Abstract: A method of charging an electric vehicle and a system comprising a processor and charging circuitry operable to charge an electric vehicle is described. The method comprises predicting, for the electric vehicle, an energy consumption profile for an itinerary comprising one or more tasks. The method further comprises determining a charging profile that determines a minimum amount of charge required by the electric vehicle to perform the itinerary based on the predicted energy consumption profile. The method further comprises supplying, based on the charging profile, the electric vehicle with the determined minimum amount of charge required to perform the itinerary.

Abstract: A method for a battery system for a vehicle is provided. The battery system can include a plurality of battery modules and a heat transfer assembly. Each of the battery modules can include one or more cells. The battery modules are selectively electrically connectable to a terminal of the battery system in order to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The heat transfer assembly can selectively adjust thermal energy levels of one or more of the battery modules. The method can include determining a desired capacity of the battery system, determining a number of the battery modules to have thermal energy levels adjusted by the heat transfer assembly according to the desired capacity of the battery system, and operating the heat transfer assembly to adjust thermal energy levels of the determined number of battery modules.

Abstract: A plurality of items includes a first item deliverable to a first delivery destination and a second item deliverable to a second delivery destination. The value of a first vehicle parameter dependent on a mass of the first item and a mass of the second item is calculated for a first delivery route, the first delivery route being configured to stop at the first delivery destination before the second delivery destination to thereby deliver the first item before the second. The value of a first vehicle parameter for a second delivery route is calculated, the second delivery route being configured to stop at the second delivery destination before the first delivery destination to thereby deliver the second item before the first. A delivery route is determined that comprises the first and second delivery destinations that optimizes the value of the first vehicle parameter.

Abstract: A method for a battery system for a vehicle is provided. The battery system can include a plurality of battery modules and a heat transfer assembly. Each of the battery modules can include one or more cells. The battery modules are selectively electrically connectable to a terminal of the battery system in order to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The heat transfer assembly can selectively adjust thermal energy levels of one or more of the battery modules. The method can include determining a desired capacity of the battery system, determining a number of the battery modules to have thermal energy levels adjusted by the heat transfer assembly according to the desired capacity of the battery system, and operating the heat transfer assembly to adjust thermal energy levels of the determined number of battery modules.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fastener assembly comprises a fastener configured to couple a first component to a second component of the motor vehicle, the fastener comprising a shank configured to be received within a bore of the first component; and a retaining member, the retaining member being couplable to the fastener and the first component, the retaining member comprising an opening configured to receive the fastener shank and to provide a resistance against the removal of the fastener shank from the bore of the first component, wherein the retaining member comprises a deformable portion configured to deform from a first state to a second state by virtue of the operating environment of the first component such that the fastener may be removed from the bore when the deformable portion is in the second state following operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A cover for a housing of a vehicle and a method of sealing a cover to the housing, where in at least one example, the cover comprises a cover body configured to cover an opening of the housing and to engage the housing at an interface around the opening. The cover may comprise a heating element embedded within the cover body and operable to at least partially melt a portion of the cover body as a part of a process for sealing the cover to the housing. The portion of the cover body may deform and conform to an interface feature at the mating surface of the housing due to the at least partial melting of the portion of the cover body, and, in some examples, the heating element may be configured to fail and be inoperable.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system for an internal combustion engine. In one example, the EGR system comprises an inlet air duct configured to provide the internal combustion engine with inlet air, an EGR diffuser configured to provide recirculated exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine to the inlet air duct through an outlet, and a resilient element, the EGR diffuser and resilient element adapted to provide homogenous mixing of EGR gases and inlet air at a specific operating condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cover for a housing of a vehicle and a method of sealing a cover to the housing, where in at least one example, the cover comprises a cover body configured to cover an opening of the housing and to engage the housing at an interface around the opening. The cover may comprise a heating element embedded within the cover body and operable to at least partially melt a portion of the cover body as a part of a process for sealing the cover to the housing. The portion of the cover body may deform and conform to an interface feature at the mating surface of the housing due to the at least partial melting of the portion of the cover body, and, in some examples, the heating element may be configured to fail and be inoperable.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fastener assembly comprises a fastener configured to couple a first component to a second component of the motor vehicle, the fastener comprising a shank configured to be received within a bore of the first component; and a retaining member, the retaining member being couplable to the fastener and the first component, the retaining member comprising an opening configured to receive the fastener shank and to provide a resistance against the removal of the fastener shank from the bore of the first component, wherein the retaining member comprises a deformable portion configured to deform from a first state to a second state by virtue of the operating environment of the first component such that the fastener may be removed from the bore when the deformable portion is in the second state following operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system for an internal combustion engine. In one example, the EGR system comprises an inlet air duct configured to provide the internal combustion engine with inlet air, an EGR diffuser configured to provide recirculated exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine to the inlet air duct through an outlet, and a resilient element, the EGR diffuser and resilient element adapted to provide homogenous mixing of EGR gases and inlet air at a specific operating condition of the vehicle.