Abstract: A system and method of modifying a vehicle service database includes: accessing a database containing previously-received symptom text that has been associated with a vehicle identifier and one or more vehicular service solutions for the previously-received symptom text; determining a statistical likelihood that one or more additional vehicular service solutions apply to previously-received symptom text based on a correlation between the previously-received symptom text and additional vehicular service solutions; determining that the statistical likelihood is above a predetermined threshold; and associating the previously-received symptom text with the additional vehicular service solutions.

Abstract: An electric drive system includes bus rails carrying a bus voltage, an energy storage system (ESS), and a power inverter. The system includes a voltage converter connected to the bus rails and having an inductor coil, semiconductor switches, a bypass switch connected to a positive bus rail, and a capacitor. A polyphase electric machine is electrically connected to the power inverter. A controller executes a method in which operation of the converter is regulated based on power, torque, and speed values of the electric machine. The converter is selectively bypassed by closing the bypass switch under predetermined high-power/high-torque conditions, with the bus voltage adjusted until it is equal to the battery output voltage. The bypass switch is opened and the bus voltage thereafter regulated to a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR), a NOx sensor and a reductant injection system is described. A method for controlling the reductant injection system to inject reductant into the exhaust gas feedstream upstream relative to the SCR includes monitoring engine operation, and determining an initial reductant dosing rate responsive to the engine operation. A dosing perturbation is induced in the reductant dosing rate. The exhaust gas feedstream is monitored via the NOx sensor, and a reductant dosing correction term is determined based upon the monitoring. A final dosing rate for controlling the reductant injection system is determined based upon the initial reductant dosing rate, the dosing perturbation, and the reductant dosing correction term.

Abstract: Operation of the direct-injection internal combustion engine includes executing a particulate filter service routine in response to a regeneration command, wherein the particulate filter service routine includes a warm-up phase and a steady-state phase. The service routine includes determining a first temperature in the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the oxidation catalyst and a second temperature in the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the oxidation catalyst and upstream of the particulate filter, and determining an exhaust gas flowrate and a soot level in the particulate filter. A preferred warm-up temperature gradient in the particulate filter is determined based upon the exhaust gas flowrate and the soot level. The warm-up phase of the particulate filter service routine is determined based upon the preferred warm-up temperature gradient. Operation of the engine is controlled to achieve the preferred warm-up temperature gradient in the particulate filter during the warm-up phase.

Abstract: A battery assembly has a first battery string including a first plurality of cells connected in series. A second battery string is connected in parallel to the first battery string and includes a second plurality of cells connected in series. A fluid channel is operatively connected to the first and the second battery strings and includes a fluid flowing within. A controller is operatively connected to the first and the second battery strings. The controller is configured to determine a desired temperature differential between the first and the second temperatures of the battery strings based at least partially on a respective strength status of the first and the second battery strings. The controller is configured to control the first and the second currents, via the fluid in the fluid channel, based at least partially on the desired temperature differential.

Abstract: A flexible end-effector for a robot includes a frame and a clamp assembly movably coupled to the frame. As such, the clamp assembly is movable relative to the frame along a first direction, wherein the clamp assembly includes a locator and a clamp movably coupled to the locator. The clamp assembly also includes pneumatic actuator coupled to the clamp to move the clamp between an open position and a closed position. The flexible end-effector further includes linear motion slides coupled between the clamp assembly and the frame to allow the clamp assembly to move linearly relative to the frame along the first direction. Further, the flexible end-effector includes a servomotor assembly coupled to the linear motion slide to actuate the linear motion slide. The servomotor assembly includes a servomotor and a motor controller integrated with the servomotor.

Abstract: A fluidic valve assembly is disposed in a thermal management system for an internal combustion engine, and includes a unitary housing including a first rotary valve, a second rotary valve and a third rotary valve. The first, second and third rotary valves include a respective first, second and third rotatable valve body that is coupled to a respective first, second and third actuator. The first, second and third rotary valves are disposed to regulate fluidic flow between heat exchange elements of the thermal management system. The second and third rotary valves are coaxially disposed about a first axis of rotation and the first rotary valve is coaxially disposed about a second axis of rotation, with the first axis of rotation being non-parallel to the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A device is configured to control activation of a low-friction clutch, wherein the low-friction clutch includes a first member coaxial to a second member and a controllable activation device interposable therebetween. The device includes a piston that is mechanically coupled to the activation device, a spring that is disposed to urge the piston in a first direction, a controllable electrical coil disposed adjacent to the piston. The electrical coil is disposed to generate an electro-magnetic force to urge the piston in a second direction that is opposed to the first direction when activated, and the spring and the electrical coil interact with the piston to selectively mechanically couple the first and second members via the controllable activation device.

Abstract: A method for dynamically re-allocating controller functions based on minimizing utilization. A lookup table is generated based on functions and mode of operations. Each entry in the lookup table includes a number of executions required for a respective function in a respective mode of operation. Functions for execution to the controllers are assigned based on the number of executions for a function of an entry of a respective mode of operation. A utilization rate is determined for each controller in each mode of operation. Utilization rates of the various modes of operation are compared for each of the controllers. Matching utilization rates are identified between controllers of different modes of operations. A multi-mode re-allocation of function execution in the controller is coordinated by switching a set of pre-allocated functions between different controllers within a respective mode of operation to reduce the utilization rate of at least one controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are NFC-enabled communication systems for provisioning wireless vehicle communication, control logic for operating such systems, and motor vehicles equipped with an onboard NFC-enabled device for short-range communication with one or more off-board NFC-enabled devices. A disclosed method for provisioning data exchange between an onboard electronic device of a motor vehicle and an off-board electronic device includes detecting if NFC-enabled components of the onboard and off-board electronic devices are within a predetermined proximity of each other and, if the components are within proximity, establishing a wireless communications session between the devices. After establishing the wireless communications session, determining whether or not to grant the off-board electronic device access to an NFC tag in the NFC-enabled component of the onboard electronic device.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engine (engine) that includes a dedicated-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is described. The dedicated-cylinder EGR system includes a controllable exhaust gas diverter valve that selectively diverts all exhaust gas produced by one of the cylinders to an air intake system of the engine. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring a parameter associated with operation of the dedicated-cylinder EGR system. Upon detecting a change in the parameter that indicates a change in operation of the dedicated-cylinder EGR system, a controller controls operation of the internal combustion engine to reduce an effective cylinder compression ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle is described, and includes a drivetrain system including an internal combustion engine and a geartrain, an accessory device, and a route monitoring system. A controller includes an instruction set to monitor operation of the accessory device, and a request to operate the accessory device. When the request to operate the accessory device includes a request to activate the accessory device based upon not exceeding a limit for an operating parameter of the accessory device, the instruction set executes to determine a horizon for the vehicle based upon the projected path for the vehicle, determine a projected road load and a speed constraint based upon the horizon for the vehicle, and determine a projected axle torque command based upon the projected road load. A first routine determines a first command for operating the accessory device that minimizes fuel consumption and meets the projected axle torque command.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for attaching a hood to a body of a vehicle includes a body-side bracket fixedly attached to the body and a hood-side bracket fixedly attached to the hood. A pivot mechanism is configured to place the hinge assembly in: a stowed position, in which the hood is adjacent the body; an access position, in which the hood rotates toward a rear of the vehicle; and an active position, in which the hood rotates toward a front of the vehicle. The hinge assembly also includes an actuator that configured to move the pivot mechanism to, or toward, the active position. A pin is attached to the body-side bracket and an upstop link is attached to the hood-side bracket. The upstop link defines a slot. The pin becomes engaged with the slot when the pivot mechanism is in the active position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes determining an operator-selected mode and a charging mode for the energy storage device. A first speed/load region at which the internal combustion engine is in an OFF state is determined for the operator-selected mode and the charging mode for the energy storage device, wherein the first speed/load region is defined by output torque and vehicle speed. A second speed/load region includes a preferred speed that is selected for operating the internal combustion engine is determined for the operator-selected mode and the charging mode for the energy storage device. The preferred engine speed is substantially imperceptible in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The internal combustion engine is operated at the preferred engine speed that is imperceptible in the passenger compartment when the output torque request and the present vehicle speed are within the second operating region.

Abstract: A method of assembling a component includes gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool. The first tool is attached to a first robot arm and the first subcomponent defines a first plurality of locating holes. The second tool is attached to a second robot arm and the second subcomponent defines a second plurality of locating holes. After grasping, the method includes aligning at least one of the first locating holes adjacent to at least one of the second locating holes to set an initial position of the second subcomponent with respect to the first subcomponent without releasing the first and second subcomponents. After aligning, the method includes forming a joint between the first and second subcomponents with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the component. A component assembly system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating wireless cellular communications for a plurality of cellular devices at a wireless coordination device. The method comprises establishing a data connection between the wireless coordination device and the plurality of cellular devices, wherein the cellular devices are configured to connect to at least one cellular network via wireless cellular communications; determining whether each cellular device is currently connected to a cellular network; determining at least one performance metric for each of the plurality of cellular devices that are currently connected to a cellular network; evaluating the performance metric(s) for each of the plurality of cellular devices; selecting one of the plurality of cellular devices based at least in part on one or more the evaluations; and configuring each of the plurality of cellular devices to carry out wireless cellular communications through the selected cellular device.

Abstract: An air vent for a vehicle includes a housing extending between an inlet and outlet end. The housing includes a first wall and a second wall that cooperate to define an interior volume therebetween. The inlet end defines an inlet opening and air enters the interior volume through the inlet opening. The outlet end has a length and a width that cooperate to define an outlet opening having a low aspect ratio. Air exits the interior volume through the outlet opening. The first wall includes a directional wall section that extends non-linearly from a transition location to the outlet end. Air travelling through the interior volume is directed by the directional wall section to create a flow direction of air exiting the outlet opening. Vanes may be disposed in the interior volume to allow directability of air exiting the outlet opening, while providing a low pressure drop therethrough.

Abstract: A method can be executed to diagnose an aerodynamic system of a vehicle and includes the following steps: (a) determining, via a controller, an expected downforce acting on an aerodynamic element of a vehicle based, at least in part, on a position of the aerodynamic element relative to a vehicle body of the vehicle; (b) determining, via the controller, a measured downforce based, at least in part, on a signal received from at least one force sensor; (c) determining a deviation, via the controller, based, at least in part, on the expected downforce and the measured aerodynamic force; and (d) controlling, via the controller, the aerodynamic element based, at least in part, on the deviation.

Abstract: A system and method of locating a key fob with respect to a vehicle includes: detecting short-range wireless signals communicated between the key fob and a plurality of nodes at the vehicle using an IEEE 802.11 protocol; calculating the distance of the key fob relative to each of the nodes attached to the vehicle based on the detected short-range wireless signal; and determining the location of the key fob based on the distance of the key fob relative to each of the nodes.