Abstract: A method for fault tolerant controller readiness. Executing functions by a first controller operating in a primary status mode. Operating in a hot standby status mode by a second controller and mirroring the first controller by executing functions to operate as a redundant controller. Operating in a cold standby status mode by at least one backup controller under normal operating conditions. The second controller is reconfigured while operating under normal operating conditions from the hot standby status mode to the primary standby status mode if a failure occurs in the first controller. Reconfiguring the at least one backup controller operating under normal operating conditions from cold standby status mode to hot standby status mode to operate as a redundant controller in response to the reconfiguring the second controller from the hot standby status mode to the primary status mode.

Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit for regulating the flow of a fluid includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a spool, and an actuator including a smart material. The spool is movable inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The smart material is configured to be in an activated state in response to the fluid exhibiting at least a first temperature and to be in a deactivated state in response to the fluid being a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature. The fluid flows from the housing to the transmission and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler, from the cooler to the transmission, and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the second position.

Abstract: A method of determining a surface condition of a path of travel. A plurality of images is captured of a surface of the path of travel by an image capture device. The image capture device captures images at varying scales. A feature extraction technique is applied by a feature extraction module to each of the scaled images. A fusion technique is applied, by the processor, to the extracted features for identifying the surface condition of the path of travel. A road surface condition signal provide to a control device. The control device applies the road surface condition signal to mitigate the wet road surface condition.

Abstract: A driveline system includes a drive axle coupled to a load, an electric machine, and a control system. The electric machine is responsive to a commanded torque, has a rotor shaft coupled to the axle, and produces an output torque that rotates the axle and load to produce driveline oscillation at a high resonant frequency. The control system generates the commanded torque using a nested control loop architecture in which an outer control loop operates at a sampling rate that is below a critical rate necessary for controlling the resonant frequency, and an inner control loop operates at a sampling rate that is above the critical rate. The inner loop determines a modified torque command and acceleration value in response to a commanded torque from the outer loop. The electric machine is thereafter controlled via the commanded torque.

Abstract: A method of communicating a notification includes identifying an issue associated with a target vehicle. A location of the target vehicle is determined, and a notification signal is broadcast from a host vehicle. The notification signal includes the location of the target vehicle and the identified issue associated with the target vehicle. The broadcast notification signal is received by the target vehicle, which determines that the received notification signal is intended for the target vehicle, by comparing a current location of the target vehicle to the location of the target vehicle included in the notification signal. When the target vehicle determines that the broadcast notification signal received from the host vehicle is intended for the target vehicle, the target vehicle may issue an alert signal to alert an occupant of the target vehicle of the issue associated with the target vehicle.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an output member, and first and second simple planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets each have a first, a second, and a third member including a sun gear, carrier, and ring gear member. The drive unit includes a single electric machine operable as a motor and having a rotor connected to rotate in unison with and drive the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set. An interconnecting member connects the second member of the first planetary gear set to rotate in unison with the first member of the second planetary gear set. The third member of the first planetary gear set or the second member of the second planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the stationary member or operatively connected to be driven by an engine. The third member of the second planetary gear set is continuously operatively connected to the output member.

Abstract: A resettable sensor assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity therein. The assembly includes a divider disposed within the cavity and in contact with the housing, at least one electrical contact disposed within the cavity and extending through the divider, and a pin reversibly translatable within the cavity along the axis. The assembly includes at least one actuator element disposed within the cavity and abutting the housing. The element is configured for translating the pin along the axis between a first position wherein the pin contacts the electrical contact and a second position wherein the pin is spaced apart from the electrical contact. The actuator element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the pin between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining first and second cylinders, and a cylinder head coupled to the block. The engine also includes a passage having a first outlet and a second outlet for exhausting post-combustion gasses from the cylinder head. The engine additionally includes a mechanism for selectively activating and deactivating the first cylinder and a turbocharging system having a low-flow turbocharger and a high-flow turbocharger. The low-flow turbocharger is driven by gasses from the first outlet and the high-flow turbocharger is driven by gasses from the second outlet. The turbocharging system also includes a first flow-control device that directs the gasses via the first and second outlets to the turbochargers when the first and second cylinders are activated. The first flow-control device also directs the gasses via the first outlet only to the low-flow turbocharger and blocks the second outlet when the first cylinder is deactivated.

Abstract: A vehicle and a door assembly each include an inner panel and an outer panel coupled to each other to define a door. A first handle is attached to the outer panel. A mirror apparatus is supported by the door and spaced apart from the first handle. A lock apparatus is supported by at least one of the door and the mirror apparatus. The lock apparatus is disposed closer to the mirror apparatus than the first handle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireless communication between a handheld mobile device and an embedded vehicle system of a motor vehicle. The system includes a communication module that utilizes at least two different short range wireless communication technologies to facilitate communication and/or pairing of an occupant's smartphone or other mobile device with an embedded vehicle system such as a vehicle infotainment system. This includes the use of a very short range communication technology, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), to communicate between the mobile device and an embedded vehicle system that is located outside of the operational range of the NFC or other very short range communication technology used by the mobile device.

Abstract: A roof rack assembly, and a vehicle including the roof rack assembly, includes a support structure and a multifunctional apparatus supported by the support structure. The multifunctional apparatus is configured to operate as an awning structure, a concealment structure and a storage structure. At least a portion of the multifunctional apparatus is movable relative to the support structure between a storage position in which the multifunctional apparatus is not operable and a use position in which the multifunctional apparatus is operable.

Abstract: A short range wireless communication (SRWC) system for a vehicle and a method of using the SRWC system. The system includes a first SRWC node in the vehicle having a SRWC receiver and a SRWC transmitter, and a second SRWC node in the vehicle adapted to send and receive SRWC data. The first and second SRWC nodes are configured so that when the first and second SRWC nodes are operable, an SRWC object device perceives the first and second SRWC nodes as a single SRWC device.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display console displaying at least one image on an image plane. The image is divided into a plurality of pixels. A controller is operatively connected to the display console and includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for dynamically adjusting the image in real-time for off-axis viewing. The controller is programmed to generate a compensation-over-viewing-angle map which includes respective compensation factors for each of the plurality of pixels for multiple viewing positions. In one embodiment, the controller is programmed to apply separate respective compensation factors for the instantaneous viewing positions of a first user at a time j and a second user at a time k. In another embodiment, the controller is programmed to apply first and second compensation factors simultaneously at a time m, for a first image and a second image, respectively.

Abstract: A method for controlling an active aerodynamic element in a vehicle having road wheels with tires in contact with a road surface includes receiving driver input signals and vehicle kinematics data. The driver input signals correspond to a requested aerodynamic performance operating point. Tire coefficients of friction in the longitudinal and lateral directions are provided to the controller. Desired longitudinal and lateral forces acting on the tires are determined using the input signals, kinematics data, and actual force data. Additionally, a desired total aerodynamic downforce for meeting the aerodynamic performance operating point is determined as a function of the tire forces and coefficients. A position of the aerodynamic element(s) is controlled such that the total aerodynamic downforce is achieved. A system includes the aerodynamic element(s), actuator(s), and controller. A vehicle includes the body, road wheels, active aerodynamic element(s), actuator(s), and controller.