An operating element for operating an entertainment system for a motor vehicle, having an interface to a media playback unit and at least one panelling element for a vehicle compartment panelling. The operating element is an element of the panelling element. The operating element is configured for an entertainment system and is able to be stowed easily in a motor vehicle.

A rotating thrust-producing apparatus having a control system includes a rotatable foil having opposite first and second faces and a plurality of spaced apart fins occupying a periphery thereof. A pressure control assembly includes a first adjustable control surface disposed adjacent to a first face of the foil so as to be selectively movable over the fins of the foil. The pressure control assembly may include a second control surface disposed adjacent to the second face of the foil and which may be adjustable. As the foil is rotated, and the at least one adjustable control surface is moved over fins of the foil, a fluid pressure imbalance is created, causing a thrust in the direction of the pressure deficit.

A work machine, such as a skid steer loader or a compact track loader, includes a directional air intake assembly with a directional cap positioned on an intake pipe for selectively drawing ambient air into an internal combustion engine. A cooling vent ejects air heated by a rear-mounted engine upwardly into the atmosphere. Extending higher than and adjacent to the cooling vent, the directional cap has an elongated head that blocks ingress to the intake pipe other than through an opening at a face of the cap. Selectively positioning and angling the opening between a side of the loader and an edge of the cooling vent avoids taking in debris from near the wheels or tracks, avoids taking in heated air from the cooling vent, and takes advantage of negative pressure caused by the updraft from the cooling vent to remove particulates, resulting in cleaner air for the engine at close to ambient temperature.

A power train supporting structure for a vehicle is provided with: a power train including a transversely disposed engine, a transmission, and a transfer; and a rear mount bracket which connects a rear portion of the power train and a suspension cross member. A front portion of the rear mount bracket is connected to the transfer at a position which is below a drive shaft, and is in a vehicle up-down directional area that is an overlapping of the transmission and the transfer in view of the vehicle width direction.

A vehicle differential disconnect assembly can include a differential case, a differential gear set, and a torque distribution device. The differential gear set is carried within the differential case. The torque distribution device transfers torque between the differential gear set and side shafts of the accompanying vehicle driveline. The torque distribution device can include a clutch pack and an actuator assembly. The clutch pack is located at a first side of the differential case relative to the differential gear set, and the actuator assembly is located at a second side of the differential case relative to the differential gear set. The actuator assembly has a mover that transmits movement to the clutch pack when the actuator assembly actuates and deactuates the clutch pack.

A low floor electric bus is provided. The bus includes a frame extending longitudinally from a front end to a rear end, the frame having two sidepieces and a plurality of crossmembers extending between and coupled to the sidepieces, wherein the frame has a central section positioned at a lower height relative to the front and/or rear sections. The bus further includes a battery pack mounted to the central portion of the frame; a powertrain having an electric motor and a driveshaft, wherein the electric motor is mounted to the rear section of the frame behind a rear axle coupled to the frame and the driveshaft extends from the electric motor to the rear axle; and a cradle coupled to the front section of the frame. A mixed-material cabin is also provided. The cabin includes a passenger cabin with a floor, sidewalls, and ceiling having steel, ceramic, and composite components.

A low floor road vehicle, in the form for example of a passenger bus, includes a front module that includes the front load-carrying axle at its front, a rear module including the rear load-carrying axle, a central module having a flat floor and lateral side walls that longitudinally extend beyond both longitudinal ends of the flat floor so as to define front and back module attaching portions, and a roof mounted to both lateral side walls so as to extend beyond the floor both towards the front and back, which brings rigidity to the overall structure. The vehicle being modular, the central module can be configured to a specific application, for example by varying the length thereof, while same configurations of the front and rear modules can be used in all applications. Also, the front axle being located at the front of the front module, the access to the passenger area defined by the flat floor is improved.

A vehicle can include a longitudinal direction, a traverse direction and a vertical direction that are orthogonal to each other, a pair of front seats, a pair of rear seats, a fuel tank and a canister. The pair of rear seats can be mounted behind the first pair of seats in the longitudinal direction. The fuel tank can be mounted under a first of the rear seats. The canister can be mounted under a second of the rear seats.

A vehicle includes a differential gear that transmits rotation of a propeller shaft to an axle. A differential lock switches the differential gear between a locked state and an unlocked state. A clutch is provided in a power transmission path between a prime mover and wheels of the vehicle. A controller controls an engaging force of the clutch during a moving start of the vehicle in accordance with which of the locked state and the unlocked state is selected by the differential gear.

A vehicle includes a differential gear that transmits rotation of a propeller shaft to an axle. A differential lock switches the differential gear between a locked state and an unlocked state. A clutch is provided in a power transmission path between a prime mover and wheels of the vehicle. A controller controls an engaging force of the clutch during a moving start of the vehicle in accordance with which of the locked state and the unlocked state is selected by the differential gear.