Patents Issued in March 20, 2018
  • Patent number: 9919599
    Abstract: A terminal detection unit detects a mobile terminal located inside a vehicle. An action history information generation unit and storage unit associate the mobile terminal detected by the terminal detection unit and an action of the vehicle associated with each other and store them as action history information. An action suggestion unit searches the action history information stored in the storage unit for the action associated with the mobile terminal detected by the terminal detection unit and suggests the found action to a passenger of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Fuchiwaki, Keizo Yamanaka, Naoki Miura, Yasunori Nihei
  • Patent number: 9919600
    Abstract: A vehicle information display system and an instrument panel assembly configured to project vehicle information onto the windshield or on a meter panel is provided. The information display system and the instrument panel assembly utilizes a single electronic display to either display vehicle information on the meter panel or to project vehicle information onto the windshield so as to reduce the number of components needed to perform both functions, and thus reduce packaging space. The electronic display and a first panel are rotatably mounted to the first display opening so as to alternatively cover the first display opening, wherein in a first mode of operation the electronic display is disposed within the first display opening and in a second mode of operation the first panel is disposed within the opening and the vehicle information is projected onto the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Hall
  • Patent number: 9919601
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a conductive foil, an elastomer body, and a strip composed of a non-elastomeric plastic. The conductive foil is electrically connected to the housing and has a functional section situated outside of the housing. The functional section of the conductive foil has a front side bearing sensors and/or display elements and is installable to a control panel. The elastomer body and the strip are positioned between an outer side of the housing and a back side of the functional section of the conductive foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Molkow, Karl Wilhelm Tenbrueggen, Markus Brendel, Guido Huperz, Michael Bleckmann, Florian Miedl, Thomas Tille
  • Patent number: 9919602
    Abstract: The drive inverter units that power the traction motors and steering motors of a manned or unmanned vehicle such as a mobile robot or automated guided vehicles (AGVs), industrial trucks or remote controlled vehicles that are equipped with a robot arm or other actuated mechanisms are also used to power the axes of the robot arms or other additional high power actuators (e.g. a lift table). The traction and steering motors can be disconnected from the drive and the motors of a robot arm or actuator can be connected to the drive and vice versa. The prerequisite is that driving and robot arm/actuator motion do not take place at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Martinez, Harald Josef Stabb, Gregory F. Rossano
  • Patent number: 9919603
    Abstract: The present invention improves emergency evasion performance. An operation control system for a vehicle that is provided with a risk-potential determining unit that determines the risk potential of a vehicle on the basis of external environment information and/or vehicle information, a friction braking unit that applies friction braking force to the vehicle, and a regenerative braking device that applies regenerative braking force to the vehicle, the operation control system being provided with a control value determining unit that determines a first control value that is for determining the size of the friction braking force and determines a second control value that is for determining the size of the regenerative braking force. The control value determining unit determines at least the first control value on the basis of the risk potential determined by the risk-potential determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Keiichiro Nagatsuka, Junya Takahashi, Mitsuhide Sasaki, Toshiyuki Innami, Mikio Ueyama
  • Patent number: 9919604
    Abstract: A power net system of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The power net system includes a fuel cell and a first switching unit that is configured to form and block an electrical connection between an output terminal of the fuel cell and a main bus. A load device diverges and is connected between the output terminal and the first switching unit. A reverse current blocking unit is disposed between the output terminal of the fuel cell and a node from which the load device diverges and is configured to block a current flow to the output terminal of the fuel cell. A second switching unit is configured to form and block an electrical connection between the output terminal of the fuel cell and the load device. A controller operates the first and second switching units to form the electrical connection between the main bus and the load device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Uk Kwon
  • Patent number: 9919605
    Abstract: A driving force controller for an electric vehicle includes a feed-forward compensator for computing a second target driving force so as to suppress overshooting of an actual driving force that is actually outputted, with respect to a first target driving force requested by a driver, the feed-forward compensator includes a first transfer function expressing a characteristic that the actual driving force becomes a predetermined response with respect to the first target driving force; and an inverse of a second transfer function approximately expressing a transmission characteristic between a input target driving force and the actual driving force in a control system except the feed-forward compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kensuke Osamura, Mitsuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 9919606
    Abstract: An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer system comprising a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sevcon Limited
    Inventor: Peter Barrass
  • Patent number: 9919607
    Abstract: A vehicle executing a turn will most likely be slowed down before the turn and when a driver activates a turn signal to indicate the turn, a vehicle internal controller uses this information to engage regenerative braking for energy recapture while slowing down the vehicle for the pending turn. Since the turn signal is usually activated very early in the turn event, and turns are an ongoing, frequent part of driving, a greater overall vehicle efficiency can be realized without special effort from the driver. Implementation is relatively simple for the manufacturer and adds no cost since the controllers and sensors are already installed on nearly all roadworthy vehicles. Fuel mileage and vehicle driving ranges are improved on a large scale and brake system wear is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Louis Ponziani
  • Patent number: 9919608
    Abstract: A power-module assembly includes a plurality of power modules that each have a power stage with opposing major sides and minor sides surrounded by a frame. The frame extends past the major sides and cooperates with the major sides to define pockets on each side of the power module. The modules are arranged in a stack such that pockets adjacent to each other cooperate to form coolant chambers interleaved with the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tienli Wang, Guangyin Lei, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 9919609
    Abstract: A charging plug (10) for an electric vehicle having has contact pins (L1, N, PE) for establishing a plug connection to a coupling, and temperature sensors (NTC1, NTC2, NTC3) that are coupled thermally to the contact pins (L1, N, PE) for detecting a temperature profile between the charging plug (10) and the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Horst Kretschmer, Frank Dambacher, Thomas Krauss
  • Patent number: 9919610
    Abstract: Magnetic-coupling-based wireless power transfer systems and schemes are provided that ensure fast wireless power transfer to charge batteries of electric vehicles (EVs) with high power transfer efficiencies and safety to humans and other animals in or near the EVs. A wireless power transfer system can include a direct 3-phase AC/AC converter with a circuit topology that enables bidirectional power flow. The direct 3-phase AC/AC converter can convert a power input at a low frequency, such as 3-phase 50/60 Hz, into a power output at a high frequency, such as a frequency in a range of 10-85 kHz for wireless power transfer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Arif Sarwat, Masood Moghaddami
  • Patent number: 9919611
    Abstract: A vehicle charge assistance device and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The vehicle charge assistance device includes at least one camera mounted on a vehicle, an antenna to detect a magnetic field from a charging device, and a processor to control movement of the vehicle. The processor may generate a vehicle movement direction signal based on an object associated with the charging device in an image from the at least one camera and generate a guide signal to adjust a position of the vehicle based on the magnetic field after movement of the vehicle according to the vehicle movement direction signal. Consequently, it is possible to easily and conveniently move the vehicle to the charge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jaesung Lee, Jonghun Song, Younsun Kim
  • Patent number: 9919612
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an electrical storage device; an inlet; a power conversion unit; and an ECU configured to: (a) determine whether the connector connected to the inlet is a charge connector for charging the electrical storage device or a discharge connector for feeding electric power to an external device on the basis of a first signal that is supplied via the inlet; (b) determine whether the discharge connector is a power extracting connector for feeding electric power to a single load or a facility connector for feeding electric power to a facility on the basis of a second signal that is supplied via the inlet when the ECU determines that the connector is the discharge connector; and (c) control an exchange of electric power between the inlet and the electrical storage device with the use of the power conversion unit on the basis of the determination of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Mizuno, Yoshiyuki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9919613
    Abstract: A battery temperature regulating device is provided with a low temperature heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange with the air conditioning system, a battery temperature regulating unit configured to allow heat exchange with the low temperature heat exchanger so as to regulate the temperature of the battery to approach a target temperature, and a control unit configured to control the battery temperature regulating unit. In the case where the charging is performed from the power supply external to the vehicle, the control unit determines whether or not it is necessary to accumulate heat in the battery, and in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is necessary, the control unit sets the target temperature of the battery during charging higher than that in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9919614
    Abstract: A passenger transportation system having at least one rail extending along a path; at least one trolley movable along the rail; an actuating device having a linear electric motor, in turn having at least one slide fitted to the trolley, and a linear stator extending at least partly along the path, and having an elongated body, and a quantity of power windings embedded in the elongated body; and a quantity of sensors configured to control the position of the trolley, the sensors being fitted to the elongated body and so positioned as to minimize noise generated by the power windings on the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROPFIN B.V.
    Inventors: Walter Sonnerer, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 9919615
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and systems for driving a load are described. An exemplary driving circuit may include a plurality of switching devices and a controller electrically connected to the switching devices. The controller may be configured to receive a reference voltage signal indicating a target voltage for the driving circuit to generate to drive the load. The reference voltage signal may correspond to a reference space vector in a reference frame. The controller may also be configured to determine that the reference space vector falls within a holding region in which the reference voltage signal is subject to over-modulation. The controller may then generate an adjusted reference voltage signal by adjusting the reference space vector to match a predetermined space vector associated with the holding region. In addition, the controller may be configured to provide the adjusted reference voltage signal to the plurality of switching devices to drive the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FARADAY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Grubic, Mengwei Campbell
  • Patent number: 9919616
    Abstract: A control system for a bicycle comprises a movement-information obtaining device, an actuator, an actuation controller, and a mode controller. The movement-information obtaining device is configured to obtain movement information indicating a movement of at least part of a first bicycle portion and configured to wirelessly output the movement information. The actuator is configured to actuate at least a second bicycle portion. The actuation controller has a wake mode to control the actuator based on an input signal and a sleep mode to be suspended under an electrical power consumption lower than an electrical power consumption in the wake mode. The mode controller is configured to wirelessly receive the movement information and configured to switch the actuation controller from the sleep mode to the wake mode based on the movement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 9919617
    Abstract: A control device for electric motor vehicle using a motor as a traveling drive source and configured to decelerate by a regenerative braking force of the motor includes a motor torque command value setter configured to set a first torque target value for traveling based on the vehicle information as a motor torque command value for traveling based on the vehicle information before a speed parameter proportional to a traveling speed of an electric motor vehicle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, and set a second torque target value for stopping the electric motor vehicle and maintaining a vehicle stopped state as the motor torque command value when the speed parameter becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, a motor controller configured to control the motor on the basis of the motor torque command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Sawada, Ken Ito, Takashi Nakajima, Yuji Katsumata, Hiroyuki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9919618
    Abstract: A motor drive control device is capable of reducing gear rattling noise generated in a speed reducer without increasing size of the speed reducer and the number of components. A motor ECU controls a motor to generate a reverse set torque (Tn) when a target torque (T*) is reversed (at a time t1). The motor ECU sequentially calculates a backlash (B) in a counter gear mechanism, and sets a time period (D1) in which the reverse set torque (Tn) is generated by the motor and a time period (D2) in which a return set torque (Tp) is generated by the motor so that the backlash (B) at a current time becomes equal to a time integrated value (corresponding to an area A) of an estimated relative velocity (V2?V1) until a time of re-abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makito Terada, Hideki Fukudome
  • Patent number: 9919619
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle frame includes a pair of longitudinal members; a plurality of cross members, which join the longitudinal members to one another; a resting surface, which is supported by the longitudinal members and cross members and defines the surface of the floor of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; a pair of front uprights; and a front-seat assembly. The frame includes a platform structure, arranged on which is the front-seat assembly, which affords a greater comfort within the passenger compartment and moreover strengthens the overall structure of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Poli-Model S.R.L., Interactive Fully Electrical Vehicles S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pietro Perlo, Pietro Guerrieri
  • Patent number: 9919620
    Abstract: A removable seat for a motor vehicle includes two hook fasteners for removably attaching the seat to front strikers that are rotatable about a lateral axis through the front strikers. A bar extends between the first hook fastener and the second hook fastener that is parallel to the lateral axis. The bar contacts the cover to prevent further rotation when the seat is rotated about the lateral axis to prevent over-rotation of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter A Supernavage, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Jeffrey H Scheurer, II
  • Patent number: 9919621
