Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9573445
    Abstract: A vehicle door structure has: a door inner panel that is made of resin and that, together with a door outer panel, structures a door main body portion having a substantially closed cross-sectional shape; a beam having a main body portion, that extends in a door longitudinal direction, and an extended portion that is made of metal and is provided in continuation with a length direction end portion of the main body portion, the beam being disposed within the closed cross-section of the door main body portion; and a bent portion that is bendingly formed at the extended portion, and that, as seen in plan view, is disposed further toward a door thickness direction outer side than the frame main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Ogawa, Atsushi Mikuni
  • Patent number: 9573446
    Abstract: A swing door actuation system for moving a door about a pivot axis between open closed positions relative to a vehicle body. The system includes a power swing door actuator having a housing connectable to one of the swing door and the vehicle body, an extensible member that moves relative to the housing, and connects to the other of the swing door and the vehicle body, a motor connected to a gear train, and a normally engaged clutch. The motor is operatively connected to a clutch input end through the gear train. The output end is operatively connected to the extensible member. The clutch is disengageable to disconnect the motor from the extensible member. The clutch has a slip torque that is sufficiently high to prevent movement of the door when the door is exposed to less than a selected external torque and the motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Felix Scheuring, Jube Leonard, Dan Cosmin, Luciano Boin
  • Patent number: 9573447
    Abstract: A back door device includes a hinge, a back door, and a damper stay. The hinge is provided on a roof of a vehicle and arranged at a position forward of a rear edge of the roof. The back door is configured to pivot vertically about the hinge to selectively open and close a door opening and includes a back door rear end portion and a back door roof portion. The back door roof portion includes a storage projection, which projects upward from an upper surface of the back door roof portion. The damper stay includes a first end, which is connected to the roof at a position rearward of the hinge, and a second end, which is connected to an inner wall of the storage projection. When the back door is closed, the damper stay is stored in the storage projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Katsuya Maruyama, Yusuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9573448
    Abstract: A yard tractor incorporating a fluid cylinder pressurized by fluid from a control valve actuated by a switch accessible from the driver's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SSA Terminals (Long Beach) LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Clark, Robert P. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9573449
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus of a vehicle sunroof which uses a solar cell includes a sunroof glass that is slidably disposed on the roof of a vehicle, opens and closes an opening, and has a solar cell; upper transmission assemblies coupled to a support panel disposed around the sunroof glass and connected with the solar cell with a wire; first lower transmission assemblies that are coupled to the front portions of sunroof rails, disposed at both sides of the opening and come in contact with the upper transmission assemblies when the sunroof glass closes; and second lower transmission assemblies that are coupled to the rear portions of the sunroof rails and come in contact with the upper transmission assemblies when the sunroof glass opens. Accordingly, the apparatus can transmit power when the sunroof glass is both open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hoo-Sang Park
  • Patent number: 9573450
    Abstract: A vehicle enclosure (14) and method and system of installation using an adhesive-backed attachment device (1) having a base (4) with an adhesive backing (10) and a stud (12) or a socket (2) that engages a conventional a conventional snap (8). The adhesive-backed attachment device is preferably flexible so that it may be attached to uneven surfaces of a vehicle, such as a golf cart (15). The adhesive-backed attachment device eliminates unsightly brackets, drilling or screwing into the golf cart and cuts down on installation time of golf cart enclosures. The studs and sockets may also be integrated into a new roof (14) for retrofitting an existing golf cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nivel Parts & Manufacturing Co., LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9573451
    Abstract: A vehicle sashless door sealing assembly, fastening assembly and method include an elongated structural member, a garnish member, and a door seal retainer disposed below the garnish assembly for holding a window pane door seal. The fastening assembly, which secures the garnish member and the door seal retainer to the elongated structural member, includes a collar having a radial flange portion interposed between the door seal retainer and an exterior surface of the garnish member and having an axial neck portion extending from the radial flange portion into a garnish aperture defined in the garnish member. The fastening assembly further includes a fastener received through a fastener aperture defined in the door seal retainer, through a fastener aperture defined in the collar and through a fastener aperture defined in the elongated structural member to thereby secure the garnish member and the door seal retainer to the elongated structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Edward W. Bach, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Hirokazu Matsuura, Teruo Yamazaki, Masahiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9573452
    Abstract: An electric vehicle traction drive assembly includes a variable-speed electric motor for providing the torque. A multi-speed transaxle multiplies the torque of the electric motor through the vehicle operator's selection between more than one gear ratio. An adapter mechanically couples the motor and the transaxle to integrate the motor with the transaxle keeping an output shaft of the motor center-aligned with an input shaft of the transaxle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Squaw-Fleet, LLC
    Inventor: Brooks Alexander Agnew
  • Patent number: 9573453
    Abstract: A vehicle body has, in a state in which a battery unit is not installed, a frame configuring a part of the lower surface of the vehicle body. A vehicle battery unit installation apparatus for installing a battery unit in the lower part of the vehicle body includes: a striker device configured to be secured to the vehicle body and a locking device secured to the battery unit. The striker device includes a base plate and a striker secured to the base plate. The striker has a support part capable of supporting a load. The locking device is capable of securing the support part. The base plate is configured to be secured to the frame. The striker has ends secured to the base plate such that the support part is located below the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yoshio Ojima, Takahiro Fukagawa, Takashi Murase
  • Patent number: 9573454
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine and a method of assembling the powertrain includes providing the engine. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter to selectively transfer torque from the motor-generator through the adapter and the starter mechanism to start the engine. The second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator such that the starter mechanism selectively transfers torque to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Alexandru Rajala, Chandra S. Namuduri, Venkata Prasad Atluri
  • Patent number: 9573455
    Abstract: A transmission for a hybrid vehicle may include an input shaft receiving power from an engine, a motor configured to receive power from a battery so as to generate the power received from the battery by regeneration, an output shaft receiving the power from the input shaft and the motor, and a planetary gear apparatus connecting the power received by the input shaft from the engine to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kum Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 9573456
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a vehicle may include a first input shaft selectively connected to an output side of an internal combustion engine through a first clutch, a second input shaft disposed at the first input shaft without any rotational interference and selectively connected to the output side of the internal combustion engine through a second clutch, a motor/generator performing a function of a motor and a generator, and a planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements such that the first rotation element is directly connected with the motor/generator, the second rotation element is selectively connected with the second input shaft so as to be in synchronization with each other, and the third rotation element is directly connected with the first input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: KyeongHun Lee, Sueng Ho Lee, JongSool Park, Seong Wook Hwang, Minjun Song, Byung Hyun Lee, Jong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 9573457
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox with a primary shaft connectable to an engine shaft via a clutch and a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first differential crown wheel. An electric machine is configured to function as an electric motor and generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second differential crown wheel. The transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel includes a first engagement device. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft by a belt transmission including a belt engaged on a first pulley connected to the electric machine shaft and a second pulley connected to the engine shaft. Between the electric machine shaft and said first pulley is a second engagement device. The engagement devices are arranged coaxially with the electric machine shaft on opposite sides of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9573458
    Abstract: A fail safe module for an active grille having two or more vanes movable between an open position and a closed position. In the event of failure of an electrically driven actuator, a fail safe module connected between a driven vane of the two or more vanes and the electrically driven actuator moves the vanes to a fail-safe position. The fail safe module has a locked and unlocked position. When the fail safe module is in the locked position the fail safe module, the electrically driven actuator and the two or more vanes move together in response to the power provided by the electrically driven actuator. When the fail safe module is in the unlocked position, the fail safe module disengages the two or more vanes from the electrically driven actuator and moves the two or more vanes to the fail-safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Magna, International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Manhire, Anthony J. Povinelli, Martin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9573459
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle allows an exhaust pipe cover to be easily positioned and attached even in the case of attaching the exhaust pipe cover to an exhaust pipe attached to an engine. Boss portions each having an internal thread through which an exhaust pipe cover is fastened are provided on a lateral surface of an exhaust pipe. Hooking holes capable of being hooked on the boss portions with play are integrally provided on the inner side of the exhaust pipe cover. In a state where the hooking portions are hooked on the boss portions, part of the boss portions is viewable through attaching holes of the exhaust pipe cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Shimomura
  • Patent number: 9573460
    Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide or use a wall structure for a hydrocarbon storage vessel. The wall structure includes an inner layer that includes a first rubber compound. A center layer includes a polymer film. An outer layer includes a second rubber compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FLOATS AND FUEL CELLS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Bemis, Fred G. Tavoleti, Thomas C. Guthrie, A. D. Wiley, Dave Sutphin, Henry Mac Swope, Lisa K. Kemp, Jeff A. Burger, L. Bryan Brister, Robson F. Storey
  • Patent number: 9573461
    Abstract: A filter device, particularly an air breather filter device for venting a fuel tank, includes a housing with a first port provided as an inlet in normal operation of the filter device and a second port provided as an outlet under normal operation of the filter device. The housing encloses at least one filter and an air passage extends from the first port to the second port passing through the filter. Inside the housing a baffle unit is arranged in the housing for covering the at least one first filter in relation to the second port, wherein the baffle unit is arranged to deflect a fluid flow entering the filter device through the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Sigurd Sonderegger, Jonas Lexén
  • Patent number: 9573462
    Abstract: When a driver manipulates a fuel filler lid switch, a tank shutoff valve is opened. Then, time t is calculated, and then, remaining time, obtained by subtracting elapsed time from the time t, is presented on a display device. If the fuel filler lid switch is manipulated again, the tank shutoff valve is closed to seal a fuel tank, and a message to the effect that opening action of the fuel filler lid is cancelled is presented on the display device. If the time t has elapsed without the fuel filler lid switch being manipulated again, the fuel filler lid is opened, determining that internal pressure in the fuel tank has decreased to a level predetermined to ensure that the fuel tank can be filled safely without fuel or fuel evaporative gas spouting from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Hiroaki Kageyama
  • Patent number: 9573463
    Abstract: A front wheel drive transmission is adapted for all-wheel drive by the addition of a selectively engageable power take-off shaft. When a disconnect clutch is engaged, power may be transferred to rear wheels via a power take-off unit and a rear drive unit to improve vehicle mobility. When the disconnect clutch is disengaged, various components of the all-wheel drive system do not rotate, reducing parasitic losses and improving fuel economy. To provide packaging space for the disconnect clutch, the differential is moved to the left (driver side) of the driven transfer gear. A planetary differential, such as a double pinion planetary differential, is suitable for this location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Andreas E. Perakes, David Allen Janson, Gregory Daniel Goleski
  • Patent number: 9573464
    Abstract: A differential device of a four-wheel drive vehicle which is operated in selected one of a two-wheel drive state in which a drive force from a drive power source is transmitted to left and right main drive wheels and a four-wheel drive state in which a drive force from the drive power source is transmitted to the left and right main drive wheels and left and right auxiliary drive wheels, the differential device including a disconnect mechanism with which a power transmission member for transmitting a drive force only to the auxiliary drive wheels in the four-wheel drive state is separated from the auxiliary drive wheels in the two-wheel drive state, the differential device comprising: a cylindrical ring gear supported rotatably around one rotation axis by a case; a differential case including one and the other cylindrical end portions in a rotation axis direction of the ring gear and supported at the one end portion by the ring gear and at the other end portion by the case rotatably and concentrically with th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoshimura, Ryota Horie
  • Patent number: 9573465
    Abstract: A transmission includes a drive force transmission/interruption mechanism that restricts the rotation of a propeller shaft. By operating a shift lever, the shift operation of the transmission and the operation of the drive force transmission/interruption mechanism can be performed, and a lock operation and an unlock operation of a differential lock mechanism can be performed. When a driver wants to bring a vehicle into a parking state, by operating a shift lever, a state is provided where a drive force transmission/interruption mechanism is locked so that the rotation of a propeller shaft is restricted, and the vehicle can be held in a stopped state by bringing a differential lock mechanism into a locked state. Since the vehicle can be brought into a parking state using the shift lever, a so-called parking lever becomes unnecessary so that the number of operation elements can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nishida, Tadashi Oshima, Nobutaka Ban
  • Patent number: 9573466
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle such that drive state can be suitably selected in a configuration including an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle control method. In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, different values are set for a first switching threshold value for switching from a first independent drive state (in which one of a front wheel and a rear wheel is driven) to a combined drive state, and for a second switching threshold value for switching from a second independent drive state (in which the other of the front wheel and the rear wheel is driven by an internal combustion engine) to the combined drive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9573467
    Abstract: A semi-automatic foot-pedal device is provided, which comprises a panel and a pedal-connecting component connected with the panel. The pedal-connecting component comprises an upper bracket, a left bracket, a lower bracket, a right bracket and an elastic unit; when the pedal-connecting component is in a closed state, the panel moves away from the upper bracket to transform the pedal-connecting component into an elastically spread state under a force on the panel in a downward direction; when the pedal-connecting component is in a spread state, the panel moves towards the upper bracket to transform the pedal-connecting component into an elastically closed state under a force on the panel in an obliquely-upward direction. The semi-automatic foot-pedal device of the present disclosure has a novel structure, and does not need a conventional motor system, so it saves the electric power and is safer to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: WINBO DONGJIAN AUTO ACCESSORIES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongbo Chen, Jie Yang, Wei Huang, Ming Zhong, Wei Hu, Yufang Xu
  • Patent number: 9573468
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to an audio/video processing apparatus for a car such as a car audio system, which allows various applications installed at a mobile communication device of a user (for example, a smart phone, a tablet PC or the like) to be implemented using car equipment, by executing or implementing various applications installed at a mobile communication device through a car audio/video control module or an application for a car (App-C) installed at the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jin Chul Park, Jong Uk Park, Sang Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 9573469
    Abstract: A mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster is provided. The mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster includes a first display portion to display information of a first type, the first display portion includes a stem about the first display portion's axis driven by a motor; a second display portion to display information of a second type, the second display portion being configured to move in an inward and outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bianchi, Dale O. Cramer, Alexander Albanese, Royce Duchante′ Channey, James Paul Farell
  • Patent number: 9573470
    Abstract: An audio-video (AV) device for a vehicle includes a display panel including a display unit and a pattern unit arranged on edges of the display unit; and a display board disposed on a rear face of the display panel. The display board includes at least one wireless antenna located outside of the display unit, an antenna module, and a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Se Min Oh
  • Patent number: 9573471
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a terminal, a detection unit configured to detect movement of a user, and a control unit to control operation of the terminal so that operation and functions corresponding to a number of times the movement is detected. Accordingly, it may be possible to intuitively input operation instructions of the terminal, give cognition of the intuitive and sensuous terminal to the user since the operation instructions of the terminal are input in an input manner by operation struck with a hand two or three times such as clicking or double clicking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Tae Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9573472
    Abstract: A battery control system connected to a battery equipped with an explosion-proofing mechanism for cutting off an electric current when the battery enters an overcharge state, including: a cell voltage detection unit that detects voltage at the battery; a storage unit that stores information pertaining to the battery conditions; an overcharge decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not the battery is in an overcharge state; a storage control unit that engages the storage unit to store information pertaining to the overcharge state when the overcharge decision-making unit decides that the battery is in an overcharge state; and an explosion-proofing decision-making unit that decides that the explosion-proofing mechanism in the battery has actuated if the overcharge information is stored in the storage unit and the cell voltage detected by the cell voltage detection unit is lower than a predetermined lower limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takada, Akihiro Machida, Norihiro Shinotsuka, Hiroshi Morikawa, Toshikazu Maeshima, Shigeyuki Kiyota, Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Toyoki Iguchi, Hiroaki Saitou, Hiroaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9573473
    Abstract: In a vehicle control device, a slip ratio in which front and rear wheels are averaged, and a braking force in which the front and rear wheels are averaged, can be calculated. The vehicle control device is provided with: friction braking devices placed on each wheel; a motor that acts as a regenerative braking mechanism and is placed on the rear wheels; a vehicle slip stiffness calculation unit; a front and rear braking force ratio calculation unit; a vehicle slip stiffness correction unit; and a regenerative braking arithmetic unit. The regenerative braking arithmetic unit operates the friction braking device and the motor so as to make the vehicle slip stiffness reach a vehicle slip stiffness threshold value. Also, the vehicle slip stiffness correction unit corrects the vehicle slip stiffness threshold value in accordance with the ratio of the front wheel braking force and the rear wheel braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Akiyama, Toshiya Oosawa, Atsushi Yokoyama, Makoto Yamakado
  • Patent number: 9573474
    Abstract: An electric drive system for an electric vehicle has a DC power source and a contactor with an output coupled to a main bus and an input adapted to be connected to the DC power source. The contactor is selectably switched between an open state and a closed state. A link capacitor is coupled to the main bus. A precharge circuit is coupled between the DC power source and the link capacitor comprised of a controlled current source. The controlled current source is selectably activated with the contactor in the open state to charge the link capacitor to a predetermined voltage to before switching the contactor to the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Arnold K. Mensah-Brown, Hasdi R. Hashim, Bruce C. Blakemore, Allan R. Gale
  • Patent number: 9573475
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving and starting a motor in the form of an internal combustion engine designed for driving a traction generator coupled to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Christoph Stemmler, Thomas von Hoff, Urs Ehrler
  • Patent number: 9573476
    Abstract: A method and system for waking up a primary microcontroller of a controller in response to a change in a control pilot signal generated by an external device coupled to the controller includes coupling the external device to an input port electrically connected to the controller. A control pilot signal generated by the external device is received by the input port and outputted to a monitoring device of the controller in low power mode. The monitoring device in low power mode polls the control pilot signal and upon detecting a valid change transitions to normal power mode to output a wakeup pulse to the primary microcontroller, which in a sleep state receives the wakeup pulse and wakes up to execute instructions stored on the primary microcontroller. In an example, the system controls recharging of a battery by a charging station which outputs a pulse width modulated control pilot signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas John Timpf, Jr., Cody D. Berman, Vivekananda Shripathy
  • Patent number: 9573477
    Abstract: A method and a device for charging an electric vehicle in a power system are provided. The method includes: obtaining a plurality of electric vehicles connected to the power system at a dispatching time, and obtaining a rated charging power and a charging requirement at the dispatching time; determining a charging period corresponding to the plurality of electric vehicles; determining a forecast period, and obtaining a charging requirement, a remaining charging energy capacity and a maximum charging power; establishing a charging model of the plurality of electric vehicles, establishing a first constraint of the charging model, and establishing a second constraint of the charging model; and solving the charging model under the first constraint and the second constraint to obtain an optimal charging power of each electric vehicle at each charging time in the charging period so as to charge each electric vehicle under the optimal charging power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongbin Sun, Qinglai Guo, Boming Zhang, Wenchuan Wu, Zhengshuo Li, Shujun Xin
  • Patent number: 9573478
    Abstract: An add-on adapter 110 enables a single charging port 102 of an electric vehicle charging station 100 to simultaneously charge two electric vehicles. An adapter controller 120 determines the available charging rate offered by the charging station. Electric vehicle charging handles 150A, 150B are determined to be connected to the electric vehicles. A charge sharing control circuit 300 in the adapter controller, determines modified available charging rates to be offered for simultaneously charging the electric vehicles. The modified available charging rates are based on the connection states of the electric vehicles and the available charging rate offered by the charging station. The adapter controller controls two contactors 130A, 130B to switchably connect a charging station power socket to the electric vehicle charging handles, to provide shared power at the determined modified available charging rate to the electric vehicles, for simultaneous charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Konstantin A. Filippenko, Richard K. Weiler
  • Patent number: 9573479
    Abstract: A battery exchange station and a method of operating the battery exchange station are provided which can solve conventional problems, such as the unavailability of electricity stored in a battery, the difficulties in coping with changes in system operation, and the difficulties in utilizing renewable energy. The battery exchange station and the method of operating the battery exchange station allow for utilization of electricity stored in a battery and improve a system's operation and electricity demand conditions by charging a large-capacity battery with electricity coming from the system and providing the electricity stored in the large-capacity battery to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Choa Mun Yun, Sung Hoon Kim, Tae Hee Kim, Won Joon Choi
  • Patent number: 9573480
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, system, and computer program product for battery optimization. A computer receives the driving schedule of an electric vehicle detailing the dates and times electric vehicle will be driven as well as the locations the driver is driving to and from. The computer identifies several potential routes between locations and retrieves trip data detailing information relevant to commuting the potential routes. The computer determines the optimal route the driver should take as well as the minimum number of rechargeable battery packs necessary to power the electric car to the destinations and back. The computer also determines the optimal configuration of those batteries to maximize vehicle handling. The computer transmits both the minimum number of necessary batteries and the configuration thereof to a battery exchanger located under the parking spot of the vehicle which charges and exchanges battery packs to/from the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Jan Valentin Muenzel, Arun Vishwanath
  • Patent number: 9573481
    Abstract: A method and a device for charging an electric vehicle in a power system are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first electric vehicle connected to the power system, and obtaining a rated charging power and a first charging requirement; determining a first charging period corresponding to the first electric vehicle; determining a forecast period, and obtaining a second electric vehicle to be connected to the power system; revising the first charging period to obtain a second charging period, and obtaining a second charging requirement and a maximum charging power; establishing a charging model, establishing a first constraint of the charging model, and establishing a second constraint of the charging model; and solving the charging model under the first constraint and the second constraint to obtain an optimal charging power so as to charge each first electric vehicle under the optimal charging power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongbin Sun, Qinglai Guo, Boming Zhang, Wenchuan Wu, Zhengshuo Li, Shujun Xin
  • Patent number: 9573482
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a travelable information display unit that displays before a discharge, regarding motor-driven movable bodies of a discharge source and a discharge destination driven by using electric power of batteries, information about places to which the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move using electric power of the battery left after the discharge by assuming, when information about a discharge amount discharged from the battery of the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source toward the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination that receives power supply is input, a case in which the discharge amount is discharged from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihito Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9573483
    Abstract: A driving control method for a hybrid vehicle has state of charge (SOC) ranges including a high SOC range, an intermediate SOC range and a low SOC range, and a plurality of power distribution strategies corresponding to the respective SOC ranges. The driving control method controls the hybrid vehicle using a power distribution strategy corresponding to an SOC range to which a current SOC of the hybrid vehicle belongs. When a speed of the hybrid vehicle is high or low and is outside a predetermined range, boundary values of the intermediate SOC range and the low SOC range among the SOC ranges are increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Kak Choi, Dong Jun Shin, Hoon Han, Il Kwon Park
  • Patent number: 9573484
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a state of a battery system based on information related to a measured pressure within the battery system are presented. In certain embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may utilize a pressure-sensitive smart foam material in connection with measuring a pressure within the battery system. Based on the measured pressure information, a variety of information relating to the battery system may be determined. For example, information relating to a state of a battery system, certain events occurring within the battery system, and/or battery lifecycle information may be determined based on the measured pressure information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Herman K. Phlegm, Andrew J. Namou, Edgar P. Calderon, Lisa J. Gross
  • Patent number: 9573485
    Abstract: A battery pack for use in an electric machine, includes a first receiving antenna including a first inductor for receiving electric power from a power supply source located outside the electric machine by coupling with a first resonant magnetic field generated by the power supply source; and a transferring antenna including a second inductor for generating a second resonant magnetic field by the radio-frequency power. A primary surface of the first inductor is located within the battery pack and is parallel to a first plane of the battery pack. A primary surface of the second inductor is located within the battery pack and is parallel to a second plane of the battery pack. The second plane facing the second inductor intersects with the first plane facing the first inductor at an angle of a range of between 45° and 90° including 45° and 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kanno
  • Patent number: 9573486
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus for powering an electrical machine with two different energy sources includes an electrical drive system having a battery and a super capacitor, and an electrical machine, wherein the electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding, wherein the drive system includes a first multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding, and wherein the apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery, where the first multi-phase bridge inverter is connected to a super capacitor, and where the drive system includes a switch adapted to connect and disconnect the DC links of the first multi-phase bridge inverter to and from the second multi-phase bridge inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Erik Hoevenaars, Mats Alakula
  • Patent number: 9573487
    Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle (2) is equipped with a motor (9) for running, a first battery (4), a second battery (3), a liquid-cooled cooler that cools the first battery, and a temperature adjuster. The first battery is configured to supply an electric power to the motor, and has a first capacity and a first output. The second battery is configured to supply an electric power to the motor, and has a second capacity that is different from the first capacity, and a second output that is different from the first output. The temperature adjuster is configured to adjust a temperature of the second battery using a gas as a heat medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuhei Hisada
  • Patent number: 9573488
    Abstract: A driving control method and system for a fuel cell vehicle are provided. The driving control method includes monitoring, by a vehicle controller, information regarding vehicle conditions and entering a minimum driving mode when the monitored vehicle conditions meet minimum-driving-mode entry conditions. A temperature of a fuel cell stack detected and then adjusted when the determined temperature of the fuel cell stack is different from a preset target stack temperature value, to match the temperature of the fuel cell stack with the preset target stack temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seon Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 9573489
    Abstract: Feeder sections to be a target of interchange are to be expanded in order to improve the effect of power interchange between feeders. A control device for railway power conditioner is connected to a first feeder connected to a load side of a transformer in a first railway substation including a transformer receiving power from a power grid, and a second feeder connected to a load side of a transformer in a second railway substation including a transformer receiving power from a power grid, and decides an amount of power interchanged between the first and second feeders. The control device decides the amount of power interchanged between the first and second feeders, using the received power in the first railway substation and power on the first feeder, and the received power in the second railway substation and power on the second feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., East Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Yasuhiro Imazu, Osamu Sakuchi, Masaya Ichinose, Yasuhiro Kiyofuji, Akira Bando, Jun Narushima, Toshihiko Usui, Naomi Sato, Masaki Uchita, Rikiya Inoue, Masahiko Honda
  • Patent number: 9573490
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat bottom pivotally coupled to the seat base such that the seat bottom is movable between a seating position, stowed position, and reclined position. A seat guide assembly is configured to couple to a vehicle rear wall, and includes a guide bracket having a slot formed therein and a pin extending through the slot and configured to travel along the slot. The vehicle seat includes a seat back having an upper end, a lower end, and a latch coupled to the upper end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the seat bottom, and the latch is configured to receive the pin. The seat back upper end travels with the latch and pin along the slot such that the seat back is movable between a seating position, stowed position, and reclined position along a predetermined path relative to the vehicle wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey J Poniatowski, Robert Elton, Travis D Bechtel
  • Patent number: 9573491
    Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster includes a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) which is guided therein such that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, and at least one bearing element (30) which is arranged between the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5) and is in contact with the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5). At least one additional supporting element (20) is provided which is in contact with the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5) and has a rotatable supporting roller (22). The supporting roller (22) can be rotated about a rotational axis (A) which runs in the vertical direction. The at least one supporting element (20) includes a supporting spring (26) which loads the supporting roller (22) in the vertical direction. A vehicle seat (1) with the longitudinal adjuster is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kai Schumann, Peter Reimer, Ingo Teufel
  • Patent number: 9573492
    Abstract: Vehicle seat (1) having a seat part (2) and a backrest (3), wherein the supporting structure (44) of the seat part or the backrest, in particular the side part thereof, integrally has at least one spring element (40, 31) a pivot point (P) and/or a safety belt connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technolgy Company
    Inventors: Jorg Linnenbrink, Ingo Kienke, Ulrich Riedel
  • Patent number: 9573493
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes: a first bracket including an accommodating portion being open to an outer side of a seat in a width direction; a second bracket rotating with respect to the first bracket; a cam rotating with respect to the first bracket; a spring accommodated in the accommodating portion and biasing the cam; a pawl moved in a radial direction of the first bracket based on the rotation of the cam and engaged with the second bracket; and a cover covering the spring, wherein the cover is mounted on the accommodating portion and an outer surface of the cover on the outer side corresponds to an outer surface of the first bracket on the outer side or is positioned inside the outer surface of the first bracket in the width direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Atsushi Abaka
  • Patent number: 9573494
    Abstract: A seatback-motion controller in accordance with the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle seat in a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back mounted for pivotable movement relative to the seat base between an upright use position and a forward-leaning easy-entry position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Miller, Michael Miller