Patents Issued in March 22, 2018
-
Publication number: 20180079397Abstract: When an engine speed is less than a safeguard speed while a vehicle downhill assist control is being executed, a target speed of the vehicle downhill assist control is increased. In addition, if the target speed is greater than a vehicle speed, braking force applied to the vehicle is decreased.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicants: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yusuke NAKAGAWA, Yasuhito ISHIDA, Akitsugu SAKAI
-
Publication number: 20180079398Abstract: The brake system control unit for a vehicle having a hydraulic vehicle brake and an electromechanical brake device including at least one electric brake motor includes a microcontroller configured to actuate at least one active brake component of the vehicle. The control unit further includes a system ASIC configured to acquire sensor signals in the vehicle. The control unit further includes a brake motor ASIC configured to actuate an electric brake motor of an electromechanical brake device and acquire pedal travel transducer signals of the brake pedal of the vehicle. The control unit includes a plurality of communication interfaces to connect the microcontroller to the system ASIC and to the brake motor ASIC.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Peter Rebholz-Goldmann
-
Publication number: 20180079399Abstract: A brake system control unit for a vehicle having a hydraulic vehicle brake and electromechanical brake device comprises a microcontroller, a system ASIC and a brake motor ASIC, wherein the microcontroller is connected to the system ASIC and the brake motor ASIC via communication interfaces. In the brake motor ASIC, an interrogation signal sequence for interrogating the switched state of an actuation switch of the electromechanical brake device is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Peter Rebholz-Goldmann
-
Publication number: 20180079400Abstract: Example hydraulic brake apparatus and related methods are described herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a parking brake valve having an inlet fluidly coupled to a pump and an outlet fluidly coupled to a brake. The parking brake valve is operable between an open state and a closed state to allow or block fluid through the parking brake valve. To lock the fluid in the brake in a parking brake mode, the parking brake valve is moved to the closed state by pumping fluid into the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: John Crossman
-
Publication number: 20180079401Abstract: An electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) overlay control valve can selective switch between a conventional pneumatic mode and an ECP mode. In ECP mode, the overlay control valve shunts the brake cylinder pressure of the pneumatic control valve which allows a relay valve to build or exhaust pressure in the brake cylinder in response to an electronically controlled apply/release circuit. In conventional pneumatic mode, the overlay control valve disconnects the relay valve and allows a conventional pneumatic control valve to control the pressurization and exhausting of the brake cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLCInventors: Keith Parnapy, Derick Call
-
Publication number: 20180079402Abstract: An apparatus for reducing brake wear having a brake de-selection function for selectively disabling at least one brake on a vehicle; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive torque information which relates to torque reacted by a brake on the vehicle during a braking event and wheel speed information which relates to a speed of a wheel associated with the brake during the braking event; calculate an energy input into the brake during the braking event, based on the received torque information and the received wheel speed information; determine whether the calculated energy input meets at least one predefined energy input criterion; and activate the brake de-selection function if the calculated energy input meets the at least one predefined energy input criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Kurt BRÜGGEMANN, Brice CHERAY, Louis Emmanuel ROMANA
-
Publication number: 20180079403Abstract: The electric brake device includes an electric motor, a friction member operator, a friction member, a brake rotor, and a control device. A braking force estimator provided in the control device includes: a direct estimator configured to convert output of a braking force sensor which detects a load or displacement corresponding amount, to a braking force; and an indirect estimator configured to estimate the braking force on the basis of information other than output of the braking force sensor. A range in which the braking force is estimated by the direct estimator is a specified low-braking-force range, and in a range beyond this range, estimation of the braking force is performed by the indirect estimator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: NTN CORPORATIONInventors: Yui Masuda, Tatsuya Yamasaki
-
Publication number: 20180079404Abstract: The hybrid type work vehicle includes: a traveling unit having a traveling electric motor; a hydraulic work unit having a hydraulic pump; and a control apparatus having an operation determination section configured to input the operation amount of an operation lever device, the depression amount of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, and a vehicle speed and to determine the current operation state of the vehicle, and a power computation section configured to input the output value of an engine and the output value of a power storage device and to calculate and control the power of the traveling unit and the power of the hydraulic work unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Satoru KANEKO, Kazuo ISHIDA, Noritaka ITO, Takashi IKIMI
-
Publication number: 20180079405Abstract: A system for improving performance or efficiency of operation of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor configured to detect current vehicle speed data and current vehicle slope data. The system includes a pedal control unit configured to detect current pedal position data. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine expected driving power demand based on current vehicle speed data and vehicle slope data. The ECU is configured to determine detected driving power demand based on current pedal position data. The ECU is configured to detect a drafting condition when the expected driving power demand exceeds the detected driving power demand. The ECU is configured to adjust, when the drafting condition is detected, at least one of a chassis control setting, an engine control setting, a transmission control setting, or a hybrid control setting to improve performance or efficiency of operation of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Geoffrey D. Gaither, Takanori Aoki
-
Publication number: 20180079406Abstract: The vehicle behavior control device comprises: a steer-by-wire type steering apparatus (6) having a steering wheel-side mechanism and a road wheel-side mechanism which are mechanically separated from each other; and a controller (8) performs a driving force reduction control when a steering speed in the steering apparatus (6) becomes equal to or greater than a given threshold. The steering apparatus (6) comprises a first steering angle sensor (14) provided in the steering wheel-side mechanism and a second steering angle sensor (19) provided in the road wheel-side mechanism. The controller (8) performs the driving force reduction control using the first steering angle sensor (14) when a yaw rate or a steering speed is equal to or greater than a given value, and performs the driving force reduction control using the second steering angle sensor (19) when the yaw rate or the steering speed is less than the given value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoji IZUMI, Yasunori TAKAHARA, Daisuke UMETSU, Osamu SUNAHARA, Masaki CHIBA
-
Publication number: 20180079407Abstract: The vehicle behavior control device comprises: a steer-by-wire type steering apparatus (6) having a steering wheel-side mechanism and a road wheel-side mechanism which are mechanically separated from each other; and a controller (8) performs a driving force reduction control of reducing a driving force for a vehicle (1) when a steering speed in the steering apparatus (6) becomes equal to or greater than a given threshold. The steering apparatus (6) comprises a first steering angle sensor (14) provided in the steering wheel-side mechanism and a second steering angle sensor (19) provided in the road wheel-side mechanism. The controller (8) performs the driving force reduction control based on the steering speed in accordance with a sum of an output of the first steering angle sensor (14) and an output of the second steering angle sensor (19).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoji IZUMI, Yasunori TAKAHARA, Daisuke UMETSU, Osamu SUNAHARA, Masaki CHIBA
-
Publication number: 20180079408Abstract: An object detection apparatus acquires a lateral position which is a relative position of a target to the own vehicle, and determines that a first target is present, as the target, ahead of the own vehicle and that a second target is present between the first target and the own vehicle. The object detection apparatus determines, based on the lateral position of the first target and a limiting value which indicates a width in the lateral direction, whether the first target is present on a traveling course of the own vehicle. The object detection apparatus sets the limiting value such that when the second target is not present, sets as the limiting value, a predetermined reference value, and when the second target is present, sets as the limiting value, a value different from the reference value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Yosuke Ito, Jun Tsuchida, Masayuki Shimizu
-
Publication number: 20180079409Abstract: To deselect a target vehicle, certain actions are taken by an autonomously operating vehicle. An identified lane is identified. A target vehicle in the identified lane is selected. The target vehicle is determined to be departing the identified lane when an edge of the target vehicle crosses a virtual boundary. The target vehicle is deselected after determining that the target vehicle is departing the identified lane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Brian Tamm, Aaron L. Mills
-
Publication number: 20180079410Abstract: After a push operation of an operating unit is started (at time t1), when a speed limit acquired by a speed limit acquisition ECU is switched from a first speed limit (for example, 100 km/h) to a second speed limit (for example, 120 km/h) at time t2 in a period in which a duration time of the push operation has not yet reached a long-push completion time, a driving support ECU sets a target speed Vset to the second speed limit at a time point at which the duration time of the push operation has reached the long-push completion time thereafter (at time t3).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji YAMASHITA, Takeshi INOGUCHI
-
Publication number: 20180079411Abstract: A driving assist ECU calculates a speed deviation ?V which is a magnitude of a deviation between a target speed Vset and a speed limit Vlim in a situation in which the target speed Vset and the speed limit Vlim are different from each other. When the speed deviation ?V is equal to or smaller than a threshold A, the driving assist ECU sets an accept prohibition flag to “1”. When the speed deviation ?V is higher than the threshold A, the driving assist ECU sets the accept prohibition flag to “0”. When the accept prohibition flag is “1”, the driving assist ECU regards/treats a long-push operation of an operating unit not as an accept operation, but as an acceleration operation or a coast operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi INOGUCHI, Keiji YAMASHITA
-
Publication number: 20180079412Abstract: A vehicle speed limiter system installed on a vehicle includes a detection unit to detect a speed limit value of a road while the vehicle is traveling; a setting unit to set the speed limit value; a limiter unit to limit the vehicle speed, based on the speed limit value; an obtainment unit to obtain a stepping amount on an accelerator pedal; a calculation unit to calculate a parameter depending on the stepping amount in a state where the vehicle speed is being limited by the limiter unit; and a display unit to display information based on the parameter, in a case where a speed limit value newly detected by the detection unit is greater than the speed limit value previously set by the setting unit, before the setting unit sets the speed limit value newly detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobuyuki TOMATSU, Takashi INOUE, Sokfan YEE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Keiji YAMASHITA, Takato MASUDA
-
Publication number: 20180079413Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a plurality of sensors, a wireless communication unit, and a control device that is configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors and via the wireless communication unit relating to at least one of an environmental condition, a mechanical condition and a health-rated condition. The control unit formats the received data into a predetermined format corresponding to at least one detected condition, and compares the at least one detected condition to a plurality of known conditions. The control unit is further configured to identify a detected known condition when the at least one detected condition matches at least one of the plurality of known conditions, to select, in response to identifying the detected known condition, an automatic autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, and then to execute a predetermined driving maneuver corresponding to the detected known condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Mariano HERRERO, Yang LI
-
Publication number: 20180079414Abstract: A controller includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to activate a first autonomy mode to control steering and at least one of propulsion and braking. The processor is further programmed to, while in the first autonomy mode, disregard a command from an occupant to perform an action interfering with an ability of the occupant to one of see a field of travel of a vehicle and provide input to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Levasseur Tellis, Sarra Awad Yako, Gerald H. Engelman
-
Publication number: 20180079415Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus is mounted in a vehicle that runs by transmitting power from a plurality of drive sources to a plurality of wheels or a plurality of sets of wheels. The vehicle driving force control apparatus includes: a ratio determination unit; and a command unit. The ratio determination unit determines a target ratio at which a required driving force applied to the vehicle is to be distributed to the plurality of wheels or the plurality of sets of wheels. The command unit commands the plurality of drive sources to output power such that driving force distributed in accordance with the target ratio is generated in the plurality of wheels or the plurality of sets of wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: FUMIYUKI MORIYA, HIROSHI IENAGA
-
Publication number: 20180079416Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes traction wheels, a powertrain configured to transmit drive power to the traction wheels, a sensor configured to detect a presence of an occupant, an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, braking, or shifting, and at least one controller configured to automatically control the actuator based on an automated driving system algorithm. The powertrain is selectively operable in a first mode having a first operating characteristic and a second mode having a second operating characteristic. The controller is further configured to control the powertrain in the first mode in response to the sensor detecting an occupant being present and the actuator being controlled based on the automated driving system algorithm, and in the second mode in response to the sensor detecting no occupant being present and the actuator being controlled based on the automated driving system algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Scott W. Damman, Michael E. McGuire, Nicholas D. Theis, Nicholas A. Barra
-
Publication number: 20180079417Abstract: A start-stop device for commencing an automatic switch-off process of a drive machine in a motor vehicle includes means for detecting a first trigger condition for initiating an automatic switch-off process, means for detecting a second trigger condition for initiating an automatic switch-off process if the first trigger condition can no longer be met, and means for initiating an automatic switch-off process of the drive machine if the first trigger condition or the second trigger condition is met.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Frank Bodendorf, Daniela Treutler
-
Publication number: 20180079418Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle including an oil pump driven by a transmission of a rotation of the motor-generator; and a hydraulic pressure supply unit for supplying a hydraulic pressure to the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic pressure is generated by regulating a pressure of an oil discharged from the oil pump. When a regenerative braking is performed by the motor-generator based on a deceleration request from a driver, the hydraulic pressure supply unit supplies a hydraulic pressure based on a first hydraulic pressure and a second hydraulic pressure to the continuously variable transmission. The first hydraulic pressure is a hydraulic pressure to transmit an input torque input to the continuously variable transmission during the regenerative braking. The second hydraulic pressure is a hydraulic pressure to shift the continuously variable transmission during the regenerative braking.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: JATCO LtdInventors: Hiroki IWASA, Hironori MIYAISHI, Tetsuya IZUMI
-
Publication number: 20180079419Abstract: Provided are a driving control method and device in which an actual driving operation is performed after vehicles communicate with each other regarding a safety check by vehicle-to-vehicle communication in advance, thereby making it possible to smoothly and safely change lanes or merge when a vehicle is changing lanes or merging by automatic driving.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: NEC CORPORATIONInventor: Takeshi YAMAMOTO
-
Publication number: 20180079420Abstract: Systems and methods for automated control of vehicle lane change maneuvers are disclosed. Some implementations may include detecting, based on data from a sensor in the first vehicle, one or more other vehicles that are moving in a target lane of the road. Some implementations may include determining, based on the kinematic state of the vehicle and a prediction of motion of the one or more other vehicles in the target lane, estimates of headway in relation to at least one of the one or more other vehicles in the target lane. Some implementations may include determining, based at least in part on the estimates of headway, overtake decisions for the one or more other vehicles traveling in the target lane. Some implementations may include determining a motion plan that will transition the first vehicle from the current lane to the target lane based the overtake decisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Sandip Aine
-
Publication number: 20180079421Abstract: A vehicle control method includes: obtaining a current location of a vehicle; judging whether the vehicle is in a temporary waiting state or not according to the current location; determining to turn on or off an automatic start/stop function of the vehicle based on the judgment. The control method can distinguish whether the vehicle is waiting for a traffic light or is in a congestion situation, and choose to turn on the automatic start/stop function according to a current road condition, so as to make the automatic start/stop function of the vehicle to be more real-time and accurate, and maximize the reduction of fuel consumption and exhaust emission. A vehicle control device, an in-vehicle system and a vehicle control system are further provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuo Chen, Weiqing Guo
-
Publication number: 20180079422Abstract: Systems and method are provided for assessing a target vehicle in proximity to a host vehicle. In one example, a method includes identifying the target vehicle in proximity to the host vehicle; obtaining sensor data, from one or more sensors onboard the host vehicle, pertaining to one or more characteristics of the target vehicle; and assessing a state of the target vehicle, via a processor, via a dynamic Bayesian network, using the sensor data as inputs for the dynamic Bayesian network.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Benjamin WEINSTEIN-RAUN
-
Publication number: 20180079423Abstract: Systems and method are provided for assessing a target vehicle in proximity to a host vehicle. In one example, a method includes identifying the target vehicle in proximity to the host vehicle; obtaining sensor data, from one or more sensors onboard the host vehicle, pertaining to one or more characteristics of the target vehicle; and determining whether the target vehicle is an active traffic participant, via a processor, using the sensor data in connection with a mathematical classification system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: BENJAMIN WEINSTEIN-RAUN
-
Publication number: 20180079424Abstract: Example ice and snow detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method activates an ice and snow detection system in response to receiving weather data indicating a likelihood of ice or snow on a roadway near a vehicle. The method receives data from multiple vehicle sensors and analyzes the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway. If ice or snow is identified on the roadway, the method adjusts vehicle operations and reports the ice or snow condition to a shared database.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Ashley Elizabeth Micks, Sneha Kadetotad, Harpreetsingh Banvait, Ashok E. Rodrigues
-
Publication number: 20180079425Abstract: A method for testing the function of a driver assistance system of a vehicle, wherein an environment of the vehicle is detected by means of a sensor system, includes the following steps: stimulating the driver assistance system by means of an external stimulation; processing the stimulation in the driver assistance system so that a stimulation response is obtained; transmitting the stimulation and/or information relating to the stimulation to an external reference device and determining a reference response for the stimulation in the external reference device in accordance with a desired state of the driver assistance system; and comparing the stimulation response with the reference response. The invention enables the functionality of a driver assistance system of a vehicle to be tested in a simple and cost-effective manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Sven Fleck, Benjamin May
-
Publication number: 20180079426Abstract: A system includes a controller in a vehicle in communication with sensors supported on pedals of the vehicle. The controller includes instructions for determining a user intention based on a detected movement of a foot of the user. Upon determination that the user intention is to take over control the vehicle, the controller sets a control mode of the vehicle to a manual control mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman
-
Publication number: 20180079427Abstract: A triggering condition for initiating an interaction session with an occupant of a vehicle is detected. A display is populated with representations of one or more options for operations associated with the vehicle. Based at least in part on an analysis of one or more signals generated by the occupant, a particular option is selected for implementation. An indication that the particular option has been selected is provided, and an operation corresponding to the particular option is initiated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Herz, Karlin Bark, Nguyen-Cat Le
-
Publication number: 20180079428Abstract: An actuating device for shifting stages of a transmission, wherein a displaceable actuator for the manual selection of a shift stage (or driving mode) is provided, which can be adjusted into a plurality of positions. At least some or each of the positions can be assigned necessary conditions for the engagement of a shift stage assigned to the position. If the actuator is displaced into a position for which the conditions necessary for the same are not fulfilled, the associated shift stage is not engaged in the transmission and corresponding first signaling is carried out. Fulfillment of the necessary conditions of the associated shift stage following the displacement of the actuator into the position assigned to the shift stage or following the displacement in the direction of the associated position for the associated shift stage leads to the shift stage in the transmission being engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Sickart, Arne KRÜGER, Gerd BOFINGER
-
Publication number: 20180079429Abstract: A device and method for a human machine interface (HMI) device to provide sensory augmentation in a vehicle environment are disclosed. The device and method include receiving, via a vehicle network, location data relating to a vehicle obstacle identified by a vehicle sensor. With the location data, the device and method include identifying a haptic device of a plurality of haptic devices correlating to the location data and to a directional reference, wherein the plurality of haptic devices distributed in a defined-relation along a wearable band device and operable to convey directional information. With the haptic device being identified, the device and method include generating a haptic signal, by the haptic device, to define a vector relating to the vehicle obstacle with respect to the directional reference.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Danil V. Prokhorov
-
Publication number: 20180079430Abstract: An information provision device includes a left vibrator disposed at left portion of a vehicle steering wheel and a right vibrator disposed at right portion of the vehicle steering wheel, a control unit vibrating the vibrators under a predetermined pattern with varying intensity, and a pattern setting unit. The pattern setting unit sets a right-turn related pattern when right-turn related information is provided and sets a left-turn related pattern when left-turn related information is provided. The right-turn related pattern includes at least a pattern in which a left vibration state, a right-and-left vibration state, and a right vibration state shift in described order. The left-turn related pattern includes at least a pattern in which the right vibration state, the right-and-left vibration state, and the left vibration state shift in described order.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Syunsuke Shibata, Norio Sanma, Motoki Tachiiri, Sei Iguchi
-
Publication number: 20180079431Abstract: A passenger cable transportation system, the cable system comprising: at least one cabin for transporting passengers; at least one station for passengers boarding and landing from the cabin; two lateral guides facing each other and configured to guide the cabin into the station along an advancing direction, wherein there is a clearance between the lateral guides and the cabin; and at least one blocking device configured to block the cabin in relation to the lateral guides at least along a direction transversal to the advancing direction level with at least one part of the station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Nikolaus Erharter, Denis Ribot
-
Publication number: 20180079432Abstract: A carbody of a railcar includes: an underframe; a first member provided at one of vertical sides of a vertical center of the underframe, supported by the underframe, and absorbing collision energy; a second member provided at the other vertical side of the vertical center of the underframe, supported by the underframe, and contacting an obstacle when the first member is compressed by collision with the obstacle. In a case where the second member receives a reaction force from the obstacle when the first member is compressed by the collision with the obstacle, the second member transfers to the underframe a moment load that is opposite in a rotational direction to a moment load transferred to the underframe by the first member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Atsushi SANO, Naoaki KAWAKAMI, Naohiro YOSHIDA, Shinichiro HATA, Seiichiro YAGI, Masayuki TOMIZAWA
-
Publication number: 20180079433Abstract: A protective shroud for enveloping light radiating from a light emitter used with a sensor system for mapping of a railway track. The protective shroud includes: a rigid body having a frame and at least one opaque panel connected to the frame, the rigid body defining at least a first portion of a light radiation zone; and a skirt formed of high density fibers extending from adjacent a bottom edge of the at least one opaque panel to adjacent a ground surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Tetra Tech, Inc.Inventor: Darel Mesher
-
Publication number: 20180079434Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a railway track bed using a plurality of sensors that are synchronized for rapid interrogation of a railway track bed while the sensors are in motion at a high rate of speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Tetra Tech, Inc.Inventor: Darel Mesher
-
Publication number: 20180079435Abstract: A method for determining a route warranty for one or more vehicle systems includes determining plural different paths for a trip of a first vehicle system from an origin location to a destination location in a transportation network formed from paths interconnected with each other at nodes, determining whether travel by the first vehicle system along the different routes fails one or more tests that restrict how the first vehicle system travels in the transportation network, and determining a route warranty for the first vehicle system based on the one or more tests. The route warranty reserves one or more of the paths for travel by the first vehicle system from the origin location to the destination location such that other vehicle systems are prevented from traveling on the one or more of the paths reserved by the route warranty.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Christopher Barry Horne
-
Publication number: 20180079436Abstract: A train system has a locomotive traveling at a controlled speed on a main track, with passenger cars capable of locomotion and of automatic coupling and decoupling, forming a train on the main track. Appropriate passenger cars are decoupled and switched onto a side track at stations to unload passengers while the rest of the train passes the stations without stopping. Passenger cars loaded with passengers at these stations are then deployed to couple-up with the train after it has passed the station. This combines local service with express service. Operation in most cases is guided by a central computer system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Robert W. Fifield
-
Publication number: 20180079437Abstract: A combination hand truck and equipment stand to be used by musicians, sound reinforcement companies and sound personnel, lighting companies and lighting personnel, clubs, schools, theatres, concert halls and Houses of Worship for transporting equipment (instrument amplifiers, sound and lighting consoles, speaker enclosures, audio processing racks and general miscellaneous equipment) transforms into a stand for said musical instrument amplifiers, sound and lighting consoles, standard 19? audio equipment racks, stage monitors, loudspeaker enclosures, and storage boxes, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Sheldon Jay Gunther
-
Publication number: 20180079438Abstract: A gas cylinder cart includes a frame, a first control assembly composed of a first control panel wall and a first gas distribution assembly, a second control assembly composed of a second control panel wall and a second gas distribution assembly, and a central manifold connected to each of the first and second control assemblies. The central manifold includes a valve assembly allowing for connection of both the first and second control assemblies to gas cylinders, connection of only one of the first and second control assemblies to gas cylinders, or connection of the first and/or second control assemblies to remote gas sources. Inclusion of the first and second control assemblies within the gas cylinder cart allows for use of the gas cylinder cart in conjunction with different systems that might require different control assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Lawrence Shane Intravatola
-
Publication number: 20180079439Abstract: A wheelbarrow having a load carrying body supported on a chassis. An electrically powered axle assembly is located at one end of the chassis and has a pair of wheels disposed at opposite sides of the axle assembly. The chassis includes a pair of side plates that extend downwardly to provide legs and a cross member extending between the side plates to maintain them in spaced relationship. A shelf extends between the side plates and is spaced below the underside of the body to provide a cavity to receive a battery. A pair of handles is secured to the side plates, one on each side of the body to transfer loads from the handles in to the chassis and the body is secured to the handles and side plates at a common connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Terry DETTNER, Steve JOHNSON
-
