Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a lane boundary module, a vehicle trajectory module, an intersection location module, a lane departure module, and a driver warning module. The lane boundary module is configured to determine a boundary of a lane within which a vehicle is travelling. The vehicle trajectory module is configured to predict a trajectory of the vehicle. The intersection location module is configured to determine M locations of M intersections between the vehicle trajectory and the lane boundary at M times, where M is an integer greater than one. The lane departure module is configured to identify a potential lane departure based on the M locations. The driver warning module is configured to activate a driver warning device to warn a driver when the potential lane departure is identified.

Abstract: A disconnect architecture for use with a system having a battery pack and positive and negative bus rails includes a mid-pack low-power (LP) relay, a fuse, semiconductor switches, and a sequencer circuit. The mid-pack LP relay is positioned between the rails at a mid-stack point of the battery pack, and divides a voltage across the battery pack when commanded open. The fuse is positioned between the mid-pack LP relay and the positive bus rail, and opens in response to a dead short condition of the system. The semiconductor switches are positioned in electrical parallel with the mid-pack LP relay. The sequencer circuit selectively turns on the semiconductor switches and thereby coordinates a flow of electrical current through the semiconductor switches and the mid-pack LP relay in response to a detected partial short condition of the system. A system includes the battery pack, bus rails, and disconnect architecture.

Abstract: An electric machine is provided that has a rotor assembly having a rotor core configured to support permanent magnets spaced around the rotor core to define a number of rotor poles. The rotor core has multiple rotor slots arranged as multiple barrier layers at each of the rotor poles. The multiple barrier layers are positioned adjacent one another between an inner periphery of the rotor core and an outer periphery of the rotor core and include a first barrier layer nearest the inner periphery. Permanent magnets are disposed in at least the first barrier layer. A stator assembly surrounds the rotor assembly. The electric machine is configured to function as a motor in a motoring mode and as a generator in a generating mode. The electric machine is configured with predetermined operating parameters selected for optimizing operation in the motoring mode and/or the generating mode.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a first body wholly or partly made of a first polymeric material. The first polymeric material includes a polycarbonate and has a 60-degree gloss that is equal to or greater than 80 gloss units. The first body defines an outermost surface of the vehicle body assembly. The first body may be an exterior trim component, such as a grille portion, and may have a black color. The vehicle body assembly further includes a second body coupled (e.g., chemically bonded) to the first body. The second body may be a support body configured to support the exterior trim component and is wholly or partly made of a second polymeric material. The second polymeric material is different from the first polymeric material, and the outermost surface of the first body faces away from the second body.

Abstract: Disclosed are battery management systems with control logic for battery state estimation (BSE), methods for making/using/assembling a battery cell with a reference electrode, and electric drive vehicles equipped with a traction battery pack and BSE capabilities. In an example, a battery cell assembly includes a battery housing with an electrolyte composition stored within the battery housing. The electrolyte composition transports ions between working electrodes. A first working (anode) electrode is attached to the battery housing in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte composition. Likewise, a second working (cathode) electrode is attached to the battery housing in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte composition. A reference electrode is interposed between the first and second working electrodes, placed in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are model-based combustion timing systems and control logic for engine assemblies, methods for making/operating such engine assemblies, and motor vehicles with spark-ignited engine assemblies implementing model-based combustion timing. A method for controlling torque output of an engine assembly includes receiving a requested torque demand for the engine, and determining a current fuel command and valve timing for the engine's power cylinder(s). A first math model is used to determine a desired CA50 based on the requested torque demand, a power cylinder indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), an expander cylinder IMEP, and the current fuel command/valve timing. A second math model is used to determine a maximum brake torque (MBT) CA50 based on power cylinder and expander cylinder IMEPs, and current fuel command/valve timing. An engine control unit determines a final spark timing based on a correlation between the desired CA50 and MBT CA50, modified by a spark timing gain.

