Abstract: A riveting system, for use in mechanically linking adjacent workpieces, including a rivet having a height greater than a sum of thicknesses, measured along a line of riveting, of the workpieces being linked, so that the rivet can pass fully through the workpieces. The system also includes a riveting die, which may be a separate product. The die includes a protrusion extending from a peak toward a transition point; and a trough having a trough surface. The trough surface includes a trough inner wall, extending from the transition point to a trough bottom, and a trough outer wall, extending from the trough bottom to a trough outer edge. The technology also includes computerized systems for comparing a load-displacement profile of riveting to a pre-set profile to determine whether the riveting was performed properly.

Abstract: A riveting system, for use in mechanically linking adjacent workpieces, including a rivet having a height greater than a sum of thicknesses, measured along a line of riveting, of the workpieces being linked, so that the rivet can pass fully through the workpieces. The system also includes a riveting die, which may be a separate product. The die includes a protrusion extending from a peak toward a transition point; and a trough having a trough surface. The trough surface includes a trough inner wall, extending from the transition point to a trough bottom, and a trough outer wall, extending from the trough bottom to a trough outer edge. The technology also includes computerized systems for comparing a load-displacement profile of riveting to a pre-set profile to determine whether the riveting was performed properly.

Abstract: A riveting system, for use in mechanically linking adjacent workpieces, including a rivet having a height greater than a sum of thicknesses, measured along a line of riveting, of the workpieces being linked, so that the rivet can pass fully through the workpieces. The system also includes a riveting die, which may be a separate product. The die includes a protrusion extending from a peak toward a transition point; and a trough having a trough surface. The trough surface includes a trough inner wall, extending from the transition point to a trough bottom, and a trough outer wall, extending from the trough bottom to a trough outer edge. The technology also includes computerized systems for comparing a load-displacement profile of riveting to a pre-set profile to determine whether the riveting was performed properly.

Abstract: Systems for use in connection with custom powering of a vehicle that includes a charging station track and a charging base positioned at or along the charging station track at an available parking position. The system a controller having a processing hardware unit and a non-transitory storage device comprising computer-executable code that when executed causes the processing hardware unit performs operations including (i) receiving a power level indicating a current power level of the vehicle and/or a time stamp indicating an arrival time of the vehicle to a location proximate to the charging station track, (ii) sending a first signal to the vehicle causing the vehicle to move to the available position along the charging station track, (iii) charging the vehicle to a predetermined power level using the charging base, and (iv) sending a second signal to the vehicle causing the vehicle to move out of the available position at the charging station.

Abstract: An adhesive-bonded component including a first workpiece having a first substrate and a first mating surface including a plurality of protrusions. The component also includes a second workpiece comprising a second substrate having a second mating surface contacting the first mating surface and adhesive positioned on the first mating surface. In various embodiments, the second mating surface comprises troughs receiving the protrusions of the first workpiece, and the plurality of protrusions of the first workpiece and the troughs of the second workpiece may be arranged in multiple mating patterns. The technology also includes processes of making the components.

Abstract: A remote smart-power server receives reservation data indicating parameters for a planned vehicle use, such as pick-up time, pick-up location, and drop-off time. Systems of the present technology are in various embodiments used in connection with electric vehicles. The server interacts with a smart-powering station system to determine available vehicles at the location, including vehicles having sufficient charge, or chargeable to sufficient charge by the pick-up time. The server presents available vehicles to a user device and receives selection of a preferred vehicle. The server sends the selection to the smart-powering station, which implements a charging sequence to ensure the preferred vehicle is charged as needed for the planned vehicle use. Charging is in various implementations performed automatically, such as by computing controls and robotic machinery.

Abstract: A method of riveting a first substrate and a second substrate with a rivet includes delivering a first ultrasonic pulse to a respective exterior surface of the first substrate at a predefined target area, via an ultrasonic device. The first ultrasonic pulse is configured to soften the first substrate at a first softening temperature. The method includes attaching a crust layer on a rivet head of the rivet. A second ultrasonic pulse is delivered to the predefined target area to soften the crust layer at a second softening temperature, via the ultrasonic device. A surface profile of the crust layer is fashioned via compression of a horn inner cavity of the ultrasonic device over the crust layer. The crust layer is cooled to harden into a seal configured to prevent entry of moisture between the rivet and the respective exterior surface of the first substrate, thereby reducing galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: Systems for use in connection with custom powering of a vehicle that includes a charging station track and a charging base positioned at or along the charging station track at an available parking position. The system a controller having a processing hardware unit and a non-transitory storage device comprising computer-executable code that when executed causes the processing hardware unit performs operations including (i) receiving a power level indicating a current power level of the vehicle and/or a time stamp indicating an arrival time of the vehicle to a location proximate to the charging station track, (ii) sending a first signal to the vehicle causing the vehicle to move to the available position along the charging station track, (iii) charging the vehicle to a predetermined power level using the charging base, and (iv) sending a second signal to the vehicle causing the vehicle to move out of the available position at the charging station.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve weld quality are described. For example, certain systems and methods described use weld quality monitoring as feedback to an ultrasonic welding process to improve weld quality. Still other systems and methods provide improvement to double sided and single sided ultrasonic welding through the use of selected multiple pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve weld quality are described. For example, certain systems and methods described use weld quality monitoring as feedback to an ultrasonic welding process to improve weld quality. Still other systems and methods provide improvement to double sided and single sided ultrasonic welding through the use of selected multiple pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve weld quality are described. For example, certain systems and methods described use weld quality monitoring as feedback to an ultrasonic welding process to improve weld quality. Still other systems and methods provide improvement to double sided and single sided ultrasonic welding through the use of selected multiple pulses.

