts can extend to bolt the utility wall to the pickup truck; a first c-shaped portion that connects a first end of the first portion to the second portion; and a second c-shaped portion that connects a second end of the first portion to the third portion.

Abstract: A method for increasing a default electric stall torque limits in a motor vehicle having an electrified powertrain inclusive of a traction power inverter module (TPIM) connected to an electric traction motor includes receiving vehicle level inputs via a controller. The controller is programmed with the default electric stall torque limits. The method includes selecting an inverter control strategy, via the controller, as a selected inverter control strategy in response to the vehicle level inputs, the strategy including temporarily increasing the default electric stall torque limits while applying a pulse width modulation (PWM) type at a corresponding PWM switching frequency. The method also includes controlling an output state of the TPIM and the electric traction motor over a calibrated duration, via the controller, using the selected inverter control strategy. A motor vehicle includes the controller, road wheels, TPIM, and traction motor.

Abstract: A method of forming an assembly includes providing a metallic first workpiece having base and a first layer disposed on the base and adhering a second layer onto the first layer. One of the first and second layers is formed of a zinc-based material formed of at least a majority of zinc, and the other of the first and second layers is formed of a metallic alloying material having a melting point higher than the melting point of the zinc-based material. Preferably, the first layer is formed of the zinc-based material, and the second layer is formed of the metallic alloying material with the higher melting point. A metallic second workpiece is disposed in contact with the second layer. A welding operation is performed to join the first workpiece to the second workpiece. A welded assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A brake rotor includes a friction portion, a hat portion axially extending from the friction portion and including a top face that is axially displaced from the friction portion and a side wall that extends from the friction portion to the top face, and a nose portion which extends axially from the top face of the hat portion away from the friction portion.

Abstract: A three-state contactor for an electrical system having a battery pack and voltage bus rail includes first and second pairs of electrical terminals. The first pair of terminals is separated by a first circuit gap in a first circuit path extending between the bus rail and an electrode terminal of the battery pack. The second pair of terminals is separated by a second circuit gap in a second circuit path extending between the bus rail and electrode terminal. A contactor arm, in response to a corresponding switch activation signal, translates in an orthogonal direction with respect to its longitudinal axis between a first ON state position, an OFF position, and a second ON position to close the first circuit gap, open both circuit gaps, or close the second circuit gap, respectively. A multi-pack battery system and an electric powertrain may use the contactor.

Abstract: A high heat-absorption casting core for manufacturing a cast component includes a core body. The core body has at least a portion thereof defined by metal powder. The metal powder is configured to absorb heat energy from the cast component during cooling of the component and solidification thereof. The core body may be additionally defined by a sand fraction in contact with the metal powder fraction. A system and a method for manufacturing a cast component using the high heat-absorption casting core are also envisioned.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of forming a cooling plate, comprises laser welding a plurality of weld lines to physically connect a first substrate and a second substrate wherein the plurality of weld lines forms an inflatable track; and inflating the inflatable track with an inflation fluid to form a cooling channel in the cooling plate. In another embodiment, the cooling plate can comprise a first substrate and a second substrate and a plurality of weld lines can form a fluid tight seal for a cooling channel located therebetween.

Abstract: Presented are crankshaft assemblies with internal stiffening structures, methods for making/using such crankshaft assemblies, and internal combustion engines equipped with such crankshaft assemblies. A crankshaft body, which is formed with a first material, includes multiple bearing journals that are mutually coaxial to rotate on a crankshaft axis and spaced from each other along the length of the crankshaft. Each bearing journal has an internal journal cavity. Multiple crankpins are longitudinally spaced from each and axially offset from the crankshaft's rotational axis. Each crankpin has an internal crankpin cavity. Multiple crank webs project radially from the crankshaft axis and interconnect the bearing journals with the crankpins. Each crank web has an internal web cavity. Disposed within the journal cavities, crankpin cavities, and/or web cavities is a stiffening bar formed with a second material having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first material.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method for operating the vehicle is disclose. The system includes a radar system and a processor. The radar system locates a gap between targets in a second lane adjoining a first lane, with the host vehicle residing in the first lane. The processor is configured to determine a viability value of the gap for a lane change, select the gap based on the viability value, align the host vehicle with the selected gap, and merge the host vehicle from the first lane into the selected gap in the second lane.

Abstract: A head up display (HUD) system includes: a difference module configured to determine a speed difference based on a difference between (a) a present speed of a vehicle and (b) a target speed of the vehicle; a light source configured to, via a windshield of the vehicle, generate a virtual display that is visible within a passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a display control module configured to control the light source to include a visual indicator of the speed difference in the virtual display.

Abstract: A wheelhouse liner for a vehicle includes a body portion and a wheelhouse deflector positioned inside the wheelhouse. The deflector includes a deflector portion extending from a first edge of the wheelhouse liner to form a lip at an outboard edge of the wheelhouse liner. In some examples, the wheelhouse deflector includes a deflector surface defining a depression configured to direct a flow of fluid away from a vehicle sensor.