Abstract: A system includes a power withdrawal point on a power supply network and a vehicle for the corded charging of a traction battery at the power withdrawal point. The vehicle includes a charging electronics unit for charging, and is electrically connectable to the vehicle-external power withdrawal point via a charging cable. The charging cable is configured as a cable connected outside the vehicle to a station charging device for a charging process, or as a cable charging device. The station charging device or the cable charging device, respectively, is electrically connected to the power withdrawal point when a charging connection has been established, and the power withdrawal point can supply an alternating current respectively via the station charging device or via the cable charging device for charging.

Abstract: A network includes vehicle(s) having a battery pack and vehicle telematics unit (VTU), and a server. A server in communication with the VTUs and remote client device(s) is programmed to receive vehicle information from the VTU, including an energy throughput value defined by charging power delivered to the battery pack during an active charging event. The server receives utility information and a load adjustment request from the remote client device, including a power interrupt permission status describing whether interruption of power by a host of the client device is permitted. Charging control signals are transmitted in response to the load adjustment request to enable or postpone the charging event. Energy throughput is recorded over multiple active charging events, which are then combined or aggregated. Output data, e.g., a bill or report describing the aggregated energy throughput values, may be generated by the server. A method and server are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle energy management device includes: a storage device that stores a table indicating a control level with respect to a control content of a control target device executed by each electronic control device; an information acquisition device that acquires information related to a remaining amount of energy and a travel environment of the vehicle; a level setting device that sets a target value for suppressing a power consumption of a whole of the vehicle based on remaining amount information of the energy, refers to the table according to the target value and travel environment information, and sets the control level for each control target device to reach the target value for the whole of the vehicle; and a control unit that controls each electronic control device to execute a control for a respective control target device according to the control content indicated by the control level.

Abstract: A battery control unit system is provided that detects a state of a battery used for driving a vehicle and monitors the state of the battery on the basis of detected information so as to control a circuit device surrounding the battery according to a result of the monitoring. The battery control unit system may include an internal power source that is connected directly in parallel with the battery and that supplies power to the battery control unit system, and a microcontroller that operates using the internal power source and detects, by a software process, an on/off-state of a battery pack switch that is provided in a battery pack including the battery and the battery control unit system.

Abstract: A method of thermally pre-conditioning a vehicle's battery pack prior to vehicle departure is provided. The system, after determining that the vehicle is off and/or the driver has left the car, monitors a variety of conditions corresponding to both the vehicle and the driver in order to determine the probability of the driver requiring near-term use of the car. Typical monitored conditions may include driver and vehicle location, driver proximity, time of day, day of week, driver's upcoming appointments, and a historical data base that tracks driver behavior. Once the probability that the car will be needed within a preset time period exceeds a preset level, the system determines whether the battery pack should be heated or cooled based on the current battery pack temperature, and then activates an appropriate thermal management system.

Abstract: A system for thermally pre-conditioning a vehicle's battery pack prior to vehicle departure is provided. The system, after determining that the vehicle is off and/or the driver has left the car, monitors a variety of conditions corresponding to both the vehicle and the driver in order to determine the probability of the driver requiring near-term use of the car. Typical monitored conditions may include driver and vehicle location, driver proximity, time of day, day of week, driver's upcoming appointments, and a historical data base that tracks driver behavior. Once the probability that the car will be needed within a preset time period exceeds a preset level, the system determines whether the battery pack should be heated or cooled based on the current battery pack temperature, and then activates an appropriate thermal management system.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a front frame module, a middle frame module, and a rear frame module. The front frame module is fastened to a front portion of the middle frame module. The rear frame module is fastened to a rear portion of the middle frame module. The middle frame module is interchangeable with at least one other middle frame module to change a length of the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a technique of improving an intake structure that takes in the outside air in a fuel cell vehicle. A fuel cell vehicle 10 includes first and second grilles 11 and 12 that are configured to be open forward and take in the outside air. An air intake 100 is placed in a vehicle inner space 10r of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The air intake 100 is placed in a location behind and above the first grille 11 and is configured to take in the air as a reactive gas that is to be supplied to a fuel cell 21. A flow path member 120 is placed in a location in front of and below the air intake 100 and behind the first grille 11. The flow path member 120 has an inclined wall portion 121 that is arranged to face the first grille 11 and is inclined obliquely upward from front to rear.

