Patents Issued in January 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9533556
    Abstract: A sealing element includes a molded part including a tubular segment having a wall, a slit extending in the wall in a longitudinal direction of the tubular segment and recesses formed on the first longitudinal edge of the slit. The sealing element further includes tabs that keep the slit from gaping apart after unmolding the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CQLT SaarGummi Technologies S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Suleyman Samanci, Thomas Roeder
  • Patent number: 9533557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel rooftop shading system for recreational vehicles (RVs) and a method of installing the same. The shading system comprises a sheet of material generally sized to cover the roof of an RV. The sheet is supported over the roof with support rods which extend across the width of the roof and maintain a curved shape of the sheet. The sheet is secured to the RV by two strap systems which extend from the front end and rear end of the sheet. This system allows the sheet to be secured to and elevated from the roof of the RV providing space and producing shade to the rooftop of the trailer body or RV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Staudt, Brian Joseph Staudt
  • Patent number: 9533558
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to automatically deployed and retracted car cover systems. Specifically an interconnected framework of arms and springs has a retraction wire wrapped around a spool with a motor attached. When the motor releases the retraction wire in a controlled manner, the springs cause the interconnected framework to extend over the top of a vehicle. A flexible shell is attached to the framework and covers the vehicle as the interconnected framework is extended. The cover is retracted by the motor winding the retraction wire back onto the spool pulling the interconnected framework back to a housing dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Ted Justin Suh
  • Patent number: 9533559
    Abstract: To heighten the rigidity of a torque rod at the time of compression. A rod section 12, a second ring section 16 and a main body portion 18 are integrally formed of resin. The rod section 12 is provided with a pair of intermediate ribs 44 which extends in parallel in the direction of a center axis CO. A center groove 45 is formed between the intermediate ribs 44. Front end portions 44a of the intermediate ribs 44 located on a first ring section 14 side spread apart in the direction away from each other. A connecting rib 46 provided in a front end portion 45a of the center groove 45 provides a connection between the front end portions 44a. With this construction, even if a compression load is imposed on the front end portions 44a in the direction to forcibly spread these end portions apart, this is suppressed by the connecting rib 46. The connecting rib 46 is arranged in the vicinity of the first ring section 14 whereby effective reinforcement can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: YAMASHITA RUBBER KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takatoshi Inatomi
  • Patent number: 9533560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane, particularly a crawler crane, whereby at least two different drive units can be alternately connected with the crane. The invention is additionally directed at corresponding drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 9533561
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a transmission mechanism configured to transmit power generated by an electric motor to an output shaft, to which power generated by an internal combustion engine is transmitted, via engaging sections of a plurality of rotating members, and the transmission mechanism has a play to the engaging sections along a rotating direction, the play being larger than a relative displacement amount between the rotating member on the internal combustion engine side and the rotating member on the electric motor side when a rotation variation phase difference between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is maximum. Therefore, there can be provided the power transmission device capable of suppressing an occurrence of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kiyohito Murata
  • Patent number: 9533562
    Abstract: A drive device for a change-speed transmission for motor vehicles, has at least one transmission input shaft, at least one axially parallel output shaft, having a plurality of gearwheel sets which are arranged on the shafts with fixed gearwheels and idler gears which can be switched via synchronizer clutches in order to form forward gears, and having at least one separating clutch. A planetary transmission which can be switched over into two transmission stages is connected upstream of the gearwheel sets of the forward gears, which planetary transmission has a driven input element, an output element which outputs to the input shaft, and a transmission element which can be braked or coupled in order to switch over the transmission stages, wherein the transmission element can be coupled to an electric machine, by means of which the transmission element can be fixed or can be driven in both rotational directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Johann Märkl, Axel Heitmann
  • Patent number: 9533563
