Patents Issued in March 31, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160089985
    Abstract: The power transmission system includes a power transmitting device that transmits AC power and a power receiving device that receives the AC power. The power receiving device includes a rectifier that converts the received AC power into DC power, a DC converter that performs DC conversion on the DC power output from the rectifier, and a power-receiving side controller that calculates, based on an input voltage of the DC converter, a current command value making input impedance of the DC converter equal to a preset value and controls the DC converter so that an input current of the DC converter equals the current command value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko MURAYAMA, Yuji MAEKAWA, Yuji TAKATSU, Kazushige DOKE
  • Publication number: 20160089986
    Abstract: When the amount of charge of a temporary battery exceeds a predetermined amount of charge, a solar ECU31 constitutes a charge controller pumps up and boosts power stored in the battery collaborating with a solar charger of a power supply portion, and carries out pumping charge in a main electric storage. While the solar ECU31 carries out the pumping charge, the power supply portion solar charger supplies the generated power from an in-vehicle solar cell to solar ECU31 when the power generated by the in-vehicle solar cell is a predetermined power or less, and supplies the generated power from an in-vehicle solar cell to solar ECU31 and main battery when the power generated by the in-vehicle solar cell is larger than the predetermined power. Even where the pumping charge is being carried out, the power which the in-vehicle solar cell is continuously generating can be used without being discarded futilely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seigen MAENO
  • Publication number: 20160089987
    Abstract: A power receiving device includes: a power receiving unit configured to move among a retracted position, a detection position and a power receiving position, the power receiving unit being configured to contactlessly receive electric power from a power transmitting unit in a state where the power receiving unit is arranged at the power receiving position, the power receiving unit being configured to detect a strength of a magnetic field or electric field that is formed by the power transmitting unit in a state where the power receiving unit is arranged at the detection position, a distance between the power receiving position and the detection position being shorter than a distance between the power receiving position and the retracted position; and a drive mechanism configured to drive the power receiving unit among the retracted position, the detection position and the power receiving position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji ICHIKAWA, Hideaki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20160089988
    Abstract: A vehicle-side, electronic charging device of a wireless battery charging system receives, converts and feeds energy into a rechargeable traction battery of an electric vehicle traction motor. The traction battery is charged by an external charging system via a wireless link and the vehicle-side charging device. The vehicle-side charging device includes a first LC resonant circuit between first and second output ports, and a current rectifier having first and second AC voltage inputs and first and second DC voltage outputs. Either (i) the first and second DC voltage outputs of the current rectifier, or (ii) the first and second AC voltage inputs of the current rectifier, or (iii) the first and the second output ports of the first LC resonant circuit, or (iv) a first and a second connection of the reception coil are switchably connected to one another via an actuable kill switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Bartz, Thoams Roehrl
  • Publication number: 20160089989
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission device may include a power transmitter configured to transmit power for charging, a power receiver configured to perform a communication protocol with the power transmitter and receive the power transmitted from the power transmitter, and an interface configured to exchange information for performing the charging based on the power receiver and the communication protocol and control power transmission from the power transmitter to the power receiver depending on the exchange of the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ha-Jeong PARK
  • Publication number: 20160089990
    Abstract: A vehicular control device includes a rotation angle sensor sensing a rotation angle of a rotor of a motor, and a control device controlling the motor. When the control device controls the motor and detects that the vehicle has a collision, the control device determines a switching pattern, based on the rotation angle obtained from the rotation angle sensor, to switch a switching device of an inverter that drives the motor to zero a q axis current and also pass a d axis current, and once the switching pattern has been determined, then, whatever rotation angle may be sensed by the rotation angle sensor, the determined switching pattern is applied to discharge the electric charge of a smoothing capacitor connected to the inverter of the motor. This allows the smoothing capacitor's electric charge to be discharged if the rotation angle sensor has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Yukimasa NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20160089991
