Abstract: A method and system for managing an automotive alternator are described for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The alternator is controlled by an electrical control unit (ECU) designed to facilitate electrical and mechanical coupling of the alternator to a battery. The ECU receives signals from a battery charge sensor to: determine a battery charge level between: BC1 (corresponding to a fully charge condition); BC2 (corresponding to a working charge level); and BC3 (corresponding to a low charge); and acting on the alternator such that: at level BC1, the alternator is disconnected electrically and mechanically; at leve BC3, the alternator is connected electrically and mechanically; and level BC2, the alternator is coupled mechanically when the vehicle movement speed is greater than a predetermined value (VLim) and when the engine is disengaged to change gear, and the alternator is electrically connected when the vehicle is being driven in cut-off mode.

Abstract: A hybrid power distribution central unit (1) is described, which comprises a housing (box) (2), provided with at least one cover (3) and internally defining a plurality of seats for coupling modules (12, 13, 14) of specific types, said housing (box) (2) comprising a power supply module (11) in order to electrically feed all the functional modules (12, 13, 14) coupled to the housing (box) (2). The functional modules are interchangeable according to their dimensions and not according to their specific types, thus, being possible for the hybrid power distribution central unit (1) to simultaneously use functional modules of different types.

Abstract: A system that is implemented in a vehicle (1) having front and rear doors (2) (3) with door opening sensors (SM; SD, SE) and one indicative sensor (ST) of locked door. A processing unit (4) calculates, by measuring the time the door remains open and by the sequence and/or frequency of openings and closings the doors (2, 3), the possibility of a non-self-sufficient occupant have been forgotten inside; and controls the actuation of an alarm (A1, A2, AL) in the event of the calculation indicates the possibility of such occupant have been forgotten inside the vehicle. The system identifies the possibility of an occupant has been introduced inside the vehicle when the opening time of the rear door is longer than time T1, and identifies the possibility of an occupant has been forgotten in the vehicle by means of the information processing sent by the door sensors.

Abstract: It is herein described a system and a corresponding method to carry out the selective coupling and uncoupling of an alternator in relation to an engine crankshaft pulley. The alternator is kept coupled or uncoupled depending on the detected battery charge, and both coupling and uncoupling are performed in two different steps and lagged in time, one step providing the electric coupling or uncoupling, and the other step providing the mechanical coupling or uncoupling.

Abstract: A vertical sealing arrangement to be used between doors of utility motor vehicles of various types, such as pickups, trucks, SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks and the like with front and rear doors without the side pillar, the so-called B pillar, is formed by two moldings, the top collector and the bottom discharger, which are interconnected by an extruded profile having at least one hollow longitudinal cavity the lumen of which interconnects the inside volume of the collector to the inside volume of the discharger, thus defining a flow path for water and dust deposited on the upper part of the vehicle down to the lower part of the vehicle.

Abstract: It is herein described a system and a corresponding method to carry out the selective coupling and uncoupling of an alternator in relation to an engine crankshaft pulley. The alternator is kept coupled or uncoupled depending on the detected battery charge, and both coupling and uncoupling are performed in two different steps and lagged in time, one step providing the electric coupling or uncoupling, and the other step providing the mechanical coupling or uncoupling.

Abstract: A vertical sealing arrangement to be used between doors of utility motor vehicles of various types, such as pickups, trucks, SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks and the like with front and rear doors without the side pillar, the so-called B pillar, is formed by two mouldings, the top collector and the bottom discharger, which are interconnected by an extruded profile having at least one hollow longitudinal cavity the lumen of which interconnects-the inside volume of the collector to the inside volume of the discharger, thus defining a flow path for water and dust deposited on the upper part of the vehicle down to the lower part of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility motor vehicle is described, having a tailgate with two door leaves, both of which swivel about a vertical axis defined by one or more hinges which interconnect in an articulated manner one side of the body of the vehicle to said door leaf. Each of said door leaves comprises an extender connected to said door leaf in an articulated manner by at least one hinge with a horizontal hinge axis, the door leaves defining an extended load area when they are folded back or swivelled, the extended load area being essentially coplanar relative to the floor of the load area of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion vehicle cold start control system method is provided. The method includes warming alcohol and air when a door handle is actuated, while the engine is cold and starting an electric turbine connected to an intake manifold. The method also includes actuating valves allowing recirculation of the warmed air through the intake manifold and actuating spark plugs providing an initial warm-up of electrodes and engine cylinders if the temperature is less than 30° C. The starter motor is driven by 2-4 turns of a crankshaft axle so that any cold air in an air filter at the cylinders' entrance is drawn inside and is expelled by the exhaust system. A small volume of the warmed alcohol fuel is maintained in the fuel injectors. The method also includes injecting the warmed alcohol, verifying the minimum air temperature; and deactivating the system after appropriate warm-up of the engine.

Abstract: A warm-up air system to aid cold start up is provided. The system includes a turbine with electrical heaters linked to a throttle body or to an air sending tube to the throttle body forming a warmed up air circulation circuit. The system also includes valves controlled by an electronic unit.