Patents Issued in May 4, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170120753
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods to multiple levels of redundancy in torque steering control and propulsion control of an autonomous vehicle include determining that a powertrain unit of the autonomous vehicle is non-operational and disabling propulsion operation of the non-operational powertrain unit and implementing torque steering operation in another powertrain unit while propelling the autonomous vehicle using other powertrain units that are configured to implement torque steering operation and propulsion operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy David Kentley
  • Publication number: 20170120754
    Abstract: A battery control system includes a main battery and an auxiliary battery, a direct current DC-DC converter for converting a high voltage output from the main battery into a low voltage between the main battery and the auxiliary battery and supplying the converted low voltage to the auxiliary battery or an electronic load, a relay for intermitting a voltage of the auxiliary battery, and a battery management system for controlling the relay to be turned off in a state in which the DC-DC converter is operated in a constantly ON state, comparing an output voltage of the DC-DC converter and a summation of cell voltages of the auxiliary battery, and detecting a fusion state of the relay according to a comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jong Hu YOON, Mi Ok KIM, Beom Gyu KIM
  • Publication number: 20170120755
    Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes a left motor which supplies rotating power to a left drive wheel, a right motor which supplies rotating power to a right drive wheel, a motor control unit which provides drive signals to the left motor and the right motor independently of each other in response to an operation relative to a steering operation unit, a yaw rate detector which detects an actual yaw rate of a vehicle body, an arithmetic yaw rate computing unit which derives an arithmetic yaw rate based on a rotating speed of the left motor or the left drive wheel and a rotating speed of the right motor or the right drive wheel, and a slip detection unit detecting occurrence of slipping based on the arithmetic yaw rate and an actual yaw rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ito, Kazuaki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20170120756
    Abstract: To control the degradation of the emission performance when starting an engine on a vehicle equipped with an engine for driving a generator, the vehicle comprises a generator, an engine, and a catalyst device, a control unit (PCU) that is configured to execute a power generating operation mode after executing an initial mode to activate the catalyst device by operating an electric heater (EHC) when the generator starts power generation by starting the engine, a connecting passage (EGR passage) that connects mutually an intake passage and an exhaust passage, and an adjusting valve (a throttle valve, an exhaust shutter valve, and an EGR valve) for adjusting a flow rate of the gas in the connecting passage. The control unit performs motoring of the engine in the reverse rotation direction by the generator in the initial mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yokoyama, Ryoji Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20170120757
    Abstract: An electromagnetic field controlling system and method are provided. The electromagnetic field controlling system includes a magnetic field sensor that is disposed proximate to or in a vehicle that charges electric power using a wireless charging system and is configured to detect the magnitude of an electromagnetic field. An output controller adjusts output power in a power transmission side of the wireless charging system based on a comparison between a predetermined value for an electromagnetic field and the magnitude of the electromagnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor. Accordingly, the magnitude of an electromagnetic field output from a vehicle wireless charging system is controlled within a safe range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Allan Lewis
  • Publication number: 20170120758
    Abstract: The embodiment of the disclosure is related to a V2X based wireless charging method and apparatus for vehicles. The method involves obtaining vehicle information of the vehicle when the vehicle outputting a wireless charging request; wherein the vehicle information comprises: an unique identification number of the vehicle and a license plate of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle conforms to a predetermined charging condition according to the unique identification number of the vehicle and the license plate of the vehicle; receiving a wireless charging request command and turning on a charging power source if the vehicle conforms to the predetermined charging condition; wherein the predetermined charging condition comprises a vehicle type and whether an identify of the vehicle matches with a current wireless charger. The wireless charging progress of the intelligent vehicle and promoting vehicles using new energy are achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Yong XU, Wenrui LI, Wei LIN, Yu ZOU, Xiaofei GOU, Peng LIU, Dan LI
  • Publication number: 20170120759
