Abstract: A system includes energy modules that output power to an energy management bus based on load demands. An energy module includes energy cells enclosed within a module housing that provide power to the energy management bus and a driving system attached to the module housing that transports the energy module. The energy module includes a local controller that controls power output from the energy cells to the energy management bus, engages a self-driving mode in response to receiving a disconnection signal from a central controller, and controls movement of the energy module in the self-driving mode to a predetermined location via the driving system. The central controller receives a current module status from the energy modules and controls a configuration of the energy modules providing power to the energy management bus based on the current module status.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system comprises: a non-contact type charging apparatus that charges a battery of a vehicle in a non-contact state by facing a power-receiving coil mounted on the vehicle; and a charging controller that sequentially perform charging of vehicles stopping aligned in a first direction by changing relative position between the vehicles and the charging apparatus along the first direction.

Abstract: A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle, including an inductive charging device for a battery of the motor vehicle with a charging coil to be positioned relative to an induction unit underneath it, during the positioning relative to the induction unit underneath it, wherein a current relative position of the motor vehicle to a target position of the motor vehicle enabling an optimal energy transmission is determined and a positioning instruction depending on the relative position is put out via an output means, wherein the optical output means is a display device installed in the bodywork of the motor vehicle in the visual field of the driver maneuvering the motor vehicle through a corresponding panel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for scheduling and distributing power for electric vehicle chargers, through enabling and disabling a plurality of relays at a system. One of the criteria to allow an authenticated user to use an electric vehicle charger is whether there is enough electricity capacity. When the user is allowed to use a scheduled electric vehicle charger, its location is then sent to the user. Alert messages can be generated if charging does not begin within a first time limit and the cancellation of a reservation will take place if the second time limit is reached.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes electric power lines through which electric power supplied from external charger flows, an electric power storage device electrically connected to the electric power lines, a charging circuit electrically connected to the electric power lines, and an electronic control unit. The electric power storage device is configured to be charged with the electric power from the external charger. The charging circuit is configured to charge the electric power storage device in either a first state or a second state. The electronic control unit is configured to acquire charger information indicating information related to electric power to be suppliable from the external charger, generate the command by using the acquired charger information, and output the command to the charging circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling charging of an environment-friendly vehicle. The apparatus includes a high-voltage battery SOC determining unit configured to determine a state of charge (SOC) of a high-voltage battery that is a main power source, an auxiliary battery SOC determining unit configured to determine an SOC of an auxiliary battery that assists power of the high-voltage battery, and an auxiliary battery charging control unit configured to, when receiving a request for an operation of an engine for controlling heating, perform a control such that the auxiliary battery is charged by using the high-voltage battery.

Abstract: A power supply system includes: a first power storage device; a second power storage device having a lower voltage than the first power storage device; a DC-DC converter including a choke coil, a first switching element, a diode connected in parallel with the first switching element, and a second switching element; a semiconductor relay configured to switch a connection state between a second end of the choke coil and the second power storage device; and a controller configured to perform PWM control of the first switching element and the second switching element to control ON and OFF of the semiconductor relay. When an ON time of the second switching element is controlled to become zero and a current flowing out from the second power storage device exceeds a first reference current, the controller reduces a duty ratio of an ON time of the first switching element.

Abstract: Provided is a high-voltage equipment cooling system for electric-powered vehicles, which is capable of sufficiently cooling a DC/DC converter as well as a battery. The high-voltage equipment cooling system is equipped with: a battery assessment unit which assesses a battery cooling method suitable for cooling the battery on the basis of the temperature or the amount of heat generated by the battery; a DC/DC assessment unit which assesses a DC/DC cooling method suitable for cooling the DC/DC converter on the basis of the temperature of the DC/DC converter; a determination unit which determines a final cooling method on the basis of the results assessed by the battery assessment unit and the results assessed by the DC/DC assessment unit; and a control unit which controls an IPU fan on the basis of the final cooling method determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: An accumulator arrangement for an electric or hybrid vehicle may include at least one battery module on which a temperature control unit is secured to transmit heat. The temperature control unit may include a first inlet nozzle and a first outlet nozzle. The arrangement may also include a channel structure including a second inlet nozzle and a second outlet nozzle. The inlet nozzles and the respective outlet nozzles may be connected to each other to direct cooling medium via a respective pipe piece. At least one of i) the inlet nozzles and ii) the outlet nozzles may each have an internal cylindrical sealing face and the respective pipe piece may have at both sides at least one external annular seal. An annular seal of the respective pipe piece may be secured to the sealing face of one of a corresponding inlet and outlet nozzle in a frictionally engaging manner.

