ELECTRIC SERVICE VEHICLE SYSTEMS

Disclosed are systems and methods for a vehicle. The vehicle can include a compartment. The vehicle can include an apparatus disposed within the compartment. The apparatus can include a drawer configured to open through transportation out of the compartment.

INTRODUCTION

A vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, can be powered by batteries. The vehicle can include components that operate the vehicle based on power provided by the batteries.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is generally directed to a vehicle that stores components. The vehicle can include a tunnel such as a gear tunnel. The gear tunnel can provide storage space for tools, equipment, recreational apparatuses, or vehicle parts. The gear tunnel can be or include a tunnel that extends from at least one side of the vehicle into the vehicle. At least one end of the gear tunnel can be covered by a door. The door can seal the gear tunnel preventing dirt, dust, wind, rain, snow, mud or other environmental conditions from entering the tunnel. The door can rotate on a hinge exposing an opening or the gear tunnel. The gear tunnel can extend through the vehicle from an opening on one side of the vehicle to an opening on another side of the vehicle. An apparatus, such as a drawer unit, can be disposed within the gear tunnel. The drawer unit can include at least one drawer. At least a portion of the drawer can extend out of the gear tunnel through the opening of the gear tunnel, exposing components stored in the drawer. The drawer can be retracted back into the gear tunnel through the opening of the gear tunnel. The drawer unit can provide efficient and organized storage of components in a vehicle.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include a compartment. The vehicle can include an apparatus disposed within the compartment. The apparatus can include a drawer configured to open through transportation out of the compartment.

At least one aspect is directed to a method. The method can include disposing a compartment in a vehicle. The method can include disposing an apparatus within the compartment. The apparatus can include a drawer. The method can include opening the drawer through transportation of the drawer out of the compartment.

At least one aspect is directed to an apparatus. The apparatus can include a portion disposed within a compartment of a vehicle. The apparatus can include a drawer connected to the portion and configured to open through transportation out of the compartment.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include an occupant seating area. The vehicle can include a tunnel, located between the occupant seating area and a rear portion of the vehicle, that extends from an opening on at least one side of the vehicle into the vehicle. The vehicle can include an apparatus disposed within the tunnel comprising a drawer to store a component. The apparatus can be configured to change a state of the drawer from a closed state in the tunnel to an open state through transportation of at least a portion of the drawer through the opening out of the tunnel.

At least one aspect is directed to a method. The method can include disposing a tunnel between an occupant seating area and a rear storage portion of a vehicle, the tunnel extends from an opening on at least one side of the vehicle into the vehicle. The method can include disposing an apparatus within the tunnel, the apparatus comprising a drawer to store a component. The method can include changing a state of the drawer, via the apparatus, from a closed state in the tunnel to an open state through transportation of at least a portion of the drawer through the opening out of the tunnel.

At least one aspect is directed to an apparatus. The apparatus can include a portion fixed to a bottom side of a tunnel disposed in a vehicle between an occupant seating area and a rear storage portion of the vehicle, the tunnel extends from an opening on at least one side of the vehicle into the vehicle. The apparatus can include a first drawer to store a first component in the tunnel. The apparatus can include a second drawer to store a second component in the tunnel. The apparatus can include a member that configured to change a state of the first drawer and the second drawer from a closed state in the tunnel to an open state through transportation of at least a portion of the first drawer and the second drawer through the opening out of the tunnel.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include a compartment located under a front hood of the vehicle. The compartment can include a first storage layer that stores a first component. The compartment can include a second storage layer stacked above the first storage layer that stores a second component.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include an interior. The interior can include a back wall. The interior can include a floor. The interior can include a surface fixed to the floor, at least one component supported by the surface. The interior can include a material comprising a first end attached to the back wall above the component and a second end attached to the floor in front of the component. A portion of the material can extend from the first end to the second end and secure the component to the flat surface.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include an interior. The interior can include a back wall. The interior can include a perforated sheet fixed to the back wall. The interior can include a component fixed to the perforated sheet via at least one hole of the perforated sheet.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include a seat. The seat can include a back portion and a headrest. The vehicle can include a cover. The cover can include a portion that surrounds a portion of the headrest that fixes the cover to the seat. The cover can include a bag that stores a component. The bag can be suspended over the back portion of the seat by the portion that surrounds the headrest.

At least one aspect is directed to a truck. The truck can include a truck bed. The truck bed can include a bottom surface. The truck bed can include a compartment to store a component located below the bottom surface. The truck bed can include a hinge fixed to a portion of the bottom surface to transport the portion of the bottom surface from a position that covers the compartment to a position that exposes the compartment.

At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include a tunnel that extends from an opening on at least one side of the vehicle into the vehicle. The vehicle can include a data processing system including one or more processors, coupled with memory. The data processing system can transmit a signal to at least one actuator of the vehicle to cause the at least one actuator to transport a door that covers the opening of the tunnel from a position covering the opening to a position exposing the opening and transport at least a portion of the drawer disposed within the tunnel out of the tunnel through the opening tunnel.

At least one aspect is directed to a system. The system can include a data processing system including one or more processors, coupled with memory. The data processing system can transmit a signal to at least one actuator of the vehicle to cause the at least one actuator to transport a door that covers an opening of a tunnel of a vehicle from a position covering the opening to a position exposing the opening and transport at least a portion of the drawer disposed within the tunnel out of the tunnel through the opening tunnel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems of vehicles having at least one gear tunnel. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways.

This disclosure is generally directed to a gear tunnel of a vehicle. A vehicle, such as a consumer vehicle, personal vehicle, recreational vehicle, or service vehicle, can carry equipment for servicing the vehicle itself or another vehicle. For example, a service vehicle can transport a service technician and equipment of the service technician to a vehicle that may need service. The vehicle needing service can be located in a garage, driveway, camping area, off-road environment, parking lot, on the side of a road, on the side of a trail. To perform service or maintenance on the vehicle, the service technician can transport tools, equipment, or vehicle parts in the service vehicle to a location where the vehicle that needs service is located. If the service technician is unable to transport all of the tools, equipment, or vehicle parts in the service vehicle, the service technician may need to make multiple trips between a garage and a vehicle to be serviced. If the size of the service vehicle is increased to carry all of the tools, equipment, or vehicle parts, the service vehicle can consume larger amounts of electrical power, gas, or diesel. For an electric vehicle, this can result in fewer miles driven per charge. Furthermore, if the tools, equipment, or vehicle parts are unorganized in the service vehicle, the technician may spend additional time completing a service job.

To solve these and other technical problems, the technical solution described herein can include a vehicle including a gear tunnel. The gear tunnel can provide additional storage space for tools, service or recreational equipment, or vehicle parts. The gear tunnel can be or include a tunnel that extends from at least one side of the vehicle into the vehicle. The gear tunnel can extend through the vehicle from an opening on one side of the vehicle to an opening on another side of the vehicle. The gear tunnel also can have an opening on only one side of the vehicle, e.g., the driver side or the passenger side. An apparatus, such as a drawer unit, can be disposed within the gear tunnel. The drawer unit can include at least one drawer. The drawer unit can include at least one drawer that transports out of the gear tunnel through a first opening on a first side of the vehicle. Another drawer unit can include at least one drawer that transports out of the gear tunnel through a second opening of the gear tunnel on a second side of the vehicle. Tools, equipment, or vehicle parts can be stored and secured within the drawers. The drawer unit can provide efficient and organized storage of components for a service technician.

Furthermore, the vehicle can include a front trunk. For example, the vehicle can be an electric vehicle where a front area of the vehicle is free of vehicle components such as an engine. The front trunk can include at least one storage layer. The layers can be stackable layers. The layers can or include a shelf, tray, or flat portion to hold components for the service technician. The layers can be stacked within the front trunk to provide efficient and organized storage of equipment, tools, or vehicle components. The components located on each layer can be disposed at the layers based on the frequency at which the technician uses or retrieves the components. For example, components that the technician uses routinely can be located on the top level. Components that the technician uses less routinely can be located on a middle level. Components that the technician uses rarely can be located on a bottom level.

Furthermore, the vehicle can include a rear passenger storage area. The rear passenger storage area can be an area of the vehicle between a front driver or passenger seat and a back of a truck cab of the vehicle. The area can store components. For example, the area can include a rack. The rack can be a perforated board or a peg board. The rack can include pegs, clasps, or other connectors connected to holes or openings in the rack. Various tools, pieces of equipment, or replacement components can be mounted to the rack via the connectors and holes for efficient and organized storage. The rear passenger storage area can include a seat covering including a bag or bag set. The seat covering can be fixed to a driver seat or a passenger seat. For example, the seat covering can include an opening that can be placed over a headrest of the seat such that the covering is fixed to the seat. The covering can include a bag or set of bags that are suspended from a back side of the driver seat or passenger seat. The various bags can store tools, equipment, or vehicle components.

The vehicle can include a truck bed including a compartment such as a storage compartment. The storage compartment can be disposed within the truck bed under a top surface of the truck bed. The storage compartment can store equipment, tools, or vehicle components. For example, the storage compartment can store spare tires. At least a portion of the top surface can move between a position covering the compartment to a position exposing the compartment. For example, the portion of the top surface can hinge on a hinging apparatus from a horizontal position covering the compartment to a vertical position exposing the compartment. For example, a user or technician can press a button and the portion of the top surface of the truck bed can be actuated to expose the compartment so that the user or technician can access the components stored in the compartment.

FIG.1depicts an example cross-sectional of a vehicle105installed with at least one battery pack110. The vehicle105can be an electric vehicle. Electric vehicles105can include electric trucks, electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs), electric delivery vans, electric automobiles, electric cars, electric motorcycles, electric scooters, electric passenger vehicles, electric passenger or commercial trucks, hybrid vehicles, or other vehicles such as sea or air transport vehicles, planes, helicopters, submarines, boats, or drones, among other possibilities. The battery pack110can be used as an energy storage system to power a building, such as a residential home or commercial building. Electric vehicles105can be fully electric or partially electric (e.g., plug-in hybrid) and further, electric vehicles105can be fully autonomous, partially autonomous, or unmanned. The vehicle105can be a gas or diesel powered vehicle. The vehicle105can be fully or partially powered by gas or diesel. Electric vehicles105can be human operated or non-autonomous. Electric vehicles105such as electric trucks or automobiles can include on-board battery packs110, battery modules115, or battery cells120to power the electric vehicles. The vehicle105can include a chassis125(e.g., a frame, internal frame, or support structure). The chassis125can support various components of the vehicle105. The chassis125can span a front portion130(e.g., a hood or bonnet portion), a body portion135, and a rear portion140(e.g., a trunk, payload, or boot portion) of the electric vehicle105. The battery pack110can be installed or placed within the vehicle105. For example, the battery pack110can be installed on the chassis125of the vehicle105within one or more of the front portion130, the body portion135, or the rear portion140. The battery pack110can include or connect with at least one busbar, e.g., a current collector element. For example, the first busbar145and the second busbar150can include electrically conductive material to connect or otherwise electrically couple the battery modules115or the battery cells120with other electrical components of the vehicle105to provide electrical power to various systems or components of the vehicle105.

The vehicle105can include two front wheels155and two rear wheels160. The vehicle105can include one or multiple motors. The motors can drive an axel connected to the two front wheels155or an axel connected to the two rear wheels160. A single motor can drive an axel of the two front wheels155. A single motor can drive an axel of the two rear wheels160. Each wheel of the wheels155and160can be driven by an individual motor. For example, each of the four wheels155and160can be driven by one of four motors. The battery pack110can discharge stored energy to power the motors of the front wheels155and the rear wheels160. The battery pack110can discharge stored energy to generate power that the motors receive. Operating the motors of the wheels155and160can cause the vehicle105to drive forward, reverse, or turn. The vehicle105can include the various storage compartments, e.g., a cargo bed175or at least one gear tunnel170covered by a door165. The vehicles described herein can be service vehicles, mechanic vehicles, electric vehicles, electric service vehicles, trail vehicles, government vehicles, personal vehicles, commercial vehicles, company vehicles.

FIG.2Adepicts an example of the vehicle105including at least one rear passenger storage area200and at least one gear tunnel170. The passenger storage area200or the gear tunnel170can store components. The components can be equipment, tools, camping supplies, entertainment devices, groceries, toys, beverages, coolers, folding chairs, sports equipment. The vehicle105can be a customer owned electric vehicle. The owner or other operator may wish to store equipment in the passenger storage area200of the gear tunnel170. For example, the owner may wish to carry equipment to a job site, carry tools to fix their vehicle, or transport equipment. The vehicle105can be a service vehicle that is dispatched to provide service to another vehicle105. For example, the vehicle105can be dispatched in response to a road-side assistance event. The vehicle105can be dispatched to perform maintenance on another vehicle105responsive to a customer or owner request.

