Abstract: A system for detecting when a vehicle occupant exits the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a sensor device is configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle along one direction or accelerations of the vehicle along several directions and to make available a time-dependent signal(s) that represents the acceleration(s). The system also includes an evaluation device configured to evaluate the time-dependent signal(s) in a way to ascertain whether the signal(s) contains a sequence of acceleration values characteristic of the occupant exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: System and methods for determining performance degradation of a battery system are presented. In certain embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may involve testing, monitoring, and/or modeling of battery system cyclic performance degradation at a single battery system operating temperature. The disclosed systems and methods may offer certain efficiencies over conventional techniques for determining cyclic degradation of a battery system. Such efficiencies may allow the disclosed systems and methods to be implemented in connection with real-time battery state estimation methods.

Abstract: A wheel catcher assembly can inhibit a wheel from moving toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle when an external force is applied to the vehicle. The wheel catcher assembly generally includes an energy absorbing bracket and a plate coupled to the energy absorbing bracket. The energy absorbing bracket includes a plurality of ridges and grooves so as to define a waveform portion. The plate is coupled to the energy absorbing bracket at the ridges such that an external force applied to the wheel catcher assembly is transferable from the plate to the energy absorbing bracket.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for an internal combustion engine includes at least one bearing journaled shaft rotatably supported in at least one bearing, and at least one bushing constrained in rotation with the shaft. The bushing is provided with a journal surface for a bearing. The shaft is made of a material different from and typically softer than the material of which the bushing is made.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body having a trunk and an inner lining fastened to the body and delimiting the trunk. A functional component, such as a warning triangle and/or a first-aid box, is secured to the vehicle body within the trunk. In particular, the functional component is fastened between the body and the inner lining in a holding position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure and a frame rail assembly. The frame rail assembly extends forward from the bulkhead along a longitudinal centerline. The frame rail assembly includes a frame rail defining a rail axis and a reinforcing member. The frame rail defines a longitudinally extending seam and the frame rail extends forward from the bulkhead along the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail further defines an end portion. The reinforcing member is secured to the frame rail at the end portion to increase a stiffness of the frame rail at the end portion. The reinforcing member is configured to limit a stress at the seam, transverse to the rail axis, resulting from a load applied to the end portion of the frame rail and laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an underbody and a cradle assembly. The assembly includes a cradle body and a flange extending to a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a platform having at least one side and defining an aperture spaced from the side. A fastener is disposed through the aperture and in engagement with the underbody when the cradle body is in a first position. The platform defines a void and has a portion of material disposed adjacent to the void to present a release pathway. The cradle body is configured to move from the first position to a second position which separates the flange of the cradle body from the underbody by moving the fastener out of the aperture, through the void and the portion of material along the release pathway, and out the side of the platform when the cradle body moves to the second position.

Abstract: A single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a cylinder head and a crankshaft. First and second power pistons are moveable in first and second power cylinders and are connected to first and second crankpins of the crankshaft. An expander piston is moveable in an expander cylinder and is connected via a multi-link connecting rod assembly to a third crankpin of the crankshaft. A first balance shaft is arranged in a first longitudinal opening in the engine block, and a second balance shaft is arranged in a second longitudinal opening in the engine block. The first and second balance shafts have first and second counterweight portions, respectively, and the crankshaft has a third counterweight portion causing an imbalance in the crankshaft.

Abstract: A method and a device for illuminating an interior space is described and includes a controller including a microcontroller connected to a power control circuit and a signal reading circuit, wherein the power control circuit electrically connects to the signal reading circuit at a node. A lighting device including a light bulb and a user switch connects to the node of the controller via a single electric cable. The microcontroller controls the signal reading circuit to monitor a signal input from the user switch, and includes a control routine executable to control electric power to the lighting device in response to a user request, a user command, and a system request.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a low pressure EGR valve in a low pressure EGR route of an internal combustion engine equipped with an aftertreatment system having a urea injector upstream of a Selective Catalytic Reduction on Filter (SCRF). During a regeneration procedure of the SCRF, an enabling condition is monitored for opening the low pressure EGR valve of the low pressure EGR route when enabling condition is satisfied. The enabling condition may be satisfied if a urea injection is not performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a panel arrangement for a motor vehicle with an air inlet panel for the through-flow with ambient air, and a service panel including a water-collecting region arranged beneath the air passage region. The water-collecting region is constituted for draining water in the vehicle transverse direction, in particular to at least one wheel well of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, with such a panel arrangement assembled fixed in the vehicle in the assembly position.

Abstract: A method and control apparatus configured to correct a standard characteristic curve of a standard fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. First and second injected fuel quantity corresponding to an energizing time which is higher than a reference energizing time are determined from the standard characteristic curve. A standard fuel quantity increment is calculated as the difference between the second and first injected fuel quantities associated to the reference energizing time.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets one of which is a selectively speed reducing gear set, another two planetary gear sets that may be stacked or nested to form a planetary gear set assembly, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The stacked or nested planetary gear set assembly has a carrier member for rotatably supporting a first plurality of pinion gears and a second plurality of pinion gears, a ring gear and a common gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle including an eye tracking device. The systems and methods use input from the eye tracking device. The systems and methods are configured to communicate with a driver based on input from the eye tracking device. For example, the systems and methods are configured to generate indicators on a display based on input from the eye tracking device.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a heating system configured to transfer heat from the internal combustion engine to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to operate the electric motor and the internal combustion engine according to one of a plurality of drive cycle profiles. The controller selects the drive cycle profile based on an ambient temperature. The drive cycle profiles include a first drive cycle profile that commands power from the electric motor until the battery system reaches a predetermined state of charge and subsequently commands power from the internal combustion engine and a second drive cycle profile that commands power from the internal combustion engine and subsequently commands power from the electric motor.

Abstract: An electroactive material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, is provided. The electroactive material comprises a multifunctional hybrid protective coating system formed over an electroactive material. The coating system includes a first oxide-based coating disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material, followed by a second coating deposited via a non-aqueous process. The second coating may be a fluoride-based, nitride-based, or carbide-based coating. The first and second coatings may be applied by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form conformal ultrathin layers over the electroactive materials. Such a multifunctional hybrid protective coating system can suppress formation of gases within the electrochemical cell and also minimize formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers on the electrode to improve battery performance. Methods for making such materials and using such materials in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a target temperature and/or adjusting a temperature associated with a battery, such as a vehicle battery. In some implementations of such methods, a temperature-scaled battery capacity of at least a portion of a battery may be determined at a measured temperature. The temperature-scaled battery capacity may be compared with a capacity threshold and, upon determining that the temperature-scaled battery capacity is below the capacity threshold, a target battery temperature for the at least a portion of the battery may be determined and/or set.

Abstract: A clutch housing for an automatic transmission includes an aluminum hub and a drum portion which is laser or friction welded to the hub. Due to the different strength requirements of the hub and drum, the hub is fabricated of 6082-T6 aluminum or a material of similar strength and malleability and is forged or die cast. The hub includes male splines or gear teeth disposed on its periphery. The cylindrical drum is fabricated of 7075-T6 aluminum or a material of similar or greater strength and similar malleability and is roller died or stamped and includes female splines or gear teeth on its inner surface as well as a plurality of radially oriented lubrication openings or slots which facilitate flow of lubricating fluid from the interior to the exterior of the cylindrical drum.

Abstract: An absorbing bracket can be coupled to a vehicle body and can absorb energy from an external force applied to the vehicle body. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing bracket includes a bracket body at least partly made of a rigid material. The bracket body includes a deformable wall defining a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edge is parallel to the second edge. The bracket body defines a plurality of slots extending through the deformable wall. Each slot extends along a slot axis. Further, each slot axis is obliquely angled relative to the first edge.