Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing a collision with a gate of a vehicle are provided. The method includes: determining whether a hitch in a vehicle bed will be coupling with a trailer; determining whether a gate of the vehicle bed is in a closed position; and performing at least one from among displaying a warning of a potential collision and opening the gate of the vehicle bed, if it is determined that the hitch in the vehicle bed will be coupling with the trailer and the gate of the vehicle bed is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for augmenting a rear view display are provided. The method includes: detecting a condition for augmenting a rear view display; and in response to detecting the condition for augmenting the rear view display, receiving a first image from a first camera facing an first area behind a vehicle and displaying the received first image on the rear view display. The method may be used to augment rear view displays to provide an unobstructed view when a view displayed on the rear view display is obstructed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling movement of a liftgate are provided. The method includes: capturing an image of a pattern on a surface; determining a distance between the liftgate and the surface based on the image of the pattern; and controlling a movement of the liftgate based on the determined distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for augmenting a rear view display are provided. The method includes detecting a condition for augmenting a rear view display, in response to detecting the condition for augmenting the rear view display, combining a first image of a first camera facing a first area behind a vehicle and a second image of a second camera facing a second area behind a vehicle, and displaying the combined image on the rear view display. The method may be used to augment rear view displays to provide a wider field of view of an area behind a vehicle.

Abstract: A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing a collision with a gate of a vehicle are provided. The method includes: determining whether a hitch in a vehicle bed will be coupling with a trailer; determining whether a gate of the vehicle bed is in a closed position; and performing at least one from among displaying a warning of a potential collision and opening the gate of the vehicle bed, if it is determined that the hitch in the vehicle bed will be coupling with the trailer and the gate of the vehicle bed is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method includes: detecting a position of a moving, wireless charging-capable vehicle which travels over a primary coil of a wireless charging system operable to wirelessly charge the vehicle via a secondary coil installed in the vehicle; controlling the plurality of cross-coil junction units such that electric current flows through one or both of the top coil and the bottom coil in a manner which produces a first angle of magnetic flux for optimally wirelessly charging the vehicle given a position of the primary coil in relation to the detected position of the vehicle; and when a switching time occurs, controlling the plurality of cross-coil junction units to change the flow of electric current through one or both of the top coil and the bottom coil in a manner which produces a second angle of magnetic flux for optimally wirelessly charging the vehicle given the position of the primary coil in relation to an updated position of the vehicle as the vehicle traverses the primary coil.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, at a host vehicle, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) messages transmitted using V2V communication from one or more remote vehicles; identifying at least one vehicle of the one or more remote vehicles that is ahead of the host vehicle based on information included in the received V2V messages; selecting V2V messages among the received V2V messages that were received from the at least one identified vehicle; and controlling a powertrain system of the host vehicle based on information included in the selected V2V messages.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving vehicle information from a wireless charging-capable vehicle via a wireless communication means; calculating an air gap between a primary coil of a wireless charging system that is operable to wirelessly charge the vehicle and a secondary coil of the vehicle based on the received vehicle information; and causing electric current to flow only through a portion of the primary coil having a size that is less than or equal to a size of the entire primary coil. The size of the portion of the primary coil through which the electric current flows is determined based on the calculated air gap between the primary coil and the secondary coil.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, at a host vehicle, a plurality of messages transmitted using Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications indicating a heading angle and a speed of a remote vehicle; calculating an expected change in frequency of the plurality of messages received at the host vehicle based on the heading angle and the speed of the remote vehicle; measuring an actual change in frequency of the plurality of messages received at the host vehicle due to the Doppler effect; comparing the expected change in frequency to the actual change in frequency; and determining that the plurality of messages were not transmitted from the remote vehicle when a difference between the expected change in frequency and the actual change in frequency exceeds a predefined frequency change threshold.

Abstract: A safety system for an automotive vehicle includes: a dedicated radio to receive and transmit state data between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; an on-board unit (OBE) to perform a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications so that the host vehicle receives state data of the remove vehicle in a basic safety message (BSM) format; and a safety control unit. In particular, the safety control unit receives the state data of the host and remote vehicles, calculates a separation distance, a prediction horizon time, and then compares the prediction horizon time with a driver reaction time to generate a warning to a driver. More specifically, the safety control unit performs a cost value procedure when a deducted prediction horizon time is greater than zero to determine variable coefficients for estimating a future position and speed of the host and remote vehicles.

Abstract: A safety system for an automotive vehicle includes: a dedicated radio to receive and transmit state data between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; an on-board unit (OBE) to perform a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications so that the host vehicle receives state data of the remove vehicle in a basic safety message (BSM) format; and a safety control unit. In particular, the safety control unit receives the state data of the host and remote vehicles, calculates a separation distance, a prediction horizon time, and then compares the prediction horizon time with a driver reaction time to generate a warning to a driver. More specifically, the safety control unit performs a cost value procedure when a deducted prediction horizon time is greater than zero to determine variable coefficients for estimating a future position and speed of the host and remote vehicles.

Abstract: A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.

Abstract: A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.

Abstract: A center-bearing assembly includes an annular housing having a circumferential wall with a lip extending radially inward and includes a flange outboard of the circumferential wall. A roller bearing is sized to encircle a vehicle driveshaft and is disposed within the housing between the lip and the flange. An annular retainer is connected to the flange and includes an annular notch configured to shear in response to impact to the driveshaft allowing the bearing to release from the housing.

Abstract: A center-bearing assembly includes an annular housing having a circumferential wall with a lip extending radially inward and includes a flange outboard of the circumferential wall. A roller bearing is sized to encircle a vehicle driveshaft and is disposed within the housing between the lip and the flange. An annular retainer is connected to the flange and includes an annular notch configured to shear in response to impact to the driveshaft allowing the bearing to release from the housing.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, at a host vehicle, a plurality of messages transmitted using Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications indicating a heading angle and a speed of a remote vehicle; calculating an expected change in frequency of the plurality of messages received at the host vehicle based on the heading angle and the speed of the remote vehicle; measuring an actual change in frequency of the plurality of messages received at the host vehicle due to the Doppler effect; comparing the expected change in frequency to the actual change in frequency; and determining that the plurality of messages were not transmitted from the remote vehicle when a difference between the expected change in frequency and the actual change in frequency exceeds a predefined frequency change threshold.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for detecting an object within a wireless charging region of an electric vehicle. The method includes applying by a controller, a voltage to the wireless charging region to generate a capacitance value and measuring by the controller, the capacitance value of an electromagnetic shield disposed on the underside of the vehicle. Further, the controller monitors the capacitance value of the electromagnetic shield; and the controller detects a change in the capacitance value when the object enters the wireless charging region.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-conditioning a vehicle comprises a battery in the vehicle configured to store and supply electric power; a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive electric power from an external power supply device; a power controller configured to transfer the electric power received at the wireless power receiver to the battery and to control charging and discharging of the battery; and a pre-conditioner connected to the battery and configured to pre-condition a device which needs to be operated before the vehicle is operated by using off-board energy of the battery.

Abstract: A method includes detecting that a wireless charging-capable vehicle is in a charging position proximate a primary coil of a wireless charging system that is operable to wirelessly charge the vehicle via a secondary coil installed in the vehicle. The primary coil includes a top coil and a bottom coil that are substantially parallel to one another, the top coil and the bottom coil coupled to one another via a plurality of cross-coil junction units each including a switching element that routes electric current through at least a portion of one or more of the top coil and the bottom coil. The method further includes setting the switching elements such that current flowing through the primary coil produces an optimal angle of magnetic flux for wirelessly charging the vehicle given a position of the primary coil with respect to a position of the secondary coil, and causing electric current to flow through the primary coil according to the set switching elements to wirelessly charge the vehicle.