Patents Issued in August 30, 2016
  • Patent number: 9428058
    Abstract: A system and method for discharging a high voltage vehicle battery. The system includes a discharge circuit having a reference voltage source providing a reference voltage and a load for discharging the battery. A negative terminal of the voltage source is electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the battery so that upon initiation of the discharging sequence, the battery is discharged through the load to the reference voltage. The discharge circuit can be electrically configured so that the battery, the voltage source and the load are electrically coupled in series or the battery, the voltage source and the load are electrically coupled in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Namou, Todd F. Mackintosh
  • Patent number: 9428059
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a vehicle body (2) and a battery (3) with energy storage devices (31) and a housing (32), which at least partially surrounds the energy storage devices (31), wherein a vehicle-body region (21) of the vehicle body (2) forms a part of the housing of the battery (3), wherein the vehicle-body region (21) is made from an electrically conductive material or comprises electrically conductive material in order to shield the vehicle against electrical and/or magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gergely Galamb
  • Patent number: 9428060
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle electrical system includes driving the vehicle in a first driving mode where the battery pack is connected to the traction voltage DC-link and the battery pack is supplying the electrical auxiliary units with power, shutting down the power electronics unit in order to cease power delivery from the electric machine to the traction voltage DC-link or to the electric machine from the traction voltage DC-link, disconnecting the battery pack from the traction voltage DC-link by opening the relay, and activating the power electronics unit and controlling output voltage of the power electronics unit to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Lasson, Jerker Lennevi, Henrik Engdahl
  • Patent number: 9428061
    Abstract: A system for harnessing wind energy to charge the electric storage battery of a vehicle, whether the vehicle is parked or in motion. While the vehicle is being driven, a roof-mounted, internal wind turbine harnesses wind energy and causes rotation of the shaft of an electric generator mounted to an interior surface of the roof. For charging the battery while the vehicle is parked, an external wind turbine is storable in the vehicle when not in use and attaches to the internal wind turbine. Cups of the kind used in cup anemometers are attached to radial arms that extend from an external shaft of the external wind turbine and catch ambient wind currents while the vehicle is parked, causing the external shaft and the generator shaft to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Peter W. Ripley
  • Patent number: 9428062
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for updating a duty cycle for a power converter. The system and method operate the power converter to compute a first duty cycle during a first pulse-width modulation period and updating a second duty cycle for a second pulse-width modulation period at the completion of the first pulse-width modulation period. Next a third duty cycle for a third previous pulse-width modulation period is updated at the completion of the first pulse-width modulation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Ray M. Ransom
  • Patent number: 9428063
    Abstract: A mild hybrid system according embodiments of the invention may include: a motor-alternator; an inverter for controlling electrical energy flow to and from the motor-alternator; an electrical energy storage for storing electrical energy generated by the motor-alternator; and a unidirectional DC/DC buck converter including a bypass means for providing a physical connection between the motor-alternator and a vehicle electrical load. With the system, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, packaging process can be simplified, and an additional cooling device is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9428064
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a vehicle; a power cable; and a distribution board configured to be capable of exchanging electric power with an electric power system and the power cable. The distribution board includes: an operation unit operated by a user to select one of a first mode in which the electric power system and the vehicle are interconnected with each other and a second mode in which the electric power system is disconnected from the vehicle and electric power is exchanged between the vehicle and a house; and a switching circuit that switches a source of supply for a receptacle, to which an electrical load is connected, between the electric power system and the power cable and switches the communication line, in accordance with the operation on the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoya Ono
  • Patent number: 9428065
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic folding electronic car that is driven with power supplied from a battery and folded automatically including: a body portion to which a front frame and a rear frame are connected rotatably through a connection shaft and on which a support shaft is formed on an upper part of the rear frame so as to support the front frame from a rear side; a front wheel portion that is arranged on a front of the body portion and is provided with a pair of front wheels connected through a front wheel shaft and a braking means; a rear wheel portion that is arranged on a rear of the body portion and is provided with a pair of rear wheels connected through a rear wheel shaft and a driving means; a handle portion including a handle frame connected upright to the front wheel shaft, an operation panel arranged on an upper part of the handle frame and provided with a folding switch and a handle formed on an upper part and provided with an acceleration lever and a hand brake; a seat portion a front of which is c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KC Motors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Dong Lee, Yong Joo Kim, Ki Won Lee, Kyoung Hoon Yoon, Tae Ho Kim, Chang Won Seo, Tae Hyoun Jang
  • Patent number: 9428066
    Abstract: Disclosed are a portable charger and a method of operating the same. The portable charger includes a main body; a first connector connected to the main body and a commercial power source; and a second connector connected to the main body and an external apparatus, wherein the main body comprises: a power line formed between the first and second connectors to allow a commercial electric power to flow through the power line; a relay disposed on the power line to intermit the commercial electric power flowing through the power line; a data communication unit connected to the power line to perform data communication with the external apparatus connected to the second connector through the power line; and a switch disposed between the power line and the data communication unit to intermit the connection between the data communication unit and the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Woo Choi
  • Patent number: 9428067
    Abstract: A vehicle running management system under renewable energy includes an electrically driven vehicle having a battery ECU. The battery ECU manages a remaining amount of renewable energy in a vehicle-mounted electric storage device as it increases and decreases when renewable energy is charged into the vehicle-mounted electric storage device and renewable energy is discharged from the vehicle-mounted electric storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakagawa, Takayuki Kato, Junya Noguchi, Shinji Takuno, Yusaku Amari, Atsushi Hirosawa, Hiroyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 9428068
    Abstract: A method for controlling recharging of a traction battery on a motor vehicle hybrid transmission including a heat engine and at least one electrical machine, wherein the electrical machine is used as a sole motor-driven power source up to a speed threshold beyond which it is possible to couple the heat engine with the wheels, in hybrid modes, to run power supplies from the heat engine and the electrical machine simultaneously with each other. In the method, below the speed threshold, the electrical machine ensures only torque to be transmitted to the wheels, while the heat engine is ignited to provide recharging without contributing to pull of the vehicle when a driver bears on the accelerator pedal, and while the wheels are separate from the heat engine and the electrical machine, when the driver does not bear on the accelerator pedal, to enable recharging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Maxime Debert, Jean-Marie Vespasien
  • Patent number: 9428069
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides systems and methods for efficiently charging a battery of a vehicle using a regenerative braking system. In one aspect of the invention, the battery charging system includes a regenerative braking system that is configured to convert mechanical energy from braking of the vehicle into electrical energy. The battery charging system also includes a bank of capacitors that is configured to store the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system. The battery charging system also includes a circuit that is configured to feed into the battery at least a portion of the electrical energy stored in the bank of capacitors as a series of current pulses at a frequency that corresponds to a resonant frequency of the battery. The series of pulses includes constructive resonant ringing that is constructive with respect to charging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Colorado Energy Research Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne J. Powell, Robert D. Boehmer, Lee L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9428070
    Abstract: A vehicle charging system may include a charge receptacle and an alignment pin mounted to a vehicle and a ground station. The ground station may include a guide having a locating region configured to receive the alignment pin and in response to the alignment pin contacting the locating region translate along a track. An electrical connector may be configured to engage the charge receptacle. The electrical connector may be disposed within a housing associated with the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Bell, Frank Kallio, John Paul Gibeau, James A. Lathrop
  • Patent number: 9428071
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes a battery cell and at least one controller programmed to output an average internal resistance of the cell for a sliding window time period. A mean electrical impedance is calculated by the controller based on a quotient of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of a voltage output by the cell and a FFT of current input to the cell. An average internal resistance is calculated by the controller based on the mean electrical impedance. The controller may further control the cell according to the average internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9428072
    Abstract: A method for extending the life cycle of a battery includes receiving a storage mode status signal at a battery controller and incrementally adjusting a state of charge window over a period of time in response to receiving the storage mode status signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Chang, Josephine S. Lee, Xu Wang, Chuan He
