Abstract: A speedometer system is disclosed that replaces reliance on the feedback from a vehicle transmission and instead tracks the vehicle speed from an external source. In some embodiments, a global positioning unit (GPS) is connected to a microcontroller that drives an electric motor to turn and display a speed for an improved speedometer reading. The speedometer system further including a calibration unit that allows for the manipulation of the electric motor to display a predetermined calibration speed on the speedometer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety apparatus (20) for monitoring charging of an electrical energy store in a motor vehicle (100), having at least one first sensor device (21a) and at least one second sensor device (21b), the two of which are each designed to capture motion data for the motor vehicle (100) and to provide said motion data as a sensor signal; and a control device (25) that is coupled to the at least one first sensor device (21a) and to the at least one second sensor device (21b) and that is designed to deactivate the at least one second sensor device (21b) while the electrical energy store is being charged and, if the control device (25) detects motion of the motor vehicle (100) on the basis of one of the provided sensor signals, to actuate at least one actuator device (30) of the motor vehicle (100) in order to brake the motor vehicle (100).

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that connects to an power structure for powering and guiding the vehicle. The power structure includes a trolley, a track along which the trolley runs, a power source connected to the track, and a cable connected to the trolley and configured to attach to the vehicle moving on a surface. The vehicle includes a chassis and a cable connected to the chassis and configured to mechanically and electrically connect the vehicle to the power structure. The chassis includes a connector rotatable 360 degrees, and the cable connects to the chassis through the connector.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is provided with an upper controlling device and a lower controlling device. The upper controlling device has: a first determining device configured to determine whether or not the number of revolutions of a three-phase AC motor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value and whether or not a stop operation which can stop the vehicle is performed; a second determining device configured to determine that the vehicle is stopped if it is determined that the number of revolutions of the three-phase AC motor is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value and that the stop operation is performed; and a commanding device configured to output a particular control command for setting the state of a power converter to a particular state if it is determined that the vehicle is stopped. The lower controlling device controls the power converter to be in the particular state after a lapse of a predetermined period from the reception of the particular control command.

Abstract: A braking force control method that is applied to a vehicle in which regenerative braking force and friction braking force are applied to the front wheels. When the braking slip quantity of one of the front wheels that is supplied with regenerative braking force exceeds a reference value, with the instance being a reference time point, the friction braking force of the front wheels is controlled so as to increase while the regenerative braking force being controlled so as to be a provisional target regenerative braking force that is lower by a prescribed value than the regenerative braking force of the front wheels at the reference time point. When a decision is made that a prescribed period of time has passed since the reference time point, the regenerative braking force is gradually decreased and the friction braking force is gradually increased.

Abstract: When a regenerative braking force is controlled based on a target stop position or a target following distance, a driver may have an uncomfortable feeling if a vehicle is stopped or a following distance is secured by the regenerative braking force only and thus, the driver is prompted to perform a brake pedal operation and the driver adjusts deceleration by himself to reduce the driver's uncomfortable feeling. Regenerative deceleration by a motor when the driver operates neither accelerator pedal nor brake pedal is controlled to be smaller than deceleration needed to stop in the target stop position or deceleration needed to reduce a relative speed to the preceding vehicle to zero at the target following distance.

Abstract: An electrical or electronic device (7) capable of being supplied with two different values of voltage from respectively a first electrical network (3) and from a second electrical network (8), comprises: a first connecting interface (70) capable of being linked, under normal connection conditions, with a ground conductor (GND_12) and a voltage conductor of the first electrical network (3); a second connecting interface (71) capable of being linked, under normal connection conditions, with the ground conductor (GND_48) and a voltage conductor of the second electrical network (8); the ground connections of the two connecting interfaces (70, 71) being linked together to form a common ground; and at least one switch module (74; 75) interposed in series on the common ground, the switch module being capable of switching into an open position following a modification in the connection conditions of the first or second interface.

Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a cable connected to an electrified vehicle battery. The cable has a coiled portion providing an inductor.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical power system for an electric vehicle, particularly an industrial electric vehicle such as an electric forklift, comprises a fuel cell stack, a DC/DC converter and a Li-ion battery. The DC/DC converter comprises a transformer for converting a voltage of direct current generated by the fuel cell stack to another voltage, and a controller for generating a reference voltage for the another voltage to approach. When the reference voltage is set to be larger than the another voltage, the fuel cell stack provides power to drive the vehicle and charge the Li-ion battery. When the reference voltage is set to be not larger than the voltage of direct current from the Li-ion battery, both the Li-ion battery and the fuel cell stack provide power to drive the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless vehicle battery charging system. The wireless vehicle battery charging system includes a supply pad having a control circuit electrically connected to a power source. A receiver pad is mounted to an underside of a vehicle and electrically connected to a vehicle battery. The receiver pad and supply pad each include sensors. The supply pad sensor is configured detect the presence of the receiver pad sensor when it is positioned above the supply pad sensor. The control circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the receiver pad via resonant inductive coupling between the supply pad and receiver pad when the supply pad sensor detects the receiver pad sensor. The receiver pad is configured to charge the vehicle battery via the power received from the supply pad.

Abstract: Battery charging control methods, electrical vehicle charging methods, battery charging control apparatus, and electrical vehicles are described. In one arrangement, battery charging control methods include accessing price information for electrical energy supplied by an electrical power distribution system and controlling an adjustment of an amount of the electrical energy from the electrical power distribution system used to charge a rechargeable battery at different moments in time using the price information. Other arrangements are described.

Abstract: Nowadays people attempt to replace petrochemical engine vehicles by electric vehicles. However, up to now this attempt has not been successful yet for the insufficiency of safety, cruising range and convenience. When the electricity of battery is used up, the electric vehicle has to stop running and wait for charging and looking for charging stations, always make consumers give up the idea of buying electric vehicles. We have creatively design a range-extending, charging, and driving apparatus for an electric vehicle. It makes use of the clever configuration of wheel motor and planetary gear assembly, which can increase the cruising range, torque and speed of electric vehicle, and conduct charging while driving, and provides the auxiliary power fuel cell with the fuel of oxygen. Here electric vehicles cover all kinds of electric vehicles.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.

Abstract: PROBLEM: In management system of electric vehicle charging stands, to provide added-value services such as addressing emergency charging needs of the drivers, without overly increasing the complexity of the charging controllers. SOLUTION: Charging controllers equipped with an identification tag, mobile phones with an identification tag reader, and a management server of the charging controllers are connected via the network as the system to provided various added-value services without overly increasing the complexity of the charging controllers.

Abstract: A vehicle charging device is provided. The vehicle charging device is connected between an external power source and a vehicle and provides power for vehicle charging. The vehicle charging device includes: a sensing unit sensing whether a current to be provided to the vehicle is in a normal range, a relay unit selectively cutting off a current passing through the sensing unit from being supplied to a vehicle side, a bypass unit connected to the relay unit in parallel and selectively configuring a bypass circuit for the current passing through the sensing unit, and a controller controlling operations of the bypass unit and relay unit according to a current value measured through the sensing unit.

Abstract: A system and method for charging an electric vehicle are provided. The system includes a head unit that receives information regarding a battery of a power module mounted within the electric vehicle and displays the information. The head unit also sets variable reserved charging of the battery or a destination of a battery charging station based on a charging amount obtained from the power module. Additionally, information regarding the power module or a residual quantity of the battery of the electric vehicle is acquired and the information regarding the electric vehicle is stored or a current location is acquired.

Abstract: A switching board includes: a control circuit board that has, on a first surface thereof, a control circuit, a connection circuit, a first mounting window, and a second mounting window; a circuit structure including an input bus bar and an output bus bar are arranged on a second surface of the control circuit board; and a first and second semiconductor switching element. The first semiconductor switching element is arranged inside the first mounting window. The drain terminal, the source terminal, and the gate terminal of the first semiconductor switching element are connected respectively to the input bus bar, the connection circuit, and the control circuit. The second semiconductor switching element is arranged inside the second mounting window. The drain terminal, the source terminal, and the gate terminal of the second semiconductor switching element are connected respectively to the output bus bar, the connection circuit, and the control circuit.

Abstract: A voltage measurement circuit, which can reduce a withstand voltage of each of voltage dividing resistors for voltage measurement, with respect to a surge voltage generated at the time of turning-on of a dark-current reduction relay, thereby enabling cost reduction, is provided. The voltage measurement circuit includes: a high-voltage input terminal; a plurality of voltage dividing resistors which divide a high voltage; a voltage measuring part which measures a voltage reduced to a low voltage by the plurality of voltage dividing resistors; and a dark current reduction relay which is connected in series between adjacent ones of the plurality of voltage dividing resistors.

Abstract: A secondary battery control unit has a calculating portion identifying a parameter of an equivalent circuit based on an estimation error that is obtained by a comparison between an actual output value of a secondary battery and an equivalent output value of the equivalent circuit. Based on a predetermined amount of an infinitesimal change in the parameter and an evaluation function that is obtained using a result of the comparison, the calculating portion numerically calculates a slope of the evaluation function and renews the parameter based on the slope. As a result, the secondary battery control unit has the calculating portion capable of identifying the parameter of the equivalent circuit while reflecting effects of deterioration of the secondary battery and capable of being integrated to a vehicle-mounted microcomputer.

Abstract: A controller is a controller for a secondary battery for which a lower limit SOC setting value and an upper limit SOC setting value are set in advance and that is used in a use potential width determined by the lower limit SOC setting value and the upper limit SOC setting value. This controller is configured to: compute a post-deterioration positive electrode use minimum potential that is shifted from an initial positive electrode use minimum potential to a high potential side due to the deterioration of the secondary battery; and reset the lower limit SOC setting value to a value that is lower than the lower limit SOC setting value set in advance and that is higher than the SOC 0% in accordance with a shift amount as a difference between the post-deterioration positive electrode use minimum potential and the initial positive electrode use minimum potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal management of a battery of electric accumulator cells assembled within a rigid casing, said device comprising thermal storage means incorporated into said battery comprising a chamber containing a phase-change material and having a volume for exchange of heat with said accumulator cells which is delimited by at least part of said casing, the melting of the phase-change material being able to store heat, and the solidification of the phase-change material being able to release the heat previously stored. According to the invention, said chamber is equipped at its distal end with an expansion vessel able to absorb the expansions of said phase-change material as it changes phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for an electrically powered terrestrial vehicle applies electrical energy to front wheels and to rear wheels. A control system receives desired acceleration inputs and provides target torque requirements to a plurality of adaptive field-oriented motor control circuits. One or more three-phase alternating current synchronous motors receive voltage magnitude and voltage frequency to generate torque, which is applied through a reduction gear. One motor only may be powered during certain modes of operation.

Abstract: An exemplary creep torque selection method includes selecting an amount of reverse creep torque for a vehicle. The selecting is independent from an amount of forward creep torque for the vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle utilizing seating system to assist the vehicle driver when operating a vehicle in either autonomous drive mode or in manual drive mode, the system for this process is an autonomous driving computer system comprising input and output protocol data to assess the status of the vehicle's environment. Accordingly the seating control system manages the user seating unit the seat unit comprises at least one adjustable arm to reattach and reposition a frame containing an air bag and method for a power control system to charge control console devices such as a smart cellphone utilizing telecommunication network systems and operating instruments comprising methodologies to monitor and to navigate the vehicle during the manual and autonomous driving process.

Abstract: A slide rail is configured to have a specified front-upward slant angle within a range of 9-11 degrees relative to a floor panel such that a seat slides longitudinally with the specified front-upward slant angle and adjustably over a specified longitudinal range along the slide rail, a thigh support portion is provided at a front end portion of a seat cushion so as to swing vertically around its rear portion with an adjustable swing-angle range of 4 degrees or greater, and a seat device of a vehicle does not comprise any other lift mechanism for adjusting a height of the seat than the slide rail having the specified front-upward slant angle.

Abstract: A device (2) for displaceably connecting a passenger seat (1) to a vehicle structure (3) has devices (8) for fitting the passenger seat (1) and a device (5) for engaging in a guide (4) which is connected to the vehicle structure (3). The device (5) for engaging in the guide (4) has a securing pin (5a) which can be moved out of engagement with a recess (6) in the guide (4) by means of a lifting device (9). The lifting device (9) has a resilient device (10) which pretensions the securing pin (5a) against the guide (4) in the state thereof moved out of engagement with the recess (6) in the guide (4).

Abstract: A transfer seat base for a vehicle, including a rail frame having rails; a carriage frame positioned to ride along the rails and configured for receipt of a seat mounted thereto; a powered motive mechanism for, upon actuation, longitudinally moving the carriage frame along the rails between a forward driving position and a rearward occupant transfer position; a locking mechanism operable upon cessation of actuation of the motive mechanism to automatically lock the carriage frame against longitudinal movement at various positions between the forward driving position and rearward occupant transfer position.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting an adult three-point seatbelt for securing a child, the seatbelt comprising a belt extending from above the shoulder to an anchor point connected to chassis of vehicle, and a clasp attached to the chassis on opposite side of an occupant of the seat, such that the belt may be drawn downwards and across the occupant to engage the clasp, thereby restraining the occupant with both sash and lap sections of the seatbelt, the apparatus comprising: a mat with side catches for engaging the lap section of the seatbelt and holding it down over the legs of the child, and a strap fixed to the mat and having a clip at a distal end thereof, for extending behind the child, and the clip for clippably engaging the belt extending from the drum, to bring the sash section of the belt down, over the shoulder of the child.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat base with a fitting with pivot connections for pivoting relative to the backrest. The seat base pivots between a seating position and a stadium flipped up position. A storage hoop has ends pivotably connected to an underside of the seat base at hoop pivot connections. The storage hoop pivots between a stowed position—with the hoop extending along a seat underside—and a hoop deployed position—with the hoop extending outwardly from the seat underside. The fitting with pivot connection has an inertial load lock to maintain the seat base in the stadium flipped up position upon exposure to inertial loads above a crash threshold. A cable is moved upon moving the hoop to the deployed position to move a latching cam, associated with the fitting, to prevent the seat base from pivoting.

Abstract: A vehicle safety device for reducing whiplash in a vehicle includes a curved guide configured to allow a seat to slide thereon, an impact sensor that can detect an impact on a rear end of the vehicle; and a locking mechanism that can allow the seat to slide on the curved guide when an impact is detected by the impact sensor. The locking mechanism can prevent the seat from moving relative to the curved guide when there is no impact detected by the impact sensor.

Abstract: A case housing a centrifugal fan has a suction-side surface provided with a suction port, and two case-side protruding parts that are formed in an annular shape when viewed in an axial direction and protrude toward a centrifugal fan are provided with the suction-side surface. The centrifugal fan has an upper-surface-side plate that is arranged to face the suction-side surface, and the upper-surface-side plate is provided with a fan-side protruding part that is formed in an annular shape when viewed in the axial direction and protrudes toward the suction-side surface. A gap between the two case-side protruding parts in a radial direction is filled with a grease. The fan-side protruding part has a tip portion formed to have a shape that is tapered gradually toward a direction in which the fan-side protruding part protrudes, and the tip portion is in contact with the grease.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a seatback body and a door pivotally coupled to the seatback body. The seatback defines an internal compartment and an opening leading to the internal compartment. The seatback defines a first seatback edge and a second seatback edge opposite the first seatback edge. The door can rotate relative to the seatback body about an axis, which extends from the first seatback edge to the second seatback edge. The door can move relative to the seatback between an open position and a closed position, and covers the opening leading to the internal compartment when disposed in the closed position. The internal compartment is accessible through the opening when the door is in the open position. The seat assembly further includes a seat base below the seatback. The first seatback edge is closer to the seat base than the second seatback edge.

Abstract: A cover fastening clip includes a locking section that locks with an end member to be locked that is provided on the edge of a cover, and a hook that engages with a wire disposed in a groove of a cushion material. The hook is provided with an extended section that extends down from the locking section and a claw-shaped section, and the locking section is provided with a guide piece. The guide piece extends down along the extended section of the hook, bends at a midway bending section, and extends toward the distal end of the claw-shaped section. A wire insertion opening that has a prescribed gap and into which the wire is inserted is formed by the distal end of the guide piece reaching a location that faces the distal end of the claw-shaped section.

Abstract: A vehicle lowering system is provided having a movable arm that is connected to a vehicle through an upper link and a lower link. The upper and lower links pivot with respect to the vehicle on pivot points on one end and pivot with respect to the arm on pivot points at the opposite end. The spacing of the pivot points and the length of the upper and lower arm create an instant center, about which the movable arm pivots. An actuator is connected to the vehicle on one end and the movable part of the suspension on the opposite end. The actuator is movable between an extended and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the movable arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dumping work determination system for a haulage vehicle provided with a body frame, a vessel and a drive mechanism for selective raising or lowering of the vessel. The system is applicable to the vehicle to determine a state of loading in the vessel in dumping work, and includes a body frame speed detector, a tilted state detector, a shake detector, and a payload-stuck state determination unit. Based on signals from the detectors, the unit determines whether or not the state of loading is a payload-stuck state. Specifically, the unit determines the payload-stuck state when the speed of the body frame is detected to have reached lower than a predetermined speed, the vessel is detected to have tilted to a predetermined position, and a state where the vessel can be considered to have no longer produced shakes is detected by the shake detector.

Abstract: A kiosk for selling frozen confections such as shaved ice or ice cream may include with a liquid-topping dispenser assembly having liquid-dispensing faucets which are operable by a customer outside the kiosk to dispense liquid toppings onto the frozen confections.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for simultaneously transporting a personal watercraft and a pontoon includes a trailer that may be towed. A first support is hingedly coupled to the trailer and the first support may support a pontoon. A second support is coupled to the trailer and the second support may support a personal watercraft beneath the pontoon.

Abstract: A mobile service building including a towable rigid frame, the frame configured to be lowered and raised by a hydraulic lift coupled to wheels and a tongue. A building is attached to the frame, the building having walls, a floor, a ceiling and a door in one of the walls, and includes an opening in the floor of the building. A downwardly facing camera is attached to the building, looking downwardly through the opening in the floor and being configured such that a driver can determine when the opening is positioned over a predetermined location.

Abstract: A portable fluid storage system for use during frac jobs or other operations requiring storage of water or other fluids. The system comprises a lower chamber and an upper chamber sized to fit within the lower chamber. A lift system, such as screw jacks or rack and pinion gears, is disposed to move the lower chamber from a collapsed position to an extended position where the upper chamber is positioned above the lower chamber. A seal is disposed to engage the upper chamber and the lower chamber when the system is in the extended position. The upper chamber, the seal, and the lower chamber form a water tight compartment when the system is in the extended position. The system is transported as a traditional frac tank with a tractor or other truck. When positioned for use, the storage system is expanded to hold twice as much fluid as a traditional tank.

Abstract: A connector anchor has a longitudinal axis and an aperture for receiving the buckle clip. The aperture has a first extent portion extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the connector anchor for receiving a buckle clip in a first orientation. The aperture has a second extent portion crossing the first extend portion and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector anchor for receiving the buckle clip in a second, different orientation. The aperture has a third extent portion crossing the first and second extend portions and extending in a direction at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector anchor for receiving the buckle clip in a third, different orientation.

Abstract: A floor mat system has chock-receiving features and one or more chocks engageable with those features. The chocks are shaped or adapted to engage one or more of a variety of articles, to thereby secure the articles to the floor mat in a customizable arrangement.

Abstract: A camouflaged vehicle includes a vehicle having lighting equipment and a plurality of windows, a camouflage positioned over an exterior of the vehicle and allowing visibility through at least a portion of the plurality of windows, and additional lighting equipment supported by said vehicle outside of said camouflage. At least a portion of the lighting equipment may be visible through the camouflage. A control module for controlling the lighting equipment is provided and the additional lighting equipment is controlled by the control module in parallel with the lighting equipment, and sensors, positioned between the control module and the lighting equipment, sense the application of power and generate additional control signals to operate the additional lighting equipment. The additional lighting equipment may include a minimum number of lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment required to satisfy the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.

Abstract: A lighting device for use with a mobile object includes a lamp having a through-hole, a lamp mount for fixing a lamp to a vehicle body, and a support that is shaft shaped and supports the lamp in a predetermined attitude relative to the lamp mount. The lamp mount has an insertion hole through which the support is to be inserted. The support includes, at the leading end side in the axial direction, a male threaded section to be inserted in the through-hole and, at the trailing end side in the axial direction, a trunk section having approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the insertion hole. The trunk section includes a communication portion that communicatively connects the leading end side and the trailing end side of the trunk section.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a braking of the vehicle and a control device for sending a signal to a headlight activation circuit to modulate the vehicle's headlights based upon the braking of the vehicle. In particular, a headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated based upon an application of one or both of a front brake and a rear brake. The headlight activation circuit is able to modulate the headlight between an on position and an off position or modulate the headlight between a high beam position and a low beam position. Consequently, the vehicle is better seen as it approaches likely congestion areas such as intersections and slowing or stopped traffic and attempts to enter traffic.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp system includes a camera which generates image information in a front region, a controller which generates a light distribution command for instructing a light distribution pattern based on the image information, a headlight which irradiates the front region such that the instructed light distribution pattern is obtained, and a position calibrator which detects a positional deviation between the camera and the headlight. The position calibrator detects a reference object based on the image information and measures a luminance of the reference object, and when there is a certain difference between a luminance of the reference object obtained from one light distribution pattern and a luminance of the reference object obtained from another light distribution pattern in which a light quantity of only a part is different from the one light distribution pattern, detects the positional deviation using a position of the part.

Abstract: A hazard alert system includes a vehicle that has a door, a bed and a hitch. The bed has a back wall and a lateral wall. A frame is attached to the vehicle and the frame has a first section and a second section. A panel is movably coupled to the frame and the panel is positioned between a deployed position and a stored position. The panel provides a barrier between oncoming traffic and the door on the vehicle when the panel is positioned in the deployed position such that a driver of the vehicle may safely exit the vehicle. An actuator is coupled to the frame and the actuator urges the panel between the stored position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor is provided. The sun visor includes a base portion, a vanity minor, and a lighting arrangement that includes a power source. The vanity minor and the lighting arrangement are each detachably coupled to the base portion. The sun visor also includes a charger that is configured to recharge the power source of the lighting arrangement when the lighting arrangement is coupled to the sun visor.

Abstract: A method and system for providing situational awareness in a vehicle. The method and system include receiving environmental sensor data and vehicle performance sensor data. The method and system also include compiling the environmental sensor data and the vehicle performance data. The method and system additionally include determining one or more situational risks that are posed to the vehicle that occur within a surrounding environment of the vehicle based on the compiled environmental sensor data and the vehicle performance data. The method and system further include generating one or more projected graphical objects that represent the one or more situational risks that are determined to be posed to the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring movement of a trailer relative to the towing vehicle and providing driver-assistance information to the driver of the towing vehicle. The system determines a velocity vector for the host vehicle at a location near a rear of the host vehicle at a defined lateral distance from a trailer hitch installed on the host vehicle. The system also determines a velocity vector for the trailer at a corresponding location on the trailer—that is a location on the front of the trailer at approximately the same defined lateral distance from the trailer hitch. The system compares the velocity vector for the host vehicle to the velocity vector for the trailer and determines, based on the comparison, whether a jack-knife condition is likely to occur. If a jack-knife condition is likely to occur, the system generates a warning signal.

Abstract: A method and system for alerting a passing lane driver of a vehicle rear approach is provided. The method and system is enabled when the host vehicle is in a passing lane. The method and system initiates a readily comprehensible alert to the driver. The provided method and system further accepts user input for customization, enabling/disabling, and terminating an alert.