Abstract: A braking system in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The braking system includes a master cylinder having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a piston disposed therein and translatable from a proximal end to a distal end in response to brake pedal displacement. A brake fluid reservoir supplies hydraulic fluid to the master cylinder. A first fluid circuit connects the first outlet of the master cylinder to the brake fluid reservoir. A second fluid circuit connects the second outlet of the master cylinder to wheel brakes and supplies hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel brakes in response to brake pedal displacement. The first outlet of the master cylinder is disposed between the second outlet and the proximal end of the master cylinder such that initial brake pedal displacement transfers brake fluid from the master cylinder to the fluid reservoir to inhibit hydraulic braking during regenerative braking.

Abstract: A braking system in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The braking system includes a master cylinder having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a piston disposed therein and translatable from a proximal end to a distal end in response to brake pedal displacement. A brake fluid reservoir supplies hydraulic fluid to the master cylinder. A first fluid circuit connects the first outlet of the master cylinder to the brake fluid reservoir. A second fluid circuit connects the second outlet of the master cylinder to wheel brakes and supplies hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel brakes in response to brake pedal displacement. The first outlet of the master cylinder is disposed between the second outlet and the proximal end of the master cylinder such that initial brake pedal displacement transfers brake fluid from the master cylinder to the fluid reservoir to inhibit hydraulic braking during regenerative braking.

Abstract: A method of minimizing ice buildup on a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) monitoring a state of the vehicle; (b) determining a state of the windshield wiper; (c) determining an ambient temperature of the vehicle; and (d) initiating a timer when the state of the vehicle changes from an on state if the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature and the state of the windshield wiper prior to the vehicle changing to the off state is an on state, and turning the windshield wiper to the on state after a period of time. The windshield wiper may remain on at least through a full cycle from a park zone, to a fully extended position, and back to the park zone. The wiper may remain on for a predetermined period of time determined based upon the ambient temperature or other condition.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.

Abstract: A method of minimizing ice buildup on a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) monitoring a state of the vehicle; (b) determining a state of the windshield wiper; (c) determining an ambient temperature of the vehicle; and (d) initiating a timer when the state of the vehicle changes from an on state if the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature and the state of the windshield wiper prior to the vehicle changing to the off state is an on state, and turning the windshield wiper to the on state after a period of time. The windshield wiper may remain on at least through a full cycle from a park zone, to a fully extended position, and back to the park zone. The wiper may remain on for a predetermined period of time determined based upon the ambient temperature or other condition.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control sub-system includes first and second brake control modules that are communicatively and electrically connected to one another and a plurality of wheel-speed sensors communicatively connected to the first brake control module. The first module is programmed to receive wheel-speed data from the wheel-speed sensors. The second module is programmed to process the wheel-speed data in the event of a failure in the first module.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control sub-system includes first and second brake control modules that are communicatively and electrically connected to one another and a plurality of wheel-speed sensors communicatively connected to the first brake control module. The first module is programmed to receive wheel-speed data from the wheel-speed sensors. The second module is programmed to process the wheel-speed data in the event of a failure in the first module.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control sub-system includes first and second brake control modules that are communicatively and electrically connected to one another and a plurality of wheel-speed sensors communicatively connected to the first brake control module. The first module is programmed to receive wheel-speed data from the wheel-speed sensors. The second module is programmed to process the wheel-speed data in the event of a failure in the first module.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control sub-system includes first and second brake control modules that are communicatively and electrically connected to one another and a plurality of wheel-speed sensors communicatively connected to the first brake control module. The first module is programmed to receive wheel-speed data from the wheel-speed sensors. The second module is programmed to process the wheel-speed data in the event of a failure in the first module.

Abstract: Data is collected related to motion of a vehicle. Based on the collected data, it may be determined that a threshold associated with motion sickness is exceeded. An adjustment for a component in the vehicle may be adjusted based at least in part on the collected data.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.

Abstract: Data is collected related to motion of a vehicle. Based on the collected data, it may be determined that a threshold associated with motion sickness is exceeded. An adjustment for a component in the vehicle may be adjusted based at least in part on the collected data.

Abstract: A braking system in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The braking system includes a master cylinder having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a piston disposed therein and translatable from a proximal end to a distal end in response to brake pedal displacement. A brake fluid reservoir supplies hydraulic fluid to the master cylinder. A first fluid circuit connects the first outlet of the master cylinder to the brake fluid reservoir. A second fluid circuit connects the second outlet of the master cylinder to wheel brakes and supplies hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel brakes in response to brake pedal displacement. The first outlet of the master cylinder is disposed between the second outlet and the proximal end of the master cylinder such that initial brake pedal displacement transfers brake fluid from the master cylinder to the fluid reservoir to inhibit hydraulic braking during regenerative braking.

Abstract: A pedal assembly using a non-contacting position sensor utilizing a spring-biased roller on a cam surface to simulate the feel of a conventional brake pedal is provided. The pedal assembly includes an elongated brake support bracket having a cam surface and a pedal arm having a spring-biased roller. A spring-biased roller assembly is mounted to an inward side or beside the pedal arm or on both sides of the pedal arm. The roller assembly includes a fixed leg extending on from an inner side of the pedal arm and a movable leg which is pivotally mounted to the pedal arm. A biasing member extends over the support between the fixed leg and movable leg to generate a biasing force against the roller. When the pedal is depressed, the roller is moved along the cam surface of the support bracket thereby creating the ‘feel’ of a traditional pedal assembly.

Abstract: A pedal assembly using a non-contacting position sensor utilizing a spring-biased roller on a cam surface to simulate the feel of a conventional brake pedal is provided. The pedal assembly includes an elongated brake support bracket having a cam surface and a pedal arm having a spring-biased roller. A spring-biased roller assembly is mounted to an inward side or beside the pedal arm or on both sides of the pedal arm. The roller assembly includes a fixed leg extending on from an inner side of the pedal arm and a movable leg which is pivotally mounted to the pedal arm. A biasing member extends over the support between the fixed leg and movable leg to generate a biasing force against the roller. When the pedal is depressed, the roller is moved along the cam surface of the support bracket thereby creating the ‘feel’ of a traditional pedal assembly.

Abstract: A pedal assembly using a non-contacting position sensor utilizing a spring-biased roller on a cam surface to simulate the feel of a conventional brake pedal is provided. The pedal assembly includes an elongated brake support bracket having a cam surface and a pedal arm having a spring-biased roller. A spring-biased roller assembly is mounted to an inward side or beside the pedal arm or on both sides of the pedal arm. The roller assembly includes a fixed leg extending on from an inner side of the pedal arm and a movable leg which is pivotally mounted to the pedal arm. A biasing member extends over the support between the fixed leg and movable leg to generate a biasing force against the roller. When the pedal is depressed, the roller is moved along the cam surface of the support bracket thereby creating the ‘feel’ of a traditional pedal assembly.

Abstract: A check valve. An illustrative embodiment of the check valve includes a valve body, a plurality of discharge port openings having at least one of a non-uniform width and a non-uniform position extending through the valve body and a flexible valve disk disposed generally adjacent to the valve body.

Abstract: A brake pedal simulator air gap filler system includes a brake pedal, a pedal feel simulator engaged by the brake pedal, a pedal push rod engaged by the brake pedal, a master cylinder/booster push rod spaced-apart from the pedal push rod, an air gap between the pedal push rod and the master cylinder/booster push rod, a master cylinder/booster engaged by the master cylinder/booster push rod and an air gap filling apparatus having an air gap filling head in adjacent proximity to the air gap and adapted to selectively engage and disengage the air gap.

Abstract: A check valve. An illustrative embodiment of the check valve includes a valve body, a plurality of discharge port openings having at least one of a non-uniform width and a non-uniform position extending through the valve body and a flexible valve disk disposed generally adjacent to the valve body.

Abstract: 18A method and an apparatus (12) which senses whether a vehicle (10) is being decelerated by the use of regenerative braking and which selectively and automatically activates frictional braking assemblies (60-66) if such regenerative braking has not been achieved.