Abstract: A system includes a first hitch provided on a first vehicle and configured to connect to a second hitch provided on a second vehicle. The system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising instructions that are executable by the processor. The instructions include determining whether the first hitch is connected to the second hitch. The instructions include performing a charging control operation based on the determination of whether the first hitch is connected to the second hitch.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end fitting connected to a first telescoping member, a second end fitting connected to a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopically mounted relative to each other. An elastomeric spring/damper is disposed between the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel defining a first axis; a first electric motor including a first stator and a first rotor rotatable relative to the first stator about the first axis, the wheel fixed relative to the first rotor; a second electric motor including a second stator and a second rotor rotatable relative to the second stator about a second axis, the first stator fixed relative to the second rotor; and a third electric motor including a third stator and a third rotor rotatable relative to the third stator about a third axis, the second stator coupled to and movable with the third rotor. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are mutually transverse.

Abstract: A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a suspension arm connected to a vehicle frame or body. A wheel is supported by the suspension arm and a shock absorber is connected between the vehicle frame or body and the suspension arm. The shock absorber includes a first mounting fitting having a first connecting structure, a second mounting fitting having a second connecting structure and a monolithic elastomeric body molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure.

Abstract: A method for implementing vehicle platooning includes: linking, by a handoff control module, a plurality of vehicles to form a platoon; selectively assigning, by the handoff control module, a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles as a lead vehicle and remaining ones of the plurality of vehicles as lag vehicles, wherein at least one driving function of the lag vehicles is controlled in accordance with the lead vehicle; determining, by the handoff control module, a first lead vehicle interval for the first vehicle as the lead vehicle; and in response to the first lead vehicle interval expiring, selectively assigning, by the handoff control module, the first vehicle as a lag vehicle and a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles as the lead vehicle for a second lead vehicle interval.

Abstract: A system includes a first hitch provided on a first vehicle and configured to connect to a second hitch provided on a second vehicle. The system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising instructions that are executable by the processor. The instructions include determining whether the first hitch is connected to the second hitch. The instructions include performing a charging control operation based on the determination of whether the first hitch is connected to the second hitch.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end fitting connected to a first telescoping member, a second end fitting connected to a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopically mounted relative to each other. An elastomeric spring/damper is disposed between the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a suspension arm connected to a vehicle frame or body. A wheel is supported by the suspension arm and a shock absorber is connected between the vehicle frame or body and the suspension arm. The shock absorber includes a first mounting fitting having a first connecting structure, a second mounting fitting having a second connecting structure and a monolithic elastomeric body molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a vehicle frame or sub-frame structure and at least one of a body structure and engine structure or a plurality of suspension components mounted to the vehicle frame or sub-frame structure and a plurality of fluid-controlled spring/dampers supporting the least one of a body structure and engine structure or a plurality of suspension components to the vehicle frame of sub-frame structure, the plurality of fluid-controlled spring/dampers being connected to a single central pump.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel defining a first axis; a first electric motor including a first stator and a first rotor rotatable relative to the first stator about the first axis, the wheel fixed relative to the first rotor; a second electric motor including a second stator and a second rotor rotatable relative to the second stator about a second axis, the first stator fixed relative to the second rotor; and a third electric motor including a third stator and a third rotor rotatable relative to the third stator about a third axis, the second stator coupled to and movable with the third rotor. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are mutually transverse.

Abstract: A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for determining whether a vehicle suspension system has degraded by positioning the electronic device in a vehicle includes activating a camera to initiate data capture within the electronic device. The camera is positioned to capture a change in a field of view during vehicle operation. The method includes calculating a vehicle suspension operating characteristic based on information captured by the camera and determining whether the calculated vehicle suspension operating characteristic exceeds a threshold. A signal indicative of suspension degradation is output when the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for determining whether a vehicle suspension system has degraded by positioning the electronic device in a vehicle includes activating a camera to initiate data capture within the electronic device. The camera is positioned to capture a change in a field of view during vehicle operation. The method includes calculating a vehicle suspension operating characteristic based on information captured by the camera and determining whether the calculated vehicle suspension operating characteristic exceeds a threshold. A signal indicative of suspension degradation is output when the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A flexible busbar includes a central conductor (generally of rectangular cross section comprising multiple layers of thin aluminum, copper or other alloys with good electrical properties (conductivity)) and a sleeve having a shape on the internal surface to reduce the adhesion between the two conductors and the sleeve when the flexible busbar is bent, folded, or twisted. This increases the flexibility of the flexible busbar.

Abstract: A flexible busbar includes a central conductor (generally of rectangular cross section comprising multiple layers of thin aluminum, copper or other alloys with good electrical properties (conductivity)) and a sleeve having a shape on the internal surface to reduce the adhesion between the two conductors and the sleeve when the flexible busbar is bent, folded, or twisted. This increases the flexibility of the flexible busbar.

Abstract: A vibration dampening system for a seat in a vehicle includes a seat adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. A component is coupled to the seat and has a primary function related to use of the seat. The component is decoupled from the seat in at least one direction such that the component is able to move relative to the seat, thereby having a second function related to dampening vibration in the seat.

Abstract: An engine mount bushing for use on a motor vehicle. The bushing includes a hard case, and a core located within that case. The bushing further includes an elastomer isolator contacting the core and case. The bushing also includes a foamed elastomer isolator contacting the core, the case and the elastomer isolator.

Abstract: An engine mount bushing for use on a motor vehicle. The bushing includes a hard case, and a core located within that case. The bushing further includes an elastomer isolator contacting the core and case. The bushing also includes a foamed elastomer isolator contacting the core, the case and the elastomer isolator.