  • Patent number: 9428073
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a performance level of a battery of a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) includes enabling a charging diagnostic module (CDM) and determining, with the CDM, a charging status of the battery. The method also includes enabling a discharging diagnostic module (DDM) and determining, with the DDM, a discharging status of the battery. The charging status and the discharging status are recorded in a memory location of the ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew C. Baughman, Daniel P. Grenn, Andrew M. Zettel
  • Patent number: 9428074
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle with electric or hybrid propulsion including a rechargeable electric accumulation battery and a braking system allowing recovery of energy, the battery being rechargeable during braking phases and during charging phases under control of a supply system including a mechanism determining a maximum allowable power for the battery. The mechanism determining the maximum allowable power for the battery includes a first mapping making it possible to read a first maximum power on the basis of a temperature and of a state of charge of the battery, and a second mapping making it possible to read a second maximum power based on the temperature and of the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Antoine Saint-Marcoux, Claire Oberti, Marc-Henri Giraud, Bruno Delobel
  • Patent number: 9428075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery charging management system of an automated guided vehicle that travels in an unpiloted manner by using a mounted battery as a driving source, the mounted battery being charged in a charging station, wherein a battery charging controller that monitors a remaining capacity of the mounted battery is mounted on the automated guided vehicle, the battery charging controller starts a charging operation for the mounted battery in the charging station when the remaining capacity of the battery is lower than a predetermined value, and a charging route of the vehicle is cut off when a charging amount of the mounted battery reaches a predetermined capacity during the charging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihito Fukui, Mitsuru Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9428076
    Abstract: An automobile having an energy conversion unit, an energy storage unit, a user selection unit, a global positioning system, and a control unit. The automobile can operate in a default charging mode, which is either the charge depletion mode or the charge sustaining mode. Upon a user input, the energy conversation unit and/or the energy storage unit can operate in an extended charging mode or a forced charging mode. In the extended charging mode, the state of charge (SOC) is increased or decreased over a predetermined charging range. In the forced charging mode, the SOC is increased until a predetermined charge limit is reached. The automobile can also use global positioning system signals to operate in the charge depletion mode, the charge sustaining mode, the extended charging mode, and/or the forced charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Eugene Fleming, Avernethy Francisco
  • Patent number: 9428077
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel cell system, and a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a predicted ambient temperature at a specified location, and command the fuel cell system to operate at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes receiving a first signal at a controller indicative of a predicted ambient temperature for a specified location, and operating the fuel cell system at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, and a controller configured to, in response to receiving a predicted freezing condition, command the fuel cell stack to operate at a lower relative humidity level for a time period preceding a predicted time for system shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Staley, William F. Sanderson, Milos Milacic, Hasdi R. Hashim, Daniel William Forthoffer, Craig Michael Mathie
  • Patent number: 9428078
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus using a power transistor in a fuel cell stack diagnostic system provides an apparatus using a power transistor in a fuel cell stack diagnostic system. The apparatus includes a regenerative braking detector that detects regenerative braking of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell stack diagnostic system; a voltage rise determiner that determines whether a voltage rise due to regenerative braking of a fuel cell vehicle is a predetermined value or more; and a power transistor controller that controls an AC signal generator so that the voltage due to the regenerative braking is discharged by the power transistor, when the voltage rise due to regenerative braking determined by the voltage rise determiner is a predetermined value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KANGNAM UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kwi Seong Jeong, Sae Hoon Kim, Uck-Soo Kim, Hyun-Seok Park, Young-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9428079
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: a synchronous motor; an induction motor; and a control unit configured to adjust a torque from the synchronous motor and a torque from the induction motor, wherein the control unit includes a torque varying device configured to reduce an output torque from the synchronous motor while maintaining a total drive force of the electric vehicle, and increasing an output torque from the induction motor in the case where the electric vehicle is stopped in a state in which a torque is output from the synchronous motor. Accordingly, there is provided an electric vehicle capable of restraining deterioration of drivability and performing thermal protection of a motor and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Ota
