Patents Issued in September 20, 2016
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Patent number: 9446708Abstract: A distribution pattern of the vehicle headlight is transitioned according to a vehicle speed, between three light distribution patterns. The patterns are a normal mode corresponding to a light distribution variable control state, an OFF mode corresponding to a low-beam state, and a residential mode corresponding to a high-beam light distribution that does not give a glare to pedestrians. It is determined whether or not a detected vehicle speed is within a predetermined range that enables transition of the light distribution pattern to the residential mode, and it is determined whether or not an immediately-preceding execution state of the light distribution pattern has been the normal mode. Transition between modes of the light distribution pattern is prohibited when a detected vehicle speed is determined to be within a predetermined range, and the immediately-preceding execution state is determined to have been the normal mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Hajime Kasai
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Patent number: 9446709Abstract: A vehicle backlit assembly is provided and includes a support member and at least one backlit interactive member at least partially extending through an opening in the support member. An excitation source is operable to emit a primary emission for backlighting the at least one backlit interactive member. A photoluminescent structure is coupled to the at least one backlit interactive member and is formulated to convert the primary emission into a secondary emission. An opaque layer is coupled to the photoluminescent structure and defines an opening through which the secondary emission is transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Matthew Majkowski
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Patent number: 9446710Abstract: A rail vehicle emergency lighting system for a rail vehicle includes a main lighting system with light emitting diodes. When a main lighting power supply is active, the light emitting diodes of the main lighting system are lit with a main lighting intensity. When the main lighting power supply fails, the light emitting diodes of the main lighting system are lit with an emergency lighting intensity. The emergency lighting intensity is reduced compared to the main lighting intensity.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Siemens AG OesterreichInventors: Anton Ambroz, Klaus Ulreich
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Patent number: 9446711Abstract: Provided is a driving assist device 10 that recognizes an object in the vicinity of a moving body, and assists a driver in driving the moving body, the apparatus including: an object detecting unit 12 that detects the object in the vicinity of the moving body; a three dimensional object detecting unit 13 that detects a three dimensional object in the vicinity of the moving body; and an object recognition unit 18 that recognizes the object at a predetermined detection position as a non-obstacle when the object information storing unit 16 stores the position of the object, and the three dimensional object information storing unit 17 does not store the position of the three dimensional object at the predetermined position in which detection is performed by both of the object detecting unit 12 and the three dimensional object detecting unit 13.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiromitsu Urano, Katsuhiro Sakai, Toshiki Kindo, Kentaro Ichikawa, Masahiro Harada
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Patent number: 9446712Abstract: A motor vehicle has at least one electronic rearview mirror, particularly an exterior and/or side mirror, that has an indicator apparatus, particularly a display, for images recorded by an exterior camera that is provided particularly outside the motor vehicle. The indicator apparatus is in the form of a touchscreen, particularly one with multitouch capability.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Patrick Heinemann, Andreas Reich
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Patent number: 9446713Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle. With a trailer attached to the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle, a processor is operable to process captured images and, responsive at least in part to the processing, is operable to determine a plurality of trailer and vehicle-trailer interface parameters. The system is operable to calculate a calculated trailer angle based at least in part on calculations involving the parameters and a steering angle of the vehicle. Responsive to processing of images captured by the camera, the system is operable to determine a determined trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Responsive to the determined trailer angle and the calculated trailer angle, the system is operable to determine a degree of offset between the calculated trailer angle and the detected trailer angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Steven V. Byrne, Paul A. VanOphem, James D. Harris
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Patent number: 9446714Abstract: A vehicle overhead console is provided which includes a conversation mirror assembly having a housing capable of storing a conversation mirror. The conversation mirror may travel between a stored and a use position. The conversation mirror is releasably secured to the stored and use positions by way of magnetic, tab, and spring arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhavani Thota, Ricardo Juarez Favila, Salvador Soriano, Mark Haradean
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Patent number: 9446715Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an attachment element adhered to the in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield at a windshield first location and an attachment member adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield at a windshield second location. The attachment element is configured for mounting thereto an interior rearview mirror assembly. An accessory module is configured to attach to and be supported by the attachment member adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The accessory module includes a forward facing camera that has a field of view through the vehicle windshield. The forward facing camera may be a component of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle. A light absorbing layer may be disposed at the vehicle windshield to at least partially mask the presence of the attachment element and/or the accessory module from view through the vehicle windshield from outside the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 9446716Abstract: A method adjusts a mirror for a motor vehicle. A viewing direction of a driver is detected by at least one viewing detection device. It is checked whether the viewing direction of the driver is directed to the mirror. The mirror located in the viewing direction of the driver is adjusted. The adjustment of the mirror located in the viewing direction of the driver only takes place if an actuation of an operating element for adjusting the mirror is also detected. A device adjusts a mirror for a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Tahar Bouaziz
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Patent number: 9446717Abstract: A multipurpose rack comprising a first racking assembly including a first securing portion configured to secure a first portion of a first transportation device, and a second securing portion operably connected to the first securing portion configured to releasably secure a second portion of the first transportation device, a second racking assembly including a first end portion having a clamping assembly, wherein the first end portion includes a lower support frame, a second end portion operably connected to the first end portion and spaced apart from the first end portion, the second end portion removably enclosing another portion of the second transportation is provided. An associated method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Inventor: Larry Alan Gray
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Patent number: 9446718Abstract: The invention relates to a roof structure of a motor vehicle, comprising a front roof cross member and an intermediate roof cross member located behind the front cross member, said cross members extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the structure also comprising an equipment support connecting these cross members to one another approximately in the middle thereof, the support has, at a first end, indexing means that penetrate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle into corresponding orifices provided in one of the cross members, these indexing means carrying out positioning in the transverse and vertical directions, while the first end cooperates in a bearing manner in the longitudinal direction with a vertical flank of said cross member, and the support has, at a second end, clip-fastening structures that carry out pre-retention in the vertical direction with the other cross member.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventor: Gilbert Alberto
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Patent number: 9446719Abstract: A holder for mobile device includes a holding structure and a mounting structure. The holding structure includes a holding member and a supporting member coupled to the holding member. The holding member is configured to hold the mobile device. The mounting structure includes a mounting structure, a latching assembly and a sliding support coupled to the latching assembly. The mounting structure defines a compartment. The sliding support is slidably engaged with in the compartment and transitionable between: an enclosed configuration in which the sliding support is received in the compartment to allow the latching assembly to be received in the compartment; and an exposed configuration in which the sliding support and the latching assembly are exposed to outside of the compartment to allow the latching assembly to detachably latch with the supporting member.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Chia-Yen Lee, Wei-Che Chen
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Patent number: 9446720Abstract: An adjustable bracket for mounting an electronic media device (EMD) in a vehicle includes a rigid housing mountable to an instrument panel substrate. A linear rail is fixedly attached to the housing. A lower arm is pivotally connected to the housing and rotatable between a lower arm stowed position with the lower arm parallel to the rail and a lower arm extended position with the lower arm perpendicular to the rail. An upper arm assembly is adjustably connected to the rail and has a hinged upper arm rotatable between an upper arm stowed position with the upper arm parallel to the rail and an upper arm extended position with the upper arm perpendicular to the rail. In the respective extended positions, the lower arm and the upper arm are to engage and retain the EMD with an EMD display visible to an occupant of the vehicle during vehicle operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher D. Prazeres, Antonio M. Quadros, Wiliam Maeda, Joao Claudio Brito Santos
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Patent number: 9446721Abstract: A video monitoring system is configured to be secured to a portion of a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle camera-securing assembly that includes a securing bracket including a plurality of walls defining a camera chamber, and at least one camera-securing member. The system may also include a camera positioned within the camera chamber. The camera is securely retained within the camera chamber by the at least one camera-securing member.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Aaron M. Jagoda
