Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving an operator-input vehicle control command with an associated torque request, and identifying any propulsion actuator constraints that limit a brake torque capacity available from the vehicle powertrain. Using the propulsion actuator constraint(s) and torque request, the controller determines a propulsion brake torque distribution for the vehicle's road wheels and a maximum brake torque capacity for the powertrain actuator(s). A first brake torque request is determined using the propulsion brake torque distribution and a vehicle control mode of the powertrain system, and a second brake torque request is determined using the maximum brake torque capacity and the vehicle control mode. A friction brake torque command is determined by arbitrating between the first and second brake torque requests.

Abstract: An autonomous driving system of a vehicle includes: an autonomous module configured to, during autonomous driving, control at least one of: steering of the vehicle; braking of the vehicle; and acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle; and a driving control module configured to: enable and disable autonomous driving; determine a future time for beginning a period of autonomous driving; and at least one of: selectively delay the beginning of autonomous driving to after the future time; and cancel the period of autonomous driving.

Abstract: A vehicle is described that includes a multi-mode powertrain system having a first drive unit and a second drive unit. A controller is arranged to monitor the high-voltage DC power bus and is in communication with and operatively connected to first and second inverters. The controller is able to detect operation of one of the first inverter or the second inverter in an uncontrolled generating (UCG) mode, determine a driveline torque associated with the operating of the one of the first inverter or the second inverter in the UCG mode, and determine a compensating torque that is needed to counteract the driveline torque associated with the operating of the one of the first inverter or the second inverter in the UCG mode. The controller can further operate to detect a fault that may induce unintended lateral motion (ULM), and control torque outputs of the inverters based thereon.

Abstract: Methods of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The method may include centrifugally distributing a molten precursor comprising silicon, oxygen, and lithium by contacting the molten precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor. The molten precursor is formed by combining lithium, silicon, and oxygen. For example, the precursor may be formed from a mixture comprising silicon dioxide (SiO2), lithium oxide (Li2O), and silicon (Si). The method may further include solidifying the molten precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles comprising a mixture of lithium silicide (LiySi, where 0<y?4.4) and a lithium silicate (Li4SiO4) and having a D50 diameter of less than or equal to about 20 micrometers.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and a computing system. The computing system includes a processor and memory that stores computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to select a route for a passenger of the autonomous vehicle for a trip to a destination. The route for the passenger is selected from a plurality of potential routes. The route for the passenger is selected based on a preference of the passenger and aggregate ride quality feedback from passengers of autonomous vehicles in a fleet at locations along the potential routes to the destination. The processor is further configured to control at least one of the vehicle propulsion system, the braking system, or the steering system to move the autonomous vehicle along the route as selected for the trip to the destination.

Abstract: Cable management systems for rotatable sensors on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. In some examples, a rotatable cable assembly can include a first portion having a spool, a sidewall surrounding the spool to form a cavity, and a shaft extending from the spool; a second portion coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate relative to the first portion; a flexible cable stored by the spool in a coiled configuration within the cavity; a first circuit on the first portion including a first connector coupled to an end of the flexible cable and configured to connect to components on an AV and/or a sensor platform base that is coupled to the AV and includes the rotary cable assembly; and a second circuit on the second portion including a second connector coupled to another end of the flexible cable and configured to rotate with the second portion.

Abstract: A one-way multiple cushions and chambers vehicle airbag assembly includes an airbag body having a primary airbag chamber and a secondary airbag chamber. At least one one-way vent valve provides a gas interconnection passage between the primary airbag chamber and the secondary airbag chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods include obtaining observation points of a lane line using a sensor of a vehicle. Each observation point indicates a location of a point on the lane line. A method includes generating or updating a lane model with the observation points. The lane model indicates a path of the lane line and the lane model is expressed in a lane-specific coordinate system that differs from a vehicle coordinate system that is defined by an orientation of the vehicle. The method also includes transforming the lane-specific coordinate system to maintain a correspondence between the lane-specific coordinate system and the vehicle coordinate system based on a change in orientation of the vehicle resulting in a change in the vehicle coordinate system.

