Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for alerting a driver to take control of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, a driver alertness level based on a weighted summation of a first set of feature data; determining, by the processor, a required alertness level based on a weighted summation of a second set of feature data; determining, by the processor, an escalation index based on the driver alertness level and the required alertness level; and generating, by the processor, alert notification data based on the escalation index.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle comprising an Electric Power Steering System (EPS). In an embodiment, a method includes determining, by the processor, a lateral acceleration reference based on reference path data and vehicle dynamics data; determining, by the processor, coefficient data based on at least one of measured lateral acceleration data and measured steering angle data, and measured torque data; determining, by the processor, a torque command based on the coefficient and the reference lateral acceleration data; and generating, by the processor, a steering command to the EPS based on the torque command.

Abstract: A system for an electrified vehicle includes a rechargeable energy storage device (RESS) electrically couplable via an electric power bus to a high-voltage actuator, a telematics system, and an on-vehicle controller. The on-vehicle controller includes an instruction set that is executable to: receive, via the telematics system, a notification of a proximal impending catastrophic event; determine an intent to safeguard the electrified vehicle; execute a high-voltage discharge protocol in response to the intent to safeguard the electrified vehicle, wherein the high-voltage discharge protocol includes operating the high-voltage actuator; monitor a state of charge (SOC) of the RESS; and electrically decouple the RESS from the electric power bus when the SOC of the RESS is less than a first threshold SOC.

Abstract: A system for managing communication between a vehicle and remote assistance unit includes a telematics unit connected to the vehicle. The telematics unit is engaged in a subscription service with the remote assistance unit. A command unit is in communication with the telematics unit, the command unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to determine if one or more deactivation conditions for the subscription service are met. Respective severity values for the deactivation conditions are determined. The command unit is adapted to calculate a cumulative severity index based in part on the respective severity values. An automated deactivation module is executed for the subscription service when the cumulative severity index exceeds a predefined severity threshold.

Abstract: A press-in-place seal for an interface between adjacent components, with the seal including a cylindrical structure arranged along a longitudinal axis and characterized by a J-shape in a cross-sectional view. The seal is arranged inside a first component and compressed by a second component when the PIP seal is installed within the interface. The J-shape includes a first stem section orthogonal to and extending toward the longitudinal axis for being compressed by the second component when the seal is installed within the interface. The J-shape also includes a second stem section longer than the first stem section, orthogonal to and extending toward the longitudinal axis, for stabilizing the structure when the seal is installed. The J-shape further includes a base third section arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis and connecting the first stem section to the second stem section, thereby defining a concavity between the first and second sections.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an electric vehicle are provided. The electric vehicle includes a sensor system, a communications system and a snow clearing system. The systems and methods detect, based on data from the sensor system, snow that may accumulate on a window of the electric vehicle. When snow is detected, a notification is provided, via the communications system, to a remote user device. The notification requests user acceptance of use of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle to operate the snow clearing system of the electric vehicle. The systems and methods receive, by the communications system, a response to the notification from the user device, and when the response indicates acceptance of the use of charge of the battery, the snow clearing system is activated. The snow clearing system is powered by the battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle comprising an Electric Power Steering System (EPS). In an embodiment, a method includes learning, by a processor, a non-linearity of a boost factor associated with the EPS; determining, by the processor, a deboost factor based on an inverse relationship of the learned non-linearity of the boost factor associated with the EPS; and generating, by the processor, a steering command to the EPS based on the deboost factor.

Abstract: A trailering velocity compensation system in a cruise control system is disclosed. The system includes a controller that is configured to: determine whether activation conditions for a trailering velocity compensation algorithm are met, and when the activation conditions are met, adjust a speed error used by the cruise control system; adjust a speed offset for application of brakes used by the cruise control system; adjust a speed offset for release of brakes used by the cruise control system; determine a set speed offset for inhibiting engine torque; determine a set speed offset for releasing engine torque inhibiting; adjust a headway time gap value used by the cruise control system; and control vehicle speed based on the adjusted speed error, adjusted speed offset for application of brakes, adjusted speed offset for release of brakes, set speed offset for inhibiting engine torque, set speed offset for releasing engine torque inhibiting, and adjusted headway time gap value.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inflatable airbag system in a motor vehicle having a seatbelt includes detecting a position of a vehicle occupant relative to an airbag suppression zone (ASZ). Electronic input signals are received from a sensor suite, including an occupant position signal and a seatbelt usage status signal. A restraint capacity setting of the airbag is adjusted in response to the electronic input signals such that corresponding restraint activation logic is executed by the controller based on whether the occupant is belted or unbelted. Different ASZs may be used for belted and unbelted occupants. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, an airbag, a seatbelt, a sensor suite for detecting a position of an occupant relative to the ASZ, and a controller operable for controlling a restraint capacity setting and location of the ASZ in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A method for holographic display calibration using phase modulation includes projecting an initial graphic on a windshield of a vehicle, capturing an image of the initial graphic with a camera inside a vehicle, determining a loss function value between the image of the initial graphic captured by the camera and a target graphic, modulating a phase of a light beam generating the initial graphic using the loss function value to generate an updated graphic, and displaying the updated graphic on the windshield of the vehicle.

Abstract: A windshield and roof system of a vehicle includes: a windshield that includes glass and that is transparent; a front cross-member that extends laterally between A-pillars of the vehicle, that is disposed rearward of the windshield, and that has a thickness in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle of less than 50 millimeters (mm); and a roof portion that is transparent, that is located rearward of the windshield, where the windshield and the roof portion are joined with the front cross-member.

Abstract: Hybrid electrochemical cells and modules include an anode two-sided current collector a coated with host material in anode region(s) and a cathode two-sided current collector coated with active material in cathode region(s), and one or more of the anode current collector and the cathode current collector is coated with capacitor material in one or more distinct, non-overlapping capacitor regions. A hybrid anode and/or cathode can include gaps between capacitor regions and anode regions and cathode regions. The capacitor material applied to an electrode is different from the host or active material thereof. Active material includes lithium metal oxides and lithium metal phosphates such as LiFePO4, Li(NixMnyCoz)O2, and/or LiMn2O4; host material includes graphite, silicon, silicon-Li/Sn/Cu alloys, Si/Co/Fe/TiSn oxides, and low-surface area carbon; and capacitor material includes activated carbon, metal oxides, and metal sulfides.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an interior heating system for occupant seats of a vehicle is provided. The interior heating system uses a weft co-knit fabric combined with at least one conductive electrode to heat selective regions of a vehicle seat. The interior heating system includes the weft co-knit fabric that contains a set of weft knit active or plated emitting yarn configured with at least one conductive electrode. The knit active or plated emitting yarn is co-knit with at least one parent yarn for enhanced uniformity of an electrical current applied to at least one conductive electrode from the weft co-knit fabric, and a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in an interdigitated layout to combine together each conductive electrode with a set of a plurality of conductive co-knit active emitting yarns which attach to each electrode tine of the conductive electrode in a select region.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling thermal conditioning of a battery system associated with brakes of a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, that a temperature of the battery system is outside of a defined temperature range; determining, by the processor, a delta value between a brake request and a battery charge limit; generating, by the processor, a control signal to at least one of a heater and a compressor of the vehicle based on the delta value; generating, by the processor, a control signal to the battery system to initiate regeneration braking; and generating, by the processor, a braking reduction request to reduce braking by the trailer.

Abstract: A method of forming a component includes providing a work-piece blank from a formable material. The method also includes engaging the work-piece blank with a transfer device. The method additionally includes austenitizing the work-piece blank in the transfer device via heating the blank to achieve austenite microstructure therein. The method also includes transferring the austenitized blank to a forming press using the transfer device. The method additionally includes forming the component via the forming press from the austenitized blank and quenching the formed component. A work-piece blank transfer system includes a transfer device having clamping arm(s) for engaging, holding, transferring, and releasing the work-piece blank. The transfer device also includes a heating element configured to austenitize the work-piece blank via heating the blank to achieve austenite microstructure therein.

Abstract: A battery electric system for a motor vehicle or another electrified system includes a battery pack connected to a direct current voltage bus, and having positive and negative battery terminals, a main pyrotechnic fuse (“pyro fuse”), a high-voltage (HV) component connected to the bus via an HV channel, a current sensing element connected to the HV component on the HV channel, and a control system configured to selectively disconnect the battery pack from the bus by transmitting a voltage signal to the main pyro fuse when a measured current value from the current sensor is indicative of a short-circuit fault. A channel switch may be connected to or integral with the current sensing element, and configured to disconnect the HV component from the bus by opening in response to the measured current value.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a heat pipe cooling system. A rotor core has a number of cavities internal to the rotor core. The cavities are surrounded by a wall defined by the rotor core. A magnetic element disposed in the at least one cavity leaving a void in the at least one cavity between the magnetic element and the wall. A heat pipe evaporator is disposed in the void and conforms to the available space, contacting the magnetic element and the wall to remove heat from the rotor core.