Patents Issued in August 9, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180222423
    Abstract: A travel control method comprises detecting a travel state of the subject vehicle including a position and a speed of the subject vehicle, acquiring obstacle information including a position and a speed of the obstacle, estimating the second range after a predetermined time on the basis of the travel state of the subject vehicle and the obstacle information, and announcing announcement information that the second range will become small to a driver of the subject vehicle when the second range is estimated to become small after the predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Takae, Tatsuya Shino
  • Publication number: 20180222424
    Abstract: In a collision prevention system, a control device defines a collision danger level X such that larger values indicate increased possibility of a following vehicle colliding into a host vehicle due to behavior of the host vehicle, and defines a proximity Pr such that larger values indicate shorter inter-vehicle distance or greater relative velocity between the host vehicle and the following vehicle. When a change in amount ?X/?t of the collision danger level X and a threshold value Kxa have a relationship Kxa??X/?t, the control device changes a first threshold value Kpr of the proximity Pr to a second threshold value Kpr? lower than the first threshold value Kpr, and actuates a warning device when the collision danger level X and the threshold value Kx have a relationship Kx?X and the proximity Pr and the second threshold value Kpr? have a relationship Kpr??Pr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Yuji Kodama, Hiroshi Saegusa
  • Publication number: 20180222425
    Abstract: An occupant restraining device for a vehicle has: a time to collision estimating section that estimates a time to collision, the time to collision being a time until a front collision with a vehicle ahead; a force imparting portion that imparts force toward a vehicle rear side to a vehicle occupant of an own vehicle; a gap enlarging portion that enlarges a gap between the vehicle occupant and a seatback of a vehicle seat; a gap estimating section that estimates a size of the gap between the vehicle occupant and the seatback; and a control section that, in a case in which the gap enlarging portion operates, controls a timing of a start of operation of the force imparting portion on the basis of the time to collision estimated by the time to collision estimating section and the size of the gap estimated by the gap estimating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20180222426
    Abstract: A method for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle in the case of an imminent collision with a collision object includes: recognizing that a collision with the collision object is imminent, analyzing the collision object and recognizing whether a particularly sensitive upper area of the motor vehicle will be affected by the collision, and at least partially suppressing a trigger signal of a protective mechanism to enable an evasive action by the occupant if it is recognized that the particularly sensitive upper area of the motor vehicle will be affected by the collision that has been recognized to be imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Johannes Ludwig Foltin
  • Publication number: 20180222427
    Abstract: A side airbag device, provided between a vehicle body and rear seat, includes: a base member having upper and lower base attachment portions, attached to portions of the vehicle body, and a base storage portion that stores an airbag and inflator and is interposed between the base attachment portions in an up to down direction; and a retainer member adapted to hold the base storage portion from the vehicle body rear side. Upper and lower engagement recessed portions located at the retainer member center in the vehicle body width direction are arranged in the up to down direction to be engaged with engagement protruded portions provided at the vehicle body, which is located on the rear side. The base attachment portions are configured so that an imaginary surface passes them and extends in the front to back direction of the vehicle body to pass the upper engagement recessed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Tatsuo Sayama, Hidetsune Nonaka
  • Publication number: 20180222428
    Abstract: A vehicle seat frame, which is attached to a vehicle body, includes: a frame body that extends along an outer frame of the vehicle seat frame, the frame body having a hollow space therein, and an airbag that is disposed in the hollow space of the frame body. The airbag is connected to a gas supply device that supplies gas into the airbag to deploy the airbag in the hollow space in a case where an impact equal to or more than a predetermined value is detected by an impact sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kento YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180222429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener for detachably joining a panel to a structure, wherein the fastener exhibits a first connector for joining the fastener with the structure, a second connector for joining the fastener with the panel, wherein the second connector is detachably fastened to the first connector in the normal operating state of the fastener, and a restraining band, whose first end is joined with the first connector, and whose second end is joined with the second connector, wherein at least a portion of the restraining band exhibits a bent shape in the normal operating state of the fastener, wherein a spacer is situated between the first connector and second connector, and a projection of the spacer protrudes into the space inside the bent portion of the restraining band in the normal operating state of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Alexander Marini, Andy Junge, Axel Rhein, Tobias Heß
  • Publication number: 20180222430
    Abstract: An automobile airbag door includes a base member and a cover member. A tear line TL is formed in the back of the base member. When the airbag door is pressed by the airbag, the tear line TL provides a starting point of tearing action. The cover member includes a three-dimensionally knitted cushion layer, which includes a top-side knitted fabric layer, a back-side knitted fabric layer, and a connection layer. The connection layer is configured by connecting yarn, which couples the top-side knitted fabric layer and the back-side knitted fabric layer to each other. The weight per unit length of the connecting yarn is greater than the weight per unit length of the yarn constituting the top-side knitted fabric layer and is greater than the weight per unit length of the yarn constituting the back-side knitted fabric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Chiharu TOTANI, Koichi SUZUKI, Shunta ASAKUMA, Masahito YABUOSHI
  • Publication number: 20180222431
    Abstract: An occupant protection device includes an airbag, covering a front area from a passenger seat to a driver seat at the time of completion of inflation, including: a passenger-seat receiving inflation part; a driver-seat receiving inflation part; an inflow side inflation part; an end-side flow path part disposed so that both ends of the inflow side inflation part in the right and left direction are respectively connected with end edges of the passenger-seat receiving inflation part and the driver-seat receiving inflation part; and a central flow path part disposed so that the inflow side inflation part is connected with a proximity edge part where the passenger-seat receiving inflation part is close to the driver-seat receiving inflation part, wherein the inflow side inflation part is configured so that at least both right and left end sides at the time of completion of inflation are attached in the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki NAKANISHI, Wataru MIURA, Naohiko ISHIGURO, Ryotaro ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180222432
    Abstract: Airbag assemblies including a housing assembly to be mounted above a vehicle occupant position, an inflator, and an inflatable cushion are provided. The inflatable cushion can include first and second lateral chambers and a frontal chamber disposed between the first and second lateral chambers. Airbag assemblies including a first inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a first lateral side and forward of a vehicle occupant position and a second inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a second lateral side and forward of the vehicle occupant position are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: David W. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20180222433
    Abstract: Provided is a side impact airbag which is deployed between two seats in the width direction of a vehicle to thereby prevent passengers seated on the two seats from colliding with each other. The airbag is configured to, when being fully inflated, form recesses on both sides thereof to accommodate the shoulders and arms of the passengers, such that the fully inflated airbag is configured to be maintained in a certain posture by the pressure applied to the shoulders and arms of the passengers accommodated in the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Jong Ki BYUN, Wan Dong YOO, Tae Ik GWON
  • Publication number: 20180222434
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a gas generator, and an airbag. The airbag includes a first fabric inner tube and a second fabric inner tube, both surrounding at least a gas injecting portion of the gas generator to have a double tubular shape. Common portions of the first inner tube and the second inner tube in a tubular circumferential direction are coupled to an airbag main body by a coupling portion extending in a tubular length direction, and other common portions which are separated from the common portions of the first inner tube and the second inner tube by a central angle (a central angle in a state where the airbag is only deployed and not inflated) of 70 to 180 degrees about the gas generator in the tubular circumferential direction are coupled to each other by a coupling portion extending in the tubular length direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Akihiro Nukaya, Kensaku Honda
  • Publication number: 20180222435
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a side airbag device includes: a gas generating device attached to an inner side of an outer side frame in a vehicle-width direction, which is disposed in a side portion on an outside of a seat back in the vehicle-width direction; a side airbag which inflates and deploys to expand over the outer side frame from a vehicle front side of the outer side frame in the vehicle-width direction by receiving gas from the gas generating device accommodated in the side airbag; and an inflation width expansion portion which is provided in the side airbag and causes an inflation width of the side airbag in the vehicle-width direction to be greater outside a side surface provided on an outside of the outer side frame in the vehicle-width direction than inside the side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Osamu FUKAWATASE, Takamichi KOMURA, Masato KUNISADA, Hiroyuki NAGURA, Takuma KAWAI, Takayuki SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20180222436
