Patents Issued in January 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9533656
    Abstract: A heated wiper blade for motor vehicles includes an elongated flexible beam and a heating element extending along the beam. The heating element may be configured to provide increased heat at the central portion of the blade and at the opposite ends of the blade. The heating element is comprised of an electrical conductor material that varies the amperage drawn between hot and cold ambient temperature operation. The flexible beam may include curved end portions and a flat or reduced curvature central portion. The heating element is preferably covered and sealed off to prevent loss of heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HWB, LLC
    Inventor: Johnnie L. Jones
  • Patent number: 9533657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade (10) of flat bar design composed of a wiper strip (14) comprising a wiper lip (18) connected to a head strip (22) via a tilting web (20), at least one pre-bent, elastic spring rail (46, 52, 54) acting as a supporting element, a connecting element (12) and a spoiler (32) having a flowing profile (34) and a holding profile (38), wherein the spoiler (32) includes in the flowing profile (34) thereof at least one longitudinal channel (44, 48, 50) with a spring rail (46, 52, 54), and the holding profile (38) thereof has at the longitudinal sides thereof free branches (42) opposite each other, directed inward, engaging into respective longitudinal grooves (24) of the head strip (22). According to the invention, the head strip (22) is free of spring rails, and in particular no spring rail (46, 52, 54) will contact the head strip (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Wilms, Rudi Kisselmann
  • Patent number: 9533658
    Abstract: A wiper connector for a vehicle may be provided which connects a wiper arm to a wiper blade 10 and includes: a body 320 including a pair of elastic moving pieces 362 which is formed on one end thereof and faces each other, and one or more coupling parts 330 and 340 which are formed on both sides thereof and by which the wiper arm is caught; and a cover 310 movable to a fixing position for fixing the wiper arm which is caught by the body 320 and to a release position for releasing the fixed wiper arm. The pair of the elastic moving pieces 362 elastically restrains the movement of the cover 310 at the fixing position and allows the cover 310 to move to the release position when a releasing force for removing the elastic restraint is applied to the elastic moving piece 362.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KBWS Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Hyuck An, Woo Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9533659
    Abstract: A towing device for motor vehicles includes a conveyor chain revolving between a first deflecting device including a first axis of rotation and a second deflecting device including a second axis of rotation, wherein the conveyor chain comprises a chain forward strand along a load strand and a chain return strand along an empty strand; a conveying path for motor vehicles at least partially disposed along the load strand; at least one driver for a motor vehicle tire, wherein the driver is connected to an associated chain joint disposed at the conveyor chain and serves for towing a motor vehicle along the conveying path; and a circumferential guide track for guiding the at least one driver. The first and the second axis of rotation are arranged vertically. The load strand and the empty strand of the conveyor chain are arranged in a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ARWE HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: David Gabrysch, Donald Peschla
  • Patent number: 9533660
    Abstract: An apparatus facilitating packing of a racecar parachute using a pilot chute launcher, the apparatus comprised of a slotted metal plate, a pair of notched tabs, and a pair of extensions selected to removably couple with the notched tabs and the plate. In use, the notched tabs, notched sides facing away from one another, are positioned and affixed to opposing sides of a parachute bag bottom plate. The parachute and pilot chute launcher are packed into the parachute bag. The extensions are inserted into opposing slots on the plate, and by engaging the extensions with the notched tabs, the pilot chute launcher is compressed. A top and a bottom flap of the parachute bag is secured over the plate in a usual fashion. The extensions and the plate are sequentially removed, and the parachute is continued to be packed in the usual fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Robert C. Cosky
  • Patent number: 9533661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Steven J. Juricak, Jason M. Buckmier, Joshua D. Callaway, Korby A. Koch, Brian F. Taggart
  • Patent number: 9533662
    Abstract: A driving assistance system includes: a storage apparatus (14) configured to store an operation result of a first assistance apparatus (50) performing first driving assistance on a first movable body (20A); a determination unit (135) configured to determine whether or not an operation result of a second assistance apparatus (40) performing second driving assistance on a second movable body (30) is related to the operation result of the first assistance apparatus (50) stored in the storage apparatus (14); an information providing unit (134, 133) configured to provide assistance information based on an operation result of the first assistance apparatus (50) when the determination unit (135) determines that the operation result of the second assistance apparatus (40) is related to the operation result of the first assistance apparatus (50); and an assistance unit (323) configured to perform driving assistance on the second movable body (30) based on the assistance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JODPSHA BAUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Uno
  • Patent number: 9533663
