Patents Issued in April 3, 2018
  • Patent number: 9931975
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp control apparatus includes a receiver, a storage, a correction section, and an adjustment instruction section. The receiver receives output values of an acceleration sensor. The storage stores information indicating an ideal positional relationship between sensor-side axes and vehicle-side axes. The correction section plots the output values, obtained during running of a vehicle, on coordinates in which acceleration in a vehicle longitudinal direction is set to a first axis and acceleration in a vehicle lateral/vertical direction is set to a second axis, derives a straight line from plotted points, calculates displacements of the sensor-side and vehicle-side axes from the ideal positional relationship, using an inclination of the straight line, and corrects the information. The adjustment instruction section derives a tilt angle of the vehicle from current acceleration using the corrected information, and generates a control signal to instruct adjustment of an optical axis of a vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukinori Saeki, Masashi Yamazaki, Yusuke Kasaba
  • Patent number: 9931976
    Abstract: Electronic components may be integrated in objects used by the trucking industry, such as truck, tractor trailer, cargo, and loading bay. These objects may then communicate with each other and with a gateway device to transmit or receive data or commands. The gateway may be configured to attach to the truck, such as by securing to the truck frame or securing to an interior of the truck cab. The gateway may couple to one or more input devices, and receive sensor data through the one or more input devices. The gateway may execute steps that allow the gateway to determine safety margins for operating a vehicle and communicating that information to other nearby vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Terwilliger, Andrew Tosh, Jefferson Walter Wirtz, Rex Bryan
  • Patent number: 9931977
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp which enables vehicles or pedestrians around a vehicle to easily recognize a driving direction of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a driving direction sensing unit configured to sense a driving direction of a vehicle, a driving direction indicating unit configured to form a first pattern indicating the driving direction and forms a second pattern indicating the driving direction on a road surface around the vehicle and a control unit configured to adjust the driving direction indicating unit based on to the sensed driving direction. The driving direction indicating unit includes at least one lamp unit. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflection unit having a plurality of reflectors which form the first pattern and the second pattern, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Wook Youn, Hye Jin Han, Jin Hee Yu
  • Patent number: 9931978
    Abstract: A warning sign structure includes an activating mechanism and a stretching-retracting mechanism movably joined to the activating mechanism. The stretching-retracting mechanism includes a retractable unit connected to the activating mechanism and a light emitting unit movably disposed on a top of the retractable unit. When the vehicle breaks down, the activating mechanism drives a stretching-retracting mechanism to stretch its retractable unit to an appropriate height manually or automatically and turns on a light emitting unit. The light emitting unit emits light in a high position to warn the rear-coming vehicles. The driver can also detach the stretching-retracting mechanism and use the stretching-retracting mechanism as a hand-held warning sign or a traffic baton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Sheng-Fa Chen
  • Patent number: 9931979
    Abstract: A self-checking emergency light unit includes a power input terminal coupleable to an external power supply for receiving power therefrom, an illumination circuit coupled to the power input terminal, a discharge circuit coupled to the emergency power source, and an operational check module coupled to the emergency power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Hessling Von Heimendahl, Robert Trinschek, Siegfried Schmees
  • Patent number: 9931980
    Abstract: A voice message warning device for the driver of a motor vehicle with a three button arrangement set into the front face of a plastic, anodized aluminum or stainless steel case, which once activated play a pre-set recorded message on each button warning the driver of a motor vehicle that his or her parking meter is about to expire, it's time to take a break and to check your speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher John Albert
  • Patent number: 9931981
    Abstract: A system and method are provided and include a rotatable blind spot sensor that monitors a blind spot detection area of a subject vehicle. The rotatable blind spot sensor generates first object data while positioned at a first angle and second object data while positioned at a second angle. A controller receives the first object data and the second object data and determines whether the object is a secondary vehicle located within a blind spot detection area of the subject vehicle. A driver alert system generates an alert in response to the controller determining that the object is the secondary vehicle located within the blind spot detection area of the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ting-Yu Lai, Miki Sato, Bo Sun
  • Patent number: 9931982
    Abstract: There is provided an image generation apparatus used for a vehicle having side mirrors. An image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a plurality of captured images obtained by a plurality of cameras including side cameras provided in the side mirrors. A generation unit is configured to generate a composite image which indicates a periphery of the vehicle viewed from a virtual viewpoint, by using target areas defined for the respective captured images. A state acquisition unit is configured to acquire a developed or folded state of the side mirrors. The generation unit changes the target areas in accordance with the developed or folded state of the side mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Naoyuki Okada, Masahiro Yamada, Yasuyoshi Sawada, Takumi Hayashida
  • Patent number: 9931983
    Abstract: A stereo camera includes a first lens and a second lens, a first light shield unit and a second light shield unit respectively provided at front sides of the first and second lenses to shield light incident on the first and second lenses, a first fan and a second fan respectively provided at the sides of the first and second lenses to defrost a windshield of a vehicle, and a front case in which the first and second light shield units are provided at both sides of a main body. The first and second light shield units are attachable to or detachable from the front case, a width of the first light shield unit is less than a length thereof and is greater than a height thereof, and a distance between the first and second lenses is greater than the width of the first light shield unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Donghwa Yun
  • Patent number: 9931984
    Abstract: Vanity mirror assemblies are provided for vehicles having a body, front seats, a rear portion behind the front seats, and a vanity mirror assembly. The vanity mirror assembly includes a housing, a light source, a display screen, and a two-way mirror. The light source is disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. The display screen is disposed within the housing between the front seats and the light source. The two-way mirror is disposed within the housing between the light source and the display screen. The display screen is movable with the two-way mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Mark West
  • Patent number: 9931985
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first sensor, an interface, a second sensor and a processor. The first sensor may be configured to generate a video signal based on a targeted view of a driver. The interface may be configured to receive status information about one or more components of a vehicle. The second sensor may be configured to detect an object within a predetermined radius of the second sensor. The processor may be configured to determine a field of view of the driver based on the status information. The processor may be configured to generate a control signal in response to a cross reference between (i) a field of view of the driver and (ii) the detected object. The control signal may be used to alert the driver if the detected object is not in the field of view of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ambarella, Inc.
    Inventors: Shimon Pertsel, Alexander Fink
  • Patent number: 9931986
    Abstract: A mobile vessel for refueling engines at remote refueling sites. The vessel has a tank with side walls and a rectangular bottom portion. The bottom portion is configured to rest on the ground and it includes an inner wall and a lower plate. The bottom portion further includes spacer elements between the inner wall and lower plate that defines a gap there between for collecting fuel that may leak from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MRB Enterprise Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Beard
  • Patent number: 9931987
    Abstract: A receiver hitch mountable platform that may be configured to a variety of uses, such as a step, carrier, ramp, or other purposes. The platform provides an attachment plate that may receive a plurality of accessories attached thereto via fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Hugo Baeza
  • Patent number: 9931988
    Abstract: A freestanding unit for securing loose items within the cargo area of a vehicle by propping items against a side wall of the cargo area includes a vertical wall section and bottom wall forming an overall L shaped cross section reinforced by molded ribs. The freestanding wall unit is secured to the carpeted floor of the vehicle's cargo area using continuous strips of hook and loop material. Two handles, situated one on either end of the vertical wall allow ease of use when removing or repositioning the freestanding wall unit within the cargo area. The handles are positioned at either end to provide a constant and steady peeling effect facilitated by the continuous hook and loop strips when removing the unit from a carpeted surface. The unit may be constructed as a solid one piece molded plastic part utilizing a tough and durable plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Culleton, Ben Millett, Alan Harrison
  • Patent number: 9931989
