Patents Issued in June 12, 2018
  • Patent number: 9994208
    Abstract: A bicycle hose structure comprises a tubular main body and a first electrical conductor. The tubular main body defines a through-hole, an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The through-hole is configured to arrange a force transmitting element provided so as to transmit operating force. The first electrical conductor is provided at least radially inwardly of the outer peripheral surface and has an end portion configured to be electrically connected to a bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9994209
    Abstract: A charge control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The apparatus adjusts charge of a hybrid vehicle based on a vehicle running state when entering a charge mode. The charge control apparatus includes an engine clutch that is disposed between an engine and a first motor to selectively connect the engine and the first motor and a battery that provides a voltage to the first motor. A data detection unit detects driving data for charging the battery and a vehicle controller generates an average speed for a predetermined time using a vehicle speed of the driving data. In addition, the controller sets a charge mode based on the average speed and charges the battery using the charge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Won Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 9994210
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a setpoint trajectory of a motor vehicle, an initial setpoint trajectory being planned and transmitted to an evaluation unit, a curve of a power characteristic variable, which is implementable as a function of the initial setpoint trajectory, being received from the evaluation unit, and a corrected setpoint trajectory being determined therefrom as a function of the ascertained implementable curve of the power characteristic variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Erban
  • Patent number: 9994211
    Abstract: A method for controlling torque intervention in a power split-parallel hybrid vehicle comprises a determination step, in which whether the torque intervention for controlling the driving force of the vehicle is requested. Upon the torque intervention request, a driver's requested torque and an intervention torque for the torque intervention are determined in a decision step. When a torque intervention request time during which torque intervention is requested is below a reference time, each of driving sources is controlled together to output the driver's requested torque plus the intervention torque as a final requested torque on the basis of a current driving mode which is maintained as a driving mode just before the torque intervention is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jin Kuk Cho
  • Patent number: 9994212
    Abstract: A drive control system for preventing damage from a power distribution device under a motor mode and for improving fuel efficiency. A time duration from termination of the first operating mode where a torque of the first motor is applied to the power distribution device while halting a carrier (at step S4), and a temperature of the power distribution device is estimated based on the calculated time duration (at step S13). The first operating mode is enabled if the estimated temperature is lower than a predetermined allowable temperature (at step S15), and inhibited if the estimated temperature is higher than the allowable temperature (at step S10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei Hata, Yuji Iwase, Yosuke Suzuki, Akira Murakami, Akiko Nishimine, Sohei Murata
  • Patent number: 9994214
    Abstract: A drivability target engine speed is set based on a shift stage based on an accelerator opening level and a vehicle speed and the vehicle speed, and a base driving force is set based on an accelerator required driving force and the drivability target engine speed. When an elapsed time after an accelerator depression amount increases is less than a threshold value, a correction driving force is set based on an increase in accelerator depression amount and an engine, a first motor, and a second motor are controlled such that an effective driving force obtained by adding the correction driving force to the base driving force is output to a drive shaft for a hybrid vehicle to travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunya Kato, Masaya Sugai
  • Patent number: 9994215
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a first rotating electrical machine, a second rotating electrical machine, a pair of power lines, a first inverter, a second inverter, a battery, a converter, a voltage sensor, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the voltage sensor is normal and perform a first evacuation running control when an output of the voltage sensor changes by the predetermined value or more while a voltage change process is carried out. The electronic control unit is configured to control the converter to a gate shutoff state, control a motive power of the engine in such a manner as to rotate the first rotating electrical machine and put the first rotating electrical machine into a regeneration state, and control the second rotating electrical machine to a power running state, as the first evacuation running control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shikoh Takakura, Shinichiro Minegishi
  • Patent number: 9994216
    Abstract: A fail-safe control method and apparatus for an engine clutch actuator includes determining whether a driving mode of a hybrid vehicle is an electric vehicle (EV) mode. An oil pressure in a cylinder of the engine clutch actuator is measured when the driving mode of the hybrid vehicle is the EV mode. The oil pressure value in the cylinder is compared with a previously stored average pressure value. A motor of the engine clutch actuator rotates to decrease the oil pressure value in the cylinder t when the oil pressure value in the cylinder is greater than the previously stored average pressure value. An engine clutch is connected to an internal combustion engine as the oil pressure value in the cylinder decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Tae Ho Kim, Jong Hyun Kim, Young Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 9994217
    Abstract: A vehicle rear wheel steering assist control system is provided where a wheel deflection angle measuring instrument is mounted at a front wheel for measuring a steering angle of the front wheel, a rotational velocity measuring instrument is also mounted at the front wheel for testing a velocity of the front wheel, output ends of the wheel deflection angle measuring instrument and the rotational velocity measuring instrument are electrically connected to the data acquisition module, the data acquisition module is electrically connected to the controller, the controller is electrically connected to a data execution module, the rear wheel active steering device is mounted at a rear wheel of the automobile, the rear wheel active steering device is electrically connected to the data execution module, the controller is electrically connected to an ECU of the automobile, each automobile seat is provided with a weight sensor, which are electrically connected to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Yancheng Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Fuhao Liu
  • Patent number: 9994218
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting an accident of a vehicle, the method including: receiving a movement dataset collected at least at one of a location sensor and a motion sensor arranged within the vehicle, during a time period of movement of the vehicle, extracting a set of movement features associated with at least one of a position, a velocity, and an acceleration characterizing the movement of the vehicle during the time period, detecting a vehicular accident event from processing the set of movement features with an accident detection model, and in response to detecting the vehicular accident event, automatically initiating an accident response action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Zendrive, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayanta Pal, Bipul Islam, Romit Roy Choudhury, Pankaj Risbood, Jonathan Matus, Vishal Verma
  • Patent number: 9994219
    Abstract: A device and method for safety stoppage of an autonomous road vehicle having a localization system and sensors for monitoring the vehicle surroundings and motion, and a signal processing system for processing sensor signals enabling an autonomous drive mode. A processor continuously predicts where a drivable space exists, calculates and stores a safe trajectory to a stop within the drivable space, determines a current traffic situation, and determines any disturbances in sensor data, vehicle systems or components enabling the autonomous drive mode. If an incapacitating disturbance is determined, a request for a driver to take control is signaled and it is determined if the driver has assumed control. If not, the vehicle is controlled to follow the most recent safe trajectory to a stop in a safe stoppage maneuver during which, or after, one or more risk mitigation actions adapted to the determined current traffic situation are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Jonas Nilsson, Erik Coelingh, Trent Victor
  • Patent number: 9994220
    Abstract: A target vehicle speed generating device basically includes a determination unit and a correction unit. The determination unit determines whether or not a sudden change point is present in the target vehicle speed contained in the corrects the target vehicle speed so as to eliminate the sudden change point upon determining that the sudden change point is present by the determination unit. The sudden change point corresponds to a point at which acceleration changes in excess of a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9994221
    Abstract: Arrangements described herein provide adaptive cruise control systems that present travel settings for one or more nearby vehicles. Location information for one or more nearby vehicles can be acquired. Travel settings for the one or more nearby vehicles can be acquired. The travel settings can include a set speed and a set distance for each of the one or more nearby vehicles. Arrangements described herein can present within the vehicle the travel settings for the one or more nearby vehicles. A vehicle to follow from the one or more nearby vehicles can be selected based on the displayed travel settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John-Michael McNew
  • Patent number: 9994222
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, automatic transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to auto-start and auto-stop. The automatic transmission has a shift-by-wire gear selector. The controller is programmed to, in response to shifting the gear selector to a neutral position while the engine is running, command the engine to auto-stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Yunjiao Cai, Hank L. Kwong, Hussam Makkiya
  • Patent number: 9994223
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a vehicle, wherein during coasting of the vehicle, in order to reach a route position of a driving route that is still to be travelled, at a desired speed that is less than a vehicle speed at the start of coasting, a vehicle actual speed is compared with a vehicle target speed and an action is performed in dependence on the comparison. This renders possible a continuous adaptation of the driving resistance, so the desired speed is reliably reached. Interfering variables such as wind or gradient may be compensated for. A device is provided for operating a vehicle, and to a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Poechmueller, Volkmar Denner
  • Patent number: 9994224
    Abstract: A shift control system that reduces drop in driving force and shocks during execution of clutch-to-clutch upshifting is provided. The control system is configured to reduce a torque transmitting capacity of a first clutch at a predetermined rate while increasing a torque transmitting capacity of a second clutch with a reduction in the torque transmitting capacity of the first clutch during execution of the upshifting, to set a target speed of the engine to a level determined by adding a predetermined speed to a synchronous engine speed corresponding to a low speed stage, during a torque phase in which the torque transmitting capacity of the first clutch is being reduced and the torque transmitting capacity of the second clutch is being increased, and to execute a feedback control of an engine torque in such a manner as to maintain the engine speed to the target speed based on a difference between the target speed and an actual engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Naoto Moriya, Kuninori Kumagai, Junya Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9994225
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes a geartrain configured to transfer mechanical power between an internal combustion engine, torque machines and a driveline by activation of a synchronous engagement clutch. A method includes commanding activation of the synchronous engagement clutch, including commanding operations of the engine and the first and second torque machines to control members of the clutch, including monitoring speeds thereof. A magnitude of clutch slip is determined. A zero-slip feedback control routine is executed when the clutch slip approaches a zero-slip state, wherein the zero-slip feedback control routine is operative to control the engine and the first and second torque machines to control the rotational speeds of the opposed first and second members to achieve zero clutch slip. The synchronous engagement clutch is activated when the clutch slip is less than a threshold level associated with the zero-slip state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie
  • Patent number: 9994226
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing whether active engine mounts configured to isolate engine vibration from a cabin and chassis of a vehicle are functioning as desired. In one example, engine vibrations are actively induced, and the active engine mounts are alternately controlled to a first, dampening mode, and to a second, stiffening mode for predetermined time periods, where resultant chassis vibrations are monitored during the predetermined time periods. By monitoring chassis vibrations as a function of induced engine vibrations, and further responsive to the active engine mounts being controlled to the first and second modes, it may be indicated as to whether the active engine mounts are functioning as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9994227
    Abstract: An ECU as a driving assistance device has a traffic sign detection section, a lane entry detection section and a judgment section. The traffic sign detection section detects traffic signs including a speed limit symbol based on front-image data captured by an in-vehicle camera. The lane entry detection section detects that the own vehicle has entered a ramp lane to leave a highway. The judgment section detects an extent of a current driving lane as the ramp lane when following conditions (c1) and (c2) are satisfied after the lane entry detection section detects the entry of the own vehicle into the ramp lane: (c1) not less than two traffic signs are arranged along the current driving lane in forward direction of the vehicle; and (c2) an arrangement of speed limit symbols included in the detected traffic signs satisfy a predetermined speed reduction pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Yoshitomi, Jian Hu, Shota Satomura, Yusuke Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 9994228
    Abstract: A sensor system and method for determining if an environment is provocative, measuring a human response to this environment, and controlling a vehicle or device is disclosed. The system and method comprise a human head-worn unit with an orientation sensing element, a head-attachable display comprising a first image not responsive to pitch and roll and a display element responsive to the orientation sensing element. The system and method also comprises at least one human response sensor such as a galvanic skin response sensor, a blood pressure sensor, or an electroencephalograph. The system and method further comprise an algorithm that computes a signal that is a measure of the condition of the human based on input from the orientation sensing element and the human response sensor or sensors. The system and method also comprise an electronic interface configured for transmitting the human physical condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: IARMOURHOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Wesley W. O. Krueger
  • Patent number: 9994229
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to create, modify, and maintain profiles associated with users. The user profiles are generated based on selectively collecting data associated with the users. Although each user profile may include settings, preferences, habits, and content associated with an individual user and/or vehicle, some user profiles may represent multiple users. These user profiles can change a configuration of a vehicle to match settings for a user, such as a driver and/or passenger. The configurations may also include the recognition of a unique set of gestures for a user. Further, the user profiles can be transferred from vehicle-to-vehicle and/or user-to-user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOCONNECT HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9994230
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle. The information processing apparatus includes: a first acquiring unit that acquires, from each of one or more traffic lights, traffic light information including identifying information for identifying a corresponding traffic light, position information of the corresponding traffic light, and start time and end time of lighting in a color of a traffic signal indicating stop of the vehicle; a calculation unit that calculates a signal waiting time that indicates a time period for the vehicle to stop at a traffic light by using one or more pieces of the traffic light information; and an electric power control unit that controls an electric power state during stop of the vehicle in a multistage manner in accordance with the signal waiting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryoh Tosaka
  • Patent number: 9994231
    Abstract: A steering wheel within a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that measure forces applied to the steering wheel. An application executing on a computing device records sensor data from the sensors, and then interprets that data as specific force inputs. The application then translates those force inputs into specific commands that can be executed by subsystems within the vehicle. At least one advantage of the techniques set forth herein is that the driver of a vehicle that implements the force control system need not remove either hand from the steering wheel in order to adjust the operation of subsystems within the vehicle, thereby improving driver safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Davide Di Censo, Stefan Marti
  • Patent number: 9994232
    Abstract: An automated vehicle configuration system for a host vehicle is presented here. The system includes a driver identifier module onboard the host vehicle, and a subsystem onboard the vehicle. The driver identifier module has a database and a processor device to execute processor-executable instructions. The database has database objects, each having a driver identifier, at least one key fob code, and at least one mobile device identifier. The processor device executes the instructions to dynamically populate and update the database objects such that key fob codes are dynamically assigned and reassigned to driver identifiers. The subsystem has user-specific configurable settings associated with the driver identifier objects. Selection of an active driver identifier results in the loading of corresponding settings for the subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sue A. Gould, Douglas C. Martin, Mark J. Glaza, Ron Y. Asmar, David T. Proefke, Charles J. Bongiorno
  • Patent number: 9994233
    Abstract: A touch vehicle control system having a gesture interface device with one or more touchless sensors that detect a position of a driver's appendage within a range of movement detected by the sensors. The touchless sensors send a signal to the controller that is indicative of the position of the driver's appendage within the range of movement which is then interpreted to be a vehicle command signal for a vehicle's mechanical system. Command signals include, but are not limited to acceleration, braking, parking brake, turn signals, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Alejandro Diaz-Jimenez, Armando Aharon Campos-Gomez, Alejandra Enriquez-Perez, Kevin Adonai Madrid-Lopez
  • Patent number: 9994234
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus outputs a deceleration recommendation indicator as an indicator of recommending deceleration of a vehicle to a display section. The deceleration recommendation indicator recommends deceleration of the vehicle for a target position ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The deceleration recommendation indicator varies in accordance with the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Haruki Oguri
  • Patent number: 9994235
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9994236
    Abstract: Rail transport bogie (1) configured to operate on a track (2) having track surfaces (3,4) on opposite sides thereof and an slot (5) extending along substantially the center of the track (2), the bogie (1) comprising a load-bearing wheel (9) to run on a first (3) of the two track surfaces, a support shaft (11) extending from the load-bearing wheel (9) operatively through the slot (5) in the track (2) and terminating in load support means (8), a first pinch wheel (12) rotatably secured in a forward position (20) in respect of the support shaft (11) and a second pinch wheel (13) rotatably secured in rearward position (21) in respect of the support shaft (11), with both the first (12) and second (13) pinch wheels located between the load-bearing wheel (9) and load support means (8) to run on the second (4) of the two track surfaces, the load-bearing wheel (9) and pinch wheels (12,13) clamping between them the bogie (1) to the opposing track surfaces (3,4), and at least one of the load-bearing wheel (9) and either
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FUTRAN LTD
    Inventor: Andries Auret Louw
  • Patent number: 9994237
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical vehicle (100), including an electric engine (102) and on-board energy storage means (104, 106) that are electrically connected to the engine in order to supply same with electrical energy, in which the energy storage means include a first energy storage module (104) including at least one supercapacitor, and a second energy storage module (106) including at least one battery, the first and the second energy storage modules (104,106) being arranged on parallel electrical branches, the vehicle including interconnection means (108), arranged between the energy storage means (104, 106) and the engine (102), capable of electrically connecting the two electrical arms to the engine (102) and configured such that a single one of the two electrical arms is connected to the engine (102) at a time. The invention also relates to a facility comprising the vehicle (100) and at least one station (200) for recharging the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BLUE SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Jestin, Christian Sellin, Yvon Le Paven
  • Patent number: 9994238
    Abstract: An air conditioning device is provided which has a primary heat pump circuit having at least one primary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment, a primary compressor, a second primary heat exchanger with the outside air, and a primary expander device, and a heat storage reservoir, connected to the primary circuit, in parallel with said first primary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment. The air conditioning device also has a secondary heat pump circuit, including a first secondary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment, a secondary compressor, a second secondary heat exchanger with the air from the outside, and a secondary expander device. The heat storage reservoir is connected to the secondary circuit, in parallel with the first secondary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Rami Abou Eid, Josselin Chan, Philippe Chevalier, Francis Mortreux
  • Patent number: 9994239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber with a housing, an inner pipe arranged in the housing, a piston rod, a piston which is arranged at that end of the piston rod, and which piston divides the interior of the inner pipe into a lower chamber and an upper chamber, a first valve arrangement which is arranged on the piston, and a third valve arrangement which is arranged at the lower end of the inner pipe and by means of which the working medium which is held in the interior of the housing, serving as a tank, can flow out of the interior of the housing, only into the lower chamber when the piston moves in the inner pipe. The shock absorber is distinguished by the fact that a hydraulic pump drive is arranged between a first connection element of the lower chamber of the inner pipe and a second connection element at the upper chamber of the inner pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 9994240
    Abstract: A chassis for rail vehicles, particularly with inside-supported wheelsets, wherein the drive unit is elastically supported transversely to the travel direction via spring devices within the chassis frame, where the vibrational behavior is optimized and the space available for the drive unit is enlarged because the spring devices are supported directly on the housing of the bearing of the wheelset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens AG Österreich
    Inventors: Andreas Haigermoser, David Kreuzweger, Olaf Koerner, Christian Kueter, Hugo Rackl, Andreas Schaefer-Enkeler, Peter Seitz, Martin Teichmann
  • Patent number: 9994241
    Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a vehicle unit having operating device subsystems and a guide system including a first guide system level in which operating device subsystems are networked with one another by using a digital data bus structure, and at least one second guide system level having at least one line set associated with the analog handling of processes in the operating device subsystems. In order to provide a generic rail vehicle in which a high level of safety can be achieved with little outlay on wiring, the vehicle unit includes a guide system interface device having a first interface unit associated with the data bus structure, at least one second interface unit associated with the line set, and a control unit which, in at least one operating mode, is provided for handling the processes through the second interface unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Fischer
  • Patent number: 9994242
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches inter-vehicle communications for avoiding rear collision of rail vehicles on a railroad. For example, a collision avoidance system may comprise an end-of-train device and a V-aware unit located on different vehicles. The two devices may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other, and then detect each other's presence by estimating a distance between them. Warnings may be issued to respective operators against a collision hazard when the distance drops to or below a pre-determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HARSCO TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Peter Michael Bartek
  • Patent number: 9994243
    Abstract: An end of train device suitable of use on a railroad vehicle includes an enclosure, and a plurality of electronic components including one or more displays positioned inside the enclosure, the one or more displays displaying information provided by the end of train device, wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein the top portion comprises a transparent dome, the information displayed by the one or more displays being visible from an outside of the enclosure through the transparent dome of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Worm, Frank G. Armsworthy
  • Patent number: 9994244
    Abstract: A transport device has a wheel with a braking mechanism. The transport device includes a rotatable actuation mechanism positioned adjacent the braking mechanism, and a handle extending upward from the actuation mechanism and configured to move the actuation mechanism between an open position at which no stopping force is applied, and a braking position at which the actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Churchvara, Arthur L. Vellutato, Jr., Yefim Gudesblat, Vladislav Gydesblat
  • Patent number: 9994245
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein that are useful for holding containers open. For example, in some forms a cart accessory and cart are disclosed herein with an apparatus for holding open a receptacle or container. In one form, the apparatus is an accessory including an elongated body having a cart attachment mechanism for securing the cart accessory to at least a portion of a cart, a receptacle securing mechanism connected to the elongated body via a tether, the receptacle securing mechanism being movable between a retracted position wherein the securing mechanism is positioned proximate the elongated body and an extended position wherein the securing mechanism is spaced apart from the elongated body closer to at least a portion of a receptacle to assist in holding open the receptacle when connected thereto. In another form a cart is disclosed having such a container holding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hendrick, Stephen Caution
  • Patent number: 9994246
    Abstract: A cart transporting apparatus including a hitch assembly and a cart coupling assembly. The hitch assembly may include an elongated body, at least one catch member, and a hitch stop. The hitch stop may be, for example, a rotating hitch stop or a sliding hitch stop. The rotating hitch stop may include at least three flanges configured to abut a cart and may further include a detent mechanism. The cart coupling assembly may include at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be pivotally coupled to the second portion. The first portion may include first and second engagement members. The second portion may include third and fourth engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Dane Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Holtan, Andrew Dvorak
  • Patent number: 9994247
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes an energy absorption strap, a bracket, a pin, and a cam member. The energy absorption strap includes a plurality of engagement members. The bracket is disposed on at least one of a lower jacket assembly and an upper jacket assembly. The bracket has a first wall disposed opposite a second wall. The pin extends through the first wall and the second wall to couple the cam member to the bracket. The cam member has a plurality of complementary engagement members configured to engage the plurality of engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Dubay, Zach P. Schultz, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones, Roger A. Bourbina, Matthew T. Vincent
  • Patent number: 9994248
    Abstract: The release capsule includes a sleeve having a through-hole for inserting therein a fastening member configured to fix the vehicle body mounting bracket to the vehicle body and to be arranged in the notch groove, a sliding plate having a hole formed thereon, in which the sleeve is to be inserted, and configured to sandwich the vehicle body mounting bracket, and an fixing part and a lock member each provided at an end portion and the other end portion of the sleeve so as to sandwich the sliding plate and the vehicle body mounting bracket. The sleeve includes a male screw formed on a cylindrical part thereof. The male screw of the sleeve is configured to be screwed with a female screw formed at a round hole of the lock member. The sliding plate and the vehicle body mounting bracket are sandwiched by the fixing part and the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Yamada
  • Patent number: 9994249
    Abstract: Maneuverability and stability of a suspension unit for a vehicle are improved. A vehicle includes: a steer-by-wire system detecting a displacement of a steering wheel and displacing a steering rack steering steerable wheels on a basis of a detection result of the displacement and a suspension unit suspending the steerable wheels, the suspension unit including: wheel hub mechanisms, each wheel hub mechanism supporting a tire wheel on which a tire is attached, and a plurality of link members supporting the wheel hub mechanisms on the vehicle body; and a kingpin axis passing through an upper pivot point of the link members and lower pivot point of the link members being set to pass through a road surface contact area of the tire at a neutral position of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kageyama, Yutaka Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 9994250
    Abstract: A steering shaft 10 is constructed by an input shaft 11, an intermediate shaft 13 connected to the input shaft 11 through a first torsion bar 12 and an output shaft 15 connected to the intermediate shaft 13 through a second torsion bar 14, and around the input shaft 11, there is provided a first resolver 51 for detecting a rotation angle of the input shaft 11 and around the intermediate shaft 13, there is provided a second resolver 52 for detecting a rotation angle of the intermediate shaft 13, and the first and second resolvers 51 and 52 are arranged to constitute a torque sensor TS that detects a steering torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro Yoda, Takuya Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9994251
    Abstract: A method for controlling an output of a power steering system may include sensing at least one of a driving speed of a vehicle, a steering angle, a steering angular velocity, and a steering torque; obtaining a target steering torque by using at least one of the driving speed, the steering angle, the steering angular velocity, and the steering torque; and determining a motor assist output of the power steering system by using the target steering torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sehyun Chang, Byung Rim Lee, Minjun Kim, Youngdae Park, Hyeonseok Cho
  • Patent number: 9994252
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes: a steering load average value calculating circuit 39 which calculates a steering torque average value Trav which is the average value of steering torque Tr within a predetermined interval of time; and an abnormality detection circuit 40 which compares steering torque average value Trav with a specified steering torque value Trrf and detects the abnormality of the apparatus when steering torque average value Trav is larger than the specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9994253
    Abstract: A lane keeping assist apparatus has a vehicle speed responsive adjustment section which receives a target steering angle and a vehicle speed, sets a vehicle speed adjustment coefficient on the basis of the vehicle speed, multiplies an FF target steering torque by the vehicle speed adjustment coefficient, and outputs the resultant value as an adjusted FF target steering torque. The vehicle speed adjustment coefficient is set to 0 when the vehicle speed is lower than a first set vehicle speed and to 1 when the vehicle speed is higher than a second set vehicle speed. An adding section adds the adjusted FF target steering torque and an FB target steering torque together and outputs the resultant value as a final target steering torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Okuda, Hidenobu Kinugasa
  • Patent number: 9994254
    Abstract: A method of assisting a driver of a vehicle in driving a road, the method includes obtaining a feature of a road using a sensor, selecting, via a controller, a parameter based on the feature of the road, determining, via a controller, whether the vehicle is approaching a boundary of the road, and providing a feedback operation to assist the driver in avoiding the boundary of the road, the feedback operation based on the selected parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Takamatsu, Yuji Takada, Yoshinori Kusayanagi, Norimasa Kishi
  • Patent number: 9994255
    Abstract: A vehicle guidance apparatus includes a power supplying parameter acquisition device, a power receiving parameter storage device, a charge efficiency calculator, and a display processing device. The power supplying parameter acquisition device is configured to acquire in a electric vehicle a power supplying parameter which corresponds to a specification of a power supplier. The power receiving parameter storage device is configured to store a power receiving parameter corresponding to a specification of a power receiver. The charge efficiency calculator is configured to calculate a charge efficiency according to a relative position between the power supplier and the power receiver based on the power supplying parameter and the power receiving parameter. The display processing device is configured to display on a display a range of the charge efficiency with respect to a center of the power receiver to guide the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9994256
    Abstract: A stiffening element for a subframe of a motor vehicle, including a substantially horizontal section in order to confer rigidity to the subframe in the horizontal plane, and a substantially vertical section in order to confer rigidity to the subframe in the vertical plane, wherein the stiffening element is designed in such a manner that the stiffening element is arrangeable on the subframe above a steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Munzert
  • Patent number: 9994257
    Abstract: A longitudinal crash beam in an electric vehicle for reducing the effects of a vehicle collision. The crash beam initiates a self-collapsing process in the event of a vehicle collision which may be triggered by the application of a longitudinal force to a set of impressions positioned along the outside surface of the crash beam. The crash beam may include a top side, a right side, a bottom side, a left side, and a plurality of diagonal sides. An upper cross rib, a lower cross rib, and a center rib may extend between the various sides of the crash beam. Benefits of the crash beam include increased rigidity of the vehicle, increased absorption of energy, and increased linearization of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Jens Maier
  • Patent number: 9994258
    Abstract: A vehicle body side reinforcement assembly includes a first side reinforcement panel; an inner center pillar coupled to the first side reinforcement panel and to a floor support forming a lower portion of a vehicle body; and a second side reinforcement panel coupled to the first side reinforcement panel, the inner center pillar, and the floor support to form a closed structure at a lower portion of the side of the vehicle. This structure improves vehicle body performance during a side collision by transferring the collision load to the floor support, resulting in improved safety performance. In addition, the assembly minimizes the number of necessary parts and allows for low-cost assembly methods, such as spot welding, thereby reducing production costs and increasing marketability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ji Hyun Lee, Se Young Han, Kyung Bum Kang