A disconnect including: an input hub; an output race including a radially inner surface with ramps; wedge plate segments radially disposed between the input hub and the output race, each segment including a ramp in contact with an outer race ramp; an actuator cage; and an actuator plate. For a connect mode, the input hub, the wedge segments, and the output race transmit torque from an electric motor of an electrically-powered vehicle to a wheel of the vehicle. In a disconnect mode, relative rotation between the input hub and the output race is enabled. To transition from the connect mode to the disconnect mode: the actuator plate is displaced by an actuator; the actuator plate axially displaces the actuator cage; and the actuator cage circumferentially displaces the wedge plate segments to decrease or break frictional contact between the wedge plate segments and the input hub.

A power electronics module for operating a hybrid module for a hybrid drive unit wherein the power electronics module includes a power electronics module-side electrical signal and/or clutch actuator connection that includes a power electronics module-side contact device connected to the power electronics module for a direct connection to a hybrid module-side contact device, provided on the hybrid module, of a hybrid module-side electrical signal and/or clutch actuator connection is provided. A hybrid module and to a method for assembling a hybrid module is also provided.

A mobile apparatus is used to distribute a tarp over a cargo loaded onto a trailer bed. An arch-shaped structure employing a pair of side members is mounted to a travel unit including a pair of carriage devices. Each carriage device is mounted for travel on an associated rail located at one of the sides of the trailer bed. Each side member is mounted to the pair of carriage devices at a respective pair of releasable pivot joints each located at one of the opposing ends of the side member. Each side member is available to pivot when the set of pivot joints associated with the other, non-pivoting side member is temporarily disabled. A pair of linear actuators drivingly coupled to the pair of side members is used to create a turning moment and induce the pivoting action.

An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet.

An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet.

A vehicle includes a chassis, tractive elements configured to support the chassis, a primary driver configured to output mechanical energy to at least one of the tractive elements to drive the vehicle, a coolant circuit, a fan assembly, and a controller. The coolant circuit includes a thermal energy interface configured to transfer thermal energy from the primary driver to coolant and a radiator configured to receive the coolant. The fan assembly includes a hydraulic pump coupled to the primary driver, a hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to the hydraulic pump, a fan coupled to the hydraulic motor and configured to provide air flow to the radiator, and an actuator configured to vary a displacement of at least one of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor. The controller is configured to control the actuator to vary a speed of the fan based on telematics data.

An exemplary method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes the steps of providing a first component, providing a second component movably coupled to the first component, providing an actuator coupled to the second component and configured to actuate the second component between a first position and a second position, providing a vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, providing at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the vehicle sensor, and determining a baseline vehicle balance and determining an adjusted vehicle balance based on the measured vehicle characteristic.

An active tire spoiler system includes a first tire spoiler, a second tire spoiler and a control module. That control module includes a controller configured to displace the first tire spoiler and the second tire spoiler between a stowed position and a deployed position. A related method is also disclosed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a vehicle includes the steps of receiving, by a vehicle controller, sensor data representing a vehicle environment along a projected path of travel of the vehicle from at least one sensor, determining, by the vehicle controller, if the projected path of travel of the vehicle includes an obstacle, determining, by the vehicle controller, if an underbody component of the vehicle will impact the obstacle, and if the underbody component will impact the obstacle, generating, by the vehicle controller, a control signal to move the underbody component from a first position to a second position.

A system comprises a first control module that meets specified operational criteria for controlling a component of a vehicle and a second control module that meets specified operational criteria for actuating the component. The first control module is arranged to send a first signal to open a relay that, when closed, electrically couples a power output of the second control module to ground via a fuse, send a second signal to cause the second control module to power a motor for actuating the component, receive a third signal indicating a completion of actuation of the component, and responsive to receiving the third signal, send a fourth signal to close the relay.