Patents Issued in May 18, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170136826
    Abstract: A block segment sections and outer rib-shaped sections are arranged in an outer shoulder land section. An end portion of one of vertical groove sections in one of L-shaped groove sections, which is at the other side in the tire circumferential direction communicates with one of the horizontal groove sections in another L-shaped groove section of the L-shaped groove sections, which is adjacent to the L-shaped groove section in the tire circumferential direction, via one of second communicating sections. In addition, positions of first communicating sections and the second communicating section in the tire width direction are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiichi KATO
  • Publication number: 20170136827
    Abstract: A plurality of land portions is formed on a tread portion of a pneumatic tire by main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction and lateral grooves extending in a tire width direction. At least one stepped portion which is lowered on a downstream side in a water drain direction is formed on at least a portion of a groove wall which forms the land portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Sato
  • Publication number: 20170136828
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a plurality of polygonal shallow grooves. The polygonal shallow grooves are formed on a surface of a land portion of a tread surface, for constructing closed loops. The plurality of polygonal shallow grooves formed on one of the land portions have internal regions which are independent of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Asayama
  • Publication number: 20170136829
    Abstract: In a pneumatic tire, in which a sub-groove 31 extending in a tire circumferential direction is provided on a shoulder land portion inside a width direction center of the shoulder land in a tire width direction, and the shoulder land portion is divided into an inner portion 34 inside the sub-groove 31 in the tire width direction and an outer portion 35 outside the sub-groove 31 in the tire width direction, the shoulder land portion protrudes to the outside of a tire reference profile line L in a normal direction of the tire reference profile line on a cross-section in the tire width direction and a protrusion height H2 at an sub-groove 31 side end of the outer portion 35 is higher than a protrusion height H1 at a sub-groove 31 side end of the inner portion 34.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Soichi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20170136830
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire according to an embodiment includes blocks formed by a main groove and a lateral groove on a tread portion. At least one block includes at least two sipes which divide the block into three or more sections in the tire circumferential direction. A pair of reinforcing projections which projects in the main groove is formed on both end portions of the block in the tire circumferential direction ranging from a side wall of the block to a groove bottom of the main groove. A connecting rib which connects distal end portions of the pair of reinforcing projections to each other is formed on the groove bottom of the main groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Kuwano
  • Publication number: 20170136831
    Abstract: A tyre (1), comprising: two toroidal bead portions (12), each housing an annular bead bundle (121); a toroidal body ply (10), folded, at each of its transversal ending portions (101), about a respective bead bundle (121) forming a respective turn-up (14); two bead fillers (20), one for each bead portion, each in contact with a respective bead bundle (121) and at least partly enclosed by a respective turn-up (14), which tyre (1) further comprises two elastomeric crack control members (21), one for each bead portion (12), wherein each crack control member (21) extends at a body ply ending (101), externally to the respective turn-up (14), and each crack control member (21) is made by a couple of strips having a differentiated stiffness along their transversal section, with a lower stiffness at a first strip (201, 211) adjacent to the body ply ending (101) and a higher stiffness at a second strip (202, 212) in contact with the respective bundle (121), so that the first lower stiffness strip defines a prefe
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Marco TOSCANO
  • Publication number: 20170136832
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to an installation structure for installing a sensor module, and more particularly relates to an installation structure for installing a sensor module on a tire, and to a method of manufacturing the installation structure. In one aspect, the installation structure includes a sensor module housing configured to accommodate a sensor module and at least one sensor patch each comprising a bonding portion configured to attach to an inner side of a tire and a pressing portion configured to place and maintain the sensor module housing in contact with an installation position on the inner side of the tire. The pressing portion is configured to apply a downward pressure on a top portion of the sensor module housing by elastically extending and contracting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Soon Hong So, Jeong Heon Kim
  • Publication number: 20170136833
