Abstract: A touchscreen panel is configured to accept an input touch command. The touchscreen panel includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) layer. The touchscreen panel also includes a touch sensor having a receiving element and a transmitting element, each arranged on the LCD layer. The receiving element and the transmitting element together are configured to detect an impending touch of the touch sensor via a hover system and a touch event in a touch-detecting mode. At least one of the receiving element and the transmitting element is configured to operate in a heating mode, as a heating element, when the impending touch of the touch sensor is not detected. The resultant heating element generates a heat energy input to the LCD layer and accelerates responsiveness of the LCD layer to the touch event. A method of controlling a touchscreen panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission includes monitoring powertrain operating conditions, and calculating, via an electronic controller, a commanded clamping force based on the powertrain operating conditions, wherein the commanded clamping force includes a commanded clamping force of an input pulley and a commanded clamping force of an output pulley on the endless rotatable device. The method also includes activating, via the electronic controller, at least one of the input actuator and the output actuator such that an axial component of the input wedge force and the axial force of the input actuator together provide the commanded clamping force of the input pulley, and an axial component of the output wedge force and the axial force of the output actuator together provide the commanded clamping force of the output pulley.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing self-healing gel-type electrolyte composites for metal batteries are disclosed. According to aspects of the disclosure, a method includes preparing a ternary mixture including an electrolyte portion, a matrix precursor portion, and a self-healing portion, forming a self-healing gel-electrolyte membrane by initiating polymerization of the gel-forming precursor and the gel-forming initiator to thereby form a polymer matrix, and disposing the self-healing gel-electrolyte membrane between an anode and a cathode. The self-healing portion includes a self-healing precursor that is flowable and a self-healing initiator. The matrix precursor portion includes a gel-forming precursor and a gel-forming initiator. The electrolyte portion and the self-healing portion are disposed substantially throughout the polymer matrix and the polymer matrix includes a plurality of gel-forming active sites.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprises a shaft rotatable about an axis, and variator assembly, and an actuator mechanism. The variator assembly includes a pulley supported on the shaft and having a ramp surface, and an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the pulley. The ramp surface inclines in an axial direction along the axis toward the endless rotatable device. The CVT further comprises an actuator mechanism that includes a wedge component that has a wedge surface interfacing with the ramp surface, and a rotary piston operatively connected to the wedge component. The rotary piston defines a first fluid chamber pressurizable to apply a rotational force that provides relative motion between the ramp surface and the wedge surface resulting in a wedge force on the ramp surface and a clamping force of the endless rotatable device on the pulley.

Abstract: A suspension member for a seat assembly includes a plurality of zones which define spatially varying properties of the suspension member. Each of the zones produces a response to an occupant load imposed on the seat assembly by a seated occupant, where the response includes one or more of a stiffness response, an energy dissipation response, and a thermal response. The response produced by each zone is different from the response produced from any other of the zones. The suspension member can be made of a homogenous material or made of a combination of materials such that each zone is made of a different material. The suspension member can include a textile material formed by weaving, knitting or crocheting. At least one zone of the suspension member can include one or more apertures.

Abstract: An electrified multiple speed ratio transmission for mounting to an external power-source and transmitting a power-source torque therefrom includes an input member configured to receive the power-source torque. The transmission also includes a torque transfer system configured to receive the power-source torque from the input member and select an input-to-output speed ratio of the transmission. The transmission additionally includes an electric motor operatively connected to the torque transfer system and configured to apply an electric motor torque input thereto. Furthermore, the transmission also includes an output member operatively connected to the torque transfer system and configured to receive the power-source torque and the electric motor torque input therefrom and output a sum of the power-source torque and the electric motor torque input to drive a load. A vehicle having such an electrified multiple speed ratio transmission is also envisioned.

Abstract: An electric starter system is used with an engine. The starter system may include a solenoid device coupled to a pinion gear, a brushless starter motor connectable to the engine via the pinion gear during a requested engine start event, and a controller. In response to the start event, when the engine speed is less than a threshold speed, the controller delivers a control current to the solenoid device at a peak current level sufficient for translating the pinion gear into contact with the flywheel. The control current is reduced to a holding current level less than the peak current level after the pinion gear is engaged with the flywheel. Motor torque is commanded from the starter motor, through the pinion gear, and to the flywheel while maintaining the holding current level, and held for a duration sufficient for starting the engine.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) pixel is composed of a plurality of subpixel elements and one or more lenses, including first, second and third subpixel elements that emit light beams having first, second and third colors, respectively. The first subpixel element exhibits a first light divergence angle, the second subpixel element exhibits a second light divergence angle, and the third subpixel element exhibits a third light divergence angle. A first lens is disposed on the second subpixel element, with a first refractive index to refract the light beam of the second subpixel element to a light divergence angle that is equivalent to the first light divergence angle. A second lens is disposed on the third subpixel element, with a refractive index to refract the light beam of the third subpixel element to a divergence angle that is equivalent to the first light divergence angle.

Abstract: An engine starter system includes a starter including a multi-phase brushless electric motor and an electronic commutator assembly. A controller includes an instruction set that is executable in response to a command to execute an engine starting event. Operation includes determining a desired starting profile, controlling the starter to engage a rotatable member of the engine, and monitoring the rotational speed of the electric motor via a rotor position sensing circuit. The starter inverter is dynamically controlled to control the electric motor to spin the rotatable member of the internal combustion engine responsive to the desired starting profile, including dynamically controlling the starter inverter to control the electric motor to control the spin of the engine responsive to the desired starting profile to prevent occurrence of an engine speed flare event during the engine starting event.

