Patents Issued in July 12, 2016
  • Patent number: 9387827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising a wiper strip unit (12) which has a wind-deflector element (16), a wiper lip (18) and a wiper strip element (14) which comprises a longitudinal guide channel (24) for a support element (20). According to the invention, the wiper strip element (14), in a mounted state, forms an interlocking connection with the wind-deflector element (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Koen Bex, Dirk Herinckx, Helmut Depondt
  • Patent number: 9387828
    Abstract: An adapter for a windshield wiper assembly includes a head having a sloping portion, and a body connected to the head, the body including a pommel that contacts the head, a notch formed in the body adjacent the pommel, a back extending away from the notch, and a recess formed under the back. The head is narrower in width than the body, and longer in length than the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ALBEREE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Albert Lee
  • Patent number: 9387829
    Abstract: A windshield wiper connector includes a connecting plate, a connector main body, and a lock member. The connecting plate has a lock hole, a first limit protrusion, and a second protrusion. The connector main body has a connecting part for connecting a wiper arm. The connector main body has a first flange, a second flange, a first limit slot, a second limit slot, and at least one elastic claw. The lock member is to fix the connecting plate to a wiper rod. The present invention can use all the useful parts, and the connecting part is adjustably designed so it can be used widely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: XIAMEN FUKE CAR ACCESSORIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuwu Wang
  • Patent number: 9387830
    Abstract: The invention is based on a connecting device (10) for the articulated connection of a wiper blade (11) to a wiper arm (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34), said connecting device having a connecting element (16) which is connected to a supporting element (22) of the wiper blade (11) for conjoint rotation and on which an adaptor (18) is mounted pivotably transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof, said adaptor being able to be fastened releasably and for conjoint rotation to the free end of the wiper arm (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) or to a joining element (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) connected fixedly to the latter, wherein the adaptor (18) has a plurality of means (80, 96, 100, 102, 122, 126, 130, 134, 144) in order to be able to receive different joining elements (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) of different wiper arms (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34), wherein the means include stop edges (86), spring latches (88), locking cams (100), spring clips (122) and spring tongues (128, 132) with latching cams (130, 134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Depondt
  • Patent number: 9387831
    Abstract: A surface wiper device which includes a carrier which supports a blade. The carrier attaches to a wiper arm which urges the blade against and moves the blade across the surface of a windshield. The carrier further provides a plurality of outlets each of which communicate between a hollow passage inside the carrier and a location on the external surface of the carrier. A fluid can be delivered from a fluid source fluidicly coupled to the hollow passage of the carrier under sufficient pressure to be dispersed from the plurality of outlets onto the windshield during movement of the blade. A fluid heater can be thermally coupled with the fluid delivered from the fluid source to the plurality of outlets to increase the temperature of the fluid dispersed onto the windshield. The fluid can be sufficiently heated to generate a heated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Steam Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Hartman
  • Patent number: 9387832
    Abstract: A supporting assembly for semi-trailers includes a mounting unit configured to be arranged on a trailer component and a supporting device having an outer supporting tube and an inner supporting tube and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the mounting unit is configured to fix the supporting device transversely to the longitudinal direction by a form fit and a force fit, wherein the mounting unit has an arrangement region comprising an outer contour of the supporting device about the longitudinal axis thereof such that the supporting device can be fixed in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner, and wherein an additional form-fit connection is provided between the supporting device and the mounting unit, which prevents a displacement of the supporting device and the mounting unit relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Elmar Weber
  • Patent number: 9387833
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided involving a rotatable power transfer device configured with a first brake system and a second brake system. During a first of the methods, rotation of the power transfer device is braked using the first brake system. The first brake system may be actuatable by a first user interface; e.g., a brake pedal. The second brake system may be actuatable by a second user interface; e.g., a brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel Theobald
  • Patent number: 9387834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined steering and brake control system for vehicles and, in particular, to a mechanically combined steering and brake control system for use in safely controlling a vehicle configured for drivers with limited body movement, such as drivers having use of only one or no limbs. The invention further relates to a steering control system including a variable radius crank which enables the driver to select an appropriate crank radius. The invention further relates to a vehicle incorporating one or a combination of the control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Next Generation Mobility PTY LTD
    Inventor: Scott Gordon
  • Patent number: 9387835
    Abstract: A pedal apparatus for a vehicle. The pedal apparatus includes a support defining an axis. The pedal apparatus further includes a brake pedal assembly movable about the axis between a first position and a second position. The brake pedal assembly includes a latch movable between unlocked and locked positions. The pedal apparatus includes an accelerator pedal assembly movable about the axis between initial and displaced positions. The pedal apparatus includes an intermediate device disposed about the axis and having a plurality of first and second teeth. The latch is engageable with the first teeth when in the locked position. The braking apparatus further includes a retainer disposed about the axis. The retainer has a hub mounted to the support and at least one actuating device selectively engaging at least one of the second teeth of the intermediate device to couple the intermediate device to the retainer and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KONGSBERG POWER PRODUCTS SYSTEMS I, INC.
