Patents Issued in August 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9415657
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a motive power source orientation control device, a friction brake orientation control device, a damping force control device, and an orientation control device. The orientation control device controls vehicle body orientation via the motive power source orientation control device when the absolute value of the amplitude of a detected state quantity is less than a first predetermined value, via the damping force control device in addition to the motive power source orientation control device when the absolute value of the amplitude is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value and less than a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value, and via the friction brake orientation control device in addition to the motive power source orientation control device and the damping force control device when the absolute value of the amplitude is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9415658
    Abstract: A method of orientating a vehicle for a potential impact includes detecting an object proximate a vehicle with at least one sensor mounted to the vehicle, identifying if the object is a pedestrian, determining a potential for a collision between the object and the vehicle with a controller mounted within the vehicle and determining a vehicle orientation for mitigating damage based on the determined potential for collision. The determined vehicle orientation includes at least an independent determination of a ride height for each corner of the vehicle. The method further includes actuating a suspension component to move each corner of the vehicle to the determined ride height for that corner independent of the other corners of the vehicle to place the vehicle in an orientation determined to mitigate damage and injury. A controller provides the independent determination of a ride height for each corner of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunny Makkar, Christian Schallmeier
  • Patent number: 9415659
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a sprung mass vibration damping control, an unsprung mass vibration damping control device, and a damping force control device configured to calculate a damping force control amount on the basis of a sprung-mass vibration damping control amount when the sprung-mass vibration damping amount is greater than an unsprung-mass vibration damping control amount, calculating a damping force control amount on the basis of the unsprung-mass vibration damping amount so as to maintain the damping force distribution factor when the sprung-mass vibration damping amount is equal to or less than the unsprung-mass vibration damping amount, and controlling the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9415660
    Abstract: The generation of electrical power for large-vehicle transport refrigeration units (TRU) such as semi-trailer reefers. A generator is mounted to the vehicle frame or axle carriage and driven by a wheel-pulley system. Translational motion of the heavy vehicle produces electrical power using the substantial momentum of the vehicle. The electrical power can also be supplemented by at least one solar panel mounted on the roof of the semi-trailer reefer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald Koelsch
  • Patent number: 9415661
    Abstract: A control element of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning unit, in particular for controlling air distribution flaps, has a rotational axis and a circumferential surface encircling around the rotational axis. On the encircling circumferential surface the control element has at least one guiding rib which protrudes in the radial direction in relation to the circumferential surface. The guiding rib divides the control element into an axially front region and an axially rear region. A control assembly of at least one air distribution flap of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning unit comprises a control element of this type and an output element which is coupled to the guiding rib of the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO KLIMASYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Koch
  • Patent number: 9415662
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a housing. A heat source is located within the housing of the sensor module and a plurality of temperature sensors are mounted in housing of said sensor module. At least one temperature sensors is located adjacent to the heat source and at least one other temperature sensor is spaced from the heat source. A humidity sensor is located within the housing of the sensor module. A controller is connected to the plurality of temperature sensors and to the humidity sensor for determining at least one of relative humidity and temperature at the windscreen using a regression analysis and for providing a control signal indicative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Blake, III, Robert James Newton, Songwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9415663
    Abstract: A vehicle window assembly includes a first transparent member, a second transparent member and a mounting structure. The first transparent member is disposed in an aperture of a vehicle. The second transparent member is disposed in the aperture of the vehicle. The mounting structure supports the first transparent member and the second transparent member, and the second transparent member is supported by the mounting structure so as to be angled relative to the first transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Soffin, Taiji Ikeda, John-Paul LaPorte
  • Patent number: 9415664
    Abstract: A windshield control device is configured such that a position and/or an angle in a height direction of a windshield attached to a front part of a vehicle is optionally adjusted by an actuator. The windshield control device includes receiving means that receives a signal related to a head set having a microphone used by a rider, and control means that drives and controls the windshield. The control means upwardly moves the windshield according to the signal received by the receiving means. The signal is a tone signal input from the microphone or a manipulated signal of an active switch for operating the head set or the receiving means. The windshield is upwardly moved according to magnitude of the tone signal input from the microphone after the receiving means is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hoshi, Yojiro Tsutsumi, Takeshi Konno, Kenji Suzuki, Sadanao Ichimi, Masakuni Ando
  • Patent number: 9415665
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary part and at least one closure element. A rear guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of a roof opening. The closure element is supported by a rear support including a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear guide track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device includes a height-adjustable, movable element. The lifting device is movably connected to the stationary part and includes a guide track for the guiding device that is connected to the closure element, which guide track of the lifting device connects to the rear guide track during at least a part of the rearward movement of the closure element to allow the guiding device thereof to move between the guide track of the lifting device and the rear guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9415666
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the presently disclosed method for coupling a sunroof assembly to a structural frame of a vehicle includes the following steps: (a) moving a sunroof module and a bond frame of the sunroof assembly through a windshield opening of the structural frame and toward a roof portion of the structural frame; (b) securing the sunroof module to the roof portion of the structural frame; (c) moving a locating fixture downwardly toward the roof portion of the structural frame; (d) inserting the frame pins of the locating fixture in frame pockets of the structural frame; (e) applying a first clamping force to the structural frame and the locating fixture; (f) inserting the sunroof pins of the locating fixture in the sunroof pockets of the bond frame; (g) applying a second clamping force to the bond frame; and (h) securing the bond frame to the sunroof module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gerald M. Bojanowski, James A. Forbes, Craig D. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9415667
    Abstract: A roll tarp system is provided which includes a container, a roll pipe, a tarp sized to cover an open top of the container, a power mechanism for rolling the roll pipe from a closed position in which the tarp covers the open top to an open position in which the open top is exposed, and an arm assembly having a flexible arm portion. The arm assembly biases the roll pipe toward the closed position when the roll pipe is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Wastequip, LLC
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
  • Patent number: 9415668
    Abstract: A composite soft top assembly having a convertible roof portion that provides an open air feel with a soft, flexible outer layer. The composite soft top assembly further includes soft sides with hard glass or hard polymer materials connected to a frame, which is connected to the soft sides of the assembly. Additionally, the rear window has a removable horseshoe frame structure about which the hard rear window is connected with hinges to allow for the rear window to pivot about at least one hinge between an open and closed position. Additionally, the rear window can have a wiper or electronic wire mounts for a center high mount stop lamp. Additionally, the horseshoe frame structure allows for the connection of other electrical components such as a rear defrost system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George Stickles
  • Patent number: 9415669
    Abstract: A retractable top for a vehicle having an open top, the vehicle including four doors, the retractable top including a left and a right rear roll bar projecting vertically from the rear floor above the vertical walls, the roll bars projecting forward to join a transverse roll bar forming a roll cage, the retractable top including support members attached to two of the three horizontal sides. The retractable top includes linkage arms attached to support members configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position, the linkage arms including a bow arm having a first tapered interconnection aperture, the first tapered interconnection aperture shaped to receive a first connector and recess the first connector such that an end of the first connector is flush with a first surface of the bow arm. The retractable top includes an enclosure material that covers the open top when extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Dennis G. Barker
  • Patent number: 9415670
    Abstract: A weatherstrip includes an attachment portion, a flexible seal wall, a flexible bridging wall, and a hollow portion. The seal wall extends from an upper portion of the attachment portion toward the front of a vehicle, is turned up, and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. A lower surface of a peripheral portion of a roof panel toward the rear of the vehicle and a lower surface of a peripheral portion of a rear door panel toward the front of the vehicle contact the seal wall from above. The bridging wall bridges the seal wall and the attachment portion. The hollow portion is surrounded by the attachment portion, the seal wall, and the bridging wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuo Masumoto
  • Patent number: 9415671
