Abstract: An automobile includes an electronic control unit (ECU), at least one fiber optical cable, and a sensor unit. The ECU is operational to generate an optical power signal and a first optical communications signal. The fiber optical cable transports the optical power signal and the first optical communications signal. The sensor unit is operational to convert the optical power signal into an electrical power, convert the first optical communications signal into an electrical control signal, measure a first parameter related to the automobile, and generate a second optical communications signal that conveys the first parameter as measured. The fiber optical transports the second optical communications signal to the electronic control unit. The ECU is further operational to convert the second optical communications signal into a first electrical sensed signal that conveys the first parameter, and take an action based on the first parameter in the first electrical sensed signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for joining multiple workpieces are provided. In one example, the method includes dispensing adhesive on a first workpiece. A second workpiece is contacted with the adhesive such that the adhesive is disposed between the first and second workpieces. Resistance heating is produced in the first and second workpieces at first processing conditions to partially cure the adhesive and affix the first and second workpieces together to form a partially cured, adhesive-joined workpiece assembly. The partially cured, adhesive-joined workpiece assembly is exposed to heat at second processing conditions to substantially fully cure the adhesive.

Abstract: A system for charging an electric vehicle in a facility includes a current sensor adapted to obtain an input current signal for a power source in the facility. An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is configured to charge the electric vehicle through the power source based at least partially on a control pilot signal. A controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded for dynamically adjusting the control pilot signal based on the input current signal. The control pilot signal is set to a predefined maximum when the input current signal is less than a main circuit breaker rating of the facility. The controller is configured to reduce the control pilot signal from the predefined maximum when the input current signal is at or above the main circuit breaker rating.

Abstract: A method to create a battery cell is provided. The method includes, within a vacuum or an inert atmosphere, utilizing an etching process to remove a passivation layer from a primary surface of a solid electrolyte. The method further includes applying a surface coating to the primary surface. The method further includes, within the battery cell, disposing the solid electrolyte including the surface coating between an anode and a cathode.

Abstract: A multi-phase power inverter for an electric propulsion system includes a plurality of T-type multilevel power converters arranged between a high-voltage direct current (DC) power supply and an electric machine. Each of the plurality of T-type multilevel power converters is a solid-state integrated circuit that includes a positive DC power bus, a negative DC power bus, a neutral bus, and a plurality of semiconductor switches disposed in a stacked arrangement. The plurality of semiconductor switches is interconnected via the positive DC power bus, the negative DC power bus, and the neutral bus.

Abstract: A system for a host vehicle operating on a road surface includes a polarimetric camera, a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver, a compass, and an electronic control unit (“ECU”). The camera collects polarimetric image data of a drive scene, including a potential driving path on the road surface. The ECU receives the polarimetric image data, estimates the Sun location using the GPS receiver and compass, and computes an ideal representation of the road surface using the Sun location. The ECU normalizes the polarimetric image data such that the road surface has a normalized representation in the drive scene, i.e., an angle of linear polarization (“AoLP”) and degree of linear polarization (“DoLP”) equal predetermined fixed values. The ECU executes a control action using the normalized representation.

Abstract: A system for vehicle trajectory planning. The system may include a polarized camera system configured to generate polarized images of a roadway to be driven over with a vehicle, a prior controller configured to generate a prior for the roadway based at least in part on the polarized images, and a driving assistance system configured to provide a driving assistance according to the prior.

Abstract: A detection system for a host vehicle includes a camera, global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver, compass, and electronic control unit (“ECU”). The camera collects polarimetric image data forming an imaged drive scene inclusive of a road surface illuminated by the Sun. The GPS receiver outputs a present location of the vehicle as a date-and-time-stamped coordinate set. The compass provides a directional heading of the vehicle. The ECU determines the Sun's location relative to the vehicle and camera using an input data set, including the present location and directional heading. The ECU also detects a specular reflecting area or areas on the road surface using the polarimetric image data and Sun's location, with the specular reflecting area(s) forming an output data set. The ECU then executes a control action aboard the host vehicle in response to the output data set.

Abstract: A thin-film material measurement and characterization fixture system using an embedded coplanar waveguide fixture including a substrate layer, an upper conductor layer disposed on top of the substrate layer, the upper conductor layer including a first upper conductor layer and a second upper conductor layer spaced from the first upper conductor layer by a gap, a signal trace disposed on top of the substrate layer in the gap between the first upper conductor layer and the second upper conductor layer, and a superstrate layer disposed on top of the upper conductor layer and the signal trace, the superstrate layer filling the gap between the first upper conductor layer and the second upper conductor layer to achieve accurate thin-film characterization in the millimeter wave bands.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a Wi-Fi network including at least one Wi-Fi antenna module including a Wi-Fi antenna in communication with a Wi-Fi Integrated Circuit (IC) and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) network including at least one BLE antenna module including a BLE antenna and a BLE IC, the BLE IC configured to detect in-band noise, characterize the in-band noise, and transmit the characterization of the in-band noise to the Wi-Fi IC.

Abstract: A movable duct includes an inlet duct segment including an inlet duct wall extending from a first inlet duct end to an opposite second inlet duct end and including at least one first elongate guide extending between the first inlet duct end and the second inlet duct end. The movable duct further includes a first telescopic duct segment having a first telescopic duct wall extending from a first telescopic duct end to an opposite second telescopic duct end and including at least one protrusion slidingly engaged with the at least one elongate guide of the inlet duct segment.

Abstract: A mounting rail for a vehicle comprises a housing attached to the vehicle and including a first portion and a second portion, a first channel extending along the first portion of the housing between a first end and a second end, the first end defining an opening to the first channel, and a lock located proximate to the opening to the first channel, the lock disposed in a lock housing and movable relative to the lock housing between a locked state blocking entry into the opening of the first channel and an unlocked state spaced apart from the opening of the first channel.

Abstract: A system includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including inputting cellular range data, barometric sensor data, GNSS data, and automotive inertial data into a Kalman filter and outputting from the Kalman filter an estimate of elevation distance of a vehicle based on the cellular range data, the barometric sensor data, the GNSS data, and the automotive inertial data.

Abstract: A glovebox for a vehicle is disclosed. The glovebox includes a frame and a storage bin translatable between a first position and a second position relative to the frame. Additionally, the storage bin is also rotatable between a closed position and an open position relative to the frame.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly for a vehicle includes a seatbelt and a base retractor coupled to the seatbelt and configured to allow the seatbelt to extend to a desired length. The base retractor includes a first end portion including a biasing device, a second end portion disposed opposite the first end portion and including a speed-based locking mechanism, and a third portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion and including a spindle coupled to the seatbelt. The seatbelt assembly also includes a pretensioner coupled to the base retractor and configured to tighten slack of the seatbelt to ensure proper position of the vehicle passenger. Additionally, the seatbelt assembly includes an electromagnet disposed within or adjacent to the base retractor and configured to enable adjustment of rotational resistance applied to the spindle based on vehicle passenger size.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a user device configured to produce acoustic sounds at varying frequencies. The vehicle system also includes a vehicle microphone for collecting acoustic data from the user device. Additionally, the vehicle system includes a vehicle processor for storing vehicle data including the acoustic data and a server communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor. In some examples, the server is configured to determine if the acoustic data match one or more predetermined frequencies of sound.

Abstract: A charging system for a passenger door includes an arm rest, a receptacle disposed in the arm rest and defining a pocket including a charging panel configured to provide wireless charging to an electronic device, a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging panel and including an electronic device presence sensor, and a charging system controller in communication with the electronic device presence sensor. The charging system controller is configured to execute operations including receiving an electronic device presence signal from the electronic device presence sensor, determining whether the electronic device is disposed within the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal, and instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is disposed within the receptacle.

Abstract: A mobile locker includes one or more dispensing units. Each dispensing unit consists of an accessible product space where each product space also includes a temperature monitor. A passible environmental control incudes a multiple of containers located around the perimeter of each accessible product space. Further, each of the containers incorporates a phase change material (PCM) that is used to temperature condition each accessible product space.

Abstract: A weldment assembly includes a first component and a second component configured to be coupled to the first component. Additionally, the first component and the second component are coupled through a first linear stitch and a second linear stitch disposed parallel to the first linear stitch.

Abstract: A battery casing includes a first portion including a first planar portion and a bottom portion and a second portion having a second planar portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the first portion and the second portion configured to be welded together at (i) a first butt joint extending along the first side portion to join the first side portion to the first planar portion and to the bottom portion at the first side portion, (ii) a second butt joint extending along the second planar portion to join the second planar portion to the bottom portion at the second planar portion, and (iii) a third butt joint extending along the second side portion to join the second side portion to the first planar portion and to the bottom portion at the second side portion.