Abstract: A remote smart-power server receives reservation data indicating parameters for a planned vehicle use, such as pick-up time, pick-up location, and drop-off time. Systems of the present technology are in various embodiments used in connection with electric vehicles. The server interacts with a smart-powering station system to determine available vehicles at the location, including vehicles having sufficient charge, or chargeable to sufficient charge by the pick-up time. The server presents available vehicles to a user device and receives selection of a preferred vehicle. The server sends the selection to the smart-powering station, which implements a charging sequence to ensure the preferred vehicle is charged as needed for the planned vehicle use. Charging is in various implementations performed automatically, such as by computing controls and robotic machinery.

Abstract: A method of riveting a first substrate and a second substrate with a rivet includes delivering a first ultrasonic pulse to a respective exterior surface of the first substrate at a predefined target area, via an ultrasonic device. The first ultrasonic pulse is configured to soften the first substrate at a first softening temperature. The method includes attaching a crust layer on a rivet head of the rivet. A second ultrasonic pulse is delivered to the predefined target area to soften the crust layer at a second softening temperature, via the ultrasonic device. A surface profile of the crust layer is fashioned via compression of a horn inner cavity of the ultrasonic device over the crust layer. The crust layer is cooled to harden into a seal configured to prevent entry of moisture between the rivet and the respective exterior surface of the first substrate, thereby reducing galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A product and an electrical connector assembly includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a plurality of inner walls spaced from each other to define outer boundaries of respective openings. The first component also includes a first electrical interface. The second component includes a plurality of retention members each having an outer surface and a projection extending from the outer surface of each of the retention members. The outer surface of the retention members is configured to elastically deform along the respective inner walls when inserted into the respective openings such that part of the outer surface of the retention members remains in contact with the respective inner walls when the second component is secured to the first component. The second component also includes a second electrical interface that engages the first electrical interface when the second component is secured to the first component.

Abstract: A method of inspection and repair of a joint in an assembly. The joint is formed by a first work piece and a second work piece. An adhesive placed between the first and second work pieces to define the joint. The assembly includes an ultrasonic welding device including an ultrasonic horn configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to the joint. A controller is operatively connected to the ultrasonic welding device. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of inspecting and repairing the adhesive-bonded joint. The controller is programmed to deliver a first ultrasonic pulse (P1) to the joint, via the ultrasonic welding device, and determine an adhesive coverage (AC) based at least partially on the first ultrasonic pulse (P1).

Abstract: An adhesive-bonded component including a first workpiece having a first substrate and a first mating surface including a plurality of protrusions. The component also includes a second workpiece comprising a second substrate having a second mating surface contacting the first mating surface and adhesive positioned on the first mating surface. In various embodiments, the second mating surface comprises troughs receiving the protrusions of the first workpiece, and the plurality of protrusions of the first workpiece and the troughs of the second workpiece may be arranged in multiple mating patterns. The technology also includes processes of making the components.

Abstract: A riveting system, for use in mechanically linking adjacent workpieces, including a rivet having a height greater than a sum of thicknesses, measured along a line of riveting, of the workpieces being linked, so that the rivet can pass fully through the workpieces. The system also includes a riveting die, which may be a separate product. The die includes a protrusion extending from a peak toward a transition point; and a trough having a trough surface. The trough surface includes a trough inner wall, extending from the transition point to a trough bottom, and a trough outer wall, extending from the trough bottom to a trough outer edge. The technology also includes computerized systems for comparing a load-displacement profile of riveting to a pre-set profile to determine whether the riveting was performed properly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reconfigurable vehicle interior assembly is provided. The assembly includes a trim member including a plurality of first elastically deformable mating members and a vehicle interior carrier component including a plurality of second elastically deformable mating members. Each of the first elastically deformable mating members matingly engages with at least one of the second elastically deformable mating members in order to couple the trim member to the vehicle interior carrier component. The first and second elastically deformable mating members collectively form a plurality of elastic averaging couplings.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve weld quality are described. For example, certain systems and methods described use weld quality monitoring as feedback to an ultrasonic welding process to improve weld quality. Still other systems and methods provide improvement to double sided and single sided ultrasonic welding through the use of selected multiple pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve weld quality are described. For example, certain systems and methods described use weld quality monitoring as feedback to an ultrasonic welding process to improve weld quality. Still other systems and methods provide improvement to double sided and single sided ultrasonic welding through the use of selected multiple pulses.