Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Thomas R Brown

Qi Ma

Kenneth J Shoemaker

Hsu-Chiang Miao

Daniel Rudd

Norman Joseph Weigert

Anthony L Smith

Weiwen Deng

Yong Han Lee

Stephen W Decker

Michelle H Wiebenga

Anil Bika

Mary Ellen DeCaluwe

Carl W Wellborn

Grant L Meade

Daniel Demitrish

Willard A Hall

Timothy J Romelhardt

Joseph J Gies, Iii

Michael J Rasmussen

Arnold Michael Kirsch

Christopher Kumle

A smart trailer coupler system includes a ball mount connectable to a vehicle, a hitch ball mechanically connected to the ball mount, a coupler selectively connectable to the hitch ball, and at least one sensor mounted to one of the ball mount, the hitch ball and the coupler. The at least one sensor detects a size compatibility between the coupler and the hitch ball. A signal system is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The signal system provides at least one of a visual alert and an audible alert of the size compatibility between the hitch ball and the coupler.

Smart trailer coupler system

A vehicle safety system target includes a first platform disposed on a mobile chassis, a frame assembly, a first securing member, a second platform, and a mounting member. The frame assembly is at least partially disposed about the mobile chassis and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is disposed on the first platform. The second frame member is disposed on the first platform. The first securing member is configured to couple an object to the first platform. The second platform is spaced apart from the first platform. The mounting member is disposed on the second platform.

Vehicle safety system mobile target

A user-position-focused vehicle lighting system comprising a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having a user-position-determination module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines a vehicle user position proximate a vehicle. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-identification module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines, based on the vehicle user position, which of multiple vehicle lighting features should be illuminated, yielding a presently selected lighting feature. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-activation module configured to, when executed by the processing unit, send a signal to the presently selected lighting feature to illuminate the presently selected lighting feature. In various embodiments, the technology includes the storage device separate from the processing unit, and processes performed by the system.

User-following vehicle illumination system

A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.

Method and apparatus for supporting stop-and-go engine functionality

A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable.

The invention describes a sensor mechanism for measuring hitch articulation angle. A configuration of the contact face between hitch ball and receiver eliminates the effect of the unwanted trailer motions, such as roll and pitch while accurately registering trailer yaw motion. Also, there is no yaw slippage at the contact that was a major problem during the successive acceleration and brake maneuvers. With the freely rotating ball and shaft, the angle is measured using an angle sensor, such as an optical encoder, potentiometer, or other means. For the case of a relative angle sensor, automatic zero angle calibration can be used to allow an absolute angle measurement.

Sensing mechanism for hitch articulation angle

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Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Thomas R Brown