Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column pivotably coupled to a rake bracket at a first pivot point, a rake locking mechanism including a rotatable rake bolt, and a multi-link assembly including a first member, a second member and a third member. The first member includes a first end fixedly coupled to the rotatable rake bolt and the second end rotatably coupled to a first end of the second member. The second member includes a second end rotatably coupled to a first end of a link portion of the third member. The third member includes a link coupled to a lever. A first end of the lever is coupled to a second end of the link. The lever includes a thumb pad. Rotation of the thumb pad around a second pivot point effects rotation of the rotatable rake bolt to lock or unlock the rake locking mechanism.

Abstract: A system for use with a battery and sensors operable for measuring battery data includes an interactive user interface and a controller programmed with battery degradation monitoring logic for estimating a state of the battery. As part of a method, the controller identifies data bins for which measured state of charge range-based battery performance data is missing or dated/stale, and automatically prompts an operator to execute an assigned task corresponding to the identified data bins. The controller records the battery performance data for the identified data bins upon completion of the assigned task, estimates the state of the battery using the recorded battery performance data and the battery degradation monitoring logic, and executes a control action with respect to the system using the estimated state. A virtual or actual reward feature may be displayed in response to completion of the assigned task.

Abstract: A system for managing noise and vibration in a vehicle includes a housing defining an internal cavity. A compliant member is attached to the housing and further defines the internal cavity. A magnet is operatively fixed to the housing in the cavity and has a magnetic field. A coil is positioned in the cavity and is configured so that there is relative movement between the coil and the magnet in the magnetic field in response to movement of the compliant member relative to the housing. A resistor is in electrical communication with the coil to form an electrical circuit. Relative movement of the coil in the magnetic field induces a current in the circuit that creates an opposing magnetic field, thereby reducing transmitted dynamic forces.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a panel and a clip. The panel has a panel hole, and the clip is partly inserted through the panel hole. The clip is a one-way clip because, once it is partly inserted through the panel hole, it cannot be decoupled from the panel. In an embodiment, the clip includes a clip base and a plurality of retainers coupled along the clip base. Once the coupling assembly is fully assembled, the retainers extend through the panel hole. Each retainer includes a frame coupled to the clip base and an overhang rotatably coupled to the frame. Each retainer also includes a restrictor coupled to the overhang. The restrictor can rotate relative to the frame between a first restrictor position and a second restrictor position. In the second restrictor position, the restrictor inhibits the clip from decoupling from the panel.

Abstract: A method of providing hands-free services using a mobile device having wireless access to computer-based services includes receiving speech in a vehicle from a vehicle occupant; recording the speech using a mobile device; transmitting the recorded speech from the mobile device to a cloud speech service; receiving automatic speech recognition (ASR) results from the cloud speech service at the mobile device; and comparing the recorded speech with the received ASR results at the mobile device to identify one or more error conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a passive-assist glove comprising an impact portion, having a plurality of palm sections configured and arranged in the glove to cover a palm of the hand and allow manipulation of the palm, such that the palm may configure to receive an object during use of the glove. The glove additionally includes a dexterity portion comprising (i) a thumb compartment configured and arranged in the glove to receive a thumb of the hand and allow manipulation of the thumb such that the thumb may configure to receive an object during use of the glove and (ii) at least one finger compartment to configured and arranged in the glove to receive at least one of multiple fingers of the hand and allow manipulation of the at least one finger such that the at least one finger may configure to receive an object during use of the glove.

Abstract: Methods for making battery electrode system are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, a mixture of a polymer binder, an active material and a conductive filler is deposited on a current collector. The deposited mixture is exposed to an external field having a field direction that is normal to a surface of the current collector. The exposure aligns, outward from and normal to the surface of the current collector, the active material and the conductive filler to form a plurality of discrete structures that extend outward from and normal to the surface of the current collector and are respectively aligned with a field line of the external field. Each of the plurality of discrete structures includes some of the active material and some of the conductive filler.

Abstract: An active fluid reservoir for transmission fluid of an automatic transmission, in a first embodiment, comprehends an elongate reservoir disposed adjacent fluid lines from the automatic transmission to the transmission fluid cooler. The reservoir may be associated with either the supply or return line or include two smaller reservoirs associated with both lines. Thermally actuated valves at each end of the reservoir(s) open to allow fluid flow through the reservoir as fluid temperature increases and a diverter valve in the cooler line(s) closes to divert flow into the reservoir. In a second embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprehends a container, tank or similar storage device in fluid communication with a transmission oil cooler line. Again, the device includes three thermally actuated valves.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a housing and a stator. The housing includes an outer housing surface, an inner housing surface defining an interior housing cavity, and a plurality of housing protrusions extending from the inner housing surface. The stator is disposed in the inner housing cavity and includes an outer stator surface, an inner stator surface, and a plurality of stator protrusions extending from the outer stator surface toward the outer housing surface. The stator protrusions are configured to mate with the housing protrusions to frictionally couple the stator to the housing in order to fix the stator relative to the housing.

Abstract: A system for forming a weld nugget in a metal work piece includes a power supply, actuator, electrodes, and controller. The actuator delivers a variable electrode force to the work piece in response to a force command. The controller executes a method by transmitting a welding current command to the power supply to cause the power supply to output a welding current to the electrodes. The controller transmits the force command to the actuator to apply the variable electrode force, via the electrodes, to the work piece at a first force level. The variable electrode force increases from a second force level immediately upon conclusion of a first duration to minimize weld expulsion. The second force level commences at a point in time in the dynamic resistance profile at which a dynamic resistance value of the work piece decreases at a threshold rate during formation of the weld nugget.

Abstract: Fixtureless self-alignment and orientation of components during an assembly process, and self-aligning/self-orienting components for assembly. Self-alignment and self-orientation are provided by integrating complementary spatially-modulated magnetic arrays into components requiring alignment and/or orientation during an assembly process. In addition to providing self-alignment/self-orientation, the spatially-modulated magnetic arrays also provide selective component placement and/or assembly order. Final assembly can involve permanent mechanical or adhesive fasteners.

Abstract: One variation includes a friction material and method of manufacture thereof wherein the friction material includes a transfer layer on a ferritically nitrocarburized component, wherein the transfer layer may be fabricated from glass, rubber, carbon, aramid fiber, filler material, abrasive, or a high-temperature resin.

Abstract: A shaft coupling assembly includes a shaft coupling element having a coupling wall defining a channel configured to receive a shaft end of a shaft. The channel includes a coupling interface configured to mate to a shaft interface defined by the shaft end. Each of the coupling interface and the shaft interface define a mating non-regular shape, which may be configured as one of an irregular polygon and a hybrid polygon including linear and non-linear sides. The shaft coupling element includes a fastener bore and a counterbore having an axial counterbore depth greater than an axial depth of the fastener bore. The shaft end inserted in the channel to an inserted depth greater than the fastener bore depth and less than the axial counterbore depth is displaceable into the counterbore such that the shaft end is not engaged with the coupling interface by the fastener bore receiving the fastener.

Abstract: A method of preparing a magnesium alloy substrate for an electroless electro-deposition surface treatment includes cleaning the magnesium alloy substrate in a wet solution, whereby a magnesium hydroxide layer is formed on an outer surface of the magnesium alloy substrate, and heating the magnesium alloy substrate to a temperature sufficient to convert the magnesium hydroxide layer to a magnesium oxide layer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure and a frame rail assembly. The frame rail assembly extends forward from the bulkhead along a longitudinal centerline. The frame rail assembly includes a frame rail defining a rail axis and a reinforcing member. The frame rail defines a longitudinally extending seam and the frame rail extends forward from the bulkhead along the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail further defines an end portion. The reinforcing member is secured to the frame rail at the end portion to increase a stiffness of the frame rail at the end portion. The reinforcing member is configured to limit a stress at the seam, transverse to the rail axis, resulting from a load applied to the end portion of the frame rail and laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline.