An electric vehicle includes a first rocker and a second rocker spaced from each other. A first slider is slideably engaged with the first rocker, and a second slider is slideably engaged with the second rocker. A first pyrotechnic actuator is supported by the first rocker and is configured to slide the first slider relative to the first rocker. A second pyrotechnic actuator is supported by the second rocker and is configured to slide the second slider relative to the second rocker. A cable extends from the first slider to the second slider.

A smart tonneau cover for a pickup truck includes an input system that receives information concerning a route and the weather forecast for the route to a destination, the height of a cargo, a precipitation sensor, a wind sensor, and to determine the limits to the height, position, and orientation of the portions of a tonneau cover, which can include solar panels that can be moved to optimize power generation and minimize power consumption while protecting the cargo. The solar panels can be positioned when stationary, such as while parked, and repositioned as needed during transit to maintain an optimal power efficiency.

An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.

A method for operating a vehicle in particular a commercial vehicle having electric energy storage and an electric driving machine, includes determining an absorbable amount of energy of the electric energy storage, determining a driving route drivable by the vehicle at least partially in an overrun mode, and determining a recuperation power by which the vehicle may by operated along the driving route and/or determining a target speed at which the vehicle is to be driven on the driving route, such that at the end of the driving route the energy content of the energy storage has been increased by the determined absorbable amount of energy. Also provided is a device, a computer program product and a storage medium for the energy management of an electrically driven vehicle as well as such vehicle.

A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

A system is provided comprising: a materials handling vehicle; a wearable remote control device comprising: a wireless communication system including a wireless transmitter; and a rechargeable power source; a receiver at the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter; a controller at the vehicle that is communicably coupled to the receiver, the controller being responsive to receipt of the transmissions from the remote control device; and a charging station at the vehicle. The charging station may charge the rechargeable power source of the wearable remote control device. The charging station may comprise a visual indicator.

A trailer truck is the combination of a truck and one or more trailers used to haul freight. A trailer attaches to the truck via a trailer coupling (hitch), with much of its weight borne by the truck. The result is that both the truck and the trailer will have a distinctly different design than a rigid truck and trailer. Exemplary vehicles are provided, such as heavy duty trucks having truck bodies with improved aerodynamic characteristics, including improved drag coefficients.

A transport system includes: a mover that includes at least one magnetic body; a stator that includes a plurality of coils arranged in a first direction to be able to face the at least one magnetic body and applies force to the at least one magnetic body by the plurality of coils to which current is applied; and a control unit that controls the current applied to the plurality of coils to apply the force to the at least one magnetic body in the first direction, a second direction crossing the first direction, and a third direction crossing the first direction and the second directions.

The invention relates to a vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, a tour coach or a city bus. The electrically drivable vehicle (1) comprises an electric machine (2) that can be operated as a generator, an accumulator for electrical energy (3), an electrically conductive vehicle part, and a control device (5). The accumulator for electrical energy (3) is designed to receive electrical energy (4) from the electric machine (2) and/or to deliver electrical energy (4) to the electric machine (2). The control device (5) is designed, when at least one predetermined energy-dissipation condition is met, to divert electrical energy (4) generated when the electric machine (2) is being operated as a generator to the electrically conductive vehicle part for conversion into thermal energy, wherein the electrically conductive vehicle part is a vehicle frame (6) and/or a vehicle body (7) and/or a bodywork (8).

A motor drive in a an at least partly electrically operated vehicle. Motor windings are connected to a positive pole of a TVS and a capacitor is connected to a negative pole when a first, third and sixth connecting units are in connected state and when a second, fourth and fifth connecting units are in disconnected state. The motor windings are connected to a negative pole of the TVS and the capacitor is connected to the positive pole when the first, third and sixth connecting units are in disconnected state and when the second, fourth and fifth connecting units are in connected state.