Patents by Inventor Erik A. Wippler
Erik A. Wippler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11964633Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle defogging system may include a side mirror defogger, one or more other vehicle defoggers, one or more sensors, and a control unit. The side mirror defogger is independently controllable from the one or more other vehicle defoggers. The one or more sensors are configured to output a signal indicative a substance on a side mirror of a vehicle. The control unit is configured to detect the substance on the side mirror based on the signal of the one or more sensors, and activate the side mirror defogger in response to detecting the substance on the side mirror.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Wai, Elliott Y. Vega, Erik A. Wippler, Youngsuk Yoon
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Patent number: 11884242Abstract: Liftgate assemblies with accessory hooks are disclosed. A liftgate assembly includes a door assembly movable in a vehicle vertical direction to an open position. The door assembly includes an interior surface panel, at least one hook disposed on the interior surface panel, and a controller communicatively coupled to the door assembly. The controller is configured to determine a presence of an item suspended from the hook when the door assembly is in the open position, transmit an alert, and prevent the door assembly from closing.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Publication number: 20230271559Abstract: Liftgate assemblies with accessory hooks are disclosed. A liftgate assembly includes a door assembly movable in a vehicle vertical direction to an open position. The door assembly includes an interior surface panel, at least one hook disposed on the interior surface panel, and a controller communicatively coupled to the door assembly. The controller is configured to determine a presence of an item suspended from the hook when the door assembly is in the open position, transmit an alert, and prevent the door assembly from closing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Patent number: 11540423Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a charging apparatus for a vehicle. The charging apparatus includes a first sensor configured to measure or detect a temperature of the electronic device. The charging apparatus includes at least one of a blower, a bypass valve or a vent configured to adjust the temperature of the electronic device or a surface of a charging pad. The charging apparatus includes a processor coupled to the first sensor and the at least one of the blower, the bypass valve or the vent. The processor is configured to determine that the temperature of the electronic device exceeds a first threshold temperature. The processor is configured to control the at least one of the blower, the bypass valve or the vent to increase or decrease the temperature of the electronic device or the surface of the charging pad.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MAUFACTURING NORTH AMERICAN, INC.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Patent number: 11329497Abstract: Methods and systems for charging, retaining, and cooling a mobile device in a vehicle. The system includes a tray configured to receive the mobile device, the tray having a plurality of apertures. The system also includes a wireless charger coupled to the tray and configured to wirelessly charge the mobile device. The system also includes a suction device configured to draw air through the plurality of apertures of the tray and create a suction force for reducing lateral movement of the mobile device and cooling the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Patent number: 11310946Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a wireless charger for charging an electronic device within a vehicle. The wireless charger includes a first sensor. The first sensor is configured to measure or detect a temperature of the electronic device. The wireless charger includes a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device is configured to adjust the temperature of the electronic device or a surface of the charging pad. The wireless charger includes a processor coupled to the first sensor and the thermoelectric device. The processor is configured to determine that the temperature of the electronic device exceeds a first threshold temperature and control the thermoelectric device to increase or decrease the temperature of the electronic device or the surface of the charging pad.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Publication number: 20210394717Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle defogging system may include a side mirror defogger, one or more other vehicle defoggers, one or more sensors, and a control unit. The side mirror defogger is independently controllable from the one or more other vehicle defoggers. The one or more sensors are configured to output a signal indicative a substance on a side mirror of a vehicle. The control unit is configured to detect the substance on the side mirror based on the signal of the one or more sensors, and activate the side mirror defogger in response to detecting the substance on the side mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, IncInventors: Nathan Wai, Elliott Y. Vega, Erik A. Wippler, Youngsuk Yoon
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Publication number: 20210273476Abstract: Methods and systems for charging, retaining, and cooling a mobile device in a vehicle. The system includes a tray configured to receive the mobile device, the tray having a plurality of apertures. The system also includes a wireless charger coupled to the tray and configured to wirelessly charge the mobile device. The system also includes a suction device configured to draw air through the plurality of apertures of the tray and create a suction force for reducing lateral movement of the mobile device and cooling the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Publication number: 20210267098Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a charging apparatus for a vehicle. The charging apparatus includes a first sensor configured to measure or detect a temperature of the electronic device. The charging apparatus includes at least one of a blower, a bypass valve or a vent configured to adjust the temperature of the electronic device or a surface of a charging pad. The charging apparatus includes a processor coupled to the first sensor and the at least one of the blower, the bypass valve or the vent. The processor is configured to determine that the