Patents Issued in January 2, 2018
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Patent number: 9855917Abstract: A communication apparatus for communicating with both of a vehicle control device, which performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and a portable device, which functions as the authentication device, the communication apparatus also functioning as the authentication device, the communication apparatus includes: a to-portable-device communicator that performs wireless communication with the portable device when performing authentication with the vehicle control device; and an authenticator that performs authentication with the vehicle control device when wireless communication with the portable device is established.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Katou, Munenori Matsumoto
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Patent number: 9855918Abstract: A method for controlling access to a vehicle function includes communicating, between a vehicle controller and a portable controller, a plurality of signals. The plurality of signals include an authentication signal and a location signal. The method also includes processing, by at least one of the vehicle controller and the portable controller, the authentication signal during an authentication confirmation process to determine authentication of the portable device. The method further includes processing, by at least one of the vehicle controller and the portable controller, the location signal during a proximity confirmation process to determine whether the portable device is within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle. Additionally, the method includes providing access to the vehicle function of the component when the portable device is authenticated and the portable device is within the predetermined proximity of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael J. Melaragni, William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke
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Patent number: 9855919Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system includes at least one sensor in the vehicle. A processor receiving information from the at least one sensor, the processor programmed to automatically identify a driver of the vehicle based upon the information from the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: INTELLIGENT MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Otman A. Basir, William Ben Miners, Seyed Hamidreza Jamali, Daniel Evan Lajeunesse
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Patent number: 9855920Abstract: An apparatus for a panoramic roof panel configured for operative installation to a vehicle roof section of a vehicle, comprising: a panoramic roof panel thermal management module, including: a connection structure configured to connect the panoramic roof panel thermal management module proximate to the panoramic roof panel once the panoramic roof panel thermal management module is installed to the vehicle; and a roof panel heater assembly supported by the connection structure, and the roof panel heater assembly configured to provide heat to the panoramic roof panel once actuated to do just so.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventor: Yolande Castello
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Patent number: 9855921Abstract: A wiper device for cleaning a vehicle window is disclosed. The wiper device has a wiper arm fastened in a torque-proof manner to a wiper shaft via an articulation piece, where the wiper arm is arranged pivotably on the articulation piece, a wiper blade arranged on the wiper arm, and a washing device for the wiper blade, which contains a feed for a washing fluid, where the feed runs in a partial region in the longitudinal axis of the wiper shaft and leads to the wiper blade in a direction running substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'EssuyageInventor: Michael Schaeuble
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Patent number: 9855922Abstract: An automatic integrated automobile windshield wiper lifting device includes a driver unit, which includes, in the interior thereof, a driving element and a power supply. The driving element has an end to which a first driving body is mounted. A control element is arranged at a predetermined location of the driver unit. A lifting unit is mounted at a predetermined location of the driver unit. The lifting unit has an end at which a support element is arranged. The lifting unit includes therein a second driving body. The support element is coupled to the second driving body. The first driving body and the second driving body mate each other. An activator is arranged at a predetermined location of the lifting unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: MANHOOD TECH CORP. LTD.Inventor: Chang-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 9855923Abstract: A wiper blade suitable to six types of wiper arms. A connector assembly of the wiper blade is detachably joined to a lever assembly and is detachably connected to wiper arms having first to sixth coupling units at a distal end respectively. An adaptor of the connector assembly is rotatably attached to the lever assembly. A slide cover of the connector assembly is slidably joined to the adaptor. A side lock cover of the connector assembly is detachably joined to the adaptor. The slide cover is moved to the adaptor in a first movement direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lever assembly to cover top contact surfaces of the first to third coupling units. The adaptor is fitted to the fourth coupling unit. The adaptor is connected to the fifth and sixth coupling units by a side pin passing through the side lock cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: THE KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANKInventors: In Kyu Kim, Kyung Su Kim, Kyung Jong Nam, Cheong Mo Yang, Jun Mo Lee
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Patent number: 9855924Abstract: A rainwater collection system is provided for a motor vehicle. That rainwater collection system includes a rainwater collector, a gate for the rainwater collector and a controller. The controller is configured to open and close the gate in response to data input respecting the occurrence of precipitation, a level of windshield washer fluid in a windshield washer system of the motor vehicle and in accordance with other monitored parameters including motor vehicle speed and battery voltage level. A related method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Francisco Javier Quintero Perez, Erick Garcia Dominguez, Jonatan Leff Yaffe, Joan Manuel Hernandez
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Patent number: 9855925Abstract: A system includes a dome, a wiper assembly, a position sensor and a control device. The wiper assembly includes a wiper blade configured to rotate around the dome. The position sensor may be configured to send a signal to a control device when a wiper blade passes the position sensor. The control device may include one or more processors configured to receive the signal from the position sensor and determine a location of the wiper blade relative to the dome based on the received signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Graham Doorley, Paul Thomas Hansen Karplus, Peter Avram
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Patent number: 9855926Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cleaning systems of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a floor mat; a vacuum system integrated with the floor mat, the vacuum system comprising a port, one or more ducts, and one or more openings integrated with the floor mat; and a control module that selectively activates suction of the vacuum system based on a detection of a level of uncleanliness of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Louise E. Stauffer, Sandra N. Thomson, Spencer W. Chamberlain, Joseph Neighbors, Mary E. Decaluwe, Jim K. Rainbolt, Paul W. Alexander, David R. Fischer, Joseph Bilderbeck, Ann K. Duffy
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Patent number: 9855927Abstract: An ice scraper for removing ice from a surface includes a longitudinal handle with a longitudinal axis, and a blade with a first scraping edge extending transversely relative to the handle. A blade holder extends between the handle and the blade, with the blade holder extending in an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The blade is connected to the blade holder with a joint coupling for allowing movement of the blade relative to the blade holder.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Fiskars Garden Oy AbInventors: Mikko Heine, Petteri Masalin, Teemu Sandelin, Mika Sokka
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Patent number: 9855928Abstract: Push On and Pull Off Schrader and Presta Valve Air Filler Pump Head is disclosed. By using a simple sliding motion and a complete redesign on how the nozzle engages the valve, the invention takes into account the natural action of a hand performing the action where the fingers would naturally be especially in a tight space like that of one that could be encountered between spokes. The invention also takes advantage of dominant muscle groups in the hand and fingers to make the motion of valve engagement and disengagement easier.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventors: Clifford Currie, Joseph Donoghue, Murray Learmonth, Shi-ze Liu
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Patent number: 9855929Abstract: A wheel changing assembly for safely changing a wheel of a vehicle includes a jack that comprises a first housing. A first power module, a first microprocessor, a pump and a lift are coupled to and positioned in the first housing. The first microprocessor is operationally coupled to the first power module. The pump is operationally coupled to the first microprocessor. The lift is fluidically coupled to the pump. A plate is coupled to a second end of the lift. A plurality of wheels is coupled to a bottom of the first housing. A camera, a plurality of lights and a locator, which are coupled to and positioned in the plate, are operationally coupled to the first microprocessor. The camera is configured to image an underside of the vehicle during placement of the jack. The locator is configured to signal proper positioning of the jack relative to the frame of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventor: Ortagus Bennett
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Patent number: 9855930Abstract: A transaxle and a parking actuator assembly are provided. The parking actuator assembly may include an actuator, a rack, and the biasing member. The actuator may include a pin biased towards an extended position. The rack may be configured to carry a parking rod and may define first and second ramped recesses each configured to receive the pin. The biasing member may be coupled with the rack and may be configured to bias the parking rod towards engagement with a parking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Matthew Stephen Eiszler, Gerard Patrick Kuchta, Brian Richard Light, Eric S. Richardson, Ronald Gaw
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Patent number: 9855931Abstract: The invention relates to an activation device (1) for a parking brake and is comprised of a bearing block (3), a parking brake lever (2) and a swivel bearing. The parking brake lever (2) is swivel-mounted on the bearing block (3) via the swivel bearing. The parking brake lever (2) can be fixed in place in a swivel position on the bearing block (3) with a blocking device. The swivel bearing is formed by an axle receptacle (5) and two inserts (6) allocated to it; the axle receptacle (5) is made of a die-cast part and has a limiting element (7). To form the swivel bearing, the inserts (6) are fixed in position at opposite ends of the axle receptacle (5). The inserts are in an operative connection with the limiting element (7), connected to it or connected to one another.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Power-Cast Light Metal Solutions GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Wolfgang Kaltenmaier
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Patent number: 9855932Abstract: A parking and stopping control system includes a park maintaining device configured to maintain a parked state; a park maintaining control device configured to control the park maintaining device to maintain the parked state; a parking temporary determining device capable of making a temporary determination that there is a possibility an own vehicle will be parked; and an intention determining device configured to determine an intention of a driver, wherein when the temporary determination is made, the park maintaining control device controls the park maintaining device to execute a maintaining control of the parked state if an intention of the driver is an intention to park, and the park maintaining control device prohibits the maintaining control of the parked state if the intention of the driver is not the intention to park.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideki Kato
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Patent number: 9855933Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system being operable to receive an input signal corresponding to a rate of change of an angle of pitch of the vehicle, pitch rate, the system being operable to command a change in an amount of torque applied to at least one of the plurality of wheels in dependence on the pitch rate.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Karl Richards, Simon Owen
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Patent number: 9855934Abstract: An electric brake system with a parking function is configured to actuate an electric motor when there exists a request to apply a parking brake. With the motor being actuated, the electric brake system moves a locking pin from an unlocking position to a parking/locking position. The electric brake system is further configured to prohibit the actuation of the electric motor even if the brake pedal is operated while the vehicle is at a stop and when the parking brake operation has stopped.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: NTN CORPORATIONInventor: Makoto Yasui
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Patent number: 9855935Abstract: Provided is an emergency braking system, including: a receiving unit that receives sensing signals sensed by the sensing unit; a prediction position selecting unit that, when the moving object is sensed through fusion between the sensing signals received by the receiving unit, selects a lateral prediction position of the moving object predicted to collide with the vehicle according to a lateral movement of the moving object; and a braking determining unit that predicts collision and provides an emergency braking control signal to a braking unit when the prediction position selected by the prediction position selecting unit is located inside a vehicle width, and determines a braking control of the braking unit when the prediction position is located outside the vehicle width, so as to suspend a control of the braking unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Hyung Jik Lee
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Patent number: 9855936Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes, in response to vehicle speed being approximately zero and a driver braking torque request being greater than a park interlock threshold, commanding vehicle brakes to provide an augmented braking torque. The augmented braking torque has a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude of the braking torque request. The braking torque returns to the level of the driver braking torque request following completion of a gear shift event.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Bousamra, Charles William Suter, Thaddeus Hill
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Patent number: 9855937Abstract: Provided is a motorcycle which can provide a space inside a main frame to place other members therein, and make it difficult for an outside impact to be transmitted to a hydraulic unit. A motorcycle comprises a head pipe which supports a rotary shaft around which a handle is rotatable with respect to a vehicle body; a pair of right and left main frames extending in a forward and rearward direction from the head pipe; and a hydraulic unit mounted to one of the pair of right and left main frames, wherein the pair of right and left main frames have increased-space portions, which define a space with a dimension increasing in an obliquely rearward direction from the head pipe toward maximum-space portions of the main frames, and wherein the hydraulic unit is mounted to an outer portion of the increased-space portion of one of the main frames.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Tomo Yamamoto, Daisuke Saeki
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Patent number: 9855938Abstract: A pressure change damper for a pressure side of a hydraulic pump of a hydraulic vehicle brake system with brake force control includes a valve assembly. The valve assembly is fitted in the pressure change damper and has a tubular valve that defines a lip of a damper element between the valve assembly and a damper housing pressed into the valve housing. The valve housing and a tubular valve seat part are produced by forming.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Harald Speer
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Patent number: 9855939Abstract: An air brake valve designed to remove the air from a vehicle air brake system in order to apply parking brakes in a manner to prevent unauthorized release of said brakes, and to achieve regulatory pre-trip and D.O.T. inspection of system low pressure warning indicator as well as regulatory after trip parking procedures for school busses.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventor: Randy D. Jordan
