Abstract: A speed reduction assembly for an electric vehicle includes an electric machine configured to operate as a motor and as a generator. The electric machine includes an output shaft that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis at an output speed. The assembly also includes an output member coupled to the output shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis at a reduced speed. In addition, the assembly includes a pericyclic apparatus coupled to the output shaft and the output member to reduce the output speed of the output shaft to the reduced speed of the output member. A vehicle may include the speed reduction assembly in certain configurations. The vehicle includes a battery module and the electric machine is in electrical communication with the battery module to recharge the battery module when the electric machine operates as the generator.

Abstract: Methods of making magnesium-based alloy components, such as automotive components, include treating a casting comprising a magnesium-based alloy to a first deforming process to form a preform. In one aspect, the first deforming process has a first maximum predetermined strain rate of greater than or equal to about 0.001/s to less than or equal to about 1/s in an environment having a temperature of ?to about 250° C. to ?to about 450° C. In another aspect, the first deforming process is cold deforming that is followed by annealing. The preform is then subjected to a second deforming process having a second maximum predetermined strain rate of ?about 1/s to ?about 100/s in an environment having a temperature of ?about 150° C. to ?about 450° C. to form the magnesium-based alloy component substantially free of cracking. A solid magnesium-based alloy component having select microstructures are also provided.

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: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional point cloud generation using a polarimetric camera in a drive assistance system equipped vehicle including a camera configured to capture a color image for a field of view and a polarimetric data of the field of view, a processor configured to perform a neural network function in response to the color image and the polarimetric data to generate a depth map of the field of view, and a vehicle controller configured a perform an advanced driving assistance function and to control a vehicle movement in response to the depth map.

Abstract: A method of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided that includes centrifugally distributing a molten precursor comprising silicon and lithium by contacting the molten precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor. The molten precursor is solidified to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles comprising an alloy of lithium and silicon and having a D50 diameter of less than or equal to about 20 micrometers. In certain variations, the negative electroactive material particles may further have one or more coatings disposed thereon, such as a carbonaceous coating and/or an oxide-based coating.

Abstract: Dynamically monitoring of an electrically-isolated power bus for a DC power system is described, and includes dynamically monitoring voltage and current on the power bus to determine a variation in the voltage on the power bus. When the variation in the voltage on the power bus is less than a threshold, an active positive isolation resistance term and an active negative isolation resistance term are determined. A first voltage balance term is determined based upon a ratio of the active positive isolation resistance term and the active negative isolation resistance term. A dynamic positive isolation resistance term and a dynamic negative isolation resistance term are determined based upon the active negative isolation resistance term. A fault associated with the power bus is determined based upon the dynamic positive isolation resistance term and the dynamic negative isolation resistance term.

Abstract: A method to automatically activate at least one cold weather feature of a vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is in a state for activating at least one cold weather feature, and then determining at least one cold weather condition exists for activating at least one cold weather feature. When it is determined that at least one cold weather condition exists the at least one cold weather feature is automatically activated.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a motor vehicle seat includes an annular motor with an inner nut housed in a rotor, a bracket attached to the seat, the annular motor being positioned in the bracket, and a lead screw that is threaded through the inner nut. When the annular motor is activated the rotor as well as the inner nut rotate about the lead screw resulting in relative translational motion of the bracket and hence the seat relative to the lead screw.

Abstract: A ultrasonic welding method of joining dissimilar-material workpieces, such as sheet materials, and the joined components formed thereby. The method includes applying ultrasonic energy to a thermoplastic piece to fill a hole of a dissimilar piece to form a weld point that is made up with polymer from the thermoplastic piece. In general, the geometry of the thermoplastic piece is not altered during the process. The dissimilar piece generally has a higher melting temperate and can be metal, thermoset polymers, or other thermoplastic material. The welded pieces can be arranged in a lap, laminate, or double lap configuration. In some embodiments, the hole of the dissimilar sheet material includes undercut features that improve the mechanical interlock between the dissimilar pieces. In some embodiments, the weld point has a mushroom cap to improve mechanical interlock.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating adapted tuning parameters for target slip estimation, the parameters being adapted to real-time road surface conditions. The method includes, receiving, from a road surface detection module, a road surface condition, Sn, from among N road surface conditions S, range of friction, mu, and a confidence level, Ci. The method receives sensor system data from a sensor system, and determines, as a function of Sn, range of mu, and Ci, initial estimator values including an estimated initial frictional force {circumflex over (?)}(0), an initial gain, P0, and an initial projected range of signal bounds, (Pu) and (Pl). The method tunes (i.e., adapts) the initial estimator values to generate therefrom adapted tuning parameters based on received inputs. The method outputs adapted tuning parameters.

