Abstract: This application discusses various ways to adjust the performance of a variable input control in accordance with previous use data. In some embodiments, the previous use data can be associated with particular users of the variable input control. In this way, a response provided by the user input control can be adjusted to accommodate particular patterns of use on a user by user basis. In some embodiments, the variable input control can take the form of an accelerator pedal of a vehicle. Performance of the accelerator pedal can be adjusted by changing an amount of engine power provided for a particular accelerator pedal position. The adjustment can arrange commonly utilized power settings in the middle of the accelerator pedal range of motion to make manipulation of the accelerator pedal more comfortable and convenient for each user of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.

Abstract: A crash elements structure in an electric vehicle for reducing the damage to a vehicle battery caused by a vehicle collision. The crash elements structure may be situated near a corner of the vehicle battery, and may channel energy received by the vehicle away from the vehicle battery. The crash elements structure includes an upper structure positioned above and laterally offset from a lower structure, and a “W” structure that interfaces between the vehicle battery and the upper and lower structures. The upper and lower structures include several shells coupled together to form hexagonal apertures. The specific arrangement of the shells and the upper and lower structures influences the transfer of energy through the crash elements structure in the event of a collision.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the operating speed and the torque of an electric motor using an operational model are described. An operational model for the electric motor, including a plot of engine performance parameters, is used for reference, and a most efficient output path, which may pass through an optimal operation region in the operational model, is selected. The most efficient output path may be determined, for example, according to locations of a current output state and a to-be-reached target state in the operational model, enabling the operating state of the motor to reach the target state from the current operating state. By selecting a more efficient output path, the operating efficiency of the motor may be optimized, the life of a battery improved and/or the operating mileage of the vehicle may be increased, without significantly reducing the driving experience.

Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.

Abstract: Described herein is an onboard vehicle system capable of gathering driver behavior to be provided to a service provider computer. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system includes one or more input sensors, such as camera devices, configured to capture image information surrounding the onboard system. Upon detecting another vehicle within the image information, the onboard system may determine a vehicle identifier and determine, based on the vehicle's movements, that the vehicle is exhibiting anomalous behavior. Upon detecting anomalous behavior of a vehicle within its vicinity, the onboard system may transmit an indication of the anomalous behavior and a vehicle identifier to the service provider computer to be stored in a database. In some embodiments, the information provided to the service provider computer may be accessed by one or more users over a public network.

Abstract: Vehicle battery management systems (BMS) and methods are described, in which the output of a vehicle battery is reduced by activating a shutdown mode. A BMS may be configured to start a timer when the vehicle is turned off, e.g. based on when the main power between the vehicle and the battery is interrupted or based on a signal from the vehicle control system. The BMS may further be configured to store BMS data (e.g. variable data related to operation and/or status of the battery) to an electronic storage device, and to switch the battery to a shutdown mode, when the timer reaches a predetermined value. The BMS may be further configured to load the BMS data from the electronic storage device and/or to deactivate the shutdown mode when the vehicle is turned back on.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the operating speed and the torque of an electric motor using an operational model are described. An operational model for the electric motor, including a plot of engine performance parameters, is used for reference, and a most efficient output path, which may pass through an optimal operation region in the operational model, is selected. The most efficient output path may be determined, for example, according to locations of a current output state and a to-be-reached target state in the operational model, enabling the operating state of the motor to reach the target state from the current operating state. By selecting a more efficient output path, the operating efficiency of the motor may be optimized, the life of a battery improved and/or the operating mileage of the vehicle may be increased, without significantly reducing the driving experience.

Abstract: Vehicle operating systems for operating a vehicle having a driving seat for a vehicle driver and at least one passenger seat for passengers are described. The vehicle operating system may include one or more camera devices for shooting images of hand actions of the driver or images of hand actions of a passenger, and a storage device for storing operating signals corresponding to hand actions. A processing device may be configured to select the driver or the passengers as a gesture command operator, and to control the camera device to shoot hand action images of the selected gesture command operator. The command system may also be configured to convert the shot hand action images into corresponding operating signals according to hand action indicia stored in the storage device. The operating signals may be sent to execution devices, that execute the corresponding operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the operating speed and the torque of an electric motor using an operational model are described. An operational model for the electric motor, including a plot of engine performance parameters, is used for reference, and a most efficient output path, which may pass through an optimal operation region in the operational model, is selected. The most efficient output path may be determined, for example, according to locations of a current output state and a to-be-reached target state in the operational model, enabling the operating state of the motor to reach the target state from the current operating state. By selecting a more efficient output path, the operating efficiency of the motor may be optimized, the life of a battery improved and/or the operating mileage of the vehicle may be increased, without significantly reducing the driving experience.

Abstract: Voice command recognition with dialect translation is disclosed. User voice input can be translated to a standard voice pattern using a dialect translation unit. A control command can then be generated based on the translated user voice input. In certain embodiments, the voice command recognition system with dialect translation can be implemented in a driving apparatus. In those embodiments, various control commands to control the driving apparatus can be generated by a user with a dialect input. The generated voice control commands for the driving apparatus can include starting the driving apparatus, turning on/off A/C unit, controlling the A/C unit, turning on/off entertainment system, controlling the entertainment system, turning on/off certain safety features, turning on/off certain driving features, adjusting seat, adjusting steering wheel, taking a picture of surroundings and/or any other control commands that can control various functions of the driving apparatus.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery system, a battery pack, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed herein. The rechargeable battery system and/or battery pack can be for an electric vehicle. The rechargeable battery system and/or battery pack can include a plurality of battery cells arranged into one or more rows and a busbar. The battery cells can each include a first terminal and a second terminal, and the plurality of battery cells can include a subset of battery cells with the first terminal oriented in a same direction. The busbar can be conductive so as to be able to conduct electrical energy to and from at least the subset of battery cells. The busbar can define a busbar cooling duct having an entrance and an exit. The busbar cooling duct can in thermal connection with a plurality of contacts of the busbar.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide an airbag system configured for a dashboard with a surface made of wood. The airbag system can comprise an airbag made of thin film. The thin film can be fitted in a layer of the dashboard. Tear lines may be formed around the wood dashboard where the air bag is located. The air bag may burst out of the wood dashboard when filled with gas.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide a system to facilitate a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Information regarding individual EV stations can be gathered and stored in one or more databases. Such information may be used to facilitate routing and/or scheduling of individual EV charging to the EV charging stations. A request may be received over a network to charge an EV. In response to receiving the request, one or more charging stations in the network may be determined as being available for charging the EV. Information regarding the one or more charging stations may be “pushed” to the EV and/or a client computing device associated with the EV for selection. A selection of a particular EV charging station can be received and the selected EV charging station can be accordingly reserved for charging the EV.

Abstract: A battery system that includes a battery housing. The battery housing includes a first battery housing member, and a second battery housing member. The first and second battery housing members couple together to form the battery housing. The battery system includes a fast charger system. The fast charger system includes a first fast charger contactor within the battery housing that couples to a positive polarity terminal; and a second fast charger contactor within the battery housing that couples to a negative polarity terminal. The fast charger connector couples to the first fast charger contactor, the second fast charger contactor, and to a high voltage direct current source to charge at least one battery cell.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery pack is disclosed. The method includes placing first and second sets of battery cells in first and second battery cell holders of a battery system assembly press, placing a cooling duct in a gap between the first and second sets of battery cells, and applying a first and second forces to the first and second sets of battery cells to cause the first and second sets of battery cells to respectively press against first and second sides of the cooling duct. The method also includes, while applying the first and second forces, placing the first and second plurality of battery cells in a first tray configured to hold the first and second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery pack for an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes placing a cooling duct between first and second pluralities of battery cells, and applying a first force to the first plurality of battery cells and a second force to the second plurality of batteries. The first and second forces cause the first and second pluralities of battery cells to press against the cooling duct, the first plurality of battery cells is pressed against a first side of the cooling duct, the second plurality of battery cells is pressed against a second side of the cooling duct, and the first side of the cooling duct is opposite the second side of the cooling duct. The method also includes placing the first and second plurality of battery cells in a first tray configured to hold the first and second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A seat mounting system for an electric vehicle including a longitudinal support beam coupled with a chassis of the vehicle, a front cross beam extending from a right side of a passenger compartment of the vehicle to a left side of the passenger compartment, and a rear cross beam extending from the right side to the left side. A connector is disposed between the longitudinal support beam and both cross beams. The connector couples the longitudinal support beam with both cross beams. At least one seat rail is mounted to the connector and extends across the front cross beam and the rear cross beam. The seat rail is mounted to the connector such that a forward portion of the at least one seat rail extends higher than a rear portion of the at least one seat rail. The seat rail mounts a seat within the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A firewall for an electric vehicle includes a front cross beam having a left portion, a medial portion, and a right portion. The left portion and the right portion are bent rearward relative to the medial portion. A floor structure includes an upper mounting interface and a lower mounting interface separated by an angled medial section that slopes downward from front to back. The upper mounting interface is coupled with a bottom end of the front cross beam. A subfloor cross beam is positioned underneath the floor structure and coupled with the lower mounting interface such that the subfloor cross beam is spaced laterally rearward of the medial portion of the front cross beam. The firewall is configured to separate a passenger compartment of the electric vehicle from a motor compartment of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A rear passenger seat air ventilation system for an electric vehicle includes a rigid tunnel positioned within a passenger compartment of the electric vehicle. The rigid tunnel covers a portion of a battery assembly that extends above a floor structure of the electric vehicle such that the passenger compartment is sealed from the battery assembly. The rigid tunnel defines a forward opening and a rear opening connected by a conduit extending along at least a portion of a length of the rigid tunnel. The conduit is disposed within an interior of the rigid tunnel. A center console is positioned above at least a portion of the rigid tunnel. An air supply system interfaces with the forward opening and to deliver air to the conduit. At least one air vent receives air from the conduit and deliver the air to a rear seating area of the passenger compartment.