Abstract: A variable output torque rod system for panel counterbalance includes a torque rod having a first fixed end relative to a storage area and a second fixed end relative to a panel, wherein the torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A slider block is disposed on the torque rod between the first fixed end and the second fixed end wherein the slider block is free to be moved along an axis of the torque rod when a set screw is loosened from the torque rod, and wherein the slider block profiles against a portion of the panel to prevent rotation about the torque rod when the set screw is tightened.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to mitigate motion sickness/emesis, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: in response to an activation of a motion-equalizing device installed in an interior of a vehicle, provide electric stimulus to a vehicle occupant via the motion-equalizing device, where the electric stimulus is designed to mitigate one or more symptoms of motion sickness and/or emesis for the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer readable storage medium for a method for detection and notification of a tire leak is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a tire leak detection system, sensor data from one or more tires. The method further includes determining, by the tire leak detection system, an occurrence of a leak anomaly in at least one of the one or more tires based on the sensor data. The method further includes predicting, by the tire leak detection system, a time and/or distance the at least one of the one or more tires will function ineffectively. The method further includes outputting, by the tire leak detection system, a code to a user or server indicating a leak type associated with the leak anomaly.

Abstract: A snap ring is configured to retain components within a clutch assembly. The snap ring has an annular body defining an opening through a center thereof. The annular main body defines a distal-facing surface and an opposite proximal-facing surface. A number of retention features extend from the distal-facing surface of the annular main body. Each retention feature has an axially-extending body portion a radially-extending engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to engage a backing plate. A friction clutch assembly including a snap ring pair is also provided, which includes a clutch snap ring disposed adjacent to the snap ring including the retention features.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reducing spot welds in a parameterized workpiece model includes generating a new design space (DS) from an original spot weld DS. The new DS includes a plurality of spot weld locations from the parameterized workpiece model with the original spot weld DS. The new DS is optimized to have a fewer number of spot weld locations than the original DS. The processor identifies a plurality of offending spot weld locations of the remaining spot weld locations in the new DS and a plurality of conforming spot weld locations of the remaining spot weld locations. The processor removes all but one optimized extension candidate from processor-selected groupings of welds while enforcing a minimum distance requirement. The processor outputs an inter-distance constrained parameterized workpiece model with an optimized extension candidate in each of the plurality of extended DSs to an operatively connected output processor.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having an exterior surface and an aerodynamic member movably coupled to the exterior surface. The aerodynamic member has a first position with respect to the exterior surface and a second position with respect to the exterior surface. The first position presents a distinct aerodynamic profile from the second position. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured to actuate the aerodynamic member between the first position and the second position. The vehicle further includes a damper coupled to the aerodynamic member. The damper is provided with magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: An inertial latch for a motor vehicle armrest is rotatably connected to a a bracket mounted to a support structure; an armrest interfacing component is disposed in an arcuate slot in the bracket, the slot extending from a first to a second end; a primary pawl rotatable from a first to a second position and limiting motion of the interfacing component in the slot; a secondary pawl rotatable from a third position to a fourth position and limiting motion of the primary pawl; a stop limits motion of the secondary pawl. The armrest articulates from a closed to an open position, the interfacing component moves through the entire slot when the primary pawl is in the first position, the interfacing component is held within a portion less than the entire slot when the primary pawl is in the second position, and the interfacing component is releasable from the portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing traffic signal lights in order to control an autonomous vehicle. A method includes receiving an image from a camera regarding at least one traffic signal light and receiving data related to the traffic signal light. Neural networks determine location and characteristics of the traffic signal light.

Abstract: Methods for fast-charging batteries while minimizing lithium plating (LP) comprise charging the battery in a first phase at a near-maximum charging current, subsequently charging the battery in a second phase by decreasing the charging current while charging in order to maintain the anode potential equal to or above an anode potential threshold, and subsequently charging the battery in a third phase at constant cell potential such that the cathode potential remains below a cathode potential threshold. LP can be detected by determining the derivative of the charging current and examining the derivative for smooth curves or local discontinuities, wherein a smooth curve indicates the absence of LP and a curve with a local discontinuity indicates the presence of LP. A fast-charging profile can be defined by plotting the cell potential vs. the charging current from the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase to define a fast-charging profile.

Abstract: Sinter-resistant catalyst systems include a catalytic substrate comprising a plurality of metal catalytic nanoparticles bound to a metal oxide catalyst support, and a coating of oxide nanoparticles disposed on the metal catalytic nanoparticles and optionally on the metal oxide support. The oxide nanoparticles comprise one or more lanthanum oxides and optionally one or more barium oxides, and additionally one or more oxides of aluminum, cerium, zirconium, titanium, silicon, magnesium, zinc, iron, strontium, and calcium. The metal catalytic nanoparticles can include ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, rhenium, copper, silver, and/or gold. The metal oxide catalyst support can include one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, CeO2, ZrO2, TiO2, SiO2, La2O3, MgO, and ZnO. The coating of oxide nanoparticles is about 0.1% to about 50% lanthanum and barium oxides. The oxide nanoparticles can further include one or more oxides of magnesium and/or cobalt.

Abstract: An electric motor control system of a vehicle includes a temperature module configured to, based on a motor torque request, (i) determine a plurality of stator current values based on a plurality of temperatures and (ii) generate a maximum stator current based on a lowest value of the plurality of stator current values. A torque module configured to, based on the maximum stator current, the motor torque request, and a maximum allowable flux, generate a maximum torque output. A current command module configured to, based on a speed of a rotor of the electric motor and the maximum torque output, generate a d-axis current adjustment and a q-axis current adjustment. A switching control module configured to, based on the B- and q-axis current adjustments, control switching of an inverter module and apply power to stator windings of the electric motor from an energy storage device.

Abstract: A wiper system for clearing an outer surface of a window is disclosed and includes an arm, a frame, a blade, and an actuator operatively connected to the arm. The arm includes a parked position and defines a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The arm is pivotable about the proximate end portion of the arm out of the parked position. The frame is pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the arm. The frame defines a lengthwise distance. The blade extends along at least a lengthwise portion of the frame. The blade defines an edge that is configured to contact the outer surface of the window when the arm is in the parked position. The actuator is configured to exert a force against the arm that is sufficient to urge the arm out of the parked position and away from the outer surface of the window.

Abstract: A system for determining a torque converter clutch is stuck in an engaged position includes a control module, an engine speed sensor, and a transmission speed sensor. The control module evaluates the torque converter clutch by determining a value of a torque converter clutch command. The torque converter clutch command indicates a position of the torque converter clutch. In response to determining that the value of the torque converter clutch command indicates the disengaged position, the control module calculates accumulated slip based on the transmission speed and the engine speed during an evaluation time. In response to determining the evaluation time is complete, the control module compares the accumulated slip with a calibrated threshold of slip. In response to the accumulated slip being less than or equal to the calibrated threshold of slip, the control module determines the torque converter clutch is stuck in the engaged position.

Abstract: Methods of repairing defects in polymeric composite structures are provided. The methods include filling or bonding defects with a pre-polymerization solution and polymerizing the pre-polymerization solution in situ. Patches or support structures can be disposed at the site of the defect to increase the strength of the repair or to make the repair cosmetically pleasing, respectively. Such a method of repairing a defect may include applying a pre-polymer solution having a reinforcing material and a monomer to the defect in a polymeric composite structure; disposing a support structure on a surface of the polymeric composite structure over at least a portion of the defect having the applied pre-polymer solution; and polymerizing the monomer in the pre-polymer solution to form a repaired region in the polymeric composite structure including a polymer having the reinforcing material distributed therein.

Abstract: A stowage compartment for a vehicle includes a bin, a bin frame, and a door assembly. The bin includes an opening and an interior compartment. The bin frame comprises an opening, a first and second door guide, and a first and second latch feature. The door assembly is capable of locking in a closed position as well as an open position. The door is able to be operated by one hand.

Abstract: A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and an anti-reflection film disposed on the substrate. The anti-reflection film includes a first sheet formed from titanium dioxide, a second sheet formed from silicon dioxide and disposed on the first sheet, and a third sheet formed from titanium dioxide and disposed on the second sheet. The system includes a self-cleaning film disposed on the anti-reflection film and including a monolayer disposed on the third sheet and formed from a fluorinated material selected from the group consisting of fluorinated organic compounds, fluorinated inorganic compounds, and combinations thereof. The self-cleaning film includes a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorinated material and includes a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: A method for reducing the number of neurons in a trained deep neural network (DNN) includes classifying layer types in a plurality of hidden layers; evaluating the accuracy of the DNN using a validation set of data; and generating a layer specific ranking of neurons, wherein the generating includes: analyzing, using the validation set of data for one or more of the plurality of hidden layers, the activation function for each neuron in the analyzed layers to determine an activation score for each neuron; and ranking, on a layer type basis, each neuron in the analyzed layers based on the neuron's activation score to generate a layer specific ranking of neurons. The method further includes removing a number of lower ranked neurons from the DNN that does not result in the DNN after the removal of selected lower ranked neurons to fall outside of an accuracy threshold limit.

Abstract: A system includes a first webbing payout sensor and a seatbelt wear condition module. The first webbing payout sensor can detect a first webbing payout of a seatbelt associated with a seat of a vehicle. The first webbing payout is a first length of webbing of the seatbelt dispensed from a first retractor of the seatbelt. The seatbelt wear condition module can identify whether the seatbelt is worn correctly based on the first webbing payout. The system may further include a second webbing payout sensor that detects a second webbing payout of the seatbelt associated with the seat. The second webbing payout is a second length of webbing of the seatbelt dispensed from a second retractor of the seatbelt. The seatbelt wear condition module identifies whether the seatbelt is worn correctly based on the first webbing payout and the second webbing payout.