Abstract: A method for assessing performance of a thermal management system configured for thermally managing a battery pack of an electric vehicle. The method may include determining a voltage response of the battery pack while subjected to a test load and generating a thermal assessment for the thermal management system based on the voltage response and/or resistivity values derived therefrom.

Abstract: An automobile includes an electronic control unit (ECU), at least one fiber optical cable, and a sensor unit. The ECU is operational to generate an optical power signal and a first optical communications signal. The fiber optical cable transports the optical power signal and the first optical communications signal. The sensor unit is operational to convert the optical power signal into an electrical power, convert the first optical communications signal into an electrical control signal, measure a first parameter related to the automobile, and generate a second optical communications signal that conveys the first parameter as measured. The fiber optical transports the second optical communications signal to the electronic control unit. The ECU is further operational to convert the second optical communications signal into a first electrical sensed signal that conveys the first parameter, and take an action based on the first parameter in the first electrical sensed signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated charging of electric vehicles. The systems and methods for automated charging eliminate the need for human interaction with the vehicle and/or charging system. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for a high-utilization system in which one robotic system can be used to connect and disconnect multiple chargers to vehicles in a facility. In particular, a system is provided for connecting and disconnecting electric vehicles with chargers, without each charger having its own robotic arm. In some examples, an overhead gantry system includes a robotic arm that can move from charger to charger to connect (and/or disconnect) vehicles. In other examples, a ground-based robot moves from charger to charger to connect (and/or disconnect) vehicles.

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: A battery system includes neighboring first and second groups of battery cells. The battery system also includes a battery system enclosure configured to house each of the first and second groups of battery cells. The battery system additionally includes a vent channel mounted to the battery system enclosure. The vent channel is configured to expel high-temperature gases to external environment separately from each battery cell of the first group of battery cells and divert the high-temperature gases away from other battery cells of the first group of battery cells and from the second group of battery cells. The vent channel minimizes transfer of the high-temperature gases between the battery cells of the first group and from the first group of battery cells to the second group of battery cells and thereby mitigates propagation of a thermal runaway event in the battery system.

Abstract: A busbar for high conductivity distribution of electrical power within a power module of an electric vehicle (EV). The busbar may include a plurality of multilayer composites having copper-graphene laminations. One or more of the multilayer composite may include a first copper-graphene lamination having a plurality of graphene layers disposed between a plurality of copper layers, a second copper-graphene lamination having a plurality of graphene layers disposed between a plurality of copper layers, and a carrier substrate disposed relative to the first and second copper-graphene laminations.

Abstract: A cinching system includes: a profile configured to determine a first time series of target values for cinching a closure closed; an adjustment module configured to determine an adjustment value based on at least one operating parameter; an adjusting module configured to generate a second time series of target values for cinching of the closure by adjusting at least one of the target values of the first time series based on the adjustment value; and a power control module configured to: apply power to a cinching motor when the closure is partially closed, where the cinching motor is configured to cinch and fully close the closure; and based on a comparison of a measured value of the cinching motor and one of the target values of the second time series, selectively one of: decrease power applied to the cinching motor; and disconnect the cinching motor from power.

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: A head-up display system includes a hologram projector adapted to project a holographic image, a waveguide positioned in front of the hologram projector, wherein the holographic image projected by the hologram projector passes through the waveguide, a glare control prism positioned in front of the waveguide assembly, and a waveplate positioned between the waveguide and the glare control prism, the waveplate adapted to adjust the polarization of the holographic image.

Abstract: An applique for covering a clear substrate through which light is at least one of transmitted and received includes: a transparent sheet having: a first surface; and a second surface that is opposite the first surface; and a ultraviolet (UV) curable pressure sensitive adhesive that is disposed on the first surface of the transparent sheet, that is curable using UV light, and that is configured to adhere the transparent sheet to a third surface of the clear substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a reference electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a subassembly including a separator layer and a current collector layer coupled to the separator layer. The method further includes providing an electrode ink including an electroactive material, a binder, and a solvent. The method further includes creating a reference electrode precursor by applying an electroactive precursor layer to the current collector layer. The electroactive precursor layer covers greater than or equal to about 90% of a superficial surface area of a surface of the current collector layer. The electroactive precursor layer includes the electrode ink. The method further includes creating the reference electrode assembly by drying the electroactive precursor layer to remove at least a portion of the solvent, thereby forming an electroactive layer. The electroactive layer is solid and porous.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electric motor includes a voltage regulation device connected to the electric motor, the electric motor connected to an inverter by a power cable including at least one electrical conductor. The voltage regulation device includes a diode bridge circuit configured to mitigate overvoltage transients at the electric motor. The diode bridge circuit includes an alternating current (AC) input and a direct current (DC) output, the AC input connected to a terminal of the electric motor.

Abstract: A system for authenticating communications from a vehicle to a remote assistance unit includes a connectivity module (CM) installed in the vehicle. A security device is adapted to transmit messages when the security device is within a predefined proximity of the CM. A security cloud unit is configured to validate the security device based in part on a first pair of complementary keys, including a first factory key stored by the security device and a second factory key stored by the security cloud unit. The first pair of complementary keys is configured for asymmetric encryption such that the first factory key is solely decryptable with the second factory key. The remote assistance unit is configured to authenticate an integrity of the CM based in part on a second pair of complementary keys which are dynamically generated by the security cloud unit.