    Abstract: A door weather strip includes an installation base member and a main seal part. A die molded part on a corner part connects an extrusion molded part on a roof side and an extrusion molded part on a pillar side. An installation base member of the extrusion molded part on the roof side has a foam seal lip. An installation base member of the die molded part has a die molded seal lip connected to the foam seal lip by die molding. Thickness of the die molded seal lip is thicker in a range from a position on a straight part on a roof side of the die molded part to a position on a curve than in a range from a position of connection between the extrusion molded part on the roof side and the die molded part to the position on the straight part on the roof side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haruki Sentani
  • Patent number: 9415672
    Abstract: A battery mounting unit for a vehicle may include a front bracket bonded to a top of a rear floor panel of a vehicle body and having a through-hole penetrated together with the rear floor panel, a reinforcing bracket bonded to an inner side of a rear floor side member on a bottom of the rear floor panel to correspond to the front bracket and having a welding nut on a bottom corresponding to the through-hole of the front bracket, a rear bracket bonded to an outer surface of the rear floor side member and having a plurality of welding nuts on a lower side of a top thereof, a battery tray fastened to the plurality of welding nuts on the rear bracket by a bolt and seated with a battery, and a battery clamper joined to the battery tray to fix the battery to the battery tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seungwon Lee, Mincheol Kim
  • Patent number: 9415673
    Abstract: A chassis for an electric vehicle is disclosed that functions as a heat sink to cool an electric motor and motor controller of the electric vehicle. The chassis includes one or more tubes that are connected to an inner surface of the chassis. As coolant fluid flows through the tubes, heat from the coolant is dissipated into the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Faster Faster Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Charles Blain, Jeff Waldo Sand, Derek Albert Dorresteyn
  • Patent number: 9415674
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises a primary enclosure, at least one battery array located within the primary enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the primary. The energy storage controller module is further connected to a hybrid control module of the hybrid vehicle by a low voltage connecter. A high voltage junction box is attached to a first end of the primary enclosure and having a plurality of high voltage connection terminals. At least one of the high voltage connection terminals is configured to receive a high voltage conductor connected between the energy storage module and an inverter of the hybrid vehicle. When multiple energy storage modules are used in conjunction, one module functions as a master module and one module functions as a slave module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Youngs, Kurt Biehl, Edward Bass, Eric D. Schneider, Felice E. Bailey, Steven T. Reyburn
  • Patent number: 9415675
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid vehicle driving device including: a first differential mechanism configured to be connected to an engine and transmit a rotation of the engine; a second differential mechanism configured to connect the first differential mechanism and a driving wheel; and a switching device configured to shift the first differential mechanism, wherein the second differential mechanism includes a first rotation component connected to an output component of the first differential mechanism, a second rotation component connected to the first rotation machine, and a third rotation component connected to the second rotation machine and the driving wheel, and a reaction torque of the first rotation machine is corrected at a torque phase (S2-Y) after a start of the gear shift operation of the first differential mechanism by the switching device while the vehicle travels by using the engine as a power source (S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Tsuyoshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa
  • Patent number: 9415676
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle drive system including: a differential device provided with rotary elements respectively connected to an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member; a brake for selectively fixing the rotary element connected to the first electric motor, to a stationary member; and a parking-lock mechanism preventing a rotary motion of a parking-lock gear connected to the output rotary member, when a manually-operated shifting device is operated to a parking-lock position. The control apparatus includes an engine starting control-portion configured to start the engine in a starting-mode wherein an operating speed of the engine is raised with a torque generated by the second electric motor in an engaged state of the brake, where the engine is required to be started while the vehicle has been held at rest and the rotary motion of the parking-lock gear is prevented by the parking-lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Hori
  • Patent number: 9415677
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a body frame, an engine supported by the body frame, a radiator disposed in front of the engine, a radiator fan disposed between the engine and the radiator, a left frame cover disposed above the radiator, and an intake air temperature sensor mounted to the left frame cover. The radiator fan rotates clockwise as viewed from the front of the vehicle, and the intake air temperature sensor is positioned above a right end of the radiator as viewed from the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuhya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9415678
