Nissan Patents Granted

Patents granted to Nissan by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9041331
    Abstract: A motor controlling apparatus includes a first target torque value calculator, a frequency detector, a second target torque value calculator, a torque command value calculator, a torque limiter, and a controller. The first target torque value calculator calculates a first target torque value, which is a target value of an output torque of a motor. The frequency detector detects a motor rotational frequency. The second target torque value calculator calculates a second target torque value based on the rotational frequency. The torque command value calculator mathematically combines (e.g., adds) the first and target torque values to calculate a torque command value. The torque limiter sets the signs of the first target torque value and the torque command value to be equal to limit the torque command value according to the first target torque value. The controller controls the motor based on the limited torque command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Fujiwara, Ken Ito
  • Patent number: 9033405
    Abstract: A structure for reinforcing a vehicle body panel that constructs a vehicle body, including a keyhole-shaped embossed portion formed by combination of a circular embossed portion and an elongated embossed portion extending from an outer circumference of the circular embossed portion in a radially outward direction of the circular embossed portion. The keyhole-shaped embossed portion is formed to project from one side of the vehicle body panel in a thickness direction of the vehicle body panel toward the other side thereof in the thickness direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasurou Hirooka
  • Patent number: 9037382
    Abstract: A control system is provided with a piston TDC (top dead center) position variable mechanism and a valve operational characteristics variable mechanism. An actual distance between the valve and the piston of closest approach is calculated based on the actual operation states of these mechanisms. In addition, a limit distance of closest approach necessary to avoid interference between the valve and the piston is set, and, the piston TDC position variable mechanism and the valve operational characteristics variable mechanism are controlled to be driven to increase the actual distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Shinobu Kamada, Eiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9033366
    Abstract: A system includes a fan and a duct system. The fan is configured to be attached to the steering wheel. The duct system has a first portion and a second portion, and is configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of an armature of the steering wheel and enable air from the fan to be communicated from the fan to a surface of the steering wheel. The first portion includes a section extending along the armature of the steering wheel, and the second portion includes a plurality of nozzles extending radially from an outer surface of the first portion toward an outer surface of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Downey
  • Patent number: 9032913
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system basically has an internal combustion engine, a reforming fuel injection device and a reformer. The internal combustion engine has an exhaust circulation path that is connected to an exhaust path and an intake path communicating with a combustion chamber. The reforming fuel injection device injects a reforming fuel into an exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust circulation path. The reformer has a reforming catalyst for generating a hydrogen-containing gas using the reforming fuel. The internal combustion engine system has a reforming catalyst regeneration device for causing an oxygen-containing gas to flow through the exhaust circulation path and thereby regenerate the reforming catalyst at a predetermined timing for regenerating the reforming catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maki Hoshino, Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 9037311
    Abstract: A road surface slope estimating device changes filter characteristics of a filter with respect to a detected vehicle body attitude value in accordance with an actual rate of change of road surface slope so as to enhance the filter characteristics when the rate of change of the road surface slope is low and to degrade the filter characteristics when the rate of change of the road surface slope is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9031751
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission, a gear shift from a second gear shift stage to a first gear shift stage is inhibited and the gear shift from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is continued, when, during the gear shift from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage, a request of the gear shift from the second gear shift stage to the first gear shift stage by means of an automatic transmission section has occurred during a time duration from a time at which a gear shift command from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is issued to a time at which an inertia phase is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Go Endo, Kunihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9027991
    Abstract: A racing bucket seat and a cooling system for racing cars is capable of effectively suppressing the rise of a driver's body temperature, meeting safety regulations. The racing bucket seat includes a plurality of shell through holes formed in a seat shell, an outer shell fixed on the seat shell to cover the shell through holes from a rear side of the seat shell and formed with a layer-like flow passage between the outer shell and a rear surface of the seat shell, and an air intake port introducing the air into the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ishida, Yutaka Suzuki, Daisuke Takezaki, Shohei Ezaki
