Abstract: A system and method of vibration and audible noise reduction in a LiDAR resonator includes a spring fork mechanism including multiple spring forks. Each spring fork includes two tines. The first tine of a first and second spring fork include a mounted optical module to transmit a light pulse and receive a reflection of the light pulse. The second tine of the first and second spring forks include a mounted counterweight having a mass and center of gravity equal to a mass and center of gravity of the mounted optical module. To reduce or eliminate longitudinal vibrations each tine includes a first section and a second section, the first section attached to the second section by a U-shaped section.

Abstract: A LiDAR resonator with dynamic force equilibrium that includes a spring fork mechanism having a first tine and a second tine with the same stiffness as the first tine, wherein the spring fork mechanism is configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, an optical module, mounted to the first tine, for transmitting a light pulse and receiving a reflection of the light pulse, a voice coil, also mounted to the first tine, for generating an alternating magnetic field at the resonant frequency, a counterweight, mounted to the second tine, having a mass and CG equal to a mass and CG of the combined optical module and the voice coil, and a signal source for coupling an alternating current signal at the resonant frequency to the voice coil such that the voice coil is operative to generate an alternating magnetic force at the resonant frequency between the voice coil and the counterweight.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a front motor compartment formed within the body, the front motor compartment including: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, including: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a front motor compartment formed within the body, the front motor compartment including: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, including: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a first movable window selectively covering a first cabin opening and a second movable window selectively covering a second cabin opening. A first actuator is configured to selectively actuate the first movable window and a second actuator is configured to selectively actuate the second movable window. A controller is in communication with a sensor disposed in the cabin and with an HMI configured to receive a window open request from an operator. The controller is configured to, in response to the window open request, control the first actuator to actuate the first movable window from a closed position to an open position, and in response to a signal from the sensor indicating pressure variations exceeding a predefined threshold with the first movable window in the first open position, automatically control the second actuator to actuate the second movable window in an open direction.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disposed on a floor portion of a passenger compartment, and includes first and second upper seat tracks, and a seat bottom disposed thereon. First and second lower seat tracks are each disposed longitudinally in the vehicle and secured to the floor portion at respective fore and aft attachment locations, wherein each of the first and second upper seat tracks is slidably disposed in a respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks. A support damper is disposed between the floor portion and one of the first and second lower seat tracks and disposed between the respective fore and aft attachment locations. The support damper is disposed at a longitudinal position between the respective fore and aft attachment locations at a maximum vertical deflection point of the respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks relative to the floor portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle steering column assemblies with viscous dampers, methods for making and for using such assemblies, and motor vehicles with steering column assemblies having viscous dampers. A steering column assembly is disclosed that includes a first shaft member that connects to a steering wheel/handle, and a second shaft member that connects to a vehicle body. These shaft members are telescopingly connected such that one shaft member selectively translates longitudinally with respect to the other shaft member. A viscous damper assembly is interposed between the two shaft members. The viscous damper assembly includes a damper housing with first and second reservoir volumes disposed inside the housing. Multiple constricted flow channels fluidly connect the reservoir volumes.

Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle steering column assemblies with viscous dampers, methods for making and for using such assemblies, and motor vehicles with steering column assemblies having viscous dampers. A steering column assembly is disclosed that includes a first shaft member that connects to a steering wheel/handle, and a second shaft member that connects to a vehicle body. These shaft members are telescopingly connected such that one shaft member selectively translates longitudinally with respect to the other shaft member. A viscous damper assembly is interposed between the two shaft members. The viscous damper assembly includes a damper housing with first and second reservoir volumes disposed inside the housing. Multiple constricted flow channels fluidly connect the reservoir volumes.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disposed on a floor portion of a passenger compartment, and includes first and second upper seat tracks, and a seat bottom disposed thereon. First and second lower seat tracks are each disposed longitudinally in the vehicle and secured to the floor portion at respective fore and aft attachment locations, wherein each of the first and second upper seat tracks is slidably disposed in a respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks. A support damper is disposed between the floor portion and one of the first and second lower seat tracks and disposed between the respective fore and aft attachment locations. The support damper is disposed at a longitudinal position between the respective fore and aft attachment locations at a maximum vertical deflection point of the respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks relative to the floor portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing a pressure wave are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a motor vehicle comprises a cabin and a receiver positioned to detect an input pressure wave within the cabin and produce an input signal. A fan with a blade having a variable pitch is positioned within the vehicle where the fan is audible within the cabin. A processor is in communication with the receiver and the fan, where the processor is configured to receive the input signal and determine an input frequency and an input phase. The processor is further configured to instruct the fan to control a pitch of the blade to produce a cancellation pressure wave with a cancellation frequency that is about the same as the input frequency and a cancellation phase that is about 180° out of phase with the input phase.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel defining a surface, and a boom attenuation panel. The boom attenuation panel includes a circumferential edge, and a central portion. The boom attenuation panel is attached to the surface of the first panel, along the circumferential edge of the boom attenuation panel. The central portion of the boom attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the boom attenuation panel. The gas chamber contains a gas that is moveable within the gas chamber in response to wave-like motion of the first panel. Movement of the gas increases the effective acoustic mass of the boom attenuation panel, and damped the wave-like motion of the first panel, which operates to reduce noise generated from the wave-like motion of the first panel.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel and noise attenuation panel that is attached to the first panel. The noise attenuation panel includes a central portion having a length and a width. The central portion of the noise attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel by a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the noise attenuation panel. The panel assembly includes at least one wall structure that is disposed within the gas chamber. The wall structure extends between the central portion of the noise attenuation panel and the surface of the first panel, and includes a pattern that defines a fluid flow path through the gas chamber, which includes an effective length that is greater than both the length and the width of the central portion of the noise attenuation panel.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel defining a surface, and a boom attenuation panel. The boom attenuation panel includes a circumferential edge, and a central portion. The boom attenuation panel is attached to the surface of the first panel, along the circumferential edge of the boom attenuation panel. The central portion of the boom attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the boom attenuation panel. The gas chamber contains a gas that is moveable within the gas chamber in response to wave-like motion of the first panel. Movement of the gas increases the effective acoustic mass of the boom attenuation panel, and damped the wave-like motion of the first panel, which operates to reduce noise generated from the wave-like motion of the first panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a seat back member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the seat back member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a bottom seat member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the bottom seat member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.

Abstract: Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes determining at least one of interior conditions and exterior conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat. The method further includes calculating at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern and an on/off compensation pattern based on the determined interior conditions and exterior conditions. The method further includes generating a signal with active periods that include at least one of the calculated patterns to command the plurality of haptic actuators to produce haptic pulses.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The vehicle seat assembly includes a bottom seat member with a seat pan with a first side and a second side, a first bolster positioned on the first side of the seat pan, and a second bolster positioned on the second side of the seat pan. The first bolster defines a first depression. The vehicle seat assembly further includes a haptic alert assembly with a first actuator having a first housing and a first motor within the first housing. The first housing is mounted within the first depression.

Abstract: Haptic feedback systems, vehicle seat assemblies, and vehicles are provided. The haptic feedback system includes a bottom seat member, a first motor, and a second motor. The bottom seat member includes a seat pan with a first side, a second side, a first bolster, and a second bolster. The first bolster is positioned on the first side of the seat pan and the second bolster is positioned on the second side of the seat pan, wherein the first bolster and the second bolster include a resilient material. The first motor supported by the resilient material of the first bolster and the second motor is supported by the resilient material of the second bolster.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing system for a motor vehicle includes a strain gauge mounted at a motor vehicle surface, and a sensing circuit operatively coupled to the strain gauge. The sensing circuit is configured and disposed to detect acoustic responses in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle through the strain gauge.

Abstract: Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pattern of active haptic periods during which a controller will command a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat of a vehicle to generate haptic pulses, determining a desired voltage of a signal supplied to the haptic actuators that indicates the active haptic periods to generate a desired intensity of haptic pulses, determining an actual voltage of an energy storage device of the vehicle, calculating a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern that simulates the desired voltage when applied to the signal using the actual voltage, and generating a signal that indicates the active haptic periods based on the PWM pattern to command the haptic actuators to generate the desired intensity of haptic pulses.