Patents Examined by Brian J McGovern
  • Patent number: 11681319
    Abstract: Provided is a foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle that is configured such that a pedal pad protrudes toward a driver to be exposed (pop-up state) such that the pedal pad can be operated by the driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver manually drives, and the pedal pad is hidden not to be exposed to the driver (hidden state) such that the pedal pad cannot be operated by the driver in an autonomous driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11675385
    Abstract: Systems and device configurations are provided for reducing misstep, such as miscommunication between a vehicle and a driver that results in applying the incorrect pedal. Vehicle pedal configurations having a positioning element are described. Embodiments include pedal configurations having a pedal pad and at least one positioning element to adjust the pedal pad in response to pedal misstep. Pedal adjustment can include rotation of a pedal pad, rotation of portions of a pedal pad, and multibody pedal pad configurations. According to embodiment, a pedal pad includes vibrational elements to control vibration of the pedal. Embodiments are also directed to a pedal configuration including a flip plate. Systems are provided including a controller to control a pedal configuration and positioning elements. The controller may control the pedal based on a driving mode, such as an assistive driving state wherein operator is instructed to apply a pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yasuda, Manuel L. Kuehner
  • Patent number: 11674690
    Abstract: A knob assembly and an appliance having a knob assembly are provided. The knob assembly may include a knob configured to be rotatably installed, a knob ring configured to surround the knob and to be rotated independently from the knob, a spring configured to provide an elastic force so as to return the knob ring toward an initial position when the knob ring is rotated to a position spaced apart from the initial position, and a magnetic force provider configured to provide a magnetic force to return the knob ring to the initial position when the knob ring is at a position adjacent to the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11673597
    Abstract: A switch device includes a switch body, which is arranged at the back side of a steering unit, and a lever unit, which is attached to the switch body to allow for switching by a pivotal operation about a first axis, which extends in the axial direction of a steering shaft. The lever unit includes a lever shaft, which extends in a direction intersecting the first axis of the pivotal operation, a lever head, which is arranged at the distal end of the lever shaft and has a larger dimension than the diameter of the lever shaft, and a push operation unit, which allows for switching by a push operation. The push operation unit is arranged so that the operation direction of the push operation is directed toward the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ishigure, Yuki Sato, Tadashi Usuya, Akio Nishiyama, Masahiro Kato, Takayuki Aoki, Shinji Matsubara, Toshihiko Kosugi, Ryusuke Ohta, Shinji Hara
  • Patent number: 11674584
    Abstract: An axial retainment system for a shaft is provided. The axial retainment system includes a cylindrical body extending from an outboard end to an inboard end thereof, and a swaged ridge extending radially outward from the cylindrical body proximate the outboard end. The swaged ridge has an outboard axial surface facing toward the outboard end and extending radially outward and terminating at a radially outward facing circumferential surface. The swaged ridge has an inboard axial surface facing toward the inboard end and extending radially outward from the cylindrical body and terminating at the radially outward facing circumferential surface. The outboard axial surface of the swaged ridge is recessed axially inward from the outboard end of the shaft. The inboard axial surface of the swaged ridge is swaged against, conforms in shape to, and is compressed against a component to be axially retained on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pallini, Michael Coppola, Giovanni C. Albini
  • Patent number: 11673018
    Abstract: A replacement bicycle stem is disclosed herein. In particular, prior to operation of a bicycle in a stationary environment, the bicycle stem, if present, is removed and replaced with the replacement bicycle stem disclosed herein. The replacement bicycle stem is intended to rotate or turn with the handlebars, but independent of the steer tube and front wheel. More specifically, the replacement stem includes a main body with a mounting channel at one end and a handlebar clamp at another end. At least one bearing is disposed within a portion of the mounting channel for engagement against the steer tube. The at least one bearing allows or facilitates rotation of the stem about the steer axis independent of or substantially independent of the steer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel J. McAllister
  • Patent number: 11668369
    Abstract: A vibration damping device including a supporting member rotating with a rotation element around a rotation center of the rotation element; a restoring force generation member coupled to the supporting member to transfer torque to and from the supporting member and configured to swing with rotation of the supporting member; and an inertia mass body coupled to the supporting member via the restoring force generation member and swinging around the rotation center with the restoring force generation member with rotation of the supporting member, in which the restoring force generation member swings around a swing center so that a relative position with respect to the inertia mass body does not change, and a distance between a center of gravity of the restoring force generation member and the swing center changes with a change in a swing angle of the restoring force generation member with respect to the inertia mass body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Oi, Takao Sakamoto, Takuya Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 11661318
    Abstract: A control switch for operating, preferably in single-hand operation, a hoist or crane, having a device for manual actuation, preferably single-finger actuation, with a base element, which is preferably designed as a housing, and a control lever which can be pivoted relative to the base element and which can be pivoted by means of a pivot movement triggered by means of manual actuation, preferably single-finger actuation, from an unpivoted base position into an actuation position that is pivoted in relation to the base position, in order thereby to bring about a predefined movement of the hoist or crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Konecranes Global Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick Woidneck, Wolfgang Krebs, Giuliano Persico, Peter Kortmann
  • Patent number: 11656647
    Abstract: Provided is a foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle that is configured such that pedal pads protrude toward a driver to be exposed (pop-up state) such that the pedal pads can be operated by the driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver manually drives, and the pedal pads are hidden not to be exposed to the driver (hidden state) such that the pedal pads cannot be operated by the driver in an autonomous driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11654953
    Abstract: This steering device of a vehicle includes: a steering wheel with a rim portion connected to a spoke portion extending from a hub portion; and a capacitance type of contact sensor that detects a grip of the steering wheel by a driver on the basis of a change in capacitance, wherein the contact sensor includes a detection electrode which is installed in the rim portion to sense a change in capacitance of the rim portion, and a conductive member which is disposed in a region of the spoke portion on a side facing the driver and one end portion of which is in contact with the detection electrode of the rim portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Patent number: 11656648
    Abstract: A foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The foldable pedal apparatus is configured such that pedal pads protrude into an interior of a vehicle to be exposed toward a driver in a pop-up state in a manual driving mode in which the driver manually drives, and the pedal pads are inserted into a case on a footrest panel not to be exposed toward the driver in a hidden state in an autonomous driving mode in which the driver does not manually drive, and is configured to be able to operate and generate a signal related to a pedal function by pressure when the pedal pads have been popped up by pressure-based operating pedal assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11649968
    Abstract: A cooking appliance capable of preventing a user's unintended rotation of a knob assembly includes: a main body including a control panel; a valve positioned inside the main body, and including a valve shaft being pushable and rotatable; and a knob assembly including an inner knob coupled with the valve shaft, and an outer knob being movable with respect to the inner knob in a first direction in which the outer knob approaches the inner knob, wherein, when the outer knob moves by a first push distance in the first direction, the valve shaft and the inner knob are prevented from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeong Hyeok Kim, Sang Jun Park, Sang Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11643129
    Abstract: At a rim portion of a steering wheel, a shielding layer is disposed between a sensor electrode and a rim metal core portion. The shielding layer extends with respect to the sensor electrode. Therefore, generation of capacitive coupling between the sensor electrode and the rim metal core portion can be suppressed properly by the shielding layer, and parasitic capacitance that is generated at the sensor electrode can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tetsushi Urushibata, Ryohei Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11643061
    Abstract: A pedal simulation device, comprising: a housing; an abutment region that is coupled with the housing in a substantially rigid manner; a piston that is received in the housing and can be moved in a direction of actuation by passing through successive first and second actuation phases; and a return device that is configured to exert a resetting force on the piston that acts counter to the displacement of the piston in the direction of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Carlos Erviti, Jorge Trobajo, Ana Maisterra, Omayra Zapata
  • Patent number: 11634193
    Abstract: A locking/unlocking system for traction systems actuated by pedal levers, which includes: a blocking element (1); a receiving element (10); an automatic activation means (3) for coupling and uncoupling the blocking element (1) of the receiving element (10); at least, a control means (16) for controlling the automatic activation means (3); at least, a switch (15a, 15b) for turning the control means on and/or off (16); and at least, a power source (17). A pedal lever (9) for traction systems actuated by pedal levers, which includes: a locking/unlocking system, in accordance with this invention. A traction system actuated by pedal levers, which in turn includes: a pedal lever (9) in accordance with this invention on each of the two ends of the central axis (8), which is introduced and fastened to the adapter (7) of the freewheel (6), or directly onto the freewheel (6) of the lever (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Servando Soto Velasco
  • Patent number: 11630477
    Abstract: A foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle includes pedal assemblies including pedal arms and pedal pads that are rotated rearwards and are thus popped up to a driver so as to be operated by the driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver directly drives a vehicle. Also, the pedal assemblies including the pedal arms and the pedal pads may be rotated forwards and upwards, so as to be located close to a front surface of a footrest panel and thus enter a hidden state in which exposure of the pedal assemblies to the driver is interrupted so as not to be operated by the driver in an autonomous driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11630475
    Abstract: A foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle includes a misoperation prevention pad, an accelerator pedal pad and a brake pedal pad. In a manual driving mode in which a driver directly drives, the accelerator pedal pad and the brake pedal pad protrude and are exposed toward the driver and then enter into a popped-up state so that operation of the pedal pads by the driver may be performed. In an autonomous driving situation, the accelerator pedal pad and the brake pedal pad are hidden and then enter into a hidden state in which exposure toward the driver is blocked so that the operation of the accelerator pedal pad and the brake pedal pad by the driver is unable to be performed. Furthermore, the misoperation prevention pad is provided between the accelerator pedal pad and the brake pedal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11630476
    Abstract: A foldable pedal apparatus for vehicles is provided in which pedal pads are rotated rearwards from a footrest panel and thus enter a pop-up state to be manipulable by a driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver directly drives a vehicle. The pedal pads are rotated forwards maximally close to the front surface of the footrest panel and thus enter a hidden state without exposure to be nonmanipulable by the driver in an autonomous driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11630478
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle in which a pedal pad 210 protrudes to be exposed to the interior of a vehicle and pop up toward a driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver is actively involved in driving, in which the pedal pad 210 is inserted into a footrest panel 10 such that exposure toward the driver is blocked in a hide state in an autonomous driving mode, and which may generate a signal relating to a pedal function by operating the pedal pad 210 by pressure through the pressure-operated pedal assembly 200 in a pop-up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11628725
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control pedal assembly includes a housing having a friction generating surface, a pedal arm, a spring carrier, and at least one spring. The pedal arm includes a hub portion and a friction generating member. The friction generating member has a lobe connected to a cross member and is positioned on a side surface of the hub portion. The cross member extends within the hub portion. The spring carrier has a friction generating portion. As the pedal arm is depressed, a portion of the spring carrier engages the friction generating portion against the cross member positioned within the hub aperture and pivotally engages a portion of the lobe of the friction generating member against the friction generating surface of the housing thereby creating at least two independent friction generating surfaces to create a hysteresis proportional to the depression of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: KSR IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Vyskocil