    Abstract: A gas generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle, including a generator housing with a first housing part and a second housing part, a combustion space formed in the generator housing for accommodating a pyrotechnic charge from which a gas for inflating a gas bag of the airbag module can be generated by combustion. At least one outlet opening is provided in the generator housing through which gas generated in the combustion space can be released for inflating the gas bag. At least one filter unit is arranged in the generator housing for filtering the gas generated from the pyrotechnic charge. The assembly includes a guide element arranged in the generator housing, by means of which the generated gas is guided to the at least one outflow opening. The guide element is of tubular form and has at least one deformation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TAKATA AG
    Inventors: Michael STELLWAGEN, Rüdiger BEHRE, Karl BAYER
  • Publication number: 20180222437
    Abstract: The present invention provides a closing structure which closes, with an igniter, an opening of a cylindrical housing used in a gas generator, the cylindrical housing provided with a stepped surface formed on an inner side of a circumferential wall on the side of the opening, and a distal end circumferential wall extending from the stepped surface to the opening, the igniter having an igniter main body, and an igniter collar surrounding part of the igniter main body and having an annular plate portion with a maximum outer diameter and a circumferential wall excluding the annular plate portion, the annular plate portion including, a first annular surface facing the ignition portion of the igniter main body, a second annular surface facing the electroconductive pin of the igniter main body, and an annular circumferential surface between the first annular surface and the second annular surface, a first annular circumferential edge at the boundary between the first annular surface and the annular circumferential
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu TOKUDA, Masayuki NAKAYASU, Naoki NAKATSUKA
  • Publication number: 20180222438
    Abstract: A seat belt adjustment release mechanism includes a carrier and a guide piece that is vertically slidable on the carrier. The guide piece includes an aperture configured to receive a seat belt there through and a spring-loaded button anchored on a pivot. The spring-loaded button, when pressed, is rotatable about the pivot between a home position and a depressed position for actuating a seat belt guide release lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Yuriy Tsalenko
  • Publication number: 20180222439
    Abstract: Web adjusters and other web connecting devices for use with restraint systems are described herein. In some embodiments, web adjusters, such as tilt-lock web adjusters, can include web gripping features on an edge portion of a web aperture to prevent a web that is joined to the web adjuster from sliding or otherwise moving to one side of the web aperture or the other when the web is pulled in a direction that is not perpendicular to the edge. In some embodiments, the web gripping features can include alternating recessed and raised edge portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: James Russell Eaton
  • Publication number: 20180222440
    Abstract: A 3-point seat belt system having a seat belt retractor (20) with a spool (32), the spool (32) having a locked mode of operation and a freewheeling mode of operation; a seat belt (411) characterized as having a known elongation rate under stress; a collapsible member (40) wrapped about a center portion of the spool (32) of the retractor (20), the member (40) having an initial diameter dl when unstressed and collapsible to a lesser diameter of d2 under stress. The method having the step of generating a retarding force on the occupant (404) in proportion to the degree by which the collapsible member (40) collapses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudi Grzic, David R. Arnold, Gerald Keller, Besi Rrumbullaku
  • Publication number: 20180222441
    Abstract: a seat belt wearing encouragement apparatus includes a wearing state detecting unit to detect a wearing state of a seat belt; a wearing determination unit to determine whether the seat belt is worn, based on the wearing state; a vehicle speed detecting unit to detect a vehicle speed of the vehicle; a warning unit to warn the passenger; a warning command unit to issue a command to the warning unit to execute warning if the vehicle speed detecting unit has detected the vehicle speed exceeding a setting speed, and the wearing determination unit has determined that the seat belt is not being worn properly; and a vehicle speed limiting unit to limit the vehicle speed in a case where even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the warning was executed, the wearing determination unit still determines that the seat belt is not being worn properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takenori Koase
  • Publication number: 20180222442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle. A vehicle-external server device generates a vehicle function list that specifies which vehicle-internal functions of the motor vehicle have a use authorization and which vehicle-internal functions of the motor vehicle do not have a use authorization. The vehicle function list is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle-external server device to a control device of the motor vehicle. Respective controllers designed to operate the vehicle-internal functions of the motor vehicle are actuated according to the transmitted vehicle function list by means of the control device such that the internal functions which have a use authorization and which are still deactivated are activated, and the internal functions which do not have a use authorization and which are still activated are deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Stefan SELLSCHOPP
  • Publication number: 20180222443
    Abstract: A vehicle alarm system comprising a primary device and at least one secondary device. The primary device is adapted to be connected to the vehicle and the secondary device is adapted to not be connected to the vehicle but adapted to be arranged in the vehicle, wherein the secondary device is adapted to take the role of the primary device if the primary device is disabled or removed from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Håkan DACKEFJORD, Warwick TAWS
  • Publication number: 20180222444
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control system that performs detection and authentication of an electronic key being present in a detection range on a periphery of a vehicle, on the basis of polling performed by an on-vehicle apparatus. Any one of the on-vehicle apparatus and a first electronic key includes: a determination section configured to determine whether or not communication, between the on-vehicle apparatus and the first electronic key, in which the first electronic key returns a signal in response to a signal transmitted from the on-vehicle apparatus is continuously performed for not less than a predetermined time period; and a first processing section configured to restrict a response, by the first electronic key, to a first polling signal transmitted from the on-vehicle apparatus, when the determination section has determined that the communication is continuously performed for not less than the predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeki NISHIYAMA, Tomoyuki FUNAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180222445
    Abstract: A communication system includes a control module, a primary wireless communication node, and a plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with the control module. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with each of the plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes through a common communication line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Antonio Odejerte, JR., John Nantz, Matthew R. Honkanen
  • Publication number: 20180222446
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus is disposed on a vehicle and included an external rearview assembly having a housing and an electro-optic element. The electro-optic element includes a first substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface. The electro-optic element also includes a second substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate define a cavity. An electro-optic medium is contained in the cavity. An image sensor is disposed on the housing and directed outward, the image sensor configured to capture biometric data from an individual that is processed by a controller to unlock a door of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel T. Lock
  • Publication number: 20180222447
    Abstract: There is provided a wiper assembly that includes a wiper arm configured to retain a wiper blade in a state where at least a part of the wiper blade is housed within a blade housing section, the wiper assembly being configured so that a reduction in weight and a lowering of the manufacturing cost can be achieved. In a wiper assembly 1 configured to retain a wiper blade 3 by a wiper arm 2, by housing a support section 32 of the wiper blade 3 in a blade housing section 27 provided in an arm main body 23 of the wiper arm 2, the arm main body 23 is formed of metal, while the support section 32 is formed of resin. A plurality of projections 37 are provided on side surfaces 34 of the support section 32, and these projections 37 are made to come into contact with inward-facing surfaces 26B of side walls 26 of the arm main body 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Yuta SHIMIZU, Yoshiaki AOKI
  • Publication number: 20180222448
    Abstract: There is provided a wiper assembly that includes a wiper blade and a wiper arm, and a connecting member for a wiper assembly, the wiper assembly and the connecting member being configured so that the appearance of the wiper assembly can be improved, and the work of connecting the wiper blade and the wiper arm can be facilitated. In a wiper assembly 1, a clip housing 28 is included in a blade housing section 27 of a wiper arm 2, and a wiper blade 3 and the wiper arm 2 are joined in a state where a clip member 4 is housed within the clip housing 28. Retention sections 29 are provided at lower edges 26A of side walls 26 on both sides of the wiper arm 2, and the clip member 4 is retained by fitting the retention sections 29 into cutout parts 44 of the clip member 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Yuta SHIMIZU, Yoshiaki AOKI
  • Publication number: 20180222449
    Abstract: A wiper blade assembly for a windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the wiper blade assembly includes a connector mounted on a blade support element. The connector has a receiving portion shaped to receive a first part of the end portion of a wiper arm and further has a securing portion shaped to secure a second part of the end portion of the wiper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicants: Valeo North America, Inc., Delmex de Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V.
    Inventors: Andreas FINK, Wolfgang SCHOLL, Gerhard SCHREMMER
  • Publication number: 20180222450
    Abstract: A sensing system for a vehicle includes a sensor module configured to be disposed at the vehicle. The sensor module includes a sensor disposed in a housing, which includes a mounting portion and a cover portion. The mounting portion is configured to attach at a portion of the vehicle such that the cover portion is at an exterior of the vehicle. The cover portion is removably attached at the mounting portion and includes tamper resistant attaching elements such that an attempt to remove the cover portion or sensor module damages the sensor module. The sensor module may include a washer nozzle for directing pressurized fluid or spray onto a window of the sensor module. Responsive to an output of the sensor, a control determines the presence of one or more objects exterior the vehicle and within the field of sensing of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Norbert Kunze
  • Publication number: 20180222451
    Abstract: An onboard washing system provides the ability to wash specific areas at the rear of a concrete truck, without requiring an operator to climb a ladder or climb on the truck. Certain specified areas which are traditionally difficult to wash, including the inside of the charge hopper, the interior portions of the discharge chute, and rear portions of the mixing drum structure, can now be washed in an automated and efficient manner. The truck-mounted washing system has components which are specifically positioned to cause washing fluid (water) to be sprayed or directed toward predetermined areas in an efficient and effective manner. The system also includes hand-held washing wands or washing mechanisms, which allow an operator to easily reach additional zones or additional areas at the rear of the truck, which are lower. Most significantly, the truck-mounted wash systems and the hand-held nozzle systems (wand) are all operable while an operator remains on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Grant McNeilus, Brian Meldahl, Daniel Welsh, James Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20180222452
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Donald J. Pansier, Daniel J. Mathys
  • Publication number: 20180222453
    Abstract: A safety structure for a hand brake contains: a casing, a body, a roller rotatably, a first brake line, a second brake line, and a third brake line. The first brake line are connected with a first brake and a second brake of a vehicle, and the second brake line is coupled with a first controller on a left handle of the vehicle, the third brake line is coupled with a second controller on a right handle of the vehicle. The first brake line is bent in half and has two shoulders adjacent to the roller, and an outer diameter of each of the two shoulders is more than the first brake line so that when the first brake line is broken, at least one of the two shoulders stops inside the body or the casing, and at least one of the first and second brakes stops the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Jun-Rui YANG, Gui-Ping LIAO, Zhen-Jie LIAO
  • Publication number: 20180222454
    Abstract: An integrated system for engaging electric brakes of a towed vehicle when the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, comprising a power source, a first junction pole configured to be connected with an electric ground, a second junction pole configured to be connected with the electric brakes of the towed vehicle, an electrical connector connecting the first junction pole with the power source, a breakaway switch, and a housing containing the power source, first and second junction poles, and the electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a first end fixedly connected with the first junction pole and the breakaway switch includes an electrical connector fixedly connected to the second junction pole. Another integrated system further housing the breakaway switch and comprising fixed connections between the first junction pole and the power source, the second junction pole and the breakaway switch, and the breakaway switch and the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Steve Crow
  • Publication number: 20180222455
    Abstract: A method and a braking system are described. The braking system includes a rotor connected to a wheel of the vehicle, a speed sensor measuring a vehicle speed, a first brake including a first piston and at least one brake pad coupled to the rotor, a second brake including a second piston and a brake pad coupled to the rotor, and a brake controller configured to activate the first piston to engage or disengage the first brake with the rotor, receive signal from the speed sensor to determine a stopping distance, compute a braking threshold based on the stopping distance, and activate the second piston to engage or disengage the second brake with the rotor based on the braking threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Mortada Hassan Ahmed ALDABOOS
  • Publication number: 20180222456
    Abstract: A road slope estimation system providing road grade information for vehicle automatic parking assist system includes synchronized filters for processing vehicle speed differentiation to obtain vehicle acceleration to be compared with chassis accelerometer signal. Road grade information is extracted based on the comparison of the two signals. The system includes a dynamic compensator module to minimize the chassis accelerometer signal disturbance caused by chassis dynamic response to vehicle motion. The system further includes a predictive filter to obtain the steady-state filter result during the filter transient stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Changan US R&D Center, Inc.
    Inventors: William Chin-Woei Lin, Yixin Chen, Ke Ding, Xiao He
  • Publication number: 20180222457
    Abstract: A brake control system for a landing gear of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a first control channel for providing brake control signals to one or more brakes on the landing gear, and a second control channel for providing brake control signals to another one or more brakes on the landing gear. At least one of the first control channel and the second control channel is configured to act as an executive in monitoring braking efforts applied by the one or more brakes as compared to braking efforts applied by the another one or more brake, and to cause the braking efforts of at least one of the one or more brakes or the another one or more brakes to be modified in an effort to equalize the braking efforts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20180222458
    Abstract: A road surface condition estimation device extracts a detection signal of a vibration power generation element during a ground contact section to detect a road surface condition. A threshold used for determination of the ground contact section is variable according to a traveling speed of a vehicle. As a result, even if a pulse level of an output voltage of the vibration power generation element changes according to the traveling speed of the vehicle, the threshold corresponding to the change can be set. The ground contact section is determined with the use of the above thresholds, thereby being capable of performing the determination with high accuracy. Therefore, the road surface condition can be detected with high accuracy based on the ground contact section determined with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Youichirou SUZUKI, Akira TAKAOKA, Takatoshi SEKIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20180222459
    Abstract: A method of controlling the deceleration of a vehicle to account for an increase in friction in the vehicle brake system as the vehicle decelerates. The method comprises receiving a signal indicative of a value of the speed of the vehicle and a signal indicative of a value of a brake pressure in the vehicle brake system. The method further comprises comparing the vehicle speed value and the brake pressure value to respective thresholds. The method still further comprises increasing the drive torque applied to one or more wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle speed value falls below the threshold to which it was compared and the brake pressure value exceeds the threshold to which it was compared, such that the increased drive torque acts against the braking of the vehicle as the vehicle is decelerated to a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: James KELLY, David ARMSTRONG
  • Publication number: 20180222460
    Abstract: A method of managing the deceleration of a vehicle. The method comprises receiving a brake command and determining an actual rate of deceleration of the vehicle. The method further comprises monitoring the speed of the vehicle as the vehicle decelerates in response to the brake command. The method still further comprises modifying the amount of brake torque being applied to one or more wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined threshold, by first decreasing the amount of brake torque being applied and then subsequently increasing the amount of brake torque being applied to bring the vehicle to a standstill. A system for implementing the methodology is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Simon OWEN, Karl RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20180222461
    Abstract: The braking system includes a first and a second braking actuators associated with wheels of a respective axle or a respective bogie of a railway vehicle and to which there are connected a first electro-pneumatic control assembly and a second electro-pneumatic control assembly respectively, each comprising a charging solenoid valve and a discharging solenoid valve adapted to cause an increase and a reduction, respectively, of a pneumatic pressure supplied to the corresponding braking actuators, and a control unit arranged to control the electro-pneumatic control assemblies as a function of a target braking pressure, so that the assemblies cause the application of respective pressures to the corresponding braking actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Roberto TIONE
  • Publication number: 20180222462
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions may include generating, at a host vehicle, a roadway friction map by: detecting a velocity change of a target vehicle; calculating friction data based on the velocity change; and storing the friction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Varnhagen
  • Publication number: 20180222463
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling brakes in a trailer vehicle comprising a pneumatic brake system, service brakes and an electronic brake system with anti-lock control, wherein at least one axle of the trailer vehicle is fitted with spring-loaded brakes and revolution rate sensors. The method comprises: monitoring with the electronic brake system whether there is a braking demand, monitoring with the electronic brake system whether at least one wheel of at least one axle is locking up, and if there is no braking demand and at least one wheel of the at least one axle is locked while traveling, controlling the pneumatic braking system with the electronic brake system to pressurize the spring-loaded brakes and to brake the trailer vehicle by the service brakes automatically and with anti-lock control. A valve arrangement is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer RISSE, Armin SIEKER, Axel STENDER
  • Publication number: 20180222464
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic brake system, comprising a brake master cylinder. A pressure generating device for actuating wheel brakes and an additional brake actuator may both be activated electronically. In a normal mode of operation, an open- and closed-loop control unit detects a braking demand based on the actuation of a brake pedal by the driver and activates the pressure generating device to build up braking torque at the wheel brakes. If the pressure generating device is not activated, the driver gains direct access to the wheel brakes and the control unit activates the additional brake actuator to build up braking torque. In the fallback mode, when a predetermined pedal travel threshold value is reached, the control loop activates the additional brake actuator to build up braking torque. In the event of a succession of brake pedal actuations by the driver, the pedal travel threshold value is increased at least once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Mathias Niepelt, Iris Halbe, Thorsten Thorsten, Ralf Richard Reviol, Klaus Berger
