Nissan Patents Granted

Patents granted to Nissan by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11919569
    Abstract: An aluminum cast part of a motor vehicle includes at least two upper walls rising from a bottom wall to form a passage, and at least two lower walls extending the upper walls beyond the bottom wall. The upper and lower walls form, with the bottom wall, a cross-section transverse to the passage which is generally H-shaped. In one or more predetermined cross-sections, at least one upper inner rib extends inside the H and transversely to the upper walls and the bottom wall, at least one outer rib extends outside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib, and at least one lower inner rib extends inside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib. A height of the upper inner rib in a central area of the H is compensated for by a height of the lower inner rib in the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Roy
  • Patent number: 11919451
    Abstract: A vehicle data display system includes an electronic display installed within a vehicle, a 3-D sensor and an electronic controller. The 3-D sensor configured to scan areas forward of and along lateral sides of the vehicle producing point cloud. Each data point of the cloud data corresponding to a surface portion of a physical feature. Each data point includes distance, direction and vertical location of each surface point. The electronic controller is connected to the electronic display and the 3-D sensor. The electronic controller receives and evaluates the point cloud from the 3-D sensor generating a 3-D model of detected ones of the physical features around the vehicle including ground surfaces, non-drivable features and driving limiting features relative to the vehicle. The non-drivable features are features that have predetermined geometric relationships with adjacent ground surfaces such that caution is to be taken when driving over or on driving limiting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhide Kobashi, Christopher Ostafew
  • Patent number: 11920529
    Abstract: A first output limit value is determined as an intersection point of a knock-limit output line which is set according to an exhaust gas recirculation rate and ignition timing and an exhaust-temperature-limit output line which is set according to the exhaust gas recirculation rate and ignition timing; a second output limit value is determined as an intersection point of the knock-limit output line and an air-quantity-limit output line which is set according to the exhaust gas recirculation rate, ignition timing and atmospheric pressure; and a third output limit value is determined as an intersection point of the knock-limit output line and a thermal-management-limit output line which is set according to the exhaust gas recirculation rate, ignition timing and vehicle running speed. A value of the exhaust gas recirculation rate at which the condition “P1?P2 or P1?P3” is satisfied is set as a target exhaust gas recirculation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Kodama, Yoshihiko Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 11920549
    Abstract: The control device (50) operates to: calculate the ignition timing of each cylinder (101) of an engine (100) based on whether or not knocking is occurring; set, as a reference ignition timing, the ignition timing of any of the cylinders (101) for which the ignition timing is on the advanced angle side relative to the most retarded angle ignition timing on the most retarded angle side and on the retarded angle side relative to the most advanced angle ignition timing on the most advanced angle side; set an allowable timing difference range that is a range of an allowable timing difference with reference to the reference ignition timing; and when determining that the ignition timing of a cylinder (101) falls outside the allowable timing difference range, correct the ignition timing so that the timing difference with respect to the reference ignition timing falls within the allowable timing difference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Shikata, Kazuki Tanzawa, Isei Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 11922953
    Abstract: A voice analyzer analyzes whether a voice signal input into a voice input unit includes a specific characteristic component. A voice recognizer recognizes a voice represented by the voice signal input into the voice input unit. A response instruction unit instructs a response to a response operation unit that operates in response to the voice recognized by the voice recognizer. A controller controls the voice recognizer not to execute voice recognition processing by the voice recognizer or controls the response instruction unit not to instruct the response operation unit about an instruction content by the voice recognized by the voice recognizer, when the voice analyzer analyzes that the voice signal includes the specific characteristic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventor: Hideo Omura
  • Patent number: 11912275
    Abstract: An autonomous driving control method for stopping a host vehicle such that an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle is a predetermined at-stopping inter-vehicle distance includes: executing first stop control of setting the at-stopping inter-vehicle distance to a first at-stopping inter-vehicle distance shorter than a predetermined basic at-stopping inter-vehicle distance when a stop position of the host vehicle is within a forward stop limit area set in front of a crossing lane, and/or executing second stop control of setting the at-stopping inter-vehicle distance to a second at-stopping inter-vehicle distance longer than the basic at-stopping inter-vehicle distance when the stop position of the host vehicle is within a rearward stop limit area set behind the crossing lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Machiko Hiramatsu, Yuji Takada
