Patents Examined by Timothy Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 11390233
    Abstract: A driver seat airbag apparatus may include: a mounting plate having a housing space formed at the front thereof; a cover having an insertion part and a pressing part, wherein the insertion part is formed at the rear of the cover and inserted into the housing space, and the pressing part is formed at the front of the insertion part; and a coupling part formed at each of the mounting plate and the outer surface of the insertion part, and comprising a male portion and a female portion that are locked to each other when the insertion part is inserted into the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Oh Koang Kwon
  • Patent number: 11390131
    Abstract: Chassis arrangement for a motor vehicle for passenger transportation, having two axles which are arranged at a spacing from one another in the motor vehicle longitudinal direction and in each case have wishbones with the incorporation of a spring element for the independent wheel suspension system. A first axle, lying at the front in a driving direction, is lowered from a neutral position by from 5 to 50 mm, 10 to 20 mm, in order to drive in said driving direction, and a second axle, lying at the rear in the driving direction, is raised by from 5 to 50 mm, 10 to 20 mm, in each case by way of adjustment of the spring elements, it being possible for the driving direction to be reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Claudio Fernandes, Alexandre Pinto
  • Patent number: 11383672
    Abstract: An active hinge including a hood bracket for attachment to a vehicle hood and a body bracket for attachment to a vehicle body. A deploy bracket is pivotally attached to the hood bracket and the body bracket. The hood bracket is pivotable relative to the deploy bracket between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. At least one link interconnects, and is pivotally connected to the deploy bracket and the body bracket. A pawl is pivotally mounted to one of the hood bracket, the body bracket, the deploy bracket, and the at least one link. A bolt for engagement by the pawl is connected to another of the hood bracket, the body bracket, the deploy bracket, and the at least one link. An actuator is provided for disengaging the pawl from the bolt to allow the deploy bracket to move relative to the hood bracket and the body bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Wood, Stefan Page, Stephan Holschbach
  • Patent number: 11364757
    Abstract: A suspension system for a wheel of a vehicle including: a wheel interface having a wheel interface axis which is an axis about which a wheel rotates when connected to the wheel interface; a first arm connected to the wheel interface and rotatable with respect to the wheel interface about a first axis that is substantially parallel to the wheel interface axis; and a second arm connected to the wheel interface and rotatable with respect to the wheel interface about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the wheel interface axis; and a damping and springing means disposed within a gap formed between the first arm and the second arm, the damping and springing means are connected at one of its ends to at least one of the first arm, the second arm and the wheel interface; wherein at least a portion of the suspension system is to be disposed within a rim of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Ahishay Sardes, Ran Dekel, Tomer Segev, Eran Starik, Amit Aknin, Eylon Avigur
  • Patent number: 11365785
    Abstract: An electric axle having an electric drivetrain including a motor/generator, a first planetary gear set operably coupled to the motor/generator, and a second planetary gear set operably coupled to the first planetary gear set, wherein the first planetary gear set includes a first ring gear, a first planet carrier, and a first sun gear, and wherein the second planetary gear set includes a second ring gear, a second planet carrier, and a second sun gear; a drive wheel axle operably coupled to the electric drivetrain; and a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the drive wheel axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Krishna Kumar, William F. Waltz
  • Patent number: 11351903
    Abstract: A system for positioning a trailer body with the trailer support surface at ground level. The system comprises one or more suspension systems for controlling the position of wheels on either side of the trailer body and a rotary tongue system that allows the trailer tongue to rotate relative to the trailer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Richard Leslie Williamson
  • Patent number: 11351954
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag device including an airbag body having a first base fabric and a second base fabric, wherein the first base fabric and the second base fabric have an outer circumferential section and an outer circumferential section that are joined to each other while overlapping each other, a first base fabric joining section formed by joining a plurality of predetermined portions, spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the first base fabric is provided on an outer circumferential side of the first base fabric, and a second base fabric joining section formed by joining a plurality of predetermined portions, spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the second base fabric is provided on an outer circumferential side of the second base fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Ishizuka, Hitoshi Higuchi, Yuichi Mashiko, Tatsuya Narikawa, Ryosuke Seki, Kazuki Hikida
  • Patent number: 11351955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of folding an airbag (10), especially an airbag (10) to be arranged beneath a vehicle roof (50), comprising an injection orifice (11), a guiding portion (13) arranged adjacent thereto in the longitudinal direction and an inflating portion (12) arranged adjacent to the guiding portion (13) in the longitudinal direction, the method including flatly spreading the airbag (10); laterally folding, especially zigzag folding, at least in portions at least one side part (30; 30?) of the airbag (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10); furling the inflating portion (12) at least in portions starting from a trailing edge (26) of the airbag (10) that is maximally spaced from the injection orifice (11) in a first furling direction (AR) in the direction to the injection orifice (11); and forming the guiding portion (13) by laying at least one folding including a first folding bend (14) against the first furling direction (AR) so that the deployment behavior of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A., TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Peyre, Ramon Ramos
  • Patent number: 11345302
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag having a stored condition in which the curtain airbag is deflated, flattened, and rolled and/or folded. A wrap includes an integral woven portion of the curtain airbag formed from a fabric extension of an upper edge of the curtain airbag. The wrap has a first end portion where the wrap merges with the upper edge of the curtain airbag, and an opposite, free second end portion. The wrap is configured to wrap about a circumference of the rolled and/or folded curtain airbag. The second end portion is configured to connect to the first end portion of the wrap to secure the wrap on the curtain airbag and package the curtain airbag in the stored condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventor: Dylan Moran
  • Patent number: 11325290
    Abstract: A vehicle interior/trim component configured to support an airbag module is disclosed. The component may comprise a structural substrate with a reinforcement to provide a door/opening for airbag deployment. The reinforcement may comprise a pattern of threads (e.g. top stitch to secure the door and bottom stitch). The reinforcement may comprise threads sewn within and/or pressed into a surface of a substrate/panel. The top stitch thread weight may be greater than that of the bottom stitch. The top stitch may comprise a retaining thread/hinge; the bottom stitch may separate upon deployment. The reinforcement may comprise KEVLAR, aramid, nylon, polyester, thread, ceramic fibers, polymeric fibers, synthetic fibers, etc. The structural substrate may comprise a fiber panel, compression-formed component, generally rigid fiber mat, etc. The component may be formed by injecting resin into a mold to form an ancillary component of a composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Stroebe, Michael G. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11325648
    Abstract: A front end module frame may include a cross member, a pair of side members extending from respective end portions of the cross member in a height direction of the vehicle, each of the pair of side members having a center portion connected to the front end portion of a corresponding one of front side members of the vehicle, an upper back beam member interconnecting the upper end portions of the pair of side members, the upper back beam member having opposite end portions respectively connected to the front end portions of upper fender apron members of the vehicle, and a lower back beam member extending in a width direction of the vehicle and interconnecting the center portions of the pair of side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 11325439
    Abstract: A height-adjustable spring arrangement for a vehicle includes a bearing spring, a first limiting cylinder with a first limiting cylinder pot and a first limiting piston, a second limiting cylinder with a second limiting cylinder pot and a second limiting piston, and a guide cylinder with a guide cylinder pot, a displaceable guide piston in the guide cylinder pot and a guide piston rod fixed on the guide piston and extending out of the guide cylinder pot along a longitudinal axis of a bearing spring and through the bearing spring. The guide piston rod is displaceable by the first and second limiting cylinders such that a spring preload acting on the bearing spring and a negative spring path of the bearing spring remain constant as a result of a height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Dietrich, Martin Riediger, Uwe Schatzberger
  • Patent number: 11318909
    Abstract: A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel in a closed position with respect to a body of the vehicle; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle; one or more linkages connected to the support plate at one end and connected to the mounting plate at another end, the one or more linkages providing said coupled to the mounting plate; a locking member mounted on the support plate and configured for retaining the mounting plate in a home position when coupled to the mounting plate and for decoupling from the mounting plate when operated; an actuation system coupled to the linkages for extending the linkages once the locking member is decoupled from the mounting plate, in order to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from the home position to an extended position; wherein the latch is also moved from the home positio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Csaba Szente, John Distefano, Ioan Dorin Ilea
  • Patent number: 11299003
    Abstract: A bush may include: a second inner pipe forming a central protrusion in a central section of the second inner pipe; and an outer pipe forming a third protrusion at a first inner side and a fourth protrusion at a second inner side. In particular, the third and fourth protrusions are arranged outside of the central protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae-Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 11292504
    Abstract: Vehicles, steering systems, and steering assemblies of a vehicle are provided in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, a steering system includes a track oriented substantially in a side-to-side direction with respect to the vehicle. The side-to-side direction may be substantially horizontal with a ground surface and substantially perpendicular with a forward-facing direction of the vehicle. The steering system also includes a steering wheel adapted to slide laterally along the track. In another embodiments, the present disclosure provides a vehicle comprising a steering wheel assembly adapted to be positioned in laterally variable locations with respect to the vehicle, whereby the steering wheel assembly is further adapted to enable a driver to manually operate the vehicle from a left-hand side of the vehicle and from a right-hand side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Niklas Palm, Jonas Göthlin
  • Patent number: 11273699
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power-drive system for a vehicle and a vehicle. The power-drive system comprises: an engine; a plurality of input shafts; a plurality of output shafts, the plurality of output shafts linking with a differential of the vehicle; a first clutch device, arranged between the engine and the plurality of input shafts, so that the engine selectively engages with at least one of the plurality of input shafts; a first motor generator, configured to link with the differential of the vehicle; and a second motor generator, wherein the second motor generator and the engine are located on an input side of the first clutch device, the plurality of input shafts is located on an output side of the first clutch device, and the second motor generator is configured to carry out stationary power generation using at least part of power of the engine when the vehicle is parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Yubo Lian, Heping Ling, Zhen Zhai, Fei Wu, Youbin Xu
  • Patent number: 11274420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a console box for an excavator to prevent malfunction and to be automatically moved to a designated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventors: Gugsoo An, Youngmin Ahn, Yelim Ahn
  • Patent number: 11267430
    Abstract: A knee protection airbag device includes: an airbag that is folded and stored; an inflator configured to supply inflation gas to the airbag; a case that stores the airbag and the inflator; and an airbag cover covering the folded airbag. The airbag cover includes a door portion that covers a protruding opening and can be opened when the airbag is deployed and inflated, and is attached to a peripheral wall portion of the case around the door portion. A recessed groove through which a harness main body can be inserted is formed at a portion of a peripheral edge of the protruding opening in the case so as to recess an end edge of the peripheral wall portion. A bead for reinforcement at a peripheral edge portion of the recessed groove is formed on the peripheral wall portion so as to surround a periphery of the recessed groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kobayashi, Minoru Ono, Naoki Hotta, Tetsuya Ogata
  • Patent number: 11267303
    Abstract: A suspension device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure which is equipped with an upper arm, a lower arm, and a leaf spring positioned so as to extend in the vehicle widthwise direction in a manner such that an end section thereof is provided in the lower arm, wherein: the lower arm has an opening which opens to the inside in the vehicle widthwise direction; the leaf spring extends into the lower arm through the opening; the end section of the leaf spring is supported by a support part of the lower arm; and a cover section of the lower arm covers the end section of the leaf spring at a distance therefrom, and has a prescribed reinforcing shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Senoo, Atsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 11267422
    Abstract: An elongate airbag module (10) of a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a folded airbag (12) and an envelope (14) receiving the folded airbag (12) and at least one elongate flexible fixing tab (16) via which the airbag module (10) can be fastened to a vehicle. The fixing tab (16) has at least one opening (24b) for receiving a fastening clip (18) through which an engaging portion (20) of the fastening clip (18) serving for locking to the vehicle extends. Portions of the fastening clip (18) are wrapped in the fixing tab (16), with the fixing tab (16) extending toward a free end (34) of the fixing tab (16), relating to the not yet folded state, substantially in parallel to a longitudinal direction (L) of the airbag module (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Tatjana Schmid