Abstract: A power management system for a hybrid vehicle including an engine includes a vehicle power bus distributing power from a battery to vehicle loads. A capacitor includes one of a plurality of supercapacitors and a plurality of ultracapacitors. A starter/generator controller communicates with the capacitor and the battery. A power management module is configured to supply current from the capacitor to the starter/generator controller during cranking of the engine; and supply current from the battery to the starter/generator controller during the cranking of the engine. The power supplied by the battery is greater than or equal to 2% and less than or equal to 20% of a total power supplied to the starter/generator controller during the cranking of the engine.

Abstract: In the present invention, when an engine of a hybrid vehicle is in a cooled state, a control device 70 thereof performs control so as to disengage an engine clutch 14 configured from a wet multi-disc clutch and supply electrical power to a motor generator 21 from a high-voltage battery 24 to rotationally drive the motor generator 21 in order to agitate clutch oil 86 in the engine clutch 14 and raise the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A drive control section automatically stops an engine by stopping fuel injection and by closing a throttle valve that adjusts the amount of intake air when a predetermined specified condition is satisfied. A stopping-angle detection section detects a crank angle when the engine is automatically stopped as a stopping angle. The drive control section cranks the engine before an in-cylinder negative pressure period, in which pressure in a cylinder of the engine is negative pressure, elapses after starting to automatically stop the engine if the stopping angle is outside an allowable crank-angle range in which it is possible to restart the engine by cranking the engine by the motor generator.

Abstract: A method for actively controlling the balance characteristics of a vehicle includes the following steps: (a) determining an aerodynamic balance, vehicle balance, or both of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle body, an aerodynamic element coupled to the vehicle body, a rear axle, a front axle, a pair of wheels coupled to the rear axle, a pair of rear wheels coupled to the rear axle, a pair of front wheels coupled to the front axle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) coupled to the rear axle, and the vehicle balance is based on an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle; (b) determining that there is surplus downforce capacity available based on the vehicle balance; and (c) controlling, by a controller, the eLSD in response to determining that there is surplus downforce capacity available.

Abstract: When a driver performs a driving operation in the parking operation, a control unit of a parking assist device performs acceleration in accordance with the driving operation by the driver under a condition that a distance to a target stop position from a position of the own vehicle is larger than a predetermined distance, and after the acceleration, the control unit performs deceleration so that the own vehicle stops in a range to a limit stop position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a vehicle control apparatus and a method for controlling a vehicle using the same. The vehicle control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit that receives handle operation information detected by a sensing device, receives avoidance steering information of a driver, and receives behavior information of a vehicle, a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is in an emergency steering avoidance state based on the received handle operation information, the received avoidance steering information of the driver, and the received behavior information of the vehicle, and a control unit that controls an evasive handling control (EHC) system and an electronic stability control (ESC) system such that the EHC system presses wheels in advance ahead of the ESC system to perform a braking operation according to a target wheel pressure value, when the vehicle is in the emergency steering avoidance state.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus according to the invention estimates the position of a moving body by controlling a position estimation unit when the tracking-target moving body leaves a first area or a second area to enter a blind spot area and detects the position of the moving body by controlling a position detection unit when the moving body leaves the blind spot area to enter the first area or the second area. In this manner, the trajectory of the tracking-target moving body is calculated so that the trajectory of the moving body detected in the first area or the second area and the trajectory of the moving body estimated in the blind spot area are continuous to each other and driving support is executed based on the calculated trajectory of the tracking-target moving body.

Abstract: A method and a system for predicting a near future path and an associated output control signal for a vehicle. Prediction sensor data, vehicle driving data, and road data are collected. An input control signal indicative of an intended driving action is received. The sensor data and the vehicle driving data are pre-processed to provide a set of object data comprising a time series of previous positions of a respective object relative the vehicle, a time series of the previous headings of the object, and a time series of previous velocities of the object. The object data, the road data, the vehicle driving data, the control signal, and the sensor data are processed in a deep neural network. Based on the processing in the deep neural network, a predicted path output and an output control signal are provided.

Abstract: In a given computing node comprising at least one processor operatively coupled to a memory and implemented in a given vehicle, the method comprises obtaining at the given computing node data from at least one of: (i) one or more sensors on the given vehicle; (ii) one or more computing nodes associated with one or more other vehicles via at least one vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol; and (iii) one or more data sources along the path of the given vehicle. The given computing node utilizes at least a portion of the obtained data to compute a risk assessment for the given vehicle with respect to an operational safety level of a proposed vehicle action. The given computing node initiates or prevents the proposed vehicle action for the given vehicle based on the computed risk assessment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for accurately predicting future trajectories of observed objects in dense and ever-changing city environments. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of prior trajectories extracted from mapping data to estimate the future movement of an observed object. As an example, an observed object may be a moving vehicle. Aspects and/or embodiments seek to provide a method and system for predicting future movements of a newly observed object, such as a vehicle, using motion prior data extracted from map data.

Abstract: A vehicle control device is installed in a host vehicle and is configured to be capable of performing automatic driving or providing a driving support. The vehicle control device includes a left/right boundary line generating unit that calculates left and right boundary lines of a travel path on which the host vehicle travels. Further, the vehicle control device includes an ideal travel route generating unit that sets constraint points through which the host vehicle passes within a range of the left and right boundary lines, and furthermore, calculates an ideal travel route in which a curvature with the constraint points serving as a constraint condition, a travel distance, and a difference from a center line are minimized.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control device is provided. The internal combustion engine control device is provided with a generator that is driven by exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine control device is capable of increasing the power generation of the generator. The internal combustion engine control device includes an exhaust amount control unit. The exhaust amount control unit increases the amount of the exhaust gas supplied to the generator in a coasting state.

Abstract: An engine is driven at an operating point with high engine efficiency to improve fuel economy. A vehicle control device according to the present invention controls a transmission ratio before increasing the engine rotation speed, and thereafter, engages the clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a dual clutch transmission that adjusts a travel speed of the vehicle based on clutch torque, a brake that makes the vehicle slow down to reduce the travel speed of the vehicle, and a controller that sets a target speed of the vehicle and controls the dual clutch transmission and the brake to allow the travel speed of the vehicle to follow the set target speed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring physiological information of a living subject in a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes an illumination unit configured to emit light at a wavelength and illuminate a region of interest (ROI) of the living subject with the emitted light; a light sensing unit configured to remotely acquire signals of light in a range of wavelengths reflected from the ROI of the living subject responsive to the illumination; a remote photoplethysmography (PPG) extraction unit configured to extract PPG signals from the acquired signals of light; a PPG processing unit configured to process the extracted PPG signals in the form of vital signs and subsequently determine a physical and psychological status of the living subject according to the vital signs; and a control unit configured to activate the illumination unit in a time-varying pattern and to activate the light sensing unit accordingly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a first set of driving metrics of a vehicle navigating a segment using a driving control system; computing, based on the first set of driving metrics, a driving characteristic for the vehicle. The driving characteristic of the vehicle being represented by the first set of driving metrics. The method also includes comparing the driving characteristic of the vehicle to a driving characteristic of a number of manually controlled vehicles represented by a second set of driving metrics collected while navigating the segment; and computing a score indicating an elegance of the driving control system in navigating the segment based on the comparison of the driving characteristic of the vehicle to the driving characteristic of the number of manually controlled vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle controller receives sensor outputs and identifies features in the sensor outputs. The controller determines a trajectory based on the features and generates control signals to vehicle actuators to follow the trajectory. Eccentricity of the control signals is evaluated and if it meets a threshold condition is met an intervention is performed such as discarding or modifying the control signal or initiating a safety procedure. Eccentricity may be determined using an unsupervised machine learning model. The threshold condition may be a dynamic threshold condition such as using the n-sigma approach or the Chebyshev inequality.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing a road condition heads up display system are provided herein. A road condition heads up display system, includes: a video display to present imagery captured by a camera system, the imagery including terrain around an autonomous vehicle, the terrain including a driving surface on which the autonomous vehicle operates; a vehicle control system coupled to the camera system and the video processor, the vehicle control system to: operate the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous mode; recognize a non-navigable portion of the terrain around the autonomous vehicle; present an augmented reality user interface on the video display, the augmented reality user interface used by an occupant of the autonomous vehicle to indicate a waypoint; and operate the autonomous vehicle in a non-autonomous mode according to the user input.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a UE for handling actions performed by a vehicle. The UE obtains, from the vehicle, action information indicating that an action has been performed by a system comprised in the vehicle. The UE notifies a user after the action has ended that the action has been performed, and provides additional information about the performed action to the user.

Abstract: A system for transporting vehicles includes a railcar, a deck, a fastener, a screw, and a travelling nut. The deck is positioned within the railcar and is for supporting a plurality of vehicles. The fastener is coupled to the deck and operable to couple the deck to a wall of the railcar. The fastener prevents a vertical position of the deck within the railcar to be adjusted when the deck is coupled to the wall by the fastener. The screw is coupled to the railcar and the travelling nut is operably coupled to the screw. The travelling nut is operable to adjust a vertical position of the deck within the railcar as a position of the travelling nut on the screw changes when the screw is turned.

Abstract: A full side openable boxcar is provided according to the present application, which includes multiple doors movable in a direction of a body of the boxcar, and opening and closing devices each being configured to activate the opening and closing of the respective doors; in a closing state, the doors are arranged sequentially to form one side wall of the full side openable boxcar, and opening is required, the opening and closing devices activate the doors to translate in an inner-outer direction, to allow the doors to be staggered and moved in a longitudinal direction of the car body to open the corresponding position of the full side openable boxcar. The design of a door assembly is optimized so as to improve the simplicity and flexibility of door opening and closing, thereby ensuring the improvement in cargo loading and unloading efficiency.

Abstract: A cover apparatus for selectively covering the open top of a container may include a pair of tracks for mounting on the sides of the container, a cover movably mounted on the pair of tracks. The cover may include a pair of cover assemblies movable toward each other to produce a closed condition and movable away from each other to produce an open condition. Each of the cover assemblies may be positionable at an end of the container and have a portion movable toward a center of the open top. A cover movement assembly may be configured to move the cover assemblies on the tracks toward each other into the closed condition and away from each other into the open condition.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines a predicted location of wheel slip for an upcoming trip of a vehicle system by comparing a vehicle characteristic, route characteristic, and/or weather characteristic associated with the upcoming trip with a vehicle characteristic, route characteristic, and/or weather characteristic associated with a previous detection of wheel slip. Movement of the vehicle system is controlled during the upcoming trip by reducing tractive effort generated by a leading vehicle of the vehicle system relative to a trailing vehicle of the vehicle system during movement over the predicted location, reducing tractive effort generated by a leading axle in a vehicle of the vehicle system relative to a trailing axle of the vehicle during movement over the predicted location, and/or directing an adhesion modifying device to automatically dispense an adhesion modifying substance onto the predicted location.

Abstract: A foldable or collapsible cart can be oriented in several different configurations to accommodate different loads and transport requirements. In one configuration, the cart may be folded for direct load the back of a vehicle. In another configuration, the cart can operate in lowboy or dolly mode. In another configuration the cart may be used as a hand truck.

Abstract: A stall and tack cart for transporting livestock is provided. The livestock stall and tack cart generally incorporates telescoping members and stall carriers protruding vertically therefrom. The telescoping members allow for a length of the livestock stall and tack cart to be adjusted such that the stall carriers may hold one or more livestock stalls securely while the stall and tack cart is in motion. The devices and methods provided have the advantages of being as durable and capable of carrying heavy loads as currently existing livestock transportation solutions, but allow equipment for one or more livestock animals to be quickly and easily transported, for example, from a waiting or confinement area to an exhibition space, including through crowded, obstructed, or tight passages.

Abstract: The stair-climbing stroller is a baby stroller with retractable front and rear wheels for use on flat travel surfaces and a pair of tracks for use on inclined travel surfaces including, but not limited to, staircases. The front wheels are coupled to a pivoting front wheel support shaft and the rear wheels are coupled to a pivoting rear wheel support shaft. A wheel retract motor located on the underside of the stroller may cause a retraction drive shaft to pivot the front and rear wheel support shafts, retracting the wheels. When the front and rear wheels retract, the stroller may be lowered such that the left and right track rest on the ground. Left and right track motors may then be used to drive the stroller up an inclined travel surface using the tracks.

Abstract: The system provides a roller shade apparatus that can be affixed to any of a plurality of infant and toddler carriers (including strollers, playpens, car seats, rockers, and the like). A pair of adjustable clips allow for the roller shade to be mounted on carriers of a variety of widths. Once in place, the shade can be unrolled to the desired length and an adjustable cord with clamp (with Velcro™ backing pad) can be affixed to the body of the carrier to secure the shade in place. This allows the apparatus to be used in a variety of carriers with variable dimensions. The apparatus provides easy adjustment to various carrier designs with the use of ball joint swivels, spring clamps and an adjustable length cord.

Abstract: A mobile container that is designed to allows a user to easily transport the container through a variety of terrains, such as snow, sand, and pavement. The mobile container includes an insulated container, a first sled-molded runner, a second sled-molded runner, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a convex protrusion. The first sled-molded runner and the second sled-molded runner are positioned parallel and opposite to each other, across the insulated container, and are adjacently connected to a base of the insulated container. The first wheel and the second wheel are laterally and coaxially connected to the insulated container, opposite to each other. The convex protrusion modifies the flow of sand or snow about the insulated container in order to decrease drag. The convex protrusion is positioned opposite the first wheel and the second wheel. Additionally, the convex protrusion is integrated into a front surface of the insulated container.

Abstract: A steering device includes an outer column, an inner column, and a hanger bracket. The inner column is configured such that the inner column and a fixation member move forward with respect to the hanger bracket in a case where a load in a forward direction that acts on the inner column is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the locked state. A sliding friction portion that slides on at least one of the inner column and the hanger bracket in accordance with movement of the inner column with respect to the hanger bracket is provided between the inner column and the hanger bracket.

Abstract: In the electric power steering apparatus according to the present invention, a circuit board and an intermediate member are disposed so as to be juxtaposed in an axial direction of a rotating shaft, a connector is formed integrally on the intermediate member, and is disposed so as to pass through and protrude from a notch in a housing, and at least one of a cylindrical portion of a motor case, a frame, and the housing is configured so as to bear stress in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, that acts on the connector during insertion and removal of the connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modification system for modifying the steering ratio for a vehicle having steered wheels (11), a steering wheel (10), and a steering transmission device (20) serving to transmit steering movement between the steering wheel (10) and the steered wheels (11) with a steering ratio R=Alpha/Beta, where Alpha is the turning angle of the steering wheel, and Beta is the steering angle of the wheels; said system comprising a device for determining the angular speed of the steering wheel. Said system comprises a module (102) for controlling the steering ratio R configured to calculate the steering ratio as a function of the angular speed of the steering wheel (10). The invention also relates to a wheeled vehicle fitted with such a steering ratio modification system.

Abstract: A control unit for a vehicle includes: a vehicle additional yaw moment calculator that calculates a vehicle additional yaw moment to be applied to a vehicle based on a yaw rate of the vehicle; a steering torque instructing module that instructs an assist torque of a steering operation of a steering system; a left-right driving force torque instructing module that instructs a left-right wheel driving torque which applies a moment to the vehicle independently of the steering system; a charging state acquisition module that acquires a state of charge of a battery which stores an electric power serving as a driving source for applying the vehicle additional yaw moment; and an adjuster that adjusts the assist torque and the left-right wheel driving torque based on the state of charge to apply the vehicle additional yaw moment.

Abstract: A steering control device includes a command value setting processing portion configured to set a current command value based on a detection value of steering torque; a feedback processing portion configured to control a voltage applied to a motor so as to control a current flowing through the motor to the current command value, based on an output value of an integral element obtained by using a difference between the current and the current command value; an end determination processing portion configured to determine whether a turning angle of steered wheels has reached a limit angle; and an end-time limit processing portion configured to perform correction to increase a magnitude of the difference, based on a degree of a decrease in a magnitude of a rotational speed of the motor when the end determination processing portion determines that the turning angle has reached the limit angle.

Abstract: According to one example, a control system is disclosed. The system can include a steering system configured to direct a movement of a compactor within a compacting area. The system can include one or more sensors configured to generate data indicative of operational criteria of the compactor, the one or more sensors including a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the compactor over a surface within the compacting area and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The controller can be configured to: receive data indicative of the speed of the compactor from the speed sensor, determine if the speed of the compactor exceeds a first threshold speed, and if the speed of the compactor exceeds the first threshold speed, control the steering system to limit a turning angle to a predetermined value such that a turning radius of the compactor is increased.

Abstract: A drive force control system to increase a yaw rate greater than the yaw rate achieved by rotating a steering wheel to a maximum angle. A target yaw rate is calculated based on a steering angle of the steering wheel. A first predetermined torque and a second predetermined torque are calculated based on a difference between the target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate. When the steering angle of the steering wheel exceeds a first predetermined angle, a first correction torque to correct the first predetermined torque and a second correction torque to correct the second predetermined torque are calculated in accordance with the steering torque.

Abstract: The steering angles of front wheels 3f and rear wheels 3r of a vehicle 1 can be respectively controlled by a front wheel steering angle control actuator 35 and a rear wheel steering angle control actuator 44. If a steering wheel 20 is operated in a turning direction of the vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is traveling in a straight line, then a controller 60 changes the steering angle of the front wheels 3f to approach to a steering angle specified on the basis of an operation amount after the steering wheel 20 is operated, and also controls the front wheel steering angle control actuator 35 and the rear wheel steering angle control actuator 44 to change the steering angles of the rear wheels 3r to the opposite direction of the turning direction of the vehicle 1 immediately after the steering wheel 20 is operated.

Abstract: A pressure limiting system for a dual path machine wherein an input propel command from a propel device is scaled based upon the largest detected pressure in a hydraulic system to determine a modified propel command. Also, response time is adjusted within an electrical control system based upon the type of input propel command signal received.

Abstract: A cruise-assist image generation device includes: a steering-angle information acquisition unit acquiring steering angle information of a steering wheel; an additional line generation unit generating a cruise assist additional line corresponding to the acquired steering angle information and formed by combination of a given number of segments; and an additional line superimposing unit superimposing the generated cruise assist additional line on a taken image of the vehicle periphery to obtain a composite image.

Abstract: An automotive front side frame including a bent portion having a bent form, in at least a portion, comprises an outer frame including a front outer portion and a rear outer portion disposed further to a rear of a vehicle frame than the front outer portion and formed to have tensile strength higher than tensile strength of the front outer portion; and an inner frame including a front inner portion and a rear inner portion disposed further to the rear of the vehicle frame than the front inner portion and formed to have tensile strength higher than tensile strength of the front inner portion.

Abstract: A roof panel is attached to a roof opening reinforcement that reinforces an area around an opening. The roof opening reinforcement has a rear side portion that extends in the lateral direction along the rear edge of the opening. The upper surface of the rear side portion of the roof opening reinforcement, or a roof panel opposed surface, extends along the lower surface of the roof panel. Extended reinforcements are disposed corresponding to the respective rear corners of the opening. The extended reinforcement extends toward the roof side rails as if forming an extension of the roof panel opposed surface, and is attached to the roof panel near where the roof panel is attached to the roof side rails.

Abstract: A vehicle body has an inner body structure and an outer body skin, wherein the body structure has, in the region of a vehicle front end, a left supporting carrier and a right supporting carrier and a left suspension strut cup and a right suspension strut cup for accommodating respective suspension struts belonging to the chassis of the vehicle. Each suspension strut cup lies on the side of the associated supporting carrier facing the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle. The body skin has, in the region of the vehicle front end, a left front body side part, a right front body side part, and a front hood arranged between said front body side parts. The left front body side part covers the left suspension strut cup. The right front body side part covers the right suspension strut cup.

Abstract: A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.

Abstract: A motor vehicle dashboard crossbeam includes a tubular beam provided to extend between the A posts of the structure of the motor vehicle substantially in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle and a first and second fastening opening in the longitudinal direction, the first opening being formed through the beam and the second opening being formed through a fastening member attached on an end section of the beam. The end section can have a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: Wing including an upper surface predominantly concave upwards and a lower surface predominantly convex downwards, which wing is provided with one or more supports to be fixed to a vehicle, in which the lower surface of the wing is provided with one or more slits that connect with the outside one or more first ducts arranged in the wing, which are in turn connected to at least one second duct arranged in at least one support, wherein at least one valve connected to at least one actuator is arranged along the second duct or along a third duct connected to this second duct. A process for controlling the operation of the wing and a motor vehicle includes this wing.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for mounting a trailer skirt to a trailer. This includes attaching a trailer skirt to a trailer, the trailer skirt configured to pivot in a longitudinal direction of the trailer skirt. In certain embodiments, such methods are accomplished using a trailer-skirt coupling apparatus, the apparatus including a trailer mounting bracket configured for mechanically coupling the apparatus to a trailer and a skirt-supporting member operably attached to the trailer mounting bracket in a cantilevered configuration, where in the cantilevered configuration, the skirt-supporting member is configured to pivot in a longitudinal direction of the trailer skirt.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having an exterior surface and an aerodynamic member movably coupled to the exterior surface. The aerodynamic member has a first position with respect to the exterior surface and a second position with respect to the exterior surface. The first position presents a distinct aerodynamic profile from the second position. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured to actuate the aerodynamic member between the first position and the second position. The vehicle further includes a damper coupled to the aerodynamic member. The damper is provided with magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: An undercarriage monitoring device has a roller assembly including a fixed roller component and a bushing. An opening is formed within the fixed roller component. A first sensor is disposed within the opening of the fixed roller component over the bushing. The first sensor is configured to sense a first physical characteristic of the bushing. The fixed roller component is a shaft or a housing. The first sensor is a temperature sensor or a Hall effect sensor. A magnet is disposed on the roller assembly. A second sensor is disposed within the opening of the fixed roller component over the bushing. The second sensor is configured to sense a second physical characteristic of the bushing. A data transmitting device is coupled to the first sensor. Data is collected from the sensor. The data collected from the sensor is transmitted to a receiving device.

Abstract: A wall surface suction-type travel device is configured to travel on a wall surface while being suctioned on the wall surface. An intermediate chamber communicates with decompression chambers facing the wall surface. A suction device sucks in air from the intermediate chamber to decompress the intermediate chamber. Principal communicating parts allow the decompression chambers to communicate with the intermediate chamber. Secondary communicating parts allow the respective decompression chambers to communicate with the intermediate chamber. Valves face openings of the respective principal communicating parts. An area of an opening of each of the secondary communicating parts is smaller than an area of the opening of a corresponding one of the principal communicating parts.

Abstract: A manufacturing plant (1) includes a plurality of mutually uniform modular manufacturing stations (2) which are arranged in a station matrix (5) and are interlinked for conveying by a conveyor device (16) and a path network (17). The manufacturing stations (2) are modular and include a plurality of integrated manufacturing cells (7,8) and each has its own process area (9).

Abstract: Disclosed is a transfer pallet for use in a conveyor line to load and carry a product thereon, such as an automobile component or an electronic component, in which the transfer pallet is provided with a support plate to load the product thereon in multiple stages.