Abstract: An apparatus for post-processing of a decision-making model of an autonomous vehicle receives a decision-making model including a plurality of states. The model is processed using multivariate data that comprises values for at least three observations of a vehicle operational scenario. A slice of the model decision space is generated by fixing values of all except two observations, and modifying the values of the two observations to obtain multiple alternative solutions for the model. The alternative solutions and the modified values form the slice. Each alternative solution is associated with a respective first value of a first observation and a respective second value of a second observation. The apparatus also generates a solution to a modified decision-making model that is the model modified by, for at least one state and at least one of the two observations, modifying a probabilistic transition matrix, a probabilistic observation matrix, or both.

Abstract: A vehicle mobile device holder assembly includes a base, a first articulating section and a second articulating section. The base is shaped and dimensioned to fit within a beverage container recess of a center console of a passenger vehicle. The base has an open central area dimension and shaped to receive a beverage container. The base further includes an attachment portion. The first articulating section is attached to attachment portion of the base. The second articulating section is attached to the first articulating section and has a mobile device retaining section.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.

Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting assembly includes a roof structure, a headliner and a light source. The roof structure has a lower surface portion located inboard of the outer periphery. The headliner is supported to the outer periphery of vehicle roof structure. The headliner has a central opening defined by an inner edge portion of the headliner. The opening exposes a portion of the roof structure. The inner edge portion of the headliner is spaced apart from the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that a gap is defined between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner. The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield testing assembly includes a test table, a plurality of supports, a vehicle windshield, and a testing fixture. The test table is configured to be adjustable about a first axis and a second axis. The plurality of supports is movably connected to the test table. The vehicle windshield is supported by the plurality of supports. The testing fixture supported by the plurality of supports. The testing fixture includes a plurality of hollow sleeves configured to receive a testing object. Each of the hollow sleeves has an opening facing the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: A door structure is moveable to and from of a closed orientation covering a door opening and an open orientation exposing the door opening of a vehicle. The door structure has an inner door panel with an interior latch handle attachment area and an attenuation slot adjacent to the interior latch handle attachment area. The attenuation slot is defined between a first slot edge and a second slot edge. The interior latch handle is installed to the interior latch handle attachment area. A portion of the interior latch handle is located adjacent to the first slot edge of the attenuation slot. In response to an impact event proximate a central area of the door structure, the door structure and the interior latch handle attachment area deform such that the first slot edge and the interior latch handle move relative to the second slot edge of the attenuation slot.

Abstract: A drive train connector assembly includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure. The first connecting structure has an attachment protrusion with first and second edges. The first edge extends in a first direction. The second edge extends in a second direction. Both directions are perpendicular to the rotational axis. The first and second directions define a first acute angle therebetween. The second connecting structure defines recessed area. The attachment protrusion fits into the recessed area. The recessed area defines third and fourth edges. The third edge extends in a third direction and the fourth edge extends in a fourth direction. The third direction and the fourth direction define a second acute angle. With the attachment protrusion installed within the recessed area the first and third edges are parallel to one another and the second and fourth edges are parallel to one another.

Abstract: A vehicle front end module includes a radiator unit, a heat exchanger unit and a splash shield assembly. The heat exchanger unit is disposed in a vehicle forward direction of the radiator unit. The splash shield assembly is disposed in the vehicle forward direction of the radiator unit so that the splash shield is located between the heat exchanger and radiator unit.

Abstract: A reactive pedal algorithm is used to modify an accelerator pedal output (APO)-to-torque conversion to produce more deceleration for the same accelerator pedal position. Modifying the APO-to-torque conversion provides the driver of a vehicle the sensation that the vehicle is resisting approaching closer to a lead vehicle. The APO-to-torque conversion is modified based on a scene determination to classify vehicles as in-lane, neighbor-lane, or on-coming. Lane change assist methods and systems are used to modify the APO-to-torque conversion range based on a lead vehicle, a neighbor vehicle, or both.

