Abstract: A system of managing charging schedules in a fleet having electric vehicles includes a command unit. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to define a plurality of discharge categories, including a transportation category, a transfer category and a reserve energy category. The respective battery power in the electric vehicles is proportioned by setting a respective percentage allocation for the plurality of discharge categories. The command unit is adapted to signal the electric vehicles to charge when at least one of the plurality of discharge categories falls below the respective percentage allocation. The command unit may be adapted to group the electric vehicles in respective virtual boxes based in part on their respective physical locations.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a vehicle when traveling within an area experiencing a meteorological event capable of potentially flooding a roadway is disclosed. The assistance may include determining a water level over top of the roadway, determining a plurality of surface water related operating parameters for the vehicle, and comparing the water level to the surface water related operating parameters to generate a flooded roadway assessment. The flooded roadway assessment may be used for determining the roadway to be in one of a passable state and an impassable state for the vehicle. Based thereon, a flooded roadway command may be generated for correspondingly controlling one or more systems onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: An operation of an AV in a scene is simulated. The AV includes sensors detecting the scene and generating sensor data. The sensor data can be input into a control model that outputs control signals, in accordance with which the AV operates. A learning cost, i.e., a cost of training or applying the control model, is determined. A performance of the AV during the simulation is evaluated. A simulation cost, i.e., a cost of running the simulation is determined. The control model can be optimized based on the learning cost and the performance of the AV. Settings of the sensors can be optimized based on the simulation cost and the performance of the AV. The optimization of the control model or the settings of the sensors can be done through reinforcement learning.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method for predicting electrical failures within a vehicle. The method includes selectively enabling and disabling an electrical load for the vehicle. The method further includes collecting operational data about the electrical load during the selectively enabling and disabling of the electrical load. The method further includes training the model based at least in part on the operational data to predict a failure associated with the electrical load or a wiring harness associated with the electrical load.

Abstract: A tool for attaching a first workpiece and a second workpiece to one another and to a support structure includes a housing and a plunger. The housing includes a main body, a neck portion, and a shoulder portion. The shoulder portion is disposed between the main body and the neck portion and has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the main body. A bore extends from a first end within the main body to a distal end of the neck portion. The plunger is disposed within the bore and extends from the distal end of the neck portion. The plunger is biased in a first direction away from the shoulder portion and includes a gripper operable to extend away from an outer surface of the plunger in an expanded state to engage an inner surface of the first workpiece.

Abstract: The concepts include a user support system in the form of a microphone, a visual display arranged in a vehicle cabin, and a controller. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to receive, via the microphone, a voice-based request from a user, and employ a virtual assistant to determine a user interaction in real time and to determine a specific intent for the voice-based request, including capturing metadata. A user interaction routine determines a user interaction parameter associated with the virtual assistant based upon the voice-based request from the user. A user sentiment analysis routine determines a user satisfaction parameter associated with the virtual assistant based upon the voice-based request from the user. The controller responds in real-time to the voice-based request based upon the user satisfaction parameter and the user interaction parameter that are associated with the virtual assistant.

Abstract: A containment system for a rechargeable energy storage device (RESS) is described includes an enclosure having a first compartment adjoining a second compartment. The first compartment is arranged to house a plurality of power electronics devices, and the second compartment is arranged to house a plurality of battery cells. The second compartment includes a tub that defines a bottom portion, and a floor plate. The tub includes opposed end walls and opposed sidewalls. A top plate is arranged overtop of the first compartment and the second compartment. A first one of the end walls and the top plate define a first slot between the first compartment and the second compartment. A first removable panel is arranged to enclose the first compartment. The plurality of battery cells connect to the plurality of power electronics devices via a high-voltage DC power bus that is arranged to pass through the first slot.

Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes: a reset module configured to selectively start a reset operation of a clutch actuator of a clutch that engages and disengages an electric propulsion motor to and from a gearset; a target position module configured to perform the reset operation by setting a target position of the clutch actuator to follow a predetermined position profile for the reset operation, the reset operation including (a) opening an orifice between a hydraulic fluid reservoir and an pressure chamber of the clutch actuator (b) closing the orifice after the opening; and a clutch control module configured to actuate the clutch actuator based on the target position thereby performing the reset operation.

