Patents Issued in November 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9815459
    Abstract: A classification determining unit determines classification of a stationary object that is detected by a stationary object detecting unit. In a case where it is determined that the stationary object is another vehicle, a judgment condition easing unit enlarges a margin area that is used when determining the need for collision avoidance support. When the margin area is enlarged, the probability for a user's own vehicle to interfere with the margin area increases. Stated otherwise, it becomes easier for a collision avoidance determining unit to determine that the collision avoidance support is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Sasabuchi, Satoshi Kondo, Shigeru Omura
  • Patent number: 9815460
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for safely parking a vehicle, wherein after identifying an emergency situation of the motor vehicle, an emergency stopping position region is selected from a digital map, and the vehicle is parked within the emergency stopping position region by an automatic driving function. The method includes registering the surroundings, determining stationary objects and conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle within the selected emergency stopping position region, checking the conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle and the stationary objects within the emergency stopping position region regarding parking the vehicle in an optimized manner and determining an optimized emergency stopping position within the emergency stopping position region, and parking the vehicle at the optimized emergency stopping position within the emergency stopping position region using the automatic driving function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Eigel, Peter Mirwaldt, Bastian Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9815461
    Abstract: After determination of from which side, right or left, a second vehicle is approaching, a position of a collision point is determined, a position of a stop point is set from the determined collision point, and a warning is given at a position and timing of a warning point which is set to allow a first vehicle to stop before the set stop point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miura, Takeshi Chiba, Masashi Manita, Yuki Sakai, Minoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9815462
    Abstract: An automated vehicle can generate a path. Sensor data of at least a forward portion of an external environment of the vehicle can be acquired. One or more travel lane markers of a current travel path of the automated vehicle can be identified from the acquired sensor data. A detection range of the acquired sensor data can be determined. A set of travel lane parameters based on the identified one or more travel lane markers can be determined. In at least some instances, the set of travel lane parameters can include at least: offset, curvature, curvature derivative, and yaw. It can be determined whether any of the determined travel lane parameters are reliable based on the determined detection range. In one or more arrangements, a vehicle path can be determined based at least partially on the travel lane parameters that are determined as being reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Pandita, Vladimeros Vladimerou
  • Patent number: 9815463
    Abstract: A method for controlling an auto cruise speed of a vehicle includes: determining a feedback torque for correcting a speed error between a target speed set by a driver of the vehicle and a current speed that is a feedback speed detected by a speed sensor of a vehicle; determining a drive resistance according to the target speed by inputting the target speed; determining a first feedforward torque according to the determined drive resistance; determining a second feedforward torque based on a vehicle inertia and a variation of the target speed by inputting the target speed; and outputting a command for generating a wheel required torque that is corrected by adding the first feedforward torque and the second feedforward torque to the feedback torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Joon Kim, Jae Sung Bang
  • Patent number: 9815464
    Abstract: A controller of a vehicle that includes a return control unit configured to carry out a complete engagement control of a power connecting/disconnecting device. At the time a return condition from inertia traveling to normal traveling is established and a down shift of an automatic transmission is requested, the return control unit carries out a down shift control of the automatic transmission so that a difference between an increasing gradient of a rotating speed of a first engaging portion and an increasing gradient of a rotating speed of a second engaging portion is within a predetermined range. At the time it can be regarded that the rotating speed of the first engaging portion and the rotating speed of the second engaging portion are synchronized, the return control unit completely engages the power connecting/disconnecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamanaka, Takahiro Yokokawa, Yoshio Ito
  • Patent number: 9815465
    Abstract: A control device according to the present invention performs an automatic stop control in which an injection of fuel from a fuel injection valve is stopped and a rotation of an engine is stopped when an automatic stop condition is satisfied. Furthermore, the control device controls an injection operation of fuel and an ignition operation to the fuel in consideration of compression when the fuel is actually ignited in an expansion stroke cylinder, when a re-start demand occurs after an initiation of the automatic stop control and the engine is to be re-started by an ignition start-up. Specifically, the control device predicts a crank angle at an actual ignition time point in a case where processing for performing the ignition start-up at the present time whenever a predetermined time period has passed. Then, the control device initiates the ignition start-up when the crank angle falls within a predetermined range in which a sufficient compression can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Susumu Kojima
  • Patent number: 9815466