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the inverter control device includes a signal generator. The signal generator outputs a signal to increase the resistance of the gate when the value of the DC voltage is equal to or greater than a first voltage threshold, and the value of the AC current is less than a first current threshold; and when the value of the DC voltage is equal to or greater than the first voltage threshold, and the value of the AC current is equal to or greater than a second current threshold, and outputs the signal to increase the resistance of the gate when the value of the DC voltage is equal to or greater than a second voltage threshold, and the value of the AC current is equal to or greater than the first current threshold and less than the second current threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki HISADA, Masaaki ICHINOSEKI
  • Publication number: 20160089992
    Abstract: A 12 volt automotive battery system includes a first battery coupled to an electrical system, and the first battery includes a first battery chemistry. Further, the 12 volt automotive battery system includes a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and selectively coupled to the electrical system via a bi-stable relay. The second battery includes a second battery chemistry that has a higher coulombic efficiency than the first battery chemistry. Additionally, the bi-stable relay couples the second battery to the electrical system during regenerative braking to enable the second battery to capture a majority of the power generated during regenerative braking. Furthermore, the bi-stable relay maintains a coupling of the second battery to the electrical system when the vehicle transitions from a key-on position to a key-off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel B. Le, Perry M. Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20160089993
    Abstract: A female connector of a high voltage junction box includes a first case and a second case that are coupled to form a space for accommodation of electric wiring, a connector housing configured as a pipe at one side of the first case and having an internal opening portion that is closed via coupling with a holder formed in the second case, and a bus bar extending from the electric wiring, inserted into the connector housing, and fixed to the connector housing by the holder. A method for assembling the female connector includes holding electric wiring on a first case to insert a bus bar formed on the electric wiring into a connector housing formed on the first case for connection with external wiring; coupling the first case and the second case to fix the bus bar; and forming a space for accommodation of the electric wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Beom Joo Kwon, Myeong Sun Choi, Chang Hyun Yoo
  • Publication number: 20160089994
    Abstract: A battery management system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system includes at least one battery having multiple battery cells, an automotive electronic control unit including a device for sensing battery quantities, where the battery quantities are the battery terminal current, the battery terminal voltage and a measured or estimated battery or battery box temperature, the battery terminal current, the battery terminal voltage, the measured or estimated battery or battery box temperature, and an automotive alternator supplying a regulation voltage, where the automotive electronic control unit is adapted to drive the battery through a charging cycle, in which a certain charge voltage and/or a certain charge current is supplied to the battery to charge the battery, and the automotive electronic control unit is adapted to control the regulation voltage based upon the sensed battery quantities to supply the certain charge voltage and/or the certain charge current to the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: John KELLER, Connor TORRIS
  • Publication number: 20160089995
    Abstract: A charging stand includes a charging cable detachably attachable to an electrically-driven vehicle; a winding mechanism configured to wind the charging cable and having a movable portion that operates in accordance with a movement of the charging cable; a housing configured to house the winding mechanism; and a speed control mechanism configured to operate when the charging cable is wound by the winding mechanism and to control an operation speed of the movable portion so as not to exceed a preset speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Akehito Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20160089996
    Abstract: A charging stand includes a charging cable detachably attachable to an electrically-driven vehicle; a winding mechanism configured to wind the charging cable; a housing configured to house the winding mechanism; and a winding length changing mechanism configured to change and adjust a windable length of the charging cable to be wound by the winding mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Akehito Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20160089997
    Abstract: A method for determining an arrangement of an electric vehicle relative to a charging point is provided. An alternating magnetic field is transmitted by a transmitting device arranged on the electric vehicle. The alternating magnetic field is received at a location of the charging point, and the arrangement is inferred based on the received alternating field. An arrangement determination unit is configured for use in a method of this type to determine the arrangement of the electric vehicle relative to the charging point using the received alternating field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Martin Glänzer, Ulrike Glänzer, Stefan Schwarzer, Claus Seisenberger, Marcus Zerb
  • Publication number: 20160089998
