Combined Patents (Class 293/117)
  • Patent number: 11865986
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for vehicle security protection. The method comprises: determining, at a detector, a first sensor signal from a flex sensor in an exterior panel of a vehicle, wherein the flex sensor and detector are powered by a power supply of the vehicle, and wherein a magnitude of the first sensor signal is based on an amount of bending of the flex sensor; determining, at the detector, based on the first sensor signal, that the exterior panel of the vehicle is deformed; and outputting, from the detector, a first alert signal, wherein a first controller of the vehicle is configured to transition from a low-power state to a high-power state based at least in part on the first sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Da Liu, Mackenzie Cunningham, Moritz Boecker
  • Patent number: 11780391
    Abstract: An under-protector fastening structure includes a bumper assembly coupled to a chassis frame, wherein the bumper assembly includes a bumper inner member and a bumper cover coupled to an outer side of the bumper inner member, and an under-protector coupled to the bumper inner member of the bumper assembly in a direction vertical to a length direction of a vehicle body, wherein the under-protector includes an under-protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member and an under-protector panel coupled to the under-protector mounting assembly, and wherein the under-protector mounting assembly includes a pipe member extending in the direction vertical to the length direction of the vehicle body, a mounting bracket coupled to the pipe member and the bumper inner member, and an under-protector fixing bracket having a first side coupled to the mounting bracket and a second side coupled to the under-protector panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Ku Seon
  • Patent number: 11490179
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is provided with a sensor body, a cushion member, a retainer part and a waterproof seal. The sensor body has an ultrasonic microphone and a microphone support part. The cushion member covers a protrusion part of the ultrasonic microphone. The retainer part sandwiches a sandwiched part on a proximal end side between the retainer part and an outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic microphone, while exposing an exposed part on a tip end side in the axial direction of the cushion member. The waterproof seal blocks a gap between a vehicle body component and the exposed part of the cushion member in an on-board state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Ueda, Takeo Tsuzuki, Taketo Harada
  • Patent number: 11332090
    Abstract: A radar bracket mechanism arranged to accommodate a radar device behind a bumper skin of a vehicle. The radar bracket mechanism comprises a bracket arranged to accommodate the radar device, which bracket is flexibly mounted behind the bumper skin to allow the bumper skin to flex from a first position to a second position towards a body of the vehicle upon the bumper skin being subjected to a force exerting on an exterior of the bumper skin, and to allow the bumper skin to flex back to the first position when the exterior of the bumper skin no longer is being subjected to said force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Kristoffer Lund, Jan Johansson, Fredrik Roxvall
  • Patent number: 11319002
    Abstract: A structure improvement of automobile spoiler, comprising a midsection, a right section and a left section; its features are: the spoiler of the present invention can be separated into a midsection, a right section and a left section, various parts and components can be buckled up to form one piece, after buckle combination, the parts are fastened by wood screws to form an integrated spoiler, when it is broken by collision, only the broken part is changed, the replacement cost is reduced, and the present invention can be split up, the size of the box for loading the present invention is reduced, more convenient for transportation, and the box cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jia-Li Shen, Jun-Hong Ye
  • Patent number: 11305713
    Abstract: Side underride collision guards configured to be incorporated beneath the cargo containment structures of large powered or unpowered vehicles are described. These collision guards are designed to absorb the force and kinetic energy of a lateral impact from a striking vehicle in an efficient manner. The guards disclosed are suited for incorporation into those vehicles with an elevated side structure, regardless if those vehicles are equipped with or without a sliding rear axle or axles. The guards comprise at least one impact force resisting structure per vehicle side, typically wire rope, oriented axially and mounted at or near each outboard side of the vehicle. The wire rope is attached to a plurality of support members connecting the linear structures to supporting members of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Allen Batzer, Patrick Keith Rogers
  • Patent number: 11305724
    Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. A sensor pod may include a housing and extend from a portion of a body of a vehicle. The sensor pod housing may have energy absorbing structures configured to absorb and dissipate energy during an impact in order to protect a pedestrian. The sensor pod may have deformable portions of the housing configured to absorb and dissipate energy during the impact. The sensor pod may have deformable fasteners coupling a sensor to the sensor pod configured to deform to absorb and dissipate energy during the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Adams, Daniel Glenn Johnson, Christopher William Labadie, Ryan McMichael, Daniel Miller, Peter Thomas Mitros, Anubhav Thakur, Joseph Patrick Warga, Austin In-Jei Yi
  • Patent number: 11267417
    Abstract: A collision detecting structure includes a pressure generating tube extending in a vehicle width direction, a rear wall portion disposed on a rear side of the pressure generating tube, a tube compressing portion disposed frontward of the pressure generating tube and including an projecting wall portion that is in a plate-like shape and extends in a vehicle front-rear direction; and a tube retaining member disposed opposite to the projecting wall portion and retaining the pressure generating tube between the projecting wall portion and the tube retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Teruaki Aizawa, Akira Hojo, Tatsuya Ishizaki, Hiroyuki Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 11247521
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bumper arrangement on a motor vehicle, having a crossmember and crash boxes, by means of which the crossmember is coupled to a motor vehicle, wherein a receptacle for a towing eye is formed in the bumper arrangement and the receptacle is produced in the form of an extruded profile component, wherein the receptacle is inserted into the crossmember and/or into a crash box and is fixed by clinching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Lucas Adamski, Konstantin Tatarinov, Gero Muellers, Joern Toelle, Christian Handing
  • Patent number: 11186316
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a deflector. In one example, a system includes a first engine bay component comprising a deflector with a deflection surface shaped to engage a second engine bay component to rotate the first engine bay component and mitigate contact between the first engine bay component and a third engine bay component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Luis Pinheiro, Scott Martin
  • Patent number: 11161469
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a lower absorber installed in a lower region of a vehicle front portion and having a longer length in a width direction of a vehicle, at least one load bearing member disposed on a rear side of the lower absorber and connected to the lower absorber so as to receive a load transferred from the lower absorber, in which at least a part of the lower absorber is equipped with a reinforcement member, and the reinforcement member is formed, in cross section, in a shape of substantially a wave composed of a series of upward protruding parts protruded upward of the vehicle and downward protruding parts protruded downward of the vehicle, the upward and downward protruding parts alternating along the width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamiko Yamatani, Masatoshi Hata
  • Patent number: 11142336
    Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage comprising a shock absorber further comprising first and second portions that are mounted to slide telescopically relative to each other and that can come into internal abutment in the event of the shock absorber being compressed, the undercarriage being fitted with a detector device for detecting the shock absorber coming into internal abutment, which comprises firstly a punch secured to the first portion of the shock absorber or to a portion of the undercarriage that does not slide relative to the first portion of the shock absorber, and secondly a sacrificial piece secured to the second portion of the shock absorber or to a portion of the undercarriage that does not slide relative to the second portion of the shock absorber, the punch and the sacrificial piece being arranged in such a manner that, in the event of the two portions of the shock absorber coming into internal abutment, the punch strikes the sacrificial piece so as to form an indentation therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Marc Farcy, Thibault Faure, Frédéric Renault
  • Patent number: 11104283
    Abstract: A vehicular energy absorbing member that is disposed between a bumper reinforcement and a framework of a vehicle includes an energy absorbing portion that has a tubular shape and is configured to absorb impact energy by being plastically deformed to be compressed in an axial direction. An outer circumferential surface of the energy absorbing portion has a circular tubular shape and an inner circumferential surface of the energy absorbing portion includes a ridge portion having a shape extending in the axial direction of the energy absorbing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yatsunami, Shunji Shibata, Kiyoichi Kita, Kyosuke Matsui, Jun Shobo
  • Patent number: 10969079
    Abstract: A vehicle taillamp assembly includes an attachment bracket and a lamp housing. The attachment bracket is configured for secure attachment to a vehicle body structure. The attachment bracket has an upright extending portion, an upper horizontally extending portion and a lower horizontally extending portion. The upright extending portion has a first projection extending therefrom and a second projection extending therefrom. The lamp housing is configured to attach to the first projection and the second projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Dearing, Scott Nydam, Kyle Happy
