Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a wireless charger that wirelessly receives power from an external source, cameras, LEDs, a speaker, and at least one controller programmed individually or in combination to, when the wireless charger is receiving power from the external source, process images from at least one of the cameras and operate the LEDs and the speaker based on detection of an object within the images. The controller may change the color of the LEDs and/or sound emitted by the speaker in response to whether the object is detected within a first zone farther from the vehicle or a second zone nearer the vehicle. The LEDs and cameras may be positioned on external side mirrors, front, rear, and/or underbody portions of the vehicle. The speaker may be external to the vehicle cabin and provide an audible signal when operating the vehicle in electric mode at low speeds.

Abstract: A detected displacement of a marker on a vehicle is determined based on image data captured while the vehicle traverses a displacement object of a ground surface. Then a health status of a suspension component of the vehicle is determined to be unhealthy based on comparing the detected displacement of the marker to a target displacement of the marker. The target displacement specifies displacement of the marker that indicates the suspension component is healthy. The vehicle is operated based on the suspension component being unhealthy.

Abstract: This disclosure describes charging systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary charging systems may employ a multi-voltage charging circuit that supports charging of a traction battery pack at both a first voltage level during a first charging condition and a second, different voltage level during a second charging condition. Higher voltage levels may be experienced during the second charging condition as compared to the first charging condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, inhibiting of automatic engine stopping and starting may be based on comparing an engine off opportunity and a plurality of auxiliary logic performances. The plurality of auxiliary logic performances may be based on a plurality of auxiliary control routine blocks.

Abstract: Exemplary battery cell designs, such as those for use within electrified vehicle traction battery packs, for example, may include an electrode assembly that includes a plurality of current collector tabs. The current collector tabs may be arranged in one or more tab groupings when the electrode assembly is positioned in a folded configuration. The current collector tabs of the one or more tab groupings may be joined together to establish an enlarged current collector tab that is larger than any individual one of the current collector tabs of the one or more tab groupings. The enlarged current collector tab is an optimized tab configured to reduce internal resistance, reduce heat buildup, and increase the power capability of the battery cell.

Abstract: An actuator component for a droplet ejection head; wherein said actuator component comprises a substrate and one or more strips of piezoelectric material fixedly attached to said substrate; wherein said one or more strips of piezoelectric material comprise one or more layers of piezoelectric material, and an array of fluid chambers defined within said one or more strips of piezoelectric material and extending in an array direction; wherein said actuator component further comprises one or more cover parts; wherein the or each cover part extends in said array direction and is fixedly attached to at least one of a side face of one of said strips of piezoelectric material and/or at least a portion of said substrate; and wherein said one or more cover parts comprise a plurality of openings so as to enable fluid to be supplied to selected ones of said fluid chambers through said openings. Associated methods of manufacturing an actuator component for a droplet ejection head are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electrified vehicle charging systems that are equipped with multiple charging interfaces. An exemplary charging system may include a first charging interface, a second charging interface, an on-board charger module operably coupled to the first and second charging interfaces, and a control module configured to command the second charging interface to be isolated from the on-board charger module in response to a status change of a door of the first charging interface. The status of the door may be monitored by a sensor system of the charging system for determining whether or not to disable the second charging interface.

Abstract: An automotive controller drives a plurality of relays to a first position or a second position depending on which of a first port and second port, that are both arranged to provide electrical power, has greater electrical power such that a traction battery receives current from the one of the first port and second port delivering the greater electrical power but not the other of the first port and second port.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a traction battery electrically connected to the electric machine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to the vehicle approaching a decline, overrepresent a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery to cause a torque command to the engine to decrease and a torque command to the electric machine to increase such that discharge of the traction battery increases in advance of the decline.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a controller in communication with an on-board charger configured to charge a traction battery from an external power source, the traction battery being configured to power an electric machine that provides propulsive torque to vehicle wheels, the controller programmed to generate an alert message identifying an alternative external power source that would reduce a difference between (a) power requested by the controller, and (b) power currently being delivered by the external power source when the difference exceeds a configurable threshold.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a wireless charger that wirelessly receives power from an external source, cameras, LEDs, a speaker, and at least one controller programmed individually or in combination to, when the wireless charger is receiving power from the external source, process images from at least one of the cameras and operate the LEDs and the speaker based on detection of an object within the images. The controller may change the color of the LEDs and/or sound emitted by the speaker in response to whether the object is detected within a first zone farther from the vehicle or a second zone nearer the vehicle. The LEDs and cameras may be positioned on external side mirrors, front, rear, and/or underbody portions of the vehicle. The speaker may be external to the vehicle cabin and provide an audible signal when operating the vehicle in electric mode at low speeds.

Abstract: Handshaking is performed, by an ego device via a wireless transceiver, with surrounding mobile devices to receive identifiers of the surrounding mobile devices and incoming notification messages from the surrounding mobile devices. Each of the incoming notification messages are sent from a different respective sender device of the surrounding mobile devices and include identifiers of devices seen by the sender device and an indication of whether issues with the devices seen by the sender device were identified by the sender device. An alert is raised responsive to an issue being indicated with the ego device based on the incoming notification messages.

Abstract: A vehicle charging method includes, among other things, electrically connecting a first vehicle to a grid source, electrically connecting the first vehicle to a second vehicle, and charging a traction battery of the first vehicle using electricity from the second vehicle and electricity from the grid source. A vehicle charging system includes, among other things, a traction battery of a first vehicle, and a charger that is used to charge the traction battery using electricity from a grid source, electricity from a second vehicle, or both.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a traction battery electrically connected to the electric machine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to the vehicle approaching a decline, overrepresent a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery to cause a torque command to the engine to decrease and a torque command to the electric machine to increase such that discharge of the traction battery increases in advance of the decline.

Abstract: This disclosure describes electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) connectors for synchronizing and controlling charging between multiple electric vehicle supply equipment and an electrified vehicle. An exemplary EVSE connector is connectable to a charge port assembly of an electrified vehicle and includes a first port configured to receive a first charger coupler of a first EVSE and a second port configured to receive a second charger coupler of a second EVSE. The EVSE connector further includes a control system for coordinating charging operations between the first and second EVSE and the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive controller drives a plurality of relays to a first position or a second position depending on which of a first port and second port, that are both arranged to provide electrical power, has greater electrical power such that a traction battery receives current from the one of the first port and second port delivering the greater electrical power but not the other of the first port and second port.

Abstract: Exemplary battery cell designs, such as those for use within electrified vehicle traction battery packs, for example, may include an electrode assembly that includes a plurality of current collector tabs. The current collector tabs may be arranged in one or more tab groupings when the electrode assembly is positioned in a folded configuration. The current collector tabs of the one or more tab groupings may be joined together to establish an enlarged current collector tab that is larger than any individual one of the current collector tabs of the one or more tab groupings. The enlarged current collector tab is an optimized tab configured to reduce internal resistance, reduce heat buildup, and increase the power capability of the battery cell.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a traction battery and a battery thermal control system. A controller is configured to receive an initial regenerative braking capability and operation the battery thermal control system to precondition the traction battery during a charge event to a temperature that corresponds to the initial regenerative braking capability such that, during a subsequent drive cycle, the regenerative braking capability is at least equal to the initial regenerative braking capability for at least a predetermined duration into the subsequent drive cycle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing haptic feedback to a driver when aligning an electrified vehicle to charging equipment in preparation for charging events. Haptic feedback may be provided at the vehicle steering wheel to guide the driver on a correct travel path both laterally and longitudinally relative to the charging equipment. In some embodiments, the haptic feedback is provided at the steering wheel in the form of distinguishable pulsing patterns that alert the driver how the travel path should change for properly aligning the vehicle to the charging equipment. In other embodiments, the haptic feedback is provided in the form of tactile cues, such as making it more difficult for the driver to rotate the steering wheel in a direction that would render the vehicle less aligned to the charging equipment.

Abstract: A vehicle charging method includes, among other things, electrically connecting a first vehicle to a grid source, electrically connecting the first vehicle to a second vehicle, and charging a traction battery of the first vehicle using electricity from the second vehicle and electricity from the grid source. A vehicle charging system includes, among other things, a traction battery of a first vehicle, and a charger that is used to charge the traction battery using electricity from a grid source, electricity from a second vehicle, or both.