Patents Issued in March 10, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160068145
    Abstract: The subject disclosure provides a balance valve and a vacuum booster. The balance valve includes a valve seat (11), a connecting cylinder (16) and a conic cylinder (17) orderly connected from left to right, wherein the valve seat (11) is annular, a sealing flange (12) is provided on an outer periphery of the conic cylinder (17), a protruded lip (13) for sealing is provided on an outer periphery of the valve seat (11), and the valve seat (11) is provided therein with a via hole (14) for communicating a left surface of the valve seat (11) with a right surface of the valve seat (11) outside the connecting cylinder (16). The vacuum booster having the balance valve can reduce a difference between the starting force and the restoring force, thereby increasing the restoring force while keeping the starting force of the same level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Dongqiang Luo
  • Publication number: 20160068146
    Abstract: An electric motor is controlled according to the back and forth movement of an input rod, which is caused by brake pedal operation; a primary piston is propelled to generate hydraulic brake pressure in a master cylinder; and the hydraulic brake pressure is fed back to the input rod through an input piston. The input piston is resiliency held by springs with respect to the primary piston. A jump-in clearance is created between the input piston and the input rod by a rearward spring. At the initial stage of braking, hydraulic brake pressure is not transmitted to the input rod due to the jump-in clearance, which provides jump-in characteristics. The jump-in clearance can be set, regardless of the amount of a relative displacement between the primary piston and the input piston, so that the range of adjustment for regenerative braking can be set larger than the jump-in clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kunihiro MATSUNAGA, Mitsuhiro ENDO, Satohiro KOI, Naoki SHIRAKAWA, Atsushi ODAIRA, Takuya USUI, Hiroshi SHIGETA
  • Publication number: 20160068147
    Abstract: A screw drive for an electromechanical brake booster of a braking system of a motor vehicle includes: a threaded nut; and a threaded spindle engaged with the threaded nut. The threaded nut includes an outer section which is connectable to a drive unit for driving the threaded nut, and an inner section having a thread for accommodating the threaded spindle. The inner section and the outer section of the threaded nut are connected by a damping unit for damping the torsion of the threaded nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Ignaz Hatt, Harald Guggenmos, Ben Ferguson, Remy Garnier
  • Publication number: 20160068148
    Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining system produces a brake cylinder reference pressure based on the difference between the brake pipe pressure and the auxiliary reservoir pressure and then feeds that pressure to a choke and a volume so that the ratio of the reference area of the choke to the volume of stored brake cylinder reference pressure is substantively equal to the ratio of a brake cylinder charging valve area to the brake cylinder volume. The resulting reference pressure may be used to adjust brake cylinder pressure by providing the reference pressure to a standard quick service limiting valve or to a relay that can selectively charge or exhaust the brake cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Jason Connell, Eric C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20160068149
    Abstract: An air brake valve designed to remove the air from a vehicle air brake system in order to apply parking brakes in a manner to prevent unauthorized release of said brakes, and to achieve regulatory pre-trip and D.O.T. inspection of system low pressure warning indicator as well as regulatory after trip parking procedures for school busses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Randy D. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20160068150
    Abstract: An arrangement for drying air, particularly for a compressed air installation of a rail vehicle, includes an air dryer that receives air that is to be dried, via an air dryer inlet. In order to optimize the arrangement with regard to external conditions prevailing in the region of a rail bound transportation route to be travelled, an air conditioning installation is provided that supplies air to an air conditioning installation outlet, the air dryer inlet being connected, by way of an air channel particularly designed as an air conduit, to the air conditioning installation outlet such that at least one portion of the air supplied from the air conditioning installation forms the air that is to be dried. The invention also relates to a rail vehicle that includes such an arrangement, and also to a method for drying air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: MIKE MAUDER
  • Publication number: 20160068151
    Abstract: A method for controlling coasting torque of a hybrid vehicle includes: determining a final coasting torque by adding, for each manual gear shifting step, an engine friction torque to: i) a first correction torque for conserving a state of charge (SOC) of a high-voltage battery of the hybrid vehicle, ii) a second correction torque according to a vehicular electronic component load, and iii) a coasting correction torque based on a road gradient, when the hybrid vehicle enters a coasting mode; and applying a coasting torque amount for coasting driving to the determined final coasting torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Young Chul Kim, Sang Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20160068152
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving emissions and drivability of a hybrid vehicle that includes a motor/generator and an engine are presented. The systems and methods may allow vehicle emissions regulations to be met while at the same time providing driveline torque that matches driver demand torque so that vehicle drivability may be maintained or improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Lear, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Larry Wroza
  • Publication number: 20160068153
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch selectively couples the traction motor to wheels. The controller, in response to a torque output by the fraction motor achieving a torque limit while operating to partially satisfy a demand for driveline damping and while the clutch is locked, slips the clutch to completely satisfy the demand for driveline damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard D. NEFCY, Daniel Scott COLVIN, Felix NEDOREZOV
  • Publication number: 20160068154
    Abstract: An air flow sensor chip-heating control device and method of a diesel hybrid electric vehicle controls whether an air flow sensor installed in an engine intake system of the diesel hybrid electric vehicle performs a chip-heating operation. Particularly, the air flow sensor chip-heating control device performs a chip heating operation of the air flow sensor based on a result obtained by deciding a driving history of an engine when the vehicle enters into a hybrid mode during driving of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Hwa Yong Jang, Ho Kyun Chun
  • Publication number: 20160068155
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive system includes: an engine; a rotary machine; a gear type engagement device; and a controller configured to: control a vehicle to travel in a first mode in which a reaction force of the engine is received by a torque of the rotary machine, and in a second mode in which the reaction force of the engine is received by the engagement device. The controller is configured to perform a first control of receiving the reaction force of the engine by the torque of the rotary machine, increasing a magnitude of the torque of the rotary machine to be equal to or greater than an upper limit of an estimated torque range of the engine, and then decreasing the magnitude of the torque of the rotary machine is performed at a time the engagement device is disengaged from the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto HASHIMOTO, Yuji IWASE, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Hidekazu NAGAI, Shotaro KATO
  • Publication number: 20160068156
    Abstract: A system for controlling an autonomous vehicle having cameras for obtaining image data of neighboring vehicles in a proximity of the autonomous vehicle and for identifying physical characteristics of the neighboring vehicles, including makes, models, and trims of neighboring vehicles, colors of the neighboring vehicles, and exposed cargo being carried by the neighboring vehicles. The system maps the identified physical characteristics into predicted potential on-road events in the proximity of the autonomous vehicle, and makes driving decisions based on the predicted potential on-road event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroshi HORII
  • Publication number: 20160068157
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle backing system configurable by a driver or spotter as a function of the type of the vehicle being backed up and a spotter's position and/or a position of another vehicle located at a rear of a first vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Wayman, Kevin J. Thompson, Kirk R. Johnson, Michael John Brusseau
  • Publication number: 20160068158
    Abstract: A parking system adaptively controlling a vehicle during a parking maneuver using a park assist system, for example an active park assist (APA) or trailer backup assist (TBA). Control of the park assist system based on previous speed profiles at a geographic location where the same park assist system was previously activated. The parking system including an activation system that, based on vehicle speed and geographic location, activates the park assist system when preconditions for park assist system operation are met. The activation system may cooperate with the park assist system based on default or previously stored drive history profiles associated with the current geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, Sudipto Aich
  • Publication number: 20160068159
    Abstract: A vehicle driving system comprises a first motor, a second motor, a clutching mechanism disposed between a first rotary shaft of the first motor and a second rotary shaft of the second motor and configured to engage the first rotary shaft with the second rotary shaft or disengage the first rotary shaft from the second rotary shaft, a control unit connected with the first motor, the second motor and the clutching mechanism and a sensor connected with the control unit and configured to sense a travelling status of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to determine and control an operation mode the clutching mechanism and/or an operation mode and a load of the first motor and the second motor based on a signal outputted from the sensor and representing the travelling status of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Haibin Zou
  • Publication number: 20160068160
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera configured to be disposed at a windshield of a vehicle so as to have a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle. The forward facing camera is operable to capture image data for an adaptive speed control system of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process captured image data. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, lane markers of the road along which the vehicle is traveling are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. The speed of the vehicle may be automatically reduced the responsive to determination of a driving condition or situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160068161
    Abstract: A control device is configured to: (i) control rotation speed of internal combustion engine such that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is increased with an increase in a traveling speed of a vehicle, (ii) execute a pseudo gear shift to control the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine such that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is decreased to a first rotation speed, (iii) execute a mechanical gear shift to change a second gear ratio according to a gear shift line determined by the traveling speed and a value according to the acceleration request, and (iv) execute adjustment control to adjust the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine in advance in a period before executing the mechanical gear shift such that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine matches the pseudo gear shift threshold value when the mechanical gear shift is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuhiro IKETOMI, Shinichi SASADE, Munehiro KATSUMATA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160068162
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a creep torque of a vehicle includes: a driving system configured to deliver power to one or more wheels equipped in a vehicle; and a control unit configured to i) determine a driving mode of the vehicle, ii) calculate a creep torque based on a regenerative braking ratio of the vehicle while driving for a threshold time, and iii) control the driving system based on the calculated creep torque to convert the driving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Kyu Beom Ko
  • Publication number: 20160068163
    Abstract: A method for controlling a manual transmission includes using a controller to determine a desired torque transmitted through an input clutch for the desired gear after a shift lever is moved to a desired gear position and while a clutch pedal is being released for engaging the clutch; inferring torque in the vehicle drive assembly; using inferred torque to determine clutch torque; and using the controller to automatically adjust a clutch actuator such that a difference between the desired torque and the inferred torque is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Alex O. Gibson, Gregory M. Pietron, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Publication number: 20160068164
    Abstract: Sensor information is processed in a vehicle by transforming sensor data acquired with at least one sensor of the vehicle from a current environment of the vehicle into a curved coordinate system, by continuously updating the sensor data while the vehicle is moving, and by dynamically adapting the curved coordinate system to a current situation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: MOHAMED ESSAYED BOUZOURAA
  • Publication number: 20160068165
    Abstract: A system for use at a vehicle to estimate vehicle pitch angle and road grade angle, in real time and generally simultaneously. The system includes a sensor configured to measure vehicle pitch rate, a processor, and a computer-readable medium. The medium includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising estimating, using an observer and the vehicle pitch rate measured by the sensor, an estimated vehicle pitch rate. The operations further comprise estimating, using an observer and the measured vehicle pitch rate, the vehicle pitch angle, and estimating, based on the estimated vehicle pitch rate and the vehicle pitch angle estimated, the road grade angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Shih-ken Chen, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Jin-Jae Chen, David M. Sidlosky
  • Publication number: 20160068166
    Abstract: A system, for use at a vehicle to estimate vehicle roll angle and road bank angle, in real time and generally simultaneously. The system includes a sensor configured to measure vehicle roll rate, a processor; and a computer-readable medium. The medium includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising estimating, using an observer and the vehicle roll rate measured by the sensor, a vehicle roll rate. The operations also include estimating, using an observer and a measured vehicle roll rate, the vehicle roll angle, and estimating, based on the vehicle roll rate estimated and the vehicle roll angle estimated, the road bank angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Shih-ken Chen, David M. Sidlosky, Jin-Jae Chen, Nikolai K. Moshchuk
  • Publication number: 20160068167
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting an operating variable of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, an electric generator is driven by the internal combustion engine and a current output value of a mechanical driving power required by the generator is repeatedly determined from at least one current parameter value of the generator by an energy management unit. On the basis of the output value, an engine control unit determines a control setpoint for adjusting the operating variable. Sudden load variations at the generator are compensated by monitoring an operating variable of the generator, by determining after a sudden load variation of the electrical load a relative change of the operating variable and by determining an adjusted control setpoint caused by the sudden load variation independently of the output value of the energy management unit and dependent on the relative change in the monitored operating variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: MARIO WILDGRUBER, ARTHUR WALDAU
  • Publication number: 20160068168
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes prompting a user to change an operating mode of an electrified vehicle from a first mode to a second mode that is different than the first mode. The first mode is a default mode. The second mode is a non-default mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Bryan Michael Bolger, Angel Fernando Porras, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, William David Treharne
  • Publication number: 20160068169
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems for implementing a computer-readable storage device comprising instructions, including a behavior recognizer, that, when executed by a system having a processor, cause the processor to perform operations, for providing personalized proactive assistance to a vehicle user. The operations comprise receiving a behavior input data package comprising a sequence of user events using the behavior recognizer, and determining the behavior input data package indicates proactive assistance to be presented to the vehicle user by the system, using a user behavior model and a machine state model of the behavior recognizer. The disclosure also relates to methods for providing personalized proactive assistance to a vehicle user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: CLAUDIA V. GOLDMAN-SHENHAR, AMIR KONIGSBERG, OMER TSIMHONI
  • Publication number: 20160068170
    Abstract: An enclosure for containing cylinders includes an upper surface, a lower surface, opposing side walls spanning the upper and lower surfaces, and an end surface spanning the upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface, lower surface, side walls, and end surface defining an enclosed space. A plurality of inner walls divides the enclosed space to define bays. A removable door panel is opposite the end surface and includes dividers defining portions of the door panel corresponding to the bays. The enclosure includes a plurality of first contact pads, a plurality of first mounting plates, a plurality of second contact pads, and a plurality of second mounting plates. At least one first contact pad and at least one second contact pad is positioned in a corner of each bay and each portion, respectively, at an angle that is neither parallel or perpendicular to either the side walls or the upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Publication number: 20160068171
    Abstract: A chassis frame for a rail vehicle having at least two bearing blocks for bearing a torsion bar of a roll stabilizer, where openings are provided in the longitudinal beams of the chassis frame that can receive a torsion bar to prevent an enlargement of the overall height by a torsion bar mounted on the roll stabilizer if the torsion bar is mounted in the bearing blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Christian KARNER
  • Publication number: 20160068172
    Abstract: A method for controlling a land transport vehicle traveling on a track, the track including, in a movement direction of the land transport vehicle, a zone with an external power supply adjacent to a zone without an external power supply to be traveled with an onboard power supply device, the zone with an external power supply including an external power supply device on the ground provided with a plurality of power supply segments arranged sequentially in the direction of the track, the land transport vehicle including at least one capture device adapted to be placed in contact with a power supply segment on the one hand and to be electrically connected to at least one traction motor on the other hand, the land transport vehicle further including an onboard power supply device adapted to be electrically connected to the or each traction motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Jean-Luc HOURTANE, Denis GAUCHE, David CHEVALLIER, Yann CHAINTRON, Xavier RABEYRIN
  • Publication number: 20160068173
    Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Jason Fuchs, Deirdre Alphenaar, Susan Olson
  • Publication number: 20160068174
    Abstract: A goods fixing structure for a trolley contains: two support columns, a connection mount, and at least two retainers. A control bar is disposed between two top ends of the two support columns, and the connection mount is mounted between two bottom ends of the two support columns and includes two locking recesses defined on one side thereof. Each retainer has an abutting face and two contacting faces, wherein each contacting face has an engaging rib arranged thereon to retain with each of the two locking recesses. Thereby, the at least two retainers are connected with the connection mount of the trolley, and each retainer has the abutting face, such that the at least two retainers position columnar or cylindrical goods stably as pushing the trolley, thus avoiding the goods dropping from the trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Hung-Hsin Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20160068175
    Abstract: A fastening belt structure for a trolley contains: a first body, a second body, and a third body. The first body includes a female buckle disposed on a first end thereof and its second end mounted on a support post of a first side of the trolley. The second body includes a male buckle fixed on a first end thereof and an engagement unit secured on a second end thereof. The third body includes a first end coupled with a support post of a second side of the trolley and includes a second end inserted through the engagement unit and being a tail segment. The engagement unit includes a connection portion for connecting with the second body, a stopping plate, a first recess and a second recess which are configured to insert the third body, and an engaging plate rotatably coupled with the second recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Hung-Hsin Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20160068176
    Abstract: A cleaning cart is provided that includes a base, a plurality of wheels and a storage region depending from the base, and a bucket restraining device. The base has a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front wall, the base having at least one portion configured to receive a bucket thereon. The bucket restraining device has a lateral restraining wall and a rear restraining wall that cooperate to define a first restraining region and a second restraining region. The first restraining region is defined by the first side wall, the front wall, the lateral restraining wall, and a portion of the rear restraining wall. The second restraining region is defined by the second side wall, the front wall, the lateral restraining wall, and a different portion of rear restraining wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Raymond E. Clepper, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20160068177
    Abstract: A collapsible personal shopping cart device includes a rolling frame assembly having a plurality panels that are joined together. A set of wheels extend from the bottom of the frame assembly, and two of the panels include pivoting handle receivers. A telescoping handle assembly is connected to the handle receivers, and a basket assembly is suspended from the handle assembly. The device transitions from an extended position to a fully collapsed position for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Kari Coyle
  • Publication number: 20160068178
    Abstract: A cleaning cart has a base plate and a working plate arranged at a vertical distance above the base plate, wherein the base plate and the working plate are connected to each other by a linkage arranged in the vertical distance. The linkage is formed by at least two struts extending non-parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Eisenhut, Christoph Zimmermann, Bruno Meier, Christian Thoma
  • Publication number: 20160068179
    Abstract: A mobile storage unit is disclosed. The mobile storage unit includes a rigid exo-skeletal frame and a flexible storage bag that couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame while within an open storage region framed by the exo-skeletal frame. The mobile storage unit also includes a top seat portion and stabilizing features that extend and retract from the rigid exo-skeletal frame to support the mobile storage unit in the upright position. The mobile storage unit can also include a monitoring device for transmitting signals that are used to determine the location of the mobile storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Laura Elizabeth Udall, Nicholas V. Udall
  • Publication number: 20160068180
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a bottom base fixed with an axle, a wheel assembled to a bottom end of the bottom base, and a mounting base fixed with a mounting sleeve. The axle protrudes out of a top end of the bottom base, and is inserted into the mounting sleeve to assemble the bottom base to the mounting base. A resilient buffering member is sleeved on the axle and is clamped between the mounting sleeve and the bottom base. The resilient buffering member has at least one protruding portion that projects downward from a bottom surface thereof and that abuts against the bottom base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Zheng-Wen Guo, Wan-Quan Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160068181
    Abstract: Electrically-driven steering column apparatus including: lower jacket; upper jacket axially slidably inserted thereinto; and telescopic drive disposed astride these two jackets. The telescopic drive contains: support member; screw shaft connected to the support member; and electric motor unit fixed to the lower jacket. The screw shaft is rotatably driven by the motor unit to make slidable motion of the upper jacket with respect to the lower jacket thereby allowing telescopic operation. The lower jacket has axially extending evacuation section shaped by partially increasing the inner diameter of the lower jacket, thereby allowing the passage of nut member provided on the upper jacket. Attaching bolt is screwed into the nut member through longitudinally extending rectangular hole defined by the evacuation section. The support member is supported by the upper jacket through the attaching bolt. Pushing member is disposed circumferentially opposite to the evacuation section, for pushing the upper jacket inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiko WARASHINA
  • Publication number: 20160068182
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic steer-by-wire steering system has an operator interface for specifying a turning angle, which is associated with a sensor for the acquisition of a position or movement of the operator interface. An electronic control device is connected to a first electrohydraulic circuit and to a second electrohydraulic circuit and set up in order to actuate the two electrohydraulic circuits as a function of a signal from the sensor. The system further includes a steering actuator for adjusting the turning angle of a steerable wheel. The steering actuator has two chambers each of which is connected simultaneously to the two electrohydraulic circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: MANFRED BECKER, NICOLAI TARASINSKI
  • Publication number: 20160068183
    Abstract: A vehicle stop control device is provided which prevents, when a traveling mode is switched, unintended movement of a vehicle in which all wheels are capable of being independently turned, and which can travel in a non-normal mode. Provided is: traveling mode switching section which can switch among a lateral movement mode, a pinwheeling mode, a normal traveling mode, and a parking mode, as a control mode for selecting operation combined by turning devices and traveling drive mechanisms; and turning timing shift part configured to shift the timing for turning at least one of all the wheels relative to the timing for turning the other ones of the wheels at the time of mode switching by the traveling mode switching section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20160068184
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a worm gear that transmits a rotational force of an electric motor to a steering mechanism through engagement of a worm shaft and a worm wheel and a backlash adjustment mechanism that reduces backlash between the worm shaft and the worm wheel. The backlash adjustment mechanism has a ball bearing mounted to the worm shaft, a slider movable in a movement direction substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the worm shaft, a first sliding surface provided on an outer circumferential side of an outer race of the ball bearing, and a second sliding surface provided on the slider and brought in sliding contact with the first sliding surface such that forward movement of the slider in the movement direction causes relative sliding of the first and second sliding surfaces to bring the worm shaft closer to the worm wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Susumu KIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160068185
    Abstract: A steerable crawler track for an agricultural utility vehicle such as, a tractor or a self-propelled harvesting machine has a left-side track roller unit, a right-side track roller unit, a differential having a transmission input driven by an engine, a first transmission output for driving the left track roller unit, and a second transmission output for driving the right track roller unit and a hydraulic transmission having a variable transmission ratio (i). The transmission outputs of the differential are coupled to one another via the hydraulic transmission such that the ratio of the rotational speeds (nl, nr) of the transmission outputs are influenced by changing the transmission ratio (i) of the hydraulic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: HELMUT CLAAS, HEINRICH DUECKINGHAUS, ROBERT OBERMEIER-HARTMANN, HENDRIK SCHULZE ZUMKLEY
  • Publication number: 20160068186
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering device for an articulated tracked vehicle comprising a front and a rear vehicle unit, wherein said steering device comprises a substantially vertical steering link about whose axis said front and rear vehicle units are pivotable, The vertical steering link is arranged substantially centrally of the front vehicle unit, and the steering device comprises a steering bearing configuration comprising an outer bearing ring arranged to be attached to a centre beam of said front vehicle unit, and an inner bearing ring rotatably arranged relative to said outer bearing ring via a bearing about the axis of the steering link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Björn HELLHOLM, Joel LINDSTRÖM
  • Publication number: 20160068187
    Abstract: An electronic control unit assists parking of a host vehicle into a parking space. Ultrasonic sensors detect the shape of the side edge of a road and the presence of an obstacle at the road edge. The electronic control unit sets one corner of the obstacle positioned on the side opposite to the road side edge as an originating corner, sets an imaginary line that follows the shape of the road side edge and extends from the originating corner, and recognizes the space between the imaginary line and the road side edge as a parking space. The electronic control unit then determines whether the vehicle can be parked in the recognized parking space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke HATA, Hironobu ISHIJIMA, Eriko YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160068188
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a fastening system for an agricultural system. The fastening system includes a first mounting plate coupled to a first component of the agricultural system and a second mounting plate coupled to a second component of the agricultural system, in which the second mounting plate is configured to be aligned with the first mounting plate. The fastening system also includes a coupling assembly coupled to the first mounting plate by at least one retaining fastener, in which the coupling assembly comprises two clamping plates configured to move from a first position that facilitates alignment of the first and second mounting plates to a second position that at least partially sandwiches the first and second mounting plates between the two clamping plates of the coupling assembly. The at least one retaining fastener extends through the two clamping plates of the coupling assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Martin L. Krohn, Rex L. Ruppert
  • Publication number: 20160068189
    Abstract: A vehicle subframe includes, at the bottom of a main body section, a lateral expansion section, a left vertical expansion section, a right vertical expansion section, and a concavity. The lateral expansion section joins a left front joining section and a right front joining section, and expands below the concavity. Of the left vertical expansion section, the front end is joined to the left end of the lateral expansion section, and the left vertical expansion section is inclined with a downward slope from the rear side of the main body section towards the front end. The right vertical expansion section is formed in a left-right symmetrical manner with respect to the left vertical expansion section, and the front end is joined to the lateral expansion section. The concavity is encircled by the vertical expansion sections and the lateral expansion section, and is formed in a concave shape facing upwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Tomoyuki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20160068190
    Abstract: A spring support for a motor vehicle has a spring strut cup made of a metallic material and three shell-shaped components made of a fiber composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Mark MUEHLHAUSEN, Thomas RITSCHEL, Sebastian GOLDSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20160068191
    Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with a collision are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a side support that extends between a front suspension mount and a rear suspension mount of the vehicle. The side support includes a targeted energy absorption portion that defines a high-strength region of the side support. The vehicle also includes a cab mounting bracket coupled to the side support and extending outward from the side support. The cab mounting bracket includes a rearward attachment position on the side support and the rearward attachment position of the cab mounting bracket is positioned proximate to the high-strength region of the side support. The vehicle further includes a wheel assembly that is coupled to the front suspension mount and is positioned forward of the cab mounting bracket in a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: John P. Kim, Jonathan R. Young, Palani Palaniappan, Toshiyuki Kasai, Masahiro Onoda, Shinpei Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20160068192
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure that is structured with a headlight covered above that can suppress a collision reaction force in the event of a collision body from above the structure is obtained. A headlight is arranged below a front end portion of a hood. A protrusion portion formed on a lower surface side of the front end portion of a hood inner panel of the hood. The protrusion portion protrudes toward an upper surface side of an upper wall portion of lens of the headlight. A fragile portion is formed in the upper wall portion of the lens of the headlight, in a region opposed to the protrusion portion. Besides, the headlight is fixed to a vehicle body in a manner incapable of being displaced in response to load input from the protrusion portion, and is set so as to fracture due to the load input from the protrusion portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Shogo SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160068193
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle front section structure, the structure comprising a first member that is configured from a metal material, that is formed in a hollow rectangular column shape, and that is disposed with a length direction along a vehicle front-rear direction at a front section of a vehicle; a second member that is configured from a metal material, that extends along the vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle rear side of the first member, and that has a front end portion fixed to a rear end portion of the first member; and a stopper that is provided at the second member, that is disposed facing a rear end of the first member along the vehicle front-rear direction, and that covers at least one corner portion of the first member from the vehicle rear side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki KOIKE
  • Publication number: 20160068194
    Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly that includes a strengthening member having a twelve-cornered cross section along at least a portion of the strengthening member, and an automotive component having a four-cornered cross section along at least a portion of the automotive component. The cross section of one of the strengthening member and the automotive component transitions between twelve corners and four corners to facilitate a connection between the strengthening member and the automotive component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Tau TYAN, Yu-Kan HU, Leonard Anthony SHANER, Ajay Kumar GUPTA, Mark WLOTKOWSKI, Narayana VENUGOPAL