Patents Examined by Lori L. Lyjak
  • Patent number: 11577668
    Abstract: An interior component for a motor vehicle covers a region of the motor vehicle. The interior component has a main body with a visible surface, wherein the visible surface has a first surface region and a second surface region. The first surface region is formed as a high-gloss region and the first surface region and the second surface region are formed on the same side of the interior component. The second surface region is provided in the form of a light scattering region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Hain
  • Patent number: 11577608
    Abstract: A dashboard cover sheet that comprises of a central rectangular sheet that is made of an absorbent material and the length is configured to cover a full length of a dashboard of a vehicle. A first rectangular strip that is made of an impermeable material, the first rectangular strip is affixed to an upper side of the central rectangular sheet. A second rectangular strip that is made of an impermeable material, the second rectangular strip is affixed to the central rectangular sheet. A first absorbent rope that is attached to the first rectangular strip. And, a second absorbent rope that is attached to the second rectangular strip, the first absorbent rope and the second absorbent rope are configured to be placed between the front window of the vehicle and the edges of the dashboard of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Manuel Martinez
  • Patent number: 11572108
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joel P. Ruschman, David T. Renke, Joseph M. Polewarczyk
  • Patent number: 11564853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hyperbaric ambulance and transfer-under-pressure (TUP) unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle for emergency transport and treatment of a patient that is capable of providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to the patient, and a mobile unit for transferring the patient from the vehicle to a medical care facility. More particularly, the present invention includes a vehicle having a driver section and a vehicle chassis having a patient section that includes a hyperbaric treatment chamber. An entrance module can be positioned in between the driver section and the patient section, the entrance module having a communication and control compartment and a pressure module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Delise, Bobby Delise
  • Patent number: 11560103
    Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a first trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, the first trim component including an extended portion, a second trim component including an edge defining a groove configured to engage with the extended portion of the first trim component, and a single chip sensor overmolded with the second trim component such that the single chip sensor is integrated into the second trim component. The single chip sensor is formed with the second trim component in a multi-shot injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Adam L. Wright, Nathaniel W. Hart
  • Patent number: 11560040
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heating mat for a motor vehicle. The method includes the following steps: providing a heating ply having a deformable structure and two heating elements inserted into the structure, said two heating elements being separated by a deformation area of the structure; stacking the heating ply between an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein at least one of the heating ply and the upper and lower layers includes a thermoformable material; assembling the stack by at least one fastening rod; and thermoforming the stack thus assembled, so as to secure the heating ply and the upper and lower layers into a single piece; and stretching the deformation area in the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Anne-Sophie Debruyne, Franck Jeunehomme, Didier Liaud, Valérie Marcel
  • Patent number: 11560184
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an aerodynamic toolbox assembly comprising a toolbox coupled to a tractor trailer and an aerodynamic fairing assembly coupled to the toolbox. At least one fairing component extends beyond a selected surface of the toolbox to facilitate aerodynamic air flow past the toolbox during normal operation of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Butler, Chris McKulsky
  • Patent number: 11554817
    Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler (10;100;200;300;400) used on a liftgate (8) of a vehicle (6). The liftgate has an upper surface (4) and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing (11;104;202;302;412) is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel (12; 102;204, 208; 306, 308;402,403) connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage (20,20?; 106, 106?;210,210?; 311,311?;411, 411?) that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator (14;110;212;314;414), which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Braendon R. Lindberg, Michael Cowan, Martin R. Matthews, Anthony J. Povinelli, Larry Erickson, Michael Mcafee
  • Patent number: 11548556
    Abstract: A front end structure of a vehicle body may include: a pair of left and right front side members each extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; a pair of left and right apron upper members each extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and being located outward of the pair of left and right front side members in the vehicle left-right direction; a pair of left and right connection members, the left connection member extending between an intermediate portion of the left front side member and the left apron upper member and the right connection member extending between an intermediate portion of the right front side member and the right apron upper member; and a component mount frame comprising a first mount crossmember extending between the pair of left and right connection members in the vehicle left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hyuga Atsumi, Shunsuke Takii, Osamu Shimasaki, Ryosuke Negawa
  • Patent number: 11541950
    Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Braendon R. Lindberg, Ross J. Parpart, Martin R. Matthews, Daniel Vander Sluis
  • Patent number: 11535312
    Abstract: A rear vehicle-body structure separates air flowing on a side of the vehicle so as not to flow around to a rear of the vehicle, to ensure aerodynamic performance. The disclosed rear vehicle-body structure has a rear combi lamp mounted on a vehicle-width-direction outer side face of a vehicle rear portion, and a rear bumper mounted under the rear combi lamp. The rear combi lamp includes, on the vehicle-width-direction outer side face, a curved portion that is curved from a vehicle-width-direction outer side forwardly inward in a vehicle width direction in a vehicle plan view. The curved portion has a curvature increasing toward a lower side of the vehicle. A protruding portion protruding toward the vehicle-width-direction outer side as going to a rear of the vehicle is provided at a front portion of the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiya Mizokane, Yoshiatsu Kuga
  • Patent number: 11536073
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for use in a vehicle, including an adjustable part configured to move between an open position and a closed with respect to a vehicle body. The adjustable part may include an outer side and an inner side. At least a portion of the adjustable part may define an opening extending between the outer side and the inner side. The adjustment assembly may include an ultrasonic transmitter, disposed on either the adjustable part or the vehicle body and may be configured to emit a number of ultrasonic waves to an obstacle, and an ultrasonic receiver disposed on the inner side of the adjustable part and configured to receive the ultrasonic waves reflected from the obstacle through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Manfred Stenzel, Christoph Brückner
  • Patent number: 11524607
    Abstract: A dynamic ergonomic surface system for use in a motor vehicle includes an ergonomic surface that is inlayed in a surrounding surface and transitions between states, including: a neutral state in which the ergonomic surface is consistent with the surrounding surface, and at least one ergonomic support state in which the ergonomic surface provides ergonomic support for a user operating an input device. The dynamic ergonomic surface system also includes a sensor system that detects events triggering the transition between states, and a controller that controls the ergonomic surface to transition between the states in response to the detected events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franziska Lang, Martin Francisco, Eric Brown, Matthew Potter, Paul Ferraiolo
  • Patent number: 11518444
    Abstract: The present invention provides a front end structure in which cooling performance can be improved. A front end structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a frame portion 41 that surrounds an outer circumferential part of a heat exchanger and supports the heat exchanger; a duct portion 42 that is connected to an inner circumferential edge of the frame portion 41 and guides outside air, which is taken in through a first introduction port 61, in at least an up-down direction through a space between the duct portion 42 and a front surface of the heat exchanger; and a division portion 43 that is provided in at least one of the frame portion 41 and the duct portion 42 and partitions the heat exchanger into a heat exchange area in which outside air is able to pass through in a front-rear direction and a support area which is positioned on a side circumferentially outward from the heat exchange area and is supported by the frame portion 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihito Hayakawa, Kohki Sugawara, Shuichi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 11511814
    Abstract: A mounting system for securing a base plate of an access device within a vehicle includes a plurality of lateral clamping beams configured for attachment to a tracked floor in an orientation in which each of the plurality of lateral clamping beams lies across a plurality of tracks in the tracked floor. The plurality of lateral clamping beams includes a front lateral clamping beam adapted to overlie a front edge of the base plate, and a rear lateral clamping beam adapted to overlie a rear edge of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: BRAUNABILITY EUROPE AB
    Inventors: Mathias Sandell, Joakim Bergstrand
  • Patent number: 11511807
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, including, a user compartment and a front section including a portion of a vehicle chassis, a crash absorbing member located in the front section and connected to the portion of the vehicle chassis, the crash absorbing member including a first extruded profile, preferably an aluminum profile, having a main extension direction in a transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, whereby the extrusion direction of the first extruded profile extends substantially in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, and wherein further the first extruded profile includes at least two cells (C1, C2) being defined by outer walls and at least one intermediate wall separating the at least two cells (C1, C2), wherein the at least one intermediate wall has a main extension direction in the transverse direction (y) and a second extension direction which extends substantially in a vertical direction (z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Johan Eklund
  • Patent number: 11505250
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle sub-frame including a front cross member, a rear cross member, and left and right side members mounted to connect the front cross member and the rear cross member to each other. Each of the left and right side members has a protrusion that protrudes laterally at a corner portion of a rear end portion thereof, the corner portion being joined to a corner portion of the rear cross member. A weld joint is formed by welding to the rear cross member along a laterally extending portion of a trim line portion of the protrusion, in which the trim line portion of the protrusion is the perimeter of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gi Bong Jo, Hyun Min Jang, Sang Jae Shin, Chul Woo Kwak, Soo Cheol Lee, Se Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11504924
    Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a quarter panel comprised of a sheet molding compound and a fascia bracket. The fascia bracket includes a first flange integrated into the quarter panel, a second flange comprising a vehicle body mount interface, and a gripping feature configured to grip a portion of a fascia to be attached to the quarter panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Darrin Neil Wagner, Robert Reiners
  • Patent number: 11505254
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a structural member having an inner surface defining an elongated cavity. The structural member includes an outer panel member joined to an inner panel member. A tension web secured in the cavity separates the outer and inner panel members. A reinforcement member is positioned in the cavity of the structural member. The reinforcement member contacts the transverse web and a gap is provided between the reinforcement member and the inner surface of the structural member. The reinforcement member including a base member having a plurality of bumpers extended in a width direction of the reinforcement member. The plurality of bumpers face one of the inner surface and the tension web. An adhesive secured to the reinforcement member is activatable to expand toward the inner surface to define a joint between the reinforcement member and the structural member and to at least partially fill the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eric J. Boettcher, Derik Thomas Voigt
  • Patent number: 11492054
    Abstract: A body part for a motor vehicle with a positioning structure is provided. The body part includes an outer panel and an inner panel, and a backside of the outer panel is provided with a positioning structure to position the outer panel relative to the inner panel for their assembly, the positioning structure including a clamping seat configured to receive a shaft of a rack for positioning the outer panel thereon during manufacturing of the outer panel, and to be engaged in an opening of the inner panel to position the outer panel relative to the inner panel. The positioning structure combines the arrangements of both positioning holes and positioning ribs, thereby greatly enhancing the eligibility rate of spray painting and welding stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Xiaohui Luo