Patents Issued in January 30, 2018
  • Patent number: 9878663
    Abstract: The system gathers a current set of biometric data for a driver of a vehicle from an Internet of Things (IoT) device during a driving phase. The system gathers a set of external factor data from a cloud resource during the driving phase. The system adjusts a threshold value for a first threshold between a normal biometric condition and a first abnormal biometric condition for the driver for a first biometric parameter according to the set of external factor data. The system determines whether the gathered biometric data of the driver is consistent with the normal biometric condition or the first abnormal biometric condition according to the adjusted first threshold value. If the gathered biometric data is consistent with the first abnormal biometric condition, the system performs a selected one of a set of actions to alleviate the first abnormal biometric condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nadiya Kochura, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9878664
    Abstract: Systems and methods implemented in algorithms, software, firmware, logic, or circuitry may be configured to process data to determine whether an object external to an autonomous vehicle is a person (e.g., such as a pedestrian) or other classification (e.g., such as a vehicle), and may be further configured to determine a position of the person relative to the autonomous vehicle. Logic may be configured to direct acoustic energy (e.g., via vehicular acoustic beam-forming) to an object external to the autonomous vehicle as an audible acoustic alert. The vehicle-related acoustic beam may be directed to a driver in another vehicle. Logic may be configured to track the motion of external objects, such as a pedestrian crossing from one side of the street to the other, and may correspondingly steer the direction of the vehicle-related acoustic beam(s) to track the person's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Jesse Sol Levinson, Amanda Blair Lind
  • Patent number: 9878665
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with multiple object-detecting devices, such as cameras and radar devices, that are configured to detect approaching vehicles from the rear. The object-detecting devices sense the relative distance and speed of the approaching vehicles relative to the vehicle. Based on the relative distance and speed, at least one controller is programmed to determine an anticipated collision time, indicating how long it would take for the upcoming vehicles to potentially collide with the vehicle. The controller can be programmed to illuminate a colored display on a rear-view mirror at a location where an approaching vehicle appears on the mirror, and change a color of the colored display based on the relative distance and relative speed of the approaching vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fernando Mar Orellana, Oscar Anaya, Jose Ramon Molina
  • Patent number: 9878666
    Abstract: There is provided a digital display system for use with a first vehicle. The first vehicle includes a vehicle body, a vehicle front end and a vehicle rear end. The system includes a front-facing camera affixed with the vehicle body configured to capture digital images from in front of the vehicle front end. The system further includes a wireless receiver affixed with the vehicle body configured to receive an activation request signal from a wireless transmitter of a second vehicle. The system further includes a digital display affixed with the vehicle body disposed at the vehicle rear end. The digital display is configured to display captured digital images from the front-facing camera in response to receipt of an activation request signal by the wireless receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BCAT, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis M. Brubaker
  • Patent number: 9878667
    Abstract: In an in-vehicle display apparatus, an obstacle recognition circuit recognizes an obstacle around a subject vehicle, and an image output circuit causes a display portion to display an obstacle image indicating the obstacle recognized by the obstacle recognition circuit in a predetermined displayable range at the lower portion on a windshield. This permits the obstacle to be viewed at a position to which a line of sight of the driver to the obstacle image is extended upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sei Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9878668
    Abstract: It is important to eliminate or reduce dispersion in clutch torque of a clutch mechanism for each product to its required minimum. According to the present invention, a clutch member 25 that is manufactured separately from a gear member 33 of a clutch gear 32 is formed of a resin member. As a result, there is no need to apply a treatment of eliminating surface roughness or a surface hardening treatment in the clutch member 25, and therefore, no dispersion occurs in surface roughness or surface hardening of a clutch protrusive portion 40 of the clutch member 25 that is made of a resin member, and the dispersion in clutch torque can be eliminated or can be reduced to its required minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Ikuo Sakata
  • Patent number: 9878669
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic reflective element with first and second conductive pads established at a fourth surface of the reflective element and in electrical connection to respective electrically conductive coatings of the reflective element. A back plate has first and second spring-loaded connectors disposed in passageways established through the back plate. A circuit element includes first and second conductive traces in electrical connection with the electro-optic control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Craig Kendall
  • Patent number: 9878670
    Abstract: A variable reflectance exterior mirror reflective element suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. A mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge and generally conceals the perimeter seal from view by a person viewing through the front substrate. Light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate exhibits a substantially non-spectrally selective reflectance characteristic when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium. A display is disposed proximate a fourth surface of the rear at a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector established by laser ablation. The display is configured to be operated responsive to a blind spot detector of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Patent number: 9878671
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a stowable storage apparatus is disclosed having a large deployed-to-stowed volume ratio thereby providing a useful carry capacity while being easy to package. The stowable storage apparatus includes a rigid first end wall and two flexible vertically disposed spaced apart side walls. The first end wall and the two side walls define, when the stowable storage apparatus is in a deployed state, three sides of an enclosure for storing one or more small objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Murray, Bruce Southey, Niall Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9878672
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a cargo attachment system having: a base unit comprising an attachment piece, and a rail comprising a slide face; and a cargo attachment mechanism comprising a knob, a cargo attachment component, and a slider mechanism mechanically coupled to the slide face wherein the slider mechanism is constructed and arranged to slide the cargo attachment mechanism along the slide face and statically lock the cargo attachment mechanism at a position along the slide face, and wherein the cargo attachment component is constructed and arranged to pivotally rotate into a plurality of fixed positions about the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Homan Nouri
  • Patent number: 9878673
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to an unobtrusive and easily deployed cargo restraint device capable of restraining items placed onto a vehicle seat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cargo restraint device that is configured to keep said cargo from slipping or falling off a vehicle's seat while maintaining accessibility to said cargo, and allowing for the full use of the vehicle seat for passengers without the need to remove the cargo restraint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Sally Harris
  • Patent number: 9878674
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a storage assembly to be at least partially received underneath a trim panel of a volume of space is provided to include a storage floor positioned at least partially within the volume of space, a first connector about which the storage floor pivots relative to the trim panel, a cover providing covering to the storage floor, and a second connector spaced apart from the first connector and supporting the cover such that the cover may be moved relative to the storage floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Dunham, Kathleen M Parlow, Elizabeth Cleary Johnston Tengler
  • Patent number: 9878675
    Abstract: A ramp bracket assembly for selectively storing a ramp in a rear of the vehicle is disclosed. The ramp bracket includes a mounting plate, a support plate, and a retaining channel. The mounting plate is spaced away from and fixedly connected to the support plate. The mounting plate further includes a key member that engages with a mounting bracket connectable to the vehicle sidewall. The retaining channel, which selectively receives a ramp, is fixedly connected to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy George, Kurt John Jaeckle, Mark Higgins, Matthew Naumann, Jeffrey Gerard Fortin, John Robert Dryden, John Jeffrey Steslicki
  • Patent number: 9878676
    Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage device has an exterior housing, an interior container, and a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism is located within the exterior housing and is operatively connected to the interior container. The scissor lift mechanism has a raised position and a lowered position. The interior container is within the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the lowered position. The interior container is at least partially located outside the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: David Ralph Taylor
  • Patent number: 9878677
    Abstract: The sliding display device system is a device for mounting a display devices in a recreational vehicle that allows for easy repositioning of the display device along a horizontal axis between the driver and passenger side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Winnebago Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Clements, Steven Jergenson, Craig Casanova, Bob Ritter
  • Patent number: 9878678
    Abstract: A camera module for automobiles is disclosed. The camera module includes a lens unit, a housing, in front of which the lens unit is disposed, and a plurality of printed circuit boards disposed in the housing so as to be opposite the lens unit, wherein the housing is provided at the inner wall thereof with a plurality of steps, the steps being provided between the respective printed circuit boards so as to be spaced apart from each other for setting the distance between the respective printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung Ki Jung
  • Patent number: 9878679
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera module having a camera and a circuit board. With the camera module disposed at the windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes (i) an imager and (ii) a lens. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connection. The circuitry, via the flexible electrical connection, provides power to the camera and receives image data from the camera, and may control the camera. With the camera module disposed at the windshield, the circuit board is angled relative to a principal axis of the field of view of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 9878680
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat frame; and a holding member including a mounting portion that is attached to the seat frame. The holding member is attached to the seat frame via the mounting portion and is disposed and configured to hold a held member; the mounting portion is a tubular part projecting from the holding member toward the seat frame; a fastening member projects from one of the seat frame and the mounting portion and is inserted into the other of the seat frame and the mounting portion such that the holding member is fastened and attached to the seat frame; and the holding member includes five or more flat plate-shaped reinforcing portions projecting from the holding member toward the seat frame, and the five or more reinforcing portions are connected to the mounting portion, and are disposed radially around the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mita
  • Patent number: 9878681
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Battery Disconnect Unit that is good in assemblability and couplability because a middle cover accommodated in a lower case stably supports a relay terminal and a guide bar and a hood structure are applied to the middle cover. The BDU is disposed between a battery and an inverter to stably supply or break power of the battery to a power system of a vehicle. The BDU includes a lower case provided in a box shape with a top opened and a middle cover accommodated into and coupled to the lower case to press the relay terminal. A relay terminal hole into which a relay terminal is fitted is disposed on a bottom of the lower case, and an electric component is mounted on a top of the middle cover. A first fixing hook capable of being fastened to the lower case is provided in the middle cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyoo Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 9878682
    Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ENOW, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
  • Patent number: 9878683
    Abstract: An electronic device including a first connector adapted to couple the electronic device to a vehicle diagnostic connector, wherein the first connector includes first electrical contacts arranged according to a first pin arrangement, and the electronic device is configured to obtain operating power for the electronic device via the first connector; a second connector including second electrical contacts arranged according to the first pin arrangement, wherein the second connector is configured to supply operating power for a telematics device coupled to the second connector, and the electronic device is configured to convey a communication signal between one of the first electrical contacts and a respective one of the second electrical contacts; an energy storage unit adapted to provide stored power as operating power for the electronic device and the telematics device; and a first processor configured to detect a loss of power from the first connector, and in response to detecting the loss of power, transmit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Gyeong S. Kang, Herman Bryant Elliott
  • Patent number: 9878684
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a cloth which, when used as an air bag main body cloth, does not undergo the damage caused by a high-temperature gas generated from an inflater, and therefore has high heat resistance and is suitable for an air bag. The means for solving the problem is a coated cloth for an air bag, which is produced by applying an elastomer resin layer on at least one surface of a three-dimensional woven fabric in an amount of 50 to 500 g/m2 per one surface, said coated cloth being characterized by having void spaces formed therein, wherein the void content in the coated cloth is 15 to 60%. Preferably, the coated cloth is used in applications in which the coated cloth is attached onto the periphery of an inflater connection opening in an air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Tsuchikura, Satoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9878685
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag which is inflated when gas flows into the airbag, and has a left opening hole formed in a left surface, and a right opening hole formed in a right surface; and a cylinder which is disposed in the airbag while connecting the left opening hole and the right opening hole, and has a vent hole through which the gas flowing into the airbag is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rae Ick Jang, Jae Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9878686
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a gas generator for a safety device for a vehicle includes: a first terminal and a second terminal for furnishing a triggering voltage for triggering the safety device; a firing device configured to fire in response to a firing current, in order to open a closure element; an electrical coil configured to actuate, in response to a coil current, a closure device for controlling a gas flow through the outlet opening, the coil being connected in series with the firing device between the first terminal and the second terminal; and an electrical component having a voltage-dependent resistance and connected in parallel with the firing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Klein, Volker Weeber, Klaus Heyer
  • Patent number: 9878687
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a vehicle energy absorbing device that includes a primary energy absorbing box and a secondary energy absorbing box, the primary energy absorbing box having a U-shaped cross section with a bottom and a wall extending therefrom, the secondary energy absorbing box being nested inside the primary energy absorbing box. In the event of a collision between a car and a pedestrian, the secondary energy absorbing box of the vehicle energy absorbing device is configured to provide continuous stiffness when the primary energy absorbing box is almost collapsed, so as to protect lower legs of pedestrians and reduce harm thereto. The vehicle energy absorbing device can not only decrease harm to lower legs of pedestrians, but also reduce damage to automobiles as a result of a low-speed collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Compagnie Plastic Omnium, Yangfeng Plastic Omnium Automotive Exterior Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunhuan Du, Jing Mao
  • Patent number: 9878688
    Abstract: A pretensioner for introducing a webbing wound in a spool by explosive power obtained by exploding gunpowder when an impact is applied from the outside, the pretensioner includes: a hollow cylinder having one side surface for inserting a portion of a pinion connected to the spool; a micro gas generator (MGG) mounted in an upper end portion of the cylinder and for transferring explosive power into the cylinder while gunpowder provided at the inside explodes when an impact is applied from the outside; a rack mounted in a length direction at the inside of the cylinder and having one end portion disposed toward the MGG and having the other end portion disposed opposite to the pinion and having gear teeth provided in one side surface separated not to engage with the pinion before receiving explosive power from the MGG; and a roller for receiving explosive power from the MGG and rotatably mounted at the other side surface opposite to one side surface of the cylinder in which a portion of the pinion is inserted so t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: WOOSHIN SAFETY SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung Sang Lee, Yo Sun Hong, Jong Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 9878689
    Abstract: A seatbelt system may include a seatbelt configured to constrain a waist and a torso of an occupant. The seatbelt may also include a coupling configured to selectively couple a portion of a vehicle and the seatbelt to one another. The system may also include a reel configured to receive at least a portion of the seatbelt, and a tension sensor associated with the coupling and/or the seatbelt and configured to generate a signal indicative of tension in the seatbelt. The system may also include a deployment sensor associated with the seatbelt and configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of the seatbelt deployed from the reel. The system may also include an occupant detector configured to determine, based at least in part on the signals indicative of tension and the length, whether an occupant is properly wearing the seatbelt, such that the seatbelt constrains the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Jimenez, Andrew Piper, Timothy David Kentley-Klay
  • Patent number: 9878690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus 10 for interacting remotely with a vehicle 12 comprising data transfer means 22 for wirelessly communicating messages between a mobile communications device 18 operable by a user and a vehicle databus 24 located within the vehicle 12. Optionally, the data transfer means 22 is arranged to wirelessly communicate with the mobile communications device 18 via a web server 14, a web portal or other internet-connected host system. The data transfer means 22 may be arranged to wirelessly communicate with the web portal via a GSM or other cellular communications network 13. After the vehicle engine has stopped, communication of messages may continue on an intermittent basis, or may be suspended after a predetermined time has elapsed or when the vehicle battery voltage reaches a predetermined threshold. High priority messages may be communicated at any time after the vehicle engine has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Simon Thompson, Peter Thomas, Carl Pickering
  • Patent number: 9878691
    Abstract: There is disclosed a self-arming immobilizer system for immobilizing a vehicle. In an embodiment, the system comprises a signal input for receiving a signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle; and an immobilizer unit adapted to receive the signal input, and in response to the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle, switch one or more relays to disable one or more circuits in the vehicle to immobilize and secure the vehicle. In an embodiment, upon arming, the immobilizer unit is adapted to passively disarm the vehicle upon detection of a first key fob within a defined first distance from a sensor located on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the first key fob is operable to wirelessly arm or disarm the vehicle from a defined second distance from a sensor located on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Hugh Morris
  • Patent number: 9878692
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Joshua Adams, Richard P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 9878693
    Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a motion status of a vehicle, a control device, plurality of data acquisition sensors, and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is customizable with the plurality of data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits based upon the needs of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Vision Works IP Corporation
    Inventor: Fritz Braunberger
  • Patent number: 9878694
    Abstract: A stroke simulator and a bush for a stroke simulator are configured so that a bush provided to a stroke simulator can be attached without direction management. The stroke simulator generates brake reaction force by a simulator piston that is displaced within a cylinder by hydraulic pressure generated according to the operation of a brake pedal by a driver. A cylindrical rubber bush elastically deformed in an axial direction by pressure from the simulator piston to generate brake reaction force, the bush characterized in that a first end section on the simulator piston side and a second end section facing the first end section contain the same number, at least two, of concave sections concaved in the axial direction, and the concave section formed in the first end section and the concave section formed in the second end section are formed in different positions in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Autoliv Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutake Hyodo, Kazuaki Murayama, Motoyasu Nakamura, Shunsuke Aoki
  • Patent number: 9878695
    Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster for a motor vehicle having a booster housing, the interior space of which is divided by at least one axially movable wall loadable with a pneumatic differential pressure into at least one working chamber and at least one vacuum chamber. The movable wall includes a diaphragm plate and a rolling diaphragm which is arranged sealingly between the booster housing and the control housing, having a control valve which controls the differential pressure, is arranged in the control housing, and which controls a connection of the working chamber to the vacuum chamber or atmosphere, having at least one extraction duct which is integrated into the control housing for connection of the vacuum chamber to the working chamber, wherein the extraction duct can be blocked by the control valve. A device is also provided between the vacuum chamber and working chamber to improve the noise behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Faller, Ralf Jakobi
  • Patent number: 9878696
    Abstract: In a method for actuating a parking brake in a vehicle, a clamping force is generated by an electromechanical braking device comprising a brake motor. The motor voltage of the brake motor is determined on the basis of the control-unit input voltage of a closed-loop or open-loop control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Lars Roters, Tobias Putzer, Matthieu Weinum
  • Patent number: 9878697
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for a vehicle brake system, comprising a first piston-cylinder unit, the at least one working space of which is to be connected to at least one wheel brake of the vehicle via at least one hydraulic line, further comprising an electromechanical drive device and an actuating device, in particular a brake pedal, and to a method for operating an actuating device for a vehicle brake system. According to the invention, the actuating device comprises a further piston-cylinder unit (6, 41), the piston (6) of which can be actuated by means of the actuating device (10, 5) and is connected to a piston of the first piston-cylinder unit (4) via a connecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: IPGATE AG
    Inventors: Heinz Leiber, Valentin Unterfrauner
  • Patent number: 9878698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulsation reduction apparatus of a hydraulic piston pump, comprising: a block housing that has one end connected to the first hydraulic circuit and the other end connected to the second hydraulic circuit; a damper that is embedded in the block housing, absorbs pressure resulting from working fluid introduced to the first hydraulic circuit, assists with pressure increase of the second hydraulic circuit, and allows shape deformation; and viscosity damping units that are embedded in the block housing, are arranged between the first hydraulic circuit and the damper and between the second hydraulic circuit and the damper, and reduce viscosity of the working fluid introduced from the first and second hydraulic circuits, thereby reducing pressure pulsation and stably performing shock absorption and pressure increase at the same time with a relatively simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeong-Hwan Choo
  • Patent number: 9878699
    Abstract: In a throttle disk of a dynamic throttle of a hydraulic assembly of a vehicle brake system, with at least one disk surface which is formed by a rigid material, a layer of elastic material is at least partially formed on the disk surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schuessler, Oliver Gaertner
  • Patent number: 9878700
    Abstract: An indicator apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a display region having a range that extends between first and second ends of the display region. The display region displays a first mark to indicate to the driver a first state amount that changes in accordance with the output demand from the driver, a first edge of the first mark moving across the range between the first and second ends of the display region as the first state amount changes. A second mark having a second edge is displayed so that the second edge extends across and overlaps the display region, the second edge indicating to the driver a threshold at which switching occurs between an EV traveling mode and an HV traveling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Suzuki, Motohiro Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9878701
    Abstract: An ECU causes a vehicle to travel while selecting one of a CD mode in which an SOC of a power storage device is consumed and a CS mode in which the SOC is maintained to a prescribed level. The ECU controls vehicle driving force to be smaller in the CD mode than in the CS mode at the same accelerator pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taishi Hisano
  • Patent number: 9878702
    Abstract: In a method for operating a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine and having a rechargeable battery and a generator for charging the battery, a charging acceptance of the battery is determined and a first charging mode, in which the generator is driven by the internal combustion engine in order to charge the battery, or a second charging mode, in which the generator is driven by a propulsionless travel movement of the motor vehicle, in order to charge the battery, is selected as a function of the charging acceptance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Christen, Engbert Spijker, Thomas Rambow
  • Patent number: 9878703
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an energy recovery mechanism, and a controller configured to selectively activate at least a battery cooling mode to dissipate excess power from the energy recovery mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Michael Kava, Kent Hancock, Angel Fernando Porras, Mark Anthony Rockwell, Justin Reuel Badger, Brett Allen Dunn
  • Patent number: 9878704
    Abstract: A shifting control method of a vehicle includes inhibiting, by a controller, a line pressure from being increased when the controller senses a power-off upshift condition of the vehicle, calculating, by the controller, a target speed of a motor after the inhibiting step, synchronizing, by the controller, the motor to the target speed after the calculating step, and increasing, by the controller, an oil pressure of an engagement side clutch of a transmission to complete shifting after the synchronizing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Chan Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9878705
    Abstract: A plurality of virtual gear positions are established by an electric continuously variable transmission, and the number of speeds of the virtual gear positions is equal to or larger than the number of speeds of mechanical gear positions of a mechanical stepwise variable transmission. One virtual gear position or two or more virtual gear positions is/are assigned to each mechanical gear position, and the mechanical gear position is shifted in the same timing as shift timing of the virtual gear position. The virtual gear positions assigned to each mechanical gear position when the mechanical gear position is upshifted are different from the virtual gear positions assigned to each mechanical gear position when the mechanical gear position is downshifted. Thus, the amount of heat generated in frictional engagement elements of the mechanical stepwise variable transmission is prevented from being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Baba, Ichiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 9878706
    Abstract: An assembly includes, among other things, a front module housing an electric machine and an engine disconnect clutch, a transmission aft of the front module, a torque converter axially between the front module and the transmission, and a baffle radially between the torque converter and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 9878707
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device is provided for controlling a drive system. The hybrid vehicle control device is programmed to perform an engine start control using a motor/generator as an engine start motor when an engine start request is present. The hybrid vehicle control device includes a second clutch control section and an engine start control section. The second clutch control section completely disengages the second clutch. The engine start control section engages or slip engages of the first clutch, and performs engine start control resulting from performing an engine cranking operation, injecting air and fuel and igniting same. The hybrid vehicle control module disengages the first clutch and engages the second clutch during coasting/regenerating driving with the motor/generator while traveling in an electric vehicle mode when the engine start request is due to a driver input for an increase in a required driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Ito, Takao Ando, Hiroki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9878708
    Abstract: A drive system includes a drive source and a transmission mechanism transmitting a torque between the drive source and a drive wheel. The transmission mechanism includes at least one clutch switching between an engaged state of transmitting the torque between elements constituting the drive system and a disengaged state of failing to transmit the torque. An ECU detects at least one loaded state in which an excessively large torque can be applied to the drive system in a direction from the drive wheel, and disengages a predetermined clutch when the at least one loaded state in which an excessively large torque can be applied is detected. In the case where an excessively large torque can be applied to the drive system, the torque applied to a predetermined element constituting the drive system can be blocked and the torque applied to the drive system can be suppressed with a good response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Arai
  • Patent number: 9878709
    Abstract: A system for parking a vehicle is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a vehicle including a motor, sensors, a steering system, a processor, and a memory; an autopark program operatively connected to the vehicle's steering system; a navigation program operatively connected to the vehicle and configured to determine the vehicle's speed and lane with the sensors, to evaluate the data, and in response to the evaluation, to automatically execute the autopark program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Omar Makke, Kevin Lee Helpingstine
  • Patent number: 9878710
    Abstract: The invention regards a method for improving performance of a method for computationally predicting a future state of a target object, a driver assistance system and a vehicle with such driver assistance system. First data describing a traffic environment including a target object is acquired. On the basis of the acquired data at least one prediction step for estimating a future state of an object in the traffic environment is performed and a signal indicative of a prediction result describing an estimated future state of the target object and/or an ego vehicle is generated. An actual state of the target object and/or the ego vehicle is observed and quality of the prediction by comparing the observed actual state and the prediction result is estimated. Finally the prediction result and/or parameters of the prediction algorithm is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Schmüdderich, Sven Rebhan
  • Patent number: 9878711
    Abstract: A method and system for lane recognition including determining availability of vehicle position data obtained from more than one source including a GPS device source and an imaging device source. The method includes modifying a lane error threshold based on the availability of the vehicle position data. The lane error threshold is a lateral distance from a centerline of a lane. The method includes validating lane recognition data based on the lane error threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jumpei Ichinokawa
  • Patent number: 9878712
    Abstract: In an apparatus, a first obtainer obtains a first travelling-condition parameter of a target vehicle. The first travelling-condition parameter shows one or more conditions under which the target vehicle is travelling on the road. A second obtainer obtains a second travelling-condition parameter of a preceding vehicle travelling on the road immediately ahead of the target vehicle. The second travelling-condition parameter shows one or more conditions under which the preceding vehicle is travelling on the road. A deviation calculator calculates a deviation between the first and second travelling-condition parameters. A behavior determiner determines a recommended behavior of the target vehicle in response to the calculated deviation. A controller controls a device, which is associated with a behavior of the target vehicle, according to the recommended behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niino, Masao Oooka, Shotaro Fukuda, Takahiro Narita