    Abstract: A reduction gear includes a shaft that has a gear portion and a ring gear that is mounted on the shaft at a position away from the gear portion. The shaft has at the position in the outer periphery thereof a plurality of stepped first teeth arranged along the circumferential direction of the shaft. Each first tooth has a lower portion and a higher portion that is higher than and contiguous to the lower portion in the axial direction of the shaft, and the higher portion having a step surface that is contiguous to the lower portion. The ring gear has in the inner periphery thereof a plurality of second teeth arranged along the inner circumference of the ring gear, and the second teeth are fitted to grooves between the first teeth through splines. The second teeth are set in contact with the step surfaces of the first teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Takashi Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 9533564
    Abstract: A grille apparatus for a vehicle includes a first cover arranged at an opening portion of a front grille, a second cover arranged at the opening portion of the front grille, and a drive mechanism changing a relative position of the first cover and the second cover in response to a driving force of a drive source, in which the drive mechanism changes an opening amount of the front grille by performing an opening operation moving the second cover to a rear of the first cover, and by performing a closing operation returning the second cover to a fully-closed position, the fully-closed position before moving the second cover to the rear of the first cover while maintaining the first cover and the second cover within the opening portion of the front grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Asano, Hideki Kawabata, Yasuaki Nishio, Shuhei Uchida
  • Patent number: 9533565
    Abstract: An active grille shutter assembly includes a frame adapted to be connected to a portion of a vehicle and forming at least one opening therein and a plurality of shutters disposed in and extending across the at least one opening and being pivotally connected to the frame. The active grille shutter assembly also includes at least one linkage connected to the shutters and an actuator supported by the frame and being connected to one of the shutters to move the at least one linkage to open and close the shutters as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Montaplast of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elliott, Sascha Klausen, Andrew Kowalski
  • Patent number: 9533566
    Abstract: A method of controlling an active air flap, includes detecting a location of a vehicle from a GPS signal received through a GPS receiver, and acquiring a road surface gradient of a road on which the vehicle travels from location information of the vehicle and map information stored in a data storage, by a controller, determining an opening degree setting value corresponding to the road surface gradient of the road, by the controller, outputting a control signal for controlling an opening degree of an air flap according to a setting value, by the controller, and controlling the opening degree of the air flap by operating an actuator according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 9533567
    Abstract: The rear wall portion has a curved portion curved in an approximately arc shape in top plan view to serve as a right or left end thereof. An engine is provided on the upper frame at a position in front of the rear wall portion in such a manner that an interspace is formed between the engine and the curved portion. An exhaust aftertreatment device is provided in front of the rear wall portion while being superposed over the interspace. The exhaust aftertreatment device comprises a first treatment section and a second treatment section. The first treatment section and the second treatment section are supported over the upper frame in a posture where respective longitudinal directions of the first and second treatment sections are oriented parallel to each other in top plan view and along the curved portion in top plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro Ueta, Masakazu Ozaki, Takayuki Maeda, Michio Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9533568
    Abstract: An improved, secure, anti-siphoning method and apparatus that can be fitted into any size fuel tank. The present invention includes a re-configured fuel cap that includes an electronic display, a touchpad for numerically inputting a security code for allowing a user to unscrew the fuel cap. In addition, a biometric reader is implemented to read a user's thumb print, and subsequently allowing the user to access the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: George Anthony Harvey, Isaak Raage Jama
  • Patent number: 9533569
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: Bobby Ray McKinney
  • Patent number: 9533570
    Abstract: An electric vehicle according to the present invention includes: an electric motor configured to generate driving force to rotate left and right driving wheels; a battery as a power supply for the electric motor; an inverter configured to supply AC power to the electric motor; a differential device arranged between the left and right driving wheels; and a driving power transmission configured to transmit the driving force, generated by the electric motor, to the differential device. The differential device, the driving power transmission, and the electric motor are lined up linearly in a vehicle width direction. The electric motor is located at a first vehicle width direction side of a vehicle width center of the vehicle. The inverter is located at the first vehicle width direction side of the vehicle width center of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimoto Matsuda, Takuma Nozaki
  • Patent number: 9533571
    Abstract: A finger-operated lever device to be installed on a handlebar of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or other applicable vehicle, for actuating a cable to cause acceleration of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The lever device includes a housing, an internal first lever assembly connectable to the cable, and an external second lever assembly. The external lever assembly and the internal lever assembly are connected so that user operation of the external lever assembly causes the internal lever assembly to rotate. The external lever assembly is divided into two portions, a support member and an extension member. The extension member can be adjusted at different angles to the support member, allowing the user to set the angle of the lever to most comfortably fit to his or her riding posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Istvan Urmosi
  • Patent number: 9533572
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a vehicle includes a detector to detect an opening degree of an accelerator, a controller to adjust a reaction force of the accelerator, wherein the controller is configured to increase the reaction force of the accelerator when the accelerator opening degree exceeds a threshold value, a first threshold value corresponding to a first vehicle driving force, and a second threshold value corresponding to a second vehicle driving force that is larger than the first vehicle deriving force, wherein the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sakaguchi, Masao Shiomi, Kenichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9533573
    Abstract: Provided is a method of driving a vehicle including: monitoring a power status of the vehicle; and if, during the monitoring the power status of the vehicle, a power failure is detected and a first acceleration command is received, controlling the vehicle to travel at a first speed corresponding to the first acceleration command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Seo Chae, Sung Eun Park
  • Patent number: 9533574
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speed control system for a curved road section, which includes: a wireless communication module that supports communication with road-side units and receives road information from the road-side units for a plurality of points on a curved road adjacent to the road-side units; an allowable speed calculation unit that calculates maximum allowable speeds that are the highest speeds at which a vehicle is driven, for the plurality of points, using the road information; an optimum speed calculation unit that calculates an optimum speed in an acceleration and deceleration range that is set in consideration of a predetermined acceleration and deceleration limit of the vehicle; and a control module that displays the optimum speed calculated by the optimum speed calculation unit to the outside, or provides the calculated optimum speed to another control system in the vehicle such that the speed of the vehicle is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Man Bok Park, Sang Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9533575
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of water level sensors, for example comprising capacitive or resistive sensors, from the outputs of which can be determined vehicle orientation when wading. In conjunction with a vehicle orientation sensor, the outputs from any one water level sensor permits calculation of water depth at any point on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Thuy-Yung Tran, Edward Hoare, Nigel Clarke
  • Patent number: 9533576
    Abstract: A user equipment includes a positioning unit which is configured to determine a relative position of the user equipment within a reference coordinate system that is defined with respect to a vehicle. The user equipment further includes a processor configured to selectively enable or disable a user access to at least some features of in-vehicle entertainment and/or control based on the determined relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Kalbus
  • Patent number: 9533577
    Abstract: An operator controls a combination instrument of a vehicle where the combination instrument has a display device for displaying a piece of information. Also in the vehicle are a bracket for detachably holding a mobile electronic apparatus, an interface for transmitting signals to the mobile electronic apparatus and for identifying whether there is a mobile electronic apparatus in the bracket, and an operator control device for operator control of the mobile electronic apparatus. Additionally, a processing device is set up to automatically process operator control inputs on the operator control device for operator control of the combination instrument according to whether a mobile electronic apparatus is in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Tahar Bouaziz
  • Patent number: 9533578
    Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a processor performing a process necessary for a charging control based on a pilot signal, an input circuit disposed in a stage preceding an input port of the processor, and a pseudo-signal supply circuit supplying a pseudo-pilot signal to a pilot signal line under the control of the processor, and the processor performs a malfunction diagnosis for the input circuit based on a signal state of the input port when controlling the pseudo-signal supply circuit to supply the pseudo-pilot signal to the pilot signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: KEIHIN CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Takashima, Masaki Tanno, Takeshi Yamada, Haruki Umeya, Shinichi Daibo
  • Patent number: 9533579
