Abstract: A method of path planning for a host vehicle includes: receiving host vehicle, environmental and obstacle information; calculating one or more projected host vehicle locations; computing a projected obstacle location for each obstacle; and determining a collision potential between each projected host vehicle location and each projected obstacle location. Until a maximum number of steps is reached, and while at least one projected host vehicle location has an associated collision potential below a collision threshold, the method further includes repeating the calculating, computing and determining steps.

Abstract: Presented are finger-proof electrical terminals for battery assemblies, methods for making/using such electrical terminals, and vehicles with battery modules having finger-proof electrical terminals for bolted busbar connections. A battery assembly includes one or more electrochemical battery cells and one or more electrical terminals each electrically connected to the battery cell(s) and having a contact face to electrically connect the battery assembly to an electrical connector. A threaded nut attaches each electrical terminal to one of the electrical connectors. An electrically insulating nut cap is attached to each threaded nut. A battery housing, which stores therein the battery cell(s), includes an electrically insulating housing wall with one or more terminal jackets each mounting therein one of the electrical terminals.

Abstract: A nodular iron alloy and automotive components, such as a crankshaft, are provided. The nodular iron alloy may include iron, about 2.2-3.2 wt % carbon, about 1.7-2.3 wt % silicon, about 0.2-0.6 wt % manganese, a maximum of 0.03 wt % phosphorus, a maximum of 0.02 wt % sulfur, about 0.2-0.6 wt % copper, about 0.1-0.4 wt % chromium, about 0.4-0.8 wt % nickel, about 0.15-0.45 wt % molybdenum, about 0.2-1.0 wt % cobalt, about 0.02-0.06 wt % magnesium, and a maximum of 0.002 wt % rare earth element(s). The nodular iron alloy may have a Young's modulus in the range of 175-195 GPa and an as-cast ultimate tensile strength in the range of 750-950 MPa. This alloy possesses favorable strength, stiffness and noise/vibration/harshness qualities, making it suitable in crankshaft applications. A method of forming the nodular iron alloy includes feeding a magnesium-based material into a molten iron alloy through a continuous system at a constant amount.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to causing presentation on a user interface of an immediate portion of a navigation route of an autonomous vehicle. A computing system of the autonomous vehicle determines whether an object detected by sensor(s) of the autonomous vehicle proximate to the immediate portion of the navigation route are of a type and relative position defined as one of consequential and inconsequential for a human passenger. In response to determining that an object has both a type and relative position defined as consequential, the computing system causes presentation on the user interface a representation of the object relative to the immediate portion of the navigation route to provide a confidence engendering indication that the autonomous vehicle has detected the object. Otherwise if inconsequential, presentation on the user interface of any representation of the object is not caused by the computing system to avoid creating a confusing presentation.

Abstract: A method and system of theft detection for a vehicle are provided. The method comprises providing a telematics module, a body control module and an engine control module disposed in the vehicle having components and at least one theft-detected state. The body control module is in communication with the telematics module and the engine control module. The telematics module is in further communication with a backend server disposed remotely from the vehicle. The method further comprises detecting at least one event by the body control module defining a theft flag. The method further comprises detecting disablement of the telematics module from one of the body control module and the backend server. The method further comprises activating the at least one theft-detected state of the vehicle when the theft flag and disablement of the telematics module are detected.

Abstract: A crankshaft for an internal combustion engine is provided. The crankshaft comprises at least four main journals aligned on a crankshaft axis of rotation defining a centerline. The crankshaft further comprises at least three pin journals. Each pin journal is disposed about a respective pin journal axis and positioned between the main journals. Each of the pin journals is joined to a pair of crank arms. Each pair of crank arms is joined to a respective main journal. Each of the main journals, pin journals, and crank arms is made of a first metallic material. Each crank arm has an over-molded counterweight metallurgically bonded thereto. Each counterweight is disposed opposite a respective pin journal relative to the centerline for balance and stability. Each counterweight is made of a second metallic material. The crankshaft has a weight ratio of the second metallic material to the first metallic material of between 0.20 to 0.50.

Abstract: An environment interactive system includes: a first camera capturing first images of an area external to the vehicle; a second camera capturing second images of an area interior to the vehicle; a telematics control module determining a geographical location of the vehicle; a viewing device displaying items adjacent to, on or in front of detected objects and in a FOV of an occupant. The items correspond to the detected objects; and an infotainment module. The infotainment module: detects the objects based on the first images and the location of the vehicle; based on the second images, tracks at least one of a location of an eye of the occupant or a location of a body part of the occupant other than the eye; and based on the location of the eye and the location of the body part, displays the items via the viewing device in the FOV.

Abstract: An axial flux motor includes: a stator having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the stator including: N stator core components on the first side, where N is an integer greater than two; and pole shoes attached to radial sides of the N stator core components, N slot openings between adjacent ones of the pole shoes, where each of the N slot openings extends in at least one direction non-radially on the first side; and a rotor including a third side and M permanent magnets on the third side, where the first side is parallel to the third side, and where M is an integer greater than two.

Abstract: A method and fixture for welding a battery foil-tab assembly is disclosed. The fixture includes a first clamp member having a first clamping surface defining an opening extending into the first clamp member and a second clamp member having a protrusion surrounding a weld slot. The opening of the first clamp member is configured to receive a portion of the protrusion with the battery foil-tab assembly disposed therebetween. The second clamp member is moveable toward the first clamp member to align the weld slot of the second clamp member with the opening of the first clamp member, thereby causing the protrusion to cooperate with the opening of the first clamp to deflect a portion of the battery foil-tab assembly out of a plane parallel with the battery foil-tab assembly. A laser beam is directed at the out of plane portion to laser weld the battery foil-tab assembly.

Abstract: Presented are protective covers for weldable fasteners, methods for making/using such cover-protected weldable fasteners, and motor vehicles with such covered fasteners welded to load-bearing structural members. A weldable fastener assembly includes a fastener, such as a weld-on nut or clip retainer, that is fabricated with a shank and a flange. One end of the shank has a fastener hole that receives therethrough a mating fastener, such as a bolt, screw, stud, or clip. The flange is formed, in whole or in part, from a weldable material for welding to a load-bearing panel or other structural support member. The flange may be integrally formed with and project radially outward from the shank. A protective cover is attached to the flange and covers the fastener hole. The protective cover is frangible and formed, in whole or in part, from a material designed to withstand the temperature at which the weldable material melts.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that provides location information through directional sound is described herein. The mobile computing device includes a location detection system that provides location signals corresponding to a user location and a destination location, such as a vehicle location or a vertex of a predefined travel route, to a spatial audio generation system to define a spatial audio signal based on a direction from the user location to the destination location. The spatial audio signal is provided to an audio device of the mobile computing device that outputs the spatial audio signal as directional sound having a locus at the destination location.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the state of health of an electric battery that includes a plurality of battery cells. The method includes the steps of measuring the cell voltage of each individual cell of the plurality of battery cells, and analyzing each measured battery cell voltage to determine the state of health of the corresponding battery cell.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for automatically controlling braking of a vehicle during testing. In an exemplary embodiments, a testing assembly is provided that includes a roll test machine and a tester system. The roll test machine includes a flat surface, a plurality of rollers, and one or more optical controllers. The plurality of rollers are configured to engage a vehicle on the flat surface for testing of the vehicle. The one or more optical encoders are configured to generate wheel speed and brake force data for the vehicle during testing of the vehicle. The tester system includes a processor configured to at least facilitate generating instructions for brake pressure to be applied via a braking system of the vehicle during the testing of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for forming a prelithiated, layered anode material includes contacting an ionic compound and a lithium precursor in an environment having a temperature ranging from about 200° C. to about 900° C. The ionic compound is a three-dimensional layered material represented by MX2, where M is one of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and X is one of silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and boron (B). The lithium precursor is selected from the group consisting of: LiH, LiC, LiOH, LiCl, and combinations thereof. The contacting of the ionic compound and the lithium precursor in the environment causes removal of cations from the ionic compound to create openings in interlayer spaces or voids in the three-dimensional layered material thereby defining a two-dimensional layered material and also causes introduction of lithium ions from the lithium precursor into the interlayer spaces or voids to form the prelithiated, layered anode material.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a silicon-based electroactive material for use in an electrochemical cell are provided. The methods include heating a silicon oxide (SiOx, where 0.1?x?2) particle to a temperature between about 600° C. and about 1200° C. over a period between about 30 minutes and about 10 hours to form the silicon-based electroactive material, where the silicon-based electroactive material includes a silicon oxide matrix and a plurality of silicon crystallites embedded therein. In certain instances, the heating may occur in an inert atmosphere such that the silicon crystallites are distributed throughout the silicon oxide matrix. In other instances, the heating may occur in a reducing environment such that the silicon crystallites are condensed in one or more regions in the silicon oxide matrix. In each instance, the silicon-based electroactive material may be carbon coated by heating the silicon-based electroactive material in an environment including hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cast aluminum component prepared using an aluminum alloy composition. The aluminum alloy composition includes greater than or equal to about 3 wt. % to less than or equal to about 9 wt. % of silicon, greater than or equal to about 0.2 wt. % to less than or equal to about 0.6 wt. % of magnesium, greater than or equal to about 0.15 wt. % to less than or equal to about 0.8 wt. % of iron, greater than or equal to about 0.15 wt. % to less than or equal to about 0.6 wt. % of a combined concentration of chromium and manganese, greater than or equal to about 0.05 wt. % to less than or equal to about 0.2 wt. % of a combined concentration of vanadium and titanium, and a balance of aluminum. Greater than or equal to about 40 wt. % of the aluminum alloy composition is derived from post-consumer aluminum scrap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for changing end-of-arm tools and methods for manufacturing vehicles are provided. An exemplary end-of-arm tool changing system includes a rotatable tool rack configured to hold at least two end-of-arm tools and configured to move a selected end-of-arm tool from a far location to a near location. The exemplary end-of-arm tool changing system further includes a robot configured to reach the near location for attachment of the selected end-of-arm tool to the robot.

Abstract: A method for determining a risk boundary in response to the plurality of indications of hard braking events wherein the risk boundary is indicative of a plurality of speed flow pairs at which a risk of a hard braking event is below a threshold value, determining, at a road segment level, a set of speed flow pairs of average speed and vehicle count and a plurality of indications of hard braking events , determining a host vehicle speed, and performing at least one of reducing the host vehicle speed and increasing a host vehicle following distance in response to the host vehicle speed exceeding the risk boundary for the vehicle flow density.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a motor vehicle includes an electronic controller receiving, e.g., from a vehicle-mounted sensor array, sensor data with dynamics information for a target vehicle and, using the received sensor data, predicting a lane assignment for the target vehicle on a road segment proximate the host vehicle. The electronic controller also receives map data with roadway information for the road segment; the controller fuses the sensor and map data to construct a polynomial overlay for a host lane of the road segment across which travels the host vehicle. A piecewise linearized road map of the host lane is constructed and combined with the predicted lane assignment and polynomial overlay to calculate a lane assignment for the target vehicle. The controller then transmits one or more command signals to a resident vehicle system to execute one or more control operations using the target vehicle's calculated lane assignment.