Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Brian V Castillo

Giles D Bryer

Wade W Bryant

Sandra N Thomson

Sheryl K Wolf

Carlos E Caro Suarez

Bradly LaBaere

Alan G Holmes

Robert N Saje

Joel S Hooton

Warren J Parsons

James A Rochon

John Gibson

Michael T Chaney

Eric A Mathieson

Sean Gaw

Joseph D Kliewer

Daniel J Parrino

Andrew S Rogers

A steering control including a steering column, a hub fixedly connected to the steering column, and a support member fixedly connected to the hub. The support member has a continuous outer surface including a central point. A steering member is moveably mounted upon the support member and a steering module is mounted in the support member. The steering module converts movement of the steering member relative to the support member into a steering position signal.

Steering control member with a fixed hub and a non-circular profile

A skid plate for a vehicle includes a first layer, including a first material and a second layer, including a second material, which may be different from the first material. The second layer may be attached or bonded to the first layer and may convert a concentrated load into a distributed load. The second layer may provide thermal insulation for at least one underbody component of the vehicle. For example, the first layer may be metallic, while the second layer may be a rigid foam. The rigid foam may include an expanding adhesive foam. An adhesive may be disposed between the first layer and the second layer, to attach or bond the first layer to the second layer. The second layer may be adjacent to at least one underbody component of the vehicle. The concentrated load may correspond with a contact to the first layer of the skid plate.

Insulating load distributing skid plate

An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.

Integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle

A foldable ramp includes a first ramp element including a first end, a second end, and a first ramp surface extending between the first end and the second end, a second ramp element including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a second ramp surface extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a hinge connecting the second end of the first ramp element and the second end portion of the second ramp element. A first tension element has a first end section connected to the first end and a second end section. A second tension element has a first end segment pivotally connected to the first end portion and a second end segment connected to the second end section.

Foldable ramp for a pickup truck

A receiver hitch for a tow vehicle comprises a tubular receiver located centrally of the receiver hitch having a receiver opening facing outwardly of the tow vehicle. Hitch pin openings are located in opposing side-walls of the tubular receiver having a common axis and configured to receive a hitch pin. A detection device, for detection of the hitch pin, is located about an outer portion of the tubular receiver and includes hitch pin openings that are located in opposing side-walls and have the common axis of the hitch pin openings in the tubular receiver. Electrical contacts at the hitch pin openings in the detection device are in communication with an electrical circuit of the tow vehicle. The hitch pin operates to close the electrical circuit upon insertion into the openings in the detection device and the tubular receiver and contact with the electrical contacts.

Trailer hitch

Presented are multi-axis pivoting coupler joints for motorized vehicles, methods for making/using such coupler joints, and electric scooters with multi-axis pivoting coupler joints enabling multimodal scooter operation. A pivoting coupler joint includes first and second bearing assemblies each with a respective housing, respective inner and outer races concentric with each other and located in their respective housing, and a respective set of rolling elements rollably interposed between their respective inner and outer races. The first inner race of the first bearing assembly receives therethrough and circumscribes an axle shaft of a vehicle wheel. The second inner race attaches to a wheeled rider deck of the vehicle. The first and second bearing housings are joined together and angularly offset from each other. For some applications, the first bearing assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced needle roller bearings, and the second bearing assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced tapered bearings.

Multi-axis pivoting coupler joints and drivetrain architectures for intelligent electric scooters

Apparatuses, methods and systems are provided for forming an autonomous vehicle of an upper body unit configured to consume space in an upward direction to minimize a horizontal footprint and enable a stacking of vehicle components on top of each other in the upward direction; a lower chassis unit configured to oppose the upper body unit and include a structure for supporting the modular unit with prismatic cross members to configure to a range of module unit widths, the lower chassis unit including: a set of structural rails on either side of the lower chassis unit configured in a rigid frame unit with longitudinal members wherein the structural rails can be attached to another corresponding set of structural rails; a plurality of compartment units including: front-compartment, rear-compartment, and mid-compartment units configured to be attached on either side of the lower chassis unit for the forming of the autonomous vehicle.

