Patents Issued in August 16, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180229722
    Abstract: A vehicle control method of performing automatic braking for automatically braking a vehicle or alarm output, depending on a possibility of a collision between the vehicle and an obstacle, includes: cancelling the automatic braking or the alarm output, when an accelerator operation amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value, during the automatic braking or the alarm output, and cancelling the automatic braking or the alarm output, when a given cancellation condition is satisfied under a situation where the accelerator operation amount of the vehicle is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, during the automatic braking or the alarm output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki TAKI, Masaaki Uechi, Yoji Mizoguchi, Hiroshi Harada, Kumiko Kondo
  • Publication number: 20180229723
    Abstract: A computer system receives data sets for a driving maneuver at a location, such as data regarding a state of a vehicle, an external environment indicated by external sensors, and user feedback regarding the driving maneuver. Data sets may be collected from users having various demographic and behavioral attributes. Users may be selected using design of experiment (DOE) algorithms to cover a wide range of possible combinations. A stochastic response surface model (SRSM) is generated that relates sensor data (vehicle state and environmental) to user feedback regarding safety and comfort. The SRSM may be generated using Gaussian process regression (GPR) in order to model uncertainty. The SRSM is then used to generate a control model using an optimization under uncertainty (OUU) algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Zhen Jiang, Yan Fu, Yuzhou Li
  • Publication number: 20180229724
    Abstract: The technology relates to determining a future heading of an object. In order to do so, sensor data, including information identifying a bounding box representing an object in a vehicle's environment and locations of sensor data points corresponding to the object, may be received. Based on dimensions of the bounding box, an area corresponding to a wheel of the object may be identified. An orientation of the wheel may then be estimated based on the sensor data points having locations within the area. The estimation may then be used to determine a future heading of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Jens-Steffen Ralf Gutmann
  • Publication number: 20180229725
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an input unit and a control unit. To the input unit, a pickup image of a camera provided to an own vehicle is input. The control unit detects a mirror provided to a different vehicle that exists in front of the own vehicle from the input pickup image, detects a person from a mirror image of the detected mirror, and recognizes a state of the person from an image of the detected person. Further, the control unit performs an alerting process or a control process for the own vehicle to prevent an accident of the own vehicle or the different vehicle in accordance with the recognized state of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Taketo Akama, Suguru Aoki, Hideki Oyaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Yuhi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20180229726
    Abstract: A lane departure prevention apparatus (17) has: a departure preventing device (172) for preventing a vehicle (1) from departing from a driving lane by controlling at least one of a steering apparatus (142) and a braking apparatus (13) selected on the basis of a state of the vehicle, when it is determined that the vehicle may depart from the driving lane; and a determining device for determining whether or not an abnormality condition that it is difficult for a person to normally drive the vehicle is satisfied, the departure preventing device prevents the vehicle from departing from the driving lane by controlling the braking apparatus even if the state of the vehicle is not a predetermined state in which the departure preventing device should prevent the vehicle from departing from the driving lane by controlling the braking apparatus, when it is determined that the abnormality condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki IKEDA, Ryo INOMATA, Akira NAGAE, Hironori ITO
  • Publication number: 20180229727
    Abstract: A speed control system for automatically controlling the speed of a vehicle. The system operates according to a method that includes: causing automatically a vehicle to travel at a predetermined speed value at least in part by controlling an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels of a vehicle; determining a recommended transmission gear ratio for a transmission of the powertrain at a given moment in time; providing an indication of the recommended transmission gear ratio to a user; and receiving a clutch actuation signal indicative of an actuation state of a clutch that is configured to connect the transmission to a torque drive source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: James KELLY, Andrew FAIRGRIEVE
  • Publication number: 20180229728
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine and a transmission, each controlled by controllers that communicate with one another. When the vehicle is coasting in certain gears, a one-way clutch over-runs. When the driver depresses the accelerator pedal (tips in), the transmission controller adjusts a transmission torque demand limit which is communicated to the engine controller. In response, the engine controller adjusts the engine torque, resulting in a smooth re-engagement of the one-way clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Kurt Howard Nickerson, Bradley Dean Riedle, Kendrick Morrison, Jianping Zhang, Cory Benson LaRoche
  • Publication number: 20180229729
    Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a speed displayed in a vehicle is provided. In one example, a method includes adjusting a determination of vehicle speed responsive to character recognition of an image from an on-board camera of the vehicle, the image including an external speed measurement source (such as a radar speed sign) displaying a speed measurement. The speed displayed in the vehicle may be corrected if the determined vehicle speed is outside of a threshold range generated from the speed measurement displayed on the external speed measurement source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled
  • Publication number: 20180229730
    Abstract: A circuit for compensating for low battery voltage available to power a load includes a power source, an inductor electrically coupled to the power source, a first switch configured to control current flow from the power source to the inductor, and a first diode connecting a first supply rail to the inductor. The circuit also includes a second switch configured to electrically connect the anode of a second diode to the inductor, with the cathode of the second diode connected to a second supply rail. A controller is configured to cycle the first and second switches to achieve a desired voltage values at the first and second supply rails. The second supply rail is electrically connected to the load. The controller is configured to enable the second switch to switch to a closed state only when the voltage at the power source is below a first predetermined threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: S.M. Nayeem Hasan, Timothy Philippart
  • Publication number: 20180229731
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine operable in an auto stop-start (SS) mode. The engine is adapted to auto stop and auto start in the SS mode. The vehicle further includes a transmission operable in an idle load reduction (ILR) mode. In the ILR mode, engagement of a forward clutch is disposed in an alternate first gear state. A controller is operably connected to the engine and the transmission. The controller is programmed to command the engine to operate in the SS mode when a speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined threshold unless one or more SS inhibit conditions are present. The controller is further programmed to, when one or more SS inhibit conditions are present, inhibit operation of the engine in the SS mode and to command the transmission to operate in the ILR mode unless one or more ILR inhibit conditions are present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Siraj SIDDIQUI, Hafiz Shafeek KHAFAGY, Ahmed AWADI, Hussam MAKKIYA
  • Publication number: 20180229732
    Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Miller, Omar Abdel-Baqi
  • Publication number: 20180229733
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a driving condition sensor mounted in a subject vehicle, the driving condition sensor detecting a driving condition related to the subject vehicle, a human-machine interface mounted in the subject vehicle, the human-machine interface configured to receive, from a user, a user preference input indicating a lane change parameter corresponding to the driving condition, and a processor coupled to the driving condition sensor and the human-machine interface. The processor is programmed to receive the user preference input from the human-machine interface, determine the driving condition from the driving condition sensor, and determine whether the assisted lane change should be performed based on the driving condition and the lane change parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Vikas UPMANUE
  • Publication number: 20180229734
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle including a multi-speed transmission having gear positions switched by executing release of a release-side engagement device out of a plurality of engagement devices and engagement of an engagement-side engagement device out of the plurality of engagement devices, and an engine of which a power is transmitted through the multi-speed transmission to drive wheels, the control device performing a shift of the multi-speed transmission by using a predefined shift model for determining control operation amounts of a torque at an input rotating member of the multi-speed transmission, a torque capacity of the release-side engagement device, and a torque capacity of the engagement-side engagement device, the control operation amounts achieving shift target values that are a target value of a torque at an output rotating member of the multi-speed transmission and a target value of angular acceleration of the input rotating member of the multi-speed transmission, the control device comprisi
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro TSUKAMOTO, Tomohiro ASAMI
  • Publication number: 20180229735
    Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy S. Paek, Paramvir Bahl
  • Publication number: 20180229736
    Abstract: An evacuation driving assistance apparatus capable of evacuation driving toward an appropriate evacuation location is provided. In the evacuation driving assistance apparatus, a driver determination unit determines whether or not a driver of an own vehicle is in a normal-driving enabled state. If it is determined by the driver determination unit that the driver of the own vehicle is in a normal-driving disabled state, a notification unit provides a notification of location information of the own vehicle to a center. The center is capable of determining an evacuation location based on the location information of the own vehicle, and transmitting the evacuation location. A reception unit receives the evacuation location transmitted by the center. An evacuation driving execution unit executes evacuation driving toward the evacuation location received by the reception unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Takahiro Narita, Masao Oooka, Masuhiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20180229737
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for autonomously performing default operations. A vehicle comprising a processor and a memory may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may determine, while currently operating autonomously, a current context in which the vehicle is operating autonomously. The memory may store the current context. The processor may further determine, while currently operating autonomously and based on the current context, one of a plurality of operations to perform when the vehicle is unable to continue to operate autonomously, and unable to transfer control of the vehicle to an occupant, and perform the determined one of the plurality of operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Regan Towal
  • Publication number: 20180229738
    Abstract: A safety stoppage device for an autonomous road vehicle having at least one control network and sensor, and an autonomous drive-control unit for processing sensor and communication signals and providing control signals for lateral and longitudinal control. A primary brake-control unit is configured to monitor the longitudinal control signals for faults and, upon determination of a fault, execute a longitudinal control profile, stored independent from the autonomous drive-control unit, to perform braking to a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonas NILSSON, Mathias WESTLUND
  • Publication number: 20180229739
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a storage unit, a reception unit, a collation information generation unit, and a response unit. The storage unit stores a criterion for determining normality of a frame transmitted from a first electronic device. The reception unit receives the frame from a bus network. The collation information generation unit generates, when the reception unit receives a frame of a first identifier (ID) transmitted from the first electronic device, collation information which is information for collation with the criterion stored in the storage unit, based on the frame. The response unit transmits, when the reception unit receives a frame of a second ID transmitted from the second electronic device, information which is based on the criterion stored in the storage unit and the collation information generated by the collation information generation unit and which enables a check whether the first electronic device is valid, to the second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: YOSHIHARU IMAMOTO, JUN ANZAI, MASATO TANABE
  • Publication number: 20180229740
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a seat on which an occupant of a vehicle is seated, a first operation reception unit and a second operation reception unit configured to be operated by the occupant, and a seat drive unit configured to change a position of the seat on the basis of an operation received by the first operation reception unit, and return the position of the seat to a position before being changed by the first operation reception unit when an operation is received by the second operation reception unit, and the second operation reception unit is provided at a rearward position relative to a place corresponding to a central portion in a travel direction of a seating portion of the seat in a side member provided in a side portion of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Manabu Matsumoto, Hajime Ishihara, Kenta Hirayama, Muneatsu Minato, Yosuke Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20180229741
    Abstract: In an information transfer device (5) installed in a vehicle (3), the vehicle carrying the information transfer device (5) is referred to as a subject vehicle, and an information acquisition unit (9) acquires through communications with another vehicle (a) information indicating whether the other vehicle is being automatically driven, (b) information indicating functions of the other vehicle related to automatic driving, and (c) information indicating a schedule of the other vehicle related to automatic driving. An information processing unit (11) provides the information acquired by the information acquisition unit to the driver of the subject vehicle (3) or outputs the same to a driving control device (7) of the subject vehicle (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Takahiro Narita, Masuhiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20180229742
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for rendering views to an output device and controlling a vehicle. The method includes determining a maneuver path for the vehicle within a spatial environment around the vehicle based on vehicle data from one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle. The method includes updating a view based on the spatial environment and the maneuver path, by augmenting one or more components of a model to provide a representation of the maneuver path virtually in the view as an available maneuver path or an unavailable maneuver path. The view is rendered to an output device and a vehicle maneuver request is generated based on the maneuver path. Further, the one or more vehicle systems are controlled to execute the vehicle maneuver request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Arthur Alaniz, Joseph Whinnery, Robert Wesley Murrish, Michael Eamonn Gleeson-May
  • Publication number: 20180229743
    Abstract: An automated driving assistance apparatus is an automated driving assistance apparatus for assisting automated driving of a passenger car, and includes a position detection unit and a notification control unit. The position detection unit detects a checkpoint that is before, in the advancing direction, a switching zone in which a switch is made from automated driving to manual driving. When the position detection unit detects that the vehicle has reached the checkpoint, the notification control unit controls a notification unit to notify the driver of preparation items required for manual driving when switching from automated driving to manual driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Hatsumi AOI
  • Publication number: 20180229744
    Abstract: A method and system that monitors various functions and criteria within a standard vehicle platform (“SVP”) or a small engine platform (SEP?). The SVP uses an OBD-II adapter as a central controller to collect the information and communicate with a mobile communication device or a cloud based application to monitor the health of in-vehicle systems within the SVP and determine if maintenance is required. The SEP utilizes a run hour meter to collect information and communicates with a mobile communication device, an OBD-II adapter, or a cloud based application to monitor the health of an engine within the SEP and determine if maintenance is required. The method and system can automatically dispatch maintenance resources if maintenance is deemed necessary, thereby providing a managed maintenance solution for either a SVP or SEP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph R. MANZARI, Jonathan A. HALLSTEN, Nathan W. WRIGHT, William R. SNYDER, Steven R. NELSON, Kevin C. STACEY, Robert G. MARTINEZ
  • Publication number: 20180229745
    Abstract: A hand truck having improvements made to simplify and make more ergonomically use of a hand truck by an operator. The hand truck provided having adjustable handles and a bottom portion having adjustable stair climbers with improved feature and an improved wheel and brake assembly have an axle-less wheel assembly and an improved caliper mounting system. These features are discussed in detail in the forgoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Brewer, Donald Dobler, Ian Michael Cobb, Grey Burchfield Parker
  • Publication number: 20180229746
    Abstract: A coupling device for removably attaching a mobile computing device having a display to a shopping cart handle comprises: a clip mechanism configured to removably couple to a shopping cart handle; a handle grip unit extending tangentially from the clip; a top surface of the handle grip unit constructed and arranged to receive and hold in place a mobile computing device having a display, the handle grip unit permitting a user to orient, rotate, or angle the coupling device, and therefore, the display of the mobile computing device, about the shopping cart handle while providing a steady grip so that the user can move the shopping cart without the mobile computing device falling off the shopping cart. The top surface has a width that is greater than a main body of the handle grip unit to directly couple with a region of the mobile computing device directly under a display of the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Yurgis Mauro Bacallao
  • Publication number: 20180229747
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Publication number: 20180229748
    Abstract: A carriage is used to convey a load. The carriage has a carriage body having a frame and a plurality of wheels rotatably retained to the frame, a loading platform supported to the carriage body and bearing the load, a sensor for detecting a relative movement between the carriage body and the loading platform, and a driving device for outputting a driving force based on a result of detection by the sensor to any of the plurality of wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Koji Nakamura, Yudai Mitsumori
  • Publication number: 20180229749
    Abstract: A pallet truck handle assembly is provided, including a handle hinge seat, a handle control head, and a removable handle tube having a first end and a second end. The first end of the removable handle tube is removably connected to the handle hinge seat by one or more fasteners, and the second end of the removable handle tube is connected to the handle control head. The handle assembly further includes a handle control cable or handle wiring harness having a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle control cable or handle wiring harness is located proximate the first end of the removable handle tube and the second end of the handle control cable or handle wiring harness is connected to the handle control head, and the handle hinge seat has a support member that receives a chassis control cable or a chassis wiring harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Wang Zheng, Yang Yanfeng, Cao Jinsong
  • Publication number: 20180229750
    Abstract: A stroller includes a chassis and a child support. The chassis is configured to roll along the ground in response to being pushed by a caregiver. The child support is coupled selectively to the chassis and is configured to support a child resting therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Yann NASLAIN
  • Publication number: 20180229751
    Abstract: A wheel structure that makes braking easy and prevents sudden stops, and a pushcart having the wheel structure are provided. The wheel structure includes a rotor that is rotatable about an axle and is stopped from rotating by a brake member, a wheel that is coaxial with the rotor and is rotatable about the rotor, and a relative-rotation resisting member that is disposed between the rotor and wheel and produces resistance force resisting the relative rotation of the rotor and wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: APRICA CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS G.K.
    Inventors: Hitoshi YABUUCHI, Tseshan PENG
  • Publication number: 20180229752
    Abstract: A system may include a steering wheel assembly including a plurality of heat mat sections configured to selective heat a subset of the steering wheel, and a controller coupled to the heat mat sections via at least one connector, the controller configured to instruct the connector to provide current to at least one of the heat mat sections based on a user preference associated with an identified user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: James Robert CHASCSA, II, Adam DUBAISI, Michael Joseph DEAN, Sean B. WEST
  • Publication number: 20180229753
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Brian J. Magnus, John S. Beam
  • Publication number: 20180229754
    Abstract: In a steering wheel position adjusting device, an inner side surface of a support plate part (19a) includes a pair of protrusion parts (31a, 31b), which are positioned on both sides of the pressed-part back surfaces (24a) in a front-rear direction and interpose the pressed-part back surfaces (24a), the pressed-part back surface (24a) is positioned on a back side of a portion where the outer side surface of the support plate part (19) is pressed by a driven-side cam (35), and only tip end surfaces of the protrusion parts (31a, 31b) are changed from an unclamped state to a clamped state. In clamped state, the tip end surfaces of the protrusion parts (31a, 31b) and the pressed-part back surfaces (24a) are pressed against an outer side surface of a displacement bracket (16a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi KUROKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180229755
    Abstract: The slits (25, 25), which is configured to lower a rigidity of the outer column in a radial direction, are provided on both side portions in a width direction, which interpose a central portion in the width direction on an upper half portion, of the tubular outer column (12a) in a state where the slits (25, 25) extend only in an axial direction respectively. A pair of coupling plate parts (28, 28) configuring the column side bracket (16a) are fixed to positions, which interpose each of the slits (25, 25) therebetween from both sides in the width direction, of an outer peripheral surface of the outer column (12a). A structure capable of increasing the frictional force acting between the inner peripheral surface of the outer column and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column as a steering wheel is held at an adjusted position is realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi KUROKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180229756
    Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly includes at least one support bearing assembly that comprises an inner bearing race which is located on the steering shaft, an outer bearing race that is located on an inner face of a shroud, and a set of ball bearings that are located between the inner bearing race and the outer bearing race and are free to roll along bearing surfaces defined by the bearing races. Each of the bearing races comprises a pair of annular bearing race parts, defining a circumferentially extending bearing surface arranged coaxially and spaced apart from each other axially such that varying the spacing between the two parts varies the effective radius of the bearing race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Michael Appleyard
  • Publication number: 20180229757
    Abstract: Provided is a steering system that is configured to absorb a secondary collision shock load and achieves high vibration rigidity with a simple structure. A lower jacket is externally fitted to an upper jacket in a slidable manner. A support member that supports the lower jacket includes a fixed portion that is fixed to a vehicle body. A shock of a secondary collision is absorbed by a shock absorbing mechanism. The shock absorbing mechanism includes second slide members configured to move together with the upper jacket, and to frictionally slide relative to the support member upon a secondary collision. The second slide member includes a sandwiched portion that is sandwiched between the support member and the lower jacket, and a transmitting portion that is brought into contact with both of the lower jacket and the support member at a position closer to the fixed portion than the sandwiched portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiaki YAMAOKA, Masayoshi SAKUDA, Yoshihito YOSHIHARA, Atsumune NAGATANI, Satoki YOSHIMURA, Yu MYOHOJI
  • Publication number: 20180229758
    Abstract: A first sliding member is held by an upper jacket. A second sliding member includes a fixed portion fixed to the first sliding member, and an extension portion that extends in a column axis direction and that has a coupled portion coupled to the fixed portion at a predetermined location in the column axis direction. The second sliding member being clamped by the clamping mechanism slides relative to a supporting member and a lower jacket during a secondary impact. The second sliding member includes a slit that reduces coupling stiffness between the fixed portion and the coupled portion of the extension portion so as to facilitate, in a clamping state of the clamping mechanism, deflection of the coupled portion of the extension portion relative to the fixed portion in a lateral direction as seen from the column axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi SAKUDA, Atsumune NAGATANI, Michiaki YAMAOKA, Yoshihito YOSHIHARA, Satoki YOSHIMURA, Yu MYOHOJI
  • Publication number: 20180229759
    Abstract: A restoring torque generating device for generating a restoring torque acting on a steering handle of a vehicle comprising a first spring unit for generating a first restoring torque, a second spring unit for generating a second restoring torque, a driver cooperating with the first and the second spring unit. The driver can be coupled with a steering shaft of the vehicle such that during a rotation of the steering shaft in a first direction of rotation it acts on the first spring unit and during a rotation of the steering shaft in an opposite, second direction of rotation it acts on the second spring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: TAKATA AG
    Inventor: Dieter MARKFORT
  • Publication number: 20180229760
    Abstract: A power-steering device intended to be fitted on a vehicle-receiving structure, such as a cradle, the device including a rack as well as at least one actuator subassembly including at least one assistance motor, one drive gear, as well as one load-bearing structure that carries the assistance motor and is arranged to support and guide the drive gear and the rack relative to one another, the device further including one containment casing that is separate from the actuator subassembly and is fonned by connecting at least one base and one bell housing, which are attached to one another by a sealed joint such that the containment casing prevents the actuator subassembly from being exposed to water splashes, dust and salt spray from the outside environment when the power-steering device is in place on the receiving structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventor: Laurent REY
  • Publication number: 20180229761
    Abstract: In a rotation detecting apparatus, while a switch is in an on state so that electrical power is supplied from a power source to a controller via the switch, the controller receives, as a first output signal, an output signal output from an output unit of a first rotation sensor, and receives, as a second output signal, an output signal output from an output unit of the second rotation sensor. The first output signal includes at least the first rotational information and the second rotational information based on the first rotation sensor, and the second output signal includes at least the first rotational information and the second rotational information based on the second rotation sensor. The controller determines whether there is a malfunction in each of the first and second rotation sensors as a function of the first output signal and the second output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Toshihiro Fujita, Takaharu Kozawa, Shuhei Miyachi, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Shuji Kuramitsu, Koichi Nakamura, Yuki Watanabe, Atsuko Oka, Masaya Taki, Toshimitsu Sakai
  • Publication number: 20180229762
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a motor for an electric power steering system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor including a stator on which a plurality of coils are wound and a rotor, which is placed inside the stator and into which a plurality of magnets are inserted, the plurality of coils being divided into two coil groups, the apparatus includes: a first controller configured to control supply of power applied to a first coil group that is one of the two coil groups; a second controller configured to control supply of power applied to a second coil group that is the other one of the two coil groups; and a boost converter configured to compensate for a difference between power output from the first controller and power output from the second controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Dae Geun CHOI
  • Publication number: 20180229763
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic control unit of a steering system for a vehicle. The electronic control unit includes: a case having shaft supporting portions formed at ends of sides facing each other; a connector electrically connected with a substrate and coupled to the case through a rotary shaft coupled to ends of the shaft supporting portions such that that direction of connecting ports to be connected with a harness is adjusted, in which a protrusive first coupling portion is formed at any one of the shaft supporting portion and the rotary shaft and a second recessed coupling portion that is coupled to the first coupling portion is formed at the other one so that the connector is coupled and fixed to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: JinHwan KIM, Joon Ho JUNG, Ji Hwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20180229764
    Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power steering apparatus that can perform an angle estimating by using a motor regenerative current so as to accurately perform an angle estimating even in a low speed steering. [Means for Solving the Problem] The present invention is the electric power steering apparatus that calculates a current command value based on at least a steering torque, driving-controls a motor, which applies an assist torque to a steering system based on the current command value, by an inverter with respective phase duties of a PWM, and detects an angle of the steering system or the motor, comprising: an angle estimating section to estimate the angle when a detecting system of the angle is failed, wherein the electric power steering apparatus performs an assist-control based on an estimating angle that is estimated at the angle estimating section. The present invention can be also adapted to the control of the motor having multi-system windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi SUGAWARA, Hideki SAWADA, Ryo MINAKI
  • Publication number: 20180229765
    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: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuo SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20180229766
    Abstract: A connecting tube for connecting two joint attachments of a steering or track rod. The connecting tube is reinforced by at least one tube section connected by friction force to the connecting tube such that either the entire outer or inside wall the tube section is in contact against a wall of the connecting tube, thereby forming a press fit connection. The steering or the track rod has a connecting tube with end sections that each hold or support components of joint attachments. A method for producing a connecting tube or the steering or the track rod in which first a tube semifabricate of the tube section is positioned within a tube semifabricate of the connecting tube and then the two tube sernifabricates are expanded within a connection zone by a mandrel with an oversized section that is moved along the common axial direction of the two tube semifabricates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Günter REDDEHASE, Jens EISMANN
  • Publication number: 20180229767
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various embodiments for steering wheel recoupling for an autonomous vehicle. In an embodiment, a steering system is described. The steering system may comprise a steering wheel, wheels controlled by the steering wheel, and a wheel alignment control module. The wheel alignment control module may be configured to determine the steering wheel is decoupled from the steering system, determine a current angle of the wheels controlled by the steering wheel, activate an indicator, the indicator determined based, at least in part, upon the current angle, determine the steering wheel is positioned for recoupling, and recouple the steering wheel to the steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Michael R. James
  • Publication number: 20180229768
    Abstract: A lane-keeping-assist system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a camera, a steering-actuator, and a controller. The camera detects a lane-marking of a travel-lane traveled by a host-vehicle. The steering-actuator controls a travel-direction of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the camera and the steering-actuator. The controller determines a lane-width of the travel-lane and determines a centerline of the travel-lane based on the lane-marking. The controller further determines an offset-position of the host-vehicle within the travel-lane based on the lane-marking. The controller further determines a clearance between the host-vehicle and the lane-marking based on the offset-position. The controller further determines an adaptive-threshold based on the lane-width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Liang Ma, Michael I. Chia
  • Publication number: 20180229769
    Abstract: A steer torque manager for an advanced driver assistance system of a road vehicle and a method therefor. A driver-in-the-loop functionality determines when to hand over control to a driver. A wheel angle controller uses an advanced driver assistance system wheel angle request to produce an overlay torque request to be added to a torque request from an electrical power assisted steering. The steer torque manager controls the driver-in-the-loop functionality based on amplitude and frequency content of a torsion bar torque related signal which is filtered to attenuate an amplitude thereof at frequencies up to 2 Hz. The overlay torque request to be provided by the wheel angle controller is modulated based on a measure of driver activity derived from the filtered torsion bar torque related signal, where more recent values are weighted higher than older values, using a time window of 0.5-3 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lars Johannesson MARDH, Malin HAGLUND
  • Publication number: 20180229770
    Abstract: A driving supporter includes a support inhibitor that inhibits support of driving when a steering-operation value is greater than a threshold value. The support inhibitor includes a threshold-value determiner that determines the threshold value to a value greater when a first object and a second object are present than when the first object is present, and the second object is absent. The first object has a relationship in which a relative positional relationship between the object and an own vehicle is a relationship in which a steering operation is estimated to be performed in a first direction in which the own vehicle avoids the object. The second object has a relationship in which the relative positional relationship is a relationship in which the steering operation is estimated to be performed in a second direction reverse to the first direction such that the own vehicle avoids the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki KATAOKA, Taisuke HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180229771
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a first high-voltage unit and a second high-voltage unit in a front compartment. The first high-voltage unit includes a first case including a body portion, and a projecting portion that projects from an outer surface of the body portion, and is located between a pair of suspension towers, and between a dashboard panel and a front bumper. The second high-voltage unit is placed in space between one of the suspension towers and the dashboard panel. The projecting portion projects toward the one suspension tower, and at least a part of the projecting portion is located on the front side in the traveling direction, relative to a straight line connecting center axes of the suspension towers, as viewed from the top of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki SEKINE