Abstract: An article includes a substrate and a resistance heating element bonded to the substrate. The resistance heating element is comprised of, by weight, 10 to 45% of graphene, 0.25 to 45% of carbon nanostructure (CNS) material different than the graphene, and a remainder of glass frit. The graphene and the CNS material include a coupling agent that bonds the graphene and the CNS material with at least the glass frit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a low voltage battery are described. In one example, a human/machine interface prompts a user through steps for replacing a low voltage battery. The low voltage battery may be coupled to other power sources when the low voltage bus is electrically coupled to a low voltage bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating instructions to a user of a vehicle to facilitate charging of a vehicle via a vehicle charger are described. In one example, output of a camera may be a basis for instructions to move the vehicle relative to a position of a vehicle charger. This allows the vehicle and camera to be positioned to monitor the vehicle charger and guide a user through a vehicle charging procedure that includes applying the vehicle charger.

Abstract: A system and a method for diagnosing operation of a vehicle charger electric coupler is disclosed. The vehicle charger electric coupler allows electric current to flow from a vehicle charger to a vehicle. The diagnostic system and method may include capturing an image of the vehicle charger electric coupler to determine whether or not the vehicle charger electric coupler is degraded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for commissioning a vehicle charger are described. A vehicle charger may be commissioned so that the vehicle charger may supply electric charge to a vehicle after the vehicle charger is installed. In one example, the vehicle charger may be commissioned automatically when power is applied to the vehicle charger.

Abstract: A hitch receiver for an automotive vehicle includes a receiver tube defining an open end and a cavity therein. The hitch receiver also includes an electrical connector, having a plurality of electrical contacts on a spring-loaded face thereof, disposed within the receiver tube at an end thereof opposite the open end such that the electrical contacts are adjacent to the cavity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for combining output of two or more power sources of an electric vehicle to supply electric power to an electric power consumer that is external of a vehicle. In one example, output of the two or more power sources is combined via an aggregation cable.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for use of a vehicle to conduct a site survey. An example method can include receiving navigation guidance to move a vehicle along a pre-defined path on a property for executing a site survey operation of the property. The site survey operation can include a staking procedure performed by a robotic arm attached to the vehicle, an image capture procedure performed by use of a camera in the vehicle, and/or a subterranean scanning procedure for detecting a buried object. In an example implementation, the staking procedure can include inserting at a first location on the property, a stake having affixed thereon, a barcode label. A barcode scanner can be used to read the barcode label for obtaining information associated with an object present at the first location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for power management of a vehicle. The system comprises an interface and a power management unit. The interface transmits one or more signals. The power management unit is communicatively coupled to the interface to receive the one or more signals. The power management unit processes one or more signals to control a run-lock mode. The run-lock mode includes selective power management of one or more components of the vehicle to maximize range and power take-off duration.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for a ground-penetrating tailgate sensor system. An example method may also include transmitting, using a radar transceiver, a first radar signal towards a location above the tailgate. The example method may also include receiving, based on the tailgate being in a closed or open position and using the radar transceiver, a first return signal from an object located above the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) execute a battery charging operation. In an example method, a processor of a battery charging advisory system in a BEV obtains information about a battery charging lot and evaluates the information to identify a battery charging station having a first charging cable that includes a first type of plug which is compatible for coupling to a charging port of the BEV. The processor may then identify a location of the charging port on the BEV and uses this information to determine an orientation of the BEV with respect to the battery charging station. The processor then provides an advisory for maneuvering the BEV into a position that allows coupling of the first charging cable of the battery charging station to the charging port of the BEV.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller, in response to the traction battery having to be charged at a charging station during a vehicle trip for the traction battery to have sufficient energy for the vehicle to complete the vehicle trip, schedules the traction battery for charging during the vehicle trip at a selected charging station from among multiple charging stations in which an overall time of the vehicle trip will be lowest.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling plyability of vehicle charging cables. In one example, a plyability of vehicle charging cables is adjusted according to attributes of a human including but not limited to height and weight. The plyability of vehicle charging cables may be adjusted when the vehicle charging cables may be expected to be stiff.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a smartphone, smart device, or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to battery charging management of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In an example method, a processor generates an operational profile for a first BEV among a number of BEVs. The profile may be based on a mileage accumulation pattern, a parking pattern, and/or a battery charging pattern, detected over an information collection period. The mileage accumulation pattern may be based on the use of the first BEV for commuting from a residence to a workplace. The processor determines an availability of a battery charging outlet in a section of a garage of the residence, and based on the operational profile of the first BEV, identifies a period of time for charging a battery of the first BEV in the garage. The processor then issues a directive to park the first BEV in the section of the garage over the identified period of time for charging the battery.

Abstract: A smart container for transporting items in transportation vehicles, e.g., an autonomous vehicle (AV), having heating/cooling capabilities, security features, unloading/loading assistance, and/or GPS cellular tracking for positional awareness, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The smart container includes an inductive charging module for receiving power from the vehicle. The container may provide information to facilitate delivery. When the vehicle arrives at a delivery destination, the customer may be provided a map of containers within the vehicle, and a specific container may provide an indication that it is the correct container. The customer may then provide a code to access the container. If a container is improperly removed, an alarm may be triggered and a notification may be provided to a third party.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for battery life cycle prediction for a preowned electrified vehicle including receiving state of charge (SOC) and mileage data associated with the preowned electrified vehicle, providing one or more driving maneuvers to be performed by a driver, providing one or more instructions to the driver to operate power-driven accessories of the preowned electrified vehicle, collecting data representing battery usage by the driver by monitoring the driving maneuvers and the operation of power-driven accessories as performed by the driver, and responsive to the collected data representing battery usage and the SOC and mileage, providing a battery life prediction for the preowned electrified vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch receiver for an automotive vehicle includes a receiver tube defining an open end and a cavity therein. The hitch receiver also includes an electrical connector, having a plurality of electrical contacts on a spring-loaded face thereof, disposed within the receiver tube at an end thereof opposite the open end such that the electrical contacts are adjacent to the cavity.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for use of a vehicle to conduct a site survey. An example method can include receiving navigation guidance to move a vehicle along a pre-defined path on a property for executing a site survey operation of the property. The site survey operation can include a staking procedure performed by a robotic arm attached to the vehicle, an image capture procedure performed by use of a camera in the vehicle, and/or a subterranean scanning procedure for detecting a buried object. In an example implementation, the staking procedure can include inserting at a first location on the property, a stake having affixed thereon, a barcode label. A barcode scanner can be used to read the barcode label for obtaining information associated with an object present at the first location.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a phone-as-a-key or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.