Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
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Patent number: 9260051Abstract: A method for adapting an upper headlight beam boundary of a light cone of at least one headlight of a vehicle. The method includes detecting a time curve of a pitch rate of the vehicle or a value that is dependent on the pitch rate and/or of a roll rate of the vehicle or a value that is dependent on the roll rate. The method also includes ascertaining an envelope curve and/or an amplitude of the time curve and/or an average value of the time curve. The method also includes providing a control signal for adapting the upper headlight beam boundary of the headlight beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Tobias Ehlgen, Johannes Foltin, Robert Meisner
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Patent number: 9260052Abstract: A method is described for controlling a headlight system of a vehicle. The method includes a step of reading in an aerosol signal which represents a recognized intensity of an aerosol in a field of vision of a camera of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes a step of activating a change in a light emission in a lighting area ahead of the vehicle with the aid of the headlight system as a response to the aerosol signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Tobias Ehlgen, Sebastian Van Staa
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Patent number: 9260053Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive headlamp system which can control an illumination pattern of headlamps by rotating a headlamp unit and/or adjusting the light intensity of a light source included in the headlamp unit based on the position of a front vehicle located ahead in a driving direction, and a method of controlling the automotive headlamp system. The automotive headlamp system includes an image capture unit capturing an image of an area ahead of a vehicle in a driving direction of the vehicle, a position determination unit determining a position of a front vehicle based on the captured image, a headlamp unit comprising an array of a plurality of light sources, and a control unit controlling an illumination pattern of the headlamp unit by rotating the headlamp unit and/or adjusting a light intensity of a light source based on the determined position of the front vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: SL CorporationInventors: Jong Ryoul Park, Sung Ho Kim
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Patent number: 9260054Abstract: An external seatbelt indicator provides a red indicator light that appears on the front and rear of the vehicle when the driver's seat is occupied, the vehicle's ignition switch is in the on position, the vehicle is in any forward or reverse gear, and the driver's seatbelt is unfastened. The red indicator light may include, but is not limited to a written message, such as, “No Seat Belt,” or it may be in another form, such as a silhouette of a seated person wearing a seatbelt and shoulder harness.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventors: Joe Lewis McHomes, Josef Rasheed McHomes, Antonio Jamaal McHomes
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Patent number: 9260055Abstract: Auxiliary lighting is added to military vehicles in response to civilian national emergencies permitting the vehicles to function as emergency vehicles. The auxiliary lights are attached to the military vehicles by employing military standard optical devices such as reflectors already mounted on the vehicles. This method of attaching the auxiliary lights avoids unacceptable modification of the military vehicles and reduces the complexity and time required to install the auxiliary lights. The attachment method also facilitates removal of the auxiliary lighting. Therefore temporary auxiliary lighting can be added to and removed from the military vehicle with a minimal use of tools or time. The auxiliary lighting is positioned on the military vehicle such that the emitted light beams are directed as required for the function the light is expected to perform. The auxiliary lights can be floodlights, warning lights, clearance or marker lights.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventor: Kevin McDermott
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Patent number: 9260056Abstract: An electronic display system mountable in a window cavity of an automotive vehicle comprising: a conformal digital display installable in a window cavity of an automotive vehicle; a communication device for wireless receiving of digital images and control instructions; a storage device for at least temporarily retaining digital image files and control instructions; a locator device for determining the location of the electronic display system, and a vehicle interface for interconnection with the automotive vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventors: Arthur Strout, Maurice Haff
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Patent number: 9260057Abstract: A vehicle lamp using a fluid lens and a control method of the vehicle lamp are provided. The vehicle lamp notifies the driving status of a vehicle to the drivers of following vehicles via a tail lamp. In particular the vehicle lamp includes a light source and a fluid lens that changes a curvature shape of the fluid lens based on an input current and generates a light emission image that corresponds to a driving status of a vehicle to the exterior of the vehicle lamp. Additionally, the input current varies based on the driving status of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: SL CorporationInventor: Seon Tae Kim
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Patent number: 9260058Abstract: A technique to adequately provide a sound pressure of a horn that is less affected by a flow of air. In a motorcycle including a front cover for laterally covering a horn, the front cover includes an outer cover and an inner cover located inwardly of the outer cover in a vehicle-width direction. The inner cover includes an air guide surface extending in a vehicle-longitudinal direction. The horn is placed at the rear of the air guide surface. The inner cover further includes a relief portion leaning outwardly in the vehicle-width direction to steer clear of a vehicle forward side of the horn. The inner cover includes a covering provided on a surface contiguous with the air guide surface to cover at least a part of the vehicle forward side of the horn. The covering has a mesh structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Takasaki, Satoshi Nishimura, Kanji Hayashi, Tomohiko Yashiro, Takashi Takizawa
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Patent number: 9260059Abstract: A collision warning system for a host vehicle includes a false warning reduction arrangement. A collision sensor senses a presence of a target object within a forward path of a vehicle and a navigation system senses the global position of the vehicle. The collision warning system receives the location information and the target object to provide a collision warning to a vehicle operator. To avoid false alerts, the collision warning system compares target object and location to target objects and locations stored in a false alert database. When the target object is provided in the database, a warning is delayed or suppressed. The collision warning system also senses driver reactions to a warning. When a warning results in no reaction by a vehicle operator, the warning is considered a false alert, and the target object and location are stored in the false alert database.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Freddy Rayes, Maria Eugenia Garcia Bordes
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Patent number: 9260060Abstract: A tonneau board used in a luggage space and movable according to opening and closing of a back door of a vehicle is provided. The tonneau board includes a rear board, a hinge portion, a front board, and an elongated connecting member. The rear board is disposed in front of the back door and includes a connect portion in a vehicular front portion thereof. The front board is in front of the rear board and connected to the rear board via the hinge portion to be pivotable around the hinge portion. The connecting member has flexibility and is configured to connect the rear board and the back door and includes a loop connected to the front portion of the rear board via the connect portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuto Matsubara
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Patent number: 9260061Abstract: A golf cart mounted equipment and accessories holder and method of installation to a golf cart which is non-destructively mounted permanently or semi-permanently to a cart, resides at least partially in the golf cart bag well between the rear wheel wells of the cart, and provides a bag retention strap extending into sections of the bag well not otherwise occupied by the equipment and accessories holder. The equipment and accessories holder possesses at least one elongate pocket and compartments adapted to retain and store balls and accessories.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventor: Daniel Rudd
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Patent number: 9260062Abstract: An image detection system having a camera unit for detecting images of the outside area of a motor vehicle, and a protection element that can be moved from a closed position to an open position by a mechanism through a drive. At least one lens of the camera unit is located behind the protection element inaccessible from the outside when the protection element is located in the closed position. At least the lens is released by the protection element for image detection in the open position. At least the camera unit with the mechanism and the protection element is disposed in a first module and the drive is provided in a second module separate from the first module. The first and second modules are mechanically connected to one another by at least one actuation element so that the drive drives the mechanism by way of the actuation element.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO KGInventors: Rolf Kamps, Ulrich Müller
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Patent number: 9260063Abstract: Provided herein are truck boxes, such as pickup truck toolboxes, that comprise an open box body and lid assembly fabricated from composite materials. The composite materials may be fiber-reinforced polymeric constructs and may have a solid laminate structure or a sandwich structure utilizing a plurality of plies. Also provided are composite toolboxes that have an open storage box and lid component affixed to an upper back edge of the box component in an opening and closing relationship and means for independently hinging and latching the lid component to the open storage box component. The open storage box and lid in the pickup truck tool box may each independently comprise a ply layup of fiber reinforced polymeric composites or may each independently comprise a solid laminate of a fiber reinforced polymeric composite.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventors: Jarrad Scott Zaiser, Bruce Edward Toman
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Patent number: 9260064Abstract: An assembly for managing heat and noise generated by an engine comprises a dash panel, an acoustic absorbing layer, a scrim, and a heat reflective coating. The acoustic absorbing layer comprises a plurality of fibers secure in a resin, where the acoustic absorbing layer is positioned proximate to the dash panel. The scrim is positioned proximate to the acoustic absorbing layer. The heat reflective coating comprises a polymer material and heat reflecting additives dispersed in the polymer material. The heat reflective coating is applied to the scrim as a solution of the polymer material and heat reflecting additives.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Lord CorporationInventors: Andrew B. Shives, Negar B. Gilsinger, Michael A. Baumbarger, Rebecca S. Cowles, Daniel E. Adam
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Patent number: 9260065Abstract: A high-voltage harness connection structure for an electrically driven vehicle, having a battery pack disposed in an underfloor position of the vehicle and having a battery-side high-voltage connector terminal disposed on a front end thereof, a power unit arranged in a vehicle forward position with respect to the battery pack and having a unit-side high-voltage connector terminal disposed thereon, and a high-voltage harness that connects the battery-side high-voltage connector terminal and the unit-side high-voltage connector terminal. The harness connection surface of the battery-side high-voltage connector terminal forms a harness connection inclined surface so that the high-voltage harness is connected to be inclined outwardly in a vehicle width direction with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction, and routed in an outwardly bent state in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsunori Tanigaki, Norihisa Tsujimura, Kentaro Hatta
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Patent number: 9260066Abstract: A vehicle-mounted network system includes a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) communicatively connected to a communication path of a vehicle-mounted network, each of which is configured to selectively perform a normal mode of operation and a sleep mode, and a management apparatus. The plurality of ECUs are configured to be individually powered on and off by a power supply relay of the management apparatus. The management apparatus is configured to acquire information indicative of a vehicle situation and determine a scene from the acquired information, determine control contents for powering on or off at least one specific ECU, of the plurality of ECUs, corresponding to the determined scene, if any, and power on or off the at least one specific ECU based on the determined control contents.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoya Tokunaga, Hidetoshi Morita
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Patent number: 9260067Abstract: When a low charge state where the charge remaining amount of a battery that supplies power to onboard equipment is at or below a predetermined amount or an abnormal state of the battery is detected, the detection is notified to a server through a communication section. The state notified to the server is recorded in a storage section. When a portable terminal inquires of the server, the state of the battery recorded in the storage section is transmitted to the portable terminal. The portable terminal displays information as to the state of the battery received from the server.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Takeshi Kai
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Patent number: 9260068Abstract: An in-vehicle battery system comprises a first power storage module including a lead-acid battery, and a second power storage module including a power storage portion having a higher energy density than that of the lead-acid battery. The lead-acid battery and the power storage portion are electrically connected in parallel to a power generating portion which converts a regenerative energy to electric power. The first power storage module and the second power storage module are provided in an engine room of a vehicle. The second power storage module is disposed more distantly than the first power storage module from an engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Ohsumi, Kaoru Nakajima, Akinobu Tsunesada, Hideki Sakata
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Patent number: 9260069Abstract: A shock absorbing member may include a cylindrical member that is configured to receive an impact load axially applied and to be axially collapsed, a wood member that is received in the cylindrical member while an axial direction of annual rings thereof is aligned with an axial direction of the cylindrical member, and positioning means for positioning axially both end portions of the wood member relative to axially both end portions of the cylindrical member such that a clearance can be formed between an outer surface of the wood member and an inner wall surface of the cylindrical member over an entire circumference thereof. The wood member and the cylindrical member are configured to receive the impact load in an axial direction thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nobuhisa Okuda
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Patent number: 9260070Abstract: An energy-absorbing support structure has an absorbing body including a fiber-reinforced plastics material. The latter is arranged between a support structure abutment component and a support structure impact-absorbing component. The absorbing body absorbs energy by deforming from a starting state into a deformed deformation state based on an impact-induced relative displacement of the support structure components, the energy being introduced into the support structure by an impact. The absorbing body is configured as a body which has already been predeformed in the starting state by energy absorption compared to an original state. During production of the support structure, the absorbing body is firstly produced in the original state, the latter is then predeformed into the starting state and finally the absorbing body is connected to the support structure components. The result is a support structure which absorbs energy in a predictable and defined manner upon an impact-induced introduction of energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: THERMOPLAST COMPOSITE GMBHInventor: Herbert Börger
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Patent number: 9260071Abstract: A circuit mounting assembly includes a housing and a protrusion extending from the housing. At least one retaining member is attached to the protrusion and adapted to deform when received in an opening of a mounting structure and form an interference fit with the mounting structure so as to hold the housing to the mounting structure. At least one attachment member provides a secure attachment of the housing to the mounting structure. Electrical circuitry is located within the housing for performing a function, and an electrical connector for providing an electrical connection between the electrical circuitry located within the housing and an external device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: Neil Gordon Murray, Jr., Mark Ramsay
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Patent number: 9260072Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling deployment of pedestrian head protection devices on a motor vehicle having a metal bumper is disclosed. The disclosed inventive concept involves strategic placement of accelerometer sensing devices and the derivation of a real time impact signal from the signals generated by the accelerometers. This real time impact signal is used along with thresholds and a time window to control deployment. The apparatus includes a metal bumper, two support brackets attaching the bumper to the vehicle and at least two accelerometers fitted to the bumper proximate the brackets. The derivation and use of a single impact signal from said first and second signal-generating accelerometers is achieved by taking the larger of two absolute values derived from the accelerometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Yeruva Satya Reddy, Kowling Cheng
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Patent number: 9260073Abstract: A warning system applied to a vehicle includes a control module, a detecting module, a warning module, and a pressure sensor module. The pressure sensor module is assembled to a seat, and configured to measure a pressure value of the seat and transmit the pressure value to the control module. The detecting module is configured to obtain information of the environment around the vehicle and transmit the information to the control module. The control module is configured to determine whether there is at least one person sitting on the seat based on the pressure value on the seat, and to determine whether there is a passing vehicle based on the information of the environment surrounding the vehicle, and warn the passing vehicle when there is someone sitting on the seat and there is a passing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Da-Yi Peng
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Patent number: 9260074Abstract: An instrument panel has a base member and a cover member, which is adhered to the top surface of the base member. A first cleavage groove serving as a start point of rupture of the base member caused by inflation pressure of an airbag is formed in the back surface of the base member. The cover member is configured by a ground fabric layer, a cover layer adhered to the top surface of the ground fabric layer, and a cushion layer adhered to the back surface of the ground fabric layer. The cushion layer is formed of a knitted original fabric. A second cleavage groove is formed only in the back surface of the cushion layer out of the layers configuring the cover member in correspondence with the first cleavage groove of the base member.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Junichi Fujita, Minoru Toda, Chiharu Totani, Shunta Asakuma
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Patent number: 9260075Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly includes first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between inflated and deflated states. At least one pleat is defined within at least one of the first and second walls, and defines an expanded portion of the interior volume. First and second slits are defined within the first wall that define a vent in communication with the expanded portion of the interior volume, wherein the vent defines an open position with the inflatable bladder in the deflated state, and wherein the vent moves to a closed position as the inflatable bladder operates to the inflated state.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: John A. Young
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Patent number: 9260076Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint method, system, and apparatus. The system includes a seat belt associated with a seat of a vehicle and a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt comprising a shoulder stabilizing zone and a thorax belt portion, wherein the shoulder stabilizing zone includes a larger width dimension than the thorax belt portion. The system also includes a pretensioning device associated with the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt. The pretensioning device is configured to cinch and lock the shoulder stabilizing zone around a shoulder region of the occupant, thereby preventing forward rotation of the shoulder region, in response to a side impact collision.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Craig A Markusic
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Patent number: 9260077Abstract: A pretensioner comprising a gas generating unit; a pretensioner body to whose inside the gas is supplied; a spool driving member disposed inside the pretensioner body and causing a spool to rotate to retract webbing onto the spool; a gas flow rate adjusting portion disposed in the spool driving member and whose inner peripheral shape is set in accordance with a flow rate of the gas to be passed through the gas flow rate adjusting portion; and a filter unit having a vent portion that is communicated with a space between the gas generating unit and the spool driving member and is also communicated with the gas flow rate adjusting portion. The open shape of the gas flow rate adjusting portion has a portion that does not coincide in a plan view with the open shape of the vent portion, and the overall open area of the vent portion is set larger than the open area of the gas flow rate adjusting portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Tomonori Nagata, Shinichi Okubo, Masaru Ukita, Katsuki Asagiri, Yasutaka Watanabe, Keiichi Kato, Yusuke Hirokawa, Hiroaki Yamazoe
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Patent number: 9260078Abstract: A trailer electronic braking system includes a braking device capable of generating a braking force on a wheel on the trailer, a brake force into the brake cylinders being controllable by a braking ECU. The braking ECU is connected to a standards compliant communication bus on said trailer and is adapted to receive data inputs from sensors on the trailer. An interface to trailer electronics and a communications interface are also provided. The brake system is further adapted to transmit a trailer identifier such as an SSID, such that the trailer identifier can be paired with a further device, such as a mobile telephone associated with a tractor driver, the further device having previously been provided with the trailer identifier.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEM FUR NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBHInventors: Martin Mederer, Stefan Pahl, Matthew Fry
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Patent number: 9260079Abstract: A keyless entry system includes an on-vehicle unit and a mobile device, and controls on-vehicle equipment using a wakeup signal and a command signal. The on-vehicle unit radio-transmits a first transmission signal including the wakeup signal and a second transmission signal relating to the detection of an interference wave to the first transmission signal to the mobile device using radio signals having different frequencies. When the first transmission signal has been normally received, the mobile device radio-transmits a third transmission signal including the command signal to the on-vehicle unit and receives a second transmission signal. When the first transmission signal could not be normally received, the mobile device performs the detection of the interference wave to the first transmission signal and radio-transmits a fourth transmission signal for requesting the retransmission of the first transmission signal to the on-vehicle unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Akira Miyazawa
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Patent number: 9260080Abstract: A service disconnect including a lock actuatable between a first state that prevents a removal of a service disconnect from a closed position and a second state that permits the removal.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Kristen S Tamm
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Patent number: 9260081Abstract: Wiper apparatuses are provided herein. In one example, a wiper apparatus includes a wiper that has a wiper arm and a wiper blade. The wiper blade is mounted to the wiper arm for contact with a window of a motor vehicle. A wiper drive motor pivots the wiper arm between an out-wipe position and an in-wipe position. A controller controls operation of the wiper drive motor to cause the wiper drive motor to selectively stop the wiper blade in a standard park position when in a standard park mode and in a high park position when in a high park mode. The wiper blade in the high park position is located further up from a bottom edge of the window than in the standard park position. A wiper control switch causes the controller to toggle between the standard park mode and the high park mode when moved according to a predetermined switching sequence.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Mark R. Willey, Thomas W. Cox, Marcia R. Ganske, Mark K. Denison
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Patent number: 9260082Abstract: A wiper arm assembly is adapted to support a wiper blade as it moves across a surface to be wiped. The wiper arm assembly includes a body and a head supported by the body and adapted to be mounted to a pivot shaft that defines a pivot axis P and drives the wiper blade in an oscillating manner across the surface to be wiped. The body also includes an opening providing access to the head mounted to the pivot shaft. The wiper arm assembly includes a cover pivotally mounted to the body at the opening and is movable about an axis A substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis P from a first position closing the opening to a second position allowing access to the head. A locking mechanism on the cover locks the cover to a nut on the pivot shaft to retain the cover in the first position closing the opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATIONInventor: Kyle Moll
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Patent number: 9260083Abstract: An automobile wiper includes a fixed frame, a swing arm, a first pressing wing, a swing casing, a second pressing wing and a wiper blade. The fixed frame includes a fixed base and a fixed arm installed at the bottom of the fixed base, and the swing arm is pivotally coupled to a side of the fixed arm, and the first pressing wing is combined with an end of the swing arm, and the swing casing is coupled to the other end of the swing arm, and the second pressing wing is pivotally coupled to the swing casing, and the wiper blade is combined with the bottom of the first pressing wing and the second pressing wing, and the wiper blade is pressed by the first pressing wing and the second pressing wing and engaged flatly with a glass surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: SCAN TOP ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.Inventors: Chih-Ming Yang, Chuan-Chih Chang
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Patent number: 9260084Abstract: A wiper coupler adaptor for releasably attaching a wiper assembly to a wiper arm includes a pair of sidewalls each including a post that extends laterally toward the other and adapted to operatively engage a wiper assembly. The sidewalls include recessed sections adapted to operatively engage rails of an attachment member of a wiper arm, each of the recessed sections have a flange that extends outward beyond to provide releasable engagement with the attachment member.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATIONInventors: Mitica Polocoser, Kyle Moll
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Patent number: 9260085Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade adapter, in particular for a motor vehicle windshield wiper device, comprising a main body (12). According to the invention, the wiper blade adapter comprises a spraying unit (10), which is arranged on the main body (12) and designed to spray a liquid onto a motor vehicle windshield (64).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Koen Bex, Dirk Herinckx, Helmut Depondt
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Patent number: 9260086Abstract: A system for cleaning vehicles that includes at least one drain beneath the vehicle for collecting spent water used in the cleaning of the vehicle; at least one filter for filtering the spent water; a storage tank for receiving and storing the filtered water; a boiler for receiving water from the storage tank, said boiler heating the water so as to produce steam that is useable in cleaning the vehicle; and an oil recovery apparatus for receiving oil from the vehicle and re-claiming the vehicle oil in order to operate the boiler.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventor: Louis J. Normand, Jr.
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Patent number: 9260087Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake system and a regenerative brake system and a method of controlling the same is provided. The brake system may include a brake pedal having a range of motion and configured to control the application of the hydraulic brake system based upon a position of the brake pedal within the range of motion. The brake system may further include a brake controller configured to determine an inflection position of the brake pedal, the inflection position being a position of the brake pedal within the range of motion when the hydraulic brake system begins to apply a brake pressure over a predetermined threshold, wherein the brake controller applies the regenerative brake system based upon inflection position.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: William L. Aldrich, III, Andrew M. Zettel, Ammar A. Atmeh
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Patent number: 9260088Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a hybrid electric vehicle having a brake pedal arm and a cam follower extending from the brake pedal arm is provided. The cam follower is configured to cooperate with a stamp bracket having a cam surface to provide brake pedal feel resistance as the brake pedal arm is actuated by a user of the hybrid electric vehicle. This brake pedal feel resistance increases as the cam follower traverses along the cam surface of the stamp bracket.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Allen Shand, Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
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Patent number: 9260089Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a deceleration arrangement (10) of a motor vehicle with at least one regenerative braking device (12) which is designed to decelerate the motor vehicle by means of a variable braking torque and to generate electrical energy corresponding to the braking torque. A return speed of an operating element for driving the motor vehicle, in particular an accelerator pedal (22), is detected (S2). A predefined braking torque is exerted (S5) by the regenerative braking device (12) if the return speed and/or a variable correlating thereto exceed(s) or fall(s) below a predefined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ralf Schuler, Fanny Kobiela, Rupert Stuetzle
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Patent number: 9260090Abstract: A method for parking a vehicle in a parking spot comprises scanning objects to determine if a feasible parking space is available, the neighboring objects including at least one object either in front of or behind the vehicle and at least one object alongside the vehicle; determine whether there is a sufficient slot length in which to park the vehicle and to determine a height of the object alongside which the vehicle is to be parked in order to park the vehicle at a lateral distance from the object alongside the vehicle dependent upon the particular height of such object relative to a height of a bottom of a door; and parking the vehicle in the space wherein the vehicle is parked at the lateral distance from the object vehicle based upon the detected height of such object relative to the height of the bottom of the door.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Salvador Toledo, Janet Meise, Dirk Gunia, Torsten Wey
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Patent number: 9260091Abstract: A system and method for conserving vacuum within a vehicle is described. In one example, vacuum is conserved via limiting volume expansion of a brake booster working chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 9260092Abstract: Methods and systems for steering-based oscillatory braking are described herein. A method may involve making a determination, by a computing device, to reduce a speed of a vehicle. The vehicle may include a pair of wheels. The method may further involve providing instructions to turn the pair of wheels of the vehicle in an oscillatory manner, such that each wheel of the pair of wheels is turned in substantially the same direction and turning of the pair of wheels oscillates each wheel of the pair of wheels between given directions about a direction of travel of the vehicle so as to reduce the speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Peter Craig Lombrozo
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Patent number: 9260093Abstract: A brake apparatus includes: a displacement member which is displaced with respect to a disk rotor; a friction member which presses the disk rotor by being pressed by the displacement member thus displaced so as to generate braking force; a hydraulic braking apparatus which displaces the displacement member using hydraulic pressure; an electric-powered braking apparatus which displaces the displacement member using a force that differs from the hydraulic pressure; and a brake ECU which controls the hydraulic braking apparatus based on information acquired from a detection unit which detects information having a correlation with the hydraulic pressure applied to the displacement member. When the electric-powered braking apparatus operates in a state in which braking is being performed by the hydraulic braking apparatus, the brake ECU controls the hydraulic braking apparatus or otherwise the electric-powered braking apparatus so as to suppress hydraulic pressure fluctuation.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takayuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9260094Abstract: An electronic control device for controlling operations of an electric parking brake and a service brake: determines a release impossible state in which release operation cannot be performed, based on a fact that a motor current that is supplied to an electric motor of the electric parking brake during release control is maintained in a state of a locked rotor current; and performs, when the release impossible state is determined, back-up pressurization for pressing the piston by generating a brake fluid pressure in the wheel cylinder using the service brake and for pressing the friction-applying member against the friction-applied member.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kentaro Yuasa, Masatoshi Hanzawa
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Patent number: 9260095Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle. An image processing system is operable to process image data captured by the camera to determine the presence of a leading vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and to determine an illumination level of a taillight of the leading vehicle. Responsive to a determination of a relative speed of the leading vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle and a relative acceleration of the leading vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle, the vision system determines a braking level of the equipped vehicle to mitigate collision with the leading vehicle. Responsive to the determination of the illumination level of the taillight of the determined leading vehicle, the vision system is operable to apply a weighting factor to adjust the determined braking level for the determined traffic condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Dominik Raudszus
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Patent number: 9260096Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control apparatus for a vehicle includes a parameter calculation unit configured to calculate a rollover detection parameter; and a steering maneuver determination unit configured to determine whether an abrupt steering maneuver is made. The parameter calculation unit is configured to calculate a first composition roll angle as the rollover detection parameter, by combining at a predetermined weight assignment ratio a first roll angle equivalent to an actual roll angle with a second roll angle obtained using a parameter which changes with a phase earlier than the first roll angle, and to calculate the first composition roll angle by changing the weight assignment ratio such that a weight of the second roll angle is higher when the steering maneuver determination unit determines that an abrupt steering maneuver is made than when the steering maneuver determination unit determines that the abrupt steering maneuver is not made.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignees: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuaki Miyata, Takeshi Kojima, Tomoyuki Futamura
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Patent number: 9260097Abstract: A vacuum brake servo includes a force input element, a control valve actuated by the force input element, a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum source, and an operating chamber which, depending on the actuation of the force input element, can be connected to either the vacuum chamber or the surrounding atmosphere. The control valve has a control piston that can be actuated by the force input element and, together with a valve element, forms a seal seat having a seal seat diameter between the operating chamber and the surrounding atmosphere. In the area close to the seal seat, a guide channel is provided. When the seal seat is opened, air from the surrounding atmosphere flows into the operating chamber. The guide channel extends axially with a constant flow diameter over a predetermined length, wherein the flow diameter is less than or equal to the seal seat diameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: José Manuel Calvo Martinez, Jens Sparfeld, Detlev Knigge, Ulrich Zinnkann
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Patent number: 9260098Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vacuum booster includes a booster shell and a booster piston which divides an interior of the booster shell into a front vacuum chamber and a rear operation chamber. The vacuum booster further includes a valve cylinder in which a control valve controls a communication state of the operation chamber depending on a movement of an input rod. A bearing cylinder is provided on a rear wall of the booster shell. A bearing bush is mounted in the bearing cylinder to support the valve cylinder, and a seal lip is provided at a rear end of the bearing bush integrally therewith to contact elastically closely with the valve cylinder. A grease reservoir is provided in an inner surface of the bearing bush, and an extension grease reservoir is provided in an inner surface of the seal lip.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyoaki Tanizawa, Shuichi Yatabe
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Patent number: 9260099Abstract: In a method for adjusting the clamping force which is exerted by a parking brake and is generated by an electric brake motor, in the event of a jump in the voltage or the current of the electric brake motor, a correction current is ascertained on which the calculation of the motor parameters is based.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Ulrich Sussek
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Patent number: 9260100Abstract: A pressure control reservoir for a vehicle brake system is disposed in a hydraulic line extending from a master cylinder to a wheel cylinder through a pump. The pressure control reservoir includes a check valve which consists of a valve seat and a valve. The check valve is closed when an excessive pressure of brake fluid produced by the master cylinder. The valve is stationary. The valve seat is moved in response to an elevated level of the pressure of brake fluid into engagement with the valve, so that the check valve is closed. With these arrangements, the check valve is closed before a piston starts to move to change the volume of a reservoir chamber, thus permitting the volume of the brake fluid required to close the check valve to be decreased, which minimizes the uncomfortable feeling given to a driver of the vehicle when actuating the brakes.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, ADVICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Murayama