Apparatuses, methods and systems with a vehicle architecture for unmanned autonomous vehicles

A body structure for an automotive vehicle includes an enclosure for a power source, an upper shear structure assembly and a lower shear structure assembly. The enclosure includes a front cross-member, a rear cross-member, a left rocker and a right rocker. The upper and lower shear structure assemblies are disposed across the top and bottom of the enclosure, respectively, and are fastened to respective top and bottom surfaces of the cross-members and rockers. The upper and lower shear structure assemblies may include respective front and rear generally trapezoidal sections configured for attachment to respective front and rear box structures. Each of the shear structure assemblies is effective to dissipate in-plane a portion of an external load imposed upon the enclosure.

Body structures for an automotive vehicle utilizing upper and lower shear structure assemblies

A vehicle includes a platform, a first axle beam attached to a front end of the platform at a first pivot, and a second axle beam attached to a rear end of the platform at a second pivot. The first axle beam is rotatable independently of the platform. The second axle beam is rotatable independently of the platform. The vehicle includes a plurality of first wheels fixed to the first axle beam and configured to move the platform. The vehicle includes a plurality of second wheels fixed to the second axle beam and configured to move the platform. The vehicle includes a link attached to one side of the platform at a third pivot. The link is movable about the third pivot independently of the beams to constrain movement of the platform in response to articulation of the first axle beam and/or the second axle beam.

Vehicle including a first axle beam and a second axle beam coupled together via a link

A control-linkage assembly for a differential of a vehicle includes a differential housing and a linkage apparatus. The differential housing includes sides spaced from each other relative to a lateral axis. The sides each define a respective hole along the lateral axis. The differential housing includes a front end and a rear end spaced from each other relative to a central axis. The differential housing includes a support at the front end. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the differential housing. An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle housing and the control-linkage assembly coupled to the axle housing. The control-linkage assembly includes the differential housing and the linkage apparatus as discussed above. The differential housing is fixed to the axle housing to form a unit. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the unit.

Control-linkage assembly for a differential of a vehicle and an axle assembly for a vehicle

Presented are adaptive propulsion assist systems and control logic for manually-powered vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and intelligent electric scooters with distributed sensing and control-loop feedback for adaptive e-assist operations. A method for regulating a propulsion assist system of a manually-powered vehicle includes a vehicle controller detecting a user contacting the vehicle's handlebar, responsively receiving sensor signals indicative of a user-applied force to the handlebar, and then determining a net user-applied force based on the handlebar force and user-generated forces applied to the scooter deck. The vehicle controller also receives sensor signals indicative of the vehicle's current acceleration, and determines therefrom a pitch angle of the surface on which the vehicle moves. Responsive to the net force being greater than zero and the pitch angle being greater than a calibrated threshold angle, the controller commands the traction motor to increase motor torque output by a calibrated force gain increment.

Powertrain architectures and control algorithms for intelligent electric scooters

A vehicle includes a frame assembly, a body, and a first strip isolator disposed between the body and the frame.

Body mounting system for an exoskeleton vehicle

Disclosed are active vehicle seat assemblies, methods for making and using such seat assemblies, and vehicles with active seat assemblies for counteracting unwanted inertial forces. An active vehicle seat assembly is disclosed that includes an occupant chair with interconnected seat and backrest portions. A motion sensor detects motion of the occupant chair and outputs signals indicative thereof. An automated platform movably mounts the occupant chair to the vehicle body. The platform includes: a pitch plate that pivots about two lateral axes; a pitch actuator that selectively pivots the pitch plate; a roll plate that pivots about two longitudinal axes; and a roll actuator that selectively pivots the roll plate. An on-board controller responds to signals from the motion sensor indicative of inertial motion disturbances to the chair by transmitting control signals to the pitch and/or roll actuators to pivot the pitch and/or roll plates to thereby counteract the inertial disturbances.

Active vehicle seat architecture for inertial compensation in motor vehicles

A number of variations may include a product comprising a cam guide mechanism for use with a string-damper comprising a body, wherein the body includes a profiled surface and a groove extending along the profiled surface.

Cam mechanism for tuning of string-dampers on hinged compartments

A compartment with a plurality of side-walls and a floor, which together at least partially define a cargo area. The plurality of side-walls include a first side-wall and a second side-wall, wherein the first side-wall is arranged substantially parallel to the second side-wall. The compartment also includes a multi-section panel configured to cover the cargo area. The panel has a first section with a first piece hinged to the first side-wall and a second piece hinged to the first piece, and a second section with a third piece hinged to the second side-wall and a fourth piece hinged to the third piece. When the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended relative to the first and second side walls and arranged substantially parallel to the floor, the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel. A vehicle employing such a compartment is also provided.

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Brian V Castillo