    Abstract: An active rectifier for a wireless power transfer system includes: a first rectifying circuit; a second rectifying circuit; a first switching circuit and a second switching circuit. The first rectifying circuit, the second rectifying circuit, the first switching circuit, and the second switching circuit are arranged in a form of a bridge circuit between a secondary coil of a vehicle and a battery of the vehicle, and the active rectifier controls the first and second switching circuits according to a charging status of the battery or an output status of the wireless power transfer system in order to change or maintain a charging power to the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Woo Young Lee, Hyun Wook Seong, Gyu Yeong Choe
  • Publication number: 20170120760
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cover, a front protector, and a rear protector. The cover has a cover lowest portion projecting from the bottom of the vehicle body toward an outside of the vehicle by a first distance. The front protector is provided on a front side of the cover in a front-rear direction. The front protector has a front protector lowest portion projecting from the bottom of the vehicle body toward the outside of the vehicle a second distance longer than the first distance. The rear protector is provided on a rear side of the cover in the front-rear direction. The cover is provided between the front protector and the rear protector in the front-rear direction. The rear protector has a rear protector lowest portion projecting from the bottom toward the outside of the vehicle by a third distance longer than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa KUME, Shuta FUKUDA
  • Publication number: 20170120761
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling charging of a battery pack of an electrified vehicle over a plurality of charging locations of a drive route, the controlling step including scheduling charging based at least on a cost to charge at each of the plurality of charging locations and an amount of charging time available at each of the plurality of charging locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jimmy KAPADIA, Kenneth James MILLER
  • Publication number: 20170120762
    Abstract: A vehicle including an energy storage device and a powertrain system configured to effect regenerative braking is described. A method for controlling the vehicle includes determining an expected increase in a state of charge of the energy storage device achieved through opportunity charging by employing regenerative braking during an anticipated next trip of the vehicle. A preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device is determined based upon the expected increase in the state of charge achieved through opportunity charging, and charging of the energy storage device is controlled during a remote charging event based upon the preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zettel, Larry T. Nitz, Andrew J. Farah, Matthew S. Stout, Daniel P. Grenn
  • Publication number: 20170120763
    Abstract: A reconfigurable system capable of autonomously exchanging material from unmanned vehicles of various types and sizes. The system comprises an environmental enclosure, a landing area, a universal mechanical system to load and unload material from the unmanned vehicle, and a central processor that manages the aforementioned tasks. The landing area may comprise a one or more visible or non-visible markers/emitters capable of generating composite images to assist in landing the unmanned vehicle upon the reconfigurable, autonomous system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Asylon, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon C. HENRY, Adam I. MOHAMED, Brent MCLAUGHLIN, David DONES
  • Publication number: 20170120764
    Abstract: The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a charging post and an intelligent transportation system. The charging post comprises a charging plug connected to a charging power source; a network module configured to establish network connection; a communication control module wirelessly connected to vehicle devices disposed in a vehicle, establishing a network connection with a dispatching center through the network module for receiving the real-time information collected from the vehicle devices and transmitting to the dispatching center, receiving a control command generated by the dispatching center according to the real-time information or a traffic information, and transmitting the control command to the vehicle devices such that the control command is executed by the vehicle devices for achieving control of the vehicle. The embodiment of the present disclosure improves the utilization of charging posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Wenrui LI, Yong XU, Yu ZOU, Kunsheng CHEN, Wei LIN, Peng LIU, Dan LI
  • Publication number: 20170120765
    Abstract: A contactless power transfer system includes a vehicle and a charging station. The charging station includes a first communication unit and a power transferring unit. The vehicle includes a second communication unit configured to communicate with the first communication unit, a power receiving unit configured to contactlessly receive power from the power transferring unit, a display unit for indicating a relative positional relationship between the power receiving unit and the power transferring unit, and a control unit (vehicle ECU) controlling the second communication unit the power receiving unit and the display unit. The vehicle ECU starts display of a relative positional relationship between the power receiving unit and the power transferring unit, on the display unit, when the second communication unit receives a broadcast signal from the first communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20170120766
