Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the cargo area of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a support structure having a track system. The track system includes a first track portion defining a first cargo floor position, a second track portion defining a second cargo floor position and a third track portion defining a cargo floor storage position. A tambour cargo deck is supported by the track system, and movable from the first or second cargo floor position to the cargo floor storage position, and movable from the cargo floor storage position to the first or second cargo floor position. In this way, the cargo area can be increased or decreased as desired. The method comprises sliding the tambour cargo deck from the first cargo floor position to the storage position and sliding the tambour cargo deck from the storage position to the second cargo floor position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the cargo area of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a support structure having a track system. The track system includes a first track portion defining a first cargo floor position, a second track portion defining a second cargo floor position and a third track portion defining a cargo floor storage position. A tambour cargo deck is supported by the track system, and movable from the first or second cargo floor position to the cargo floor storage position, and movable from the cargo floor storage position to the first or second cargo floor position. In this way, the cargo area can be increased or decreased as desired. The method comprises sliding the tambour cargo deck from the first cargo floor position to the storage position and sliding the tambour cargo deck from the storage position to the second cargo floor position.

Abstract: A cargo conveyor is provided for a vehicle having an interior including a cargo area having a floor, a wall, a reach zone, and a distant zone and configured to transport a cargo item. The cargo conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a motor, and a controller. The conveyor belt is connectable to the cargo area and has a top portion. The motor is connectable to the cargo area, operatively connected to the conveyor belt, and configured to move the top portion of the conveyor belt in a forward direction and in a rearward direction. The controller is in communication with the motor and is configured to control the motor. The cargo conveyor is configured to selectively move the cargo item from the reach zone to the distant zone and from the distant zone to the reach zone.

Abstract: A circuit and/or a corresponding method for controlling a piezoelectric or electrostrictive actuator (P) have a series-connected driver stage (G) which provides a control signal which is used to drive the piezoelectric actuator (P). A reference capacitor (M), which is used to measure a charge (qP) of the actuator (P), is serially connected to the actuator (P). The reference capacitor (M) is used as a series capacitor in order to measure the actuator charge (q<SUB>A</SUB>(T)=q<SUB>P</SUB>(t)) of the piezoelectric actuator. The output variable is a voltage which is proportional to the actuator charge. The voltage is guided to an A/D-converter and is processed further in a digital manner or guided directly to a analogue controller.