Abstract: A master clock on a truck maintains vehicle standard time for the purposes of monitoring and recording vehicle performance data throughout the vehicle. Vehicle performance data is stored for a predefined period of time in response to detecting predefined events. Instances of vehicle performance data is time stamped with vehicle standard time. The master vehicle clock can also maintain the local time displayed to the driver. In response to inputs from the driver, the difference between driver local time and vehicle standard time is computed and the updated local time is displayed to the driver.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating panel layout and wiring harness specifications for vehicles. The panel layout system receives as input a list of parts including switches, gauges, connectors, circuit breakers, etc., and automatically places these parts in a control panel (e.g. dash panel or electrical panel) within the vehicle. To place these parts automatically, the system extracts potential panel locations for each part from a database, and then attempts to place the parts in their corresponding potential panel locations. The system can also generate a wiring specification for the vehicle. Once panel locations are assigned, the system attempts to assign circuits in the wiring harness to electrical contact locations associated with panel locations.

Abstract: A vehicle having a side-mounted fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag in which a portion of the fairing is easily removable to allow access to vehicle components is disclosed. The removable fairing includes a convolute sheet of substantially rigid material in which planar surfaces are formed for providing steps. Support rails are mounted to an inner surface of the fairing just below the steps to connect the fairing to the vehicle and to support weight placed on the steps. The rails include mortise and tenon connections for connecting the removable fairing portion to a fixed portion of the fairing. In addition, support brackets are fixedly attached to the vehicle and extend outward to provide support for the removable fairing. Fasteners are provided for securing the removable fairing to the vehicle and to the fixed portion of the fairing.

Abstract: A truck cab ventilation system and method which includes an air exhaust channel that extends from an upper channel portion adjacent the ceiling at the rear of the cab and through a lower channel portion to an exhaust vent mounted adjacent the floor of the cab over an exit opening in such floor. An inlet vent in the front of the cab produces a positive pressure within the cab which causes flow-through ventilation air flow from the front to the rear of the cab when the truck is moving. As a result, air flows into the upper channel portion of the exhaust channel and out of the exhaust vent through the exit opening to the exterior of the cab. The exhaust vent includes flexible louvers of elastomer which are held by gravity in a closed position and are moved into an open position when air flows out through the exhaust system.

Abstract: A ventilation display system determines when a ventilation system has remained in recirculation mode for a predefined time, and in response generates a stale air alert message inside the cab of a truck. The system can generate messages alerting the driver that the HVAC system has switched into recirculation mode, and alerting the driver that the recirculation mode has remained active for the predefined time. When equipped with a CO.sub.2 sensor, the system can generate air quality messages based on either the status of the recirculation mode or the level of CO.sub.2 in the cab of the truck or both.

Abstract: A raised roof vehicle has an overhead storage compartment positioned above the windshield area of the vehicle and extending from side to side thereof. A wall or floor of the storage compartment separates the interior of the storage compartment from the portion of the cab at the exterior thereof. At least one plural purpose light source is coupled to the wall and operable to direct light simultaneously through a light diffusing housing into the interior of the overhead storage compartment and through a wall opening to the cab at the exterior of the overhead storage compartment. A light source cover of a light transmitting material overlies the plural purpose light source and cooperates with the lens or globe to substantially enclose the plural purpose light source. The assembly may include at least one red light source coupled to the wall and operable to bathe the instrument panel of the truck with red light. At least one spotlight may also be provided in the assembly.

Abstract: A reinforced coach joint for joining a roof of a truck to the sidewalls and/or rearwall of the truck involves clamping inwardly projecting flanges of the components to be joined between elongated reinforcing elements. Preferably the reinforcing elements define respective upwardly and downwardly opening channels that extend substantially around the periphery of the sidewalls, at least in a sleeper compartment area of a truck, and the rearwall of the truck. In a specific form, a lower reinforcing element has major sections with an h-shaped construction with an inner leg that projects upwardly above the elevation of the roof flange. This upwardly projecting reinforcing leg may engage a reinforcing leg of a sidewall reinforcing element positioned above the roof flange to further rigidify the construction.

Abstract: A toggle switch handle for a toggle switch mounted to the dash of a truck consists in substantial part essentially of a resilient bendable material. The switch is generally spatulate in shape with a base, a distal end, rounded side edges and recessed or concave major opposed surfaces. The handle is elongated with a longitudinal axis. The handle has a stiffness in bending in response to a force applied at the distal end of the handle and in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis from twenty-five pounds to thirty pounds per inch at seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit and most preferably twenty-eight pounds per inch. The handle may be of an elastomeric material of a durometer of from 85 to 95, and most preferably about 90, on the Shore A scale measured at seventy-three degrees Fahrenheit. The handle is coupled to switch components by a lever. The extent to which the lever projects into the base of the handle is limited so that the lever has a minimal impact on the bendability of the toggle switch handle.

Abstract: A condensate drainage system for pneumatic tanks is disclosed. Large vehicles typically use compressed air for operating various vehicle functions such as its brakes. In conjunction with the use of compressed air there is provided a pneumatic system including a compressor and pneumatic storage tanks. Because of the properties of compressed air, it is necessary to drain condensates and contaminants from the pneumatic storage tanks in order to prevent the condensates and contaminants from migrating throughout the air system, and interfering with the operation of, the brakes. Accordingly, electrically controlled drain valves are connected to the pneumatic tanks for purging condensate and contaminants. A logic controller which receives inputs from sensors and determines an engine status controls the operation of the drain valves so as to optimally purge condensates and contaminants. The controller includes a CPU, programmable memory, and a timer.

Abstract: A trash container apparatus is provided integral with a truck cab console. A pivotable trash door is positioned on the cab console to allow access to the inside of the trash container for disposing trash therein. The inner sides of the trash container have protrusions to retain the top edge of a trash bag so that the bag lines the container and is capable of receiving trash. The trash container is movable from a closed position to an open position. In the open position, the container is positioned in the area substantially in front of the passenger seat to allow access to the inside of the container for removing any accumulated trash. Slide rails attached to the container are capable of sliding along guide tracks attached to the cab console for moving the container from a closed to an open position, or vice versa. The trash container has a handle for grasping when being moved.

Abstract: A torsion bar hood lift assist includes a torsion bar mounted with a free end portion positioned to engage and travel along a hood interior surface as the hood of the vehicle is opened and closed. As the hood is closed, the torsion bar bends and twists to store energy which is then transferred to the hood to assist in hood opening when the hood is lifted. The free end portion of the torsion bar supports a hood engagement member such as a roller to reduce friction between the torsion bar and hood as energy is transferred. The torsion bar is typically supported at two locations with a bearing block being used to further reduce friction. The free end of the torsion bar engages a hood reinforcing member or plate, which may comprise a hood mounting bracket, and travels against this plate during hood opening and closing.

Abstract: An anti-spill fuel fill door overlies a fuel fill line access opening in a panel on a body of a vehicle. The door is pivotable between a closed position covering the access opening and an open position, in which the door is located beneath the access opening. The fuel fill door has a fuel catching reservoir such as a tray that catches fuel spilled during the delivery of fuel when the tray is in the open position. When the door is pivoted to the closed position, the spilled fuel drains from the fuel catching tray behind the panel on the body.