Patents Issued in July 4, 2017
  • Patent number: 9694752
    Abstract: A rearview mirror for a vehicle includes a housing defining an interior cavity and an open side and further includes a substrate having a reflective surface thereon extending within the open side of the housing and an actuation mechanism moveably coupling the substrate with the housing. The actuation mechanism includes a mounting plate rotatably coupled within the cavity at a first end thereof. The mounting plate defines a socket open opposite the first end and first and second scalloped surfaces adjacent the socket. The actuation mechanism further includes an actuation wheel rotatably coupled within the cavity of the housing and engageable with the socket to cause rotation of the mounting plate and engageable with the first scalloped surface to secure the mounting plate in a first position and with the second scalloped surface to secure the mounting plate in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ulrich A. Kuester
  • Patent number: 9694753
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a heater pad and a mirror back plate. The heater pad is adhered to the reflective element with a light-transmitting aperture of the heater pad generally juxtaposed with a light transmitting aperture of a metallic mirror reflector of the reflective element. The heater pad is adhered to the mirror back plate with the light-transmitting portion of the heater pad generally juxtaposed with an aperture of the mirror back plate. A blind spot indicator has a light source disposed at a first end of a generally elongated passageway, with a second end of the generally elongated passageway passing through the aperture of the mirror back plate to attach at the rear of the reflective element. The blind spot indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9694754
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a side wall at least partially defining a cargo area. The side wall has an electrical fixture. A storage compartment assembly has a storage compartment and is moveable between an uninstalled orientation and an installed orientation where the storage compartment assembly is directly fastened to the side wall. An outboard panel of the storage compartment assembly includes a fixture receiving opening aligned with the electrical fixture with the storage compartment assembly in the installed orientation such that the electrical fixture is only accessible from within the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Shawn Sterling
  • Patent number: 9694755
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a support and a seat cushion defining a recess. The seat cushion is disposed on the support. The seat assembly further includes a cushion insert removably disposed in the recess and a fastener assembly removably coupling the cushion insert to the support such that the cushion insert is removable from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tushar Rajaram Gawade, Babu Govardhan V
  • Patent number: 9694756
    Abstract: A drop down ladder rack is disclosed. The ladder rack has a first assembly and a second assembly configured to be mounted on top of a vehicle. The assemblies are coupled to a connecting rod, which is rotatable. The assemblies move between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position. Each of the first and second assemblies comprises a first support member fixedly secured to the vehicle, a second load carrying member configured to be slideably engaged with a first end of the first support member, and a third actuation member configured to enable the second load carrying member to move with respect to the first support member. A first end of the third actuation member is connected to the connecting rod by a drive rod and a second end of the third actuation member is pivotably connected to the second load carrying member, thereby enabling the second load carrying member to move with respect to the first support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Knaack LLC
    Inventors: Marc Pullman, Joe Montgomery, Leigh Taylor Roto
  • Patent number: 9694757
    Abstract: A vehicle rooftop system for carrying boards, such as SUP boards, may include a support unit having an elongate body, a self-adjusting strap slidably attached to the body, and a load-assist roller. A lockable cam buckle for securing the strap may be included at one end portion of the unit, and a paddle carrier may be included at another end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Yakima Innovation Development Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Jason A. Sagen, Dave Condon
  • Patent number: 9694758
    Abstract: A tiltable hauling device includes a frame assembly that supports a ramp. The frame assembly includes a pivot bracket with a first pivot guide and a second pivot guide. The ramp includes a first hinge pin and a second hinge pin. A tilt assembly includes a pivot guide that is configured to selectively engage the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin to optionally restrain and permit movement of the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin within the respective first pivot guide and the second pivot guide to enable tilting of the rack in two directions respectively about the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Discount Ramps.com, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Krolski, Richard Beilstein
  • Patent number: 9694759
    Abstract: A hitch mounted accessory rack system having a lower base unit that includes a hitch beam and a hitch beam vertical support extending from the hitch beam; a cantilevered upper base unit that includes a support beam and a support beam vertical support extending from the support beam, and wherein the support beam vertical support is at least partially received within the hitch beam vertical support; a center-point adjustable sleeve assembly that is adjusted in relation to the hitch beam vertical support and the support beam vertical support; one or more accessory arms extending from the sleeve assembly; and one or more crossbar assemblies positioned along the support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Peter C. VanAmburgh
  • Patent number: 9694760
    Abstract: A system for projecting an image onto a window of a vehicle is supplied. The system includes a support, a camera, a projector, and a projective film. The support is mounted in the vehicle for holding an electronic device. The camera is mounted to relative to the location for capturing an image of the display when the electronic device is mounted on the support. The projector is in signal communication with the camera. The projector projects an image from the camera onto the window. The projective film mounted on the vehicle window configured to act as a projection screen for the projector. When the electronic device is mounted on the support displays an electronic image, the camera captures the image and sends the image to the projector, and the projector projects the image onto the projective film on the window. The discourse also provides a method using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 9694761
    Abstract: Thermally shielding body having at least one temperature-resistant fastening point, comprising a thermally shielding plate made from aluminum, wherein the thermally shielding plate made from aluminum has a cut-out in the region of at least one fastening point, wherein a metal-plate element with greater heat resistance is arranged in the cut-out, which metal-plate element is connected in a material-to-material manner to the thermally shielding plate at the edge of the cut-out or of the metal-plate element, wherein the at least one heat-resistant fastening point in arrange on the metal-plate element with greater heat resistance, and at method for producing the thermally shielding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Krus
  • Patent number: 9694762
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes first and second body structures defining first and second interior cavities. A mounting portion of the base member is fixed to the first body structure. A guide member is fixed to the second body structure. A channel member is movably received by the guide member. A first end of the channel member is rotatably fixed to a receiving portion of the base member and defines a first end opening such that the receiving portion extends into the first end opening. A second end is positioned within the second interior cavity and defines a second end opening with a channel extending from the first end opening to the second end opening. The channel member extends across an exterior space between the first and second body structures. A wiring harness passes through the channel from the first interior cavity to the second interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Froese
  • Patent number: 9694763
    Abstract: A wire harness protector having a grounding function and including a protector main body with a housing portion where a wire harness can be inserted and housed; a vehicle fixing portion protruding from the protector main body; and a conductive metal fitting where one end portion is configured to be fixed by bolting to the vehicle fixing portion and also to a vehicle body, and a ground terminal connecting portion is provided in another end portion. The wire harness protector is configured such that a ground terminal branched to extend from the wire harness can be connected to the ground terminal connecting portion, the ground terminal connecting portion includes a bolt-like portion protruding into the housing portion. The wire harness protector makes it possible to effectively improve assembly work efficiency, and possible to stabilize and suppress poor contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuusuke Andou
  • Patent number: 9694764
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of activating vehicle electromechanical systems based on image recognition and radio frequency systems. The system includes radio frequency (RF) antennas for receiving wireless communication signals from a transponder. A RF controller verifies that the transponder is associated with the vehicle. Upon detection and verification of the transponder, a camera system captures images and an image processing engine determines if the images contain valid gestures associated with commands for the electromechanical systems. A controller triggers the electromechanical systems to perform the command if the gesture is valid. For example, the command may be an activation or deactivation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Pompilian Tofilescu, Reginald C. Grills, Yarko Matkiwsky
  • Patent number: 9694765
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having a plurality of subsystems in which each subsystem includes a sensor and/or actuator. A general purpose processor is programmed with a plurality of software applications in which each software application is associated with one of the vehicle subsystems. The subsystems and processor communicate with each other through an electrical bus and each subsystem includes a communication interface to receive commands from the processor as well as to send task signals to the processor. A task arbitrator prioritizes the order of execution of multiple task signals received by the processor during a preset time period. The general purpose processor then initiates execution of the software application associated with the subsystem of the sensor signal received from the task arbitrator and thereafter transmits a control signal to one or more of the subsystems via the bus as a result of execution of the associated software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heming Chen, Donald J. McCune, Sujit Phatak, Yuan Xiao
  • Patent number: 9694766
