Abstract: A solar-powered boat comprising a hull which comprises a bottom panel and side panels extending upwardly from opposed sides of the bottom panel for defining a hull interior region. At least one of the side panels comprises an upper section angled inwardly with respect to an axis orthogonal to the bottom panel; and at least one panel opening provided in the upper section. The solar-powered boat is further comprised of at least one solar panel configured to supply electricity to the boat, the solar panel being mounted within the panel opening using a solar panel mounting kit.

Abstract: An electric rolling stock control device includes a voltage controlling unit for controlling an output voltage of an inverter and a speed estimating unit for calculating a rotation speed estimation value of an electric motor. The speed estimating unit includes an initial speed estimating unit for outputting an initial speed estimation value, a steady speed estimating unit for outputting a steady speed estimation value, a correction coefficient calculating unit for calculating a correction coefficient based on the steady speed estimation value and a backup speed, and a correction speed calculating unit for storing the correction coefficient in a storage unit and calculating a correction speed by multiplying the correction coefficient by the backup speed.

Abstract: In this power converter for a railroad vehicle, a cooling portion includes a first cooling portion arranged to block up an opening while ensuring watertightness and to come into contact with a semiconductor element through the opening, and a second cooling portion provided to be opposed to an outer surface of a power converter body not provided with the opening and adjacent to a side provided with the first cooling portion.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes: a non-contact charging apparatus that performs non-contact charging on a battery of a vehicle by facing a power receiving coil mounted on the vehicle; an information acquisition part configured to acquire, from the vehicle, information for determining whether to allow charging on the vehicle; and a charging control part configured to control a charging operation of the charging apparatus based on information acquired by the information acquisition part.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device in a network receives vehicle characteristic data regarding a set of vehicles. The device identifies, based on the received vehicle characteristic data regarding the set of vehicles, a particular ground-based charging coil with which charging coils of the vehicles are expected to be in close proximity. The device determines, based on the received vehicle characteristic data regarding the set of vehicles, a set of power levels and times at which the particular ground-based charging coil is to be powered. The device dynamically controls the ground-based charging coil to be powered at the determined power levels and times.

Abstract: A primary-side charging device (10) is disclosed for charging a battery (11) for a vehicle (12) having an electric drive (37). The primary-side charging device (10) comprises at least one primary coil (13) and a primary-side charging module (14) in which the primary coil (13) is arranged. The primary-side charging module (14) has at least three side surfaces (15) and each of the side surfaces (15) encloses an angle of greater than 0° and not more than 90° with a base area of the primary-side charging module (14). In addition, the at least one primary coil (13) is connected to a power supply unit (16). Furthermore, a secondary-side charging device (19) for charging a battery (11) for a vehicle (12) having an electric drive (37), a charging system (24) and a method of charging a battery (11) for a vehicle (12) having an electric drive (37) are disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless charging control method performed by a power supply apparatus including at least one charging pad configured to supply power wirelessly to an EV may include: initializing a communication link with the EV; transmitting information relating to the at least one charging pad to the EV; receiving information indicating a departure time when the EV leaves a charging station; transmitting at least one of information indicating an output power of the at least one charging pad and information indicating a charging fee of the at least one charging pad; receiving scheduling information of the EV from the EV; and supplying power wirelessly to the EV through the at least one charging pad according to the scheduling information.

Abstract: A charging control method performed by an electric vehicle (EV) configured to receive power wirelessly from a charging apparatus may include: detecting a presence of an occupant in the EV; detecting a presence of an implantable medical device (IMD) in the EV; determining a charging mode among a plurality of predefined charging modes according to at least one of the presence of the occupant and the presence of the IMD; transmitting information indicating the determined charging mode to the charging apparatus. The charging apparatus can activate a wireless power transfer (WPT) procedure in which power is wirelessly transmitted to the EV in accordance with the determined charging mode.

Abstract: Approaches for charging a battery for an electric vehicle involve obtaining battery usage metrics of the battery of the electric vehicle based upon past usage of the battery and past charging of the battery. The metrics are analyzed to determine a target state of charge (SOC) for a first type of vehicle usage and determine a charging scheme as a function of time to achieve the target SOC at a first predetermined time. The charging scheme includes a first time period and a subsequent second time period, wherein an average rate of delivering charge to the battery during the second time period is greater than an average rate of delivering charge to the battery during the first time period. The battery is charged according to the charging scheme until the battery reaches the target SOC, which is less than a maximum state of charge for the battery.

Abstract: A charging connection module for a vehicle has a charging socket for electrically contacting an external power source, and a pot unit which represents a mount for the charging socket and can be fastened to an outer panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method for operating a charging station for electric vehicles wherein a switching state of at least one fuse arranged between a grid connection and a charging cable connection is monitored and with the aid of a contact state a connection to and a separation from the charging cable connection by a charging cable is monitored. The charging station can continue to be kept in operation in the case of a fault at the vehicle side when an opening of the fuse occurring during a connection of the charging cable to the charging cable connection is detected with the aid of the monitored switching state and in the case of an opening detected in this manner following a detected separation of the charging cable from the charging cable connection, the fuse is autonomously closed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device in a network receives vehicle characteristic data regarding one or more autonomous vehicles. Each of the one or more autonomous vehicles is equipped with a vehicle-based charging coil configured to receive electrical power from a ground-based charging coil of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system. The device, based on the received vehicle characteristic data, identifies one or more ground-based charging coils of the WPT system available to provide power to the one or more autonomous vehicles. The device determines driving parameters for the one or more vehicles to optimize power transfer from the one or more ground-based charging coils to the one or more vehicles. The device sends the driving parameters to the one or more vehicles to control movement of the one or more vehicles.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a wireless power transfer (WPT) system receives data regarding a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-based charging coil configured to receive electrical power transferred from a ground-based charging coil of the WPT system. The device determines, based on the received data, a time at which the vehicle-based charging coil is expected to be in charging proximity of the ground-based coil. Based on the received data, the device determines a gap distance between the vehicle-based charging coil and the ground-based charging coil to optimize the transfer of electrical power from the ground-based charging coil to the vehicle-based charging coil when the coils are in charging proximity of one another. The device sends control instructions to an adjustment system to implement the identified gap distance in advance of the determined time by adjusting a height of the vehicle-based charging coil or the ground-based charging coil.

Abstract: A method of providing electrical energy to a battery-powered vehicle through the use of a drive to position charging system wherein the vehicle utilizes a battery as a power source to propel a traction motor or other such device. The method includes electrically coupling an external source of electrical energy to said electric vehicle via transmission of energy based upon positioning said vehicle in proximity of said external source of energy, thus providing electrical energy flow to a vehicle battery without the need to manually connect or couple a power source during a charging period, while controlling electrical energy flow to said vehicle during a charging period.

Abstract: A charging device according to one embodiment includes a charging unit, a measuring unit, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit detects an angle of inclination of a vehicle with respect to a longitudinal direction based on a first difference, a distance, and a first angle, the first difference being a difference between a first vertical distance to a first point in a first plane and a second vertical distance to a second point in the first plane having a position in a traveling direction different from that of the first point, the distance being a distance between the first point and the second point.

Abstract: A battery remaining capacity display device (30) comprises remaining capacity calculators (32A, 32B), a combined remaining capacity calculator (33), a display controller (35), a display instruction component (36), and a display component (34). The display controller (35) controls the display of the individual remaining capacities and the display of the total remaining capacity. The display instruction component (36) instructs the display controller (35) to display or not to display. The display component (34) displays the individual remaining capacities and the total remaining capacity. The display controller (35) performs control so that the individual remaining capacities and/or the combined remaining capacity is displayed on the display distribution (34) according to an instruction from the display instruction component (36).

Abstract: A computer is programmed to upon determining that a battery charge level of a battery of a vehicle is below a first threshold, determine a first fuel quantity for an engine to charge the battery to a second threshold; and actuate a vehicle component according to the first fuel quantity. The computer may transmit a message specifying a second fuel quantity that is a sum of a preset fuel quantity and the first fuel quantity. The computer may, upon determining that an ambient temperature is below a temperature threshold, provide an instruction to the engine to charge the battery to the second threshold.

Abstract: Included are: an equalization unit which equalizes voltages of a plurality of electric storage cells; and an electricity sending/receiving unit which, without disconnecting or shifting an electrical connection between (a) the plurality of electric storage cells and (b-1) a load which uses electric power of the plurality of electric storage cells or (b-2) a charging device which charges the plurality of electric storage cells, (i) sends electric power of the plurality of electric storage cells to an external apparatus which is different from the load and the charging device, or (ii) receives electric power supplied to the plurality of electric storage cells from the external apparatus.

Abstract: A heating control device includes: a storage battery that supplies electric power to an electric motor of an electric vehicle; a heat generation portion that heats the storage battery using heat generated by current flowing; an estimation portion that estimates a change in effective capacity when the heat generation portion heats the storage battery to a target temperature using heat generated by current flowing due to electric power supplied from the storage battery based on an effective capacity corresponding to a temperature and a state of charge of the storage battery: and a controller that causes current flowing from the storage battery to the heat generation portion only in a case where the effective capacity estimated by the estimation portion is expected to be improved.

Abstract: A system and method in at least one embodiment provides magnetic levitation to a vehicle above and/or partially about a rail or track using a flux field generator having a plurality of members having mated waveform patterns. In a further embodiment, the magnetic levitation also uses a distribution system. In a further embodiment, the plurality of members forms a disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the flux field generator is not vehicle based.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat for use with an occupant classification system (OCS). The seat comprises: a seat base including a seat base support, and a cushion pan mounted on the seat base support and forwardly moveable on the support to extend the seat base. The seat further comprises an intermediate layer fixed with respect to the seat base support and adapted for fastening to a component of the OCS so that when the seat base is extended by the cushion pan moving forward with respect to the seat base support, the intermediate layer does not move forward with the cushion pan but remains substantially stationary. The relationship between the various OCS components can therefore be maintained irrespective of the extension of the seat base.

Abstract: An adjustable motor vehicle seat includes a main part, an attachment which is movable relative to the main part, and a guide element which includes a receiving portion configured for receiving the main part or the attachment at least in part and having a surface which has at least one portion shaped spherically. The guide element is mounted in a bearing point of at least one of the main part and of the attachment, said bearing point having a cross section which at least in one portion is circular.

Abstract: An adjustable motor vehicle seat includes a main part, an attachment which is movable relative to the main part, and at least two guide elements. Each guide element has a surface which is spherical in at least one portion, and a receiving portion configured for receiving the main part or the attachment at least in part. The guide elements are mounted in a bearing point of at least one of the main part and the attachment and arranged one behind the other with respect to a direction of translation of the attachment relative to the main part.

Abstract: A height adjustment device is disclosed for the height adjustment of a seat frame for a vehicle seat. The height adjustment device includes a rotatable gear shaft and a gear wheel having a plurality of gear wheel teeth. A sector spur gear is arranged coaxially with the gear shaft and includes a recess receiving the gear wheel such that the sector spur gear is in operative connection with the plurality of gear wheel teeth.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom and configured to move relative to the seat bottom. A reclining assembly is coupled to the seat bottom and the seat back to move the seat back relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable car seat comprising: a seat part on which a child sits; a backrest part rotatably coupled to the seat part; a rotation connection part for rotating the seat part and the backrest part; and a rotation prevention part for restricting rotation, performed by the rotation connection part, through a stopper for preventing rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back includes a seat-back frame and a comfort integrator unit to be mounted to the seat-back frame, as well as a seat-cover shell that can be positioned over the mounted comfort integrator unit.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a reclining mechanism cover and vehicle seat using the same such that there are less components for the reclining mechanism cover and a seat rear cover component, component and assembly processing costs are reduced, and safety is improved so as to satisfy regulatory requirements. To achieve this, a reclining mechanism cover for covering hinge portions (15) comprise a seat front right reclining mechanism cover (11) and a seat front left reclining mechanism cover (12) which cover, from the front of a seat back the hinge portions on the left and right sides in the width direction of the seat back; and a seat lower reclining mechanism cover (10) which comprise left and right rear reclining mechanism covers that cover, from the rear of the seat back, the left and right hinge portions (15) of the seat back and a seat back rear covering component that is integral with the seat back rear reclining mechanism covers.

Abstract: A method for assembling an upholstery for a seat or for stuffed furniture including the steps of: providing a first upholstery element and a second upholstery element to be sewn together, wherein the first upholstery element and the second element have a visible upper surface and a non-visible lower surface; placing a first edge of the first element alongside a first edge of the second element until they are in abutting contact, that is head against head, in a coplanar way; sewing the first edge of the first element to the first edge of the second element with a stitch chosen from classes 300, 400 or 600.

Abstract: A universal bucket car seat cover includes a headrest cover sized to cover a removable headrest of the bucket seat, a backrest cover sized to cover a backrest of the bucket seat having an elastic trim on at least a portion of the back of the backrest cover, and a seat cover sized to cover a seat cushion of the bucket seat having a second elastic trim on at least a portion of the seat cover. The elastic trims advantageously allow for a precise fit to the car seat. A bench seat embodiment includes convenient cover components that are attachable with attachment mechanisms to adjust and/shorten the seat cover size.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat that facilitates setting of a starting load of a movable member. The vehicle seat includes a movable mechanism including: first and second springs coupled to a frame; a movable member displaceable relative to the frame; a first passive member and a second passive member coupled with the respective first and second springs; and a restriction member configured to restrict displacement of the first and second passive members. The movable member displaces the first passive member in a first direction when the movable member is displaced in the first direction, and displaces the second passive member in a second direction when the movable member is displaced in the second direction. The restriction member restricts displacement of the first passive member from a first-passive-member initial position in the second direction and displacement of the second passive member from a second-passive-member initial position in the first direction.

Abstract: A vehicle headrest includes a carriage with support rods, an outer headrest connected to the carriage, a vertical locking arrangement with a locking element having a locked state and a released state relative to a support rod locking interface. Release levers, accessible from respective sides, move essentially along a vehicle direction of travel. Release carriers, moveably mounted to the carriage, moves essentially along a vehicle inboard/outboard direction and moves the locking element into the released state. Each release linkage activates the movement of the release carrier. The headrest also includes a forward and rearward locking arrangement for movement of the outer headrest relative to the carriage with support rods with at least some forward and/or rearward movement component. The movement arrangement, for movement of the outer headrest relative to the carriage, does not interrupt the release linkage connection for activating the movement of the release carrier.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided having a head restraint with a forward contact surface. At least one loudspeaker driver is embedded in the head restraint and offset rearward from the forward contact surface. A waveguide extends from the loudspeaker driver toward the forward contact surface and is configured to direct a sound output from the loudspeaker driver at a listening direction being different than a central axis of radiation of the loudspeaker driver.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a foam cushion and a fabric portion connected to a B-surface opposite a seat surface of the foam cushion. At least one pocket cavity is defined between the fabric portion and the foam cushion. A pneumatic support assembly is contained in the at least one pocket cavity.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a boom conveyor section configured to extend into a loading area, transport parcels into the loading area, and adjust a height of a discharge end of the boom conveyor section. The parcel processing system includes a sensor pod configured to scan the loading area into which the parcels can be placed. The parcel processing system includes a control system configured to determine a placement of the one or more parcels in the loading area, arrange the one or more parcels on the boom conveyor section according to the determined placement, control the boom conveyor section to transport one or more parcels into the loading area, control the height of the discharge end of the boom conveyor section, and place the one or more parcels into the loading area in the determined placement.

Abstract: A lock mechanism is disclosed herein that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to one another. The lock mechanism can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative to one another in a plurality of different positions and, when released or unlocked, can allow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

Abstract: A weight transfer apparatus for use in combination with a vehicle includes a hoist bar connected to a pair of spaced-apart frames. The hoist bar being responsive to actuation of a motor to vertically to be removable between a downward position and upward into a retracted position. The structure further includes a pair of opposed frame members including longitudinally extending beams. The assembly further includes means for moving the rectangular frame member between a retracted position entirely in the vehicle and an extended position partially outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bottom dump trailer is disclosed that includes a spreading device mounted on the bottom dump trailer to spread material that is dumped by the bottom dump trailer. The spreading device spreads the material shortly after being dumped, eliminating the need for a separate machine to follow the bottom dump trailer to spread the material.

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: This invention is a retractable cargo wall for flatbed trucks and trailers that lowers into an enclosure that may be rollup canister or tray. Once the cargo walls are lowered, the posts supporting the walls may collapse into the bed, thereby transforming a bed with cargo walls into a flatbed. It is also anticipate that a truck or trailer bed with posts can be transformed into a flatbed truck or trailer.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-use dynamically reconfigurable vehicle, used for vehicle/ride sharing with integral yet reconfigurable for optimal passenger or courier service by reconfiguring the vehicle interior space and/or body shape specific to the vehicle service to create additional space respectively for the transport of passengers or cargo/boxes. The vehicle is particularly adept at reconfiguration with compatibility of an external automated process to load/unload its cargo while also enabling a high aerodynamic efficiency while in a driving mode.

Abstract: An entertainment support system is attached to a pickup truck having a plurality of receptacles in sidewalls of a truck box spaced above a truck bed. The entertainment support system includes a first mount having a first horizontal arm extending between opposing sidewalls of the truck box, and a vertical arm extending orthogonal to the first horizontal arm. The entertainment support system further includes a second mount including a second horizontal arm extending between the opposing sidewalls parallel to and spaced from the first horizontal arm.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle comprising at least one headlamp, which has a light source for emitting visible light, a radiation source for emitting infrared radiation, and a light emission optics with a light entry surface, which visible light from the light source and infrared radiation from the radiation source strikes, and which has an optical exit-deflection element, which directs the infrared radiation from the radiation source toward the light entry surface of the light emission optics. The optical exit-deflection element comprises at least one optics, which broadens the infrared radiation emitted by the radiation source to form a radiation beam with a cross section broadened in a horizontal plane (HH), and a radiation distribution that has at least one intensity maximum disposed toward the edge in the radiation distribution, to one side of a vertical plane (VV), when viewed in a focal plane of the light emission optics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle (1), particularly a motor vehicle, with at least one illuminating device having a longitudinally shaped illuminating fixture for creating a light strip along a defined line of the illuminating fixture, wherein a first section (2, 2?) of the illuminating fixture is arranged on the interior (3) of the vehicle (1) and a second section (4, 4?) of the illuminating fixture is arranged on the exterior (5) of the vehicle, the illuminating device is set up so as to create a similar light strip along a line of the first (2, 2?) and of the second section (4, 4?) of the illuminating fixture, and the light of the light strip created by the first section (2, 2?) of the illuminating fixture is radiated such that it is visible for an occupant located at a definable position on the interior of the vehicle (1), and the light of the light strip created by the second section (4, 4?) of the illuminating fixture is radiated such that it is visible from a definable position relative to and

Abstract: A lighting module includes at least one heatsink configured to dissipate heat generated by a light source, the heatsink including at least a base and a dissipation member, the dissipation member including a series of fins projecting from the base, each fin being defined by a summit that defines the length of that fin, and by two end edges extending between the summit and the base. The lighting module is configured to pivot about two pivot axes, and the series of fins includes eccentric fins the length of which is less than the lengths of the fins at the centre of the dissipation member, at least one fin further having at least one bevel at the junction between the summit and an end edge.

Abstract: A headlight includes a shell unit defining a mounting space that extends in a front-rear direction, a mounting seat pivotally mounted in the mounting space, and having a plurality of mounting portions, a plurality of light emitting units respectively mounted to the mounting portions of the mounting seat, and an adjusting unit including an adjusting member that is mounted to the mounting seat, and that is operable for adjusting the angular position of the mounting seat. Each of the light emitting units includes a light emitting member, and a lens disposed in front of the light emitting member for allowing a light beam emitted from the light emitting member to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An adjuster mechanism includes a housing having a neck and an adjustment shaft extending from the housing. The adjustment shaft is engageable in a reflector of a headlamp. An input shaft extends through the neck of the housing and rotation thereof causes movement of the adjustment shaft. At least one lobe is situated on the input shaft so as to create a non-circular interference fit that establishes a resistance to rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A vehicular adaptive driving beam headlighting system includes a camera disposed at and viewing forwardly through a windshield of a vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera at night to detect headlights present in a field of view of the camera of an oncoming vehicle that is approaching the equipped vehicle along a traffic lane to the left of a traffic lane of a road that the equipped vehicle is travelling along. A left-side headlamp is disposed at a left-side front portion of the equipped vehicle and a right-side headlamp is disposed at a right-side front portion of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to detection of headlights of an oncoming vehicle, the left-side headlamp beam of light is adjusted to reduce glaring a driver of the oncoming vehicle.

Abstract: A warning lamp used in lane change at blind zone of a vehicle includes a light source and a light guide including a light entrance surface, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a light exit surface, the light entrance surface is located above the light source so that the light emitted from the light source is converted to parallel light through the light entrance surface, said first reflective surface is arranged aslope above the light entrance surface, sides of s the first reflective surface are provided with the second reflective surface and the light exit surface, respectively, the first and second reflective surface are provided with total reflection stripes configured so that said parallel light is totally reflected to the second reflective surface through the first reflective surface and then totally reflected by the second reflective surface to said light exit surface to form uniform warning light.