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Patent number: 9855940Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Indian Head Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Edward Wallace, Richard J. Rink, Glenn Singletary, Mark David Chandler, Andrew P. Schartner
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Patent number: 9855941Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a stop-restart unit that stops an engine if an engine stop condition is satisfied and restarts the engine if a restart condition is satisfied; a first braking force control unit and a second braking force control unit that maintain a braking force for stopping the vehicle; and an engine start unit that starts the engine in the case where a vehicle stop state achieved by the first braking force control unit is switched to a vehicle stop state achieved by the second braking force control unit while the engine is stopped by the stop-restart unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirokazu Kato
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Patent number: 9855942Abstract: A moving assist apparatus assists a vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as a driving source to move from a current position to a destination. The moving assist apparatus includes a planning unit configured to, for each section obtained by dividing a traveling route from the current position to the destination, plan one traveling mode from a mode of not maintaining a charge storage amount of a battery and a HV mode of maintaining the charge storage amount of the battery, based on a traveling load associated with the section. The planning unit is configured to replan the traveling mode under a predetermined condition, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, when a remaining distance of the section on which the vehicle is traveling is less than a threshold a, to replan a current ‘traveling mode to be the traveling mode in priority.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yuki Ogawa
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Patent number: 9855943Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hybrid electric vehicle, a drive control method and a drive control device of a hybrid electric vehicle. The drive control method includes: obtaining a current gear position and a current operating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle, a current electric charge level of a power battery and a slope of a road on which the hybrid electric vehicle is driving; determining whether the hybrid electric vehicle is within a taxiing start-stop interval according to the current gear position of the hybrid electric vehicle, the current electric charge level of the power battery, and the slope of the road; if the hybrid electric vehicle is within the taxiing start-stop interval, obtaining a current speed of the hybrid electric vehicle; and causing the hybrid electric vehicle to enter a small load stop mode or a small load stall mode according to the current speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yubo Lian, Dongsheng Yang, Jintao Zhang, Hongbin Luo
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Patent number: 9855944Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a hybrid powertrain, comprising a combustion engine; a gearbox with input and output shafts; a first planetary gear connected to the input; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear; first and second electrical machines capable of operating each other and respectively connected to the first planetary gear and to the second planetary gear; one gear pair connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft; and one gear pair connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft. The method comprising, while the combustion engine is operating: ensuring that gears are engaged in the one gear pair connected with the first planetary gear and the one gear pair connected with the second planetary gear, and activating the first and second electrical machines so that total emitted electrical power is zero and a torque is generated in the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Scania CV ABInventors: Mathias Björkman, Niklas Pettersson, Johan Lindström, Mikael Bergquist
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Patent number: 9855945Abstract: Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a driver's slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The systems that may be modified include: visual devices, audio devices, tactile devices, antilock brake systems, automatic brake prefill systems, brake assist systems, auto cruise control systems, electronic stability control systems, collision warning systems, lane keep assist systems, blind spot indicator systems, electronic pretensioning systems and climate control systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kin C. Fung, Timothy J. Dick
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Patent number: 9855946Abstract: A method and a device for avoiding a collision of a motor vehicle with at least one other object which approaches the motor vehicle in such a way that a collision between the motor vehicle and the approaching object is imminent, a friction coefficient variable being ascertained which represents the friction coefficient potential of the motor vehicle, and at least one action for avoiding and/or reducing the consequences of a collision between the motor vehicle and the approaching object being carried out as a function of the friction coefficient variable.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Andreas Erban, Volker Hofsaess
