Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and adaptive display adjustment methods are provided. One method involves obtaining image data captured using an initial frame rate from an imaging system onboard the vehicle, obtaining current vehicle state information, determining a representative exposure setting for the imaging system based at least in part on the current vehicle state information, determining an estimated illuminance of a surrounding environment of the vehicle based at least in part on the image data and the representative exposure setting and automatically configuring the imaging system for a different, updated frame rate based on the estimated illuminance.

Abstract: A multi-phase, multi-pole surface/interior permanent magnet motor/generator (S/IPM electric machine) is described, and includes a rotor disposed on a rotor shaft within an annular stator, and a plurality of interior and surface-mounted permanent magnets disposed in longitudinally-oriented pockets of the rotor.

Abstract: A hexagonal battery cell. The battery cell may include a wound jelly roll within a hexagonally shaped case. The jelly roll may include a separator layer sandwiched between a cathode layer and an anode layer, with the separator, cathode, and anode layers wound together relative to a central axis. The hexagonally shaped case may surround a perimeter of the jelly roll.

Abstract: A display obscuration tool for identifying one or more obscured zones within a display, such as surface areas of the display blocked from view. The tool may include a spatial detection module configured for determining a relative positioning between a display onboard a vehicle, a steering wheel or other implement onboard the vehicle, and a driver, and a gaze detection module configured for determining a field of view for the driver. The tool may further include an obscuration module configured for identifying one or more obscured zones based at least in part on the relative positioning and the field of view.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may include a coolant cavity having a coolant flow path configured for fluidly communicating coolant and a hydrogen cavity having a hydrogen flow path configured for fluidly communicating hydrogen. The hydrogen cavity may include a plurality of fins dispersed in-line throughout. The heat exchanger may further include a housing configured for thermally coupling the coolant cavity with the hydrogen cavity, optionally with the thermal coupling providing conductive heat transfer between the coolant and the hydrogen based at least in part on a portion of the heat transfer occurring through the fins.

Abstract: A method for controlling charging of a battery to minimize or avoid lithium plating. The method may include charging the battery during with a first charge current having a first charge profile, monitoring charging of the battery with the first charge current, and thereafter charging the battery with a second charge current having a cathode charge profile to prevent a cathode potential of the battery from exceeding a cathode threshold.

Abstract: An electric vehicle, and braking system and a method of operating the electric vehicle. The braking system includes a mechanical braking system, a regenerative braking system, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a total braking torque for operating the electric vehicle at a selected velocity during braking, determine an available regenerative braking torque via the regenerative braking system, calculate a mechanical brake torque for the mechanical braking system from the total braking torque and the available regenerative brake torque, and apply the mechanical brake torque at the mechanical braking system.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of a variable position ball joint with dynamic length are disclosed and include a ball, and a seat with a guide surface; an arc of the ball defines endpoints of an arc path for revolving the ball in the guide surface; a center point of the ball is concentric with a center of rotation of the seat so that the center point of the ball and the seat move in a single axis of movement; and an interface that guides the ball along the guide surface, wherein the guide surface is parallel to the single axis of movement to cause the ball to traverse the seat travel arc while maintaining a center of rotation concentric with the seat resulting in a change in length of an attached component with respect to a concentric center point of rotation during an articulation action of the ball joint.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) of a vehicle. The system includes a controller in operable communication with the DMS of the vehicle. The controller is configured to, by a processor: receive a signal from the DMS that a camera of the DMS is unable to monitor a driver of the vehicle, determine a cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver, and adjust an escalation algorithm of the DMS based on the determined cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver. The escalation algorithm is configured to perform actions based on activity of the driver.

Abstract: A selectively pivotable mid-gate for a vehicle includes a first mid-gate member pivotally mounted to the vehicle through a hinge member and a second mid-gate member is pivotally mounted to the vehicle and the first mid-gate member through the hinge member. A latch system is operatively connected to the first mid-gate member and the second mid-gate member. The latch system is selectively operable to release the first mid-gate member to rotate in a first direction and to release the first mid-gate member and the second mid-gate member to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for enabling vehicle connected services for a hearing-impaired vehicle occupant includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a vehicle. The sensor data includes scene data indicative of a scene inside the vehicle and outside the vehicle. The method further includes determining that the hearing-impaired vehicle occupant is articulating sign language using the sensor data. Also, the method includes determining a vehicle-occupant message corresponding to the sign language articulated by the hearing-impaired vehicle occupant to generate vehicle occupant-message data in response to determining that the hearing-impaired vehicle occupant is articulating sign language. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle occupant-message data and the scene data to a remote system in response to generating the vehicle occupant-message data. Further, the method includes receiving a vehicle connected service from the remote system.

Abstract: A system and method for limited rate context-based eye gaze encoding includes generating, based on an outward looking camera situated in a vehicle, a first video stream of a surrounding environment to a controller. The controller generates a scene description based on the first video stream and selects a corresponding scene from a predefined list of known scenes. Further, the controller, based on the selected corresponding scene, selects a codebook of encoding and decoding parameters from a plurality of predefined codebooks. Based on an inward looking camera situated in the vehicle, a second video stream of a face of a driver to an eye tracker controller is generated, where the eye tracker controller estimates a gaze direction of the driver. Encoded data comprising the estimated gaze direction of the driver is transmitted over a bandwidth limited channel to a decoder, based on the selected codebook, the encoded data.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of fuel injectors for a vehicle may include determining a total fuel mass for a combustion stage in a cylinder. The method further may include determining a first injection mass for a first fuel injector and a second injection mass for a second fuel injector. A sum of the first injection mass and the second injection mass is equal to the total fuel mass. The first fuel injector and the second fuel injector are configured to provide fuel to the cylinder. A first minimum mass per pulse of the first fuel injector is greater than a second minimum mass per pulse of the second fuel injector. The method further may include controlling the first fuel injector and the second fuel injector based at least in part on the first injection mass and the second injection mass.

Abstract: A computer is provided for a network communication system of a motor vehicle. The system includes a central gateway and a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) coupled to the central gateway. The computer includes one or more processors and a computer readable medium (CRM) coupled to the processors. The processor is programmed to receive an input database including a plurality of messages with a plurality of unique periodic rates. The processor is further programmed to assign a plurality of delayed start times for associated messages, with a number of the messages transmitted at each of the delayed starting times being limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database including the delayed start times, such that the ECUs are coded based on the output database to transmit the messages at the associated delayed start times to decrease a congestion of the system.

Abstract: An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes first and second battery cells, a heat sink, and a plurality of sheets of a thermally conductive material arranged in a stack. The first and second battery cells are arranged adjacent to each other. The heat sink is arranged adjacent to the first and second battery cells. A first portion of the stack is disposed between the first and second battery cells. A second portion of the stack is disposed adjacent to and in thermal communication with the heat sink. The first portion of the stack conducts heat from the first battery cell while limiting heat conducted to the second battery cell. The second portion of the stack transfers the heat to the heat sink.