  • Patent number: 11913400
    Abstract: During a predetermined operation state in which the opening degree of a throttle valve is fixed, an air flow meter positioned more on the upstream side than a pressure control valve detects a first intake air amount when the opening degree of the pressure control valve positioned on the upstream side of the throttle valve is set to a predetermined first valve opening degree and a second intake air amount when the opening degree of the pressure control valve is set to a predetermined second valve opening degree smaller than the first valve opening degree. On the basis of the first intake air amount and the second intake air amount, a diagnosis is made regarding whether there is an abnormality in a first pipe, a second pipe, a third pipe and the like which are included in a blow-by gas recirculation system for blow-by gas treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Koike, Takeshi Miyamoto, Hitoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11912343
    Abstract: A structural element forms a motor vehicle dashboard body that is intended to be installed in a transverse installation position inside a vehicle passenger compartment. The structural element has a one-piece openwork structure produced by three-dimensional printing. The openwork structure defines: a first internal passage that passes all the way through the structural element and extends transversely when the structural element is in the installation position. The first passage is shaped so as to receive a crossmember that is in particular bent with a constant radius of curvature and having at least two fastening elements that are intended to be fastened to the crossmember. A second internal passage connects the first passage to a face of the structural element that is directed toward the rear of the vehicle when the structural element is in the installation position. The second passage has at least one fastening element that is intended to fasten a steering column fastening support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Loic Bezeaukt, Robin Law
  • Patent number: 11912295
    Abstract: A travel information processing apparatus includes a voice input device configured to input voice data of a user, an output device configured to specify an object by estimating from the voice data based on a word extracted from the voice data and indicating the object around a traveling route and a word extracted from the voice data and indicating a positional relationship of the object and output image data or voice data indicating a specified object; and a travel information processor configured to change a traveling motion of a subject vehicle based on the specified object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Inoue, Jo Nishiyama, Takehito Teraguchi, Yu Shikoda, Shota Okubo
  • Patent number: 11916469
    Abstract: A resonant power conversion device includes: a main circuit provided with a semiconductor switch, a capacitor and an inductor connected in series or parallel to the semiconductor switch; and a drive circuit configured to drive the switching element. The switching element enters an off-state or an on-state depending on a control voltage input to a gate terminal, and the drive circuit includes two or more types of control voltages, as a control voltage at which the switching element enters an off-state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Taku Shimomura, Keiichiro Numakura, Akinori Okubo
  • Patent number: 11912136
    Abstract: A control method of an electric vehicle using one or a plurality of motors as a traveling drive source, includes: a motor torque command value calculating step that calculates a motor torque command value; an angular velocity detecting step that detects an angular velocity correlating with a rotation speed of a drive shaft which transmits a drive force of the motor to a drive wheel; a disturbance torque estimating step that estimates a disturbance torque acting on the motor based on the motor torque command value and the angular velocity; a limiting torque setting step that sets a limiting torque corresponding to the disturbance torque in a manner that a slipping rate of the drive wheel does not exceed a first predetermined value; and a motor torque limiting step that limits the motor torque command value using the limiting torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Sawada
  • Patent number: 11913261
    Abstract: A handle base bracket has a first handle receiving section and a fastener opening that extends through the first handle receiving section. In a fully assembled state the outboard surface of the handle base bracket overlays a portion of an inboard surface of a door panel. A first fastener member extends through the first handle opening and into the fastener opening. A head portion overlays a portion of the outboard surface of the door panel adjacent to the first handle opening. A metallic bracket has a main section fixedly attached to the handle base bracket. First and second side flanges of the metallic bracket extend toward the inboard surface of the door panel. An operation handle has a grip portion outboard of the door panel and a protrusion extending into the first handle receiving section of the handle base bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshio Muta, David Kovie, Richard Dryja, Mahiuddin Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11906051
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber, a piston a plurality of piston rings. The combustion chamber has a bore wall. The piston is configured to move relative to the bore wall. The plurality of piston rings is provided to the piston. Each of the piston rings has a main body that is circular. Each of the pistons rings further has a stopper that protrudes from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America Inc.