When the vehicle105is dispatched, a technician driving the vehicle105can store equipment, e.g., tools, air pumps, tires, jacks, jack stands, air compressors, impact wrenches, wrench sets, socket sets, drills, pliers, hammers within the vehicle105. For example, the equipment can be stored in the rear passenger storage area200or the gear tunnel170. The rear passenger storage area200can include a cover210that holds the equipment to a base (e.g., a seat of the vehicle or other flat surface or sloped surface). The base can be fixed to a floor of the area200, e.g., via bolts, nuts, screws, welding. The rear passenger storage area200can include at least one strap215that holds the cover down over the equipment. The cover210can have a flat portion on a top of the cover. The cover210can include at least one lateral side that extends down from the flat portion. The lateral sides can be triangular, rectangular, a free form shape, or any other form factor. The cover210can be a material that is fixed to the back wall of the cab and a floor of the cab. A first end of the cover210can be fixed to the back wall of the cab above the components. A second end of the cover210can be fixed to a floor, a front wall of the area200, or at least one front seat in front of the components. A portion of the cover210that extends from the first end to the second end can secure the components, e.g., limit the movement of the components. The portion can be in physical contact with a top surface of the components and apply pressure to the components fixing the components to the surface and limiting the movement of the components.

The gear tunnel170can be or include an opening, compartment, chamber, or other area internal to the vehicle105that can store gear such as equipment or accessories for the vehicle or for use by the operator or passenger of the vehicle. The compartment170can be accessible to a user from an exterior of the vehicle105. The compartment170can be accessible to a user in an interior of the vehicle105. The compartment170can be located between an occupant seating area (e.g., a front seating area, a rear seating area, a passenger side seating area, a driver side seating area) and the rear portion140of the vehicle. The compartment170can be included under a front hood of the vehicle105. The compartment170can be included within a rear trunk of the vehicle105. The compartment170can be included within a truck bed of the vehicle105. The gear tunnel170can include a central or longitudinal axis that extends from or through at least one opening of the into the vehicle105or though the gear tunnel170. The gear tunnel170can include at least one drawer unit220. The drawer unit220can be or include a unit, an apparatus, a system, or a device. The drawer unit220can include at least one drawer225. The drawer unit220can include one, two, three, four, or any other number of drawers225. The drawers225can ride on tracks that extend or retract. A user can open a door165of the vehicle105and extend or transport the drawers225via the drawer unit220to access equipment. The drawer unit220can open the drawers225of the drawer unit220through transporting the drawers between extended and stored positions along a central or longitudinal axis of the gear tunnel170. The drawer unit220or the drawers225can be configured to open. The drawer unit220or the drawers225can be configured to open the drawers225through transportation of at least a portion of the drawers225out of the tunnel170. For example, the drawers225can translate along the longitudinal axis out of the tunnel170through an opening of the tunnel170to open the drawers225. At least a portion of the drawers225can extend through the opening of the tunnel170to open the drawers225. Opening the drawers225can expose the contents of the drawers225to a user. For example, a user can pull on the drawers or a motor, piston, or hydraulic of the drawer unit220or vehicle105can extend or transport the drawers225(e.g., responsive to a user pressing a button). The user can retract the drawers225and close the door165to hold the equipment within the vehicle105when the user is driving.

The drawer unit220can be configured to change a state of at least one drawer225from a closed state to an open state. The drawer unit220can change the state of the drawers225via a user pulling on the drawers225, a motor of the drawer unit220transporting the drawers225, a spring or piston of the drawer unit220transporting the drawers225. The drawers225can have a closed state where at least a portion of the drawers225is stored or located within the tunnel170. For example, an entirety of the drawers225can be stored within the tunnel in the closed state. In the open state, at least a portion of the drawers225can extend out of the tunnel170through an opening of the tunnel170. The drawer unit220can be configured to change the state of the drawers225from the closed state to the open state by transporting at least a portion of the drawers225out through the opening of the tunnel170. The drawer unit220can be configured to change the state of the drawers225from the open state to the closed state by transporting at least a portion of the drawers225into the tunnel170through the opening of the tunnel170. The drawer unit220can open the drawers225along the longitudinal axis of the tunnel170such that a user can access components stored within the drawers225.

The gear tunnel170can extend across the vehicle105. The gear tunnel170can include at least one top portion, at least one bottom portion, at least one first side portion, and at least one second side portion. The first side portion can extend up from a bottom portion to a top portion at an oblique angle to the bottom portion. The first side portion and the second side portion can be parallel (e.g., parallel and oblique to the bottom portion or parallel and perpendicular to the bottom portion). The first side portion and the second side portion can be slanted towards each other or away from each other. The first side portion can include an oblique sub-portion that extends from a bottom of the gear tunnel170and a perpendicular sub-portion that extends up to the top portion of the gear tunnel170from an end of the oblique sub-portion. The gear tunnel170can be disposed adjacent a cargo bed of the vehicle105. The gear tunnel170can be disposed adjacent the rear passenger storage area200. The gear tunnel170can be disposed between the cargo bed and the rear passenger storage area200.

A first door165can cover a first end of the gear tunnel170. A second door165can cover a second end of the gear tunnel170. The doors165can move between open and closed positions sealing or exposing an interior of the gear tunnel170. The doors165can hinge on a bottom side, a top side, or a lateral side of the opening. The doors165can be structured to support the drawers225. For example, a bottom drawer225can extend out over the door165when the door165is in an open position. The bottom drawer225can rest upon a surface of the door165. The surface of the door165can support the bottom drawer225. The drawers225can extend out over the door165to provide access to the components within the drawers225.

The gear tunnel170can include at least one bottom portion (e.g., a gear shuttle) that extends out from the gear tunnel170. The bottom portion can be or include a sled or flat portion. The bottom portion can be supported by the vehicle105. The bottom portion can be stored within the tunnel170. The bottom portion can extend or transport out of the gear tunnel170through an opening of the gear tunnel170. The bottom portion can be supported by at least one support. The support can include a leg, multiple legs, at least one pipe, wheel, or box. The drawers225or a drawer unit220can be fixed to the bottom portion and can extend out of, or retract into, or transport along with the bottom portion. The bottom portion can be 60-70 inches long. The bottom portion can be 55-75 inches long. The bottom portion can be less than 55 inches long. The bottom portion can be more than 75 inches long. The bottom portion can be 18-19 inches wide. The bottom portion can be 17-20 inches wide. The bottom portion can be less than 17 inches wide. The bottom portion can be more than 20 inches wide. The bottom portion can be 0.5-1.5 inches thick. The bottom portion can be 0.2-2 inches thick. The bottom portion can be more than 2 inches thick. The bottom portion can be less than 0.2 inches thick. The bottom portion can include a top portion, a bottom portion, at least one lateral wall, and at least one end. The bottom portion can be a rectangular solid or a prismatic shape.

