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 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 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 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 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 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: 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 vehicle seat includes a track latch assembly having a lower track configured to couple to a vehicle floor, an upper track coupled to a seat base, a recline handle rotatably coupled to a seat bottom, and a track release mechanism configured to move between a disengaged position that enables relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track, and an engaged position that facilitates preventing relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track. Rotation of the recline handle is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and movement of the seat bottom from a lowered position to a raised position is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position. A pivot latch assembly prevents movement of the seat bottom to and from the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a track latch assembly having a lower track configured to couple to a vehicle floor, an upper track coupled to a seat base, a recline handle rotatably coupled to a seat bottom, and a track release mechanism configured to move between a disengaged position that enables relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track, and an engaged position that facilitates preventing relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track. Rotation of the recline handle is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and movement of the seat bottom from a lowered position to a raised position is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position. A pivot latch assembly prevents movement of the seat bottom to and from the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat bottom pivotally coupled to the seat base such that the seat bottom is movable between a seating position, stowed position, and reclined position. A seat guide assembly is configured to couple to a vehicle rear wall, and includes a guide bracket having a slot formed therein and a pin extending through the slot and configured to travel along the slot. The vehicle seat includes a seat back having an upper end, a lower end, and a latch coupled to the upper end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the seat bottom, and the latch is configured to receive the pin. The seat back upper end travels with the latch and pin along the slot such that the seat back is movable between a seating position, stowed position, and reclined position along a predetermined path relative to the vehicle wall.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat bottom and an adjustment mechanism. The seat bottom may include an aft portion adjacent to the seatback, a front portion opposite the aft portion, and a central portion disposed between the front and aft ends. The adjustment mechanism may support the central portion for movement relative to the front portion between first and second positions.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable head rest system for a motor vehicle seat has a head rest coupled to a linkage and an actuator coupled to the linkage. The linkage includes an offset drive link that upon the actuator being actuated to extend the head rest system to an operative position, the linkage moves the head rest up and forward and upon the actuator being actuated to retract the head rest system to an inoperative position, the linkage moves the head rest back and down. In an aspect, the linkage kneels when the head rest reaches an upper position to move the head rest to a forward position.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat bottom and an adjustment mechanism. The seat bottom may include an aft portion adjacent to the seatback, a front portion opposite the aft portion, and a central portion disposed between the front and aft ends. The adjustment mechanism may support the central portion for movement relative to the front portion between first and second positions.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable head rest system for a motor vehicle seat has a head rest coupled to a linkage and an actuator coupled to the linkage. The linkage includes an offset drive link that upon the actuator being actuated to extend the head rest system to an operative position, the linkage moves the head rest up and forward and upon the actuator being actuated to retract the head rest system to an inoperative position, the linkage moves the head rest back and down. In an aspect, the linkage kneels when the head rest reaches an upper position to move the head rest to a forward position.

Abstract: A steering column is provided column including a bracket adapted to enable the steering column to move as desired by an operator and a clamping system adjacent to the bracket. The clamping system includes a threaded member. A threaded clamping stud extends through the bracket. The threaded clamping stud is selectively coupled to the threaded member of the clamping device. A transmission is coupled to the threaded member. A motor is coupled to the transmission. The motor is operable to drive the transmission to rotate the threaded member in a first position to unclamp the bracket to enable the steering column to move based on receipt of an input from the operator.

Abstract: A steering column lock assembly and a method of operating the same, the steering column lock assembly including a steering column having a gear portion and a rotatable shaft; an actuator operably attached to the steering column, the actuator being free to translate with respect to the steering column; and a lever arm operably attached to the steering column; wherein translation of the actuator engages the lever arm with the gear portion to lock the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a mounting plate having a slot and a raised contact surface adjacent to at least part of the slot and a bracket coupled to the mounting plate, adapted to support at least a portion of a steering column. A coupler extends through the slot, and has a head overlying at least a portion of the contact surface, and engages with the bracket to retain the position of the steering column mount relative to the bracket. The combined thickness of all members between the head and the connecting portion is greater when the head overlies the contact surface than when the head is not overlying the contact surface. A greater clamping force is applied by the coupler to all members between the head and the connecting portion when the head overlies the contact surface than when the head is not overlying the contact surface.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a steering column having a forward section and a rearward section movable relative to the forward section, a mounting plate adapted to be carried by the vehicle and a bracket releasably coupled to the mounting plate, and operably coupled to the rearward section of the steering column for movement therewith. The assembly also includes a stationary reaction surface disposed adjacent to the rearward section of the steering column and adapted to be engaged by the steering column during at least some events wherein the rearward section is displaced relative to the forward section. This maintains the position of a reaction force on the steering column during movement of the rearward section of the steering column, which provides a decreasing reaction force on the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly with a movable steering column includes a mounting plate carried by the vehicle, a bracket supporting a portion of the steering column, movable with the steering column, and coupled to the mounting plate, a bend mandrel, and a bend strap operably associated with the bracket for movement with the bracket. The bend strap has a pair of legs on opposed sides of the bend mandrel and a bight interconnecting the legs and arranged so that upon movement of the bracket relative to the mounting plate the bend strap engages the bend mandrel and one leg is progressively deformed about the mandrel to absorb energy from the moving bracket and steering column. A portion of the leg progressively deformed about the mandrel upon movement of the bracket engages a reaction surface defined by at least one of the mounting plate or the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering column for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a guide bracket, a pivot bracket movably attached to the guide bracket, and a tilt cartridge attached to the pivot bracket. A steering shaft is pivotably attached to the pivot bracket and pivotably attached to the tilt cartridge.