Abstract: A vehicle and/or a method for detecting contaminants on an optical surface are provided. The vehicle includes at least one light source adjacent the optical surface and at least one light detector at an edge of the optical surface. A controller is configured to introduce light from at least one light source into the optical surface, and to measure light at the edge of the optical surface with at least one detector. The controller compares the measured light to a threshold, and, if the measured light crosses the threshold, triggers or implements a response action.

Abstract: A vehicle sound absorber system includes a sound absorber fixing fastener having a cap with a cylindrical bore and an end face including multiple flexible bite members. A sound absorber material body is locally compressed and partially captured within the cylindrical bore. A remainder of the sound absorber material body not captured within the cylindrical bore extends radially outward and freely away from the cap. A stud extending from a vehicle body wall extends through a through aperture created in the sound absorber material body and a sound absorber panel of an acoustic material mounted on the vehicle body wall. The cap is captured on the stud by frictional engagement of the flexible bite members on the stud. The sound absorbing material of the sound absorber material body replaces sound absorber material removed to form each of a recessed area and a fully compressed layer of the sound absorber panel.

Abstract: Dynamically monitoring of an electrically-isolated power bus for a DC power system is described, and includes dynamically monitoring voltage and current on the power bus to determine a variation in the voltage on the power bus. When the variation in the voltage on the power bus is less than a threshold, an active positive isolation resistance term and an active negative isolation resistance term are determined. A first voltage balance term is determined based upon a ratio of the active positive isolation resistance term and the active negative isolation resistance term. A dynamic positive isolation resistance term and a dynamic negative isolation resistance term are determined based upon the active negative isolation resistance term. A fault associated with the power bus is determined based upon the dynamic positive isolation resistance term and the dynamic negative isolation resistance term.

Abstract: A self-tapping compression limiter for a structure of an automotive vehicle. The limiter includes a body having a first end extending to a second end. The body has a bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall and formed adjacent one of the first and second ends to reduce tolerance to the structure. The outer wall has a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis. The threaded portion is matingly cooperable with the structure to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure.

Abstract: An automotive seat with headrest assembly includes a seatback, a headrest, and a pair of headrest supports adapted to support the headrest on the seatback, each of the headrest supports including a lower rod, an upper rod, and an absorption unit positioned between and interconnecting the lower rod and the upper rod, the absorption unit adapted to allow angular deflection of the upper rod relative to the lower rod when a bending force is applied to the upper and lower rods, and to hold the lower and upper rods in a deflected orientation when the bending force is removed from the upper and lower rods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for articulating mirrors for trailering in a motor vehicle. The method includes receiving a trailer dimension, receiving an indication of a trailering mode, receiving an image of a trailer hitch assembly in response to the indication of the trailering mode, estimating a hitch articulation angle in response to the image, estimating a trailer rear corner position in response to the hitch articulation angle and the trailer dimension, generating a mirror control signal to adjust a mirror position such that the trailer rear corner position is within a mirror field of view, and adjusting the mirror position in response to the mirror control signal.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for controlling an ADAS equipped vehicle including an input for receiving a lane change request, a global positioning sensor for detecting a vehicle location, a memory for storing a map data, a vehicle controller for performing a lane change in response to a lane change navigational route, and a processor configured for generating the lane change navigational route in response to the map data and the lane change request, for calculating a predicted lateral acceleration within the lane change navigational route in response to the map data and the lane change request and for coupling the lane change navigational route to the vehicle controller in response to the predicted lateral acceleration being less than a lateral acceleration threshold.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a scrubber box for a paint booth is provided, along with a method of preparing for operation of the scrubber box. In an exemplary embodiment, a scrubber box for a paint booth is provided that includes a housing; a plurality of filter frames disposed within the housing; and a plurality of first stage filters disposed within the housing, the plurality of first stage filters each having the same size and shape as one another.

Abstract: A system for bacteria irradiation from an occupant zone of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises an interior portion disposed in the occupant zone. The interior portion has one of a predetermined surface porosity and a predetermined surface roughness. The interior portion has phosphorescent paint for visual indication. The system further comprises a high energy visible (HEV) light source integrated within the interior portion. The HEV light source has an emission wavelength of between about 375 nm and about 425 nm. The HEV light source further provides a cumulative energy of between about 1 J/cm2 and about 50 J/cm2. The system further comprises a vehicle processor in communication with the HEV light source. The vehicle processor is configured to enable the HEV light source. The system further comprises a sensor in communication with the vehicle processor and configured to provide input on when to enable light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for active cooling of a rechargeable energy storage system. A thermal conditioning system includes a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to cool the RESS. A controller computes a generated heat amount of the RESS; computes a target temperature of the coolant based on the generated heat amount; and operates actuators of the thermal conditioning system to cool the coolant to the target temperature.

