Abstract: A polymer gel electrolyte for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The polymer gel electrolyte includes a polymeric blend comprising polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), wherein a mass ratio of PVDF-HFP to PVDF is greater than or equal to about 1.5:1 to less than or equal to about 19:1 in the polymeric blend.

Abstract: A battery cell thermal insulator configured for mitigating a thermal event in a battery is provided. The battery cell thermal insulator includes a metal plate configured for providing rigidity to the battery cell thermal insulator. The battery cell thermal insulator further includes a layer of inorganic intumescent composite material disposed upon one side of the metal plate configured for providing thermal resistivity.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective electrode coating on an electrode to be used in a lithium-sulfur battery is provided. The method includes contacting one or more surfaces of the electrode with a polymeric admixture, and polymerizing the polymeric admixture to form the protective electrode coating. The polymeric admixture includes a plurality of monomers, for example heterocyclic acetal monomers and/or cyclic ether monomers, and a lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) initiator. In certain instances, the polymeric admixture may also include a structural additive and/or a lithium salt. The contacting may include applying a thin film on the one or more surfaces of the electrode, and the polymerization may be heat activated.

Abstract: A method in a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: detecting an object in image data; defining a bounding box that surrounds the object; matching the object to data points in a point cloud from a LiDAR system; determining three-dimensional (3-D) position values from the data points for pixels in the image data; applying statistical operations to the 3-D position values; determining from the statistical operations a nature (real or imitation) of the object; determining a size for the object based on the 3-D position values; determine a shape for the object based on the 3-D position values; recognizing a category for the object using object recognition techniques based on the determined size and shape; and notifying a vehicle motion control system of the size, shape, and category of the object when the nature of the object is real to allow for appropriate driving actions in the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting and validating a turn light indicator in a vehicle include receiving optical perception data from an optical perception system. The optical perception data includes data describing a detected turn indicator light of another vehicle perceived by the optical perception system including a status of the detected turn indicator light. A turn indicator light signal is generated in the form of a time varying waveform based on the status of the detected turn indicator light. A duty cycle and frequency of the turn indicator light signal is obtained. An assessment is made whether the detected turn indicator light is a valid detection by comparing the duty cycle and frequency with predetermined bounds. When the detected turn indicator light is assessed to be a valid detection, then an automated feature of the vehicle is controlled based on the data describing the detected turn indicator light.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for lateral control of a steering system includes identifying at least one parameter of at least one lateral control feature that results in an optimized value in an outcome of control for a lateral control feature enabling robustness to an uncertainty; adaptively adjusting an output control signal generated by a vehicle trajectory controller coupled to the steering controller, by quantifying the uncertainty of an uncertain value in a lateral control feature; and sending a control command including at least a torque control or a wheel angle control to compensate for the uncertainty of the at least one uncertain value in the configuration of components of an electronic power steering (EPS) system associated with the vehicle variant by correcting at least one parameter of the at least one lateral control feature.

Abstract: A reference electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell includes a separator constructed from an electrically-insulating porous material. The reference electrode assembly also includes a current collector having a sputtered electrically-conducting porous layer arranged directly on the separator and a sputtered lithium iron phosphate (LFP) layer arranged directly on the electrically-conducting porous layer. The reference electrode assembly additionally includes an electrical contact connected to the current collector. A method using successive vacuum deposition of individual layers onto the separator is employed in fabricating the reference electrode assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically controlling lane changes for a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment: vehicle sensors are configured to provide sensor data pertaining to operation of the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle along a roadway in which the vehicle is travelling; and a processor configured to at least facilitate: receiving, from a plurality of vehicle assessors, a plurality of respective requests with respect to one or more automated lane change maneuvers for the vehicle; and selectively implementing the one or more automated lane change maneuvers for the vehicle based on an arbitration algorithm that is executed by the processor and that provides arbitration for the plurality of respective requests from the plurality of vehicle assessors utilizing respective lane arbitration scores for a plurality of lanes of the roadway pertaining to the one or more automated lane change maneuvers.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement includes a tray having an outwardly extending tray flange with a first hole therein, a cover having a generally U-shaped portion and a cover flange extending outward therefrom with a second hole therein. The cover is disposed atop the tray with the generally U-shaped portion disposed in contact with the tray flange and the cover flange disposed a predetermined height above the tray flange with the first and second holes aligned with each other. A spacer having a third hole therethrough is disposed between the tray flange and the cover flange with the third hole aligned with the first and second holes. A fastener arrangement has a shaft extending through the first, second and third holes, a head formed on a first shaft end, a threaded portion on a second shaft end, and a nut engaged with the threaded portion.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having a lighting system therein. The lighting system includes a layer of an optical medium, a light source and a lens array. The layer of the optical medium has a first interface and a second interface. The light source emits a light ray that is incident at the first interface and travels through the optical medium to exit the optical medium at the second interface. The lens array is configured to reduce an occurrence of total internal reflection of the light ray at the second interface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a seat including a seat back and a seat base and a passive restraint system mounted adjacent to the seat. The passive restraint system includes a lap belt. A belt adjuster is mounted at the seat. The belt adjuster includes a member operable to engage and shift the lap belt away from the seat back upon being exposed to a selected deceleration force.

Abstract: A two-stage actuation mechanism for a brake system includes a first lead screw having a first plurality of threads, a second lead screw having a second plurality of threads, a preloaded torsional spring, and an actuator assembly having an input shaft coupled with the preloaded torsional spring of the two-stage actuation mechanism. The preloaded torsional spring is configured to activate a first stage of movement of the two-stage actuation mechanism via rotation of the first lead screw. The size and pitch of each of the first and second lead screws are configured to minimize power consumption by the actuator assembly and satisfy a desired actuation time with a low current consumption and high actuator gear train ratio.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system for a triple axle trailer having three axles and six wheels is disclosed. The system includes a first wheel speed sensor coupled to the first wheel of the trailer, a second wheel speed sensor coupled to the third wheel of the trailer, a spring mount pivotably coupled to the body of the trailer, a first suspension member coupled to the first wheel and to the spring mount and a second suspension member coupled to the second wheel and to the spring mount. The system includes a hydraulic braking actuator having a first channel coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel and a second channel coupled to the third wheel. The spring mount pivots in response to an applied brake torque to increase a normal force applied to the second wheel as compared to a normal force applied to the first wheel.

Abstract: A steering control system includes a hub connectable to a steering shaft defining a steering axis. An airbag receiving zone is formed in the hub. A steering wheel is connected to the hub, the steering wheel includes a central hub member, a plurality of spokes each having a first end extending from the central hub member and a second end, and a steering wheel rim connected to the second end of each of the plurality of spokes. The central hub member being slidably mounted to the hub along the steering axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a virtual view of a virtual camera based on an input scene are described. A capturing device typically includes a physical camera and a depth sensor and captures an input scene. A controller determines an actual pose of the capturing device and a desired pose of the virtual camera for showing the virtual view. The controller defines an epipolar geometry between the actual pose of the capturing device and the desired pose of the virtual camera. The controller generates an output image for the virtual camera based on an epipolar relation between the actual pose of the capturing device, the input scene, and the desired pose of the virtual camera.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters (TC) with planetary-type vibration dampers, methods for making/using such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a TC housing drivingly connected to a prime mover to receive torque therefrom, and a TC output member drivingly connected to a transmission to transfer torque thereto. Rotatably mounted within an internal fluid chamber of the TC housing are juxtaposed turbine and impeller blades. The impeller blades are rotatably mounted to the housing. A TC clutch is operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member. A torsional vibration damper, which is disposed within the internal fluid chamber, includes a sun gear attached to the TC output member for unitary rotation, a ring gear attached to the TC clutch for unitary rotation, and a planet carrier intermeshed with the ring and sun gears and attached to the turbine blades for unitary rotation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for shape controlled gripping of a workpiece. A layer jamming structure includes a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity. A shape conforming tool includes at least one part configured to move to apply a force to the layer jamming structure. The shape conforming tool, by operation of the part, conforms the layer jamming structure to the workpiece. The pressure system, with operation of the pump, changes a pressure in the internal cavity to impart rigidity to the layer jamming structure.

Abstract: An automated driving system includes perception, intervention, and vehicle control modules. The perception module detects an upcoming situation to be experienced by a vehicle. The intervention module: determines that a low confidence level exists for a driving decision to be made for the upcoming situation; enables intervention of an autonomous driving mode and indicate information pertaining to the upcoming situation to a driver of the vehicle via an interface; based on the upcoming situation, requests assistance from the driver by (i) indicating available options for the situation via the interface, or (ii) requesting information from the driver to aid in making the driving decision; and determine whether an input has been received from the driver via the interface indicating (i) a selected one of the available options, or (ii) the requested information. The vehicle control module autonomously drives the vehicle based on whether the input has been received.

Abstract: A system for control of an electric powertrain is provided. The powertrain includes a battery configured for providing electrical energy at a first relatively higher voltage in direct current. The powertrain further includes a power inverter including a first phase circuit, a second phase circuit including first and second switches, and a third phase circuit including third and fourth switches. The powertrain further includes a motor configured for receiving alternating current electrical energy from the power inverter. The system further includes a computerized controller operating a charging cycle. The charging cycle includes deactivating the first phase circuit of the power inverter and selectively cyclically activating the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch to direct electrical energy provided at a second relatively lower voltage in direct current through the motor to provide a flow of electrical energy at the first voltage to the battery.