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system including: (a) a first hydraulic-pressure generating device including a manual hydraulic pressure source; (b) a second hydraulic-pressure generating device including a power hydraulic pressure source; (c) a manual-operation-associated brake line including a communicating device that is to be brought into communication with the manual hydraulic pressure source and brake cylinder or cylinders of the plurality of hydraulic brakes; (d) an output hydraulic-pressure control device and a flow restraining device disposed in parallel with each other between the manual-operation-associated brake line and the second hydraulic-pressure generating device; and (e) a power hydraulic pressure source control device for activating the power hydraulic pressure source such that the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the manual-operation-associated brake line via the flow restraining device, when the output hydraulic-pressure control device cannot control the hydraulic pressure outputted by the second hydr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyazaki, Takayuki Yamamoto, Yoshito Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9533664
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plate plunger with which a reaction disc comes into contact and which determines a servo ratio of a vacuum booster, the plate plunger manufacturing method comprising primarily processing a plate plunger base material in such a way that an outer peripheral diameter of a reaction disc contact surface of the plate plunger becomes equal to or greater than an outer peripheral diameter, and forming the reaction disc contact surface of the plate plunger in such a way that it has an outer peripheral diameter corresponding to a desired servo ratio by secondarily processing a servo ratio determination surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yamaga
  • Patent number: 9533665
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes pressurizing chambers and atmospheric pressure chambers which are in communication with a reservoir provided upstream. The pressurizing chambers of the master cylinder are connected to a brake fluid pressure control valve device through master pressure pipes provided with master cut valves. The atmospheric pressure chambers of the master cylinder bypass the master cut valves and are connected to the brake fluid pressure control valve device through bypass pipes provided with check valves. A pump constituting a brake fluid pressurizing section of the brake hydraulic control valve device suctions the brake fluid from the reservoir preferentially through the bypass pipes provided with the check valves and pressurizes the brake fluid to supply a brake fluid pressure to brake fluid pressure adjust sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunori Nimura, Hiroshi Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 9533666
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods related to determining observed applied brake force of an aircraft braking system. In various embodiments, a system for calculating observed applied force comprises a current sensor in communication with a controller, a position sensor in communication with the controller and configured to measure a rotational speed of a motor shaft, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Efrem E. Ayichew, Richard Kolk
  • Patent number: 9533667
    Abstract: A method of detecting an accumulator failure is provided. The method may comprise measuring a first pressure on a gas-side of an accumulator, measuring a second pressure on a fluid-side of the accumulator, finding a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, and comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold. A system for detecting an accumulator failure is also provided. The system may comprise a non-transitory memory communicating with a processor, the non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a first pressure measurement, receiving a second pressure measurement, determining a difference between the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement, and detecting the accumulator failure based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Cahill, Paul R. Burte
  • Patent number: 9533668
    Abstract: A rail vehicle braking device has at least one first electrodynamic brake with a drive unit that includes at least one drive motor and a power supply unit for supplying the drive motor in a traction mode of the drive unit. A brake control unit controls, in a first brake mode, the respective power supply unit for providing a braking effect. In order to optimize the system with a fall-back measure in case of a braking effect loss in respect of the cause thereof, there is provided at least one sensor unit, which detects a braking effect parameter for the first braking mode of the brake. A monitoring device is assigned to the first brake. It is independent of the brake control unit and considers, in a first monitoring mode, the braking effect parameter for the introduction of a fall-back measure concerning the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Till Foerster, Stefan Hassler, Reiner Heilmann, Jean-Pascal Schwinn, Thorsten Stützle, Manfred Wiesand
  • Patent number: 9533669
    Abstract: A vehicle control device is a vehicle control device for a vehicle capable of coasting, in which when there is no acceleration or deceleration request to the vehicle while traveling, power transmission between an engine and drive wheels is cut off and the vehicle is allowed to travel by inertia, wherein in a state in which there is no acceleration or deceleration request to the vehicle while traveling and power is transmitted between the engine and the drive wheels, whether or not to implement the coasting is determined by comparing a required deceleration rate Dt which is estimated as a deceleration rate to be later required of the vehicle and a coasting deceleration rate Dn which is estimated as a deceleration rate during the coasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsumi Kono, Norimi Asahara, Jonggap Kim
  • Patent number: 9533670