Abstract: A system and method for suppressing serpentine instability of a railway vehicle, comprising a serpentine warning and control module for determining whether a bogie is in a state of serpentine instability; a traction motor speed control system for controlling a rotation speed of a traction motor according to a determination from the serpentine warning and control module; a signal output end of the serpentine warning and control module is connected with the traction motor speed control system. In the present disclosure, it extracts the serpentine characteristic wave from the transverse acceleration of the bogie and calculates the vibration non-linear index according to the extracted serpentine non-linear characteristic to judge whether the bogie is in a state of serpentine instability, and controls a direct torque of the traction system through the DTC control module.

Abstract: Disclosed is one example of a vehicle seat in which a dimension thereof in its width direction can be smaller. The vehicle seat includes: a side frame extending in seat front-rear directions; a belt anchor bracket at least part of which is positioned below the side frame; a belt stay at least part of which is positioned below the side frame; and a coupling bolt that couples the belt anchor bracket and the belt stay to each other at a position below the side frame, the coupling bolt passing through a first member, which is one of the belt anchor bracket and the belt stay, and reaching a second member, which is the other of the belt anchor bracket and the belt stay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, among other things, a rotational damper comprising a fluid-filled damper housing and within the damper housing a piston rotatably accommodated by a rotation axis of the rotational damper in a first direction and an opposite second direction with a piston rod extending in the direction of the rotation axis; whereby the piston has at least one opening with a flow cross-section which allows for the flow of fluid through the piston, whereby a total flow cross-section is calculated as the sum of the flow cross-sections of the at least one opening. A blocking device can be furthermore assigned to the piston which is capable of reducing the flow cross-section of at least one of the openings during a rotation of the piston in a first direction relative to a rotation of the piston in the second direction.

Abstract: A seat moves along a rail in the front-back direction of a vehicle. A juxtaposed member (receiving member) extending in the front-back direction of the vehicle is joined to a floor or the seat so as to be located next to the rail. A detected portion is provided either to the juxtaposed member or to a member which is located on the floor side or the seat side which moves relative to the floor or the seat to which the juxtaposed member is coupled. A sensor that detects the detected portion is provided either to the juxtaposed member or to the member located on the floor side or the seat side. As a result of this configuration, the installation position of the sensor is less spatially restricted than the case in which the sensor is provided to the rail.

Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a seat bottom coupled to a floor of the vehicle and a seat back configured to pivot about a seat-back pivot axis relative to the seat bottom between an upright position and a folded-forward position. The occupant support further includes a seat-motion controller configured to control movement of the seat back relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: A passenger support includes a vehicle seat and a foundation frame having a lower track and an upper track. The lower track is coupled to a floor of a vehicle in a fixed position relative the floor. The vehicle seat is coupled to the upper track to slide back and forth relative to the lower track.

Abstract: A lifter device including: an input member configured to be rotated about a rotation shaft in synchronization with an operation handle and to input an operation force of the operation handle to a rotation drive mechanism and a lock mechanism; and a fixing member slidably fixing the input member to a support member rotatably supporting the rotation shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for adapting an adult three-point seatbelt of a vehicle for safe and secure usage by an occupant such as a child, the seatbelt being of the ubiquitous type that comprises a tensioned belt wound on a drum that extends from above shoulder height of an adult occupant of a seat, to an anchor point connected to chassis of vehicle, and a clasp attached to the chassis on an opposite side of an occupant of the seat from the anchor point, such that the belt may be drawn downwards and across an occupant to engage the clasp, thereby restraining the occupant with both a sash section and a lap section of the seatbelt. The apparatus comprises a guide for the sash section of the seat belt that is fixed to a seat and sideways adjustable with respect to the occupant sitting on the seat, the sash guide for engaging the sash section above a shoulder of the occupant at a sideways position to ensure that said sash section runs over shoulder of the occupant in an optimal position for both comfort and safety.

Abstract: The invention relates to a child safety seat comprising a seat shell, a headrest, a guiding component, slidably coupled to the seat shell, for guiding a strap of an integral harness system, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the headrest, comprising a coupling element which is configured to be placed in a first and a second configuration, wherein, when placed in the first configuration, the coupling element couples the headrest with the guiding component such as to allow for movement of the headrest together with the guiding component relative to the seat shell; and wherein, when placed in the second configuration, the coupling element couples the seat shell with the guiding component such as to prevent the guiding component from movement relative to the seat shell and such as to allow for movement of the headrest relative to the seat shell.

Abstract: A bracket for connection of a child safety seat to a foldable vehicle seat includes a wire with a first leg, a second leg and a horizontal attachment portion. The attachment portion is connected to the first leg and the second leg and is configured to connect to the child safety seat when the attachment portion is in a first position. The bracket also includes a support member connected to the first and second leg. The support member is configured to couple the wire to the vehicle seat while permitting movement of the attachment portion from the first position to a second position, wherein the first position is different from the second position. The bracket also includes a biasing member in contact with at least one of the support member and the wire and is configured to bias the attachment portion of the wire toward the first position.

Abstract: An anti-submarining seat structure includes a seat frame, upholstery, an anti-submarining device, a sensor and a controller. The upholstery overlays the seat frame at least partially forming a seat cushion portion with a cavity between the seat frame and a portion of the upholstery adjacent to a front area of the seat frame. The anti-submarining device is installed within the cavity and is configured to transition from an unactuated orientation to an actuated orientation. In the actuated orientation, the anti-submarining device forms a restraining structure proximate the front area of the seat cushion portion. The sensor is configured to detect rapid changes in acceleration and velocity of the vehicle body structure. The controller is connected to the anti-submarining device and the sensor and is configured to actuate the anti-submarining device in response to signals from the sensor indicating a rapid change in acceleration and velocity of the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide, in a vehicle seat having a walk-in mechanism, a locking mechanism for a seat back with which rotation of a lock plate can be suppressed against impact in any direction, and with which the locked state can be more reliably retained.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle seat for preventing formation of wrinkles and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, a vehicle seat for preventing formation of wrinkles, whereby a backing cloth between a first foam layer and a second foam layer is bonded using a double flame lamination method so that the first foam layer is freely moved and simultaneously wrinkles can be prevented from being formed on a surface of the vehicle seat, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Passenger seat assemblies including net backrests are described. An example passenger seat assembly can include a lower frame (14) configured to support a seat bottom (36) of the passenger seat. The passenger seat assembly can also include a backrest frame (18) attached to the lower frame (14) and configured to support a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly can include a backplate (16) disposed adjacent an aft side of the backrest frame (18). The backrest assembly can also include a net material (22) attached to the backplate (16) at a first attachment location (46a) on an aft surface of the backplate (16), extending around a forward side of the backrest frame (18), and attached to the backplate (16) at a second attachment location (46b) on the aft surface.

Abstract: In a conventional vehicle seat with a reclining mechanism, a reclining unit is bolted to a seat frame. Consequently, a plate thickness has to be increased in order to ensure strength and a fastening bolt is required, producing factor which increases the number of parts. In order to solve the abovementioned problem, this vehicle seat with a reclining mechanism is configured such that a reclining unit (2) which has the reclining mechanism (5) is affixed to a back side frame (3) and a cushion side frame (40), which constitute the seat frame of the vehicle seat. The reclining unit (2) has the reclining mechanism (5), a movable bracket (6) which is affixed to the back side frame (3), and a stationary bracket (7) which is affixed to the cushion side frame (40). The reclining unit (2) is configured such that the reclining unit (2) is affixed to the back side frame (3) through the movable bracket (6) by welding and is fastened to the cushion side frame (40) by a bolt through the stationary bracket (7).

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is arranged to removably couple a head restraint to a vehicle seat. The head restraint assembly includes an engagement component having a retention feature configured to engage a complimentary engagement component of the vehicle seat during a deceleration event to maintain attachment of the head restraint to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A vehicle floor mat can include a base that conforms to the contour of a vehicle floor and has one or more receptacles formed in the upwardly facing surface of the base. An insert can be received and retained within the receptacle. The receptacles can include a gasket strip that overlaps the perimeter of an insert placed into the receptacle to create a water resistant seal. In some embodiments, the insert, can have electrically powered functionality and can be removable from and replaceable within the receptacle. A source of electric power and conductors can supply the electric power to the insert. In at least some embodiments, the floor mat can include at least one manipulatable switch capable of connecting and disconnecting the electric power to and from the insert. In some or the same embodiments, the floor mat can include a microprocessor-based receiver/transmitter capable of receiving and transmitting signals wirelessly from and to a user device, such as a smart phone.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle (V) for transportation of people or goods generally comprising frame means (T) for supporting a housing cabin (C) for the said people or goods and suitable to be elevated by means of lifting means (S, M) of the said cabin (C) for moving the said cabin (C) between a loading/unloading position (PT) of said people at ground level and a loading/unloading position (PEA) of said people at an elevated level; the said lifting means (S, M) comprise column means (M) defined by cylindrical movement means (7) inserted into each other and suitable to slide through dynamic actuating means (8, 9) arranged coupled to the said movement means (7); said column means (M) supporting wheel means (12) for moving the said vehicle and suspension means (13) connected to the said wheel means (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a configurable bicycle carrier that enables bicycles to be transported inside a motor vehicle. Its versatile design allows it to be assembled into different configurations that facilitate the adaptation thereof to the backrest of any vehicle seat without sacrificing safety when transporting bicycles.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that for transporting and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles. The unmanned aerial vehicles may be deployed from mobile stations that include receptacles each configured to retain an unmanned aerial vehicle. The receptacles may be independently movable into relative positions that permit multiple unmanned aerial vehicles to be deployed simultaneously from the mobile stations.

Abstract: A cargo hold extender can include a plurality of folding walls. The plurality of folding walls can be folded into a stowed position contained entirely within a cargo hold of a hatched vehicle. The plurality of walls can also be moved to an extended position in which the plurality of folding walls extend outwardly through an aperture of a hatch of the hatched vehicle supported by a mounting mechanism mounted within the cargo hold. The plurality of folding walls can be deployed and connected with the hatch of the vehicle, thus forming an extended cargo hold for a hatched vehicle.

Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle includes: plural light sources that are disposed so as to be lined-up in at least one line, and that illuminate light; a light-blocking member having an opening portion onto which light illuminated from the light sources is incident; and a projecting lens that emits, toward an object, light that has passed through the opening portion of the light-blocking member and has been incident on the projecting lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle auxiliary lighting. An auxiliary lighting system includes at least one light member, a bracket, and a controller. The bracket includes a base portion, and a plurality of connection members extending from the base portion in a first direction, the connection members configured to releasably connect the lighting system to a vehicle with a snap-fit connection. The bracket also includes a plurality of light attachment members extending from the base portion in a second direction, the at least one light member being releasably attached to the base portion with the plurality of light attachment members. The controller is operable to operate the at least one light members between an OFF state and at least one ON state.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The vehicle lighting system includes at least one luminescent planar sheet affixed to a vehicle's mounting surface. The luminescent planar sheet includes a non-luminescent printed circuit board in the shape of a letter or number which has a top surface of a color which contrasts with the mounting surface's color. The luminescent planar sheet includes a plurality of light emitting LEDs which are surface mounted upon the printed circuit board so as to be arranged in the shape of the desired letter or number with the LEDs covering no more than 20% of the printed circuit board's top surface. Preferably, the LEDs cover no more than 7% the printed circuit board's top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first panel with a first alignment feature, a first lamp installed on the first panel, a second panel adjacent the first panel and including a second alignment feature, and a second lamp installed on the second panel. A lift system moves the first and second lamps to respectively engage the first and second alignment features and align the first and second lamps. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a step of aligning the first and second lamps with each other by independently moving the first and second lamps to respectively engage the first and second alignment features.

Abstract: A rear lamp apparatus of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a light source that emits light having a first wavelength band, a light filter disposed with a first side facing an exterior and a second side facing an interior, that reflects light having the first wavelength band, and transmits light having a second wavelength band that is different from the first wavelength band. A light diffraction element is disposed to receive light emitted from the light source and changes a transmission path of incident light to direct. The light emitted is transmitted to the first side of the light filter by the light diffraction element and is reflected to be directed toward the exterior of the vehicle to prevent the transmission to the interior of the vehicle. Accordingly, a rear lamp is turned on at a side of rear glass and exterior and interior visual fields are improved.

Abstract: A dynamic brake light system for a vehicle having a brake pedal, a communication module, and a speedometer is disclosed herein. The present invention provides a dynamic brake light configured to illuminate in accordance with the deceleration velocity of the vehicle as registered via an accelerometer or how much pressure is applied to the brake system. The dynamic brake light includes an elongated brake light installed to a rear section of the motor vehicle configured to receive input from the brake system. The dynamic brake light system is installable on any make or model of vehicle, including commercial vehicles. The dynamic brake light provides for a safer alternative to standard brake lights, enabling other motorists to adjust their braking as needed to maintain a consistent speed.

Abstract: This system for detecting the surrounding conditions of a moving body forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

Abstract: This system for detecting the surrounding conditions of a moving body forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

Abstract: This system for detecting the surrounding conditions of a moving body forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

Abstract: An illumination device includes at least one illuminant for emitting light, and an optical reflection unit, including at least one reflective surface, and at least one surface including at least one mask, where the optical reflection unit is configured to receive the light emitted from the at least one illuminant and project at least one of an image, a symbol, a logo, and a legend on a projection surface.

Abstract: An instrument cluster for a vehicle includes a gauge having a face plate, a pointer rotatably coupled to the face plate, and a gauge indicator on the face plate. The pointer includes an arm with a bottom plate and a top plate on opposed sides of the arm, a reflector coupled to the bottom plate, and a light source coupled to the bottom plate. The light source is positioned to emit a light along the arm and the reflector is positioned to reflect the light through the top plate.

Abstract: A vehicle display device includes: a housing unit having an opening facing an eye point side of a vehicle; a decorative member disposed inside the housing unit; a display device configured to display an image inside the housing unit, a drive device configured to move the decorative member in a width direction of the housing unit; and an illumination device operated depending on a movement of the decorative member to irradiate the decorative member with light. The illumination device may have a plurality of light sources arranged along the width direction.

Abstract: A vehicle decorative component functions as a decorating illumination while harmonizing with peripheral members. In a light emitting ornament having a light emitting region that emits light and a non-light emitting region adjacent to the light emitting region, the light emitting region includes an irradiation body including a lamp and a light guiding body, an ornament base material through which the light emitted from the irradiation body is transmitted at a front position of the irradiation body, and a decorative film formed at a front position of the ornament base material and exposed on the vehicle interior side, the decorative film through which the light transmitted through the ornament base material is capable of being transmitted, and a decoration style of a surface of the decorative film exposed on the vehicle interior side is the same as a decoration style of a surface of the non-light emitting region.

Abstract: A device for controlling the interior lighting of a motor vehicle comprises at least one lighting module capable of emitting a light beam in the passenger compartment, and means for detecting a plurality of gestures of an occupant of the vehicle forming a determined sequence triggering the control of the interior lighting module.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle approach notification device that can easily output a warning sound in which a discomfort feeling brought to an occupant is reduced while ensuring a necessary sound pressure. A vehicle approach notification device includes: a sound source; first and second amplifiers; a first speaker system including a first speaker and a second speaker that outputs a sound having an opposite phase to a sound output from the first speaker; and a second speaker system including a third speaker that outputs a sound having a same phase as the sound output from the first speaker and a fourth speaker that outputs a sound having an opposite phase to the sound output from the third speaker, wherein the first speaker system and the second speaker system are disposed so that the first speaker and the third speaker are located closer to a longitudinal center plane of the vehicle than the second speaker and the fourth speaker.

Abstract: Provided is a portable electronic device including: a sensor; and a control unit controlling the sensor so as to obtain movement information of the portable electronic device in order to detect a movement of at least a part of a user's arm, determining whether the user is in a driving state on the basis of the movement information, automatically switching into a driving mode on the basis of the determination, and activating at least one function relating to driving among the functions of the portable electronic device on the basis of the switching into the driving mode.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle operating on a road includes a vehicle placement module that references, based on a geographic position of the vehicle, a road mapping database to identify a selected lane of the road where the vehicle is located. A lane assignment module (i) receives information indicating identification of an object in the road and (ii) determines a relative lane of the object with respect to the selected lane. A curvature plotting module determines a curvature line of the selected lane. An object placement module (i) determines a first distance value representing a shortest distance between the object and the curvature line and (ii) determines whether the relative lane of the object is the selected lane based on the first distance value and a lane width value. An alert generation module selectively generates an alert signal in response to the object being in the selected lane.

Abstract: Presence of an object can be indicated on a display of a vehicle. An avatar can be displayed on the display of the vehicle indicating a travel direction of the vehicle. Presence of the object can be detected within a path in the travel direction of the vehicle, where the path corresponds to an area on the display of the vehicle. A beam can be drawn from the avatar to the object as an alert of the presence of the object.

Abstract: An image display apparatus has: an imaging device (11L, 11R) that is placed at a door (15L, 15R) of a vehicle (1) and that is configured to image an external circumstance of the vehicle; a displaying device (14) that is configured to display an external image captured by the imaging device; and a controlling device (132, 133) that is configured to control an display aspect of the display when the display displays the external image, the controlling device is configured to control the display aspect such that the display aspect when the door is in an opened state is different from the display aspect when the door is in a closed state.

Abstract: An assembly includes a head assembly for an external rear view device to be attached to a motor vehicle, a lower casing element, an upper casing element, an articulation assembly, a bezel assembly for carrying at least one rear view element, and a hinge connection between the bezel assembly and a first sub assembly provided by at least the lower casing, the articulation assembly and attachment means with the articulation assembly being mounted on the attachment means or the attachment means being mounted on the articulation assembly.