Abstract: A motor vehicle structure is disclosed which includes a cross member, at least one side member connected to the cross member via a crash box. At least one strut supports a lateral region of the cross member, and the strut is connected to a molded part which is connected to the crash box and/or the side member.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain includes the following steps: receiving a torque request; determining a plurality of possible motor torques for the first and second electric machines capable of achieving the torque requested; determining system power losses of the powertrain for all the possible motor torques for the first and second electric machines capable of achieving the torque requested; determining a lowest power loss of the system power losses determined for the plurality of possible motor torques for the first and second electric machines; determining a first operating torque for the first electric machine and a second operating torque for the second electric machine that correspond with the lowest power loss; and commanding the first electric machine to generate the first operating torque and the second electric machine to generate the second operating torque in order to achieve the torque requested while minimizing the system power losses.

Abstract: A number of variations of the invention may include a method including providing a front lower control arm attachment system including a sleeve locator stamping and at least one threaded sleeve extending there through, and attaching the front lower control arm attachment system to a vehicle engine cradle. A number of variations of the invention may include a front lower control arm attachment system including a sleeve locator stamping and at least one threaded sleeve extending through the sleeve locator stamping and secured thereto.

Abstract: Methods of crack avoidance during resistance spot welding are provided. The compressive stress from the spot welding is distributed across an electrode assembly having an enlarged footprint. The electrode assembly includes a conductive core and a non-conductive cover. The delivery of current through the electrode assembly is localized to the conductive core.

Abstract: A clutch for selective transmission of torque and power, utilizing pairs of coded arrays of permanent magnets affixed respectively to the driving member and the driven member. A shape memory alloy actuator brings to driving member and the driven member into proximity to engage the clutch via a higher-order mutual magnetic correspondence between the coded magnetic regions of the permanent magnet arrays. Also provided is a clutch having a magnetorheological fluid between the driving member and the driven member, to increase the torque and power transfer through the fluid when its viscosity is increased by the magnetic field of the arrays in proximity. Sets of corresponding teeth on the driving member and driven member mesh when the rotation of the members is synchronized, providing positive direct drive to prolong the service life of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle includes a plurality of range selection buttons configured to individually select corresponding ones of a plurality of ranges. A plurality of sensing circuits are configured to generate sense signals based on positions of corresponding ones of the plurality of range selection buttons. A park range selection button is configured to select a park range. A park sensing circuit is configured to generate sense signals based on a position of the park range selection button. A button state module is configured to output state signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons based on the sense signals from the plurality of sensing circuits. A control module is configured to select a range based on the sense signals from the park sensing circuit and the state signals from the button state module.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module and an actuator module. The MPC module generates predicted parameters based on a model of a subsystem and a set of possible target values. The MPC module generates a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted parameters and at least one of weighting values and references values. The MPC module adjusts the at least one of the weighting values and the reference values based on a desired rate of change in an operating condition of the subsystem. The MPC module selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The actuator module adjusts an actuator of the subsystem based on at least one of the target values.

Abstract: A system and method for managing power flow in a fuel cell vehicle. The method provides a difference between a power limit signal and an actual power signal to a PI controller to generate a power offset signal. The method determines whether a fuel cell stack is able to provide enough power to satisfy a power request, and if so, adds the power request and the power offset signal to generate a stack power request signal to cause the upper power limit signal to move towards and be matched to the actual power signal. If the stack is not able to provide enough power to satisfy the load power request signal, the method subtracts the power offset signal from the power limit signal to provide a load limit signal to cause the actual stack power signal to move towards and be matched to the upper power limit signal.

Abstract: An electric machine electrically connects to an inverter via a multi-phase power circuit. A method for monitoring the multi-phase power circuit includes non-intrusively adjusting a commanded AC electric current from the inverter after a prescribed time period and comparing a measured magnitude of AC electric current in the multi-phase power circuit with a minimum threshold. Presence of an open circuit fault in the multi-phase power circuit can be detected based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a coupling member and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a differential gear set is provided. The axle assembly includes a housing cover having a first surface. A housing is provided having an interior portion sized to receive the differential gear set. The housing includes an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface. The end has an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion. The housing further includes a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity defining a labyrinth passageway that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, at least a portion of the passageway being defined by the housing cover.

Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a trim component includes forming a skin layer of the trim component, and spraying a foam layer on the skin layer according to a first spray pattern that establishes a first gap in the foam layer arranged as a predetermined tear pattern. The skin layer extends across the first gap. A corresponding trim component has a skin layer with an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, and a foam layer sprayed on the inner surface of the skin layer according to a predetermined spray pattern so that the foam layer has a first gap arranged as a predetermined tear pattern, with the skin layer extending across the first gap.

Abstract: A side member of a vehicle chassis structure is disclosed as having a front section, two rear sections running on the same side of the vehicle center, and a branching section that connects the front and rear sections. The branching section includes a y-shaped floor part and at least one side wall part, which extends along an edge of the floor part, and encompasses both a side wall attached to a rising flange of the floor part and a flange angled away from the side wall and attached to a base plate of the floor part.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door is configured to hingedly mount to the body of a motor vehicle. The door includes a door structure having a hinge reinforcement arranged on an interior side of the door structure. The hinge reinforcement includes a respective mounting flange section abutting the door structure on at least two opposing outer edges and a force absorption area between the at least two opposing mounting flange sections. The force absorption area is situated at a distance from the door structure to define a hollow space there between. The force absorption area is supported against the door structure by at least one bushing.

Abstract: An actuating device for actuating and unlocking an unlocking mechanism for a vehicle seat that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The vehicle seat is supported in a first and in a second rail assembly such that it can be displaced from a first seat position into a second seat position. The actuating device actuates the one unlocking mechanism in an active position and unlocks the vehicle seat such that it can be displaced from the first seat position into the second seat position. The actuating device includes a hand lever for transferring the actuating device from the idle position into the active position. The actuating device includes a crosstie for engaging into the first and the second rail assembly and a hand lever arranged angular to the crosstie. The hand lever and the crosstie are realized in the form of a common plastic molding.

Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle is disclosed. The airbag module includes a module housing, a gas generator in response to an impact of the vehicle, and an airbag for expanding with the gas. The airbag and the gas generator are arranged in the module housing. The airbag, module includes an actuator member for carrying out a linear movement and for actuating an unlocking mechanism of an engine bonnet or hood of the vehicle. The actuator member in a position of rest is arranged within the module housing and in an activation position is arranged at least in sections outside the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a trim component includes the following steps: (a) forming an outer skin layer in the shape of a trim component; (b) applying an inner skin layer on the outer skin layer; (c) spraying a foam layer on the inner skin layer; (d) disposing a substrate on the foam layer; and (e) wrapping portions of the inner skin layer, the outer skin layer, and the foam layer around at least one edge of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.