temperature of the electronic device exceeds a first threshold temperature. The processor is configured to control the at least one of the blower, the bypass valve or the vent to increase or decrease the temperature of the electronic device or the surface of the charging pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Publication number: 20210251109Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a wireless charger for charging an electronic device within a vehicle. The wireless charger includes a first sensor. The first sensor is configured to measure or detect a temperature of the electronic device. The wireless charger includes a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device is configured to adjust the temperature of the electronic device or a surface of the charging pad. The wireless charger includes a processor coupled to the first sensor and the thermoelectric device. The processor is configured to determine that the temperature of the electronic device exceeds a first threshold temperature and control the thermoelectric device to increase or decrease the temperature of the electronic device or the surface of the charging pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Publication number: 20140026600Abstract: A climate control system for the interior cabin of an automotive vehicle. The climate control system includes a mode selection device configured for selecting a defrost mode. When the system is in the defrost mode, a controller receives a signal from a humidity sensor indicative of the measured humidity level in the vicinity of the window. The controller compares this measured humidity level with a threshold humidity level and, if the humidity is below the threshold humidity level, the controller stops operation of a compressor being used to dehumidify the air being provided to defrost the window, thereby minimizing possible fogging of the window and increasing the efficiency of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Patent number: 8113472Abstract: A mounting system for temporarily holding a device proximate to a panel while an individual works on the device, before the device is mounted to the panel, is provided. The mounting system can include a generally L-shaped bracket that has a catch tab extending from a distal end of the bracket. A panel is also included, the panel having a key hole with a catch slot. The catch tab can be passed through the key hole and engage the catch slot, thereby providing a temporary mount for a device attached to the generally L-shaped bracket.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Erik A. Wippler, Robert Anthony Porcs
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Patent number: 8011720Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiding in the assembly of a substrate to a vehicle body structure wherein the substrate includes a cable configured to attach to an electrical component mounted onto the vehicle body structure. The substrate includes a retaining device selectively disposed on the substrate and configured to releasably retain the cable. The retaining device is disposed on the substrate so as to position the cable along the substrate in such a manner that the cable will not interfere with the attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure. Accordingly upon attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure, the cable is manually removed from the retaining device and attached to the electrical component thereby preventing the cable from being trapped between the substrate and the vehicle body structure during the assembly process.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Publication number: 20100264276Abstract: A mounting system for temporarily holding a device proximate to a panel while an individual works on the device, before the device is mounted to the panel, is provided. The mounting system can include a generally L-shaped bracket that has a catch tab extending from a distal end of the bracket. A panel is also included, the panel having a key hole with a catch slot. The catch tab can be passed through the key hole and engage the catch slot, thereby providing a temporary mount for a device attached to the generally L-shaped bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Erik A. Wippler, Robert Anthony Porcs
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Publication number: 20100259063Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiding in the assembly of a substrate to a vehicle body structure wherein the substrate includes a cable configured to attach to an electrical component mounted onto the vehicle body structure. The substrate includes a retaining device selectively disposed on the substrate and configured to releasably retain the cable. The retaining device is disposed on the substrate so as to position the cable along the substrate in such a manner that the cable will not interfere with the attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure. Accordingly upon attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure, the cable is manually removed from the retaining device and attached to the electrical component thereby preventing the cable from being trapped between the substrate and the vehicle body structure during the assembly process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
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Patent number: 7735785Abstract: A bracket (20) for attachment to a side of a radio or other multimedia instrument (40) having a leading edge (22) with an outwardly projecting, generally U-shaped rib (23) positioned inwardly of a free end of the leading edge, and/or an in-turned flange (26) positioned away from the leading edge of the bracket and having a tab (27) extending normally from the flange for engagement with the instrument to support and position the instrument during attachment of wiring elements to the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Erik A. Wippler, Kerry Scott Zellner, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090008511Abstract: A bracket (20) for attachment to a side of a radio or other multimedia instrument (40) having a leading edge (22) with an outwardly projecting, generally U-shaped rib (23) positioned inwardly of a free end of the leading edge, and/or an in-turned flange (26) positioned away from the leading edge of the bracket and having a tab (27) extending normally from the flange for engagement with the instrument to support and position the instrument during attachment of wiring elements to the instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Erik A. Wippler, Kerry S. Zellner, JR.