Systems and methods for using image analysis techniques to facilitate adjustments to vehicle components are disclosed. According to aspects, a computing device may access and analyze image data depicting an individual(s) within a vehicle, and in particular determine a positioning of the individual(s) within the vehicle. Based on the positioning, the computing device may determine how to adjust a vehicle component(s) to its optimal configuration, and may facilitate adjustment of the vehicle component(s) accordingly.

A vehicle accessory control circuit includes a processor electrically connected to a power source and a memory, the processor executing computer readable instructions stored on the memory to configure the accessory control circuit and an accessory control output. The control circuit includes at least one capacitive touch assembly having an electrically conductive conduit shielded by a portion of a steering mechanism of the vehicle. The capacitive touch assembly is connected to the power source and the processor such that the conduit is configured to transmit a capacitance input data signal to the processor to adjust the accessory control output. The capacitance input data signal is varied by a conductive touch object such as a human finger or palm to manipulate the output from the accessory system.

Provided is a vehicle power supply device able to be fixed easily, at a reduced cost, and universally applicable. The vehicle power supply device includes: a case; a battery, disposed in the case; a cover, covering the case; a support, supporting the battery and connected with the cover; and a rivet, connecting the case and the support. A side surface of the case is provided with a case side hole penetrating into the case. The support is provided with a support side hole corresponding to the case side hole. The rivet is inserted into the case side hole and the support side hole to connect the case and the support. The cover is provided with a cover side hole connected with the case by using a bolt.

Systems and methods are provided for generating electric power using low grade thermal energy from a vehicle. The methods may include surrounding at least a portion of a coolant conduit system with a flexible thermo-electrochemical cell including a nanoporous cathode electrode, a nanoporous anode electrode, and an electrolyte. A coolant fluid may be circulated through the coolant conduit system, which is in thermal communication with a power generating unit, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell stack. The method includes maintaining a temperature gradient in the electrolyte solution by contacting the anode electrode with the coolant conduit system, and exposing the cathode electrode to a temperature lower than a temperature of the coolant conduit system. Generated electrical charges can be collected for subsequent use.

Systems and methods are provided for generating electric power using low grade thermal energy from a vehicle. The methods may include surrounding at least a portion of a coolant conduit system with a flexible thermo-electrochemical cell including a nanoporous cathode electrode, a nanoporous anode electrode, and an electrolyte. A coolant fluid may be circulated through the coolant conduit system, which is in thermal communication with a power generating unit, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell stack. The method includes maintaining a temperature gradient in the electrolyte solution by contacting the anode electrode with the coolant conduit system, and exposing the cathode electrode to a temperature lower than a temperature of the coolant conduit system. Generated electrical charges can be collected for subsequent use.

A connector that can make it easy to manufacture a metal mold for cover manufacturing is provided. A connector includes a connector body and a cover that covers the region between the connector body and a parking brake cable. The connector body includes a body-side attachment portion to which the cover is attached, and the body-side attachment portion is formed with an elliptic cylindrical shape. The cover includes a cover-side attachment portion for attachment to the body-side attachment portion of the connector body, and the cover-side attachment portion is formed with a true circle cylindrical shape so as to have an opening portion that is shaped as a true circle.

A connector that can make it easy to manufacture a metal mold for cover manufacturing is provided. A connector includes a connector body and a cover that covers the region between the connector body and a parking brake cable. The connector body includes a body-side attachment portion to which the cover is attached, and the body-side attachment portion is formed with an elliptic cylindrical shape. The cover includes a cover-side attachment portion for attachment to the body-side attachment portion of the connector body, and the cover-side attachment portion is formed with a true circle cylindrical shape so as to have an opening portion that is shaped as a true circle.

A wireless checking system of a switch and operation unit that are provided in a vehicle includes: a switch disposed at a predetermined location in the vehicle; an operation unit wirelessly connected with the switch and disposed at a predetermined location in the vehicle to be operated by the switch; and a diagnosis equipment wirelessly connected with each of the switch and the operation unit and configured to wirelessly operate the switch and the operation unit, detect an operation state of the switch and the operation unit, and diagnose a wireless connection state of the switch and the operation unit.

An in-vehicle power supply device includes a boost converter configured to perform a boosting operation to boost a voltage supplied from an input terminal; a connection-assist diode connected in parallel to the boost converter; and a switch element connected in parallel to the boost converter and the connection-assist diode. A controller detects a voltage output from an output terminal as a first voltage while instructing the switch element to open and instructing the boost converter to stop an operation of the boost converter. After detecting the first voltage of the output terminal, the controller detects a voltage output from the output terminal as a second voltage while instructing the switch element to continuously open and instructing the boost converter to perform the boosting operation. Based on the difference between the first and second voltages, the controller judges whether the boost converter is normal or abnormal.

A regulatory-compliant touch force detecting window lift switch for an automobile is described, in which a load cell, such as a strain gauge, a resistance bridge, or an amplifier, is used to detect a driver's or passenger's touch force, and software is used to assess whether to responsively send a control signal to a window lift motor controller to adjust the position of the automobile's windows.