    Abstract: Method for engaging and disengaging a hydraulic motor which is adjustable in its displacement from and to a hydrostatic drive train of a hydromechanical transmission with a closed hydraulic fluid circuit. Two adjustable hydraulic motors and a hydraulic pump are arranged in parallel in the hydrostatic drive train and connected to a mechanical drive on the output side. At least one of the two hydraulic motors is connected to the mechanical drive via an assigned clutch. As appropriate to the driving situation, during operation of the other hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump at least one of the hydraulic motors is engaged via the assigned clutch with the hydromechanical transmission from which the hydraulic motor was previously disengaged, likewise as appropriate to the driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Torsten Kohmaescher
  • Patent number: 9533671
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle control apparatus which can suppress a shock in a clutch from being generated at a time of starting an engine by a motor in a vehicle having the clutch provided therein between the engine and the motor, thereby improving a drivability of the vehicle. Provided is a vehicle control apparatus, comprising: an engine, a motor generator connected to vehicle wheels of a vehicle, and a clutch that switches a transmission state between a disengaging state and an engaging state, in which the vehicle control apparatus switches the clutch in the engaging state to start the engine by the motor generator. When the engine is started by the motor generator, the vehicle control apparatus constantly keeps the compensation torque of the motor generator smaller than the clutch torque of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Inoue, Yukihiko Ideshio, Shingo Eto, Yousuke Michikoshi, Kenji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9533672
    Abstract: A method for damping mechanical vibrations is provided, in particular torsion vibrations, in a vehicle that has a drive train comprising a combustion engine and an electrical drive motor, wherein a signal describing the current vibration behavior of at least one vehicle component is subjected to a vibration analysis, and at at least one interference frequency contained in the signal, a compensation torque counteracting said interference frequency is generated by the electric drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Christ
  • Patent number: 9533673
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transmission gear shifting of a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods prepare the hybrid vehicle for conditions that may occur after a requested gear shift is performed. In one example, a motor speed that would occur after a downshift, if the downshift were allowed to occur, is determined and control actions may be taken in response to the predicted motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Matthew John Shelton, Felix Nedorezov, Todd McCullough, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9533674
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine; a fraction battery; and a controller or a battery control system having a controller. The controller is programed to respond to a predicted duration of charge sustaining operation for a drive cycle and a speed of the vehicle. When the predicted duration is greater than a predetermined duration and the speed is less than a speed threshold, the controller increases a state of charge threshold of the traction battery associated with triggering shut offs of the engine to reduce cycling of the engine during the drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, William Paul Perkins
  • Patent number: 9533675
    Abstract: A method for controlling the battery of a mild hybrid vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes: a first step of detecting the traffic conditions based on the driving state of the vehicle; and a second step of adjusting the target SOC of an energy storage device based on the detected traffic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: In Gyu Jang
  • Patent number: 9533676
    Abstract: An electronic control unit included in a control system is configured to execute a change of a combustion mode in an inertia-phase period during a gear shift operation, or after the gear shift operation is completed, when a request for the change of the combustion mode and a request for a gear shift of the transmission mechanism overlap. The electronic control unit is configured to execute the change of the combustion mode in the inertia-phase period during the gear shift operation when conditions i) and ii) are established, and execute the change of the combustion mode after the gear shift operation is completed when conditions i) and iii) are established. The aforementioned conditions include: i) the change of the combustion mode is accompanied by an increase in engine power; ii) the power running mode is executed during the gear shift operation; and iii) the regeneration mode is executed during the gear shift operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Gohki Kinoshita, Yoshihito Kanno, Hiroki Morita, Daisuke Izuoka
  • Patent number: 9533677
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having a discrete ratio transmission shifts according to distinct shift schedules in various operating modes. For example, different shift schedules may be used for operating with the engine off, operating with the engine running, and regenerative braking. When the vehicle transitions from one mode to another, the new shift schedule may schedule a shift that the driver would not expect. To avoid annoying the driver, a control strategy inhibits the shift until either the old strategy would also schedule a shift or a customer event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Matthew John Shelton, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9533678
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid drive-train of a vehicle having a combustion engine with a driveshaft, a transmission with an input shaft and an output shaft that drives a transfer box. An electric machine has a rotor that is connected to the transmission input shaft. A separator clutch is arranged between the engine driveshaft and the transmission input shaft. For coupling of the engine, the engine is first accelerated, with a rotational speed regulation, toward a target speed until a reference speed is reached or exceeded while the clutch remains disengaged, then, with continuous speed regulation, the engine is adjusted to a corrected target speed while the clutch is engaged until a target torque is obtained, then, with torque control, the engine is adjusted to the target torque while the clutch, with differential rotational speed regulation, is regulated to a target speed difference, and finally the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jakob Scholz, Tobias Zollner, Holger Bacher
  • Patent number: 9533679
    Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9533680
    Abstract: Present invention provides a control device for hybrid vehicle which can ensure acceleration performance while suppressing second clutch engagement shock at engine start. The control device has second clutch (CL2) which is interposed between motor/generator (MG) and driving wheels (rear-left and right wheels RL, RR) and whose transmission torque capacity is variable, a second clutch slip amount controlling section (400b) performing full engagement operation that shifts second clutch (CL2) from slip state to full engagement state at a time when lock-up condition of the second clutch (CL2) is satisfied (S107) in the slip state of the second clutch (CL2). The second clutch slip amount controlling section (400b) first increases transmission torque capacity of second clutch (CL2) at first increase gradient (R1) (S109) and subsequently increases the transmission torque capacity of the second clutch (CL2) at second increase gradient (R2) that is gentler than the first increase gradient (R1) (S111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9533681
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle cruise control device 10 that performs trajectory control for causing a vehicle to travel along a traveling road by steering vehicle wheels. The vehicle cruise control device includes: a roll control device (active stabilizers 56 and 58, etc.) configured to control a lateral-direction inclination angle of a vehicle body; and an inclination angle estimation device (a roll rate sensor 72, a stroke sensor 74i, etc.) configured to determine a lateral-direction inclination of a traveling road. When the trajectory control is executed in a situation in which the vehicle travels on a laterally inclined traveling road (S150, S250, S300, S500), the lateral-direction inclination angle of the vehicle body is controlled by the roll control device so that the lateral-direction inclination angle of the vehicle body is greater than 0 and smaller than the lateral-direction inclination angle of the traveling road (S450).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Kodaira, Takahiro Kojo
  • Patent number: 9533682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle when changing lanes on a roadway consisting of at least three lanes, with the steps: detection by a monitoring system in the vehicle of an impending lane change of the motor vehicle from a first lane to an adjoining second lane; detection of an impending lane change by another vehicle from a third lane that adjoins the second lane, to the second lane; the monitoring system determining whether a collision with the other vehicle threatens if the vehicle changes lanes; as soon as a threatened collision is determined, a warning signal is issued by a warning device and/or the motor vehicle is influenced in its lateral motion by a driver assistance system of the vehicle. In addition, it relates to a motor vehicle with a monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Marcus Kühne
  • Patent number: 9533683
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system includes a sensor that senses a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The trailer backup assist system also includes a steering input device that provides a backing path of the trailer. Further, the trailer backup assist system includes a controller that generates a steering command for the vehicle based on the hitch angle and the backing path. The controller generates a countermeasure for operating the vehicle when the sensor fails to sense the hitch angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 9533684
    Abstract: A speed control system for a vehicle, comprising an electronic controller configured to automatically cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value. The electronic controller is further configured to receive information relating to movement of at least a portion of a vehicle body or at least a portion of a body of an occupant relative to a vehicle, and to automatically adjust the value of the target speed value in dependence on the received information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: James Kelly, Saleem Zuberi, Andrew Fairgrieve
  • Patent number: 9533685
    Abstract: A method for assisting overtaking includes determining a first speed of a first vehicle, determining a first distance to a second vehicle in front of the first and a second speed of the second vehicle by a sensor in the first vehicle, determining a second distance to a third vehicle behind the first and a third speed of the third vehicle by a sensor in the first vehicle, determining a first speed change associated with a first driving operation allowing the first vehicle to keep a first safety distance to the second while the third vehicle overtakes the first, determining a second speed change associated with a second driving operation allowing the first vehicle to keep a second safety distance to the third while the first vehicle overtakes the second, comparing the first and second speed changes and performing the driving operation associated with the most favourable speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Ask
  • Patent number: 9533686
