Patents Issued in December 6, 2016
  • Patent number: 9511756
    Abstract: A method is described for protecting a parking assistance system from a failure of the service brake system. In order to prevent a collision of the vehicle with a surrounding object, the function of the service brake system is monitored and if an error is present, at least one other vehicle system, such as an automatic transmission or an automatic parking brake, is activated in order to brake the vehicle and/or interrupt the transmission of drive torque to the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Nijakowski, Heiner Messner
  • Patent number: 9511757
    Abstract: In a method for determining a failure in a service or parking brake having an electromotive and a hydraulic brake device for generating a clamping force, an error is detected in the hydraulic brake device if an electromotive characteristic of the electric brake motor is outside an admissible value range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Dieter Blattert, Tobias Putzer
  • Patent number: 9511758
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes: a brake hydraulic-pressure control device capable of controlling a hydraulic pressure in a brake cylinder of a hydraulic brake configured to reduce a rotation of a wheel, the brake hydraulic-pressure control device including (i) a piston, (ii) a hydraulic-pressure chamber provided opposite the piston, and (iii) a moving-force control device configured to apply a moving force to the piston and capable of controlling the moving force; and an air reducing device configured to control the moving-force control device to move the piston to reduce air in an air reduction target portion including the hydraulic-pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakata, Yusuke Kamiya, Takahiro Okano, Yoshio Masuda, Yosuke Yamasoe
  • Patent number: 9511759
    Abstract: A clutch control device for a work vehicle includes a determination unit that determines as to whether or not a clutch cutoff condition has been established based upon whether or not the accelerator pedal is being operated, as determined by the accelerator pedal operation determination unit, the vehicle speed of the work vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection unit and the braking force of the work vehicle detected by the braking force detection unit; and a clutch control unit that controls engagement/release of a clutch so as to release the clutch when the determination unit determines that the clutch cutoff condition has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Isamu Aoki, Keigo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9511760
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring torques, including the following steps in a first processing unit: Receiving a delta torque; in a first calculating process, calculating a first setpoint torque and a second setpoint torque from the delta torque; in a second calculating process, checking whether a difference of the first setpoint torque and of the second setpoint torque is less than, or equal to the delta torque, the second calculating process being carried out independently of the first calculating process; and output of the first setpoint torque and the second setpoint torque, only if the difference of the first and the second setpoint torque is less than, or equal to the delta torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Heyl, Astrid Rall
  • Patent number: 9511761
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a belt stepless speed changer device having a driving rotary body, a driven rotary body, a first shaft member supporting the driving rotary body with allowing rotation thereof in unison, a second shaft member supporting the driven rotary body with allowing rotation thereof in unison, and an endless belt wound around the driving rotary body and the driven rotary body. The vehicle further includes a transmission case configured to receive the powers from the engine and the motor via the belt stepless speed changer device and a centrifugal clutch incorporated in a power transmission line extending form the engine to the first shaft member. The motor is disposed on the side opposite the engine across the driving rotary body, and the driving power of the motor is inputted to the first shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Sumio Yagyu, Go Takaki, Shinichi Kawabata, Shigeki Hayashi, Shohei Nakai, Hiroki Bessho
  • Patent number: 9511762
    Abstract: There is provided a control apparatus for an automatic transmission AT into which driving forces from driving sources including an engine Eng and a motor/generator MG are inputted. The control apparatus includes: a second brake B2 engaged in a D range; an engagement start determining section (steps S2?S3?S4); and a determination inhibit section (steps S2?S5?S6). The engagement start determining section determines that second brake B2 has started the engagement in a case where a load of the motor/generator MG is increased by a predetermined quantity during the revolution number control and when the D range is selected and second brake B2 in the release state is engaged. The determination inhibit section inhibits the engagement start determination in a case where a switching from an HEV mode to an EV mode occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ooshima, Hiroki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9511763
    Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a rotary shaft, an engine disconnect clutch, a motor disconnect clutch, an automatic transmission, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to, while either one of an engagement control and a rotation change control is being executed, when a request to execute the other one of the engagement control and the rotation change control has been issued, (a) delay a start timing of the other one of the engagement control and the rotation change control until execution of the one of the engagement control and the rotation change control is completed, and then (b) start execution of the other one of the engagement control and the rotation change control after execution of the one of the engagement control and the rotation change control has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shun Sato, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Masayuki Baba, Toshio Sugimura
  • Patent number: 9511764
