Patents Examined by Paul N. Dickson
  • Patent number: 11325290
    Abstract: A vehicle interior/trim component configured to support an airbag module is disclosed. The component may comprise a structural substrate with a reinforcement to provide a door/opening for airbag deployment. The reinforcement may comprise a pattern of threads (e.g. top stitch to secure the door and bottom stitch). The reinforcement may comprise threads sewn within and/or pressed into a surface of a substrate/panel. The top stitch thread weight may be greater than that of the bottom stitch. The top stitch may comprise a retaining thread/hinge; the bottom stitch may separate upon deployment. The reinforcement may comprise KEVLAR, aramid, nylon, polyester, thread, ceramic fibers, polymeric fibers, synthetic fibers, etc. The structural substrate may comprise a fiber panel, compression-formed component, generally rigid fiber mat, etc. The component may be formed by injecting resin into a mold to form an ancillary component of a composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Stroebe, Michael G. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11325439
    Abstract: A height-adjustable spring arrangement for a vehicle includes a bearing spring, a first limiting cylinder with a first limiting cylinder pot and a first limiting piston, a second limiting cylinder with a second limiting cylinder pot and a second limiting piston, and a guide cylinder with a guide cylinder pot, a displaceable guide piston in the guide cylinder pot and a guide piston rod fixed on the guide piston and extending out of the guide cylinder pot along a longitudinal axis of a bearing spring and through the bearing spring. The guide piston rod is displaceable by the first and second limiting cylinders such that a spring preload acting on the bearing spring and a negative spring path of the bearing spring remain constant as a result of a height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Dietrich, Martin Riediger, Uwe Schatzberger
  • Patent number: 11325648
    Abstract: A front end module frame may include a cross member, a pair of side members extending from respective end portions of the cross member in a height direction of the vehicle, each of the pair of side members having a center portion connected to the front end portion of a corresponding one of front side members of the vehicle, an upper back beam member interconnecting the upper end portions of the pair of side members, the upper back beam member having opposite end portions respectively connected to the front end portions of upper fender apron members of the vehicle, and a lower back beam member extending in a width direction of the vehicle and interconnecting the center portions of the pair of side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 11325438
    Abstract: A suspension is provided which can not only generate a damping force between sprung mass and unsprung mass but also steer a wheel. A suspension includes: a shaft coupled to sprung mass of a vehicle, the shaft having a screw groove and a spline groove formed thereon; a ball screw nut assembled to the shaft via a ball; a ball spline nut assembled to the shaft via a ball; a ball screw-specific motor connected to the ball screw nut; a ball spline-specific motor connected to the ball spline nut; and a case coupled to unsprung mass of the vehicle, the case being configured to hold the ball screw-specific motor and the ball spline-specific motor. The ball spline-specific motor rotates the ball spline nut and the shaft relative to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakuyama, Sho Taniguchi, Tetsuhiro Nishide, Satoshi Hirata, Hiroshi Kaneshige, Sho Iwashiro
  • Patent number: 11319015
    Abstract: A traveling vehicle includes a vehicle body, a left swing part, a right swing part, and an interlocking link mechanism. The left swing part and the right swing part are supported on the vehicle body so as to be swingable in the up-down direction, respectively. A left support part supporting a left front wheel is provided on a front part of the left swing part so as to be rotatable about a left steering shaft. A right support part supporting a right front wheel is provided at a front part of the right swing part so as to be rotatable about a right steering shaft. The interlocking link mechanism rotates one of the left support part and the right support part in conjunction with the other. The interlocking link mechanism is provided between the left support part and the right support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taro Iwamoto, Hiroshi Ishii, Takeshi Nakajima, Kazuya Nagasaka, Taichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 11318981
    Abstract: A steering column may have a steering spindle jacket that is disposed within a support assembly. An outer steering spindle may include a spline hub portion and may be disposed within the steering spindle jacket. An inner steering spindle may be disposed within the outer steering spindle and may include a spline shaft portion configured to permit axial movement and prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle when the spline hub portion and the spline shaft portion are engaged. In a deployed state the spline shaft and the spline hub portions may be engaged, and in a stowed state the spline shaft and the spline hub portions may be free of engagement. A base disposed in the support assembly engages the spline hub portion in the stowed state to prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Alexander Weselý, Bryce Welch, Christian Pichonnat