Abstract: A method of controlled stopping an internal combustion engine having a stop-start mode and starter assembly includes detecting when the stop-start mode is active. The method also includes monitoring current rotational speed and position of the engine. The method additionally includes determining when the current rotational position is within a predetermined range of a target stop rotational position and the current rotational speed is less than a threshold rotational speed, and afterward energizing the starter assembly to engage the engine. The method also includes establishing a time delay following energizing the starter assembly to confirm engagement of the starter assembly with the engine. Furthermore, the method includes applying a torque by the starter assembly to stop the engine at the target stop position. A vehicle powertrain employing the engine equipped with the stop-start mode, the starter assembly, and an electronic controller configured to execute the method is also provided.

Abstract: A mount assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an upper mounting portion coupled to a first area of the vehicle and a lower mounting portion coupled to a second area of the vehicle. A dampening arrangement is disposed between the upper mounting portion and lower mounting portion. The dampening arrangement may include one or more biasing layers and one or more springs cooperating with the upper mounting portion and lower mounting portion. One or more relatively high viscoelastic layers are disposed adjacent to and cooperate with the one or more biasing layers. One or more relatively low viscoelastic layers are disposed adjacent and cooperate with the one or more relatively high viscoelastic layers. The one or more biasing layers, one or more relatively high viscoelastic layers, one or more relatively low viscoelastic layers and optional springs are configured to dissipate axial forces acting on the mount assembly.

Abstract: A device and associated method for monitoring a rotatable member is described, and includes a target wheel coupled to the rotatable member, and a sensor that is disposed to monitor the target wheel. The sensor is configured to generate a signal associated with rotation of the target wheel. A controller is in communication with the sensor and includes an instruction set that is executable to dynamically monitor the signal generated by the sensor during rotation of the target wheel and determine a magnitude of an airgap between the sensor and the target wheel based upon the signal. A variation in the magnitude of the airgap between the sensor and the target wheel can be determined based upon the signal, and a fault associated with the rotating member can be determined based upon the variation in the magnitude of the airgap.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-cleaning film system includes ink jet printing a composition onto a substrate. The composition includes an oleophobic material and a photocatalytic material. The method further includes curing the composition to form a self-cleaning film disposed on the substrate and thereby form the self-cleaning film system. The self-cleaning film includes a first plurality of regions including the photocatalytic material and disposed within the oleophobic material such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the oleophobic material.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and a self-cleaning film disposed on the substrate. The self-cleaning film includes a monolayer formed from an oleophobic material, and a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer in a non-periodic pattern such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the oleophobic material. Each of the first plurality of regions includes a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: An electric starter system is usable with a powertrain having an engine with a flywheel. The starter system includes a brushless starter motor having a machine temperature, and a solenoid operable for translating a pinion gear into meshed engagement with the flywheel and the starter motor in response to a requested engine start event. A controller has temperature regulation logic that includes a proportional-integral torque control loop. Execution of a method embodied by the logic, in response to the requested engine start event when the machine temperature exceeds a first temperature, causes the controller to determine a required starting torque of the starter motor using the control loop. The controller causes the starter motor to transmit the required starting torque to the engine at a level that reduces the machine temperature below the first temperature.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotating at an engine speed, and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) having a compressor and a turbine. The turbine has turbine vanes, and is configured to rotate in response to exhaust flow from the engine to thereby rotate the compressor. An electric machine is configured to selectively deliver motor torque to the crankshaft upon completion of a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain. The engine and electric machine have a corresponding speed that is responsive to acceleration and braking requests. A controller executes a method in which the controller coordinates vane position of the turbine vanes with the motor torque of the electric machine in response to engine speed, doing so during a zero pedal maneuver in which the acceleration and braking requests are both zero.

Abstract: A selectable torque transfer system includes an input member to receive an input torque, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member. The selectable torque transfer system also includes an engaging member disposed between the input member and the output member and a biasing element configured to urge the engaging member towards a first position. The selectable torque transfer system further includes an electrically-powered solenoid configured to actuate the engaging member to a second position thereby enabling torque transfer from the input member to the output member.

Abstract: A cable retention device includes a body having a sloped upper surface contiguous with a lower surface, a retention member having a first end and a second end, the retention member flexibly coupled to the body at the first end, and a plurality of projections extending from the lower surface of the body. The lower surface of the body and the retention member define a plurality of openings and each of the plurality of openings is configured to retain a cable.

Abstract: A vehicle includes drive wheels, an energy source having an available energy, a torque-generating device powered by the energy source to provide an input torque, a transmission configured to receive the input torque and deliver an output torque to the set of drive wheels, and a controller. The controller, as part of a programmed method, predicts consumption of the available energy along a predetermined travel route using onboard data, offboard data, and a first logic block, and also corrects the predicted energy consumption using the onboard data, offboard data, and an error correction loop between a second logic block and the first logic block. The controller also executes a control action with respect to the vehicle using the corrected energy consumption, including changing a logic state of the vehicle.

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. The torque transfer mechanism also includes a damping mechanism disposed between the input member and the output member. The damping mechanism includes at least one clockspring that is coiled about a center axis of rotation of the input and output members and couples the input member to the output member. The at least one clockspring, which may include a first clockspring fixed to a second clockspring, is arranged to damp vibration associated with the input torque and is coiled in multiple planes such that the clockspring does not contact itself under torsional deflection. The first clockspring may be wound in a clockwise direction, and the second clockspring may be wound in a counterclockwise direction.