Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: determining whether an autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; determining a steering wheel angle bias in response to determining that the autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; and controlling, via a steering controller of the autonomous vehicle, an electronic power steering system of the autonomous vehicle using the steering wheel angle bias.

Abstract: A photonic circulator deployed on a chip-scale light-detection and ranging (LiDAR) device includes a first arm that includes a first waveguide that is bonded onto a first member at a first bonding region, and a second arm that includes a second waveguide that is bonded onto a second member at a second bonding region. A first thermo-optic phase shifter is arranged on the first member and collocated with the first waveguide, and a second thermo-optic phase shifter is arranged on the second member and collocated with the second waveguide. The magneto-optic material and the first thermo-optic phase shifter of the first member cause a first phase shift in a first light beam travelling through the first waveguide, and the magneto-optic material and the second thermo-optic phase shifter of the second member cause a second phase shift in a second light beam travelling through the second waveguide.

Abstract: A method increases fidelity of a lane localization function aboard a motor vehicle by receiving input signals indicative of a relative position of the vehicle with respect to a roadway. The input signals include GPS and geocoded mapping data, and an electronic turn signal indicative of activation of the turn signal lever. Sensor-specific lane probability distributions are calculated via the lane localization function using the input signals. The various distributions are fused via the localization function to generate a host lane assignment. The host lane assignment corresponds to a lane of the roadway having a highest probability among a set of possible lane assignments. An autonomous steering control action is performed aboard the motor vehicle using an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in response to the host lane assignment. A motor vehicle has a controller that performs the method, e.g., by executing instructions from computer-readable media.

Abstract: A lithium-ion electrochemical cell assembly includes a first electrode having a first polarity and a first current collector defining a first electrically conductive tab at an edge of the first electrode. The first electrically conductive tab is substantially covered by a first insulation material. A second electrode has the first polarity and a second current collector defining a second electrically conductive tab at an edge of the second electrode. The second electrically conductive tab is substantially covered by a second insulation material. A weld nugget is formed through at least a portion of the first insulation material and the second insulation material that joins the first electrically conductive tab to the second electrically conductive tab together. Methods of forming lithium-ion electrochemical cells are also provided.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium-containing electrochemical cell is provided herein. The separator includes a porous substrate having a first side and an opposing second side and a coating layer disposed adjacent to at least the first side of the porous substrate. The coating layer includes three-dimensionally (3D) ordered porous ceramic particles. An electrochemical cell including such a separator is also provided herein. The electrochemical cell may or may not include a negative electrode.

Abstract: A solid-state electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The electrochemical cell may include a solid-state electrolyte defining a first major surface and a negative electrode defining a second major surface. The electrochemical cell may also include an interfacial layer disposed between the first major surface of the solid-state electrolyte and the second major surface of the solid electrode. The interfacial layer may include an ion-conductor disposed in an organic matrix.

Abstract: Presented are control systems for operating rechargeable electrochemical devices, methods for making/using such systems, and motor vehicles with intelligent battery pack charging and charging behavior feedback capabilities. A method of operating a rechargeable battery includes an electronic controller receiving battery data from a battery sensing device indicative of a battery state of charge (SOC). Using this battery data, the controller determines a number of low SOC excursions at which the battery SOC is below a predefined low SOC threshold and a number of high SOC excursions at which the battery SOC exceeds a predefined high SOC threshold. The controller then determines if the number of low SOC excursions exceeds a predefined maximum allowable low excursions and/or the number of high SOC excursions exceeds a predefined maximum allowable high excursions. If so, the controller responsively commands a resident subsystem to execute a control operation that mitigates degradation of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A system for trailer coupler localization for guidance during a hitching maneuver for a vehicle includes a trailer device including a trailer coupler and a graphic providing structure affixed to the trailer coupler. The structure includes at least one predefined graphic image. The system further includes a rear facing camera device attached to the vehicle and providing a captured image of the predefined graphic image. The system further includes a computerized controller, including programming to receive and analyze the captured image of the predefined graphic image to determine a relative position of the graphic providing structure to the camera device. The controller further includes programming to utilize the analysis to determine a relative position of the trailer coupler to a trailer hitch ball of the vehicle and to provide an output to control the hitching maneuver based upon the relative position.

Abstract: An electric propulsion system includes a rotary electric machine having an output member, a rechargeable energy storage system (“RESS”) connected to the electric machine, a user interface device, and a controller. The RESS includes multiple battery modules and a switching circuit, the latter being configured, in response to electronic switching control signals, to connect the battery modules in a parallel-connected (“P-connected”) configuration or a series-connected (“S-connected”) configuration, as a selected battery configuration. The user interface device receives an operator-requested drive mode signal indicative of a desired drive mode of the electric propulsion system.

Abstract: A steel composition is provided. The steel composition includes 0.02-0.45 wt. % carbon (C), 0-8 wt. % manganese (Mn), 0-8 wt. % nickel (Ni), 11-17 wt. % chromium (Cr), 1-3 wt. % silicon (Si), and a balance of iron (Fe). The combined concentration of the Mn and Ni is 2-8 wt. %. The steel composition is configured to form a surface oxide layer including oxides of at least one of the Cr or the Si after being subjected to press hardening. Press-hardened steel (PHS) fabricated from the steel composition and a method of fabricating a (PHS) component from the steel composition are also provided.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle flexible robot door hinge installation system includes a hinge servo-linear positioning device. The hinge servo-linear positioning device includes at least one servo-motor and at least one hinge effector releasably holding and positioning a vehicle door hinge. A fastener servo-linear installation device is also provided.

Abstract: A method of determining a commanded friction brake torque is disclosed. The method uses inputs, such as from a gearshift sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, and engine torque output sensor, a transmission speed input sensor and a transmission speed output sensor, to determine how much engine braking or regenerative braking is occurring. The method then uses this information combined with the braking command information from the brake pedal sensor to determine the amount of friction braking to apply to the friction brakes.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine includes a rotor and a stator. The stator has windings and teeth extending radially from a stator core. Each tooth is separated from an adjacent tooth by a stator slot that opens to a radial stator-rotor airgap via a slot opening. The windings are positioned within each slot. Each stator tooth has a tooth tip with a surface profile configured to guide rotor flux away from areas of the windings proximate the respective slot opening. The tip surface profile may be a concave region, e.g., a dent/chamfer, and/or a convex region, e.g., a bump/bulge, and is formed in a distal end surface of the tip proximate the opening. The stator-rotor airgap is smaller at the convex region and larger at the concave region than elsewhere along the distal end surface. An electrical system includes the machine, a battery, and a power inverter module.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle action based on a condition of a road on which a vehicle is travelling, including: obtaining first sensor data as to a surface of the road from one or more first sensors onboard the vehicle; obtaining second sensor data from one or more second sensors onboard the vehicle as to a measured parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle or conditions pertaining thereto; generating a plurality of road surface channel images from the first sensor data, wherein each road surface channel image captures one of a plurality of facets of properties of the first sensor data; classifying, via a processor using a neural network model, the condition of the road on which the vehicle is travelling, based on the measured parameter and the plurality of road surface channel images; and controlling a vehicle action based on the classification of the condition of the road.