    Abstract: A first vehicle may receive at least one message from a second vehicle, the message including data provided by the second vehicle. A computing device in the first vehicle is configured to analyze the data of the at least one message to determine that the second vehicle can operate as a lead vehicle. The computing device in the first vehicle is further configured to implement at least one operation in the first vehicle according to the data from the lead vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis
  • Patent number: 9511765
    Abstract: In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Auto Director Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Obradovich
  • Patent number: 9511766
    Abstract: In an inter-vehicle control apparatus, a controller performs acceleration control of an own vehicle, based on an actual inter-vehicle physical quantity and a target inter-vehicle physical quantity. A limiter sets a limit value for a target jerk during the acceleration control. A detector detects an occurrence of at least one of: an event in which the inter-vehicle distance becomes discontinuously shorter; and an event in which a target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the target inter-vehicle physical quantity becomes discontinuously longer. A determiner determines a risk of collision with the preceding vehicle, based on an operation state of the preceding vehicle in relation to the own vehicle. When at least one of the events is detected, the limiter sets the limit value to a value based on the risk of collision such that change in deceleration of the own vehicle is kept lower as the risk of collision decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
  • Patent number: 9511767
    Abstract: This application describes an automated driving system and methods. The automated driving system includes a perception system disposed on an autonomous vehicle. The automated driving system can detect, using the perception system, information for an environment proximate to the autonomous vehicle. The information for the environment includes current behavior of an object of interest and traffic density information. The automated driving system can also determine a classifier for the environment based on a prediction of future behavior of the object of interest. Based on the classifier, the automated driving system can identify a transition between vehicle states, the vehicle states being associated with a planned action for the autonomous vehicle. The automated driving system can also send a command to one or more vehicle systems to control the autonomous vehicle to execute the planned action according to the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bunyo Okumura, Michael R. James, Katsuhiro Sakai, Tomoki Nishi
  • Patent number: 9511768
    Abstract: A lane outward deviation avoidance assist apparatus includes: a recognition device configured to recognize a travel lane of a vehicle; a deviation recognition part configured to recognize a deviation from the travel lane recognized by the recognition device or a deviation prediction from the travel lane; a control part configured to perform a deviation avoidance control for avoiding the deviation from the travel lane at least by a steering; and a deviation number count part configured to count the number of deviations from the travel lane recognized by the deviation recognition part within a predetermined duration or the number of deviation predictions from the travel lane, wherein the control part performs at least any one of the deviation avoidance control and an alarm output control when the number counted by the deviation number count part reaches n, n being a natural number more than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ito, Shinnosuke Ishida, Kentaro Yamada, Daisuke Hanzawa, Hiroyasu Kubota, Hiroyuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9511769
    Abstract: Autonomous cruise control is provided to permit one vehicle to follow another at a predetermined separation regardless of gradient. A system and method is disclosed which continually determines the separation distance of the vehicles, the speed of the leading vehicle and the location of the leading vehicle, to the intent that the following vehicle computes the required speed upon reaching the instant location of the lead vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly
  • Patent number: 9511770
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a generation section configured to generate, from a state of a mobile vehicle in each position obtained by discretizing a traveling route along which the mobile vehicle travels, a state of the mobile vehicle in a next position for each use state of drive means contained in the mobile vehicle; and an optimization section configured to optimize the use state of the drive means in each position based on at least one of states of the mobile vehicle in each position generated by the generation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 9511771
    Abstract: The present application discloses a control device for an automatic transmission mounted in a vehicle including idling stop means for automatically stopping an engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, and restarting the engine when a predetermined restart condition is satisfied in an engine automatically stopped state. The control device for the automatic transmission includes a first friction element and a second friction element fastened in a starting stage of the automatic transmission; and hydraulic-pressure controlling means for controlling hydraulic pressure for fastening the first and second friction elements. The first friction element includes a return spring that urges a piston of the first friction element to a release side. The second friction element includes a friction plate, a pressing piston that presses the friction plate, and a clearance adjustment piston that supports the pressing piston so as to allow relative movement of the pressing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Manabu Sasahara
  • Patent number: 9511772
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for an a posteriori analysis of behavior of a vehicle braking system, the braking system including a regenerative braking mechanism, an additional braking mechanism, and a distribution device, the method including storing, in a non-volatile memory, at least one current value of a braking parameter from the distribution device for subsequent analysis based on the at least one value stored in the non-volatile memory, wherein the storage is triggered by execution of at least one event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Hamid Azzi, Guillermo Pita-Gil
  • Patent number: 9511773
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a transmission coupled to vehicle wheels, an internal combustion engine, a planetary gearset coupled to the engine and to a differential output shaft to drive the vehicle wheels, a traction motor coupled through gearing to the differential output shaft and the planetary gearset, a generator coupled to the planetary gearset and electrically coupled to the traction motor, a traction battery coupled to the generator and the traction motor, and at least one controller in communication with the engine, the traction motor, and the generator includes limiting engine speed in response to a wheel slip event to an engine speed limit based on motor speed and generator speed to prevent the generator speed from exceeding a corresponding threshold when the wheel slip event terminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shunsuke Okubo, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar
  • Patent number: 9511774
    Abstract: A shift control device includes a kick-down control unit that, in the case where the accelerator is depressed to a certain level or beyond, executes a first kick-down mode, in which a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is changed to a low side to increase the engine speed. In the case where, during execution of the first kick-down mode, a switchover operation is accepted to switch the output properties such that output of the engine is increased, the kick-down control unit again determines whether or not to start the first kick-down control again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhito Minamisawa, Keisuke Ajimoto
  • Patent number: 9511775
    Abstract: A vehicle control device equipped with a vehicle state switching control unit for permitting an on/off switching control of an onboard device or a start/stop switching control of a drive source by a normal pressing operation of a start/stop switch SSSW when the vehicle is currently stopped, and for prohibiting a STOP control of the drive source by the normal pressing operation of the start/stop switch SSSW and permitting the STOP control of the drive source by a special pressing operation of the start/stop switch SSSW when the vehicle is currently traveling. A traveling judgment unit judges that the vehicle is currently stopped, if an abnormality has occurred in at least one of a plurality of signals, and all of the signals, which have been judged not to be abnormal, are stop signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Inomata, Katsuyasu Yamane, Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9511776
    Abstract: A processor of a locus estimation device accepts a measured value of a wheel speed of right and left front wheels of a moving object, and a measured value of a steering angle at which the traveling direction is changed. Based on a measured value of a wheel speed of the right and left front wheels, a measured value of a steering angle, a distance in the direction of the body of the moving object, a distance in the direction of the axle of the moving object, and a constant, the processor estimates an amount of rotation of the middle point of a rotation center of the right and left rear wheels on a circle having a center which is a point on a straight line passing through the rotation center of the right and left rear wheels, and an amount of translation of the middle point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Osafumi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9511777
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle, the control system being operable to determine a vehicle speed value corresponding to a speed of travel of the vehicle over a surface according to a value of a speed of a wheel of the vehicle, the control system being operable to: cause a reduction in an amount of drive torque applied to at least one of a plurality of driven wheels; obtain a value of a speed of rotation of the at least one wheel while the amount of drive torque applied thereto is reduced; and determine the vehicle speed value according to the measured value of wheel speed, wherein the system is configured to determine whether the vehicle speed value obtained according to the speed of the wheel following the reduction in torque applied to the wheel is consistent with one or more vehicle speed measurements made by alternative means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Michael Blyth, Paul Beever
  • Patent number: 9511778
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device with memory configured to store instructions and a processor to execute the instructions for operations that include receiving data representative of one or more operational parameters from a vehicle. Operations also include assigning a score to one or more of the received operational parameters. Operations also include determining if one or more predefined event has occurred based on the score assigned to the one or more received operational parameters of the vehicle. If at least one event is determined to occurred, operations include transmitting data representing the one or more operational parameters to a vehicle information service provider located external from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: XL Hybrids
    Inventor: Erick William Fuentes
  • Patent number: 9511779
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9511780
    Abstract: An electrical enclosure is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a cabin. The electric enclosure may have a plurality of compartments configured to house a plurality of different electrical components. The electrical enclosure may also have a duct formed within a first of the plurality of compartments located below a floor of the cabin. The duct may be configured to receive conditioned air from the cabin and to direct the conditioned air from a second of the plurality of compartments into the first of the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Tai, Elizabeth Grace Seban
  • Patent number: 9511781
    Abstract: A cover assembly for covering an open-top, railroad freight car is presented that may include opposing sideboards projecting above the top edges of the rail car and a cover moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a containment volume may be accessible from above for the loading of a bulk commodity into the containment volume. In the closed position, the cover may substantially cover at least a majority of the containment volume from above. The cover may be elevated above a top edge of the rail car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Clearrails, LLC
    Inventor: Walter Mark Pettibone
  • Patent number: 9511782
    Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the lever. In some embodiments, the braking system includes a strut connected to the second brake assembly, the actuator, fixed rod and movable rod connected to the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Amsted Rail-Faiveley LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Sunde
  • Patent number: 9511783
    Abstract: A vehicle abnormality detecting apparatus 1 includes wheel load sensors 11 that are attached to right and left rails R constituting a track to measure wheel loads of wheels 3 provided in a vehicle 2; and a calculation unit 12 that is connected to the wheel load sensors 11. An index represented by wheel loads of a pair or more of right and left wheels 3 provided in at least one of bogies 4 and defined according to a type of vehicle abnormality as an index for detecting the vehicle abnormality is previously stored in the calculation unit 12. The calculation unit 12 calculates a value of the stored index from the wheel loads measured by the wheel load sensors 11 and transmitted from the wheel load sensors 11, and detects the abnormality of a running vehicle based on the calculated value of the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shimokawa, Masaaki Mizuno, Yoshihiro Suda, Masahiko Aki, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Koichi Ohtani, Masuhisa Tanimoto, Yoshifumi Komura, Jun Kurihara, Atsushi Iwamoto, Takuya Saito, Hiroshi Obayashi
  • Patent number: 9511784
    Abstract: An in-car information display system includes a power storage device including a storage battery charged with direct-current power obtained by converting electric power from an overhead wire, a plurality of display devices that operate by receiving supply of direct-current power from the power storage device and provide a guidance display related to a service of a train to passengers, and a terminal device that operates by receiving the supply of the direct-current power from the power storage device and delivers to the display devices information for guidance display that is information used for the guidance display. The power storage device switches a power supply operation to the display devices according to a residual capacity of the storage battery and reduces a total amount of electric power supplied to each of the display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Oki, Satoru Ohashi, Hideo Sawazaki
  • Patent number: 9511785
    Abstract: A transport cart includes a main body and a plurality of fixing mechanisms assembled to the main body. The main body includes a plurality of supports and a plurality of rollers. Each fixing mechanism includes a first fixing element, a rotating element coupled to the first fixing element, a slider, a connecting element, a pull rod connected to the rotating element, and an elastic element assembled to the main body. The rotating element includes a first spiral arm and a second spiral arm, the slider includes a second fixing element and a stay bar. The second spiral arm can be engaged with the connecting element, to slip the stay bar relative to the support. The elastic element resists against the pull rod, to maintain attachment between the rotating element and the corresponding support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guang Yang
  • Patent number: 9511786
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a utility cart specifically designed for the support and transport of large planar items. The cart essentially features a platform with a defined perimeter and top and bottom sides. The platform supports a centrally positioned, vertically adjustable post having a cap attached to the distal end of the post for positioning and supporting the planar items being transported. Cart mobility is provided by a plurality of wheels attached to the bottom side of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hickcox
  • Patent number: 9511787
    Abstract: The device is used to raise and move objects. The device has a box-like insert (2) for installing in the bottom side (3) of the object to be lifted. The box-like insert has at least three wheels (14), which are integrated in the box-like insert (2). By means of a pneumatic or hydraulic lifting apparatus in the box-like insert (2) having a hand pump (8) and a valve (9), the wheels (14) can be temporarily extended or pivoted downward out of the insert (2). The object equipped with the insert (2) is thus raised and can then be rolled away on the wheels (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MP-System GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Muller, Hans Peter Abegg
  • Patent number: 9511788
    Abstract: An accessory plate accommodates a caliper brake disc system in either a retrofit kit or in the original construction of wheelbarrows, hand carts and other wheeled, slow speed vehicles. The accessory plate or extension plate is secured to an axle or hub providing means of attachment to a caliper system. The accessory plate may be modified to accept other accessories, including but not limited to electric motors, drum brake arms and accessories, lights, battery packs or other accessories pertinent to the vehicle's enhanced operation. A hub system may be optionally used and may help to accommodate the installation of an accessory plate and/or rotor disc and/or drum brake or drum brake actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Richard J Kruppa
  • Patent number: 9511789
    Abstract: A stroller includes a stroller frame, a front seat assembly, a rear seat assembly, and an accommodating basket. The stroller frame includes two side support assembly disposed oppositely. The front seat assembly and the rear seat assembly are disposed between the two side support assemblies. The accommodating basket is disposed between the two side support assemblies and located under the front seat assembly and includes a main portion and an expansible side portion connected to the main portion. The main portion forms an accommodating space. The rear seat structure is moveable relative to the stroller frame. When the rear seat assembly is moved relative to the stroller frame, the expansible side portion is capable of spreading upward to be fixed on the two side support assemblies so as to extend the accommodating space upward into the rear seat space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Chin-Ming Cheng, Shun-Min Chen, Yun-Ju Chen, I-Ting Yeh
  • Patent number: 9511790
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel provided with controls for the turn indicators; the steering wheel has: a central hub, which is mounted so as to rotate; an outer crown, which extends around the central hub, is suited to be held by the driver, and is rigidly coupled to the central hub by means of at least two spokes; two upper controls, each of which is mounted on an upper surface of a corresponding spoke and operates the right turn indicators or the left turn indicators; and two lower controls, each of which is mounted on a lower surface of a corresponding spoke on the opposite side of the relative upper control, and operates the turn indicators that are opposite to the turn indicators operated by the relative upper control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Patrizio Spaggiari
  • Patent number: 9511791
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a bodyshell structure which delimits at least one passenger compartment and one front compartment that are separated by an upper transverse cross member. The vehicle includes a steering column that is coupled in the engine compartment to a steering system and that extends into the passenger compartment by passing under the cross member. The steering column is adjustable in inclination between extreme minimum and maximum angular positions. The steering column is also collapsible longitudinally by a safety device in the event of an impact. The column can angularly repositioned by moving the column from the maximum inclined position to a given, less inclined angular position, which can be activated no later than the time of longitudinal collapse of the column to facilitate the collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Xavier Breton, Laurent Lanarre
  • Patent number: 9511792
    Abstract: A resin pin which is passed through a first resin-pin passing hole of a first plate, and a second resin-pin passing hole of a second plate to couple the second plate to a predetermined position of the first plate is sheared in a secondary collision, and causes the second plate to release from the predetermined position in a column movement direction. A slide plate which extends along the upper surface of the first plate has a resin-pin visual check hole. A highly hard collar is received by the second plate, placed in the first resin-pin passing hole, and fitted to a shaft portion of the resin pin. In the resin pin, axial elastic projections which apply a pressing and urging force to the slide plate are disposed at positions avoiding a range where, in a secondary collision, the resin-pin visual check hole is passed in the column movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Susumu Magaki, Shigeru Hoshino, Shunsuke Nunomura
  • Patent number: 9511793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a yoke device which includes a rotary pad (10), the inner periphery (11) of which is off-center relative to the outer periphery (12), clamped against the rear of the rack, and thus pushed toward the teeth of the steering pinion. The rotary pad (10) engages, via the outer periphery thereof (12), with an arcuate cradle (14) of a mounting (13) mounted in the steering gearbox, said pad being biased and rotatably positioned by a clearance-compensation mechanism having a spring means. The outer periphery (12) of the pad and the cradle (14) engage with one another following two contact lines (20, 21) which are spaced apart, parallel to the axis of rotation of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventor: Patrice Brochot
  • Patent number: 9511794
    Abstract: An electric power steering system including: a torque sensor; a steering angle sensor configured to detect a steering angle value of a steering wheel; a motor position sensor configured to detect a motor rotation angle value which is a rotated angle of a driving shaft of an electric motor; and an electronic control unit configured, when the torque sensor is normal, to generate a first steering assist current for controlling a driving force of the electric motor using the steering torque value, and when the torque sensor fails, to estimate a target motor angular velocity of the electric motor using the steering angle value and the motor rotation angle value and to generate a second steering assist current so as to cause a current motor angular velocity of the electric motor to converge to the target motor angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung Gyu Hong
  • Patent number: 9511795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to assist with turning a vehicle power assisted steering wheel, during which method a return setpoint (final return setpoint) quantifying a return force intended to be applied to said steering wheel in order to assist with returning said steering wheel to a predetermined central position is formulated, said method involving at least one step (a) of determining longitudinal acceleration during which step the instantaneous longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is evaluated, followed by a step (b) of adapting the return setpoint during which step the steering wheel return setpoint is adjusted according to said instantaneous longitudinal acceleration so as to increase the intensity of the return force if said longitudinal acceleration increases, and thus notably compensate for the lessening of the natural centring effect that is caused by the lightening of the steering under acceleration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Guillaume Lengrais, Francois Gassmann, Andre Michelis
  • Patent number: 9511796
    Abstract: A power steering system includes an EPS and a HPS. At normal times, an assist force required by a steering system is computed based on a steering torque and a vehicle speed, and the required assist force is generated by the EPS and the HPS. The torsional stiffness of a torsion bar of the HPS is equal to or substantially equal to the torsional stiffness of a torsion bar of the EPS. Therefore, even if the EPS malfunctions, it is possible to gain the steering feel similar to that when the EPS is operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noritake Ura
  • Patent number: 9511797
    Abstract: A first valve accommodation hole is provided in a valve housing. A first valve element, a first valve seat member, a first coil spring, and a first pin are directly accommodated and disposed in the first valve accommodation hole. It is thereby possible to reduce the maximum diameter t1 of the first valve accommodation hole, thus reducing the size of a housing main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Sosuke Sunaga, Shogo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9511799
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system, according to one embodiment, includes a steering input device for inputting a desired backing path of a trailer. The trailer backup assist system also includes a first sensor that senses a hitch angle between a vehicle and the trailer. Further, the trailer backup assist system includes a second sensor that senses a proximity of an object in a perimeter field of at least one of the vehicle and the trailer. A controller of the trailer backup assist system generates an available set of backing paths for the trailer based on the proximity of the object and the hitch angle. The available set of backing paths does not include backing paths that cross a space occupied by the object or that cause a jackknife condition between the vehicle and the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 9511800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling head-in perpendicular parking of a vehicle, which front the vehicle to be subjected to head-in perpendicular parking in a parking area positioned perpendicular to a fronting direction of the vehicle to be parked, and a system for perpendicular head-in parking of the vehicle with the apparatus. The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an apparatus and a method for head-in perpendicular parking of a vehicle, which support a head-in perpendicular parking method and a system for head-in perpendicular parking of a vehicle with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Won Lee, Han Wook Bae
  • Patent number: 9511801
    Abstract: A height adjustable floor system for a motor vehicle includes a load compartment floor having front and rear floor members that are pivotally connected together to permit relative rotation about a transverse axis. The load compartment cover can be positioned in upper and lower load carrying positions and be moved between these positions with the aid of a pair of first side supports each having a continuous groove defining a path to be followed by a pair of spaced apart guide members located on left and right sides of the front floor member near to a front end thereof. The rear floor member is used to facilitate the transitioning of the load compartment floor between the two load carrying positions and the first side supports are so configured that in the load carrying positions load is not transferred from the load compartment floor to the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andy Murray, Daniel Berry
  • Patent number: 9511802
    Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The alignment system includes a first component including at least one corner region having an alignment member, and a second component including at least one corner region having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture. The alignment aperture is configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into the alignment aperture, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the corner regions of the first and second components in a desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Morris, Jennifer P. Lawall
  • Patent number: 9511803
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a flatbed comprising a bed, a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall wherein the first wall and second wall are hingedly attached to the bed and are constructed and arranged to swing relative to the bed such that the first wall, the second wall, and the bed lie flat to define an enlarged upper surface of the bed, first wall, and second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Wassell, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9511804
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch may include a base frame configured to be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, a trolley operatively engaged with the base frame, the trolley adapted to move along the base frame between first and second positions, and a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path. The fifth wheel hitch may also include a cam follower coupled with the trolley, the cam follower operatively engaged with the cam path, and a fifth wheel head pivotally coupled with the trolley, where the trolley is moved between the first and second positions in response to pivoting of the fifth wheel head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Curl, Newly Mach, Richard McCoy, Eric Stanifer
  • Patent number: 9511805
    Abstract: An endless track for providing traction to a vehicle, such as a construction vehicle, an agricultural vehicle or other work vehicle. The endless track has: an inner side for facing a plurality of wheels of the vehicle; a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground; a first lateral edge; and a second lateral edge. The endless track comprises an elastomeric body and a plurality of cores at least partially embedded in the elastomeric body. Each core extends transversally to a longitudinal direction of the endless track to provide transverse rigidity to the endless track. The endless track comprises an impact absorber in a lateral edge part of the endless track, the lateral edge part being located between the cores and a given one of the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. The impact absorber facilitates an elastic deformation of the lateral edge part when the lateral edge part impacts an obstacle on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Lajoie, Cheol Hee Han, Sung Chan Park
  • Patent number: 9511806
    Abstract: A utility vehicle that includes a seat row, a cargo bed, an engine chamber under the cargo bed, and cabin walls surrounding a cabin. The utility vehicle further includes a first partition wall covering the rear side of the cabin and thereby partitioning the engine chamber and the cabin from each other; and a second partition wall covering the upper portion of the front portion of the engine chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Keiji Takahashi