Patents Examined by Caitlin Anne Miller
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Patent number: 11833878Abstract: An anti-roll bar link for a vehicle suspension may be positioned between an anti-roll bar and an articulating arm. The link selectively transfers movement of the arm to the anti-roll bar, depending on a locked or unlocked state. The link includes a body interfacing a slidable shaft. A physical feature selectively locks or unlocks the slidable shaft with respect to the body. The physical feature may include a locking pin, interference with a locking ball, etc. In the locked state, translation of the slidable shaft is restricted, and movement of the arm is transferred through the link to the bar. In the unlocked state, translation of the slidable shaft is permitted, and movement of the arm causes the shaft to translate with respect to the body such that at least a portion of the movement is not transferred to the bar.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Christopher Cox CreativeInventor: Christopher Paul Cox
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Patent number: 11827175Abstract: Various implementations include a system for adjusting the position of a seatbelt in a vehicle. The system includes a shoulder anchor, at least one sensor, and a processor. The shoulder anchor is for receiving a seatbelt. The shoulder anchor is movable relative to a seat disposed within the vehicle. The processor is in electrical communication with the sensor and a memory. The processor executes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory. The instructions cause the processor to receive sensor data from the sensor, determine whether the seatbelt is within an expected area on a person in the seat based on the received sensor data, and cause the shoulder anchor to move relative to the seat in response to the seatbelt being outside of the expected area on the person in the seat such that the seatbelt is moved into the expected area.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Steve Reed, Len Cech
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Patent number: 11827071Abstract: A rubber bump stop composed of at least two components (“Durobumps”) and used as a suspension product is disclosed that greatly extends suspension life of the vehicle and increases vehicle stability in rough terrain or harsh driving conditions. Preferably, the rubber bump stop has at least four components and include cast in place metal hardware for use in fastening to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Inventor: Curtis Glenn
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Patent number: 11820186Abstract: A damper system for changing a ground clearance of a vehicle, including a main damper having a main damper chamber and a main damper piston movably arranged in a main damper tube and a spring assembly. The spring assembly includes a spring, a lower spring seat, and an upper spring seat. The spring is arranged between the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat, wherein one of the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat includes a cylinder and a piston, and the other one of the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat is coupled to the main damper and movable with the spring. The piston of the spring assembly is steplessly adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a predefined minimum ground clearance and the second position corresponds to a predefined maximum ground clearance.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Liam Gerlin, Nrupathunga Ashok
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Patent number: 11807064Abstract: An anti-roll wheel suspension system for vehicles includes a first suspension spring and a first damper arranged to be connected to a first wheel, and a second suspension spring and a second damper arranged to be connected to a second wheel. The system further includes a centre part operatively connected to the first suspension spring and the first damper, and operatively connected to the second suspension spring and the second damper. The centre part is arranged between the first suspension spring and the second suspension spring, and between the first damper and the second damper. The centre part is movably arranged in a transverse direction. The centre part, when moving in the transverse direction upon activation from the first wheel and/or the second wheel, is configured for impacting the stiffness of the first suspension spring and/or the second suspension spring.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co.Inventor: Martin Edberg
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Patent number: 11807186Abstract: A vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a support structure that is connected to the vehicle body and which is configured to provide a framework for one or more thermal components of the vehicle; a reinforcement member that is connected to the vehicle body and which is configured to absorb impact forces; and an active grille shutter that is connected to the support structure. The active grille shutter includes an integral pedestrian guard that is configured for contact with a pedestrian's leg to protect the pedestrian's leg during an impact.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jasvir Singh, Spencer Boyd, III
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Patent number: 11807061Abstract: A vehicle, variable spring system and method of operating a corner actuator coupled to wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle includes the corner actuator and the variable spring system. The variable spring system includes a control chamber coupled to the corner actuator, a first spring, a second spring, and a valve. An applied resistance for the corner actuator is selected by selecting an amount of fluid coupling between the control chamber and each of the first spring and the second spring. A force is absorbed at the wheel using the applied resistance.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Robert Patrick Marble
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Patent number: 11794844Abstract: Riding-saddle motor vehicle including a front frame which extends along a longitudinal direction having at least one front wheel, a rear frame having a pair of rear wheels mounted on opposite sides of a rear wheel axis, a motor unit mounted on board the front frame and adapted to provide a driving torque to the pair of rear wheels and/or the front wheel, where the motor unit is connected to the rear wheel axis by means of an articulated transmission joint adapted to allow a relative rotation, around the longitudinal direction, between the front frame and the rear frame, and transmit a driving torque to the pair of rear wheels.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.AInventor: Andrea Raffaelli
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Patent number: 11772598Abstract: A safety harness retaining device for a child seat has first and second parts. The first part has a body, a cover removably attached to the body to cover a first side of the body, a magnet enclosed by the cover and body, a pin attached to and extending from a second side of the body for piercing a covering of the child seat, and a clasp removably connectable to the pin for securing the first part to the covering. The second part has a strap configured to be wrapped around and secured to a safety harness belt of the child seat and has an encased ferrous material. And the first part and the second parts are removably connectable through a magnetic force between the magnet and the ferrous material.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Inventors: Elise Britton, Robyn Adams
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Patent number: 11767052Abstract: According to embodiments, it is possible to prevent vibration and gaps in a coupling structure between rotation shafts, thus allowing for reduction in noise, enhanced responsiveness, accurate steering, and a better straight driving performance.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Kyung Min Ko
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Patent number: 11766989Abstract: A hood and bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a hood assembly, and a hinge about which the hood assembly rotates between an open position and a closed position. A bumper bracket is secured to a fixed support of the vehicle, and a bumper is located between the bumper bracket and the hood assembly to absorb an impact force of the hood assembly. The bumper bracket is configured to release from the fixed support when the impact force exceeds a preselected threshold to dissipate the impact force. A bumper assembly for a hood of a vehicle includes a bumper bracket secured to a fixed support of the vehicle, and a bumper positioned between the bumper bracket and the hood to absorb an impact force. The bumper bracket is configured to release from the fixed support when the impact force exceeds a preselected threshold to dissipate the impact force.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Vivekananda Kinila, Anandakumar Marappan, Vikram S. Patil
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Patent number: 11767008Abstract: An anti-rollover apparatus and control method for heavy-duty vehicles with a pneumatic brake system includes an anti-yaw module, an anti-roll module, an electronic control unit (ECU) (10), a yaw velocity sensor (12), and a vehicle roll angle sensor (18). The ECU (10) controls solenoid valves (4, 9, 11, 19, and 24) to achieve braking of part of wheels to obtain anti-yaw torques and improve the yaw stability of the heavy-duty vehicles. The ECU (10) controls gas switch valves (21 and 22) to spray high-pressure gases recovered in brake chambers (1, 13, 16, and 26) out, anti-roll torques are obtained through the jet reactive force, and the roll stability of the heavy-duty vehicles is improved.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICSInventors: Zhilin Jin, Jingxuan Li, Shuwei Huang, Biao Qian, Yurou Li, Zhining Peng
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Patent number: 11753105Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle having a front wheel assembly attached to a chassis. The chassis includes a rotational control shaft having a rotational axis that is generally directed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rotational control shaft is integrated with or secured to the chassis in a non-rotational manner and passes through the front wheel assembly in a rotationally-free manner, such that the rotational control shaft can rotate about its rotational axis. The front wheel assembly includes one or more lean control motors, which are operably configured to rotate the rotational control shaft about its rotational axis thereby causing the chassis to lean from side to side to improve the handling ability of the vehicle. Some embodiments include a lean control system configured to automatically control the degree of rotation of the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Inventor: Eric Rea
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Patent number: 11718136Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a damper bearing of a shock absorber in a wheelhouse of a vehicle. A damper receptacle is formed in a wheelhouse sheet metal part delimiting the wheelhouse. A threaded bolt is guided through a damper bearing screw hole and through a screw hole of the damper receptacle and the bolt tip of the threaded bolt is screwed together with an internal thread of a reinforcement element which is arranged on the side of the damper receptacle. A positioning aid is associated with the damper receptacle, via which positioning aid the damper bearing of the shock absorber can be pre-positioned in an assembly process up to an installation position in which the screw hole of the damper bearing, the screw hole of the damper receptacle, and the reinforcement element internal thread are oriented flush with respect to each other in a screw direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Schilling, Werner Krauth, Nicole Wallmann
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Patent number: 11713080Abstract: Double subframes with isolation couplings are disclosed herein. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a powertrain, a frame, a first subframe coupled to the powertrain via a first isolation coupling, and a second subframe coupled at least partially around the first subframe, the second subframe coupled to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Keith Hair, Steven C. Hopson, Marc Peerbolte, Thomas Trebowicz
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Patent number: 11712938Abstract: A suspension system for liftable steerable axles has at least one steering knuckle; at least one pistonless bellows air spring actuator (ie., damper air spring); and a steering axle structure that has, at each end, a kingpin housing boss, a kingpin fixed into the kingpin boss, and a pair of steering knuckles that rotate around the kingpin and are supported by the kingpin housing; wherein the steering knuckles are connected at the bottom of each other side to side by a tie rod assembly that respond to each others rotational inputs; and further having the damper air spring being connected to the steering knuckle so that, given a supplied pneumatic air force, the damper air spring stabilizes and dampens the steering road inputs when in motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Inventors: Jason M. Klein, Kevin C. Schlack
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Patent number: 11708112Abstract: A frame system for a vehicle including a high-voltage component that includes a pair of spaced apart primary rails that extend from a front of the vehicle toward a rear of the vehicle and a pair of longitudinally extending sills. An impact support rail extends outward from each of the primary rails, and connects each respective primary rail to one of the sills. A cross-member extends outward from each of the primary rails, and connects each respective primary rail to one of the sills, and a laterally extending frame support member extends between the sills at a location between the impact support rails and the cross-members. A pocket is collectively formed between each primary rail, the respective impact support rail, the respective sill, the respective cross-member, and the laterally extending frame support member, and the pocket is configured for receipt and protection of the high-voltage component.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Kedar V Parday, Krishnamurthy Hegde, Saurabh V Joshi, Rebecca L Tanguay, Maximiliano P Larroquette, Dennis J. Hauff, Jr., Michael J Martinez, Richard C Chiarcos
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Patent number: 11702024Abstract: To improve workability when attaching an airbag module disposed in a side portion of a vehicle seat from a seat back side. A vehicle seat (S) includes: a side frame (13) which constitutes a side portion of a seat back frame (10); a bracket (20) which includes an attachment portion (21) attached to a side surface of the side frame (13) on a seat inner side and a back protrusion portion (22) protruding backward from the attachment portion (21); and an airbag module (30) which includes a retainer (34) fixed to the back protrusion portion (22).Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuro Yamada, Atsushi Yamabe
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Patent number: 11702032Abstract: A vehicular belt tactile apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a buckle, a belt configured to be fastened to the buckle and at least one air pouch disposed at a portion of the belt that contacts the body of an occupant when the belt is fastened to the buckle. An air controller generates a control signal when the belt is fastened to the buckle. The buckle includes an air supply unit that is configured to inject air into the at least one air pouch through the belt or to discharge air from the at least one air pouch in response to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Jin Mo Lee, Jung Keun Yoo, Joong Kwan Kim, Kaang Dok Yee
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Patent number: 11691474Abstract: A system for filling a tank of a suspension system with hydraulic fluid includes: a module configured to turn on an external pump and pump hydraulic fluid into the suspension system, where the external pump is separate from the suspension system and is configured to pump hydraulic fluid into the suspension system via a port fluidly connected to a hydraulic line of the suspension system; and a fill module configured to, after operating the external pump, operate a pump of the suspension system and pump hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic line into the tank of the suspension system thereby filling the tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventors: Peter Boon, Stein Slootmaekers, Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen