Patents by Inventor A. Mangala Jayasuriya
A. Mangala Jayasuriya has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160046259Abstract: A hood front cover assembly usable on a vehicle in which the hood has a leading edge and an underside adjacent the leading edge to reduce pedestrian injury in a pedestrian-vehicle impact event is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a deployable cover and a cover housing. The housing is located on the underside of the hood adjacent the leading edge. The cover is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover may be entirely rigid or may be partially deformable and may include a hollow flexible front portion. A mechanism is provided for moving the cover between the stowed and deployed positions. The mechanism is associated with the housing and may be driven by a spring driver, a motor or a pneumatic driver. A pedestrian impact sensor is provided in the front end of the vehicle. The sensor is operatively associated with the hood front cover assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Edward Ruthinowski
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Patent number: 9216675Abstract: A vehicle armrest assembly includes a vertically operable armrest. A door frame is coupled to the armrest and the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism that selectively positions the armrest between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the door frame. A control is in communication with the adjustment mechanism. An interior door trim is configured to slidably engage a recess defined in the armrest. The recess positions the door trim distal from a substrate of the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, Carrie Ann Bittick, Krishnakanth E. Aekbote
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Patent number: 9174600Abstract: An impact absorbing device includes a plate and a panel having a panel thickness. An intermediate portion has a portion thickness and extends between the plate and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the plate and the panel. A port is in communication with the chamber. The portion thickness is less than the panel thickness. The impact absorbing device is movable to a deployed position to contact an occupant during a collision. Since the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness, the intermediate portion expands more quickly, providing an impact surface for the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, James Chih Cheng
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Publication number: 20150306992Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, Kenneth S. Laird, Linh Doan
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Publication number: 20150291069Abstract: A vehicle armrest assembly includes a vertically operable armrest. A door frame is coupled to the armrest and the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism that selectively positions the armrest between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the door frame. A control is in communication with the adjustment mechanism. An interior door trim is configured to slidably engage a recess defined in the armrest. The recess positions the door trim distal from a substrate of the armrest.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, Carrie Ann Bittick, Krishnakanth E. Aekbote
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Patent number: 9150178Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a back and a cushion. A mounting assembly supports the cushion and includes a first mounting arm coupled with the back and rotatable with respect to the cushion such that the back is translatable over the cushion. The vehicle seat further includes a first restraint arm coupled with the seat back and operatively coupled with the first mounting arm such that translation of the seat back drives corresponding rotation of the first restraint arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Manoharprasad K. Rao
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Patent number: 9145716Abstract: A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism for engaging a striker of a hood having a closed locked position and a released position is disclosed. The mechanism includes a latch assembly attached to a chassis member. The latch assembly includes a latch having a locking cam and a pawl movable between a locked position engaging the locking cam and an unlocked position away from the locking cam. A sensor detects the presence of a pedestrian proximate the front of the motor vehicle and generates a signal in response thereto. A deployment spring having an energized position and a released position is retained in an energized position by a release mechanism responsive to the signal generated by the sensor, such that actuation of the release mechanism releases the resilient member and rotates the pawl to the unlocked position to release the latch.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, Allan Roy Gale
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Publication number: 20150258955Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a back and a cushion. A mounting assembly supports the cushion and includes a first mounting arm coupled with the back and rotatable with respect to the cushion such that the back is translatable over the cushion. The vehicle seat further includes a first restraint arm coupled with the seat back and operatively coupled with the first mounting arm such that translation of the seat back drives corresponding rotation of the first restraint arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Manoharprasad K. Rao
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Patent number: 8998262Abstract: A device that limits a load of a seat belt includes various elements. For example, the device includes a seat-belt webbing and a shoulder anchor to which a portion of the webbing is secured. A button is attached to the webbing at a position that is a distance away from the portion secured to the shoulder anchor. The button is able to engage a lever, when the webbing is pulled out, to control energy absorption of the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Brian Robert Spahn, James Chih Cheng
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Publication number: 20150035250Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body configured to house a removable frame, a spare wheel, a removable headrest, and a jack. The frame, the spare wheel, the removable headrest, and the jack can be assembled into a bicycle. Thus, the bicycle includes at least one component having a dual use in a motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, James Chih Cheng, Kristin Marie Schondorf
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Publication number: 20140375109Abstract: A device that limits a load of a seat belt includes various elements. For example, the device includes a seat-belt webbing and a shoulder anchor to which a portion of the webbing is secured. A button is attached to the webbing at a position that is a distance away from the portion secured to the shoulder anchor. The button able to engage a lever, when the webbing is pulled out, to control energy absorption of the seat belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Brian Robert Spahn, James Chih Cheng
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Publication number: 20140339868Abstract: An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to said seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with said sensors and said motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Mangala A. Jayasuriya
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Patent number: 8733819Abstract: An energy-absorbing member is mounted within a vehicle door outboard of an interior panel adjacent to a seating position. The member is rotatable between a first position wherein a maximum-stiffness axis of the member is relatively more aligned with an impact vector of an occupant of the seating position during a crash, and a second position wherein the maximum-stiffness axis is relatively less aligned with the impact vector. A controller receives signals from safety-related systems and operates an actuator to move the member between the first and second positions. Selection between the first and second position may be made at the start of a driving cycle based upon signals from an occupant sensor, stored biometric data, and/or a command from the occupant. The selection may be updated after the start of the driving cycle based upon signals from an impact sensor, a vehicle dynamics sensor, and/or a pre-crash sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jialing Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Saeed David Barbat, Mangala A. Jayasuriya
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Publication number: 20130300134Abstract: A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism for engaging a striker of a hood having a closed locked position and a released position is disclosed. The mechanism includes a latch assembly attached to a chassis member. The latch assembly includes a latch having a locking cam and a pawl movable between a locked position engaging the locking cam and an unlocked position away from the locking cam. A sensor detects the presence of a pedestrian proximate the front of the motor vehicle and generates a signal in response thereto. A deployment spring having an energized position and a released position is retained in an energized position by a release mechanism responsive to the signal generated by the sensor, such that actuation of the release mechanism releases the resilient member and rotates the pawl to the unlocked position to release the latch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, Allan Roy Gale
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Patent number: 8573640Abstract: A system and a method for protecting the occupant of a vehicle during a side-impact detects an approaching vehicle and identifies a collision threat. A collision threat level is assessed based on a set of parameters, and when the collision threat exceeds a pre-determined collision threat threshold level, the system unlatches the occupant's door, pushes it a few centimeters outwards, and locks it in that position. Pressure sensors and accelerometers disposed at suitable locations on the sides of the vehicle, provide crash signals to a Restraint Control Module (RCM). When the crash signals exceed a certain threshold, the RCM commands an airbag deployment module to deploy the airbag between the occupant and the door. Since the door is pushed outwards, an extra pre-crush space is created between the occupant and the door, which allows the use of larger and softer side airbags to provide enhanced protection to the vehicle occupants.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jailiang Le, Mangala Jayasuriya
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Publication number: 20130241182Abstract: A system and a method for protecting the occupant of a vehicle during a side-impact detects an approaching vehicle and identifies a collision threat. A collision threat level is assessed based on a set of parameters, and when the collision threat exceeds a pre-determined collision threat threshold level, the system unlatches the occupant's door, pushes it a few centimeters outwards, and locks it in that position. Pressure sensors and accelerometers disposed at suitable locations on the sides of the vehicle, provide crash signals to a Restraint Control Module (RCM). When the crash signals exceed a certain threshold, the RCM commands an airbag deployment module to deploy the airbag between the occupant and the door. Since the door is pushed outwards, an extra pre-crush space is created between the occupant and the door, which allows the use of larger and softer side airbags to provide enhanced protection to the vehicle occupants.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jailiang Le, Mangala Jayasuriya
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Patent number: 7789455Abstract: A pull cup in a vehicle door is fitted to a door trim panel substrate and is connected to the door inner sheet metal panel of the vehicle door by way of a bracket or by one of a pair of inner and outer support brackets. The pull cup is provided with a bending initiator feature which is positioned a trigger area formed in the door trim panel substrate. In the event that a horizontal force is applied to the vehicle door, the vehicle inward movement of the door inner sheet metal panel causes the pull cup to be pushed upward. The bending initiator feature pushes on the trigger area causing the door trim panel substrate to buckle, thus substantially preventing vehicle inward movement of the door trim panel substrate during the impact event. The bending initiator feature also reduces the lateral stiffness of the door trim sub-system.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ian Hall, John Pinkerton, Jeff Chickola, Brian Spahn, A. Mangala Jayasuriya
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Publication number: 20080272614Abstract: A pull cup in a vehicle door is fitted to a door trim panel substrate and is connected to the door inner sheet metal panel of the vehicle door by way of a bracket or by one of a pair of inner and outer support brackets. The pull cup is provided with a bending initiator feature which is positioned a trigger area formed in the door trim panel substrate. In the event that a horizontal force is applied to the vehicle door, the vehicle inward movement of the door inner sheet metal panel causes the pull cup to be pushed upward. The bending initiator feature pushes on the trigger area causing the door trim panel substrate to buckle, thus substantially preventing vehicle inward movement of the door trim panel substrate during the impact event. The bending initiator feature also reduces the lateral stiffness of the door trim sub-system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ian Hall, John Pinkerton, Jeff Chickola, Brian Spahn, A. Mangala Jayasuriya
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Patent number: 7347465Abstract: An extendible rail and bumper apparatus is mountable within the base frame lower rails of an automotive frame to provide an improved crash force absorbing bumper apparatus for deployment on either the front or rear bumpers of an automobile. The extendible rail member is mounted for telescopic movement through slidable guide members. A front plate is formed with wedge members positioned next to the extendible rail member. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor that rotates a threaded rod having a conical member mounted thereon for translational movement thereon. The conical member engages a pair of outwardly projectable tabs that are driven outwardly into engagement with the wedge members when the extendible rail is fully extended. If required to absorb impact energy, the outwardly projected tabs push the wedge members into engagement with the front plate to transfer the energy into the base frame rail apparatus of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mangala Jayasuriya, Philip Koneda, Allan Gale, Wayne Woodside, Nripen Saha
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Publication number: 20080048461Abstract: An extendible rail and bumper apparatus is mountable within the base frame lower rails of an automotive frame to provide an improved crash force absorbing bumper apparatus for deployment on either the front or rear bumpers of an automobile. The extendible rail member is mounted for telescopic movement through slidable guide members. A front plate is formed with wedge members positioned next to the extendible rail member. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor that rotates a threaded rod having a conical member mounted thereon for translational movement thereon. The conical member engages a pair of outwardly projectable tabs that are driven outwardly into engagement with the wedge members when the extendible rail is fully extended. If required to absorb impact energy, the outwardly projected tabs push the wedge members into engagement with the front plate to transfer the energy into the base frame rail apparatus of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Mangala Jayasuriya, Philip Koneda, Allan Gale, Wayne Woodside, Nripen Saha