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Patent number: 9855947Abstract: Methods and systems are provided. One method includes processing communication between a vehicle and one or more connected object. Included is processing geo-location for the vehicle using on-board electronics of the vehicle and data obtained from a global positioning system and determining a heading direction of the vehicle based on changes in the geo-locations of the vehicle. The method receives state information of one or more of connected objects that are located within an area of influence associated with a current geo-location of the vehicle. The connected objects are independent of the vehicle and the state information from the one or more connected objects is processed for the current geo-location of the vehicle and based on the area of influence of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLCInventors: Angel A. Penilla, Albert S. Penilla
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Patent number: 9855948Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a lane departure prevention unit configured to control an execution of a traveling control of preventing a vehicle from departing from a lane; a gripping detection unit configured to detect a state where a steering wheel is gripped; and a collision detection unit configured to detect a state where the vehicle collides an object. In a case where the collision detection unit does not detect a collision during the traveling control, the lane departure prevention unit does not interrupt the traveling control at a time the steering wheel is gripped, and interrupts the traveling control at a time the steering wheel is not gripped. In a case where the collision detection unit detects the collision, the lane departure prevention unit does not interrupt the traveling control at the time the steering wheel is gripped or at the time the steering wheel is not gripped.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryo Inomata
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Patent number: 9855949Abstract: A vehicle speed limiter system installed on a vehicle includes a detection unit to detect a speed limit value of a road while the vehicle is traveling; a setting unit to set the speed limit value; a limiter unit to limit the vehicle speed, based on the speed limit value; an obtainment unit to obtain a stepping amount on an accelerator pedal; a calculation unit to calculate a parameter depending on the stepping amount in a state where the vehicle speed is being limited by the limiter unit; and a display unit to display information based on the parameter, in a case where a speed limit value newly detected by the detection unit is greater than the speed limit value previously set by the setting unit, before the setting unit sets the speed limit value newly detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobuyuki Tomatsu, Takashi Inoue, Sokfan Yee, Tetsuya Taira, Keiji Yamashita, Takato Masuda
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Patent number: 9855950Abstract: A vehicle position detecting apparatus includes: a position measurement unit that obtains first position information of a first vehicle; an autonomous sensor that obtains relative position information of a second vehicle; a receiver that receives communication data containing second position information of the second vehicle; an identification unit that performs identification on the second vehicle specified based on the relative position information and the second vehicle from which the communication data is sent; a position error calculator that calculates a position error between a position of the second vehicle specified based on the relative position information and that of the second vehicle specified based on the second position information; and a position corrector that performs, based on the position error, a correction on the position of the second vehicle specified based on the second position information, on a condition that the identified second vehicle is no longer detected by the autonomous senType: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Shunsuke Tezuka
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Patent number: 9855951Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM may control the engine to a non-retarding target engine speed when a commanded engine output is greater than zero, a retarding target engine speed when the commanded engine output is zero and a commanded brake force is greater than zero, and a coasting target engine speed when the commanded engine output is zero and the commanded brake force is zero. The ECM may use engine speed sensor signals as feedback, and determine a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the specified target engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Brian Lister
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Patent number: 9855952Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, an accessory, a continuously variable transmission, and a lock-up clutch. The control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: when the load state is less than a predetermined value, control the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission and the rotational speed of the engine such that the rotational speed of the engine during engagement of the lock-up clutch is kept at a first rotational speed; and when the load state is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, control the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission and the rotational speed of the engine such that the rotational speed of the engine during engagement of the lock-up clutch becomes a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akio Natori
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Patent number: 9855953Abstract: A shift control method of an automatic transmission may include determining, by a controller, whether a shift condition is satisfied, beginning, by the controller, release of an off-going element and engagement of an on-coming element when the shift condition is satisfied, determining, by the controller, whether a speed control entry condition is satisfied while performing the release of the off-going element and the engagement of the on-coming element, determining, by the controller, a target speed of a torque source when the speed control entry condition is satisfied, performing, by the controller, speed control of the torque source using the target speed of the torque source, determining, by the controller, whether a speed control completion condition is satisfied while performing the speed control, and completing, by the controller, the release of the off-going element and the engagement of the on-coming element when the speed control completion condition is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae Sung Bang
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Patent number: 9855954Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shift control apparatus of a vehicle and its method. In particular, the shift control apparatus includes: a transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch; a torque source to generate power for driving a vehicle; a data detector to detect a vehicle state data; and a vehicle controller to connect a current stage synchronizer to a next stage driving gear if the vehicle state data satisfy a shift condition, release the first clutch to be connected to the driving gear of a current stage, perform a speed control of a torque source while maintaining the second clutch connected to the driving gear of the next stage in a slip state, and release the second clutch and connect the first clutch if the vehicle stage data satisfy a speed control completion condition to complete a shift to a target stage.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventor: Jae Sung Bang
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Patent number: 9855955Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for operating a vehicle. The vehicle is operated by tracking a location of the vehicle, a vehicle configuration and external conditions around the vehicle over a time period. A repetitive occurrence is identified, the repetitive occurrence having a start condition and an end condition and a transition path between the start position and the end condition. The number of times the repetitive occurrence occurs during the time period is determined and compared to a first threshold. When the first threshold is satisfied and the vehicle is located at the start condition, a function is provided, that when activated by an operator of the vehicle, will automatically transition the vehicle along the transition path between the start position and the end condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Roque Rios, III, Luis Ramos, James Gordon Beattie, Jr., Stephen Francis Triano, Amee Fontanetta
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Patent number: 9855956Abstract: A driving assist device includes a driver state detection unit for detecting an inattentive state as a driver state, an alerting unit for altering the driver upon detection of the inattentive state of the driver, a driving operation unit for being operated by the driver for driving operations; and a driving state switching unit that switches at least one of the driving operations in an automated driving state to a manual driving state when the driver's operation of the driving operation unit is detected during the automated driving state of the vehicle. When at least one of the driving operations in the automated driving state is switched to the manual driving state by the driving state switching unit, the driver state detection unit detects whether the state of the driver is an excited state. When the excited state of the driver is detected, the alerting unit alerts the driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takuhiro Omi
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Patent number: 9855957Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, which is switched between a manual driving mode and an automatic driving mode is disclosed. At least in the manual driving mode, a vehicle-specific display device of the motor vehicle is operated using an input device arranged on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle. A communication connection is established between a communication device of the motor vehicle and a portable communication terminal separate from the motor vehicle. An entertainment mode is activated in the automatic driving mode of the motor vehicle. In the entertainment mode, the input device of the steering wheel is used for performing inputs at the communication terminal and/or the display device is used for displaying image data of the communication terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventor: Patrice Reilhac
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Patent number: 9855958Abstract: An ECU causes a display device to display fuel efficiency when a recovery mode is selected as an operation mode in which amount-of-stored-power recovery control of making a target value of an amount of charge of a battery higher than in other modes is performed, causes the display device to display fuel efficiency when a CS mode is selected as a running mode in which the amount of charge of the battery is maintained at a prescribed target with an engine operating, and causes switching of display between fuel efficiency and electricity efficiency on the display device based on an indicator of use history of the engine when a CD mode is selected as the running mode in which running using only a motor generator with the engine stopped is given a high priority.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Naoya Izuno, Hiroyuki Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9855959Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a bogie frame including a cross beam and plate springs and being rotatable relative to a bolster in a yawing direction, the cross beam extending in a car width direction, the plate springs supporting both respective car width direction end portions of the cross beam and extending in a car longitudinal direction; and stoppers provided at the bogie frame and configured to contact interference members to restrict a rotation range of the bogie frame when the bogie frame rotates relative to the bolster in the yawing direction, the interference members being connected to the bolster. When the bogie frame is located at a neutral position relative to the bolster in the yawing direction, the stoppers are arranged at car width direction lateral sides of the cross beam so as to overlap the cross beam in a side view.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Shunichi Nakao
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Patent number: 9855960Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.Inventor: Jonathan Sunde
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Patent number: 9855961Abstract: A railroad locomotive monitoring system configuration system for a plurality of trains comprising: a monitoring system, and an on-board computer programmed or configured to: determine or receive railroad locomotive data; determine or receive railroad operation data; determine or receive configuration data; and based at least partially on at least a portion of the railroad locomotive data, at least a portion of the railroad operation data, and at least a portion of the configuration data, automatically configure at least one setting of the at least one component of the monitoring system.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Micheal John West, Theodore E. Allwardt
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Patent number: 9855962Abstract: A locking floor folding cart has a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a folding frame. The folding frame includes a front frame supported by the pair of front wheels, and a rear frame supported by the pair of rear wheels. A front floor member is hinged to a rear floor member at a middle floor joint. The front floor member is also hinged to the front frame, and the rear floor member is also hinged to the rear frame. A floor crossbar supports the middle floor joint, the front floor member, and the rear floor member. A primary sidewall assembly supports the floor crossbar. The primary sidewall assembly includes a front floor crossbar support and a rear floor crossbar support. The front floor crossbar support is hinged to the rear floor crossbar support at a floor crossbar connector.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventors: Zhaosheng Chen, Yishun Chen
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Patent number: 9855963Abstract: A hand-powered vehicle is provided for transportation and entertainment purposes. The vehicle has a frame supporting a pair of side wheels that are driven by the user. The frame includes a front portion and a pair of side portions extending rearwardly to the side wheels. The side portions of the frame do not extend rearwardly past the side wheels. The user sits on a seat that is supported by a portion of the frame extending rearwardly from the front portion and between the two side wheels. A third wheel is provided under or behind the seat, and that wheel is preferably a caster that is coupled to the frame at an angle to a vertical axis. The side wheels have hand grips extending therefrom, and the hand-powered vehicle is configured to be propelled by a user applying a force through the hand grips to rotate the side wheels.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.Inventor: Cameron Eckert
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Patent number: 9855964Abstract: A stroller frame includes a seat pan, an operating handle movably coupled to the seat pan, and two opposite foldable side frame units each including a front leg, a handle rod, a rear leg that has a top end pivotally connected to the handle rod, a bottom leg that has a lower end pivotally connected to the rear leg, and a sliding basket tube that is movably coupled to said seat pan and slidably connected to said rear leg. To unfold the stroller frame, said operating handle is pushed downward to drive said seat pan to pivot downward so that an angle between said front leg and said bottom leg of each of said side frame units increases until said stroller frame is converted from a folded state to an unfolded state.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Daniel Sack, Curtis Hartenstine, Ryan Miller, Andrew Horst
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Patent number: 9855965Abstract: An infant carrier includes a carrier frame, a wheel, and a vibration dampening device disposed therebetween. The vibration dampening device includes a first vibration dampening part, a second vibration dampening part, and an actuator. The first and the second vibration dampening parts are disposed between the carrier frame and the wheel. The actuator is movably disposed on the carrier frame or the wheel. The releasing position has a releasing position and an enabling position for adjusting an action range of the second vibration dampening part moving to the actuator. Therefore, the action range can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the actuator for making an vibration dampening effect performed by the first vibration dampening part or by the first vibration dampening part together with the second vibration dampening part, so that the infant carrier can adapt to different road conditions by adjusting the vibration dampening device through the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AGInventor: Ji Hua Huang
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Patent number: 9855966Abstract: The present invention is a sharpening tool and sharpening system for sharpening snowmobile carbide wear rails and studs and a kit of parts that includes the sharpening tool and a steering member having a carbide wear rail. The sharpening tool is attachable to the chuck of a hand held drill and includes a shaft attachable to the chuck of the hand held drill and cylindrical head affixed to the shaft. The cylindrical head includes a rail groove surfaced in an abrasive material for sharpening wear rails.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventor: Glenn S. Welch