Abstract: A motor drive system of a vehicle includes: an inverter that receives power from a power source via a bus, where the inverter is connected to a motor of the vehicle; a driver that drives the inverter; a filter that filters a current signal received from the bus to generate a filtered signal; and a control module that operates in an impedance determination mode. The impedance determination mode includes: based on the filtered signal, controlling the driver and the inverter to generate a pulsed signal applied to the power source; determining a current level and a voltage of the power source due to generation of the pulsed signal, and determining impedance based on the current level and the voltage. The control modules are configured to: determine a characterization parameter of the power source based on the impedance; and perform a control operation or a countermeasure based on the characterization parameter.

Abstract: A method of joining a first piece of an automotive component that is made from a first material to a second piece of the automotive component that is made from a second material includes machining a fay surface onto each of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, cleaning the fay surfaces of each of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, placing a metal filler between the fay surfaces of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, holding the first and second pieces together with the metal filler positioned between the fay surfaces of the first and second pieces, and passing an electric current through the first piece, the metal filler and the second piece to melt the metal filler and weld the first piece to the second piece.

Abstract: A stator assembly for an electric machine includes stator teeth connected to a stator yoke to form a stator core. Adjacent teeth define a stator slot. Stator windings are disposed within the slot. A molding material fills the slot around the windings, providing a desired thermoelectrical performance level at different slot regions, including electrical insulation, thermal conductivity, and/or electrostatic shielding levels. A method insulates the stator assembly by inserting a molding tool(s) into the slot to define a void volume, filling the void volume with the dielectric molding material, and curing the dielectric molding material to form a slot liner layer adjacent to the tooth walls. A slot opening between adjacent teeth is filled with an electrically-conductive resin to form an electrostatic shielding layer. An electrical system includes an AC voltage bus connected to a power inverter module and to the electric machine having the above-described stator assembly.

Abstract: A transmission system associated with a vehicle includes a shaft to rotate about an axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to a gear set. The transmission system includes a sensor target to be coupled to the gear set and to rotate with the gear set. The sensor target includes at least one target. The transmission system includes a sensor spaced apart from the sensor target by a gap. The sensor is configured to observe the at least one target of the sensor target to determine a rotation speed of the shaft.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors coupled to a vehicle receive readings during a calibration time period. Each radar sensor receives data covering a field of view of the sensor, which may be split into angle-based bins. A noise-reducing filter (e.g., median filter) may be applied. A function is generated by processing raw radar cross section (RCS) returns into values plotted against angles compared to the direction that the sensor is facing. The function may be smoothed. Radar sensor measurements captured after calibration are corrected using the function, for example by automatically subtracting or dividing amounts corresponding to the function.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an anode for a lithium ion battery cell is described and includes forming a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a raw anode prior to assembly into a battery cell by applying a first SEI-generating electrolyte to the raw anode to form a first intermediate anode, applying a second SEI-generating electrolyte to the first intermediate anode to form a second intermediate anode, and applying a third SEI-generating electrolyte to the second intermediate anode to form a cell anode, wherein the cell anode includes the raw anode having the SEI layer. Thus, a cell anode is formed by sequentially applying SEI-generating electrolytes to a raw anode to form the cell anode with an SEI layer, and a lithium ion battery cell is formed by assembling the cell anode into a cell pack, with a cathode, and a separator, and adding a cell electrolyte prior to sealing.

Abstract: Systems are provided for gripping one or more workpieces. A tooling system includes a plurality of grippers configured to engage and grip the workpieces. An arm is connected with each gripper. A lock releasably locks each arm in a number of positions, including a home position. A pneumatic circuit is coupled with the grippers. A valve is disposed in the pneumatic power supply circuit and is positionable in an open state and in a closed state. When the arm is moved to the home position, in response the valve is mechanically moved to the closed state, idling the gripper.

Abstract: A virtual 3D display for a motor vehicle includes a substrate and a flexible display positioned on the substrate. The flexible display has two foldable sections and a main section. The main section provides a shared viewing area and each of the foldable sections provides a first and a second independent viewing area.