    Abstract: A load cover arrangement for an interior luggage compartment of a vehicle. The load cover arrangement comprises a load cover having a fixed end attached to a tailgate of the vehicle, and a front portion having fastening members for releasably attaching to a front side of the luggage compartment. When attached, the load cover extends a distance Dclosed in a closed tailgate position, and a distance Dopen in an open tailgate position, measured from an opening in the tailgate and across the luggage compartment. The fixed end of the load cover is arranged inside of the tailgate and the load cover extends an internal distance Dinternal and projects out through the opening in the tailgate, wherein at least a portion of the load cover is resiliently elastic so that it is stretchable between a retracted position with a length of Dretracted, the closed tailgate position and the open tailgate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Disley, Niklas Palm, Juan Pablo Bernal Pabon
  • Patent number: 9931990
    Abstract: A storage assembly is provided to include a housing; a floor supported on the housing; an arm supported on the floor and elastically retractable between a retracted position and an extended position along a first direction; a drive member supported on the housing and including a cavity with an opening to receive a portion of the arm in the extended position; and a resistance member supported on the housing and including a shoulder at least partially retractably extendable through the opening to support the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Wang, Hallie Ge, Christina Fu
  • Patent number: 9931991
    Abstract: A multi-purpose assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises a rotational assembly comprising a first surface rotationally interchangeable with a second surface. The assembly further comprises a housing configured to pivotally engage the rotational assembly. The first surface comprises a hanger and the second surface comprises a task light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
  • Patent number: 9931992
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a vehicle roof-box on a vehicle roof panel comprises a pair of roof rails disposed on the vehicle roof panel at both sides thereof respectively in a front-rear direction of the vehicle roof panel; a plurality of cross-bars spacedly arranged in the front-rear direction, wherein each cross-bar has two opposing ends removably coupled to the roof rails respectively, wherein the vehicle roof-box is mounted to the cross-bars; and a plurality of securing means configured to removably secure the cross-bars to the roof rails, wherein each of the plurality of securing means includes a first bracket movable along each of the roof rails, and a second bracket screw-coupled to the first bracket to secure the first bracket to each of the roof rails, wherein an end of each of the cross-bars is fixed to the second bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KH-TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kil Hong Min
  • Patent number: 9931993
    Abstract: An accessory adapter capable of attaching to a cargo accessory management system is shown and described. The accessory adapter may include a body member and a clamping member attached to the body member, where a portion of the cargo accessory management system is capable of being wedgingly secured between the clamping member and body member. The accessory adapter may also include an accessory adapter body selectively attached to the body member, where the accessory adapter body is capable of securing an accessory to the cargo accessory management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Brian Wayne Ward, Gail Rae Matheus, Sean Michael Phillips
  • Patent number: 9931994
    Abstract: A variably positionable bicycle wheel anchor for fixing a bicycle wheel at a desired location along an elongate support rail. The bicycle wheel anchor includes a body configured to be slidingly coupled to an elongate support rail for variable, fixed positioning of the body along a length of the elongate support rail. The underside of the body has a support rail engagement surface and the upper side of the body has a bicycle wheel receiver. The wheel anchor has a deployable interference mechanism coupled to the body and having a deployed configuration in which at least a portion of the interference mechanism protrudes beyond the underside of the body for releasable engagement with the elongate support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Joseph Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 9931995
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting cellular telephones and similar portable devices to vehicle mounts is provided in which the portable devices may be manipulated to different angular orientations relative to the vehicle without altering the connection of the vehicle mount thereto, and wherein the support is easily laterally adjustable to accommodate portable devices of different size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: High Gear Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Lee
  • Patent number: 9931996
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a screen assembly with a display and a signal generating device. A housing pivotally coupled to the screen assembly can have a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly. The upper portion can receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. At least a portion of the screen assembly can rotate through an opening in the lower portion. A shell can receive the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Safety, Inc.
    Inventor: Chung Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 9931997
    Abstract: A vehicle door protector is formed of a first segment, a plurality of intermediate segments, and a last segment. The axes of the segments are in axial alignment. Each segment has a leading end and a trailing end, an exterior surface and a rectangular planar passageway, and a top and a bottom. The first segment and the intermediate segments each have a radial stop extending into the passageway of an adjacent segment. The intermediate segments and the last segment each have a circumferential stop axially aligned with the radial stops. A securing strap has an inner end attached to the trailing end of the last segment. The securing strap has an outer end with a magnet to hold the vehicle door protector in an operative orientation with respect to the vehicle door to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Kendall T. Jones
  • Patent number: 9931998
    Abstract: A vehicle window control panel for controlling a plurality of vehicle window assemblies comprises a common window control switch and a plurality of selector interfaces. The common window control switch is configured for controlling operation of a window assembly when the window assembly occupies an active state. The plurality of selector interfaces is electrically coupled to the common window control switch, and each of the plurality of selector interfaces is associated with an associated window assembly and configured for selectively coupling the associated window assembly to the common window control switch so as to cause the associated window assembly to occupy an active state. Each of the plurality of selector interfaces is also configured for selectively decoupling the associated window assembly from the common window control switch so as to cause the associated window assembly to occupy an inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eleodoro Pacheco, Fred W. Huntzicker
  • Patent number: 9931999
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame having a lower cross member. A back panel is operably coupled to the seatback frame and includes internal posts configured to receive a retention clip. The retention clip includes first and second catches that engage notches on the internal posts of the back panel. The retention clips further include retention hooks. An anchorage bracket is operably coupled to the lower cross member and includes fastener slots configured to receive the retention hooks to secure the back panel with the anchorage bracket. Wire harness features are disposed on distal ends of the anchorage bracket. Wiring is routed between the lower cross member and the anchorage bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Patent number: 9932000
    Abstract: An information notification apparatus includes a camera; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to perform line-of-sight detection on an image captured by the camera, calculate a forward gaze degree of a gaze directed to a predetermined area in accordance with a line-of-sight direction obtained in line-of-sight detection; execute a notification to an outside in a first information if the forward gaze degree is lower than a first threshold; and execute the notification in a second information which information is less than the first information if the forward gaze degree is higher than or equal to the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aoki, Masami Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9932001
    Abstract: A vehicular power source controller is designed so that when there is abnormal action in a microprocessor and an abnormal fuse state cannot be determined from the current of a load detected by a current sensor circuit, power supply to the load cannot be turned on and off by the operation of a combination switch corresponding to the load, but can be turned on and off by the operation of an ignition switch. It is thereby possible to prevent continuing power supply to the load when the combination switch is turned on during the abnormal action of the microprocessor, and battery exhaustion can be suppressed. Power supply to the load cannot be turned on and off by the operation of the combination switch during the abnormal action of the microprocessor, and an operator is easily made aware of the abnormal action of the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Ueta, Akinori Maruyama, Yoshihide Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9932002
    Abstract: A wire harness includes a power source line and a signal line which connect a control ECU for controlling motor units disposed on each seat of a vehicle, switch units for operating the motor units and the motor units to each other. Drive connectors in which drive circuits for driving the motor units are incorporated are provided to terminals of the wire harness on a motor units side. Signal connectors for transmitting operation signals indicative of states of the switch units are mounted on terminals of the wire harness on a switch units side. The drive connectors and the signal connectors are provided as parts separate from each other, and the control ECU, the drive connectors and the signal connectors are provided that multiplex communication is possible among them through the signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Aoki
  • Patent number: 9932003
    Abstract: An in-vehicle power supply apparatus for supplying operating power to a microcomputer is configured such that the microcomputer can securely enter into a standby state in a case where a voltage supplied from an in-vehicle power source is interrupted. The in-vehicle power supply apparatus according to the invention generates a second voltage to be supplied to a control IC and the like other than the microcomputer and a third voltage to be supplied to the microcomputer, and, in a case where the second voltage is reduced, the in-vehicle power supply apparatus transmits a reset signal and bypasses the second voltage to an input of the third voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Yoshitaka Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 9932004
    Abstract: A sensor bracket assembly is configured to extend between a sensor beam and a bumper beam of a vehicle. The sensor bracket assembly can include a bracket first section that is configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the bumper beam. The sensor bracket assembly can also include a bracket second section that is configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the sensor beam. The sensor bracket assembly can further include a spacer section that projects from the bracket first section and is configured to extend towards but be spaced from one of the bracket second section and the bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Adam M. Mihm, Yuta Kashiwase, Lando C. Hamlett
  • Patent number: 9932005
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly is provided having an energy absorber, a bracket, a step pad and a bumper fascia. The energy absorber includes an upper horizontal surface wherein the upper horizontal surface may define a deformable structure. The deformable structure may be in the form of flexible fins. The bracket may be mounted to the vehicle frame on a first end of the bracket and the energy absorber affixed to a second end of the bracket. The step pad may be affixed to the energy absorber. The bumper fascia may be affixed to either or both the step pad and the energy absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC.
    Inventors: Steven Perucca, John Chiang, Paul Martini
  • Patent number: 9932006
    Abstract: A vehicular energy absorption structure includes a hollow tubular energy absorption body made from a fiber reinforced resin, an opposing face (e.g., an attachment plate) that is provided facing an axial direction end portion of the energy absorption body, and against which the energy absorption body is crushed from the axial direction end portion during a vehicle collision, and a guide section (e.g., peripheral wall, ribs) that projects from the opposing face and that is disposed in an interior of the energy absorption body. The guide section includes an abutting section (e.g., abutting walls) that contacts a wall of the energy absorption body from the inner side of the wall during the vehicle collision, the abutting section being separated from the opposing face by an opening in the axial direction of the energy absorption body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Hashimoto, Toshihiro Goto, Shintaro Kitakata, Shigenori Hashida
  • Patent number: 9932007
    Abstract: An energy absorbing structure of a vehicle of the present invention has: a bumper reinforcement positioned at a vehicle front end portion or a vehicle rear end portion, the bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle transverse direction; and a crash box made of a fiber-reinforced resin, the crash box being disposed at a side opposite a side of input of collision load to the bumper reinforcement, and the crash box being structured to include a crash box main body having a closed cross-sectional structure. An upper portion and a lower portion of the crash box main body do not overlap the bumper reinforcement as seen from a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Hashimoto, Shintaro Kitakata
  • Patent number: 9932008
    Abstract: A system of bumper spacers that provide for relocation of a vehicle's bumper forward of the body. Single and multiple points of attachment define spacers are provided with varying dimensional aspects to accommodate different vehicle applications. Stabilization and positioning installation engagement tab extensions extend from the respective spacers in both the axial and trans-axial opening alignment extending at right angles from the spacer's body member exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Stacy Jordan Tadysak
  • Patent number: 9932009
    Abstract: A front end structure is provided for a vehicle that includes a bracket for attaching front crash sensors to the vehicle. The front end structure includes an engine compartment and a hood connected to the engine compartment by a hood latch and a pair of hinges. The bracket is connected to the hood latch and the front crash sensors to maintain palpability with the vehicle through the hood in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jensen, Jason Shomsky, David James Bauch, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Patent number: 9932010
    Abstract: An electronic airbag ignition circuit includes a first and second output for the electrically conductive connection to a first and second terminal of a magnetic actuator. The electronic airbag ignition circuit also includes a first switching element, whose contact-break path is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the first output, and a second switching element, whose contact-break path is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the second output. The electronic airbag ignition circuit includes a second control circuit connected in an electrically conductive manner to a control terminal of the second switching element. The second control circuit is configured to close the second switching element in a first triggering mode for a first predetermined duration and in a second triggering mode for a second predetermined duration that differs from the first duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Walker
  • Patent number: 9932011
    Abstract: An airbag includes a main inflation portion, in which an inflator is arranged, and an auxiliary inflation portion, the volume of which is smaller than that of the main inflation portion. The main inflation portion is deployed forward in a space between an occupant and a side wall of the vehicle. Prior to the deployment of the main inflation portion outside the seat back, the auxiliary inflation portion is inflated inside the seat back with inflation gas from the inflator to push the occupant toward the inner side. The main inflation portion and the auxiliary inflation portion each have a communication port that connects the main inflation portion and the auxiliary inflation portion to each other. The airbag includes an inflation promoting structure, which promotes the inflation of the auxiliary inflation portion compared to the inflation of the main inflation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Hiraiwa, Yuji Sato, Takashi Iida, Masashi Hotta
  • Patent number: 9932012
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A seatback panel is operably coupled with a back side of the seatback. The seatback panel includes a front side and a rear side. Multiple laterally-extending mounting features are disposed proximate edges of the front side of the seatback panel. An inner carrier includes multiple clip embossments extending laterally and releasably coupled with the mounting features. Multiple forwardly-extending clip towers are spaced vertically between the mounting features. A cushion assembly includes attachment features releasably coupled with the clip towers. After deployment of an airbag module, the mounting features of the seatback panel and the clip embossments can be recoupled for continued use of the vehicle seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Christian J. Hosbach, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 9932013
    Abstract: A first device for use to gain access to a vehicle or to a controlled access item or area, wherein access is controlled by a second device. The first device for carrying on a person of a user and paired with the second device. The first device comprises components having a primary function not related to gaining access; a limited range transmitter for transmitting a signal to the second device, the second device receiving the signal and determining whether the signal was transmitted from the first device; responsive to determining that the signal was transmitted from the first device, the second device for issuing a control signal permitting the user to gain access to the vehicle or to the controlled access item or area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9932014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cellular phone (10) for remotely controlling at least one function of a security device (12) of a motor vehicle (11). The cellular phone (10) has a first transceiver unit (14), whereby a connection can be established to a cellular network (16). According to the invention, the cellular phone (10) has a second transceiver unit (18), by means of which a first radio signal (20) can be received. The cellular phone (10) can be switched into an active mode by means of the received first radio signal (20), and a second radio signal (22) with an authorization code (21) can be transmitted by means of the second transceiver unit (18) in the switched active mode in order to control the function of the security device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Müller
  • Patent number: 9932015
    Abstract: A blade rubber has an elongate shape extending along a longitudinal direction. The blade rubber includes a basal portion retained by a rubber holder and a wiping portion extending downward from the basal portion. The wiping portion slidably contacts and wipes a wiped surface along a width direction. The wiping portion has a cross-sectional shape, which inclines with respect to a downward hanging direction when the blade rubber is in an unloaded state. The cross-sectional shape is a shape of a cross-sectional surface of the wiping portion. The cross-sectional surface extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The downward hanging direction is a direction, which extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakano, Sohei Yamada
  • Patent number: 9932016
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a wiper arm to a wiper blade may be provided. The connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an adaptor which includes an opening and to which the wiper arm is fastened; and a cover part which covers at least a portion of the opening and is pivotably connected to an end of the adaptor. The cover part includes: a top surface is formed in a longitudinal direction of the connector; and a wing surface which extends downward from the top surface. Accordingly, the cover part can be prevented from being separated and can be prevented from being pushed outward in a width direction of the connector, so that a U-hook of the wiper arm is prevented from being separated and the wiper arm is connected to the wiper blade with a sense of unity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KBWS Corporation
    Inventor: Woo Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9932017
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper comprises a retainer that is formed in an elongated shape open at the lower side facing toward a windshield, and that is provided so as to be capable of swinging about a shaft axis of a pivot shaft that is swung to-and-fro; a first nozzle member that is housed inside the retainer, and that is capable of ejecting washer fluid from an ejection portion; and 1 a retainer cover member that closes off an opening of the retainer, and that is formed with a window through which the ejection portion of the first nozzle member is externally exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Uchiyama, Yoshiyuki Uchino, Kouichi Hirao, Takao Yoshimoto, Akio Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9932018
    Abstract: A product metering system for accurately dispensing one or more products. The product metering system generally includes a vehicle wash product supply fluidly connected to an electronic control valve and a control unit in communication with the electronic control valve. The electronic control valve operates at an open/close ratio that dispenses the product supply at a desired flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Donald J. Pansier, Daniel J. Mathys
  • Patent number: 9932019
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for a robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle. A semi-autonomous portable robot is programmed to interchange depleted rechargeable batteries disposed in an electric or hybrid vehicle. Portable battery pod dispenses batteries to semi-autonomous portable robot for swap. Semi-autonomous portable robot uses navigational sensors to transport battery to predetermined position at the battery interchange location. Battery disposition and configuration data are wirelessly communicated by battery pod to semi-autonomous portable robot. Battery pod is also in electrical communication with vehicle for timely latching and unlatching of battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ample, Inc.
    Inventor: Khaled Hassounah
  • Patent number: 9932021
    Abstract: When a following vehicle approaches a host vehicle, a following vehicle warning unit that issues a warning to the following vehicle on the basis of the likelihood of a front end collision, calculated by a front end collision likelihood calculation unit and the likelihood of a rear end collision, calculated by a rear end collision likelihood calculation unit, issues a warning to the following vehicle before activating a brake apparatus of the host vehicle at a brake force determined by a braking processing determination unit that determines a brake force required to prevent a collision between the host vehicle and a frontward obstruction on the basis of the likelihood of a front end collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Okubo, Akinobu Sugiyama, Atsushi Yoshikawa, Masataka Shirozono, Nobutaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9932022
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the contact patch parameters of a tire while rolling on deformable surfaces, such as during a hydroplaning event, are provided. More particularly, a piezoelectric sensor configured to provide a piezoelectric sensor output signal indicative of the time-varying curvature of a rolling tire can be mounted in a tire. The piezoelectric sensor output signal can be analyzed to detect a signal perturbation corresponding to the hydroplaning event. One or more characteristics of the contact patch during the hydroplaning event can be analyzed based on the signal perturbation. For instance, a parameter indicative of the shape of the contact patch during the hydroplaning event can be assessed based on the signal perturbation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: David Alan Weston
  • Patent number: 9932023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking device and to a braking system, each having a master brake cylinder (10) having at least one first pressure chamber (12) that is subdivided or is able to be subdivided at least into a first partial volume (12a) and a second partial volume (12b), which are hydraulically connectable or connected to a brake fluid reservoir (24), a first brake circuit (28) being hydraulically connectable or connected to the first partial volume (12a), and having a valve device (38) that is mechanically designed in such a way that a pressure buildup up to a mechanically specified limit pressure may be brought about in the second partial volume (12b), brake fluid being transferable at least into the first brake circuit (28) via at least one subcomponent (38a) of the valve device (38), and an exceeding of the limit pressure in the second partial volume (12b) being prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Oliver Leibfried, Stefan Strengert, Sr., Urs Bauer, Volkmar Schlotter, Michael Kunz, Matthias Kistner, Karl-Heinz Willmann, Matthias Schanzenbach, Suekrue Senol, Dagobert Masur
  • Patent number: 9932024
    Abstract: A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus (control apparatus 100), installed in a vehicle reducing a drive torque when the vehicle is at a halt, that includes vehicle holding control section 113 for performing vehicle holding control by holding a brake hydraulic pressure when the vehicle is at a halt. The vehicle holding control section 113 is configured to release the holding of the brake hydraulic pressure based on the accelerator operation of a driver when the vehicle is at a halt and, in the releasing of the holding of the brake hydraulic pressure, release the holding of the brake hydraulic pressure completely before the drive torque of the vehicle starts increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kinoshita, Kohei Akamine, Masaki Koike
  • Patent number: 9932025
    Abstract: Pneumatic control valve of a compressed-air brake system of a vehicle, having at least one first valve system which is arranged in an upper housing and has a first valve piston which interacts with a first valve and can be actuated manually or by means of an actuator via a spring element by means of a plunger piston, having a second valve system which is arranged in a lower housing with a coaxially arranged second valve piston which can be actuated pneumatically and/or mechanically by the first valve system and with a second annular plate valve. The first valve piston is guided via the plunger piston in the cylindrical guide in the housing upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO INDIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Ganesamoorthy Arumugham, Vinoth Kumar Rangaraj, Narayanan Sreenivasan, Selvamani Sundaramahalingam