Patents Issued in November 7, 2017
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Patent number: 9809214Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and at least one controller. A first engine cycling command based on route information and a second engine cycling command independent of route information are generated. The engine transitions state according to the first engine cycling command when the second engine cycling command permits the transition. When a first engine cycling profile based on route information includes at least a number of engine cycles, the engine is cycled according to the first engine cycling profile, otherwise, the engine is cycled according to an engine cycling state derived independent of route information. The vehicle includes a traction battery. A state of charge of the traction battery is controlled according to a target state of charge that is derived using route information and a base battery power reference that is independent of route information.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wei Liang, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
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Patent number: 9809215Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hybrid electric vehicle, a drive control method and a drive control device of a hybrid electric vehicle. The drive control method includes: obtaining a current gear position and a current operating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle, a current electric charge level of a power battery and a slope of a road where the hybrid electric vehicle is; determining whether the hybrid electric vehicle is within a taxiing start-stop interval according to the current gear position of the hybrid electric vehicle, the current electric charge level of the power battery, and the slope of the road; if the hybrid electric vehicle is within the taxiing start-stop interval, further obtaining a current speed of the hybrid electric vehicle; and causing the hybrid electric vehicle to enter a small load stop mode or a small load stall mode according to the current speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: BYD COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Yubo Lian, Dongsheng Yang, Jintao Zhang, Hongbin Luo
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Patent number: 9809216Abstract: A vehicle control device executes driving force control to set a target driving force in accordance with an engine operating state, and control an output of a driving source and a gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission so that a target driving force is realized. The device includes a power generator which can be driven by the driving source, and in a normal shifting mode, the driving force control is corrected on the basis of a power generating state of the power generator, and in a linear shifting mode giving priority to a revolution speed change of the driving source, the correction of the driving force control is not carried out.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Masashi Ono
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Patent number: 9809217Abstract: With the control device, when the traveling state of the vehicle 1A is a specified traveling state in which greater change than a reference value of the torque upon the output portion 11 due to input to the drive wheels Dw from the road surface over which the vehicle is traveling has occurred a plural number of times within a predetermined time interval, then when the selectable one-way clutch 12 is in the locked mode it is changed over to the free mode, and when the selectable one-way clutch 12 is in the free mode it is kept in the free mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Itagaki, Naofumi Magarida
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Patent number: 9809218Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Patent number: 9809219Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a vehicle includes an electronic brake system capable of applying wheel brakes to decelerate the vehicle, a steering system capable of changing a steering angle for the vehicle, and a controller. The controller instructions for performing a pedestrian avoidance maneuver including at least one of steering the vehicle to the maximum available separation distance and braking the vehicle to the maximum safe speed while the vehicle is passing the pedestrian.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: David Leslie Agnew, Graham Lanier Fletcher
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Patent number: 9809220Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a drive assist device including an index calculation unit configured to calculate an index relating to a relative relationship between a vehicle and a target object and a drive assist determination unit configured to determine whether to execute a drive assist control of the vehicle based on the index and as the vehicle width direction component of the relative speed between the vehicle and the target object decreases, the index calculation unit calculates the index with increasing a degree of influence of the relative relationship relating to the vehicle width direction component, or as the vehicle width direction component of the relative distance between the vehicle and the target object increases, the index calculation unit calculates the index with increasing the degree of influence of the relative relationship relating to the vehicle width direction component.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Quy Hung Nguyen Van, Hiroshi Kishi, Shintaro Yoshizawa, Hirokazu Kikuchi
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Patent number: 9809221Abstract: A method for displaying vehicle information includes: setting a driving velocity and an inter-vehicle distance after activating a smart cruise control function; performing a smart cruise control according to the set driving velocity and the set inter-vehicle distance and displaying smart cruise control-related information in an augmented reality display region located in a front portion of a driver's own vehicle; comparing an actual inter-vehicle distance between the driver's own vehicle and a nearby vehicle to the set inter-vehicle distance during performance of the smart cruise control; determining an information displayable region in the augmented reality display region when the actual inter-vehicle distance is less than the set inter-vehicle distance; and displaying display information corresponding to the set inter-vehicle distance in the information displayable region.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Yun Sup Ann
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Patent number: 9809222Abstract: A braking force control apparatus in a motorcycle, includes a controller which controls a transmission to reduces driving force of an engine by a predetermined speed reduction ratio and transmits the driving force to a drive wheel of a vehicle, a clutch between the engine and the transmission, and brake devices which generate braking force on the wheels. The vehicle is switchable between a normal and a slow speed driving modes. In the slow speed mode the controller detects an inclination pitching angle ?, and causes the brake devices to generate braking force on at least one of the drive wheels when ??a predetermined value, then starts switching the clutch to a connected state when a driving operation is input, and gradually releases the braking force once driving force starts to be transmitted to the drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaneta, Taisuke Nimura, Masayuki Fujita, Yoshiaki Sawano, Shunya Ishikawa, Hiroyuki Makita, Yasushi Fujimoto, Eiji Kittaka, Naoki Sakamoto
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Patent number: 9809223Abstract: A driving assistant for vehicles provides lane change assistance, and includes a proposed lane change section setting unit and a lane change determination unit. The proposed lane change section setting unit provides setting of a proposed lane change section that is a proposed section where an own vehicle enters an adjacent lane, based on relative speeds and relative positions of the own vehicle to respective ones of a plurality of parallel-travelling vehicles on the adjacent lane. The lane change determination unit determines whether or not the own vehicle is allowed to enter the proposed lane change section, based on a moving speed of the proposed lane change section and a speed of the own vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Akihiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 9809224Abstract: A battery charge/discharge control apparatus for controlling charge/discharge of a battery in a vehicle as defined herein, includes: a battery control portion which is provided for controlling charge/discharge of the battery; a vehicle control portion which controls the inverter and the engine and controls the charge/discharge of the battery based on information from the battery control portion; a failure determination portion which determines whether there is a failure in the battery control portion or not; and an inverter driving state detection portion which detects a driving state of the inverter; wherein: the vehicle control portion controls the charge/discharge of the battery based on the driving state of the inverter detected by the inverter driving state detection portion when the failure determination portion determines that there is a failure in the battery control portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Seiji Bito
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Patent number: 9809225Abstract: A drive force control device for a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission that varies an output rotation of a motive force source and transmits a rotation after variation to a drive wheel includes an accelerator pedal opening sensor that detects an accelerator opening of an accelerator pedal with which the vehicle is provided, and a programmable controller programmed to calculate a target drive force on the basis of the accelerator opening, calculate a target transmission input rotation speed on the basis of the target drive force, calculate a target transmission input torque on the basis of the target drive force, control a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to realize the target transmission input rotation speed, and control an output torque of the motive force source to realize the target transmission input torque.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Takahiro Yoshino
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Patent number: 9809226Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a drivetrain having an internal combustion engine controlled dependent on a load demand on a target engine torque and having a dual-clutch transmission with two sub-transmissions, each having a friction clutch positioned operatively between the internal combustion engine and a sub-transmission with a changing maximum transferable clutch torque, wherein a specified clutch torque is set along an actuation travel path by means of a clutch actuator, a clutch characteristic of the transferable clutch torque is continuously adapted over the actuation travel path, and a maximum engine torque for a sub-transmission, which is reduced in comparison to the target engine torque, is limited to the maximum clutch torque transferable by means of the friction clutch of that sub-transmission.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KGInventors: Georg Goeppert, Artur Schlappa
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Patent number: 9809227Abstract: In an apparatus, a storage stores therein first identification data prepared for each of target objects including a specified target object and second identification data prepared for each of the target objects. The first identification data for each of the target objects is determined based on a first feature pattern of a corresponding one of the target objects. The second identification data for each of the target objects is determined based on a second feature pattern indicative of a surrounding environment around a corresponding one of the target objects. An identifier obtains a degree of similarity of the feature of the candidate data with respect to the specified target object according to the first identification data and the second identification data prepared for the specified target object. The identifier identifies, according to the obtained degree of similarity, whether the specified target object is in the environmental data.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Shinya Kojima
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Patent number: 9809228Abstract: Provided is a wearable device including a main body that is configured to be worn on a specific portion of a user's body, a sensing unit, provided in the main body, that senses a biological signal of a user, a storage unit that collects log information relating to the biological signal, and in which an index pattern relating to a state of the user included in the collected log information is stored, and a controller that sets a reference driving index, using the stored index pattern, in which when it is sensed that the user gets in a vehicle, the controller determines a current driving index corresponding to the biological signal that is sensed before and after the user gets in the vehicle, based on the reference driving index being set, and outputs feedback that notifies the state of the user that corresponds to a result of the determination.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seungbum Hong, Sungwook Hong, Seungyong Lee
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Patent number: 9809229Abstract: A vehicle includes a sensor configured to obtain driving information of a driver; a controller configured to confirm a driving pattern of the driver based on the obtained driving information, and generate an output signal which outputs a recommended driving method corresponding to the confirmed driving pattern; and a communicator configured to directly transmit the generated output signal to adjacent vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Kyunghyun Kang, Ki Dong Kang, HeeJin Ro, Seok-young Youn, Sung Un Kim, Bitna Baek, Ga Hee Kim, Jong Hyuck Heo, Chisung Kim
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Patent number: 9809230Abstract: A vehicle system may include a thermal sensor; and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housing the vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event. A method may include activating a connectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming, by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move the vehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Cynthia M. Neubecker, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
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Patent number: 9809231Abstract: A method and system for executing gesture based control of a vehicle system that include receiving at least one signal that pertains to at least one muscle movement from sensors disposed within a gear shift knob. The method and system also include determining at least one gesture based on the at least one signal. Additionally, the method and system include determining an interaction command with the vehicle system based on the at least one gesture. The method and system further include outputting the interaction command to the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Calvin Ling, Michael Nehmad
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Patent number: 9809232Abstract: A transport vehicle for traveling in a low-pressure environment structure is provided. The transport vehicle may include a deployable decelerator configured to deploy from the transport vehicle to decrease a distance between the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure and a communication network that monitors and collects a plurality of operation parameters from the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure to control deployment of the deployable decelerator based on a plurality of predetermined triggering events.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: HYPERLOOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Tadeh Avetian, Helen Durden, Ryan Okerson, Brogan Bambrogan, Joshua Giegel
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Patent number: 9809233Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vehicle body. The method includes coupling a frame assembly to a platform, wherein the platform is in a cambered and unloaded condition, and wherein the frame assembly has a degree of play at coupling points with the platform and securing the coupling points to eliminate the degree of play and thereby to provide substantially zero residual stress in the vehicle body in the cambered condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Harold Kendall, Daniel Ganzer, Zuoguang Liu, Aiqin Jiang
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Patent number: 9809234Abstract: A ground equipment for a transport system includes a track for a land transport vehicle; an external power supply device including a plurality of power supply segments arranged sequentially along the track, the plurality of power supply segments forming an external power supply zone, at least one end segment being situated in vicinity to one end of the external power supply zone adjacent to a zone with no external power supply, to be traveled with an onboard power supply device, a communication antenna being associated with the or each external power supply segments; and a controller adapted to power on the end segment and adapted to send, using an antenna associated with that end segment, a signal indicating the end of a zone with an external power supply in response to a presence signal of the land transport vehicle received by said antenna.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Jean-Luc Hourtane, Denis Gauche, David Chevallier, Yann Chaintron, Xavier Rabeyrin
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Patent number: 9809235Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automatic train operation system in railway vehicles, the system including: a speed profile generation unit configured to generate speed profile information based on limited speed profile inputted from outside; a track database stored with track gradient information and track curvature information for each track segment; a train speed controller configured to control a speed of the train using a current position, a current speed and the speed profile information of the train inputted from outside; and a propulsion system fault diagnosis unit configured to diagnose a fault status of the propulsion system based on the current speed of the train, the track gradient information, the track curvature information and propulsion notch information inputted from the train speed controller, and to calculate a performance depreciation ratio when the propulsion system is faulted and to provide the performance depreciation ratio to the train speed controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jongchul Jung, Yong Gee Cho
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Patent number: 9809236Abstract: A railroad electric power management system includes a service management system, a station management system and a control system. The service management system performs service management of railroad vehicles. The station management system performs operation management of a station facility. The control system controls the service management system and the station management system such that a sum of first electric power consumption and second electric power consumption is to be equal to or less than a certain electric-power regulation value. the first electric power consumption is consumed by the railroad vehicles. The second electric power consumption is consumed by the station facility.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideatsu Yamanaka, Miyako Miyoshi
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Patent number: 9809237Abstract: A detection and warning system is provided for a railroad crossing. The system comprises a sensor configured to be mounted on an underside of a gate arm of a railroad crossing gate to detect a presence of a vehicle or other object that is obstructing the railroad crossing. The system further comprises a communication interface coupled to the sensor. In response to a detection of the vehicle or the other object, the communication interface to relay a warning signal indicative of a possible collision on the railroad crossing with the vehicle or the other object.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Barton DeJarnatt, Travis Pless
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Patent number: 9809238Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fully self contained, portable apparatus specifically designed for storing, cooling, transporting both upright or on the side, and dispensing a beverage, such as beer, from a Sixth barrel of Cornelius keg.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Pik Six LLCInventors: David A. Kincaid, Tim Kalbas, Dan Wirtz, Allen Broughton, Sean McLaren, Ian Mackay
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Patent number: 9809239Abstract: A trolley for collecting waste includes: wheels, a steering handle, and a housing with a bottomwall and a sidewall extending vertically from the bottomwall, wherein the housing forms a waste chamber, wherein the sidewall comprises an opening, wherein a flap is connected by a first bearing to the sidewall of the housing, such that the flap is pivotable about a horizontal flap axis between a closing position and an opening position. The flap in its closing position closes the opening of the sidewall, and the flap in its opening position opens the opening in the sidewall, wherein the handle is connected by a second bearing to the housing, such that the handle is pivotable about a handle axis between a first handle position and a second handle position, and the handle is linked to the flap by a mechanical linkage, such that pivoting the handle from its second handle position to its first handle position results in a pivoting of the flap from its opening position to its closing position.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Matthias Reiss, Nicolas Jourdan, Ralf Schliwa, Donald De Gutz, Gabriel Ribeiro Reis, Denise Renata Passos Ikuno, Liana Maki Shintate, Tadeu Kendy de Oliveira Omae, Lucas Marques Otsuka, Lucas Neumann De Antonio
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Patent number: 9809240Abstract: A dispenser configured for securely storing a plurality of items within a cart and providing access to a subset of the plurality of items to authorized users. The dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive a storage cart having an array of receptacles each configured to hold one or more items, a laterally sliding access door configured to provide restricted access to the cart stored within the dispenser, and an item access mechanism configured to provide selective access to a subset of the plurality of items stored within the cart. The dispenser additionally comprises a cart guide mechanism and a cart locking mechanism configured to guide the cart into the housing and to secure the cart in an appropriate location within the housing for use with the item access mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Innovative Product Achievements, LLCInventors: Ward Broom, Kyle Joiner, Bob Stonikas, Dan Weyen, James Findley
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Patent number: 9809241Abstract: A table truck 10 for carrying multiple roller-carrying tables 12, the table truck comprises a bass 22 with ground wheels or castors 24. A frame 26 on the base 22 defines a storage space for multiple roller-carrying tables 12 standing generally upright on the base 22. A ramp 40 is mounted to the base 22 or frame 26, reconfigurable between a transport condition clear of the ground and an operative condition contacting or almost contacting the ground for rolling the tables in turn, in a tilted position with rollers engaging the ramp to roll therealong, up the ramp 40 onto the base 22 or down the ramp 40 from the base 22. Frame 26 further comprises pivotal arms capable of projecting into the storage space for defining respective rest locations for the respective tables when they are standing generally upright on the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: IHS GLOBAL DESIGN PTY LTDInventor: Nicholas Polidoros
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Patent number: 9809242Abstract: A cart for use with rolls of synthetic turf comprising a first and second spaced apart longitudinal members; first and second lateral members between the first and second longitudinal members, the lateral members having at least one hitch ball disposed thereon; a plurality of lateral members between the first and second longitudinal members with one or more having an opening sized to receive a fork on a forklift and a hitch ball disposed thereon; first, second, third and fourth swivel casters having at least one wheel and disposed inside a perimeter defined by the first and second longitudinal members and the first and second lateral member; and a support member having at least one curved surface to from a cradle for receiving the one or more rolls of synthetic turf.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventor: Mark H. Nicholls
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Patent number: 9809243Abstract: A frame structure includes a frame body and an auxiliary frame fixedly connected to the frame body. The frame body has a front bracket and a frame base. The lower end of the front bracket does not connect with the frame base. The upper end portion of the auxiliary frame is connected to the front bracket of the frame body, and the lower end of the auxiliary frame is connected to the frame base at the rear of front wheels of the frame. A trolley with the frame structure can prevent it from leaning forward or overturning, which increases security and stability.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Chigoo Interactive Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tao Chen, Chuanrong Pan, Weijian Lan, Hua Zhou, Yong Yang, Rong Han
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Patent number: 9809244Abstract: A housing structure includes first and second housings and first and second rotation transmitting members. The first and second housings house a shaft. The first rotation transmitting member is provided coaxially with the shaft. The second rotation transmitting member is arranged so as to transmit power to the first rotation transmitting member. The first and second housings are combined with each other so that mating surfaces of the first and second housings that are unparallel to an axis of the shaft are contacted. The first housing includes a first guide portion that protrudes from the mating surface of the first housing. The second housing includes a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion. The first and second guide portions are engaged with each other along a circumferential direction of the axis and guide relative rotation of the first housing and the second housing around the axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATIONInventor: Takayuki Tetsuka
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Patent number: 9809245Abstract: A bearing for a ball screw drive may include a ball nut that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and intended to receive a threaded spindle concentrically. The ball nut may be arranged in an inner ring and at least partially in an intermediate ring and an outer ring of the bearing. A belt pulley may be connected to the intermediate ring for rotation therewith, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring may be convex in some regions and an inner circumferential surface of the intermediate ring may be concave in some regions. The ball nut may be arranged in the bearing so as to be tiltable with respect to the belt pulley. The inner ring may be connected to the ball nut for rotation therewith and may be immovable in an axial direction. The intermediate ring may be connected via spring elements to the inner ring for rotation therewith.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AGInventor: Gergely László
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Patent number: 9809246Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power steering apparatus that suppresses a handle vibration (noisy sound) being caused by a handle inertia and a spring nature of a torsion bar and improves a steering feeling, without changing of the gain of the PI control. [Means for solving the problem] The present invention is an electric power steering apparatus that assist-controls a steering by driving a motor with a current command value calculated based on at least a steering torque, comprising a vibration-damping compensating section that calculates a vibration-damping compensation command value for suppressing a vibration of a handle based on a motor velocity of the motor, wherein the current command value is corrected by the vibration-damping compensation command value.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Tsubaki, Tamotsu Oumi
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Patent number: 9809247Abstract: A power steering system includes a torque modifier module that generates a modified torque command in response to a current sensor fault, a magnitude of the modified torque command changes over a time period. The power steering system also includes a feedforward selection module that applies a dynamic feedforward compensation to a motor current command, thereby generating a motor voltage that is applied to a motor of the power steering system, the dynamic feedforward compensation modifies a frequency response of the power steering system.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Julie A. Kleinau, Prerit Pramod, Dennis B. Skellenger, Selva Kumar Sengottaiyan
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Patent number: 9809248Abstract: The invention provides a steering system comprising a controlled element which is movable in a neutral area comprising a neutral position and in areas on opposite sides of the neutral area based on a steering input and a handle for requesting a desired position for the controlled element. The handle is movable between set-points in a center zone comprising a center set-point and set-points on opposite sides of the center zone. Furthermore, a steering unit is arranged to receive set-points from the handle, to determine a corresponding controlled position of the controlled element, and to move the controlled element to said controlled position. In order to prevent or reduce jerks, the steering unit is adapted to vary a speed by which the controlled element is moved to the controlled position. The speed is variable in dependence of the received set-point.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApSInventors: Thomas Bauer, Soeren Moeller Hansen
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Patent number: 9809249Abstract: A device for the steering assistance of a vehicle combination of a towing vehicle and an attached implement in which the attached implement swivels at a rear coupling point of the towing vehicle. The implement includes wheels that are arranged on opposite sides, which can be acted on by the control of corresponding individual wheel drives, independently of one another, with a drive torque. An electronic control unit applies a yawing moment to the implement by the asymmetrical control of the individual wheel drives in such a way that a transverse force exerted on the towing vehicle through the rear coupling point, builds up in the sense of the attainment of a pre-specified steering behavior of the vehicle combination.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Barbara Boehm, Rainer Gugel, Norbert Fritz, Marco Reinards
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Patent number: 9809250Abstract: A trailer backup steering input apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Douglas Scott Rhode, Matthew Y. Rupp, David Dean Smit, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 9809251Abstract: Provided is a lane following control device in which an uncomfortable feeling of a driver can be suppressed. In a case where shift processing is performed on a first adjacent vehicle X1, and when a distance between a second adjacent vehicle X2 travelling immediately front of the first adjacent vehicle X1 and the first adjacent vehicle X1 is equal to or less than a vehicle-to-vehicle distance threshold value and a lane width direction distance between the second adjacent vehicle X2 and a travelling lane R1 of the host vehicle V is equal to or less than a lane width direction threshold value, a target lateral position setting unit 14 maintains the shift processing on the first adjacent vehicle X1 until the shift processing is performed on the second adjacent vehicle X2.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masaaki Yamaoka
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Patent number: 9809252Abstract: A motor vehicle rear structure includes an underframe component to support a motor vehicle floor and in which a tunnel is formed, an axle component including a central part and two lateral parts that define a space to accommodate a component of the vehicle, an articulation device including a first articulation element and a second articulation element which are able to pivot relative to one another, and at least one front reinforcing element fixed to the second articulation element and to the tunnel. The rear structure is arranged in such a way that said at least one front reinforcing element allows at least some of a load in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle derived from the axle component to be transmitted to the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Jerome Caillard, Thierry Hlubina, Olivier Rioult
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Patent number: 9809253Abstract: In a vehicle, a floor member reinforcing member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction within a closed cross-section portion that is formed by a floor member and a floor panel. The floor member reinforcing member intersects a second floor cross member as seen in plan view. Namely, a portion, that is reinforced by the floor member reinforcing member, of the floor member extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction so as to include a portion, that intersects the second floor cross member, of the floor member. Further, occurrence of bending due to collision load at the portion, that is reinforced by the floor member reinforcing member, of the floor member is suppressed. The reinforced portion of the floor member is displaced toward a vehicle obliquely upper front side following displacement of the second floor cross member toward a vehicle obliquely upper front side.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakazu Shirooka, Teppei Hae
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Patent number: 9809254Abstract: An end structure of a motor vehicle body has two longitudinal struts which extend along respective axes have respective ends, on which respective attachment plates are fitted; the attachment plates have respective walls, which are ring-shaped about longitudinal axes and defined frontally by respective faces having substantially vertical and flat resting zones; two supporting plates rest respectively on these resting zones and are fixed to the walls and to two buffering elements, which are substantially coaxial to the struts; the two attachment plates further have respective tabs, which are radiused to said walls at an inner annular perimeter thereof and end with respective edges, which are longitudinally aligned with the supporting plates.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.Inventors: Massimiliano De Leo, Saverio Gariano, Alessandro Bernardi, Gianfranco Del Nero, Giuseppe Antonio Soddu
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Patent number: 9809255Abstract: A vehicle an underbody structure includes a bumper, a subframe, and a frame. The frame interconnects the bumper and the subframe. The frame includes first and second symmetrical halves spaced at a distance. The frame is attached to the bumper at front segments of each of the halves, and to the subframe at rear segments of each of the halves. The halves are defined by a plurality of legs formed with the front and rear segments such that the first and second halves define load paths configured to transfer energy throughout the frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ching-Hung Chuang, Ren-Jye Yang, Rahul Arora, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
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Patent number: 9809256Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame and a body supported above the frame. The body includes a pair of hinge pillars disposed on opposite sides of the body and a bulkhead extending between the hinge pillars. A pair of one-piece hydroformed front-support tubes is each attached to one of the hinge pillars at a back end of the tube. Each of the tubes includes a forwardly extending portion, and a transversely extending portion attached to the frame and terminating at a front end. The front ends are attached to each other by an overlapping joint located behind a front fascia of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Colleen Marie Hoffman
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Patent number: 9809257Abstract: A vehicle dirt protection device having a longitudinal extension extending larger than its lateral extension, and is placed along a lateral side of a vehicle for urging dirt, preferably dust, to extend horizontally and/or rearward during forward movement of the vehicle rather than upwards. This protects the seating area of the vehicle against dirt, and in particular against dirt.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventor: Ofer Gottfried
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Patent number: 9809258Abstract: A side sill is configured from a side sill outer element comprising an outer upper wall, outer lower wall, an outer side wall, an outer upper flange and an outer lower flange, and from a side sill inner element comprising an inner upper wall, an inner lower wall, an inner side wall, an inner upper flange and an inner lower flange. On the lower end, a pillar has a joint portion held between and joined to the outer upper flange and the inner upper flange, and a first extension part and a second extension part extending from the joint portion into the closed section of the side sill, and includes an extension, the top end of which is joined to the first extension part and/or the second extension part and the bottom end of which is held between and joined to the outer lower flange and the inner lower flange.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Masahiko Emura
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Patent number: 9809259Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle and a correspondingly produced motor vehicle having a modular construction, in which a substructure and at least one superstructure module are produced independently of one another and are subsequently permanently connected together.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KGInventors: Bernhard Hofer, Harald Zachnegger
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Patent number: 9809260Abstract: To improve the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle trailer, one or more aerodynamic components are positioned on the trailer. In some examples described herein, the one or more aerodynamic components are in the form of side skirt fairing segments, which are positioned underneath the trailer and forward of the wheel assembles. In use, the one or more side skirt fairing segments improve air flow underneath the trailer and in the vicinity of the wheel assemblies, thereby reducing drag.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: PACCAR Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
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Patent number: 9809261Abstract: A vehicle body lateral structure includes a rear strake which is provided with a mounting part for being mounted on a plate-shaped member of a side sill through a rear inner fender, a bolt fastening surface which protrudes from the mounting part by a first protrusion amount toward the front of the vehicle, and a bolt through-hole which opens from the bolt fastening surface toward the front of the vehicle. The rear inner fender includes a cut-out section which has a larger diameter than the bolt fastening surface. A stepped bolt includes in its axial direction, a screw portion which screws into a nut fixed to the plate-shaped member of the side sill, a small-diameter cylindrical portion, and a flange portion which has a smaller diameter than the bolt fastening surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Masahiko Emura
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Patent number: 9809262Abstract: An assembly for connecting a spare wheel to a motor vehicle with a tether, the spare wheel having at least one bolt hole, includes an eyelet bracket having a first member angled with respect to a second member, the first member connectable to the tether and the second member defining an eyelet, a rod that defines an axis and is connected to the first member, the rod configured to be disposed in the bolt hole of the spare wheel, and a clip connected to the second member, the clip having a retaining feature extended towards the rod and a tab extended through the eyelet. The second member of the eyelet bracket prevents the eyelet bracket from rotating about the axis and the retaining feature of the clip prevents the eyelet bracket from moving in one direction along the axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: DURA Operating, LLCInventors: Stanislaw Skiba, John Sayeau
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Patent number: 9809263Abstract: An articulating cart system which utilizes an articulating frame to effectively maneuver within tight spaces and a low-elevation platform to ease mounting and dismounting the cart. The articulating cart system generally includes a front frame and a rear frame. A platform is connected to the front frame so that the platform pivots or articulates along with the front frame with respect to the rear frame. A joystick controller may be provided which allows one-handed operation. One or more actuators may be connected between the rear frame and the front frame for pivoting the front frame with respect to the rear frame. A motor is provided to power the actuators and frame wheels. The platform is close to the ground to ease access for the operator. Utilizing the articulating frame, the present invention may traverse much tighter spaces and turns than is possible with previous cart systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Bradley T. Mitchell, Jeffrey E. Stitt