  • Publication number: 20180222465
    Abstract: A control valve for an automatic parking brake having an inlet for coupling to a source a brake pipe pressure, an outlet for coupling to a control inlet of the automatic parking brake and a pilot for coupling to the source of brake pipe pressure. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the inlet is in communication with the outlet and a second position where the inlet and the outlet are isolated from each other in response to a predetermined amount of brake pipe pressure at the pilot. The control valve includes a spring biasing the control valve into the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: New York Air Brake, LLC
    Inventor: Derick Call
  • Publication number: 20180222466
    Abstract: The invention relates to shipbuilding and can be used in reconditioning in order to economize fuel and to increase speed. The technical problem is solved by the shipboard installation of air compressors, air receiver tanks, pass valves, air conduits, air separating conduits, air intakes and air injectors, which are interconnected by air ducts. An air separating conduit is mechanically secured in the bow of the ship and has air injectors secured along the centre thereof up to the stern. The injectors direct a jet of air backwards so that the jet of air thrusts the ship forwards, then the air rises along the sides of the ship, maintaining a layer of air between the ship and the water, thus reducing water resistance. The injectors in the bow direct a jet of air such that the ship is constantly sailing into an air space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Gtvorg Seroshaevih NOROYAN
  • Publication number: 20180222467
    Abstract: A method for calculating in advance the consumption of a motor vehicle provided with at least one drive motor in a drivetrain, wherein the power levels of differentiated predicted energies describing the predicted operation of the motor vehicle, which are required to complete a route that is known in advance and include input data obtained from the route data, are determined, wherein the predicted energies are assigned in dependence on the associated power levels and at least one used operating strategy proportionally to the different efficiency models of the drive train, and while using the efficiency model from the predicted energy components associated with the efficiency model, the energy used from an associated energy storage device is determined as consumption or as a variable determining consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus KAUN, Boris BLASINSKI
  • Publication number: 20180222468
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle has a powertrain including an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission coupled to controller(s) that control torque disturbances arising from changing output torques of the engine, electric machine, and transmission. A torque disturbance threshold is adjusted for driver comfort, and is used to respond to torque demand signals from the vehicle systems, including a battery charging subsystem, and a driver. The controller(s) respond to battery charge and driver demand torque signals, among others, and adjust engine and electric machine torque at a controlled rate and magnitude, using charge-torque-slew-rate, charge-torque, and other limits. Battery charging is similarly managed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Chen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180222469
    Abstract: An engine (2) of a hybrid vehicle (1) is configured to operate along a prescribed operation line in an operation property diagram of the engine. In addition to a first operation line (A) that optimizes fuel economy, a second operation line (B) that minimizes undesired emission of particulate matter is defined. The two operation lines substantially coincide with each other in a certain region of the diagram. A control unit (7) of the vehicle switches the operating condition between the first operation line and the second operation line when the first operation line and the second operation line substantially coincide with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Toshiyuki IWASE, Masato AMANO
  • Publication number: 20180222470
    Abstract: A sensor-based parking space searching system and a method thereof may include a switch receiving a request for searching for a parking space from a driver, an ultrasonic sensor searching for the parking space, and a controller activating the ultrasonic sensor in response to the request for searching for the parking space, setting a speed of an ego-vehicle and a reference value for detecting an effective detecting point of the ultrasonic sensor based on a distance from an object to the ego-vehicle, which is measured by the ultrasonic sensor, and recognizing the parking space based on an output of the ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kwang Won SEO
  • Publication number: 20180222471
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: a clocking section which clocks time after an operation section is operated until a certain period of time elapses; and a vehicle control section which starts a first control in a case where a vehicle is stopped within the certain period of time after the operation section is operated, the first control corresponding to a control executed in a case where the operation section is operated in a state where the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke KIYOKAWA, Tomoyuki MATSUBA
  • Publication number: 20180222472
    Abstract: A control system includes an information obtaining apparatus, a network, and a control apparatus. The information obtaining apparatus includes a distance information obtaining unit configured to obtain a distance information indicating a distance to an object and a transmission unit configured to transmit the distance information obtained by the distance information obtaining unit. The control apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive the distance information transmitted by the transmission unit via the network, a distance information correction unit configured to correct the distance information received by the reception unit, and a control unit configured to perform control using the distance information corrected by the distance information correction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Kwangsoo PARK