Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an anomaly in a power semiconductor device are disclosed. A system includes a server computing device and one or more local components communicatively coupled to the server computing device. Each local component includes sensors positioned adjacent to the power semiconductor device for sensing properties thereof. Each local component receives data corresponding to one or more sensed properties of the power semiconductor device from the sensors and transmits the data to the server computing device. The server computing device utilizes the data, via a machine learning algorithm, to generate a set of eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors and select a selected set of eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors. Each local component conducts a statistical analysis of the selected set of eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors to determine that the data is indicative of the anomaly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 2021
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignees:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of Connecticut
Inventors:
Ercan M. Dede, Shailesh N. Joshi, Lingyi Zhang, Weiqiang Chen, Krishna Pattipatti, Ali M. Bazzi
Abstract: A system for controlling platooning by a following vehicle includes a sensor located in or on the following vehicle configured to detect data corresponding to a shape of a leading vehicle. The system further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) located in or on the following vehicle, coupled to the sensor, and configured to determine an optimal distance from the following vehicle to the leading vehicle based on the shape of the leading vehicle, the optimal distance corresponding to a distance at which drag applied to the following vehicle is reduced based on a pressure wake from the leading vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 7, 2020
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignee:
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMFRICA, INC.
Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer readable medium for suppressing autonomous vehicle external human machine interface (eHMI) notifications to prevent confusion or distraction of a road user. The suppression conditions are based on situations where the eHMI notification is redundant, not necessary, can be simplified or should be modified due to weather or light intensity. The eHMI notifications can be suppressed on selected displays and enhanced on others. The eHMI notifications can include text and icons, flashing lights, color or light patterns, which can be modified or suppressed based on the determination that the eHMI notification will confuse or distract the road user. At a four-way stop intersection, the eHMI notification can be suppressed until the autonomous vehicle has the right-of-way. The autonomous vehicle can form a mesh network with connected vehicles at the intersection and broadcast a group eHMI while requesting that the connected vehicles suppress their eHMIs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 4, 2020
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignee:
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Inventors:
Joshua E. Domeyer, Benjamin P. Austin, John K. Lenneman
Abstract: An acoustic structure for beaming soundwaves from a first direction toward a second direction, may include a plurality of phononic crystals. The plurality of phononic crystals have an outer border, an internal cavity and a channel extending between the outer border and the internal cavity, wherein the channel defines an opening within the outer border. The phononic crystals are disposed such that the opening faces the second direction. Soundwaves from the first direction are beamed to the second direction by the plurality of phononic crystals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for absorbing energy in a hinge are provided. An apparatus may include a first portion, a second portion coupled to the first portion to move relative to the first portion, and a tab configured relative to the first and second portions to absorb energy imparted to the second portion during a collision. The tab may be bendable via rotation as the second portion moves towards the first portion during the collision. The first portion may be a hinge bracket securable to a vehicle body. The second portion may be a hinge arm securable to a vehicle hood. The tab may be positioned at least partially between the first portion and the second portion for selective interference of the tab with one of the first portion and the second portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 6, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignee:
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Inventors:
Robert Charles Steinbrecher, Kimberly A. Strigle, Eric M. Botten, Peter J. Finnie, Prashant K. Deore
Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer readable medium for managing recharging of a shared electric vehicle are provided. The method includes determining whether an energy storage device of the electric vehicle requires charging, identifying a charging method based on a plurality of parameters including an ambient temperature, a current state of charge, a current load, and a power estimate for a planned route, altering the planned route of the electric vehicle to enable charging based on the identified method, and charging a second energy storage device associated with a second electric vehicle during transit via the electric vehicle. The charging method includes swapping electric vehicles, exchanging the energy storage device, and charging via a charging bot.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignee:
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Inventors:
Geoffrey D. Gaither, Nathan C. Westover, Josh D. Payne
Abstract: A dynamic wireless power transfer base pad can include a housing, a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor. The first conductor can be disposed within the housing substantially along a circumference and can be configured to conduct a first current to produce a first magnetic field. The second conductor can be disposed at a first end within the housing and can be configured to conduct a second current to produce a second magnetic field. A magnetic field at the first end can include a constructive superimposition of the first magnetic field with the second magnetic field. The third conductor can be disposed at a second end within the housing and can be configured to conduct a third current to produce a third magnetic field. A magnetic field at the second end can include a constructive superimposition of the first magnetic field with the third magnetic field.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2020
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignees:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Utah State University
Abstract: An automated marking system for replaceable component tracking includes a robotic arm and a marking tool that is configured to place a distinguishing mark on a replaceable component of the robotic arm. A control system includes logic saved in memory that causes the robotic arm to move the replaceable component to the marking tool to place the distinguishing mark on the replaceable component.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 2, 2021
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicant:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
John D. Arthur, Terry A. Lee, James D. Womack
Abstract: A system for coordinating data offloading includes a controller. The controller is configured to at least receive a set of data metrics corresponding to a set of vehicles, generate a set of vehicle clusters based on the set of data metrics, determine a thread distribution based on the set of vehicle clusters, and transmit a data offloading control signal to each of the set of vehicles according to the thread distribution.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 2, 2021
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicant:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly includes a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat back frame, and an upper pivot mechanism coupling the secondary seat back frame to the primary seat back frame. The upper pivot mechanism includes a bracket, and a pivotable link extending from a pair of opposite sides of the bracket and interconnecting the bracket and the primary seat back frame. A first end of each of the pivotable links is pivotally attached to the bracket, which is coupled to the secondary seat back frame, and an opposite second end each of the pivotable links is pivotally fixed to the primary seat back frame. The secondary seat back frame is permitted to move in a kinetic seat vertical direction relative to the primary seat back frame as the pivotable links permit the bracket to move in the kinetic seat vertical direction relative to the primary seat back frame.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 26, 2022
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicant:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
Todd Rupert Muck, Charles P. Patterson, Peter J. Moegling, Matthew R. Speck, Leon T. Toma
Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat back frame, a pair of lateral dampers extending between the primary seat back frame and the secondary seat back frame, a pair of vertical dampers extending between the secondary seat back frame and the primary seat cushion frame, a pair of fluid reservoirs for providing a fluid into the pair of lateral dampers and the pair of vertical dampers, and an electronic control unit configured to control the rate at which the fluid is provided to and drawn out of each of the dampers to control a damping effect. In embodiments, an end of the lateral dampers is permitted to move freely relative to the secondary seat back frame.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 26, 2022
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicants:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Stabilus GMBH
Inventors:
Todd Rupert Muck, Charles P. Patterson, Peter J. Moegling, Matthew R. Speck, Leon T. Toma, Raphael Piroth, Lars Löhken, Yashodhan Joshi
Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller programed to: collect a set of data related to a driver of the vehicle; predict a driving setting for the driver using the set of data and an initial student-T process (STP) machine learning (ML) model; generate an updated STP ML model based on the prediction of the driving setting as to the set of vehicle data; transmit incremental learning related to the updated STP ML model to a server; and receive, from the server, a personalized driving setting for the driver output from a cloud STP ML model trained by the incremental learning.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 29, 2021
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicant:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly includes primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, and a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat back frame. In embodiments, the secondary seat back frame includes a power lumbar mechanism. In embodiments at least one of the secondary seat cushion frame and the secondary seat back frame includes at least one of a cooling mechanism and a heating mechanism.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 26, 2022
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicant:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
Todd Rupert Muck, Charles P. Patterson, Peter J. Moegling, Matthew R. Speck, Leon T. Toma
Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly including a primary seat cushion frame including a rear rod extending between opposite rails, a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a pair of clamps provided on the rear rod of the primary seat cushion frame, and a pair of vertical dampers coupled between the secondary seat back frame and the pair of clamps on the primary seat cushion frame, each clamp receiving an end of a corresponding vertical damper. In embodiments, the vertical dampers are arranged in a V-shape such that the vertical dampers are oriented at an angle relative to one another such that a distance between a first end of each vertical damper is greater than a distance between a second end of each vertical damper.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 26, 2022
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicant:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
Todd Rupert Muck, Charles P. Patterson, Peter J. Moegling, Matthew R. Speck, Leon T. Toma
Abstract: A method of removing material from a surface of an ultrasound directing element comprising a plastic material is provided. The method includes mounting the ultrasound directing element to a mounting block of a sanding apparatus. The mounting block includes an engagement member that moves from a release position to an engagement position thereby engaging the ultrasound directing element. The mounting block is moved along a base of the sanding apparatus bringing a surface of the ultrasound directing element into contact with a sanding surface. Material is removed from the surface of the ultrasound directing element using the sanding surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: A vision-assist device may include at least one image sensor for generating image data corresponding to an environment, a user input device for receiving user input regarding one or more physical characteristics of a user, and a processor. The processor may be programmed to receive the image data from the at least one image sensor, receive the user input from the user input device, and adjust an alignment of the at least one image sensor based on the received image data and the user input. Methods for aligning an image sensor are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 8, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA. INC.
Inventors:
Rajiv Dayal, Tiffany Chen, Allison V. L. Thackston
Abstract: Airborne acoustic absorbers include periodic arrays of Helmholtz resonators that are covered and/or partially filled with an acoustically absorptive material, such as a thermoplastic foam. The combined structures have much broader frequency ranges of high acoustic absorption than do structures having only Helmholtz resonators or acoustically absorbing foam.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 27, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: A securement system for restricting rolling of a rollable cart residing on a ground surface includes a first mechanism including a first mechanism base defining a first cavity structured to receive a rolling element of the rollable cart therein while the rolling element is in direct contact with the ground surface. The first mechanism may also include a first mechanism blocking member operably coupled to the first mechanism base so as to be adjustably positionable to a closing position in which the first mechanism blocking member blocks a path of the rolling element out of the first cavity, and also to an opening position in which the first mechanism blocking member does not block the path of the rolling element out of the first cavity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 3, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: A vibration isolator can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance, such as in connection with a bicycle saddle. The bicycle saddle can be operatively connected to a bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be operatively positioned with respect to the bicycle saddle. The vibration isolator being configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile can include a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator including a plurality of spring members arranged in a stack.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 10, 2022
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. Inc.
Inventors:
Paul A. Gilmore, Christian Arthur Trager, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Michael Paul Rowe
Abstract: A removable vehicle seat convertible from a seat configuration into a ladder or a ramp configuration and methods of converting the same. The seat may include a seat cushion having a back surface and a back end removably engaged with a floor of an interior of the vehicle in the seat configuration. The back surface may face and be positioned on a ground surface in the ladder or ramp configurations. The seat may include a seat back having a bottom end pivotally attached to the seat cushion. The bottom end may be oriented towards the back end. The seat back may be lockable in place relative to the seat cushion at an angle equal to or less than ninety degrees with at least one locking member. The seat may include a ladder or a ramp attached to the seat back usable to access or load the vehicle once converted.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 30, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Inventors:
Hamshivraj Singh Dhamrat, Lindsay A. Babian