A trailer includes at least a plurality of fabric support connections that retain a plurality of fabrics spaced apart from one another so as, if desired, to insulate the roof and side walls of the trailer. In one embodiment, the plurality of fabric support connections are connected by way of extrusions to some of the sides of the trailer and further provide insulation by forming a double wall on those sides. In another embodiment, the plurality of fabric support connections form a double wall only on certain portions of the top side of the trailer.

There is provided a three-wheeled vehicle that can maintain the ground contact surfaces of wheels and the road surface in contact with each other at all times, and that can suppress direct transmission of most of an impact from the road surface to a platform. First to third wheels are attached to a body frame that is rigid. The platform and the body frame are connected to each other by a connecting structure. First to third three degree of freedom non-restricted connecting mechanisms and first to third three degree of freedom restricted connecting mechanisms that form the connecting structure are deformed to allow the platform to make a bouncing motion, a rolling motion, a pitching motion, and a combined motion thereof within a restricted range when an impact is applied to the body frame from the road surface.

The invention relates to a shock absorber with a housing, and an inner pipe arranged in the housing, a piston rod, a piston, and which piston divides the interior of the inner pipe into a lower chamber and an upper chamber, a first valve arrangement which is arranged on the piston, a second valve arrangement which is arranged at the upper end of the inner pipe, and a third valve arrangement which is arranged at the lower end of the inner pipe. The shock absorber is distinguished by the fact that at least one proportional flow-control valve is arranged between a first connecting element of the lower chamber of the inner pipe and a second connection element at the upper chamber of the inner pipe.

A vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle; the vehicle control system comprising a subsystem controller for initiating control of the or each of the vehicle subsystems in a selected one of a plurality of different subsystem control modes, each of which corresponds to one or more different driving conditions for the vehicle. Evaluation means are provided for evaluating one or more driving condition indicators to determine the extent to which each of the subsystem control modes is appropriate and for providing an output to the subsystem controller that is indicative of the control mode which is most appropriate. This may be an evaluation means for calculating the probability that the or each of the subsystem control modes is appropriate. Automatic control means may be operable in an automatic response mode to select an appropriate one of the subsystem control modes in dependence on the output.

A vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle; the vehicle control system comprising a subsystem controller for initiating control of the or each of the vehicle subsystems in a selected one of a plurality of different subsystem control modes, each of which corresponds to one or more different driving conditions for the vehicle. Evaluation means are provided for evaluating one or more driving condition indicators to determine the extent to which each of the subsystem control modes is appropriate and for providing an output to the subsystem controller that is indicative of the control mode which is most appropriate. This may be an evaluation means for calculating the probability that the or each of the subsystem control modes is appropriate. Automatic control means may be operable in an automatic response mode to select an appropriate one of the subsystem control modes in dependence on the output.

A vehicle includes an aerodynamic mechanism for a vehicle including a body and a wheel. The aerodynamic mechanism includes a wing and a coupling assembly. The wing is configured to be arranged to intersect and airflow such that the airflow circulates about the wing and generates downforce. The coupling assembly is operatively connected to the wing and configured to be operatively connected to the body. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the wheel. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively decoupled from the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the body.

An electric vehicle includes a battery, a first gas compressor and a second gas compressor. The first gas compressor is configured for compressing a first gas and providing the compressed first gas to a first system of the electric vehicle, and the first compressor includes a shaft and an electric motor. The electric motor is electrically connected to the battery to receive electrical power from the battery and is configured to convert the received electrical power into rotational motion of the shaft. The electric vehicle also includes a second gas compressor configured for compressing a second gas and providing the compressed second gas to a second system of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle also includes a coupling configured for mechanically coupling power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.

A wheelchair including a base assembly that has a first side and a second side. At least one caster and a drive wheel are mounted to each of the first and second sides. The wheelchair includes a seat assembly having a seat and a backrest and an actuator assembly having a plurality of actuators. Each actuator can expand and retract and includes a first end pivotably connected to the base assembly and a second end pivotably connected to the seat assembly. The actuator assembly allows for at least four degrees of movement of the seat assembly with respect to the base assembly. The wheelchair includes a computer that is connected to the actuators and that controls the movement of the actuators. The computer moves the actuators to vary the position of the seat assembly with respect to the base assembly.

An energy management jounce bumper assembly absorbs energy between a first component and a second component of a vehicle. The energy management jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper axially compressible between the first and second components. A plate is connected to the bumper. The plate has a body portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first plurality of ribs is disposed on the first surface and a second plurality of ribs is disposed on the second surface. The body portion of the plate has a standard position wherein the body portion is either one of planar and non-planar and has a first height. The plate is adaptable between the standard position and a compressed position wherein the body portion is either one of non-planar and planar, respectively, and has a second height that is less than the first height.

A ride height adjustment of a vehicle traveling along a roadway is controlled by a controller which uses data about overpass clearances and the height of the highest point on the vehicle to lower vehicle height when the height can be lowered sufficiently to avoid collision with an overpass.