Abstract: A method avoids lithium plating of a negative electrode in a battery cell. A voltage level of a positive electrode is determined in an initial battery charging process having a charging power level. A charging rate is modified in response to the determined voltage by increasing or decreasing the charging rate when the voltage is respectively less or greater than a voltage threshold. A charging profile is recorded for the power level. A subsequent charging process at the same power level is controlled using the recorded profile, which is possibly age-indexed to an age of an actual battery used in the subsequent charging process. A system includes the battery cell and a battery cell cycler device programmed to execute the method. An electric machine may be connected to the battery cell and a load, with a controller controlling the subsequent charging process using the profiles.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a first energy storage device has a first direct current (DC) operating voltage; and a second energy storage device has a second DC operating voltage. The second DC operating voltage is greater than or less than the first DC operating voltage the first DC operating voltage. A switch is connected between the first and second energy storage devices. A fault diagnostic module, while an internal combustion engine of the vehicle is shut down, diagnoses that a fault is present when a voltage of the first energy storage device is less than a predetermined DC voltage. The predetermined DC voltage is less than the first DC operating voltage. A switch control module closes the switch when the fault is diagnosed. A starter control module, when the fault is diagnosed, applies power to a starter from the second energy storage device via the switch.

Abstract: High-strength aluminum components and methods for preparing a high-strength aluminum component are provided. Methods of forming high-strength aluminum components include heating an aluminum alloy blank above a solvus temperature, quenching the aluminum alloy blank, and stamping the aluminum alloy blank in a die to form an aluminum component having a predetermined shape. A plurality of localized plastic deformations are introduced to select regions of the aluminum component, and the aluminum component is subject to one or more aging treatments including heating the aluminum component to a temperature below the solvus temperature. The localized plastic deformations serve as nucleation sites for precipitation hardening during the one or more aging treatments to form a plurality of strengthened regions in the aluminum component.

Abstract: A method of controlling a rate of warm-up of an internal combustion engine fluidly connected to an exhaust system is disclosed. The method includes identifying a cold-start of the engine. The method also includes regulating, in response to the identified cold-start of the engine, an exhaust pressure modulation (EPM) valve arranged in a main exhaust passage of the exhaust system. The main exhaust passage channels engine exhaust gas to the ambient. Such regulation of the EPM valve will restrict a flow of the engine exhaust gas to the ambient and increase exhaust gas backpressure in the exhaust system up to a predetermined pressure value. Furthermore, the subject regulation of the EPM valve will increase a load on and the rate of warm-up of the engine. A vehicle having an engine and a controller programmed to control a rate of the engine's warm-up of according to the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light sensor includes a primary lens, and a light device spaced from the primary lens. A control structure is disposed between the primary lens and the light device. An actuator is coupled to the control structure to move the control structure relative to the primary lens and the light device to control the passage of light between the primary lens and the light device. The light sensor may include a light emitting sensor having an array of individual light emitters, or a light detecting sensor having a light detector. The control structure may include an array of secondary bi-telecentric lenses for use with the light emitting sensor, or a plate having an aperture extending therethrough for use with the light detecting sensor.

Abstract: An off-board charging device disposed to electrically charge an electric energy storage system via an electrical charging system on-board a vehicle is described. This includes an electric machine electrically connected to the electric energy storage system and is disposed to supply propulsion effort to the vehicle. A method for controlling the off-board charging device includes determining severity of a drive cycle that occurs prior to a charging event for the electric energy storage system. A charging profile is determined based upon the severity of the drive cycle. A controller commands operation of the off-board charging device based upon the charging profile.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes an oxygen mass flow rate module, an oxygen per cylinder module, and a fuel control module. The oxygen mass flow rate module generates a mass flow rate of oxygen flowing into an engine based on a mass air flow rate (MAF) into the engine and a percentage of oxygen by volume measured using an intake oxygen (IO) sensor in an intake system. The oxygen per cylinder module generates a mass of oxygen for a combustion event of a cylinder of the engine based on the mass flow rate of oxygen flowing into the engine. The fuel control module controls fueling to the cylinder for the combustion event based on the mass of oxygen.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a road wheel, and a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner includes a suspension arm connected to the road wheel and to the vehicle body, and also includes a suspension force decoupling system disposed on an axis extending between the suspension arm and the vehicle body. The suspension force decoupling system includes an actuator having an actuator mass arranged on the axis that is configured to output an actuator force in opposite directions along the axis in response to an actuator control signal. The system also includes a compliant element connected along the axis to the actuator mass and one of the body and the suspension arm, and providing a predetermined level of mechanical compliance. A controller determines and generates the actuator force in response to a threshold acceleration of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission having a gearbox and a pump operable to circulate a fluid through the gearbox, includes sensing an acceleration of the vehicle, and adjusting an operating state of the pump. The operating state of the pump is adjusted to change the operating state of the pump from an initial operating state, to an adjusted operating state, when the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than an acceleration threshold. When the acceleration of the vehicle decreases from being greater than the acceleration threshold to being below the acceleration threshold, the operating state of the pump is returned to the initial operating state. The operating state of the pump may include a speed of the pump, a control signal representing a fluid flow rate for the current speed of the pump, or a fluid flow circuit for supplying the fluid to the pump.

