Multiple Vehicle Functions Controllable By Single Device Patents (Class 180/333)
  • Patent number: 11885108
    Abstract: In a hydraulic excavator including a machine body and a front work device, when an object is detected by sensors for detecting an object around the machine body when operation limiting control for limiting the operation of at least one of the machine body and the front work device is enabled, or when an operation device is operated, the detection of the object is notified to an operator by a first state warning, and when the operation limiting control is enabled and when the operation device is not operated, the detection of the object is notified to the operator by a second state warning that is weaker in warning intensity than the first state warning. Accordingly, the botheration for the operator can be suppressed while securing the effectiveness of an alarm in periphery monitoring, and the safety performance can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichirou Anahara, Naoki Hagiwara, Kazuhiko Mizoguchi, Akihiro Narazaki, Shinji Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11613191
    Abstract: A wheel loader representing a work vehicle includes an operator's seat, an armrest, and a seat operation portion. The armrest is provided lateral to the operator's seat. The seat operation portion controls a position or a posture of the operator's seat. The seat operation portion is attached to the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Koshi, Masahiko Hamaguchi, Hirofumi Wada, Naoki Kimura
  • Patent number: 11365801
    Abstract: A utility vehicle such as a loader includes a drive control system that includes an electronic controller and a manually actuated drive command device, such as one or more joysticks. The electronic controller is configured to control the drive control system to supply propulsive power at a predetermined output that is lower than that which is commanded by the drive command device for so long as an output of the drive control system is beneath a designated threshold, maintaining vehicle speed lower than a commanded vehicle speed. The electronic controller is further configured to control the drive control system to ramp up the propulsive power supply toward that which is commanded by the drive command device when the output of the drive control system is above the designated threshold, causing the vehicle speed to approach a commanded vehicle speed. The vehicle may include a EH drive system such as a hydrostatic drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Donovan Knutson
  • Patent number: 11351860
    Abstract: An operating device of an electric vehicle enables an electric vehicle to be operated, the electric vehicle having: left and right driving wheels; and left and right driving motors respectively independently driving these left and right driving wheels. The operating device has: a joystick operable to move so as to issue a turning direction instruction of the vehicle; and a traveling instruction portion issuing a traveling instruction of the vehicle by operation different from movement operation of this joystick. The joystick has a grip operable to be gripped by an occupant of the vehicle. By making a difference between rotating speeds of the left and right driving motors based on a combination of the turning direction instruction of the joystick and the traveling instruction of the traveling instruction portion, a gentle turn or a pivotal brake turn of the vehicle is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gopinath Raja, Masayoshi Wada
  • Patent number: 11353111
    Abstract: A rotary mixer can include a frame, a rotor attached to the frame, four wheels attached to the frame for moving the rotary mixer, and a drive system for driving the four wheels, the drive system can include four independent hydrostatic drive loops, each of the independent hydrostatic drive loops associated with one of the wheels such that each one of the independent hydrostatic drive loops independently drives one of the four wheels; wherein the drive system includes a pressure balance mode of operation for relatively good traction ground or road conditions, and a wheel speed synchronization mode of operation for relatively poor traction ground or road conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Olson, Corwin E. Storer, Ryan A. Enot, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Rustin G. Metzger, Nathaniel S. Doy
  • Patent number: 11339040
    Abstract: A handle head of an electric transport vehicle includes a first body and a second body, with the second body being releasably connected to the first body. The second body conveniently may be disassembled from the first body when the vehicle is going to be shipped, and then reassembled for use of the vehicle. Disassembly of the second body from the first reduces the length of the handle and the volume of the handle head that otherwise need to be accommodated during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Yu Jiandong
  • Patent number: 11097766
    Abstract: A control element for a motor vehicle having at least two steerable wheels provides that the actuating force in the transverse direction of the vehicle is measured redundantly by a control element transverse force sensor system and the control element angle is influenced by at least one electromotive control element actuator, whose rotational speed and torque are converted by a control element gearbox. Further, a control for a motor vehicle, provides for averaging the actuating forces exerted in the transverse direction of the vehicle on two control elements and using the averaged forces for influencing the radius of the trajectory of the motor vehicle while the actuating forces exerted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the control elements are used for calculating a desired change of float angle of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FKA GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Tobias Sandmann, Jens Dankert