    Abstract: An electronic control apparatus controls am electrically-driven vehicle, which has no engine but has only a motor supplied with electric power from an electric power supply source. The electronic control apparatus has a self-diagnosis function for storing an abnormality code corresponding to a diagnosis object when abnormality of the diagnosis object is detected. The electronic control apparatus checks whether the motor and the electric power supply source are operating normally when a power control switch is turned on under a state that the abnormality code is stored in a memory. The electronic control apparatus checks whether abnormality is detected again in the diagnosis object, the abnormality code of which has already been stored, when the motor and the electric power supply source are operating normally. The electronic control unit erases the abnormality code when no abnormality is detected again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Syunsuke Nomura
  • Patent number: 9533580
    Abstract: Provided are a power converter for a vehicle generator-motor and a method for controlling a vehicle generator-motor, which is used for a field winding type vehicle generator-motor configured to perform control in accordance with an external operating command in which a power converter is connected to a rotating electrical machine including a field winding and an armature winding. When the generator-motor shifts from a driving state to another operating mode, a method of stopping a driving mode is switched in accordance with an operating mode to be shifted, to thereby shift the operating mode promptly without generating an unintended power generation, an excess power generation, and an excess torque fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Tabata, Masato Mori, Kenichi Akita
  • Patent number: 9533581
    Abstract: A method for determining an amount of regenerative braking includes: determining a possible amount of regenerative braking at a time of braking a vehicle; distributing a first amount of regenerative braking up to the possible amount of regenerative braking as the amount of regenerative braking; distributing a second amount of regenerative braking remaining from the possible amount of regenerative braking as an amount of hydraulic braking; and performing, first, regenerative braking by issuing a motor torque instruction according to the possible amount of regenerative braking and, second, friction braking using the amount of hydraulic braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jee Wook Huh, Sang Joon Kim, Gwang Il Du, Teh Hwan Cho, Woo Suk Choi, Kyoung Cheol Oh
  • Patent number: 9533582
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one electromotor for driving the vehicle, an actuator for controlling the supply of electric power to the electromotor, and a power system for providing electric power to the electromotor. The power system includes an energy storage, an energy meter for measuring the energy condition of the energy storage, a power generator for generating electric power, and a computer system. The energy storage supplies power to the electromotor. The power generator supplies energy to the energy storage. The computer system controls the power supplied by the power generator so that the energy storage is able to provide the electromotor with the power the electromotor needs for driving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: E-TRACTION EUROPE B.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus Johannes Heinen
  • Patent number: 9533583
    Abstract: A charging apparatus (10) for charging a vehicle battery has a charging socket arrangement (12, 112) with a charging socket (15, 115) designed to receive a charging plug connected to a charging cable, and an adapter device (18, 118) for receiving the charging socket (15, 115). The charging apparatus 10 also has a charging cradle (22) for sealing off the charging socket (15, 115) from a body of the motor vehicle, and a reinforcing element (25) designed to receive the charging socket arrangement (12, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilfried Eberle
  • Patent number: 9533584
    Abstract: A power supply degradation determination apparatus which is mounted to the vehicle includes a controller and a DC-DC converter that control execution of a charge phase in which a capacitor capable of accumulating regenerative energy of the vehicle is charged and execution of a discharge phase in which the capacitor is discharged. The controller detects the internal resistance of the capacitor using the difference between the terminal voltage and the open circuit voltage of the capacitor during the execution of the discharge phase and the discharge current thereof, determines whether the internal resistance is a predetermined value or more, and delays the execution start of the discharge phase for a predetermined time when the internal resistance is determined to be the predetermined value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Takahashi, Tomofumi Abe, Kenichi Ishida, Kazuyuki Kubo
  • Patent number: 9533585
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an electric storage device; a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the electric storage device; a second temperature sensor configured to detect an environmental temperature; a heater configured to warm the electric storage device; and a controller configured to control the heater. The controller is configured to: when end time of the external charging is set, calculate a remaining time period from current time to the end time; identify a temperature increasing time period that corresponds to the calculated remaining time period, the temperature of the electric storage device, and the environmental temperature by using a corresponding relationship among the remaining time period, the temperature of the electric storage device, the environmental temperature, and the temperature increasing time period; and start driving the heater such that the temperature of the electric storage device at the end time reaches the target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Murata, Yusuke Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9533586
    Abstract: A lock device includes an inlet arranged in a vehicle and having an inlet housing into which a charge cable is insertable. A lock mechanism is capable of locking the charge cable to the inlet. The lock device includes a lock mechanism attachment portion arranged in the inlet housing and enabling attachment of the lock mechanism to the inlet housing. The lock device may be located on an outer surface of the inlet housing and may include a movable lock pin that serves to retain a lock arm of the charge cable and may also be used to retain a lid for closing the inlet. With this system the inlet housing and lock mechanism form a single unit for ease of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Keiji Kahara, Naoto Kurumizawa, Toshiharu Katagiri, Hiroaki Yuasa, Eiji Kitano
  • Patent number: 9533587
    Abstract: Charging device for the automatic establishment and disconnection of a charging connection for a plug-in vehicle, whereby the charging device of the plug-in vehicle includes a charging electrical unit, a charging station with a charging cable to charge an energy storage unit of the vehicle through a cable-based charging connection. The charging electrical unit comprises a socket and the charging cable a plug. The charging device is designed such that that the socket has one or more insertion funnels, the plug has one or more guide pins, wherein each guide pin is allocated to a specific funnel. Information is exchangeable between the charging station and the charging electrical unit once the charging connection is established. Information between the charging station and the vehicle is exchangeable if the charging connection is not established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Krammer
  • Patent number: 9533588
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a battery, a charging lid, a vehicle-side charging connector, a contactor, a contactor welding detector, a DC inlet cover, a DC lock mechanism, and a lock controller. The battery is to be charged with power supplied from an external power supply. The vehicle-side charging connector is disposed inside a position of the charging lid in the electric vehicle and includes an AC inlet for AC charging and a DC inlet for DC charging. The contactor is provided on a power line connecting the DC inlet to the battery. The contactor welding detector is configured to detect welding of the contactor. The DC inlet cover covers the DC inlet without covering the AC inlet in a state where the DC inlet cover is in a closed state. The DC lock mechanism locks the DC inlet cover in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hakaru Sadano, Hiroyuki Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 9533589
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a wireless power receiver apparatus includes a coil configured to wirelessly receive power via a magnetic field generated by a transmitter. The wireless power receiver apparatus can include a housing that includes a first volume configured to house the coil. The housing can also include a second volume configured to house electronic components. The second volume can be bound by a horizontal shielding member along a first portion of the second volume. The horizontal shielding member can define a horizontal shielding member plane substantially parallel to a plane defined by the coil. The second volume can also be bounded by a vertical shielding member along a second portion of the second volume. The vertical shielding member can define a vertical shielding member plane substantially orthogonal to the plane defined by the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Alberto Garcia Briz, Grzegorz Ombach, Milenko Stamenic, Edward Van Boheemen, Stefan Raabe, Michael Werner
  • Patent number: 9533590
    Abstract: Dynamic wireless charging systems may involve coordinating multiple charging base pads to provide coordinated, continuous power transfers to a moving receiver along the distance in which the dynamic wireless charging system is installed. These dynamic systems may require a large number of coils (base pads) which may be components in base array networks (BAN modules). The BAN modules may provide for simplified installation and system design wherein the BAN modules may be preassembled and self-contained, drop-in-place units. The layout and design of the BAN modules may be such that they may contain charging base pads, local controllers, distribution circuitry, and switching controls. The sizing of the BAN modules may dramatically affect the usability and practicality of such dynamic systems. The sizing of the BAN modules may be dependent upon the pitch between vehicle pads on electric vehicles and base pad pitch within the BAN modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Athol Keeling, Chang-Yu Huang, Michael Le Gallais Kissin, Mickel Bipin Budhia, Jonathan Beaver
  • Patent number: 9533591
    Abstract: Contact charging is performed using a charging inlet and a charger, and non-contact charging is performed using a power transmission unit and a power reception unit. An ECU controls charging power by the contact charging and charging power by the non-contact charging such that the sum of the charging power by the contact charging and the charging power by the non-contact charging does not exceed a predetermined limitation. When the sum of electric power receivable by the contact charging and electric power receivable by the non-contact charging exceeds the predetermined limitation, the ECU controls the charging power by the contact charging and the charging power by the non-contact charging to limit one of the contact charging and the non-contact charging which is less efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9533592
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle is provided with a vehicle body having a bottom surface, a battery disposed inside the vehicle body, a power receiving device configured to receive electrical power in a non-contact manner from a power transmission coil of a power transmission device disposed outside the vehicle body when facing the power transmission coil, and an electrical apparatus electrically connected to the power receiving device and the battery for supplying power received from the power receiving device to the battery. The power receiving device includes a power receiving coil disposed on the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and a capacitor disposed inside the vehicle body and electrically connected to the power receiving coil and the electrical apparatus. Thereby, the impact of heat on the capacitor included in the power receiving device can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Kamikihara, Hiroaki Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9533593
    Abstract: Provided is a charger for an electric vehicle. The charger for an electric vehicle includes a light emitting unit displaying charging operation information of the charger, a communication unit performing near-field wireless communication with an external device, a guide guiding visible light of the light emitting unit, and a control unit controlling operations of the light emitting unit and the communication unit. The guide includes a reflective layer surrounding a portion of the outside of the guide to reflect the visible light toward the inside of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Jun Im, Seung Woo Choi
  • Patent number: 9533594
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted apparatus comprising: a communication unit which is connected to the charger/discharger and exchanges information with the charger/discharger; an input unit receiving various types of information; a storage unit which uses the information acquired through the input unit and the communication unit to store: a vehicle ID identifying the vehicle; a charger/discharger ID identifying the charger/discharger which can be connected to the vehicle; and history information indicating a history of charges and discharges for the vehicle, which are related to one another; and a presentation unit presenting to a user of the vehicle, the history information stored in the storage unit in relation to a pair of the vehicle ID and the charger/discharger which charges/discharges the vehicle and is identified by the charger/discharger ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruka Nakasone, Akira Baba, Hitoshi Nomura, Yasuhiro Yanagi
  • Patent number: 9533595
    Abstract: In a battery system for a vehicle, a lead battery is connected in parallel to a sub-battery, and a charging resistance r2 of the sub-battery 2 is lower than a charging resistance r1 of the lead battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sakatani, Hiromasa Sugii, Makoto Ochi, Ryuuji Kawase
  • Patent number: 9533596
    Abstract: A vehicle has a display interface and at least one processor that prompts a user via the display interface to construct a rule specifying circumstances in which the vehicle is to be operated in electric mode using a set of operating/environmental parameters such that the rule includes user specified logic. In response to and while sensed operating/environmental parameters satisfy the rule, the vehicle is operated in electric mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9533597
    Abstract: A vehicle may include battery cells of a battery and at least one controller configured to control the vehicle based on a state observation associated with the battery according to battery model parameters for the cells received from a computing device external to the vehicle and responsive to measurements relating to a battery model of the cells sent to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Patent number: 9533598
    Abstract: A battery management system includes at least one controller programmed to, in response to a battery current becoming approximately zero, output an open-circuit voltage based on a sequence of battery terminal voltages measured during a time interval in which the battery current remains approximately zero and while a charge polarization voltage is decreasing. The open-circuit voltage may be further based on a non-linear regression of the sequence of battery terminal voltages. The non-linear regression may minimize a mean-squared error between the battery terminal voltages and corresponding battery terminal voltage estimates. The at least one controller may command the battery current to zero for the time interval. The battery management system may be included in a vehicle with a traction battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9533599
    Abstract: A portable electric vehicle support equipment (EVSE) unit is formed as a cord of plural insulated conductors and a flexible outer sheath enclosing said plural insulated conductors. The cord includes an EVSE docking connector on a docking end of the cord and a utility plug on a utility end of the cord, said cord being divided into a docking section terminated at said docking connector and a utility section terminated at said utility connector. The cord further includes an in-line EVSE controller and a housing enclosing said controller, said housing sealed with said flexible outer sheath and disposed at an intermediate section of said cord between said docking and utility sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: David Paul Soden, Albert Joseph Flack, Herman Joseph Steinbuchel, IV, Larry Hayashigawa, Brendan Francis O'Donnell, Francis Patrick Wong, Robert Barrosa
  • Patent number: 9533600
    Abstract: A method and device for improving a structurally integrated propulsion battery system with a battery, a tray for accommodating the battery, with lower and upper internal structural cross beams coupled to the tray, and a liquid cooling plate located between the upper internal structural cross beam and the lower internal structural cross beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leo F. Schwab, Tao Wang, Phillip D. Hamelin
  • Patent number: 9533601
    Abstract: In a control apparatus, a filter processor filters target torque for a rotary electric machine to suppress a vibrational frequency component of a drivetrain using a filter having a frequency transfer characteristic. A controller performs drive control of the rotary electric machine according to the filtered target torque. A parameter calculator calculates, according to a running condition of the vehicle, a parameter associated with a request value for responsivity of output torque of the rotary electric machine with respect to the target torque. A variable setter variably sets the frequency transfer characteristic of the filter to decrease a degree of attenuation of the vibrational frequency component with an increase of the request value for responsivity of the actual output torque. A limiter limits a rate of change of the degree of attenuation to suppress vibrations of the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Syo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9533602
    Abstract: An electronic control device on a vehicle having a shift transmission operable by a driver includes: a battery; a motor generator; and a three-phase inverter executing an electricity conversion between the battery and the motor generator bi-directionally; a detector detecting a shift down operation; an obtaining device obtaining a negative torque corresponding to the shift down operation; a determination device determining whether the battery is chargeable; and a controller controlling the three-phase inverter to generate the negative torque at the motor generator. When the detector detects the shift down operation, and the determination device determines that the battery is not chargeable, the controller outputs a switching signal to all of three upper arms or all of three lower arms to turn on simultaneously, and outputs a shutdown signal to all of three upper arms or all of three lower arms with executing a PWM control of the shutdown signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ito
  • Patent number: 9533603
    Abstract: A B-surface seat occupancy sensor unit (10) comprises a support plate (12) having a top surface (20) and a bottom surface, a plurality of spacer elements (14), which define an upper surface (18) of the unit. The top surface of the support plate is arranged recessed the upper surface. A first foam pad (22) is disposed between the spacer elements on the support plate. A recess (24) formed in the top surface of the support plate, underneath the first foam pad, accommodates a second foam pad (23) carrying a pressure-responsive membrane switch (26). The recess has a depth exceeding the total height of the pressure-responsive membrane switch and the second foam pad. The pressure-sensitive membrane switch projects laterally beyond opposite edges of the second foam pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Markus Kordel, Dietmar Jungen, Konstantin Weires, Manuel Wampach
  • Patent number: 9533604
    Abstract: A seat slide device is fixed to the floor of a vehicle and includes lower rails, each of which includes a front range and a rear range and extends forward and backward, and an upper rail supporting a movable seat and capable of moving over the lower rails. The seat slide device also includes a lock portion, a stopper, and a stopper-releasing operating portion. The lock portion selectively restricts movement of the upper rail on the lower rails at a plurality of positions. The lock portion is provided to the upper rail. The stopper stops movement of the upper rail before the upper rail advances from either one of the front range and the rear range, past this range, to the other range. The stopper-releasing operating portion enables movement of the upper rail when the upper rail has been stopped by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shirou Nakashima, Manabu Handa, Takahiro Sugama, Hideki Fujisawa, Sho Kume, Tsutomu Oya
  • Patent number: 9533605
    Abstract: In a vehicle side airbag device, when inflator operates, gas is supplied to left and right chambers of rear bag portion, and gas is supplied from communication opening through between a left and right side partitioning portions directly into a front bag portion. When inflation and expansion of the chambers are completed, the left and ride side partitioning portions are pushed against one another by internal pressures of the chambers, and the communication opening is closed-off. A valley, that is recessed toward a vehicle rear side, is formed at a front surface of the rear bag portion. At a time when the rear bag portion interferes with a vehicle occupant who is at an improper position, this valley is expanded due to the left and right chambers moving apart from one another in a vehicle left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Fujiwara