Abstract: A vehicle system (10) is provided. The vehicle system comprises an electrical DC motor (11) driving a load (12), such as a hydraulic pump, and a control system (100) for controlling the speed of the electrical motor (11). The control system (100) comprises a system (20) for monitoring and controlling the speed of the electric DC motor in view of a reference commutation signal (SR), wherein the electrical DC motor is associated with a drive current signal (ID), and wherein the drive current signal (ID) comprises information relating to the commutation signal of the electrical DC motor.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electric vehicle drive apparatus includes a rotary electric motor, an electromagnet apparatus, an electric motor controller, and an electromagnet controller. The rotary electric motor drives at least one wheel. The electromagnet controller generates at least one of an attraction force between a rail and a bogie, and a propulsion force. The electromagnet controller controls the electromagnet apparatus. The rotary electric motor and the electromagnet apparatus are provided on the same bogie.

Abstract: A guide track (3A) includes a guide rail (31) having a guide groove (31a) opened upward in which the pair of guide wheels (23) inserted, and is formed with a pair of guide surfaces (31b) for causing each of the pair of guide wheels (23) to roll at both sides of the traveling course in a width direction; conductor rails (32) that are placed at both sides of the outside of the traveling course in the width direction with respect to the guide groove (31a) to perform contact electricity supply by pressing a power collection shoe (43) of a power collector (4) of the track-based vehicle; a first insulator (33) that is formed of an insulation material and supports the conductor rails (32) with respect to the guide rail; and insulation plates (34) serving as insulation materials that are provided at both sides of the conductor rail (32) in the width direction, and are provided in parallel to the conductor rail (32) and in parallel to a pressing direction of the power collection shoe (43) so as to prevent a short circ

Abstract: The present invention includes a vehicle seat having a seat portion and a seatback. The vehicle seat further includes a plurality of air bladders disposed in the seat portion and a plurality of air bladders disposed in the seatback. The air bladders are configurable between fully inflated condition, fully deflated condition, and plurality of semi-inflated conditions. A controller is configured to control air bladder inflation, wherein the air bladders deflate to the fully deflated condition in response to an access signal received by the controller. The controller is further configured to control the seat position with regards to vertical and horizontal positions to provide greater access to the vehicle interior when entering or exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat cushion, a cushion frame; and a pair of slide rails on which the cushion frame is mounted and which is configured to support the cushion frame to be slidable relative to a floor, each slide rail including an upper rail, wherein two engaging portions are respectively provided to the upper rails, wherein four fitting portions which abut against and fit into the engaging portions are provided to the cushion frame, wherein each of the fitting portions includes at least two wall portions extending in a vertical direction, and wherein guide portions are provided at lower sides of the wall portions, the guide portions being configured to guide the fitting portions to be fitted into the engaging portions when the cushion frame comes close from above to the upper rails mounted on the floor.

Abstract: A seatback frame structure includes a reclining mechanism, a joining member that is joined to the reclining mechanism, a fastening member, a seatback frame, and a restricting member. The seatback frame forms a frame of a seatback that can support a back of a seated occupant. The seatback frame is fastened to the joining member by the fastening member. The restricting member includes a restricting portion. The restricting portion is fastened, together with the seatback frame, to the joining member by the fastening member. The restricting portion is configured to restrict relative movement of the seatback frame with respect to the joining member when a vehicle is involved in a rear collision. The seatback frame is made of resin, and the seatback frame is fixed in a state sandwiched by the restricting member and the joining member.

Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a fixed plate secured to a seat cushion and a rotatable plate secured to a seat back. Each of the fixed and rotatable plates has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth not being equal. A flex spline has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth being equal to the number of teeth on the fixed plate. A wave generator causes a portion of the teeth on the flex spline to meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates. Rotation of the wave generator causes the teeth on the flex spline which meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates to change, thereby causing the rotatable plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate, which in turn causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion.

Abstract: An energy and shock absorbing device for a child car seat comprises a seat (1), and a base (2) positioned below the seat (1) and used for supporting the seat (1), the seat (1) being slidably arranged on the base (2). A limit block (22) is formed on the base (2) and located in front of the seat (1) in a path along which the seat (1) slides relative to the base (2). Energy absorbing material (4) is arranged between the limit block (22) and the seat (1), and is compressed to deform when the seat (1) slides towards the limit block (22). When a car encounters a collision or emergency brake, the seat (1) moves relative to the base (2) due to inertia, and the energy absorbing material (4) is squeezed to deform so as to provide a buffering and shock absorbing action.

Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a protrusion member installed to a lower portion of a back frame inside a seatback to protrude forward and to absorb an impact on the hips of an occupant upon a vehicle collision, wherein a lower portion of the seatback, which has a protrusion shape due to the protrusion member, induces a sitting posture of the occupant to be modified when the occupant sits down on the vehicle seat, thereby reducing a gap between a head of the occupant and a headrest in a state that the hips of the occupant moves forward.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) comprising a deformable elastic layer (24) including a series of deformable strips (S) made of elastic material and arranged to lie in side-by-side relation to one another and a layer-firmness changer (25) including a strip deformer (28) comprising several inflatable bladders (B), each inflatable bladder (B) being positioned to lie in a bladder-receiving space provided between a companion pair of adjacent deformable strips (S) included in the deformable elastic layer (24) and adapted to be coupled in fluid communication to a pressurized fluid source (20) and a strip retainer (26) configured to provide means for retaining the series of deformable strips (S) in side-by-side relation to one another during deformation of the deformable strips (S) caused in one instance by inflation of each inflatable bladder (B).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat or a vehicle cab with a suspension system comprising an upper closing part and a lower closing part which is deflectable in relation to the upper closing part k, which closing parts are operatively connected to each other in a resilient manner by means of a suspension element, and with a damping system for damping vibrations acting on at least one of the two closing parts, wherein an electromagnetically acting damping and height-levelling unit is provided which is arranged between the two closing parts in such a manner that said damping and height-levelling unit acts on the upper of the two closing parts in the vertical direction of the vehicle both in a vibration-insulating and also height-levelling manner.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a seat of which a seating comfort can be improved. The seat includes a seat cushion pad having an air passage formed inside and an air vent formed at an upper surface thereof, and is configured to allow air in the air passage to blow out through the air vent, wherein the seat cushion pad includes a pad body and a cover member which is disposed over the pad body to form the air passage between the pad body and the cover member and in which the air vent is formed, and a front end portion of the cover member extends downward over a front end portion of the pad body.

Abstract: A vehicle seat cover arrangement comprising a vehicle seat having an outer surface, an interchangeable vehicle seat cover having an inner surface integrally made from a plush-like material with a loops-like structure, and a sheet-like attachment means having a hooks-like surface and attached on to the outer surface of the vehicle seat, wherein the seat cover is closely fitted on to the vehicle seat by engagement between the loops-like structure and the hooks-like surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A seatback is operably coupled to a rear of the seat base. First and second independently moveable thigh bolsters each include a top side, a forward side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side. A slide assembly is operably coupled to each of the first and second thigh bolsters. Each of the thigh bolsters are independently laterally translatable forward relative to the seat base. First and second flexible trim carriers are configured to wrap around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively. A spring assembly urges each thigh bolster to a fully forward lateral position. A pivot member operably couples each of the thigh bolsters to the seat base. Each of the thigh bolsters are rotatable relative to the seat base.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, with a seat substructure (200) which, as a supporting structure, has a seat substructure structure (210) of shell-type design, a backrest (100) which, as a supporting structure, has a backrest structure (110), and at least one fitting (10) which connects the seat substructure structure (210) to the backrest structure (110). The fitting (10) has a fitting upper part (20), fastened to the backrest structure (110), and a fitting lower part (30) fastened to the seat substructure structure (210). The fitting upper part (20), excluding additional connecting elements, is arranged in a form-fitting manner in a depression (118) in the backrest structure (110) and is connected in an integrally bonded manner to the backrest structure (110) by an adhesive (50).

Abstract: A seat structure, for a vehicle seat (5), has at least one first frame element (2). The seat structure is modular and includes the at least one first frame element. The modular seat structure can be connected to a modular seat cover and is designed as one piece on the frame element, including being designed at least as a hook-shaped receiving element (8) for securing the seat covering.

Abstract: Embodiments of a portable hauler apparatus having a frame defining first and second channel portions and a plurality of adjustable chock members configured to be coupled to the first and second channel portions at one or more predetermined locations along the frame are disclosed. The adjustable chock members each define opposite first and second side portions and opposite first and second cross bar portions that collectively form a chock configured to accommodate different types of wheels of a vehicle loaded onto the frame. In another aspect, the portable hauler apparatus is configured to be conveniently disassembled for storage in a toy hauler or trailer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a visual guidance system for a boat trailer that can include a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a plurality of openings such that fluid can pass into the cavity, a first track and a second track, where the first track and the second track have a substantially vertical orientation, and a laser head mounted on the first track and the second track that can include a housing, a laser module positioned within the housing that is configured to provide a first illumination beam, and a float.

Abstract: A resilient seal for living quarters that is for used sealing around a slide out room that has an aperture slidably receiving a slide out room. The resilient seal has a pair of attaching members extending along the inside and outside surfaces of the main living area wall at the aperture and includes a connecting member that extends between the attaching members and along the edge of the wall defining the aperture. A wiper seal extends from the connecting member for sealing against a wall of a slide out room. A bulb seal is integrally joined to at least one mounting portion that is bendable away from a groove on the mounting portion. The groove may be used for a separate bulb seal connectable thereto in the case the integral bulb seal is cut away. This facilitates replacement of the integral bulb seal.

Abstract: A rail member is supported longitudinally along both sides of the deck of a truck or trailer and includes a plurality of strap hook anchoring locations at spaced positions therein. Each anchoring location is defined by a pair of hook opening extending downwardly through an upper flange of the rail member. Cargo securing straps or chains are anchored onto the respective anchoring locations using an anchor member having an upper body portion defining a tie-down opening and a pair of lower hooks which can be hooked into the pair of hook openings of a selected anchoring location. The upper body portions spans between the two hook openings so as to prevent passage of the upper body portion through the hook openings while the cargo straps or chains remain slack.

Abstract: The frame of a large heavy duty ratchet supports a spool about an axis of rotation. A handle, pivotable about the axis of rotation, includes protrusions engageable with toothed wheels on opposed sides of the spool to urge incremental rotation of the spool upon repetitive pivotal movement of the handle. A pair of spring-loaded pawls engage the toothed wheels to limit the direction of rotation of the toothed wheels. A cam, formed as part of the handle, disengages the pair of pawls from the toothed wheels upon pivotal movement of the handle to a certain extent to permit rotation of the spool in either direction.

Abstract: A rack assembly has a brace bar with first and second opposing end portions. The first end portion terminates in a crossbar comprised of a first arm opposite a second arm. The first arm is fixed between the brace bar and a shaft. A sleeve receives the shaft, with at least one of the shaft and the sleeve pivoting relative to the other about a pivot axis. The brace bar is rotatable about the pivot axis with the crossbar fixed thereto. A slot connector includes a body fixed to the sleeve, and a catch pivotally coupled to the body. The body defines a first notch opposite a second notch, both of which are opposite the sleeve. The connector is structured to selectively engage/release a slot, and the notches are structured to receive opposing edges about the slot when the connector engages the slot.

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo includes a cargo deck and a dunnage device for securing a load to the cargo deck. The dunnage device includes an elongated tubular body having an interior space. A transverse wall is positioned within the interior space of the tubular body. The elongated tubular body is adapted to be positioned on the cargo deck.

Abstract: A system (90) for emitting shaped light (26) from a vehicle (10) and for projecting the shaped light (26) onto a surface (18) external to the vehicle (10), the system comprising a controller, one or more light sources and at least one light emitter, wherein the at least one light emitter is arranged to emit at least a first light signal directed towards said surface (18) external to the vehicle (10), the light emitter comprising a projection head arranged to direct light externally to the vehicle (10) and a beam shaper element, wherein the at least one light emitter is coupled to at least one of said light sources by one or more optical fibres.

Abstract: Provided is a turn signal lamp including a light source, a light guide, and a camera having an image capture device, which are installed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and an outer cover. At least a portion of the light guide is formed in an area that extends from the camera in a direction following a vehicle surface.

Abstract: A headlight activation system includes a vehicle that has headlights and windshield wipers. A control circuit is electrically coupled to the vehicle and the headlights. An actuator is electrically coupled to the windshield wipers and the control circuit. The control circuit actuates the headlights when the actuator is actuated to turn on the windshield wipers.

Abstract: A main body angled wall is formed at a vehicle width direction inner end portion of a main body outer lens. The main body angled wall is angled toward the vehicle width direction inner side and extends toward a vehicle front side in plan view. A main body projection that extends along the main body angled wall is included in a main body light guide and emission portion. Light that is emitted from a main body light source and enters the main body light guide and emission portion through a vehicle width direction outer end portion thereof is guided to the main body projection and reflected by plural prisms , and thus is emitted rearwardly from the vehicle.

Abstract: An auxiliary apparatus may be used with a vehicle. The auxiliary apparatus may include an auxiliary implement, an auxiliary lighting system and auxiliary wiring. When the auxiliary wiring is properly connected: (1) an operator adjustable auxiliary implement control is operable to operate the auxiliary implement; (2) an operator adjustable auxiliary light control is operable to operate an auxiliary headlight; and, (3) an operator adjustable vehicle light control is operable to operate an auxiliary supplemental light.

Abstract: An exit warning system is provided for a motor vehicle having a sliding door. That exit warning system includes a sliding door status sensor, a projector and a warning signal. The warning signal is projected by the projector onto pavement laterally adjacent a motor vehicle when the sliding door is opened in order to warn oncoming drivers that someone could potentially be leaving the vehicle through the open sliding door.

Abstract: A U-turn signaling device for a vehicle for signaling that the driver is going to or is currently performing a U-turn. The U-turn signaling device includes a headlight assembly and a taillight assembly, wherein each light assembly includes a U-shaped light therein. A control circuit includes an activation device, a microprocessor, and the U-shaped lights of the light assemblies. Depending upon the embodiment, the activation device may be used to selectively or automatically illuminate the U-shaped lights so as to indicate to other drivers that the driver is performing a U-turn.

Abstract: A method and tail light for controlling optical modules of the tail light, comprising the steps of activating one or more optical modules to generate a first signaling function, if the vehicle has reverse gear engaged, activating, according to a first mode of operation, one or more other optical modules to generate a second signaling function, if the vehicle does not have reverse gear engaged, activating the or at least one of the other optical modules to generate a complementary beam of light distinct from the beam of light that it emits in the first mode of operation and that supplements the first signaling function. The invention also relates to a tail light, notably for implementing this method.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system using a trailer plug is disclosed. A signal may be transmitted from a trailer plug to an auxiliary implement attached to a vehicle. The signal can be sent through a wire bundle or wirelessly using a transponder. In either case, the auxiliary lighting system does not require rewiring of the vehicle's wiring harness.

Abstract: A device for assisting with driving an automotive vehicle, the vehicle being equipped with at least one illuminating device able to emit a beam for illuminating a road scene (SR) in front of the vehicle, the assisting device comprising a variable transmission screen that is intended to be placed between the road scene (SR) and a driver of the vehicle, the assisting device being configured to, when active, synchronously control a light emission of at least one light source of the illuminating device and a transmission coefficient of the variable transmission screen with a pulsed signal. The assisting device is configured so as to prevent antiphase and/or phase effects while and if a vehicle equipped with a device of the same type is approaching.

Abstract: An indicator gauge assembly can include at least one primary indicator gauge, a configurable digital display arranged next to the at least one primary indicator gauge, a trim member substantially surrounding the at least one primary indicator gauge and arranged over a portion of the configurable digital display, and at least one auxiliary indicator gauge arranged within the trim piece member. The trim member can include an opaque portion and a transparent portion. The at least one auxiliary indicator gauge can be arranged within the transparent portion.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that communicates with a wearable device having a haptic mechanism. In response to an alert event detected by the vehicle, the controller outputs a signal to activate the haptic mechanism. The wearable device may detect a physiological or biometric characteristic such as pulse rate. The controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism further in response to the pulse rate being less than a threshold. Also, the controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism while the vehicle is operating autonomously.

Abstract: A safe driving notification system includes a wearable module including a sensor unit configured to recognize a gaze of a driver in a vehicle or a driving direction of the vehicle, and a head unit configured to judge a driver's forward gazing state based on the driver's gaze or viewing direction acquired from the wearable module and to display a warning message.

Abstract: The present application discloses a vehicle display device including an image display device with a display surface on which images are displayed; and a ring member configured to surround a first region, which overlaps the display surface, and a second region, which protrudes from the display surface. The image display device displays an indicator indicating a physical quantity along the ring member in the first region.

Abstract: A system and method for providing assisted safety to an operator of a vehicle using a head-mounted display that provides displayed content and a see-through view of a surrounding environment, includes determining whether the operator is looking through the windshield of the vehicle or is not looking through the windshield, if the user is looking through the windshield, preventing displayed content from being provided within a display field of view of the head-mounted display, thereby providing an unencumbered see-through view of the surrounding environment, if the user is not looking through the windshield, providing displayed content for viewing by the user within the display field of view, and if important information relating to the safety of the vehicle is detected by a system associated with the vehicle while the user is looking not looking through the windshield, interrupting the displayed content and providing an alert to the operator.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for determine a real time driving difficulty category. The method may include determining image feature vector data based on one or more features depicted in a real time image of a road scene. The image feature vector data may describe an image feature vector for an edited version of the real time image. The method may include determining offline road map data for the road scene, which includes a static label for a road included in the road scene and offline road information describing a regulatory speed limit for the road. The method may include selecting, based on the static label, a classifier for analyzing the image feature vector. The method may include executing the selected classifier to determine a real time driving difficulty category describing the difficulty for a user of the client device to drive in the road scene.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a vehicle and a maneuvering assistance system that allows a precise alignment of the vehicle along structures bounding a parking space or existing in a parking space and is realizable in a cost-effective manner. At a first instant, a first region is sensed by means of a first image and at least one first element is detected inside the first region in the first image and at a second instant, a second region is sensed with the aid of a second image and the position of the first element detected in the first image at the first instant is calculated in relation to the second instant, the first element being inserted as virtual first element into the second image at this calculated position and displayed.

Abstract: A lens provided on a surface of a vehicle-mounted camera has a problem that a field of view becomes undesirable because small water droplets caused by fog, light rain and others adhere and scatter incident light. In the vehicle-mounted camera provided on a periphery of a vehicle, a hydrophilic film made of silicon dioxide particles and binder is provided on the lens surface, a mean particle diameter of silicon dioxide particles dispersed on the lens side of the hydrophilic film is larger than a mean particle diameter of silicon dioxide particles on the side in contact with air space outside the vehicle-mounted camera. The mean particle diameter on the side affixed to the lens side out of the silicon dioxide particles is 40 to 100 nm, and the mean particle diameter on the side in contact with air space is 10 to 15 nm.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle feature of a vehicle relative to an environmental feature located in an environmental zone of the vehicle feature includes: arranging a camera at the vehicle with a fixed orientation relative to the vehicle such that the vehicle feature and an environmental zone of the vehicle feature are disposed in the field of view of the camera; generating an index in the environmental zone of the vehicle feature for determining the location of the vehicle feature relative to an environmental feature located in the environmental zone; taking a measurement image that includes the vehicle feature, the index and an environmental feature located in the environmental zone of the vehicle feature; and determining the location of the vehicle feature relative to the environmental feature with reference to the position of the environmental feature relative to the index in the measurement image.