Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising, subsequent to arrival of a vehicle at a charging station, establishing communications between a vehicle side autonomous charging system associated with the vehicle and a charging station side autonomous charging system associated with the charging station; receiving by the charging station side autonomous charging system at least one signal from the vehicle side autonomous charging system, wherein the at least one signal is indicative of a location of a charging port of the vehicle; and using the received at least one signal to guide a robotic extension arm of the charging station to a location proximate the vehicle charging port.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing electrodes include applying a fluoropolymer film to a lithium-based host material, defluorinating the fluoropolymer film by heating to produce a lithium electrode having a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer including defluorinated fluoropolymers and at least about 5 wt. % LiF. The fluoropolymers can include one or more of fluorinated ethylenepropylene, perfluoroalkoxy alkanes, vinylidenefluoride, and copolymers of perfluoromethylvinylether and tetrafluoroethylene. The fluoropolymers can include one or more fluorinated monomers, including hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroethers, and vinylidene fluoride. The —CF3 functional groups of the defluorinated fluoropolymers can be about 3 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the SEI layer. The SEI layer can include about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. % LiF.

Abstract: An end-effector assembly comprising a master boom, a crossbar coupled to the master boom, at least one branch rail, and a swing arm is provided. The at least one branch rail is movably coupled to the crossbar by a branch lock. The at least one branch rail has a driving groove formed longitudinally therealong for telescopic movement relative to the crossbar. The branch lock comprises a crossbar clamp and a branch rail clamp. The crossbar clamp is slidably and pivotally disposed about the crossbar for slidable and pivotal movement therealong. The branch rail clamp comprises a body having a primary telescoping lock including a receiving bore formed therethrough and a wedging collet disposed in the receiving bore. The body further comprises a secondary telescoping lock having a ball and a plunger disposed in a ball-plunger cavity of the body.

Abstract: A method of making the sulfide-impregnated solid-state battery is provided. The method comprises providing a cell core that is constructed by cell unit. The cell core is partially sealed into the packaging such as the Al laminated film and metal can. The method further comprises introducing a sulfide solid-state electrolyte (S-SSE) precursor solution in the cell core, the S-SSE precursor solution comprises a sulfide solid electrolyte and a solvent. The method further comprises evaporating the solvent from the cell core to dry the cell core to solidify the sulfide-based solid-state electrolyte within the cell core and pressurizing the cell core to densify the solid sulfide-base electrolyte within the cell core. The cell core is then fully sealed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle-target localization, identification and indication. The system includes a vehicle module operating onboard a vehicle and configured to receive a request for a tether and send the tether responsive thereto, and a target module operating on a target external to the vehicle. The target module can generate target profile data (TPD) comprising location information for the target, such as, a first component that is a function of a detected first WiFi signal having a first signal strength. The request for the tether including the TPD is transmitted to the vehicle module; a tether of secured communications is established between the vehicle module and target module. Real-time TPD is exchanged during the tether and the vehicle module performs the V-T localization as a function of the RT TPD, and commands the vehicle based on V-T localization data.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom having a forward-facing surface relative to the vehicle seat and an airbag mounted to the seat bottom. The airbag includes an inflator mounted to the seat bottom and an airbag cushion including a portion positioned adjacent the forward-facing surface of the seat bottom.

Abstract: A wire forming press apparatus includes a press having a die assembly including a displaceable upper die moved with respect to a fixed lower die. A first lever arm is manually displaced to perform a first operation in a first direction on a wire blank positioned between the upper die and the lower die. A second lever arm is manually displaced to perform a second operation in a second direction opposite to the first direction on the wire blank. A first gear set is connected to and rotated by displacement of the first lever arm. A second gear set is connected to and is rotated by displacement of the second lever arm.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes a body, a drive system, and a control system for controlling the adaptive cruise control functionality for the vehicle. The drive system is disposed within the body, and has adaptive cruise control functionality. The control system includes: one or more sensors disposed onboard the vehicle and configured to obtain sensor data for monitoring a driver of the vehicle while the vehicle is stopped during adaptive cruise control operation while a target vehicle in front of the vehicle has stopped; and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to provide instructions for automatically resuming movement of the vehicle, when the target vehicle resumes movement, based on the monitoring of the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrode includes a domain material present in an amount of from about 90 to about 95 weight percent based on a total weight of the electrode. The domain material includes a component that has the formula: xLi2MnO3.(1?x)LiNiaMnbCo(1-a-b)O2, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than 1 and each of a and b is independently from about 0.1 to about 0.9 and the component is present in an amount of from about 50 to about 90 weight percent based on a total weight of the domain material. The domain material also includes an additive component having the formula LiFe1-yMnyPO4, wherein y is greater than 0 and less than 1, wherein the additive component is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 50 weight percent based on a total weight of the domain material. The electrode itself further includes a carbonaceous material and a binder.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for making a pre-lithiated electrode for a lithium ion battery cell, a method for making a battery with a pre-lithiated electrode, and an electric vehicle with a pre-lithiated electrode are provided. An exemplary method for making a pre-lithiated electrode for a lithium ion battery cell includes electrochemically connecting a magnesium-lithium alloy to the electrode. Further, the method includes pre-lithiating the electrode by transferring lithium ions from the magnesium-lithium alloy to the electrode. Also, the method includes electrochemically disconnecting the magnesium-lithium alloy from the electrode.