Abstract: A method of detecting metallic lithium present on an electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes depositing a lithium-reactive solution including an oxidized fluorescent dye onto the electrode to form a coated electrode. Concurrent to depositing, the method includes reducing the oxidized fluorescent dye to form a reduced dye and a plurality of lithium ions. The method further includes, after reducing, drying the coated electrode to again form the oxidized fluorescent dye. After drying, the method includes exposing the oxidized fluorescent dye to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of from 100 nm to 500 nm to thereby illuminate and detect the metallic lithium. A lithium ion secondary battery system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are latch mechanisms for vehicle compartment closure assemblies, methods for making or using such latch mechanisms, and motor vehicles with a latch system for sensing latching/unlatching of a closure assembly. A latch mechanism includes a forkbolt that attaches to the vehicle body and moves between a latched position, engaging a striker and thereby latching a compartment closure assembly in a closed position, and an unlatched position, disengaging the striker. A detent lever attaches to the vehicle body adjacent the forkbolt and moves between a locked position, locking the forkbolt in the latched position, and an unlocked position, disengaging the forkbolt. A memory lever adjacent the forkbolt moves between a catching position, retaining the detent lever in the unlocked position, and a releasing position, disengaging the detent lever. The forkbolt, when moving from the unlatched to the latched position, moves the memory lever from the catching to the releasing position.

Abstract: A radar system for a ground vehicle includes a MIMO system including a plurality of transmitters, a plurality of receivers, and a controller including an interpreter in communication with the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers. The transmitters include a first transmitter and a plurality of second transmitters, and each of the transmitters includes a signal generator in communication with a transmitting antenna that is disposed to transmit a radar signal. Each of the radar signals is a linear-frequency-modulated continuous-wave (LFM-CW) radar signal including a chirp-start portion, and each of the receivers includes a receiving antenna that is disposed to receive reflected radar signals. The transmitters are controllable such that the chirp-start portions of the LFM-CW radar signals from the second transmitters have progressively increasing time delays as compared to the chirp-start portion of the LFM-CW radar signal from the first transmitter.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, or method for joining components is provided. The system applies force along an axis, with a friction pin, to a first substrate, such as with a joiner or joining apparatus. The system also frictionally melts a portion of the first substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin about the axis at a first speed within the first substrate. The system also applies force to the second substrate along the axis and frictionally melts a portion of the second substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin at a second speed within the second substrate. The system embeds a portion of the friction pin within the first substrate and the second substrate. In some configurations, the first speed and the second speed are substantially equivalent. In other configurations, the first speed is different from the second speed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring particulate filter disposed in an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine includes determining, via a differential pressure sensor, a pressure differential across the particulate filter, and determining an initial parameter associated with soot loading on the particulate filter based upon the pressure differential. A first adjustment to the soot loading is determined based upon a passive regeneration effect, a second adjustment to the soot loading is determined based upon an off-engine temperature effect, and a third adjustment to the soot loading is determined based upon occurrence of an interrupted regeneration event. A final parameter associated with soot loading on the particulate filter is determined based upon the initial parameter and the first, second and third adjustments.