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Patent number: 9446722Abstract: An elastic averaging alignment member includes a base portion, a first elastic averaging member including a first end portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the base portion to a second end portion and a second elastic averaging member spaced from the first elastic averaging member. The second elastic averaging member includes a first end section extending substantially perpendicularly from the base portion to a second end section. At least one elastic averaging element arranged between the first and second elastic averaging members. At least one of the first and second elastic averaging members and the at least one elastic averaging element is configured and disposed to deform when the elastic averaging alignment member is passed into an alignment member receiver to establish an elastically average position of one component to another component.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven E. Morris, Jennifer P. Lawall
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Patent number: 9446723Abstract: Interior panels for motor vehicles and methods for making interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel includes, but is not limited to a fiber reinforced composite substrate that has a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The fiber reinforced composite substrate defines a plurality of inwardly tapered pockets. The inwardly tapered pockets are arranged proximate to each other and extend between the first and second sides. Each of the inwardly tapered pockets has an open end that is disposed in the second side and a closed end that is disposed adjacent to the first side.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: David J. Stepanski
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Patent number: 9446724Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a front side member arranged in a vehicle body longitudinal direction at an outer side of a vehicle body front in a vehicle width direction; a protrusion member provided on or to an outer wall of the front side member so as to protrude outward of the outer wall in the vehicle width direction, a rear end portion of the protrusion member being located to a vehicle body rear side of a vehicle body front-side end portion of a power unit arranged to an inner side of the front side member in the vehicle width direction in plan view; and a coupling member having one end portion connected to the rear end portion of the protrusion member and the other end portion connected to the outer wall of the front side member to a vehicle body rear side of the rear end portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Syouta Hashimoto, Hiroshi Kato, Shintaro Kitakata, Atsushi Mikuni, Satoshi Funabashi, Harutoshi Motojima
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Patent number: 9446725Abstract: A structure for vehicle body front portion includes: a front side member; an apron member including an end positioned at a front side of a vehicle with respect to an end of the front side member; a bumper reinforcement including a vehicle width direction outside portion with a first and a second coupling portions; a coupling member that couples the front end of the front side member and the front end of the apron member; an inner energy absorbing portion disposed at the front end of the front side member at a front side of the vehicle; the inner energy absorbing portion coupling the coupling member and the first coupling portion; and an outer energy absorbing portion disposed at the front end of the apron member at a front side of the vehicle; and the outer energy absorbing portion coupling the coupling member and the second coupling portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenjiro Yamada, Shintaro Kitakata
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Patent number: 9446726Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a deployable pedestrian protection leg stiffener of a motor vehicle based upon the vehicle braking status and longitudinal acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque
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Patent number: 9446727Abstract: A bracket is provided that may be welded to the interior surface of a vehicle fascia. The bracket has a flange and a mounting boss. The flange is slotted to form flexible fingers that conform to the interior surface of the fascia. The fingers are welded to the fascia to attach the bracket to the interior surface of the fascia. A vehicle component, such as an impact sensor, is attached to the mounting boss to secure it to the fascia.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANYInventors: David J. Davis, Jeffrey M. DeMuth
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Patent number: 9446728Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front wheel housing, an axle, a disk wheel fixed to the axle in the front wheel housing and a tire mounted on the disk wheel. The vehicle further includes a breaking member that is provided projecting from the vehicle body toward the disk wheel. The breaking member breaks the disk wheel when the vehicle body is crashed at a front thereof at a predetermined speed or higher.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Takeshi Yoshii, Taizo Kondo
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Patent number: 9446729Abstract: The invention provides a driver assistance method, comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle's state and the environment, on the basis of sensing output signals, determining whether a critical state of the vehicle is to be expected in the future, if yes, determining a total amount and a time duration of an activation of at least one vehicle actuator required in order to avoid occurrence of the critical state, the activation being of a nature which can be sensed by the driver of the vehicle, and partially performing, by a control module, the activation, i.e. for a portion of the amount and/or a portion of the time duration of the determined total amount and time duration.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventor: Christian Goerick
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Patent number: 9446730Abstract: Techniques described herein include a system and method for switching an airbag on or off based on determining that an object situated in a vehicle seat meets one or more conditions. In some embodiments, the vehicle seat may be fitted with a weight sensor configured to detect an object situated in the vehicle seat. The system may include a camera device configured to capture image information associated with the object situated in the vehicle seat. The image information may be processed to determine if the object is a person meeting one or more threshold conditions for activating the airbag. Upon processing the image information, the airbag may be provided with instructions to either activate or deactivate.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LTD.Inventors: Yong-Syuan Chen, Jen-Chieh Hsiao
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Patent number: 9446731Abstract: A vehicle console includes a frame and an impact absorbing device supported on the frame. The impact absorbing device includes a bladder connected to the frame and a panel connected to the bladder. The bladder and the panel define an inflation chamber between the bladder and the panel. The panel is rigid relative to the bladder. An inflator is in communication with the inflation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Sean Bayle West, Stacey H. Raines, Benjamin Yilma, Nicholas Andrew Mazzocchi, Brian Robert Spahn
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Patent number: 9446732Abstract: A side pillar air curtain guide includes a main body having an air curtain ramp formed by a plurality of ribs. Those ribs project from the main body at an acute and included angle with the main body so as to provide enhanced deformability in a horizontal direction as an energy absorbing countermeasure in the event of a head impact by an occupant of the vehicle when in a side impact collision.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Andrew P. Thomas
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Patent number: 9446733Abstract: This invention relates to a gas bag arrangement of a vehicle occupant restraint system, the gas bag arrangement comprising: a gas bag (1) which includes at least one inflatable chamber (11) with a first and a second portion (111, 112); and at least one connecting element (51, 51?, 52) which connects the first and the second portion (111, 112) with each other such that the first and the second portion (111, 112) extend at an angle to each other, wherein the first and the second portion (111, 112)—based on the mounted and inflated condition of the gas bag (1)—extend at least approximately parallel to a plane defined by the vehicle height and vehicle length direction (z, x) and the connecting element (51, 51?, 52) extends on a side of the gas bag (1) facing away from the vehicle occupant (2) to be protected and points towards the vehicle front, wherein the gas bag arrangement is arranged and formed for the protection of the upper body and/or the head of a passenger or a vehicle occupant (2) located on a rearType: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TAKATA AGInventors: Tobias Pausch, Ingo Müller, Torsten Steiner, Kay Schöfisch, Dirk Meissner
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Patent number: 9446734Abstract: Multi-piece constructions for an illuminated emblem assembly for connection to an airbag cover are provided herein. An airbag assembly can include an airbag cover, an emblem portion having one or more translucent areas and an illumination source. The illumination source can include a light guide and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) for illuminating the light guide. The light guide can include an illuminated portion for transmitting light emitted from the one or more LEDs. The emblem portion can be arranged between the airbag cover and the illumination source, and the emblem portion and the illumination source can be aligned such that at least one of the one or more translucent areas is illuminated by light passing through the emblem portion from the illuminated portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: TASUS Canada Corporation, TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Jerome Bosch, Vaughn Pipe
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Patent number: 9446735Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a front airbag, a first side curtain airbag, and a second side curtain airbag and two front seats. The front seats are disposed between the first side curtain airbag and the second side curtain airbag. The vehicle includes a roof, and the front airbag is supported by the roof. The front airbag extends from the first side curtain airbag to the second side curtain airbag between the instrument panel and the front seats to absorb energy from occupants during an impact event to reduce the likelihood of head injury and to urge the occupants to remain seated in an upright position to reduce chest loading by seat belts. The front airbag may protect an unbelted occupant ejecting out of the vehicle through a windshield in a crash event.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, James Chih Cheng
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Patent number: 9446736Abstract: A pillar garnish includes a body, a sliding plate, a mounting base, and a bridging portion. The body includes a decorative surface facing an inner side of a compartment of a vehicle and a back surface opposite from the decorative surface. The body extends in an extending direction of a pillar of the vehicle and mounted to the pillar with space between the back surface thereof and the pillar. The sliding plate is slidable along the back surface. The mounting base on the back surface is for mounting the body to the pillar. The bridging portion on the body is for retaining space in which the sliding plate is inserted between the back surface and the mounting base and for holding the mounting base.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Ando
