Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain an electromagnetic suspension apparatus capable of meeting a request to improve ride comfort irrespective of a magnitude of a spring constant preset in a spring member. The electromagnetic suspension apparatus includes an electromagnetic actuator that generates a driving force related to vibration damping of the vehicle body, an information acquisition unit that acquires information on a stroke position of the electromagnetic actuator, and an ECU that calculates a target driving force of the electromagnetic actuator and controls a driving force of the electromagnetic actuator using the calculated target driving force. When the stroke position acquired by the information acquisition unit is in a neutral range including a neutral position, the ECU corrects the target driving force so as to reduce a spring force related to the spring member as compared with when the stroke position is in a non-neutral range.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an exterior surface, a sensor disposed on the exterior surface, a passenger cabin fixed relative to the exterior surface, a duct receiving airflow from the passenger cabin, and a valve disposed in the duct and movable between a first position directing the airflow to the sensor and a second position directing the airflow outside the vehicle.

Abstract: An in-car temperature-controlling device for a car in its parked state uses a wireless remote control to remotely control a power-activating unit, an engine-starting unit, a window-activating unit and an AC-activating unit of the car, so as to adjust the car's in-car temperature. Its installation is easy and needs no structural changes to the car, so the car using the device can, in its parked state, have its in-car temperature prevented from being too high or too low. The in-car temperature-controlling device is characterized in contributing to convenience, safety, comfort and low costs, and is applicable to all existing and newly built cars.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for optimizing control of the rotational speed of a fan in a vehicle so as to reduce the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle in a given operating parameter, and accordingly, to improve fuel efficiency of operation of the vehicle. Certain exemplary embodiments include determining an optimized speed of rotation of a cooling fan of the vehicle for reducing overall fuel demand in given operating conditions, and controlling rotation speed of the fan at the optimized speed in order to minimize fueling demand of a prime mover of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air conditioner ECU transmits a communication message in a format for controlling a stepper motor. Since a stepper motor and a DC motor are controlled by a communication message in respective predetermined formats, the DC motor cannot be controlled with the communication message transmitted by the air conditioner ECU. Therefore, the sub ECU relays the communication message transmitted by the air conditioner ECU and drives the actuator. The sub ECU converts the communication message transmitted by the air conditioner ECU into control information corresponding to a predetermined format of each actuator and drives each actuator based on the converted control information.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a heat exchanging system according to the invention, decreases a duty ratio of the heater pump after connecting an engine water passage to a heater water passage, shutting off a predetermined water passage portion of the heater water passage, and increasing a duty ratio of an engine pump when the controls for shutting off the predetermined water passage portion, connecting the engine water passage to the heater water passage, decreasing the duty ratio of the heater pump, and increasing the duty ratio of the engine pump, are requested to be executed.

Abstract: Heat pump type air conditioner for a vehicle in which a noise generated in opening an opening/closing valve (a solenoid valve) during changing of an operation mode is eliminated or reduced. The air conditioner has a dehumidifying and heating mode to let a refrigerant radiate heat in a radiator 4, decompress the refrigerant, and let the refrigerant absorb heat in heat absorber 9 and outdoor heat exchanger 7, and a cooling mode to let the refrigerant radiate heat in the outdoor heat exchanger, decompress the refrigerant, and let the refrigerant absorb heat in the heat absorber. Solenoid valve 21 and solenoid valve 22 opened in the dehumidifying and heating mode. When changing an operation mode from the cooling mode to the dehumidifying and heating mode, a difference between a pressure before each solenoid valve and a pressure after the valve is reduced, and then these valves are opened.

Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus of a so-called heat pump system, wasteful power consumption to be generated when an auxiliary heating means is disposed on an air upstream side of a radiator is decreased, and comfortable heating of a vehicle interior is also achieved. The air-conditioning apparatus includes an electric heater 57 disposed on an upstream side of air flowing through an air flow passage 3 to a radiator 4, and a controller executes a cooperative operation of heating air to be supplied to the vehicle interior by the electric heater 57 and the radiator 4, and stops a compressor 2 on the basis of establishment of a condition that an inlet refrigerant temperature Tcxin of the radiator is lower than an outlet refrigerant temperature TCI of the radiator (Tcxin<TCI).