  • Patent number: 10941540
    Abstract: An adjustable operator console for machine control is disclosed. The operator console may include a mount with a mount bracket configured to be mounted to an operator station of a machine and a control mount configured to support a control unit. The control unit may be configured to control an operation of a component of the machine. The mount may include an armrest bracket configured to support an armrest, an armrest mount configured to support the armrest bracket, a first actuator control configured to permit an adjustment to a position of the armrest relative to the control mount, and a second actuator control configured to permit an adjustment to a position of the armrest and the control unit relative to the operator station of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon P. Wallgren, Andrew Gates, Jason Dare, Lalit S. Deshpande, Ian Tiggemann
  • Patent number: 10836620
    Abstract: A handle and tiller head plug-in module for a material handling vehicle. The handle having an elongated tiller having an upper portion including at least one steering handgrip member and an upward extending wall surrounding electrical contacts associated with operator control functions. The tiller head plug-in module includes a housing having a downward extending wall surrounding electrical contacts, with the housing supporting a plurality of operator control interface elements, including at least one lift control element, and at least drive control element. The tiller head plug-in module is configured to be removably electrically connected to the handle when the upward extending wall surrounding the electrical contacts of the upper portion of the tiller is plugged into and received by the downward extending wall surrounding the electrical contacts of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG E-P EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Jiandong, Lin Zuqian, Xu Minghui, Huang Chao, Ma Qichen
  • Patent number: 10810447
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for smart transportation and sensing systems. In one example, an apparatus for smart transportation sensing includes a reflector integrated in a contoured roadway unit configured to protect the reflector from damage by vehicles traveling along a transportation surface; and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag integrated in the contoured roadway unit. In another example, a system for smart transportation includes a vehicle including a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to interrogate RFID tags integrated in reflector units disposed along a transportation surface; and a processing system in communication with the RFID reader, the processing system configured to process data obtained from at least one of the RFID tags to determine vehicle location along the transportation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Kyu Yoon, Sheng-Po Fang, Seahee Hwangbo, Todd R. Schumann
  • Patent number: 10780967
    Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Clarke, Pierre Garon, Ray Wong, Anson Chan, Kristofer Sven Smeds, David Higgs, Richard Redfern
  • Patent number: 10696327
    Abstract: A pressure limiting system for a dual path machine wherein an input propel command from a propel device is scaled based upon the largest detected pressure in a hydraulic system to determine a modified propel command. Also, response time is adjusted within an electrical control system based upon the type of input propel command signal received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DANFOSS POWER SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Spranger, Caleb Van De Stroet
  • Patent number: 10638661
    Abstract: A riding type vehicle has a driving source, a left wheel and a right wheel, a transmission configured to receive power from the driving source to independently operate and drive the left wheel and the right wheel with regard to a rotation direction and a rotation speed, and caster wheels separately provided in a front-rear direction with respect to the left wheel and the right wheel, the riding type vehicle including two first sensors arranged on both left and right sides more to a front side than a rear end of the vehicle, the two first sensors configured to detect an obstacle target located on a rear side, the obstacle target being a target becoming an obstacle at the time of reversing or turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Kawai, Hirohiko Kawada, Seishi Kosegawa, Koga Yamane, Etsuo Miyake, Masaki Watanabe, Koji Sakata, Kenji Shiba, Kosuke Onoda, Hiroki Maehara
  • Patent number: 10606303
    Abstract: A vehicle control lever which has a moveable control panel provided on the lever. The control panel has a plurality of operating elements to control different vehicle functions, wherein the configuration of the operating elements can be re-assigned to control different vehicle functions based on the position of the control panel on the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Weigand
  • Patent number: 10486730
    Abstract: A system includes a seat. The system includes a steering assembly including a support shaft and a user interface, the steering assembly movable between a first position and a second position. The steering assembly is disposed in front of the seat in the first position and below the seat in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cheri Lyn Hansen, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Brad Alan Ignaczak
  • Patent number: 10464587
    Abstract: A utility implement may include a frame, traction members supported by the frame, a propulsion unit supported by the frame and operably coupled to the traction members, a handle bar coupled to the frame, a control handle extending from the handlebar and located to be gripped by an operator while the operator is maneuvering the utility implement and as the utility implement is being driven by the traction members and a control transmission associating the control handle to the propulsion unit such that manipulation of the control handle adjusts operation of the propulsion unit to adjust propulsion of the utility implement by the traction members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob J. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 10383279
    Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvesting combine of a forward powered processing unit (PPU), a rear grain cart, and an articulation joint connecting the PPU and rear grain cart. Loss sensor pads in the straw discharge stream are graphically displaying to the operator. Articulation joint sensors rear teeth on an articulation joint arcuate beam and are used to display the degree of articulation to the operator. A jog motor permits the operator to move the feed house forwards/backwards to clear blockages. A right hand joystick and a left hand joystick provided control of all combine functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Tribine Industries LLC
    Inventors: Russel S. Secrest, Bryan S. Claerhout
  • Patent number: 10329130
    Abstract: Devices and methods to relieve lift chains from being maintained under constant, or nearly constant, tension are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Nico Berns, Paul Smulders, Peter van den Hurk, Joost Erinkveld, Norbert Bruenell, Stefan van der Cruijsen
  • Patent number: 10144316
    Abstract: A mining shuttle car that trams on underground roadways includes a conveyor system and an operator's compartment adjacent to the conveyor system. The operator's compartment includes a rotatable seat and a control station. The operator's seat module is coupled to one or more joysticks that control the car, and the operator's seat module and the control station are mounted on a rotatable platform so as to be rotatable as a unit between a plurality of secured positions for operating the mining shuttle car. Forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat. Forward and rearward movement of one of the joysticks steers the mining shuttle car in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the rotational position of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventors: Adam S. Peterson, Douglas F. Anderson, Terry M. Thomas, Darin M. Sutton, Randy Arnold
  • Patent number: 10081407
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes a parking operator for allowing the lever to be lengthened without affecting the surrounding members. A parking lever is arranged more forward than the tip of a first finger of an operator when the first finger is fully extended forward. Therefore, there is no concern that the hand holding the left grip section may touch the parking lever. Thus, the lever can be sufficiently lengthened. In addition, the parking lever is sufficiently far from the grip section toward the vehicle front. As a result, there is no concern that the parking lever may interfere with a normal gripping operation. In addition, a handle switch or other part can be readily arranged on a switch box on the base portion of the grip section without being affected by the parking lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinpei Shikanai, Koichi Nozoe, Ikuma Harada
  • Patent number: 10061343
    Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling movement of a work machine is disclosed. The control system may include a first and a second joystick, each of the first and second joysticks configured to move between a neutral and an operational position. Moreover a first and second resistive device may be operatively coupled to the first and second joysticks respectively. The first and second resistive devices may be configured to generate a resistive force to selectively retain the first and second joysticks in the operational position. Additionally, the control system may include a controller in communication with the first and second joysticks and the first and second resistive devices. The controller may transmit a first and second resistive force signal to activate one of the first and second resistive devices to generate the resistive force such that one of the first and second joysticks is retained in the operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Andrew Arnold Fredrickson, Christopher M. Elliott
  • Patent number: 10000909
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently gated operation of hydraulic equipment. Control logic for operating a number of hydraulic functions of hydraulic equipment using the same physical controls is disclosed, including dynamic gating functions that allow the same controller to operate gated and ungated functions. By adjusting control inputs for each axis, the controls can be operated jointly, mutually exclusively or in a blended fashion. Additionally, control signals for one axis can be adjusted based on the control signal for the other axis to prevent abrupt transitions from controlling one function to controlling another function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Daniel Mueller
  • Patent number: 9988081
    Abstract: A steering system is provided which more appropriately alleviates driver's discomfort in the wrists. A steering ECU has an estimated grip angle calculating circuit, a deviation calculating circuit, an automatic steering torque command value calculating circuit, and a grip angle command value calculating circuit. The estimated grip angle calculating circuit calculates an estimated grip angle based on a steering angle. The deviation calculating circuit calculates a deviation based on the steering angle, a steering angle deviation, and the estimated grip angle. The grip angle command value calculating circuit calculates a grip angle command value that is a sum of a grip angle and the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushi Numazaki, Ryouhei Hayama, Hideyuki Mukae
  • Patent number: 9958293
    Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided having a first sensor (pedal travel sensor) and a second sensor (motor position sensor). The first sensor having a first coil and a first coupler. The second sensor having a second coil and a second coupler. A shield element is positioned at least partially between the first coupler and the second coupler so as to prevent unwanted interaction between the first coil and the second coil. In one embodiment, the shield element is made of ferrite. In other embodiments, the shield element includes at least one layer of ferrite and at least one layer of aluminum, wherein the shield element include a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of ferrite. More specifically, the shield element is a flux field directional material (FFDM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KSR IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan W. Elliott, Zoe Zhu
  • Patent number: 9915054
    Abstract: A shovel control method includes performing a plane position control or a height control of an end attachment by an operation of one lever. The plane position control is performed while maintaining a height of the end attachment. The height control is performed while maintaining a plane position of the end attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Chunnan Wu
  • Patent number: 9886117
    Abstract: A setting unit dynamically sets a first area and a second area on a touch sensor mounted on a grip portion that a driver grips on a steering wheel. A first detector is configured to detect a state where a first area in a touch sensor mounted on a grip portion that a driver grips on a steering wheel is touched. A second detector is configured to detect a state where a particular input operation is performed on a second area located on the upper side of the first area in the touch sensor. A controller is configured to control an operation target device to be operated with the touch sensor according to the particular input operation when the first detector detects the state where the first area is touched and the second detector detects the state where the particular input operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Karasawa, Koichi Nakajima, Ryo Kondo, Toru Doigaki, Shunsuke Fukuda, Ryo Idegami
  • Patent number: 9849776
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including at least one subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including pivot axis. Some embodiments include at least one transaxle assembly supported on the at least one subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the at least one transaxle assembly. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the at least one subframe coupled to a power source not supported by the at least one subframe. Some embodiments include two independently suspended subframes, each independently pivotable on the pivot axis with respect to each other and the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
  • Patent number: 9744843
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a transaxle, a battery and a load carrying bed. The transaxle includes a casing incorporating a drive train and supporting an axle and includes an electric motor mounted on the casing to drive the axle via the drive train. The battery is provided for supplying electric power to the electric motor. The transaxle and the battery are disposed below the load carrying bed so as to overlap the load carrying bed when viewed in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kochidomari, Takashi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 9637098
    Abstract: A brake control system is provided for a vehicle having steerable front wheels, left and right brake units for braking left and right rear wheels, and a single manually operated brake input device. A main brake valve has a supply port, a return port, an outlet and a valve spool for controlling communication therebetween. The valve spool is coupled to a brake input device. A normally open left turn valve controls communication between the outlet and the left brake unit. A normally open right turn valve controls communication between the outlet and the right brake unit. A normally open balance valve controls communication between the left and right brake units. The system includes a brake input device sensor, a turn angle sensor and a vehicle speed sensor. A control unit controls the left and right turn valves and the balance valve as a function of signals from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Troy E. Schick
  • Patent number: 9505343
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes: an automatic control for controlling an operation of the vehicle; and a lever having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the lever is selectively operable to turn the automatic control from an off state to an on state; wherein when the automatic control is in the off state, manual control is required for the operation of the vehicle; and wherein when the automatic control is in the on state, the automatic control is configured to control the operation of the vehicle on behalf of a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventors: Anita Au, Gerald Chan
  • Patent number: 9457891
    Abstract: The example embodiments relate to a single lever system. In an example, the system may include a condition cable controlling mechanism configured for controlling adjustment of a condition cable, a power cable controlling mechanism configured for controlling adjustment of a power cable, and a single lever coupled to the condition cable controlling mechanism and to the power cable controlling mechanism. During manipulation of the single lever to control adjustment of the power cable, the condition cable controlling mechanism is configured to prevent adjustment of the condition cable. During manipulation of the single lever to control adjustment of the condition cable, the power cable controlling mechanism is configured to prevent adjustment of the power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HARLOW AEROSTRUCTURES LLC
    Inventor: Dale Wayne Sparks
  • Patent number: 9434585
    Abstract: A mast and integral display mount for a material handling vehicle are shown. The mast mounts a locating apparatus such that a locating axis of the locating apparatus is coaxial with a steering axis of the steerable drive wheel of the material handling vehicle. An integral display mount may include a display unit and display screen housed in a display housing that is integral with the steering handle of the vehicle. The integral nature of the display mount allows the display unit to move with the steering handle during steering of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew I Gilbride, Gregory W Smiley
  • Patent number: 9309963
    Abstract: A transmission device for a vehicle is provided. The transmission device includes a first rotating unit configured to be rotatably coupled to a first rotating axis and a second rotating unit configured to be rotatably coupled to a second rotating axis separated from the first rotating axis. A joint unit is configured to connect the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit to allow the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit to rotate relative to each other. A shift mode selection unit is mounted on at least one of the first rotating unit, the second rotating unit, and the joint unit. Additionally, a driving unit is configured to rotate the second rotating unit about the second rotating axis in response to receiving an operating signal to change an angle between the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit with respect to the joint unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Jun Cha, Jun Hyung Seo
  • Patent number: 9290167
    Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake system includes left and right manually operated brake pedals, and left and right hydraulic brake units. A pedal lock is movable to a locking position wherein the left and right brake pedals operate in unison. Left and right brake valves are operatively coupled to the corresponding brake pedal. A solenoid operated normally closed balance valve is connected between the left and right brake units. Optional left and right solenoid operated normally open blocking valves may be connected the corresponding brake valve and the corresponding brake unit. The blocking valves and the balance valve are controlled by an ECU as a function of sensed vehicle speed and brake pedal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy E. Schick, Christian Jungkind
  • Patent number: 9267809
    Abstract: A first detector is configured to detect a state where a first area in a touch sensor mounted on a grip portion that a driver grips on a steering wheel is touched. A second detector is configured to detect a state where a particular input operation is performed on a second area located on the upper side of the first area in the touch sensor. A controller is configured to control an operation target device to be operated with the touch sensor according to the particular input operation when the first detector detects the state where the first area is touched and the second detector detects the state where the particular input operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Karasawa, Koichi Nakajima, Ryo Kondo, Toru Doigaki, Shunsuke Fukuda, Ryo Idegami
  • Patent number: 9177476
    Abstract: Method and system for guiding a person to a location includes providing a processor, coupling an operator control such as a user interface to the processor to enable the person to enter a phone number which is provided to the processor, the processor being arranged to determine a physical location associated with the entered phone number, and guiding the person to the physical location associated with the entered phone number as determined by the processor. The method may be implemented in a vehicle context whereby the processor is arranged on a vehicle and the person is guided to the physical location by controlling a steering system, a throttle and/or brakes of the vehicle to automatically guide the vehicle to the physical location. Alternatively, the person may be guided to the physical location by providing audible and/or visual directions to the person operating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 9145141