    Abstract: Disclosures teach providing data over a vehicle bus, data providing values for a road attribute indexed to points anticipated to be traversed by a vehicle. To compress the data, a server may fit a regression function to the data with coefficients applied to kernels in the function. The server may limit the number of coefficients to reflect a limitation on rate of change imposed on data by the road on which it reports. Similarly, the server may limit one or more numbers of bits encoding the coefficients in a message transmitted on the vehicle bus, reflective of a limited range of potential amplitudes for data imposed by the road. A client may maintain a copy of the kernels and retrieve the coefficients from the message. The client may estimate future values of the road attribute by evaluating the coefficients applied to the kernels, which may, in some examples, be Gaussian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Thomas Mullen, Anthony Mario D'Amato
  • Patent number: 9694767
    Abstract: A configuration system of a vehicle has at least one functional unit, a control unit pertaining to the functional unit, and a parametrizing unit provided in the vehicle, which is operatively connected with the control unit. The configuring system includes a storage device which can be read out by the parametrizing unit and which contains configuration information for the control unit, by which configuration information a parametrizing of the control unit can be carried out. The storage device additionally contains configuration information for the vehicle, in which case the storage device contains evaluation rules by which the parametrizing unit can determine configuration information for the configuration of the control unit from the configuration information for the vehicle and the configuration information for the control unit and can configure the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Suess, Astrid Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9694768
    Abstract: A vehicle system with a processing device programmed to determine an ignition state and determine a vehicle speed and then send a control signal to enable power for at least one vehicle subsystem if the ignition state is off and the vehicle speed is above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Karl William Wojcik, James Michael Weinfurther, David James Tippy, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Aaron Acuna
  • Patent number: 9694769
    Abstract: Apparatus for voltage stabilization in a vehicle includes a battery distribution module having a load module managing electrical power to one or more auxiliary loads, a first switch coupling a starter motor and an ESD to the load module only when closed, a second switch coupling an auxiliary ESD to the load module only when closed, and a controller integrated with a PC board attached to the first and second switch devices. The controller is configured to control opening and closing of the first and second switches based on at least one of a plurality of signals received by the controller. The primary ESD is electrically coupled a primary fuse terminal of the battery distribution module which electrically couples the primary ESD to a second terminal of the first switch and the starter motor. The auxiliary ESD is electrically coupled to an auxiliary fuse terminal of the battery distribution module which electrically couples a first terminal of the second switch to the auxiliary ESD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Shawn L. Boozer, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Michael G. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9694770
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a specific user may be determined to be located within a particular distance of a specific vehicle, and a vehicle model of the specific vehicle may be identified. Further, user ergonomic profile information associated with the specific user and the vehicle model may be accessed. The user ergonomic profile information may indicate the specific user's preference for an adjustable ergonomic parameter associated with the vehicle model. Further, the user ergonomic profile information associated with the vehicle model may be transmitted to the specific vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: John Patrick Edgar Tobin
  • Patent number: 9694771
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a personalizing settings in a driving apparatus using user's biometric information are provided. Individual users of an automobile are facilitated to set personal settings through a biometric information device in the driving apparatus. In one embodiment, a given user of the driving apparatus is facilitated to provide his/her fingerprint in a first mode through the fingerprint scanner to store settings of a set of currently configured components as the personalized settings for those components. The given user is facilitated to subsequently provide his/her fingerprint in a second mode through the fingerprint scanner to retrieve the personalized settings for the set of configured components and have the set of components configured in accordance with those settings. In some examples, security is provided to determine whether a given user is authorized to personalize certain customizable components in the driving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9694772
    Abstract: A battery mounting structure for a vehicle includes: a battery frame made of fiber reinforced resin and fastened and fixed to a vehicle body via a plurality of first fastening portions; a battery fastened and fixed to the battery frame via a plurality of second fastening portions; and a ductile member provided between the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Ikeda, Kiyoshi Hokazono, Toshiya Miyashita, Tomohiro Sakurai, Kentaro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9694773
    Abstract: A rod stiffener may include a rod molded by a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin, and brackets connected to both ends of the rod, in which properties of a core part forming a center of the rod and an outer part surrounding the core part are formed to be different from each other, and the properties of the core part and the outer part are differentiated by a mixing amount of glass fiber and polypropylene resin including the glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, HANWHA ADVANCED MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Bock Cheol Lee, Jung Ho Kim, Young Sub Oh, Phil Jung Jeong, Seung Mok Lee, Hyun Gyung Kim, Sang Wook Nam, Do Hyun Kim, Joung Myung Lim
  • Patent number: 9694774
    Abstract: A bumper beam unit for a vehicle is disclosed. A bumper beam unit for a vehicle according to one or a plurality of exemplary embodiments may include a bumper beam of which at least one smaller diameter pipe is inserted into a larger diameter pipe along a length direction thereof, wherein the larger diameter pipe and the smaller diameter pipe are press-formed to have a predetermined length, and a stay that connects both end portions of the bumper beam to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joo Il Park, Mun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9694775
    Abstract: A bumper structure includes: a bumper reinforcement including: a hollow body portion extending in a vehicle width direction of a vehicle; and an extending portion arranged on one end portion of the hollow body portion in a longitudinal direction of the hollow body portion; and a side member, which is formed to extend in a vehicle front-and-rear direction of the vehicle, and is configured to support one end portion of the bumper reinforcement in a longitudinal direction of the bumper reinforcement. The extending portion includes: a proximal end portion to be sandwiched between the one end portion of the hollow body portion in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body portion and one end portion of the side member in a longitudinal direction of the side member; and a protruding portion formed to extend outward from the proximal end portion in the vehicle width direction. The side member includes a projecting portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Aisin Seiji Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Kaneko, Kiyoichi Kita, Jun Shobo, Yuta Takanami
  • Patent number: 9694776
    Abstract: A lateral access limitation system for a vehicle includes a first structural member configured to be coupled to a side portion of the vehicle, a second structural member including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end and the opposing second end of the second structural member releasably coupled to the first structural member, and a third structural member coupled to the second structural member. The third structural member is positioned to prevent unintended access to a protected region. The second structural member and the third structural member are configured to selectively pivot about both the first end and the opposing second end of the second structural member to facilitate accessing the protected region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Nelson, Troy L. Meyers, Matthew P. Deinema
  • Patent number: 9694777
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling an angle of a wheel assembly for vehicle events. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes a wheel assembly, a structural member, a detection unit, an actuator, and a processor. The detection unit is configured to detect an event for a vehicle that has a wheel assembly. The processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to utilize an actuator to adjust an angle of the wheel assembly in a manner that guides energy absorption or transference from the event toward the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Nolte, Kathryn E. Koski, Sachin K. Pindolia
  • Patent number: 9694778
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame, a cover, and a seat side airbag assembly. The seat side airbag assembly includes a chute mounted to the frame and extending to the cover. An airbag is fixed to the chute, with the chute extending between the airbag and the cover. The chute is attached to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Veggian, Brian Robert Spahn
  • Patent number: 9694779
    Abstract: A seatback assembly includes a seatback frame with an airbag deployment system coupled to a side member thereof. The airbag deployment system includes an airbag configured to deploy outwardly at a deployment force. A back panel includes a side member that at least partially covers the airbag deployment system in assembly. The side member includes a notch disposed adjacent to the airbag deployment system which separates a rear portion of the back panel from an airbag door configured to outwardly flex to an open position under the deployment force of the airbag deployment system. An adhesive patch is partially disposed over the notch and includes an adhesive layer adhered to the rear portion of the back panel and the airbag door of the back panel to tether the airbag door to the back panel and control the opening of the airbag door under the deployment force of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Martin Voelker, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Manoj Desai
  • Patent number: 9694780
    Abstract: An airbag cover can include a sidewall to couple the airbag cover with a housing of an airbag assembly. The airbag cover can further include a panel adjoined to the sidewall at a hinge, and the panel can cover at least a portion of an opening defined by the housing through which an airbag positioned in the housing is deployable when the airbag cover is coupled to the housing. The airbag cover can include one or more tear seams that are breakable by the airbag as the airbag is deployed to form at least a portion of the panel into a door that rotates about the hinge to permit egress of the airbag. The airbag cover can further include a stress-relief region in the sidewall that is laterally adjacent to the hinge, and the stress-relief region can flex as the door rotates about the hinge to inhibit the door from separating from the sidewall during deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gregory Lowe, Casey Brent Brewer, Claudia Ivonne Andrade Cruz
  • Patent number: 9694781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion and an airbag system including the same, and particularly to an airbag cushion, including: at least one fabric; and seam parts connecting the fabric, wherein deviation of upper seam thread length per a unit length of the fabric between the first seam part sewed in forward direction and the second seam part sewed in reverse direction in the seam parts is 15% or less, a method of preparing the same, and an airbag system including the same. The airbag cushion of the present invention is superior in working stability and unfolding performance because of the optimized properties of the seam parts, provides superior shape stability and air-tight effect at the same time, and can protect a passenger by minimizing the shock given to the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dong-Jin Kwak, Ki-Jeong Kim, Jae-Hyung Kim, Hee-Jun Kim, Jung-Hoon Youn, Sang-Mok Lee
  • Patent number: 9694782
    Abstract: The present application discloses a control device for an automatic transmission mounted in a vehicle including idling stop means for automatically stopping an engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, and restarting the engine when a predetermined restart condition is satisfied in an engine automatically stopped state. The control device for the automatic transmission includes a first friction element and a second friction element fastened in a starting stage of the automatic transmission; and hydraulic-pressure controlling means for controlling hydraulic pressure for fastening the first and second friction elements. The first friction element includes a return spring that urges a piston of the first friction element to a release side. The second friction element includes a friction plate, a pressing piston that presses the friction plate, and a clearance adjustment piston that supports the pressing piston so as to allow relative movement of the pressing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nagatani, Ryusuke Asahi, Hiroaki Takeshita, Yoichi Miyajima, Ichirou Kamimoto
  • Patent number: 9694783
    Abstract: The child safety seat for transporting a child in a vehicle is configured for the child to be secured to the child safety seat with a safety belt of the vehicle, and is characterized in that the child safety seat comprises a belt pad which is adapted to be arranged on the safety belt. The belt pad of the child safety seat preferably comprises a lower component and an upper component, wherein the lower component is configured to be positioned between the safety belt and the child when the child is seated in the child safety seat and is secured in the child safety seat with the safety belt, and wherein the upper component is configured to be positioned on the side of the safety belt opposite to the side the lower component is positioned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BRITAX RÖMER KINDERSICHERHEIT GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Haas, Richard Henseler, Michael Grohspietsch, Michael Blum
  • Patent number: 9694784
    Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, an open portion is formed in the other side, in a direction about a rotational axis of a switch pawl, of a sensor holder. In a state where an engagement piece is positioned on the outside of the open portion, the switch pawl is rotated about a shaft to cause the engagement piece to enter in a window portion, so, a distal end of the engagement piece, bent in a hook shape, faces to a regulation wall in an axial direction of the shaft. It is not necessary to elastically deform the engagement piece when bringing the regulation wall and the engagement piece into facing. Therefore, the engagement allowance in the engagement piece with the regulation wall can be enlarged and the distal end of the engagement piece can be prevented from crossing over the regulation wall and moving toward the shaft side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamada, Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Patent number: 9694785
    Abstract: A vehicle security system may include a vehicle controller and a first wireless communications device carried by the vehicle, and a wireless security sensor(s). The wireless security sensor(s) may include a portable housing, a motion sensor carried by the portable housing to detect motion thereof, a second wireless communications device carried by the portable housing to communicate with the first wireless communications device, and a sensor controller carried by the portable housing. The sensor controller may cooperate with the motion sensor and the second wireless communications device to determine when motion of the portable housing exceeds a first security alert threshold and send a first security alert message to the vehicle controller based thereon, and determine when the first security alert threshold is exceeded for a predetermined time and enter a power saving mode. The vehicle controller may generate a first alarm responsive to the first security alert message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: OMEGA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hircio Javier Barrios, Michael Stephen Thompson
  • Patent number: 9694786
    Abstract: A vehicle security device antenna LED status indicator, matching the host of a vehicle security system installed inside a vehicle, said antenna unit including: a circuit structure with relevant electronic components such as a wireless transceiver; an LED to display the received signal and usage status, electrically connected to the circuit structure; and a light-guiding structure, corresponding and abutting to the LED, with the end of the light-guiding structure away from the LED bonded with a light hood; the antenna light unit is attached to the windshield at the place behind the internal rearview mirror. When the anti-theft system of the vehicle is activated, the antenna light unit will distinctively indicate that the vehicle is under the anti-theft status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Yan Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 9694787
    Abstract: A method for determining the location of a remote transceiver in relation to a vehicle, the method including the steps of: transmitting at least two measuring signals to the remote transceiver, each of the measuring signals being transmitted from a different one of a plurality of n antennae positioned relative to the vehicle, where n denotes an integer?2; receiving an acknowledgement signal from the remote transmitter in response to each measuring signal, each acknowledgement signal including a received signal strength indication (RSSI) for a respective received measuring signal, the values of the received RSSIs together defining a data point in an RSSI domain; and determining a difference between the received value of a first RSSI and a defined threshold value for that first RSSI, wherein the sign of the difference indicates whether the remote transmitter is inside or outside a defined region i of or near the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
    Inventors: Daniel Kornek, Ewen James Christopher
  • Patent number: 9694788
    Abstract: In an anti-theft method for an automobile, each of NFC devices on the automobile is activated to detect corresponding induction coils when the automobile receives a preset door locking command. The method confirms a status of each of the plurality of doors according to detecting whether each of the NFC devices detects the corresponding induction coil, and further determines whether at least one of the doors of the automobile is opened abnormally according to the confirmed status of each of the doors. When at least one of the doors of the automobile is determined to be opened abnormally, the method controls an alarm unit of the automobile to output a preset warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: Wen-Hua Teng
  • Patent number: 9694789
    Abstract: A switching device includes an operation lever capable of being turned in a first direction and in a second direction with respect to a neutral position, a first switch to detect a condition when the operation lever is moved to a first operation position, a second switch to detect a condition when the operation lever is moved to a second operation position symmetric to the first operation position, and a control unit to control a multistage function in a stepwise manner to switch operating states in a stepwise manner such that the condition of control of the multistage function is switched up in a stepwise manner based on a condition detected by the first switch and such that the condition of control of the multistage function is switched down in a stepwise manner based on a condition detected by the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9694790
    Abstract: A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer comprising a frame having mounted thereto at least a right side wheel and a left side wheel, the frame also including a hitch, a fifth wheel, and at least one of a repositionable wheel chock and a repositionable hook, the trailer stabilizing device further including a repositioning device in order to reposition at least one of the repositionable wheel chock and the repositionable hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Peter Kimener
  • Patent number: 9694791
    Abstract: At a time of causing a parking mechanism to execute parking process to switch a parking gear to a locked state when a predetermined parking condition is established and a detected road surface gradient is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined whether a foot brake has been operated, operation of an automatic braking system is controlled to make a travel speed of the vehicle greater than zero but equal to or less than a set speed if it is determined that the foot brake has not been operated, and the parking process is then executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunji Kamo
  • Patent number: 9694792
    Abstract: Backstopping Brake System (BBS) is a part with two original and Accessory natures that can be installed on all manual transmission cars which their engine power is transmitted into forward wheels. By installing the system on vehicle forward wheels axle (plus (P)), when plus rotates around its axle in a reverse motion of engine, it locks the plus (P) and prevents unnecessary reverse motion of vehicle. This system can be activated or inactivated from cabin inside wirelessly through control remote system (2-3) or by wire. In the case of necessary reverse motion, this system is inactivated by pulling back its pawl. For safety, when vehicle has a severe shock, this system will be separated from joint point of vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Morteza Soltani Tajabadi
  • Patent number: 9694793
    Abstract: A vehicle braking control device includes: a mode switch for making a switching request for braking force characteristics of a vehicle; a motor cylinder device for generating braking force characteristics based on the switching request made by the mode switch; a brake fluid pressure sensor for detecting operation of the brake pedal; and an ECU for prohibiting the braking force characteristics of the motor cylinder device from being changed in a case where the mode switch is operated while the operation of the brake pedal is detected by the brake fluid pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishino, Shuichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9694794
