Patents Issued in February 4, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160031239
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a carriage mounts a recording head for discharging droplets, and moves in a main scan direction. A guide member slidably guides the carriage. An encoder scale is arranged along the main scan direction. An encoder sensor reads the encoder scale. The carriage includes a head mounting part for mounting the recording head, and a sensor attaching part for attaching the encoder sensor. The sensor attaching part is provided so as to be extended from the head mounting part. The encoder scale is arranged at a location which the encoder sensor can read. A partition member is provided to separate the head mounting part from the sensor attaching part in the carriage. The head mounting part is arranged in a first space, and the sensor attaching part and the encoder scale are arranged in a second space separated from the first apace by the partition member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Norikazu Yanase, Makoto KlKURA, Tsuguyori KEMMA
  • Publication number: 20160031240
    Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided, which is configured to acquire gap information related to a gap between an ink discharging surface and a recording sheet in each individual position of top-formed positions and bottom-formed positions within a predetermined wave-shape generating range, identify, when the predetermined wave-shape generating range includes a partial range in which the recording sheet is not placed, a top-formed position where the gap information has not been acquired and a bottom-formed position where the gap information has not been acquired, within the partial range, complement the unacquired gap information in the identified top-formed position with a value determined based on the respective pieces of gap information acquired in other top-formed positions, and complement the unacquired gap information in the identified bottom-formed position with a value determined based on the respective pieces of gap information acquired in other bottom-formed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Satoru ARAKANE
  • Publication number: 20160031241
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a printing apparatus to a structure includes an attachment part, which is attachable to the structure, and a support member upon which a printing apparatus is supportable. The support member enables the printing apparatus to be located in a desired position along a first axis, which extends in a first direction relative to the structure, and wherein at least a part of a footprint of the support member defined in a first plane, which is substantially transverse to the first axis, overlaps at least a part of a footprint of the printing apparatus defined in a second plane, which is substantially transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Mohammed Jamal Toudmeri
  • Publication number: 20160031242
    Abstract: A printer includes a carriage that is reciprocatable, and including a print head from which ink is ejected to a medium, a rotating body that rotates in a first direction, and a second direction opposite to the first direction, in accordance with reciprocation of the carriage, and a fan that rotates in the first direction by contact with a portion of the rotating body when the rotating body rotates in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Yutaka SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20160031243
    Abstract: Fluid ejection devices and methods thereof are disclosed in the present disclosure. A method includes establishing fluid communication between an ejection chamber and a fluid supply chamber of the fluid ejection device such that the ejection chamber includes a nozzle and an ejection member to selectively eject fluid through the nozzle. The method also includes detecting at least one impedance in the fluid by a sensor unit having a sensor plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Adam L. Ghozeil, Daryl E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160031244
    Abstract: A printing system includes a printer head with an airflow management system. The airflow management system includes an air splitter on the leading edge of the printer head and side members that extend the length of the printer head. The air splitter and members are positioned so that a gap is formed between the printer head and the air splitter and members. A vacuum fan positioned within a duct on top of the printer head can draw air through the gap at the leading edge of the printer head and return the air on the trailing side of the printer head. The airflow management system can permit increased printing distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Todd W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20160031245
    Abstract: A method for controlling a digital printing system to print digital image data for an image region. An image region database stores data characterizing a plurality of reference image regions, each reference image region having one or more associated system control parameters that are appropriate for use in printing the reference image region. The system control parameters can include parameters related to correcting color registration errors. The image region to be printed is compared with the reference image regions in the image region database, and a similar reference image region is selected. The image region is printed using the system control parameters associated with the selected similar reference image region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Cumar Sreekumar, James A. Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20160031246
    Abstract: A method for controlling a digital printing system to print digital image data for an image region onto a continuous web of print media. An image region database stores data characterizing a plurality of reference image regions, each reference image region having one or more associated system control parameters that are appropriate for use in printing the reference image region. The system control parameters can include parameters related to correcting color registration errors. The image region to be printed is compared with the reference image regions in the image region database, and a similar reference image region is selected. The image region is printed using the system control parameters associated with the selected similar reference image region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Cumar Sreekumar, James A. Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20160031247
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a maintenance mechanism that conducts maintenance of recording head and a maintenance mechanism control unit that makes the maintenance mechanism conduct the maintenance at termination or start of one of process-target jobs for which cumulative number of sheets of the media that received printing processes by the recording head after immediately previous maintenance will reach lower limit of the cumulative number of sheets, which represents earliest start timing of the maintenance, and will not reach an upper limit of the cumulative number of sheets, which represents latest start timing of the maintenance, during printing process, and makes the maintenance mechanism conduct the maintenance before start of printing of a process-target job when priority on image quality, which requires high quality printing, is set in the process-target job and the cumulative number of sheets reaches the lower limit during a printing process of the process-target job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akio SHINOHARA
  • Publication number: 20160031248
    Abstract: A judgment reference data having a resolution lower than a nozzle resolution in a nozzle arranging direction is generated based on input image data. The judgment reference data and read data acquired by reading a printed image are compared to judge whether the printed image has color unevenness or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ikegami, Akira Kuronuma, Kenji Kubozono
  • Publication number: 20160031249
    Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method are provided by which information printed on a printing medium can be used to appropriately control an image printing while allowing the entire printing apparatus to have a simpler and smaller configuration. An image is printed on a conveyed sheet by yellow, black, cyan, and magenta inks ejected from printing heads. The yellow ink ejected from the printing head is used to print an image in which information for sensing a sheet conveying amount is embedded by an electronic watermark. The information is read by a sensor unit. Based on the reading result, a printing control is performed. The printing head to eject yellow ink is positioned at an upstream side in a sheet conveying direction than the sensor unit. The printing head to eject black ink is positioned at a downstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Akiba, Nobutaka Miyake, Shinjiro Hori, Junichi Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20160031250
    Abstract: A medium identification device identifies a type of a recording medium used for image formation. The medium identification device includes: a two-dimensional image sensor that captures an image of the recording medium; and an identifying unit that obtains a glossiness evaluation value indicating glossiness of the recording medium, a surface roughness evaluation value indicating surface roughness of the recording medium, and a coloring evaluation value indicating coloring of the recording medium, using image data of a specular reflection region reflecting specular reflection light from the recording medium and image data of a diffused reflection region reflecting diffused reflection light from the recording medium, the regions being in the image of the recording medium, and identifies the type of the recording medium by combining determination using the glossiness evaluation value, determination using the surface roughness evaluation value, and determination using the coloring evaluation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Suguru YOKOZAWA, Nobuyuki SATOH, Mamoru YORIMOTO, Kenji MORITA, Masayuki FUJII, Daisaku HORIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160031251
    Abstract: When an inkjet printer ejects ink onto a recording medium on a go path and on a return path of a carriage, if ink cannot be ejected onto the same position on the go path and on the return path, image quality becomes poor. Test patterns with shifted ejection timing are hitherto recorded on the recording medium, and appropriate timing is input as a correction value. There is also an inkjet printer which automatically reads a test pattern, but the test pattern is recorded without consideration of a state of a head, and thus, accuracy is low. Therefore, a test pattern having a long period and a test pattern having a short period are recorded, and densities of the test patterns are read by a sensor. An extremum candidate is determined from the test pattern having a long period, and rough adjustment is made first. Then, in a region around the extremum, an extremum is determined from the test pattern having a short period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Yoshihisa AOI
  • Publication number: 20160031252
    Abstract: Judgment image data having a resolution in a direction in which a printing medium is conveyed which is lower than a printing resolution is generated based on input image data. It is determined whether color unevenness is generated in a printed image by comparing the judgment image data with reading data obtained by reading the printed image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Kenji Kubozono, Shinsuke Ikegami, Akira Kuronuma
  • Publication number: 20160031253
    Abstract: A label printer cassette is provided. The label printer cassette includes at least one supply of printing medium and a housing. The housing has a first surface, a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface, and at least one side extending between said first and second surfaces, one side having a switch operating arrangement having a ramped surface which is configured, in use to operate a switch of a label printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Dirk Van Britsom, Stefaan Van Den Broecke, Kris Vandermeulen, Peter Van Pottelberghe
  • Publication number: 20160031254
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to (i) a composition for forming a visually discernible color, (ii) the use of this composition for producing a heat-sensitive recording material, (iii) the corresponding heat-sensitive recording material comprising a substrate and this composition, and (iv) a process for producing the heat-sensitive recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Matthias NEUKIRCH, Nora WILKE nee PETERSEN
  • Publication number: 20160031255
    Abstract: A booklet making machine is provided, comprising a stapling arrangement adapted for stapling a stack of sheets following a paper path. A contacting device is adapted to contact the stack of sheets and a drive means is adapted to impart a reciprocating movement of the contacting device. By means of a sensor adapted to determine the distance of the movement of the contacting device, the thickness of the stack of sheets can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Andreas TILLMAN
  • Publication number: 20160031256
    Abstract: A marker-making kit for assembling a marking device having a user-determined mixture of marking solution is provided. The kit includes a base unit coupled to a marker positioning mechanism and a press mechanism. A mixing tube holder secures a mixing tube used for collecting a desired amount of one or more marker fluids. A mixed marker solution is combined, including any number of different colors of marker fluid, and used to saturate a marker reservoir. The saturated reservoir may then be transferred to a maker barrel positioned near the press mechanism. By applying an amount of force with a marker compression arm, a completed marker is secured, enclosing the marker reservoir inside a marker barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: ROBERT J. HENRY, JOSEPH MOLL, JAMES ALLEN, DAVID A. CZIRAKY
  • Publication number: 20160031257
    Abstract: The moveable paint tray preferably includes a base ring, a peripheral wall, a sloped ramp, an engagement platform, a handle and a hood. The peripheral wall extends upward from an outer perimeter of the base ring. A liquid support surface is formed in a portion of an inner perimeter of the base ring. The sloped ramp extends upward from an end of the liquid support surface. The engagement platform extends from an end of the sloped ramp. A ramp wall extends inward and upward from an inner perimeter of the base ring to the sloped ramp and the engagement platform. The handle extends from an outer perimeter of the peripheral wall, adjacent the engagement platform. A drain spout is formed through the peripheral wall on an end opposite the handle. A second embodiment of the moveable paint tray does not include a hood for nesting multiple units together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Tom Pasinski
  • Publication number: 20160031258
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a glass sheet substrate and process for making the same with a first wear surface, an obverse, second surface including a thermoset image receiving coating having a complete, unitary sublimated ink image that is viewable with minimal loss of resolution and clarity from the first side through the thickness of the glass sheet substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Richard A. Neely, SR.
  • Publication number: 20160031259
    Abstract: In some examples, an aircraft wheel assembly includes an axle, a bearing assembly, and a hub defining a bearing bore. The bearing bore may be configured such that the dynamic radial and axial thrust bearing reactions between the axle and the hub results in a first reaction force FR applied to the hub, the first reaction force FR having a radial component, and a second reaction force FN applied to the hub, the second reaction force FN having both a radial and an axial component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Jon Champion
  • Publication number: 20160031260
    Abstract: An axle device for a motor vehicle includes an axle shaft, a wheel receiving unit fixed on an end of the axle shaft, and a support body on which the wheel receiving unit is supported from rotation fixed about an axis of rotation. A bearing unit is arranged between the support body and the wheel receiving unit. The bearing unit includes an inner bearing shell at least partially formed by a surface portion of the wheel receiving unit, an outer bearing shell at least partially formed by a sleeve body abutting the support body, and a bearing assembly arranged between the inner bearing shell and the outer bearing shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard STARCK, JĂ¼rgen SIEBENEICK
  • Publication number: 20160031261
    Abstract: A hub bearing unit comprising an outer ring; an inner ring rotating about a common symmetry axis of the outer ring and of the inner ring; a flange which extends radially from the outer ring; a plurality of rolling bodies interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring; a sealing assembly and a protective shield for the sealing assembly, arranged on the side opposite to the flange. The protective shield is constituted by a metal sheet and comprises a cylindrical portion that can be mounted integral with a stationary axle, and a flange portion, extending radially on the outside of the cylindrical portion, facing the sealing assembly, from a first end of the cylindrical portion opposite to the flange of the outer ring. A cylindrical portion second end is provided radially inwards with an L-fold which delimits an annular axial shoulder cooperating in abutment with the inner ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Luca CIULLA, Carlo MALDERA
  • Publication number: 20160031262
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tire holder apparatus (A) having a frame and a pair of support rollers installed in the frame to load a tire, wherein the frame is disassemblable into upper and lower frames, the pair of support rollers is installed in the lower frame, the frame has a connecting member that detachably connects the upper and lower frames to each other, and the lower frame is loaded on a cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: KAYABA SYSTEM MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko TABATA
  • Publication number: 20160031263
    Abstract: Devices and methods for fixing a spoke of a running wheel in the context of trueing, an exemplary device having a clamp (1) with a clamping gap (4) of variable width and a longitudinal axis (L) configured to receive a section of the spoke, wherein driving the clamp (1) narrows the clamping gap (4) so that the section of the spoke can be fixed via force-fitting and/or form-locking, further wherein the device rotationally fixes the section but permits movement of the section in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Christoph Rugel
  • Publication number: 20160031264
    Abstract: The pivot for castor wheel for cleaning equipment or the like, with new elements structured to absorb and counteract the stresses to which the wheel is generally subjected during use, allows cleaning equipment and the like to be used in areas and sectors compatible with the materials used for the various parts that compose it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Zorzo Bruno
  • Publication number: 20160031265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an axle body for use in motor vehicles and to a chassis unit having an axle body of said type comprising an axle tube and an axle stub, wherein the axle tube is in the form of a hollow body and has a plane-symmetrical first section, wherein the axle tube has a second section which is of asymmetrical design with respect to one of the planes of symmetry of the first section, and wherein the axle stub is arranged at a distal, rotationally symmetrical end of the axle tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Drewes
  • Publication number: 20160031266
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic tire including a tread portion, a cap ply, a carcass, an apex, a bead, a side portion, and a belt and having asymmetrical structure with respect to a central line C in a width direction. Moreover, the pneumatic tire includes the technical feature that outer diameters of a left side and a right side are equal, while rim diameters of the left side and the right side are different, and thicknesses of the left side portion and the right side portion are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Kyoung Moon JEONG
  • Publication number: 20160031267
    Abstract: In a side reinforced type run-flat tire, a relationship between a distance (Do) from a center position of a circumferential primary groove that is positioned outermost in the tire width direction in a vehicle outer side region to a tire equatorial plane and a rim width (Wr) is such that 0.20?Do/Wr?0.30, and a relationship between a distance (Di) from a center position of a circumferential primary groove that is positioned outermost in the tire width direction in a vehicle inner side region to the tire equatorial plane and the rim width (Wr) is such that 0.25?Di/Wr?0.35.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Kenji Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20160031268
    Abstract: A run flat tire having improved run flat durability is provided. The run flat tire has a side wall part reinforced by a side reinforcing rubber part, and the side reinforcing rubber part is formed by a rubber composition which comprises 100 parts by mass of a diene rubber containing natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber, and from 0.1 to 4.0 parts by mass of a mercaptobenzimidazole compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akie Hiraiwa
  • Publication number: 20160031269
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a plate-like member which is attached to a tread portion inner surface by at least two attaching portions arranged with a space in a tire circumferential direction, and has a space with respect to the tread portion inner surface between the two adjacent attaching portions, wherein a through hole penetrating toward the space is formed in the plate-like member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20160031270
    Abstract: A constant pressure vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source. A first wheel valve is in fluid communication with a first tire of the vehicle, and a second wheel valve is in fluid communication with a second tire of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the wheel valves. At least a portion of the pneumatic conduit remains charged with air from at least one of the supply source and the tires. The system includes means for distributing air flow between the pneumatic conduit and the first and second wheel valves, in which the wheel valves and the means selectively maintain fluid communication between the first and second tires and the pneumatic conduit to provide pneumatic balancing between the tires, and the wheel valves provide emergency protection when a tire experiences significant pressure loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Santo Padula, Jeffrey S. Morris
  • Publication number: 20160031271
    Abstract: An axle assembly, including an axle shaft, annular member, hub, inner and outer hub bearings, abutment ring, first and second seals, and an air inlet port. The annular member is disposed about the axle shaft. The hub is coupled for rotation with the axle shaft and defines an outlet port. The first and second shaft seals form seals between the hub and the annular member. The air inlet port is mounted to one of the annular member and the abutment ring and includes an inlet boss. A first fluid conduit is defined by the abutment ring or both the abutment ring and the inlet port. The first fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the air inlet boss. The second shaft seal is spaced apart from the first shaft seal along the rotational axis to at least partially define a second fluid conduit in fluid communication inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: John C. Hibbler, James W. Platt
  • Publication number: 20160031272
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a device, an element, a passive element, methods and computer programs for obtaining tire characteristics. A device includes a transmitter inside a tire to transmit a signal at least partially indicating a first characteristic of the tire. The device further includes a passive element to at least partially influence the signal based on a second characteristic of the tire. The device further includes an element to detect the influence of the signal by the passive element and to obtain information related to the second characteristic of the tire based on the influence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Andre Peine, Thomas Lange
  • Publication number: 20160031273
    Abstract: A tire device includes a vibration power generating element, a signal processing unit, and a transmitter. The vibration power generating element is arranged inside a tire and outputs a voltage corresponding to a time variation of a vibration generated in a tread of the tire. The signal processing unit is disposed inside the tire and performs signal processing on the voltage outputted from the vibration power generating element. The transmitter is arranged inside the tire and sends data subjected to the signal processing in the signal processing unit to a device provided outside the tire. The signal processing unit and the transmitter are driven by power generated in the vibration power generating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Youichirou SUZUKI, Takashi SAITOU, Akira TAKAOKA, Nobuya WATABE, Takatoshi SEKIZAWA, Masashi MORI
  • Publication number: 20160031274
    Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include securing at least a portion of a first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of a second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead. Such methods may further include automatically translating the bead engaging portion of the tire spreader generally in an axial direction of the tire to displace the engaged portion of the second bead a desired distance to increase the distance between the opposing beads to form a widened interior cavity opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicants: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Metodi Lubenov Ikonomov, Adib Tony Chebli, Cesar Enrique Zarak, Michael Collins Chandler
  • Publication number: 20160031275
    Abstract: Vehicle for aeronautic operation and submersed operation includes members secured to rotors and a body, the members having adjustable features arranged and disposed to position the rotors to rotate in a first plane during the aeronautic operation and a second plane during the submersed operation, a fluid enclosure operably connected through the body to the rotor, the fluid enclosure having a submersion mechanism arranged and disposed for the vehicle to adjustably ascend and descend during the submersed operation of the vehicle, and a control system and power system for operably controlling the rotor, the adjustable feature, and/or the fluid enclosure. The rotor is configured to move the vehicle during the aeronautic operation and the submersed operation. A process includes operating the vehicle in the aeronautic operation and the submersed operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Paul MONROE, Devin WORK
  • Publication number: 20160031276
    Abstract: A floatable land vehicle is provided that includes a base body having at least one buoyancy body that is detachably fastened to the base body, the buoyancy body containing an at least partially filled tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: General Dynamics European Land Systems-Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Werner FRAUNDORFER
  • Publication number: 20160031277
    Abstract: A refurbishment assembly for heavy duty truck chassis arid a novel bracket for maintaining said assembly in such chassis including a method of creating or manufacturing such an assembly and its mounting on a heavy duty truck chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Larry John Verbowski
  • Publication number: 20160031278
    Abstract: An axle link for a motor vehicle includes a body-side connecting element and a wheel-side connecting element. The connecting elements are connected to one another by a rod element, comprised of a metal rod and a reinforcement casing. The metal rod is made of a ductile material and is anchored in the reinforcement casing at the connecting elements. The reinforcement casing is made of a brittle material and has a predetermined breaking point at a longitudinal position between the connecting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Sebastian SCHINDLER, Guido FESSEL
  • Publication number: 20160031279
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension of a vehicle, comprises an axle body having a rectangular cross section, a flexible trailing arm extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and crossing the axle body substantially perpendicular, and at least one clamping strap assembly for clamping the axle body and the trailing arm together. The trailing arm has a front spring portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is provided with an axle seating portion adjoining the front spring portion at a rear end thereof. The axle seating portion comprises a longitudinal portion extending substantially in line with the front spring portion, and a downwardly extending portion extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion. The axle body is received in the axle seating portion with the upper side and rear side facing the longitudinal portion and the downwardly extending portion respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Derk Geert Aalderink, Marten Frank CiarĂ¡n Bruinja
  • Publication number: 20160031280
    Abstract: A spring rubber seat provided between a spring formed by winding a wire rod to elastically support a chassis and a spring seat where the spring is placed. The spring rubber seat includes an arc seat portion having a seat surface where the spring is seated; and a link portion that links one circumferential end with the other circumferential end of the seat portion to make the spring rubber seat in an annular shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto ARANO, Takao NAGASAWA
  • Publication number: 20160031281
    Abstract: An air suspension system includes a rigid frame member defining an unsealed fixed volume. An air reservoir is disposed within the fixed volume and variably occupies the fixed volume. The air reservoir includes a flexible bladder expandable between an unfilled volume, a first filled volume, and a second filled volume larger than the first filled volume. The first filled volume and the second filled volume at least partially expand into the fixed volume of the rigid frame member. A fill port is formed in one end of the flexible bladder and provides access to the expandable volume. A feed tube is disposed through the fill port into the expandable volume and is in airflow communication with the expandable volume. At least one air spring is in airflow communication with the air reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Peter J. Soles, Scott R. Pouls
  • Publication number: 20160031282
    Abstract: A shock absorber mounted on a vehicle includes an inner portion that is made of a metal and has a first upper end and a first lower end, and an outer portion that is made of a composite material and is integrally formed with the inner portion. The outer portion has at least one of a second upper end on which the first upper end of the inner portion is folded and a second lower end on which the first lower end of the inner portion is folded, and a middle portion that has a seat for supporting a suspension spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicants: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA, KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Vincent HERNETTE, Javier LIZARRAGA
  • Publication number: 20160031283
    Abstract: A recreational utility vehicle having an enclosure with a bottom wall and first and second side wall assemblies is provided. The first and second side wall assemblies and the bottom wall define an interior region. The vehicle further includes a first suspension assembly coupled directly to the first side wall assembly, having a first swing arm assembly with a first operational position in which a first portion of the bottom wall of the enclosure is at a predetermined distance from a ground level elevation. The first swing arm assembly has a second operational position in which the first portion of the bottom wall of the enclosure is at the ground level elevation. The vehicle further includes a second suspension assembly operably coupled directly to the second side wall assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher Muller
  • Publication number: 20160031284
    Abstract: A suspension system, which is used together with a vehicle including a vehicle body, a front wheel, and a rear wheel, includes a mechanical damping force variable shock absorber disposed between the vehicle body and the front wheel and configured to mechanically change a damping force, and a damping force adjustable shock absorber disposed between the vehicle body and the rear wheel and configured to adjust a damping force by an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Mikio YAMASHITA, Fumiyuki YAMAOKA
  • Publication number: 20160031285
    Abstract: A multi-path fluid flow control valve for a shock absorber that restricts fluid into a first path while opening fluid flow to a second path when a given fluid flow velocity is reached. Exemplary configurations of this diverter valve are disclosed such as a spring loaded disc valve with face sealing lands, and a spool valve with diametric sealing lands. Applications include active suspension dampers in order to limit maximum RPM into a hydraulic motor. For such a system, in one mode the diverter valve allows fluid to move unrestricted into the hydraulic motor. When fluid velocity reaches a tunable set point, in a second mode the diverter valve restricts flow into the hydraulic motor and bypasses it shuttling fluid into the opposite side of the damper. In some cases progressive damping valves are utilized in series or parallel to smooth damping characteristics during, before, and after transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Clive Tucker, Johannes Schneider, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Marco Giovanardi, Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Patrick W. Neil
  • Publication number: 20160031286
    Abstract: A damper control apparatus damps vibration of an unsprung member by controlling a damping force of a damper in a vehicle, the damper being interposed between a sprung member and the unsprung member. The damper control apparatus includes a vibration level detecting unit that detects a vibration level serving as a magnitude of the vibration of the unsprung member, and a stroke speed detecting unit that detects a stroke speed of the damper. The damper control apparatus further includes a command value calculating unit that determines a control command value, the control command value is a command value for controlling the damping force of the damper on the basis of the vibration level of the unsprung member and the stroke speed of the damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoo KUBOTA, Masatoshi OKUMURA
  • Publication number: 20160031287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system (49) for controlling a target ride height of a vehicle (1). The control system (49) is configured to set s target off-road ride height (hOFF) in dependence on one or more vehicle operating parameters. The target off-road ride height (hOFF) is set upon receipt of a driving mode signal signaling that an off-road driving made has been selected. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a vehicle and a method of controlling a target ride height of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Philip GUEST, Jason WALTERS, Sam ANKER, Edward NICHOLSON
  • Publication number: 20160031288
    Abstract: A heat medium circulation equipment, a first pump, and a second pump are connected to a first switching valve and a second switching valve. A heater core is connected to at least one of the first switching valve and the second switching valve, and connected to a heat medium circuit. A state, in which the heat medium discharged by a third pump flows into the heater core, is selected by switching of a switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michio NISHIKAWA, Nobuharu KAKEHASHI, Norihiko ENOMOTO, Yoshiki KATOH, Kengo SUGIMURA