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Patent number: 9446737Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVLEOPMENT ABInventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 9446738Abstract: A motorcycle immobilizer amplifier mount structure that allows arrangement in the front portion of a motorcycle body to be simplified while reducing the size of an ignition switch, and prevents an immobilizer amplifier from being exposed to a high temperature of a combustion engine. In the immobilizer amplifier mount structure, immobilization signal output section is incorporated in an ignition switch unit, and the immobilizer amplifier amplifies an immobilization signal from the immobilization signal output section, and is mounted rearward of a cylinder head of the combustion engine on an inner surface of an intermediate portion, in a longitudinal direction, in a pair of left and right frame pieces forming a part of a motorcycle frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Youhei Kunisada
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Patent number: 9446739Abstract: A method for controlling an adjusting movement of a power-operated adjustable vehicle closing element, via which a body opening of a vehicle can be closed and which can automatically be adjusted for clearing the body opening in the presence of an operating event is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Bernd Herthan, Thomas Weingartner, Holger Wurstlein, Udo Geuther
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Patent number: 9446740Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly for a vehicle includes a wiper motor. The wiper motor has a housing having a top surface and a side surface, a projection projecting from the top surface, a mounting bracket integrally extending from the side surface, and a rib integrally extending from the top surface and between the projection and a longitudinal end of the mounting bracket. Advantageously, the rib enhances the robustness of the housing so that it is more tolerant of stresses experienced during use.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Mitsuba CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Tajima, Takamichi Iizuka
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Patent number: 9446741Abstract: A motor vehicle wiper blade includes a support mount extending in a longitudinal main direction, and including a support for a wiping blade and a tubular body having a longitudinal main axis, a structural element in the form of a longitudinal horizontal strip which is accommodated inside the tubular body, and an element for connecting the blade to a drive arm which is mounted on the support mount and which includes a locking mechanism for locking the structural element in a position in the connecting element. The locking mechanism of the connecting element includes, on the one hand, a longitudinal mechanism for locking the structural element in said position, and on the other hand, an angular mechanism for locking the structural element in said position.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'EssuyageInventor: Xavier Bousset
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Patent number: 9446742Abstract: There is provided a system and method of cleaning surfaces of an interior cabin space of a contamination comprising a microbial and viral load. The method includes the steps of sealing the interior cabin space and placing water, and a solid or gel pack, into a container and generating a vortex the container by rotating an impeller. The agitation causes the solid or gel pack to release a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray exiting from the container spreads throughout the interior cabin space to coat the surfaces to be cleaned within the interior cabin space. The cabin is maintained closed for an effective time period while the coating from the air-borne spray dwells on the surfaces to eliminate or substantially reduce the load of the contamination.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: NuVinAir, LLCInventors: Kyle Bailey, Ryan Wood
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Patent number: 9446743Abstract: A trailer jack support comprises a receptacle for receiving a jack post of a trailer jack and a mechanism such as an insert therein for limiting the depth of insertion of the jack post into the receptacle. As a result, the jack post engages the insert with a more limited extension of the jack post. Also, if there is a significant distance between the ground and jack, for example if the trailer happens to be positioned above a depression in the ground, the jack post may not be able to be extended sufficiently to support the jack. By adjusting the elevation of an insert, a trailer jack support in accordance with this disclosure can reduce the extent to which a jack post needs to be extended to accommodate these varying ground conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Inventor: Kent R. Madison
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Patent number: 9446744Abstract: A rotary platform includes a rotating top plate rotatable about axis and a stationary base plate fixed in relation to the axis. A plurality of bearing elements is disposed in a cavity defined, at least in part, by the base plate and the top plate. The top plate is supported by the plurality of bearing elements, which are rotatable in any direction and about any axis. The top plate is flexible and flexes independently of the base plate. Flexing of the top plate allows the top plate to maximize contact with as many of the bearing elements as possible to improve the load carrying capacity of rotary platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Centricity CorporationInventor: Richard M. Amendolea
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Patent number: 9446745Abstract: A sensor assembly for a vehicle electronic braking system including a housing, at least one linear sensor, the at least one sensor contained within the housing, the linear sensor adapted to measure the linear distance traveled of a brake pedal. The assembly further includes a rotary sensor, the rotary sensor also contained within the same housing, the rotary sensor adapted to measure rotary motion of a DC motor in an the electronic braking system. The rotary sensor and the at least one linear sensor each in communication with a brake control unit. The at least one linear sensor and the at least one rotary sensor is encapsulated, either together or separately. The at least one linear sensor is a Hall-effect sensor. A wake up switch circuit is integrated with at least one of the linear sensors to wake up the system when the driver depresses the brake pedal in the electronic braking system. The rotary sensor is an inductive sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: KSR IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Ryan W. Elliott, Dan O'Neill, Lingmin Shao, Shaun Matthew Fuller, Jim Hartford
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Patent number: 9446746Abstract: A method of vehicle stability control including the steps of: a) applying a test braking pulse to a wheel on a first side of the vehicle and to a wheel on a second, opposite, side of the vehicle, b) measuring the rotational speed of both wheels during the test braking pulse, c) calculating a change in wheel speed during the test braking pulse for each wheel, d) calculating the difference between the change in speed of the wheels, e) carrying out a stability control intervention if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, f)ceasing the test braking pulse if the difference over the first period of times is less than a predetermined level, and g) continuing the test braking pulse for a second period of time if the difference over the first period of time is greater than the predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Haldex Brake Products LimitedInventor: Dudley John Harrison
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Patent number: 9446747Abstract: A brake controller is disclosed for a towed vehicle braking system. The controller is adapted to be mounted in a towing or a towed vehicle having a longitudinal axis for generating a braking control signal to the towed vehicle braking system. The controller comprises an inertial sensor including plural sensor axes adapted to be mounted in an undefined orientation relative to the longitudinal axis for generating sensor data associated with each sensor axis. The controller also comprises a memory device for storing the sensor data associated with each sensor axis and a processor for processing the sensor data with the braking control signal to evaluate orientation of the inertial sensor relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: REDARC TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTDInventor: Timothy Fosdike
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Patent number: 9446748Abstract: An electronic antiskid brake assembly with a portable power source that can retrofit onto a working manual brake system to provide antiskid capabilities without effecting the manual brake system's normal operation. The antiskid system can be applied anywhere on a brake linkage. When a force is applied to a brake pad, an electronic controller utilizes detects a skidding event, and then automatically powers on an actuator. The actuator moves a brake linkage to create a pulse mode on the brake linkage. The pulse mode modulates the force that is applied to the brake pad. A one way cylinder can be included with a manual hydraulic brake system to provide a mechanical means for generating pulse mode on the brake linkage. The power source can move with the brake linkage so that the actuator pulses the brake linkage a small amount, while the brake linkage applies full braking.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Inventor: Gregory A Ward
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Patent number: 9446749Abstract: The brake ECU applies the target braking force by controlling the hydraulic pressure braking force generating device and the regeneration braking force generating device and the brake ECU further controls the advance speed of the output piston so that a drawn-into of a brake operating member can be prevented upon supplying the wheel cylinders from the master cylinder with the brake fluid by advancing the output piston thereby to improve the brake operating feeling of the brake operating member by preventing the brake operating member from being drawn into.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Okano, Kiyohito Takeuchi, Yusuke Kamiya, Masaaki Komazawa
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Patent number: 9446750Abstract: A valve system of a braking device provided with a stroke simulator that is connected via a connection passage with a pipe for making a master cylinder communicate with a wheel cylinder; and a third shut-off valve that is a solenoid valve and performs opening and closing of a communication between the master cylinder and the stroke simulator, wherein the third shut-off valve is a normally closed valve; and the valve system opens the third shut-off valve by applying a start-up voltage, thereafter keeps the open state of the third shut-off valve by alternately applying a holding voltage that is lower than the start-up voltage and the start-up voltage, in order to prevent heat generated in the valve from becoming excessively high even while keeping the open state of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Shimada, Hiroaki Tokoi, Takaaki Komaba
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Patent number: 9446751Abstract: A vacuum brake force booster for a motor vehicle brake system comprising: a force input member which is movable along a longitudinal axis and which is or can be coupled to a brake pedal, a control valve arrangement which can be actuated by the force input member, a chamber arrangement which is arranged in a housing and which has at least one working chamber and at least one vacuum chamber separated from one another by means of a movable wall and which has a force output member for transmitting an actuating force, wherein the at least one working chamber can be connected selectively to a vacuum source or to the atmosphere, wherein the control valve arrangement has a control valve housing which is coupled to the at least one movable wall for conjoint movement therewith, wherein the control valve arrangement has a force-transmitting arrangement which has a degree of axial play and which is arranged in the force transmission path between the force input member and the force output member.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Karl-Heinz Frey, Ruediger Eick
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Patent number: 9446752Abstract: A control apparatus for an electric parking brake, including an electric motor to generate a brake force by contacted friction materials upon a brake request, includes a no-load current detection unit to detect a current with the no-load electric motor; a voltage monitor unit to detect a voltage applied to the electric motor monitored between two points on a power line; a resistance calculation unit to calculate a resistance between two points based on the no-load current and the monitored voltage; a required voltage calculation unit to calculate a required voltage between the two points required for driving the electric motor to generate the brake force based on the resistance and a target current; and a control unit to flow a current over the target current in the electric motor based on a comparison between the required and monitored voltages.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Taiko Sato
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Patent number: 9446753Abstract: A brake actuating unit (1, 1?) for a brake-by-wire motor vehicle brake system having a housing (10), a first hydraulic cylinder/piston arrangement (3) to which a plurality of wheel brakes connectable. The piston being operable by a push rod (2) transmitting an actuating force, an electrically controllable pressure supplying device (6) in the form of a second hydraulic cylinder/piston arrangement (12), actuated by an electric motor (7). A number of valves (41, 42, 43) for setting wheel-individual brake pressures and for disconnecting or connecting the wheel brakes with the first or the second cylinder/piston arrangement (3, 12). The valves and the second cylinder/piston arrangement are arranged at least partially inside the housing (10), the axis of the electric motor (7) being arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (30) of the first cylinder/piston arrangement (3).Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHGInventors: Hans-Jörg Feigel, Kristjan Tarandek
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Patent number: 9446754Abstract: A system of controlling starting of a vehicle may include a vehicle speed sensor detecting vehicle speed, an accelerator pedal position sensor detecting position of an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal position sensor detecting when a brake pedal may be operated or not, a distance sensor detecting a distance from a previous vehicle, a timer detecting time lapse from particular time, and a controller electrically connected to the vehicle speed sensor, the accelerator pedal position sensor, the brake pedal position sensor, the distance sensor and the timer, and adapted to change starting pattern according to the distance from the previous vehicle and to perform starting control according to the changed starting pattern when the vehicle may be started in a stopped state.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Joseph D Chang, Byeong Wook Jeon, Dong Hoon Jeong
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Patent number: 9446755Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes: a steering wheel having the capacity to steer a vehicle; a turning actuator having the capacity to turn a wheel; a backup clutch arranged between the steering wheel and the turning actuator and having the capacity to be able to mechanically connect the steering wheel to the turning actuator; and a clutch disengagement checking unit having the capacity to check whether the backup clutch is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Mitsuo Murakami
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Patent number: 9446756Abstract: A power system of a hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle comprising the same and a method for heating a battery group of the hybrid electric vehicle are provided. The power system includes: a battery group; a battery heater connected with the battery group; a battery management device configured to control the battery heater to heat the battery group with a first power or a second power when the hybrid electric vehicle is in an electric vehicle mode or a hybrid electric vehicle mode, when the temperature of the battery group is lower than a first heating threshold and a residual electric quantity of the battery group is larger than a parking electric quantity threshold; an electric distribution box; an engine; a motor; a motor controller connected with the motor and the electric distribution box respectively; and an isolation inductor.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Liqiang Chen, Hongjun Wang, Shibin Xie
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Patent number: 9446757Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor both configured to generate a vehicle powertrain torque and a controller programmed to control the powertrain torque for a limited duration in anticipation of a powertrain torque variation scenario using a damping function, wherein the damping function adjusts the vehicle powertrain torque based on a difference between a measured motor speed and a desired motor speed using the electric motor to counteract a powertrain speed oscillation.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang