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.

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 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: Onboard engine control for vehicles is disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a moving average of duty cycle periods for a power component of a vehicle for recent power load events, each of the duty cycle periods having both on-time portions and off-time portions; and when the on-time portions of the moving average are above a predetermined percentage, an engine of the vehicle remains in an on-state condition, further wherein when a current off-time period of the power component exceeds a value equal to a predetermined multiplier applied to the off-time portions, the engine is placed in an off-state condition.

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: 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: 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.

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 power take off of a vehicle are described. In one example, operation of the power take off may be maintained even when slip of a power take off clutch is detected. In particular, the power take off may be operated at a lower output until the power take off may handle larger loads.

Abstract: Example embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a plastic enclosure that provides EMI shielding and heat sinking to an electronic assembly. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a housing portion formed of a base material that includes a polymer containing graphene nanostructures and carbon nanostructures. The graphene nanostructures provide a thermal conductivity characteristic to the base material. A set of standoff elements made of the base material is provided inside the housing for mounting the electronic assembly. Heat generated by the electronic assembly is conducted out of the enclosure by the standoff elements due to the graphene nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures provide an electrical conductivity characteristic to the base material. A lid formed of the base material may be attached to the housing portion. The carbon nanostructures in the housing portion and the lid provide EMI shielding to the electronic assembly inside the enclosure.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are directed to an autonomous vehicle food locker system that may include environmentally controlled storage compartments for storing and/or transporting perishable food items to be delivered to end consumers. The storage compartments may provide ultraviolet light controls and surfaces that provide sanitized food storage areas for a delivery vehicle. Computing processor(s) may be configured for determining a sanitization procedure for sanitizing the interior portion of the food storage locker based on sensor information received from internal and external sensors, video feeds, photographs, and other information. The processor(s) may determine one or more sanitation characteristics that can indicate or inform cleanliness of the interior portion of the food storage locker, and perform automated sanitization procedures that can include activating a chemical layer disposed on the interior portion of the food storage locker.

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: Onboard engine control for vehicles is disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a moving average of duty cycle periods for a power component of a vehicle for recent power load events, each of the duty cycle periods having both on-time portions and off-time portions; and when the on-time portions of the moving average are above a predetermined percentage, an engine of the vehicle remains in an on-state condition, further wherein when a current off-time period of the power component exceeds a value equal to a predetermined multiplier applied to the off-time portions, the engine is placed in an off-state condition.

Abstract: Onboard engine control for vehicles is disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a moving average of duty cycle periods for a power component of a vehicle for recent power load events, each of the duty cycle periods having both on-time portions and off-time portions; and when the on-time portions of the moving average are above a predetermined percentage, an engine of the vehicle remains in an on-state condition, further wherein when a current off-time period of the power component exceeds a value equal to a predetermined multiplier applied to the off-time portions, the engine is placed in an off-state condition.

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.