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: Methods and systems are provided that include obtaining first camera images of a parking location before a vehicle is parked at the parking location; obtaining second camera images of the parking location after the vehicle is parked at the parking location; and detecting, via a processor, a fluid leak for the vehicle based on a comparison of the first camera images and the second camera images.

Abstract: A supervisory control system is disclosed that provides an operator situational awareness interface use with monitoring a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs). The system is configured to: generate a map of a geographical area of interest; obtain location data and perceived risk data for a plurality of AVs in the geographical area; generate a vehicle icon corresponding to each AV; position the vehicle icon for each AV on the map based on the location data for a corresponding AV; apply a color coding to each vehicle icon based on a perceived risk level for a corresponding AV; and signal a display device to display an AV fleet map graphic that includes the color coded vehicle icons positioned on the map. The controller may be further configured to: generate an AV servicing queue graphic that displays vehicle icons in an order based on a determined servicing priority.

Abstract: A power line communication (PLC) system for a vehicle is contemplated. The system may include a plurality of power lines configured to connect at least a first node and a second node to negative and positive terminals of a vehicle battery. The system may include a filter connected to the power lines. The filter may be configured to attract a first portion of a PLC signal to the negative terminal prior to the first portion reaching the second node and to permit a second portion of the PLC signal to continue transmission to the second node.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traffic light indication system (system) with one or more input devices for generating a status input signal associated with a status of a traffic light. The input devices further generate an overriding input signal associated with a hazardous driving condition. The system further includes a notification device for providing a traffic light notification to the user. The system further includes a computer having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (CRM) storing instructions. The processor is programmed to generate an actuation signal based on the status input signal. The processor is further programmed to refrain from generating the actuation signal, in response to the processor determining the predicted collision based on the status input signal and the overriding input signal. The notification device provides the traffic light notification to the user, in response to the notification device receiving the actuation signal.

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

Abstract: A system includes an in-cabin sensor, a seatbelt routing zone module, and a seatbelt routing classification module. The in-cabin sensor is operable to generate an image of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The seatbelt routing zone module is configured to generate a seatbelt routing zone based on at least one of a size of the occupant in the image and a shape of the occupant. The seatbelt routing classification module is configured to determine whether a seatbelt is routed properly around the occupant based on whether the seatbelt is at least partially within the seatbelt routing zone.

Abstract: A battery system includes an enclosure having opposed first and second major walls, a perimetral wall connecting the first and second major walls along respective perimeters thereof, and an interior defined by the first and second major walls and the perimetral wall, wherein the enclosure is configured for containing an anode assembly, a cathode assembly and an electrolyte within the interior. A longitudinal embossment is formed in the perimetral wall extending outward from the interior and extending along opposed adjacent portions of the first and second perimeters. A wall port is defined in the perimetral wall in fluid communication with the interior, wherein the wall port is configured for permitting flow of the electrolyte therethrough into and out of the interior. First and second electrodes extend through the perimetral wall and are configured for electrical connection with the anode assembly and cathode assembly, respectively.

Abstract: Hollow automotive parts, methods for fabricating hollow automotive parts, and methods for fabricating hollow castings are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating a hollow casting includes casting at least a first casting section and a second casting section from a slurry using a semi-solid casting process, and welding the casting sections together at interfaces therebetween.

Abstract: A display system for a vehicle includes a light source configured to emit a light and a fiber-optic cable coupled to the light source. The fiber-optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end. The first fiber end is coupled to the light source. The second fiber end is attached to a vehicle body of a vehicle. The display system includes a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the fiber-optic cable end adjacent to the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the fiber-optic cable to project an image on the vehicle body adjacent the second fiber end while the light source is activated.

Abstract: A method for securing an electronic control unit (ECU). The method may include generating a granular security control adjustment authorization ticket (G-SCAAT) for securing the ECU according to a plurality of security parameters determined based on to a role selected for a corresponding user. The G-SCAAT may include security values to be used in controlling the ECU to operate according to the security parameters.

Abstract: A method for tempering steel for riveting includes positioning a first component having a first composition over a second component having a second composition, and resistance spot welding the first component to the second component using a resistance spot weld gun to form a spot weld. The method includes tempering at least one of the first component, the second component and the spot weld with the resistance spot weld gun, and coupling a third component having a third composition to the first component and the second component with a rivet, and the third composition is different than the first composition and the second composition.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting one or more three-dimensional structures in a proximity of a vehicle at runtime includes generating, by a processor, a birds-eye-view (BEV) camera image of the proximity of the vehicle, the BEV camera image comprising two-dimensional coordinates of one or more structures in the proximity. The method further includes generating, by the processor, a BEV height image of the proximity of the vehicle, the BEV height image providing height of the one or more structures in the proximity. The method further includes detecting one or more edges of the three-dimensional structures based on the BEV camera image and the BEV height image. The method further includes generating models of the three-dimensional structures by plane-fitting based on the edges of the one or more three-dimensional structures. The method further includes reconfiguring a navigation system receiver based on the models of the three-dimensional structures.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more sensors onboard a vehicle are configured to provide sensor data, and a processor onboard the vehicle is configured to at least facilitate: monitoring a trailer sway of the trailer using the sensor data, based on one or more parameters of the sensor data representing the trailer sway and application of a band-pass filter to the one or more parameters; and mitigating the trailer sway, via instructions provided by the processor to one or more braking systems of the vehicle, the trailer, or both, when it is determined that the trailer sway of the trailer is sufficient to warrant mitigation based on the one or more parameters of the sensor data representing the trailer sway and the application of the band-pass filter to the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a sunshade of a vehicle. The methods and systems receive a route plan from a first location to a second location, predict a sun parameter indicative of sun glare on the window for the route plan based on solar direction and vehicle heading at distributed locations throughout the route plan, and activate the sunshade based on the sun parameter so as to shade the window.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a top plate, a bottom plate and N pairs of hinged plates. The N pairs of hinged plates are connected by 2N pairs of hinges to N sides of the top plate and the bottom plate, where N is an integer greater than 2. A bladder is arranged between the top plate and the bottom plate and between inner edges of the N pairs of hinged plates.

Abstract: A hood bumper for a vehicle having a hood including: a housing having a wall, a base, an internal chamber, and an opening to the internal chamber. The wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. the interior surface defines the internal chamber. The hood bumper further including a biasing mechanism operably connected to the housing and a plunger operably connected to the biasing mechanism and configured to receive an exerted force from the hood. The hood bumper further including a bumper head operably connected to the housing and a support frame operably connecting the bumper head to the housing. The plunger is configured to first move into the bumper head to absorb an impact force to the hood, next the bumper head compresses to further absorb the impact force, and then the support frame collapses to even further absorb the impact force.