Patents Issued in May 18, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170136976
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device that includes: an airbag that is constructed as an integrated bag body that covers a head portion of a vehicle occupant and includes a forward-deploying portion, and a pair of left and right side-deploying portions which are connected to the forward-deploying portion and deploy in both left and right sides of the head portion, and that is housed in a folded state in an upper portion of a vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag; and an airbag moving mechanism that causes the airbag to move from the upper portion of the vehicle seat over the head portion to the seat front side, so that a front end portion of the airbag is disposed further to the seat front side than a head top portion of the vehicle occupant who is seated in a normal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi OHNO, Shinichi ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20170136977
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device includes: an airbag that is configured to be stowed in a headrest, to receive a gas supply and is formed as a single bag body that, in an inflated and expanded state, includes a front inflation portion configured to be disposed at the front in a seat front-rear direction relative to a head of a vehicle occupant, and a pair of side inflation portions configured to be disposed at both sides in a seat width direction relative to the head of the vehicle occupant; an inflator that is fixed to an upper portion of a seatback frame in an attitude with a long dimension of the inflator in the seat width direction, the upper portion of the seatback frame extending in the seat width direction; and a fluid communication structure that communicates between the inflator and the airbag to allow a flow of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi OHNO, Shinichi ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20170136978
    Abstract: An air bag system includes: a pad including a ceiling wall portion which covers an air bag and a side wall portion which extends into a cylindrical shape; a mounting base which holds the pad and holds the air bag by causing an annular retainer; and switch members which make up a horn switch mechanism so that the mounting base is mounted on a steering wheel main body, wherein: the switch members are provided below the air bag; and movable-side members are provided so that a portion at a side facing the inlet opening on an upper side thereof is brought into abutment with the retainer via a circumferential edge of the inlet opening of the air bag and a portion at a side thereof is brought into abutment with a lower surface of the side wall portion of the pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Yoshiteru BANNO
  • Publication number: 20170136979
    Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag having an inflow opening for introducing an inflation gas and being formed in a folded body; a bag holder attached to a peripheral edge of the inflow opening; an airbag cover attached to the bag holder; and an inflator disposed by inserting an upper side in the folded body from the inflow opening, wherein: the airbag cover has a ceiling wall that covers an upper surface remote from the inflow opening of the folded body; the folded body is equipped with a housing recess that is capable of housing a top of a main body unit of the inflator; a part around the housing recess is supported by the bag holder; and a ceiling surface of the housing recess is formed as a shape in which a clearance is provided between the top of the main body unit of the inserted inflator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Takanori KOMATSU, Mikine HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170136980
    Abstract: A completely folded body of an airbag includes: a folded body and a retainer, which is assembled to the folded body, including: an annular bottom wall portion; a plurality of fixing units; and a reinforcing rib, wherein: the folded body of the airbag is configured in such a folded shape that the airbag is folded to be gathered to an upper side of the retainer; the folded body is arranged with a bottom wall cover portion and a bottom wall separated portion which extends from the bottom wall cover portion; and the bottom wall separated portion includes a stepped surface having a vertical surface bent upward from the bottom wall cover portion, and a horizontal surface which is disposed above the bottom wall cover portion from an upper end of the vertical surface and extends toward an outer circumferential edge of the bottom wall separated portion,
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Takanori KOMATSU, Hideo HIGASHI
  • Publication number: 20170136981
    Abstract: An airbag device, comprising: a gas generation device that is operable to generate gas; and an airbag that includes: a first chamber portion that is disposed at a vehicle front side of a vehicle seat on which a vehicle occupant sits, the first chamber portion being inflated due to gas generated by the gas generation device being supplied into the first chamber portion, a second chamber portion that is inflated due to gas generated by the gas generation device being supplied into the second chamber portion and that is disposed adjacent to the first chamber portion in a vehicle width direction, and a connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Atsushi Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20170136982
    Abstract: A coated fabric for an airbag having improved tensile strength of coated fabric without increasing the strength of a raw yarn is provided. The coated fabric for the airbag comprises a coated silicone resin on one surface of a textile made of synthetic fiber filaments, wherein the silicone resin is present at a joint between warp and weft of a non-coated surface of the textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Tsutomu Akechi
  • Publication number: 20170136983
