Abstract: An automotive battery pack enclosure, assembly and method of housing battery pack cells within an enclosure. The enclosure includes a tray that defines a mounting surface for the various individual battery cells, as well as an upstanding wall, while the assembly further includes numerous individual battery cells aligned along a stacking axis within the enclosure. The wall is made from a continuous extruded preform with periodically-spaced miters that permit bending such that the wall can assume any shape defined by the various panels. The panels cooperative with the peripheral edges of the tray to define a battery container with a footprint shape generally similar to that of the tray. By being formed from a substantially one-piece preform, all of the corners—save the one formed where wall ends are brought into adjacent cooperation with one another—define a continuous structural seal without the need for sealants, welds or other supplemental closure approaches.

Abstract: An active spoiler system for a vehicle includes a spoiler body having an airfoil shape in a cross-sectional view. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow and an opposing second vehicle body end. The spoiler body is configured to be moveably mounted between the first vehicle body end and the second vehicle body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body when the vehicle is in motion. The spoiler system also includes a first mechanism configured to selectively translate the spoiler body along the longitudinal body axis to thereby adjust along the longitudinal body axis a location of the aerodynamic downforce generated by the spoiler body.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine and a first electric machine each configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine and configured to start the engine from an inactive state. A controller is programmed to execute a first control algorithm while output speed of the second electric machine is less than a first speed threshold. The controller is also programmed to execute a second control algorithm while output speed of the second electric machine is greater than the first speed threshold and less than a second speed threshold.

Abstract: A final drive assembly for a vehicle drive axle having first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The final drive assembly includes a first gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the first axle-shaft. The final drive assembly also includes a second gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the second axle-shaft. The final drive assembly additionally includes an electric motor configured to provide an electric motor torque input to each of the first and second gear-sets and arranged on a second axis that is parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter, or torque converter assembly, operatively connects a primary mover and a transmission, and includes an input rotationally connected to the primary mover and an output rotationally connected to the transmission. The torque converter includes a fluid coupling having impeller blades and turbine blades. The fluid coupling transfers torque between the impeller blades and the turbine blades when the input and the output are rotating at different speeds. A mini damper is disposed in line with the fluid coupling between the input and the output. A torque converter clutch is configured to selectively slip or selectively lock, such that torque may be transferred directly between the input and the output. A primary damper is disposed between the input and the output.

Abstract: A beltline reinforcement member for a door of a vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis, between a first end and a second end. The body includes, an inner belt wall extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, an outer belt wall extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the inner belt wall for receiving a window between the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall, a first end wall interconnecting the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall at the first end of the body, and a second end wall interconnecting the inner belt wall and the outer belt wall at the second end of the body. The inner belt wall, the outer belt wall, the first end wall, and the second end wall are integrally formed together as a single, unitary structure, such as by a casting process.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a wireless device installed in a vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes: determining one or more services utilized by the wireless device; receiving a signal indicating one or more services currently available from a wireless access point installed in the vehicle; determining if the one or more services utilized by the wireless device are currently available from the wireless access point; and based on the determinations deciding whether to connect the wireless device to the wireless access point or, if already connected, whether to disconnect so as to free up the wireless access point for use by other wireless devices on the vehicle.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a propulsion system having first and second torque sources, and first and second drive axles respectively connected to and independently driven by the first and second torque sources. A permissible range of torque contribution from the torque sources to the respective first and second drive axles is defined by a component torque window. The powertrain includes sensors for detecting a dynamic driving maneuver of a vehicle having the powertrain. A controller executes a method to adjust a size and/or orientation of a chassis torque window during the detected dynamic driving maneuver, determine an optimally efficient axle torque operating point that falls on a torque line within the component torque window in proximity to the chassis torque window, and command the torque contribution via transmission of torque control signals to the first and second torque sources to achieve the optimally efficient axle torque operating point.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a prime mover, transmission, drive axle, and controller. The controller identifies clutches involved in establishing or maintaining a requested gear state, and detects an impending fault condition of the transmission. The controller also executes a pre-remedial control action in response to the impending fault condition, and places the transmission in a hydraulic default mode when the remedial control action does not clear the fault condition after a calibrated duration. A system includes the transmission and controller. A method for providing pre-remedial control of a transmission includes identifying clutches of the transmission that are involved in establishing or maintaining a requested gear state, and detecting an impending fault condition. The method further includes executing a pre-remedial control action in response to the impending fault condition and placing the transmission in a hydraulic default mode if the remedial control action does not clear the fault condition.

Abstract: A glass run channel and applique attachment for a door having a door frame and an openable window includes a glass run channel, an applique, and a fastener. The glass run channel has a first locating feature adapted for attachment to the door frame and a first snap-fit feature. The applique has a second locating feature and a second snap-fit feature. The applique is located relative to the glass run channel in a located position when the first locating feature contacts the second locating feature and is attached to the glass run channel in the located position when the first snap-fit feature engages the second snap-fit feature. The fastener mounts the first locating feature to the door frame and is concealed from view on the interior surface of the door by the door frame and on the exterior surface of the door by the applique.

Abstract: A duct is configured for a vehicle having a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis. The vehicle body includes a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion, a second vehicle body end opposite of the first vehicle body end. The duct has a fully-enclosed structure in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis. The duct also has a first port positioned to receive a portion of the oncoming airflow and a second port positioned to exhaust the portion of the oncoming airflow from the duct. The first and second ports together with the fully-enclosed structure are configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: An electrode material for an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrode includes a porous hydrophilic substrate, an electroactive material, and a binder. The porous hydrophilic substrate includes a plurality of voids and may be formed from cellulose or cellulosic derivative material. The electroactive material is dispersed in at least a portion of the voids of the hydrophilic substrate. In other aspects, another electrode material for an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrode includes a porous hydrophilic substrate, an electroactive material, an electrically conductive particle, and a binder. The porous hydrophilic substrate includes a plurality of voids and may be formed from cellulose or cellulosic derivative material. The electroactive material and the electrically conductive particle are dispersed in at least a portion of the voids of the hydrophilic substrate. In still other aspects, the porous hydrophilic substrate comprises a coating that is electrically conductive.

Abstract: In an example of a method for heating or cooling a vehicle, an application resident on an electronic memory of a mobile communications device is launched. The electronic memory is coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is operatively connected to a mobile device communications platform (MDCP). Preset climate control modes are displayed on a display. A user input identifying a selected preset climate control mode is received at a user interface. In response to receiving the user input, the selected preset climate control mode is transmitted to a vehicle communications platform (VCP). In response to receiving the selected preset climate control mode, a climate control instruction is transmitted by the VCP to a climate control system. In response to receiving the climate control instruction at the control module of the climate control system, the selected preset climate control mode is caused to be implemented in the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric cycle with a frame that may include a tube and an opening. The tube may extend from a first end to a second end and may define a tube interior volume in fluid communication with the opening. An electric power unit may be mounted to the frame proximal the second end of the tube and may have a cooling air inlet and an exhaust port. A cooling path may be defined through the tube interior volume and at least a portion of the electric power unit. The cooling path may be in fluid communication with the opening so that air may flow into the opening, through the tube, into the cooling air inlet and out of the exhaust port of the electric power unit.

Abstract: A belt drive system for rotatably coupling an internal combustion engine to an electric machine is described. The belt drive system includes a serpentine belt and a hydraulic strut tensioner, wherein the hydraulic strut tensioner is disposed to exert a tension force on the serpentine belt. A controller is operatively connected to the electric machine and includes an instruction set that is executable to periodically induce a reduction in torque output of the electric machine.