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch control device is provided for a vehicle, in which, when the accelerator pedal is released in a slip engagement mode, lock-up re-engagement with reduced engagement shock is performed, thereby improving fuel economy. A torque converter having a lock-up clutch is disposed between an engine and a continuously variable transmission. The vehicle is provided with a coast lock-up control unit configured to bring the engine in a fuel cut-off state when the accelerator pedal is released in a slip engagement mode in which a differential rotation is present in the lock-up clutch with the accelerator pedal being depressed. Upon accelerator fool release operation, the coast lock-up control unit performs an engine torque control to synchronize engine rotation speed and turbine rotational speed, re-engages the lock-up clutch in a rotation synchronization state, and, after the re-engagement, and performs fuel cut-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Patent number: 9815467
    Abstract: A vehicle assistance apparatus includes an interface unit configured to receive information regarding an electric current provided to a brake lamp of a vehicle. The vehicle assistance apparatus also includes an object detection unit configured to detect an object outside the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, based on the detected object, a speed of the vehicle and also determine, based on the speed of the vehicle and the information regarding the electric current provided to the brake lamp of the vehicle, whether the vehicle undergoes acceleration during a braking operation of the vehicle. The processor is further configured to provide, based on a determination that the vehicle undergoes acceleration during the braking operation of the vehicle, a control signal to restrict further acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sangmin Park
  • Patent number: 9815468
    Abstract: An emergency braking force generation system includes: an engine for performing combustion using air and fuel injected from an injector and generating torque; a cooling fan which is rotated by the torque of the engine and supplies air into one side of the engine; a cooling fan clutch that selectively transmits the torque of the engine into the cooling fan; a transmission that varies a gear ratio by receiving the torque of the engine and rotates a driving wheel; and a control portion that controls the cooling fan clutch such that the cooling fan is integrally rotated with the engine when an emergency braking signal is generated so as to increase a load of rotation of the engine through the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Suk Byun
  • Patent number: 9815469
    Abstract: A vehicle control device calculates a target line pressure based on an instructed torque capacity of a friction engaging element and a belt capacity when the friction engaging element is determined as not engaging. Belt capacity is calculated using an input torque of a continuously variable transmission mechanism. The device calculates torque down in a driving source based on an upper limit line pressure when the calculated target line pressure exceeds such line pressure. A limit torque capacity of the friction engaging element is calculated using the input torque and a belt capacity when the friction engaging element is determined as not engaging. The belt capacity is calculated using an actual line pressure. The device restrains a slip between pulleys and a power transmitting member using the target line pressure, the torque down, and the limit torque capacity when the friction engaging element is determined as not engaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Hideshi Wakayama
  • Patent number: 9815470
    Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Juli-Ann Luther, Jeffrey Twichel, Brian Nedward Meyer, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Swapna Rameshbabu Gaikwad, John William Brand, James Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Kevin Kapp, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, William Martin, James Andrew Napolitano, Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Eric Vorndran
  • Patent number: 9815471
    Abstract: A work vehicle is equipped with an engine, a hydraulic pump, a work implement, a travel device, an accelerator operating member, a work implement operating member, and a control unit. The hydraulic pump is driven by the engine. The work implement is driven by hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump. The travel device is driven by the engine. The accelerator operating member changes the engine rotation speed. The work implement operating member operates the work implement. The control unit causes the speed of the work implement to increase by causing the engine rotation speed to increase when an operation amount of the work implement operating member is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Yoshizawa, Shunsuke Miyamoto, Kenichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9815472
    Abstract: A braking force control apparatus for a saddle ride vehicle includes a transmission controller which reduces driving force of an engine by a predetermined speed reduction ratio and transmits the driving force to a drive wheel, a clutch device which connects—disconnects the driving force between the engine and the transmission, a brake device which generates braking force on the drive wheel, and a sensor which detects a state of the transmission. The transmission switches between a neutral state and an in-gear state, and when the sensor detects that the transmission is switching from the neutral state to the in-gear state, the controller causes the brake device to generate braking force on the drive wheel, and then releases the braking force upon completion of the switching to the in-gear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Makita, Masahiko Tsuchiya, Eiji Kittaka, Yasushi Fujimoto, Naoki Sakamoto, Masayuki Fujita, Hiroyuki Kaneta, Yoshiaki Sawano, Taisuke Nimura
  • Patent number: 9815473
    Abstract: A method for controlling a manual transmission includes using a controller to determine a desired torque transmitted through an input clutch for the desired gear after a shift lever is moved to a desired gear position and while a clutch pedal is being released for engaging the clutch; inferring torque in the vehicle drive assembly; using inferred torque to determine clutch torque; and using the controller to automatically adjust a clutch actuator such that a difference between the desired torque and the inferred torque is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Alex O. Gibson, Gregory M. Pietron, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Patent number: 9815474
    Abstract: A system that identifies road conditions associated with a road surface is provided. The system includes a first sensor recording a first motion amount related to a head of a rider and at least a second sensor recording at least a second motion amount of a portion of a vehicle. The system also includes a comparison manager determining a severity level based on a comparison between the first motion amount and the second motion amount. Also included is a notification manager providing recommendations to the rider based on the severity level. Additionally, an implementation manager may dynamically implement one or more actions based on the severity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Murrish, Daniel Essindi Behrendt, Rahul Khanna, Dennis Patrick Clark
  • Patent number: 9815475
    Abstract: An analytics platform may obtain anomaly information associated with a roadway anomaly. The anomaly information may be provided by a sensor system including a sensor array. The analytics platform may determine a set of filters associated with identifying the roadway anomaly as being of a particular type. The analytics platform may apply the set of filters to the anomaly information associated with the roadway anomaly. The analytics platform may identify, based on applying the set of filters to the anomaly information, the roadway anomaly as being of the particular type. The analytics platform may provide, based on identifying the roadway anomaly as being of the particular type, information associated with the roadway anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Gregory P. Spata
  • Patent number: 9815476
    Abstract: An approach is provided for determining road surface friction data for at least one travel segment via sensor data and/or guideline friction map to cause at least one response action. The approach involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of sensor data to determine at least one road-vehicle friction change associated with at least one travel segment. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a comparison of the at least one road-vehicle friction change to at least one guideline friction map. The approach further involves determining at least one response action to the at least one road-vehicle friction change based, at least in part, on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: James D. Lynch
  • Patent number: 9815477
    Abstract: A fleet management control system and method are disclosed for a plurality of work vehicles each having a respective work tool. The work vehicles are associated with an owner and a plurality of operators. The fleet management system includes a source of input data that provides operator identification data for the work vehicles and operator permissions data that indicates at least which of the work vehicles each of the operators is permitted to operate. The fleet management system includes a remote processing system having a processor that receives and processes the operator identification and operator permissions data, outputs fleet management data that includes a fleet operator profile for the work vehicles based on the operator identification and operator permissions data, and communicates the fleet management data to a controller of each of the work vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Wentao Yu, Bryan D. Sulzer
  • Patent number: 9815478
    Abstract: A driving assistance system includes a history storage unit, a behavior detecting unit, a state determining unit, and a notifying unit. The history storage unit stores a behavior history which is a past behavior history of a driver. The behavior detecting unit detects a current behavior of the driver. The state determining unit determines an unsafe state by comparing the transition of the behavior detected by the behavior detecting unit with the behavior history of the driver corresponding to a current driving path. If the state determining unit determines the unsafe state, the notifying unit gives notification to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Masashi Tsuyunashi, Toshitaka Yamato, Shogo Tanaka, Yoshikazu Hashimoto, Takashi Ohta
  • Patent number: 9815479
    Abstract: An overload protection control system and method are disclosed for an articulated dump truck having a load bin movable between loaded and unloaded positions by hydraulic cylinders of a hydraulic circuit. The overload protection control system includes a source of load data associated with the load bin. The overload protection system also includes at least one controller that receives and processes the load data to determine an overload condition associated with the load bin and determines a speed associated with the work vehicle. The speed is reduced in the overload condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Francois Stander, Jeremy B. Shuler, Jason J. Foley, Daniel A. Griswold, Mark J. Cherney
  • Patent number: 9815480
    Abstract: For monitoring the function of a driver assistance system, the environment of a vehicle is detected by at least one sensor, sensor data of the environment is generated, and at least one measurement variable is determined from the sensor data and is compared to reference values for the measurement variable to monitor the function of the driver assistance system. The result of the function monitoring is subsequently output and/or stored in accordance with the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Conti Temic micrelectronic GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Anton Fendt
  • Patent number: 9815481
    Abstract: A system, for use at an autonomous-driving-capable vehicle, including a processing hardware unit and a tangible interface device. The system further includes a mode-determining module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, determine an applicable interaction mode corresponding to a driver of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle. The system also includes an interaction module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, perform various operations. The operations include generating system messages having content based on the applicable interaction mode determined and related to autonomous-driving activities of the vehicle. The operations also include transmitting, by way of the tangible communication device, the system messages to a tangible interface device of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle for communication to the driver by way of the tangible output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Claudia V. Goldman-Shenhar, Eric L. Raphael
  • Patent number: 9815482
    Abstract: A motorman's cab in a train is provided with a plurality of door operating switches that open and close the train doors on the station-platform side in a fully-automatic manner, in a semi-automatic manner, or in a manner that open and close doors in sections. A central device includes an information control unit that specifies a stopping station where a train stops next on the basis of train information; selects a recommended door operating switch at the stopping station from among the door operating switches on the basis of an estimated passenger-number value, which is the number of passengers at the stopping station, as a recommended door operating switch for the stopping station; and then it displays display information that prompts the train crew to operate the selected door operating switch on a display device in the control platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Komura, Takuya Sawa, Toshiko Kadono, Satoru Takahashi, Koki Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 9815483
    Abstract: A device for preventing rail vehicles from riding up includes an energy absorbing element extended in longitudinal direction, having a hollow inside, a fastening side for fastening to one of the rail vehicles and an impact side facing away from the fastening side. A flange fastened to the impact side of the energy absorbing element has an impingement surface facing away from the fastening side. The flange protrudes in at least one vertical direction beyond a contour delimited by the energy absorbing element on the impact side, forming a holding web protruding beyond the energy absorbing element. The device provides effective ride-up protection for identically and differently equipped rail vehicles by equipping a free end of the holding web with at least one vertical stop extending up from the impingement surface, and providing a device for moving the vertical stop upon an impact loading in longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Koerner, Alexander Trachtenherz
  • Patent number: 9815484
    Abstract: A brake apparatus includes a coupling member configured to couple one end parts of a pair of link arms, an actuator mounted on the coupling member and configured to advance and retract an output member, a lever rotatably coupled to the output member and configured to rotate by advancing and retracting movements of the output member and a booster unit provided on at least one of the one end parts of the pair of link arms and configured to rotate the link arms with supporting portions as fulcrums by boosting a force transmitted by the rotation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9815485
    Abstract: A method for outputting a trigger signal for an acoustic warning signal of a rail vehicle, includes reading in a piece of signal information detected by an image sensor of the rail vehicle, comparing the piece of signal information to at least one stored piece of reference signal information to classify the piece of signal information as a warning sign requiring an output of an acoustic warning signal, and providing a trigger signal to an output unit of the rail vehicle for outputting an acoustic warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Toni Scheschko, Holger Niemann, Henning Voelz, Florian Feile
  • Patent number: 9815486
    Abstract: A shopping cart bumper in one embodiment comprises a U-shaped bumper having a plurality of slots on an inner leg of the bumper for engaging wires of a shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Unarco Industries LLC
    Inventors: Wesley McMurtrey, Charlie Wagner
  • Patent number: 9815487
    Abstract: A compact collapsible stroller in accordance with the present disclosure includes a mobile cart and a seat coupled to the mobile cart. The mobile cart includes a rolling base and a foldable frame that fold inwardly and outwardly from the rolling base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dowd, Christopher D. Miller, Joseph F. Brewin
  • Patent number: 9815488
    Abstract: A temperature control device for temperature control of a steering device, characterized in that the temperature control device has at least one heat-conducting device, at least one thermoelectric device, and at least one fluid transport apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: John David Lofy, Michael Weiβ, Denise Philipp, Martin Adldinger
  • Patent number: 9815489
    Abstract: A device for pressing a rack against a pinion, comprises a housing, a thrust piece which is shiftably guided in the housing along a pressing axis, a bearing element which can axially be fixed at the housing, an axially pressurized force introduction member, and wedge members which each support on the thrust piece, on the bearing element and on the force introduction member, wherein at least three wedge members uniformly distributed in circumferential direction are provided, and wherein the force introduction member urges the wedge members radially to the outside and the thrust piece axially away from the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Lingemann
  • Patent number: 9815490
    Abstract: A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel T Foster, Michael Wayne Boshears, Andrew Grant, Frank Peter Hass, Clifford Allen Jennings, Eric Arthur King, Kenneth Thomas Kroslowitz, Suhas Subhaschandra Malghan, Stephen A Sywak
  • Patent number: 9815491
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus is provided which can suppress the difference in steering feel between before and after it is allowed to compute an absolute steering angle and which can improve the steering feel. A basic assist control unit sets a basic assist current value. An assist gain setting unit sets assist gain. The assist gain is fixed to a lower limit value less than one before it is allowed to compute the absolute steering angle, and is gradually increased from the lower limit value to one and is then fixed to one after it is allowed to compute the absolute steering angle. An assist gain multiplication unit corrects the basic assist current value by multiplying the basic assist current value by the assist gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinya Aono
  • Patent number: 9815492
    Abstract: A method for controlling the articulation angle of a big rig, in which a first articulation angle control unit, which determines and controls a target wheel angle of at least one steerable wheel of the tractor unit so as to achieve a predefined target articulation angle of the big rig, is combined with a further articulation angle control unit for controlling the articulation angle with the first articulation angle control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventor: Nicolas Boos
  • Patent number: 9815493
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising an electric power assist steering (EPAS) system, wherein the EPAS system is configured to receive a detected value of steering wheel angle and/or steering wheel angular velocity and wherein the EPAS system is configured to improve the accuracy of the detected value of steering wheel angle and/or steering wheel angular velocity by compensating for any one or more of an angular phasing of the joint between any two linked components of the steering mechanism and the effect on steering wheel angle of the deflection across a torque sensor at least substantially due to the stiffness of that torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Alex Bean, Paolo Pucci
  • Patent number: 9815494
    Abstract: Vehicle drive control systems, such as those, for example, configured to permit a vehicle to direct power to at least one drivable element (such as, for example, via a drive shaft, a supplemental drive, or a battery) to assist the vehicle in making a low-radius turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Derek Kaesgen, Paul Crawford, David M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9815495
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a wheel suspension 5 for a torsion beam axle 1, whereby a wheel mount 8 rotates about a virtual steering axle 18 as a result of a cornering force. According to the invention, it is further provided that a wheel mount bracket 6 with a yielding element 11 is coupled to the end 4 of a longitudinally extending swing arm 3 of the torsion beam axle 1, so that an additional steering in positive toe occurs as a result of a lateral force effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Erik Schultz
  • Patent number: 9815496
    Abstract: A vehicle body, preferably for a motor vehicle with four wheels, includes two side members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, at least one support, which extends in the vehicle transverse direction between the two side members, and at least one molded foam part that reinforces the vehicle body. The foam part is arranged in a lateral structure of the vehicle body at the height level of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Hogger, Lukasz Goldyn, Ferdinand Dirschmid, Thomas Weiss, Mihaly Gonda, Anja Danne, Marco Reisboeck, Sabine Ullrich
  • Patent number: 9815497
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a drive unit spaced apart from the side support in a vehicle lateral direction, where the drive unit includes a crankshaft extending in the vehicle lateral direction, and a spacer member positioned between the side support and the drive unit in the vehicle lateral direction, where the spacer member coupled to one of the drive unit and the side support, and the spacer member is detached and spaced apart from the other of the drive unit and the side support, and where the spacer member is positioned rearward of the crankshaft in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler E. Schnug
  • Patent number: 9815498
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof side rail, resin first and second reinforcement members, and a front pillar. The roof side rail is disposed along a vehicle front-rear direction at both vehicle width direction sides of a roof, and is configured, by roof side rail inner and outer panels and a side outer panel, as a beam-shaped vehicle body framework member with a closed hollow cross-section structure including third and fourth closed cross-section portions. The first reinforcement member, as viewed from the side of the vehicle, is disposed to contain a connection position, at a front portion of the roof side rail, to a front roof header disposed along an upper end portion of a windshield glass, and is provided along a length direction of the front portion to fill at least a portion of a space inside a closed hollow cross-section portion at the front portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Yamamoto, Koui Hata, Taichi Minei
  • Patent number: 9815499
    Abstract: An assembly of vehicle components includes first and second components abutting each other. At least one of the first and second components includes a non-metallic material. The first and second components respectively include overlapping first and second apertures. The assembly further includes a joining component extending through the first and second apertures. The joining component has a support body and an outer body at least partially encasing the support body. The outer body includes a polymeric material. The joining component clamps the first and second components between first and second flanges of the outer body, and the support body extends into at least one of the first and second apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Garret Sankey Huff
  • Patent number: 9815500
    Abstract: A wheel house reinforcement structure is configured to reinforce stiffness of a wheel house in a vehicle body, and includes: a mounting part configured to form a top surface of an inner wheel house, and on which an absorber mounting bracket is mounted; a cover part integrally extending from the mounting part while being downward of an inner side end of the mounting part, and an assembling hole assembled with a quarter panel being formed in a lower side of the cover part; and a trunk lid mounting part integrally extending toward a rear direction in a top side of the mounting part, a hinge mounting end having a mounting hole in which a hinge portion of a trunk lid is mounted being formed at a rear end of the trunk lid mounting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ill Lee, Jang Gyeun Kim, Mun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9815501
    Abstract: A cargo compartment for use with a motorized vehicle, and a vehicle having a cargo compartment, have a floor, a roof, a first side wall, and a second side wall. Each side wall extends between the floor and the roof, defining intersections therebetween. A molding assembly is disposed in the intersection and has an elongated back portion and an elongated cover portion, so that the cover portion is disposed between the back portion and an interior cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GREAT DANE LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. McCormack, Timothy P. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9815502
    Abstract: A support member has a first wing plate and a second wing plate coupled to the first wing plate to be pivotable relative to the first wing plate. A fixing member fixes the first wing plate to an opening member from an external space external to an operator's compartment and is also removed from the first wing plate to allow the first wing plate and the opening member to be unfixed. A fixing member fixes the second wing plate to a panel from an internal space of the operator's compartment and is also removed from the panel to allow the second wing plate and the panel to be unfixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuki Uratani, Masayuki Hirabayashi, Kuniharu Shimada
  • Patent number: 9815503
    Abstract: An air outlet is formed on each side surface of a front cowl covering a front portion of a vehicle body. The air outlet is located near and on the front side of a middle position defined by the half of the longitudinal length L of the front cowl. Left and right air inlets are formed near a headlight provided on the front surface of the front cowl. A running wind is introduced into the air inlets, passed through the inside of the front cowl, and discharged from the air outlets. The running wind flowing inside the front cowl is disturbed by the running wind discharged from the air outlets, thereby separating the running wind from each side surface of the front cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Tsukui
  • Patent number: 9815504
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved flow control device for a vehicle (1), especially for a truck or small van, that comprises at least one air deflector blade (10, 12), which can be installed in an operating position as an extension of the contour on a rear vehicle edge (52), which forms an air deflector area and which is installed tiltably around a swivel axis by means of an adjustment unit between the operating position (I) and a stowing position (II). The present invention further concerns a vehicle (1) that is equipped with the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: AIRNMOTION GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer M. Buffo, Ingo Martin, Rene Tuxhorn
  • Patent number: 9815505
    Abstract: A semitrailer comprising a main frame having a hitch, an axle assembly connected to the main frame, the axle assembly including at least two wheels for rotation relative to the main frame, a fairing connected to an underside of the semitrailer intermediate the hitch and the axle assembly, the fairing including a pair of lateral surfaces, a bottom surface spaced from the underside of the semitrailer, and a leading surface, wherein the leading surface includes an intake opening, and wherein at least one of the bottom surface or the lateral surfaces includes an exit opening, and a flow path fluidly connects the intake opening and the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: EkoStinger, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Parr Wiegel
  • Patent number: 9815506
    Abstract: An underbody storage box assembly mountable beneath a vehicle body includes a storage box mountable to the underbody of the vehicle body, the storage box having a leading face and a trailing face in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The assembly is provided with a pair of like-configured aerodynamic caps, one mounted at the leading face of the storage box and the other mounted at the trailing face of the storage box. Each of the aerodynamic caps includes opposite side panels, each having a substantially triangular shape with a rear edge abutting the storage box, a base edge that is substantially perpendicular to the rear edge, and a front edge that is arranged at an acute angle relative to the base edge. A front panel is connected between the opposite side panels at the front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vogel, Ryan Reeder
  • Patent number: 9815507
    Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 9815508
    Abstract: The dumpster moving apparatus is a device capable of providing motorized assistance for moving large containers such as refuse dumpsters. The apparatus includes an enclosure containing a motor and having a pair of wheel assemblies. The electric motor is operatively coupled to the wheel assemblies to provide the motorized assistance for moving the container. The motor includes a transmission to provide for both forward and rearward variable-speed motion. A rechargeable battery pack and a control module supply electrical power and a control means to the motor. A tongue and hitch ball extend from a front portion of the enclosure to engage the container during a moving operation. In one (1) embodiment, the apparatus can include associated bracketry for removable connection of the device to a trash collection vehicle when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Bryan W. Nesbitt