    Abstract: A method for controlling automatic restarting of a vehicle including an automatic transmission, when the driver releases a brake pedal or pushes an accelerator pedal, the method including: a first phase of cranking an engine during which engine torque starts to increase without being transmitted to wheels of the vehicle, followed by a second launching phase during which the engine torque is gradually transmitted to the wheels, wherein the engine torque is controlled at a torque set value to be transmitted to the wheels, satisfying a launching time objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Amine Gourara, Vincent Duvivier, Frederic Roudeau
  • Patent number: 9533687
    Abstract: Various implementations relate to an operator monitoring system (OMS). Certain implementations include an OMS coupled to a rotatable portion of a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle. For example, the OMS may include an imaging unit, such as a camera, that is coupled to a central hub portion of the steering wheel assembly. The imaging unit has a field of view directed toward one or more occupants in the vehicle and is configured to capture an image signal corresponding to an imaging area in the field of view. The imaging area can be configured to encapsulate an expected position of one or more vehicle occupants. The OMS also includes one or more processing units in electrical communication with the imaging unit that receives and processes the image signal from the imaging unit to determine an occupant state and, in some implementations, provide feedback based on the determined occupant state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Carl Lisseman, Len Cech, Valerie Gardner
  • Patent number: 9533688
    Abstract: Described herein is an onboard vehicle system capable of gathering driver behavior to be provided to a service provider computer. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system includes one or more input sensors, such as camera devices, configured to capture image information surrounding the onboard system. Upon detecting another vehicle within the image information, the onboard system may determine a vehicle identifier and determine, based on the vehicle's movements, that the vehicle is exhibiting anomalous behavior. Upon detecting anomalous behavior of a vehicle within its vicinity, the onboard system may transmit an indication of the anomalous behavior and a vehicle identifier to the service provider computer to be stored in a database. In some embodiments, the information provided to the service provider computer may be accessed by one or more users over a public network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LTD.
    Inventor: Sheng-Fu Lai
  • Patent number: 9533690
    Abstract: A method and a device for displaying vehicle parameters, which comprise at least a first and a second parameter is provided. A value of the first parameter and a value of the second parameter are determined and the value of the first parameter and the value of the second parameter are displayed on a display area. In addition, the value of the first parameter is changed and the change in the value of the first parameter at least in a first portion is converted into a change in the value of the second parameter. A first display element, via which the conversion of the change in the value of the first parameter into the change in the value of the second parameter is depicted graphically, is created on the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Astrid Kassner, Manuel Joachim, Michael Mischke
  • Patent number: 9533691
    Abstract: An overhead railway and trolley for transporting miners out of a mine. The railway is formed by connected rails that are mounted to a roof of a mine. The trolley is mounted to a bottom flange of the rails and includes wheel assemblies having at least two wheels mounted side-by-side, and each is configured to engage and roll along a top surface of the bottom flange. The trolley has a clicker that is configured to engage protrusions extending away from the bottom flange. The clicker permits the trolley to travel out of the mine but prevents it from traveling into the mine. The trolley also includes a pair of handles that are configured to be gripped by a miner standing on a floor of the mine as he travels from the beginning of the railway to the ending (i.e., the egress direction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Jeremiah David Heaton
  • Patent number: 9533692
    Abstract: A floor structure of a railcar includes: a pair of side sills extending in a railcar longitudinal direction; cross beams extending in a railcar width direction and coupling the pair of side sills; a supporting member, which is arranged on upper surfaces of the cross beams, in which bottom surface portions and convex portions projecting upward from the bottom surface portions are alternately, continuously formed in the railcar width direction, and which extends in the railcar longitudinal direction; receiving members located at positions corresponding to the cross beams, arranged on an upper surface of the supporting member, and extending in the railcar width direction; and a floor panel arranged on upper surfaces of the receiving members. The receiving members include: a floor plate contact portion that contacts the floor panel; and leg portions, extending from the floor plate contact portion to the bottom surface portion of the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hirashima, Eiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9533693
    Abstract: A gangway floor for a gangway between a first car of a multi-car vehicle and a second car of said vehicle comprises a first floor panel and a second floor panel, wherein the first floor panel is arranged to rotate about a first axis that does not lie in the plane that the first floor panel lies in, and the second floor panel is arranged to rotate about a second axis that does not lie in the plane that the second floor panel lies in, wherein the first axis is different from the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ego International B.V.
    Inventors: Mathias Hjort, Roger Danielsson, Fredrik Hedh, Tommy Fälth
  • Patent number: 9533694
    Abstract: A heating appliance for railway vehicles has at least one heating unit, forming a load-bearing sandwich structure together with edge profiles and a core layer. According to the invention, a plurality of heating units and sandwich structures are provided, each forming modular construction units, and the construction units can be positioned and fixed relative to one another in the railway vehicle by means of connecting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3A Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Anderegg
  • Patent number: 9533695
    Abstract: A transporting and loading system for rail-supported conveyances using transport vehicles outfitted with a standardized loading platform for ISO containers, particularly for machinery for inspecting and maintaining track installations, is provided. Transporting and loading rail-supported conveyances allowing rail-supported conveyances to be safely transported to places of use at any distance apart without special-purpose vehicles and to be deposited on and picked up from a track installation without external lifting gear is described. The transporting and loading system has a sandwich construction comprising two floor assemblies which conform to ISO container dimensions, an intermediate space between the floor assemblies for drive units, transmission units and control units for the automated movement of the loading and offloading unit, and rails are provided for holding and guiding the rail-supported conveyances on the sandwich construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Luddeneit, Wilfried Scherf
  • Patent number: 9533696
    Abstract: A knuckle may include a throat portion having a throat side wall with at least three sections, a first section closest to the knuckle tail, a third section closest to the knuckle pulling face, and a second section between said first and third sections. The wall thickness of said first section may be less than 10% different than the wall thickness of said second section. The throat portion may also include a tail stop side wall with at least three sections, a first section closest to the knuckle tail, a third section closest to the knuckle pulling face, and a second section between said first and third sections. The wall thickness of said first section may be less than 10% different than the wall thickness of said second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bedloe Industries LLC
    Inventors: F. Andrew Nibouar, Jerry R. Smerecky, Kelly Day, Vaughn Makary, Nick Salamasick
  • Patent number: 9533697
    Abstract: A transport vehicle for traveling in a low-pressure environment structure is provided. The transport vehicle may include a deployable decelerator provided on the transport vehicle and configured to deploy from the transport vehicle to decrease a distance between the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure. When the decelerator is deployed the decelerator is configured to increase drag forces opposing a direction of motion of the transport vehicle and decelerate the transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HYPERLOOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tadeh Avetian, Helen Durden, Ryan Okerson, Brogan Bambrogan, Joshua Giegel
  • Patent number: 9533698
    Abstract: A railway monitoring system for detecting degradations, anomalies, changes, and other states of the railway that may indicate an increased probability of derailment, the need for maintenance, or the impedance of railway operation. The railway monitoring system broadly includes a sensor, a data storage component, a data collection and processing component, and a location positioning component. The sensor and other equipment are mounted in a specially designed or modified rail car and cooperatively collect data representative of railway conditions or states and detect changes in the conditions or states by comparing the collected data to previously collected data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Bartlett & West, Inc., R.J. Corman, Railroad Group, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Warta, Doug Morrison, Chris Cobb, Korey Colyer, Craig King, Mike Wilson
  • Patent number: 9533699
    Abstract: An impact absorbing device includes an impact absorbing plate provided integrally with the second column tube, the impact absorbing plate being configured to absorb the impact energy, and a pressing member provided integrally with the first column tube, the pressing member being configured to generate deformation resistance by pressing and deforming the impact absorbing plate. A guide hole extending in the axial direction of the steering shaft is formed on the impact absorbing plate, and a guide that relatively moves along the guide hole upon relative movement in the axial direction of the first column tube and the second column tube is provided integrally with the first column tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Chiba
  • Patent number: 9533700
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steering shaft; a column jacket including an outer jacket including a slit and a pair of fastened portions, and an inner jacket; a bracket; a fastening mechanism; an engaged tooth formation member including at least one engaged tooth and fixed to the inner jacket; a support shaft including end portions supported by support holes of the fastened portions; an engaging tooth formation member including an engaging tooth that engages with the engaged tooth; and a biasing member configured to bias the support shaft in a biasing direction. One of the fastened portions or a member supported by the one fastened portion includes a positioning portion configured to position the support shaft in the biasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Takahashi, Tomonori Sugiura, Shoji Ishimura, Tatsuro Kubota, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9533701
    Abstract: A power-assisted steering system includes a control shaft arranged along a control shaft axis. An assist drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis and is arranged in a plane that is substantially transverse to the control shaft axis. The assist drive shaft is supported relative to the vehicle structure by a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly. A worm is disposed about the assist drive shaft. A worm gear is coupled to the control shaft, and the worm gear and control shaft are configured for rotation about the control shaft axis. The worm gear is configured for engaging the worm such that rotation of the worm and the assist drive shaft about the drive shaft axis causes rotation of the worm gear and the control shaft about the control shaft axis. The first bearing assembly is configured as an eccentric bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Niklaus A. vonMatt, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, John M. Andres, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Daniel J. Diffin, Kevin C. Ross
  • Patent number: 9533702
    Abstract: To detect and store occurrence of a reverse connection when the reverse connection has occurred, and to restricts a power assist at the next startup of a controller. In an ECU for controlling an electric motor that applies a steering assist torque on a steering mechanism, a microcomputer transmits a drive signal to a driver that drives an inverter, which controls current of the electric motor, in accordance with the drive signal. A reverse connection storage circuit is attached in parallel with the inverter, and detects and stores the occurrence of the reverse connection when the reverse connection of the ECU and a battery has occurred, and notifies the microcomputer of the occurrence of the reverse connection at the next startup of the ECU. The microcomputer transmits a signal indicating non-permission to the driver in accordance with the notification. The driver restricts the power assist upon receiving the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Miura
  • Patent number: 9533703
    Abstract: The steering device includes first and second motors for steering which have common electric characteristics; first and second current sensors detecting first and second current values in the first and second motor, respectively; and abnormality diagnosis units. The abnormality diagnosis units make an abnormality diagnosis indicating that the steering device is abnormal when difference between the first and second current values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When some abnormality occurs in the current detecting units for detecting the magnitudes of a current flowing through the steering motor, an abnormality diagnosis is rapidly made by comparing the difference with the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Manabu Ikegaya, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Takashi Miyoshi, Yoshihiro Oniwa
  • Patent number: 9533704
    Abstract: An electric-control multimode steering valve comprises: a flow distributing and collecting valve, a first electromagnetic valve, and a second electromagnetic valve. A valve body comprises four groups of paired valve oil ports. First oil ports of the first and second electromagnetic valves are in communication with a first group. Second oil ports of the first and second electromagnetic valves are in communication with a second group. A third oil port of the first electromagnetic valve is in communication with a flow collecting port of the flow distributing and collecting valve. A first flow distributing port of the flow distributing and collecting valve and a third oil port of the second electromagnetic valve are in communication with a third group. A second flow distributing port of the flow distributing and collecting valve and the third oil port of the second electromagnetic valve are in communication with a fourth group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianxin Shi, Honggang Ding, Haixiang Ye, Xin Fang, Fuyi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9533705
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system can keep the comfort of steering feeling for a driver, even in a situation, such as traveling on a cant road or in a crosswind, where a unidirectional-drift behavior of a vehicle occurs, and includes an electric motor, a steering angle sensor, a steering torque sensor, and an EPS_ECU that controls driving power of the electric motor, when the vehicle is traveling straight, based on vehicle information including a steering torque and a steering angle, to perform a control for applying an assist torque to a steering system. The EPS_ECU includes an integrating unit for calculating an integrated torque value obtained by integrating the steering torque, and a steering effort assist controlling unit for performing an anti-unidirectional-drift control over the driving power of the electric motor, when the integrated torque value exceeds the threshold value, so as to cancel the unidirectional-drift behavior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norifumi Tamura, Yoshifumi Banno, Yuki Endo, Shoji Hamada, Yoshinobu Mukai
  • Patent number: 9533706
    Abstract: An axle suspension has an axle support mounted in a swivel so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and a steering lever that is connected with the axle support in torque-proof manner and can be pivoted about the axis of rotation. The axle support accommodates at least one wheel axle and is mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the axis of rotation, in the wheel axle direction, on an adjustment path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: J.G.B.D. Consult Sprl
    Inventor: Alain Faymonville