Abstract: A system comprises a hinge assembly and an anchor. The anchor has a base, a head, and a pin connecting the base and the head. The hinge assembly has an aperture and a notch narrower than the aperture extending from the aperture. The head fits through the aperture, and the notch is configured to receive the pin when the hinge assembly is translated toward the pin with the head through the aperture. The hinge assembly releasably clips to the pin to retain the hinge assembly in an engaged position when the notch receives the pin. The system may be a cargo system in a vehicle, with the lid serving as a vehicle load floor. A method of securing a lid to a cargo bin in a vehicle utilizes the system.

Abstract: A window system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a transparent window having a window treatment, an incident light monitoring subsystem, an incident light management subsystem and a controller. The incident light monitoring subsystem monitors incident light transmitted into the passenger compartment, determines a field of view of a passenger and determines an intensity of the incident light relative to the field of view of the passenger. The incident light management subsystem individually controls a plurality of light projectors to project a light beam that interacts with a subsection of the window treatment to modulate light transparency of one of the subsections of the window based upon the intensity of the incident light in relation to a field of view of the passenger.

Abstract: Limited slip differentials (LSD), methods for making and methods for using such LSDs, and motor vehicles employing an LSD. An LSD for a motor vehicle includes a differential casing that drivingly connects to the driveshaft, and two side gears rotatably mounted inside the casing. Each side gear drivingly connects to a respective axle shaft. One or both side gears includes a respective friction surface. One or more pinion gears are mounted inside the casing and meshingly engaged with the side gears. One or more friction plates are movably mounted inside the casing to selectively engage with and disengage from a friction surface. A centrifugal spring mass, which is mounted to one of the pinion gears, includes circumferentially spaced springs that expand responsive to a predetermined disparity in rotational speed between the side gears and thereby urge the friction plate(s) into engagement with the friction surface(s).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor for propelling the vehicle and at least one active aerodynamic element configured to generate a variable amount of aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle also includes at least one driver input sensor configured to detect a driver input and generate a feedforward signal indicative of a desired behavior of the vehicle. The vehicle additionally includes a controller in communication with the at least one driver input sensor and the at least one active aerodynamic element and configured to regulate the at least one active aerodynamic element at least partially in response to the feedforward signal. A method for controlling such an active aerodynamic element and a system for controlling an aerodynamic downforce on a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: An attachment plate and towing lug combination for a vehicle having a crush can and a bumper beam includes a plate and a towing lug. The plate has a central portion and a flange portion. The towing lug is attached to the central portion of the plate and extends from an outer surface of the central portion of the plate. The flange portion of the plate is attachable to an end portion of the crush can. The central portion of the plate is attachable to a first side portion of the bumper beam. The towing lug extends to at least an outer surface of a second side portion of the bumper beam when the flange portion of the plate is attached to the end portion of the crush can and the central portion of the plate is attached to the first side portion of the bumper beam.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first assembly portion coupled to a first component and a second assembly portion coupled to a second component. The first assembly portion includes a first bracket and a locating pin. The first bracket has a first surface, a second surface, and defines a first bracket protrusion having a first bracket bore therein. The locating pin has a first end, a second end, and an exterior surface. The first end of the locating pin is fixedly mounted within the first bracket bore. The second assembly portion includes a base plate that has a base plate first surface and a base plate second surface and defines a base plate protrusion portion having a protrusion bore therein. The locating pin is configured to be inserted into the protrusion bore in order to position the first component with respect to the second component.