Abstract: A method and a test fixture for evaluating a weld seam joining an electrode foil element and a terminal of a battery cell include segmenting the weld seam joining the electrode foil element and the terminal into a plurality of zones. For each of the zones, an electrical current is applied between the terminal and the electrode foil element in the zone, and a resistance is determined across the terminal and the electrode foil element in the zone. Integrity of the weld seam is evaluated for each of the zones based upon the resistance between the terminal and the electrode foil element in the zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are model-based combustion timing systems and control logic for engine assemblies, methods for making/operating such engine assemblies, and motor vehicles with spark-ignited engine assemblies implementing model-based combustion timing. A method for controlling torque output of an engine assembly includes receiving a requested torque demand for the engine, and determining a current fuel command and valve timing for the engine's power cylinder(s). A first math model is used to determine a desired CA50 based on the requested torque demand, a power cylinder indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), an expander cylinder IMEP, and the current fuel command/valve timing. A second math model is used to determine a maximum brake torque (MBT) CA50 based on power cylinder and expander cylinder IMEPs, and current fuel command/valve timing. An engine control unit determines a final spark timing based on a correlation between the desired CA50 and MBT CA50, modified by a spark timing gain.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes an electric coolant pump, power source, and controller. The pump is in fluid communication with a heat source and a radiator, and has pump sensors for determining a pump voltage, speed, and current. The battery energizes the sensors. The controller receives the voltage, speed, and current from the sensors, determines a performance of the pump across multiple operating regions, calculates a numeric state of health (SOH) quantifying degradation severity for each of a plurality of pump characteristics across the regions, and executes a control action when the calculated numeric SOH for any region is less than a calibrated SOH threshold. The pump characteristics include pump circuit, leaking/clogging, bearing, and motor statuses. A vehicle includes an engine or other heat source, a radiator; and the thermal management system. The controller may execute a prognostic method for the electric coolant pump in the vehicle.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio (VCR) internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining a cylinder and a cylinder head mounted to the engine block and defining at least a part of a combustion chamber. The engine also includes a reciprocating primary piston arranged inside the cylinder and configured to compress a mixture of air and fuel and a crankshaft arranged in the engine block and rotated by an application of a combustion force to the primary piston. The engine additionally includes a secondary piston mounted in the cylinder head, movably with respect to the combustion chamber and a mechanism configured to shift the secondary piston in the cylinder head and thereby vary a volume of the combustion chamber and a compression ratio of the engine. A vehicle employing such an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a combustion cylinder, and at least one fuel injector configured to supply a number of fuel pulse to the cylinder. A controller is programmed to issue a first fuel pulse command to actuate the fuel injector allowing fuel to pass through the fuel injector as a first fuel mass. The controller is also programmed to monitor a voltage across the fuel injector, and determine a preliminary fuel injector opening magnitude based on a rate of change of voltage. The controller is further programmed to assign the preliminary fuel injector opening magnitude as a maximum fuel injector opening magnitude in response to the first fuel mass being greater than a quantity threshold. The controller is further programmed to apply a scaling factor to adjust a second fuel pulse command to normalize the maximum fuel injector opening magnitude value to a predetermined full open value.

Abstract: A fuel injection control system is usable with an engine, e.g., a diesel engine of a mild hybrid electric vehicle. The control system includes an auxiliary battery, a high-voltage (HV) battery, e.g., 48 VDC, a switching circuit with first and second switching pairs, a controller, and a fuel injector system. The controller opens and closes the switches to command an electrical current from the auxiliary or HV battery according to a predetermined injector current profile. The fuel injector system has one or more control solenoids. Windings of the solenoids are electrically connectable to the HV battery during a boost phase of the profile via opening of the first switching pair and closing of the second switching pair, and to the auxiliary battery during peak, by-pass, hold, and end-of-injection phases of the profile via closing of the first switching pair and opening of the second switching pair.

Abstract: A non-linear stiffness actuator for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle includes an actuator housing and an actuator shaft configured to transmit an actuator force to the road wheel. The actuator also includes a primary elastic member assembly arranged between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft and configured to exert a primary elastic member force along the actuator shaft. The actuator additionally includes a secondary elastic member assembly configured to exert a variable secondary elastic member force acting between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft. The variable secondary elastic member force is configured to selectively contribute to and subtract from the primary elastic member force to thereby facilitate the non-linear stiffness of the actuator. A vehicle having such a non-linear stiffness actuator is also provided.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source, and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. A multi-component damping mechanism is disposed between the input member and the output member which includes a first spring element cooperating with a second spring element to couple the input member to the output member. The first spring element defines a greater stiffness and shorter deflection relative to the second spring element.