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device includes a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material, a band member formed of a thermoplastic resin, the band member being an annular shape for mounting the noise absorbing member on a tire inner surface, a bonding member bent into a V-shaped cross section, and a band bonding section at a key point where the noise absorbing member, the band member, and the bonding member are bonded by interposing the noise absorbing member between the bonding member and the band member. The band member has a band width WB satisfying the following formula (a). A band thickness H (mm) of the band bonding section and a thickness h (mm) of the band member have a relationship satisfying the following formula (b). 20 mm?WB?noise absorbing member width (mm) ??(a) 0.4?H/h?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Naruse
  • Publication number: 20170136834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless tire monitoring system for a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: SALUTICA ALLIED SOLUTIONS SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Kean Hoo CHONG, Wee Yeoh TAN, Chang Tih HO, Yoon Shing PAN
  • Publication number: 20170136835
    Abstract: Non-slip inflatable device for motor vehicle tyres based on a device which covers the tread of the tyre and which has elements on its outside face making it non-slip, and characterised because the device as such is of a low-rise straight, rectangular, elongated parallelepiped-shaped inflatable resistant element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Benito de Paz
  • Publication number: 20170136836
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are adjustable ball hitches that include driver, such as a motor or manual crank, operatively coupled to a first gear member; a housing member housing one or more gear members, wherein the one or more gear members comprises the first gear member; and a second gear member fixedly coupled to a ball positioning system member, wherein the hitch member comprises a ball portion; and wherein operation of the driver causes the ball portion to move along a vertical axis relative to the housing member without the need to disconnect the trailer from the hitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Theodore R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20170136837
    Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a guide track and two cooperating doors received for sliding movement in the guide track and displaceable between a closed position and an open position. A motor vehicle incorporating the trailer hitch cover assembly and a method of hiding a hitch receiver are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos Emilio Merino Almeida, Jonatan Leff Yaffe, Jorge Manuel Rodriguez Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20170136838
    Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a roller and a flexible cover that is received on the roller. The flexible cover is displaceable between a retracted position wherein the flexible cover is wound onto the roller so as to provide access to a hitch receiver and a deployed position wherein the flexible cover extends from the roller so as to conceal the hitch receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos Emilio Merino Almeida, Jonatan Leff Yaffe, Jorge Manuel Rodriguez Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20170136839
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pivot angle detection device and a method for detecting a pivot angle between a vehicle and a trailer coupling device that is coupled to the vehicle. A transmitter is hereby provided, which is designed for producing an electromagnetic field, as well as a receiver which is designed to detect a field strength of the electromagnetic field, whereby the transmitter and receiver are arranged towards each other on the vehicle and trailer coupling device in such a way that a change of the pivot angle produces a dependent change in the field strength that is detected by the receiver. Additionally, an evaluation device for determining the pivot angle based on the detected field strength is also provided. The disclosure also relates to a transmitter, a receiver and an evaluation device, that are designed for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Burkhart, Thomas Rösch, Georges Halsdorf
  • Publication number: 20170136840
    Abstract: A MEUV that is able to navigate aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial environments through the use of different mission mobility attachments is disclosed. The attachments allow the MEUV to be deployed from the air or through the water prior to any terrestrial navigation. The mobility attachments can be removed or detached by and from the vehicle during a mission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Clinton G. Hobart, William D. Morse, Robert James Bickerstaff
  • Publication number: 20170136841
    Abstract: The invention relates to strut bearing with a cap and a guide ring which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis (D) relative to the cap. An axial bearing is arranged between the cap and the guide ring, and the cap includes a soft component and a hard component. Furthermore, the soft component has at least two circumferential sealing lips which rest against the guide ring in a sliding manner in order to seal the axial bearing. According to the invention, the soft component is formed on a hard component end face oriented towards the guide ring, and a hard component end face oriented opposite the guide ring has a profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wollner, Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner
  • Publication number: 20170136842
    Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Levant Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Olivia D. Godwin, Clive Tucker, John A. Laplante, William Graves, Shakeel Avadhany, Michael W. Finnegan
  • Publication number: 20170136843
    Abstract: A vehicle damper is described. The vehicle damper includes: a cylinder; a piston within the cylinder; a working fluid within the cylinder; a reservoir in fluid communication with the cylinder via the working fluid, the reservoir operable to receive the working fluid from the cylinder in a compression stroke; a valve in a flow path between the cylinder and the reservoir; and a remotely-operable valve having a position allowing the working fluid to significantly by-pass the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John MARKING
  • Publication number: 20170136844
    Abstract: Methods and systems for coordinated zone operation of the MTRS are provided. The method includes a MTRS controller determining whether a first zone environmental condition difference between a first zone measured environmental condition and a first zone desired set point environmental condition is greater than a first threshold. The method also includes the MTRS controller coordinating operation of the first environmental condition unit and the second environmental condition unit when the first zone environmental condition difference is determined to be greater than the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy J. NEU, James E. Conde, Brett Heberer, Wayne Donnellan
  • Publication number: 20170136845
    Abstract: A bus air-conditioning arrangement with a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the compressor has an electric motor and a compression device, which is driven by the electric motor, for compressing refrigerant, wherein the bus air-conditioning system furthermore has an electric generator which has dimensions such that said generator can be fitted in a receiving space, which is provided for a compressor and which is arranged in a driving motor of a bus or in an installation space for the driving motor of the bus, wherein the generator is driveable by the driving motor, in particular by means of a belt drive, and wherein the electric motor of the compressor is driveable by electrical power which the generator generates, and a method for producing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Wolfgang SANDKÖTTER
  • Publication number: 20170136846
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement for fastening at least two components together may be utilized in a motor vehicle. The fastening arrangement may include a plurality of screw-on brackets provided on a first component, and a number of retaining pegs provided on a second component. The screw-on brackets may include a through hole that may receive a respective projection of the number of retaining pegs when the first component and the second component are assembled with one another. At least one retaining pegs may include a cover plate that may facilitate receiving an associated screw-on bracket laterally and clip the screw-on bracket between the at least one retaining peg and the cover plate. A screw-in peg having a screw-in opening may be disposed on the second component. A hold-down may be securable to the screw-in peg to secure an associated screw-on bracket and an associated retaining peg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Philippin, Ulrich Schneider
  • Publication number: 20170136847
    Abstract: An air-conditioning control method for calculating an optimum operation amount of an air-conditioning blower in an air-conditioning system of a vehicle includes: determining a heater heat quantity after an engine of the vehicle is started under a maximum heating condition of the air-conditioning system and the air-conditioning system is turned on according to current vehicle state information and air-conditioning information; determining a lost heat quantity discharged outside the vehicle during a current air-conditioning mode; determining an effective heating energy efficiency by calculating a difference between the heater heat quantity and the lost heat quantity; calculating the optimum operation amount of the air-conditioning blower where the effective heating energy is maximized; and controlling operation of the air-conditioning blower according to the determined optimum operation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Tae Woong Lim, Jae Hyun Park, Chun Kyu Kwon, Jung Ho Kwon
  • Publication number: 20170136848
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transport heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a fresh air intake is disclosed. The fresh airflow intake system includes a fresh air damper configured to regulate a flow of fresh air into the transport HVAC system, an evaporator fan having at least a high-speed mode and a low speed mode, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a fresh air condition is met and increase a fresh airflow in response to determining the fresh air condition is met. The controller is further configured to increase an evaporator fan speed when the fresh airflow is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Petr Trutnovsky, Lubos Forejt, Radim Cermák
  • Publication number: 20170136849
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a water tank cover for a motor vehicle, which has at least one air entry area for the supply of fresh air for a vehicle interior. The at least one air entry area is formed by a plurality of openings in the water tank cover, which exhibit a continuous edge that is elevated relative to an outer surface of the water tank cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fabian KEMPFER, Younes CHLYEH
  • Publication number: 20170136850
    Abstract: A heavy duty truck includes an air conditioning loop having a compressor, a condenser mounted within an engine bay of the truck, an evaporator, and a cooling fan belt-driven by an engine of the truck mounted within the engine bay adjacent a radiator of the truck. A method of modifying the air conditioning loop includes removing the condenser from the engine bay, removing the belt-driven cooling fan from the engine bay, installing a remote condenser on the truck at a location that is external from the engine bay, the remote condenser in fluid communication with the primary air conditioning loop of the truck, installing an electric cooling assembly in the engine bay adjacent to the radiator of the truck, the electric cooling assembly comprising one or more electrically powered cooling fans and a surrounding shroud, and installing a control unit in electrical communication with the one or more cooling fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth Capell, Patti Lane
  • Publication number: 20170136851
    Abstract: A humidifier supplies humidified air, which is humidified by water desorbed from an adsorbing material, to a humidification object space. The humidifier includes: a heating part that heats air, which is supplied to the adsorbing material; an adsorbing material module that includes the adsorbing material and that desorbs water, which is adsorbed in the adsorbing material, to air heated by the heating part; and a cooling part that cools air humidified by the adsorbing material module. At time of desorption to desorb water from the adsorbing material, the adsorbing material module desorbs water from the adsorbing material to air heated by the heating part, and then the cooling part cools the air to be supplied to the humidification object space as the humidified air. At time of adsorption to adsorb water of air into the adsorbing material, the cooling part cools air, and then water is adsorbed into the adsorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Yusuke KOMATSUBARA
  • Publication number: 20170136852
    Abstract: A filter insertion opening into which a filter is inserted is formed in an indoor-air/outdoor-air switching unit, which constitutes an air conditioning device for a vehicle, and a guide section for guiding the filter downstream in the insertion direction is provided on the inner wall surface of a casing so as to face the filter insertion opening. The guide section has: a first lower guide facing the filter insertion opening and tilted upward; and a second lower guide formed downstream of the first lower guide in the insertion direction and tilted downward. When inserting the filter from the filter insertion opening, the filter is guided along the first lower guide and therefore is inserted while being tilted such that the end of the filter, which is located downstream in the insertion direction, is lifted up. Consequently, the filter can be inserted without contact with the vehicle body-side structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Yusuke ISHII, Tsutomu KOBARI
  • Publication number: 20170136853
    Abstract: An air box cover is provided. That air box cover includes a one-piece body having an air filter outlet and an integral air flow straightener pattern extending across that air filter outlet. A plurality of vanes may form the air flow straightener pattern. At least one of those vanes may be of increased thickness to provide flow runner function when molding the air box cover in order to influence fill pattern and push gas toward venting locations during molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Darren Edwin Garey, Chris B. Bishop, Roger Joseph Khami, David J. Rankel
  • Publication number: 20170136854
    Abstract: A sun protection system for a vehicle. The system assists maintaining interior temperature level of vehicle. The system includes a series of one or more rigid retractable, darkened, translucent plastic material panels. The panels are retractably installed inside door panels of side windows. The panels are incrementally retractable independent of side windows. The panels are manually or automatically configured to cover or expose one or more portions of side windows responsive to at least one of current detected interior temperature level, amount of sunlight entering the vehicle, or maintain an interior temperature level responsive to a predicted interior temperature level of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Dunne
  • Publication number: 20170136855
    Abstract: A shade device for a vehicle includes: a shade; a retracting mechanism attached to a base end of the shade and retracting the shade in a stored state; a stay attached to a tip end of the shade; an extractable constant force spring; a rod, its tip end portion being attached to the stay and its base end portion being connected to the constant force spring, biased in a deploying direction of the shade by biasing force of the constant force spring, and transmitting the biasing force to the stay; a guide rail that stores the rod and an extracted portion of the constant force spring in the stored state of the shade, and guides the rod when the shade shifts from the stored state to the deploying state; and a locking mechanism that locks movement of the rod in the stored state of the shade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soshi YASUDA, Miki ENDO
  • Publication number: 20170136856
    Abstract: A vehicle side door structure that includes: a side door body portion configured to open and close a side door opening, the side door body portion including a door inner panel and a door outer panel; and a sensor placed inside the side door body portion, the sensor including a detection component configured to face outward in the vehicle width direction and to detect information in the side direction of the vehicle by using a detection medium, wherein a transmissive portion is disposed on the vehicle width direction outside of the detection component, the transmissive portion configuring part of the door outer panel and being configured by a material that allows the detection medium to be transmitted through the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki SUGIE
  • Publication number: 20170136857
    Abstract: A vehicle door opening and closing apparatus includes: an input lever configured to rotate when door opening operation is performed on an inside door handle arranged inside a vehicle; and an output lever rotatably arranged on a base plate. By transmission of rotation of the input lever to the output lever when the input lever rotates along with the door opening operation on the inside door handle, a latch unit provided between a vehicle body and a door performs release operation to allow opening movement of the door with respect to the vehicle body. A sub plate is arranged on the base plate in a form of covering the baseplate, an input support shaft for supporting the inside door handle is rotatably arranged on the sub plate, and the input lever is arranged on the input support shaft so as to integrally rotate with the input support shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Shigenori HIRAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170136858
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a tarp systems, in particular, to improvements to various aspects of a tarp tensioning system. The tarp tensioning system has a plurality of frames, the frames having two or more bow members and a biasing mechanism coupled therebetween to maintain tension on the tarp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Ilir BESHIRI, Johan NEUFELD
  • Publication number: 20170136859
    Abstract: A soft top assembly which includes lift assist with improved fabric management and a lift assist locking mechanism. The soft top is rotatable between a closed, open sunroof position, and open position. When a cam of the lift assist locking mechanism is in a locked position, the soft top is prevented from moving from the open sunroof position to the open position. When a release mechanism of the lift assist is actuated, the cam is moved to an unlocked position allowing the soft top to be moved rearward into the open position. A handle lockout of the lift assist locking mechanism selectively positions a cam lockout to prevent the soft top from moving/rotating back to the open sunroof position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis, Tavis Lutzka
  • Publication number: 20170136860
    Abstract: An encapsulation assembly and a forming method thereof, and a vehicle window are provided. The method includes: forming a trim which includes a decoration section and a connection section with a penetration structure formed therein; and forming a gasket which includes a fixing section covering the connection section of the trim, wherein a part of the fixing section is filled into the penetration structure of the connection section. The encapsulation assembly includes: a trim which includes a decoration section and a connection section with a penetration structure formed therein; and a gasket which includes a fixing section covering the connection section of the trim, wherein a part of the fixing section is filled into the penetration structure of the connection section. The vehicle window includes a piece of glass and the above encapsulation assembly. A part of the fixing section of the gasket can be filled into the penetration structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Jun ZHOU, Ran WENG
  • Publication number: 20170136861
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a glass run having the ability to reduce a rattle while keeping the sliding resistance of a glass windowpane low enough. The glass run includes an exterior lip, an interior lip, and an auxiliary interior lip. A windowpane is inserted between the exterior and interior lips. A soft portion, made of a softer material than the interior lip or auxiliary interior lip, is interposed in a region where the interior lip and the auxiliary interior lip overlap with each other. The soft portion may be provided for at least one of the interior lip and auxiliary interior lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiro Kojima, Kiyonori Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20170136862
    Abstract: Water management for vehicles with an open top cargo bed are described. A plurality of vehicle components can form a portion of the open-top cargo bed. The plurality of vehicle components can define a gap. A seal plug can be received in the gap. The seal plug can sealingly engage the first and/or second lateral side of the gap. The seal plug can be configured to direct water away from the vehicle. For instance, the seal plug can include a deflection surface. The deflection surface can be angled downwardly and away from the gap. The seal plug can include a water drainage channel. The water drainage channel can include a first end opening to an upper surface of the seal plug and the second end opening to the deflection surface and/or other surface that slopes downwardly and away from the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Chung, Keith O'Brien, Myron D. Bowers, Scott L. Frederick, Matthew A. Jansma
  • Publication number: 20170136863
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor and an aluminum battery enclosure. The enclosure has L-shaped formed side walls each at least partially defining a traction battery cavity and including a foot attached to the floor. Each of the feet extends an entire length of the corresponding side wall to distribute impact energy along the entire length to maintain a relative position between the floor and enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha BACCOUCHE, James Chih CHENG, Rahul ARORA, Eid FARHA
  • Publication number: 20170136864
    Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes: a battery pack that is arranged between a left rear wheel arranged outside of a left frame and a right rear wheel arranged outside of a right frame, the front end of the battery pack being located forward of an axle center of a rear wheel unit; a left motor that is arranged above the battery pack, in the periphery of the left rear wheel, receives a supply of power from the battery pack, and transmits rotational power to the left rear wheel; and a right motor that is arranged above the battery pack, in the periphery of the right rear wheel, receives a supply of power from the battery pack, and transmits rotational power to the right rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ito, Kazuo Koike, Yasuhiro Manji
  • Publication number: 20170136865
    Abstract: A drive package includes a remote located CVT and a motor where the CVT is positioned rearward (or forward) of the motor. An auxiliary drive mechanism couples a drive shaft of the CVT to a crankshaft of the motor. The auxiliary drive mechanism is a belt or chain. The drive shaft is substantially parallel to, and longitudinally offset from, the crankshaft. Thus, the width of the drive package is reduced as compared to ATVs having a CVT located adjacent the motor. A method of making an ATV with the drive package is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Tiry
  • Publication number: 20170136866
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a transmission, at least one driving wheel rotationally connected to the transmission, and a coupling arrangement arranged between the internal combustion engine and the transmission, and controllable between a first state in which a drive shaft of the engine is rotationally connected to the transmission and a second state in which the drive shaft of the engine is rotationally disconnected from the transmission. The vehicle further comprises an energy recovery device connected to the coupling arrangement via a flexible driving member for allowing recovery and storage of energy recovered from deceleration of the at least one driving wheel. The vehicle may further comprise a sensor for sensing a parameter value indicative of desired deceleration, and a control unit for controlling the coupling arrangement to the second state when the sensed parameter value indicates desired deceleration of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonas FORSSELL, Mathias JORGENSSON, Tobias STALFORS
  • Publication number: 20170136867
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a drive unit that can be modular and is adaptable to be used as an all-electric drive unit, an input power-split drive unit, or an input and compound power-split drive unit. The drive unit includes a first planetary gear set that has a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a carrier member all rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The drive unit includes a first electric machine operable as a motor and having a rotor connected to rotate in unison with the sun gear member about the first axis of rotation. A first brake is selectively engageable to ground the ring gear member, a first clutch is operatively connected to the ring gear member, and an output member is connected to rotate in unison with the carrier member about the first axis of rotation. Multiple drive units can be used on a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Joseph Ralph Littlefield
  • Publication number: 20170136868
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle may include a power source, a left motor/generator and a right motor/generator, a left planetary gear set and a right planetary gear set each having a first rotary member connected to the power source, a second rotary member connected to driving wheels, and a third rotary member connected to either the left motor generator or the right motor generator, a brake configured to limit rotation of the first rotary member of each of the left planetary gear set and the right planetary gear set, a left clutch selectively connecting or disconnecting the second rotary member and the third rotary member of the left planetary gear set to or from each other, and a right clutch selectively connecting or disconnecting the second rotary member and the third rotary member of the right planetary gear set to or from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyung Shin LEE
  • Publication number: 20170136869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid module including a clutch that includes a clutch actuator, also including an electric machine, an internal combustion engine end and a transmission end. The hybrid module is designed as a pre-assembled insertable module to be inserted into a transmission housing, and an actuator electronics module is already pre-mounted on the hybrid module. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a hybrid module, characterized in that the following step is carried out:—pre-assembling the hybrid module as an insertable module, an actuator electronics module being pre-mounted on the hybrid module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Ziefle, Stefan Mackowiak, Felix Vogel
  • Publication number: 20170136870
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an output member, and first and second simple planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets each have a first, a second, and a third member including a sun gear, carrier, and ring gear member. The drive unit includes a single electric machine operable as a motor and having a rotor connected to rotate in unison with and drive the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set. An interconnecting member connects the second member of the first planetary gear set to rotate in unison with the first member of the second planetary gear set. The third member of the first planetary gear set or the second member of the second planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the stationary member or operatively connected to be driven by an engine. The third member of the second planetary gear set is continuously operatively connected to the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ralph Littlefield, Pete R. Garcia, Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20170136871
    Abstract: A wheel driving system includes a generator connected to an engine and configured to generate electrical energy, a front axle configured to drive a front wheel and including a front electric motor configured to produce a driving torque and a front transmission configured to convert the driving torque into a conversion torque and transmit the conversion torque to the front wheel via a front drive shaft, a rear axle configured to drive a rear wheel and including a rear electric motor configured to produce a driving torque and a rear transmission configured to convert the driving torque into a conversion torque and transmit the conversion torque to the rear wheel via a rear drive shaft, and a central connection unit operatively connected to the front drive shaft and the rear drive shaft and configured to transmit the conversion torque between the front axle and the rear axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Eun-Soo JUNG, Chang-Hyun KIM, Dong-Mok KIM, Lee-Hyoung CHO
  • Publication number: 20170136872
    Abstract: An air guiding device for a motor-vehicle includes a main chamber located at the rear of a front wall of the motor vehicle, and defined between said front wall, a rear wall which is spaced apart from said front wall and two side walls. A first opening is provided on said front wall, for the inlet of air into said main chamber, while at least one second opening on said rear wall guides the air into an engine compartment. Two side ducts extend from an inlet to an outlet giving out on a respective outer side wall of the motor-vehicle. To said second opening there is associated a device for controlling the air flow therethrough. The outlets of the two side ducts are arranged and oriented so as to generate a substantially flattened and vertical air curtain adjacent to each front wheel of the motor-vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Enrico Modesto RIBALDONE, Giorgio MENZATO
  • Publication number: 20170136873
    Abstract: This invention relates to a urea tank having a filler neck, an inlet adapter and a filler cap. While a filler cap is mounted on a filler neck, a locking piece is rotated 135 degrees, and then the filler cap is pulled upward.; as a result, the filler cap is removed from the filler neck along with an inlet adapter. While the filler cap is mounted on the filler neck, the locking piece is rotated 90 degrees, and then the filler cap is pulled upward; as a result, only the filler cap is removed from the filler neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Nanyoshi
  • Publication number: 20170136874
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame, a front suspension, and a rear suspension. In some examples of the off-road vehicle, the rear suspension includes trailing arms with are pivotally attached to the frame rearward of an operator area. Further, the frame can include a front subframe assembly and a rear subframe assembly which are easily removable from the main frame of the vehicle to permit access to various components of the off-road vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Harris, Todd MacDonald, Joseph Wood, Cody Kallock, Derek Sorenson, Dustin Keller, Robby Gordon, Mike Niemiec, Michael McKeen
  • Publication number: 20170136875
    Abstract: A system and method for encouraging a user of a recreational vehicle to wear safety equipment is described. The helmet contains a microprocessor and sensors to determine if the helmet is worn. The helmet communicates with the vehicle and the vehicle either disables operation or allows limited operation if the helmet is not worn. On motorized vehicles, the motor operation is restricted. On human powered vehicles mechanical resistance may limit operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Twin Harbor Labs, LLC
    Inventors: James D Logan, Paul Hammerstrom, Richard A Baker, JR.