  • Patent number: 11319004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tracked vehicle (V1, V2) comprising a vehicle body (20; 120), at least one track assembly (10) and a suspension device (S). Said track assembly (10) is arranged to be supported by said vehicle body (20; 120) by means of said suspension device (S). Said track assembly comprises a track support beam (12) for supporting a plurality of road wheels (16), an endless track (14) being disposed around said road wheels. Said suspension device (S) comprises a leaf spring arrangement (30; 130, 142, 144) having portions transversally arranged relative to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Anders Sandin, Jonny Ljung, Ulf Wiberg
  • Patent number: 11318909
    Abstract: A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel in a closed position with respect to a body of the vehicle; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle; one or more linkages connected to the support plate at one end and connected to the mounting plate at another end, the one or more linkages providing said coupled to the mounting plate; a locking member mounted on the support plate and configured for retaining the mounting plate in a home position when coupled to the mounting plate and for decoupling from the mounting plate when operated; an actuation system coupled to the linkages for extending the linkages once the locking member is decoupled from the mounting plate, in order to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from the home position to an extended position; wherein the latch is also moved from the home positio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Csaba Szente, John Distefano, Ioan Dorin Ilea
  • Patent number: 11312196
    Abstract: A three-row wheel vehicle having front, center and rear wheels has laterally spaced front pivot links each pivotably connected at a middle to a vehicle body, laterally spaced swing arms each swingably connected to a front end of the front pivot link and rotatably supports the front wheel at a lower end, laterally spaced rear pivot links each pivotably connected to the vehicle body at a middle and rotatably supports the rear wheel at a rear end, laterally spaced force transmission mechanisms each configured to convert a rearward force transmitted from the front wheel to the swing arm into an upward force and transmit the upward force to the front pivot link on a front side of the middle, and laterally spaced connecting links each pivotably attached to a rear end of the front pivot link and a front end of the rear pivot link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 11312197
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a suspension system coupled to the drive system, the suspension system including a shock cap assembly including: a strut component; a cap component attached to the strut component; and an attachment mechanism configured for attachment to a body of the vehicle, such that the shock cap assembly is configured to be accessed from a front wheel well of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Cochrane, Chris Wisniewski, Giles D. Bryer
  • Patent number: 11311434
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a panel. The panel includes a first channel and a second channel spaced from and parallel to each other. The first and second channels are designed to engage wheels of a wheelchair. The assembly includes a latch supported by the panel. The latch is moveable between an unlatched position and a latched position. The latch is retracted from the first channel in the unlatched position and elongated across the first channel in the latched position. The panel includes releasable connections designed to releasably engage a vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Anil Kalra, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque
  • Patent number: 11312429
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a first portion and a second portion movable relative thereto; the vehicle further includes an actuator arrangement by which the second portion is drivable relative to the first portion; and the vehicle having a control apparatus that is coupled to the actuator arrangement and controls the operation of the actuator arrangement; the actuator arrangement including at least two separate actuators arranged remotely from one another, which are each switchable between an operating state wherein an output member of the actuator outputs a force and/or a motion, and a passive state in which the output member does not, the actuators are synchronously operable in a synchronous operating mode, wherein one actuator, constituting a master actuator, is coupled directly to the control apparatus, and the at least one further actuator is connected to the energy supply of the master actuator only such that the at least one further actuator is supplied with operating energy, and is in the operating state,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Domenico Solazzo, Peter Dill
  • Patent number: 11305606
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar for a vehicle. The anti-roll bar includes a first bar portion for connection to a left-side wheel suspension of the vehicle and a second bar portion for connection to a right-side wheel suspension of the vehicle, and an actuator unit connecting the first bar portion and the second bar portion to each other for transferring torque between the first bar portion and the second bar portion. The actuator unit has a first selectable mode providing a first predetermined torque ratio between the first bar portion and the second bar portion, and a second selectable mode providing a second predetermined torque ratio between the first bar portion and the second bar portion. The first torque ratio and the second torque ratio are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventor: Andrew Dawkes
  • Patent number: 11305678
    Abstract: A belt mount for a vehicle seat or a vehicle bench seat in a vehicle is proposed, wherein the belt mount comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching to a vehicle structure in the region of a vehicle floor such that a lower end section of the belt mount can be fixed in the region of the vehicle floor, wherein the belt mount comprises a support arrangement with a support member for supporting on the vehicle structure of the vehicle. According to the invention, the support member, protruding forward in the driving direction, is present on the belt mount such that it is spaced apart at the top from the lower end section of the belt mount and is formed in such a way that the support member can be connected in the region of the vehicle structure of the vehicle which is present above the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Aguti Produktentwicklung & Design GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Grieger
  • Patent number: 11305724
    Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. A sensor pod may include a housing and extend from a portion of a body of a vehicle. The sensor pod housing may have energy absorbing structures configured to absorb and dissipate energy during an impact in order to protect a pedestrian. The sensor pod may have deformable portions of the housing configured to absorb and dissipate energy during the impact. The sensor pod may have deformable fasteners coupling a sensor to the sensor pod configured to deform to absorb and dissipate energy during the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Adams, Daniel Glenn Johnson, Christopher William Labadie, Ryan McMichael, Daniel Miller, Peter Thomas Mitros, Anubhav Thakur, Joseph Patrick Warga, Austin In-Jei Yi
  • Patent number: 11305603
    Abstract: Provided is a suspension system capable of expanding one of an oil chamber and a gas chamber of an intermediate unit and contracting the other when a damper compresses or expands without generating friction in the intermediate unit. The intermediate unit includes an intermediate case having an intermediate oil chamber connected to an oil chamber of a right damper and the oil chamber of a left damper and an intermediate gas chamber, and a diaphragm made of a flexible material, which partitions the intermediate oil chamber and the intermediate gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiko Kubota
  • Patent number: 11298998
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle axle. The assembly comprises a support structure, a housing element rotatably connected, about a transverse axis, to a support element in which the support structure is configured in a such a manner that it can rotate in relation to the support element about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is secured to the main chassis of the vehicle by a pair of hydraulic cylinders. The support structure comprises a pair of main guides, which can be fixed to the main chassis and a rolling element which slides between the pair of main guides and a contact element with a pair of further guides, the contact element operatively associated with the pair of further guides so as to come into contact with one of the further guides following a rotation about the rolling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CARRARO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Spazio
  • Patent number: 11299003
    Abstract: A bush may include: a second inner pipe forming a central protrusion in a central section of the second inner pipe; and an outer pipe forming a third protrusion at a first inner side and a fourth protrusion at a second inner side. In particular, the third and fourth protrusions are arranged outside of the central protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae-Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 11299002
    Abstract: A center link has a bolt portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the bolt portion, forming a bolt portion contact surface extending transversely, and defining a bolt portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width. The center link also has a mushroom head portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the mushroom head portion, forming a mushroom head portion contact surface, and defining a mushroom head portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Patent number: 11299004
    Abstract: A sway bar linkage assembly includes a socket joint, a shank extending from the socket joint, a bolt, and a bushing. The shank has a first bore with a first bore diameter and a second bore extending between the first bore and the socket joint. The second bore has a second bore diameter less than the first bore diameter such that a flange extends between the first bore and the second bore. The bolt has a head, a shaft extending from the head and a stud extending between the shaft is included. The shaft has a first diameter and the stud has second diameter less than the first diameter such that a ledge extends between the shaft and the stud. The bushing is compressed a predefined by the bolt when the bolt extends through the bushing and the ledge of the bolt abuts against the flange of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Schrieber, Steven Douglas Schmitt, Glen C. Parker, Andrew Louis Auquier