Abstract: An IPM electric machine includes a rotor, rotor shaft stator, and permanent magnets. The rotor includes rare earth permanent magnets disposed within pockets. The rotor, the pockets and the permanent magnets conform to a first set of geometric design parameters. The stator includes radially-inwardly projecting teeth that form slots between pairs of the teeth. Electrical windings are disposed within slots of the laminate stack. The teeth and slots conform to a second set of geometric design parameters. The quantity of slots is between 60 and 96, the quantity of electrical poles is between 6 and 12, the quantity of electrical phases is between 3 and 6 and the electrical windings include a quantity of turns per phase that is between 8 and 20. A ratio of an outer diameter of the stator to an active length of the rotor is between 2 and 3.5.

Abstract: Disclosed are damper assemblies for engine disconnect devices, methods for making such damper assemblies, and motor vehicles with a disconnect device for coupling/decoupling an engine with a torque converter (TC). A disconnect clutch for selectively connecting an engine with a TC includes a pocket plate that movably mounts to the TC. The pocket plate includes pockets movably seating therein engaging elements that engage input structure of the TC and thereby lock the pocket plate to the TC. A selector plate moves between engaged and disengaged positions such that the engaging elements shift into and out of engagement with the TC input structure, respectively. A flex plate is attached to the engine's output shaft for common rotation therewith. A damper plate is attached to the pocket plate for common rotation therewith. Spring elements mate the damper and flex plates such that the damper plate is movably attached to the flex plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling parking of an autonomous vehicle. A method of parking an autonomous vehicle includes receiving sensor data indicative of an exterior environment of the autonomous vehicle. The received sensor data is processed to determine a parking space characterization. Additional sensor data is received that is indicative of an occupant location within the autonomous vehicle. A processor determines a parking position within a parking space based on the parking space characterization and the occupant location. The processor generates control signals to operate one or more actuator devices to maneuver the autonomous vehicle into the parking space at the parking position.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of a pedal actuator system within a vehicle includes receiving a position sensor signal indicative of a position of an actuator pedal within the pedal actuator system, receiving a force sensor signal indicative of a compressive force applied to the actuator pedal, and determining, with a processor, a state of the actuator pedal based on the position sensor signal and the force sensor signal.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining ride preference information associated with a user, identifying a current vehicle pose, determining a motion plan for the vehicle along a route based at least in part on the ride preference information, the current vehicle pose, and vehicle kinematic and dynamic constraints associated with the route, and operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the motion plan. The user-specific ride preference information influences a rate of vehicle movement resulting from the motion plan.

Abstract: A method for an autonomous vehicle to perform an autonomous parking maneuver is provided. The method includes operating the autonomous vehicle to a destination and then operating the autonomous vehicle to a first parking location at the destination utilizing stored first coordinates of the first parking location. Next the autonomous vehicle determines whether the first parking location is available and performs the autonomous parking maneuver at the first location when the first parking location is available.

Abstract: Disclosed are latching mechanisms for engine disconnect devices, methods for making and for using such latching mechanisms, and motor vehicles with a disconnect device for coupling/decoupling an engine with a torque converter (TC). A disconnect clutch for selectively connecting an engine with a TC includes a pocket plate that movably mounts to the TC. The pocket plate includes pockets movably seating therein struts that engage notches in a notch plate to lock the pocket plate to the notch plate. A selector plate moves between deactivated and activated positions such that the struts shift into and out of engagement with the notch plate notches, respectively. An activation device is selectively actuable to move the selector plate between activated and deactivated positions. A latching mechanism automatically transitions to a latched state responsive to the selector plate being activated. When latched, this latching mechanism retains the selector plate in the activated position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for taking action when a beverage spill has occurred within a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes one or more sensors, an input device, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to detect that a beverage has spilled within a vehicle. The input device configured to receipt an in input from a passenger of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the input device, and configured to at least facilitate: providing information to a passenger of the vehicle as to an option to obtain a replacement beverage; receiving input from the passenger via the input device, in response to the information provided to the passenger, as to whether a replacement beverage is desired; and taking an action to obtain the replacement beverage, when the passenger has provided the input to obtain the replacement beverage.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly includes battery cells, a plurality of heat spreaders, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. Each heat spreader includes a plate portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The battery cells are disposed in a stacked arrangement, with the heat spreaders interleaved between adjacent ones of the battery cells. Fluidic channels includes a first port that is in fluidic communication with the first manifold and a second port that is in fluidic communication with the second manifold. The fluidic channels are disposed between the first and second fluidic manifolds. The stacked arrangement is interposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The first end portions of the heat spreaders are in thermal contact with the first heat exchanger and the second end portions of the heat spreaders are in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods are provided for managing a passenger's interaction with an autonomous vehicle. The method identifies a passenger approaching an autonomous vehicle and activates a recognition signal that indicates pairing the passenger with the vehicle. As the passenger approaches, and entry point for the vehicle is identified. A recognition signal for the entry point is activated and the passenger is notified. As the exit point for the bride approaches, it is identified by the vehicle and in exit indicator is activated for the passenger. Any exit obstacles are identified by the vehicle and the passenger is notified. And exit indicator is activated for the passenger to provide notification of a safe to exit status from the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A motor drive system for controlling operation of an electric machine is described. An inverter includes paired power transistors that are electrically connected to the electric machine, wherein the inverter is electrically connected to a DC power source via a high-voltage electrical power bus. A motor controller includes a first controller and an acoustic signal generator, wherein the first controller is disposed to control the paired power transistors of the inverter. The first controller determines an initial output voltage based upon a torque command and the acoustic signal generator is disposed to generate a sound injection voltage. The motor controller combines the initial output voltage and the sound injection voltage. The motor controller generates PWM commands to control the paired power transistors of the inverter, wherein the PWM commands are determined based upon the initial output voltage and the sound injection voltage.

Abstract: A method is provided for autonomously operating a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a processor, at least vehicle state data and vehicle object environment data; generating, with the processor, an optimal path for the vehicle with a cost function based on the vehicle state data and the vehicle object environment data; identifying, with the processor, at least one critical condition constraint based on at least one of the vehicle or vehicle environment; modifying, with the processor, at least a first portion of the optimal path based on the at least one critical condition constraint to result in a short-range trajectory portion; generating a resulting trajectory with the short-range trajectory portion; and implementing the resulting trajectory on the vehicle.

Abstract: A visual inspection method includes the following steps: (a) placing a material between a pair of parts, wherein at least one of the pair of parts defines at least one thru-hole sized to partly receive the material; (b) pressing the pair of parts together until the material is partly displaced into the thru-hole (or merely moving the pair of parts toward each other until the material is partly displaced into the thru-hole); and (c) visually inspecting the one thru-hole to verify that the material is partly disposed in the thru-hole after pressing the pair of parts together (or moving the pair of parts toward each other).

Abstract: Disclosed are control algorithms and system architectures for arbitrating vehicle charging, e.g., for electric vehicles with rechargeable battery packs, wired and wireless charging capabilities, and control logic for governing such charging. A method is disclosed for managing charging of electrical storage units of motor vehicles at vehicle charging stations. The method includes determining if a wireless charging interface of the motor vehicle is available for wireless power transfer, and determining whether or not the vehicle charging station has an electrical connector coupled to a wired charging interface of the motor vehicle. Responsive to the charging station having an electrical connector coupled to the wired charging interface, the method initiates a wired (conductive) charge power mode.

Abstract: A method of simulating movement of a suspension system that moves with six degrees of freedom, with a test simulator that moves with two degrees of freedom, includes converting an effective two degree of freedom road wheel angle at a wheel end of the test simulator into a simulated six degree of freedom road wheel angle. A six degree of freedom kingpin moment is defined. A two degree of freedom tie rod input force is calculated from the six degree of freedom kingpin moment and an effective steer arm length. The two degree of freedom tie rod input force is applied to the test simulator to generate torque feedback in the test simulator.

Abstract: A battery module includes a pack section and a cover assembly. The pack section has an interconnect board, conductive channels, and battery cells extending through the interconnect board. Each battery cell includes electrode cell tabs joined to a corresponding conductive channel. The cover assembly is connectable to the pack section, and has conductive interconnect members, electrical fuses, and sense lines built into or integral with a cover plate. The interconnect members extend from the cover plate and form part of an electrical circuit between the conductive channels of the pack section and the fuses and sense lines of the cover plate when the cover assembly is connected to the pack section. An electrical system includes the battery module, a DC voltage bus, and at least one high-voltage component connected to the battery module via the DC voltage bus. The electrical system may be part of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and motor vehicles that assist a driver are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes identifying one or more potential parking positions for a motor vehicle. Selection of a desired parking position is requested, and a suggested driving path for positioning the motor vehicle in the desired parking position is calculated. The suggested driving path is displayed to the driver on a display screen, and the suggested driving path is re-calculated as the driver drives the motor vehicle with a steering wheel. The display screen is updated with the suggested driving path after the suggested driving path is re-calculated and as the driver drives the motor vehicle with the steering wheel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating a CAN that includes a CAN bus and a plurality of modules configured to communicate over the CAN bus. A voltage sensor may be provided in electrical communication with the CAN bus. A number (N) of pairs of voltages may be read. Each pair may include a CAN high (CAN-H) value and a CAN low (CAN-L) value. The N pair of voltages may be processed through a comparison of the CAN-H values and the CAN-L values. Whether a fault signature is present in the CAN-H and CAN-L values may be determined from the processing.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) actively cooling an outer surface of a workpiece until the outer surface reaches a predetermined surface temperature; and (b) sanding the outer surface of the workpiece when the outer surface of the workpiece has reached the predetermined surface temperature.

Abstract: A method for sharing data between a microcontroller and a plurality of driving circuits of actuators is disclosed. A microcontroller is provided with a microsecond bus and a plurality of chip-select outputs. A plurality of driving circuits have input pins for data signals received from the microcontroller through the microsecond bus. Each of the driving circuits has an input pin receiving a signal from a chip-select output of the microcontroller and at least two configuration pins connected to the ground voltage or to a supply voltage. A data frame signal is sent on the microsecond bus. Each of the driving circuits is supplied with a portion of the data frame signal as a function of the chip-select output of the microcontroller and as a function of the voltage connection of the at least two configuration pins.