    Abstract: A side airbag for protection for vehicle occupants includes an interior wall separating the airbag into upstream and downstream chambers and defining an opening between two chambers adjacent a lower end of the airbag. A flow deflector between the opening and an exterior vent combines with the wall to define a channel therebetween. The channel directs inflation gasses exiting the opening into an upper end of the airbag, after which the gasses must flow around an upper end of the deflector (adjacent an outlet end of the channel) before reaching the exterior vent. The resulting S-shaped flow path serves to maintain the airbag in the inflated state for a longer time and urges an outboard arm of an occupant in a forward an upward direction to reduce the likelihood that that arm may be trapped between the inflating airbag and the occupant's thorax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Haenel, Christopher Curtis
  • Publication number: 20170136984
    Abstract: A filter for a pyrotechnical gas generator includes a filtering material and a protection screen. The protection screen forms at least one sealed loop arranged so as to surround at least a part of a charge of propergol of the pyrotechnical gas generator in such a manner as to protect this at least one part of the filtering material from a pressure wave from the ignition of the propergol charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Dominique LOUBOUTIN
  • Publication number: 20170136985
    Abstract: A vehicle pop-up hood device includes: a hinge base that is fixed to a vehicle body; a first arm that is pivotably connected to the hinge base; and a second arm that is fixed to a vehicle rear side end portion of a front hood and is pivotably connected to the first arm. Further, the vehicle pop-up hood device includes: an actuator that is provided between the first arm and the second arm, and that, by being operated, pivots the second arm with respect to the first arm; and a connecting portion that, at a time of completion of operation of the actuator, is set in an operating state in which the connecting portion restricts movement of the second arm with respect to the hinge base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sotaro NARITA, Yoshinori UOZUMI
  • Publication number: 20170136986
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a belt webbing for a safety belt system. The belt webbing may have at least one first strength member extending along the length L of the belt webbing and a second strength member extending along the length L of the belt webbing. The first strength member and the second strength member may be interconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jörg BEUTLER
  • Publication number: 20170136987
    Abstract: In a coupling (18) for a belt tensioner (10) in a vehicle comprising an input element (26), an output element (34), a coupling element (28) which is movably supported between an initial position and an activated position and in the activated position couples the input element (26) to the output element (34), and a control element (36) which upon movement of the input element (26) relative to the control element (36) moves the coupling element (28) between the initial position and the activated position, the control element (36) is coupled to an inertia mass (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang HOLBEIN, Bernd GREINER
  • Publication number: 20170136988
    Abstract: A valet parking security system is provided for a motor vehicle. That valet parking security system includes an electronic trunk latch, a supplemental trunk access latch, such as a folding seat latch or a pass-through door latch, and a controller. The controller is configured to lock the electronic trunk latch and the supplemental trunk access latch when in a valet parking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Juan Francisco Alvarado Leon, Nestor Eduardo Rueda Don Juan
  • Publication number: 20170136989
    Abstract: The components of the alarm system are fully enclosed within a portable housing and require no external power or data signal connections. A mobile transmitter generates a proximity signal indicating a given range from the vehicle. An audible alarm signal and a GPS location signal are generated in response to the output of one or more sensors indicating a particular occurrence, if a transmitter is outside of the given range, indicating that the driver has left the vehicle unattended and vulnerable to attack. When the vehicle is driven by an authorized driver having the transmitter, the received proximity signal indicates that the driver is within the given range, preventing the generation of the audible alarm resulting from sensors being triggered by shifting cargo in the cargo compartment resulting from vehicle movement and irregular road surface conditions during transit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: GREG HABER
  • Publication number: 20170136990
    Abstract: In an electronic key system, at least one of an electronic key and a vehicle side device includes a communication device, a storage unit, and a discrimination unit. The storage unit acquires a location information from a location information terminal through the communication device, and stores information on an unlocking permissible range based on the location information when a vehicle door is locked. The discrimination unit acquires the location information from the location information terminal through the communication device, and discriminates whether the acquired location information falls within the unlocking permissible range, or not, when the wireless communication is performed between the electronic key and the vehicle side device because the vehicle door is unlocked. When the discrimination unit discriminates that the position of the electronic key does not fall within the unlocking permissible range, the vehicle door is not unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Carlos TERCERO
  • Publication number: 20170136991
    Abstract: A method of providing access to a vehicle, including wirelessly and electronically discovering a personal electronic device disposed outside of the vehicle. A remote central controller is wirelessly instructed to wirelessly transmit a certificate to the personal electronic device. The certificate from the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. Validation from the a remote central controller that the certificate from the personal electronic device was transmitted from the remote central controller to the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. An electronic key to the vehicle is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle to the personal electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: JOHN AVERY, ADEEL YUSUF
  • Publication number: 20170136992
    Abstract: In the vehicle communication system provided with the in-vehicle device for transmitting and receiving signals using the plurality of antennas, which are provided in different positions in the vehicle, and the portable device for transmitting and receiving the signals, the in-vehicle device: stores statistical values derived by measuring in advance received signal strengths of signals transmitted from a part of the plurality of antennas in associated with information identifying antennas of transmission sources, for each of the inside and the outside of a vehicle cabin of measured positions detects an antenna having a failure; calculates, for inside and outside the vehicle cabin, the statistical distance between the measured received signal strength and the statistical values corresponding to the selected antennas; makes a comparison between the results of the calculation; and determines whether the portable device is inside or outside the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hamada, HIroyuki Kurata
  • Publication number: 20170136993
    Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly for a vehicle having a drive device provided with an electric motor having a pole-well, and a transmission that can be driven by the electric motor, which is operatively connected to at least one wiper arm, and having a device for fastening the drive device to the vehicle. The device is provided with a tab surrounding the pole-well of the electric motor on the peripheral side, at least in some areas, which is provided with a free end, which protrudes from the pole-well and which is fastened to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens JUNGGEBAUER, Hans-Juergen KULINNA
  • Publication number: 20170136994
    Abstract: An automatic integrated automobile windshield wiper lifting device includes a driver unit, which includes, in the interior thereof, a driving element and a power supply. The driving element has an end to which a first driving body is mounted. A control element is arranged at a predetermined location of the driver unit. A lifting unit is mounted at a predetermined location of the driver unit. The lifting unit has an end at which a support element is arranged. The lifting unit includes therein a second driving body. The support element is coupled to the second driving body. The first driving body and the second driving body mate each other. An activator is arranged at a predetermined location of the lifting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: CHANG-CHIA CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170136995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover 20 intended to lock a shaft 2a securely to a driving arm and a connector 8 that carries a wiper 1, the cover 20 extending along a main longitudinal axis X and having at least two longitudinal flanks 25, each longitudinal flank 25 having an open slot 29 delimited at a first longitudinal end by an end wall 29e and at a second longitudinal end by an opening 29c for receiving the shaft 2a, said cover 20 being characterized in that said opening 29c is formed opposite said end wall 29e. Application to motor vehicles, in particular to the wiping of a rear window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Eric Poton, Vincent Gaucher, Stéphane Houssat
  • Publication number: 20170136996
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate piece 101 intended to be interposed between a connector 8 that is able to carry a wiper and a connecting element 203 of a driving arm, the connector 8 comprising at least one receiving bearing 15 for receiving a first shaft 102, the connecting element 203 comprising at least one receiving orifice 215 for receiving a second shaft 103, characterized in that the intermediate piece 101 is equipped with the first shaft 102 and the second shaft 103. Application to motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Eric Poton, Vincent Gaucher, Stéphane Houssat
  • Publication number: 20170136997
    Abstract: Element (24, 26) for a system for connecting a windscreen wiper blade holder to a drive arm, said element (24, 26) being designed to be rigidly connected to said blade holder or to said arm and including rotation means (80a, 80b: 60b, 60a) designed to cooperate with complementary means (60a, 60b; 80b, 80a) of another element (26, 24) of the connection system to form an axis of rotation between the element (24, 26) and the second element (26, 24), said axis of rotation being designed to be the axis of rotation between said blade holder and said arm, characterized in that said means of rotation (80a, 80b: 60b, 60a) include a protuberance (80a, 60b), which is arranged on one side of the longitudinal mid-plane (P) of said element (24, 26) and is able to cooperate with a cavity (60a, 80b) in the other element (26, 24), and a cavity (80b, 60a), which is arranged on the other side of said plane (P) and is able to cooperate with a protuberance (60b, 80a) on the other element (26, 24), the element (24, 26) being asymm
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Philippe Espinasse
  • Publication number: 20170136998
    Abstract: Adapter (126) for a windscreen wiper, particularly a motor vehicle windscreen wiper, the said adapter being intended to connect a wiper blade to a first end piece of a first driving arm of the lateral locking type and secured to a cylindrical rod defining an axis (Y) of articulation of the adapter with respect to the said blade, as well as a substantially U-shaped second end piece of a second driving arm, the said adapter comprising a longitudinal body comprising first and second lateral longitudinal walls (142a, 142b) that are substantially parallel and connected together by a transverse wall (144), the said body comprising at least one through-orifice (156) configured to accommodate the said cylindrical rod, characterized in that it further comprises rotation blocking means (170b) configured to collaborate with the said first end piece in order to secure the latter and the adapter in terms of rotation about the said axis (Y).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Guillaume Mouleyre, William Terrasse
  • Publication number: 20170136999
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material and a connecting device for an oscillating arm and a joint part comprising one resilient tongue arranged to engage into a correspondingly shaped hole provided in a base of a U-shaped cross-section of said oscillating arm. The resilient tongue includes a first step and a second step, wherein said first step is arranged to abut an edge of said hole of an oscillating arm (1) of a first type and said second step is arranged to abut an edge of said hole of an oscillating arm (1?) of a second type, wherein said oscillating arm of the first type (1) and said oscillating arm (1?) of the second type mutually differ in a distance between legs of the U-shaped cross-section of said oscillating arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: THOMAS FRISCIONI
  • Publication number: 20170137000
    Abstract: A front grille emblem is provided for a motor vehicle. That front grille emblem includes an integral hood latch release and a windshield washer fluid receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, Artur Sakarian, Ryan Welch, Matthew Rutman
  • Publication number: 20170137001
    Abstract: An anti-theft vehicle brake including a lockable restraining hub coupled to a wheel. The lock's default state being engaged and preventing rotation of the wheel. The lock including a solenoid bolt controlled through the communication of authenticating information sent from a transmitter and recognized by a receiver, triggering the disengagement of the bolt from the restraining hub allowing rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: MICHAEL COFFEY
  • Publication number: 20170137002
    Abstract: A controller for a parking brake system for a commercial vehicle is disclosed. The controller receives a signal indicative of a request to park a tractor, a signal indicative of a request to supply air to a trailer and a signal indicative of a vehicle operating condition. The controller transmits a control signal to a tractor parking brake device and a trailer air supply device in order to park the tractor and maintain the air supply to the trailer to suspend the parking of the trailer in response to the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David J Taneyhill, Thomas S. Miller, JR., Timothy Carritte
  • Publication number: 20170137003
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a tractor controller for monitoring trailer brake applications is disclosed. The control logic of the tractor control is capable of receiving a signal indicative of a trailer brake application; receiving a signal indicative of a foot brake application; totaling a number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application for a predetermined time period; and totaling a number of signals indicative of a foot brake application for the predetermined time period. The control logic then compares the total number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application with the total number of signals indicative of a foot brake application. The control logic records a flag in response to the total number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application being greater than the total number of signals indicative of a foot brake application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Grandstaff, John V. Ripley
  • Publication number: 20170137004
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle control apparatus capable of ensuring drivability when a vehicle is turning. The vehicle control apparatus calculates a vehicle body speed based on a wheel speed of each of wheels, and controls a slip state of each of the wheels according to states of a corrected wheel speed, which is acquired by correcting the wheel speed based on vehicle specifications indicating a position of each of the wheels, and based on the vehicle body speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Keisuke SUZUKI, Motohiro HIGUMA
  • Publication number: 20170137005
    Abstract: A hydraulics block having a piston-cylinder unit that can be driven by an electric motor via a gear in order to generate a brake pressure for a hydraulic non-muscular-energy vehicle brake system. An annular cavity is provided which encloses a piston of the piston-cylinder unit inside a cylinder, as a leakage chamber which communicates with a reservoir. Possible drag leakage is carried away in this manner. An end shield situated between the electric motor and the gear prevents lubricant or leakage from entering the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Weh, Matthias Mayr
  • Publication number: 20170137006
    Abstract: A braking system includes a master cylinder including a master cylinder output, at least one wheel cylinder, a shuttle valve including a shuttle, a volume booster distinct from the master cylinder, a first hydraulic fluid path connecting the master cylinder output to the at least one wheel cylinder through the volume booster and the shuttle valve and a second hydraulic fluid path connecting the master cylinder output to the at least one wheel cylinder through the shuttle valve, bypassing the volume booster. Only one of the first hydraulic fluid path or the second hydraulic fluid path is operable at any one time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Ryan Kuhlman
  • Publication number: 20170137007
