Patents Issued in December 26, 2017
  • Patent number: 9849795
    Abstract: A vehicle connector that is connected through a cable to a vehicle-mounted power switchboard is attached to an attachment bracket secured to a vehicle body. The attachment bracket includes a first bracket having an attachment portion to which the vehicle connector is attached and a second bracket secured to the vehicle body so as to be positioned further to an inside of the vehicle body than the first bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket form a closed cross section. Thus, the attachment bracket having the closed cross section supports a load that is applied when a connector to be mated with the vehicle connector is inserted into or removed from the vehicle connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kato, Kazuo Sato, Masaki Shoji, Shohei Ohji
  • Patent number: 9849796
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for charging a vehicle battery by induction from a charging device including a charge transmitter including a primary coil L1 and an inverter capable of supplying the primary coil L1 with an AC supply voltage E. Said device also includes a charge receiver including a secondary coil L2 arranged in a vehicle. Said method consists of adjusting a frequency f of the power supply voltage (E) to the resonance frequency fo, when a motor vehicle is located in a parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Yann Herriot, Dimitrios Ladas, Gauthier Leconte
  • Patent number: 9849797
    Abstract: A wireless power-transmitting device includes a power-transmitting coil installed in a predefined parking area, a receiving device configured to receive a signal for a power supply instruction transmitted through a windshield or through a rear window of a vehicle, and a control device configured to control supply of electric power from the power-transmitting coil to a power-receiving coil of the vehicle based on the signal received by the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Motonao Niizuma
  • Patent number: 9849798
    Abstract: An access control device of a vehicle is configured to detect the spatial position of the access element of the vehicle safety unit relative to the vehicle via electromagnetically detecting the distances and angles between several low-frequency transmitting antennas of the vehicle safety unit and the low-frequency receiver of the access element. The access control device is also configured to detect the location position of an external induction charging unit relative to the vehicle via electromagnetically measuring the distance and angle between at least two transmitting antennas of several low-frequency transmitting antennas and at least one receiving antenna of the induction charging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Barbul, Josef Krammer, Jens Berger, Helmut Wagatha
  • Patent number: 9849799
    Abstract: An adjustable device positioner is configured for storage and access of a variety of devices, each having a back, a first end, a second end, and a length. The device positioner includes a bin, a tray, and an end rest. The tray is disposed inside the bin and has a back rest surface. The tray is positioned such that the back rest surface supports the backs of the devices. The end rest is operatively connected to one of the bin and the tray. The end rest has an end rest surface configured to support the first ends of the devices. The end rest is movable to and lockable in a selected position to accommodate the lengths of the devices such that the second ends of the devices protrude from both the tray and the bin for easy hand access when the devices are stored in the adjustable device positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Kiester, Jason C. Bone, Kenton L. West
  • Patent number: 9849800
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for transferring energy between a mobile unit and another discrete unit. One such method involves a mobile unit configured as a vehicle. During this method, energy is stored with an energy storage configured with the vehicle. At least some of the stored energy is transferred from the energy storage to an energy receiver using an energy transmitter, where the vehicle is discrete from the energy receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Theobald
  • Patent number: 9849801
    Abstract: Provided is a battery control device for the standardization of a battery, and more particularly, to a battery control device for the standardization of a battery, which allows one or more application modules performing functions of a battery management system (BMS) to independently operate with respect to a time, prevents data shared by one or more respective application modules from being subordinate to each other, and further, allows one or more application modules to perform functions thereof regardless of a change of the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Jihoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9849802
    Abstract: A method of analyzing data related to a driving range estimation of a vehicle includes collecting attribute data related to the driving range estimation of the vehicle, analyzing a correlation between the attribute data and a driving range of the vehicle, generating a vehicle driving range estimation model based on the analyzed correlation, and analyzing a sensitivity between the vehicle driving range estimation model and the attribute data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Mo-Yuen Chow, Paul Barom Jeon, Habiballah Rahimi Eichi, Taejung Yeo
  • Patent number: 9849803
    Abstract: An energy system includes an electric device that consumes electric power, a plurality of storage batteries that supplies stored electric power to the electric device, each of the storage batteries being chargeable and dischargeable under the control of an external device, and an information processor that divides the plurality of storage batteries into families which includes the storage batteries having similar charging and discharging characteristics, and that controls the timings to charge and discharge the storage batteries in the family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukiko Morioka, Hisato Sakuma, Koji Kudo
  • Patent number: 9849804