    Abstract: To enable control of vehicle speed according to the intentions of a driver by a simpler operation. When a vehicle body speed rapidly decreases and becomes lower than a brake target threshold speed, the brake target threshold speed is decreased in conformity with the vehicle body speed. This prevents the increase of the vehicle body speed toward the brake target threshold speed such that a vehicle accelerates regardless of a brake being in operation because the brake target threshold speed is set at a higher value than the vehicle body speed. Accordingly, the vehicle body speed decelerates by a simpler operation while being able to prevent the vehicle from accelerating against the intentions of a driver and being able to control the speed of the vehicle according to the intentions of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Ishida
  • Patent number: 9694795
    Abstract: A method for determining the conditions of an underlying surface during unbraked or braked travel of a vehicle by a wheel-specific characteristic variable which is derived from a change over time in the wheel speed detected at at least one vehicle wheel. According to invention there is provision that a) a jolt signal is formed by double differentiation of the wheel speed, b) in order to form the characteristic variable the difference between the absolute value of the jolt signal and a tolerance value is summed or integrated over time, and c) the condition of the underlying surface is determined by comparing the characteristic variable with an oscillation signal threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Henning Kerber, Mario Roszyk, Dieter Burkhard
  • Patent number: 9694796
    Abstract: A hill-hold control system for a vehicle. The hill-hold control system includes a first wheel brake (120A, 120B), a second wheel brake (120C, 120D), a braking indicator (brake pedal), a drive away indicator (accelerator), and a controller (130). The controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is at standstill, detect from the braking indicator that braking is no longer desired, adjust a braking pressure at the first wheel brake, adjust a braking pressure at the second wheel brake, detect from the drive away indicator an operator's desire to drive away, and when the operator's desire to drive away is detected, removing the braking pressure at the first wheel brake and the braking pressure at the second wheel brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jiamu Hu, James Timpa, Joseph J. Anderson, Dushyant Wadivkar, Arthur Stephenson, Nick LaPlaca
  • Patent number: 9694797
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pedal simulator. The pedal simulator installed at an electronic brake system which includes a master cylinder coupled with a reserver and configured to generate an oil pressure according to a driver's pedal force, a pedal displacement sensor configured to detect displacement of a brake pedal, and an oil pressure generating device configured to output an electric signal corresponding to an operation of the brake pedal through the pedal displacement sensor, to operate a motor and also to convert a rotating force of the motor into a rectilinear motion, includes a pedal simulation unit connected with the master cylinder and configured to provide a reaction force according to the pedal force of the brake pedal; and a simulation valve connected with a rear end of the pedal simulation unit and configured to control a flow in a passage according to an opening and closing operation, wherein the simulation valve controls a flow rate of the oil by controlling a degree of opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chan-Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 9694798
    Abstract: A vacuum brake booster includes a housing in which a piston is accommodated, the piston being supported by a cylindrical body sealingly passing through an opening in the bottom and having a key that engages with the return element of the cylindrical recess. A damping element separates the front of the key from the rear of the base supporting the piston and the bead of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Joan Simon Bacardit, Bruno Berthomieu
  • Patent number: 9694799
    Abstract: A method for setting the clamping force acting on a wheel brake, a part of the clamping force being provided using an electromechanical brake device and simultaneously another part of the clamping force being provided using a hydraulic brake device. During an application procedure, the power consumption of the electric motor-driven brake device is regulated to an essentially constant value in an operating phase (phase 4), in which both brake devices simultaneously exert force, so as to set the clamping force of the parking brake very precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Dieter Blattert, Peter Blessing
  • Patent number: 9694800
    Abstract: A secondary parking apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system, components of an anti-lock brake system (ABS), and a manually-operable device. The secondary parking apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the manually-operable device to detect an operator intent signal to apply parking brakes of the parking brake system, (ii) receive a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle, and (iii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the ABS to selectively exhaust air pressure from components of the ABS to atmosphere so that parking brakes of the parking brake system are applied to park the vehicle when both the operator intent signal and the combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Daniel P. Zula, David J. Taneyhill
  • Patent number: 9694801
    Abstract: A compressed air supply device for operating a pneumatic installation comprises an air supply unit configured to supply air, an air compression unit configured to compress air, a bleeding line comprising a controllable solenoid valve arrangement, the solenoid valve arrangement having a magnetic part and a pneumatic part, and a bleeding port configured to bleed air. The device also comprises a compressed air supply line having an air drier and a compressed air port, the compressed air supply line being configured to supply the pneumatic installation with compressed air, wherein the pneumatic part is open when the magnetic part is not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow