Abstract: A thermal management system configured to analyze thermal condition data generated by at least one thermal sensor located in a vehicle of an occupant of the vehicle, and control a flow of conditioned air to the occupant based on the analyzed thermal condition data.

Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a thermal characteristic for an occupant of a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. Determining a thermal characteristic includes determining a clothing condition signal, determining an occupant entry condition signal, determining a heat loss area signal and controlling a climate control system based of the thermal characteristic.

Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a sun/shade line within a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. The method further includes controlling a climate control system based of the sun/shade line.

Abstract: A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for control of a multi-vehicle system having independently powered and steered lead and trailer vehicles connected by a slidable length sensing tow bar system. The MVCS includes a controller configured to receive throttle, brake, and steering signals from the lead vehicle, receive signals from the tow bar system indicating an extension length of the tow bar system, a front angle deviation of the lead vehicle, and a rear angle deviation of the trailer vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received signals, a trailer vehicle acceleration/deceleration output and a trailer vehicle steering output, determine a driving scenario of the multi-vehicle system, and operate the multi-vehicle system based on the determined driving scenario and the determined trailer vehicle acceleration/deceleration output and trailer vehicle steering output.

Abstract: A tow bar system for an independently steered and powered trailer vehicle includes a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle. A free sliding bar is disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch. A length sensor is operably associated with the free sliding bar and configured to sense a length of the tow bar system.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle interior, includes a track and an arm. The track has a base with a front end and a rear end spaced from the front end in a first direction, the track also has a carriage coupled to the base for movement of the carriage relative to the base in the first direction. The arm is coupled to the carriage so that the arm and carriage move together relative to the base. The arm also is coupled to the carriage for rotation of the arm relative to the carriage about a pivot axis to position the arm at an angle to the first direction of at least 75 degrees, and the arm includes a first part coupled to a second part so that the first part is movable relative to the second part to increase a surface area of the arm.

Abstract: A trailer platform system with independent propulsion and control includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, and at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle and/or the second axle. A high voltage battery system is configured to power the at least one electric traction motor. A load platform is supported by a chassis and a suspension, wherein the load platform is a wagon-style platform with the first and second wheels located at the four corners of the load platform. A lead vehicle hitch connection is configured to removably couple to a lead vehicle.

Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller configured to generate a trailer reverse screen on the display. The trailer reverse screen includes (i) a trailer rear view showing a view from one or more cameras located on a rear of the trailer vehicle, (ii) a multi-vehicle system top view showing a view from above the multi-vehicle system based on signals from one or more cameras located on the multi-vehicle system, and (iii) a lead vehicle backup camera view from a lead vehicle backup camera, to thereby provide a driver of the lead vehicle with an intuitive perspective for reversing the trailer vehicle without aid from another person outside of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer system with independent propulsion and control is configured to be towed by a lead vehicle. The trailer system includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle, and a high voltage battery system configured to power the at least one electric traction motor. A trailer control system (TCS) includes a controller configured to steer, accelerate, and brake the first and/or second wheels. A trailer sensor suite is in signal communication with the TCS. The TCS is configured for signal communication with a lead vehicle sensor suite, and is configured to control driving and/or operation of the trailer system based on one or more signals from the trailer sensor suite and the lead vehicle sensor suite.

Abstract: A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for dynamic stability and control of a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle each with independent propulsion and control. The MVCS includes a controller in signal communication with the lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) or autonomous driving system via a controller area network (CAN) bus. The controller is configured to (i) receive throttle, brake, and steering signals respectively from a throttle-by-wire system, a brake-by-wire system, and a steer-by-wire system of the trailer vehicle ADAS or autonomous driving system, (ii) receive lead vehicle control inputs from the lead vehicle, and (iii) modify a throttle, a steering, and a braking of the trailer vehicle, based on the received lead vehicle control inputs, to dynamically stabilize the multi-vehicle system such that the trailer vehicle does not induce forces that accelerate or slow the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller in signal communication with the display, the lead vehicle sensor suite, and the trailer vehicle sensor suite. The controller is programmed to generate a trailer mode screen on the display when the trailer vehicle is connected to the lead vehicle. The trailer mode screen includes (i) a trailer top view section providing a top-view graphical representation of the multi-vehicle system, and (ii) a trailer enhanced view section providing a 3D dynamic representation of the multi-vehicle system.

Abstract: A tow bar system for an independently steered and powered trailer includes a front tow bar configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, a rear tow bar configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer, and a damper system disposed between the front tow bar and the rear tow bar. The damper system is configured to absorb compressive and tensile loads occurring during steering, accelerating, and braking of the independently steered and powered trailer.

Abstract: A dolly platform system with independent propulsion and control is configured to support a trailer and includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, and at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first and/or second axle. The system further includes a high voltage battery system configured to power the at least one electric traction motor, a load platform having a trailer hitch structure configured to removably couple to the trailer, and a lead vehicle hitch connection configured to removably couple to a lead vehicle. An advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) or autonomous driving system includes a controller in signal communication with one or more sensors and/or cameras. The controller is configured to steer, accelerate, and brake the dolly platform system, based on signals from the one or more sensors and/or cameras.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a screen assembly, includes a screen, an internal structure, an isolating material and an actuator. The screen has an outer surface and an input area, and the internal structure is behind the outer surface and defines part of a chamber behind the input area. The isolating material is within the chamber, and the actuator is behind the screen and arranged to provide haptic output to the input area. The isolating material damps the haptic output to reduce transmission of the haptic output to portions of the screen outside of the input area.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a screen assembly, includes a screen, an internal structure, an isolating material and an actuator. The screen has an outer surface and an input area, and the internal structure is behind the outer surface and defines part of a chamber behind the input area. The isolating material is within the chamber, and the actuator is behind the screen and arranged to provide haptic output to the input area. The isolating material damps the haptic output to reduce transmission of the haptic output to portions of the screen outside of the input area.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly for an HVAC controller may include a rear plate including an aperture extending through the rear plate and a front plate securable to the rear plate. In some cases, the front plate may have a recessed portion that is recessed back toward the rear plate and align with the aperture in the rear plate. An air flow barrier may be secured to the recessed portion of the front plate. The air flow barrier may include a barrier surface that covers a portion of the aperture formed in the recessed portion of the front plate to reduce air infiltration. The air flow barrier may include an air flow barrier aperture that is sized to accommodate wires passing through the aperture in the recessed portion of the front plate for connection to a wire connection block of the front plate.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly for an HVAC controller may include a rear plate including an aperture extending through the rear plate and a front plate securable to the rear plate. In some cases, the front plate may have a recessed portion that is recessed back toward the rear plate and align with the aperture in the rear plate. An air flow barrier may be secured to the recessed portion of the front plate. The air flow barrier may include a barrier surface that covers a portion of the aperture formed in the recessed portion of the front plate to reduce air infiltration. The air flow barrier may include an air flow barrier aperture that is sized to accommodate wires passing through the aperture in the recessed portion of the front plate for connection to a wire connection block of the front plate.

Abstract: A fishing line spool dispenser comprising: a support rod; a spring stop in the support rod; a spring coiled around the support rod adjacent the spring stop; a first spindle adjacent the spring; a second spindle adjacent the first spindle; and a locking shaft collar adjacent the second spindle. A user may remove the locking shaft collar and the second spindle from the support rod; place a fishing line spool on the support rod; replace the second spindle and the locking shaft collar; slide all parts along the support rod to compress the spring against the spring stop; and temporarily secure the locking shaft collar to the support rod such that tension is maintained in the spring. The user may then load a reel with the even tensioned line dispensed from the fishing line spool. The support rod may be mounted to a base plate to which suction cups are secured.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.