  • Patent number: 9027358
    Abstract: A vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a first valve coupled to an outlet of the compressor, a cooling circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor, a heating circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor and a controller. The heating circuit includes a heating circuit evaporator and a second valve between the heating circuit evaporator and the inlet of the compressor. The controller is configured to operate the first valve to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode, cycle the second valve opened and closed in the heating mode, such that when closed, the compressor draws refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and refrigerant pressure builds up within the heating circuit, and maintain the second valve open upon the controller determining that sufficient refrigerant has been drawn out of the cooling circuit during the cycling of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Eisenhour
  • Patent number: 9027985
    Abstract: A vehicle having a body structure defining a window opening, the window opening at least partially framed by a window sash defining a sash channel in communication with the window opening; a laminated window panel movable within the window opening along a plane of the window opening; and a retaining structure located between the window sash and the window panel and configured to retentively engage the window panel in the presence of a transverse force on the window panel even if the window panel has become slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Kovie
  • Patent number: 9028364
    Abstract: A control device of an automatic transmission comprises a torque converter and a lock-up clutch which are arranged between an engine and an automatic transmission; and an up-shift control means that, when an up-shift is required with an accelerator pedal kept depressed by a driver, lowers an engaging capacity of releasing side engaging elements engaged at a speed stage before a gear shifting and then increases an engaging capacity of engaging side engaging elements engaged at a speed stage after the gear shifting thereby to establish a power-on up-shift, wherein the up-shift control means is configured in that when the acceleration pedal is released from the driver during the time when the power-on up-shift is being carried out, the power-on up-shift is continued while lowering the engaging capacity of the lock-up clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 9027946
    Abstract: A suspension device is provided with: a coiled spring which allows a vehicle body to elastically receive the vertical movement of a wheel and which is disposed at a position facing a side of the tire of the wheel; and a movement restriction section which is provided within the inner space of the coiled spring at a position facing the side of the tire and which restricts the movement of the coiled spring toward the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9027973
    Abstract: A bumper fixing clip includes a leg portion engaging with a vehicle body panel; engagement claws engaging with a plurality of engagement holes formed on a bumper side; and an engagement member including a second engagement claw engageable with or retractable from one of the engagement holes formed on the bumper side by operating an operation portion, and fixing the bumper to the vehicle body panel. The engagement member is integrally formed with a fixing clip main body, and includes an approximately rod-like operation portion; the second engagement claw formed in a vicinity of a turning center of the operation portion; and an abutment piece formed on a side opposite to the second engagement claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Nifco Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Kojima, Anikesh Barmase, Yohei Nagahori
  • Patent number: 9027526
    Abstract: A three cylinder engine includes a vibration alleviation unit for alleviating vibrations in a vehicle. The vibration alleviation unit is disposed at least one of upon the crankshaft and upon a part that operates in unison with the crankshaft. The three cylinder is supported by engine mounts that are positioned upon at least both ends of the engine in the direction of the crankshaft axis. Given that KV and KH represent spring constants of one of the engine mounts in the pitch and yaw directions of the crankshaft, MV and MH represent components of a primary couple that occurs in the three cylinder engine in the pitch and yaw directions, and MV0 represents the sum of MV and MH, then spring constants of the engine mounts are set such that KV >KH and the vibration alleviation unit is set so as to satisfy the condition 0 <MV/MV0 <0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadakazu Naritomi, Tamae Kobayashi, Shigeatsu Saka, Hiroo Aoki
  • Patent number: 9030136
    Abstract: A motor controlling apparatus including an inverter, a voltage detector, a rotational speed detector, a command value calculating component, an inverter controller, a state detector and an offsetting component. The inverter converts direct-current power to alternating-current power supplied to a motor. The voltage detector detects a direct-current voltage, and the rotational speed detector detects a rotational speed of the motor. The calculating component calculates current and torque command values, and motor rotational speed. The controller provides a control signal to control the inverter based on the current command value. The state detector detects a control state of the inverter, and the offsetting component offsets the detected voltage or rotational speed by an offset amount. The calculating component modifies the current command value based on the offset detected voltage or rotational speed to increase on a negative side a d-axis current command value included in the current command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Sugita, Ken Ito
