Patents Issued in March 6, 2018
  • Patent number: 9908364
    Abstract: A wheel center cap engagement system is provided to connect center caps of vehicle wheels to the proper position in a central area of the wheel. The center caps are connected to a mounting plate engageable with the wheel lugs and are held in proper positioning relative to the wheel thereby. A bearing can be interfaced between the center cap and its connection to the mounting plate should rotation of the center cap be desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Joshua Haynes
  • Cap
    Patent number: 9908365
    Abstract: A cap has a plurality of engaging portions elastically engageable with a wheel for holding a tire. The cap is configured to partly cover the wheel. Each of the plurality of engaging portions has a spring member formed of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ishikawa, Hirotaka Terai, Kenichi Mikamo, Kiichiro Kunishima, Hideyo Nehyo, Naoki Tanimura
  • Patent number: 9908366
    Abstract: The pivot for castor wheel for cleaning equipment or the like, with new elements structured to absorb and counteract the stresses to which the wheel is generally subjected during use, allows cleaning equipment and the like to be used in areas and sectors compatible with the materials used for the various parts that compose it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Filmop International s.r.l.
    Inventor: Zorzo Bruno
  • Patent number: 9908367
    Abstract: An operating shaft rises and falls by abutting against a cam surface of a cam rotatably built into the upper part of a stem. A swivel-preventing plate part is fixed to the lower end of the operating shaft. An engagement member is fixed to a support yoke and regulates the swiveling by engaging with the swivel-preventing plate part. A brake shoe part is fixed to the lower part of the swivel-preventing plate part and brakes by abutting against a treat surface of a wheel when the operating shaft falls. A link cam causes a link cam to pivot and causes a brake plate to rise and fall by connected to the brake shoe part. A protruding part for braking, by displacement of the brake plate, is capable of engaging with and disengaging from an annular engagement receiving part formed in the inner periphery of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: NANSIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamamoto, Noriyuki Iiyama
  • Patent number: 9908368
    Abstract: Provided is a rubber composition containing a high stratified or tabular clay mineral content, wherein the dispersion of the stratified or tabular clay minerals is improved, thus reducing air permeability and improving flex resistance. Also provided is a tire using the rubber composition. An example of the rubber composition is a rubber composition containing a rubber component (A), a stratified or tabular clay mineral (B), and a glycerin fatty acid ester composition (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Yonemoto, Tetsuo Takano, Motoi Konishi, Kojun Oshiro
  • Patent number: 9908369
    Abstract: An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure. The outermost ring of unit cells is arranged to facilitate rolling terrain contact, such that the stiffness of the structure in the localized region of loading due to terrain contact increases as the wheel rotates. A layer of material may be disposed between the concentric rings of unit cells which in preferred embodiments comprise a plurality of nested-V shapes. A cover may be provided over the outermost ring of unit cells forming a tire which may, or may not, be inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Zheng-Dong Ma
  • Patent number: 9908370
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe a feedback system for an electric motorcycle. The feedback system notifies a user of the electric motorcycle of various conditions of the electric motorcycle via one or more output devices. In one embodiment, the feedback system causes the left and right grips of the handlebar of the electric motorcycle to vibrate to communicate information to the rider of the electric motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Faster Faster Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Sweney, Harry Charles Leeming
  • Patent number: 9908371
    Abstract: A method of selectively controlling the self-sealing ability of a tire obtained by application of a sealing assembly on a drum and subsequent formation thereon of a precursor of a green tire inclusive of liner and carcass, followed by shaping, curing and molding. The sealing assembly includes: a self-supporting thermoplastic film of polyamide or polyester and a layer of sealing material possessing viscoelasticity and stickiness features, which is associated with and supported by the self-supporting thermoplastic film. The sealing assembly is easily puncturable by a sharp-pointed element while it maintains such a deformability and stickiness that it helps in the transfer of the sealing material during ejection of the sharp-pointed element and limits the transferred material amount to such an extent that holes bigger than a predetermined value are not sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Francesco D'Oria, Gianni Mancini, Cristiano Puppi, Enrico Sabbatani, Giovanni Simonato
  • Patent number: 9908372
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes: one fastener among a pair of mechanical fasteners that are separated into two in a region of a range from a bead tip to the maximum width position of a tire at a tire inner surface; and an electronic circuit device with another fastener that is to be engaged with the one fastener, the electronic circuit device being secured to the tire inner surface by fitting the two fasteners. In the pneumatic tire with such a configuration, even in the case where the electronic circuit device is mounted on the tire inner surface and liquid such as puncture repair liquid is injected in the tire at puncture, there is no possibility of damaging the electronic circuit device due to adhesion of the liquid to the electronic circuit device such as an air pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayako Jyouza, Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 9908373
    Abstract: A rotary air connection for an automatic tire inflation system having an air pressure source, the rotary air connection comprising a stationary portion and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the stationary portion, the rotary air connection having a central channel with a one-way check valve disposed in the central channel so as to allow fluid to flow from the air pressure source in one direction through the central channel but not in the opposite direction toward the air pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Equalaire Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kevin Hennig
  • Patent number: 9908374
    Abstract: A tire module for attachment to an inside of a pneumatic tire for vehicles includes a device for measuring and/or monitoring the air pressure in the tire. A transmitter for transmitting radio signals, which contains information regarding the air pressure in the tire, includes a mechanical-electrical transducer having a flexible piezo-electrical element, which converts alternating changes in shape of the piezo-electric element caused by the rolling tire into electric energy and includes a storage unit for the electric energy, which is connected to the transducer. The transducer may contain a circular, disc-like, piezo-electric element, which in the following is described as piezo disc and on which an electrical voltage generated through the piezo effect is tapped off on contact points which are located on opposite sides of the piezo disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Axel Dussinger, Ralf Kessler, Ingemar Wolf, Andre Seifert, Benjamin Mueller
  • Patent number: 9908375
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for use in a wheel assembly which includes a heat shield. In this regard heat shield for a wheel may include a first member; a second member positioned radially of the first member defining an annular cavity between the first member and the second member; an opening in at least one of the first member and the second member configured to provide fluidic communication between the annular cavity and an outside of the annular cavity; and a mounting feature in operable communication with the first member and the second member configured to attach the heat shield to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley J. Baden, Katrina Lynn King
  • Patent number: 9908376
    Abstract: A tire grip enhancing assembly includes a covering for removably positioning on a tire. The covering comprises a flexible material and has a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends between the first and second lateral walls. Each of the first and second lateral walls has an annular opening extending therethrough. A plurality of raised members is attached to and extends away from the perimeter wall. A pair of bands is provided. Each the annular opening has a perimeter edge has one of the bands attached thereto. Each band is comprised of a resiliently stretchable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Alireza Sedighpour
  • Patent number: 9908377
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a device and method for controlling sway of a trailer utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) device to detect a speed of a vehicle, a rate gyro to detect a sway angle of the vehicle, and a controller coupled to the GPS device and the rate gyro. The GPS and the rate gyro provide the speed and the sway angle to the controller and the controller outputs a brake command if either a first condition is satisfied or a second condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hayes Towing Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Roger Allcorn, John S. Meadow
  • Patent number: 9908378
    Abstract: The Trailer Anti-Theft Locking Post is a device that is used to lock a trailer or other hitched device so that the trailer cannot be moved. The device may be anchored into concrete or secured unto the ground. A post reversible extends upward providing a means to lock a trailer or hitched device. When a user desires to move the trailer, the trailer is unlocked, and the post is reversibly retracted beneath the ground level, which puts the device out of sight and out of the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Roger K Helms
  • Patent number: 9908379
    Abstract: The present application relates to a control system (49) for controlling a motor vehicle suspension (3). The suspension (3) has a plurality of adjustable height suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25) and a suspension control means (53) is provided to control the suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25). The control system (49) has a receiver for receiving height data form height sensors (41, 43, 45, 47) to provide height measurements for each suspension unit (19, 21, 23, 25). A suspension modelling means is provided for modelling the height of each suspension unit (19, 21, 23, 25). The control system (49) is configured to detect an unrequested suspension height change when the difference between the modelled height and the measured height of one or more suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25) exceeds a threshold. The present application also relates to a motor vehicle; and a method of detecting an unrequested suspension height change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Philip Guest
  • Patent number: 9908380
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having at least a first axle and at least a second axle, wherein the motor vehicle has a chassis that can be adjusted by the user, and which is operable at least in a first mode and at least in a second mode, which is more comfortable than the first mode. When the user activates the more comfortable second mode, a loading state of the motor vehicle is checked. The chassis is not shifted from the first mode into the second mode for at least axle, or is changed from the second mode into the first mode of the chassis if a limit load is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marcus-Andre Reul, Mathias Molitor
  • Patent number: 9908381
    Abstract: The vehicle control apparatus configured to control a vehicle includes a fuel cell configured to supply electric power to the vehicle; an air conditioning mechanism having a heater core; a first medium circuit; a radiator installed in the first medium circuit; a bypass circuit formed in the first medium circuit to make a bypass flow of the cooling medium bypassing the radiator; a regulation valve installed in the first medium circuit to regulate a ratio of a flow rate of the cooling medium going through the radiator to a flow rate of the cooling medium going through the bypass circuit; a second medium circuit; a cooling medium circulation pump installed in at least one of the first medium circuit and the second medium circuit; a temperature acquisition module; a warm-up controller; and a state switchover structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Sakajo, Keigo Suematsu, Yoshiaki Naganuma, Masanori Uehara, Takashi Koyama
  • Patent number: 9908382
    Abstract: An electric vehicle thermal management system and an electric vehicle using the thermal management system, wherein a passenger cabin is heated by the heat dissipated from a battery and/or a motor, and the battery and the electric motor are connected in different cooling paths. Heat is supplied to the passenger cabin by using the heat absorbed by cooling liquid from the battery and/or the motor, so that the electric power of the electric vehicle can be effectively utilized to increase the endurance mileage of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Ming-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 9908383
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioning system for conditioning the air of a passenger space of a motor vehicle, the system including a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a first heat exchanger for the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the environment and a second heat exchanger for supplying heat from the refrigerant to the air supply to be conditioned for the passenger space. The refrigerant circuit further includes, in the flow direction of the refrigerant after the compressor, a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement comprises a branch, a first valve arranged between the branch and the second heat exchanger, and a second valve arranged between the branch and the first heat exchanger. The first valve is designed with a normally open (NO) valve characteristic and the second valve with a normally closed (NC) valve characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Dirk Schroeder, Hans Hammer, Jörg Bodewig
  • Patent number: 9908384
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus in which a noise caused by burble is reduced is provided. The vehicle air conditioning apparatus includes: a case having an air channel in an interior thereof; a blower configured to supply blown air to the air channel, the case includes a cylindrical portion and an enlarged portion continued from the cylindrical portion on a downstream side and having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the cylindrical portion, the enlarged portion includes a projecting wall having a wall surface projecting outward of the air channel, the projecting wall includes at least one projection projecting inward of the air channel, and a top portion of the projection is in contact with a side surface of an virtual cylinder, which is formed by extending the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion in the virtually extended toward the downstream, or is provided on the projecting wall side with respect to the side surface of the virtual cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shota Ueno
  • Patent number: 9908385
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one camera disposed at the equipped vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the at least one camera. The control, responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data by the image processor, is operable to at least one of (i) control an HVAC system of the equipped vehicle responsive to a type of vehicle detected exterior of the equipped vehicle, (ii) control an HVAC system of the equipped vehicle responsive to a vehicle detected exterior of the equipped vehicle being within a threshold distance of the equipped vehicle and (iii) control an HVAC system of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of a construction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 9908386
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transport heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a fresh air intake is disclosed. The fresh airflow intake system includes a fresh air damper configured to regulate a flow of fresh air into the transport HVAC system, an evaporator fan having at least a high-speed mode and a low speed mode, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a fresh air condition is met and increase a fresh airflow in response to determining the fresh air condition is met. The controller is further configured to increase an evaporator fan speed when the fresh airflow is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Petr Trutnovsky, Lubo{hacek over (s)} Forejt, Radim {hacek over (C)}ermák
  • Patent number: 9908387
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning device has an air-conditioning unit including a temperature regulation unit having an evaporator and a blower unit including a blower. The blower unit is offset to a side of the temperature regulation unit. A deflection guide to deflect a flow of air is provided upstream of the evaporator in a flow of air flowing into an inflow plane of the evaporator from the blower. The deflection guide has a plate-like defection portion inclined with respect to the inflow plane, and a support portion supporting the deflection portion by extending from the blower unit. A gap is provided between the support portion and the evaporator. Air that has collided with the deflection portion is changed in flow direction to head for the blower side of the inflow plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kondou
  • Patent number: 9908388
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to providing power to a transport refrigeration system (TRS) using an undersized main power source in combination with a secondary power source. The systems and methods allow the undersized main power source to be used with a TRS that requires a power more than a maximum threshold power of the undersized main power source to operate at a full cooling capacity. The secondary power supplements the undersized main power to allow the TRS to operate at the full cooling capacity. Optionally, a tertiary power source can supplement the undersized main power source, or the undersized main and secondary power sources to run the TRS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pierce Dominic Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9908389
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle has an operator's with at least one cab window. The at least one cab window is designed and configured such that a transparency of the cab window is changeable, preferably steplessly, at least in one subsection. As a result, an intensity of ambient light shining onto the operator's cab from the outside and through the at least one cab window is diminished such that a readability and operation of a control terminal in the cab is improved both in direct and indirect ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen gmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Volbracht
  • Patent number: 9908390
    Abstract: A door system includes a door panel and a door panel frame. The door panel frame includes a peripheral web, an outer flange extending outwardly from the web, a seal flange extending inwardly from the web, and a guard flange extending inwardly from the web. The seal flange is outboard of the guard flange. Lower portions of the seal flange may include perforations there through to allow water that may accumulate between the seal flange and the guard flange to exit the frame outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dallas Martin, David Wysong
  • Patent number: 9908391
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for covering a space. The system includes a frame having rails. A cover is disposed over the frame for covering the space. A block, a receiver, an anchor and a latch are all coupled to the frame. A mechanism is disposed between the block and the receiver and provides adjustment to the frame by moving the receiver, the anchor and the latch as a unit between an initial adjustment position and a final adjustment position. The mechanism also provides tension to the cover when the latch is engaging the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rugged Liner, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Williamson, David Kosinski, Michael Yang, Xichang Yan, Jianfeng Tong, Chengping Wei
  • Patent number: 9908392
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of individually controllable vehicle roof modules. Each of these modules includes: a frame, an adjustable wind deflector carried at a fore end portion of the frame, a window panel carried on the frame, and a first motor structured to selectively open the window panel by moving the window panel away from the fore end portion and over its aft end portion when electrically energized. Each module also includes a shade and a second motor structured to selectively adjust the shade over a range from an undeployed state to a deployed state when electrically energized. The modules each carry a locking mechanism with a locked state to fix the frame in a respective roof opening and establish an electrical power circuit to energize the motors; and an unlocked state to remove the frame from the roof opening, and open the electrical power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Nania
  • Patent number: 9908393
    Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a vehicle cover is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible member having a first end and a second end, the flexible member configured to flex so that, with the first end positioned adjacent to a vehicle and the second and positioned generally higher than the vehicle, the second end raises the vehicle cover up from the vehicle and lowers the vehicle cover down towards the vehicle. The second end of the flexible member is configured to retain the vehicle cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Daniel Cornew
  • Patent number: 9908394
    Abstract: A protective cover system for a motor vehicle includes a first roller, a first cover wound onto the first roller, a second roller and a second cover wound onto the second roller. The protective cover system also includes a control module for displacing the covers between stowed and deployed positions covering one or both of the motor vehicle bumper and an interior cargo floor of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Romero Regalado, Jorge Jara Zambrano, Mauricio Ivan Valadez Torres, Sergio Alberto Vega Velazquez
  • Patent number: 9908395
    Abstract: An automatic multipurpose shield device for vehicles, comprising an extendible tubular-shaped structure mounted on cross bars of the roof rack through a rotatory base. Said extendible structure is composed of two parts: a main container body (a) and a secondary body (b), the latter located inside the main container body (a) during the resting state and connected by longitudinal rails. The extendible tubular structure has two pairs of shield rolls connected to a mechanism and attached to two pairs of projecting arms that allow the automatic extension thereof, covering the entire length of the vehicle. The shield rolls may carry flexible solar cells or operate only to protect the vehicle against sun and hail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Claudio Sebastina Damm Rios, Ricardo Basilio Lichowski
  • Patent number: 9908396
    Abstract: An under body may include a side sill inside front panel bent similar to the side sill inside panel to connect a front end portion of the side sill inside panel with a dash panel to be bonded to each other; a front side member connecting member connected with a bottom surface of the dash panel and a rear end portion of a front side member while being bonded to an inside surface of the side sill inside front panel; a side sill inside rear panel configured to connect a rear end portion of the side sill inside panel with a rear side member to be bonded to each other; and a rear side member connecting member configured to connect a bottom end portion of the side sill inside rear panel with a front inside surface of a rear side member to be bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: SeungMin Jeong
  • Patent number: 9908397
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a vehicle may include a first input shaft selectively connected to an engine, a second input shaft as a hollow shaft, enclosing the first input shaft without rotational interference with the first input shaft, and selectively connected to the engine, a speed change portion including first and second planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set including three rotation elements, and four rotation shafts directly connected to at least one rotation element among the rotation elements of the first and second planetary gear sets, a motor/generator, an output shaft, and control elements including two clutches disposed at positions where the first and second input shafts are selectively connected to an output shaft of the engine, and two brakes disposed at positions where two rotation shafts among the four rotation shafts are selectively connected to a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Wonmin Cho, Seong Wook Hwang, Woochurl Son, Hyun Sik Kwon, Jae Chang Kook, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 9908399
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for influencing an air flow within an engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The device comprises an adjusting means for adjusting the device between two end positions. The device is allocated to a part region of the engine compartment so that in one of the end positions, an air flow that is provided in the engine compartment is in part or entirely either guided into the part region or guided away from the part region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Brinkmann, Johann Hendrik Wegers, Thomas Nitsche, Julian Tietze
  • Patent number: 9908400
    Abstract: A container for a refrigerated fluid having an external container and an internal container between which an evacuated intermediate space is situated, which contains a superinsulator formed by several, separated layers of foil provided with a metal layer, is used as a storing device for electric energy. The foils act as foil capacitors and are electrically contacted so that an electric voltage can be applied to corresponding electric terminals on the exterior side of the container. In the container, a metal layer can be provided on both surfaces of the foil(s), and the foil(s) may consist of a material with a semiconductor characteristic. The foil capacitors are electrically connectable in series or parallel, and the electrical contacting of the foil metal surfaces can take place via a suspension structure of the internal container in the external container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bauer, Torsten Franke
  • Patent number: 9908401
    Abstract: Provided is a flap valve device and a gas liquid separation device provided with a flap valve. The flap valve device includes a main body having an opening, a flap for selectively closing the opening and a torsion coil spring provided between the main body and the flap for biasing the flap in an opening direction. The flap valve device further comprises a main body side bearing; a flap side bearing; a connecting member including a hinge shaft passed through the main body side bearing, the flap side bearing and the torsion coil spring, and an extension extending from an end of the hinge shaft along an outer part of the flap; and a spring engagement portion provided on the main body for engaging an end of the torsion coil spring; another end of the torsion coil spring being engaged by the extension, which is engaged on the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Ryota Abe
  • Patent number: 9908402
    Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly includes a nozzle-receiving housing associated with a vehicle fuel tank filler neck. The nozzle-receiving housing is formed to include a central housing passageway sized to receive the tip of a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle therein during refueling of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventors: Adam Giles, Keith Kubicek
  • Patent number: 9908403
    Abstract: A misfuelling prevention device for preventing inappropriate fuel from being added to a vehicle utilizes a diameter difference between a gasoline gun and a diesel gun in order to prevent misfuelling. The misfuelling preventing device is constructed such that when the diesel gun having a relatively larger diameter is inserted, a locking button is not pressed while a flapper is opened, whereas when the gasoline gun having a relatively smaller diameter is inserted, the locking button is pressed while the flapper is not opened. As a result, misfuelling of the vehicle with inappropriate fuel is fundamentally prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Woo, Bu Yeol Ryu
  • Patent number: 9908404
    Abstract: A fuel cap cover is provided which protects its user from the spread of pathogens and inhibits contact with noxious chemicals such as liquid fuel residues in a fuel station environment. The fuel cap cover fits conveniently over the fuel cap in the fuel supply inlet enclosure when not in use. The fuel cap cover is flexible and has pockets which conveniently fit over the user's thumb and fingers. It is dimensioned to readily grasp and manipulate the fuel pump handle, operational controls, and other surfaces in a fuel station environment, and then slip easily off and back onto the fuel cap to be stored until its next use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: FLUGWERK DESIGN STUDIO, LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Webster, Mary A. Webster
  • Patent number: 9908405
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a filler neck that is provided in a filler neck body formed in a tubular shape and has a pipe connection structure. A first member is formed separately from the filler neck. A second member is formed separately from the filler neck to be different from the first member. The first member and the second member are engaged with each other. At least one of the first member and the second member includes a protective portion that is configured to cover at least part of the pipe connection structure in a state that the first member and the second member are engaged with each other and positions of the first member and the second member are fixed relative to the filler neck. This configuration suppresses damage of the pipe connection structure that is connected with the filler neck in the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kito, Yoshinari Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 9908406
    Abstract: A support system is provided for a vehicle. The support system can include one or more bracket assemblies in which each includes a coupling member and a curved member in which the coupling member is affixed to a structure of the vehicle. A housing can be supported by the one or more bracket assemblies in which the housing encloses a container that stores a material such that the housing protects the container and the material. The support system provides movement between a length of the container so as to reduce deterioration of the support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James B. Rike, Steven J. Tiede, Michael A. Pintz
  • Patent number: 9908407
    Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle is provided, the transaxle including a pump assembly having an input shaft extending from a housing and a pump disposed on a first hydraulic mounting member attached to the pump housing. The pump may be driven by an electric motor mounted on the vehicle. A motor assembly in a separate housing is also provided, and the transaxle may use a pair of dual planetary gear reduction mechanisms driven by a motor output shaft, each reduction mechanism driving an axle driving one of a pair of driven wheels of the vehicle. The axes of rotation of the pump shaft, motor shaft, electric motor output and the axles may all be located on a common plane to provide a compact unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael L. Bennett, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9908408
    Abstract: A dig system which allows for a vehicle to perform a dig maneuver, without sacrificing drivability. An actuator places the dig system in one of four different modes of operation, where the front wheels are placed in either a first configuration or a second configuration, where the front wheels are positioned at a desired steering angle, and one of the front or rear wheels is braked and prevented from rotating. The transfer case transfers power to one or more of the non-braked wheels, and disconnects from the remaining wheels. One or more of the non-braked wheels are rotated such that the vehicle pivots about an axis which extends through one of the wheels. One of the rear wheels is braked when performing a front dig maneuver, and one of the front wheels is be braked when performing a reverse dig maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Leigh Baker
  • Patent number: 9908409
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle accelerator pedal reaction force control device which may increase an output by a small accelerator opening operation, allows the driving force etc. to be easily controlled by the driver's intention, increases the resistance to the depression of an accelerator to make the driver feel secure, and allows the driver to experience the operational feeling that he or she is operating the vehicle by himself or herself. The vehicle accelerator pedal reaction force control device 1 has a first mode in which a relation of the driving force with respect to an accelerator opening is regarded as a predetermined characteristic and a second mode in which the driving force is higher than the driving force in the first mode. In the second mode, the pedal reaction force increases with an increase in the accelerator opening with respect to the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Takegawa, Nobuyuki Sakata, Takuru Uchiyama, Yoh Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9908410
    Abstract: In a method for warning the driver of a motor vehicle in the event of lack of attention, in order to improve the acceptance of such systems among drivers, it is provided to monitor the driver with regard to lack of attention and also to ascertain the instantaneous driving situation of the vehicle, and, if lack of attention of the driver has been determined, to output a warning signal only in certain driving situations, but not in others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Charlotte Grinenval, Wolfgang Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9908411
    Abstract: A broadcast of a signal is received at a first system from a second system at a first time. From the signal, a location of a target associated with the second system and a velocity of the target are determined relative to a location of the first system and a velocity of the first system. At the first system, using the location and the velocity of the first system and using the location and the velocity of the target, a likelihood is computed of a collision between the first system and the second system. A notification is sent from the first system about the likelihood of collision responsive to the likelihood of collision exceeding a threshold likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, Paul Alexander Raphael Frank, John M. Ganci, Jr., Martin G. Keen
  • Patent number: 9908412
    Abstract: An on-vehicle meter includes a meter including an indicator that rotates about a certain axis, a transparent display device provided on a display side of the meter, a light guide plate provided between the meter and the transparent display device, a light source that emits light to the light guide plate, and a control device that controls a display state of the transparent display device and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Ishikawa, Shinichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9908413
    Abstract: A vehicle display device includes an indicator that luminously displays a display image on its screen by lighting and stops the luminous display of the display image by extinction, and a display panel that includes a light shielding part on a rear surface of the display panel. The light shielding part light-shields a surrounding part of a transmitting window, through which an image light of the display image is transmitted to be capable of being visually recognized from a front side. A transmission region of a front surface of the display panel that is located at least on the front side of the transmitting window is occupied by a planar part that is formed in a flat surface shape along the screen, and a plurality of projecting surface parts that project from the planar part into a curved projecting surface shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Terashima, Hiroyuki Nagino, Shota Nojiri, Kenichi Hiura, Kazuyoshi Kohda, Yoshihiko Michihiro
  • Patent number: 9908414
    Abstract: The invention relates to a retainer (1) for a display device (3), which display device is to be retained in a motor vehicle, in particular in a motor-vehicle-side fitting, and in particular forms a part of a head-up display. The retainer comprises at least one support (5, 6) having at least one bearing device (8) for supporting the display device (3). The bearing device (8) can be positionally adjusted in relation to the support (5, 6) by means of an adjusting device (11) arranged on the support side. The adjusting device (11) has a setting element (12) that can be positionally adjusted in relation to the support (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Klaus Nonnenbroich, Robert Haumer