Electric Patents (Class 180/65.1)
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Patent number: 10932965Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a wheelchair are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a passenger-specific setting for the wheelchair, determining that a chair component of the wheelchair is removably coupled to a power base component, and in response to determining that the chair component and the power base component are coupled, communicating the passenger-specific setting to the chair component. In some embodiments, in response to receiving the passenger-specific setting, implementing the passenger-specific setting, where implementing the passenger-specific setting includes altering a physical property of the wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
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Patent number: 10938272Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device includes an electric motor section, a speed reducer section having a speed-reduction structure using parallel shaft gears, a wheel bearing section, and a casing. The parallel shaft gears include at least one intermediate shaft each having an input-side and output-side intermediate gears, and an output shaft having a final output gear. The at least one intermediate shaft and the output shaft each have both end portions supported by rolling bearings to be rotatable. Among the rolling bearings, at least one rolling bearing arranged close to the input-side intermediate gear or a rolling bearing arranged close to the final output gear is arranged in a radially-inner-side recess portion of the gear, which is arranged close to the corresponding rolling bearing.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: NTN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinya Taikou, Shiro Tamura, Tomohisa Uozumi
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Patent number: 10918255Abstract: A cleaning robot, which performs cleaning operation while moving, includes a cover, to which external force is applied, a movement frame fastened to the cover, a fixed body provided in the cover, a traveling unit connected to the fixed body, and an elasticity setting part configured to movably support the movement frame to the fixed body, wherein the elasticity setting part includes a sensor configured to sense movement of the movement frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Hyunsup Song, Jongil Park, Jongjin Woo
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Patent number: 10919408Abstract: System and method of controlling operation of a device having a rechargeable energy storage pack with a plurality of cells, based on propulsion loss assessment. A controller is configured to obtain a state of charge data and an open circuit voltage of the rechargeable energy storage pack. The controller is configured to obtain a state of charge disparity factor (dSOC) from a selected dataset. The state of charge disparity factor (dSOC) is defined as a difference between a minimum value of the state of charge and an average value of the state of charge of the plurality of cells. The controller is configured to control operation of the device based in part on the state of charge disparity factor (dSOC) and a plurality of parameters (Pi), including raising one or more of a plurality of flags each transmitting respective information to a user.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Azeem Sarwar, Xiangxing Lu, Ciro Spigno, Ryan B. Moulliet, Jeffrey S. Piasecki, Andrew J. Cornelli, Charles W. Wampler, II, Brian J. Koch, Margaux LeBlanc, Gus Hatoum
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Patent number: 10912688Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, a seat attached to the frame, a first forward wheel on a first side of the frame and a second forward wheel on a second side of the frame, a first rearward wheel on the first side of the frame and a second rearward wheel on the second side of the frame, a first drive wheel on the first side of the frame positioned intermediate between the first forward wheel and the first rearward wheel and a second drive wheel on the second side of the frame positioned intermediate between the second forward wheel and the second rearward wheel, and actuators to independently control the vertical position of the first forward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the second forward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the first rearward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the second rearward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the first drive wheel relative to the frame and the vertical position of the second drive wheel relatiType: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignees: The United States Government As Represented By The Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Pittsburgh—Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher EducationInventors: Rory Alan Cooper, Hongwu Wang, Cheng-Shiu Chung, Jorge Luis Candiotti, Garrett G. Grindle, Jonathan L. Pearlman, Brandon Joseph Daveler
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Patent number: 10916976Abstract: A stator assembly for use in an axial flux electric motor includes a plurality of tooth assemblies and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator bases that are each coupled to at least one tooth assembly. The stator assembly also includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced bridge members. Each bridge member is configured to engage a pair of circumferentially adjacent stator bases to apply an axial pre-load force to the pair of stator bases and to create a flux path between the adjacent stator bases.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Steven W. Post, Jay Matthew Cupps, Stephen Thomas English
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Patent number: 10901417Abstract: Autonomous vehicle operational management with visual saliency perception control may include operating a perception unit and an autonomous vehicle operational management controller. Operating the perception unit may include generating external object information based on image data received from image capture units of the vehicle and saliency information received from the autonomous vehicle operational management controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Kuniaki Noda, Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki
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Patent number: 10899211Abstract: A battery system for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The battery system includes a tray having a plurality of battery receptacles. A plurality of batteries are also provided, each battery in the plurality of batteries being received in a battery receptacle. A conductive layer in electrical communication with the plurality of batteries and a terminal for electrically coupling to a vehicle are also provided in the battery system. A cover interlocks with the tray. The cover carries a computer and a diagnostic identification system for the plurality of batteries. A housing for a battery system and a vehicle including a battery system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Michael W. Leonard, Peter A. Ojeda, Jason Gamache
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Patent number: 10889181Abstract: An integrated fill system is provided for a vehicle. The integrated fill system can include a receptacle, a cap that mates with the receptacle, and a fill line that is in fluid communication between the receptacle and a container. The integrated fill system can further include a valve between an opening on an end of the container and an end of the fill line to allow one-way fluid communication for entry of compressed material into the container. The integrated fill system can further include a draw line on an opposite end of the container to maintain separate lines for filling and drawing compressed material into/from the container.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES INC.Inventor: James B. Rike
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Patent number: 10875582Abstract: A vehicle body lower structure includes a pair of left and right side sills, a battery pack and a bulkhead. The side sill is disposed below a side portion of a vehicle body and extends in a vehicle body forward/rearward direction. The battery pack accommodates a battery cell therein, and both end portions in a vehicle width direction are fixed to the left and right side sills while being disposed below a floor panel. The bulkhead is disposed inside of the side sills and reinforces a cross section of the side sills from inside. The bulkhead is provided at front and rear positions on the vehicle body and inside the side sills while having fixing points of the side sills to the battery pack sandwiched between the front and rear positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Kazuya Kimura, Takashi Nitta, Takumi Enomoto
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Patent number: 10879758Abstract: An electric machine arrangement, with two electric machines, each with a housing, wherein each housing has a machine space with a rotor-stator assembly and a resolver space section forming part of a resolver space that is formed between the machine spaces and is sealed off from the machine spaces. The housings are interconnected with their resolver space sections adjoining each other and complementing each other to form the resolver space. Several pressure equalizing elements are provided, and between the resolver space and at least one of the adjoining machine spaces, a pressure equalizing element is arranged, so that the pressure equalization occurs between the resolver space and the coupled machine space.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Jason Cox, Andreas Schlinke
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Patent number: 10843576Abstract: An electric vehicle includes front-wheel electric motor and rear-wheel electric motor driving front and rear wheels, respectively; a control unit controlling driving of those electric motors. Further, one of the electric motors is a permanent-magnet motor and the other is a magnetless motor, a maximum output of the permanent-magnet motor is smaller than a maximum output of the magnetless motor, and the control unit includes: a first drive control unit configured to drive the permanent-magnet motor when vehicle speed is in a first vehicle-speed range; and a second drive control unit configured to drive only the magnetless motor when the vehicle speed is in a second vehicle speed range, vehicle speeds in the second vehicle speed range are greater than vehicle speeds in the first vehicle-speed range.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadashi Fujiyoshi, Junichi Deguchi, Hideki Kubonoya
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Patent number: 10842055Abstract: A power converter may be provided with: a stacking unit including semiconductor modules interposed between adjacent coolers; a capacitor disposed next to the stacking unit; a first bus bar; a second bus bar; and an insulating plate. The insulating plate is interposed between the first bus bar and the second bus bar, and includes cylinder portions. Each of the cylinder portions passes through corresponding one of third holes of the second bus bar, and allows corresponding one of branch portions of the first bus bar and corresponding one of terminals of the semiconductor modules to pass therethrough. An emitting angle of laser beam that bonds each of the terminals and the corresponding one of the branch portions is adjusted such that reflected beam of laser reaches the corresponding one of the cylinder portions. The cylinder portions are colored in a color comprising a wavelength of the laser.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2020Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kentaro Hirose
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Patent number: 10826415Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system. The method comprises providing alternating current (AC) electric power to a first electric motor to drive a first rotating propulsor, providing the first electric motor with AC electric power from at least one motor inverter operatively coupled to a direct current (DC) power source, detecting a failure in a path to the first electric motor, and selectively rearranging a first switching arrangement between the generator, the at least one motor inverter, and the first electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Eric Latulipe, Richard Freer
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Patent number: 10823290Abstract: A sealing system includes an exterior plate, an interior plate, a first seal received against the exterior plate and configured to restrict moisture ingress through the exterior plate, and a second seal received against the interior plate and configured to restrict moisture ingress through the interior plate. The sealing system may be used to seal around tubing that extends through a vehicle battery enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Daniel Miller, James Lawrence Swoish, Asif Iqbal, Jeremy Samborsky
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Patent number: 10818897Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (1) to connect a battery cell (15) of an electric vehicle (16) to a battery box (10), wherein the connecting element (1) has at least one connecting section (5) for connection to the battery cell and is joined to the battery box (10). The problem addressed by the invention is that of being able at least largely to dispense with the need to use filler material when joining the connecting element to the baseplate of the battery box so as to improve its quality and make it more cost-effective. The problem is solved by a connecting element (1) that has at least one joining section (2) for securely connecting the connecting element to the battery box (10).Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Linde + Wiemann SE & Co. KGInventors: Werner Schmidt, Marcel Georg, Michael Solbach
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Patent number: 10800243Abstract: An electromechanical drive assembly for a multitrack motor vehicle includes two electric motors, each with an associated reduction gear. The first and the second electric motor are arranged adjacent to one another and are, aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The first and the second reduction gear are connected on oppositely facing sides of the motors.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Thorsten Biermann, Daniel Burghardt, Brian Lee, Christopher Shamie
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Patent number: 10800259Abstract: A plug-in hybrid vehicle includes an engine mechanically coupled to at least one wheel and having a turbocharger. A first electric machine is coupled to at least one wheel. A second electric machine is coupled to the turbocharger. An electric store or battery is coupled to the first and second electric machines. A controller is coupled to the second electric machine and a plug configured to connect to an external electric grid. The second electric machine is configured to drive the turbocharger during charging of the battery from the external electric grid via the plug.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Julio Orozco, Arnulf Sponheimer
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Patent number: 10793011Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has an electric traction machine. In a first kind of operation of the motor vehicle, before or during a release of a parking brake of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is at a standstill, a desired rotational speed for a rotational speed regulation of the traction machine is set to a value corresponding to the standstill of the motor vehicle, and an actual rotational speed of the traction machine is adjusted to the desired rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Clemens Burow
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Patent number: 10787073Abstract: An electric drive system for a vehicle includes a motor housing and a gearbox housing that is mountable to the motor housing at a predetermined number of rotational positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin MacKenzie, Kyle Gary Mattinson, Jude Berthault
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Patent number: 10775111Abstract: A pumped heat energy storage system (11) is provided. A thermodynamic charging assembly (11?) may be configured to compress a working fluid and generate thermal energy. A thermal storage assembly (32) is coupled to charging assembly to store at atmospheric pressure by way of a conveyable bulk solid thermal storage media thermal energy generated by the charging assembly. A thermodynamic discharging assembly (11?) is coupled to the thermal storage assembly to extract thermal energy from the thermal storage assembly and convert extracted thermal energy to electrical energy. A heat exchanger assembly (34) is coupled to the thermal storage assembly. The heat exchanger assembly is arranged to directly thermally couple the conveyable bulk solid thermal storage media that is conveyed to the heat exchanger assembly with a flow of the working fluid that passes through the heat exchanger assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventor: Jason M. Kerth
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Patent number: 10778117Abstract: Provided herein is an inverter module to power an electric vehicle. The inverter module can include a power module or multiple power modules. The power module can include a capacitor and a heat sink coupled with the capacitor. The power module can include a ceramic plate coupled with the heat sink. The power module can include a locator having a plurality of slots and a plurality of transistors disposed within the plurality of slots. The locator and the plurality of transistors can be disposed over a first surface of the ceramic plate. The power module can include a laminated bus bar disposed over a first surface of the locator. The power module can include a gate drive printed circuit board coupled with the laminated bus bar. The power module can include a dielectric gel tray disposed over a first surface of the gate drive printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignees: CHONGQING JINKANG NEW ENERGY VEHICLE CO., LTD., SF MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Yunan Song, Kangwei Mao, Jinzhu Li, Colin Haag, Nathan Chung, Zhong Nie, Duanyang Wang, Yifan Tang
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Patent number: 10772242Abstract: Provided herein is an inverter module to power an electric vehicle. The inverter module can include a power module or multiple power modules. The power module can include a capacitor and a heat sink coupled with the capacitor. The power module can include a ceramic plate coupled with the heat sink. The power module can include a locator having a plurality of slots and a plurality of transistors disposed within the plurality of slots. The locator and the plurality of transistors can be disposed over a first surface of the ceramic plate. The power module can include a laminated bus bar disposed over a first surface of the locator. The power module can include a gate drive printed circuit board coupled with the laminated bus bar. The power module can include a dielectric gel tray disposed over a first surface of the gate drive printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignees: CHONGQING JINKANG NEW ENERGY VEHICLE CO., LTD., SF MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Yunan Song, Kangwei Mao, Jinzhu Li, Colin Haag, Nathan Chung, Zhong Nie, Duanyang Wang, Yifan Tang
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Patent number: 10766347Abstract: A battery unit (38F) comprising a plurality of batteries (3) and a connection control device (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 36d, 36e) which controls electrical connection relating to the battery unit (38F) are provided in a vehicle (1). The battery unit (38F) comprises two groups (S1R, S1L) of the batteries (3) disposed to have a space (G) there-between, and the connection control device (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 36d, 36e) is disposed in the space (G). The layout of the connection control device (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 36d, 36e) is thereby optimized and the length of a harness (34) can be shortened.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Makoto Iwasa, Hidetoshi Kadota, Tadayoshi Hashimura, Satoshi Shigematsu, Nobuhiro Mori, Kentaro Hatta
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Patent number: 10763472Abstract: A battery housing for a vehicle driven by an electric motor comprises a tray part including a bottom and side walls integrally formed thereon, and furthermore comprises a frame structure surrounding the tray part on the outside, wherein a gap remains between the side walls and the frame structure disposed on the outside thereof. At least two side walls of the tray part located opposite one another with respect to the tray volume each have at least one embossment, which is designed to point away from the tray volume and is supported on the frame structure. A brace disposed in the tray part is supported with the end-face ends thereof in the mutually opposing embossments.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Alexander Günther, Marco Töller
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Patent number: 10759252Abstract: A cooling and heating system of a battery for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a battery module that provides driving energy to the vehicle and an electric component that drives the vehicle using the driving energy of the battery module. An air passage unit of the system includes a radiator disposed therein, a first flow path through which the air passing through the electric component of the vehicle is introduced, a second flow path through which the air passing through the radiator is discharged to the outside of the vehicle, and a door that for selectively opens and closes the first flow path and the second flow path. A controller operates the door to open or close.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Sang Shin Lee, Man Ju Oh, So Yoon Park, Jae Woong Kim, So La Chung
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Patent number: 10752079Abstract: A discharged air flow path connected to a cooling fan has a first discharged air flow path which is connected to at least one side trim of a left side trim and a right side trim and a second discharged air flow path which branches off from the first discharged air flow path and which is connected to the side trim. A first connecting portion which connects the first discharged air flow path and the side trim is disposed so as to be spaced away from a second connecting portion which connects the second discharged air flow path and the side trim in a front-rear direction. The first discharged air flow path and the second discharged air flow path discharge air into a passenger compartment by way of the side trim.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuya Takezawa