    Abstract: A method may be performed by a sensor arrangement and a controller. The method may include capturing, by the sensor arrangement, data indicative of anthropometric characteristics of an expected 3rd row passenger prior to the passenger entering a vehicle. The method may also include deploying, by a controller, a 3rd row seat and moving a 2nd row seat prior to the expected 3rd row passenger entering the vehicle to a riding position that is based on the characteristics and 2nd row passenger data. The sensor arrangement may include an optical sensor arrangement such as used in a blind-spot detection system for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allan Lippman, Allan Roy Gale, Mangala A. Jayasuriya
  • Patent number: 9919622
    Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a latch mechanism operable to allow movement of a movable track relative to a fixed track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, coupled with the movable track, and a memory position, coupled with the fixed track, to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. In response to movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position, the memory mechanism blocks the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism operates independently to unlock the latch mechanism when the memory mechanism is in the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Omar D Tame, Ameya Gupte, Macit Aktas, Jeffrey P Carroll
  • Patent number: 9919623
    Abstract: A rail and carrier system for a removable seat of a motor vehicle includes two lower rails fixedly attached laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle. a first upper rail is nested with and laterally slidable within the first lower rail, and a second upper rail is nested with and laterally slidable within the second lower rail. First and second cross brackets are laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the first and second upper rails are connected to the first and second upper rails. A cover is connected to and extends between the first and second cross brackets. A spring-loaded lock holds the first upper rail in place with the first lower rail, and a towel bar releases the lock, enabling the first and second upper rails to slide within the first and second lower rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter A Supernavage, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Jeffrey H Scheurer, II
  • Patent number: 9919624
    Abstract: A track assembly includes an upper track that includes an interface member having a first end and a second end, a plurality of wheel assemblies, an anchor, and one or more locking blocks disposed on a side of the interface member. Embodiments of the system include a lower track with a first side and a second side, wherein a flat portion is disposed near a top of each of the first side and the second side. In embodiments, flat portions may extend along a longitudinal axis associated with the lower track. A plurality of gaps may be disposed on the flat portions, and the gaps may be configured to receive a locking block and an anchor. The anchor may be configured to guide the upper track as the upper track travels along the longitudinal axis associated with the lower track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Cziomer, Marc Laumeier, Klaus Walter, Michael Wojatzki, Torsten Bochert
  • Patent number: 9919625
    Abstract: A seating system includes a base, and a seat mounted on the base and defining a seating surface. A backrest is configured for movement relative to the base and the seat between a first position and a second position by a backrest transfer arrangement having a movable pivot axis configuration. In the second position, the backrest defines a working surface spaced above and lying generally parallel to the seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Barbier, John O. Wizorek
  • Patent number: 9919626
    Abstract: A reclining seat includes a seat base coupled to a support surface. The seat base is moveable between extended and retracted positions as supported on a support roller by a guide rail disposed on an underside of the seat base. The guide rail includes a first support surface disposed at a first height, and a second support surface is disposed at a second height that is greater than the first height of the first support surface with a ramped portion disposed therebetween. The seat base is supported at the first support surface in the retracted position, and supported at the second support surface in the extended position. A seatback is coupled to a rear wall and is operable between upright and reclined positions. In the reclined position, the seatback is moved downward and away from the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane A. Goodhall, Henry W. Hausler, Curtis Stanhope
  • Patent number: 9919627
    Abstract: A vehicle seat locking unit (10) includes a lock housing having a receptacle opening (19) for receiving a locking bolt (12). A rotary latch (20) is mounted to swivel around a bearing bolt (51) and has a hook aperture (21) for locking together with the locking bolt. The bearing bolt is aligned in an axial direction and the receptacle opening is delimited by a locking bolt stop element (61), located in the hook aperture, which axially protrudes into the lock housing. In a locked state the locking bolt extends in the axial direction. A first contact region (71), between the locking bolt and the stop element, and a second contact region (72), between the locking bolt and the rotary latch, partially overlap in the axial direction, or the first contact region lies completely within the second contact region in the axial direction. A vehicle seat (1) includes such locking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Handl, Andreas Vedder, Uwe Moeller, Igor Gordeenko
  • Patent number: 9919628
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat fitting (10) includes a first fitting part (11) and a relatively rotatable second fitting part (12), which are connected to each other via a gear unit or can be locked. A third fitting part (74) is mounted on a bearing ring (71) in a pivotal manner about an axis (A) relative to the first fitting part. The bearing ring is fixed to the first fitting part. The third fitting part (74) can be locked with the first fitting part or a component rigidly connected thereto. A pawl (80) is mounted on the third fitting part in a first hinge point (D1). The bearing ring (71) has multiple run-on cams (71a) which interact with multiple elevations (74a) of the third fitting part. A free clearance, in the radial direction between the bearing ring (71) and the third fitting part, is minimized when the pawl (80) is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Thiel
  • Patent number: 9919629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly (21), particularly for a seat frame (7), comprising a structural tube (15) and at least one frame wire (20) mounted on the structural tube (15). The frame wire is mounted on the structural tube (15) by metal forming without the addition of external material. The present invention also relates to a seat frame (7), particularly for a backrest or a seat portion of a vehicle seat, comprising a left side flank (10) and/or a right side flank (11). The seat frame comprises at least one structural tube (15) mounted to the left side flank (10) and/or to the right side flank (11) by metal forming without the addition of external material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Augusto Da Costa, Joël Canteleux, Sébastien Seille, Philippe Ducreuzot
  • Patent number: 9919630
    Abstract: Provided is a floor mat fastening structure capable of preventing a circumferential edge portion of a mat main body from rising. This structure is to fasten a mat main body laid on a vehicle floor. A fastening member(s) are provided on a rear circumferential edge of the mat main body. The front end region of this fastening member is provided with an insertion portion having a cutout opening section. The fastening member is sandwiched between the vehicle floor and a foot bracket fixed on the vehicle floor such that the rising of the mat main body due to a long period of use can be restricted, thereby ensuring the quality of the product. Each fastening member is formed into the shape of a sheet, and has a flat upper and lower surfaces. Thus, the fastening member can be easily inserted in between the vehicle floor and the foot bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA ACCESS CORP.
    Inventors: Shinpei Takenaka, Shinnosuke Takeda
  • Patent number: 9919631
    Abstract: An adjustable cup holder assembly is provided. That adjustable cup holder assembly includes a support having a guide track and a drag bar. The adjustable cup holder also includes a cup holder having (a) a body including a well, (b) an actuator and (c) a drag. The cup holder may be displaced along the guide track and secured in various positions on the support by engaging the drag bar. A motor vehicle door including a cup holder with an adjustment mechanism for displacing the cup holder along the body of the door between multiple positions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
  • Patent number: 9919632
    Abstract: A cup holder for a vehicle includes a holder body, a support unit, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The holder body is configured to accommodate a cup, is provided with a thermoelectric element, is formed in a double sidewall structure, and is provided with an internal blower that is disposed in the inner space of the double sidewall structure. The support unit is configured such that the front portion thereof protrudes from the inner side of the holder body and supports a side of the cup, and is provided with an illuminant that is capable of expressing a plurality of colors and radiates light onto the cup. The temperature sensor is provided on the holder body, and measures temperature. The control unit changes the color of the illuminant of the support unit based on the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KBAUTOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park, Jae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9919633
    Abstract: A cooling and heating cup holder includes a holder body having a container shape, formed of a thermally conductive material, having a substantially uniform thickness, and having a contact portion pressed from an inner side to integrally protrude outward from one side surface thereof and having a contact surface forming a predetermined plane; a Peltier element including an operation surface and a heat radiating portion having an opposite row opposite to the operation surface and installed such that the operation surface is directly attached to the contact surface at an outer side of the holder body to transfer heat to the contact surface; and an air conditioner including a heat radiating duct in which the heat radiating portion of the Peltier element is buried and a blowing fan for blowing out air at one side of the heat radiating duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park
  • Patent number: 9919634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage compartment for a center console of a motor vehicle, having a partial cylinder shell-shaped compartment divider, which is movable on a circular path, in order to separate a storage region from the storage compartment in order to store a beverage container. For the purpose of supporting a stored beverage container in a tilt-free manner, the invention provides a spring-loaded support element on the compartment divider, the movement of which is synchronized with fixed support elements on a circumference of the storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: fischer automotive systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Flothmann, Gunter Leopold
  • Patent number: 9919635
    Abstract: A wellsite system that includes a bulk material transporter, a mobile tagger, and an uplink. The bulk material transporter includes a supply of a bulk material, a meter to measure output from the supply, and a data logger to log the output as a function of a predetermined parameter. The mobile tagger assigns transfer parameters to each transfer of the bulk material from the supply to one of multiple assets located at the wellsite, including the output measured by the meter. The uplink wirelessly transmits data from the log and the transfer parameters to remote data storage not located at the wellsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hubertus V. Thomeer
  • Patent number: 9919636
    Abstract: An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart, Ka Po Catherine Hui
  • Patent number: 9919637
    Abstract: A system for transporting and operating a crane includes a front adapter which connects to the front end of the base of the crane, and a rear adapter which connects to the rear end of the base of the crane A coupler pivotally connects to the front adapter, and also connects to the tractor. A dolly pivotally connects to the rear adapter. In a transportational configuration the crane is suspended above the support surface between the coupler and the dolly. In an operational configuration the coupler and the dolly remain connected to their respective adapters, with their weight fully supported by the ground. This allows the crane to be used with no reduction to the manufacturer's rated capabilities. In accordance with another embodiment, the dolly includes a rear cradle which is shaped and dimensioned to receive and support the boom during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Dieleman, James Robb McGhie
  • Patent number: 9919638
    Abstract: A mobile service building including a towable rigid frame, the frame configured to be lowered and raised by a hydraulic lift coupled to wheels and a tongue. A building is attached to the frame, the building having walls, a floor, a ceiling and a door in one of the walls, and includes an opening in the floor of the building. A downwardly facing camera is attached to the building, looking downwardly through the opening in the floor and being configured such that a driver can determine when the opening is positioned over a predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: David Paul Brand
  • Patent number: 9919639
    Abstract: The lightweight camper or trailer is a light weight shelter is adapted for use as an outdoor shelter. The lightweight camper or trailer is adapted to be portable. The lightweight camper or trailer comprises a plurality of surfaces. The each of the plurality of surfaces combine to create a protected space. Each of the plurality of surfaces is held in position through the use of a lightweight frame. The lightweight camper or trailer is made of materials light enough that the lightweight camper or trailer can be moved manually. In another potential embodiment, the lightweight camper or trailer is mounted on a commercially available trailer for transport. In an alternate potential embodiment, the plurality of surfaces is built such that the protected space will float on a body of water. The lightweight camper or trailer comprises a plurality of surfaces and a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Marc Lanza
  • Patent number: 9919640
    Abstract: According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system and method for synchronizing and controlling at least one dolly may be provided. The system may include at least one dolly, a power unit, and a control device, all communicatively coupled via at least one network. Dolly coordinates and steer points for a load may be recorded. Adjustments to the dolly may be made based on desired changes to the orientation of the steer points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Allen Buckingham, Jamin Ray Buckingham
  • Patent number: 9919641
    Abstract: A pickup-truck box includes a bed and a sidewall connected to a longitudinal side of the bed. The sidewall includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and a top rail. The top rail defines a stake-pocket hole and extends between the panels to define a sidewall interior. A stake-pocket bracket includes a tubular body defining an opening. The bracket is disposed within the sidewall interior with a first side of the tubular body secured to the inner panel at a location that vertical aligns the opening with the hole to receive an object within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Joshua R. Hemphill, Dragan B. Stojkovic, John Comiez
  • Patent number: 9919642
    Abstract: A system and method for securing a container to a transport surface is disclosed. The system includes a capture member and a locking member. The locking member is configured to be attached to the surface and to securely engage one end of the capture member. The capture member includes one end configured to securely engage the locking member and a second end configured to securely engage the container. The locking member is optionally configured to require a key to disengage the capture member from the locking member. The method includes attaching the locking member to the surface, disposing a container on the surface next to the locking member, and positioning the capture member such that it securely engages the locking member at one end and securely engages the container at the other end, and thereby secures the container to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bluewater Resources LLC
    Inventors: Jake Llewellyn, Neal Llewellyn, John Llewellyn, Rickey Mason
  • Patent number: 9919643
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a headlamp including a first connector, a headlamp housing accommodating the headlamp, and a harness including a second connector configured to be connected with the first connector, in which the headlamp housing includes a connector holding portion holding the first and second connectors connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Takashi Hisamura, Chad Enger
  • Patent number: 9919644
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a surroundings-illuminating device for producing a light distribution on the ground surrounding the motor vehicle. The surroundings-illuminating device includes one or more projection modules for producing the light distribution, wherein every projection module has at least one light source and an array of projection optical systems which from the light of the at least one light source generates at least a part of the light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patric Meinzer, Wolfgang Wirtz, Max Klimke, Marcel Sieler
  • Patent number: 9919645
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The lighting system preferably includes a planar plate mounted to one of the horizontal surfaces of a vehicle. A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters affixed upon the planar plate so as to illuminate upwardly so as to be seen from the air. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can selectively produce visible light, or infrared light, or both. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light bar affixed to the planar plate. The light bar is positioned to illuminate primarily horizontally so as to be seen by those on the ground. Preferably, the luminescent planar sheets are connected by wiring to the light bar so that luminescent planar sheet obtains power from the light bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 9919646
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of using sound detectors, motion detectors and temperature sensors inside vehicles for activating alarms to protect vehicle occupants that can include babies, children, infirm, elderly and pets. Mounted sound detector(s), motion detector(s) and temperature sensor are used wherein detected sound from the sound detector can activate the motion temperature sensor and motion detected to activate adjacent or remote alarms when unsafe cold and warm interior vehicle temperatures are reached. Low battery indicators such as audible alarms, chirp sounds and lights can be used to indicate low battery power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: All Distributors, LLC
    Inventors: Bettye Arnold, Mark Best
  • Patent number: 9919647
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intuitive haptic alert system that: (1) Identifies a second vehicle; projects a series of virtual waves emanating from the second vehicle at a source frequency, estimates observed frequencies of the virtual waves at the first vehicle according to the Doppler Effect, and generates a sequence of commands for a haptic motor based on the estimated observed frequencies. (2) Projects rumble zone(s) over road; identifies when the vehicle occupies the zone(s); generates a sequence of commands for a haptic motor based on: an identified occupation and received vehicle velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Chen, Pietro Buttolo, James Peng
  • Patent number: 9919648
    Abstract: Specifically programmed, integrated motor vehicle dangerous driving warning and control system and methods comprising at least one specialized communication computer machine including electronic artificial intelligence expert system decision making capability further comprising one or more motor vehicle electronic sensors for monitoring the motor vehicle and for monitoring activities of the driver and/or passengers including activities related to the use of cellular telephones and/or other wireless communication devices and further comprising electronic communications transceiver assemblies for communications with external sensor networks for monitoring dangerous driving situations, weather conditions, roadway conditions, pedestrian congestion and motor vehicle traffic congestion conditions to derive warning and/or control signals for warning the driver of dangerous driving situations and/or for controlling the motor vehicle driver use of said cellular telephone and/or other wireless communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Robert D. Pedersen