Abstract: A method of modifying a time to collision threshold includes receiving data and images of an object from image capturing devices and non-visual sensors within an automobile, from infrastructure cameras, and from image capturing devices within other automobiles, determining ambient light levels and color of the object, comparing ambient light levels to a pre-determined ambient light level threshold, determining a standard time to collision threshold, and sending the standard time to collision threshold to the collision avoidance system when ambient light levels are at least the pre-determined ambient light level, and, determining a standard time to collision threshold, a lighting coefficient, a color coefficient, applying the lighting and color coefficients to the standard time to collision threshold, calculating a modified time to collision threshold, sending the modified time to collision threshold to the collision avoidance system, when the ambient light levels are less than the pre-determined ambient light

Abstract: Presented are hybrid fixture assemblies with integrated additive manufactured features, methods for making/using such fixtures, and manufacturing systems equipped with such fixtures. A manufacturing fixture assembly includes a fixture support frame formed, at least in part, from a first material, and a fixture support shell formed, at least in part, from a second material distinct from the first material. The support frame, which seats on/mounts to a work surface, includes a skeletal substructure with multiple male connectors projecting therefrom. The skeletal substructure contains multiple first frame walls that are removably intermeshed with multiple second frame walls in a collapsible format. The support shell includes a support surface that holds a workpiece, an interface surface that abuts the skeletal substructure, and multiple female connectors that project from the interface surface.

Abstract: Presented are closed-loop feedback control systems for preconditioning batteries, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with battery preconditioning capabilities. A method for operating a battery system of a motor vehicle includes a system controller receiving a recharge signal to schedule a recharge event for a battery of the vehicle. The system controller responsively derives a target preconditioning temperature for optimizing the battery recharge event, and determines the battery state of voltage or charge for at the vehicle's current location. The system controller also predicts an SOV/SOC for the battery upon arrival of the motor vehicle at a selected charging station, and estimates a preconditioning time to thermally precondition the battery to the target preconditioning temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a support surface having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. A first seat rail is coupled to the first side of the support surface. A second seat rail is coupled to the first side of the support surface spaced from the first seat rail. A seat member includes a first stanchion moveably supported at the first seat rail, a second stanchion moveably supported at the second seat rail, and a member arranged between the first stanchion and the second stanchion. A magnet is mounted at the second side of the support surface. A levitation controller is operatively connected to the magnet. The levitation controller is activated to drive the magnet to repel the member and raise the first stanchion and the second stanchion relative to corresponding ones of the first seat rail and the second seat rail.

Abstract: A vehicle having a first aid kit having a plurality of content items is provided. The vehicle also includes one or more impact sensors and a controller. The controller is configured to detect, using the impact sensors, a collision involving the vehicle and activate a door of the first aid kit to expose the plurality of content items to an interior of the vehicle and activating an indicator disposed on the first aid kit based on a determination that a force of the collision exceeds a first threshold value. Based on a determination that the force of the collision exceeds a second threshold value and is less than the first threshold value, the controller is configured to activate the indicator disposed on the first aid kit.

Abstract: A vehicle includes two or more battery packs configured to power a motor. A controller is configured to dynamically activate an operational mode during operation. The operational mode is one of multiple possible operational modes including a first operational mode defining a series connection between the two or more battery packs and second operational mode defining a parallel connection between the two or more battery packs. The connection between the battery packs is controlled by a first plurality of switches. A plurality of low voltage loads are connected to a subset of the battery packs in the battery packs such that a power output of the subset of the battery packs provides full power to the plurality of low voltage loads. The plurality of low voltage loads are connected to only the subset of the battery packs in both the first operational mode and the second operational mode.

Abstract: A seat having a seating area, an interior side bolster disposed on a first side of the seating area, and an exterior side bolster disposed on a second side of the seating area. The exterior side bolster includes an activator slidably disposed within an aperture of the exterior side bolster. The activator adjusts a height of the exterior side bolster based on a position of the activator within the aperture.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and control system are described for operating a multiphase motor drive system including a rotary electric machine and an inverter. An AC choke filter is arranged proximal to output leads from the inverter. A reference temperature associated with the AC choke filter is determined along with an operating point of the electric machine. Operation of the inverter is controlled based upon a temperature of the AC choke filter, the reference temperature, and an operating point of the electric machine. This includes modifying a switching frequency and a PWM type in a manner that reduces the AC choke filter temperature by reducing the occurrence of switching events to protect the AC choke filter based on temperature feedback.