Patents Issued in December 13, 2016
  • Patent number: 9517677
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes a duct, a refrigerant evaporator, an air conditioning cooling flow passage, a heater core, a heater hot fluid flow passage, a heat exchanger, an electric heater, an electrical component cooling flow passage, a communication flow passage, a fluid temperature sensor and a flow passage selector valve. The duct provides air to a vehicle cabin interior. The cooling flow passage provides cooled refrigerant to the evaporator. The hot fluid flow passage provides hot fluid to the heater core. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the hot fluid. The heater warms the hot fluid having undergone heat exchange. The cooling flow passage cools an electrical component. The communication flow passage parallelly connects the hot fluid and electrical component flow passages. The valve allows hot fluid to flow into the cooling flow passage when the hot fluid has a high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Tokuda, Shinichirou Mizoguchi, Satoshi Ogihara
  • Patent number: 9517678
    Abstract: A high-voltage equipment cooling system for electric vehicle and a high-voltage equipment cooling method for electric vehicle are provided to improve the performance of an air-conditioning unit in the vehicle compartment, while cooling the high-voltage equipment. More specifically, the high-voltage equipment cooling system for electric vehicle includes a motor 103, a high-voltage equipment 101, a blowing means for high-voltage equipment 30, an outlet valve 50, an air conditioning means 10, and an air inlet mode selection means 20, wherein the air outside the vehicle compartment is introduced by the air inlet mode selection means 20 when supplying air cooled by an evaporator 14 in the air conditioning means 10 to the high-voltage equipment 101 using the blowing means for high-voltage equipment 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Matsuda, Shinji Kakizaki, Takeshi Someya
  • Patent number: 9517679
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle with an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information or control signals may be generated. Occupant detection information may be used to perform various monitoring operations, and control signals may adjust various vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Victoria L. White, Nile E. Fairfield, Arthur Stout, David W. Lee, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Patent number: 9517680
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus is provided that can prevent temperature variations of the air after the heat exchange in a radiator to reliably control the temperature of the air supplied to the vehicle interior. During the heating operation and the heating and dehumidifying operation, target degree of supercooling SCt when target air-blowing temperature TAO is a predetermined temperature or higher is set to SCt1 that is greater than SCt2 when the target air-blowing temperature TAO is lower than the predetermined temperature. When amount of air Ga supplied from indoor fan 12 is lower than a predetermined value, the target degree of supercooling SCt is corrected, which is set such that the degree of supercooling is lower than target degree of supercooling corrected when the amount of air Ga supplied from the indoor fan 12 is a predetermined value or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Atsuo Inoue, Hidenori Takei
  • Patent number: 9517681
    Abstract: The passenger compartment of a vehicle, e.g., an automobile or other automotive vehicle, train, aircraft or watercraft, is heated or cooled using radiant heating or radiant cooling. As another option the automobile or other vehicle is heated using a low velocity blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Martin A. Alpert
  • Patent number: 9517682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a complementary electric radiator (R) installed in a ventilation system used in the automotive sector, said device including at least two electronic modules each including a computer, a control module (1) capable of sending operating commands to the radiator and a management module (2), which is implemented within the electric radiator (R) in order to manage the operation thereof on the basis of commands received from the control module (1). According to the invention, the control module (1) includes a unit for generating and transmitting a PWM signal representative of the operating commands being sent to the radiator (R) over a communication wire (3) connected to the management module (2) and a unit for reading the signal travelling over the communication wire (3); the management module (2) includes a unit for altering the PWM signal travelling over the communication wire on the basis of detected events in the operation of the radiator (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Bertrand Puzenat, Stephane Souza
  • Patent number: 9517683
    Abstract: A light filtering transparent or semitransparent visor intended to prevent flash blindness and other hazards associated with the adverse affects associated with bright lights impacting the eyesight of occupants of a vehicle. In the certain embodiments, the visor comprises a larger, tinted body surrounding a smaller, much more heavily tinted body intended to filter the bright rays of sun to enable safe viewing of the sun through the filter. The entire apparatus is designed to be repositioned directly in the line of sight between the viewer and the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Grey Matter Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Philos Kim
  • Patent number: 9517684
    Abstract: A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Haberkamp, George Stickles, Duane Charles Junkin
  • Patent number: 9517685
    Abstract: A portable vehicle protection device provides a quickly deployed cover for a vehicle to protect against hail damage. The device includes an inflatable chamber. Each of a pair of side flaps is coupled to an associated longitudinal edge of the chamber. Each of a pair of end flaps is coupled to an associated end edge of the chamber. The chamber, the side flaps, and the end flaps define the cover. Each of a plurality of fasteners is coupled to a respective strap extending from one of the end flaps. Each strap is couplable to an associated one of the side flaps such that the chamber extends over a top surface of the vehicle. An inflation mechanism is coupled to the chamber and is in fluid communication with an interior of the chamber wherein the inflation mechanism selectively inflates the chamber upon actuation of the inflation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Kathleen C. Stelzer
  • Patent number: 9517686
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure and a traction battery for providing power to a powertrain. The vehicle also includes a bracket connecting the traction battery to the body structure. The bracket defines a frangible element configured to substantially restrict movement of the traction battery and sever in response to force upon the battery greater than a first threshold. The bracket also defines an extensible portion adapted to unfurl after the frangible element is severed allowing tethered displacement of the traction battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, David Moschet, Amar Marpu, Kimberley King, Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Patent number: 9517687
    Abstract: A battery unit mounting structure includes a pair of right and left vehicle body frame members extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, a pair of right and left side members extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a battery unit disposed between the right and left side members, and a reinforcement. The right and left vehicle body frame members are disposed respectively at right and left outer side portions of a vehicle body in a vehicle-width direction. The right and left side members are connected respectively to inner sides of the right and left vehicle body frame members in the vehicle-width direction. The reinforcement is disposed on a bottom or top surface of the battery unit, and disposed at a position at which the reinforcement overlaps with the battery unit in a plan view. The reinforcement extending in the vehicle-width direction is longer than the battery unit in the vehicle-width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jun Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9517688
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include an input shaft, an output shaft, a first planetary gear set having three rotation elements, a second planetary gear set having three rotation elements, a third planetary gear set, a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, a fourth shaft, a fifth shaft, a sixth shaft, and a seventh rotational shaft such that the power transmission system can suppress conversion to an Engine (ENG) mode by providing sufficient power performance at the time of wide open throttle (WOT) launching and maximally use power of an engine at the time of conversion to a first Hybrid-Electric Vehicle (HEV) mode and a third HEV mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Donghwan Hwang, Changwook Lee, Jongsool Park, Horim Yang, Wonmin Cho
  • Patent number: 9517689
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine, and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to an engine shaft via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to the casing of the gearbox device. The unit comprises an electric machine configured to function as an electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft, on a side opposite to the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear for driving a transmission shaft connected to a further axle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9517690
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control device for a vehicle includes a control unit configured to stop operation of an electric motor driving device driving an electric motor at a time a rotary element is fixed to be unable to rotate by an engagement by an engaging mechanism, and to recover the operation of the electric motor driving device at a time a predetermined condition based on a parameter relating to a driving of the vehicle is satisfied before releasing the engagement by the engaging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto Hashimoto, Yuji Iwase, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hidekazu Nagai, Shotaro Kato
  • Patent number: 9517691
    Abstract: A product may include an engine, and a transmission driven by the engine. An axle assembly may be driven by the engine through the transmission. An electrical machine may be connected to the axle assembly. The electrical machine may selectively drive the axle assembly and may be selectively drivable by the engine through the transmission and the axle assembly. A power transfer unit may be engaged between the electrical machine and the axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
  • Patent number: 9517692
    Abstract: A liquid storage tank or a work vehicle requiring high ground clearance has an inverted sump within a tank volume defined between a tank floor and peripheral walls. In one configuration, the sump includes four sump walls of various configurations and extending at various heights within the tank volume. A flow passage is defined by the spacing between the various sump walls and a peripheral wall. The tank floor may have an inclined section, which in cooperation with the sump and a spanner wall, defines a supplemental inverted sump in communication with the flow passage. As a fuel tank, the sump is configured to store fuel within a sump volume sufficient to satisfy prescribed runtimes in various off-level conditions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. Tedman, Ashwani Verma
  • Patent number: 9517693
    Abstract: A drive axle system can be converted between a single drive tandem axle arrangement including a rear drive axle a dual drive tandem axle arrangement. A forward bowl is provided for a forward axle system. One of a geared forward carrier and an ungeared forward carrier is mounted on the forward bowl, depending upon whether a dual drive or a single drive tandem axle arrangement is desired. To convert to the other type of tandem axle arrangement, the one of the geared forward carrier and the ungeared forward carrier is removed from the forward bowl and replaced, with the other one of the geared forward carrier and the ungeared forward carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Elliott
  • Patent number: 9517694
    Abstract: Vehicles, systems and a method for mitigating power hop in a vehicle are provided. The vehicle, for example, may include, but is not limited to a drivetrain, an electronic limited slip differential mechanically coupled to the drivetrain, and a controller communicatively coupled to the electronic limited slip differential, wherein the controller is configured to determine when the vehicle is experiencing a power hop event or when the vehicle may experience a future power hop event, and cause, when the vehicle is experiencing the power hop event or when the vehicle may experience the future power hop event, the electronic limited slip differential to apply torque differentiation pulses to the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Nolte, Dejvis Seitllari
  • Patent number: 9517695
    Abstract: At least one display device in a motor vehicle displays graphic information from graphic applications that generate, independently of one another, display contents for an information data set. The graphic applications synchronize themselves by exchanging the information data set or by mutual referencing to the information data set, with the result that firstly one of the applications generates and displays its display content for the information data set in a first region, and then another of the applications generates its display content for the information data set and displays its display content in another region in the passenger compartment. A signaling device signals the synchronization by at least one optical and/or acoustic signal, which is different from the display contents, in the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Stefan Mayer, Christine Ullmann, Paul Sprickmann Kerkerinck
  • Patent number: 9517696
    Abstract: A system includes a contactor system, a vehicle control unit, and a fault diagnostic system. The contactor system includes one or more contactors. The vehicle control unit is coupled to the contactor system via a first connection and a second connection. The vehicle control unit is configured to provide a controlling signal to the contactor system through at least one of the first connection and the second connection to control the one or more contactors. The fault diagnostic system is configured to identify faults occurring in the first connection and the second connection. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronghui Zhou, Jian Zhou, Fei Li, Xi Lu, Fengcheng Sun, Xiangming Shen, Hai Qiu, Pengju Kang
  • Patent number: 9517697
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing a vehicle with electric energy, including a receiving device adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by magnetic induction, a plurality of phase lines adapted to carry a different phase current of the alternating electric current. Each phase line forms at least two coils. Each coil includes at least one turn of the phase line. The turn of any one of the coils including only one turn is turned around a central axis of the coil. The turns of any one of the coils including more than one turn are consecutive sections of the phase line turned around a central axis of the coil. The at least two coils of each phase line are located next to each other so as to form a sequence of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Woronowicz, Robert Czainski
  • Patent number: 9517698
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering the optimum power level during regenerative mode is disclosed. Equations for determining the optimum regenerative power level receivable by an energy storage system, for example for any given deceleration event, are derived and disclosed. The equations consider various losses such as the efficiency of the electric motor generator in the generator mode, wind resistance, rolling resistance, transmission losses, engine losses, and losses in the energy storage system. Also disclosed is at least one embodiment of a procedure for controlling a hybrid drive system to achieve the optimum energy recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Stephen T. West
  • Patent number: 9517699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a storage for electrical energy, which store is coupled to a coil into which electrical energy can be induced from outside the motor vehicle during a charging process. The vehicle includes a housing in which the coil is arranged, the housing being made of plastic toward the underside of the motor vehicle, and an optical waveguide is arranged in particular between two walls of the housing. When light from a light source is coupled into the optical waveguide and a detector detects the light, damage to the housing can be detected and the induction of electrical energy into the coil at a charging station can optionally be interrupted in order to avoid hazards to persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Björn Elias, Reinhard Peer
  • Patent number: 9517700
    Abstract: A method for contactless charging of the battery of an electric automobile by magnetic induction using a transmitter coil of a charging device and a receiver coil of the vehicle, the method including: controlling a power supply of a converter, at terminals of which the transmitter coil is connected, according to a variable frequency; measuring, in an analog circuit, a value of a current and of a voltage at the terminals of the transmission coil; calculating a phase shift between the current and the voltage; converting the phase shift into a digital value; and locking the variable frequency of the converter to the phase-shift value by digital processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jeanne Houivet, Samuel Cregut
  • Patent number: 9517701
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing transportation includes an electric vehicle having a battery, an electric motor, a transceiver, and a battery manager. The battery manager includes a controller configured to control flow of charge between said battery and the electric motor at least in part in response to information received by the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TALINO EV MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Enrique Abreu
  • Patent number: 9517702
    Abstract: A power supply system is basically provided for supplying electric power to an electric component of a bicycle. The power supply system includes a first battery, a second battery, an operating unit and a power supply controller. The power supply controller is configured to transition an operating state by electric power of the second battery and supply electric power from the first battery to the electric component when the operating unit is operated in a stopped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Gao
  • Patent number: 9517703
    Abstract: A method is provided that aids the driver of an electric vehicle (EV) in optimizing their car's driving range. In response to the car's current driving range falling below that required to travel to a destination entered into the EV's control system, for example via the car's navigation system, the system provides the driver with one or more recommendations as to how to increase range, recommendations such as lowering top speed, altering the temperature settings of the car's HVAC system, etc. Additionally, the system provides the driver with real time driving range feedback, thereby helping the driver to evaluate the various recommendations and determine which approach is best suited to the current conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Liu
  • Patent number: 9517704
    Abstract: In a control apparatus, an extractor extracts, from a rotational speed of a rotating member, a vibration component included in the rotational speed of the rotating member. A first suppressor performs first suppression to suppress the rotational speed of the rotating member from changing due to change of a speed change ratio. A mode setter switchably sets one of an enabling mode to enable the first suppression or a disabling mode to disable the first suppression in the control apparatus according to a parameter indicative of the speed change ratio. A second suppressor performs second suppression to suppress change of the vibration component generated based on switching of one of the enabling mode and the disabling mode to the other thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Syo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9517705
    Abstract: A method is provided that aids the driver of an electric vehicle (EV) in optimizing their car's driving range. In response to the car's current driving range falling below a preset value, the system provides the driver with one or more recommendations as to how to increase range, recommendations such as lowering top speed, altering the temperature settings of the car's HVAC system, etc. Additionally, the system provides the driver with real time driving range feedback, thereby helping the driver to evaluate the various recommendations and determine which approach is best suited to the current conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventor: Albert Liu
  • Patent number: 9517706
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain system includes deactivating a motor disconnect clutch during vehicle operation. Motor speed is decreased to a first inactive speed threshold and an inverter circuit is controlled to an inactive state while monitoring the motor speed. The inverter circuit is deactivated, and when the motor speed decreases to a second inactive speed threshold, the inverter circuit is pulse-activated to operate the electric machine to increase motor speed to the first inactive speed threshold, and then deactivated. The inverter circuit is activated to increase the motor speed to synchronize with speed of the driveline prior to activating the motor disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Min-Joong Kim, Yo Chan Son, Norman K. Bucknor, R Travis Schwenke
  • Patent number: 9517707
    Abstract: Provided is a seat slide device for a vehicle capable of enhancing the degree of design freedom in an interior height of a vehicle cabin, light-weighting the vehicle, and enhancing comfort in use when a seat is moved forward and rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soichi Sasaki, Masashi Konomoto
  • Patent number: 9517708
    Abstract: Seat arrangement for a vehicle, has a backrest, a headrest which is mounted on the backrest via a height adjustment mechanism, and a neck support which is adjustable in position by use of an adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism of the headrest and the adjustment mechanism of the neck support may be coupled for a joint adjustment of the headrest and the neck support; and the adjustment mechanism may be decoupled for adjusting only the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Worlitz, Carsten Reith, Dimitri Unrau
  • Patent number: 9517709
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is obtained capable of suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in natural leather employed in a cover while suppressing a reduction in seating comfort of the seat. A non-woven fabric is disposed between a foam member and a foam member, so as to cover a portion of contact with the buttocks of a seated occupant, as viewed from above. The non-woven fabric suppresses extension and contraction of natural leather at the pressed portion, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the natural leather at the pressed portion. By only suppressing the extension-contraction amount of the natural leather at the portion where wrinkles are liable to occur, the occurrence of wrinkles in the natural leather can be suppressed while suppressing a reduction in the seating comfort of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kitajima, Tuyoshi Mutoh
  • Patent number: 9517710
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a floor, an internal structure delimiting side panels of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and a seat including a back part and a sitting part. The sitting part of the seat is detachable so that the sitting part can be entirely separated from the floor and from the internal structure of the vehicle to free access to a first recess in the internal structure of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Miguel Correia, Guillaume Brotonne, David Lancelot
  • Patent number: 9517711
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly includes a structure, and a handle assembly attached to the structure. The handle assembly is moveable relative to the structure between a stowed position, an intermediate position, and a deployed position. The handle assembly includes a connecting member that is attached to the structure. The connecting member is rotatable about a first axis relative to the structure. A handle portion is attached to the connecting member, and is rotatable about a second axis relative to the connecting member. The handle portion and the connecting member rotate in unison relative to the structure about the first axis, between the stowed position and the intermediate position, to position the handle portion outside an interior space of the structure. The handle portion rotates relative to the connecting member about the second axis, between the intermediate position and the deployed position, whereby a user may grasp the handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Anil A. Masih, Michael J. Green
  • Patent number: 9517712
    Abstract: A retention grommet has a bottom grommet and a top grommet. A floor cover retention flange extends radially outwardly from an outer sidewall of the bottom grommet. The outer sidewall extends upwardly from the retention flange to a hinge plane of the bottom grommet. Plural fingers are disposed around the bottom grommet axis so as to be angularly spaced from each other and an inner surface of the outer sidewall. An upper end of each finger is joined to the outer sidewall at the hinge plane. Near a free, downwardly displaced end of each finger, a retention bead is formed to have an upwardly and radially outwardly inclined surface. This surface is capable of engaging with any of several types of vehicle floor cover retention posts. The top grommet fastens to the bottom grommet to secure the vehicle floor cover in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: MACNEIL IP LLC
    Inventors: Frederick W. Masanek, Jr., Allan R. Thom, Judd C. Kaufman, David S. Iverson
  • Patent number: 9517713
    Abstract: A modular trailer vehicle is provided comprises a wheeled trailer chassis having a forward vehicle attachment, along with a rotatable cargo platform attached to the chassis for supporting cargo hauled thereon. The rotatable cargo platform is rotatably mounted to a hydraulically actuated turntable, which facilitates rotation of the platform from a position in alignment with the chassis to a position wherein the loading ramp is positioned off to the side of the trailer. The platform is capable of complete rotation about a central axis defined by the turntable center, wherein at least two hydraulic arms actuate the turntable, which supports the rotatably platform using a bearing assembly attached to the trailer chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew Honigsberg
  • Patent number: 9517714
    Abstract: A connector anchor has a longitudinal axis and an aperture for receiving the buckle clip. The aperture has a first extent portion extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the connector anchor for receiving a buckle clip in a first orientation. The aperture has a second extent portion crossing the first extend portion and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector anchor for receiving the buckle clip in a second, different orientation. The aperture has a third extent portion crossing the first and second extend portions and extending in a direction at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector anchor for receiving the buckle clip in a third, different orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Winston Products LLC
    Inventors: Winston Breeden, III, Ryan William Chepla, Aaron Misener
  • Patent number: 9517715
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system can include a plurality of low beam light sources and a plurality of high beam light sources. In one or more arrangements, the light sources can be light emitting diodes. The system can include a first light driver operatively connected to selectively supply electrical energy to a first group of low beam light sources and/or a first group of high beam light sources. The system can include a second light driver operatively connected to selectively supply electrical energy to a second group of low beam light sources and/or a second group of high beam light sources. The system can further include a controller. The controller can be operatively connected to the first light driver and the second light driver to control the selective supply of electrical energy by the first light driver and the second light driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Sitarski
  • Patent number: 9517716
    Abstract: In a light sensor, an operational determination circuit determines based on first and second intensity signals respectively indicative of intensities of light irradiated from above and ahead of a vehicle whether the vehicle is positioned under a shield structure, determines whether it is necessary to turn on a light in the vehicle for the shield structure, and outputs a result of determination as a determination signal. A communication output circuit receives the first intensity signal and the determination signal, and outputs information to a control unit whether it is necessary to turn on the light for the shield structure when the vehicle is positioned under the shield structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsunori Michiyama
  • Patent number: 9517717
    Abstract: A light emitting lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a laser light source, a scanning unit, which scans the laser light emitted from the laser light source so as to form a visible light distribution pattern, an obstacle detector, which detects an obstacle, if any, in front of a driver's vehicle, and a control unit, which adjusts the intensity of the laser light irradiated to an obstacle existent region, according to the distance from the driver's vehicle to the obstacle, based on the detection result of the obstacle detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motohiro Komatsu, Naoki Uchida, Takeshi Masuda, Yuji Yasuda, Mitsuyuki Mochizuki, Hidetada Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9517718
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, turn signals are automatically activated in response to signals received from a navigation system, based on the navigation instructions generated by the navigation system. The navigation system of a vehicle (either built into the vehicle or provided as a stand-alone unit) is communicatively coupled with or otherwise integrated with the turn signals of the vehicle. When the navigation system instructs the driver to perform a maneuver (such as making a turn), it can also cause the appropriate turn signal to be automatically activated at the appropriate time and/or distance in advance of the maneuver. When the navigation system detects that the maneuver has been made, or that the driver has ignored the system's instructions, the turn signal can be automatically deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SER Patent Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Sara Elyse Raubvogel
  • Patent number: 9517719
    Abstract: A method for automatic direction indication for a vehicle includes the following steps: detecting a driver activity and/or a vehicle position by a Lane Keeping System and/or a Lane Departure Warning System; and automatically activating or deactivating a direction indicator of the vehicle dependent on the detected driver activity or vehicle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Lueke, Matthias Happ
  • Patent number: 9517720
    Abstract: A school bus sign with increased visibility is provided. The school bus stop sign apparatus includes at least a first stop sign and a second stop sign. The first stop sign may be pivotally attached to the side of a school bus. The second stop sign is attached to and substantially parallel with the side of the school bus. The second stop sign includes an indicator that allows drivers to sense that the bus is stopped to pick up children. When activated, the first stop sign may pivot 90 degrees and may be substantially perpendicular to the side of the bus. The indicator, such as a light, may be activated on the second stop sign. Therefore, a driver may see that the bus is picking up children from the front, the rear and the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Kevin O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9517721
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a vehicle window (e.g., sunroof). Side-firing LEDs are provided between first and second substantially parallel substrates and emit light towards central regions of the window. A liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film is provided between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystals are sized such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates. The switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, with the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, and with the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. The switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Frey, Robert A. Vandal
  • Patent number: 9517722
    Abstract: A vehicle interior device includes a first illumination unit configured to illuminate a first region of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, a second illumination unit configured to illuminate a second region in a rear part of the vehicle more rearward than the first region and being disposed in the upper part of the passenger compartment, a third illumination unit configured to illuminate a third region in a low part of the vehicle lower than the first region and being disposed in the front part of the passenger compartment, a fourth illumination unit configured to illuminate a fourth region in the rear part and in the low part, and a controller programmed to differentiate at least one of an intensity of the first illumination unit relative to the fourth illumination unit and an intensity of the second illumination unit relative to the third illumination intensity unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhito Ito, Tooru Furukawa, Masahiro Utsugi, Ryuji Kondou, Kiyoshi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9517723
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a pickup box defining a storage area therein with at least one cleat assembly extending into the storage area. The cleat assembly includes a base, a tie-down cleat coupled to the base, and a lock assembly. The lock assembly is configured to removably couple the tie-down cleat to the base. The lock assembly includes a translucent polymer and a first phosphor material and a key configured to operate the lock assembly. The key includes a polymeric material mixed with a second phosphor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Michael Henry Maj, Michael Musleh, Talat Karmo
  • Patent number: 9517724
    Abstract: The acoustic signaling system for electric, hybrid vehicles or the like, which can be installed on an electric vehicle or the like, includes: an amplifier device of a piloting signal; an electroacoustic transducer device operatively connected to the amplifier device; a supervision unit operatively connected to a control device installed on the electric vehicle; a digital audio processor operatively connected to the supervision unit and to the amplifier device; wherein the supervision unit has elements for sending a command signal to the digital audio processor according to a check signal sent by the control device; wherein the digital audio processor has selection elements suitable for selecting one between at least two different audio files, according to the command signal received; and wherein the digital audio processor has processing elements suitable for producing the piloting signal starting from the audio file selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: META SYSTEMS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Zenobi Massimo
  • Patent number: 9517725
    Abstract: An auto revising system for around view monitoring (AVM) includes: one or more target members provided in a space in which a vehicle is assembled, as a reference for a position of the vehicle; a control unit configured to control an AVM system which is installed in the vehicle; and a revising robot unit configured to interface with the control unit to automatically revise a screen of the AVM system based on the one or more target members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Myong Kim
  • Patent number: 9517726
    Abstract: A cargo organizer for a vehicle includes a frame at least partially forming a floor of a cargo area of the vehicle. The cargo organizer includes one or more elongate elements extendable across an opening defined by the frame. The elongate elements are slidable with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Murray, Sebastian Rieger, Alicia Agius, Stephen David Fleming, Ed Stubbs, Jonathan Mundy