Abstract: An operating device for an air vent which includes at least one swiveling vane, the operating device having a first operating lever which has a first lever arm, a second lever arm, and a bearing member which is arranged therebetween, the first operating lever being mounted around the bearing member for swiveling about a swivel pin, and a second operating lever which has a first lever arm, a second lever arm, and a bearing member which is arranged therebetween, the second operating lever being mounted around the bearing member for swiveling about a swivel pin, the first lever arm of the second operating lever being coupled to the second lever arm of the first operating lever and the second lever arm of the second operating lever being adapted to be coupled for swiveling motion to the vane.

Abstract: A predictive scent control system and method thereof for dispersing a scent into a passenger compartment of an automotive based upon a feedback system having a decision unit and a set of predefined users' settings. Dispersion of scent or fragrance into the passenger compartment may be based upon prediction user behavioural profile. User behavioural profile may include an average based upon timing of access to vehicle, an average based upon frequency of selection of predefined user settings, and an ambience of the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the predictive scent control system may be configurable to disperse a pungent scent in the event of unauthorised access to the vehicle. The predictive control system is applicable to vehicles for multiple users or car-sharing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a window, comprising a window panel that has a glass. The window panel is latched at the first latching position when the window panel is at a fully closed position, and is latched at the second latching position when the window panel is at a fully open position.

Abstract: A vehicle panel assembly for a motor vehicle and carrier module therefor are provided. The vehicle body panel assembly includes a structural panel body defining an internal cavity with the carrier module secured to the structural panel body at least partially in the internal cavity. The carrier module has a carrier with an actuator attachment region integrally formed thereon and providing a first attachment feature. A latch assembly is secured to the carrier module and an actuator is configured in operable communication with the latch assembly to selectively cinch the latch assembly. The actuator has a housing providing a second attachment feature, wherein the first and second attachment features are configured for attachment to one another.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel adapted to open and close an opening in a roof of a vehicle; a guide rail provided at each of both-side edge portions of the opening; a cable which has a driving-side engagement portion and is driven to move in a forward and backward direction of the vehicle; a slide member having a driven-side engagement portion engaging with the driving-side engagement portion, linked to each of both-side edge portions, and provided to be movable in the forward and backward direction, along the guide rail, so that movement of the slide member causes the movable panel to open and close; and a holding portion protruding from the slide member in the width direction of the vehicle and positioned backward of the cable to abut against or close to the cable.

Abstract: Drive link apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed herein. An example assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a drive shoe. The drive shoe is movable along a rail and includes a ramp portion positioned thereon. The assembly also includes a drive link that is rotatably coupled to the drive shoe and supports a panel. The drive link includes a guide portion that is positioned thereon and configured to slidably engage the ramp portion to prevent the drive link from rotating during a sunroof operation. The guide portion includes an extension that is positioned thereon and interposed between the drive shoe and a guide block. The extension is configured to slidably engage the drive shoe, the ramp portion, or the guide block to prevent the drive link from twisting during the sunroof operation.

Abstract: A second step of opening a closed openable/closable roof starts before a first step of opening a closed storage compartment cover finishes, so that a distance between portions of the storage compartment cover and the openable/closable roof facing each other is shorter at a point in time when the storage compartment cover is fully opened in the first step than at any other point in time. A fifth step of closing the open openable/closable roof starts before a fourth step of opening the closed storage compartment cover finishes, so that a distance between portions of the storage compartment cover and the openable/closable roof facing each other is shorter at a point in time when the storage compartment cover is fully opened in the fourth step than at any other point in time.