  • Patent number: 9029045
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a gas diffusion electrode capable of a high current density operation of a fuel cell. [Solving means] A gas diffusion electrode including a hydrophilic porous layer having an electrically conductive material and an ion conductive material; and a catalyst layer adjacent to the hydrophilic porous layer, wherein a water transport resistance of the hydrophilic porous layer is smaller than a water transport resistance of the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Satou, Atsushi Ohma, Yoshitaka Ono, Hiroshi Iden, Kei Sakai
  • Patent number: 9031758
    Abstract: An on-board vehicle control system and method employ a storage device that stores information representing a plurality of boundary points of a boundary that circumscribes an area of interest, and a controller that obtains a vehicle location of a vehicle of interest, determines a first boundary point closest to the vehicle location, and generates data representing a geometric relationship between the first boundary point, the vehicle location and a second boundary point. The controller calculates reference point data representing a reference point based on the data representing the geometric relationship, determines coordinate condition data based on an angle between a predetermined direction and a reference line connecting between the first boundary point and the reference point, and determines whether the vehicle location lies within the area of interest based on a comparison between geographic coordinates of the vehicle location and the coordinate condition data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy W Goudy, Neal Probert, Andrew Christensen, Jeremy S Chambers
  • Patent number: 9028598
    Abstract: In a case where DPF regeneration is restarted after an engine is automatically restarted from interruption of the DPF regeneration, DPF regeneration control is corrected so as to suppress temperature rise due to the DPF regeneration in consideration of an increment in oxygen concentration in exhaust gas which is caused due to the interruption of the DPF regeneration. Specifically, restart of the DPF regeneration is prohibited during a predetermined prohibition time ?T1 from a time t1 at which the engine is automatically restarted, and a post injection amount of fuel is corrected to the side of reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Risa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9028356
    Abstract: A device for controlling an automatic transmission includes: a position detection means for detecting a shift position; a vehicle speed detection means for detecting a vehicle speed; a rotation frequency detection means for detecting an input rotation frequency of the automatic transmission; and a control means for, when the shift position has been switched from a parking position or a neutral position to a driving position, making a determination about switching from stopped-state control to running-state control based on the vehicle speed after a physical amount indicating a state of the automatic transmission becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the stopped-state control being control for a hydraulic pressure supplied to engaging elements based on the input rotation frequency of the automatic transmission, and the running-state control being control for the hydraulic pressure supplied to the engaging elements without using the input rotation frequency of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromichi Akebono
  • Patent number: 9031776
    Abstract: A vehicle intersection monitoring method includes exchanging host vehicle information and remote vehicle information between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle, with the host vehicle information including information pertaining to a host vehicle location, a host vehicle heading and a host vehicle intended next maneuver and the remote vehicle information including information pertaining to a remote vehicle location, a remote vehicle heading and a remote vehicle intended next maneuver. The method further includes identifying a road intersection relating to the host vehicle heading and the remote vehicle heading, selecting an intersection scenario from a plurality of intersection scenarios based on the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information, and monitoring, by operation of a processor, a location relationship between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle according to an algorithm that is determined based on the selected intersection scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy W. Goudy, Neal Probert, Andrew Christensen, Jeremy Chambers
  • Patent number: 9026356
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation method comprises determining a present location of a host vehicle, including a road on which the host vehicle is traveling, determining a navigation route based on a destination and the present location of the vehicle, and determining a next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route and the present location of the host vehicle. The method further comprises capturing road information pertaining to the road, determining a present lane of the road in which the host vehicle is traveling based on the captured road information, determining a traffic condition on the road, and operating a computer to modify the next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route, the present lane and the traffic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian K. Tan
  • Patent number: 9022900
    Abstract: A control device continuously variable transmission for vehicle according to the present invention includes a continuously variable transmission mechanism capable of continuously changing a speed ratio, a sub-transmission mechanism provided in series with the continuously variable transmission mechanism, including a first gear position and a second gear position having a smaller speed ratio than the first gear position as forward gear positions and adapted to switch between the first gear position and the second gear position by selectively engaging or releasing a plurality of frictional engagement elements, and a transmission control unit wherein a vehicle is stopped with the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism kept in the second gear position when being stopped in a state where the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism is in the second gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Suzuki, Yoshihiko Ota, Seiichiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9022403
    Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a suspension support structure, a transverse link, a front link breakaway structure and a rear link breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side with a front connection structure connecting a front end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a first location and a rear connection structure pivotally connecting a rear end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a second location that is spaced rearwardly of the first location. The front link breakaway structure is configured to release the front end of the transverse link from the suspension support upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the suspension support structure. The rear link breakaway structure is configured to release the rear connection structure of the transverse link from the suspension support upon rearward rotation of the transverse link about the rear connection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce Lam, Ryan Corby, Jeffery Dix, Mark Snyder
  • Patent number: 9024499
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine rotor is equipped with a rotor core and a pair of permanent magnets disposed in a V-shape that opens toward an outer periphery of the rotor core. The pair of permanent magnets is separated in an inner periphery direction of the rotor core, and the rotor core contains a gap formed by connecting between at least the separated permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Nakada
  • Patent number: 9023771
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition which demonstrates a low friction coefficient and realizes a further fuel economy. [Solving Means] A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Mabuchi, Akira Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9022421
    Abstract: An inflatable restraint assembly includes a vehicle pillar and a pillar trim component that is attached to the vehicle pillar, with the pillar trim component having an upper end. A curtain airbag module having an inflatable curtain portion is disposed in a stowed configuration prior to deployment and moves to a deployed configuration subsequent to deployment. A guide ramp is disposed between the inflatable curtain portion of the curtain airbag module and the upper end of the pillar trim component. A headliner having an outboard portion is sandwiched between the guide ramp and the upper end of the pillar trim component prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain portion of the curtain airbag module. The outboard portion of the headliner defines a reduced thickness section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Zucal
  • Patent number: 9022428
    Abstract: A vehicle splash guard includes a base portion, a mounting structure, and a first non-fastener locating projection. The base portion is configured to extend into a wheel well defined by a vehicle body structure. The mounting structure is defined on an inner surface of the base portion and is configured to fixedly couple the vehicle splash guard to the vehicle body structure. The first non-fastener locating projection extends away from an inner surface of the base portion and is spaced apart from the mounting structure. The first non-fastener locating projection is configured to contact a laterally extending edge of the vehicle body structure that is located on an underside of the vehicle body structure to restrict movement of the base portion relative to the vehicle body structure in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure when the vehicle splash guard is installed to the vehicle body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Barugur Balasundaramohan, Ashley Earl, Randy Johnson
  • Patent number: 9022450
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a center stack assembly that has a main trim surface and an attachment surface with a peripheral edge surrounding the main trim surface. The peripheral edge includes a lower first side portion and a lower second side portion laterally opposite the lower first side portion. A first side trim surface extends from the lower first side portion of the peripheral edge and a second side trim surface extends from the lower second side portion of the peripheral edge. The first side trim surface and the second side trim surface are inclined toward one another such that the first side trim surface and the second side trim surface converge toward one another in a direction moving away from the main portion in a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Eberlein, Aaron Andersen
  • Patent number: 9016768
    Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes an engine cradle, an engine assembly and a lateral energy transfer member. The engine cradle includes a side engine cradle member with an engine mounting structure, which is located rearward of a front corner of the engine cradle. The engine assembly is fixedly attached to the engine mounting structure of the side engine cradle member. The lateral energy transfer member is fixedly attached to the side engine cradle member between the front corner and the engine mounting structure. The lateral energy transfer member has an engine contact surface positioned adjacent an engine structure of the engine assembly with a prescribed lateral gap between the engine contact surface and the engine structure. The prescribed lateral gap is dimensioned to transfer lateral energy to the engine assembly from a lateral force applied to the side engine cradle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Takaomi Makino, Takuya Yamashita, Ramkrishna Jayaram Chunduri, Kenneth Ameloot, Ryan Corby
  • Patent number: 9016764
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo bed accessory includes a vehicle cargo area with a bed floor, an accessory attachment track attached to the bed floor, a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate has a first end pivotally attached to a rear of the vehicle cargo area for pivoting movement between a closed position covering the tailgate opening and an open position exposing the tailgate opening. A gap is defined between a rear end of the bed floor and the first end of the tailgate. The tailgate gap cover is coupled to the accessory attachment track proximate the rear end and is movable to pivot between a horizontal orientation with the tailgate in the open position and an upright orientation with the tailgate in the closed position. The tailgate gap cover covers the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Johnson, Bruce Pfeiffer, Ian Patterson, Ronald Morrow
  • Patent number: 9020727
    Abstract: A vehicle braking assist device for a host vehicle includes a risk potential computing part that computes a risk potential of the host vehicle with respect to an obstacle in the travelling direction of the host vehicle, an accelerator operation state sensor that detects the operation state of an accelerator, and a braking force application device that applies a first braking force on the host vehicle when the risk potential is higher than a predetermined first threshold and the detected operation state of the accelerator indicates that the accelerator is not being operated, and that applies a second braking force on the host vehicle irrespective of the operation state of the accelerator when the risk potential is higher than a predetermined second threshold, the risk potential represented by the second threshold being higher than the risk potential represented by the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Inoue, Takeshi Sugano, Masahiro Kobayashi, Kazunori Kurata
  • Patent number: 9020819
    Abstract: A recognition dictionary system includes a variant term accumulation unit, a variant frequency analysis unit, and a recognition dictionary update unit. The variant term accumulation unit is configured to accumulate and store a first variant term that has a meaning equivalent to a base term stored in a recognition dictionary and has first character string information that is different from character string information of the base term. The variant frequency analysis unit is configured to analyze an occurrence frequency of the first variant term accumulated and stored in the variant term accumulation unit and to determine the first variant term as a principal variant term when the occurrence frequency is higher than a first prescribed value. The recognition dictionary update unit is configured to update the recognition dictionary to register the principal variant term in the recognition dictionary as being associated with the base term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Saitoh, Minoru Tomikashi, Takeshi Oono, Keiko Katsuragawa
  • Patent number: 9020702
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus of a vehicle includes a steering motor configured to output a steering torque for steering turning wheel, a steering motor angle sensor configured to detect a rotation angle of the steering motor, a steering motor drive current supply unit configured to supply the steering motor with a steering motor drive current for setting a turning angle of the turning wheel to an angle corresponding to an operation of a steering wheel, a set rotation angle storage unit configured to store beforehand a set rotation angle which is the rotation angle of the steering motor and which corresponds to the set turning angle that is set to an angle smaller than a limit turning angle to which the turning wheel is steerable, and a current supply quantity limiting unit configured to limit a supply quantity of the steering motor drive current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9020728
    Abstract: A vehicle turn monitoring method comprises determining an intent for a host vehicle to execute a left turn before the host vehicle begins to execute the left turn, monitoring a location relationship between the host vehicle and a remote vehicle before the host vehicle begins to execute the left turn, and evaluating a travelling condition of the host vehicle before the host vehicle begins to execute the left turn. The method further includes determining, by operation of a processor, whether to perform a threat mitigation operation before the host vehicle begins to execute the left turn based on the location relationship and the travelling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy W. Goudy, Neal Probert, Andrew Christensen, Jeremy Chambers
  • Patent number: 9017877
    Abstract: A current collector for a nonaqueous solvent secondary battery, which includes: a first metal layer; and a second metal layer stacked on a surface of the first metal layer, is composed so that a Young's modulus (E1), Vickers hardness (Hv1) and thickness (T1) of the first metal layer and a Young's modulus (E2), Vickers hardness (Hv2) and thickness (T2) of the second metal layer can satisfy the following Expression: (E1>E2 or Hv1>Hv2); and T1<T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Sato, Kenji Hosaka, Hideaki Horie
  • Patent number: 9020736
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fault diagnosis apparatus for an airflow meter for determining that the airflow meter has a fault when a divergence ratio, i.e., a divergence value of an estimated intake-air quantity with respect to an actual intake-air quantity obtained by the airflow meter is greater than a fault-determination reference value determined based on a rotation speed of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus determines that the airflow meter is normal when the engine speed is higher than or equal to a predetermined speed under a specific condition that the divergence value is less than or equal to the reference value, and also maintains a current determination result when the engine speed is less than the predetermined speed under the specific condition, thereby determining, based on the engine speed, whether the airflow meter is normal or the current determination result is maintained, and thus improving the fault-diagnosis accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 9020718
    Abstract: A torque converter (1) connecting an engine (14) and a transmission (15) of a vehicle is provided with a lockup clutch (2), and a controller (5) is programmed to increase an engagement force of a lockup clutch (2) under open loop control before shifting to feedback control of the engaging force using a target slip rotation speed. When an engine output torque rapidly decreases during open loop control (S59, S60), the controller (5) decreases the engaging force according to a variation amount of the engine output torque (S61, S65), thereby preventing an unintentional sudden engagement of the lockup clutch (2) due to decrease in the engine output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Katsumata, Satoshi Segawa
  • Patent number: 9011012
    Abstract: A bearing cap (11) fastened to a bulkhead (2) of a cylinder block (1) by bolts to support a crankshaft. A pair of protruding parts (25, 26) that enlarge a joint surface (12) between the bearing cap (11) and the bulkhead (2) in a transverse direction of the crankshaft are formed respectively in a pair of side surfaces (33, 34). A pair of reinforcing parts (35, 36) are positioned between a top surface (19) and the pair of protruding parts (25, 26), protrude from the pair of side surfaces (33, 34) in the transverse direction of the crankshaft, and have a protrusion length that is smaller than that of the pair of protruding parts (25, 26). The stress on the joint portion between the bearing cap (11) and the bulkhead (2) generated by the crankshaft during operation of the internal combustion engine is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hoshikawa, Kazuki Arima
  • Patent number: 9014862
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes a solenoid valve; a hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount calculation section calculating a hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount and a command current control section controlling the command current in accordance with the hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount. The hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount calculation section has, as a reference map, a full hysteresis characteristic, and is configured to make a plurality of reduction maps obtained by reducing the reference map in accordance with a turn-round position at one of minor loops from a past to a present time when the minor loop continues, and to calculate the hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount by summation of hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amounts obtained by the reduction maps in the same command current position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Morita, Takayuki Nagase, Takaaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9014959
    Abstract: An energy-consumption calculation device includes an energy-consumption estimation unit to estimate energy consumption in a predetermined section; an actual energy consumption identification unit to identify an actual energy consumption supplied in the predetermined section by an energy-supply unit; an energy-consumption correction unit to correct the energy consumption in the predetermined section estimated by the energy consumption estimation unit in accordance with a difference between the energy consumption in the predetermined section estimated by the energy consumption estimation unit and the actual energy consumption in the predetermined section identified by the actual energy consumption identification means; and display unit adapted to identify and display, by using the energy consumption in the predetermined section corrected by the energy consumption correction means, a possible travel range by which travel is possible with a suppliable energy amount of the energy supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Clarion Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kanno, Mika Sugimoto, Shinya Tagawa, Keisuke Mutou
  • Patent number: 9012102
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for recovering performance of fuel cells by recovering fuel cell catalyst activity and methods of testing the durability and activity performance of fuel cells. One catalyst recovery process disclosed herein for a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly comprises operating the fuel cell for a first recovery cycle with fuel gas supplied to an anode of the fuel cell and an oxidant supplied to a cathode of the fuel cell while drawing a current from the fuel cell at steady state throughout the first recovery cycle, the first recovery cycle having a predetermined time period. The fuel cell has reached end of life due in part to intermittent use prior to operating the fuel cell for the first recovery cycle. A life of the fuel cell improves when the first recovery cycle is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Taehee Han, Nilesh Dale, Kevork Adjemian
  • Patent number: 9012812
    Abstract: A seat heater (10) that is provided on a seat (1) including a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3) includes a first heating element (12U) provided in an upper section (3Lu) of a backrest (3L) in the seat back (3) and a second heating element (12L) provided in a lower section (3Ll) of the backrest (3L) in the seat back (3). In addition, a heat generation density of the first heating element (12U) is lower than a heat generation density of the second heating element (12L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Anzai, Hiroki Nagayama, Hajime Oi
  • Patent number: 9014948
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine of a spark-ignition type that injects fuel directly into a combustion chamber including a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the combustion chamber, a load detector that detects the load of the internal combustion engine, and a controller. The controller performs a first control when the temperature of the combustion chamber is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature and the load of the internal combustion engine is higher than a predetermined load such that the timing of fuel injection is advanced compared with the timing when the load of the internal combustion engine is lower than or equal to the predetermined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Miura
  • Patent number: 9014896
    Abstract: A vehicle control system, a server and a vehicle control device which improve energy efficiency of a vehicle based on the information of other vehicles is provided. The system includes a first energy information acquiring mechanism that acquires energy information indicating the energy efficiency of the vehicle including at least accelerator pedal opening information, an identification mechanism that identifies the vehicle of good energy efficiency among a plurality of vehicles based on the energy information, and a drive system control mechanism that controls the drive system of the own vehicle based on the accelerator pedal opening of the other vehicle that has been identified as energy efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arita
  • Patent number: 9012100
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including: a wetness detecting section for detecting a wetness of a fuel cell stack; a target SR setting section for setting a target SR of the fuel cell stack based on the wetness; a smallest SR setting section for setting, based on a load, a smallest SR necessary to prevent flooding of the fuel cell stack; and an SR control section for performing control so that an actual SR becomes temporarily larger than the smallest SR when the target SR is smaller than the smallest SR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kagami, Takahiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 9003916
    Abstract: A support structure for a shift lever includes a rotation shaft coupled to the shift lever, a base plate including a support that pivotally supports the rotation shaft to tiltably support the shift lever, a restriction member coupled to the base plate, and a fixing portion that fixes the restriction member to the base plate. The base plate includes a guide that guides the coupling of the restriction member to the base plate. The rotation shaft includes a main protrusion, which protrudes from an end surface of the rotation shaft in an axial direction, and an auxiliary protrusion, which protrudes in the axial direction from the end surface by a smaller protrusion amount than the main protrusion. The restriction member is fixed in contact with the main protrusion so that the restriction member cooperates with the support to restrict movement of the rotation shaft in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomasa Sasaki, Daisuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9005807
    Abstract: A bipolar secondary battery current collector is a bipolar secondary battery current collector having electrical conductivity. The current collector has an expansion section that expands in a thickness direction of the current collector at a temperature equal to or higher than a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Honda
  • Patent number: 9004751
    Abstract: A fault diagnosis device conducts a fault diagnosis in a temperature sensor. At starting an internal combustion engine, a thermal equilibrium condition may be established and temperature deviations of temperatures detected by at least two reference temperature sensors from each other may be equal to or less than a predetermined value, with the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors being greatly deviated from one detected by a temperature sensor being diagnosed. In this case, if the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors do not drop by a predetermined temperature or more from starting the engine until a predetermined time elapses, the fault diagnosis device determines that the temperature sensor being diagnosed is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yamato Sakurada
  • Patent number: 9005838
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided in which a plurality of single cells each including a membrane electrode assembly are stacked in a stacking direction. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of electrical insulation members each connected to an outer peripheral portion of a corresponding one of the membrane electrode assemblies. The fuel cell stack further includes a first displacement absorbing member disposed between each insulation member and an adjacent insulation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Uehara, Yasuhiro Numao
  • Patent number: D729820
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sachiyo Yamasaki