    Inventors: Williams Muñoz, Jaime Lopez Ku
  • Patent number: 11904664
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a ceiling structure for a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The ceiling structure has an opening. The vehicle further includes a sunvisor assembly that is mounted to the ceiling structure. The sunvisor assembly has a panel and a swivel rod received by the opening to attach the panel to the ceiling structure. The swivel rod is movable from a first position to a second position upon receiving a predetermined force to the panel. The second position is a position in which the swivel rod is positioned further into the opening of the ceiling structure than when in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery Dix
  • Patent number: 11904667
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly a first reinforcing bracket, a fastener and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket extends from a forward portion of an inner door panel to a rearward portion of the inner door panel. The first reinforcing bracket has a first main surface. The fastener is attached to the first reinforcing member such that a head portion thereof is spaced apart from of the first main surface. The vibration absorbing member has a main body with a first end and a second end. The first end has a slot that extends from an edge of the first end inward. The slot is dimensioned and shaped for sliding installation on to the fastener such that the first end of the vibration absorbing member is located between the head portion of the fastener and the first surface of the first reinforcing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Harrington
  • Patent number: 11906386
    Abstract: A wheel balancing tool includes a body member, an attachment member and an alignment member. The body member includes a notch configured to be aligned with a balancing mark on a rim of a vehicle wheel. The attachment member is connected to the body member. The attachment member includes at least one hook configured to attach the tool to the wheel rim. The alignment member extends outwardly from the body portion and is configured to indicate an attachment position on the wheel for a balancing weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Miller, Eric Cohen
  • Patent number: 11898750
    Abstract: A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Maeshima, Tadaki Mano, Hiroyuki Wada, Masamitsu Satake
  • Patent number: 11899454
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle traverses a vehicle transportation network using a multi-objective policy based on a model for specific scenarios. The multi-objective policy includes a topographical map that shows a relationship between at least two objectives. The autonomous vehicle receives a candidate vehicle control action associated with each of the at least two objectives. The autonomous vehicle selects a vehicle control action based on a buffer value that is associated with the at least two objectives. The autonomous vehicle traverses a portion of the vehicle transportation network in accordance with the selected vehicle control action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Massachusetts, Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein
  • Patent number: 11898509
    Abstract: An EGR estimation method for an internal combustion engine 1 estimates an EGR rate in an intake and exhaust system 10, 20 of an internal combustion engine, the intake and exhaust system 10, 20 of an internal combustion engine including an intake system 10, an exhaust system 20, and an EGR device 40, the EGR device 40 includes an EGR passage 41 and an EGR valve 43. The EGR estimation method includes determining a gas replacement state by exhaust gas and fresh air in an upstream EGR passage, which is a portion of the EGR passage between the EGR valve and the exhaust passage, when fuel cut of the internal combustion engine is started and the EGR valve is fully closed; and estimating the EGR rate based on a result of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taichi Ando, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11891048
    Abstract: A method generates a setpoint for controlling a steering system and a differential braking system of a motor vehicle. The method includes: acquiring a value relating to a total yawing moment to be applied to the motor vehicle such that it follows a required path, and the speed of the motor vehicle, calculating, as a function of the speed, at least one threshold relating to the maximum proportion of the total yawing moment that the steering system or that the differential braking system can provide, determining, as a function of the threshold, a distribution rate relating to the proportion of the total yawing moment that the steering system or that the differential braking system must provide, and generating a setpoint for controlling the steering system and the differential braking system as a function of the distribution rate and of the value relating to the total yawing moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: Renault s.a.s., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Anh Lam Do, Alain Haddad, Geoffrey Bruno, Khoa Duc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11890938
    Abstract: An installation arrangement is provided for a vehicle having a front motor for driving a front wheel, a rear motor for driving a rear wheel, a high-voltage battery that stores electrical power for the motors, and a low-voltage battery that stores electrical power for various units. The installation arrangement is configured such that an intersection of a longitudinal center line and a lateral center line of the vehicle overlaps the high-voltage battery as seen in a plan view. In the front section of the vehicle, the front motor is arranged on one side of the longitudinal center line, and the internal combustion engine is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal center line. In the rear section of the vehicle, the low-voltage battery is arranged on one side of the longitudinal center line, and the rear motor is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryota Imura, Kei Nakazato
  • Patent number: 11891939
    Abstract: An under-floor catalyst (33) includes a GPF (41) capable of trapping fine exhaust particles in exhaust gas, and a downstream-side catalyst (42) positioned on the downstream side of GPF (41). GPF (41) can be supplied with secondary air. When an internal combustion engine (10) is stopped during travel, the secondary air is supplied to GPF (41) in which the fine exhaust particles are accumulated. At this time, the temperature of GPF (41) is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Thus, a deterioration in the exhaust gas purification performance of under-floor catalyst (33) at the time of the start of internal combustion engine (10) can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Yokoyama, Kouichi Murakami, Akikazu Sakai
  • Patent number: 11891045
    Abstract: A power transmission device of the present invention is a power transmission device for a vehicle, including: a generator configured to be driven by power of an internal combustion engine; a travel motor configured to be driven by electric power generated by the generator and to drive a drive wheels; and the drive wheels configured to be driven by the power of the internal combustion engine or power of the travel motor. The power transmission device includes: a first power transmission path configured to transmit power between the travel motor and the drive wheels; and a first clutch mechanism configured to allow or interrupt power transmission through the first power transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Miura, Masato Koga, Takayuki Kagaya, Yuuki Nakajima, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11891052
    Abstract: A parking control method causes a control device of a vehicle to execute a first control instruction for moving the vehicle along a first route to a target parking space, on the basis of an operation command acquired from an operator located outside the vehicle. This method includes, when execution of the first control instruction is suspended or canceled, calculating a second route for the vehicle to leave with a predetermined distance or more from an object detected around the vehicle and causing the control device to execute a second control instruction for moving the vehicle along the second route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Yasuhisa Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11891699
    Abstract: The nozzle for cold spray (25) used in a cold spray apparatus (2) is configured to include a tubular nozzle main body (252) and a cooling jacket (253) that surrounds the nozzle main body (252) to form a flow path (25e) for refrigerant (R) between the nozzle main body (252) and the cooling jacket (253). The cooling jacket (253) is provided with a seal retaining portion (253c) that retains an O-ring (253b) for the flow path (25e). The seal retaining portion (253c) and the nozzle main body (252) are joined in a socket-and-spigot joint fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahito Fujikawa, Hidenobu Matsuyama, Eiji Shiotani, Yoshitsugu Noshi, Hirohisa Shibayama, Koukichi Kamada, Naoki Okamoto, Junichi Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 11893890
    Abstract: Included are an identification data input unit (11) to which identification data for identifying an occupant of a vehicle is input, a preference data storage unit (12) configured to store preference data regarding a preference of the occupant in association with the identification data, an object acquisition unit (13) configured to acquire object data of objects existing around an occupant on board the vehicle, a determination unit (15) configured to determine whether or not an object included in the object data is visually or audibly recognizable by the occupant on board the vehicle, and a notification data generator (16) configured to generate notification data for the occupant on board the vehicle based on the preference data of the occupant and the object for which the determination unit determines that it is recognizable by the occupant. The preference data of the occupant is stored in the preference data storage unit and associated with the identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kusayanagi, Takura Yanagi
  • Patent number: 11893297
    Abstract: In the display control device according to the present embodiment, a first index and a second index are assigned to a plurality of first still images and a plurality of second still images, respectively, such that the feature points having periodic movements correspond between the plurality of first still images and the plurality of second still images; a first animation included in a first display screen and a second animation included in a second display screen are displayed by means of continuous playback of the plurality of first still images and the plurality of second still images; when there is a transition from the first display screen to the second display screen, a pre-transition image, which is the first still image immediately before the screen transition, is displayed, the second index corresponding to the first index assigned to the pre-transition image is selected to play back the second still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Amano
  • Patent number: 11884265
    Abstract: A plurality of different reference images for specifying a target parking space is preliminarily stored. The different reference images are generated by using an imaging device that captures an image around a subject vehicle. After that, when the subject vehicle is parked in the target parking space, the current image captured around the subject vehicle is verified with at least one reference image of the plurality of different reference images to recognize the target parking space, and the travel operation of the subject vehicle to the target parking space is autonomously controlled based on positional information of the recognized target parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Muku Takeda
  • Patent number: 11884211
    Abstract: A vehicle side mirror includes a base member and a mirror housing movably connected to the base member. The mirror housing includes a mirror and a mounting bracket connected to the base member and configured to mount the vehicle side mirror to a door panel of a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a pivot surface on which the mounting bracket is configured to pivot with respect to a door panel of the vehicle. A flexible attachment member is configured to secure the mounting bracket to the door panel after being pivoted on the pivot surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergio Carlos Mucino Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11889665
    Abstract: A power converter comprising: a power conversion circuit to convert an input power into a direct current power or an alternating current power; a base member made of resin on which the power conversion circuit is mounted; a cover member, wherein the power conversion circuit is housed between the cover member and the base member; a coolant flow path provided in an interior of the base member, through which a coolant for cooling the power conversion circuit is circulated; and a temperature sensor provided on the base member, to sense the temperature of the coolant circulating through the coolant flow path, wherein the temperature sensor has a conductive member including at least a thermistor, and at least a part of the conductive member is surrounded by a resin wall formed of an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Ono, Susumu Kumakura, Soichi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11886185
    Abstract: The relative position between a vehicle and an extension unit located outside the vehicle is detected, and a command touch operation for operating the vehicle with a remote operation device is set in accordance with the detected relative position. The touch operation of an operator is detected by a touch panel of the remote operation device, and a determination is made as to whether or not the detected touch operation is the command touch operation. When the touch operation is the command touch operation, the vehicle is controlled to execute autonomous travel control. The vehicle has an autonomous travel control function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Junya Kobayashi, Yasuhiro Sakurai, Ryota Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 11884276
    Abstract: A travel assistance method for performing a lane change of a host vehicle includes: detecting an oncoming vehicle traveling in an opposite lane from which the host vehicle travels when the host vehicle starts the lane change; determining a crossing point between a virtual advancing route and a linear advancing route in which the oncoming vehicle advances linearly, the virtual advancing route being a virtual extension of an advancing route of the host vehicle during a period from start to end of the lane change; executing a lane change using the route and the vehicle speed in a case where a time difference between a first predicted time and a second predicted time is outside a predetermined range; and when within the predetermined range, executing a lane change by changing at least one of the route and the vehicle speed such that the time difference is outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Machiko Hiramatsu, Yuji Takada
  • Patent number: 11884266
    Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance method includes detecting an obstacle in a vicinity of a motor vehicle and planning an obstacle-avoidance path for avoiding the obstacle; and commanding steering and differential braking systems to handle the avoidance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: RENAULT s. a. s., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Anh Lam Do
  • Patent number: 11884297
    Abstract: A method autonomously controls a mobility of an automotive apparatus, which mobility is such as to have an influence on the path of the apparatus. The method includes steps of: acquiring parameters relative to the path of the apparatus, and of computing a new control setpoint for the mobility of the apparatus depending on said parameters, this new control setpoint being determined by means of a controller that respects a model that limits the variation in the control setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Anh Lam Do
  • Patent number: 11879376
    Abstract: A control method is performed to control a traction device of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine that includes a plurality of cylinders. Each of cylinders has at least one air intake valve, at least one exhaust valve for the combustion gases generated by the internal combustion engine, and a fuel injector. A treatment device is provided for the combustion gases that is active from an actuation temperature. The treatment device is placed downstream of the exhaust valve. The traction device includes an electrical heater for heating the combustion gas treatment device. The traction method further compares a temperature of the combustion gas treatment device with an actuating threshold temperature and actuates the electrical heater and stopping a fuel supply being supplied to one or more of the cylinders as long as the temperature of the combustion gas treatment device is below the actuating threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrei-Alexandru Boiarciuc
  • Patent number: 11878592
    Abstract: A control method for an electric vehicle controls braking force when the accelerator operation amount is less than a prescribed value and controls drive force when the accelerator operation amount is at least a prescribed value. The electric vehicle control method estimates disturbance torque that acts on the motor as a resistance component relating to gradient; and executes correction whereby the braking force or the drive force is increased/decreased on the basis of the disturbance torque estimated value, such that the resistance component is negated. A determination is made regarding whether or not the accelerator operation amount is a partial equivalent amount and, if at least either the accelerator operation amount on a downhill road is greater than the partial equivalent amount or the accelerator operation amount on an uphill road is less than the partial equivalent amount, the correction amount is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoteru Kujubu, Ikuma Shindo, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11878566
    Abstract: An intercooler is a two-stage water-cooled intercooler having a first core and a second core. A condenser for an air conditioner includes a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser. A drive system electrical component such as an inverter, the second core, and the water-cooled condenser are cooled by a second cooling water circuit including a sub-radiator. Cooling is carried out by the second cooling water circuit including the sub-radiator. The sub-radiator and the air-cooled condenser are located in front of a main radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Koshijima, Riyako Uehara
  • Patent number: 11879369
    Abstract: Set a lower limit for an engine revolution speed when an accelerator is off while a temperature of the gasoline particulate filter is equal to or lower than a predetermined first temperature or equal to or higher than a predetermined second temperature, the predetermined second temperature being higher than the predetermined first temperature, and continue the lower limit setting for the engine revolution speed until the accelerator becomes on when the temperature of the gasoline particulate filter increases over the predetermined first temperature from the predetermined first temperature or lower or decreases below the predetermined second temperature from the predetermined second temperature or higher after the lower limit for the engine revolution speed is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Tsuyuki
  • Patent number: 11880786
    Abstract: When it is necessary to charge the battery of one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles, a vehicle management computer acquires information relating to a charging facility that supplies electric power to a charge-discharge device, and information relating to the battery of another vehicle, which is different from the first vehicle, and which battery is connected to the first vehicle via the charge-discharge device. Based on the information relating to the charging facility and the information relating to the battery of the other vehicle, the vehicle management computer determines which is least expensive, a first cost associated with charging the battery of the first vehicle using the electric power that is supplied from the charging facility, or a second cost associated with charging the battery of the first vehicle using the electric power that is discharged from the battery of the other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takamitsu Tokuoka
  • Patent number: 11878687
    Abstract: An automated driving method for a vehicle includes: determining whether or not a traffic jam is detected ahead of a host vehicle by a distance equal to or more than a predetermined distance on a travel route of the host vehicle during travel by automated driving that brings a vehicle speed close to a target vehicle speed; and in a traffic jam detection time when the traffic jam is detected, reducing the vehicle speed VSP to be lower than a target vehicle speed VSPt0 for the automated driving in a normal time other than the traffic jam detection time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yano
  • Patent number: 11881526
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a source region formed on a main surface of the substrate; a well region electrically connected to the source region; a drift region in contact with the well region; a drain region in contact with the drift region; a first electrode electrically connected to the source region; a second electrode electrically connected to the drain region; a third electrode formed in contact with the source region, the well region, and the drift region through an insulating film; and a parasitic capacitance reduction region formed in contact with the source region and in contact with the third electrode through the insulating film and having a higher resistance value than that of the source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Marui, Tetsuya Hayashi, Keiichiro Numakura, Wei Ni, Ryota Tanaka, Yuichi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11874132
    Abstract: To provide a display control method and apparatus for a display that can display an appropriate amount of information provided by software for communication in accordance with the information currently being displayed on the display, the disclosure includes detecting a phone call or message reception provided by the software for communication (41); when detecting the phone call or message reception, detecting software (2) that is currently displaying information (52) on the display (5); and determining, in accordance with the software that is currently displaying information on the display, a display form of information (P1) provided by the software for communication to be either a first display form of displaying the information in a part of a display region of the software that is currently displaying information on the display or a second display form in which a display area is larger than that of the first display form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Mashino, Yasutomo Sasanuma, Sho Sakai
  • Patent number: 11874120
    Abstract: Traversing, by an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle transportation network, may include identifying a distinct vehicle operational scenario, wherein traversing the vehicle transportation network includes traversing a portion of the vehicle transportation network that includes the distinct vehicle operational scenario, communicating shared scenario-specific operational control management data associated with the distinct vehicle operational scenario with an external shared scenario-specific operational control management system, operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance including an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation model of the distinct vehicle operational scenario, and wherein operating the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes identifying a policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model, receiving a candidate vehicle control action from the policy for the scenario-specific operational contr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein
  • Patent number: 11872986
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control method in which a controller executes sailing stop control in which, if the conditions for stopping a drive source are satisfied during travel, the drive source is stopped and a coupling element provided in a power transmission path between the drive source and a continuously variable transmission is released for coasting. If the conditions for stopping the drive source are not satisfied, the controller restarts the drive source and estimates the driver's intention to accelerate, and if the driver has an intention to accelerate, the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is increased to a higher value than when there is no intention to accelerate, and the coupling element is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 11872873
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an outer door panel that is fixed to an outer periphery of an inner door panel such that the inner door panel and the outer door panel define a door cavity therebetween. A support bracket is attached to a forward area of the inner door panel within the door cavity. A reinforcing panel is attached to the support bracket within the door cavity. A window opening support panel is attached to the support bracket, the reinforcing panel and the inner door panel within the door cavity. A side view mirror is located along an exterior side of the outer door panel. The side view mirror includes at least one fastener that extends through the window opening support panel and the reinforcing panel thereby attaching the side view mirror thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Snyder, Christopher Herrala
  • Patent number: 11869362
    Abstract: A controller is configured to set a stopping order of a plurality of vehicles, which indicates the vehicle order at a stop location in a stopping area. The controller is further configured to estimate an arrival order, which indicates the order in which the plurality of vehicles arrive at a prescribed location, based on position information of the plurality of vehicles. The controller is further configured to determine whether the arrival order differs from the stopping order The controller is further configured to control the travel of at least one vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles upon determining that the arrival order differs from the stopping order, such that the arrival order is the same as the stopping order by a time the plurality of vehicles arrive at the prescribed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Masahide Nakamura, Yutaka Mikuriya, Yoshitaka Takagi
  • Patent number: 11870355
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a conversion circuit (10) having a switching element and converting DC voltage into AC voltage by switching operation of the switching element, an isolation transformer (3) for which an input side is connected to the conversion circuit (10), a rectifier circuit (4) connected to an outside of the isolation transformer (3), a resonance circuit connected to the output side of the isolation transformer (3), and a control circuit (100) for controlling the switching element, wherein the control circuit (100) turning on the switching element in a period when current flowing through resonance circuit flows from a low potential side terminal to a high potential side terminal of the switching element via the isolation transformer (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Yusuke Zushi, Yosuke Tomita, Yuji Saito, Keisuke Takemoto, Shigeharu Yamagami
  • Patent number: 11866108
    Abstract: A positioning tool is disclosed that is configured for use with a front-end module (FEM) of a vehicle to align the FEM with a hood of the vehicle. The positioning tool includes: a body; a receiving member that is connected to the body and configured for engagement with the hood of the vehicle; and at least one engagement member that is supported by the body. The at least one engagement member is configured to interface with the FEM such that movement of the positioning tool causes corresponding movement of the FEM, whereby the FEM is aligned relative to the hood of the vehicle upon closure of the hood of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Kelley
  • Patent number: 11865892
    Abstract: A vehicle strut assembly includes at least a strut member, a bearing assembly, a mounting bracket and a noise isolating member. The bearing assembly encircles an upper end portion of the strut member. The mounting bracket is configured to receive the bearing assembly with mounting bracket encircling the upper end portion of the strut member and further configured to attach to a portion of a vehicle body assembly of a vehicle. The noise isolating member is installed below the mounting bracket and along a surface of the bearing assembly reducing noises transmitted from the vehicle strut assembly to the portion of the vehicle body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Ogren, Yu Zhang, Kenichi Komatsu
  • Patent number: D1013226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyusik Moon