Abstract: Two outer skin parts of a vehicle body border one another at a joint. The first outer skin part includes an apron which engages in the interior of the vehicle body and overlaps with the second outer skin part. A screen engages with a guiding contour of the apron running in the direction of the joint from an end of the joint between the apron and the second outer skin part.

Abstract: A system includes a turbocharged engine, sensors, and a controller. The engine includes an engine intake manifold, air intake manifold, a compressor, a first aftercooler device, a throttle that admits cooled compressed air to the engine intake manifold, and cylinders. The sensors determine engine status signals and include a first manifold pressure (MAP) sensor positioned with respect to the first aftercooler device, a second MAP sensor positioned with respect to the engine intake manifold, a mass airflow (MAF) sensor positioned in the air intake manifold, a first manifold temperature (MAT) sensor positioned in the engine intake manifold, and a second MAT sensor positioned between the first aftercooler device and the throttle. The controller executes a method to calculate a cylinder air charge using an oxygen level of post-combustion gasses and the engine status signals, and controls an operation of the engine using the calculated air charge via engine control signals.

Abstract: A reconfigurable autonomous workstation includes a multi-faced superstructure including a horizontally-arranged frame section supported on a plurality of posts. The posts form a plurality of vertical faces arranged between adjacent pairs of the posts, the faces including first and second faces and a power distribution and position reference face. A controllable robotic arm suspends from the rectangular frame section, and a work table fixedly couples to the power distribution and position reference face. A plurality of conveyor tables are fixedly coupled to the work table including a first conveyor table through the first face and a second conveyor table through the second face. A vision system monitors the work table and each of the conveyor tables. A programmable controller monitors signal inputs from the vision system to identify and determine orientation of the component on the first conveyor table and control the robotic arm to execute an assembly task.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite component includes providing a first component with a plastic layer, providing a second component which is formed at least partially from metal, and connecting the first component to the second component to form the composite component. At least one connecting element made of metal is positively connected to the first component and electrical resistance welding to the second component so that between the connecting element and the second component a welded connection is produced.

Abstract: A fresh air inlet system includes an inlet panel defining first windows and second windows, offset from the first windows. An inlet baffle is below the inlet panel and an outlet baffle is opposite the inlet panel from the inlet baffle. The outlet baffle at least partially defines an outlet plenum providing air-flow communication to an induction duct. A longitudinal flow section is defined between the inlet baffle and the inlet panel. A first vertical flow section is defined by the first windows and a second vertical flow section is defined by the second windows. The first vertical flow section is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal flow section and the second vertical flow section is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal flow section. Therefore, intake air flows successively from the longitudinal flow section to the first vertical flow section, to the second vertical flow section, and to the induction duct.

Abstract: A structure that creates a compressive mechanical lock during an external force includes a beam, an offset bulkhead, and a compressive member. The beam has a hollow cross section, an axis, and a wall. The bulkhead is disposed within the hollow cross section and attached to the wall. The member has an axis and an end attached to one of the bulkhead and the beam wall. The member axis and the beam axis intersect with each other in a plan view to form an obtuse angle. The bulkhead is offset from the intersection in an offset direction, parallel to the beam axis and toward the opening of the obtuse angle. The external force causes the member end to deform the beam wall so as to create a pocket or compressive mechanical lock in the beam wall that mechanically locks the member end from moving in the offset direction.

Abstract: An inner door panel (30) for a vehicle side door that includes an integrated side impact beam (70) formed as part of the door in a die casting process. The inner door panel (30) includes an outer frame having a top rail (38), a bottom rail (40), an inner side rail (42) and an outer side rail (44) defining a central opening (34). The impact beam (70) includes a main beam portion (72), a first end support portion (74) and a second end support portion (78). The first end support portion is formed to the side rail (42) and the second end support portion (78) is formed to the outer side rail (44), where the main beam portion (72) extends across the opening (34).

Abstract: An air vent is disposed between an air circulation device and an interior space is described, and includes a housing defining a first chamber in fluidic communication with a second chamber, wherein the first chamber includes a fluidic inlet in fluidic communication with the air circulation device and the second chamber includes a fluidic outlet in fluidic communication with the interior space. A first airflow control vane is disposed in the first chamber to direct the airflow from the air circulation device in a first direction. A second airflow control vane is disposed in the second chamber to direct the airflow in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. A single operator-directed device is operatively coupled to the first airflow control vane and the second airflow control vane, and is disposed to independently adjust the positions of the first and second airflow control vanes.

Abstract: An electric power management system for a vehicle includes a first power bus arranged in parallel with a second power bus between first and second nodes. A third power bus couples a first battery and an auxiliary load at the second node. The second power bus couples a starter, a second battery and a generator at the first node, and selectively couples the first node to the second node when a first switch is activated. The second battery couples to the first node when a second switch is activated and the engine starter couples to the first node when a starter switch is activated. The second power bus couples the first node to the second node when a third switch is activated. A controller monitors states of charge of the first battery and the second battery and controls activations of the first switch, the second switch and the third switch.

Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot, an end-effector assembly disposed at a distal end of a main boom, rotatable parallel frame rails, and tool support branches. Tool modules are connected to a tool support branch and rotatable/translatable with respect to a respective branch axis. A configuration tool has a control block engaged by a wrist of the robot and a work tool. A controller commands the robot to automatically configure the end-effector assembly by adjusting the frame rails and/or tool support branches or tool modules using the work tool, doing so in response to an identified work task. Engagement of the wrist with the tool changer is commanded and the identified work task is executed using the end-effector assembly. A configuration stand may automatically flip the end-effector assembly to a configuration location, command engagement of the wrist with the tool changer, and configure the end-effector assembly.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system for an internal combustion system includes an exhaust duct, an oxidation catalyst disposed in the exhaust duct and a particulate filter disposed in the exhaust duct downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The internal combustion engine is operated to perform a regeneration process of the particulate filter. A first value of exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust duct between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter is determined. A second value of exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust duct downstream of the particulate filter is determined. A malfunctioning of the oxidation catalyst is determined when the first value of exhaust gas temperature is below a first predetermined threshold value thereof and contemporaneously the second value of exhaust gas temperature is above a second predetermined threshold value thereof during the regeneration process.

Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle includes a load-bearing component operatively positioned in a wheel cavity rearward of a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity. The load-bearing component is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Abstract: A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system is described and includes a plurality of fluidly coupled exhaust purifying devices and an exhaust gas sensor. A method of controlling the engine includes, activating, via a heater controller, a heating element of the exhaust gas sensor in response to starting the internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas feedstream is monitored to determine a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor. Engine control to effect heating of one of the exhaust purifying devices is permitted only when a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor is greater than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A sunroof transmission assembly includes a housing, a first gear set supported by the housing, and a first motor attached to the housing and disposed in meshing engagement with the first gear set. A first flexible cable drive is disposed in meshing engagement with a first output gear of the first gear set, and is operable to move a first sunroof component in response to a rotational output from the first motor. A second gear set is supported by the housing. A second motor is attached to the housing, and is disposed in meshing engagement with the second gear set. A second flexible cable drive is disposed in meshing engagement with a second output gear of the second gear set, and is operable to move a second sunroof component in response to a rotational output from the second motor.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a battery employed in an application includes calculating a differential voltage during a charging event, evaluating the differential voltage to determine a peak state of the differential voltage, determining a state of charge of the battery based upon the peak state of the differential voltage, and controlling operation of the application in response to the state of charge.

Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed for a diesel exhaust fluid injector located in an exhaust pipe of a diesel internal combustion engine. The control apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to: energize a solenoid of the injector to perform a diesel exhaust fluid injection; determine an electric voltage value indicative of the electric voltage applied to the injector solenoid during the diesel exhaust fluid injection; determine an electric current value indicative of the electric current flowing through the injector solenoid during the diesel exhaust fluid injection; calculate an electric resistance value of the injector solenoid as a function of the determined electric voltage value and the electric current value; and estimate an injector temperature value as a function of the calculated electric resistance value.

Abstract: A method for predicting the duration of a future charging process for a vehicle battery. The method comprises estimating a future charge amount of the battery corresponding to the start of the future charging process. The method further comprises estimating a future temperature of the battery. The method still further comprises determining a future charging power or a characteristic thereof to be applied to the battery during the future charging process, wherein the future charging power or characteristic thereof is based on the estimated future charge amount and the estimated future temperature and is representative of a charging amount or characteristic thereof that will maintain the temperature of the battery at or below a threshold temperature during the future charging process. The method still further comprises predicting a duration of the future charging process based on the estimated future charge amount and the determined future charging power or characteristic thereof.

Abstract: A console assembly generally includes a console body and an armrest movably coupled to the console body. The console body defines an interior console cavity. The armrest can rotate relative to the console body about an axis of rotation between a closed, locked position and an open, unlocked position. Moreover, the armrest can move linearly relative to the console body between the open, unlocked position and an open, locked position. In the closed, locked position, the armrest covers the interior console cavity of the console body. When the armrest is in the open, unlocked position, the interior console cavity is accessible. When the armrest is in the open, locked position, the interior console cavity is accessible and the armrest is locked to the console body.