  • Patent number: 9428080
    Abstract: A pressure-responsive seat occupancy sensor unit (10) comprises a support plate (12) having a top surface (20) and a bottom surface, a plurality of spacer elements (14) defining an upper surface (18) of the pressure-responsive seat occupancy sensor unit, which upper surface the top surface of the support plate is arranged recessed from, a foam pad (22) disposed between the spacer elements on the support plate, a recess (24) formed in the top surface of the support plate, underneath the foam pad, and a pressure-responsive membrane switch (26) arranged in the recess. The recess has a depth exceeding the thickness of the pressure-responsive membrane switch. The foam pad is configured such that, upon it being compressed by application of pressure exceeding a certain threshold, it deforms so as to penetrate into the recess and activates the pressure-responsive membrane switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Markus Kordel, Dietmar Jungen, Konstantin Weires, Manuel Wampach
  • Patent number: 9428081
    Abstract: A filter element for a pneumatic adjusting arrangement, e.g., a vehicle seat, includes a filter chamber that is fillable with pressure media and includes first and second flexible films connected together along a connecting seam to define the filter chamber. A filter medium for removing particles entrained in the pressure medium is arranged in the filter chamber and separates the filter chamber into first and second chamber regions. The pressure medium may flow into the first chamber region via a pressure medium inlet line, flow into the second chamber region via the filter medium, and flow out of the second chamber region via at least one pressure medium outlet line. By realizing the filter element or the filter chamber thereof from flexible films, the filter element can be installed in a space-saving manner and with a form that can be adapted to the situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Riepl, Andreas Schaeftner
  • Patent number: 9428082
    Abstract: Equipment and processes generate a seating solution by obtaining occupant data, calculating body dimensions from the occupant data, and calculating a best-fit body arrangement for an occupant. Occupant data may be obtained in various ways using available computational devices and software or by manually measuring the relevant dimensions on the occupant. A user interface for inputting occupant metrics and/or occupant measurements may be provided in a mobile terminal included in the vehicle or separate from the vehicle, thus giving users increased flexibility while maximizing simplicity and usability for the user or other personnel obtaining the data. Once an occupant's best-fit body arrangement is determined, it may be altered by changing the predetermined criteria to achieve optimum comfort, safety, and therapeutic benefit as well as used for providing improved comfort on a continuous basis and/or in response to detected or predicted vehicle, road, or atmospheric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: James T Hotary, Samuel Baudu, Robert C Fitzpatrick, Dana R Lowell, Gregory Brncick
  • Patent number: 9428083
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a roller guide. The roller guide includes at least one guide rail, and at least one roller received in the guide rail. A roller cover part of the roller is rollable with a running surface of the roller. The roller cover part is divided into a first circumferential surface-like functional region and a second circumferential surface-like functional region which are arranged one behind the other in a direction of a shaft of the roller. The first region is deformable by pressurization by seat occupation. The first region is in contact with an inner wall on a lower side of the roller and with an inner wall on the upper side of the roller. An outer diameter of the second region has an undersize with respect to a spacing between the inner wall on the upper and lower sides of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Norbert Lehner, Dirk Kaessner
  • Patent number: 9428084
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching an actuator is easily bonded to a side frame while avoiding interference with a shaft for driving a reclining mechanism. In a seat side frame which is provided at each of both ends of a seat back frame in the width direction, a reclining mechanism, and an actuator, the reclining mechanism is attached to a side wall of the side frame, and the actuator is fixed to an attachment bracket bonded to an inner surface of a portion to which the reclining mechanism is attached in the side wall in the width direction. An upper portion which is disposed above the attachment portion of the reclining mechanism and a lower portion which is disposed below the attachment portion thereof are connected to each other at the rear ends thereof and are separated from each other at the front ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9428085
    Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a fixed plate secured to a seat cushion and a rotatable plate secured to a seat back. Each of the fixed and rotatable plates has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth not being equal. A flex spline has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth being equal to the number of teeth on the fixed plate. A wave generator causes a portion of the teeth on the flex spline to meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates. Rotation of the wave generator causes the teeth on the flex spline which meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates to change, thereby causing the rotatable plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate, which in turn causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventors: Randolph P Villarroel, Xiao J Wei, Omar D Tame