  • Patent number: 10919351
    Abstract: A loading bracket assembly includes a base bracket having an engagement portion that is disposed at an interior area of a composite vehicle structural component and that is accessible through the first wall. A fastener may be attached to the engagement portion of the base bracket and may extend through an intermediate wall of the composite vehicle structural component and a supportive structure of the vehicle. The engagement portion of the base bracket is configured to engage a component or an accessory, such as a tow hook, that applies a loading force to the base bracket that is substantially transferred to the supportive structure and bypasses the composite vehicle structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Cort C. Corwin, Kannan Ramamoorthy
  • Patent number: 10857960
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a lower absorber installed in a lower region of a vehicle front portion and having a longer length in a width direction of a vehicle, at least one load bearing member disposed on a rear side of the lower absorber and connected to the lower absorber so as to receive a load transferred from the lower absorber, in which at least a part of the lower absorber is equipped with a reinforcement member, and the reinforcement member is formed, in cross section, in a shape of substantially a wave composed of a series of upward protruding parts protruded upward of the vehicle and downward protruding parts protruded downward of the vehicle, the upward and downward protruding parts alternating along the width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamiko Yamatani, Masatoshi Hata
  • Patent number: 10773656
    Abstract: A surrounding circumstance monitoring apparatus (3) has a housing (31) forming a housing space (31s) therein; and a monitoring unit (32) in the hosing space that monitors a surrounding circumstance of a vehicle, the housing has two housing parts (311, 312) that are bonded to each other via flanges (311f, 312f), a first flange part (311f1, 312f1) protruding upwardly from an upper surface (31U) of the housing is inclined with respect to the upper surface and/or a second flange part (312f2, 312f2) protruding downwardly from a bottom surface (31L) of the housing is inclined with respect to the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10640068
    Abstract: A trailer includes front and rear ends spaced in a longitudinal direction to define a cargo area. A frame includes a rear bolster extending in a transverse direction across the rear end below a bottom rear edge of the cargo area. Spaced rear frame posts extend upwardly from respective distal ends of the rear bolster. A rear impact guard includes a bumper extending transversely and spaced below the rear bolster, a pair of outboard posts extending between the bumper and the rear bolster adjacent the respective distal ends of the rear bolster, and at least one inboard post. Each of the outboard posts has a rearward-extending horizontal first flange and an upward-extending vertical second flange spaced forwardly of the first flange, these flanges including multiple apertures aligned with apertures in the trailer frame, each of the apertures accommodating a removable fastener securing the rear impact guard to the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Miller
  • Patent number: 10618487
    Abstract: A collision detection device for a motor vehicle includes a pressure measurement chamber formed by a hose. A projection is disposed on the outer circumference of the hose in such a way that the hose deforms more readily in case of a collision. This makes it easier for the pressure to change in the pressure measurement chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernt Arne Syvertsen, Christian Berthold
  • Patent number: 10518728
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor protector including: mounting portions that are mounted to a bracket for fixing a sensor, which is provided at a vehicle inner side of a bumper cover, to a body of a vehicle; a covering portion that is plate-shaped, that extends from lower portions of the mounting portions toward the bumper cover, and that covers a lower portion of the sensor; and a weak portion that is provided at the covering portion and makes the covering portion elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Furumoto
  • Patent number: 10493933
    Abstract: A collision detection device for a vehicle includes: a bumper absorber disposed on a front side of a bumper reinforcement in a bumper of the vehicle; a detection tube component mounted in a groove portion defined in the bumper absorber to extend in a width direction of the vehicle, a hollow part being defined in the detection tube component; and a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the hollow part of the detection tube component, and detects a collision of an object to the bumper based on a pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. The detection tube component is mounted in the groove portion in a state where the detection tube component has at least one or more cove curve portions curved in an up-down direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakane, Takatoshi Tanabe, Tomokazu Yoshida, Kouta Amano
  • Patent number: 10377429