Abstract: A releasable alignment clip secures a primary leaf spring to one or more secondary leaf springs of a suspension of a vehicle. The releasable alignment clip prevents separation of the primary leaf spring from the secondary leaf spring during normal operation while permitting relative sliding. The releasable alignment clip has a minimum separation force such that in response to a collision forcing a wheel forwardly, the releasable alignment clip deforms and permits separation of the primary leaf spring from the secondary leaf spring to avoid the primary leaf spring from breaking between the alignment clip and a point of attachment to the vehicle. The releasable alignment clip may have a reduced thickness, notches, or one or more perforations to achieve the minimum separation force.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric vehicle includes operating the vehicle in accordance with a current pedal map. A plurality of alternative pedal maps is defined. A variance for each of the plurality of alternative pedal maps is determined. Operation of the vehicle is switched from the current pedal map to one of the alternative pedal maps based on the determined variance.

Abstract: An accent lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a light module and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member and a diffuser that extends along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module. The transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module.

Abstract: An apparatus for traversing a vehicle transportation network by an autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a human-autonomy teaming manager. The manager includes a first processor configured to initiate a dialogue associated with a predefined dynamic task sequence that is responsive to a condition experienced by the AV while traversing from a starting location to an ending location within the vehicle transportation network. The sequence is one of a plurality of predefined dynamic task sequences that uses multiple agents to resolve the condition. The manager receives, from an interface accessible to a human agent, an input responsive to the dialogue. The input confirms the sequence as a selected predefined dynamic task sequence or selects an other of the plurality of predefined dynamic task sequences as the selected predefined dynamic task sequence. The manager delegates tasks of the selected predefined dynamic task sequence to resolve the condition.

Abstract: A battery bracket assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting bracket configured to be connected to a vehicle frame and to receive a battery. The mounting bracket includes a base, and a first wall extending upwardly from a first end of the base. A second wall extends upwardly from a second end of the base. First and second tabs extend from first and second ends of the first wall. The first and second tabs extend toward the second wall. Third and fourth tabs extend from first and second ends of the second wall. The third and fourth tabs extend toward the first wall. A third wall extends from a first side of the base. A fourth wall extends from a second side of the base. The first and third tabs are connected to the third wall and the second and fourth tabs are connected to the fourth wall.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a vehicle body and at least one sensor assembly that is supported on the vehicle body. The at least one sensor assembly is configured to detect an external object and includes a housing portion and a sensor that is supported within the housing portion such that the sensor is oriented at a fixed (e.g., downward) angle.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a first molding, a second molding and an end cap. The first molding is configured to be installed to a first door component. The second molding is configured to be installed to a second door component. The first and second moldings at least partially define a vehicle window opening. The end cap supports an end of the first molding to an end of the second molding. The end cap has an extension extending across a gap at least partially defined by the first and second moldings to fill the gap.

Abstract: A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.

Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: An all-solid-state battery comprises a lithium anode, a cathode, solid electrolyte and a protective layer between the solid electrolyte and the lithium anode. The protective layer comprises an ion-conducting material having an electrochemical stability window against lithium of at least 1.0 V, a lowest electrochemical stability being 0.0 V and a highest electrochemical stability being greater than 1.0 V. More particularly, when the solid electrolyte is LiSiCON, the electrochemical stability window is at least 1.5 V, the lowest electrochemical stability is 0.0 V and the highest electrochemical stability is greater than 1.5 V. When the solid electrolyte is sulfide-based, the electrochemical stability window is at least 2.0 V, the lowest electrochemical stability is 0.0 V and the highest electrochemical stability is greater than 2.0 V.

Abstract: A processor is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory to identify distinct vehicle operational scenarios; instantiate decision components, where each of the decision components is an instance of a respective decision problem, and where the each of the decision components maintains a respective state describing the respective vehicle operational scenario; receive respective candidate vehicle control actions from the decision components; select an action from the respective candidate vehicle control actions, where the action is from a selected decision component of the decision components, and where the action is used to control the AV to traverse a portion of the vehicle transportation network; and generate an explanation as to why the action was selected, where the explanation includes respective descriptors of the action, the selected decision component, and a state factor of the respective state of the selected decision component.