A vehicle powertrain includes a monolithically integrated load switch, mirror switch, and temperature array, and a gate driver. The gate driver includes a first comparator configured to filter a current level of the mirror switch, and a second comparator configured to provide a reference to the first comparator based on temperature array output such that a gate discharge rate of the switch, enabled by the first comparator, varies proportionally with a temperature adjusted filtered current level.

A glass antenna with improved reception sensitivity was provided. A glass antenna formed on a surface of a window of a motor vehicle includes: an FM antenna element; and a heater that is capacitively coupled to the FM antenna element, and includes a plurality of heating wires, wherein a distance S between the FM antenna element and the heater is more than 40 mm.

A device for heat distribution in a hybrid motor vehicle includes an engine cooling circuit and a refrigerant circuit for a combined operation in a refrigeration heat pump mode and a reheating mode. The refrigerant circuit includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger to supply heat from the refrigerant to air being conditioned for a passenger compartment, and a heat exchanger to transfer heat between a refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit and coolant of the engine cooling circuit. The heat exchanger operates as an evaporator for the heat transfer from the coolant to the evaporating refrigerant, and alternatively operates as a condenser for the heat transfer from the condensing refrigerant to the coolant.

A method for controlling a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: controlling a multi-point injection (MPI) fuel system for supplying fuel to an engine for a low revolutions-per-minute (RPM) operation; subsequently, causing a gasoline direct injection (GDI) fuel system for a high RPM operation; switching to the multi-point injection fuel system when it is determined that the gasoline direct injection fuel system fails. The method further comprises calculating a torque deficiency due to the switching from the GDI fuel system to the MPI fuel system and controlling a starter-generator to generate an assist torque to compensate the torque deficiency.

An exterior structure for a wire harness is provided with a pipe that has an electric wire insertion space that allows an electric wire to be inserted through the inside of the pipe. The pipe includes a diameter reduction portion that is defined by an inward deformation of the pipe in a diameter direction that narrows the electric wire insertion space. In the diameter reduction portion, the clearance between (i) the electric wire that is inserted through the electric wire insertion space of the pipe and (ii) the inner circumferential surface of the pipe can be reduced or eliminated, which suppresses rattling of the electric wire.

An assembly includes a subframe, a rocker, a battery cage supported by the rocker, and a battery supported by the battery cage. The assembly includes a reinforcement bolted to the rocker and positioned to be along a load path through the subframe resulting from a vehicle frontal impact.

Methods are provided for optimizing generation of water on-board a vehicle with reduced impact on fuel economy. Regenerative braking energy, and/or solar energy, in excess of what is required for charging a system battery, is used to operate a water extractor and save the captured energy as stored water. A proportion of the braking energy used to charge the battery versus operate the water extractor is adjusted as a function of operating conditions including a water level in a water reservoir on-board the vehicle.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

A glass antenna with improved reception sensitivity was provided. A glass antenna formed on a surface of a window of a motor vehicle includes: an FM antenna element; and a heater that is capacitively coupled to the FM antenna element, and includes a plurality of heating wires, wherein a distance S between the FM antenna element and the heater is more than 40 mm.

A vehicle charging system includes a locking mechanism to secure a charge plug to a charge port of a vehicle. The system includes a wireless transceiver and a near field communication transceiver. The system further includes a controller programmed to, responsive to receiving a request to disengage the locking mechanism during charging, send the request to a vehicle owner via the wireless transceiver, and, responsive to receiving an unlock command via the wireless transceiver, disengage the locking mechanism.