Patents by Inventor Stuart R. Wuerthele

Stuart R. Wuerthele 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).

  • Patent number: 12290180
    Abstract: An adjustable air mattress includes a plurality of air chambers having a sleeping surface, an electronic control unit, and an air pump communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit and fluidly coupled to the plurality of air chambers. A plurality of air valves are communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit and are configured to permit or inhibit a release of air within each respective air chambers. A plurality of level sensors are communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, determine an angle of the sleeping surface, and determine whether the angle of the sleeping surface is within a predetermined level range. When the angle of the sleeping surface is not within the predetermined level range, the electronic control unit controls at least one of the air pump and the plurality of air valves to adjust an amount of air in at least one of the plurality of air chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Stuart R. Wuerthele
  • Patent number: 12214718
    Abstract: Systems and methods of indirectly illuminating a step surface of a vehicle running board are provided. A running board may include an upper step surface and at least one lighting element provided at an inboard underside of the running board to directly illuminate the undercarriage of the vehicle and a ground surface below the running board. The lighting element may be configured to direct light to a reflecting element provided at the undercarriage for reflecting light provided by the at least one lighting element to indirectly illuminate the upper step surface of the running board. Associated vehicles including the running board are provided. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSRIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Frank A. Richards, Alexander L. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20240206638
    Abstract: An adjustable air mattress includes a plurality of air chambers having a sleeping surface, an electronic control unit, and an air pump communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit and fluidly coupled to the plurality of air chambers. A plurality of air valves are communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit and are configured to permit or inhibit a release of air within each respective air chambers. A plurality of level sensors are communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, determine an angle of the sleeping surface, and determine whether the angle of the sleeping surface is within a predetermined level range. When the angle of the sleeping surface is not within the predetermined level range, the electronic control unit controls at least one of the air pump and the plurality of air valves to adjust an amount of air in at least one of the plurality of air chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Stuart R. Wuerthele
  • Patent number: 12012033
    Abstract: Backup light systems and methods for use in a vehicle. The system includes a backup light configured to generate light in an illumination pattern, a sensor configured to detect data corresponding to a vehicle condition, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the backup light and the sensor. The ECU is configured to determine the vehicle condition based on the detected data, and adjust an intensity of the light generated by the backup light based on the vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Alexander L Paradis, Frank A. Richards, David N Osborne, Stuart R Wuerthele, John P. Jaaska, Clinton Williams
  • Publication number: 20240075869
    Abstract: Systems and methods of indirectly illuminating a step surface of a vehicle running board are provided. A running board may include an upper step surface and at least one lighting element provided at an inboard underside of the running board to directly illuminate the undercarriage of the vehicle and a ground surface below the running board. The lighting element may be configured to direct light to a reflecting element provided at the undercarriage for reflecting light provided by the at least one lighting element to indirectly illuminate the upper step surface of the running board. Associated vehicles including the running board are provided. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Frank A. Richards, Alexander L. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20230382294
    Abstract: Backup light systems and methods for use in a vehicle. The system includes a backup light configured to generate light in an illumination pattern, a sensor configured to detect data corresponding to a vehicle condition, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the backup light and the sensor. The ECU is configured to determine the vehicle condition based on the detected data, and adjust an intensity of the light generated by the backup light based on the vehicle condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Alexander L. Paradis, Frank A. Richards, David N. Osborne, Stuart R. Wuerthele, John P. Jaaska, Clinton Williams
  • Patent number: 11608957
    Abstract: An optical device configured to be attached to a rear of a vehicle to provide exterior lighting, and to control the direction and intensity of the exterior lighting. The optical device having a socket configured to be attached to the rear of the vehicle, a light positioned within the socket and configured to emit light rays, an inner lens positioned within the socket and configured to receive the light rays, an outer lens positioned within the socket and surrounding the inner lens, and a molded plastic device positioned in front of or attached to the outer lens to create a cut pattern to allow the light rays to be focused in a desired area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Jose Hernan Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11072275
    Abstract: Methods and systems for leveling a headlamp of a vehicle on a ground surface using a portable device may include determining, by a processor and a leveling software application tool of the portable device, a zero reference earth plane of the ground surface on which the vehicle is disposed, setting the zero reference earth plane as a vehicle longitudinal axis of the vehicle with respect to the ground surface, determining a current illumination axis of the headlamp based on a feedback from the headlamp received by the portable device, and generating a calibration level angle based on a comparison of the vehicle longitudinal axis and the current illumination axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Neubauer, Stuart R. Wuerthele
  • Publication number: 20210078483
    Abstract: Methods and systems for leveling a headlamp of a vehicle on a ground surface using a portable device may include determining, by a processor and a leveling software application tool of the portable device, a zero reference earth plane of the ground surface on which the vehicle is disposed, setting the zero reference earth plane as a vehicle longitudinal axis of the vehicle with respect to the ground surface, determining a current illumination axis of the headlamp based on a feedback from the headlamp received by the portable device, and generating a calibration level angle based on a comparison of the vehicle longitudinal axis and the current illumination axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Neubauer, Stuart R. Wuerthele
  • Patent number: 10040397
    Abstract: A split center console assembly includes a front end wall, a rear end wall, and first and second opposing side walls, each cooperating to define a storage compartment. The assembly includes a split cover for selectively providing access to the storage compartment. The split cover includes a pivoting driver armrest and a pivoting passenger armrest. Each armrest includes an upper support surface configured to provide arm support when the split center console assembly is in a closed position, a side edge support surface configured to provide an arm support when the split center console assembly is in an open position, and a lower surface. At least one pivot hinge is provided, defining an arm portion extending a distance from a pivot axis and configured to pivotally couple the respective armrest to the storage compartment. In various aspects, each pivot axis is offset a distance from the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Cristian Farcas, Benjamin David Jimenez