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a connection of a high-voltage source of a motor vehicle to a high-voltage network of the motor vehicle, first at least one test value for an electrical operating variable of the high-voltage network is determined by means of a control device of the motor vehicle after a connection command is received. The electrical operating variable depends on a capacitance actually effective at a connection of the high-voltage source to the high-voltage network. Only when the at least one test value meets a predefined safety condition, is a precharge current of the high-voltage source conducted via a first precharge resistor, which limits the precharge current, to the connection and into the high-voltage network to charge up a capacitor of the high-voltage network. Otherwise the precharge current is blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: MARCO THÖMMES
  • Publication number: 20160089999
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a battery management system. The battery management system includes a controller programmed to output a drained cell diagnostic indicator. The drained cell diagnostic indicator is based on a magnitude of a difference between an average cell state of charge at a start of a battery rest period and a cell state of charge estimated at predetermined intervals during the battery rest period being greater than a predetermined value. A response to the drained cell diagnostic indicator depends on the magnitude of the cell drain rate and may include operating the traction battery at a reduced power level and notifying an operator of the diagnostic condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Ai Keramidas
  • Publication number: 20160090000
    Abstract: A method for charging the starter battery of a motor vehicle at a voltage source includes charging the starter battery after a traction battery of the vehicle has been charged up to a defined value. The starter battery is charged if a charge state of the starter battery is established that is below a defined threshold value. If the charge state of the starter battery is of such a low level, the starter battery is charged until one or more defined termination conditions are fulfilled. The termination conditions may include the total charging period since the low charge state of the starter battery has been established exceeds a defined threshold value and/or the total time period charging the traction battery and the starter battery at the voltage source exceeds a defined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Mark EIFERT, Eckhard KARDEN
  • Publication number: 20160090001
    Abstract: To efficiently control charging and regenerative control for a secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shinichi NOMOTO, Akira OHNO
  • Publication number: 20160090002
    Abstract: A vehicle has an electric drive, at least one energy accumulator for supplying the electric drive with electric energy, and at least one current collector for charging the energy accumulator with electric energy from a stationary power network. The current collector is connected to the energy accumulator via at least one charge rectifier for the controlled charging of the energy accumulator. The vehicle includes a central cooling system and at least one closed cooling circuit with liquid coolant in order to cool the energy accumulator and the charge rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: MAIK NOACK
  • Publication number: 20160090003
    Abstract: A vehicle drive battery attachment structure including a battery case disposed at the vehicle rear of a vehicle cabin, a rear side member that is provided at a side portion of a vehicle body rear section and extends along a vehicle front-rear direction, and a bracket that is fixed to the battery case, that includes a low strength portion and a high strength portion in a row along the vehicle front-rear direction, that is fixed to the rear side member at both vehicle front-rear direction end sides of the low strength portion and the high strength portion respectively, and in which the low strength portion is set with lower strength with respect to vehicle front-rear direction load than the high strength portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Akihiro Hirota
  • Publication number: 20160090004
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes an obstacle detection unit that detects an obstacle in front of a vehicle and detects a distance to the obstacle, a maximum driving force difference calculation module that calculates, on the basis of the detected distance to the obstacle, a maximum driving force difference between a left wheel and a right wheel, and a redistribution control module that redistributes, when an actual driving force difference of respective motors that drive the left and right wheels exceeds the maximum driving force difference, torques of the respective motors in a manner that the actual driving force difference becomes lower than or equal to the maximum driving force difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroshi IENAGA
  • Publication number: 20160090005
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electrically powered terrestrial vehicle applies electrical energy to front wheels and to rear wheels. A control system receives desired acceleration inputs and provides target torque requirements to a plurality of adaptive field-oriented motor control circuits. One or more three-phase alternating current synchronous motors receive voltage magnitude and voltage frequency to generate torque, which is applied through a reduction gear. The reduction gear may be coupled to one wheel or a pair of wheels. Forward acceleration is favored over deceleration by a chosen ratio between reduction gearing of the front axle versus reduction gearing of the rear axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Dean Drako
  • Publication number: 20160090006
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a torque output of an electric machine of an electrified vehicle during a vehicle creep condition, the torque output calculated based at least on a road grade estimate and a vehicle mass estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Hai Yu, Rajit Johri, Wei Liang
  • Publication number: 20160090007
    Abstract: A transportation system with a non-rail-bound, electrically or diesel-electrically driven vehicle, has a two-pole overhead conductor system with contact wires forming supply and return conductors. The vehicle has a current collector for the supply of electrical energy through sliding contact with the contact wires. A video detector on the vehicle determines a position of the contact wires relative to the vehicle. Marking elements mark the position of the contact wires. The video detector is oriented for taking video images of the marking elements, and an evaluation unit recognizes from a recorded video image whether contact wires are present above the vehicle and, when they are present, determines their position relative to the vehicle. Through the improved recognition of the position of the vehicle relative to the overhead conductor the operational safety of the transportation system is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: FLORIAN BUEHS, JUERGEN FRANCKE, FRANK GERSTENBERG, OLIVER GRAEBNER, GOERAN KEIL
  • Publication number: 20160090008
    Abstract: A pantograph configuration for a vehicle has at least one pantograph embodied for at least temporary contact with an electrical network located externally outside the vehicle. The pantograph is movable from a contact position into a rest position. A first electrical network is located internally within the vehicle, which in the contact position is connected to the pantograph. A second electrical network located internally within the vehicle is connected to a ground or mass potential of the vehicle and in the rest position to the pantograph. In order to ensure that the pantograph is voltage-free in the rest position, the pantograph is connected to the first electrical network and the second electrical network in the rest position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: KLAUS DIETRICH
  • Publication number: 20160090009
    Abstract: A rail bond which achieves high durability and high reliability in response to vibration caused by running of trains is provided. [Solving Means] A rail bond according to the present invention includes a conductor that electrically connects rails separately adjacent to each other, terminals electrically connected to the conductor and welded on side surfaces of the rails, and end-edges at which the conductor is connected to the terminals. Each of the terminals has a welding region welded on the side surface of the rail, and, in a direction almost perpendicular to the side surface of the rail, the welding region, the terminal, the end-edge, and the conductor have a predetermined relationship with respect to at least one of positions, mutual shapes, lamination, and a lamination structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: SHOWA TECS CO., LTD., FUKUOKA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT
    Inventors: Kenichi YOSHINAGA, Takaki EGASHIRA, Kenji YOSHIMURA, Keiichiro YAMAMOTO, Yoshihiro TAKAMIYA
  • Publication number: 20160090010
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame seat frame having a longitudinal centerline and a seat H-point along the centerline. A first extendable member is disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame along a first side of the centerline and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second extendable member adjacent to and independent of the first extendable member is disposed on the forward portion of the seat frame along a second, opposite side of centerline and is operable between extended and retracted positions. The first and the second extendable members extend forwardly from the seat H-point at a lateral angle of between 5 to 10 degrees relative the centerline, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, John Wayne Jaranson, Daniel Ferretti, Michael Kolich
  • Publication number: 20160090011
    Abstract: A seat adjuster may include an end stop bracket and an easy entry lever. An easy entry lever may be configured to rotate between a first position in which the easy entry lever engages the end stop bracket and prevents movement of a seat from a comfort range into an easy entry range, and a second position in which the easy entry lever does not prevent movement of the seat from the comfort range into the easy entry range. A cross member may be connected via one or more cables to one or more comfort lever activators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: PETER STUTIKA, PETER JENCO, MARTIN KRAVCIK
  • Publication number: 20160090012
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an easy-entry system with a seat frame having a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat member. An external lever is operably coupled to an engagement lever disposed on the seat frame and is configured to activate the engagement lever to move the seatback into an engaged position with a sector pivotally coupled to the seat frame. A disengagement rod flexibly is coupled to a spring member disposed on the sector at a first end and further coupled to a track release lever at a second end. As such, rotation of the seatback to a release position rotates the track release lever to unlock the seat assembly from a seat track. Further rotation of the seatback from the release position to an over-travel position loads the spring member but does not further rotate the track release lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Publication number: 20160090013
    Abstract: A headrest support structure formed from multiple twisted energy-absorbing strands and strand bundles that greatly reduce the amount of energy rebounded into a vehicle occupant, especially when the vehicle in which the occupant is riding is hit from the rear (i.e., a rear end collision). In addition, headrest supports formed from twisted strand bundles, are ridged enough to completely support the headrest, but may be deformable enough to allow positional adjustment of the head rests in three dimensions. Currently, headrests are adjustable in only a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Berkley C. Badger
  • Publication number: 20160090014
    Abstract: An interior system has a support and movable member mounted to be movable relative to the support for adjusting the height of the movable member, with a locking mechanism configured to allow unidirectional movement of the movable member relative to the support from a lowest adjustment position to a highest adjustment position. The interior system includes a deactivation mechanism for deactivating the locking mechanism and allowing the return of the movable member to the lowest adjustment position. The deactivation mechanism includes a track and a sliding member sliding along the track, with the sliding member and the track interacting to allow the locking mechanism to engage upon movement of the movable member from the lowest adjustment position to the highest adjustment position, and to disengage when the movable member exceeds the highest adjustment position and until it returns to the lowest adjustment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Bruno DINANT, Joep BILJHOLT
  • Publication number: 20160090015
    Abstract: A seat belt attachment structure for an off-road vehicle comprising a seat including a seat frame and at least two occupant sitting positions. A seat belt is provided for each sitting position that includes a shoulder belt, a waist belt, and a tongue plate. When fastened, the seat belt is fixed at three points including a retractor housing the shoulder belt, an anchor fixing the waist belt on the same side of the sitting position as the retractor, and a buckle positioned on the other side of the sitting position that detachably engages the tongue plate. At least a first appendage is positioned along the frame between the first and second sitting positions, and the waist belts of the first and second sitting positions are fixed to the first appendage when the seat belts of the first and second sitting positions are fastened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shinichi KARUBE, Hironori NOZAWA, Takeshi KAMIYAMA, Yoshihiro TANO
  • Publication number: 20160090016
    Abstract: A slidable conveying assembly may include a latch frame and a latch rod rotatably engaged with, and extending at least partially through the latch frame. The latch rod may include a latch paddle at a first end. The assembly may also include a notch frame configured to slidably engage with the latch frame and a notched bar that may extend at least partially through the front notch frame and that may include multiple notches. The assembly may also include a biasing mechanism operably coupled to the latch frame and the latch rod and configured to bias the latch paddle into the multiple notches such that the latch paddle is biased into removable engagement with the multiple notches as the latch frame slides along the notch frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Patrick G. Williams
  • Publication number: 20160090017
    Abstract: A bicycle stowage mechanism is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. At least one first connector is included in the stowage mechanism and is configured to be communicatively coupled to a computer wherein the at least one first connector is mateable to a respective at least one second connector that is associated with a bicycle. The memory of the computer stores instructions to cause the processor to receive an indication that the at least one first connector is mated to at least one second connector associated with a bicycle and, upon receiving the indication, initiate a bicycle stowage operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, David Melcher, Zachary David Nelson, Christopher Peplin, Jamel Seagraves
  • Publication number: 20160090018
    Abstract: A crane system includes a skid assembly having an operator base and plurality of outrigger assemblies coupled to the operator base that support and lift the base from a first elevation to a second elevation. The crane system also includes a jib crane coupled to the skid assembly. The jib crane includes a pillar assembly coupled to the skid assembly and a boom assembly coupled to the pillar assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A. Yustus, Joel Chellman
  • Publication number: 20160090019
    Abstract: An air system for supplying product to the product tank of an agricultural implement has an air supply and at least one elongated conduit for delivering air entrained product to the tank. There is at least one outlet in the tank formed as a hollow elbow having a generally downwardly directed outlet, a generally upwardly directed outlet and a transverse inlet coupled to the conduit. The elbow includes an upper generally cylindrical region comprising a cyclone chamber for swirling the incoming air entrained product directing at least a portion of the air flow upwardly toward the upwardly directed outlet while allowing the product to fall in a generally helical pattern through a generally frusto-conical region, whereby material migrates downwardly and air upwardly releasing the material to fall in a gentle spiral and air to exit from the upper region of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL CANADA, LTD.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Publication number: 20160090020
