Abstract: A device for holding a workpiece includes a holder including a base including a magnetic element. A conformable jamming element attaches to the base and includes a closed impermeable pliable membrane containing magnetic particles. A controllable pressure device fluidly couples to the jamming element.

Abstract: An injection mold assembly for injection molding an object includes a first mold tool having a first tool surface and a second mold tool having a second tool surface. The first and the second tool surfaces are cooperatively configured to define a mold cavity between the tool surfaces for an injection molding of an object. The first mold tool has a tool element with a first side that has the first tool surface, and with a second side opposite the first side. Multiple fins extend from the second side of the tool element. A base supports the fins. The tool element, the fins and the base define a coolant flow cavity at the second side of the tool element. A method of designing the mold assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes first and second modules of a vehicle. The first module stores at least one seed value, calculates a key based on the at least one seed value, forms a seed key pair based on the calculated key and the at least one seed value, generates a data bus message including the seed key pair and data corresponding to operation of the first module, and transmits, over a distributed vehicle network, the data bus message. The second module receives the data bus message over the distributed vehicle network, retrieves the seed key pair from the data bus message, determines whether the calculated key matches an expected key, and selectively verifies integrity of the first module based on the determination of whether the calculated key matches the expected key.

Abstract: A robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle includes a base plate, a riser coupled with the base plate and extending substantially transverse to the base plate, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm extends from the riser and supports an end effector. The end effector includes a plurality of electrical contacts configured to couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle. The robotic arm is configured to move the end effector in three degrees of motion.

Abstract: An opening and/or closing device for a movable, flexurally rigid and at least regionally transparent wall element of a motor vehicle is provided. The device includes at least one supporting arm and at least one supporting body. The supporting arm and the supporting body encompass a first end that faces the wall element and is pivoted to the wall element, and encompass a second end that faces away from the wall element and is pivoted to a vehicle structure. By turning the supporting arm and the supporting body, the wall element is moved from an open functional position, in which a vehicle interior is accessible from outside for entry and/or egress and in which the wall element is situated in a frontal area of the motor vehicle, into a closed functional position, in which the vehicle interior is sealed to the outside by the wall element.

Abstract: A linear motion device includes a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of actuator units. Each of the plurality of actuator units includes at least one Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) element that is attached to a coupling mechanism. The at least one SMA element of each if the plurality of actuator units moves the coupling mechanism along the longitudinal axis, and into grasping engagement with the rod. Each actuator unit moves the rod a unit movement distance along the longitudinal axis in response to a control signal. The plurality of actuator units are actuated repeatedly in a cyclic order to move the rod in a continuous linear motion a distance greater than the unit movement distance of each of the plurality of actuator units.

Abstract: An example of a structure includes a first component including a first material, and a second component joined to the first component. The second component includes a second material that is dissimilar from the first material. A spacer is disposed between the first and second components, and the spacer eliminates galvanic corrosion of the first component at an interface between the first component and the second component. The spacer includes a first layer consisting of the first material, a second layer bonded to the first layer and consisting of a third material, and a third layer bonded to the second layer and consisting of the second material. The third material of the second layer is different from the first material and different from the second material. Other examples are directed to a method of making the structure, and a method for reducing galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: An integral air vent and lamp assembly for a vehicle passenger cabin includes a rotary vent housing and a hub defining an opening centered on a center axis of the vent housing having vent doors which open and close to admit or block airflow into the cabin. A lamp subassembly is disposed within the opening. The lamp subassembly may include a push-button micro-switch and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A light diffusing lens and LED board may be positioned within a recess of an elongated T-shaped housing, which may include an axial member received by and rotating in conjunction with a gear element. The diffusing lens and LED board may be circumscribed by a bezel. A vehicle includes a power source, a body defining a passenger cabin, an air circulation device configured to move air to the passenger cabin, and the integral air vent and lamp assembly positioned in the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A method for controlling an extended-range electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electronic sound enhancement system includes selecting a preferred engine order equalization, said preferred engine order equalization achieving a desired engine sound in a passenger compartment of the vehicle responsive to an operator input to an accelerator pedal and decoupled from actual engine operation responsive to a state of charge (SOC) of a propulsion battery. Sound is generated in the passenger compartment by the electronic sound enhancement system responsive to the preferred engine order equalization.

Abstract: Haptic feedback systems, vehicle seat assemblies, and vehicles are provided. The haptic feedback system includes a bottom seat member, a first motor, and a second motor. The bottom seat member includes a seat pan with a first side, a second side, a first bolster, and a second bolster. The first bolster is positioned on the first side of the seat pan and the second bolster is positioned on the second side of the seat pan, wherein the first bolster and the second bolster include a resilient material. The first motor supported by the resilient material of the first bolster and the second motor is supported by the resilient material of the second bolster.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine in response to a fast transient event from a low-load state to a high-load state includes operating the engine with a negative valve overlap between an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and determining a preferred combustion phasing responsive to the high-load state. A preferred EGR mass and a preferred intake valve timing corresponding to the preferred combustion phasing are determined. A first intake valve timing is determined in response to a difference between the preferred EGR mass and an actual EGR mass. The intake valve timing is controlled in response to a difference between the preferred intake valve timing and the first intake valve timing.

Abstract: A method of operating an automated guided cart may include directing, using a controller, the cart on a production operation path; automatically detecting a state-of-charge in an on-board battery pack; signaling to a remote station the state-of-charge; and when the state-of-charge is below a predetermined charge limit, the remote station automatically signaling the cart to automatically veer from the production operation path to a low battery charge path and stop at a battery station.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a modular component, and a central operating system. The modular component is supported by the chassis. The central operating system includes a component control system, a primary master controller, and a secondary master controller. The component control system is configured for controlling the modular component. The primary and secondary master controllers are in operative communication with the component control system. The primary and secondary master controllers are configured to simultaneously transmit commands to the component control system. The component control system is configured to accept commands from the secondary master controller only when a fault occurs in the primary master controller.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine assembly that defines a bore, and a piston disposed and moveable within the bore. The piston and the engine assembly cooperate to define a combustion chamber therebetween. A direct injection fuel system directs a fuel spray into the combustion chamber along a linear path. The combustion chamber includes a contoured surface having a plurality of annular recesses. The contoured surface divides and re-directs the fuel spray from the linear path into each of the annular recesses to form a plurality of independent rotating vortices.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vehicle warning system is provided. The system includes a vehicle having a door movable between a closed position and a fully open position, and an outer zone associated with the door. The outer zone defines an area providing a sufficient clearance to move the door to the fully open position. The system further includes an active safety system that monitors the outer zone and generates a warning signal if an object is located within the outer zone such that the door does not have sufficient clearance to move to the fully open position.

Abstract: Methods are provided for securely loading software objects into an electronic control unit. The methods include receiving a first software object comprising a second level public key certificate, a first encryption signature and a first set of software. Once the first software object is received, validating the first second level public key is validated with the embedded root public key, the first encryption signature with the first second level public key certificate, and the first set of software with the first encryption signature. When the first set of software is valid, then the first second level public key certificate and the first set of software are stored to non-volatile memory. Once stored, a consecutive software object is received comprising only a consecutive encryption signature and a consecutive set of software from the programming source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for suppression of steering wheel vibrations generated by periodic disturbances in a vehicle steering system. An exemplary method reducing steering wheel vibrations caused by periodic disturbances involves determining a gross torque attributable to the periodic disturbances in the steering system, identifying a desired amount of suppression of the vibrations at the steering wheel, determining an offset torque based on the gross torque and the desired amount of suppression, and generating a motor command signal in a manner that is influenced by the offset torque. The motor drive command signal is provided to an electric motor coupled the steering wheel and/or the vehicle tires, and the motor drive command signal influences the torque applied by the motor to assist steering of the vehicle tires by the steering wheel in a manner that attenuates the vibrations communicated to the steering wheel by the desired amount.

Abstract: At least first and second microphones with different frequency responses form part of a speech recognition system. The microphones are coupled to a processor that is configured to recognize a spoken word based on the microphone signals. The processor classifies the spoken word, and weights the signals from the microphones based on the classification of the spoken word.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improvements in battery state of charge accuracy, charge termination consistency, capacity estimation, and energy delivery consistency. More specifically, embodiments herein detail systems and methods using an algorithm to calculate the change in state of charge for a given voltage change (dSOC/dV) at a given temperature in a region around the present voltage measurement or estimation and to set a signal indicating when the measurement should not be used due to potential error.