Patents Issued in December 7, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170349017
    Abstract: To provide an amphibious vehicle that can reduce wave drag at the time of hydroplaning and can improve propulsion performance of the vehicle body. An amphibious vehicle according to the present invention includes a vehicle body capable of moving on water and on land, a front flap with a rear end being fixed to a lower end of the vehicle body, a rear flap with a front end being fixed to a rear part of the vehicle body, and a pair of keels provided along a travel device provided on both sides of the vehicle body on a bottom surface of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki OSHIMA, Satoru ISHIKAWA, Takashi MATSUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20170349018
    Abstract: An axle support for a vehicle has a left longitudinal member for fastening a left wheel suspension, a right longitudinal member for fastening a right wheel suspension, and at least one cross member connecting the longitudinal members. The cross member is formed by two shells placed on top of each other. The two shells are detachably interconnected in a non-destructive manner. At least one component of an axle steering system is installed in the hollow space between the two shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Kai-Uwe STOERK
  • Publication number: 20170349019
    Abstract: An equalizer includes a pivot arm pivotally connected between first and second spaced-apart plates fixedly connected to each other. First and second bump stops extend from one of the first and second plates to or toward the other of the first and second plates. A first shock absorber is disposed and selectively compressible between the pivot arm and the first bump stop. A second shock absorber is disposed and selectively compressible between the pivot arm and the second bump stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Dominick BILANCIO, Evan WHITNEY
  • Publication number: 20170349020
    Abstract: A damper housing disposed on a center axis includes an extended mains section and a narrowed end section. The narrowed end section has a second predetermined wall thickness less than the first predetermined wall thickness of the extended main section. An intermediate conical section, connecting the narrowed end section and the extended main section, has an intermediate conical section wall thickness equal to the second predetermined wall thickness at an internal inclination angle relative to the center axis. A method for manufacturing the damper housing using a preformed tube, a first broaching die, a calibrating mandrel, and a swaging die is performed by compressing the preformed tube between the first broaching die and the narrowed head of the calibrating mandrel and compressing the preformed tube between the swaging die and the intermediary section of the calibrating mandrel to form the narrowed end section and the intermediate conical section, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Dominik Kasprzyk, Grzegorz Gasior
  • Publication number: 20170349021
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for controlling a variable axle for preventing a safety accident. An apparatus for controlling a variable axle that controls operation power to one switch which is short-circuited or opened according to a manipulation of a user, and supplies the operation power for a descent of a pusher axle, includes: the other switch having one end connected to power of a vehicle and the other end which is short-circuited or opened in response to a control signal, to thereby supply the power of the vehicle as the operation power at the time of the short-circuit; and a controller confirming whether or not the vehicle is remotely being started when an ignition of the vehicle is turned-on, and opening the other switch by the control signal in the case in which the vehicle is remotely being started as a result of the confirmation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Han Su CHO
  • Publication number: 20170349022
    Abstract: A suspension device includes an actuator capable of generating a thrust force and a controller. The controller includes a first vibration suppression force computation unit configured to obtain a first vibration suppression force from a vertical velocity of a sprung member, a second vibration suppression force computation unit configured to obtain a second vibration suppression force from a vertical velocity of the unsprung member or a relative velocity between the sprung member and the unsprung member, a low-pass filter having a breakpoint frequency between a sprung resonance frequency and an unsprung resonance frequency and processing a signal in the course of obtaining the second vibration suppression force using the second vibration suppression force computation unit, and a target thrust force computation unit configured to obtain a target thrust force of the actuator on the basis of the first vibration suppression force and the second vibration suppression force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya MASAMURA
  • Publication number: 20170349023