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a battery SOC of a hybrid vehicle are provided to improve fuel efficiency in an urban area with a differentiated strategy for controlling auxiliary battery SOC balance of the hybrid vehicle. The method improves fuel efficiency in urban areas with a differentiated strategy of controlling SOC balance of an auxiliary battery considering that the degree of influence of electric field load consumption on fuel efficiency based on LDC voltage adjustment in the hybrid vehicle varies based on driving mode and road gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Jun Shin, Ho Joong Lee, Dong Su Ha, Chang Ryeol Yoo, Jun Yeon Park
  • Patent number: 9849805
    Abstract: A switch is to switch a connection mode between a serial mode and a parallel mode. In the serial mode, a fuel cell and a power storage device are connected in series and connected to a travelling apparatus in parallel. In the parallel mode, the fuel cell is connected to the travelling apparatus in parallel. A converter is to be turned on to boost a voltage generated by the fuel cell to be applied to the travelling apparatus and to be turned off when the parallel mode is selected. A controller is to control the switch to switch a connection mode to the parallel mode when power to be consumed by the travelling apparatus is lower than a first power threshold, and to switch the connection mode to the serial mode when the power to be consumed by the travelling apparatus is higher than the first power threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kazuno, Hibiki Saeki
  • Patent number: 9849806
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Xu, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Patent number: 9849807
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes one or more processors configured to assign plural vehicles to different groups in one or more vehicle systems for travel along one or more routes. The one or more processors also are configured to determine trip plans for the different groups. The trip plans designate different operational settings of the vehicles in the different groups at different locations along one or more routes during movement of the one or more vehicle systems along the one or more routes. The one or more processors also are configured to modify one or more of the groups to which the vehicles are assigned or the operational settings for the vehicles in one or more of the vehicle systems based on a movement parameter of one or more of the vehicle systems. The trip plans for the different groups of the vehicles are interdependent upon each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Dan Dai, James Brooks
  • Patent number: 9849808
    Abstract: A bracket for use in a rail and carrier system for a removable seat for a motor vehicle, the rail and carrier system having first and second lower rails, first and second upper rails nested within the first lower rail, third and fourth upper rails nested within the second lower rail, includes a generally U-shaped end that is substantially similar to a U-shaped cross-sectional profile of the first and second lower rails, the U-shaped end having a center portion and two upper portions, and a generally L-shaped extension extending from a bottom of the center portion, the L-shaped extension having a first portion that is attached to the one of the first and second lower rails and a second portion that extends upward from the first portion. The second portion blocks movement of one of the first, second, third, and fourth upper rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter A Supernavage, Tetsuya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9849809
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided in which a seat back is constrained from tilting down when a seat cushion is moved to a position in which the seat back cannot be tilted down. The vehicle seat includes a base frame, a seat cushion frame (3) horizontally movable relative to the base frame between a first position and a second position different from the first position, a seat back frame (4) rotatable relative to the seat cushion frame (3), a lock member (5) configured to constrain the seat back frame (4) from tilting rearward, and an unlock mechanism (6) configured to release a lock applied by the lock member (5) when the seat cushion frame (3) is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9849810
    Abstract: A walk-in apparatus for a vehicle seat includes: a seat rail slidably supporting a vehicle front seat; a slide lock mechanism non-slidably holding a seat cushion of the seat on the seat rail; an operation lever turnably supported by a seatback of the seat; and a link mechanism allowing the seat to be capable of sliding forward by releasing the operation of the slide lock mechanism via a connection unit based on a turning operation of the operation lever. The link mechanism includes a turning link turning based on a pulling force to the connection unit; a lock release link turning based on the turning of the turning link, and thus, releasing the operation of the slide lock mechanism; and a torque absorbing mechanism provided between the turning and lock release links, and limiting a pulling force to the turning link to a predetermined value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Nihonmatsu, Koichi Morita, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 9849811
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device is disclosed. An operation mechanism allows a second memory member to engage with and disengage from a first memory member, and locks and unlocks a lock member in conjunction with the engagement and disengagement. When the first memory member is in a predetermined rotational position relative to the second rotating member, the second memory member is inserted into an engagement slot provided in the first memory member, thereby restricting rotation of the first memory member relative to the second rotating member. The operation mechanism includes a link member that is linked to the second memory member inserted into a guide hole provided in a plate-shaped member. In the thickness direction of the plate-shaped member, the link member is arranged on the same side of the plate-shaped member as the first memory member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Mikihito Nagura, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9849812
    Abstract: A child safety seat assembly includes a shell body for defining a support base attachable to a child seat, a leg frame extendible downward from a bottom of the shell body, and a cushion part. The leg frame includes a first and a second tube segment attached with each other, the first tube segment being affixed with a fastener. The cushion part is affixed in the second tube segment adjacent to the fastener, and is formed as an integral hollow body including a first, a second and a third sidewall. The first sidewall faces the fastener, and the second and third sidewalls include inward recessed surfaces and are respectively connected with two side edges of the first sidewall. When the second tube segment is forced to displace relative to the first tube segment, the fastener and the first sidewall push against each other to cause deformation of the cushion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Chin Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 9849813
    Abstract: A seat locking mechanism comprises: a plurality of positional brake mechanisms including a longitudinal brake assembly, a lateral brake assembly, and a rotational brake assembly; and a carriage assembly operably connected to the plurality of positional brake mechanisms. The carriage assembly having a carriage tube and a carriage housing fixedly connected to the carriage tube. The carriage assembly in operation moves each of the plurality of positional brake mechanisms to at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when the carriage assembly rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Davis, Patrick Emmett Hyde, Scott H. Tedtman
  • Patent number: 9849814
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a side support structure supporting a body of a seated occupant in a lateral direction of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes a seat pad; a support member that supports the seat pad from a rear face side; and a rear face material provided in an integrally impregnated and hardened state along a rear face shape of the seat pad. The seat pad includes a rear face-side support region. The rear face-side support region is provided with a recessed portion formed such that a region between two points in a circumferential direction of a transverse section is recessed toward a surface, the two points being supported by the support member via the rear face material. The side support structure is formed by a protruding rear face-side support structure in which a rear face of the recessed portion is hardened by the rear face material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo Sahashi
  • Patent number: 9849815
    Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Sangermano, II, James A. Parison, Brian A. Selden
  • Patent number: 9849816
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a seat part extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (X) and in the vehicle transverse direction (Y) and including a backrest part is provided. The vehicle seat includes a seat substructure for suspending and/or damping at least the seat part with respect to the body of a vehicle. The seat substructure comprises at least one horizontal suspension device that includes a body-side lower part and a seat-part-side upper part displaceable with respect thereto. A coupling device is arranged interactively between the seat-part-side upper part and the body-side lower part, and includes a deformable suspension element as a first coupling element and a bearing and deformation device as a further coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 9849817
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seatback and a seat base operably connected to the seatback. The seat base includes a seat base frame having a rear tube extending laterally between at least two side members, a seat cushion assembly, and a composite seat pan positioned between the seat cushion assembly and the seat base frame and having a plurality of recessed features configured to couple over the rear tube and side members. The seat pan integrally defines a flexible cross bar extending laterally between the recessed features. A plurality of hooks integrally defined by the seat pan are operably coupled to the seat cushion assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, S. M. Akbar Berry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, David Andree
  • Patent number: 9849818
    Abstract: A deployable table apparatus for a vehicle includes a support arm and a carrier member. The carrier member is mounted to the support arm and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A table is mounted to the carrier member and is pivotable between a first position suitable for stowage and a second position suitable for use. A biasing mechanism is provided for biasing the carrier member towards the extended position. Movement of the carrier member from the extended position to the retracted position is inhibited when the table is in the second position. Pivoting the table to the second position is inhibited when the carrier member is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Ian Barnes
  • Patent number: 9849819
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a table that may be selectively stored in a portion of a vehicle console. An outer housing member having a storage cavity therein attaches to a side of the vehicle console. A support shaft supporting a table is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction from a storage position wherein the table is positioned in a vertical orientation in the cavity of the outer housing member. The support shaft is also rotatable 270 degrees from the storage position to move the table into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Scott Holmes Dunham, Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammed Omar Faruque
  • Patent number: 9849820
    Abstract: Receiving device for at least one food or beverage container in a motor vehicle having a trough-shaped receiving housing which has a base and wall sections, and at least one movable supporting part which, together with a side wall section of the receiving housing, forms a container holder in order to support a food or beverage container. The at least one supporting part is mounted in an infinitely adjustable manner in the receiving housing. At least one tension or compression spring arrangement is provided which continuously exerts a tensile or compressive force in the adjustment direction on the at least one supporting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Bohlke, Bogdan Tutelea, Andreas Goebbels, Tanja Pink, Wolfgang Sitzler, Wolfram Zummack
  • Patent number: 9849821
    Abstract: A retractable pickup truck box cover system includes a pivot joint with improved strength, durability, and manufacturability between panels of a panel assembly of the cover system. A sealing system between the panels and along ends of the panel assembly provides improved weather resistance to the cover system. A lateral support system provides resistance to binding loads when opening and closing the panel assembly. The lateral support system may also aid installation of the cover system. A ramp adjustment system allows fine tuning of the ramps that guide folding and unfolding of the panel assembly. An improved locking system and the pivot joints allow more compact storage of the panel assembly. The improved locking system includes lock rods that engage rails of the cover system. Connecting structures connect adjacent panel pairs when the cover system is deployed and do not connect the adjacent panels when the cover system is stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Peragon Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Heath Copp, Joel Amiel Anderson
  • Patent number: 9849822
    Abstract: A cargo containment system is disclosed comprising a series of length adjustable anchor straps carried by a truck, a series of rings slidably carried by the anchor straps, and a series of length adjustable lateral straps coupled between adjacent anchor straps about the rings to define an adjustable flexible lattice of cargo containment function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald S. Dankert
  • Patent number: 9849823
    Abstract: An indicator unit for a system for indirect vision of a vehicle. A unit has a functional unit housing having at least one electronic carrier accommodated therein. The at least one electronic carrier has at least one first electric or electronic functional component for providing the function of a direction indicator, and a second electric or electronic functional component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Andreas Redlingshöfer
  • Patent number: 9849824
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle includes a light assembly having a light source and an optical guide configured to focus and direct light to an adjacent reflector assembly. The reflector assembly and the light assembly are separated by a gap. The reflector assembly includes passive elements, and a light collector aligned with the optical guide to receive light from the light source across the gap and to distribute light to the passive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9849825
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle light system that can be usefully attached to a hitch receiver. The light system includes one or more lights attached to a frame. The frame includes a substantially horizontal central member, substantially vertical left and right members extending upward from the central member, and left and right extensions respectively coupled to the left and right members, each of the left and right extensions including at least one light. A hitch post extends from the frame and is configured to mount to the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The system can include an insulated power cord having a first end coupled to the one or more lights and a second end having a plug configured to connect to a power source of the vehicle. The one or more lights can be controlled by one or more switches, e.g., integrated with the frame or lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph D Salami, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9849826
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for automotive lamp illumination control are provided. One example apparatus includes a first communication port, a controller device, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the controller device, cause the controller device to detect a user input command entered by way of one or more user input devices, determine whether the user input command corresponds to an action among a plurality of predetermined actions including at least one of commencing an illumination pattern, terminating the illumination pattern, or switching the illumination pattern, and, in a case where it is determined that the user input command corresponds to the action among the plurality of predetermined actions, cause the action to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph P. Zizzadoro
  • Patent number: 9849827
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight system can include a headlight controller and a lamp unit incorporating a high beam module, which can emit favorable marking lights while the headlight controller associates each of a shading driver and a swivel structure with a shading width setter and a swivel setter, respectively. When a forward vehicle does not exist in a forward direction, the headlight systems can provide favorable light distribution patterns by overlapping the light distribution pattern projected from the high beam module with each of light distribution patterns for a high and low beam. When the forward vehicle exists, the headlight system can prevent the lamp unit from emitting a glare type light to the forward vehicle. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide vehicle headlight systems, which can emit favorable light patterns toward a pedestrian as a marking light, and which can provide favorable light distribution patterns to drive at night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Uchida, Yoshiaki Nakazato
  • Patent number: 9849828
    Abstract: An indicator system for an autonomous agricultural vehicle includes a multicolor lighting assembly. The indicator system includes a controller comprising a memory operatively coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to select a status indication from a plurality of status indications that corresponds to a current operating state of a plurality of operating states. The processor is configured to output a second signal indicative of instructions to control the multicolor lighting assembly based on the status indication. The multicolor lighting assembly emits a light in response to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Bret Todd Turpin, Mitchel R. Torrie, John H. Posselius
  • Patent number: 9849829
    Abstract: A light system for a vehicle is provided herein. The light system includes first and second light sources. A lens is configured to create a first illumination pattern when the first light source is activated and a second illumination pattern when the second light source is activated. A third light source is configured to create a third illumination pattern that extends vehicle outward of the first and second illumination patterns. A controller is configured to activate the first light source when a front door of the vehicle is opened and activate the second light source when a rear door of the vehicle is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Michael A. Musleh
  • Patent number: 9849830
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate includes a substrate operable between open and closed positions and defining an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a top surface. A light assembly is positioned on the substrate. A first lens is positioned over the inboard surface and the top surface. A second lens is positioned over the top surface and the outboard surface. A plurality of light sources is positioned between the substrate and the first and second lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Christopher Anthony Danowski, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 9849831
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle storage cavity is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a circuit disposed proximate to and extending significantly along an opening of the cavity. At least one proximity sensor and a plurality of LEDs suspended in a semiconductor ink are printed on the circuit. The circuit is configured to activate an emission from the LEDs in response to the proximity sensor detecting an object entering the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 9849832
    Abstract: A system for presenting information to an occupant of a vehicle mounted with an autonomous driving system, includes: a display unit configured to display the information; a display control unit configured to cause the display unit to display information in any one of display modes among a setting status display mode in which setting information is displayed, an operation status display mode in which travel information is displayed, and a recognition status display mode in which recognition result information of the autonomous driving system is displayed; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire an occupant's display mode switching instruction for switching the display mode, wherein the display control unit configured to switch the display mode of the display unit when the acquisition unit acquires the occupant's display mode switching instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Mori, Ryuji Funayama, Jun Sato, Ayako Shimizu, Yuichi Kumai, Yuma Kawamori, Takeshi Matsumura, Tsukasa Shimizu, Yasuo Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9849833
    Abstract: When finding the driver distracted from driving (such as looking aside), this system first alerts him or her to the fact to prompt him or her to focus on driving. However, if the driver is still distracted from driving even when alerted, driving assistance are provided for him or her to enhance his or her motivation to drive by encouraging him or her to drive actively and thereby increase his or her internal focus on driving. Examples of specific driving assistance include giving exemplary driving instructions to the driver, providing him or her with navigation to a road with features that would entertain him or her through driving, and improving sensitivity to any change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro Kuwahara, Hitomi Nakazato
  • Patent number: 9849834
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving vehicle wrong-way detection including systems, sensors or features, such as those for system/network clocks, ambient light, driver impairment, automatic cruise control, blind spot warning or configurable vehicle security, either singly or in any combination therewith, may refine and/or modify the confidence level of detecting particular or potential wrong-way incidents. By modifying the confidence level, the system may change the system sensitivity by moving the cutoff point at which an alert activation takes place. The systems described above can modify the wrong-way detection sensitivity. Greater confidence, or system sensitivity, may also help enable the system to take further actions beyond a simple warning. At greater confidence levels, the system could intervene, by way of a non-limiting example, with throttle limiting, turning on the hazard lights or even bringing the vehicle to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Gloabl Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Eric L. Reed, Brian Bennie, Thomas Lee Miller
  • Patent number: 9849835
    Abstract: On the basis of a predetermined three-dimensional vehicle environment model and of a second image, acquired at that time, of an image sequence, a corrected display image is determined. The vehicle environment model is determined based on at least a first image of the image sequence and includes an object detected in the first image that has a predetermined resultant absolute position and/or a predetermined resultant position with reference to the vehicle. The second image is acquired a predetermined period of time after the first image and includes the detected object. The corrected display image includes at least one graphic element which represents the detected object and is determined such that it is suitable for being projected onto a display area of the head-up display so as to be perceived by a viewer of the display area from a predetermined viewing position with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Dollinger, Axel Schwab, Alexander Buchner
  • Patent number: 9849836
    Abstract: A roof mounted module for a vehicle includes an imager housing in secure engagement with a roof of the vehicle. The imager housing defines a lateral aperture and a vertical aperture. An imager is disposed in the imager housing and is in communication with the lateral aperture. An antenna housing is removably coupled to the imager housing and is in communication with the vehicle via a data connection that extends through the vertical aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Richard T. Fish, Jr., Mark R. Roth
  • Patent number: 9849837
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a vehicle capable of determining a driving lane by comparing reference lane line information corresponding to the type of a driving road with estimated lane line information estimated by using surrounding information, and a control method of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a storage configured to store a map including a type of road; a surrounding information acquisition unit configured to acquire surrounding information; and a controller configured to determine a driving lane by comparing reference lane line information corresponding to the type of the driving road verified based on the map with estimated lane line information estimated based on the surrounding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: YoungMin Han, Sungwoo Choi, Seunggeon Moon, Jee Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9849838
    Abstract: A stackable transportable apparatus and method for storing or transporting at least one cylinder, having first and second lateral sides, a front side, a rear side, a bottom side and an opening in the top. The opening in the top and the bottom side are in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. Adjacent sides of each container are operably coupled to form a wall of the container. The wall includes front and rear proximal edges, and front and rear distal, edges. The front and rear proximal edges are closer to the center of a vehicle, by which the container is transported, than the front and rear distal edges. A top portion of the front side of the wall of the container, and the front proximal and distal edges have a plurality of open slot grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Richard A. Siciliano
  • Patent number: 9849839
    Abstract: A system for securely locking a storage box in a bed for a pickup truck, includes a storage box housing, a storage box lid and a lock for the lid. A plurality of wheels align with dips in the bottom of the truck bed. Guide pins align with a dip to keep the storage box housing centered. Horizontal locking pins are positioned inside the housing having both a retracted position and a locking position, in which each locking pin is partly into the nearest side wall. At least one vertical locking pin is positioned inside the housing having both a retracted position and a locking position partly within a hole in the ridge of the bottom wall. Once locking pins are engaged, they can only be disengaged from inside the housing when the lid for the storage box is open. Various holes are reinforced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: George P. Buckland
  • Patent number: 9849840
    Abstract: Rattling of a vehicle-mounted equipment supported by a bracket is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Okitsu
  • Patent number: 9849841
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus includes a holder, a casing, and a remote control. The casing is connected to the holder and the casing includes a back surface, a side surface, a containing groove, and at least one magnet. The containing groove is formed on the back surface and adjacent to the side surface for containing the remote control. The at least one magnet is disposed in the casing and exposed from at least one through hole. At least one magnetic element is disposed on a side wall of the remote control and magnetically attracted by the at least one magnet. Accordingly, the containing groove is used to conveniently contain the remote control with less occupied space. The at least one magnet provides the magnetic force to attract the at least one magnetic element of the remote control to prevent disengagement caused by vibration or shake on the moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: JET OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yung-Tse Chang
  • Patent number: 9849842
    Abstract: A resettable bracket is herein presented. The bracket is configured to mount a transceiver to a vehicle. The bracket includes a first piece and a second piece configured to be pivotably connected to each other. A docking station is mounted to the first piece. The docking station includes a bluff, an over-travel stop, and a plurality of arms configured to restrict pivotable movement of the second piece in relation to the first piece. A fitting element is mounted to the second piece. The fitting element is configured to dock into the docking station to substantially create the pivotable connection between the first and the second piece. A spring is installed at the pivotable connection between the first and second pieces. The spring is configured to allow the second piece to automatically return to a default position after being pivoted in relation to the first piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: David P. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9849843
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to an outer surface of a body panel of a vehicle, a latch mechanism coupled to the mounting bracket, and an elongate member detachable from the mounting bracket and insertable into the opening. The elongate member comprises a body and a handle comprising a rod having a diameter smaller than the opening to allow the elongate member to be inserted into and removed from the opening; a handle comprising a coupling mechanism configured to engage with the latch mechanism so that the elongate member can be secured to the mounting bracket such that, when secured, at least a portion of the body of the elongate member is positioned within an inside cavity of the body panel; and a detachable coupling mechanism configured to detachably engage with one or more tool ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew W. S. Kogut
  • Patent number: 9849844
    Abstract: The present invention, Simple Custom Auto Badge (SCAB), relates to decorating or rebranding a car. SCAB covers the existing manufacture emblem by fitting over and attaching securely to the automobile body or grill, to provide a platform where the user (automobile owner) can display an emblem or logo of choice. The face may consist of art, pictures, words, phrases, and numbers or may just be colored or shaped differently than the manufacture emblem that it covers. It will come in various shapes. The SCAB will be manufactured to fit securely, cover, and attach around the existing manufacturer's emblem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Johnathan S. Hannel