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a scooter with a footplate to a vehicle having a floor includes a main beam having proximal and distal ends and being connectable to the vehicle floor to move between an up, rest position and a down, locking position, the down, locking position including a portion of the main beam extending generally laterally over and across the footplate of a scooter positioned thereunder; actuator means including a follower pin received for limited movement in a slot defined by guide means connected to the main beam, the actuator means being for moving the main beam between the up, rest position and down, locking positions; and latch means for securing the distal end of the main beam to the vehicle floor when in the down, locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: David Vooght
  • Publication number: 20160090021
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus that may be used as a chain tensioner. The apparatus comprises an attachment element, such as a hook, that is rotatably coupled to a locking plate. In use, the apparatus is operative to take on a plurality of locked states and an unlocked state. Each of the plurality of locked states is characterized by the locking plate being pressed into a cavity of a locking body in a manner that prevents the locking body, and, by extension, the attachment element from rotating. The unlocked state is characterized by the locking plate being outside the cavity, and thereby free to rotate. The attachment element is therefore capable of being swiveled between, and locked into, multiple orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel F. Dunmire
  • Publication number: 20160090022
    Abstract: A light-device mounting structure of a vehicle includes a headlight unit including a lamp housing accommodating a light source. Support shafts are provided in the lamp housing and are supported in a light cover. In the light-device mounting structure, the support shafts are covered with support-shaft protective members. The support-shaft protective members are engaged non-rotatably relative to the support shafts. The light cover has fitting holes, and the support shafts are fitted into the fitting holes through the support-shaft protective members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Jun MORIMOTO, Tatsuya SHIOKAWA, Masayuki UZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160090023
    Abstract: An information display device for displaying information that allows an attention target to be visually recognized includes an image generation unit (1724) that identifies an attention target and generates a shadow image with a position of the target as a base point; and a light driving unit (180) that projects the shadow image when a light illuminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuya ASAOKA
  • Publication number: 20160090024
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight device includes optical systems that are respectively provided to light sources, and illuminate ahead of a vehicle by light emitted from the light sources, with light distribution patterns of which illuminating areas are offset to each other at least in vertical directions, a stoppable distance calculator that calculates a stoppable distance of the vehicle, and a light source controller that controls the light sources to be turned on and off so that an area ahead of the vehicle and away from the vehicle by the stoppable distance is illuminated by at least one of the optical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu NAGASAWA
  • Publication number: 20160090025
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight device includes a variable light distribution mechanism that is able to change an illuminating area of light emitted ahead of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlight device from at least one light source, and is able to illuminate part of the illuminating area at a higher intensity than other parts, a direct field of vision estimator that estimates a direct field of vision on which a vehicle operator is assumed to keep his/her eyes within an area ahead of the vehicle; and a light distribution controller that sets the illuminating area so as to contain the direct field of vision estimated by the direct field of vision estimator, and controls the variable light distribution mechanism to illuminate an area corresponding to the direct field of vision at a higher intensity than a periphery of the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu NAGASAWA
  • Publication number: 20160090026
    Abstract: A vehicle is constructed to include an upper body and an underbody underlying the upper body. The upper body includes a longitudinal first side section and an opposing longitudinal second side section, and the underbody has a first perimeter portion underlying the upper body's first side section and a second perimeter portion underlying the upper body's second side section. The vehicle further includes a lighting system for illuminating the ground beneath the vehicle. The lighting system includes one or more first side lighting elements mounted at the underbody's first side perimeter portion. At least one of the one or more first side lighting elements is oriented to emit light across the vehicle's underbody and illuminate the ground beneath the upper body's second side section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: SEAN OLIVERIO, RANDALL JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20160090027
    Abstract: Provided is an indirect light-emitting front grill including: a front grill 22; light-emitting members 4, 14; and illuminated members 1, 11 disposed along the design portion. The illuminated members 1, 11 have reflecting portions 2, 12 that reflect light emitted by the light-emitting members 4, 14. The reflecting portions 2, 12 are visible via the front grill viewed from the front, and have a black or dark color or the same color as or a similar color to the front grill 22. This front grill has openings 3, 13 through which currents of air introduced from outside the vehicle are further introduced into the inside of the vehicle, the openings being located nearer to the outer edges of the front grill 22 than to the reflecting portions 2, 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshiharu TANAKA, Moriyuki HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160090028
    Abstract: An illustrative trailer lighting system including a pair of light posts arranged near the back of a trailer, wherein the pair of light posts includes a first light post arranged on the first side of the trailer at a distance from the back, and a second light post arranged on a second side of the trailer at substantially the same distance from the back, wherein the light posts each include a cavity therein, and wherein the light posts are a metal. The system further includes a first light having a generally transparent first light cover arranged at the top of each of the light posts, thereby visually indicating the location of the top of the light posts, and a second light having a generally transparent second light cover arranged in an upper portion of each of the light posts and at least partially embedded within the light posts, wherein the second light faces an area behind the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: KREJCI SLICK STICKS, LLC
    Inventor: Tim Krejci
  • Publication number: 20160090029
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a safety device that draws attention to a designated area. This safety device is suitable for use in, for example, a vehicle that has just been in an accident, someone who has been marooned on an island, or a hiker who has gotten trapped on a mountain. The safety device is lightweight, portable, and easy to store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Andrei LEVYTSKY
  • Publication number: 20160090030
    Abstract: A vehicle display assembly including at least one flexible light guide in a path of illumination to illuminate predetermined different shapes, contours, areas and/or surfaces of the vehicle display assembly. The flexible light guide is silicon or other material suitable to provide flexibility to allow use of the same flexible light guide in different vehicle display assembly shapes and to be a light guide conductor. The flexible light guide is mountable adjacent to at least one light source within the vehicle display assembly to illuminate the predetermined shapes, contours, areas and/or surfaces of the vehicle display assembly visible to vehicle occupants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Maria Nohemi Bravo Solis, Monica Abigail Aceves Mendoza, Humberto Merchand Alvarado
  • Publication number: 20160090031
    Abstract: A reading light assembly for a vehicle comprising a mounting element and a lamp housing. The mounting element is adapted to mount the reading light assembly in a vehicle. The lamp housing includes a light source and is mounted to the mounting element such that it can be rotated about a first axis with respect to the mounting element and tilted about a second axis with respect to the mounting element. The reading light assembly further comprises a first actuating device for rotating the lamp housing about the first axis and a second actuating device for tilting the lamp housing about the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Christian Riedel
  • Publication number: 20160090032
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor is provided that includes a visor body having a first side and a second side, and a vanity and lighting assembly located on the visor body. The assembly includes a lighting device located on the visor body. The lighting device is configured to provide a vanity light for a vanity mirror and is further configured to provide a dome light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: John Andrew Stakoe, Chi Li
  • Publication number: 20160090033
    Abstract: A flexible lighting system includes a printed circuit board, a flexible multiple electrical conductor strip, a light source, and a flexible light conductor. The light source is mounted on the flexible multiple electrical conductor strip and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board by the flexible multiple electrical conductor strip. The flexible light conductor is mounted on the flexible multiple electrical conductor strip to conduct light from the light source. A component, such as, a gauge can have a display with a graphical element that is illuminated or backlit by the flexible light conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: MARIA NOHEMI BRAVO SOLIS, MONICA ABIGAIL ACEVES MENDOZA, HUMBERTO MERCHAND ALVARADO
  • Publication number: 20160090034
    Abstract: An illuminated emergency warning device for warning drivers to merge into the next lane due to a disabled vehicle. The emergency warning device includes a rectangular housing having a front wall and a rear wall. A first light assembly is disposed on the front wall of the housing and a second light assembly is disposed on the rear wall of the housing, wherein each light assembly is arranged in an arrow shape thereon. The arrow shape indicates to other drivers which direction to proceed in order to avoid the disabled vehicle. The present invention further comprises a flexible support secured to the housing and a mount, wherein the mount allows the device to be removably attached to the exterior of a vehicle. The emergency warning device further includes a power source and a control each electrically connected to the light assemblies for powering and controlling the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Brown