    Inventor: Jon Pelletier
  • Patent number: 9387836
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable pedal feeling adjustment device. A pedal simulator includes a simulator block formed with an oil hole at an upper portion thereof which is connected to a master cylinder to receive hydraulic pressure caused by pedal effort of a driver and a bore which communicates with the oil hole, a first reaction unit and a second reaction unit arranged in series in the bore and configured to be pressurized sequentially by pedal effort, and a damping housing configured to support the second reaction unit and installed to a lower portion of the bore while being restricted in rotation. An actuator includes a spindle screw-coupled to the damping housing and a motor connected to the spindle to supply rotational force to the spindle. The damping housing is moved linearly and changed in position by forward and backward rotation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Yo Ryu, Jong-Gu Son
  • Patent number: 9387837
    Abstract: A brake device capable of appropriately releasing a pressing-member retention mechanism when a failure is detected. When a failure of one of a pair of disc brakes (31) is detected, an electric actuator (43) of the non-faulty disc brake (31) is driven to a release side in response to a release request based on a parking brake switch (18) in a case where a state of the faulty disc brake (31) is stored as a “released state” in a storage section (19A) of a parking brake control device (19). In contrast, in a case where the state of the faulty disc brake (31) is stored as an “engaged state” in the storage section (19A), the electric actuator (43) of the non-faulty disc brake (31) is inhibited from being driven to the release side even when the release request based on the parking brake switch (18) is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Wataru Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9387838
    Abstract: A vehicle braking apparatus, system and method is provided including electromagnetic signals emitted from an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the signals emitted from the electromagnetic loop correspond to the status of a traffic control zone. The braking apparatus receives signals emitted by the loop and interprets the signals to facilitate remotely directed operation of a brake. A manual actuator is also configured to operate the brake and override remote braking directives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KRAYON SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Ronald Christopher Reisner
  • Patent number: 9387839
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a large animal collision vehicle safety apparatus and method. At least one sensor detects a first acceleration in a longitudinal direction of a host vehicle. A first determination signal is generated from the detected acceleration. At least one further sensor detects a second acceleration in a vertical direction, and/or at least one still further sensor detects an angular velocity about an axis extending in a lateral direction of the host vehicle. A second determination signal is generated from the detected acceleration in a vertical direction. A third determination signal is generated from the detected angular velocity. Judging means judge whether the vehicle has suffered a large animal collision through at least comparing the first, second and/or third determination signals with preset reference signals. Braking intervention of the host vehicle is triggered when the vehicle is judged to have suffered a large animal collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Hardaa, Paer Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9387840
    Abstract: A brake system is provided. The brake system may comprise a controller, a vehicle management system (VMS), a shut-off valve (SOV), an outboard valve (OBV), an inboard valve (IBV), a control module, an emergency/park power source, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller. The VMS may be in communication with the controller. The control module may be in communication with the SOV, OBV, and IBV. The SOV may be in communication with the controller. The OBV may be in communication with the controller and in fluid communication with the SOV. The IBV may be in communication with the controller and in fluid communication with the SOV. The emergency/park power source may be in fluid communication with the SOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Cahill, Paul R Burte, David B Stein, Casey Canan
  • Patent number: 9387841
    Abstract: A brake control system for a motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels, brakes for applying a braking force to one or more of the wheels, sensing means for detecting movement of the vehicle, and one or more selectable drive gears each associated with an intended direction of movement of the vehicle. The system comprises: brake actuation means for actuating the brakes to supply a braking effort; and brake control means for controlling the brake actuation means, wherein the brake control means is arranged to detect the selection of a drive gear and, when a drive gear is selected, to limit a movement of the vehicle in a direction opposed to the intended direction of movement associated with the selected drive gear by ensuring that the brake actuation means supplies a braking effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Beever, Theodor Cassell, Richard Cook, Timothy Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9387842
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method of an electro-mechanical brake, including: a first step of operating a brake to stop a vehicle and generating a target pressure value of the brake; a second step of calculating an electrical angle of a three-phase motor and preparing movement of the electrical angle when the vehicle stops; a third step of checking errors of requested current and pressure; a fourth step of setting a range of the electrical angle when the current and the pressure are normal; and a fifth step of forcibly moving an actual position of the electrical angle to an adjacent electrical angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Do Kun Kim
  • Patent number: 9387843
    Abstract: A method for controlling the traction slip of driven wheels of a vehicle between the wheels and the carriageway, in the case of which a manipulated variable is calculated for a drive engine of the vehicle on the basis of a detection of the instantaneous wheel speed and the calculation of a desired wheel speed, the manipulated variable being formed by an upper limit value for the rotational speed of the drive engine, characterized in that the instantaneous transmission ratio is calculated on the basis of the instantaneous rotational speed of the drive engine and the instantaneous wheel speed, and the upper limit value for the rotational speed of the drive engine is calculated from the desired wheel speed and the instantaneous transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9387844
    Abstract: A vehicle and anti-lock braking processes for the vehicle as automatically implemented by a computing device are disclosed. The vehicle can include a perception system and a computing device in communication with the perception system. The computing device can be configured to detect, using the perception system, an environmental condition external to the vehicle and select a wheel slip threshold based on the environmental condition. The environmental condition can be a weather-based condition or an obstacle-based condition. If the selected wheel slip threshold is reached while the vehicle is braking, the computing device can send a command to activate anti-lock braking for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Chelsea R. White
  • Patent number: 9387845
    Abstract: Upon a start of a release for releasing a braking state of a parking bake in a process of step 2, a control unit (13) performs hydraulic maintaining control by an ESC (11) in a subsequent step, step 3. As a result, a hydraulic pressure in a cylinder portion (46) increases according to a retraction of a piston (49) of a disk brake (41). If the control unit (13) determines in step 4 that the release of the parking brake has been completed, in step 5, the control unit (13) releases the hydraulic maintaining control by the ESC (11). The hydraulic pressure is temporarily increased in the cylinder portion (46) of the disk brake (41), thereby increasing an elastic deformation amount of a piston seal (56) to succeed in acquiring a sufficient rollback function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Yokoyama, Takayasu Sakashita, Jun Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9387846
    Abstract: A modulator valve for use with the auxiliary axle anti-lock braking system of a truck, configured and constructed such that no braking application pressure signal is permitted to be delivered to the auxiliary axle anti-lock braking system when the auxiliary axle is in the lifted position, and a modulated braking application pressure signal is delivered to the auxiliary axle anti-lock braking system when the auxiliary axle is not in the lifted position. The modulated braking application pressure depends upon the pressure sensed from ride springs of the suspension system of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Tramec Sloan, LLC
    Inventor: Edward D. Sell
  • Patent number: 9387847
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a vehicle including: a first drive system configured to drive first wheels; and a second drive system configured to drive second wheels, wherein the first drive system includes: an electric motor; a motor controller; an engagement/disengagement unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side; an engagement/disengagement controller; and a one-way power transmission unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side in parallel to the engagement/disengagement unit, and configured, at least, to engage the both sides when a reverse-direction rotational power is inputted from the first wheels side to the electric motor side, wherein, when the vehicle reverses, a reverse driving force to reverse the vehicle is generated at least in the first drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9387848
    Abstract: A method of controlling and regulating a transmission brake which, for the purpose of synchronization, determines a target rotational speed of a shaft to be synchronized on the basis of an actual rotational speed of a transmission shaft, and controls a transmission brake such that the determined target rotational speed is set for the shaft that is to be synchronized. The transmission brake also carries out additional functions. These functions require no, or only minimal, additional hardware complexity in a cost-neutral way, but considerably increase the functional and practical value of the transmission brake. The comfort and speed of shifting operations, the protection or, as the case may be, the detection of error states in sensors, a clutch, a main clutch or a motor control are improved, and undesirable transmission states avoided. It is also possible to account for and influence other conditions, such as the operation of ancillary devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groner, Rupert Kramer
  • Patent number: 9387849
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for implementing a start/stop feature in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, the implementation of the start/stop feature involves automatically turning off an internal combustion engine under selected circumstances during a drive cycle. A determination is made that the engine should be restarted. During the engine startup period, the engine is operated in a skip fire manner such that a desired engine speed is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Mark A. Shost
  • Patent number: 9387850
    Abstract: A multi-mode powertrain system includes a transmission configured to transfer torque among an internal combustion engine, torque machines and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes operating the multi-mode powertrain system to execute an engine intake manifold pump down mode, and aborting the engine intake manifold pump down mode and fueling the engine, wherein aborting is based upon intake manifold pressure and system constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen, Poh Fong Chin
  • Patent number: 9387851
    Abstract: An adaptive control adjusts thresholds in a vehicle stability control in response to video camera data, GPS data and weather data indicating that vehicle road conditions are not ideal. Video data determines mue (coefficient of friction) and type of road. Weather data includes temperature, visibility, precipitation and wind velocity. A human machine interface manually overrides the adaptive control in response to a user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Willy Klier, Ravi Bhadange
  • Patent number: 9387852
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the spatial position of the roll axis of a motor vehicle includes: a) defining a desired spatial position of the roll axis; b) determining a transverse acceleration of the motor vehicle; c) defining a desired transverse tilt of the motor vehicle and determining a desired transverse offset of the motor vehicle as a function of the transverse acceleration, so that the roll axis is moved into the desired position when the desired transverse tilt and the desired transverse offset are adjusted; d) adjusting a first actuator of an active chassis system of the motor vehicle, so that the motor vehicle assumes the desired transverse tilt determined in step c); and adjusting a second actuator to influence the transverse movement of the motor vehicle, so that the motor vehicle assumes the desired transverse offset determined in step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Michael Bär
  • Patent number: 9387853
    Abstract: A parking assist apparatus that causes a vehicle to be parked in a target parking position generates a traveling route of a vehicle M from a parking travel start position P0 to a target parking position P2 (S12); generates a plurality of speed patterns having different speeds when the vehicle travels on the traveling route (S14); selects a target speed pattern from the plurality of speed patterns based on information of an object around the traveling route (S18); and controls the traveling of the vehicle M based on the target speed pattern (S24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Sannodo, Yu Hiei
  • Patent number: 9387854
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may be configured to use environmental information for image processing. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode in an environment and may be operating substantially in a lane of travel of the environment. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to receive image data indicative of the environment. The vehicle may also include a computer system configured to compare environmental information indicative of the lane of travel to the image data so as to determine a portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment. Based on the portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment and by disregarding a remaining portion of the image data, the vehicle may determine whether an object is present in the lane, and based on the determination, provide instructions to control the vehicle in the autonomous mode in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Wan-Yen Lo
  • Patent number: 9387855
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus executes automated cruise control under which a steering apparatus is controlled to make a vehicle perform automated cruise. The vehicle control apparatus sets a curvature radius difference threshold used in a process for determining whether to start automated cruise control, based on a transverse deviation of the vehicle. The vehicle control apparatus does not start the automated cruise control when the absolute value of a curvature radius difference is larger than the curvature radius difference threshold. The curvature radius difference is a difference between a travelling path curvature radius and a lane curvature radius, the travelling path curvature radius being a curvature radius of a travelling path of the vehicle and the lane curvature radius being a curvature radius of a lane in which the vehicle is travelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9387856
    Abstract: A computing device (e.g., a server computer hosted by a vehicle manufacturer or retailer) receives vehicle configuration information obtained via a user interface of a user device. The vehicle configuration information includes one or more user-adjustable settings. The computing device determines whether a conflict exists between the user-adjustable settings and a regulated vehicle parameter (e.g., a vehicle speed limit), which may be associated with greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle. The computing device transmits feedback information to the user device. The feedback information may include a description of one or more conflicts between the user-adjustable settings and the regulated vehicle parameter, recommended adjustments to the settings, or the like. The recommended adjustments to the settings may, if accepted by a user, improve regulatory compliance for the vehicle, and may remove or reduce the degree of conflicts between the user-adjustable setting and the regulated vehicle parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Zachary Slaton, Jason Potter, Erin Luke, Cindi Vangel
  • Patent number: 9387857
    Abstract: A method of cruise control whereby a following vehicle can be caused to travel at a target speed, subject to maintaining a pre-determined distance from a leading vehicle in substantially straight travel, the method comprising: determining by means of measuring means a separation distance of the leading vehicle and following vehicle and maintaining the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle; determining by means of deviation detection means a deviation of the leading vehicle from a substantially straight path and an instant location of the deviation; and preventing automatic acceleration of the following vehicle until reaching said instant location in dependence on the detection of a deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly
  • Patent number: 9387858
    Abstract: A system of controlling shift for a vehicle may include a data detector configured to detect data for a shift control; a road shape determiner configured to determine a road shape of an inclined road based on the data; an engine brake tendency determiner configured to determine an engine brake operating tendency of a driver based on the data; and an engine brake operating stage determiner configured to determine an engine brake operating stage based on the road slope and the engine brake operating tendency of the driver, wherein the system controls the shift according to the engine brake operating stage determined by the engine brake operating determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byeongwook Jeon
  • Patent number: 9387859
    Abstract: An acquisition part acquires the rotational speeds of a plurality of driving wheels of a moving vehicle, and normal reaction forces acting on the plurality of driving wheels. Subsequently, a friction coefficient information calculation part calculates friction coefficients relating to the plurality of driving wheels on the basis of torque command values for the plurality of driving wheels transmitted from a torque control part and the results of acquisition by the acquisition part. A slip ratio calculation part calculates the slip ratios of the plurality of driving wheels on the basis of the calculated friction coefficients, and the rotational speeds acquired by the acquisition part. Consequently, the slip ratios of the respective driving wheels are easily, rapidly, and accurately estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 9387860
    Abstract: In one implementation, sets of probe data are collected by probe vehicles. The probe data describes the driving characteristics of the probe vehicles. The sets of probe data are sent to a server or a mobile device for analysis. A polycurve, including a piecewise function of map data, is modified based on the probe data. The polycurve may be a spline curve for an advanced driver assistance system. The modified polycurve may be used in the advanced driver assistance system for a vehicle traveling along the same path previously traversed by the probe vehicles. Based on the polycurve modified by the probe data, a driver assistance feature is provided to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Ole Henry Dorum, Jane MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 9387861
    Abstract: An input control system, method, and apparatus for adjusting an input control value of a motor or engine by damping the acceleration curve. In certain aspects, the damping may gradually increase until the input control optimization system detects a change in the behavior of the vehicle operator, for example, in the form of a conscious or unconscious increase in aggressive use of the accelerator pedal. When such behavior is detected, the input control optimization system reverses the damping and begins to restore gradually the original acceleration curve until aggressive pedal use by the operator is no longer detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Pedal Logic LP
    Inventors: Marc Lurie, Attila Vass
  • Patent number: 9387862
    Abstract: A cable transportation system with at least one haul cable has a supporting structure with a tubular portion defining an axis of rotation; a pulley extending about the axis of rotation; and a bearing assembly, which is connected to the pulley and the tubular portion to enable the pulley to rotate about the axis of rotation with respect to the supporting structure, and has a first and second bearing arranged concentrically and in series, so as to ensure rotation of the pulley about the axis of rotation and with respect to the supporting structure utilizing at least the first or second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROPFIN B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Bacher, Nikolaus Erharter
  • Patent number: 9387863
    Abstract: A rail vehicle system includes a set of cars for transporting passengers. The set has two end cars, at least one driveless central car and at least one central car constructed as a traction car having at least one drive unit. In order to achieve greater flexibility in assembling a rail vehicle system, in particular with regard to improved scalability of traction power, the traction car includes a power supply unit for the drive unit and has at least one voltage transformation unit and a power converter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Edzard Luebben, Martin Offer, Juergen Schlaht, Joerg Schneider
  • Patent number: 9387864
    Abstract: A transverse trough coil car includes a plurality of transverse troughs, a pair of trucks, a center sill supported on the trucks, a pair of side walls extending the length of the car coupled to the center sill, and a plurality of trough forming assemblies. Each trough forming assembly includes a center cross bearer member coupled to the side walls and the center sill, a pair of angled floor plates coupled to the side walls, wherein the floor plates form the longitudinally fore and aft sections of adjacent troughs, and a plurality of floor plate supporting gussets extending between the center cross bearer member and the floor plates. A method of forming the transverse trough coil car body is provided for reducing the fabrication costs, inventory costs and assembly time of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: JAC OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd L Lydic, Jeffrey W Boring
  • Patent number: 9387865
    Abstract: An end member assembly dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible spring member of an associated gas spring assembly. The end member assembly can include a base wall and a mounting wall disposed in axially-spaced relation to the base wall. A compliant support structure is disposed between the base and mounting walls. The compliant support structure includes at least one compliant element that includes a compliant element body and one or more reinforcing plies at least partially embedded within the compliant element body. Rigid elements can be disposed between adjacent compliant elements if two or more compliant elements are included. A gas spring assembly and a method of manufacture can include one or more of such end member assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Jackson, Jr., Jakob B. Cagle, Charlie B. Groover
  • Patent number: 9387866
    Abstract: A method controls a movement of a train to a stop at a stopping position between a first position and a second position. The method determines constraints of a velocity of the train with respect to a position of the train forming a feasible area for a state of the train during the movement, such that an upper curve bounding the feasible area has a zero velocity only at the second position, and a lower curve bounding the feasible region has a zero velocity only at the first position. Next, the method controls the movement of the train subject to the constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Di Cairano, Mehmet Alphan Ulusoy, Sohrab Haghighat
  • Patent number: 9387867
    Abstract: A fusion sensor arrangement includes a first sensor configured to detect the presence of an object along a wayside of a guideway, wherein the first sensor is sensitive to a first electromagnetic spectrum. The fusion sensor arrangement further includes a second sensor configured to detect the presence of the object along the wayside of the guideway, wherein the second sensor is sensitive to a second electromagnetic spectrum different from the first electromagnetic spectrum. The fusion sensor arrangement further includes a data fusion center connected to the first sensor and to the second sensor, wherein the data fusion center is configured to receive first sensor information from the first sensor and second sensor information from the second sensor, and to resolve a conflict between the first sensor information and the second sensor information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Thales Canada Inc
    Inventors: Rodney Ignatius, Alon Green, Firth Whitwam
  • Patent number: 9387868
    Abstract: The Ski Porter provides a convenient and practical way for snow skiers to transport their skis, boots and poles when they are not skiing. The Ski Porter attaches using the boot binding and utilizes two (2) wheels for easy transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Anthony Trevor Copeland
  • Patent number: 9387869
    Abstract: A luggage unit, a trolley unit having stowed and non-stowed positions, and that, when in the non-stowed position, locks and unlocks such that the trolley unit is free to be raised and lowered when it is unlocked, the trolley unit being fastened to the luggage unit in both the stowed and the non-stowed positions, and including a locking mechanism for locking the trolley unit, an upper trolley body fastened to the luggage unit, a scissor lift mechanism fastened to the upper trolley body, that raises and lowers, a lower trolley body fastened to the lift mechanism, and guided rollers within the upper trolley body and within the lower trolley body, for raising and lowering the lift mechanism when the trolley unit is unlocked, and a release mechanism extending from the luggage unit to the trolley unit through a slit in the luggage unit, for unlocking the trolley unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Aviad Berger
  • Patent number: 9387870
    Abstract: A loading apparatus is coupleable to an engine-powered, wheeled machine, such as a snow blower or lawnmower, to aid in lifting the machine onto and off of raised platforms and up and down stairs. The loading apparatus includes a handle assembly having a first arm and a second arm, a first side support member having a first end sized to receive the first arm, and a second side support member having a first end sized to receive the second arm. The apparatus also includes attachment brackets coupled to respective upper portions of the first and second side support members, and attachment brackets coupled to respective lower portions of the first and second side support members. The first and second arms of the handle assembly slidably engage the first and second side support members and are moveable therein between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bullet Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Michael Dahmer
  • Patent number: 9387871
    Abstract: A steering handle for a motor vehicle, when mounted on the motor vehicle, can bring about a directional change of the motor vehicle. The steering handle has at least one ball element which is held on a corresponding fastening element of the steering handle as an operating element which can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis relative to the fastening element. The ball element is accessible for a user who pivots the ball element from a respective front side of the steering handle and the ball element, which front side faces the user, the ball element also being accessible for the user from a respective rear side of the steering handle and the ball element, which rear side faces away from the user and the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Christian Wall
  • Patent number: 9387872
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a vehicle equipped with individual steering devices and individual rotational force generating devices for respective wheels. According to the method, operation of at least one group of the steering devices and the rotational force generating devices is controlled in response to electrical control signals generated according to a user's command, so that control of the wheels starts at separate points in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee-Seo Chae
  • Patent number: 9387873
    Abstract: A power assist apparatus includes an electric motor, a speed reducer, an annular torque sensor, a housing in which the speed reducer and the torque sensor are arranged, and an annular center aligning bracket. The housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element, and one of the first housing element and the second housing element is made of a synthetic resin. The center aligning bracket is fixed to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element by insert molding such that the center aligning bracket is concentric to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element. The first housing element and the second housing element are joined such that the first housing element and the second housing element are engaged with each other in an axial direction of the torque sensor via the center aligning bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kiyota, Takeshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 9387874
    Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing including a cylinder portion and a connection cover, an electric motor housed in the housing, a speed reduction mechanism housed in the housing, a linear motion mechanism including a nut member and a rod for converting a rotation of the nut member to a linear motion of the rod, the cylinder portion including a stopper portion provided at an inner surface of thereof between the electric motor and the speed reduction mechanism, a cylindrical holding member holding the speed reduction mechanism in the cylinder portion, and a bearing supporting the nut member for allowing the nut member to rotate relative to the cylindrical holding member. The bearing and the cylindrical holding member are sandwiched between the stopper portion and the connection cover and the cylindrical holding member is retained so as not to rotate relative to the cylinder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shimpei Fujii, Akiya Taneda, Shuuetsu Suzuki, Teruhide Sato
  • Patent number: 9387875
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a motor control unit for controlling an electric motor operatively connected to a steering shaft. The motor control unit includes a first control unit for controlling a steering torque detected by a torque detecting unit so as to bring the steering torque to zero or to a first predetermined value, and a second control unit for controlling the steering torque detected by the torque detecting unit so as to bring the steering torque to a second predetermined value which is greater than zero or than the first predetermined value, based on an operational quantity detected by an operational-quantity detecting unit or a quantity representative of a vehicle behavior detected by a vehicle-behavior detecting unit. The motor control unit controls the electric motor based on an output signal from the first control unit and an output signal from the second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Shigeru Yamawaki, Yoshihiro Oniwa, Yukihiro Wakakuwa
  • Patent number: 9387876
    Abstract: A steering system includes a steering angle detection unit that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel; a steering torque detection unit that detects a steering torque with respect to the steering wheel; an ECU that calculates a corrected steering angle by nonlinearly correcting the steering angle, a first steering parameter as the product of an angular velocity of the steering angle and the steering torque, a second steering parameter as the product of the corrected steering angle and a time differential value of the steering torque, and a target control amount based on the first steering parameter and the second steering parameter; and a steering support unit that applies a rotation torque to the steering wheel based on the target control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Kojo, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Yoji Kunihiro, Yoshio Kudo, Masao Ueyama, Yukihide Kimura