The rails that the drawers extend on can be mounted to an apparatus such as a frame or drawer unit220that sits inside the gear tunnel170and attaches to the same or different mount locations as a gear tunnel shuttle mounts to. The drawers225or drawer unit220can mount at the top of the gear tunnel170intended to hold some trim components in place to help support the frame. The gear tunnel170can include three drawers225. The drawers225can extend from a side of the vehicle105. Each drawer can have the same depth or different depths. For example, the bottom drawer225can be the longest drawer. The middle drawer225can be the second longest drawer. The top drawer220can be the shortest drawer.

The drawer unit220can mount onto the shuttle. A portion, or an entirety of the drawer unit220, can travel out of the gear tunnel170on the shuttle. At least one drawer225can extend, move, or transport out from the drawer unit over the shuttle, out of the tunnel170, and over the door165. The door165can rotate on an apparatus, e.g., a hinge between an open position exposing the opening of the gear tunnel170to a closed position covering the opening of the gear tunnel170. The hinge can be fastened to a bottom side of the door165and to the vehicle105. The hinge can rotate a top side of the door165downwards towards a surface under the vehicle105. When in the open position, the door165may be parallel to a floor of the vehicle105or perpendicular to a side of the vehicle105. Components, such as the drawer unit220or drawers225of the drawer unit220, can extend out of the tunnel170over the door165when the door165is opened. For example, the drawers225can rest upon a top surface of the door165when the door165is opened. The door165in the open position can support the weight of the drawer unit220, the drawers225, or objects stored within the drawers225. The door165can support a maximum of 290-310 pounds of weight. The door165can support a maximum of 280-320 pounds of weight. The door165can support a maximum weight less than 280 pounds. The door165can support a maximum weight more than 320 pounds.

FIG.2Bdepicts an example data processing system230that controls the gear tunnel170of the vehicle105. The data processing system230can be a component of the vehicle105, e.g., included as part of an infotainment system and can be located in the vehicle105. The data processing system230can be located outside the vehicle105and communicate with computing systems of the vehicle105. The data processing system230can be a cloud-based system, a server system, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer. The data processing system230can connect with at least one actuator240of the vehicle105. The actuators240can include a door actuator240to open or close the door165. The actuators240can include a shuttle actuator240to transport a shuttle245, such as a sled or flat portion, into or out of the gear tunnel170. The actuators240can include a drawer actuator240to actuate a drawer unit220, e.g., transport at least a portion of a drawer225of the drawer unit220into or out of the gear tunnel170.

The actuators240can include various motors, electrically actuated locking assemblies, electrically actuated spring or piston assemblies, solenoids, or other components. The data processing system230can provide signals to the actuators240via electrical connections255. The electrical connections255can be electrical wires, electrical traces, electrical connectors. The data processing system230can communicate with at least one data processing system of the actuators240via a communication protocol such as a controller area network (CAN), a wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network, a serial communication protocol, a Bluetooth network, a cellular network.

The actuators240can be powered via power received from the battery pack110. The battery pack110can provide power to the actuators240via electrical connections250. The electrical connections250can convey power from the battery pack110to the actuators240. The electrical connections250can include busbars, power distribution boxes, high-voltage distribution boxes, electrical connections, wires, cables. At least one component of the vehicle105can prepare power for the actuators240. The components can transform power from alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power, convert power from DC power to AC power, adjust voltage levels. The actuators240can be powered by the battery pack110and actuate responsive to receiving a signal from the data processing system230.

The data processing system230can receive a signal and deploy or retract the drawer unit220or the drawers225responsive to receiving the signal. The signal can be received from at least one user input device235. For example, a console of the vehicle105can include one or more touch-screens, buttons, keyboards, microphones for voice control. A user can provide an input via the console to cause the data processing system230to deploy the drawer unit220or the drawers225. The signal can be received from an access control device of the vehicle105, e.g., a key or dongle. A user can press a button on the access control device causing the access control device to send the signal to the data processing system230via at least one wired or wireless communications protocol. A user can send the signal to the data processing system230from a smartphone running an application, a laptop, a desktop computer, a voice assistant, or another personal device. The user input device235can receive a user input via a touch screen, a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, or any other input device. The user input device235can send the signal to the data processing system230via a wired or wireless communications protocol responsive to receiving the user input.

Responsive to receiving a signal to deploy the drawer unit220or the drawers225, the data processing system230can cause at least one door165to be actuated from a closed position to an open position by communicating a signal to the door actuator240causing the door actuator240to actuate the door165. The data processing system230can cause the door165to be unlocked and to move between the closed position and the open position. The data processing system230can cause the drawer unit220or the drawer225to extend from a position within the tunnel170to a position extended out of the tunnel170by communicating a signal to the drawer actuator240causing the drawer unit220or the drawer225to transport out of the tunnel170.

The data processing system230can cause a shuttle245to extend from a position within the tunnel170to a position extended out of the tunnel170by communicating a signal to the shuttle actuator240causing the shuttle actuator240to actuate the shuttle245. The drawer unit220or the drawer225can be fixed top a top surface of the shuttle245can extend out of the tunnel170along with the shuttle. The data processing system230can cause a support to extend from a storage location along a bottom side of the shuttle to a deployed position resting on a surface outside the vehicle105(e.g., pavement, a trail, gravel, dirt, concrete). Responsive to receiving a signal to retract the drawer unit220or the drawers225, the data processing system230can cause the support to retract to the storage location by communicating a signal to the shuttle actuator240. The data processing system230can cause the shuttle245to retract back into the tunnel170. The data processing system230can cause the door165to move from the open position to the closed position. The data processing system230can cause the door165to lock by communicating a signal to the door actuator240causing the door actuator240to lock the door165.

FIG.3depicts an example of the vehicle105including at least one cargo bed175, the gear tunnel170, the rear passenger storage area200, at least one center console storage area, and at least one front trunk storage area315. The cargo bed175can store equipment such as tires (e.g., spare tires). The cargo bed175can include a storage compartment under a floor of the cargo bed for storing equipment (e.g., spare tires). The center console storage area310can include at least one box, enclosure, tray, or compartment that stores equipment (e.g., air compressors, flash lights, medical kits, or vehicle documents). The front trunk storage area315can be a single or multi-layer storage compartment. The front trunk storage area315can include multiple stackable layers that store components.

FIG.4depicts an example of the front trunk storage area315. The front trunk storage area315includes a bottom layer400. The bottom layer400can store equipment that a driver does not want to access often. The bottom layer400can be a container, compartment, or box that includes a bottom, and at least one side. The bottom layer400can be a bottom surface of a compartment covered by a hood of the vehicle105. The hood of the vehicle105can transport, via at least one hinge, from a position covering the compartment to a position exposing the compartment. The compartment can include a bottom and one, two, three, or four lateral walls that form the compartment and extend up from the bottom to an opening of the compartment.

The front trunk storage area315can include at least one middle layer405. The middle layer405can be or include a tray that sits upon or above the bottom layer400. The tray can be supported by a connector on the side of the front trunk storage area315. The middle layer405can store vehicle jacks for supporting the weight of a vehicle off the ground. The middle layer405can be or include foam with cut outs in the shape of the jacks. The jacks can be inserted into the cut out areas of the foam and fixed within the foam by pressure from the foam. The front trunk storage area315can include a top layer410. The top layer410can be or include a tray that sits upon or above the middle layer405. The top layer410can or include a top surface of the middle layer405. For example, a top surface of a foam cut out or a top surface of the jack stands can form a surface for components to be placed upon. The top layer410can be supported by a connector on the side of the front trunk storage area315. The top layer410can store a blanket, a spill kit, knee pads, or other components, for example.

FIGS.5A-5Ddepict an example of the center console storage area310. The center console storage area310includes a panel505. The panel505can include at least one input device520(e.g., a screen, a button, or switch). A user can provide input via the input device520. The input device520can turn on or off at least one strobe of the vehicle. The input device520can turn on or off a front strobe of the vehicle, e.g., at least one light1405. The input device520can turn on or off a rear strobe of the vehicle, e.g., at least one light1805. The input device520can set a color of the strobes, e.g., white, yellow, orange. The input device520can set the strobes to be constantly on, blink, ramp up or down in brightness. For example, a user can set, via the input device520, the strobes to be blinking yellow lights to indicate that the vehicle105is a service vehicle.

The center console storage area310includes at least one compartment510. The compartment510can be or include an enclosure. The compartment510can include at least one top portion525. The top portion525can open so that a user can store or retrieve components from the compartment510. The top portion can slide, hinge, collapse, or fold. One side of the top portion525can hinge on one side of an opening of the storage area310and another side of the top portion525can hinge on another side of the opening of the storage area310. The compartment510can store registration documents, insurance documents, yellow vests, first aid supplies. The center console storage area310includes at least one tray515. The tray515can include a bottom and one or more lateral sides. The tray515can store first aid equipment, battery chargers, tire inflators, or other equipment. The tray515can include a flat or sloped surface530. The tray515can include at least one lateral wall535that can extend up from a surface530to an opening of the tray515. The center console storage area310can include power connections. The power connections can provide AC or DC power from a battery pack110. For example, a charger540for charging tools for drills, flashlights, impact wrenches or other motor operated tools can charge through the power connections. Furthermore, an air compressor545for filling air in tires can charge or be powered based on the power connections.

FIGS.6A-7, among others, depict an example of the rear passenger storage area200. The rear passenger storage area200can include at least one rack605. The rack605can be located on a back wall of the rear passenger storage area200. The rack605can be a metal or plastic material. The rack605can be perforated. The rack605can include holes. The rack605can be a peg board. The rack605can include a mesh pattern. The rack605can include at least one apparatus or component, such as hook or holding mechanism620for fixing equipment to the rack605. The hook or holding mechanism620can mount to at least one hole in the rack605. The hooks or holding mechanisms620can be inserted into the holes of the rack605. Pegs, hooks or holding mechanisms620can be held within at least one hole of the rack605and equipment can be fixed to the hook or holding mechanism620. The rack605can hold at least one tool or piece of equipment625. The tools or pieces of equipment625can include at least one fire extinguisher, drills, batteries, flashlights, workspace lights, impact wrenches. A layer615of sound insulating material can be disposed between the rack605and the gear tunnel170. If equipment or components rattle within the gear tunnel170, the layer615can prevent or dampen the sound. This can allow a driver or passenger of the vehicle105with a quieter ride. The layer615can be a foam layer, a fiberglass layer, a vinyl sound barrier.

The rear passenger storage area200can include at least one seat cover610. The seat cover610can include at least one bag or bag-set705for storing equipment. The cover610can be fixed to a back side of a passenger or driver chair. For example, the cover610can include an opening710. The opening710can be placed over a headrest715of a seat. The opening710can secure the cover610to the seat and support or suspend the bags705over the back-side of the seat. The cover610can include a strap, belt, or cord that can be fixed around the headrest715of the seat. The cover610can be a flexible material that hangs over a top portion of the passenger or driver chair supporting the at least one bag.

FIG.8depicts an example drawer unit220. The drawer unit220is depicted from a side view. At least one drawer unit220, or at least a portion of the drawer unit220, can be disposed or installed within the gear tunnel170. For example, a first drawer unit220can be installed on a driver side of the gear tunnel170. A second drawer unit220can be installed on a passenger side of the gear tunnel170. The drawer units220can be disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle105. The drawer units220can be stored directly opposite each other, e.g., end to end pointing in either direction. The drawer units220can be offset from each other, e.g., in different gear tunnels170. A single drawer unit220can be installed in the tunnel170that includes drawers225that can extend out of a first opening on a first side of the vehicle105and out of a second opening on a second side of the vehicle105.

The drawer unit220can include the drawers225. The drawer unit220can include any number of drawers, e.g., one, two, three, or more. The drawer unit220can include one bottom drawer. The drawer unit220can include one bottom drawer225and one top drawer225. The drawer unit220can include one bottom drawer225and one middle drawer225. The drawers225can ride on tracks of the drawer unit220. The tracks can include rolling mechanisms or sliding mechanisms that allow the drawers225to extend or retract.

The drawer unit220can include at least one portion, member, apparatus or support830. The supports830can form an oval shape, an o-shape, a rectangle, a u-shape, a rectangular shape, or any other shape. The supports830can include bottom sides that extend across a bottom of the drawers225. The supports830can include lateral sides that extend up from the bottom of the support830across lateral sides of the drawers225up to a top portion of the support830. The top of the support830can extend from one lateral side of the support830to another lateral side of the support830. The top of the support830can extend over tops of the drawers225. The supports830can form a frame or base of the drawer unit220.

The top drawer225can have dimensions 750-790 mm long. The top drawer225can be 700-820 mm long. The top drawer225can be less than 700 mm long. The top drawer225can be greater than 820 mm long. The top drawer225can be 220-250 mm wide. The top drawer225can be 200-270 mm wide. The top drawer225can be less than 200 mm wide. The top drawer225can be greater than 270 mm wide. The top drawer225can be 80-100 mm deep. The top drawer225can be 50-120 mm deep. The top drawer225can be less than 50 mm deep. The top drawer225can be greater than 120 mm deep. The top drawer225can be included in the gear tunnel170on a passenger side or a driver side of the vehicle.