Abstract: Presented are electrolyte compositions with fluorinated cosolvents, methods for making/using such electrolyte compositions, and electric-drive vehicles with lithium-ion battery cells using such electrolyte compositions. An electrolyte composition for a lithium-ion electrochemical device includes a lithium salt, a nonaqueous solvent, and a fluorinated cosolvent. The lithium salt may include one or more soluble ionic salts, whereas the solvent may include one or more non-aqueous organic solvents. The fluorinated cosolvent includes a cyclic carbonate with a fluorine atom that is bonded directly to the cyclic ring, to a single atom bonded to the cyclic ring, or to a single side chain group bonded to the cyclic ring. The fluorinated cosolvent may be a fluoroethylene carbonate, a difluoroethylene carbonate, a trifluoropropylene carbonate, or a difluoropropylene carbonate. The side chain group may be an R-group, such as a 3-C chain, with at least one carbon atom bonded directly to the cyclic ring.

Abstract: A battery pack includes battery cells and an interconnect board assembly (ICBA) having a dielectric ICB and parallel busbars. A cell tab protrudes from an edge of the cells and joined to the busbars. A dielectric ICB is connected to the busbars at one distal end of the busbars. The dielectric material of the ICB is overmolded onto another distal end such that the ICB wraps around the busbars to form overmolded ends. The overmolded ends are received within a pocket of a bracket to form direct parallel cooling paths to a heat sink. A method of manufacturing the battery pack includes arranging the busbars in parallel, overmolding dielectric material onto ends of the busbars to form overmolded ends, and attaching the busbars to a plastic ICB formed from the dielectric material. The ICBA is then attached to the bracket and cells.

Abstract: A lithium ion batteries and electric vehicles including lithium ion batteries are provided. An exemplary lithium ion battery includes a cathode including a cathode active material comprising at least 50 wt. %, based on a total weight of the cathode active material, of LiFexMn(1-x)PO4, wherein X is from 0.01 to 0.5.

Abstract: Presented are electronic power module assemblies with direct-cooling heat pipe systems, methods for making/using such power module assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such power module assemblies. A power module assembly includes an outer housing with an internal coolant chamber that circulates therethrough a coolant fluid. A sidewall of the module's housing defines therethrough multiple coolant windows that fluidly connect to the coolant chamber. A power semiconductor switching device is mounted to the module housing, fluidly sealed to a first coolant window with the power device's inboard surface exposed to the coolant fluid. The power device is operable to modify electric current transmitted between a power source and an electrical load. A heat pipe with an outer casing has a first casing segment thereof mounted to an outboard surface of the power device, and a second casing segment fluidly sealed to a second coolant window and exposed to the coolant fluid.

Abstract: A system and associated method are described for balancing an electrical parameter associated with stored electric power in a multi-cell battery. A cell charge balancing system determines a first plurality of the electrical parameters associated with respective ones of the plurality of cells, a plurality of first charge parameters associated with the cells, and a first quality index. A second plurality of the electrical parameters are determined, and second charge parameters are determined to determine a second quality index. The first and second quality indices are compared, and a cell charge balancing routine controls the balancing system based upon the first quality index when the first quality index is greater than the second quality index. The cell charge balancing routine controls the cell charge balancing system based upon the second quality index when the first quality index is less than the second quality index.

Abstract: A shutter system is provided for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine that receives forced intake air and is cooled by an engine coolant. The vehicle includes a charge air cooler system having an intercooler for cooling the intake air and an engine cooling system. The shutter system includes a shutter positioned downstream of the intercooler and an actuator for moving the shutter between first and second positions. The shutter system further includes a sensor for generating a signal associated with a temperature of the intake air and a processor for comparing the temperature to a threshold. The actuator moves the shutter to the first position in response to receiving the first signal when the temperature is below the threshold. The actuator moves the shutter to the second position in response to receiving the second signal when the temperature is above the threshold.

Abstract: A resolver disposed to monitor a rotatable member is described, along with an associated method for evaluating an output signal therefrom. The method for monitoring the resolver includes supplying an excitation signal to the resolver, and monitoring, at an oversampling rate, first and second output signals from the resolver. An oversampling routine is executed to determine averages of the first and second output signals from the resolver. A demodulation angle error is determined based upon the first and second output signals from the resolver, and provided as feedback. A position of the resolver is also determined based upon the first and second output signals from the resolver.