Patents Examined by Daniel M. Keck
  • Patent number: 12109885
    Abstract: A driver intoxication test system is provided for a vehicle including: a quick intoxication pre-test subsystem for quickly determining whether there is reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated; an intoxication validation test subsystem for determining whether the driver is intoxicated; and a controller is configured to determine whether the quick intoxication pre-test subsystem has detected a reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated. When a reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated has been detected, an intoxication validation test is conducted and it is determined whether the driver has passed the intoxication validation test. When a reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated has not been detected, the controller does not instruct the intoxication validation test subsystem to conduct an intoxication validation test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Steel
  • Patent number: 12097741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilizer assembly of a two-track vehicle for stabilizing a rolling movement, the stabilizer assembly being operable on at least two different spring characteristics, comprising a first and a second stabilizer half, each coupled to a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first and the second stabilizer halves are coupled such that they can rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal axis by means of a spring element, whereby the stabilizer is operable with a first spring characteristic, and wherein the first and the second stabilizer halves can be hydraulically coupled such that they can rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal axis by means of a hydraulic actuator, whereby the stabilizer is operable using at least one second spring characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignees: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, MUHR UND BENDER KG
    Inventors: Robert Krueger, Daniel Schröder, Thomas Schrüllkamp, Alexander Stichling, Simon Hofrichter
  • Patent number: 12090976
    Abstract: A front structure of a body-on-frame vehicle includes: a pair of left and right side rails extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; cross-members extending in a vehicle width direction and coupling the side rails together; a motor for traveling disposed between the cross-members; and a brake actuator disposed on a vehicle rear side relative to the cross-member and disposed on an inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the side rail. The front structure is configured such that, when the motor is removed, a worker is able to access the brake actuator from a space between the cross-members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Sugawa
  • Patent number: 12090897
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may have an angle detection device configured to detect a reclining angle of a seatback, an angle detection reference member configured to serve as a reference for the angle detection device, and a rotation limiting guide unit configured to connect a seat fixing structure to the angle detection reference member and to limit rotation of the angle detection reference member by guiding upward-and-downward and forward-and-rearward movements of the angle detection reference member during tilting of a seat cushion around a hinge structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Wooshin Safety Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Chang Sung, Yong Ik Kim
  • Patent number: 12077219
    Abstract: Rotary steering systems are disclosed. An example vehicle steering system includes an input gear fixed to an end of an input shaft, a first intermediate gear fixed to a first pinion, the first intermediate gear engaged with the input gear, a second intermediate gear fixed to a second pinion, the second pinion engaged with the first intermediate gear or a third intermediate gear, a motor fixed to a third pinion, the third pinion engaged with the second intermediate gear, the motor to rotate the first intermediate gear and the first pinion, a third gear fixed to a shaft, the third gear engaged with the first pinion, the third gear and the shaft to rotate as the first intermediate gear rotates, and a pitman arm coupled to the shaft, the pitman arm to couple to a drag link to turn wheels of a vehicle as the shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Washnock, Jackson E. Barry, James Philip Cooper, Daniel Steven Payne
  • Patent number: 12070984
    Abstract: A stabilizer bar includes a first housing configured to be fixed to a first side-bar, and a second housing configured to be fixed to a second side-bar. The first housing incudes a clutch piston that engages a clutch ring fixed to the second housing. The clutch piston is moved axially via a screw actuated by a nut. The nut is rotated via a planetary gearset driven by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Michael Hodge
  • Patent number: 12054029
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle suspension system may include a lower control arm, an upper control arm, a damper, and a drop link. The lower control arm may be operably coupled to a chassis of a vehicle via a first bushing assembly and a second bushing assembly. The first and second bushing assemblies may each pivot about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The upper control arm may be operably coupled to the chassis. The damper may be operably coupled to the lower control arm to dampen pivoting motion of the upper and lower control arms relative to the chassis. The drop link may operably couple the lower control arm and an anti-roll bar that includes a disconnect assembly to translate a roll motion into a force exerted on the lower control arm in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Erik Otten
  • Patent number: 12054212
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a front chassis system of a tilting vehicle, and a front chassis system of a tilting vehicle. The system includes at least: a front swing arm-left connected to and provided at a vehicle body and a front steering wheel-left, and a front swing arm-right connected to and provided at the vehicle body and a front steering wheel-right; a front shock absorber-left connected to and provided at the front swing arm-left, and a front shock absorber-right connected to and provided at the front swing arm-right; a front tilt bar rotatably connected to and provided at the vehicle body, and connected to and provided at the front shock absorber-left and the front shock absorber-right; at least one front elastic roller provided at the vehicle body; and a steering device linked to and provided at a steering wheel part assembled on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: HJ MOTO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyeong Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 12049185
    Abstract: An airbag assembly includes: an air bag, mounted to a vehicle seat and capable of inflating from an undeployed state to a deployed state, wherein in the deployed state, the air bag extends along the head and torso of an occupant in the vehicle seat, arranged to surround the head and torso of the occupant; and a strap, for mounting the air bag to the vehicle seat and having a first section and a second section, wherein in the deployed state, the strap is tightened, the first section being mounted to the air bag on an outer surface of the air bag in an extension direction of the air bag, and the second section extending on at least one outer side surface of the air bag in a direction at an angle with respect to the extension direction of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Kan Wang
  • Patent number: 12043261
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to perform a tank turn. An example apparatus includes programmable circuitry to determine that a first brake associated with a first wheel is engaged and a second brake associated with a second wheel is engaged, the first wheel located on an end of a first axle of a vehicle, the second wheel located on an end of a second axle of the vehicle, the end of the first axle opposite to the end of the second axle, cause a first suspension to decrease a first suspension load of the first wheel, cause a second suspension to decrease a second suspension load of the second wheel, cause a first motor to drive the first axle in a first direction, and cause a second motor to drive the second axle in a second direction, the second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 12036943
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle pillar elongated along an axis. The assembly includes seatbelt retractor and a webbing retractably extendable from the retractor. The seatbelt retractor is lockable from an unlocked position in which the webbing is extendable from and retractable into the retractor to a locked position in which the retractor restricts extension of the webbing from the retractor. The assembly includes a frame supported by the pillar and defining a slot elongated along the axis of the pillar. The slot has a terminal upper end. The assembly includes a seatbelt guide slideably engaged with the slot. The seatbelt retractor is below the seatbelt guide. The webbing extends upwardly from the seatbelt retractor around the seatbelt guide. The assembly includes a spring between the frame and the seatbelt guide. The spring biases the seatbelt guide against the terminal upper end of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 12031575
    Abstract: In a strut bearing device, an upper spring seat made of steel has a cylindrical part and a disc part. The cylindrical part has, at an upper part thereof, an engagement hole penetrated in a radial direction. A lower case of a strut bearing has a cylindrical member fitted along an inner peripheral surface of the upper part of the cylindrical part. The cylindrical member has, at its outer peripheral surface, an engagement projection that is engaged with an engagement hole. Relative movement of the upper spring seat and the lower case in an axial direction and in a circumferential direction is restricted in a state where the engagement projection is engaged with the engagement hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Shibata, Yasuhiro Narazaki, Shogo Fukada
  • Patent number: 12023975
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes a piston rod of a shock absorber, an upper support of the shock absorber, a bearing, a spring and a buffer block, which are coaxially arranged. The upper support of the shock absorber has a first through hole, the bearing has a second through hole, and a portion of the upper support of the shock absorber is arranged in the second through hole, the buffer block has a third through hole, and one end of the piston rod of the shock absorber is located in the first through hole, the other end of the piston rod of the shock absorber passes through the third through hole, the buffer block is connected with the upper support of the shock absorber, the spring is sleeved around the piston rod of the shock absorber, and the spring is connected with the bearing. The present disclosure further provides a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignees: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Liankong Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Weizhen Jia
  • Patent number: 12024856
    Abstract: Tipping over of a work machine is prevented. The work machine includes: a vehicular body; a rear axle attached to the vehicular body to be capable of undergoing a roll motion with respect to an axis extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicular body; and a controller. The controller acquires stability of the center of gravity of the vehicular body, and controls the roll motion of the rear axle with respect to the vehicular body based on the stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11999210
    Abstract: An electromechanical vehicle height adjustment unit comprises an upper spring pad operative to support an upper end of a vehicle spring, a top mount that is displaceable relative to the upper spring pad, and a displacement mechanism coupled to the upper spring pad and the top mount and operative to displace the top mount relative to the upper spring pad in a height direction. The displacement mechanism comprises a rotary-to-linear motion conversion mechanism and an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ILJIN MOTION & CONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Changwon Hwang, Sungkeun Lee, Nathan Zambou
  • Patent number: 12000522
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a first tube. The apparatus can include a manifold coupled to the first tube. The manifold can have an opening. The apparatus can include a second tube at least partially disposed in the first tube. The second tube can enter the first tube via the opening of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan David Salerno
  • Patent number: 11999207
    Abstract: A spring assembly for a non-rail wheeled or tracked vehicle is provided. The spring assembly includes a piston, and a sleeve with variable thickness. The sleeve is made from an unreinforced synthetic elastomeric material and being free of reinforcing fibers. The sleeve is coupled with a plurality of end components and defines a deformable pressure vessel, and the deformable pressure vessel supplies a support force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ILJIN USA Corporation
    Inventors: Ron J. Johnson, Angad Vasant Patil, Michael L. Crabtree, Jeremy Mercer, Ken Casagrande, Young Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 11993127
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar assembly comprising a disconnect assembly element defining a first one of a male or female connector, and a shaft defining a second one of a male or female connector is disclosed. The disconnect assembly element and the shaft are fixed to each other via the male and female connectors without the need for any welding connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Drew Hilty
  • Patent number: 11993148
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to vacuum forming methods, apparatuses and resulting displays that represent improvements in various key areas. The methods, for example, greatly improve manufacturing throughput through reduced curing times. The methods further facilitate improved control of glass shape to a targeted shape and improved control of bond line thickness, which result in improved survivability and long-term reliability, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Peter Knowles, Christopher Mark Schweiger, Christopher Lee Timmons, Arlin Lee Weikel
  • Patent number: 11981177
    Abstract: A dynamic anti-roll bar link for a vehicle suspension is provided. The link selectively transfers movement of the suspension system to the anti-roll bar, depending on a locked or unlocked state of the link. The anti-roll bar link includes an elongate link rod; a sliding assembly configured to translate axially along the elongate link; and a latch assembly configured to extend between the second retention member and the sliding assembly. In a locked state, the pawl portion can receive the pawl engaging member, and the retention member interface portion abuts the second retention member to prevent axial translation of the sliding assembly along the elongate link rod. In an unlocked state, the sliding assembly is permitted to translate axially along the elongate link rod. The primary and secondary latch bodies are pinned together in an over-center configuration in the locked state to prevent inadvertent unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Christopher Cox Creative
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox