Abstract: A planar power module includes a second substrate arranged parallel to a first substrate, with the substrates respectively having a dielectric layer interposed between two conductive layers, such that one of the conductive layers of each substrate together forms parallel external conductive surfaces of the power module. The power module includes direct current (DC) bus bars, alternating current (AC) bus bars, and semiconductor switching dies arranged between the substrates. The dies are electrically connected to the bus bars, with each respective die electrically connected to a conductive layers of the first or second substrates. A polymer molding material partially surrounds the substrates and the switching dies. An electric powertrain system includes an electric machine, a propulsion battery pack, and a traction power inverter module (TPIM) having the power module. The power module is a three-phase full-bridge inverter circuit. An electric powertrain and motor vehicle use the power module.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage includes a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules between a negative terminal and a positive terminal. A backup network is electrically connected between the negative terminal and the positive terminal. The backup network includes a first diode and a second diode. A bypass junction located between a first portion of the battery pack and a second portion of the battery pack. The bypass junction electrically connects the battery pack and the backup network. The backup network is configured such that current flow is directed along a first pathway when open circuit state occurs in the first portion of the battery pack, and the current flow is directed along a second pathway when the open circuit state occurs in the second portion of the battery pack. The backup network enables powering of a designated load and/or a designated function during the open circuit state.

Abstract: A door for an entryway includes an exterior-facing surface, an inner structure, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is connected to the inner structure and configured to be fastened or released for controlling access to the entryway. The door also includes a key-cylinder accessible from the exterior-facing surface and configured to selectively lock and unlock the latch mechanism. The door additionally includes a pawl configured to be rotated by the key-cylinder about a pivot axis, connected to the latch mechanism, and defining a pass-through aperture distal from the pivot axis. The door also includes a shield defining a shield attachment aperture and connected to the inner structure. The door further includes a security fastener to fix the shield relative to the key-cylinder at the shield attachment aperture and extending through the pass-through aperture without impeding the pawl's rotation or contacting the pawl as the pawl operates the latch mechanism.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and a system and method for operating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes a control system and a cognitive system. The control system performs a driving action at the autonomous vehicle. The cognitive system generates the driving action using an evaluation model. The evaluation model is generated by operating the cognitive system in response to a training set of data to generate a planned action for operating the autonomous vehicle by the cognitive system, evaluating the planned action to obtain a system performance grade, and updating the cognitive system based on a comparison of the system performance grade to a human-based performance grade.

Abstract: A vehicle, and a balancing device and method of controlling a state of charge of a reference electrode in a battery. The balancing device includes a measurement circuit and a charging circuit. The measurement circuit is configured to obtain a measurement of a reference voltage of the reference electrode. The charging circuit is configured to adjust the reference voltage based on the measurement. The state of charge of the reference electrode is controlled based on the reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for generating an occlusion map using crowdsourcing includes receiving occlusion data from a host vehicle. The occlusion data includes a plurality of virtual detection lines each extending from the sensor and intersecting an off-road area. The method further includes marking all non-occluded points that are located inside the off-road area and that are located within a predetermined distance from each plurality of virtual detection lines. The method further includes determining a non-occluded region inside the off-road area using the non-occluded points that have been previously marked inside the off-road area, wherein the non-occluded region is part of non-occlusion data. The method further includes generating an occlusion map using the non-occlusion data. The method further includes transmitting the occlusion map to the host vehicle. The method can also determine an occlusion caused by an elevation peak.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for adaptive control of electronic power steering (EPS) including sending, a torque control to an EPS that is based on input control signals from a vehicle trajectory control unit and a steering assistive control unit when the vehicle is coupled to a trailer engaging in a trailering action; configuring the steering assistive control unit, to generate a control signal based on an algorithm using an adaptive factor that models steering dynamics impacted by the trailer while engaging in the trailering action and modeling by the steering assistive control unit, an adaptive damping factor modeled on a tongue weight of a trailer coupled to a hitch of the vehicle wherein the hitch reduces a force applied to a vehicle front axle.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a platform, a center serial chain, outer serial chains, motors, a sensor, and a control module. The center serial chain connects a center of the platform to the support structure and includes first joints connected to a linear sliding shaft. The outer serial chains are disposed radially outward of the center serial chain. Each of the outer serial chains includes second joints connecting a bar to the platform and the supporting structure. The motors are connected to the outer serial chains. The sensor is connected to the platform and detects at least one of force or torque applied by a human operator on the platform and generates a signal indicative thereof. The control module controls the motors based on the signal to assist the human operator in at least one of moving or rotating the platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring how level a trailer is and providing trailer levelling guidance. The systems and methods include a vehicle comprising a vehicle levelness estimator, a trailer connectable to the vehicle and a rear facing camera mounted on the vehicle. The methods and systems include capturing an image of the trailer using the rear facing camera, receiving a vehicle levelness parameter from the vehicle levelness estimator of the vehicle, determining a rotation angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle based on the image, determining an estimated trailer levelness parameter based on the rotation angle and the vehicle levelness parameter, and outputting the estimated trailer levelness parameter.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle control systems and logic for monitoring device batteries to provision virtual key functionality, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes wire or wirelessly connecting a remote keyless entry (RKE) system with a wireless-enabled portable electronic device (PED) of a user. A vehicle controller receives a unique virtual key code from the user's PED to enable use of the RKE system and, after receiving the virtual key code, determines a battery charge level of the PED's battery. The vehicle controller then determines if the battery charge level is less than a preset minimum charge level and if the vehicle powertrain is off. If the powertrain is off and the battery charge level is less than the minimum charge level, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation for charging the PED battery.

Abstract: A method and system for smart selection of a charging station is contemplated. The selection may be based on a charging recommendation being generated in reply to a charging request for battery charging. The charging recommendation may identify one or more target charging stations suitable for the battery charging. The charging recommendation may include a state of health (SOH) matrix configured to report charging capabilities of the target charging stations according to vehicle and station charging metrics associated therewith.

Abstract: An electronic solid-state switch assembly includes a base plate and a heat exchanger; an electrically insulating layer and a direct bonded substrate affixed to the base plate; a first terminal and a second terminal; a plurality of power transistors; a plurality of gate drivers; a communication interface, a current sensor, and a snubber circuit; and a controller. The plurality of gate drivers are operatively coupled to the plurality of power transistors. The plurality of power transistors are arranged in parallel on the direct bonded substrate between the first terminal and the second terminal. The plurality of power transistors are electrically connected to the first terminal and to the second terminal. The controller is in communication with the plurality of gate drivers, the current sensor, and the communication interface. The controller is configured to control, via the plurality of gate drivers, the plurality of power transistors.

Abstract: A combination of lookup tables for waveforms and several scaling and delay factors to accurately simulate touch and collision transducer sensor output without the complexity of solving the classical wave equation or performing convolutions in the frequency domain. TACT, as used herein, is a touch and collision transducer sensor used for detecting collisions. When the vehicle collides with an object a wave will be generated by the touch and collision transducer sensors. The waveform can take many forms depending on various parameter. Pre-recorded waveforms can be used to simulate the collisions and produce appropriate outputs. However, the present disclosure contemplates more complex, diverse waveforms which can be produced based on the existing pre-recorded libraries. To this end, simulated waveforms can be produced by scaling, filtering, delaying and combining with road noise, based on the impact material and contact area, at least in part.

Abstract: A power line communication (PLC) system for a vehicle is contemplated. The system may include a plurality of power lines configured to connect at least a first node and a second node to negative and positive terminals of a vehicle battery. The system may include a filter connected to the power lines. The filter may be configured to attract a first portion of a PLC signal to the negative terminal prior to the first portion reaching the second node and to permit a second portion of the PLC signal to continue transmission to the second node.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lithiophilic-supported current collector for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The lithiophilic-supported current collector includes a current collector substrate and a lithiophilic material. The lithiophilic material includes an element selected from the group consisting of: indium, lead, bismuth, gold, and combinations thereof. In certain variations, the lithiophilic material defines a lithiophilic layer disposed on or adjacent to one or more surfaces of the current collector substrate. In other variations, the current collector substrate has one or more porous surfaces and the lithiophilic material coats the one or more porous surfaces.

Abstract: A turbocharger including a compressor section having a compressor housing with an air inlet and a compressor air discharge and a compressor wheel in the compressor housing. A turbine section having a turbine housing with an exhaust gas inlet and a turbine exhaust gas outlet and a turbine wheel in the turbine housing, the turbine wheel being drivingly connected to the compressor wheel, the exhaust gas inlet being configured to be connected to an engine exhaust passage and the turbine exhaust gas outlet being configured to be connected to an exhaust system. The compressor housing includes a diffuser with a recess that receives the compressor wheel wherein the recess has a sidewall with an upper edge and the compressor wheel has a base plate with an upper surface that is below the upper edge of the sidewall of the recess in the diffuser.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first fuse connected between a power source and a load. The first fuse is an electronic fuse (eFuse) to disconnect the load from the power source via the first fuse based on detecting a failure in the first fuse. The system also includes a second fuse connected between the power source and the load, the first fuse and the second fuse being part of a cluster of fuses. The second fuse is an eFuse and the first fuse signals the second fuse to disconnect the load from the power source via the second fuse based on the first fuse detecting the failure in the first fuse without the second fuse detecting a failure in the second fuse.