Abstract: A thermal management device for use in a vehicular or other thermal management circuit utilizes a pump, one or more valves, and one or more pressure/temperature sensors to route coolant through different desired flow paths and maintain components within the thermal circuit at appropriate temperatures.

Abstract: Methods and systems of an active aerodynamic wheel cap device are provided. The active aerodynamic wheel cap device can be mounted to a vehicle wheel and configured to actuate from a flap-open to a flap-closed state. The flap-open state provides an air vent path from an outer portion of a wheel to an internal component of the wheel, especially at low speeds or during braking. The flap-closed state provides a substantially gapless aerodynamic cap for the wheel of the vehicle at highway speeds or during acceleration. The actuation of the active aerodynamic wheel cap device may be based on an all-mechanical controlled centripetal force movement mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing multi-battery systems, such as those utilized in an electric vehicle. Multi-battery systems comprise batteries providing power in parallel, thereby making each battery available to the vehicle and avoiding the weight of transporting a backup battery. The methods and systems provided allow for a fault in one battery, in a parallel configuration with at least one other battery, to be detected and managed.

Abstract: Embodiments herein can determine an optimal route for an autonomous electric vehicle. The system may score viable routes between the start and end locations of a trip using a numeric or other scale that denotes how viable the route is for autonomy. The score is adjusted using a variety of factors where a learning process leverages both offline and online data. The scored routes are not based simply on the shortest distance between the start and end points but determine the best route based on the driving context for the vehicle and the user.

Abstract: In a vehicle having a display mounted forward of a passenger seat on a dashboard and angled toward a driver seat adjacent the passenger seat, the display is moveable from the angled position to a position flush with the dashboard, and an airbag system is configured to deploy an airbag cushion that displaces the display from the angled position to the position flush with the dashboard to ensure that the airbag cushion has an adequate backup or support surface.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and systems for controlling a rotary dial input device. A dial of the rotary dial input device has a specific mass that, in conjunction with a low-friction rotational bearing system, provides a momentum scrolling effect when physically spun and released. Upon spinning the dial freely, without subsequent user contact, the mass and velocity of the rotating dial provides momentum that causes the dial to continue to rotate for one or more revolutions. During this rotation a corresponding effect is provided, or dynamically rendered, to a user interface display device. Such an effect scrolls a list of objects displayed at the same, or a substantially similar, rate of speed to that of the dial rotating under momentum.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. Inflow current occurs when components of differing voltage are connected absent mitigating components. Batteries and other components may be damaged by unrestrained inflow current. By performing a pre-charge, a battery line is gradually brought up to the voltage source potential. Additionally, by determining the observed voltage, while a lesser voltage is applied, to a connected component, a determination may be made if charging should or should not continue. If the observed voltage is less than that applied, a problem may be present and charging discontinued. As a result, high-voltage current that may be inadvertently exposed may be curtailed.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the use of autonomous features of advanced driver assistance systems and the tracking thereof. For example, a vehicle may be equipped with several driver assistance systems in which a driver of the vehicle may be assisted. The vehicle may automatically change the number of active assistance systems or suggest to the driver one or more assistance systems to activate based on several factors, including poor driving on behalf of the driver or poor driving conditions due to weather or road quality. Statistics regarding the use of such advanced driver assistance systems may be monitored and tracked and stored on an onboard database or transmitted continuously or periodically to various entities. For example, the system may operate to allow an insurance company to track the driving performance and the use of the advanced driver assistance systems to update actuarial models to more accurately adjust rates.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells, each of the energy storage cells having side surface areas. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced a specified distance apart from one another. An expandable material is adhered, by an adhesive backing, to at least a portion of the side surface areas of one or more of the energy storage cells, and the expandable material expands within and at least part of the specified distance.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to an autonomous vehicle or self-driving vehicle. The system can determine a collision avoidance path by: 1) predicting the behavior/trajectory of other moving objects (and identifying stationary objects); 2) given the driving trajectory (issued by autonomous driving system) or predicted driving trajectory (human), establishing the probability for a collision that can be calculated between the vehicle and one or more objects; and 3) finding a path to minimize the collision probability.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems of a light imaging and ranging system are provided. In particular, the imaging and ranging system includes a LIDAR sensor and a low-profile optics assembly having a reflective element with a continuous and uninterrupted reflective surface surrounding a periphery of a LIDAR sensor in a light path of the LIDAR sensor. The reflective element is positioned at a distance offset from the periphery of the LIDAR sensor and directs light emitted by the LIDAR sensor to a second reflective element that is substantially similar in shape and size as the reflective element. The second reflective element is arranged above and opposite the reflective element directing the light emitted by the LIDAR sensor to a sensing environment outside the imaging and ranging system.

Abstract: A pedal assembly for use in a motorized vehicle comprises a horizontal member, a pedal connected to the horizontal member at a first position, and a spring having a first end and a second end. The spring is connected at the first end to the pedal, and is connected at the second end to the horizontal member at a second position. Depressing the pedal within a first range of angles causes the spring to exert a reactive force within a first range of values increasing at a rate having a first maximum slope. Depressing the pedal within a second range of angles causes the spring to exert a reactive force within a second range of values increasing at a rate having a second maximum slope.

Abstract: A device includes a microprocessor and a computer readable medium coupled to the microprocessor. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon that cause the microprocessor to receive output from at least one sensor monitoring a travel context of a vehicle and determine, based on the output received, a condition of the vehicle. The instructions cause the microprocessor to determine, based on the determined condition of the vehicle, modified driving operations to improve the operation of the vehicle. The instructions cause the microprocessor to construct a message describing the determined modified driving operations and communicate one or more modified driving operations to an operator for potential implementation.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the use of autonomous features of advanced driver assistance systems and the tracking thereof. For example, a vehicle may be equipped with several driver assistance systems in which a driver of the vehicle may be assisted. The vehicle may automatically change the number of active assistance systems or suggest to the driver one or more assistance systems to activate based on several factors, including poor driving on behalf of the driver or poor driving conditions due to weather or road quality. Statistics regarding the use of such advanced driver assistance systems may be monitored and tracked and stored on an onboard database or transmitted continuously or periodically to various entities. For example, the system may operate to allow an insurance company to track the driving performance and the use of the advanced driver assistance systems to update actuarial models to more accurately adjust rates.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to recording event data to identify and resolve anomalies associated with control of driverless vehicles. Some examples include computing vehicular drive parameters to facilitate driverless transit, monitoring control signals, detecting an event, triggering storage of event data, determining transmission control criteria, and transmitting the event data based on the transmission control criteria. Other examples include receiving event data via a communications network from an autonomous vehicle, identifying a computed vehicular drive parameter, extracting sensor data associated with the event, detecting application of control signals, analyzing the control signals, the sensor data, and the subset of computed vehicular drive parameters to identify a type of event, and generating update executable instructions responsive to the type of event.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. Systems and methods are provided to detect a braking next-to-last vehicle that may cause the last vehicle (the preceding vehicle) to collide with the next-to-last vehicle, panic brake, make a sudden lane change, or otherwise endanger a vehicle following the preceding vehicle. Automated means for computer based vision and detection of brake lights are provided for a next-to-last vehicle. Brake lights are identified; if illuminated to a sufficient level to indicate braking, systems of the operated vehicle are alerted; and appropriate responses may be deployed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomously steering a moving vehicle are disclosed. A processor determines a longitudinal velocity, a longitudinal acceleration, a lateral acceleration, and a yaw rate of the vehicle. The processor estimates, based on the longitudinal velocity, lateral acceleration, and yaw rate of the vehicle, a change in lateral velocity over time. The processor estimates, based on the change in the lateral velocity over time, the yaw rate, a distance between the front axle of the vehicle and a center of gravity of the vehicle, and a distance between the rear axle of the vehicle and the center of gravity of the vehicle, a lateral front velocity of the vehicle and a lateral rear velocity of the vehicle. Using calculations, a state estimation model for the vehicle is updated by the processor using a lateral acceleration bias. The updated state estimation model is used to autonomously steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that determines a first triggering event in predetermined triggering event information has occurred, in response to a first event, automatically forwards a first communication to a selected third party vendor to preorder a product or service of the selected third party vendor in connection with a transaction with the user, determines a second triggering event in the triggering event information has occurred, and in response to the later second event, automatically sends an authorization to complete the transaction by providing financial information to the selected third party vendor.

Abstract: Generally speaking, embodiments of the present disclosure include a network security system that can comprise a hardware appliance installed in a vehicle and connected with the busses, networks, communication systems, and other components of the vehicle. This in-vehicle network security appliance can provide an access point to the networks of the vehicle, such as the Controller Area Networks (CANs), Local Interconnect Networks (LINs) and other networks, monitor inbound and outbound traffic on those networks, and provide a firewall between those networks and external networks or systems as well as between different networks and systems within the vehicle. In this way, the network security appliance can protect the vehicle networks from different sources of attack from outside and inside the vehicle via components that are less secure like the infotainment system or diagnostic port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a more accurate presentation of a vehicle's surroundings when the presentation combines images from multiple cameras. Cameras may capture the same portion of the environment. If an object is within view of at least two cameras, each camera produces a portion of an overall view, such as a 360 degree synthetic top-down view. The seam, angle and/or geometry, angle between any two images is dynamically determined, such as due to proximity (or lack thereof) to an object. As a result the synthetic top-down view may present an image of an object more prominently and/or avoid having the seam between camera images fall on the image of the object, which may otherwise result in the image of the object being omitted from both camera images.