    Abstract: A structure of a lever for a drive-by-wire system installed in a vehicle may include a lever body rotatably mounted on a console surface of the vehicle, and an acceleration lever and a steering roller installed in the lever body, such that it is possible to control a change of a gear shift stage, acceleration, and a change of a proceeding direction of the vehicle in a unified manner, and there is no risk of erroneous manipulations of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, and acceleration and a proceeding direction is changed using a finger, thereby improving performance in manipulating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Eun-Sik Kim, Jeong-Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 9126621
    Abstract: A lever for a drive-by-wire system installed in a vehicle, may include a lever body that is rotatably mounted on a console surface of the vehicle, and an acceleration lever and a steering roller that are installed in the lever body, such that it is possible to control a change of a gear shift stage, acceleration, and a change of a proceeding direction of the vehicle in a unified manner, and there is no risk of erroneous manipulations of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, and acceleration and a proceeding direction may be changed using a finger, thereby improving performance in manipulating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Eun-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9098367
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an application store on board a vehicle. The application store contains, in one configuration, a plurality of applications for installation on an on board computer of the vehicle, with the applications provided to the vehicle operator being provided to the operator being based on predetermined types of information related to the vehicle, its state, operation, and/or configuration, vehicle location, vehicle type, make, model, and/or year of manufacture, and/or occupant(s) and/or occupant(s) of other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9090334
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of provided boosted actuation to an aircraft flight control device includes receiving an input from a pilot input device via a mechanical input member, providing mechanical energy to a driving member of a controlled-slippage actuator, and varying the strength of a magnetic field applied to a magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed between the driving member and a driven member of the controlled-slippage actuator based on the relative positions of the mechanical input member and a mechanical output member that is in mechanical communication with the driven member and the aircraft flight control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Jr., Brady G. Atkins
  • Patent number: 9016168
    Abstract: A steering wheel and associated control system to execute a corresponding algorithm, the steering wheel including a rim which is rotatable about a first axis to steer a vehicle, and a throttle dial disposed in a surface of the rim. The throttle dial controls a throttle of the vehicle and has a variable output to control an amount of the throttle in proportion to an amount the throttle dial is displaced from a nil output position. A similar brake dial is also provided, and is also disposed in the surface of the rim at another location, thus providing hand operation of a throttle and brake of a vehicle without having to remove one's hands from the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9004218
    Abstract: A system for controlling a work vehicle is disclosed. The system may include a controller configured to control motion of the work vehicle and an electronic joystick communicatively coupled to the controller. The electronic joystick may be configured to transmit signals to the controller as it is moved between a neutral position and a full stroke position. The joystick may also be configured such that a varying joystick force is required to move the joystick between the neutral and full stroke positions. In addition, a rate of change of the joystick force may be varied as the electronic joystick is moved across a start/stop position defined between the neutral and full stroke positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Navneet Gulati, Duqiang Wu, Aditya Singh
  • Publication number: 20150060185
    Abstract: A steering system applied to motor vehicles comprising a body (10) arranged on the dashboard (200) of the vehicle, wherein the internal portion of the body (10) has a guide rail (1121) that guides the upward and downward movement of a trigger (112) pushed by a counter spring (1122) when the driver pushes or pulls the control portion (101) of the steering wheel (100) for braking or accelerating, respectively, wherein a first electronic sensor (401) is arranged on the upper portion of said trigger (112), and a second electronic sensor (402) is arranged on the upper portion of the guide rail (1121), wherein said sensors (401) and (402) are interconnected with the acceleration system of the vehicle, and a steering wheel (100) arranged in the internal portion of the body (10), wherein said steering wheel (100) has a bearing in the lower portion of an axle (111) which is interconnected with the steering shaft (300) or an electronic control unit (500), and has a control portion (101) arranged on the front and a pres
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Chafic Samir FEGURI
  • Patent number: 8960039
    Abstract: A mouse AT lever includes a pair of A/B buttons generating control signals when being pressed and an operation dial turning to implement P, R, N, D, and M shift ranges, and can implement a basic function of outputting operation signals for the positions of the selected shift ranges and implementing operation feeling according to the shifting in various ways using the pressing time of A/B buttons, a function of preventing mis-operation in the shifting by using H-MATIC functions, a shift-lock function that prevents the ranges from being switched under a predetermined condition, a function of starting the engine by using a button, a customer-directional safety control function that is set by the customer, and an interface function for communicating with an DIS (Driver Information System) controlling the devices mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eunsik Kim
  • Patent number: 8957618
    Abstract: In an electric vehicle, a throttle spring restores a throttle opening on the side of a minimum opening when the accelerator is not operated. A driving section drives a motor according to the throttle opening. The throttle spring pushes an accelerator grip to a creep speed reference opening so as to reduce the throttle opening. A creep speed control section supplies a motor driving instruction to the driving section so that the electric vehicle is advanced at minute vehicle speed. The electric vehicle can also be backed at predetermined minute vehicle speed when the throttle opening is smaller than the creep speed reference opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yui Tadano, Koji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8948977
    Abstract: A system for controlling an implement of a machine is disclosed. The system may have a machine velocity sensor that senses an actual machine velocity and a targeted machine velocity sensor that senses a targeted machine velocity. The system may also have a controller, and an actuator configured to move an implement responsive to commands received from the controller by an actuator controller. The controller may be configured to receive the actual machine velocity from the machine velocity sensor, receive the targeted machine velocity from the targeted machine velocity sensor, compare the actual machine velocity to the targeted machine velocity, and send a command to the actuator controller to shake the implement based on the comparison of the actual machine velocity to the targeted machine velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Liu, William Ostler
  • Patent number: 8942889
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle having an onboard diagnostics connector and a connector interface connected to the onboard connector includes at least one external controller adapted for unfastenable connection to the connector interface; and at least one operator control connected to said at least one external controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Scott Crombez
  • Patent number: 8930086
    Abstract: A driver assistance system is provided for a motor vehicle, which has a first ascertainment device, the first ascertainment device implemented to ascertain at least one parameter that characterizes a possible fatigue of a current driver of the motor vehicle. In addition, the driver assistance system has a second ascertainment device, which is implemented to ascertain a degree of fatigue of the driver based on the at least one ascertained parameter. In addition, the driver assistance system has an opening device, which is implemented to at least partially open at least one window of the motor vehicle if the ascertained degree of fatigue of the driver exceeds a first predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ali Khanafer, Oliver Schepp, Markus Friesen, Oliver Roettel
  • Patent number: 8894346
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a motor associated with selectable movement of a frame by a first operator control. The frame structurally carries a cab structure and a manipulating structure associated with an implement for performing work. The manipulating structure is selectably movable by a second operator control located in the cab structure. All control functions associated with positioning the implement with respect to three different rotational axes are manipulable using the second operator control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Brady Lewis
  • Patent number: 8857549
    Abstract: A mount structure for a control valve unit is provided to permit selective mounting of a small first control valve unit or a large second control valve unit on bodies of construction machines of different models the same family without incurring an increase in the number of kinds of parts or components. The control valve unit may be a small first control valve unit or a large second control valve unit. The mount structure is constructed such that upon mounting the first or second control valve unit on a bracket on which the first or second control valve unit may be selectively mounted, a barycentric position of the bracket with the first control valve unit mounted thereon and a barycentric position of the bracket with the second control valve unit mounted thereon are located on an imaginary line connecting paired hanging-member fixing portions of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Kawamoto, Kosuke Moriguchi, Katsuhiro Sasaki