Patents Issued in January 26, 2017
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Publication number: 20170021706Abstract: A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side rail linkage assemblies are attached to header, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at pivot points created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is lightweight and engages with the existing seal of the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
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Publication number: 20170021707Abstract: A weather strip for an automobile is provided that prevents formation of an electric circuit caused by an intrusion of snow, water or the like. The weather strip includes an installation base member operatively coupled on a body of an automobile at a periphery edge of an opening corresponding to a door, and a hollow seal member integrally molded with the installation base member. The hollow seal member protrudes to a side of the door at an outer side of the automobile and makes an elastic contact with the door when the door is in a closed position. An entire exposed outer surface of the hollow seal member and an outer surface of the installation base member continued from the hollow seal member are formed sequentially by a non-electric conductive material having the volume resistivity of 106? or greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Nobumasa SATO, Koso DEGUCHI
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Publication number: 20170021708Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a seal assembly including a main door seal that extends around a vehicle door interior surface and that is spaced from a door perimeter. A first seal portion extends from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter. The first seal portion forms a barrier vertically above a latch slot, is capable of intercepting substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and facilitates the transport of the intercepted substances to the door perimeter. A second seal portion is disposed between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and extends downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion. The second seal portion is configured to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Steven THIELE, Khang NGUYEN
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Publication number: 20170021709Abstract: A method and device for sealing an area on a transportation vehicle where a channel joins a secondary member which may be a door.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Jeffery A. Bradley
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Publication number: 20170021710Abstract: A window shield cover for a vehicle has a cover member shaped to be place on top of and cover an exterior of a windshield of the vehicle. A first attachment strip is removably attached to the cover member. The first attachment strip extends past a first edge and a second edge of the cover member. A second attachment strip is removably attached to the cover member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: RAUL MANSUETO
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Publication number: 20170021711Abstract: A window shield cover for a vehicle has a cover member shaped to be place on top of and cover an exterior of a windshield of the vehicle. A first attachment strip is removably attached to the cover member. The first attachment strip extends past a first edge and a second edge of the cover member. A second attachment strip is removably attached to the cover member. The second attachment strip extends past the first edge and the second edge of the cover member. An element collector covers a front surface of the cover member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: RAUL MANSUETO
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Publication number: 20170021712Abstract: A battery system for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The battery system includes a tray having a plurality of battery receptacles. A plurality of batteries are also provided, each battery in the plurality of batteries being received in a battery receptacle. A conductive layer in electrical communication with the plurality of batteries and a terminal for electrically coupling to a vehicle are also provided in the battery system. A cover interlocks with the tray. The cover carries a computer and a diagnostic identification system for the plurality of batteries. A housing for a battery system and a vehicle including a battery system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Michael W. Leonard, Peter A. Ojeda, Jason Gamache
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Publication number: 20170021713Abstract: A transmission assembly for a motor vehicle is to be arranged between a combustion engine having a crankshaft and a gearbox having an input shaft. The assembly comprises an electric machine having an external stator and an internal rotor rotationally movable. The rotor has a central opening. An intermediate shaft passes through the central opening to be connected kinematically to the crankshaft and to the input shaft of the gearbox. A mechanical reducer is configured to rotationally couple the rotor and the intermediate shaft so that the rotation speed of the rotor is higher than the rotation speed of the intermediate shaft. A pendulum damper has a rotationally movable support member, and pendulum flyweights are mounted movably on the support member. The support member is rotationally integral with the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Gilles LEBAS, Fabien LEBEAU
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Publication number: 20170021714Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a first rotating electrical machine, a second rotating electrical machine, a clutch, an electrical storage device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control the first rotating electrical machine, the second rotating electrical machine, the clutch, and the internal combustion engine, such that the hybrid vehicle runs while making a changeover among a plurality of running modes. The plurality of the running modes includes series hybrid running and parallel hybrid running. The electronic control unit is configured to set a range of state of charge of the electrical storage device such that the range of state of charge that is set during the parallel hybrid running includes a region of state of charge that is higher than the range of state of charge that is set during the series hybrid running.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kuniaki NIIMI
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Publication number: 20170021715Abstract: A retrofittable hybrid parallel power flow distribution system for a vehicle. In various embodiments, the system comprises an electric rotating machine and a parallel power input gearbox. The parallel power input gearbox is structured and operable to receive torque from the electric rotating machine and/or an internal combustion engine of the vehicle and selectively distribute the received torque, i.e., a power flow, in any proportion/ratio to one or more of the electric rotating machine, a rear axle differential of the vehicle, a transmission or transfer case and front axle of the vehicle, or an auxiliary device of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Mark Hodowanec, Timothy Hassett
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Publication number: 20170021716Abstract: A drive device includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit. A transmission unit includes a primary shaft for connection to the first drive unit, a secondary shaft, and at least one gear pair via which the primary and secondary shafts are operatively connectable to one another. Mounted in coaxial relationship to the secondary shaft is a driving gear which is operatively connected to the second drive unit, and mounted in coaxial relationship to the primary shaft is an output gear which meshes with the driving gear. A secondary-shaft coupling device can couple the driving gear directly with the secondary shaft, and a primary-shaft coupling device can couple the output gear directly with the primary shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Audi AGInventor: Riccardo Parenti
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Publication number: 20170021717Abstract: A family of hybrid electric transmission arrangements share a common center housing, rear housing, two electric machines, power-split planetary gearset, and torque multiplication gearset. One arrangement additionally utilizes an overdrive gearset and an overdrive clutch. Another arrangement additionally utilizes two clutches and a brake to implement three operating modes. Since the components that differ between the two arrangements use the same general packaging space and all shift elements are hydraulically controlled via a front housing, the design of the front housing is also similar.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: David Allen Janson
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Publication number: 20170021718Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a first motor serving as a motor for driving of a vehicle or serving as a generator, a first power transmission mechanism disposed between the engine and the first motor to transmit the power of the engine to the first motor or to cut off transmission of power between the engine and the first motor, a second power transmission mechanism disposed between the first motor and a driving shaft of running wheels to transmit the power of the first motor to the driving shaft of the running wheels or to cut off transmission of power between the first motor and the driving shaft of the running wheels, and a second motor connected to the second power transmission mechanism via a third power transmission mechanism to transmit power to the second power transmission mechanism and outputting power for driving the vehicle and transmit the power to the driving shaft of the running wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Jun Hoi HUH, Seong Eun PARK, Kwang Min CHOI, Tae Sic PARK
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Publication number: 20170021719Abstract: A radiator for the motorcycle includes a core through which a cooling medium flows, a cooling fan which is disposed on a downstream side of the core and ventilates the core, a downwardly opened fan covering for enclosing areas above, on opposite lateral sides and on a downstream side of the cooling fan, and a partition wall for partitioning between an lower portion of the core and a lower portion of the cooling fan so as to suppress the backward flow of the discharge air from the opening towards the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Takahiro Jyouzaki, Naoki Arino, Takayuki Haraguchi, Masataka Muroi, Masafumi ltoh
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Publication number: 20170021720Abstract: A grille shutter includes a housing, a blocking plate and an actuator. The housing comprises a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and defining at least one guide slot. The blocking plate includes a plurality of spaced gates movable between a blocking position covering the airflow openings and an open position uncovering the airflow openings. The actuator includes a motor driving a gear set along a guide slot to move the blocking plate between the blocking and open positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Ronald L. Anderson, David Brian Glickman, Aaron Peter Klop
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Publication number: 20170021721Abstract: A working vehicle includes an engine mounted in a front portion of a travelling vehicle, a post-processing device that is disposed above the engine and purifies exhaust gas from the engine, and a cooling fan for cooling the engine. The cooling fan is disposed on a front surface side of the engine. A fan shroud that covers the cooling fan is fixed to the travelling vehicle. A hood shield plate that covers a rear side of the engin is disposed on a rear surface of a hood. The hood shield plate is fixed to the travelling vehicle. A pair of left and right beam frames each bridge between respective upper portions of the fan shroud and the hood shield plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Yoshiaki KUROKAWA
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Publication number: 20170021722Abstract: A fuel cap is described as having a top assembly and a bottom assembly slidably engaged with, and concentric to, the top assembly. The top assembly having a cap cover and a cylindrical cap body concentric with and protruding substantially perpendicularly from, an underside surface of the cap cover. The bottom assembly having a vacuum valve operatively coupled with a valve body. A wire-form keeper may slidably secure the bottom assembly to the top assembly. A pressure spring may impart a force that biases said bottom assembly away from said top assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Ayers, Matthew David Valentine, Vickie Lynn Conlin
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Publication number: 20170021723Abstract: A vehicle component for a motor vehicle includes a coupling device including two couplable coupling elements configured to provide, in a coupled state, a fuel-tight connection of two fuel-conducting lines. One of the coupling elements is in a form of a metallic female element which is fixedly connectable to one of the two lines, and an other one of the coupling elements is in a form of a metallic male element which is fixedly connectable to an other one of the two lines. The male element, for coupling purposes, is insertable into the female element, wherein, in the coupled state, an axially extending overlap section with at least one radial seal device is formed between the female element and the male element. A securing device is configured to secure the coupling elements in the coupled state against inadvertent release from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Ronald Visarius, Armin Krezer, Dirk Braunwarth, Kai Podewski, Andreas Menke, Josef Oesterle, Bernhard Gschanes, Michael Schinnerl
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Publication number: 20170021724Abstract: The invention discloses a filling system for an operating fluid container (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a filling hose (10) and at least one filling hose holding device (20). The filling hose holding device (20) can be fastened in an installation space of the motor vehicle, and the filling hose (10) can be fluid-connected to an operating fluid container (1) and to a filling neck (30). The filling hose (10) can be fastened in the installation space of the motor vehicle by means of the filling hose holding device (20) in such a manner that the filling hose (10) follows a contour defined by the filling hose holding device (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Dirk EULITZ, Hilmer Schichlein
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Publication number: 20170021725Abstract: A pedal assembly having a pedal pivotally secured to a housing. A sensor is fixed to the housing at the pivot, the sensor including first and second components. A member is mounted to the pivot and slaved to the pedal in proximity to the sensor, the member including a coupler and an activating component. Upon pivotal rotation of the member relative to the sensor, the coupler communicating with the first sensor component to generate an output indicative of an angular position of the pedal relative to the housing. The activating component communicates with the second sensor component to function as a wakeup switch for the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Derreck Robert Heipel, Zoe Zhu, Rocky Sen
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Publication number: 20170021726Abstract: A charging state display system includes: a hydrogen fuel tank controller of the vehicle calculating a maximum chargeable hydrogen fuel amount from a charging pressure of a hydrogen station when hydrogen is charged into the vehicle; a hydrogen fuel supply controller providing pressure information of the hydrogen station to the hydrogen fuel tank controller; a fuel charging interface unit transmitting information between the hydrogen fuel tank controller and the hydrogen fuel supply controller via infrared (IR) communication; and a cluster having a display unit which displays information calculated from the hydrogen fuel tank controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Sang Pil Kim
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Publication number: 20170021727Abstract: An LED indicating device, in particular for a vehicle instrument cluster, has a plate provided with at least one light permeable portion adapted to be illuminated by a plurality of LED sources arranged in a position spaced apart from such a rear surface of such a light permeable portion; the device has a body which is arranged between the LED sources and the rear surface of the light permeable portion and has a first surface facing the LED sources and a second surface facing the rear surface; the body consists of a matrix made of a light impermeable material and of a plurality of light permeable elements, which are embedded in the matrix in positions spaced apart from one another and continuously extend from the first surface to the second surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Sylvain Mouard, Marco Maraldo
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USER INTERFACE AND METHOD FOR SIGNALING A 3D-POSITION OF AN INPUT MEANS IN THE DETECTION OF GESTURES
Publication number: 20170021728Abstract: In a user interface and to a method for signaling a position of an input mechanism with respect to an area for 3D gesture detection for a user interface, the method includes the following steps: input mechanism of a user are detected in the area for 3D gesture detection, and the position of the input mechanism is signaled by an indicator in the area of the edge of a display unit of the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Holger WILD, Mark Peter CZELNIK -
Publication number: 20170021729Abstract: A regeneration control device for a vehicle includes: a motor control unit that drives a motor generator connected to running wheels of the vehicle at the time of decreasing a vehicle speed, so as to generate electricity, performing regenerative braking; a paddle switch that performs increasing/decreasing operation on a regeneration amount Tr by the motor generator; and a main control unit that performs increasing/decreasing control on the regeneration amount Tr continuously in response to the increasing/decreasing operation by the paddle switch, wherein the main control unit sets a regeneration amount increasing rate in an increasing operation of the regeneration amount by operation of an UP switch of the paddle switch to be higher than a regeneration amount decreasing rate in a decreasing operation of the regeneration amount by operation of a DOWN switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Murase
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Publication number: 20170021730Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a motor, and a storage battery and configured to charge the storage battery with electric power generated as a result of regenerative braking and electric power generated by using output of the engine. When a planned travel route of the vehicle includes a downhill section, the control apparatus executes a downhill control which decreases the remaining capacity of the storage battery before the vehicle enters the downhill section. In addition, when the downhill section includes a congestion section and the total distance of the congestion section is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control apparatus does not execute the downhill control.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
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Publication number: 20170021731Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus capable of stabilizing a behavior of a vehicle when a regenerative braking force is generated. To achieve this object, a vehicle control apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an electric motor configured to provide a regenerative braking force to left and right drive wheels that are one of front wheels and rear wheels, a friction braking device configured to provide a friction braking force to left and right trailer wheels that are the other of the front wheels and the rear wheels, and a behavior estimation unit configured to estimate a behavior of a vehicle. The vehicle control apparatus reduces the regenerative braking force and increases the friction braking force provided by the friction braking device, if the behavior estimation unit estimates a preset behavior when the regenerative braking force is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Keisuke SUZUKI, Satoshi KANEKO
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Publication number: 20170021732Abstract: Electric generators are described herein. The electric generators include an interior machine formed of an interior rotor and an interior portion of a stator, and an exterior machine substantially concentric to the interior machine. The exterior machine includes: an exterior rotor substantially concentric to the interior rotor, and an exterior portion of the stator. Each of the interior machine and the external machine are driven by an engine to produce a respective current. The described electric generators can be used in diesel electric locomotives.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Ali Emadi, Ruoyu Hou, Yinye Yang
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Publication number: 20170021733Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling switching operations of switching elements of a power converter to convert input power to output power, a drive controller is configured to generate a drive control instruction indicative of predetermined switching operations of the switching elements, and output the drive control instruction. A driver is configured to drive, in accordance with the drive control instruction, the switching elements, so that the switching elements perform the predetermined switching operations. A switching speed adjuster is configured to obtain at least information indicative of atmospheric pressure, and adjust a switching speed of each of the switching elements such that the switching speed of the corresponding switching element decreases with a decrease of the atmospheric pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Youhei KONDOU, Yusuke SHINDO
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Publication number: 20170021734Abstract: A shear panel for a forward structure of a body of a vehicle includes a receiving area having fastening devices for mechanically fastening a secondary coil of an inductive energy transmission system configured to charge an electric energy accumulator of the vehicle. The shear panel may be made of metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Andreas BIRKHOLZ, Jochen MUELLHAEUSER
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Publication number: 20170021735Abstract: A system and method for electrically charging a plurality of electric vehicles is operated continuously to charge the vehicles in repetitive cycles from a same power source. During the time of a charging cycle, Tcycle, (i.e. the sequence time needed to incrementally charge all vehicles connected to the power source), each vehicle is connected to the power source, in turn, for a same time duration, td. When completed, each cycle is then repeated. As vehicles are either connected or disconnected from the power source, the total time of the charging cycle, Tcycle, is respectively extended or shortened by td. Operationally, although Tcycle will vary as vehicles come and go, td remains constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Desmond Wheatley, Patrick Senatore
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Publication number: 20170021736Abstract: A charger with active protection function includes: a power conversion module group, a monitoring unit and an output module group; wherein the power conversion module group is respectively connected with the monitoring unit and the output module group; the monitoring unit is connected with the output module group; the charger with active protection function is connected with an electric vehicle via the output module group to charge the electric vehicle; and when the charger with active protection function is connected with the electric vehicle, the charger with active protection function communicates with BMS of a vehicle via the output module group. The output module group obtains real-time charging data of the electric battery of the BMS. The output module group combines the warn value and threshold value to judge whether the BMS and the power battery are in abnormal condition during charging process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Qingmin Yuan
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Publication number: 20170021737Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for controlling an output voltage of a direct current (DC) converter for a vehicle including a driving motor. The apparatus of controlling an output voltage of a DC converter for a vehicle including a driving motor includes a data detector that is configured to detect data for adjusting the output voltage of the DC converter and a controller that is configured to adjust the output voltage of the DC converter based on the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Jun Yeon Park, Dong Jun Shin, Sounghan Noh, Hojoong Lee, Dong Pil Yoon, Chang Ryeol Yoo
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Publication number: 20170021738Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the battery management of a battery which comprises a plurality of battery cells and which is fitted with a battery management system for monitoring battery functionality and with a charge state compensation system, wherein the battery management system comprises a plurality of sensor control devices and a main control device, said control devices being connected with one another via a communication channel, and wherein the charge state compensation system has a number of charge state compensation resistors being put into operation via the sensor control devices for a charge state compensation of battery cells. The sensor control devices save information about performed charge state compensations in non-volatile memory. A computer program, a battery management system, a battery system and a motor vehicle, which are designed to carry out the method, are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Christoph Brochhaus
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Publication number: 20170021739Abstract: In an electric vehicle, two or more batteries are able to be independently mountable on and demountable from the vehicle body. Power received from a first charger via an inlet is supplied to the two batteries via a power line. Each of the two batteries includes a connector for connection to a second charger when the batteries are demounted from the vehicle body, and a controller that controls charging of the battery by the second charger such that it is possible to facilitate charging of a battery when the battery is demounted from the vehicle body and when the battery is mounted on the vehicle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Shinji TSUJI, Masakazu TAKANO
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Publication number: 20170021740Abstract: An underbody of an electrically driven motor vehicle, with a vehicle supporting structure, which is bounded laterally in a transverse direction of the vehicle by two vehicle sills between which a multiplicity of battery modules is arranged, which battery modules are assigned a battery supporting structure and at least one battery temperature control device, and with supply and removal devices for a temperature control medium. The supply and removal devices for the temperature control medium are arranged in the region of the vehicle sills.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Felix Brendecke, Armin Steck, Alexander Klausmann, Harald Raiser, Maik-Uwe Zillich, Juergen Hofmann, Thomas Fritz, Matthias Herntier, Nicolas Schneider
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Publication number: 20170021741Abstract: A seat slide device includes: a pair of seat slide rails configured to support a seat, each of the seat slide rails including a lower rail and an upper rail; a transfer shaft rotationally driven by motor drive in a state where the transfer shaft is provided in a bridging manner between the seat slide rails, the transfer shaft having a hollow portion; and rail drive mechanisms, each of the rail drive mechanisms being provided between the lower rail and the upper rail and being configured to move the upper rail relative to the lower rail based on a driving force transmitted from a motor via the transfer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHIROKI CORPORATIONInventors: Masayuki KANEHIRA, Wataru SAKAGUCHI, Haruo KATO
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Publication number: 20170021742Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided and includes a base assembly, a seat frame assembly attached to the base assembly, and a seat tilt control mechanism attached to the base assembly and the seat frame assembly. Actuation of the tilt drive assembly adjusts a tilt position of the seat frame assembly with respect to the base assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Robert J. Whitaker
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Publication number: 20170021743Abstract: A mechanism for reclining the seat back of a seat. The seat back is pivotally connected to the seat base is by a locking fixture that selectively locks and releases the seat back from the seat base. A return spring biases the seat back in the upright position and a handle in the area of the pivot point allows the operator/occupant to selectively control whether the seat back is locked or released. The return spring is mounted on an outside of the seat back and seat base, and is in the form of a coil spring. A stop element connects the handle to the locking fixture. The stop element is arranged radially inward of the coil spring. The stop element preferably has a large diameter portion with lugs interacting with the locking fixture, and has a smaller diameter portion arranged radially inward of the coil spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Bruce HIEMSTRA, Scott PROFOZICH
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Publication number: 20170021744Abstract: Vehicle seatbelts are designed to increase the likelihood of passenger survival in the case of a crash or collision. The optimal positioning of a vehicle seatbelt is over a passenger's shoulder, across their chest and upper thighs. Children weighing between 18 and 36 kg should be placed in a booster seat in order to raise them up to an appropriate height so that the adult seatbelt may protect them better. The current design of booster seats makes it difficult for children to buckle themselves into a vehicle and thus requires an adult to reach around the child and buckle them in. The current design of booster seats also does not ensure that the lap belt portion of a seatbelt will not move up to the lower abdomen of a child under normal driving conditions. The addition of a booster belt to a child booster seat will address both of the above-mentioned inconveniences and safety concerns with existing booster seat designs.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Varinder Singh Sanghera, Gurprit Singh Dhaliwal
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Publication number: 20170021745Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seat back. The child restraint also includes an energy dissipater coupled to the seat back.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Kevin C. Oswald, Kelley L. Clayburn
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Publication number: 20170021746Abstract: A vehicle seat capable of housing a seat main body includes a seat pivot shaft to which the seat main body is connected to be pivotable, and a detachable leg whose upper end is mounted to the seat main body and whose lower end is detachably held onto a leg holding member on a vehicle body floor. When the seat main body moves from a housed state side to a usage state side, a leg guide portion causes a cushion abutting portion to abut a base abutting portion in advance, thereby guiding the detachable leg moving together with the seat main body to pass above a leg movement inhibiting portion which is a portion of a support base.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Takeshi Akutsu, Taro Murayama
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Publication number: 20170021747Abstract: A seating system for use with a vehicle. The seating system includes: a seat device arranged proximal to a rear edge of the vehicle, arranged to be deployed at least partially beyond the rear edge; and a platform arranged to be moveable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the platform is arranged to be positioned for use as a footrest by a user seated on the seat device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Ian BARNES
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Publication number: 20170021748Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically stiffening a vehicle seat back may include a vehicle seat including a seat bottom mountable within a vehicle, a seat back extending upwardly away from the seat bottom, and a bight defined at a forward-facing interface between the seat bottom and the seat back, an occupant restraint harness coupled to the vehicle seat and engaging a top end of the seat back, and a seat back stiffening apparatus having a seat back stiffening member and an actuator coupled to the occupant restraint harness adjacent to or near the bight of the vehicle seat. The actuator may be responsive to a first force applied thereto by the occupant restraint harness in excess of a first threshold force to deploy the seat back stiffening member to couple to and between the seat bottom and the seat back to add stiffness to the seat back frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Steven Gale, John G. Glover, Guy R. Dingman, Douglas W. Bittner, Jacob C. White
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Publication number: 20170021749Abstract: An articulating armrest includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that protrude from a member a predetermined spacing apart. Each protrusion aligns within a separate track within a housing configured for stowing the armrest within a seat back. The two tracks include straight and curved portions configured to articulate the armrest. Specifically, the armrest moves along a curvilinear path between stowed and deployed positions by translating along the tracks and pivoting about the second protrusion. The armrest may stow in a seat back and beneath the seat bottom to provide a full length armrest when deployed, and the armrest may stow flush with the seat back for sitting against. Mechanical tension may be provided to automatically deploy the armrest, and a rotational damper and a gas spring may be used to control the speed at which the armrest deploys.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Barry John Ward, Prasannakomar Shriram Bohnge, Dave Michael Kuhn, Dave Wayne Davis
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Publication number: 20170021750Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] Providing a seat pad that can provide good sitting comfortability with bonding between a ventilation member and an expanded resin foam included in the seat pad ensured. [Solution] A seat pad 10 including a ventilation member 20 having a function that lets air through to/from an outside, the seat pad 10 being formed by integral expansion molding of an expandable resin material M with the ventilation member 20 introduced therein, includes a covering member 30 that covers at least a part of the ventilation member 20 at an interface between the ventilation member 20 and the expandable resin material M, and the covering member 30 includes an impregnation inhibiting material having a function that inhibits infiltration of the expandable resin material M, the function being at least higher than that of the ventilation member 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicants: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, TACHI-S CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji KUMAGAI, Junpei YOSHIKAWA, Takashi MIYATA
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Publication number: 20170021751Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating a tipper comprising a tipper body pivotably moveable with respect to a frame with a hydraulic cylinder disposed therebetween and actuatable to pivot the tipper body. The method comprises receiving at least one lateral state parameter relating to at least one lateral state of the hydraulic cylinder; determining whether the lateral condition of the hydraulic cylinder is outside acceptable limits based on the at least one lateral state parameter; and generating an output if it is determined that the lateral condition of the hydraulic cylinder is outside acceptable limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Marek BALDYS, Maarten HERTOG, Jacob BIEMOND
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Publication number: 20170021752Abstract: A vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which includes an active chock and an anchor chock configured to co-act to secure a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. In various embodiments, each chock has a chock body including a substantially diamond shaped elongated tube which includes four integrally connected elongated walls. In various embodiments, for each chock, various components of that chock extend substantially along longitudinal axis that lie in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the apex and trough of the substantially diamond shaped elongated tube of the chock body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: John D. Anderson, Walter J. Peach, Michael K. Burke
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Publication number: 20170021753Abstract: A carrier for reverse maneuvering a flat-towed dinghy attached to a towing vehicle. The carrier includes a platform, two caster wheels, and a friction slide plate. The friction slide plate is configured to present greater resistance to horizontal movement than the two caster wheels. When the front tires of a flat-towed dinghy are loaded onto a pair of carriers, the dinghy is maneuvered in reverse without the dinghy front wheels reverting to the maximum turn that is normally caused by the dinghy front wheel steering caster angle. The dinghy rolls onto the carrier when the flat-towed dinghy is moved in the backward direction. A chock or stop device prevents the front tire from rolling off the platform when the flat-towed dinghy is moving in the backward direction. The dinghy rolls off the carrier when the dinghy is moved in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Richard R. Larsen
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Publication number: 20170021754Abstract: A trailer-train trailer having a carrying frame for accommodating at least one material transport cart carried along in a trailer train, the carrying frame including a centrally arranged chassis having an axle, two wheels laterally supported on said axle, and an arrangement, for accommodating the material transport cart, is provided in front of and behind the chassis in a direction of travel. The arrangement for accommodating the material transport cart includes ascending and descending ramps for supporting the swiveling and/or fixed rollers of the trolley at least one material transport cart. A height-adjustable arrangement for locking the material transport cart may be arranged at the two lateral ends of the housing transversely to the direction of travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Fritz BERGHAMMER
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Publication number: 20170021755Abstract: An arrangement of a loading area inside a motor vehicle includes a raised floor extending above a sheet-metal floor of the vehicle and at least one lashing device. The lashing device includes at least one attachment element to the raised floor. The attachment element is placed on the raised floor and includes a permanent magnet to occupy a first position in which the attachment element is attached to the raised floor by magnetization and a second position in which the attachment element is separated from the raised floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2014Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Patrick BESSE, Laurent CHELARD