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Patent number: 10744872Abstract: A two-track multi-axle motor vehicle including at least two fuel tanks in which a fuel for producing driving energy for a vehicle drive unit can be stored under high pressure of the order of magnitude of 300 bar and more is provide. Each tank includes a safety valve device having a temperature-sensitive element monitoring only a partial region of the tank surface. The safety valve device allows at least a partial quantity of the stored fuel to escape from the respective tank at a higher temperature, which can occur, for example, in the case of a fire.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Pelger, Klaus Szoucsek
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Patent number: 10744891Abstract: A system comprises a high voltage (HV) battery system connected to an HV bus, a motor generator unit (MGU) connected to the HV bus, a main contactor disposed on the HV bus between the MGU and the HV battery system such that, when the main contactor is closed, the HV battery system stabilizes a voltage of the HV bus, a low voltage (LV) battery system connected to an LV bus and configured to stabilize a voltage of the LV bus when the main contactor is open or malfunctioning, a direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter connected to the HV bus and the LV bus, and a controller configured to (i) when the main contactor is closed, control the DC-DC converter to stabilize the LV bus voltage, and (ii) when the main contactor is open or malfunctioning, control the DC-DC converter to stabilize the HV bus voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: FCA US LLCInventor: Daniel R Luedtke
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Patent number: 10730403Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller pre-heats a coolant in a power electronics loop via heat transfer between the coolant and an electronic component in response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold and a coolant temperature being less than a battery temperature. The controller also pumps the coolant through a battery loop in response to the coolant temperature exceeding the battery temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Kenneth J. Jackson, Randy Lee Mallari
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Patent number: 10734687Abstract: A battery pack including at least one battery cell, a protective circuit module on a side of the at least one battery cell, and a case including the protective circuit module and the at least one battery cell. The protective circuit module includes a battery management system, an inverter, and an output terminal to supply power for driving a motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Woonseong Baek, Sejin Ji, Hyeoncheol Jeong
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Patent number: 10730380Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure includes: a pair of left and right rear side frames extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; a vehicle-mounted component provided between the pair of rear side frames; and a pair of support members for supporting the vehicle-mounted component. The support members respectively extend along the rear side frames and in the vehicle front-rear direction, and are respectively arranged side-by-side with the rear side frames in a vehicle width direction and inwardly of the rear side frames in the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaaki Tatsuwaki, Hideki Tai, Junya Harada, Daisuke Matsunaga, Shinji Kumagai, Yoshikazu Inoue, Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Shouji Yamazaki
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Patent number: 10720617Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composite end plate for a battery module, comprising: a rigid substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other in a thickness direction of the rigid substrate, wherein the first surface can be provided to face a battery of the battery module, and the rigid substrate comprises two ends opposite to each other in a width direction of the rigid substrate; and a rigid connecting cylinder extending along a height direction of the rigid substrate and made of different material from that of the rigid substrate, wherein two ends of the rigid substrate are connected and fixed to two respective rigid connecting cylinders, and a portion of the rigid connecting cylinder exposed at a side where the second surface is located is connected and fixed to an external structural member.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., LimitedInventors: Gen Cao, Wencai Xu, Jihua Yao, Wenwen Liu
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Patent number: 10710425Abstract: A vehicle includes a cooling arrangement that includes an air conditioning loop and a battery cooling loop connected together by a common chiller and arranged to cool each of cabin air and a battery. A coolant three-way proportional control valve is connected to the chiller and the battery. The control valve is configured to operatively control a capacity of the chiller for the battery.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Jalilevand, Manfred Koberstein, Michael Steven Wallis
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Patent number: 10714799Abstract: A fuel-cell vehicle includes a fuel cell and a secondary battery. A circulation flow passage causes a coolant to circulate between the fuel cell and a radiator. A bypass flow passage passes through the secondary battery. One end of the bypass flow passage is connected to an upstream side of the radiator and the other end thereof is connected to a downstream side of the radiator of the circulation flow passage. A controller switches a switching valve such that the coolant flows to the radiator side when a coolant temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature threshold value, and switches the switching valve such that the coolant flows to the bypass flow passage side when the coolant temperature is lower than the temperature threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kotaro Yamamura
