Patents Issued in February 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9889761
    Abstract: A server of a network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles receives a request for charge transfer for an electric vehicle at a network-controlled charge transfer device, determines whether to enable charge transfer, and responsive to determining to enable charge transfer, transmits a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CHARGEPOINT, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Lowenthal, Dave Baxter, Harjinder Bhade, Praveen Mandal
  • Patent number: 9889762
    Abstract: An object is to avoid the situation in which the power cannot be turned off. A control system is provided in which the first and second control units are connected. At least one of the first and second control units include: a stop control section for, if a condition for ending a predetermined operation mode is satisfied in that operation mode, performing stop control for having the control system in a low-power-consumption state while communicating with the other control unit; and a mode control section for having a mode undefined state in which the operation mode is instable at restoration from a reset state and for allowing, if a predetermined transition condition for allowing transition into the operation mode is satisfied in the mode undefined state, transition into the operation mode whose transition condition has been satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Takemoto, Daisuke Okajima, Masayuki Suzuki, Jyunya Tokinaga, Ryuichi Kamaga
  • Patent number: 9889763
    Abstract: There is provided a control method of an external power supply system configured to supply power to the outside from a fuel cell and a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle. When a failure is detected in a sensor that measures an electric power supplied to the outside from an electric power line to which the fuel cell and the secondary battery are connectable, (a) if a decrease in a state of charge of the secondary battery is detected, external power supply is performed by increasing a generated power of the fuel cell so as to stop the decrease in the state of charge, and (b) if an increase in a state of charge of the secondary battery is detected, external power supply is performed by decreasing the generated power of the fuel cell so as to stop the increase in the state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Matsubara, Kenji Umayahara
  • Patent number: 9889764
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a battery of a green car, the apparatus includes an information collector configured to collect navigation information; a charge amount manager configured to manage a charge amount of the battery; a charger configured to charge the battery; and a controller configured to control the charging according to the charge amount of the battery and to expand a usable state of charge range of the battery based on the navigation information collected by the information collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hee Tae Yang, Yu Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 9889765
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell and a secondary battery, each acting as a power supply source. A first converter a second converter is provided between the fuel cell and the secondary battery and first and second loads. A first inverter is provided between the first and second converters and the first load and a second inverter is provided between the first and second converters and the second load. A first controller controls an output of the fuel cell by controlling the first converter, and a second controller is configured separately from the first controller. If one of the first controller and the second controller receives the failure information sent from the other, the first controller or the second controller that has received the failure information stops operation of the control target thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Manabe, Yutaka Tano, Tomohiko Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9889766
    Abstract: An electric power system includes an electric power generator, a first converter, an electric energy storage device, and a first converter controller. The first converter controller is to correct a target output of the electric power generator based on a charging margin so as to control an output of the electric power generator via the first converter so that an input electric power to the electric energy storage device does not exceed an input electric power threshold of the electric energy storage device or to correct the target output of the electric power generator based on a discharging margin so as to control the output of the electric power generator via the first converter so that an output electric power from the electric energy storage device does not exceed an output electric power threshold of the electric energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kazuno, Hibiki Saeki, Yasushi Kojima, Yasutaka Sakai
  • Patent number: 9889767
    Abstract: A MGECU in a control device mounted on a vehicle has a feedback control section, a correction torque calculation section, an instruction torque calculation section. The feedback control section calculates a torque to be used for performing a feedback control of an actual rotation speed to follow a target rotation speed. The correction torque calculation section calculates a correction torque based on a change rate of the target rotation speed and inertia of a rotary body which includes the motor generator. When the target rotation speed is changed to decrease a difference between the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed, the correction torque calculation section reduces the correction torque. The instruction torque calculation section adds the torque calculated by the feedback control section and the correction torque calculated by the correction torque calculation section in order to obtain the instruction torque to be used for the motor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9889768
    Abstract: A seat attached to a vehicle structure by at least four attachment points comprises, on at least one of the attachments an extendable connecting element (40) which transmits load between the main structure (11) of the seat and the structure of the vehicle, the extendable connecting element (40) including: —a first position in which a structure pin (62), which attaches the extendable connecting element (40) to the structure of the vehicle, is in a position close to a seat pin (64) that attaches the extendable connecting element (40) to the main structure (11) of the seat; a second position in which the structure pin (62) is in a position away from the seat pin (64) and in which the extendable connecting element (40) is able to transmit load between the structure pin (62) and the seat pin (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Lionel Lussan
  • Patent number: 9889769
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a front seat and a rear seat, each having a backrest and a squab. The front and rear seats are arranged in a staggered duplex overlapping relationship. A portion of a front edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of a rear edge of the front seat squab. An inboard edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of an inboard edge of the front seat squab. A longitudinal distance measured from a front edge of the front seat squab to a rear edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the front and rear seat squabs. A transverse distance measured from an outboard edge of the front seat squab to an outboard edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the widths of the front and rear seat squabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 9889770
    Abstract: Equipment and processes generate a seating solution by obtaining occupant data, calculating body dimensions from the occupant data, and calculating a best-fit body arrangement for an occupant. Occupant data may be obtained in various ways using available computational devices and software or by manually measuring the relevant dimensions on the occupant. A user interface for inputting occupant metrics and/or occupant measurements may be provided in a mobile terminal included in the vehicle or separate from the vehicle, thus giving users increased flexibility while maximizing simplicity and usability for the user or other personnel obtaining the data. Once an occupant's best-fit body arrangement is determined, it may be altered by changing the predetermined criteria to achieve optimum comfort, safety, and therapeutic benefit as well as used for providing improved comfort on a continuous basis and/or in response to detected or predicted vehicle, road, or atmospheric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: James T. Hotary, Samuel Baudu, Robert C. Fitzpatrick, Dana R. Lowell, Gregory Brncick
  • Patent number: 9889771
    Abstract: An occupant protection device includes: a lumbar support section that is displaceable between an upper limit position and a lower limit position, and is displaceable between an advanced position pressing against the lumbar region and a retreated position further to a seatback rear side than the advanced position; a displacement mechanism that displaces a frontmost location of the lumbar support section; a rear collision prediction section that predicts a rear-end collision to a vehicle; and an actuation controller that, in cases in which a vehicle rear-end collision has been predicted by the rear collision prediction section in a state in which the frontmost location of the lumbar support section is not at the lower limit position, controls the displacement mechanism, and sets the frontmost location at the lower limit position and at the advanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Katsuya Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9889772
    Abstract: A swivel restrictor assembly limits the maximum range an operator seat may be rotated to prevent interference of the seat with other components in a work vehicle cab. The swivel restrictor assembly includes two swivel stops to enable a first range of rotation when the seat is in a forward position of the cab and the second range of rotation when the seat is in a rear position of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Allen Murray
  • Patent number: 9889773
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame. An articulating upper thoracic region is operably coupled with the seatback frame and includes a cross-vehicle support, a torso vertical support, and a suspension support. The articulating upper thoracic region is pivotally coupled with a mid-portion of the seatback frame between stowed and deployed positions. A back panel is operably coupled to a rear side of the seatback frame. A front close-out panel is disposed between a rear portion of the articulating upper thoracic region and the back panel. A peripheral gap is disposed between the front close-out panel and the articulating upper thoracic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Daniel Ferretti, John Wayne Jaranson, Michael Kolich
  • Patent number: 9889774
    Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism may include a recliner mechanism, a recliner handle, a hub and an unlock lever. The recliner mechanism is operable in an unlocked state permitting relative rotation between a seatback and a seat bottom and a locked state preventing relative rotation between the seatback and the seat bottom. The recliner handle is rotatable between locked and unlocked positions to move the recliner mechanism between the locked and unlocked states. The hub may transmit motion of the recliner handle to the recliner mechanism as the recliner handle moves between the unlocked and locked positions. The unlock lever may move the recliner mechanism between the locked and unlocked states. Rotation of the recliner handle may cause corresponding rotation of the hub and the unlock lever. However, the unlock lever may move the recliner mechanism into the unlocked state without causing corresponding rotation of the hub and the recliner handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joe C. Espinosa, Christopher J. Ryan
  • Patent number: 9889775
    Abstract: A detent fitting for a motor vehicle seat includes a first fitting part (11) and a relatively rotatable second fitting part (12) and catches (16) guided by one fitting part between a locked state and an unlocked state to lock the detent fitting upon interacting with a gear ring of another fitting part. A third fitting part (74) is pivotably mounted and is lockable with a detent plate (115) fixed to the first fitting part or with the first fitting part by a pawl (80) which is mounted in a hinge point on the third fitting part. The third fitting part, a locking cam (90) with a hinge point on the third fitting part, a coupling (98) connected to the locking cam with a hinge point and the pawl with a hinge point define a four-link chain. A vehicle seat with at least one such detent fitting is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Thiel
  • Patent number: 9889776
    Abstract: Car seat reminder system providing a connection between the parent or child caregiver driver of an automobile and the infant or child in a car seat positioned on a seat behind the driver's seat in the automobile. The connection is provided by a connector, such as a string, cord, rope, cable, chain, thread, ribbon, or lacing material, having two ends, with one end connected to the car seat, and the other end connected to the key or other mechanism for starting or otherwise turning on the vehicle. The connector should be sufficiently long to reach between the car seat when it is in place on a seat behind the driver's seat, and the automobile ignition point where the vehicle is turned on or the ignition is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Christina L. Turnbo
  • Patent number: 9889777
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, front and rear wheels, a motor, and a driver seat. A passenger seat disposed side-by-side with the driver seat has a seat base that is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis between a seating position where it extends horizontally and a storage position. A retaining surface having a seating position groove and a storage position groove is fixed with respect to one of the seat base and the frame. A retaining member fixed with respect to another of the seat base and the frame is complementary to the grooves. The retaining member is received in the storage position groove when the seat base is in the storage position, thereby retaining the seat base in the storage position. The retaining member is received in the seating position groove when the seat base is in the seating position, thereby retaining the seat base in the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Dave Proulx, Mikhael Simard, Frederic Martineau
  • Patent number: 9889778
    Abstract: An armrest structure for door trim has an armrest lower, an armrest upper, and a joining component that joins the armrest upper and the armrest lower together, wherein the joining component is provided with a strap portion, and an anchor portion, and wherein the attachment hole has a wider portion through which the anchor portion can be inserted, and a narrower portion through which the anchor portion cannot be inserted, and during a process to assemble the armrest upper and the armrest lower together, the anchor portion is inserted through the wider portion, and once the armrest upper and the armrest lower are in an assembled state, the anchor portion is located at a position underneath the narrower portion of the attachment hole that is formed in the armrest lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: NIFCO INC., TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kanako Mizuno, Yuji Sasaki, Fumitaka Hirose, Kazumi Kojima, Hironori Akabane, Yasuo Saida, Yuji Ito, Iwao Udatsu
  • Patent number: 9889779
    Abstract: In a seat cushion frame which comprises side frames fixed to each of the two ends of a pan frame in the width direction, the rigidity of mounting the side frames to the pan frame is increased. In this seat cushion frame having a configuration in which side frames are fixed to both ends of the pan frame in the width direction, the side frame is fixed to the pan frame with a flange formed by bending the top part inwards in the width direction, and a recess recessed inwards in the width direction is formed in the portion of the flange that is fixed to the pan frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9889780
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that can suitably protect a seated occupant against an impact from a seat width direction is described, while enlargement of the seat in the seat width direction is restrained. A support member provided to the vehicle seat supports the seated occupant from a side of the seated occupant, and includes an inner plate attached to a seat width direction inner side of a side frame, an outer plate attached to a seat width direction outer side of the side frame, and a connection plate for connecting the inner plate and the outer plate on a seat front side. The outer plate is attached to the seat width direction outer side of the side frame at a position that does not overlap in the seat width direction with attachment positions of the inner plate and the side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Akimitsu Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9889781
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) includes a seat part (3), a backrest (2) a fitting (10) including a first fitting part (11) rotatable relative to a second fitting part (12) about an axis (A) and relative to the seat part that is pivotable about the axis (A). A first adapter (20) fixedly connects the first fitting part to a structure of the backrest or seat part. A second adapter (50) fixedly connects the second fitting part with the other of the structure of the seat part or backrest. A first stop (25) on the first adapter (20) and a second stop (60), integrally formed with the second adapter (50) and surfaces from an edge transition of the second adapter (50), interact to limit a pivot angle of the backrest. The second stop (60) comprises a limb (61), extending from the edge transition (54), in a radial direction, toward the axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Alfred Pastoors, Stefan Wetzig
  • Patent number: 9889782
    Abstract: An assist handle assembly includes a bracket, and a handle. The bracket includes a tubular portion concentric with and extending along a vertical axis. The handle includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion is partially disposed within and supported by the tubular portion, and is concentric with and extends along the vertical axis. The horizontal portion extends from an upper end of the vertical portion in a direction that is transverse to the vertical axis. The handle is rotatable about the vertical axis between a stowed position and an intermediate position, and is slideable axially along the vertical axis within the tubular portion of the bracket, between the intermediate position and a deployed position. A latching mechanism secures the handle relative to the bracket when in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: James G. Gobart
  • Patent number: 9889783
    Abstract: An assist handle for a car includes an assist handle having mounting spaces and hinge grooves; main brackets positioned in the mounting spaces of the assist handle and having fitting protrusions, clip insertion holes and hinge shafts fitted into the hinge grooves on one side of the mounting spaces; auxiliary brackets having coupling plates provided with hook fixing holes overlapping front portions of body portions of the main brackets and hinge shafts fitted into the hinge grooves on another side of the mounting spaces; fixing clips adapted to couple to the body panel of the car at one side and inserted into the clip insertion holes at the other side such that holding pieces are placed at the same positions as the hook fixing holes; and hooks fitted into the holding pieces and the hook fixing holes to fix the fixing clips, the main brackets and the auxiliary brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIFCO KOREA INC.
    Inventors: Hyo Keun Yang, Chang Sun Hong
  • Patent number: 9889784
    Abstract: A hauling device configured to retain debris in a main bucket having a frame and adapted to be towed by a motorized vehicle is further configured to enable hoisting and dumping the frame of the main bucket via a lifting mechanism. An auxiliary bucket is provided that has a frame detachably affixed and clear of the main bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Lyles, Laura Hudson-Lyles
  • Patent number: 9889785
    Abstract: A portable weighing hopper assembly for use in precisely loading bulk material or commodities in a shipping container or vessel which includes a wheeled frame having first and second metered hoppers mounted thereon. A primary hopper is mounted on the wheeled frame for supplying material to either the first and second metered hoppers. A transfer valve is positioned between the discharge end of the primary hopper and the first and second metered hoppers for directing material from the primary hopper to either the first and second metered hoppers. A slide gate is positioned between the lower outlet end of the primary hopper and the transfer valve. Load cells are associated with the first and second metered hoppers which supplies the weight information to a CPU. The CPU controls the flow of material from the metered hoppers to a conveyor which discharges the material into a shipping container or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: David D. Van Horn
  • Patent number: 9889786
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate assembly includes a tailgate, a bracket, an L-shaped platform, and a retractable link. The L-shaped platform is pivotally attached to the bracket, which is selectively attachable to the tailgate. The L-shaped platform pivots about a pivot point to assist in loading objects into the truck bed by lifting them into the truck bed and rolling/sliding them into the truck bed. The retractable link facilitates the pivoting of the L-shaped platform and is attached to the bracket and a distal end of the L-shaped platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Jack Marchlewski
  • Patent number: 9889787
    Abstract: A mobile lift caddy is configured to remove a vehicle from a primary lift while the vehicle is elevated above the workplace floor and then transport the vehicle to another location. The mobile lift caddy is dimensioned to fit between vertical lift posts of the primary lift. A mobility drive arrangement moves the caddy under operator control to and from the workplace location. Caddy lift arms are configured to accept a portion of removable lift pad assemblies at the lift arms of the primary lift, to lift out the lift pad assembly with the vehicle supported on the lift pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Marc S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9889788
    Abstract: Embodiments of a connector with integrated lighting are provided. The connector may be used with an awning assembly of an RV, for non-limiting example. The connector includes a retaining channel having a relief opening from which an awning canopy may extend. The retaining channel may be directly connected to a luminaire mount or may be connected to the luminaire mount by the connector. The connector may be mounted to a rail on an RV or sidewall of other structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jon Beland, Dale Malott, Pat McConnell
  • Patent number: 9889789
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly with a top cover connected to a cable tensioning system that eliminates the need for side rails to both locate and tension the top cover. The cable tension system seals out environmental elements and holds the tonneau cover and fabric management bows of the assembly in place. The assembly includes a front attachment assembly and rear attachment assembly connected to cables, where the front attachment provides a forward mounting location and seals a front bow to the vehicle. The rear attachment assembly holds the top cover in a closed tensioned state until the cover is opened by an operator. The tonneau cover assembly reduces weight and complexity, while eliminating the need for side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beltowski, George C. Stickles, Rick H. Troeger, Richard Essig, Tavis Lutzka
  • Patent number: 9889790
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided herein. An image sensor is configured to acquire one or more images of a scene external and forward of a controlled vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images. A controller is communicatively connected to the image sensor and is configured to receive and analyze the image data. The controller detects an object of interest in the image data and generates an ON signal or an OFF signal based on the detection of the object of interest in the image data, or lack thereof. A high beam control of the vehicle is turned ON based on the ON signal or turned OFF based on the OFF signal. The controller modifies a future response time at which the OFF signal is generated based on an external overriding of the ON signal or the OFF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter A. Liken, Marc A. Smeyers
  • Patent number: 9889791
    Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a viewable portion having indicia thereon. A viewable portion light source is configured to emit light towards the viewable portion. A feature portion light source is configured to emit light towards a feature portion. A peripheral light source is configured to emit light through a periphery of the badge. Each light source is independently controlled by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael Musleh
  • Patent number: 9889792
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automotive lamp, and more particularly, to an automotive lamp capable of informing an ambient vehicle approaching from one side behind the vehicle of a vehicle state by irradiating light of a road pattern to indicate the vehicle state to an area behind the vehicle. The automotive lamp includes a lamp unit disposed in a rear lamp housing of a vehicle and a detection unit configured to detect whether a reverse shift stage is selected. The lamp unit is configured to irradiate a first light distribution pattern that forms a reversing light signal pattern in the rearward direction of the vehicle, and a second light distribution pattern that forms a road pattern on the rearward road surface of the vehicle. The first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern are formed simultaneously, when the reverse shift stage is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Youngho Son, Byoungki Ji, Hyejin Han, Jinhee Yu
  • Patent number: 9889793
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a light emitting assembly for an instrument panel, which includes a light guide assembly a light guide assembly body and at least one light transmissive leg extending from the light guide assembly body. The leg has a light input surface along an edge in close proximity to a light emitting diode. The leg may be integral with the body at an intersection that forms a prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure at the body. The prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure forms an angle of reflection surface at the intersection with the body of a predetermined angle of reflection to reflect light from the leg to the light guide assembly body. The reflected light ray is refracted substantially uniformly through the light guide assembly body to produce substantially uniform illumination of the light guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: N.S. International, LTD
    Inventors: Arul Krishna, Sibing Xu, Anirudh N. Hegde
  • Patent number: 9889794
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an illumination system (1) for an interior (31) of a vehicle (30), the illumination system (1) having a control unit (2) and an ambient illumination (10) with at least one lamp (11), which is designed to emit light in at least one ambient color (40). Furthermore, the invention relates to an illumination system (1) for illuminating an interior (31) of a vehicle (30), having an ambient illumination (10) with at least one lamp (11), which is designed to emit light in at least one ambient color (40), wherein furthermore at least one functional element (20) is arranged in the interior (31) of the vehicle (30), which has an element color (50) for displaying the functional element (20), as well as a vehicle (30) with an illumination system (1) for illuminating an interior (31) of the vehicle (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heino Wengelnik, Michael Scheible, Markus Neumann, Christian Burghoff, Thorb Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 9889795
    Abstract: A system is provided having a controller for controlling operation of warning devices mounted on a vehicle for providing warning signals directed external of the vehicle. The controller receives one or more vehicle event signals, each indicative of occurrence of a different vehicle event. The controller responsive to receiving each vehicle event signal overrides operation of one or more of the warning devices from a normal operating mode into an override operating mode in accordance with the vehicle event associated with the vehicle event signal being received. In an override operating mode, warning device(s) may provide visual signals to supplement pre-existing vehicular light indicators of vehicle events, while other warning device(s) may be disabled to avoid confusion with such vehicular light indicators. To facilitate ease of connection, each warning device couples to the controller at an output port for receiving power and ground, and control signals from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: STAR HEADLIGHT & LANTERN CO., INC.
    Inventors: James J. Cronmiller, Stephen T. Vukosic, Andrew Mack, J. Douglas Richardson, Daniel T. McCann
  • Patent number: 9889796
    Abstract: An alarm controller generates an alarm output instruction when an own vehicle state determination unit determines that an own vehicle intends to cross the opposite lane at an intersection, and the object state determination unit determines that an oncoming vehicle or a person exists or moves in a direction in which the own vehicle crosses the opposite lane at into the intersection. A shift position detector detects a shift lever position. When the shift position detector detects that a shift lever is in a parking position or a reverse position, the alarm controller does not generate the alarm output instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuoka, Kazuhiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9889797
    Abstract: An intersection information acquisition unit acquires detection information by an object detection sensor including at least one of a vehicle detection sensor and a human detection sensor. A support processor performs driving support processing for outputting an alarm when the support processor determines that an own vehicle intends to cross the opposite lane and determines based on the acquired detection information that an object exists or the object is approaching in a direction in which the own vehicle travels to cross the opposite lane at the intersection. The support processor performs the driving support processing when the intersection information acquisition unit acquires detection information by the vehicle detection sensor. On the other hand, the support processor does not perform the driving support processing when the intersection information acquisition unit acquires detection information by the human detection sensor and does not acquire detection information by the vehicle detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuoka, Kazuhiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9889798
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein for improved cross-path detection between a host vehicle and a target object. In general, the cross-path angle by solving a multiple hypothesis problem characterized by independent calculations across a first plurality of time points, the multiple hypothesis problem supposing a plurality of possible cross-path angle solutions, each cross-path angle solution representing a corresponding possible trajectory for the target object. Advantageously, a cross-traffic alert or other feedback may be triggered based at least partially on whether the target object is within a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is determined at least in part based on the estimated cross-path angle. In some embodiments the cross-path angle may be determined by selecting a cross-path angle solution from the plurality of possible cross-path angle solutions which minimizes a variance between results of the independent calculations across the first plurality of time points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Cong, Bei Yan
  • Patent number: 9889799
    Abstract: A key catcher for a storage unit including a trim panel, a compartment housing, and an openable compartment door having a length and an outer surface includes a sweeper and a biasing member. The sweeper is connected to the compartment housing and is configured to conform to the outer surface of the compartment door along the length of the compartment door. The biasing member is connected to the compartment housing and the sweeper and is configured to urge the sweeper toward the outer surface of the compartment door. The sweeper contacts the outer surface of the compartment door along the length of the compartment door when the compartment door is in an open position, a closed position, and any position between the open and closed positions such that a small item, such as a key, credit card, or change, cannot fall between the openable door and the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Kiester, Douglas J. Amick, Kenton L. West
  • Patent number: 9889800
    Abstract: A car CD slot mount includes an installing unit having a front side, a rear side, first and second inserts extend outwardly from the front side in a staggered manner to define an acute angle greater than 5 degrees. The installing unit further has upper and lower sides defining upper and lower regions respectively, wherein the upper region has a bottom surface formed with a sliding channel while the lower region has a bottom surface formed with a coupling channel. A fixing unit includes a fixing element and a location adjustment element having a sliding block disposed slidably in the sliding channel and extends upward at partially from the rear side in such a manner to link up with the fixing element, which holds a personal electronic device stably therein. A bendable support bar is coupled detachably to the coupling channel of the installing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 9889801
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a lens and a housing attached to the lens. One or more indicia defined by recessed portions are disposed on a component of the housing. A photoluminescent structure is disposed within and substantially filling the recessed portion and is configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light emitted by a light source. A protective layer is disposed over the photoluminescent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Patent number: 9889802
    Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein. The method including the steps of: a) penetrating the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer with a chain stitch pattern machine to form a piercing therethrough; b) retracting the chain stitch pattern machine from the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer; c) inserting a needle through the piercing through the substrate layer, the intermediary layer and the outer skin layer to grasp a thread positioned on the outer skin layer; d) pulling the thread through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer; e) advancing the interior component to another position, wherein a backside of the substrate layer is free of obstructions; and f) repeating steps a-e until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Wenzel, Joseph A. Massetti
  • Patent number: 9889803
    Abstract: A flange corner piece is provided that is used to provide decoration and sealing to the perimeter of a slide-out room. The slide-out room has an outside wall with a perimeter edge. Elongate extrusions are attached to the perimeter. The extrusions have terminal ends that are located proximate corners on the outside wall. Terminal ends of the extrusions are received by first and second receiving pockets in the flange corner piece. The receiving pockets are made up of walls that overlay portions of the extrusions and constrain it. The first and second receiving pockets affix neighboring extrusions and conceal the corners of the slide-out room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Rick L. Newman
  • Patent number: 9889804
    Abstract: A vehicular resin panel structure including: an outer panel that includes an outer panel main body and an outer edge portion formed by bending an edge portion of the outer panel main body toward one side in a plate thickness direction of the outer panel main body; and a resin inner panel that includes an inner panel main body that is joined to the outer panel main body by an adhesive, and an inner edge portion that is formed by bending an edge portion of the inner panel main body toward another side in the plate thickness direction. A leading end portion of the inner edge portion abuts the outer panel main body, and a parting line during molding is formed at a location separated from the leading end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 9889805
    Abstract: A wire harness includes a tubular external member and one or a plurality of conduction paths inserted into the external member and protected by the external member. The external member includes at least one fixed form insertion part in which an inside width is wider than an outside width of the one or the plurality of conduction paths, and a plurality of narrow-width insertion parts which are elastically deformable and in which an inside width is narrower than the outside width of the one or the plurality of conduction paths. The plurality of narrow-width insertion parts are arranged along a tube axial direction alternately and integrally with the at least one fixed form insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Yanazawa, Hideomi Adachi
  • Patent number: 9889806
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bus bar comprising a bar manufactured from a material that has a density of less than or equal to 2.70 grams per cubic centimeter; where the bar comprises a plurality of holes for facilitating contact between the bus bar and a grounding attachment. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising affixing one or more grounding attachments to a bus bar, where the bus bar comprises a bar manufactured from a material that has a density of less than or equal to 2.70 grams per cubic centimeter; where the bar comprises a plurality of holes for facilitating contact between the bus bar and a grounding attachment; and affixing the bus bar to the frame of an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric Roselli, Mark J. McGuire, Edward D. Moss, Daniel K. Davis
  • Patent number: 9889807
    Abstract: A system of a vehicle may include an electrical load, a generator, and first and second conduits. The electrical load of the vehicle may include a high energy device that utilizes above 270 volts during operations of the vehicle. The generator may be coupled to an engine of the vehicle and configured to generate electrical power at a voltage above 270 volts for the electrical load of the high energy device during operations of the vehicle. The first and second conduits may be arranged along each other to house respective first and second conductors that are electrically disposed between the electrical load and the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9889808
    Abstract: A method is provided for activating a pedestrian protection system of a vehicle. The method includes a step of carrying out a first threshold value comparison, in the first threshold value comparison at least one signal feature of a first sensor signal being compared to an adaptation threshold value, a step of determining a threshold value adaptation value based on a result of the first threshold value comparison, and a step of carrying out a second threshold value comparison. In the second threshold value comparison, at least one signal feature of a second sensor signal is compared to a triggering threshold value, which is adapted using the threshold value adaptation value, for triggering the pedestrian protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Gunther Lang, Bastian Reckziegel, Marlon Ramon Ewert
  • Patent number: 9889809
    Abstract: A thermistor-based system and method for distinguishing between adult and child passengers and, of the child passengers, between those seated in a child restraint system and those seated in a child booster is provided. The disclosed inventive concept includes at least one classification thermistor/temperature sensing device, at least one reference thermistor, an algorithm to compute and classify conditions, and related wiring and hardware. The classification thermistor/temperature sensing device is located in a seat cushion assembly and a seat back. The temperature sensors are used to detect heat transfer between an object in contact with the cushion through the seat trim and, if applicable, some amount of seat comfort base material. The reference thermistor may be provided to enhance robustness of classification determination. The algorithm computes and classifies conditions based on at least the magnitude and/or the rate of temperature change between the classification sensor and the reference sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Edward Ruthinowski
  • Patent number: 9889810
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a chassis, and a ROPS provided on the chassis. The ROPS surrounds a cabin space of the vehicle. A center of gravity of the vehicle is located at a position of ? or lower of the vehicle height, and an outline of the ROPS is formed in a curved shape when seen in the right and left direction or in the front and rear direction of the vehicle. Since the outline of the ROPS is formed in a curved shape, in the case of rollover of a vehicle body, the ROPS can easily roll on the ground surface. The combination of the configuration of the ROPS and the gravitational force exerted on the low position of the center of gravity, which is ? or lower of the vehicle height, the vehicle body can be easily set up from the rolled over situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Gaku Yoshimura, Masayuki Shibata