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).
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Patent number: 12290180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Stuart R. Wuerthele
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Patent number: 12214718Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSRIKI KAISHAInventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Frank A. Richards, Alexander L. Paradis
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Publication number: 20240206638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: June 27, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Stuart R. Wuerthele
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Patent number: 12012033Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Alexander L Paradis, Frank A. Richards, David N Osborne, Stuart R Wuerthele, John P. Jaaska, Clinton Williams
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Publication number: 20240075869Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: March 7, 2024Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Frank A. Richards, Alexander L. Paradis
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Publication number: 20230382294Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Alexander L. Paradis, Frank A. Richards, David N. Osborne, Stuart R. Wuerthele, John P. Jaaska, Clinton Williams
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Patent number: 11608957Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2022Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. Inc.Inventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Jose Hernan Hernandez
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Patent number: 11072275Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T. Neubauer, Stuart R. Wuerthele
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Publication number: 20210078483Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T. Neubauer, Stuart R. Wuerthele
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Patent number: 10040397Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Stuart R. Wuerthele, Cristian Farcas, Benjamin David Jimenez