    Abstract: An electronically slip-controllable vehicle brake system includes a human-powered master brake cylinder, a pressure generator, an electronically actuatable valve device, a wheel brake, and an electronically actuatable actuator. The wheel brake is connected to the master cylinder and the pressure generator. The pressure generator is drivable via an external force and is configured to supply pressurized brake fluid to the wheel brake. The valve device is configured to control pressure medium connections from the master brake cylinder to the wheel brake and to a suction side of the pressure generator, and includes three pressure medium connections. The actuator is configured to switch the valve device between three different positions whereat the pressure medium connections are connected to or block from each other in different combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Christoph KASPER, Guenther SCHNALZGER, Juergen REINER
  • Publication number: 20170137008
    Abstract: A vehicle stop maintaining system is provided, which includes a foot brake mechanism for braking vehicle wheels by applying hydraulic brake pressure according to brake pedal depression, a brake force control mechanism for braking the wheels by controlling a pressurizer, an electric parking brake mechanism for braking the wheels by operating an electric brake mechanism, and a controller comprising a processor for entering a first stop mode when a vehicle stopped state is detected. The processor executes a first determining module for determining existence of an interruptive factor, and a second determining module for determining a failure of the electric parking brake mechanism. If the interruptive factor exists, the controller executes a second stop mode. If the electric parking brake mechanism is determined as failed under the second stop mode, the controller operates a notification device for issuing a notification to a vehicle driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Masaru Takase, Shigeyuki Uehara
  • Publication number: 20170137009
    Abstract: A braking system for vehicles includes a hydraulic actuator unit operatively connected to at least one braking device, so as to control its actuation by a first hydraulic circuit at a first working pressure. The hydraulic actuator unit includes at least one manual actuator for a user to allow the user to supply the braking system with a braking request. A power generation unit is operatively connected to the hydraulic actuator unit by a second hydraulic circuit at a second working pressure. An actuated brake pump is connected in input to the second hydraulic circuit of the power generation unit to be actuated, and operatively connected, in output, to the first hydraulic circuit for actuation of the at least one braking device. The first and the second hydraulic circuits are supplied with different hydraulic fluids fluidically separate from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Roberto ARIENTI, Carlo CANTONI, Andrea ODONI
  • Publication number: 20170137010
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing vacuum to a brake booster via an aspirator system. In one example, a system may include an aspirator system fluidly coupled with a brake booster with no intervening components located therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Publication number: 20170137011
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing vacuum to a brake booster via an aspirator system. In one example, a system may include an aspirator system fluidly coupled with a brake booster with no intervening components located therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170137012
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a propulsion system having first and second torque sources, and first and second drive axles respectively connected to and independently driven by the first and second torque sources. A permissible range of torque contribution from the torque sources to the respective first and second drive axles is defined by a component torque window. The powertrain includes sensors for detecting a dynamic driving maneuver of a vehicle having the powertrain. A controller executes a method to adjust a size and/or orientation of a chassis torque window during the detected dynamic driving maneuver, determine an optimally efficient axle torque operating point that falls on a torque line within the component torque window in proximity to the chassis torque window, and command the torque contribution via transmission of torque control signals to the first and second torque sources to achieve the optimally efficient axle torque operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Thomas A. Klingler, Eric E. Krueger, William R. Cawthorne, R. Travis Schwenke, Scott C. Mrdeza
  • Publication number: 20170137013
    Abstract: When a hybrid vehicle travels in CS mode in EV single-drive mode, when a required torque is larger than a torque threshold or when a required power is larger than a power threshold, and when a predetermined high response request is not being issued, a drive mode is caused to shift into HV drive mode. When the predetermined high response request is being issued, the drive mode is caused to shift into EV double-drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Keita Sato
  • Publication number: 20170137014
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20170137015
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20170137016
    Abstract: A motor control method is provided and includes reducing first power generated by a first motor and operating a second motor to generate second power corresponding to the reduced first power when a temperature of the first motor is greater than a first temperature. Additionally, generation of the first power by the first motor is suspended and the second power is generated by the second motor when the temperature of the first motor is greater than a second temperature. Generation of the second power by the second motor is suspended when at least one of the temperature of the first motor and a temperature of the second motor is greater than a third temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Dong Ho Yang, Young Chul Kim, Sang Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20170137017
    Abstract: Disclosed is a startup control method for a hybrid vehicle, the method including judging, by a controller, whether starting motion of the vehicle is possible using only a motor or whether starting motion of the vehicle additionally requires power of an engine, preparing the power of the engine, by the controller, by igniting the engine and also initiating engagement of a driving gear when it is judged that starting motion of the vehicle additionally requires the power of the engine, and linearly increasing a torque of the motor to a maximum value, and completing the remainder of a motion start process by increasing a torque of a clutch while increasing a torque of the engine, by the controller, when transmission of the power of the engine to a drive wheel becomes possible via the preparation of the power of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Cho
  • Publication number: 20170137018
    Abstract: A method of controlling torque intervention of a hybrid electric vehicle includes: receiving at least one torque intervention request; determining, by a control unit, a gear shift intervention requested quantity requested for limiting a driving torque of the vehicle during a gear shift and a brake intervention requested quantity requested for limiting the driving torque of the vehicle during a braking operation in response to receiving the at least one torque intervention request; generating, by the control unit, a combined intervention requested quantity based on the gear shift intervention requested quantity and the brake intervention requested quantity; and determining, by the control unit, a type of current intervention based on the combined intervention requested quantity real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Do Hee Kim, Teh Hwan Cho, Sung Deok Kim, Gwang Il Du, Joon Young Park, Jee Wook Huh
  • Publication number: 20170137019
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20170137020
    Abstract: A driving force control system for a hybrid vehicle is provided to reduce a shock resulting from switching a travelling direction between the forward direction and the backward direction. The control system is applied to a hybrid vehicle in which an operating mode can be selected at least from a series mode and a series parallel mode. A travelling direction of the vehicle is switched by a shifting device between forward direction and backward direction. A controller is configured to maintain the previous operating mode after switching the travelling direction of the vehicle by the shifting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi KAWANISHI, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20170137021
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods may classify transmission degradation in response to an estimated transmission input shaft speed that is determined from transmission output shaft speed. In one example, transmission degradation may be correctable transmission degradation, partial transmission degradation, and continuous transmission degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jason Meyer, Mark Davison
  • Publication number: 20170137022
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting and mitigating the presence of liquid fuel carryover in an evaporative emissions control system of a vehicle in response to a refueling event. In one example, an electric motor is operated to spin a vehicle engine unfueled in reverse in order to pressurize the evaporative emissions system and the fuel system responsive to an indication of liquid fuel in the vapor recovery lines. In this way, indication of liquid fuel carryover following a refueling event may be quickly diagnosed, and mitigating actions may be taken to ensure liquid fuel is returned to the tank prior to contacting the adsorbent material within the vapor canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Publication number: 20170137023
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a rapid-response active suspension system controls suspension force and position for improving vehicle safety and drivability. The system may interface with various sensors that detect safety critical vehicle states and adjust the suspension of each wheel to improve safety. Pre-crash and collision sensors may notify the active suspension controller of a collision and the stance may be adjusted to improve occupant safety during an impact while maintaining active control of the wheels. Wheel forces may also be controlled to improve the effectiveness of vehicle safety systems such as ABS and ESP in order to improve traction. Also, bi-directional information may be communicated between the active suspension system and other vehicle safety systems such that each system may respond to information provided to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Levant Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20170137024
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. An example vehicle includes a plenoptic camera to obtain an image external to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is to autonomously navigate a vehicle toward a parking space identified as unoccupied and generate, based on the image, an occupancy map indicating occupied regions in a plurality of concentric regions. The controller also is to determine whether the parking space is available based on the occupancy map and send, in response to determining the parking space is unavailable, an error message to a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20170137025
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus for performing driving assistance for a subject vehicle by using a position of the subject vehicle and road map data is provided. The driving assistance apparatus includes a different vehicle information acquisition portion for acquiring travel information about a different vehicle traveling near the subject vehicle, a road extraction section for extracting a junctional road connected, in a vehicle entry allowed manner, to a specific intersection ahead in a travel direction on a traveling road traveled by the subject vehicle, a determination section for determining a possibility of collision between the different vehicle and the subject vehicle when it is detected the different vehicle is traveling in the direction to enter the specific intersection; and a support section for performing a process to avoid the collision when the determination section determines that the possibility of the collision exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Shigehiro MUTO, Kiyoshi TSURUMI