Abstract: A tonneau cover can include a frame, a bed cover portion located within the frame, and a gasket to form a watertight seal between the frame and a vehicle. In some embodiments, the gasket includes an attachment portion configured to connect with the frame and a compression portion attached to the attachment portion and configured to deform between the tonneau cover and the vehicle to resist water entry between the gasket and the vehicle. In some embodiments, the attachment portion is less compressible than the compression portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion comprises a pair of arms extending outward from a stop component and the compression portion comprises a pair of bulb seals, each of the bulb seals being located below each of the arms.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a stationary part, a movable first panel and a second panel. The first panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism guided in one or more rails of the stationary part extending at least along a part of the inner roof edge of the opening and rearwardly thereof. The first panel is movable by at least a panel support and is capable of moving with respect to one of the rails and thereby displacing the first panel rearwardly above the second panel. The second panel and/or inner roof edge and/or the stationary part is provided with a deformable seal capable of sealing a gap between the second panel and the adjacent inner roof edge of the fixed roof. The panel support is adapted to deform the seal when it moves through the gap between the second panel and the inner roof edge.

Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a first battery module with a first heater and a second battery module with a second heater. The battery system also includes a control system configured to selectively activate the first or the second heater to dissipate energy from the first or the second battery module.

Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicle that can limit damage on a battery resulting from cranking of an engine. the controller is configured to shift an operating mode from an EV-Lo mode to an EV-Hi mode if a peak power applied to a battery during shifting the operating mode from the EV-Lo mode to the EV-Hi mode is expected to exceed an upper limit input power to the battery.

Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes a hydraulic transmission control unit, a transmission housing, an oil pan mounted onto the transmission housing, and a power electronics unit which acts as a power converter for an electric machine and is supported on the transmission housing and/or the oil pan. The hydraulic transmission control unit and the power electronics unit are at least partially arranged next to each other tangentially and/or axially relative to a transmission central axis.

Abstract: A hybrid power system has an internal combustion engine, a gear box having an input connectable to the engine and an output shaft to drive a vehicle, a first power drive and take off releasably connectable to the gear box input, a second power drive and take off releasably connectable to the gear box output, at least one motor/generator connected the first and/or second power drive and take off, a connecting clutch releasably connecting the first and second power drive and take off, and a battery to power or be charged by the or each motor generator.

Abstract: A power train and related vehicle provides multi-mode power transmission. A first continuously variable power source (“CVP”) may convert rotational power received by the engine for transmission to a second CVP. A variator assembly may receive rotational power from the second CVP at a first input and directly from the engine at a second input. A control assembly may allow the power train to shift between multiple modes, such as a series mode, a split-path mode, and a direct mode. The control assembly may provide seamless shifting between at least two of these modes.

Abstract: An active grill shutter assembly including a plurality of airflow control blades. At least two of the airflow control blades have different curvatures or chord lengths configured to optimize airflow over a curvature of an air duct that the active grill shutter is mounted in. An actuator is linked to the plurality of airflow control blades with a linkage assembly to rotate the plurality of airflow control blades.

Abstract: A filling system includes a pipe, a restricting member, a detector, and an actuator. The restricting member is disposed in the pipe to restrict insertion of an object into the pipe. The detector is configured to detect the presence of a metal nozzle in the pipe. The actuator is configured to move the restricting member to enable access through the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved auxiliary fuel tank control systems and methods that avoid the need for locating, identifying, and tapping into a wire leading from the sending unit of the vehicle's primary fuel tank by connecting directly to a diagnostic port of the vehicle which is in communication with the output from the sending unit. Based on information received from the sending unit, embodiments of the invention may automatically cause fuel to be pumped from an auxiliary tank to the primary tank when the amount of fuel in the primary tank drops below a threshold.

Abstract: A ground drive hose routing system and method for a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize segments of a hose arrangement that are constrained to lie and move primarily in only one direction, to isolate horizontal hose movement related to track-width adjustment from vertical hose movement resulting from action of suspension members. For steerable wheels, an additional pivotable segment is utilized to accommodate turning motion while maintaining isolation between other primarily horizontally and vertically constrained movable segments of the hose arrangement.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle is disclosed, which includes an engine, a rear propeller shaft, a rear differential gear, a transfer mechanism, a front propeller shaft, and a front differential gear. The front propeller shaft is arranged so as to pass through a vicinity of an outside of a room of a pedal working space of a driver's seat and extend toward a front part of the vehicle. In such a four-wheel drive vehicle, the gear ratio of the front differential gear may be RF, the final gear ratio of the rear differential gear may be RR, the transmission ratio of the transfer mechanism may be RT, and the relationships RF<RR and RT>1 may be satisfied.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement of auxiliary assemblies in a combustion machine including an electric machine which is operable as a generator and preferably also as a motor. The arrangement further includes an expansion machine, in particular an expansion machine of a waste heat recovery system for converting waste heat of the combustion machine or of an engine braking system into utilizable energy by way of a steam circuit, and a first group of auxiliary assemblies, including a water pump, a fuel predelivery pump, a high-pressure fuel pump, a steering assistance pump and an oil pump.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicular display device that offers good visibility without causing a passenger to feel uncomfortable. In a bezel that includes a cover portion arranged above a display unit of a vehicular display device and a frame portion enclosing the cover portion, a front-side end portion of the cover portion is arranged at a position lower than a rear-side end portion. As a result, external light is reflected forward. Moreover, a front frame includes a reflecting plate, a semi-transparent output plate covering over the reflecting plate, and a light-collecting portion collecting external light that enters from a front into a space enclosed by the reflecting plate and the output plate. As a result, the front frame is prevented from being darkly reflected onto a front glass.

Abstract: A drive assist device includes a fatigue degree estimator and a display controller. The fatigue degree estimator estimates a fatigue degree of a driver of a vehicle. The display controller changes a display range of an optical flow to be presented to the driver, on a basis of the fatigue degree.

Abstract: When a boost converter has an abnormality, a battery-less traveling is executed by shutting off a gate of the boost converter and setting a voltage command VH* of a capacitor (high-voltage-system electric power line) to a predetermined voltage VHset higher than a battery voltage VB. Then, during the execution of the battery-less traveling, when it is determined that a charging current has flowed through a battery or when it is determined that the voltage (high-voltage-system voltage) VH of the capacitor has approached the battery voltage VB, it is determined that an upper arm of the boost converter has been short-circuited.

Abstract: A system includes a conversion circuit of a vehicle system that conductively couples a conversion device with first motors of the vehicle system. The electrical conversion device converts non-electrical energy into conversion-based electric current that is conducted to the first motors. The system also includes a storage circuit of the vehicle system that conductively couples a storage device with second motors of the vehicle system. The storage device supplies stored electric current to the second motors of the vehicle system. The system also includes a controller configured to control the second motors to brake and generate charging electric current that is conducted through the storage circuit to charge the storage device. The conversion circuit and the storage circuit are separate circuits such that the storage device is not charged with the conversion-based electric current conducted in the conversion circuit.

Abstract: An electric energy management system includes: an energy storage device; a generator connected to the energy storage device; a load which is connected to the energy storage device and to the generator and is operated with a supply of an electric energy from the energy storage device and the generator; an electric energy control part configured to control the supply of electric energy to the load from the generator; a detection part configured to detect an abnormal state of the energy storage device; a current cutoff part configured to cut off an electric current between the energy storage device and the load; and a control part configured to issue an advance notice to cut off the electric current to the electric energy control part after the abnormal state is detected by the detection part and before the electric current is cut off by the current cutoff part. The electric energy control part is configured to control the supply of electric energy to the load from the generator based on the advance notice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a braking control apparatus capable of preventing or reducing a change in a deceleration of a vehicle. The braking control apparatus is configured to change a braking force to be generated by a frictional braking device so as to achieve a calculated target braking force, and generate a braking force corresponding to a difference between the braking force to be generated by the frictional braking device and the target braking force with use of an electric braking device, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery module, which includes a plurality of battery cells stacked on one another and respectively having electrode leads protruding on at least one side thereof, and a bus bar assembly configured to electrically connect the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells and having at least one lead slot through which electrode leads of two battery cells adjacent to each other pass in common.

Abstract: A connector is for a charging station. The charging station has a charging box having a signaling mechanism. The connector includes an electrical receptacle structured to be electrically connected to the signaling mechanism; a housing coupled to the electrical receptacle; an indicating assembly coupled to the housing; and an interface between the indicating assembly and the signaling mechanism in order to energize the indicating assembly and provide an indication of charging status.

Abstract: A charging control unit determines whether the electric vehicles are coupled to the respective charging ports and calculates the estimate value Tc and the estimate value Tr for every charging port coupled. The estimate value Tc is the period from start of charging to completion of charging. The estimate value Tr is the period from completion of charging to departure. The charging control unit, when the electric vehicle coupled t last is set to the N-th vehicle and the electric vehicles already coupled are set to the first to N?1-th vehicles in the order of being coupled, and only when Formula (4) is satisfied by all the first to N?1-th vehicles, starts charging of the N-th vehicle. The charging control unit controls to resume charging of the vehicle that was charging immediately before the N-th vehicle started charging as soon as charging of the N-th vehicle finishes.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging system includes an EVSE charging station that is configured to switch a power source between a first power source and a second power source based on a time of use or real-time energy pricing data from a utility. Switching additionally and/or optionally may be based on at least one of charging information and metering information. The first power source may be a renewable source and the second source may be the power grid. In this way, a smart electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging station may manage and optimize energy supply from a grid and a renewable source when charging an electric vehicle (EV) with the smart the EVSE charging station.

Abstract: Each time the charging of an electric vehicle is executed at a charging station, charging information is acquired which is information on a charged capacity by one charging or a time required for one charging, and identification information of the electric vehicle is acquired. Each charging time, the acquired charging information and the acquired identification information are stored in an information storage unit so that they are associated with each other. The identification information of an electric vehicle is acquired which is waiting for charging at a charging station as a calculation object for which a charging wait time is calculated. The charging information corresponding to the acquired identification information of the electric vehicle waiting for charging is extracted from the stored charging information. The charging wait time at the charging station as the calculation object is calculated on the basis of the extracted charging information.

Abstract: A power consumption control device includes: a storage battery configured to supply power to an electric motor of a plug-in electric motor vehicle; a heating unit configured to heat the storage battery using heat generated through current flowing; a power conversion unit configured to convert power supplied from an external power supply; an estimation unit configured to estimate a change in effective capacity of the storage battery when the heating unit generates heat through current flowing by the power supplied from the external power supply and raises the temperature of the storage battery to a target temperature, based on an effective capacity corresponding to the temperature and SOC of the storage battery; and a controller configured to control usage of the power converted by the power conversion unit according to the change of the effective capacity, estimated by the estimation unit.

Abstract: An output prediction device for a fuel cell includes: a first acquisition circuitry configured to acquire a first required output of the fuel cell, the first required output being calculated based on a predicted vehicle speed or a predicted acceleration of a vehicle on a scheduled traveling route for the vehicle, the vehicle traveling by using the fuel cell as a dynamic power source; a second acquisition circuitry configured to acquire a second required output of the fuel cell, the second required output being required by an air-conditioning device of the vehicle; and a calculation circuitry configured to calculate a parameter correlated with a predicted output value of the fuel cell, based on the first required output and the second required output, the predicted output value being predicted as an output on the scheduled traveling route.

Abstract: A battery pack is mounted under a floor panel. A case of the battery pack includes a case tray. On an inner surface of a bottom plate of the case tray, plural internal pack crosses are provided. On an outer surface of the bottom plate of the case tray, plural external pack crosses are provided. An internal pack cross front flange is fastened to an external pack cross rear flange that is arranged in front of the internal pack cross in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a state of matching the external pack cross rear flange in the vehicle longitudinal direction. An external pack cross front flange is fastened to an internal pack cross rear flange that is arranged in front of the external pack cross in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a state of matching the internal pack cross rear flange in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An electric vehicle operator group that includes multiple access identifiers associated with multiple EV operators of a first organization is created. Use of that group is granted to a second organization. The second organization adds the EV operator group to an access policy and applies the access policies to one or more electric vehicle charging stations owned or managed by the second organization. The first organization manages membership of the EV operator group.

Abstract: A magnetic coil suitable for wireless power transfer comprises a layer of magnetically-permeable material and plural conductors that follow respective convoluted paths relative to the layer of magnetically-permeable material to form respective inductors. In use, the conductors have substantially equalized inductances based on the convoluted paths and interaction with the magnetically-permeable material. One way of achieving this is to place the conductors such that the overall proximity of the conductors to the layer of magnetically-permeable material along their respective lengths is substantially equal. In this way, the conductors are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the layer of magnetically-permeable material, such that an average distance of each individual section of the conductors proximate to the permeable layer is equal.

Abstract: A vehicle charging control apparatus includes: a communicator transmitting and receiving a signal to and from a parking lot control system, which is in a parking lot including charging slots and non-charging slots, and a user terminal; a remote parking controller activating an automatic moving and parking function of a vehicle according to the signal received from the user terminal when the vehicle is in a non-charging slot of the parking lot, receiving charging slot information from the parking lot control system when a charging slot among the charging slots is empty, and controlling the vehicle to move and park based on the empty charging slot; and a charging controller controlling wireless charging of the vehicle when the vehicle moves to park in the charging slot.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a charging section configured to perform charging on a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) and a conveyor group arranged around the charging section. The conveyor group are arranged at positions adjacent to the charging section and include a first conveyor section placed at a position adjacent to the charging section and configured to move the drone in a first direction toward the charging section, and a second conveyor section placed at a position adjacent to the first conveyor section and configured to move the drone in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A system for thermally conditioning a battery pack of an electric vehicle includes at least one battery pack mounted within the electric vehicle having at least one cell; circuitry in that determines a battery total charge of the at least one battery pack, a thermal conditioning system in thermal communication with the at least one battery pack system configured to heat or cool the at least one cell of the at least one battery pack, a vehicle positioning system in communication configured to determine a location of the electric vehicle, and a map database. The circuitry is configured to determine when the battery total charge of the at least one battery pack should be charged, determine, when the electric vehicle is traveling, a travel time between the electric vehicle and the one or more charging stations, and instruct the thermal conditioning system to thermally condition the at least one battery pack based on the travel time to reduce the time needed to charge the at least one battery pack.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes steps of: (a) determining whether hydrogen (H2) is detected in an interior space of a stack enclosure in which a fuel cell stack is accommodated; (b) stopping power generation that is performed using the stack when it is determined in step (a) that the hydrogen is detected; (c) opening a purge valve to discharge gases circulating in an anode through the purge valve, and opening a condensate discharge valve to discharge condensate contained in a water trap through the condensate discharge valve; and (d) determining whether the hydrogen discharged through at least one of the purge valve and the condensate discharge valve in step (c) flows back to the interior space based on H2 concentration in the interior space.

Abstract: A carrier for one or several electrically conductive tracks of a ground electric feeding system for a motor vehicle in the form of a strip of electrically insulating elastomeric material, comprising a substantially planar electric feeding surface of the land vehicle, provided with one or several longitudinal grooves, each groove being intended to receive a conductive track, and a surface for securing to a roadway, opposite the electric feeding surface. The carrier has a rectangular cross-section and the electric feeding surface and the securing surface form the long sides of said rectangle.

Abstract: A set includes seats, each seat includes a chair and a lateral pedestal arranged laterally on one side of the chair. The chairs and the lateral pedestals are arranged in a staggered configuration in two parallel rows. Each seat has a covering shell determining a rear surface in a rear zone of the chair and determining a front surface in a front zone of the lateral pedestal. A space between a rear surface of a front seat and a front surface of a rear seat forms a passage for an occupant of the rear seat. In a vertical cross section the rear surface and the front surface have convex profiles facing one another, a width of the passage increasing in the direction of decreasing heights from a height of minimum width, and increasing in the direction of increasing heights from the height of minimum width.