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to energy stores. The teachings thereof may be embodied in an apparatus and a method for regulating a state of charge of an electrical energy store. Embodiments may include an apparatus for regulating a state of charge of an electrical energy store, comprising: an acquisition device acquiring operating data related to the electrical energy store; a computer device determining a forecast state of health of the electrical energy store based at least in part on the acquired operating data; and a control device imposing a limit of power consumption and/or a power output of the electrical energy store, or cancelling such a limit, on the basis of a comparison of the determined forecast state of health of the electrical energy store with a value corridor of stored state of health profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Huber, Friedrich Graf
  • Publication number: 20170120767
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes a first energy storage, a second energy storage, a transformer, and circuitry. The first energy storage outputs a first output voltage. The second energy storage outputs a second output voltage. The transformer transforms at least one of the first output voltage and the second output voltage. The circuitry is configured to detect a sign of a fault in at least one of the first energy storage and the second energy storage. The circuitry is configured to control the transformer so as to transfer power from one energy storage among the first energy storage and the second energy storage to another energy storage among the first energy storage and the second energy storage in a case where the detector detects the sign of the fault in the one energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota UNNO, Daijiro TAKIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170120768
    Abstract: The disclosure describes embodiments of an electric quantity monitoring device and vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Jialin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170120769
    Abstract: A voltage detecting apparatus includes: an assembled battery made of plural cells, a self-diagnostic circuit, and a measuring part for measuring the plural cells or measuring a diagnostic voltage generated by the self-diagnostic circuit. Electric power is supplied to the self-diagnostic circuit by a charge pump circuit. The self-diagnostic circuit includes plural circuit elements connected in series, and a current path connected to the measuring part and formed in correspondence with each of the plural circuit elements, and the measuring part includes a multiplexer for switching a state of connection between each of the current paths and the circuit network. The measuring part determines whether or not the circuit network is normal based on a voltage dividing ratio by the circuit element corresponding to the current path switched by the multiplexer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Takaaki Izawa
  • Publication number: 20170120770
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disengaging a battery are disclosed. The systems and methods may be used to disengage a battery from a direct-current (DC) bus of a vehicle when the DC bus is under a load. In one implementation, the system includes one or more contactors between the battery string and the DC bus. The system also includes a controller. The controller is configured to reduce a current limit of a power train of the vehicle to a first current level. The controller is also configured to open the one or more contactors. The controller is further configured to increase the current limit of the power train of the vehicle to a second current level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Long Huynh, Michael Hong, Phillip John Weicker, Anil Paryani
  • Publication number: 20170120771
    Abstract: An adaptive and adjustable isolation fault testing of a multi-string battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The isolation fault testing can be performed in an adjustable or predetermined loop having dedicated time windows for respective battery strings in compliance with the system requirements, specification, and regulatory regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: John Alser, Douglas D. Chidester, Anil Paryani, Phillip John Weicker
  • Publication number: 20170120772
    Abstract: An adaptive multi-string battery for an electric vehicle is disclosed herein. The battery strings can adaptively be connected to the power bus bars based on the output voltage to be discharged with load. During operation of the vehicle, the voltage, current, and estimate charge can be constantly monitored to change the connected status of the battery strings to the power buses to allow connecting or disconnecting of the battery strings adaptively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: John Alser, Douglas D. Chidester, Anil Paryani, Phillip John Weicker
  • Publication number: 20170120773
    Abstract: A battery system may include multiple battery cells having different chemistries. To achieve certain performance goals, voltage parameters for the battery system, such as cruising voltages and maximum voltages can be adjusted. These adjustments may, for example, direct charging currents to a lithium-ion battery to increase fuel economy or may direct charging currents away from a lithium-ion battery to increase its longevity. Methods for matching batteries having different chemistries based on their open circuit voltages are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Zhenli Zhang, Zhihong H. Jin, Perry M. Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20170120774
    Abstract: A battery management device for a battery that is incorporated in a vehicle includes a cooling fan configured to cool the battery and a controller configured to control the cooling fan. The controller is configured to calculate an amount of high-rate degradation damage which is an amount of degradation damage to the battery caused by high-rate charge or discharge, and is configured to restrict cooling of the battery by the cooling fan when the amount of high-rate degradation damage has reached or exceeded a predefined cooling restriction starting threshold, more strictly than when the amount of high-rate degradation damage is less than the cooling restriction starting threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki OBATA
  • Publication number: 20170120775
    Abstract: An electric power storage system for a vehicle includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of a battery, a battery heater, a charger connectable with an external power supply and configured to deliver external power to the battery and the battery heater, and a controller. In the system, a first electric power is supplied to the battery heater when the state of charge of the battery is larger than a predetermined value and the temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, and a second electric power is supplied to the battery heater when the state of charge of the battery is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value and the temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. The first electric power is smaller than the second electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Takashi Murata, Tomokazu Masuda
  • Publication number: 20170120776
    Abstract: Vehicle access seating supports a user seat unit using a mounting assembly, a fore-aft slide assembly, a swivel assembly and an extension/retraction assembly. The seat unit moves from a secured drive position on either side of the motor vehicle to an access position wherein at least part of the seat is outside the vehicle, facilitating user vehicle access. Moving from the drive position to the access position, the seat moves linearly along two axes—one (static) defined by the mounting assembly, and a second axis (pivotable) defined by the seat itself—increasing the seat occupant's legroom by reducing the clearances between the seat and the vehicle B-pillar and between the seat and the vehicle transmission tunnel. A vertical mounting recline angle improves the occupant headroom inside the vehicle. Moving between the drive and access positions, the seat can move through a narrow transition corridor in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Bertil Slungare
  • Publication number: 20170120777
    Abstract: An actuator includes a pinion engaging a seat height adjustment mechanism. A brake drum fixed to the seat defines an outer brake race. A brake hub integrated with the pinion, rotatable in the brake drum, defines an inner brake race. Rolling brake elements between the brake races lock the brake hub to the brake drum in the absence of actuator input. A clutch drum covers the brake races, defines an outer clutch race, and includes clutch tabs to displace the rolling brake elements, unlocking the brake hub, responsive to actuator input. A driver cam rotatable within the clutch drum defines an inner clutch race. Rolling clutch elements in the clutch races transmit actuator input to the clutch drum and permit rotation of the driver cam relative to the clutch drum in the absence of actuator input. An exterior cup fixed to the brake drum defines a housing for the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Pius Koon-Pun NG, Parth Jitendra SHAHIWALA, Russel Vincent GILLIS
  • Publication number: 20170120778
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; a base provided on a vehicle body; a seat lifter configured to adjust a height of the seat cushion by a rotational motion of a link connecting the seat cushion to the base; and a fixture of a seat belt, the fixture being attached to the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya SUZUKI, Masato ARASHI, Akira KANEKO
  • Publication number: 20170120779
    Abstract: A vehicle-seat mounting system, for securing a child seat in a vehicle, including a collapsible vehicle seat comprising a vehicle seat back configured to be movably connected to a vehicle-seat base. The system also includes a vehicle-seat-back securing structure being connected to, or part of, a rear of the vehicle seat back. The vehicle-seat-back securing structure is configured and arranged at the rear of the vehicle seat back to mate securely with child-seat securing structure corresponding in size and shape to the vehicle-seat-back securing structure. In various embodiments, the technology includes (i) parts of the vehicle seat, such as a kit including the vehicle-seat-back securing structure, (ii) the child seat, or (iii) parts thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Mary Decaluwe, Joseph Neighbors, Raymond A. Beaufait, William J. Ochalek
  • Publication number: 20170120780
    Abstract: A device for rapid removal/reinstallation of a back of a seat of a vehicle, the back being attached, by at least one first strap, to a ceiling. The device includes a hanging intermediary structure and a fixed structure integral with the ceiling and retaining the structure in the use position of the seat, in which it has been brought with an upward movement, and locking the structure in the use position or unlocking it such that it is moved away from the ceiling to release the tension exerted by the first strap and allow the structure to be disengaged from the retaining unit. The back can thus be removed or reinstalled without any action on the tension setting of the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: NEXTER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jacky JACQUEMONT, Xavier POIRMEUR
  • Publication number: 20170120781
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The child-restraint harness includes a crotch belt having a buckle and two shoulder belts that can be linked to the buckle to restrain a child sitting on the juvenile seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Sean R. Denbo, Mei-Hui Lin, Kyle M. Franke
  • Publication number: 20170120782
    Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a child restraint. The method includes the steps of coupling a seat-pivot-and-lock unit to a tiltable juvenile vehicle seat and coupling a seat support to the tiltable juvenile vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Sean R. Denbo, Mei-Hui Lin, Kyle M. Franke
  • Publication number: 20170120783
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a juvenile vehicle seat is adapted to be installed on a vehicle passenger seat of a vehicle. Safety belt straps included in the vehicle are used to retain the juvenile vehicle seat in place on the vehicle passenger seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Sean R. Denbo, Kyle M. Franke
  • Publication number: 20170120784
    Abstract: A hip alignment device configured to properly cushion and align a user's hips while seated. The hip alignment device includes a first cushion and a second cushion connected to one another via an elongated strap. Each cushion has a concave inner surface adapted to be positioned against the outer portion of a user's thighs or hips. The inner surface further includes one or more rounded ridges thereon. The inner side of the cushion is configured to be positioned flush against the side of a user's thigh or hip, whereas an outer side of the cushion is configured to be placed against a portion of a vehicle, such as a vehicle door or the center console so as to secure the cushion in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Kathleen V. Barron
  • Publication number: 20170120785
    Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, Kenneth S. Laird, Linh Doan
  • Publication number: 20170120786
    Abstract: The invention discloses a novel four-direction headrest, which comprises a headrest housing, a U-shaped headrest bar, a Z-direction sliding fixing socket, an unlocking mechanism bracket, a tab, a tab return spring, an X-direction sliding fixing socket, an X-direction sliding guide, an unlocking steel wire, an unlocking button, wherein the locking and unlocking among the X-direction sliding fixing socket, the unlocking mechanism bracket, and the U-shaped headrest bar is realized by the unlocking steel wire, and the locking and unlocking between the tab and the X-direction sliding guide is realized by the tab movement driven by the unlocking steel wire. The locking and unlocking mechanism of the invention is simple, efficient and controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Yaowei Cao, Biao Li, Min Zhu, Xia Li, Donghai Xu
  • Publication number: 20170120787
    Abstract: Vehicle seat which is arranged on a vehicle body, is movable relative to the vehicle body and comprises at least one spring apparatus and/or at least one damping apparatus for displacing and for absorbing oscillations in the vertical and/or horizontal direction, and at least one seat stabilisation apparatus arranged on the vehicle seat for stabilising the vehicle seat in the vertical and/or horizontal direction, wherein the seat stabilisation apparatus comprises at least one rotary element which is mounted so as to rotate about a first rotational axis, can rotate at a rotational frequency and by means of which a torque can be generated by a force acting from outside on the vehicle seat and on the rotational pulse generated by the rotary element, which torque counteracts a rotational movement of the vehicle seat and/or the vehicle body generated by the force about an actual and/or imaginary second rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Konstantin LOREY
  • Publication number: 20170120788
    Abstract: A seatbelt web guide assembly adapted to be fixed to a seat back comprises a web guide in the shape of a loop and a pivot adapted to be fixed to a seat back and defining a first pivot axis. A connector is disposed between and connects the web guide to the pivot at a position in which the web guide is spaced from the first pivot axis. The pivot has a first part and a second pivot part. The second pivot part is rotatable with respect to the first part about the pivot axis, and the connector is fixed to the second pivot part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Shenaq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Publication number: 20170120789
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that can reduce manufacturing costs while increasing assembling rigidity of an elastic spring for supporting an occupant is described. A vehicle seat includes an elastic spring bridged between a front frame and a rear frame to support an occupant. A hook member is attached to a rear end portion of the elastic spring to be hooked to the rear frame. The hook member includes a hook body extending along an outer periphery of the rear frame and a projection projecting from a front edge of the hook body toward the rear frame and formed to have a width smaller than a width of the hook body. A through-hole is formed in a portion of the hook body, which is opposed to the projection. The through-hole has a width larger than a width of the projection and a length larger than a projecting length of the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Yuta Kijima, Blake Wortley
  • Publication number: 20170120790
    Abstract: A vehicle seat feature to provide additional legroom for feet or legs of a rear-facing child in a safety carseat installed in a vehicle seat, by utilizing a bounded cavity or the like in the vehicle seat backrest, which is accessible from the front side of the backrest by feet or legs of a rear-facing child. Such a cavity may in some embodiments be deployable and made available by removing or repositioning a barrier object or the like, which when restored may in effect constitute part of an otherwise normally functional backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth Mimnaugh Alfano
  • Publication number: 20170120791
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a child restraint includes a juvenile seat having a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile seat further includes a cupholder coupled to the seat bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Sean R. Denbo, Mei-Hui Lin, Kyle M. Franke
  • Publication number: 20170120792
    Abstract: A transportation apparatus is described herein that comprises a lifting apparatus having a support structure, a base portion and a scissor-lift device disposed between the support structure and the base portion. The scissor-lift device having a first arm having a first end and a second end pivotally connected to a second arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first arm is hingedly connected to the base portion and the second end of the first arm is slidably engaged with the support structure. Similarly, the first end of the second arm is slidably engaged with the base portion and the second end of the second arm is hingedly connected to the support structure. A method of raising centrifuge equipment to a desired height via the lifting apparatus is also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Billy R. Riggs, Christopher L. Kuykendall
  • Publication number: 20170120793
    Abstract: A trailer with a trailer bed (2) and a wheel axis (4) that is mounted on a shaft (3), wherein the trailer bed (2) along with the shaft (3) and the wheel axis (4) are connected by a lifting device (10), the lifting device (10) is pivotable around the wheel axis (4) mounted on the shaft (3), the trailer bed (2) is tiltable around a hanging axis (14) connected with the lifting device (10), which hanging axis (14) is mounted fixed with the trailer bed (2), and the distance (B) between the hanging axis (14) and the wheel axis (4) is at least equal to the distance (D/2) between the wheel axis (4) and the front-end (7) of the trailer bed (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Ludo Leopold Louisa DE CEUSTER
  • Publication number: 20170120794
    Abstract: A tow trailer for use with a motor vehicle, the tow trailer having: a frame, the frame having a hitch; a fork assembly, the fork assembly rotatably attached to the frame; a pair of forks, the forks slidingly attached to the fork assembly; a hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic actuator, the actuator having a first hydraulic cylinder attached to the fork assembly at a point suitable to cause rotation of the fork assembly relative to the frame, the actuator further having a second hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder attached to the forks to selectively move the forks along a vertical axis independently of the fork assembly rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Gerard Muegerl
  • Publication number: 20170120795
    Abstract: Tow apparatuses are described herein. For example, in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure a tow apparatus includes a platform having a plurality supports for maintaining at least one wheel of a vehicle to be towed on the platform, at least one ground interface mechanism connected to the bottom of the platform, a tongue having a first portion for attachment to a tow vehicle, a second portion attached to the platform, and a hinge between the first and second portions to allow the first portion to tilt with respect to the second portion, and a mechanism to allow the ground interface mechanism on the platform to change direction with respect to the tow vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Mark A. Masanz
  • Publication number: 20170120796
    Abstract: An improved fracking tank comprising a tank assembly comprising a first section and a fluidly attached second section, where the lower surface of the floor of the second section is higher than the lower surface of the floor of the first section, and where said tank assembly has a fluid holding capacity in the range of 8,400 gallons to 30,000 gallons, also comprising a trailer assembly detachably attached to said tank assembly comprising a first portion with a first surface supporting the tank first section and also comprising a plurality of axles, and a second portion with a second surface supporting the tank assembly second section, and further comprising a hitch portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Scott
  • Publication number: 20170120797
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic tightening device with rolling and unrolling control functions. A handle, a base, and a spool are pivotally connected together by a reel having an associated relationship with the spool and provided with a coil spring driving structure at an end. The handle and the base each has two parallel sidewalls. A movable pawl/stop pawl is mounted between the sidewalls of the handle/base. The two pawls can be in contact with any tooth around ratchet wheel sheets. A no-load webbing unrolling-rolling-stopping region, a safe lock position, a tightening operation region, and a load releasing region are provided at an edge of the base. The no-load webbing unrolling-rolling-stopping regions at the edges of the base are inclined surfaces, end surfaces of the stop and movable pawls are chamfers, and a no-load releasing cam rim and a load releasing cam rim are provided at an edge of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jing Zhou, Xianwei Yang, Chunzhi Li
  • Publication number: 20170120798
    Abstract: A visual communication apparatus affixed to a vehicle. The visual communication apparatus includes a smart key system that detects a key fob of a user within a keyless detection zone, a projector projecting visual indications on a projecting zone lying on a ground surface of the vehicle, a sensor optically capturing gestures of the user of the vehicle, and an electrical control unit capable of actuated key elements of the vehicle. The visual indications include passive visual indications requiring no activation from the user and active visual indications requiring activations from the user. The activations are performed by gestures of the user on the active visual indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi KIRIYAMA, Shogo KIMURA, Mineo KURITA
  • Publication number: 20170120799
    Abstract: A light assembly includes a carrier. A first high beam light module is rotatably attached to the carrier for rotation relative to the carrier about a first high beam horizontal axis. A first low beam light module is rotatably attached to the carrier for rotation relative to the carrier about a first low beam horizontal axis. The first high beam horizontal axis and the first low beam horizontal axis are parallel with each other. A bar interconnects the first high beam light module and the first low beam light module. An adjustment drive is coupled to the bar. The adjustment drive is operable to move the bar along a bar axis. Movement of the bar along the bar axis simultaneously rotates the first high beam light module about the first high beam horizontal axis, and the first low beam light module about the first low beam horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrzej Wasilewski, Richard Tepper, Jeffrey T. Zawacki
  • Publication number: 20170120800
    Abstract: A work vehicle having an optical system responsive to implement movements is disclosed. The implement-responsive optical system includes an optical device, such as a worklight or camera, which is coupled to the vehicle body and which produces an optical field when active. An adjustment mechanism, such as a closed loop actuation subsystem or a mechanical linkage, is coupled to the vehicle body and to the optical device. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust at least one operational characteristic of the optical field in response to movement of the work implement relative to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jose Rene LiƱan, Frederic Paillet
  • Publication number: 20170120801
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control device includes a headlamp that irradiates an area in front of a vehicle, a camera that captures an image of the area in font of the vehicle, a pedestrian detection portion configured to detect a pedestrian in front of the vehicle from an image captured by the camera, and a control portion configured to control the headlamp and cause the headlamp to irradiate the pedestrian so that a given-shaped part that is not irradiated is formed at a location of an eye of the pedestrian, or a given-shaped part irradiated by dimmed light is formed at the location of the eye of the pedestrian.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya ASAOKA, Shinichi KOJIMA, Kazunori HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170120802
    Abstract: A user-position-focused vehicle lighting system comprising a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having a user-position-determination module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines a vehicle user position proximate a vehicle. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-identification module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines, based on the vehicle user position, which of multiple vehicle lighting features should be illuminated, yielding a presently selected lighting feature. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-activation module configured to, when executed by the processing unit, send a signal to the presently selected lighting feature to illuminate the presently selected lighting feature. In various embodiments, the technology includes the storage device separate from the processing unit, and processes performed by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Mary Decaluwe, Carl W. Wellborn, Thomas R. Brown, Christopher Kumle, Daniel Rudd