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Patent number: 10710595Abstract: A driving evaluation device includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire vehicle information including a vehicle speed in each trip of a vehicle, evaluate an economical level of each trip of the vehicle based on smallness of change in vehicle speed, and change an evaluation method of the economical level based on the smallness of the change in vehicle speed according to the maximum speed in each trip.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryuichi Suzuki, Koki Fujita
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Patent number: 10703288Abstract: A pickup truck includes a box side inner panel, a box side outer panel, a first compartment defined between the box side inner panel and the box side outer panel and a battery cooling pack held in the first compartment. A storage space customization feature may also be provided in the first compartment.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Colleen Marie Hoffman, Jack Marchlewski
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Patent number: 10700343Abstract: A positive electrode is for use in an air battery. The positive electrode includes a current collector including one or more openings, and an electroconductive layer including a porous body, the porous body including a carbon material. In the electroconductive layer, a second pore volume of a first region is greater than a second pore volume of a second region, wherein it is assumed that the electroconductive layer includes the first and second regions, the second region faces the one or more openings of the current collector, and the first region is located opposite to the second region with respect to a central plane containing midpoints in a thickness direction of the electroconductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Koichi Sawada
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Patent number: 10693340Abstract: An alternator for generating electrical power to one or more components of a power network includes a machine portion including a stator, a rotor and a rectifier, a battery connection terminal connected to the machine portion and configured to be connected to a battery, and an isolation device integral to the alternator. The isolation device is located on an electrical path between at least the machine portion and the battery connection terminal, and the isolation device is configured to isolate at least one of the alternator and another component of the power network from receiving electric current from the battery based on an undesirable condition occurring in the power network.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Alfermann, Daniel E. Wilkins, Drake J. Sayre
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Patent number: 10682923Abstract: An on-board charging system for electric vehicles provides a source of electric charging power to even when the electric vehicle is not in motion. The charging system includes a free rolling axle supporting at least one driven ground wheel to power an electric generator. An electric charge is produced by the generator when driven by the free rolling axle and is stored in a plant battery. An inverter and a charger are selectively coupled to a battery pack that provides the motive power to the electric vehicle. A controller selectively charges the battery pack when it detects a predetermined charge state of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: LECTROTECH SYSTEM INC.Inventor: Benjamin Robert Esdel
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Patent number: 10647189Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a first battery module with a first heater and a second battery module with a second heater. The battery system also includes a control system configured to selectively activate the first or the second heater to dissipate energy from the first or the second battery module.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Proterra Inc.Inventors: Dustin Grace, Brian Pevear
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Patent number: 10647173Abstract: A vehicle includes an exterior surface, a sensor disposed on the exterior surface, a passenger cabin fixed relative to the exterior surface, a duct receiving airflow from the passenger cabin, and a valve disposed in the duct and movable between a first position directing the airflow to the sensor and a second position directing the airflow outside the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Aed M. Dudar, Venkatesh Krishnan
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Patent number: 10618409Abstract: A Hybrid-Lite system for use with a vehicle includes a prime mover, an electric power system, and auxiliaries. The prime mover comprises an internal combustion engine. The electric power system is configured to be driven by the combustion engine to produce electric energy for powering the auxiliaries.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Mobile Climate Control, Corp.Inventor: Adel Gergis
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Patent number: 10611392Abstract: A sterilization mechanism for a shopping cart is described. The shopping cart includes a frame, a basket portion mounted to the frame, and a handle portion mounted to the frame and including a top and bottom section. The shopping cart includes a cleanliness sensor configured to detect a cleanliness level of the handle portion. The shopping cart includes a sterilization mechanism for killing microorganisms on the handle portion detachably mounted to the handle portion. The sterilization mechanism includes an ultraviolet light source disposed within the body of the sterilization mechanism and configured to be actuated into a light-emitting position when the cleanliness level is detected to be equal to or above a predetermined cleanliness threshold. In the light-emitting position, the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light onto the handle portion to sterilize both the top and bottom sections of the handle portion from a mounted position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Feng Yang, Steven Jackson Lewis, Matthew Dwain Biermann
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Patent number: 10603998Abstract: A battery mounting structure, includes: a battery pack mounted below a floor pan of a vehicle cabin; a vehicle body framework member to which a vehicle horizontal direction end portion of the floor pan is joined; and a sealing member that has resilience and that plugs a gap between the battery pack and the vehicle body framework member.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masaru Toyota
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Patent number: 10597024Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine cranked by an electric machine powered by a first battery, a first plurality of components powered by the first battery, a second plurality of components powered by a second battery, and a processor programmed to isolate the second battery and associated components from the first battery and associated components at least during engine cranking. The first battery may be a low voltage battery having a first chemistry, such as a lead-acid battery with associated components that are less sensitive to voltage variation induced by engine cranking or starting, such as heated mirrors, seats, wipers, a climate control blower, power windows/doors, and auxiliary pumps. The second battery may be a low or high voltage battery having a second chemistry, such as a lithium-ion battery with associated components that may be more sensitive to low voltage during engine cranking/starting, such as lighting, electronics, and infotainment systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Gjergji Shaska, Kirk Pebley, Marirose Ilkka, Zeljko Deljevic
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Patent number: 10597081Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes: a dash cross-member extending in a vehicle width direction at a lower portion in a vehicle vertical direction of a dash panel, the dash panel being configured to partition between a power unit compartment provided at a vehicle front portion and a vehicle cabin, and the dash cross-member being a first framework member of which a cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle front-rear direction forms a first chamber portion between the dash cross-member and the dash panel; and a battery pack that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front-rear direction at the vehicle lower side of a floor panel that structures a floor portion of the vehicle cabin, a front end portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of the battery pack being joined to the dash cross-member.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuya Ayukawa
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Patent number: 10589634Abstract: A battery electric vehicle provided in the present invention comprises a vehicle body having wheels, an electric motor, an electric generator, and an electricity management device. The electric motor and the electric generator are connected to different wheels of the vehicle body respectively. The electric generator generates electricity by converting the rotational kinetic energy of the wheel into electrical energy. The electricity management device includes a management and controlling member, a detecting member, and a plurality of battery packs. The management and controlling member controls at least one of the battery packs to provide electricity to the electric motor by electrically connecting the electric motor, while the management and controlling member controls at least one battery pack of other battery packs to be charged by receiving the electricity generated by means of electrically connecting to the electric generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: LINENG-TECH CORPORATIONInventor: Chih-Yu Lee
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Patent number: 10589595Abstract: Temperature control of an interior of a motor vehicle having an electrical drive is carried out by a heat pump arrangement having a heating temperature region and a low temperature region, wherein the heating temperature region includes at least one interior heat exchanger thermally coupled to the interior and the low temperature region includes at least one of an exterior heat exchanger and a heat exchanger disposed on a component of the electrical drive.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Felix Schedel, Philipp Hofmann, Oliver Horn, Peter Satzger, Markus Moser
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Patent number: 10576359Abstract: A personal transportation vehicle comprises a carrier, a control device, and a first and second pair of wheels. The first pair of wheels are fixed in a direction and the second pair of wheels are mounted on swivels below the carrier. The first and the second pair of wheels are arranged aligned and parallel to each other below the carrier. A first controller drives the first wheel and a second controller drives the second wheel of the first pair of wheels. The control device transmits signals to the first controller and the second controller to control the first driving device and the second driving device. The second pair of wheels are swiveled and driven by a difference between the rotational speeds of the first wheel and the second wheel of the first pair of wheels to determine a movement direction of the transportation vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Moboster Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kevin Chiu