    Abstract: A rear spoiler of a motor vehicle. The spoiler includes a first part intended for being attached to the rear of the vehicle in an attachment position by a first attachment means, and a second part which is intended for being removably attached to the first part in an attachment position by a second attachment means, the second part leaving a portion of the upper surface of the first part visible in this attachment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Franck Leterrier
  • Patent number: 10245912
    Abstract: A trailer hitch includes a cross-vehicle beam and a receiver welded to the cross-vehicle beam. The cross-vehicle beam extends from a first end to a second end. The cross-vehicle beam includes a middle section, a first round section, and a second round section. The middle section includes a flat. The first round section is integral with the middle section and extends from the middle section to the first end. The second round section is integral with the middle section and extends from the middle section to the second end. The receiver is welded directly to the flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Michael McGuckin, Sampath Rengarajan
  • Patent number: 10189208
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front end having one, preferably two, headlamps, wherein the headlamp is intended and constructed so as to be fastened in an assembly position onto the motor vehicle, in particular onto the motor vehicle front end, and wherein the headlamp is fastened by means of a transport holder on the front end in a transport position, the transport position being different from the assembly position. The transport position is offset frontward and/or downward relative to the assembly position, in order to provide a front end, motor vehicle, and method that make it possible to create motor vehicle designs with which pre-assembly of the headlamps in the assembly position thereof is not possible, without thereby incurring additional logistical complexity on the assembly lines for the vehicle, or wherein this additional complexity is at least largely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HBPO GmbH
    Inventors: Dragan Kolobaric, Michal Labas, Matthew Weber
  • Patent number: 10160401
    Abstract: A device for monitoring vehicles surroundings includes a sensor, a sensor holder and a fastener. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the sensor axis that passes through the head of the sensor deviates from the axis of the sensor main body. The sensor head passes into an opening in the sensor holder centered around a sensor holding axis. When the sensor is mounted into a receiver niche in the sensor holder, the sensor holding axis and the sensor axis are aligned. The fastener fastens the sensor to the sensor holder and compensates for the sensor axis deviating from the main body axis. Screws pass through bore holes in the fastener and into screw holes in the sensor holder. The bore holes have a larger diameter than do the screw holes, allowing the sensor axis to be aligned with the sensor holding axis despite the sensor axis deviating from the main body axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Simon Deffner, Matthias Zink
  • Patent number: 10137822
    Abstract: A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle is provided herein. The headlamp fastening system includes a support structure, a headlamp structure, and an alignment element. The alignment element is configured to align and fix the headlamp structure with the support structure with respect to the z-direction of the vehicle. The alignment element holds the sup port structure and the headlamp in an alignment position. In the alignment position the support structure and the headlamp structure are relatively displaceable in the x-, y-, and z-direction relative to one another. The alignment element fixes the support structure and the headlamp in the fixed position, wherein, upon the alignment element fixing the support structure and the headlamp structure relative to one another with respect to the z-direction, the support structure and the headlamp structure simultaneously become fixed relative to one another in the x- and y-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bert Niessen, Boris Herrmann, Mark Witschel, Thorsten Warwel
  • Patent number: 10035412
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for using vehicle covers. For example, a method of covering a vehicle is provided including placing a pre-folded vehicle cover between front and rear wheels of the vehicle and then driving the vehicle forwards until the rear wheels of the vehicle are on top of the vehicle cover. The method includes extending a rear portion of the vehicle cover and driving the vehicle backwards until the front wheels of the vehicle are on top of the vehicle cover. The method further includes extending a front portion of the vehicle cover and covering at least a bottom and at least part of each side of the vehicle with the vehicle cover to form a barrier underneath and at least partially around the vehicle. The method can also include covering a top of the vehicle and entirely enclosing the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Marc B. Garnick
  • Patent number: 10029635
    Abstract: At a front bumper, a supporting member is mounted to a bent portion of a bumper RF, and the supporting member extends-out toward a vehicle transverse direction outer side from the bumper RF. Therefore, when a pressure tube is pressed at a time of a collision of a collision body with a vehicle corner portion, reaction force is applied from the supporting member to the pressure tube, and the pressure tube deforms. Due thereto, a collision with a collision body can be detected. Here, when load of a predetermined value or greater is inputted to the supporting member from a rear side, the supporting member separates from the bumper RF. Therefore, in a damage test, when the supporting member interferes with a sub-radiator that is at a vehicle rear side of the supporting member, the supporting member can be made to separate from the bumper RF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehisa Shamoto, Naoya Higashimachi
  • Patent number: 9921119
    Abstract: Method for checking a device for a vehicle for detecting an impact, in particular an impact with a pedestrian, by means of at least one impact-sensing means which is based on at least a first volume, in particular by means of an impact-sensing means which is based on at least one hose, a device having means for carrying out such a method and a corresponding system, in which at least one first variable is acquired, wherein the at least one first variable represents a pressure and/or a volume and/or a change in pressure and/or a change in volume in the first volume, and a result of the checking of the device is determined as a function of a profile of the at least one first variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Walz, Alexander Herrmann, Denis Mader, Gunther Lang, Hansjoerg Markus Hild, Daniel Schoenfeld, Michael Schmid
  • Patent number: 9855984
    Abstract: An underbody panelling part of a wheel axle near the wheel arch of a motor vehicle has a main part, the covering surface of which is variable, and a fastening structure for fixed connection to the body and/or a fastening structure for fixed connection to a transverse link of the motor vehicle. In the mounted state the covering surface can be varied with the steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bayershire Motoren Werke Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Tesch, Markus Kohlhuber, Rasmus Leicht, Roland Schmidt, Hubert Scholz, Matthias Hennig, Ludwig Seethaler, Roland Koenig, Markus Fauser
  • Patent number: 9771039
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure is provided. The vehicle front structure includes a front bumper beam having a plurality of brackets that extend in the downward direction of a vehicle and coupling components that protrude forward from ends of the respective brackets. A stiffener is horizontally disposed on the coupling components and vertical pins vertically pass through the stiffener from the coupling components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Lotte Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Young Yoon, Dong Eun Cha, Tae Hyung Kim, Hyun Gyung Kim, Choul Won So, Jun Youp Kim
  • Patent number: 9731776
    Abstract: A dual position bulb seal is provided for selectively sealing an interface gap between two components of a vehicle. The dual position bulb seal includes an elongated base portion configured for coupling to a first vehicle component. A hollow, bulbous portion may extend from the elongated base portion. A flexible sealing fin upwardly extends from the bulbous portion, along a length of the bulbous portion. The flexible sealing fin may be configured to rest in a first, non-sealing position that permits a flow of air over the flexible sealing fin, and a second, sealing position contacting a second vehicle component such that it prevents a flow of air through the interface gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Jared C. Meeks, Jesse D. Rydell
  • Patent number: 9623917
    Abstract: An airdam is provided for a motor vehicle. The airdam includes an extruded body having a J-shaped cross-section defining a forward tilt angle and a curved lip. The body may include a crescent shaped profile or a bell curve shaped profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ira Jason Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9610913
    Abstract: In a vehicle bumper structure including a pressure tube-type pedestrian collision detection sensor according to technology disclosed herein, the vehicle bumper structure includes a bumper reinforcement, a pressure tube-type pedestrian collision detection sensor, and an upper absorber. The upper absorber includes an absorber main body, an absorber upper end portion that is integrally provided to the vehicle upper side of the absorber main body, and includes a projecting portion projecting toward the vehicle front-rear direction inner side with respect to the absorber main body at the vehicle upper side of the bumper reinforcement, and a groove portion that is formed at a vehicle front-rear direction inner side portion of the absorber main body, that is disposed adjacent to the vehicle lower side of the absorber upper end portion, that is open toward the vehicle front-rear direction inner side or the vehicle lower side, and that retains a pressure tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sotaro Narita
  • Patent number: 9598032
    Abstract: A tire rotation blocking apparatus is disclosed for preventing a front tire of a vehicle from moving toward a passenger compartment in a small offset rigid barrier front-end collision. In one embodiment, an elongated bar is received by a plurality of guide members that each define an aperture extending in a longitudinal direction and that are fixedly attached to the vehicle. An actuator, such as a pyrotechnic device, is operatively connected to the bar to drive the bar longitudinally between the wheel and the passenger compartment in a front-end collision. In another embodiment, the actuator includes a spring attached to the bar, or blocker, that is released to drive the bar in a forward longitudinal direction. At least one stop engages the bar to hold the bar in the blocking position between the wheel and the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Laike Misikir, Matthew B. Makowski, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Djamal Eddine Midoun
  • Patent number: 9470606
    Abstract: System force-deformation measuring apparatuses (e.g., an apparatus that applies a quasi-static force), such as those, for example, configured to generate data (e.g., non-generic or accident-specific data) that assists in the reconstruction of vehicle collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BIODYNAMIC RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: William R. Scott, Enrique J. Bonugli, Herbert M. Guzman, Daniel J. Swartzendruber
  • Patent number: 9453786
    Abstract: System force-deformation measuring apparatuses (e.g., an apparatus that applies a quasi-static force), such as those, for example, configured to generate data (e.g., non-generic or accident-specific data) that assists in the reconstruction of vehicle collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BIODYNAMIC RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: William R. Scott, Enrique J. Bonugli, Herbert M. Guzman, Daniel J. Swartzendruber
  • Patent number: 9365085
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement includes a tubular body including a front wall that serves as an impact surface and a rear wall on a vehicle body side, the tubular body extending in a vehicle width direction and having a hollow cross section; and a tow hook attachment structure for allowing a tow hook to be removably attached thereto. The tow hook attachment structure includes a pair of cylindrical protrusions respectively integrally formed with the front and rear walls of the tubular body by shaping parts of the walls, the cylindrical protrusions being disposed at predetermined positions on the front and rear walls in the vehicle width direction so as to face each other and so as to protrude inward into the hollow cross section, and at least one of the pair of protrusions includes a threaded portion for allowing a threaded portion of the tow hook to be screwed thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Ishitobi, Narikazu Hashimoto, Tsunetake Tsuyoshi
  • Patent number: 9346424
    Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a beam and a rigid device. The beam is at least partially spaced from a vehicle fascia. The rigid device is disposed on the beam in a space defined between the fascia and the beam. The rigid device is configured to transmit and at least partially absorb a force applied to the fascia and limit damage to a rear of the vehicle. The exemplary bumper assembly may further include at least one crush can disposed on the beam. The rigid device is generally aligned with the crush can but on opposing surfaces of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Erika Kristin Low, Kevin Gustafson, Matt Alan Niesluchowski
  • Patent number: 9327662
    Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper fascia and a bumper reinforcement beam covered by the bumper fascia providing an upper projecting bumper portion. A lower reinforcement member is below the bumper reinforcement beam in a vehicle vertical direction and is covered by the bumper fascia providing a lower projecting bumper portion. The lower reinforcement member includes a reinforcement body having a front end and a rear end. The bumper fascia is connected to the lower reinforcement member at a fastening location that is located below reinforcement body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremiah Thomas Hammer
  • Patent number: 9327780
    Abstract: A center deflector for a front bumper of a truck or tractor vehicle includes a thickened portion extending upward from the inner deflector surface and extends laterally across a deflector section, preferably spanning substantially an entire width of the deflector section thereof. The thickened portion comprises a cross-sectional shape having a height that gradually declines from an intermediate maximum height to a reduced height along a rear edge thereof, and preferably resembles an airfoil. The thickened portion may include a hollow interior containing a pressurized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Daniel Bird, Cory Borghi, Anders Hedkvist Mauritsson, Raja Sengupta, Bo Philipsen
  • Patent number: 9327592
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis, between a forward end and a rearward end. A front bumper assembly is disposed at the forward end of the body. The front bumper assembly includes a B-shaped structure that defines a channel that extends transversely across the body, relative to the longitudinal axis. A heat exchanger is disposed within the channel of the bumper structure. The heat exchanger is operable to transfer heat from a fluid circulating through the heat exchanger to a flow of air passing across the heat exchanger. The fluid may include, but is not limited to, engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, or an engine coolant from a low temperature coolant loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mukund S. Wankhede, Stuart J. Brown, Christopher C. Nyeholt
  • Patent number: 9290142
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catcher beam and a catcher beam support assembly including a catcher beam support to which the beam is attached. The support is movable between stowed and deployed positions. The apparatus includes a bumper energy absorber and a bumper beam. The assembly is positioned adjacent the absorber and is either substantially within or adjacent to the bumper beam. The apparatus includes a mechanical, electromechanical or pneumatic actuator to allow the support to move to its deployed position. A pedestrian impact sensor sends a signal to a control unit in the event of an imminent pedestrian impact. The control unit then signals the assembly to allow the catcher beam to move to its deployed position using the actuator. In the event of a false positive deployment, the actuator retracts the catcher beam to its stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 9283834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a customized vehicle shielding system used for shielding at least a part of a vehicle, wherein such system essentially comprises a housing with a plurality of walls, a shielding material adapted to alternate between an extended position and a retracted position, a mechanism for extending and retracting the shielding material, and draining means. A user can operate the system of the present invention remotely. The vehicle shielding system of the present invention has self-cleaning capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Johnny Michel Khoury
  • Patent number: 9238444
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bumper reinforcement made of a hollow material, including: a rear wall facing a vehicle body; an upper wall extending forward from a top of the rear wall; a lower wall extending forward from a bottom of the rear wall; a front wall supported only by the upper wall and the lower wall; an upper reinforcing wall extending from a middle in a height direction of the rear wall up to a middle in a front-rear direction of the upper wall; and a lower reinforcing wall extending from the middle in the height direction of the rear wall up to a middle in the front-rear direction of the lower wall, wherein: the front wall is located frontward of a virtual line passing through a foremost of the upper reinforcing wall and a foremost of the lower reinforcing wall in a cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignees: Nikkeikin aluminum Core Technology, Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taichi Terada, Shigenori Saito, Shoji Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 9221414
    Abstract: A sensing and injury mitigation system for a vehicle to identify an object in an impact event is disclosed. The system includes an impact sensing unit comprising an impact sensor and a pressure sensing unit. The impact sensor has fluid-filled first and second tube portions. The pressure sensing unit has a housing and first and second pressure sensors located within the housing. The first tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the first pressure sensor and the second tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the second pressure sensor. The pressure sensing unit senses changes in fluid pressure within the tubes. In one embodiment, the tube portions of the impact sensor define a loop. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a portion of the second tube portion share a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Yellin Schondorf, Tim Scott
  • Patent number: 9145035
    Abstract: A collapsible step platform and receiver post are adapted to be attached to a vehicle hitch receiver. Oblique cross members of the step body provide additional protection in the event of a rear-end collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Frederick W. Masanek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9086473
    Abstract: An arrangement on a component of a motor vehicle, having a sensor with a substantially planar end surface, a sealing ring which encloses the sensor, and a carrier element for maintaining the spacing of the sensor in the axial direction relative to the component. The sensor extends with the sealing ring into a cut-out of the component. The sensor has a surrounding sealing ring, an additional ring element which lies further to the outside in a radial direction and has at least two cut-outs which are distributed over the circumference. The elastic ring element of the sealing ring or decoupling ring seals against water which enters from outside and for correct self-positioning in the cut-out of the component. The cut-outs according in the ring element, which lies on the outside, allow water which has entered to drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Baumann, Thilo Draeger, Georg Lambert, Ralf Schmuelling
  • Publication number: 20150097385
    Abstract: A fascia assembly including a bumper beam, a bumper cover, and a sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may include a bracket and a sensor. The sensor assembly is disposed between the beam and cover. The bracket may define a base bonded to a surface of the cover and a key hole. The sensor may include a connector, clip, and key for the hole. The sensor may be configured to rotate between first and second positions such that the clip prevents connector access in the first but not the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jayagopal Appukutty, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Erich Kemnitz
  • Patent number: 8998293
    Abstract: An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Brian Glickman