Publication number: 20180079440Abstract: Device for manually lifting a load with a lever for a cart, suitcase and the like, making it easier to ascend and descend staircases and various obstacles, said device comprising two parts:—a first part comprising: a frame (1) secured to wheels (2), the wheels (2) and the handles (3) being fixed to the frame (1),—a second part comprising: a load support (4) secured to wheels (5), the wheels (5) and a load (12) being mounted in a fixed manner on the load support (4), the second part being able to slide with respect to the first part by the action of a telescopic lever arm (10) in order to ascend a step of a staircase in two phases, the telescopic lever arm (10) being fixed to the handles (3) by an articulation (9), a second articulation (8) connecting the telescopic lever arm (10) to a transmission (6) which is in turn connected by a third articulation (7) to the load support (4) of the second part.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Anghel Muscocea
-
Publication number: 20180079441Abstract: A steering assembly movable between a deployed position and a stowed position in an instrument panel of a vehicle includes a mounting sled assembly configured to mount to a structural portion of the vehicle, a movable sled assembly operably coupled to the mounting sled assembly and movable relative thereto, the movable sled assembly movable between a retracted position where the movable sled assembly is disposed within the instrument panel, and a deployed position where the movable sled assembly is extended away from the instrument panel toward a rear of the vehicle, and a handle assembly configured to move between a stowed position where the handle assembly is at least partially retracted within the movable sled assembly, and a deployed position where at least a portion of the handle assembly extends outward from the movable sled assembly for a driver to manipulate and steer the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Todd McKinzie, Marco R Cercone
-
Publication number: 20180079442Abstract: A rotation control system for a steering wheel is provided. The rotation control system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft configured to switch the steering wheel between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
-
Publication number: 20180079443Abstract: A locking mechanism for a telescoping steering column includes an energy absorption strap having a plurality of teeth disposed therealong. Also included is a clamp bolt rotatably driven by an adjustment lever. Further included is an actuator body coupled to the clamp bolt and rotated therewith. Yet further included is a first lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a first direction. Also included is a second lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael W. Clark, Melvin L. Tinnin
-
Publication number: 20180079444Abstract: A roller I-shaft includes an inner shaft, a hollow outer member, and a plurality of bearings. The inner shaft extends along an axis, and includes an outward face defining a plurality of first and second grooves that both extend axially and are alternately spaced circumferentially from one-another. The outer member is disposed radially outward from the inner shaft and includes an inward surface defining a plurality of first channels substantially aligned with the plurality of first grooves, and a plurality of second channels substantially aligned with the plurality of second grooves. The first grooves and the first channels form a plurality of first bearing races, and the second grooves and the second channels form a plurality of second bearing races. The plurality of bearings are disposed in a selected plurality of bearing races comprising one of the plurality of first bearing races and the plurality of second bearing races.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Shawn A. Haring, Gregory D. Brezinski, Chase A. Szostak, Carl R. Castanier
-
Publication number: 20180079445Abstract: A steering device of a vehicle includes: a column housing supported on a vehicle body; a column tube supported to be movable in an axial direction with respect to the column housing and configured to accommodate a steering shaft; and a telescopic mechanism configured to drive the column tube with respect to the column housing in the axial direction. The column tube includes outer and inner tubes, and is configured to allow a relative movement of the outer tube with respect to the inner tube in the axial direction when a load equal to or larger than a predetermined value is applied to the steering shaft. The telescopic mechanism includes a holding member, and a driving mechanism, and is configured to drive the inner and outer tubes with respect to the column housing in the axial direction by the driving mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken KATO
-
Publication number: 20180079446Abstract: A BLDC includes an outer casing, and a first sub-motor and a second sub-motor mounted within the outer casing. The BLDC further includes a terminal hub, and a first conductive terminal set and a second conductive terminal set. The first and second sub-motor include their respective stators that are energized independently and a common rotor. The first conductive terminal set is configured as a power supply branch circuit for the stator of the first sub-motor, the second conductive terminal set is configured as a power supply branch circuit for the stator of the second sub-motor. The first and second sub-motors can be configured to selectively commonly operate as a single motor to output normal power or operate independently. When one sub-motor fails, the other sub-motor can independently operate to ensure reliability and safety of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Ning SUN, Rui Feng QIN, Xiao Hong ZHOU, Long Hui NIU