    Abstract: A vehicle-height adjusting device includes: a vehicle-height adjusting unit that adjusts a vehicle height through extension and contraction thereof, which is disposed between each wheel and a vehicle body of a vehicle; a control unit that controls actuation of the vehicle-height adjusting unit; an obstacle detecting unit that detects an obstacle that is present within a predetermined range from the vehicle; a steering-angle detecting unit that detects an steering angle of the vehicle; and an identification unit that identifies a portion of the vehicle that overlaps the obstacle, based on a detection result by the obstacle detecting unit and a detection result by the steering-angle detecting unit, in which the control unit controls at least one of the vehicle-height adjusting unit, based on an identification result of the identification unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroya MORI
  • Publication number: 20170349024
    Abstract: Left and right stabilizer bars are provided between left and right wheels of a vehicle. A control unit controls an actuator to control a rotation angle of the right stabilizer bar with respect to the left stabilizer bar. The control unit determines whether the vehicle is moving, whether a vehicle speed is less than a first threshold value, and whether a vehicle state is in transition from a moving state to a stopped state. A detection unit detects a control amount of the actuator. When the vehicle is moving, the vehicle speed is less than the first threshold value, the vehicle state is in transition from the moving state to the stopped state, and the control amount of the actuator is greater than zero, the control unit decreases the control amount of the actuator such that the control amount of the actuator becomes zero before the vehicle speed becomes zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru TAKASHIMA, Tetsuya MORINO, Yusuke SUETAKE
  • Publication number: 20170349025
    Abstract: A wrench and nut combination, including: a wrench lug including: a wrench lug feature that substantially mates with a nut feature of a nut of a shock absorber during a first rotation of said nut, relative to external body threads on a body of the shock absorber, in a first direction, wherein the wrench lug feature and the nut feature release during a second rotation of said nut, relative to the external body threads, in a second direction, wherein at least one of the first rotation and the second rotation causes an adjustment to a compressive coil spring pre-load of a set of coil springs disposed in the shock absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox
  • Publication number: 20170349026
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner for a vehicle, which includes: an air-conditioning case (120) having an air passageway for connecting an air inflow port (127) and an air outflow port (128) with each other; an evaporator (130) and a heater core (140) mounted on the air passageway; a blower unit (110) disposed at the side of the air inflow port (127) to blow air to the inside of the air-conditioning case (120); and a separator (150) disposed at the upstream side of the evaporator (130) to divide air, which is introduced into an air inflow passageway (227) of the air-conditioning case (120), into the right and the left. The air conditioner further includes an assembly end portion (152) disposed at an end portion of one side of the separator (150) to be inserted and assembled on the air inflow passageway (227) of the air-conditioning case (120) by forced fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicants: HANON SYSTEMS, HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Tae Wan KIM, Tae Yun KONG, Jeong Hun SEO, Jae Hwan JUNG, In Hyeok KIM, Sae Dong EOM
  • Publication number: 20170349027
    Abstract: A system, for controlling socially one or more climate-affecting vehicle devices, such as for use with an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage component comprising an interface module that, when executed by a hardware-based processing unit, obtains a ride-sharer passenger profile for each of multiple passengers of an autonomous vehicle. The hardware-based processing unit is part of the system in various embodiments. The storage component includes a social vehicle-climate-manager module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines group climate parameters for the autonomous vehicle based on the ride-sharer profiles. And the storage component includes an output module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, controls the autonomous-vehicle climate-affecting devices based on the group climate parameters determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Claudia V. Goldman-Shenhar, Gila Kamhi
  • Publication number: 20170349028
    Abstract: An assembly for collecting and removing leaked refrigerant, in particular from an evaporator of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle and/or from a periphery, provided for the refrigerant, of the evaporator with a housing part for the air-tight surrounding of at least one refrigerant connection and/or at least one section of a refrigerant line, and with a connection element, whereby the attachment element has at least one first attachment opening and a second attachment opening, whereby the first connection opening is fluidically connected to the housing part by a channel element and the second connection opening can be fluidically connected to an outlet channel opening into the surroundings such that the refrigerant leaked within the housing part can be fed into the first channel element and can be discharged into the surroundings via the connection element and the outlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen GRAAF, Moritz LOENS
  • Publication number: 20170349029
    Abstract: A heating apparatus has a heater body and a heater case. The heater body has a heat generator and emits heat supplied from the heat generator: The heat generator generates the heat when being energized. The heater case houses the heater body and is arranged on a side of an air-bag device for a vehicle adjacent to a vehicle compartment. The heater case is attached to an interior member located in the vehicle compartment or is a part of the interior member. The heater case has an expansion permissive portion that permits the air-bag device to expand into the vehicle compartment. The heat generator includes a portion located at a position corresponding to the expansion permissive portion. The heater body has a low strength portion that has a low strength as compared to the portion of the heat generator and that is located outside the expansion permissive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SAGOU, Kimitake ISHIKAWA, Hiroyasu OIDE, Hideki SEKI, Hideaki KAKO
  • Publication number: 20170349030
    Abstract: A thermal management device includes two or more heat dissipation devices that dissipate heat into a heat medium, a heat medium-air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and the heat medium having its heat dissipated in the two or more heat dissipation devices, a flow-rate adjustment device that adjusts a flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat dissipation device, and a control unit. The control unit controls an operation of the flow-rate adjustment device to increase the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the one heat dissipation device, if the control unit estimates an increase in the amount of heat dissipation into the heat medium at the one heat dissipation device of the two or more heat dissipation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Koji MIURA, Yoshiki KATOH, Kengo SUGIMURA, Nobuharu KAKEHASHI
  • Publication number: 20170349031
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system may include a variable displacement compressor, and a controller configured to, in response to a determination that the compressor is operating within a gurgling zone that is defined by a predefined range of compressor speeds and currents, generate a current signal defining a displacement for the compressor based on a speed of the compressor and an ambient temperature to control the displacement to reduce refrigerant flow noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: James C. ROLLINSON, Suhas VENKATAPPA, Mark C. EVANS, Zhengyu LIU, Thomas A. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20170349032
    Abstract: A quarter window assembly for a soft top cover assembly that is removable. The quarter window assembly is connectable to the soft cover assembly. The quarter window assembly has a hard corner assembly mountable to features connected to a vehicle. The hard corner assembly is an injection molded plastic assembly. The quarter window assembly also has a panel carrying at least one window, and the panel is secured to the hard corner assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis, Charles C. Turney, Jonathon Moore, Duane C. Junkin
  • Publication number: 20170349033
    Abstract: A laminated glass provided in an automobile door panel including two panel boards facing each other and seal members provided on facing surfaces of the panel boards at regions along a beltline, the laminated glass being openable and closable by being provided between the two panel boards so as to slide between the seal members, the laminated glass includes: a laminated glass main body including at least two glass plates and an interlayer film sandwiched between the glass plates and having a storage modulus G of 1.5×106 Pa or more; and a viscoelastic member provided on a surface of the laminated glass main body, the viscoelastic member abutting on the seal member or the panel board and sealing a gap between the seal member or the panel board and the laminated glass main body, at a closed time of the laminated glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: ATSUSHI NAKAMURA, DAISUKE YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170349034
    Abstract: Protection device for a vehicle interior compartment including a flexible planar structure held on a roller blind shaft windable and unwindable between a pulled-out protective position and a compactly stored rest position. The planar structure is connected to a dimensionally stable pull-out profile on a face end region that is in front in the pull-out direction, which profile is guided for longitudinal displacement on each of its opposite sides in a respective guiding structure disposed fixed to the vehicle in the ready-for-use condition. At least one supporting structure is provided for rotatable bearing of the roller blind shaft, wherein the lateral guiding structures are connected to the supporting structure and are pivotably arranged on the supporting structure for an assembly position. Securing elements for releasable fixation of the guiding structures in their assembly position, pivoted towards the supporting structure, are provided on the supporting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Herbert WALTER, Huan TRAN, Matthias MAIER, Gerald LINGEMANN
  • Publication number: 20170349035
    Abstract: Protective device for a vehicle interior compartment and rear shelf for a passenger vehicle including a flexible planar structure which is held on a roller blind shaft to be wound up and off between a pulled-out protective position and a compactly stored rest position. The planar structure is connected to a pull-out profile, which pull-out profile is guided on each of its opposite sides in a respective guiding structure for longitudinal displacement between the rest position and the protective position of the planar structure. A drive device is provided for displacement of the pull-out profile, which includes an electric motor and drive transmission extending alongside the guiding structures and operatively connected to the pull-out profile. The roller blind shaft is rotatably mounted, without a winding spring, on opposite face ends in two casing arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Huan TRAN, Matthias MAIER
  • Publication number: 20170349036
    Abstract: This device is a sun visor for vehicles. The device consists of the visor body and a pivot mount. The device is attached to the interior roof and rotates down and sideways. The device has two inside panels with one panel extending towards the back of the vehicle and the other flipped down. The inside panels provide the driver and the front seat passenger additional protection from the sun's heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Charles Codman Blankson
  • Publication number: 20170349037
    Abstract: A cover for a truck bed that can be horizontally traversed between expanded and collapsed positions is shown. Since the cover is horizontally traversed, the person manipulating the cover need not lift the cover vertically in order to reconfigure the cover between the expanded and collapsed positions. Women and elderly people who are generally not as strong as men can manipulate the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Publication number: 20170349038
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a left-wheel drive unit having a first motor and a first transmission, a right-wheel drive unit having a second motor and a second transmission, and a motor control unit. Each of the first and second transmissions has a first to third rotational elements. The first motor is connected to the first rotational element of the first transmission. The second motor is connected to the first rotational element of the second transmission. The left wheel is connected to the second rotational element of the first transmission. The right wheel is connected to the second rotational element of the second transmission. The third rotational element of the first transmission and the third rotational element of the second transmission are coupled to each other. Each of the first and second transmissions has a fourth rotational element which is supported to revolve around by the second rotational element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Shinohara, Masatoshi Noguchi, Satoshi Andou, Makoto Tsuchihashi
  • Publication number: 20170349039
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a secondary power source for an electric vehicle, the apparatus attachable to the electric vehicle and having at least one secondary electrical power storage unit for storing electrical energy for delivery to the electric vehicle as required to replace the primary power source, a power connection assembly to connect the at least one secondary power source to the electric vehicle and a control system to control supply to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Dignan Herbert RAYNER
  • Publication number: 20170349040
    Abstract: When it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, a control unit blocks communication between a first opening and a fuel cell by a first valve. When a fan is being driven and communication between the first opening and the fuel cell is blocked by the first valve, a second valve opens a third opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Hideo NAGAOSA
  • Publication number: 20170349041
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle has an input shaft, output shaft, first and second minus planetary gear sets, and first electric machine with a rotationally fixed stator and a rotatable rotor connectable to the input shaft. The first planetary gear set is stepped and has planet gears of a larger and a smaller effective diameter. In the first planetary gear set, first sun gear engages the larger planet gears and is connected or connectable to the rotor; second sun gear engages the smaller planet gears and is connected to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set and connectable to the input shaft; a carrier is connected to a ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and a ring gear is rotationally fixable. In the second planetary gear set, the carrier is connectable to the input shaft and the ring gear is connected to the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs
  • Publication number: 20170349042
    Abstract: The universal wheel includes a base member, a connection member, a wheel member, a first driving element, and a second driving element. The connection member has a first end fixed to a top side of the base member. The wheel member is rotatably joined to the base member. The first driving element is configured on the base member for rotating the base member laterally within 360 degrees. The second driving element is for rotating the wheel member. The universal wheel can be turned 360 degrees when standing in place, and can be moved forward, laterally, slantwise, rotationally, or in a combination of these operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: CHUN-HSIANG YANG, Hsiu-Fang Chang
  • Publication number: 20170349043
    Abstract: An assembly (20) comprising a radial piston hydraulic motor (10), comprising a fixed housing (15), a shaft (14) that can be driven in rotation by the hydraulic motor (10), a wheel hub (30) comprising a hub barrel (31) that engages on the shaft (14), a bearing (40), a bearing support (41), in which the bearings (40) are housed between the hub barrel (31) and the bearing support (41) of the hydraulic motor (10), the bearing support (41) forming part of the housing (15), such that the bearing function is carried out by the housing (15), the shaft (14) supporting only the weight of same and having only a torque function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Clement Philippe RECOURA
  • Publication number: 20170349044
    Abstract: An electronic self-locking connect and disconnect system for vehicles. The system includes a motor which turns a gear that meshes with a ring gear contained within a housing. The ring gear meshes with a lead screw thread on an outer surface of a lead screw. When the motor is activated the ring gear rotates the lead screw thread which selectively engages or disengages the clutch. A groove extends on the outer surface of and transverse to the lead screw thread. A pin extends radially inward from an inner surface of the housing till part of the pin is located within the groove. When the pin contacts a radial wall of the groove it prevents further rotation of the lead screw which prevents the stub shaft from axially moving beyond predetermined points. A spring and a sliding collar may be utilized to accommodate full motor travel regardless of the clutch state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170349045
    Abstract: Arrangements described herein can display a set speed deviation for a vehicle using spatiotemporal patterns. A set speed and an actual speed for a vehicle can be acquired. A deviation between the set speed and the actual speed of the vehicle can be determined. Responsive to determining the deviation between the predetermined set speed and the actual speed, a spatiotemporal pattern can be displayed within the vehicle. The spatiotemporal pattern can indicate to a user the deviation between the set speed and the actual speed via the spatiotemporal pattern. In one or more arrangements, the spatiotemporal pattern can be a repeating wave pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: John-Michael McNew
  • Publication number: 20170349046
    Abstract: A mode of transportation, an infotainment system, and a device for operating an infotainment system of a mode of transportation having a finger strip extending in a linear or curved manner for haptically guiding a finger of a user, a detection unit for detecting swipe gestures carried out on the finger strip, an analyzing unit for processing detected swipe gestures, and a linear light outlet extending at least approximately completely along the finger strip. The device acknowledges a user gesture by a light signal emitted from the light outlet in response to a user gesture detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Holger WILD, Nils KÖTTER
  • Publication number: 20170349047
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for controlling a low DC-DC converter (LDC) in an electric vehicle by prioritizing respective controllers, connecting the controllers in series in ascending order according to priority, and determining a command voltage of the LDC on the basis of output voltages of the respective controllers. Accordingly, even when a controller with a highest priority is operating, controllers of lower priority continue operating. Thus, electrical load performance degradation caused by instantaneous overcurrent generated in state transitions is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Ho Joong Lee, Dong Jun Shin, Won Kyoung Choi, Jun Yeon Park, Gi Bong Son, Hyun Wook Seong, Jee Heon Kim, Chang Ryeol Yoo, Hui Sung Jang
  • Publication number: 20170349048
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu NAKAYAMA, Isao YONEYAMA, Tomohiro USAMI, Yasuharu TERADA
  • Publication number: 20170349049
    Abstract: A current collector for an electrical load that can be moved along a conductor line in a travel direction. The current collector has at least one contact piece, which is supported on a rocking arm to be rotatable about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the travel direction. To bring the contact piece into contact with an electrically conductive conductor strand of the conductor line, the contact piece can be moved toward the conductor strand by the rocking arm. The current collector also includes a connection cable, which connects the contact piece to a connection terminal for the electrical loads in an electrically conductive manner. A conductor line system includes a conductor line and at least one electrical load that can be moved on the conductor line in the longitudinal direction of the conductor line. The conductor line has at least one electrically conductive conductor strand for bringing into sliding contact with at least one contact piece of a current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar LANG, Niklas ENDLER, Bernd MAIER, Dieter SEIDEL, Andreas SCHMIEDLE
  • Publication number: 20170349050
    Abstract: A power sharing system for electric motors and drives shares power between multiple power sources. Multiple motor drives share power between multiple energy sources, without the need for a DC to DC converter. A motor drive adapts the DC voltage range of the power source to either AC voltage or a different DC voltage range to operate one or more electric motors. Either a capacitor bank or a battery is directly connected to a motor drive's DC input. Two separate DC inputs exist, each able to operate at its own voltage and both feeding the same motor through separate motor drives, to allow batteries to be operated at one voltage level while capacitors are operated at another. The motor drives inherently cause power to flow between the motor and either power source, regardless of the relative voltages of the two sources, provided that each source is at a sufficient voltage to power the motor independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: DG Systems LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Mario Ambrosio
  • Publication number: 20170349051
    Abstract: A system for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft is disclosed herein. The system for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft includes a shell, at least one linear-channel fixedly mounted inside the shell, a turbine having at least one rotor and at least one shaft connected to the rotor, and a generator. The system for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft is useful for converting the rotational energy provided by the water flowing past the turbine rotor into electrical energy to charge a power storage device on a watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Edward Connell
  • Publication number: 20170349052
    Abstract: Switching devices of a primary circuit connected in parallel to each other and a method for operating the same are provided. The switching device includes a first module that is connected between a power supply component that applies power of a vehicle and a ground component. A plurality of first modules and a plurality of second modules are provided. Further, a second module is connected in parallel to the first module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Tae Jong Ha, In Yong Yeo, Dae Woo Lee, Youn Sik Lee
  • Publication number: 20170349053
    Abstract: An inverter-charger combination includes plurality of first and second switching elements, a capacitor, and a dual active bridge, connected in parallel to one another. The first and the second switching elements are connected in series to form switching subassemblies that are disposed in parallel and are connected to an AC source. Each of the first and the second switching elements has a first and a second contactor, and, when the first contactor is open and the second contactor is closed, an electric current flows from a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) in direct current form to a load in AC form through the switching subassemblies to provide power to the load, and when the first contactor is closed and the second contractor is open, an electric current flows from the AC source in AC form to the RESS in DC form through the switching subassemblies to charge the RESS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Bradley A. Landseadel
  • Publication number: 20170349054
    Abstract: An integrated module of an OBC and an inverter includes: an OBC primary side circuit and a plurality of transformers converting, when 3-phase alternating current (AC) voltages are received from a fuel station, the 3-phase AC voltages in form and level and transmitting the converted voltages into a secondary side; and an inverter switch turned off in a charge mode in which a high capacity vehicle battery is charged, to rectify an output voltage of a secondary side of each of the plurality of transformers by a body diode included in each switching element for an inverting function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jin Myeong YANG, Si Hun YANG, Gyu Yeong CHOE, Jin Young YANG, Han Geun JANG, Woo Young LEE
  • Publication number: 20170349055
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for electrically connecting a charging station to the charging socket of a vehicle. To this end, a contact head which is connected to a voltage source is positioned in front of a charging socket of a vehicle and then inserted into the charging socket. In order to ensure the contact head is securely and reliably oriented during insertion into the charging socket, the contact head has adjustment means in this case, said adjustment means automatically orienting the contact head during insertion into the charging socket. In this way, the requirements for positioning the contact head before insertion can be reduced and the security of the vehicle which is to be charged making contact with the charging station can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Ahmet Kilic
  • Publication number: 20170349056
    Abstract: A method and system of controlling a charging device for vehicles are provided. The method includes sensing overcurrent in a power factor correction circuit of the charging device and turning off the power factor correction circuit upon sensing overcurrent. An output voltage of the power factor correction circuit is then increased when the number of generations of sensed overcurrent is equal to or less than a predetermined first reference value and the power factor correction circuit is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Hui Sung Jang, Gi Bong Son, Hyun Wook Seong
  • Publication number: 20170349057
    Abstract: A communication terminal includes a communication unit and a controller. The communication unit is provided in a supply apparatus that supplies electric power from a power source to an electric device through a feeding line, and is configured to communicate with a destination terminal provided in the electric device. The controller is configured to control a switch to switch turning on and off of the switch electrically connected to the feeding line. The feeding line includes a first line that electrically connects between the power source and the switch, and a second line that electrically connects between the switch and the electric device. At least one of the communication unit and the destination terminal is located away via a space from a conductive member included in the feeding line as to be electrically connected to an electrode coupled via electric field to the conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: AKIHIKO NAMBA, HIROKAZU KITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20170349058
    Abstract: A fleet management system includes a connected lawn mower including a prime mover, a mower blade, and a processing circuit including a processor and memory. The processing circuit receives a cost input indicating an amount of money to complete a job, receives an on-site time for the job, receives operational data from the connected lawn mower, including a prime mover runtime, calculates an efficiency value for the connected lawn mower based on the prime mover runtime and the on-site time, calculates a profitability value for the job based on at least the cost input and the on-site time, generates an efficiency report and profitability report for the connected unit based on the calculated efficiency and profitability values, and transmits the efficiency report and the profitability report to a computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin T. Bernier, Christopher Meyers, Jennifer Scherer, Peter D. Shears, Timothy Ogden
  • Publication number: 20170349059
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a DC-DC converter and a controller. The DC-DC converter is coupled between a traction battery and an inverter for an electric machine. The controller is configured to, in response to a rotational speed of the electric machine dropping below a back EMF threshold speed, transition to a current control based six step inverter mode and operate the DC-DC converter to output a voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the traction battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Wei XU, Fazal Urrahman SYED
  • Publication number: 20170349060
    Abstract: An irrigation system with a variable-speed drive assembly compares electric power data of a motor as a function of the location of the motor against stored historical electric power data for the motor to determine acceptable electric power data thresholds for purposes of diagnosing and predicting pending functionality complications of the variable-speed drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Irrovation LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Abts, Kevin J. Abts
  • Publication number: 20170349061
    Abstract: A vehicle seat in accordance with the present disclosure includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom. The seat bottom is coupled to a floor of a vehicle and configured to move relative to the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew K. BENSON, Cedric KETELS, Brian R. DEXTER, Rod GOODRICH, Garrett GOODWIN, Tristan VANFOSSEN, Kevin L. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20170349062
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part and a backrest part, the seat part being configured shell-shaped on the lower face, at least one front end of the seat part being displaceable forwards and upwards in a combined manner and the inclination of the seat part being adjustable by means of an adjustment movement of the seat part with respect to a seat support shell arranged below the seat part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander LOREY
  • Publication number: 20170349063
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom coupled to floor of a vehicle and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom. The seat back includes a backrest and a backrest adjuster configured to move relative to the backrest to change a shape of the backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. BORTOLON, John D. NEWBERRY, John M. PERRAUT
  • Publication number: 20170349064
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjuster for adjusting the inclination of a backrest with respect to the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Florian AUER, Christoph BREHM, David PREISSER, Andreas WACHTEL, Bernd EFLER
  • Publication number: 20170349065
    Abstract: A child car seat that includes a headrest portion that is adjustable with respect to the car seat base in a vertical and horizontal direction, wherein the adjustment of the headrest in a vertical direction is accomplished via a screw-type mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ralph Pleiman, Andrew R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20170349066
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: a seatback pad that configures a cushion member of a seatback, with an opening into which a connector of a child seat can be inserted from a seat front formed so as to penetrate through a lower end section of the seatback pad in a seat front-rear direction, and a front end of the opening having a width along a seat width direction that is narrower than a seat width direction width of the connector; a connection member that is provided at a seat rear side with respect to the front end of the opening, and to which the connector inserted into the opening is to be connected; and an elastic member that is provided at the seatback pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Keiichiro Fujiwara, Ryousuke Tanaka, Masaharu Sanpei