The middle drawer225can have dimensions 750-790 mm long. The middle drawer225can be 700-820 mm long. The middle drawer225can be less than 700 mm long. The middle drawer225can be greater than 820 mm long. The middle drawer225can be 250-310 mm wide. The middle drawer225can be 200-350 mm wide. The middle drawer225can be less than 200 mm wide. The middle drawer225can be greater than 350 mm wide. The middle drawer225can be 90-120 mm deep. The middle drawer can be 80-130 mm deep. The middle drawer225can be less than 80 mm deep. The middle drawer225can be greater than 130 mm deep. The middle drawer225may be included on the passenger side but not the driver side, on the driver side but not the passenger side, or on both the passenger side and the driver side. The middle drawer225can be removed or excluded when the bottom drawer225holds tall equipment, e.g., a vehicle jack.

The bottom drawer225can have dimensions 750-790 mm long. The bottom drawer225can be 700-820 mm long. The bottom drawer225can be less than 700 mm long. The bottom drawer225can be greater than 820 mm long. The bottom drawer225can be 320-350 mm wide. The bottom drawer225can be 300-390 mm wide. The bottom drawer225can be less than 300 mm wide. The bottom drawer225can be greater than 390 mm wide. The bottom drawer225can be 100-140 mm deep. The bottom drawer225can be 80-160 mm deep. The bottom drawer225can be less than 80 mm deep. The bottom drawer225can be greater than 160 mm deep.

The bottom drawer225can be included on the passenger side or the driver side. The bottom drawer225can be a jack drawer for holding a jack. The jack drawer225can have dimensions of 750-790 mm long. The jack drawer225can be 720-725 mm long. The jack drawer225can be less than 720 mm long. The jack drawer225can be greater than 790 mm long. The jack drawer can be 320-340 mm wide. The jack drawer225can be 300-360 mm wide. The jack drawer225can be less than 300 mm wide. The jack drawer225can be greater than 360 mm wide. The jack drawer225can be 80-100 mm deep. The jack drawer225can be 50-150 mm deep. The jack drawer225can be less than 50 mm deep. The jack drawer225can be greater than 150 mm deep. This can provide the appropriate clearance for the jack.

The drawers225can include bottom sections, two lateral walls, a front section, and a rear section. The drawers225can be staggered. The drawers225can be staggered to fit within a slanted opening, an irregular opening, an asymmetric opening, or a symmetric opening) of the gear tunnel170. The drawers225can be staggered and be different sizes to allow the drawers225to better package into the somewhat irregular shape of the gear tunnel170and the opening of the gear tunnel170. The drawers225can have the same amount of depth and extend the same length out of the gear tunnel170

At least one lateral wall of the bottom drawer225can be offset from at least one lateral wall of the top drawer225. At least one lateral wall of the bottom drawer225can be offset from the lateral walls of the top drawer225and the middle drawer225. For example, a left wall of the bottom drawer225or middle drawer225can be offset a distance to the right from the left wall of the top drawer225. A right wall of the bottom drawer225or the middle drawer225can be offset a distance to the right from the right wall of the top drawer225. A left wall of the middle drawer225can be offset a distance to the left from a left wall of the bottom drawer225. A left wall of the top drawer225can be offset a distance to the left from a left wall of the middle drawer225. A right wall of the middle drawer225can be offset a distance to the left from a right wall of the bottom drawer225. A right wall of the top drawer225can be offset a distance to the left from a right wall of the middle drawer225. A left wall of the bottom drawer225can be offset a distance to the right of the middle drawer225. A right wall of the bottom drawer225can be offset a distance to the right of the middle drawer225. A left wall of the middle drawer225can be offset a distance to the right of the top drawer225. A right wall of the middle drawer225can be offset a distance to the right of the top drawer225. The drawers225can extend or transport the same length or different lengths out of the drawer unit220. The drawers225can be the same length, depth, width, or varying lengths, depths, or widths.

The drawer unit220can mount to an interior of the gear tunnel170. For example, at least one locking mechanism805, such as a tab, can clip onto a ceiling of the gear tunnel170. A user can push the drawer unit220into the gear tunnel170and the tabs805can clip into receiving mechanisms of the gear tunnel170fastening the drawer unit220into the gear tunnel170. Connectors such as screws, bolts, snaps can fix the support units830to a base of the gear tunnel170, e.g., connector820. The drawer unit220can be reconfigurable. For example, the drawer unit220can be installed on the passenger or driver side of the vehicle105or swapped from one side to the other. Furthermore, various different sized or numbers of drawers can be inserted into the drawer unit220or moved between drawer units220. This can allow the drawer unit220to be customizable and reconfigurable.

The drawer unit220can include at least one member, track, slide, device, or rail825. The rails825can transport the drawers225, or a portion of the drawers225, from a first location within the gear tunnel170and to a second location outside the gear tunnel170. The rails825can include a portion, such as an outer portion, fixed to an inner side of the drawer unit220. The rails825can include a portion, such as an inner portion, fixed to the drawers225. The inner portion can ride on the outer portion allowing the drawers225to transport between extended and retracted locations. The inner portion and the outer portion can be swapped, e.g., the outer portion mounted on the drawers225and the inner portion fixed to the drawer unit220. The rails825that the drawers extend on a can be mounted to a frame of the drawer unit220that sits inside the gear tunnel170. The inner and outer portions can be telescoping or partially telescoping portions.

FIGS.9A-10depict an example of the drawer unit220installed in the gear tunnel170on a passenger side of the vehicle105.FIG.9Bdepicts a top drawer225.FIG.9Cdepicts a middle drawer225.FIG.9Ddepicts a bottom drawer225. The drawer unit220can be installed in the gear tunnel170on the passenger side of the vehicle105. The drawers225can be extended to staggered lengths. The drawers225can each be different lengths. For example, the drawers225can be extended fully out of the tunnel170but be different lengths such that when the drawers225are fully extended, the drawers225are staggered. The drawers225can be the same length. The drawers225can be extended fully or partially out of the tunnel. The drawers225can be extended various distances out of the tunnel170to stagger the drawers225. The top drawer225can extend out the least compared to the middle drawer225and the bottom drawer225. The middle drawer225can extend out a distance a first percentage more than the top drawer225is extended out. The bottom drawer225can extend out a distance a second percentage more than the top drawer225or the middle drawer225. The first percentage and the second percentage can be the same value. The first percentage and the second percentage can be different values. The percentages can be 5-10%, 3-20%, less than 3%, more than 20%.

FIG.11depicts an example of the drawer unit220including drawers225retracted within the gear tunnel170on the passenger side of the vehicle105. The drawer unit220can include at least one locking mechanism805. The locking mechanisms805can be located above a center of the drawers225, on a left side of the drawers225, on a right side of the drawers225, or on a bottom side of the drawers225. The locking mechanisms805can hold the drawers225within the gear tunnel170when the drawers225are in a retracted position. The locking mechanisms805can be or include rotating latches. The rotating latch that holds the drawers225in a closed position or limit movement of the drawers225during driving. The drawers225can be mounted to brackets, such as adjustable brackets, that are attached to a fixed structure that supports the drawer rails and mounts them to the gear tunnel170. The locking mechanisms805can be mounted to adjustable brackets that are attached to the drawer unit220that support rails825that the drawers225ride on. The drawer unit220can be fixed via one or more mounts at a top side of the gear tunnel170, a side of the gear tunnel170, or on the bottom of the gear tunnel170.

FIGS.12A-13depict an example of the drawer unit220installed in the gear tunnel170on a driver side of the vehicle105.FIG.12Bdepicts an example top drawer225.FIG.12Cdepicts an example bottom drawer225. InFIG.12A, the drawer unit220includes a bottom drawer225and a top drawer225. The drawer unit220may not include a middle drawer225in order to make space for a jack1170stored in the bottom drawer225. The drawers225can be removable. For example, the drawers225can be added or removed. A user can add or remove drawers225such that there is only one bottom drawer225. A user can include only a single drawer225within the drawer unit220if the equipment, component, or tool carried in the bottom drawer is tall. A user can add or remove drawers225such that there is only a bottom drawer225and a top drawer225. A user can include only a bottom drawer225and a top drawer225if the bottom drawer225stores equipment, components, or tools, that are tall but have a vertical height that is less than a distance from a top surface of the bottom drawer225to a bottom surface of the top drawer unit225.

FIG.14depicts an example front view of the vehicle105including the drawer unit220installed in the gear tunnel170on the passenger side of the vehicle and at least one front light1405. The front lights1405can be strobe lights. The front lights1405can include at least one light emitting diode (LED), incandescent lamp, compact fluorescent lamp, halogen lamp, neon lamp. The front lights1405can be powered via a power source of the vehicle105, e.g., the battery pack110. An input device520, such as a switch or button can cause the front lights1405to turn on, turn off, flash, stay on constantly, be a particular color (e.g., yellow, white, green). The input device520of the panel505can control the front lights1405. For example, a user can provide an input via the panel505and a system (e.g., electrical or computing system) of the vehicle105can control the front lights1405based on the command.

FIG.15depicts an example cargo bed175of the vehicle105including a storage compartment. The cargo bed175can include a back side1540, a first lateral side1510, a second lateral side1515, a tailgate1535, and a bottom portion1520. The cargo bed175can store and secure components when the tailgate1535is in an up position. The cargo bed175can provide access to the components when the tailgate1535is in a down position. The vehicle105can include at least one input device1530. The input device1530can be a mechanical or electrical switch or push button that causes a storage compartment of the cargo bed175to be exposed or to be covered.

For example, a portion1525of the bottom portion1520can open responsive to an input via the input device1530exposing the storage compartment. A mechanism can spring load or piston load the portion1525and lock the portion1525into a closed position. Responsive to the input device1530being interacted with, a holding or latching mechanism of the mechanism can release the spring or piston allowing the spring or piston to actuate (e.g., push) the portion1525up to expose the storage compartment. The portion1525can hinge on one or multiple sides. The portion1525can unlock responsive to the input device1530being interacted with and a user can remove the portion1525to expose the storage compartment. The storage compartment can be structured to store tires (e.g., spare tires), equipment, jacks, jack stands, or other components.FIG.16depicts another example of the cargo bed175holding at least one tire1600. InFIG.16, the storage compartment is closed. The storage compartment can include at least one drawer. The drawers can be stacked on top of each other. The drawers can be lined next to each other. A drawer can be configured to store a vehicle tire (e.g., a spare tire). Another drawer can store a component. The drawers can be moved, e.g., a drawer for the spare tire can be switched with the drawer for the component.

FIG.17depicts an example of the vehicle105including the front lights1405.FIG.18depicts an example of the vehicle105including at least one rear light1805. The front lights1405or the rear lights1805can be strobe lights. The front lights1405or the rear lights1805can include at least one light emitting diode (LED), incandescent lamp, compact fluorescent lamp, halogen lamp, neon lamp. The front lights1405or the rear lights1805can be powered via a power source of the vehicle105(e.g., the battery pack110).

The panel505can include an input device520, such as a switch or button. The input device520can cause the front lights1405or the rear lights1805to turn on, turn off, flash, stay on constantly, be a particular color (e.g., yellow, white, green). At least one first input device520can control the front lights1405. At least one second input device520can control the rear lights1805. The panel505can control the rear lights1805. For example, a user can provide an input via the panel505and a system of the vehicle105can control the rear lights1805based on the command.

FIG.19depicts an example of the vehicle105including multiple front lights1405. The front lights1405can include two, three, four, or more lights. The lights can be various colors, such as white, yellow, or green for example. The front lights1405can flash on or off together or flash in a pattern. The pattern can be turning the front lights1405on or off inside to outside, turning the front lights1405on or off outside to inside, turning the two middle lights on followed by the two outer lights, turning the two outer lights on or off followed by the two outer lights. The vehicle105can include flashing yellow front lights1405to represent a service vehicle, a trail vehicle, a government vehicle, a camp site vehicle, a park ranger vehicle.

FIG.20depicts an example method2000for a gear tunnel170. At least one ACT of the method2000can be performed by the vehicle105, at least one actuator (e.g., motors, springs, pistons, latches) of the vehicle105, by a driver or passenger of the vehicle105. The method2000can include an ACT2005of providing a gear tunnel. The method2000can include an ACT2010of disposing a drawer. The method2000can include an ACT2015of opening a door. The method2000can include an ACT2020of extending a drawer. The method2000can include an ACT2025of retracting a drawer. The method2000can include an ACT2030of closing the door.

At ACT2005, the method2000can include providing the gear tunnel170. The gear tunnel170can be a component of the vehicle105. The gear tunnel170can be a tunnel into or through the vehicle105. The gear tunnel170can include a top side, a bottom side, and lateral sides. The gear tunnel170can extend from a passenger side of the vehicle105into or through the vehicle105to a driver side of the vehicle105. The gear tunnel170can extend into the vehicle105from a front-side of the vehicle105towards a front windshield of the vehicle105.