  • Patent number: 9428086
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an easy-entry system with a seat frame having a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat member. An external lever is operably coupled to an engagement lever disposed on the seat frame and is configured to activate the engagement lever to move the seatback into an engaged position with a sector pivotally coupled to the seat frame. A disengagement rod flexibly is coupled to a spring member disposed on the sector at a first end and further coupled to a track release lever at a second end. As such, rotation of the seatback to a release position rotates the track release lever to unlock the seat assembly from a seat track. Further rotation of the seatback from the release position to an over-travel position loads the spring member but does not further rotate the track release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 9428087
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom frame 2 as a frame of a seat bottom allowing an occupant to sit thereon, and a seat back frame 1 supported by the seat bottom frame 2. The seat back frame 1 includes right and left side frames SF laterally spaced apart from each other, and a lower connecting member 30 disposed and extending between lower portions of the right and left side frames SF and configured to connect the right and left side frames SF, and the lower connecting member 30 includes a rear wall portion connected to and supported by the side frames SF, and a front wall portion 31 disposed frontward of the rear wall portion and extending downward from an upper end of the rear wall portion, and a front surface 31A of the front wall portion 31 has an upper portion and a lower portion which is located frontward of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamasa Adachi, Satoshi Fujita, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 9428088
    Abstract: Vehicle occupant support for enhanced comfort and utility in a vehicle with arrangements for crash load protection of occupants. Virtual navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 9428089
    Abstract: A vehicle headrest has a support rod extending along an axis formed with a plurality of radially open notches, a head support carried above the notches on the support rod, and a guide sleeve mountable in a seat back and slidably receiving the support rod. An actuation element can shift axially on the sleeve between an actuated position and an unactuated position. An elongated and longitudinally incompressible latch element has an outer end shiftable radially and engageable in the notch and an inner end engaging the actuation element and shiftable axially on the sleeve on movement of the actuation element from the actuated position to the unactuated position between a latching position with the outer end engaged radially in one of the notches and securing the rod against movement in the sleeve and a release position with the outer end clear of the notches and permitting such movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Holger Weiland
  • Patent number: 9428090
    Abstract: There is provided a headrest with speakers capable of exhibiting an excellent sound effect. The headrest with speakers includes: a headrest frame; a pair of left and right enclosures supported by the headrest frame; speaker units supported in the enclosures respectively; and a headrest cushion member supported by the headrest frame to support a head, the headrest cushion member including: a net member having a pair of left and right acoustically transparent parts at places substantially facing the respective speaker units; and soundproof parts disposed between the pair of left and right acoustically transparent parts in the net member and between the pair of left and right enclosures respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Bose Corporation, Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradford Kyle Subat, Tobe Z. Barksdale, Charles Oswald, Etsunori Fujita, Yumi Ogura, Seiji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9428091
    Abstract: A seat pad is configured to be capable of, with an increased pressing from a top plate portion at a seating side, gradually shortening a distance between an outer side of a frame body portion and a separated part, and at the same time deflecting and deforming in a direction of immersing into a seat frame, and by a pressing from an edge portion at the seating side, an abutting part abuts against a supporting portion, so as to be supported on the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Kozaki, Hideo Sahashi
  • Patent number: 9428092
    Abstract: A shelfless sliding and removable cup holder assembly for a vehicle includes a console structure disposed within the vehicle. The console structure includes first and second lateral side walls defining a storage bin therebetween. The first lateral side wall defines a recessed track. The cup holder assembly further includes cup holder member slidably and removably mounted within the console structure. The cup holder member has a guide removably received in the recess track and slidably movable along the recessed track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cordell L. Bosma, David M. Salmonowicz, Neal W. Luginbill, Michael J. Narazaki, Robert A. Skapof, David W. Carter
  • Patent number: 9428093
    Abstract: The cup holder assembly adapted to retain an object includes a retainer formed of a flexible material. The retainer includes a first upper edge, a first bottom wall, and a first side wall. The first upper edge defines a first open end having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first bottom wall. The first side wall extends between the first bottom wall and the first upper edge to define a frustoconical shape. The first side wall deforms outwardly upon insertion of the object to provide frictional resistance to retain an upright orientation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Kupina
  • Patent number: 9428094
    Abstract: A transport apparatus for moving an elongated object includes a trailer frame with a tilting rear frame section pivotally attached to a front frame section. Rear wheels are mounted under the rear frame section rearward of the tilt axis, and an actuator pivots the rear frame section upward about the tilt axis from a horizontal lowered position to a vertical raised position. An engagement mechanism on a rear end of the rear frame section rearward of the rear wheels moves downward into engagement with a receiver on the object when the rear frame section moves upward. When the rear frame section moves upward to the raised position adjacent to the object, the rear wheels are raised above the ground. A lock secures the object to the tilting rear frame. Moving the tilting rear frame section downward moves the object downward to a horizontal transport position resting on the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Quickthree Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 9428095
    Abstract: A system, device and method for securing large glass sheets to a rack for transportation with improved safety and efficiency over existing systems and methods. The system utilizes a unique swivel cap which can be retrofitted to an existing glass transportation rack having vertical supports secured to a transportable base surface so as to be capable of retaining a plurality of large glass sheets in a substantially upright or angled position. The swivel cap is positioned atop each vertical support, each swivel cap including at least one stud for anchoring a tie-down cable such that each anchored tie-down cable is capable of pivoting about the stud. A plurality of the tie-down cables are pivotably anchored by a first end to a stud and configured to releasably couple by a second end to the transportable base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Jack A. Belmont
  • Patent number: 9428096
    Abstract: A hay strap hook for positioning and holding a strap straight in place over rows of hay stacks or bales on a trailer for tightening the strap in place is disclosed. The hay strap hook is comprised of two upper vertical arms that are connected at their lower end individually to one end of two horizontal arms, two lower vertical arms connected at their upper end individually to other end of the two horizontal arms, a central bar joining the two horizontal arms together, and a pole joined at the center of the bottom of the central bar. To use the hay strap hook, use the pole to reach the straps on the top of the hay bales, use the upper vertical arms to lift the strap, turn the hook half over and poke the pointed ends into a hay bale that is held by the strap while tightening the strap across hay bales to trailer on other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Terry Lee Bach
  • Patent number: 9428097
    Abstract: One variation may include a cargo truck which may include one or more cargo latching/locking systems integrated into a body portion of the cargo truck which comprise at least one hoist plate which latches and locks at least one cargo pod to the hoist plate and which may be operatively connected to a hoist system which may raise and lower a hoist platform which may be attached to the hoist plate and a method for doing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, Ian S. Buckley
  • Patent number: 9428098
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a mounting system for attaching a container to a vehicle adapted to resist loads imparted by the container to the mounting system in sequential stages. In one exemplary mounting system a first spring is configured to elastically compress when subjected to an initiation load that exceeds a load imparted to the first spring by the container under static conditions. The first spring may have a useable load range from the initiation load to a maximum load at which the first spring is fully bottomed out. A first deformable member is disposed serially with respect to the first spring, and configured to remain substantially un-deformed until subjected to a first deformation threshold load that equals or exceeds the maximum load at which the first spring is fully bottomed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Armorworks Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Perciballi, Ken-An Lou
  • Patent number: 9428099
    Abstract: A universal lightbar foot and mounting assembly for adjustably mounting a lightbar on an emergency vehicle includes a foot, a flexible strap mounted to the foot and with a free end configured to be secured to a side of a vehicle; a light bar bracket configured to be mounted to a light bar; and a connector for rotatably mounting the lightbar bracket to the foot for rotational adjustment of a lightbar bracket with respect to the foot. The foot has a strap adjuster for adjustably attaching the flexible strap to the foot for adjusting the relative position of the foot with respect to the free end of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Emergency Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Doenges, Gary Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9428100
    Abstract: A portable solar light tower includes a trailer mounted extension tower outfitted with high output Light Emitting Diode (LED) flood lights. The portable solar light tower also includes a set of solar panels which fold up for travel mode and fold down for charging mode. A battery bank is housed in a locking compartment built into the trailer deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Bryan P. Sharpley, Kirsten A. Waldorf
  • Patent number: 9428101
    Abstract: A light emission driving device includes an output voltage supply unit arranged to generate an output voltage from an input voltage so as to supply the output voltage to a load, a determination unit arranged to determine whether or not a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred on the basis of an anode voltage of the load, and a signal output unit arranged to externally output a signal indicating that a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred when the determination unit determines that a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred. The output voltage supply unit does not perform generation stop of the output voltage by a trigger of determination by the determination unit that a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takagimoto, Yoshiyuki Nakatani, Shigenori Kawase
  • Patent number: 9428102
    Abstract: An actuator is configured to adjust the radiation direction of light emitted from a light source of a lamp unit in a lamp case including a lamp housing having an opening at least at one side and a cover that blocks the opening. The actuator includes: a case body having an internal space serving as an installation space; a drive motor disposed in the installation space; and a driven body having a driving force transmitting portion to which driving force is transmitted from the drive motor, and an output shaft that is coupled to the lamp unit and that outputs the driving force transmitted to the driving force transmitting portion to the lamp unit. The driven body is supported by the case body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the lamp unit. The driving force transmitting portion and the output shaft are integral with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 9428103
    Abstract: A method for controlling a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle, which has a traffic sign recognition device. The method includes receiving at least one traffic sign recognition signal from an interface to the traffic sign recognition device. In this instance, the at least one traffic sign recognition signal represents a traffic sign recognized in a course of the road currently being traveled by the vehicle. The method also includes setting a debounce time and/or a debounce stretch for a change in the light emission of the at least one headlight between first and second radiation characteristics as a function of the at least one traffic sign recognition signal. Finally, the method includes delaying the change in the light emission of the at least one headlight by the debounce time set and/or the debounce stretch set, to control light emission of the at least one headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Foltin
  • Patent number: 9428104
    Abstract: Provided is a lamp for a vehicle comprising a housing having a mirror mounted therein and a signal lamp provided on a surface of the housing. The signal lamp includes a reflecting portion, a lens unit located in front of the reflecting portion and including a half mirror formed on at least a portion of a surface of the lens unit, a supporting portion located between the reflecting portion and the lens unit, and a light source unit including a plurality of light sources. The signal lamp forms an original image of the light source unit and one or more reflected images obtained by reflecting the original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Hwan Kim, Hyo Jin Han
  • Patent number: 9428105
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9428106
    Abstract: An ABS/ESC activated brake light device includes a first connector, a second connector, an antilock brake system and/or electronic stability control (ABS/ESC) signal detection circuit connected to the first connector, a control circuit connected to the ABS/ESC signal detection circuit, a brake light signal generation circuit connected to the control circuit and the second connector, and a power supply. The first connector is configured to plug into an antilock brake system pump motor circuit on a fuse panel of a vehicle. The second connector is configured to plug into a brake light circuit on the fuse panel of the vehicle. The control circuit sends one or more control signals to the brake light generation circuit whenever an ABS/ESC signal is detected. The brake light signal generation circuit causes the brake lights of the vehicle to flash whenever the one or more control signals are received from the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Herold Richard Moennig
  • Patent number: 9428107
    Abstract: An electroplating light-transmissive decoration panel for a rear license plate, configured with a plurality of accepting grooves on a framework for the accommodation of corresponding LED light boards of a light emitting module; a letter plate with hollowed-out graph-typed and/or letter-typed slots are covered in front of the LED light boards; a cover is made of a light transmissible material, the surface thereof being treated by means of sputter coating to form a sputter coating film, and coupled to the framework with fixing elements and then mounted above the rear license plate; a power line extended from the light emitting module is connected to a power source of a tail light. Whereby, when the decoration panel is not energized, the surface can display a highly textured electroplating matte effect, and when energized, light from the LED light boards passes through the letter plate to show preset graphs and/or letters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAN YUAN DESIGN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peng-Hsiang Hung