    Abstract: Provided is a haulage vehicle having an air cleaner that is realistic from the viewpoints of fabrication steps and cost aspect. An air cleaner (24) arranged in a haulage vehicle is provided with a swirling flow generator (26), a separator (27) and an outer cylindrical casing (25). The swirling flow generator has a fixed shaft (28) and a plurality of guide blades (29) arranged and shifted from one another over a predetermined angle in a direction in which the guide blades rotate about the fixed shaft, and by the plurality of guide blades, a swirling flow of cooling air is generated. The separator has a flange (32) attached on and along an inner peripheral wall of the outer cylindrical casing (25), an inner cylindrical member (30) arranged on an outer edge of a center bore of the flange, and a collection pocket (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Oue, Naokazu Oda
  • Patent number: 9415679
    Abstract: A nozzle inhibitor is adapted to be arranged in a filler neck included in a fuel tank fill tube and is configured to allow only a diesel fuel nozzle having an outer diameter that is greater than a specified minimum diameter to be inserted into the fill tube to a depth sufficient so that a user may dispense diesel fuel from that nozzle into the fill tube. The nozzle inhibitor inhibits insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the fill tube, yet allows insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the fill tube so that only diesel fuel is dispensed into a diesel fuel tank coupled to the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventors: Louis T Frank, Kevin L Young, Mike W Boles
  • Patent number: 9415680
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a locking mechanism on a fuel cap for refueling a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises venting a fuel tank into a vapor absorbent canister in response to a request to refuel and unlocking the fuel cap in response to a predetermined temperature change in said canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Mark Daniel Bunge
  • Patent number: 9415681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automobile urea tank and a forming method thereof. The method includes the following steps: 1) producing an upper half casing and a lower half casing through an injection molding method; 2) after the upper half casing and the lower half casing are formed, assembling built-in parts of the upper half casing and the lower half casing; 3) welding the assembled upper half casing and the assembled lower half casing to form a whole; and 4) assembling components on surfaces of the upper half casing and the lower half casing. This method can improve design freedom of built-in elements of the tank body, and can save a lot of raw materials; the structure is simple and firm; moreover, the production efficiency is improved, and the production cycle is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Yapp Automotive Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan Sun, Lin Jiang, Liang Liu, Haiyang Zhu, Xinhua Chen, Qing Xue, Guangsong Zheng
  • Patent number: 9415682
    Abstract: A refueling portion structure of a fuel tank includes: a refueling pipe that has a refueling port into which a refueling nozzle is to be inserted, and that communicates with a fuel tank; an opening/closing valve that is provided on a flow path within the refueling pipe and closes the flow path, and that, when pushed by the refueling nozzle, opens the flow path; and a valve opening/closing device that, in a case in which a tank internal pressure of the fuel tank exceeds a set value that is set in advance, restricts or inhibits opening operation of the opening/closing valve, and, in a case in which the tank internal pressure is less than or equal to the set value, permits the opening operation of the opening/closing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Aso
  • Patent number: 9415683
    Abstract: A vehicle has a transmission and a gearshift element pivotally arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle. By actuating the gearshift element, the transmission is shiftable in an electrically controlled manner from one transmission gear to a next-higher or a next-lower transmission gear. At least one electric switch element and/or at least one optical display device is arranged on the gearshift element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Walter, Thomas Tille
  • Patent number: 9415684
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes an engine, a transmission provided on a power transmission path between a main drive wheel and a subsidiary drive wheel, and a connection-disconnection mechanism provided on a power transmission path between the transmission and the subsidiary drive wheel to selectively connect and disconnect the power transmission path. A control device for the four-wheel drive vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control a transmission torque of the transmission to be less than or equal to a predetermined value when a predetermined condition is satisfied during traveling, and to control the connection-disconnection mechanism so as to at least partially overlap a time during which the transmission torque of the transmission is controlled to be less than or equal to the predetermined value and a time during which the power transmission path is disconnected by the connection-disconnection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masayuki Arai
  • Patent number: 9415685
    Abstract: An indicator portion includes a first indicator portion and a second indicator portion. The first indicator portion indicates an accelerator pedal opening degree that changes in accordance with an operated amount of the accelerator pedal by the driver. The second indicator portion includes a division line and regions divided by the division line. The division line shows an accelerator pedal opening degree where traveling modes (EV mode and HV mode) are switched. The regions show the ranges of accelerator pedal opening degrees where traveling is performed in EV mode and HV mode, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Suzuki, Motohiro Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9415686
    Abstract: A display control apparatus, with respect to multiple display areas of a display screen of a display apparatus, assigns one display image to one of the display areas by performing a predetermined calculation. The display control apparatus includes a display image managing section storing image information related to the display image, a display area managing section storing area information related to each display area, a mandatory exclusion information storing section storing mandatory exclusion information that defines multiple display image combinations so that the display image is included in each of the display image combinations, and a display image assignment control section. The display image assignment control section, based on the mandatory exclusion information, determines the display image combinations, generates a display image combination list, and assigns the display image to the display area based on the display image combination list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ueda, Hitoshi Sugiyama, Shigeo Katoh
  • Patent number: 9415687
    Abstract: A modular dashboard assembly for a vehicle, such as a tactical vehicle, is described. In some cases, the dashboard assembly includes a smart back plane and removably attachable front modules. The back plane may facilitate communications between components within the front modules and systems with the vehicle, or between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Korry Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Michael Y. Utsugi, Shawn M. Doyea, Ryan Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9415688
    Abstract: A vehicular display unit includes: a main display disposed in a forward position of a driver and adapted to display vehicle information; an external display, other than the main display, disposed in the forward position of the driver, adapted to display vehicle information and having a screen functioning as an operation portion; and a display mover mechanism including a gear belt disposed on a circumferential track and configured to move the external display in a vehicle forward-rearward direction by a circumferential movement of the gear belt, and a gear mechanism configured to transmit a driving force of a driving source to the gear belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Hagiwara, Shigeki Totsuka
  • Patent number: 9415689
    Abstract: In a device and a method to produce a user recognition signal upon an actuation by a user in a vehicle using a control unit linked with a transmitter and receiver which are disposed relative to one another to set up a user-specific high frequency transmission path therebetween upon actuation by the the user, at least one HF signal is provided and transferred through the body of the user, the HF transfer is evaluated to determine the user-specific transmission path to identify the user, and a user recognition signal is produced that identifies the user, wherein using at least one detection unit an action of the user is detected or an action presence is monitored, and in the detection of the action an action signal is produced, and the transmitter only provides the one HF transmission signal after or upon the existence of an action signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Lennart Bendewald, Katharina Bachfischer, Lorenz Bohrer
  • Patent number: 9415690
    Abstract: The regenerative energy produced during the braking of a vehicle is used for powering a secondary battery, that is independent from the main battery, and, in the event of a complete failure of said main battery, allows the continued operation of the basic services such as power steering, lights, the brake servo unit, and electronics, as a result of the combined action of said autonomous system that includes a capacitor bank which powers said services either directly or via the secondary battery. The system comprises an interface of the electronic power and control unit, an electronic power and control unit, applied to the steering and pedals, and an ECU power controller and port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MICROELECTRONICA MASER, S.L.
    Inventors: Francisco Ferrer-Dalmau Nieto, Francisco Javier Vicandi Unanue, Carlos Javier Iriondo Arrizabalaga, Jesus Maria Iriondo Arrizabalaga
  • Patent number: 9415691
    Abstract: An electric vehicle can include a power unit including a speed reduction device coupled to a motor output shaft. Two systems can be provided which are a drive-power transmission path to transmit rotation of a motor to a wheel hub, and a regenerative-power transmission path to transmit rotation of the hub to the motor. A drive-side one-way clutch is provided between the hub and a second internal gear being the final-stage gear in the drive-power transmission path and is configured to transmit rotation of the drive-side final-stage gear to the hub. A regeneration-side one-way clutch is provided between the hub and a regeneration-side first-stage gear and is configured to transmit rotation of the hub to the regeneration-side first-stage gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Murakami, Tsutomu Yoshino, Koji Aoki
  • Patent number: 9415692
    Abstract: A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes a wheel speed acquiring section, a vehicle body deceleration calculator, and a switch section. The wheel speed acquiring section is configured to acquire a wheel speed from a wheel speed sensor. The vehicle body deceleration calculator is configured to calculate a vehicle body deceleration. The switch section is configured to switch control from the regenerative cooperation control to the hydraulic pressure control, based on (i) a wheel deceleration which is determined based on the wheel speed and (ii) the vehicle body deceleration. The vehicle body deceleration calculator is configured to calculate the vehicle body deceleration based on a required deceleration which corresponds to a driver's operation of a braking pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Kato, Tomoaki Sekiya, Keisuke Wakizaka
  • Patent number: 9415693
    Abstract: The invention is an incrementally actuated eddy current braking system. The system comprises first and second primary members, which further comprise arrays of permanent magnets arranged in alternating polarity. The respective magnets of the arrays face one another. A means for incremental displacement is drivingly connected to at least one of the primary members enabling the movement of said members relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Velocity Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic P. Marzano, Michael Gustason
  • Patent number: 9415694
    Abstract: A power device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention includes an electricity storage device which stores electricity of direct current, an inverter device which generates alternating current from the direct current stored in the electricity storage device, multiple electric motors which receive supply of electricity of the alternating current generated by the inverter device and generate a traveling driving force, and a driving force transmission mechanism which transmits rotation of each output shaft portion of the multiple electric motors to a driving wheel. The driving force transmission mechanism is configured such that rotation of each output shaft portion is transmitted to the driving wheel with an equal speed change ratio, and the multiple electric motors are connected to a single inverter device, and configured to receive electricity supply of the alternating current generated by the single inverter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9415695
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charger includes a case including a lower case having an opened top surface and in which a connector insertion groove is defined in a side surface thereof and an upper case having an opened bottom surface and covering the opened top surface of the lower case, a circuit board seated on the lower case and on which at least one electrical component of a short-circuit detection part detecting short-circuit of an electric vehicle, a detection part detecting overvoltage and overcurrent during charging of the electric vehicle, a communication module communicating with a charging control part of the electric vehicle, and a display part displaying a charged state of the electric vehicle is mounted, a cable inserted into the lower case, the cable being electrically connected to the circuit board, and a cable connector inserted into the connector insertion groove to guide the insertion of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Young Moon
  • Patent number: 9415696
    Abstract: A radiator guard for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, which is arranged on the front end of the vehicle and covers one or a plurality of units and/or devices arranged in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The radiator guard is formed advantageously in multiple parts, wherein to avoid an opening in the visible region thereof at least one part of the radiator guard is designed so as to be adjustable relative to the other part(s), thus allowing access to at least one of said units and/or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Pickartz, Hergen Grimm
  • Patent number: 9415697
    Abstract: A contactless power supply device including: a power receiving portion (22) which is provided at the center in the vehicle width direction, of a front part of the lower surface of a floor panel (40) of a vehicle (1); a power supply portion (12) which is provided for a parking space (2) and contactlessly supplies electric power to the vehicle by magnetic connection with the power receiving portion (22); a sub-frame (51) provided in a lower part of a front compartment (1F) of the vehicle (1); a motor unit (29U) mounted on the sub-frame (51); and extension portions (53) stiffening fixed portions of the power receiving portion (22), the extension portions (53) being extended from both sides of the rear end of the sub-frame (51) in the vehicle width direction toward the back of the vehicle along both sides of the power receiving portion (22) in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihiro Asai
  • Patent number: 9415698
    Abstract: An ECU may make a changeover between EV running and HV running in accordance with a running situation in each of a CD mode and a CS mode. A start power threshold of an engine at the time when the CD mode is selected may be larger than the start power threshold at the time when the CS mode is selected. Then, the ECU may change the driving force characteristics of a vehicle depending on whether the CD mode or the CS mode is selected that may result in the vehicle driving torque for the same vehicle speed and the same accelerator opening degree being larger when the CD mode is selected than when the CS mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Sato, Hiroki Endo, Koji Hokoi
  • Patent number: 9415699
    Abstract: An energy system having a plurality of storage batteries and renewable power supplies includes an information processor. Each of the storage batteries is individually set to a maximum SOC representing a charging limit and a minimum SOC representing a discharging limit. Each of the storage batteries is chargeable and dischargeable under the control of an external device and is capable of measuring SOC values. The information processor controls charging and discharging processes of the storage batteries individually to keep the storage batteries charged until SOC values acquired from the storage batteries reach the maximum SOC when the storage batteries are charged and to keep the storage batteries discharged until SOC values acquired from the storage batteries reach the minimum SOC when the storage batteries are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukiko Morioka, Hisato Sakuma, Koji Kudo
  • Patent number: 9415700
    Abstract: A system includes a battery pack having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and battery cells. The system also includes a thermal system having heat transfer fluid, a flow device, an inlet thermocouple, one or more internal thermocouples connected to a respective one of the battery cells, and a controller. The controller receives and processes temperature signals from the thermocouples using a thermal model to diagnose performance of the flow device. The system may estimate values when an outlet thermocouple is not used. A method includes circulating the fluid through the battery pack, positioning an inlet thermocouple proximate to the fluid inlet, and connecting one or more internal thermocouples to respective battery cells. A controller receives and processes temperature signals from the inlet thermocouple and the internal thermocouple(s) to diagnose performance of the flow device using the thermal model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 9415701
    Abstract: A seat track assembly includes upper and lower tracks slidably coupled together. The lower track includes a locking window and the upper track includes a first aperture. A locking mechanism includes a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the upper track. The mounting bracket includes a second aperture. At least one pin is slidably guided by the second aperture for movement in and out of the locking window and first aperture for interlocking the upper and lower tracks. The pin includes opposite first and second sides and at least one of the sides includes a recess. The recess reduces a surface area of the respective side of the pin and defines upper and lower edges. The upper and lower edges of the recess lockingly engage with the upper and lower tracks in response to a dynamic impact to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the locking window and first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wrong, Prasad D. Jagtap
  • Patent number: 9415702
    Abstract: A swiveling assembly comprising a swivel, the swivel comprising a swivel bottom element and a swivel top element rotatable relative thereto; a gear provided with gear teeth along at least a portion thereof, the gear being mounted to the swivel top element; an actuator operatively coupled to the gear teeth for selectively rotating the gear relative to the swivel bottom element; at least one spacer element mounted to the gear and extending away therefrom; and a seat support mounted to the at least one spacer element so as to be spaced apart from the gear, a vehicle seat being mountable to the seat support. The at least one spacer element raises the seat support so that the vehicle seat is above a doorstep when the swiveling assembly is operatively mounted to a vehicle floor and the vehicle seat is operatively mounted to the swiveling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Laurent Auger
  • Patent number: 9415703
    Abstract: An articulated seating system supports a user seat using a mounting assembly, a fore-aft slide assembly, a swivel assembly and an extension assembly driven by a drive packet having one or more motors or the like. The seat is moved from a secured drive position (e.g., a standard interior vehicle seat position) to an extension position (wherein the seat faces out of a vehicle doorway) and finally to an access position outside the vehicle, facilitating access for a user having limited mobility, strength, etc. Extendible supporting arms engage and enclose guide rollers to allow stable and precise control of lateral and vertical seat movement. Moving between the drive and extension positions, the seat can move through a narrow transition corridor in the motor vehicle. The motors can operate manually to allow securing the seat in the drive position despite power or other failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Bertil Slungare, Joakim Lars Bergstrand
  • Patent number: 9415704
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an adjusting device, for example for adjusting the height and/or tilt of a seat part structure and/or of a backrest structure connected to the seat part structure, wherein the adjusting device is fastened to the seat part structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Haida, Dirk Schulz, Holger Finner, Adrian Pawlowski, Patrick Jakob
  • Patent number: 9415705
    Abstract: A seat including a seat back, a walk-in lever that releases the seat back so that the seat back may rotate, a slide mechanism having an upper rail and lower rail, a connection device between the seat back and a slide mechanism that releases the slide mechanism, a lock lever that rotates in response to rotation of the seat back, and a lock lever that rotates in response to rotation of the seat back. The seat configured so that rotation of the seat back in a forward direction by a predetermined amount releases the slide mechanism so that the seat may slide in a fore-aft direction. The slide mechanism configured so that, in the locked position, the lock lever directly contacts the lower rail such that forward force on the seat is directly transferred from the lock lever to the lower rail at the point of direct contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Mixon, Ryosuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9415706
    Abstract: A car seat for a child intended to equip a vehicle seat. The car seat includes a base and a chair having a seat support and a backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Haja Rabeony