Abstract: Method for producing a reinforcement beam for a vehicle, comprising at least one weak zone arranged in such a way that the bending resistance of the beam is less in said weak zone than in the rest of the beam, characterized in that it comprises, in order, a step (A) of extruding a profile part, a step (B) of cutting the profile part so as to obtain at least one profile segment, a step (C) of locally deforming the segment of the profile part in order to create the weak zone or zones.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for sealing a cargo bed, such as a cargo bed included on a pickup truck or a utility trailer. In particular the present invention provides for a removable and disposable sealing membrane or overlay adhesively attached to a cargo bed for containing contents within the cargo bed and also repelling elements of an ambient environment from entering the cargo bed of the truck or trailer.

Abstract: An open-air car canopy and cover assembly and method of operation provides a rearwardly extending canopy that shields an uncovered rear deck of an open-air car from a deployed position, and when in an undeployed position, the panels retract, becoming limp and folding upon themselves. An upper pocket covers the panel folds in the undeployed position by encapsulating the panels and the rotatable supporting bracket. Lateral and rear flaps having fasteners and rear flap fasteners retain the panels out of the rear sight line and side openings of the open-air car. A roof mount detachably attaches the canopy to the roof of the open-air car with a curved flange that hooks over a roof support structure, and metallic tensioned hooks that hook under the roof support structure. A tensioned hinge member is operable with rotatable supporting bracket to retain canopy in a fixed position between deployed and undeployed positions.

Abstract: A connector for a flexible substrate includes a first connector piece including a first plurality of through holes, a second connector piece including a second plurality of through holes, the second connector piece disposable in opposition to the first connector piece to align the first plurality of through holes and the second plurality of through holes to define, via the first plurality of through holes and the second plurality of through holes, a grommet, a plurality of first fastener receivers and a plurality of second fastener receivers and a channel, defined at least in part by the first connector piece, extending across the first connector piece.

Abstract: Systems for a truck box cover and more particularly to a truck box cover system configured to transform to suit multiple load types and still protect the load from outside elements. The truck box cover system has a plurality of electrically controlled telescoping columns and sides made of compliant material for raising and lowering the cover and maintaining a closed configuration.

Abstract: A top for a Jeep type vehicle is provided having a rear cargo area and parallel spaced roll bars. The top includes parallel spaced apart C pillars, each C pillar including front and rear vertical columns, the rear columns having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through. The C pillars also have bottom plates connecting the front and rear columns that extend beyond the rear column. A top plate connects the front and rear columns together. The C pillars include pivotally connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, the sealing plates being connected to the roll bars. A vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns is provided, the rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt therethrough. A fabric cover providing a top deck extends over said front and rear seating portion of said vehicle and also covers the C pillars. A tonneau cover is provided for covering the rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure over the cargo area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lock assembly for a battery lock-up mechanism, a power battery comprising the lock assembly, a battery lock-up mechanism, a new energy vehicle, and a method for installing/detaching a power battery onto/from a new energy vehicle by using the battery lock-up mechanism of the invention. The lock assembly for battery lock-up mechanism comprises a casing and a stop end plate which define an accommodation space. A returning spring, a push rod, a locking pin or the like are installed in a central pull shaft. The technical solutions of the invention have a low cost, are easy to operate and are stable and reliable.

Abstract: A transmission for an energy storage and recovery system is disclosed. A variable slip transmission and a clutch arranged to transmit drive while slipping. The level of torque transmitted through the slipping clutch is dependent on the clutch force but is independent of the clutch slip speed. Preferably the clutch is provided by a plurality of clutches connected in parallel in a range extender. When drive is transferred between clutches in parallel, the clutch forces of both clutches are controlled to maintain the total torque transmitted by the clutches. This reduces torque fluctuations at the energy source/sink during clutch transfer. Where there are two slipping clutches in series, one clutch is controlled to provide the required torque and the other clutch is controlled in response to a clutch slip speed. This helps to control the speed of rotation of the mass between the clutches.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a hybrid electric vehicle including a front-wheel drive system and a rear-wheel drive system. In one example, the rear-wheel drive system includes an internal combustion engine configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, and the front-wheel drive system includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted directly to opposing sides of the engine. The first electric motor is coupled to a first reduction gearbox to drive a first front wheel of the vehicle, and the second electric motor is coupled to a second reduction gearbox to drive a second front wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a drive circuit unit of a vehicle, a first terminal is electrically connected to a drive circuit that performs power conversion, and configured to input or output electric power with respect to the exterior of the drive circuit unit via a first cable. A front protruding portion is formed by extending a portion of a front side surface of the drive circuit unit in a forward direction in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first terminal is disposed on the front protruding portion in an upwardly facing manner, at a more rearward position than a front end of the front protruding portion.

Abstract: A drive train includes a shaft, a first gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear and planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, a second gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear and planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator coupled to the second gear set, a first clutch that selectively engages the shaft with the second motor/generator and the first gear set, and a second clutch and a third gear set that cooperate to selectively engage the ring gear of the second gear set with the planetary gear carrier of at least one of the first gear set and the second gear set. The planetary gears of both sets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gear carriers.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for cooling an electric drivetrain of an electric vehicle. The electric drivetrain can include an inverter, a gearbox and a motor. A first cooling system can use ethylene glycol and water (EGW) based coolant, and can include an EGW coolant loop to distribute the EGW based coolant to remove heat from a cold plate of the inverter, a housing of the gearbox, and a housing of the motor. A second cooling system can use an oil based coolant, and can include an oil coolant loop to distribute the oil based coolant to remove heat from internal components and the housing of the gearbox, and to remove heat from internal components and the housing of the motor. The second cooling system can include an oil coolant pump to control a flow of the oil based coolant through the oil coolant loop.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a baffle for regulating air flow around an object. The baffle can be of unitary construction and can be made by a single shot injection molding process. The baffle can have an edge portion that is more flexible than the base portion. The baffle has also can have a base portion with a base portion thickness and an edge portion with an edge portion thickness that is less than the base portion thickness. A method of making a baffle by an injection molding process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a system for controlling opening/closing of a shutter for a vehicle, which allows the shutter to be appropriately opened and closed on the whole travel path of the vehicle. A control device for the shutter includes: an opening/closing control unit that brings the shutter into an open state when a temperature in an engine room exceeds a predetermined threshold, and brings the shutter into a closed state when the temperature is the threshold or less; and a traveling state predicting unit that predicts a traveling state of the vehicle after a lapse of a predetermined time based on map information and path information. The opening/closing control unit has a threshold changing section that changes the threshold based on the traveling state of the vehicle after the lapse of the predetermined time predicted by the traveling state predicting unit.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cap including a body and a spring positioned on the body that inhibits unintended removal of the cap from a fuel filler neck, the spring secured on the cap by a cam pin that is used to secure the cap on the cam ramp of a fuel filler neck.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle including a frame having longitudinally-spaced ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a crankshaft defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A control apparatus that controls a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a driving force is transmitted to rear wheels via a dog clutch, a propeller shaft, and a driving force transmission apparatus is configured to, when switching to a four-wheel drive mode, reduce a difference in rotation speeds of an intermediate rotational member and a ring gear member by a frictional force between a friction surface of a friction member, which is configured such that its rotation relative to the intermediate rotational member is restricted, and a target frictional slide surface of the ring gear member, and then couple the intermediate rotational member and the ring gear member by a clutch member in a state in which engagement forces of friction clutches configured to transmit the driving force between each of first and second output rotational members and the intermediate rotational member of the driving force transmission apparatus are set to engagement forces that allow their relative rotation.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for an agricultural implement includes a variable speed hydraulic drive motor configured for receiving hydraulic oil from a tow vehicle, an electric alternator coupled with and driven by the hydraulic drive motor, and at least one auxiliary electrical component onboard the implement which is coupled with and adapted to receive electrical power from the alternator. At least one load indicator provides an indication of a dynamic cumulative electrical load of the one or more auxiliary electrical components. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with the at least one load indicator and the hydraulic drive motor, and is configured to vary the speed of the hydraulic drive motor, dependent on the indicated dynamic cumulative electrical load.

Abstract: In a fastening structure and an accelerator pedal device using the fastening structure, a screw is inserted into a screw insertion hole of a cover from a side of the cover facing away from a housing, and the screw is screwed into a screwing hole of a fastening portion of the housing. An annular space is provided between an edge of the screw insertion hole and the fastening portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prediction device for use in combination with a human being where the human being issues data. The prediction device comprises a means to acquire the data from inside or outside the human being for one or more time periods located in a time interval from a moment in the past to the present moment to obtain an acquired data set, a means to model the acquired data set as a geometric Brownian motion random process model to obtain a fitted random process model, and a means to predict a state of the human being using the fitted random process model to obtain a predicted state of the human being.

Abstract: Driver misuse of an automatic braking system is determined by comparing the amount of time that a vehicle moves rearwardly until it is stopped, to the amount of time after the last actuation of a brake pedal and when the vehicle is stopped. If the ratio of no brake applied time to the total reverse time is greater than a predetermined value, the automatic braking system is considered to have been misused. Each misuse occurrence increments a counter that is stored in a non-transitory memory device.

Abstract: Vehicle system information is communicated to a vehicle occupant by thermal haptics. A heat transfer device, such as a Peltier device, is used to locally control the temperature of an interaction area along an outer surface of a vehicle interior panel. A temperature differential between the interaction area and an adjacent area indicates the current status and/or the location of a control for the system. Multiple heat transfer devices can be used to provide a temperature gradient along the outer surface of the panel to provide the occupant with a thermally perceptible indicator of an available range of temperatures and/or a temperature setpoint for the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for influencing the efficiency of an electrical grid includes coordinating operation of a first electrified vehicle and a second electrified vehicle traveling along an inductive roadway and having opposite power needs in a manner that influences an amount of energy supplied by the electrical grid during an inductive roadway event.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for a solar car. The exterior of the solar car is comprised of smoothly curved and continuous photovoltaic cells. The exterior car parts, e.g., roof, doors, hood, trunk and so forth, may include integrated photovoltaic cells, all manufactured in the shape of the corresponding car parts. The photovoltaic cells are meta-encapsulated in an edgeless manner, and may utilize superconducting anodes. A first encapsulate may be polychlorotrifluoroethylene, an extreme water barrier. A second encapsulate, e.g., silicone, may be a water barrier and shock absorber. A third encapsulate may be UV stabilized polycarbonate or low iron glass. A street legal solar car may be constructed upon an electric car chassis. A competition solar car has one or more hyper-efficient electric motors, that may utilize superconducting wire in their armatures. Superconducting wire may also be used in the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A power reception unit includes a resonance circuit for contactlessly receiving electric power output from power transmission units. Each of the power transmission units is configured to be able to form a plurality of resonance circuits having circuit configurations different from each other. A communication unit transmits information about a configuration of the resonance circuit of the power reception unit to a communication unit. A power supply ECU controls the power transmission units such that a resonance circuit of the plurality of resonance circuits which has a circuit configuration identical to that of the resonance circuit of the power reception unit is formed in the power transmission units.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a power converter having output terminals that are electrically isolated from input terminals. The power conversion system further includes a circuit configured to couple a voltage input from a power source to the input terminals, and provide an output voltage to a load that is a series combination of the voltage input and a voltage across the output terminals.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a main battery and a power converter configured to execute a high power conversion mode that generates a high power and a low power conversion mode that generates a low power using an input power from the main battery. Additionally, an auxiliary battery is configured to receive and charge the low power and an inverter is configured to convert the high power to a driving power for driving a motor.

Abstract: A charging system, comprising: a charging apparatus; and at least one guiding apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting device provided in at least one target apparatus. The charging apparatus moves to a charging location according a light emitting state of the light emitting device, to charge the target apparatus.

Abstract: A charging station system, in particular for electric vehicles is described, wherein the charging station system has at least one housing. The charging station system also has a plurality of main components. The housing and the main components are standardized in such a manner that the main components can be arranged modularly in the housing. An associated method for constructing a charging station is also described.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for determining a parameter map used for estimating an operation condition for an energy storage device which may be an energy storage device. The method includes updating the parameter map. When updating the parameter map, a correlation model is implemented taking into account aging behavior of the energy storage device. The model comprises correlation between different parts of the parameter map which enables updating the parameter map at parts which is presently not at a current operating point. Based on the parameter map, an operation condition of the energy storage device may be determined.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a controller programmed to, in response to a charger being coupled to a power source and parameters being indicative of a low charge level of an auxiliary battery and a full charge level of a traction battery, decouple the traction battery from the power converter and the charger and charge the auxiliary battery from the charger.

Abstract: A vehicle power source system includes: a high-voltage battery; a high-voltage system equipment having a DC-DC converter and a charger; and a cooling circuit having a high-voltage battery cooling unit for cooling the high-voltage battery, a DC-DC converter cooling unit for cooling the DC-DC converter, and charger cooling unit for cooling the charger. In the cooling circuit, the DC-DC converter cooling unit and the charger cooling unit are disposed in parallel on a downstream side of the high-voltage battery cooling unit.

Abstract: The motor drive device includes: an electric motor (6); a controller (1) that controls a torque of the electric motor (6) or a quantity of state corresponding to the torque; and a torque transmitter that transmits the torque of the electric motor (6) to a wheel of a vehicle. The controller (1) includes a torque fluctuation inhibiting section (15) that inhibits torque fluctuation in the electric motor (6). The torque fluctuation inhibiting section (15) includes an execution determination section (15b) that determines whether or not to inhibit the torque fluctuation in the electric motor (6), based on a result of comparison between an estimated value of a torque fluctuation frequency in the electric motor (6), and one or both of transmission characteristics of the torque transmitter and vibration characteristics in the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are control algorithms and system architectures for arbitrating vehicle charging, e.g., for electric vehicles with rechargeable battery packs, wired and wireless charging capabilities, and control logic for governing such charging. A method is disclosed for managing charging of electrical storage units of motor vehicles at vehicle charging stations. The method includes determining if a wireless charging interface of the motor vehicle is available for wireless power transfer, and determining whether or not the vehicle charging station has an electrical connector coupled to a wired charging interface of the motor vehicle. Responsive to the charging station having an electrical connector coupled to the wired charging interface, the method initiates a wired (conductive) charge power mode.

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of power converters, a plurality of energy storage systems, a first common node, a second common node, and zero-reference voltage node. Each power converter is coupled between one energy storage system and the first and second common nodes. The system operates to regulate power between the power converters and the first and second common nodes. Each power converter is a bi-directional power converter and each energy storage system is a battery pack. In one example, the first common node is regulated to a voltage VSPAN, and the second common node is regulated to a voltage VSCN which is the mean of all voltages output by the battery packs. In another example, the first common node is regulated to a voltage ?VSPAN, and the second common node is regulated to a voltage +VSPAN. No power converter processes more than voltage VSPAN yielding high-efficiency power conversion.

Abstract: In a power control device for a vehicle in which an electric motor for driving the vehicle to travel is supplied with power from a battery mounted on the vehicle and a fuel cell, a control unit sets a target charging rate (SOCt) of the battery in such a manner that the target charging rate decreases as a remaining fuel amount (Qf) of the fuel cell decreases after the power generation of the fuel cell is started during high-output/high-speed travelling and controls a power generation output (Pf) of the fuel cell based on a difference between the target charging rate (SOCt) and a current charging rate (SOC).

Abstract: A radar sensor system and method for ascertaining whether an unattended child is present within an automotive vehicle. The radar sensor system carries out the method and includes a transmitter, at least one sensor, and processing circuitry. The method includes the steps of: illuminating at least one occupiable position within the vehicle with radiation of multiple frequencies; generating radar sensor signals from reflections of the transmitted radiation, a plurality of the radar sensor signals corresponding to different frequencies; and operating the processing circuitry for generating and determining if a first indicator value indicative of motion in the occupiable position satisfies a first predetermined criteria and, if so, generating and determining a second indicator value indicating a degree of repetitive pattern within the radar sensor signals, and determining presence of an unattended child in the vehicle if the second indicator value satisfies a second predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A vehicular occupant determination apparatus includes a load detection portion, an occupant determination portion, an acceleration detection portion, a transition prohibition portion, a drive state detection portion, and a prohibition release portion. The load detection portion detects a load of a left part or a right part. The occupant determination portion determines occupant types, and maintains or transits a determination result. The transition prohibition portion sets a transition prohibition state when the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration threshold. The prohibition release portion sets a prohibition release state when (i) the acceleration is equal to or greater than the acceleration threshold, and (ii) the prohibition release portion detects that the vehicle is in stop based on a detection value detected by the drive state detection portion, the transition prohibition state being released during the prohibition release state.

Abstract: A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle seat that includes a sensing electrode located in a seat bottom of a vehicle seat. The system also includes a shield electrode located in the vehicle seat below the sensing electrode. A sensing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensing electrode and the shield electrode. A controller is operatively coupled to the sensing circuit, wherein the controller operates to configure the sensing circuit to apply current to the shield and sensing electrodes. The controller is configured to detect the presence of an object in the seat by comparing a measure of the quadrature component of the sensing current to a threshold wherein the measure is adjusted by an offset value that varies based on a value of a non-volatile counter.

Abstract: A seat-occupancy and occupant-class detector for a vehicle seat having a back part and a seat part has an insulated but conductive surface element mounted on the seat part of the vehicle seat roughly parallel to a seat cushion thereof. A signal generator feeds an electrical measuring signal to the surface element, and first and second receiving electrodes are provided in the backrest at different spacings from the surface element but vertically level with each other such that the measuring signal of the surface element induces different voltages in the receiving electrodes. Calculation and evaluation steps performed in an evaluation unit take as their basis a value that is a quotient of different measurements for the same physical size and is therefore dimensionless. The reason for this is the arrangement of the two receiving electrodes at a different spacing from the conductive surface element on the seat cushion side.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a notification of an upcoming acceleration to an occupant of a vehicle are disclosed herein. The vehicle includes a seat that is movable in one or more directions. The vehicle can identify a direction and magnitude of acceleration corresponding to an upcoming maneuver. The vehicle can also track one or more states of the occupant. The vehicle can generate control signals to move the seat based on the state of the occupant and the direction and magnitude of the acceleration for the upcoming maneuver.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which a vacant space produced after tipping up a seat cushion can be effectively used as a luggage storage space. The vehicle seat includes: a support leg (6A, 6B, 6C) to support weight related to a seat cushion (2); a leg holding member (8) to hold a lower part (6C) of the support leg (6A, 6B, 6C); and a slide mechanism (18A, 18B) to move the seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3) in a front/back direction. The seat has a tip-up function to rotate the seat cushion (2) so that its front part is in a higher position than its rear part and the seating surface of the seat cushion (2) and the front surface of the seat back (3) face each other, in which the leg holding member (8) is located at a part (18A) of the slide mechanism (18A, 18B) which moves along with the seat cushion (2) and the seat back (3).

Abstract: Provided is a seatback structure for a seatback provided with a lower seatback support and an upper seatback support pivotably connected to the upper end of the lower seatback support. An actuator (17) is fixedly secured to one of a pair lower side frames (6) of a seatback frame (F), and an output end (17a) of the actuator is configured to move linearly along a length of the lower side frame, and a link (25) is provided with an upper end pivotally connected to a part of a corresponding upper side frame (7) and a lower end pivotally connected to the output end of the actuator. The upper end portion of the lower side frame and the lower end portion of the corresponding upper side frame comprise plate members facing laterally each other in an overlying relationship, and at least partly interposing the link therebetween.

Abstract: A child safety seat includes a support base, a rotary platform and a child seat. The support base is suitable for placement on a vehicle seat and includes an anchoring portion and a bearing portion connected with each other, the anchoring portion having a belt path for passage of a fastening belt to attach the child safety seat on a vehicle seat. The rotary platform is pivotally connected with the bearing portion of the support base about a pivot axis. The child seat is connected with the rotary platform, wherein the child seat, the rotary platform and the bearing portion are movable in unison relative to the anchoring portion, and the child seat and the rotary platform are rotatable in unison as a seat unit relative to the support base between a plurality of positions including a forward facing position, a rearward facing position and a sideways facing position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a base mounted to a floor of a vehicle; a seat cushion that is placed on the base and allowed to be tipped up with a rotating shaft as a fulcrum; an ottoman that is provided on a front side of the seat cushion and extractable between a normal position and an extracted position; a seat back that is provided in a rear end of the seat cushion; and a storage locking mechanism that is capable of relatively moving the ottoman with respect to the seat cushion in a storing direction which is a direction opposite to an extracting direction, wherein the storage locking mechanism is operated such that the seat back becomes in a forward-tiltable state and/or the seat cushion becomes in a tippable state, and locking of the locking mechanism is released so that the ottoman becomes movable in the storing direction.

Abstract: A flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and includes a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within a Y-shaped slot disposed on an upper surface thereof. A movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the integrated guide member and deployable support structure, the movable horizontal surface having a first stored position and a plurality of deployed positions.

Abstract: A flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and includes a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising a base disposed on an upper surface thereof. A foldable wing is operably coupled with the deployable support structure, the foldable wing having a first stored position and a deployed second position forming a movable horizontal surface.

Abstract: A lower guide frame for a vertical suspension system of a vehicle seat having a left-hand slide and, parallel thereto, a right-hand slide which are connected to each other via a lower crosspiece. Attached to an upper side of at least one slide is a reinforcing profile which has a horizontal portion, via which it is connected to the upper side of one slide, and adjoining the horizontal portion is an oblique portion that is oriented obliquely downwards and outward. Adjoining the oblique portion is a vertical portion that, in the assembled state, extends to just above a vehicle floor.