At ACT2010, the method2000can include disposing a drawer225. Disposing the drawer225can include disposing one or multiple drawers225in the gear tunnel170. Disposing the drawers225can include inserting a drawer unit220into the gear tunnel170. The drawer unit220can be inserted into the gear tunnel170and fixed to an interior of the gear tunnel170. For example, at least one support830of the gear tunnel170can be fixed to the interior of the gear tunnel170. The supports830can include at least one locking mechanism805. The locking mechanisms805can fix to an interior receiving portion of the gear tunnel170. The supports830can be fixed to the interior of the gear tunnel170via snaps, connectors, screws, bolts, nuts, or other components. The drawers225can be inserted into the drawer unit220before the drawer unit220is inserted into the gear tunnel170or after the drawer unit220is inserted into the gear tunnel170.

At ACT2015, the method2000can include opening the door165. Opening the door165can include opening one door165on one side of the gear tunnel170or opening a door on either end of the gear tunnel170. The door165can cover and seal an opening of the gear tunnel170. The door165can hinge on a hinging member from a vertical position covering the opening of the gear tunnel170to a horizontal position exposing the opening of the gear tunnel170. The door165can open via gravity, a user pulling on the door165, a motor that actuates the door165, a spring that actuates the door165, a piston that actuates the door165.

At ACT2020, the method2000can include extending the drawer225. Extending the drawer225can include transporting at least a portion of the drawer225from a position inside the gear tunnel170to a position outside the gear tunnel170. For example, a user can pull on the drawer225to extract the drawer225from within the gear tunnel170to extend out of the gear tunnel170. A motor, spring, or compressed piston can extend the drawer225.

At ACT2025, the method2000can include retracting the drawer225. Retracting the drawer225can include transporting at least a portion of the drawer225from a positon outside the gear tunnel170into the gear tunnel170. For example, a user can push on the drawer225to retract the drawer225into the gear tunnel170. A motor, spring, or compressed piston can retract the drawer225into the gear tunnel170.

At ACT2030, the method2000can include closing the door165. The door165can hinge on a hinging component of the vehicle105from an open position where the opening of the gear tunnel170is exposed to a position covering or sealing the opening of the gear tunnel170. The door165can lock to secure the door165over the opening of the gear tunnel170. The door165can close responsive to a user pushing the door165. A piston, spring, or motor can further close the door165.

FIG.21depicts an example method2100of providing a drawer unit220. The method2100can include an ACT2105of providing a drawer unit. The ACT2105can include providing a drawer unit220. The drawer unit220can be disposed within the gear tunnel170. A first drawer unit220can be inserted into the gear tunnel170through a first opening of the gear tunnel170and a second drawer unit220can be inserted into the gear tunnel170through a second opening of the gear tunnel170on an opposite side of the gear tunnel170.

The drawer unit220can include support members830. The support members830can be fixed to an interior of the gear tunnel170. The drawer unit220can be secured within the gear tunnel170and at least one fastener, connector, bolt, screw, or nut can limit motion of the drawer unit220within the gear tunnel170. The support members830can include at least one rail825. For example, on a first side of the drawers225, the drawer unit220can include at least one first rail. On a second side of the drawers225, the drawer unit220can include at least one second rail. A first portion of the rails825can be fixed to the support members830. A second portion of the rails825can be fixed to the drawers225. The first and second portions of the rails825can slide with each other or telescope with each other. The drawers225can be inserted into the drawer unit220. At least a portion of the drawers225can be transported or extended out of the drawer unit on the rails825. The portion of the drawers225can be transported or extended out of the gear tunnel170through an opening of the gear tunnel170. At least a portion of the drawers225can be retracted or transported back into the drawer unit225. The portion of the drawers225can be retracted or transported back through the opening of the gear tunnel170.

FIG.22depicts an example block diagram of a data processing system230. The data processing system230can be a data processing system230of the vehicle105. The data processing system230can be a data processing system of the battery pack110. The data processing system230can be a component of a vehicle, a component of a smartphone, a component of a tablet, a component of a laptop computer.

The data processing system230can include or be used to implement a data processing system or its components. The data processing system230can include at least one bus2205or other communication component for communicating information and at least one processor2235or processing circuit coupled to the bus2205for processing information. The data processing system230can include one or more processors2235or processing circuits coupled to the bus3605for processing information. The data processing system230can include at least one main memory2210, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus2205for storing information, and instructions to be executed by the processor2235. The main memory2210can be used for storing information during execution of instructions by the processor2235. The data processing system230can further include at least one read only memory (ROM)2215or other static storage device coupled to the bus2205for storing static information and instructions for the processor2235. A storage device2220, such as a solid state device, magnetic disk or optical disk, can be coupled to the bus2205to persistently store information and instructions.

The data processing system230can be coupled via the bus2205to a display2225, such as a liquid crystal display, or active matrix display. The display2225can display information to a user such as a driver of the first vehicle105or other end user. An input device2230, such as a keyboard or voice interface can be coupled to the bus2205for communicating information and commands to the processor2235. The input device2230can include a touch screen of the display2225. The input device2230can include a cursor control, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor2235and for controlling cursor movement on the display2225.

The processes, systems and methods described herein can be implemented by the data processing system2200in response to the processor2235executing an arrangement of instructions contained in main memory2210. Such instructions can be read into main memory2210from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device2220. Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in main memory2210causes the data processing system230to perform the illustrative processes described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement can be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory2210. Hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions together with the systems and methods described herein. Systems and methods described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although an example computing system has been described inFIG.36, the subject matter including the operations described in this specification can be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.

Some of the description herein emphasizes the structural independence of the aspects of the system components or groupings of operations and responsibilities of these system components. Other groupings that execute similar overall operations are within the scope of the present application. Modules can be implemented in hardware or as computer instructions on a non-transient computer readable storage medium, and modules can be distributed across various hardware or computer based components.

Example and non-limiting module implementation elements include sensors providing any value determined herein, sensors providing any value that is a precursor to a value determined herein, datalink or network hardware including communication chips, oscillating crystals, communication links, cables, twisted pair wiring, coaxial wiring, shielded wiring, transmitters, receivers, or transceivers, logic circuits, hard-wired logic circuits, reconfigurable logic circuits in a particular non-transient state configured according to the module specification, any actuator including at least an electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator, a solenoid, an op-amp, analog control elements (springs, filters, integrators, adders, dividers, gain elements), or digital control elements.

For example, the vehicles described herein can be various types of vehicles, e.g., internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, or electric vehicles. For example, the vehicles described herein and shown in the figures can be the same type of vehicle or different types of vehicles. For example, the systems and methods described herein can be implemented on internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles or various combinations thereof. The drawer unit can be fully detachable from the vehicle and be a portable drawer unit. For example, the drawer unit can be stored within the vehicle and completely removed from the vehicle for use. Further relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within +/−10% or +/−10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel or perpendicular positioning. References to “approximately,” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of +/−10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein.