Abstract: A vehicle has a prime mover to propel the vehicle, and a fluid circuit that defines a fluid passage and contains a coolant. The fluid circuit in thermal communication with the prime mover. A camera is positioned to image coolant within the fluid passage. A controller is configured to receive image data from the camera, process the image data to determine a state of the coolant in the fluid circuit, and output an indication to a user regarding the state of the coolant. A method of monitoring a fluid circuit in a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A method of securing magnetizable inserts within cores of an electric converter includes placing an assembly of rotor cores in a transfer molding press, the magnetizable inserts being disposed within cavities of the rotor cores and the cavities of the rotor cores being in fluid communication, placing a polymer preform proximate a central portion of the assembly of rotor cores, displacing the polymer preform such that the polymer preform changes state and flows radially and then axially through each of the cavities of the rotor cores, removing the assembly of rotor cores from the transfer molding press, and removing polymer waste from the assembly of rotor cores.

Abstract: A power system includes a DC/AC converter, a traction battery, an AC/DC converter electrically connected between the DC/AC converter and traction battery, and a transformer electrically connected between the DC/AC converter and AC/DC converter. The AC/DC converter includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of capacitors such that during power transfer from the DC/AC converter to the traction battery, a voltage across each of the capacitors is half of a battery voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is configured to crank the engine during an engine start. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to start the engine, adjust a clutch actuator pressure to drive a disconnect clutch torque toward a desired value. The controller is further programmed to, in response to variances of the disconnect clutch torque relative to the clutch actuator pressure exceeding a threshold, issue a disconnect clutch fault.

Abstract: An inspection probe and system for inspecting a welded or brazed joint includes a housing having an internal cavity and opposed tapered standoffs disposed at a distal end portion of the housing. Distal ends of the opposed tapered standoffs define pivot surfaces, and the opposed tapered standoffs are spaced apart to define a secondary enclosure. A plurality of transducer elements are disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and a primary coupling medium made of a flexible, semi-solid material is secured between the opposed tapered standoffs. A signal processing module is in communication with a data acquisition unit, which is in communication with the transducer elements. The inspection probe is rotated across the joint, data from the transducer elements is communicated to the signal processing module, and reconstructed and corrected images obtained at different angles from the transducer elements are stitched to generate an inspection image.

Abstract: A system and method for providing electric power take-off from a high-voltage electric battery to a plurality of external devices includes: receiving a first request from a first external device having a first priority for a supply of power from an electric power take-off connector at a first voltage, a first current, and a first variance tolerance; receiving a second request from a second external device having a second priority for supply of power at a second voltage, a second current, and a second variance tolerance; and assigning available power from the high-voltage battery, via a high voltage (HV) variable direct-current to direct-current (DCDC) converter and a current regulator in electrical communication with the high-voltage battery, to the first and second external devices based upon their respective priorities and variance tolerances.

Abstract: Crawl operations for four-wheel steering vehicles are described herein. An example vehicle described herein includes four wheels, a front steering actuator to turn the front wheels, a rear steering actuator to turn the rear wheels, a front drive motor to drive the front wheels, and a rear drive motor to drive the rear wheels. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) to activate the front steering actuator to turn the front wheels in a first direction, activate the rear steering actuator to turn the rear wheels in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the front wheels and the rear wheels are turned in opposite directions, activate the front drive motor to drive the front wheels in a reverse direction, and activate the rear drive motor to drive the rear wheels in a forward direction while the front wheels are driven in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A traction battery assembly includes, among other things, battery cells configured to be positioned between a first frame rail of an electrified vehicle and an opposite, second frame rail of the electrified vehicle. The battery cells are arranged to transfer a load from the first frame rail to the second frame rail. A method of securing battery cells includes, among other things, positioning battery cells between a first frame of an electrified vehicle and an opposite, second frame rail of the electrified vehicle. The battery cells are positioned to transfer a load from the first frame rail to the second frame rail.

Abstract: A window system includes a window that moves between a closed position and an open position, and a pressure-sensitive material disposed on an edge of the window. An object detection method includes moving a window from a more open position to a less open position, and during the moving, detecting an electrical parameter using a pressure-sensitive material.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine that a door of a vehicle is attached to the vehicle based on data from at least one of a camera of the vehicle or a radio receiver of the vehicle; upon determining that the door is attached to the vehicle, actuate a component of the vehicle based on data from a door sensor of the vehicle, the door sensor indicating whether the door is open or closed; determine that the door is detached from the vehicle based on the data from the at least one of the camera or the radio receiver; and upon determining that the door is detached from the vehicle, actuate the component without relying on the data from the door sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a torque threshold for hands on/off detection are disclosed. An example steering system includes a steering wheel, a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel, a rack operatively coupled to the steering shaft, a translational movement of the rack to pivot wheels of a vehicle, a torque sensor operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the torque sensor to measure a torque associated with the steering shaft, an autonomous steering control system to adjust a torque threshold in response to a velocity of the rack satisfying a velocity threshold, and detect a hands off condition in response to the torque satisfying the torque threshold.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.

Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a brake pedal position sensor, a braking torque module, an accelerator pedal position sensor, and a brake augmenter. The brake pedal position sensor is operably coupled to a brake pedal to determine a brake pedal position responsive to actuation of the brake pedal by an operator. The braking torque module is operably coupled to wheels of the vehicle to provide negative torque to the wheels based on the brake pedal position when an EBB system is in an operable state. The accelerator pedal position sensor is operably coupled to an accelerator pedal to determine accelerator pedal position for generation of positive torque to the wheels based on the accelerator pedal position when the EBB system is in the operable state.

Abstract: A door-trim panel for a vehicle includes an armrest and a top roll extending upwardly from the armrest to an upper end. The upper end has an inboard portion and an outboard portion and the upper end is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The top roll includes pairs of ribs spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. The pairs of ribs include an inboard rib extending from the inboard portion toward the outboard portion to an outboard end. The pairs of ribs include an outboard rib adjacent to and spaced from the inboard rib of that pair. The outboard rib extends from the outboard portion toward the inboard portion to an inboard end of the outboard rib. The inboard ribs and outboard ribs are elongated transverse to the longitudinal axis. The inboard end and the outboard end are spaced from the inboard portion of the top roll.

Abstract: A battery pack includes an upper sidewall section of an enclosure, a lower sidewall section of the enclosure, and a fastener that moves to a secured position to secure the upper sidewall section to the lower sidewall section. The fastener is configured to be moved to the secured position from within an interior area of the enclosure. The battery pack further includes a gasket seal held between the upper sidewall section and the lower sidewall section at a position outside the fastener relative to an interior area of the enclosure.

Abstract: Solar power generation panels added on a transportation vehicle have a layout wherein power output of the panels varies according to an azimuth orientation of the vehicle. A controller includes a database of calibration curves relating an expected power output to a respective range of the azimuth orientation according to different solar altitude angles. A self-learning sequence is performed which (a) collects a magnitude of power output while the vehicle traverses the respective range of the azimuth orientation, (b) identifies a current solar altitude angle, and (c) stores a resulting calibration curve. A parking sequence comprises (a) selecting a calibration curve according to solar altitude angle, (b) determining a target vehicle azimuth angle which optimizes a cumulative power output based on the calibration curve and solar azimuth, and (d) initiating a movement of the vehicle to orient it at the target vehicle azimuth angle.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a first heat exchanger, a first region of a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger, a compressor, a vapor generator, an accumulator, a first expansion valve, and a first three-way valve. The compressor includes a low-pressure inlet, a mid-pressure inlet, and an outlet. The vapor generator is positioned downstream of the outlet of the compressor and upstream of both the low-pressure inlet and the mid-pressure inlet. The accumulator is positioned immediately upstream of the compressor. The accumulator includes an inlet and an outlet. The first expansion valve is positioned upstream of the accumulator. The first expansion valve includes an inlet and an outlet. The first three-way valve is positioned immediately downstream of the first expansion valve and immediately upstream of the accumulator.

Abstract: Deployable step systems for accessing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include a bumper integrated step pad that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the step pad establishes a portion of the bumper, and in the deployed position, the step pad is rearward and vertically lowered relative to the bumper.

Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more transceivers configured to communicate with a server; and a controller programmed to responsive to detecting an extra load to the vehicle, obtain a first candidate energy consumption rate corresponding to the extra load from the server, calculate an estimated energy consumption rate using the first candidate energy consumption rate, and calculate a distance to empty using the estimated energy consumption rate.

Abstract: A vehicle door control system includes a door assembly, which includes a side door and a liftgate. The door assembly includes an actuation assembly that adjusts each of the side door and the liftgate between opened and closed positions. A sensor assembly defines a rear sensor field, a first side sensor field, and a second side sensor field. A controller determines whether a person in at least one of the rear sensor field, the first side sensor field, and the second side sensor field is a recognized passenger, determines a speed of the recognized passenger, determines whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, and activates the actuation assembly to open at least one of the liftgate and the side door based on whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, where timing of activation of the actuation assembly is based on the speed of the recognized passenger.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a tooling assembly for a machine having an automatic tool changing system. The tooling assembly includes a holder, a tool body, and an internal passage defined within and extending through the holder and the tool body. The holder includes a machine interface configured to engage with a spindle of the machine. The internal passage is operable to have a coolant fluid flow within, and has a stem channel and a curved channel extending from the stem channel.

Abstract: A data map is modeled to generate a modeled data map, the data map including a calibration to control vehicle operation over various weather conditions encountered by a vehicle, the modeled data map characterizing data elements of the data map according to a mathematical model. The modeled data map is sent to the vehicle to expand into at least a portion of the data map to control the vehicle operation.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to provide an identification of an occupant of a vehicle to a plurality of virtual-meeting platforms, receive data indicating a plurality of virtual meetings at respective start times for the occupant from the virtual-meeting platforms, connect a user interface of the vehicle to a first one of the virtual meetings through a first virtual-meeting platform of the virtual meeting platforms at the respective start time, and connect the user interface to a second one of the virtual meetings through a second virtual-meeting platform of the virtual meeting platforms at the respective start time.

Abstract: A high-voltage module, such as a traction battery, a traction inverter, or a DC/DC converter of a traction powertrain of an electrified vehicle (EV), includes an enclosure and a fuse box. An electronics assembly for performing electrical power operations is housed within the enclosure. The enclosure has a socket. The fuse box is removably insertable into the socket of the enclosure. The fuse box connects to the electronics assembly while the fuse box is inserted into the socket of the enclosure for the fuse box to provide a power distribution and fuse protection arrangement to the electronics assembly.

Abstract: Monitoring of a vehicle is provided. A plurality of video feeds captured from cameras of the vehicle are received, over a network from a vehicle, each of the plurality of video feeds including a plurality frames, each of the frames of each of the video feeds being assigned a sequence number that increases for each successive frame. The sequence numbers are analyzed to identify missing frames, delayed frames, or stale frames. The plurality of video feeds is displayed, to one or more monitors, the sequence numbers corresponding to the displayed frames, and for each of the plurality of video feeds, indications of whether any missed frames, delayed frames, or stale frames were identified.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle operates in a Follow Mode, wherein an apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle includes an exterior monitoring system comprising at least one sensor to monitor an exterior region and to detect a location of a target user. A controller is configured to A) interactively map an activity zone having a selected expanse in the exterior region relative to the vehicle, B) compare a monitored location of the target user to the activity zone, C) detect a relocation event when the comparison of the monitored location of the target user to the activity zone exceeds a predetermined deviation, and D) send a navigation command in response to detecting the relocation event in order to autonomously reposition the vehicle so that a relative location of the target user is restored to the activity zone.

Abstract: A locking system for retractable and removable bins, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The locking system includes a retractable latch disposed within a carrier sized and shaped to receive one or more delivery bins. The locking system further includes a first retention feature disposed on the bin and configured to receive the latch in a first locked configuration where horizontal and vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is prohibited. Additionally, the locking system includes a second retention feature disposed on the bin distal to the first retention feature and configured to receive the latch in a second locked configuration. The second retention feature has an opening such that, in the second locked configuration, vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is permitted to thereby remove the bin from the latch through the opening.

Abstract: A tool system for installing a parking pawl includes a tool that includes a base, a plate, and an actuator. The base includes a base surface configured to support a parking pawl in a predetermined position. The plate includes a protrusion that extends upward from a front portion of the plate. A rear portion of the plate is coupled to a front portion of the base. The plate is movable relative to the base between a retention position in which the protrusion is positioned to retain a pawl spring loaded on the parking pawl in a pretensioned state, and a release position in which the protrusion is configured to release the pawl spring. The actuator is operably coupled to the plate such that activation of the actuator moves the plate between the retention position and the release position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a panel that defines an aperture. The vehicle also includes a cover operably coupled to the panel. The cover is operable between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the cover conceals the aperture. In the second condition, access to the aperture is provided. The vehicle further includes an electrical connector coupled to the cover, such that the electrical connector moves with the cover as the cover moves between the first and second conditions. Movement of the cover from the first condition to the second condition reveals the electrical connector.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle roof and a vehicle floor spaced downwardly from the vehicle roof. The vehicle includes a post slidably supported by one of the vehicle floor and the vehicle roof and a tether slidably engaged with the other of the vehicle floor and the vehicle roof. The tether extends from the other of the vehicle floor and the vehicle roof toward the post. The post is slidable relative to the vehicle floor and the vehicle roof from a stowed position to a deployed position. The vehicle includes a support member mounted to the post between the vehicle floor and the vehicle roof. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the support member. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position when the post is in the deployed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating certain spoofing of vehicle features are disclosed herein. An example method can include determining input torque values obtained from a steering torque sensor associated with a steering wheel of a vehicle, wherein the input torque values are obtained over a period of time, determining road disturbances using a road disturbance model, applying a driver model that is indicative of human driver hands-on-wheel behaviors, determining when input torque values are indicative of a spoof or human interaction with the steering wheel using the input torque values, the road disturbance model, and the driver model, and executing a remediating measure when the input torque values are indicative of the spoof.

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: A power system includes an inverter, a pair of traction batteries electrically in series, and collectively in parallel with the inverter, a plurality of switches electrically in series, and collectively electrically in parallel with the traction batteries and inverter such that the switches are connected between the traction batteries and inverter, and one or more controllers programmed to operate the switches during charge of one of the traction batteries or operation of the inverter to balance states of charge of the traction batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed is an end-to-end delivery system that uses standard containers designed for autonomous vehicle (AV) goods delivery, a purpose-built AV cargo management system, a purpose-built robot to load and unload packages, and software to coordinate the various tasks involved. The standard containers may include a hardware locking interface for locking to a carrying robot. The cargo management system may include a programmable conveyor system installed on each floor of a multi-floor cargo space within the AV. For example, the floor may include a roller surface to allow omnidirectional routing of packages. An elevator shaft may be used for receiving and off-loading containers. The software may identify a target container anywhere within the multi-floor cargo space, and determine how to rearrange the containers within a grid in the AV so that the target container may be moved to the elevator shaft for unloading.

Abstract: A vehicle includes friction brakes, an electronic park brake system, and controllers. The controllers, responsive to the vehicle coming to a stop, and the vehicle being on plug, a driver door of the vehicle being open, or a driver seatbelt being unbuckled, issue a standstill friction brake request for the friction brakes and an electronic park brake request for the electronic park brake system. The controllers also, responsive to engagement of the electronic park brake system, discontinue the issue of the standstill friction brake request.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to monitor conditions of a roadway as a vehicle travels the roadway while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, identify an expected condition change based on the monitoring the conditions of the roadway, determine a preferred power state for an engine of the vehicle based on the expected condition change, determine that an engine power state transition is planned for the engine, the engine power state transition including transitioning the engine from a current power state to a planned power state, and resolve the engine power state transition based on the preferred power state.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a profile manager to determine whether a user of a vehicle has a corresponding profile stored in memory based on a personalized vehicle key associated with the user, in response to determining that the profile for the user is not available, receive one or more inputs from the user via a display, the one or more inputs including a loading condition threshold and a corresponding response to exceeding the loading condition threshold, and generate the profile for the user based on the one more inputs from the user; and a vehicle feature modifier to modify a feature of the vehicle when a load condition of the vehicle satisfies the loading condition threshold to limit or disable operation of the vehicle based on the corresponding response to exceeding the loading condition threshold, the feature modified based upon the profile.

Abstract: A vehicle charging station includes a shroud configured to guide a vehicle charge plug that is lowered from a vehicle toward a charge connector as the vehicle moves toward the charging station. The vehicle charge plug and the charge connector have contacts arranged on a connector face that is generally perpendicular to a surface on which the vehicle charging station rests.

Abstract: A device holder assembly that includes a body and a housing coupled to the body. A drive assembly is rotatably coupled to the housing. A leg assembly that includes a first leg and a second leg is coupled to the housing. A first rack gear is coupled to the first leg and the drive assembly. A second rack gear is coupled to the second leg and the drive assembly. The drive assembly permits instantaneous movement of the first leg and the second leg. A first finger is rotatably coupled to the first leg and a second finger is coupled to the second leg. The first finger has a first finger outer surface and the second finger has a second finger outer surface that are generally coplanar with the body outer surface when the first finger and the second finger are in a retracted position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a battery swapping system for an electrically powered vehicle. The vehicle includes a propulsion system, a first battery powering the propulsion system, and another power source powering the propulsion system. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to enable unloading the first battery to a first charging station by propulsion of the vehicle towards and then away from the first charging station. The controller is further configured to subsequently enable loading a second battery from a second charging station by propulsion of the vehicle powered by the another power source towards the second charging station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1). In order to increase motor vehicle user convenience and eco-friendliness in connection with a parking of motor vehicles (1) subject to a charge, the motor vehicle (1) has at least one device (2) permanently integrated into at least one structure of the motor vehicle (1) for displaying a parking duration and/or a parking start of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A power system includes a battery and a controller. The controller inhibits charge of the battery according to voltage or current values sensed before and after contactors electrically connected to the battery are commanded to open and indicating that a leakage resistance associated with one of the contactors increases after the one of contactors is commanded to open, and a duration of a continuous voltage drop across another of the contactors after the another of the contactors is commanded to open exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method for authenticating payload delivery devices. The payload delivery devices can include autonomous robotic delivery vehicles or other devices. The disclosed method causes delivery devices to authenticate each other during the delivery cycle via the cloud by determining, via a processor, payload delivery mission metadata that can include a mission identification (ID), payload information, and a mission type associated with payload delivery. The method further includes generating, based on the payload delivery mission metadata, a multi-modal authentication message that, when received by a first delivery device, configures the first delivery device to authenticate a second delivery device using a token generated onboard the delivery device or received from the cloud server, receive and authenticate delivery payload associated with the payload delivery mission, and complete a delivery operation through cloud server-coordinated or independent device authentication.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assigning alternative energy vehicles to travel routes based on vehicle wear-and-tear ratings. Wear-and-tear ratings may be influenced by factors such as, for example, road grade, travel speed, electric motor use, and battery use, on various travel routes. An example method for determining a wear-and-tear rating of an alternative energy vehicle may involve determining an amount of stress imposed upon an electric motor of an alternative energy vehicle due to a grade of a road on a travel route, and an amount of energy consumed from a battery of the alternative energy vehicle due to a speed of travel on the travel route. The wear-and-tear rating of the alternative energy vehicle may then be determined based on the amount of stress imposed upon the electric motor and/or the amount of energy consumed from the battery on the travel route.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling a heating element of a window of a vehicle. The systems and methods include capturing an image of the window with a camera of the vehicle. The image is analyzed to determine a state of the window and the heating element is controlled based on the state of the window.

Abstract: A plurality of thermal images forward of a vehicle are collected. Thermal data in the plurality of thermal images is normalized based on an ambient air temperature to generate a plurality of normalized thermal images. The plurality of normalized thermal images are input to a machine learning program trained to output an identification of an object based on the ambient air temperature and a risk of collision between the vehicle and the object. A vehicle component is actuated based on the identification of the object and the risk of collision with the object.