Abstract: A battery control system includes a battery comprising: first and second terminals; third and fourth terminals; a plurality of individually housed batteries; and a plurality of switches configured to connect ones of the batteries to and from ones of the first, second, third, and fourth terminals. A mode module is configured to set a mode of operation based on at least one of a plurality of present operating parameters. A switch control module is configured to control the plurality of switches based on the mode of operation.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes an event detection system, one or more sensors, a processor, and a transceiver. The one or more sensors are configured to generate sensor data. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: receiving a first indication of a possible event having occurred for a vehicle, based at least in part on a loss of communications with the event detection system; upon receiving the first indication, determining whether the vehicle is moving, based at least in part on the sensor data; and providing instructions for transmitting an emergency call from the vehicle to a remote server, when both of the following conditions are satisfied, namely: the first indication has been received; and the vehicle is not moving. The transceiver is coupled to the processor, and is configured for transmitting the emergency call in accordance with the instructions from the processor.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor assembly includes a panel having a first side and a second side. The vehicle sensor assembly also includes a beam spaced from the panel relative to the second side. The vehicle sensor assembly further includes a mount including a first portion fixed to the beam. In addition, the vehicle sensor assembly includes a sensor coupled to the mount. The mount includes a second portion coupled to the first portion and the sensor is fixed to the second portion to define a subassembly unit. The subassembly unit is movable relative to the first portion in response to a force applied to the first side of the panel which causes the second side of the panel to engage part of the mount to move the subassembly unit. A sensor-mount assembly includes the beam, the mount, and the sensor coupled to the mount.

Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a deployable containment system for a vehicle roof panel, the system including: a pair of guide channels proximate to an opening through the vehicle roof panel, each guide channel of the pair having a first end and a second end; a housing mounted to the first end of the pair of guide channels. The deployable containment system also includes a shield configured to deploy from the housing and travel along the pair of guide channels so as to cover at least a portion of the opening. The deployable containment system also includes an actuator disposed proximate to the pair of guide channels, the actuator configured to deploy the shield from the housing after a deployment event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a computational platform. The method includes collecting platform feature data for each of a plurality of existing computational platforms in a particular class of computational platforms. The platform feature data for each of the plurality of existing computational platforms includes a plurality of design parameters and a performance measurement for the computational platform to complete a benchmarking software component. The method further includes training a mathematical model using the collected platform feature data to devise a predictive model for predicting a predicted performance measurement for a computational platform in the particular class of computational platforms when provided with design parameters, predicting, with the predictive model, the predicted performance measurement of a new computational platform that is not available for testing, and selecting a computational platform using the predicted performance measurement.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled axial flux motor having a stator, a rotor disposed adjacent to the stator, and a rotor shaft rotationally fixed onto the rotor. The rotor shaft includes axial coolant passageway having an inlet and opposite outlet. The rotor includes coolant passageways extending radially from rotor shaft. The rotor coolant passageways include an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the axial coolant passageway and an outlet. The fluid-cooled axial flux motor further includes a coolant distribution header having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the rotor coolant passageway, a coolant collection header having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the coolant distribution header, and a collection header outlet. The outlet of the coolant distribution header is disposed above the stator and the inlet of the coolant collection header is disposed below the stator with respect to the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A seat belt test apparatus for testing a safety restraint system for a vehicle comprises a first, a second, and a third test stand, an impactor apparatus, and a resistor apparatus. The first, a second, and a third test stand are selectively fixed to a test bench. The first, second and third test stands each comprises a pulley disposed proximate a top end of each of the first, second, and third test stand. The first test stand further comprises a first pretensioner mount. The third test stand further comprises a second pretensioner mount.