Abstract: A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

Abstract: A modular cart assembly includes a first cart and an identical second cart. Each cart has a latching assembly that vertically slides along the cart and a coupling arm spaced apart from the latching assembly. The first cart is coupled to the second cart by positioning the first cart next to the second cart, vertically sliding the latching assembly of the first cart along the first cart until the latching assembly of the first cart couples to the coupling arm of the second cart, and vertically sliding the latching assembly of the second cart along the second cart until the latching assembly of the second cart couples to the coupling arm of the first cart.

Abstract: A vehicular cooling device includes an opening, a discharge port, an air channel, and a fan. The opening is formed in a surface parallel to a travelling direction of a vehicle. The discharge port is formed in a surface of the housing and connected to the opening via the air channel. The fan is provided inside the air channel. First blockers are spaced apart in the travelling direction in the opening. Each first blocker extends in a direction perpendicular to both the travelling direction and an inflow direction of the outside air, and includes first and second members. The first member is a plate-like member having a main surface intersecting the travelling direction. The first member and the second member are symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the travelling direction, and have a travelling-direction spacing therebetween that increases along the inflow direction of the outside air.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit equipped wheel support bearing assembly is provided which includes a wheel support bearing assembly and an auxiliary power unit. The auxiliary power unit is of a direct drive design that includes a stator mounted to a stationary ring of the wheel support bearing assembly and a motor rotor mounted to a rotational ring of the wheel support bearing assembly. An entirety of the auxiliary power unit is sized to extend less than an outer peripheral segment of a brake rotor, with the outer peripheral segment defining an area against which a brake caliper is intended to be pushed. The auxiliary power unit is, with respect to an axial direction, sized to be situated between a hub flange of the wheel support bearing assembly and a mounting face of the wheel support bearing assembly for mounting to a vehicle body of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body and controller plug-in module for a material handling vehicle. The vehicle body having an upstanding body portion having an upwardly open compartment having a bottom including an upward extending wall surrounding electrical contacts associated with controller functions of the vehicle. The controller plug-in module includes a housing configured to be received by the upwardly open compartment of the vehicle body. The housing has a lower portion that includes an upward extending wall defining a recess surrounding electrical contacts. The controller plug-in module is configured to be removably electrically connected to the vehicle when the upward extending wall surrounding the electrical contacts of the upwardly open compartment of the upstanding body is plugged into and received by the recess in the lower portion of the housing of the controller plug-in module having the upward extending wall surrounding the electrical contacts of the controller plug-in module.

Abstract: A reconfigurable carrying device, such as a cart, is provided for storing and/or transporting objects. The cart may include a first storage section for receiving the objects, and a second storage section pivotally attached to the first storage section. The second storage section may be movable upwards relative to the first storage section to be positioned on top of the first storage section in a first mode of operation of the cart and may be movable downwards relative to the position in the first mode of operation to be positioned adjacent to the first storage section in a second mode of operation of the cart.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor power line (93) includes, between its one end and the other end, an in-wheel motor drive device-side region (93d), an intermediate region (93e), and a vehicle body-side region (93f) which extend continuously. The in-wheel motor drive device-side region (93d) extends in the vertical direction, and the lower side of the in-wheel motor drive device-side region is connected to the intermediate region. The vehicle body-side region extends in the vertical direction, and the lower side of the vehicle body-side region is connected to the intermediate region. The intermediate region is curved with its both sides located at a higher position and its intermediate part located at a lower position.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

Abstract: This disclosure details mounting systems and associated methods for mounting a battery pack to an electrified vehicle. An exemplary electrified vehicle may include a frame, a battery pack, and a mounting system for mounting the battery pack to the frame. The mounting system may include one or more side rails. Each side rail may include a predefined crush initiator configured to plastically deform for absorbing and transferring energy during vehicle impact loading events.

Abstract: There is a control system for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve on an intake air passage, and a generator coupled to an output shaft of the engine. The control system includes a controller. The controller is configured to detect shaft torque of the output shaft of the engine by the generator, calculate an actual value of a throttle flow rate based on the shaft torque, the flow rate being an amount of air that flows through the throttle valve, and learn flow rate characteristics indicating a relationship between a throttle opening being a degree of opening of the throttle valve and the throttle flow rate, based on an actual value of the throttle opening and the actual value of the throttle flow rate.

Abstract: A transmission system selectively coupled to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine arranged on a vehicle includes a waste heat recovery (WHR) system, a brake assembly and a phase-change thermal heat storage system. The WHR system selectively circulates a WHR fluid in the transmission system. The brake assembly selectively couples a transmission output shaft to a drive axle. The brake assembly is configured to operate in a braking mode that retards relative rotation between the transmission output shaft and the drive axle while generating heat. The heat storage system includes a housing defining at least one cavity and a fluid transfer manifold. A phase-change material is disposed in the cavity that is configured to change phase during the braking mode. The WHR system circulates the WHR fluid through the fluid transfer manifold collecting braking heat to be used at a later time in the form of driveline power.

Abstract: Embodiments of a motor vehicle bumper step include a housing connectable to a bottommost end of a rear bumper. The uppermost end of the housing may include a planar plate containing a curved perimeter portion and, above the planar plate, a bracket including mounting holes. A recessed portion of the housing defines an opening at least partly along two different sides of the housing, with a bottom end of the recessed portion containing a planar step surface having a curved outward-facing perimeter. A first and a second facia portion each located on a different side of the housing are spaced apart from one another by the recess. The facia portions extend downward from the uppermost end of the housing and connect to a respective side of the planar step. The housing may match the bumper profile and not extend past the bumper in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A fluid system for a vehicle is provided. The fluid system is configured to couple to a chassis of the vehicle. A frame assembly of the fluid system is configured to couple with the chassis directly or with another component that is coupled, directly or indirectly, with the chassis. A cowling of the fluid system can enclose a fuel pressure vessel and an auxiliary fluid vessel. The auxiliary fluid vessel is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the component powered or operated by the fluid therein.

Abstract: A foldable or collapsible cart can be oriented in several different configurations to accommodate different loads and transport requirements. In one configuration, the cart may be folded for direct load the back of a vehicle. In another configuration, the cart can operate in lowboy or dolly mode. In another configuration the cart may be used as a hand truck.

Abstract: An engine airflow adjustment system that includes an engine that powers operation of a vehicle. A fan drives an airflow over the engine to convectively cool the engine. A funnel receives a portion of the airflow from the fan and directs the airflow to a specific location on the engine to blow debris off of the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle, a running board assembly, and a drive assembly for a running board are disclosed. The drive assembly includes: a mounting base, a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a running board holder. The first connecting portion is rotatably connected with the mounting base and the running board holder. The second connecting portion is rotatably connected with the mounting base and the running board holder. The running board holder includes a third main body and a third hinged portion. The first connecting portion includes a first main body and a plurality of first hinged portions, and the third hinged portion is rotatably connected among the plurality of first hinged portions; and/or the second connecting portion includes a second main body and a plurality of second hinged portions, the third hinged portion being rotatably connected among the plurality of second hinged portions.

Abstract: A wheel driving unit including a casing in which an electric motor and a speed reducer are incorporated, the wheel driving unit being disposed in a rim of a wheel so as to rotate the wheel, wherein a portion of the wheel driving unit located below the electric motor and the speed reducer is a lubricant reservoir for storing lubricant in the casing, and wherein a protrusion is provided at a lower portion of the lubricant reservoir so as to protrude in a direction toward an inner circumferential surface of the rim.

Abstract: A motor vehicle that includes a body having a support structure, a high-voltage battery having a battery housing and at least one battery module arranged in the battery housing. The battery housing is arranged on and attached to the support structure to serve as a main floor panel. A battery cover is detachably arranged on the underside of the battery housing to serve as underride protection and facilitate access to the at least one battery module.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a front room disposed at a front part of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a fuel cell stack disposed in the front room, the fuel cell stack including multiple cells stacked in the longitudinal direction; a bumper reinforcement disposed at a front part of the front room in the longitudinal direction; and a buffer member disposed between the fuel cell stack and the bumper reinforcement in the longitudinal direction. At least a part of the buffer member overlaps with the bumper reinforcement, as viewed from a direction along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for utility vehicles includes an auxiliary drive, a hydraulic pump and a first valve arrangement, wherein, in an operating mode, the auxiliary drive is supplied with hydraulic energy by the hydraulic pump via the first valve arrangement, wherein, in addition to the auxiliary drive, the hydraulic pump supplies at least one further hydraulically operated system with hydraulic energy, wherein the hydraulic pump is arranged on a tractor vehicle, and wherein the auxiliary drive is arranged on a trailer, which is able to be coupled to the tractor vehicle.