Abstract: A rear axle/suspension module (18) is associated with a chassis frame (10) in a way that facilitates installation and removal to provide more efficient assembly plant operations with fewer parts and less floor space. Also provided is a method of re-equipping a truck that has one particular model of drive axle and suspension module with a different model.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a vehicle with a protective panel. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a frame to which components of the vehicle are attached. At least one fender is attached to the frame. An opening is located on the at least one fender. At least one of a headlight and a light assembly is disposed at the opening. A suspension system is attached to the frame, and the suspension system comprises at least one wheel disposed adjacent the opening. A protective panel is attached to the at least one fender and is located adjacent the at least one wheel and the opening. The protective panel includes an upper panel and a lower panel. The upper panel is joined to the lower panel by a living hinge so that at least one of the upper panel and the lower panel is movable between and open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed having an enclosure with a top and sides, one of the sides having an opening for receiving the batteries therein. A plurality of batteries in electrical communication with one another are disposed within the enclosure. Each battery has a pair of parallel tubular openings extending through the battery, with one tubular opening being in electrical communication with the positive pole and the other tubular opening being in electrical communication-with the negative pole of the battery. When the batteries are aligned with one another within the enclosure, the tubular openings are axially aligned with each other. A conductor rod threaded at each end extends through and is in electrical communication with each tubular opening in each battery. A threaded fastener is secured to each of the threaded end of each of the conductor rods.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a system for conditioning power take-off enablement has a powerplant, including an internal combustion engine, for propelling the vehicle. The powerplant is disposed within a compartment. A hood is positionable relative to the compartment to selectively allow and disallow access to the compartment. A power take-off unit comprises an input mechanically coupled to the powerplant and selectively enabled by a controller for coupling an output of the power take-off unit to the input of the power take-off unit when enabled by the controller and uncoupling the output of the power take-off unit from the input of the power take-off unit when not enabled by the controller. A device whose status distinguishes between the hood allowing access to the compartment and the hood disallowing access to the compartment causes the controller not to enable the power take-off unit when the device discloses that the hood is allowing access to the compartment.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-cooling device for use on an exhaust gas conveyance system of a vehicle having an exhaust gas passageway to emit exhaust gases from an engine to an outlet includes an exhaust passageway pipe in fluid communication with the engine, and a micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe in fluid communication with and located downstream of the exhaust passageway pipe. The micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe defines the outlet of the exhaust gas-cooling device and has at least one aperture disposed on a pipe body of the micro-venturi mixing chamber for introducing ambient air into the micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe.

Abstract: A protection structure is formed from a platform and a forward pair and a rearward pair of load bearing members, where each load bearing member is attached at a lower end to the platform. A first and second pair of side beams are attached to the outer side of one of each of the pair of load bearing members, respectively. A pair of upper corner beams are attached to an upper end of each of the load bearing members and attached to an end of each of a forward pair and a rearward pair of transverse members, where a beam is attached to the opposite end of each of the pair of transverse members. Body panels may be attached to the protection structure to define and enclose the occupant compartment.

Abstract: Braking control for a hybrid vehicle provides both service and regenerative mode braking for the driven wheels. A hybrid drive system is coupled to the driven wheels to provide traction power and which is capable of operating in a regenerative braking mode. The service brakes are provided by pneumatically actuated service brakes coupled to the driven wheels. Braking is initiated conventionally using an operator controlled brake actuator. A pressure regulator is placed in a pneumatic brake actuation line coupled from the operator controlled brake actuator to the pneumatically actuated service brakes for the driven wheels. The pressure regulator initially closes during braking, preventing operation of the service brakes up to the limit of the ability of the hybrid drive system to absorb torque for regenerative braking. When the torque limit for the hybrid drive system is reached, the regulator opens the actuation line progressively allowing the service brakes to supplement the hybrid drive system.

Abstract: A nested seating unit for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The nested seating unit comprises a first seat having a seating surface and a second seat having a seating surface. The nested seating unit is adjustable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first seat and the second seat have a first lateral distance between them, and in the second position, the first seat and the second seat have a second lateral distance between them. The first lateral distance is greater than the second lateral distance.

Abstract: Embodiments comprise a stackable vehicle which may be supported from, or serve as support to, another like vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame and a body supported from the frame. The body includes a weight bearing roof Wheel assemblies are mounted for rotation on the frame. The body includes recesses from the roof of the body to accommodate location of wheel assemblies of a like vehicle supported on the roof Support and mounting points are located on the roof and on the frame respectively to fix location of a vehicle to be carried on top of a supporting vehicle.

Abstract: A convertible seating unit for a motor vehicle is provided. The convertible seating unit comprises a seat having an upper surface, a front edge and a rear edge. The convertible seating unit further includes a back support comprising a first back support panel and a second back support panel. Each of the first and second back support panels has a first edge and a second edge, and an upper surface and a lower surface. The second edge of the first back panel is hingeably connected to the first edge of the second back panel to define a first hinge axis. The first edge of the first back panel is hingeably connected to the seat proximate the rear edge of the seat to define a second hinge axis.

Abstract: A geofence system which locates a position as within or without the complex polygon type geofence using a simplified algorithm. The algorithm obtains a position and compares it to the polygon by establishing a ray from the position constructed in a cardinal direction of the coordinate system. The “polarity” of the count of intersections between the ray and geofence indicates whether the position is inside the geofence or not.

Abstract: A special patch is adhered to the bare metal of a dash panel in covering relation to one or more pass-through holes and their margins before a truck cab is primed and painted. After painting, a cover of the patch is peeled off to expose an electrically conductive medium that remains adhered to the bare metal. A ground block is mounted on the dash panel with a stud passing through a pass-through hole. The electrically conductive medium establishes conductivity of the body of the ground block to the dash panel.

Abstract: A method for enabling a truck having an electrical system that can accept shore power to be supplied with shore power is provided. While the truck is stationary, an electric cable is connected between the truck's electrical system and an APU of a second truck that not only can deliver AC electricity to electrical loads in the second truck and also can export AC electricity as shore power. A condition precedent to enabling the APU to export AC electricity to the truck that can accept shore power is confirmed via a communication link between the two trucks. Upon confirmation of the condition, the APU is enabled to export AC electricity to the truck that can accept shore power.

Abstract: A vehicle battery cable has a plurality of subsidiary or daughter cables where the subsidiary cables have the same length and gauge and exhibit closely matched resistance. The vehicle battery cable connects a plurality of batteries in parallel to a load in a way that each battery carries the same proportion of the load as every other battery.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a visor support and a method of supporting a visor. In one embodiment, the support comprises a body and a flange with the visor is attached to the body such that the visor moves with respect to the body. A fastener attaches the body to the flange such that the body moves with respect to the flange. A first detent is disposed on the flange. A first ball is disposed on the body. The first ball is engageable with the first detent to control vertical movement of the visor. A second detent is disposed on the visor. A second ball is disposed on the body. The second ball is engageable with the second detent to control horizontal movement of the visor.

Abstract: A vehicle reporting its position, typically derived from a global positioning or other navigation system, implements idle time limitation protocols based on its position. The particular protocol can be derived from a central, updated location using a telematics link.