Abstract: A method includes recording a first timestamp of a detection with a first sensor array of a first physical property of an event; determining a direction of the event, based on the detection with the first sensor array; recording a second timestamp of a detection with a second sensor array of a second physical property of the event; determining a distance of the event from the first and second sensor arrays, based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp; determining the event, based on the first physical property and the second physical property; and taking an action based on the event.

Abstract: A system includes: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of exhaust at a first location of an exhaust system of a vehicle; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of exhaust at a second location of the exhaust system of the vehicle; a first analog to digital (A/D) converter configured to receive a first analog signal from the first temperature sensor, to sample the first analog signal to produce first samples, and to generate first digital values corresponding to the first temperature based on the first samples, respectively; and a second A/D converter a configured to receive a second analog signal from the second temperature sensor, to sample the second analog signal to produce second samples, and to generate second digital values corresponding to the second temperature based on the second samples, respectively.

Abstract: Technologies relating to an autonomous vehicle are described. The autonomous vehicle is configured to determine that a person is attempting to hail the autonomous vehicle through use of a passenger identifier. The autonomous vehicle identifies a passenger account associated with the passenger identifier being presented by the person, and responsive to identifying the passenger account, determines whether the autonomous vehicle should pick up the person.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes providing a first composite material and forming a composite part matrix using the first composite material and defining a first layer, applying a first fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first layer of the composite part matrix such that fibers of the first fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a first direction and form a second layer on the composite part matrix, applying a second fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first fiber reinforcing material such that fibers of the second fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and form a third layer on the composite part matrix, applying the first composite material to the composite part matrix, and curing the composite part matrix to create a composite product.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a first component having a first mating surface and a second component having a second mating surface. The first component may include an aperture having internal splines or gear teeth, and/or an outer perimeter having external splines or gear teeth. The first and second components are disposed such that a gap is provided between the first and second mating surfaces. Brazing material is disposed between the first and second mating surfaces so as to mechanically couple the first and second components. The first component may be made of a powdered metal or a non-powdered metal, and the second component may be made of the other of such two metals. In one embodiment, the first component may be a planetary carrier plate portion having internal splines and the second component may be a planetary carrier spider portion.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for prevention of unintended lane change maneuver in an ADAS equipped motor vehicle performed by a sensor for detecting a driver engagement level, a memory operative to store the driver engagement level, a user interface for providing a user alert in response to an alert signal, a selector operative to generate a request for a lane change operation, and a processor operative to receive the request for the lane change operation, to compare the driver engagement level to a threshold engagement level, and to generate the alert signal in response to the driver engagement level being less than the threshold engagement level.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to variable gain amplification for a sensor application. A multistage variable gain amplifier system provides variable gain amplification of an input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system includes a plurality of amplification stages. The multistage variable gain amplifier system further includes a power detector configured to detect a power level of an input signal received by the multistage variable gain amplifier system. The multistage variable gain amplifier system also includes a controller configured to control the amplification stages based on the power level of the input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system can output an output signal such that the amplification stages are controlled to adjust a gain applied to the input signal by the multistage variable gain amplifier system to output the output signal.

Abstract: Technical methods described herein include a motor vehicle frame having an improved field of view. The motor vehicle frame includes a pillar body, such as an A-pillar, having an opening positioned between opposite sidewalls of the pillar body. A transparent material is disposed within the opening in the pillar body. The transparent material is selected from materials having a transmission coefficient of at least 50 percent for light in the infrared (IR), visible, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and a refractive index between 1 and 2 for visible light, such as polymethylmethacralate (PMMA) or an optically transparent polycarbonate.

Abstract: A crankshaft is rotatably supported by an engine block and rotatable about a crank axis. An eccentric shaft is rotatably supported within the engine and rotatable about an eccentric shaft axis, wherein the eccentric shaft axis is parallel to and distal from the crank axis. A speed change mechanism interlinks movement of the eccentric shaft and the crankshaft. The speed change mechanism selectively varies a ratio of a rotational speed of the eccentric shaft relative to a rotational speed of the crankshaft from 1:1 to one of: ?8:1, ?6:1, ?4:1, ?2:1, ?1:1, ?0.5:1, 0:1, 0.5:1, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, and 8:1, thereby causing the eccentric shaft to rotate at a speed different from the crankshaft and varying a rotational position of the eccentric shaft relative to the crankshaft.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a communication system in communication with a computing system. The computing system runs computer-executable instructions that may examine a profile of a passenger. The computer-executable instructions may include detecting a safe opportunity for the passenger to exit the autonomous vehicle. In response to detecting the safe opportunity, and if the profile of the passenger requests so, the autonomous vehicle may cause a speaker on the autonomous vehicle to audibly notify and guide the passenger to exit the autonomous vehicle safely during the safe opportunity.