Abstract: A drivetrain assembly includes a transmission and a driveshaft that are joined together by a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that has a plurality of pre-assembled bolts. The driveshaft flange defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses and the bolts are secured to the driveshaft flange by a bolt retainer disposed in each of the countersink recesses between the transmission flange and the driveshaft flange. A method is disclosed for assembling a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses. A bolt is assembled into each of the holes and countersink recesses and a bolt retainer is attached to each of the bolts and nested inside the countersink recesses to retain the bolts on the driveshaft flange. The bolts on the driveshaft flange are then installed into the threaded holes of the transmission flange.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field controlling system and method are provided. The electromagnetic field controlling system includes a magnetic field sensor that is disposed proximate to or in a vehicle that charges electric power using a wireless charging system and is configured to detect the magnitude of an electromagnetic field. An output controller adjusts output power in a power transmission side of the wireless charging system based on a comparison between a predetermined value for an electromagnetic field and the magnitude of the electromagnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor. Accordingly, the magnitude of an electromagnetic field output from a vehicle wireless charging system is controlled within a safe range.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying a potential road hazard in a host vehicle based on a remote vehicle. The host vehicle has a host vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) module and a host advanced driver assistant system (ADAS) module, such as a system employing the ADASIS standard. The remote vehicle also has a remote V2V module that provides position data, and one or more of, longitudinal acceleration data, steering angle change rate data, braking system data, anti-lock braking status and stability control system status of the remote vehicle. The host vehicle receives the position data of the remote vehicle using the host V2V module and determines if the remote vehicle is in the main path zone (MPZ) of the host vehicle.

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 cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying a potential road hazard in a host vehicle based on a remote vehicle. The host vehicle has a host vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) module and a host advanced driver assistant system (ADAS) module, such as a system employing the ADASIS standard. The remote vehicle also has a remote V2V module that provides position data, and one or more of, longitudinal acceleration data, steering angle change rate data, braking system data, anti-lock braking status and stability control system status of the remote vehicle. The host vehicle receives the position data of the remote vehicle using the host V2V module and determines if the remote vehicle is in the main path zone (MPZ) of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A drivetrain assembly includes a transmission and a driveshaft that are joined together by a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that has a plurality of pre-assembled bolts. The driveshaft flange defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses and the bolts are secured to the driveshaft flange by a bolt retainer disposed in each of the countersink recesses between the transmission flange and the driveshaft flange. A method is disclosed for assembling a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses. A bolt is assembled into each of the holes and countersink recesses and a bolt retainer is attached to each of the bolts and nested inside the countersink recesses to retain the bolts on the driveshaft flange. The bolts on the driveshaft flange are then installed into the threaded holes of the transmission flange.

Abstract: A method includes: estimating a position of a driver's eyes in a vehicle during a parking event in a parking spot that includes a wireless charging assembly in which a primary coil is installed, projecting an image onto an interior surface of the vehicle at a location based on the estimated position of the driver's eyes to assist the driver in aligning the vehicle with the wireless charging assembly, transmitting signals from the vehicle toward a reference object located at a rear area of the parking spot and detecting echoed signals at the vehicle caused by the transmitted signals reflecting from a surface of the reference object, and listening for an alignment confirmation signal at the vehicle from the wireless charging assembly indicating that the vehicle is satisfactorily aligned with the wireless charging assembly.

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: An energy storage advisement (ESA) controller assists with operation of a vehicle having a turbine for generating electricity from engine exhaust, a storage device for storing the electricity, and a compressor driven by the storage device for turbo charging the engine. The ESA controller includes a memory configured to store program instructions and a processor configured to execute the program instructions. The program instructions, when executed, are configured to: receive first data related to a pathway upon which the vehicle is travelling and second data related to vehicle dynamics; calculate a first and second control signals based on the first and second data, wherein the first control signal is for modifying operation of the turbine and the second control signal is for modifying operation of the compressor; and provide the control signals to a power distribution module for controlling the turbine and compressor for efficient operation of the engine.

Abstract: A method includes: estimating a position of a driver's eyes in a vehicle during a parking event in a parking spot that includes a wireless charging assembly in which a primary coil is installed, projecting an image onto an interior surface of the vehicle at a location based on the estimated position of the driver's eyes to assist the driver in aligning the vehicle with the wireless charging assembly, transmitting signals from the vehicle toward a reference object located at a rear area of the parking spot and detecting echoed signals at the vehicle caused by the transmitted signals reflecting from a surface of the reference object, and listening for an alignment confirmation signal at the vehicle from the wireless charging assembly indicating that the vehicle is satisfactorily aligned with the wireless charging assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some aspects, a system for identifying a user of a vehicle head unit. The system includes a head unit having a human-machine interface (HMI), an electrode configured to be in selective electrical communication with a driver of a vehicle when the driver of the vehicle is driving the vehicle, a signal generator electrically connected to the electrode and configured to selectively output an identification signal to the electrode when the vehicle is in a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the identification signal is configured to travel through the driver and into the HMI.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some aspects, a system for identifying a user of a mobile computerized device. The system includes an electrode configured to be in selective electrical communication with a driver of a vehicle when the driver of the vehicle is driving the vehicle, a signal generator electrically connected to the electrode and configured to selectively output an identification signal to the electrode when the vehicle is in a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the identification signal is configured to travel through the driver and into a human-machine interface (HMI) of a mobile computerized device.

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: In one embodiment, a controller of a local vehicle receives data from a remote vehicle that indicates a location and direction of travel of a remote vehicle. The controller determines a roadway path of travel of the remote vehicle using map data and the data received from the remote vehicle. The controller determines a roadway path of travel of the local vehicle using the map data and data indicative of a location and direction of travel of the local vehicle. The controller also determines whether the roadway path of travel of the local vehicle and the roadway path of travel of the remote vehicle intersect. The controller further provides an alert, in response to determining that the roadway path of travel of the local vehicle and the roadway path of travel of the remote vehicle intersect.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is disclosed in which the signal strength of a wireless connection is evaluated to determine a proximity of a portable electronic device relative to a vehicle. Based on the determined proximity of the portable electronic device, one or more doors of the vehicle are unlocked. A push button ignition of the vehicle is also enabled based on a determination that the portable electronic device is located within the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for pairing a wireless charging system to a vehicle, includes: determining location coordinates of a target position of a vehicle parking space within a parking lot; storing the location coordinates of a center of the parking space; receiving a signal including location coordinates of the vehicle; and determining a location match using the location coordinates of the center of the parking space and the location coordinates of the vehicle to pair the wireless charging system to the vehicle.

Abstract: An cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.

Abstract: A method of tracking a first wireless communications device using another computing device, such as a second wireless communications device, includes obtaining current position data for the first wireless communications device and obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the first wireless communications device. The first wireless device then transmits the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time data and path data to the second wireless communications device or other computing device. In addition to current position data, the speed, path and time data facilitate tracking of the first wireless communications device. When a first mobile user wants a second mobile user to follow him, the first mobile user can put his device in “follow me” (tracking) mode. This is particularly useful when the first and second mobile users are traveling in respective cars or other vehicles.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing data between a first user and a second user by detecting direct or indirect communication between the first user and the second user, creating an entry for the second user in a roster for the first user, populating the entry for the second user in the roster of the first user with data elements and attributes of the data elements, the data elements and attributes of the data elements indicating what data can be shared with the second user and how the data is to be shared and utilizing the roster of the first user to distribute data reflecting the first user to the second user.