Abstract: Aspects of a synchronous electric motor, including a synchronous interior permanent magnet or a synchronous reluctance motor, are disclosed. The outer edges of pockets and magnet pockets, including flux barriers, selectively include one or more notches at the front of the pockets. The use of these notches may redirect flow of the magnetic flux such that overall torque ripple may be reduced without significantly adversely affecting the average torque output of the motor. In some embodiments, various characteristics of the notches may be changed to achieve optimal performance including number, geometry, and location of the notches on select outer edges of the pockets. Another characteristic includes symmetry of the notches or asymmetry, whether in the radial and longitudinal directions of the rotor.

Abstract: The concepts described herein relate to a system, method, and/or apparatus for monitoring a NOx sensor that is arranged in an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system to detect a fault related to the NOx sensor. This includes utilizing a catalyst efficiency model to detect occurrence of a fault that may indicate an in-range biased or stuck NOx sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a battery configured for providing electrical energy in direct current and a drive unit configured for utilizing electrical energy in alternating current to provide an output torque. The system includes a power inverter configured for receiving the electrical energy in direct current, transforming the electrical energy to alternating current, and providing the electrical energy in alternating current to the drive unit. The power inverter includes a direct current bus bar. The system includes a computerized controller. The controller monitors an environmental temperature of the inverter and monitors a current flow of the electrical energy received by the inverter. The controller determines an estimated temperature of the bus bar based upon the environmental temperature and the current flow and determining an inverter percent available capability based upon the estimated temperature.

Abstract: In some aspects, a battery module includes a plurality of high energy density-based cells sandwiched between low energy density-based cells provides for a relatively thinner cell barrier between groups of cells, which reduces space required for mitigation solution for thermal runaway propagation (TRP) while maintaining a relatively high range of miles in an electric vehicle per individual charge. In some embodiments, the module includes bus bar and tab configurations on the front and rear portions which enables an efficient connection of components using the above-referenced combination of high and low energy density-based cells for optimal performance.

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 forming tool has an upper portion composed of an upper forming die arranged between a first clamping element and a second clamping element, and a lower portion composed of a lower forming die arranged between a third clamping element and a fourth clamping element. The first clamping element and the third clamping element cooperate to exert a first clamping force on a workpiece; and the second clamping element and the fourth clamping element cooperate to exert a second clamping force on the workpiece. The upper forming die cooperates with the first and second clamping elements and the lower forming die cooperates with the third and fourth clamping elements to exert a lateral force on the workpiece when the first and second clamping forces are being exerted on the workpiece and when a vertical compressive force is being exerted upon the upper forming die and the lower forming die.

Abstract: A method of controlling a color display screen aboard a motor vehicle includes performing, via a host computer, a color calibration test of a user of the motor vehicle in which the user is subjected to a calibrated set of color-coded test information. The method includes receiving a color perception response of the user to the calibrated set of color-coded test information via the host computer. Additionally, the method includes mapping a reduced visual gamut of the user via the host computer using the color perception response, and then commanding adjustment of user-specific color settings of the motor vehicle using the reduced visual gamut to thereby accommodate a color perception deficiency of the user.

Abstract: A wellbeing system configured for assessing a mental wellbeing of a driver while driving the vehicle and deploying a countermeasure in response to a mindfulness level of the driver being beyond a desired range. The countermeasure may be configured to mitigate a probability of a mental wellbeing of the driver undesirably impacting operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling access into a vehicle interior from a vehicle exterior using an access door includes generating a digital key signal via a mobile device in possession of a vehicle user. The method also includes receiving, via a virtual key control module (VKCM), the digital key signal from the mobile device and communicating a signal indicative of the received digital key signal to a vehicle controller. The method additionally includes detecting a presence of the vehicle user external to the vehicle within a predetermined proximity of the access door via an ultrasonic sensing arrangement. The method also includes communicating, via the ultrasonic sensing arrangement, the detected presence of the vehicle user to the vehicle controller. Furthermore, the method includes commanding, via the vehicle controller, a mechanism to release the access door in response to the received digital key signal and the detected presence of the vehicle user.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting alignment of images received from cameras by estimating camera alignment parameters based on perturbative correction such that corrected alignment parameters satisfy pairwise epipolar constraints as well as global loop closure constraints. The corrected alignment parameters are estimated as a Least-Mean-Square solution to a system of linear equations and an estimation algorithm may be implemented as a part of a Random Sample Consensus criterion estimation for improved robustness. The method and system is fast and efficient and may be implemented in a real-time system.

Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell is provided herein. The electrode component includes a current collector having a first surface, a metal oxide layer disposed on the first surface of the current collector, and a lithium-containing layer bonded to the first surface of the current collector. The metal oxide layer includes a plurality of features. A method for manufacturing such an electrode component is also provided herein. The method includes directing a laser beam toward the first surface of the current collector in the presence of oxygen to form the metal oxide layer on the first surface and applying the lithium-containing layer to the metal oxide layer thereby bonding the lithium-containing layer with the current collector.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a battery assembly includes a processing device configured to receive measurement data from a plurality of battery components, and input the measurement data to a battery model configured to determine parametric data. Based on the battery model, the processing device is configured to acquire the parametric data, extract statistical information based on at least one parameter of each battery component, and input the statistical information to a failure identification module that includes a first classifier configured to determine whether the battery assembly is in a failure condition based on the statistical information. The processing device is configured to output a health indicator having a first value indicating that the battery assembly is healthy based on first classifier determining that the battery assembly is in the healthy condition, and a faulty value based on the first classifier determining that the battery assembly is in a failure condition.

Abstract: A testing system for an intermediate steering shaft includes a steering input motor including a shaft. A first U-joint includes a first end connected to the shaft of the steering input motor. An intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to a second end of the first U-joint, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider. A second U-joint includes a first end connected to the second shaft of intermediate steering shaft. A motor includes a shaft and is configured to simulate steering loads. An adapter is configured to connect a second end of the second U-joint to the shaft of the motor. The adapter is configured to cause eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle seat restraint system includes a vehicle seat of a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a leg-rest supporting lower legs and feet of an occupant of the vehicle seat. An in-vehicle occupant detection system identifies positions of the lower legs and the feet of the occupant. A restraint actuator is connected to the vehicle seat. A safety restraint element is extended by actuation of the restraint actuator from a stowed position proximate to the leg-rest into an engaged position wherein the safety restraint element contacts and restrains the lower legs and the feet of the occupant against the leg-rest, mitigating against occupant knee hyperextension due to leg straightening at an occupant knee joint.

Abstract: A cell temperature measurement system for a battery includes a heat spreader and a temperature sensor. The heat spreader is configured to thermally conduct energy through a substrate from a cell contact to a sensor contact. The temperature sensor is configured to generate a measurement reflective of a cell or another component temperature of the battery. The temperature sensor may generate the temperature measurement according to readings taken with a probe positioned proximate the sensor contact.

Abstract: Snap rings, assemblies, and methods are provided for retaining a component on a shaft. The snap ring includes an annular body defining an opening through a center thereof, defining an outer curved surface and an inner curved surface, having a first end and a second end spaced apart from each other to define a gap therebetween, and having a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge spaced apart from each other to define a circumferential opening slit extending from the first end to the second end. The snap ring is configured to be received within a continuous, circumferential mating groove formed in an exterior surface of the shaft, and to retain the component in a fixed position when the component is located on the shaft and the snap ring is located in the mating groove.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle comprises a controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The system comprises a transformable knob manipulated between first and second states. The knob comprises a body having a periphery wall arranged to flex between first and second configurations with the first and second states, respectively. The system comprises an output device arranged to change between first and second settings. Manipulation of the transformable knob from the first state to the second state transmits an input signal to the controller and facilitates flexing of the periphery wall from the first configuration to the second configuration. The controller receives the input signal, and the processor compares the input signal to the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium and transmit an output signal to the output device to change the output device from the first setting to the second setting.

Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to be filled with a gas. The quality control system includes a computational system including a processor and a memory, a manifold defining a passageway extending between an inlet port for receiving the gas and an outlet port, and at least one sensor in electronic communication with the computational system. The sensor is arranged to measure a physical property of the gas and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the physical property of the gas. The computational system analyzes the physical property of the gas, accesses a threshold value corresponding to the physical property, compares the physical property to the threshold value, and assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.