Patents Issued in September 11, 2018
  • Patent number: 10071698
    Abstract: A vehicle power distribution module may include a panel having a plurality of input terminals, a first plurality of output terminals, and a second plurality of output terminals. The first plurality of input terminals may be connected to a first power supply having a first voltage and to a second power supply having a second voltage and wherein the first voltage may be different than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Motor Coach Industries Limited
    Inventor: Ibrahem Abdalla
  • Patent number: 10071699
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power control unit having at least one of an inverter and a converter, a drive motor that produces torque for running the vehicle when electric power is supplied from the power control unit to the drive motor, a vehicle body kept insulated from a road surface, a case main body in which the power control unit is housed, a member that is connected to the case main body where the member is insulated from the case main body, or in a condition in which electric resistance is large, and a static eliminator that neutralizes and eliminates positive charges on the member and lowers a positive potential of the member, by self-discharge for producing negative air ions in outside air according to the positive potential of the member that is electrostatically charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Yoji Kanehara, Koshi Yamada, Yuta Oshiro
  • Patent number: 10071700
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame and a bumper pivotally connected to the frame. A step is attached to the bumper so that the step is pivotal between a storage position and a step position. An actuator is mounted to the frame and coupled to the bumper, and is operable to pivot the bumper relative to the frame between a substantially vertical position and an angled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Clara Bennie
  • Patent number: 10071701
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, door, glass dome, and dynamic pillars. The body defines a cabin and has first and second static pillars. The door that accesses the cabin, is secured to the body, and is disposed between the first and second static pillars. The glass dome is secured to the body over the entirety of the cabin. The dynamic pillars are extendable in an upward direction and are secured to the body proximate to an outer perimeter of the glass dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Horst Heribert Lanzerath, Rahul Arora, Guosong Li
  • Patent number: 10071702
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device includes: an airbag that is configured to be stowed in a headrest, to receive a gas supply and is formed as a single bag body that, in an inflated and expanded state, includes a front inflation portion configured to be disposed at the front in a seat front-rear direction relative to a head of a vehicle occupant, and a pair of side inflation portions configured to be disposed at both sides in a seat width direction relative to the head of the vehicle occupant; an inflator that is fixed to an upper portion of a seatback frame in an attitude with a long dimension of the inflator in the seat width direction, the upper portion of the seatback frame extending in the seat width direction; and a fluid communication structure that communicates between the inflator and the airbag to allow a flow of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Shinichi Ishida
  • Patent number: 10071703
    Abstract: A head-protecting airbag device includes: an airbag including: an airbag body; a mounting portion which fixes the airbag body to a body; and a tension cloth, wherein: the airbag body includes a general inflatable portion, and an end-side inflatable portion, which is partitioned from the general inflatable portion by an end-side partition portion as a closed portion; the tension cloth is disposed on the outboard side of the end-side inflatable portion in the airbag body, and the root end of the tension cloth is coupled to an area of the general inflatable portion which is closer to a central side in the front and rear direction than the end-side partition portion; and in the mounting portion, an end-side mounting portion is disposed from a position of the root end including a position of the root end of the tension cloth to an area of the general inflatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sho Ikenohata, Koji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10071704
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for folding a driver airbag which are capable of folding an airbag so that the airbag has a shape corresponding to a shape of an accommodating space in an airbag housing. To this end, an upper plate of the apparatus for folding the driver airbag according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stair sections that is spaced apart from a lower plate at different vertical distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oh Koang Kwon, Jung Geun Choi
  • Patent number: 10071705
    Abstract: Provided are a seat belt assist device and a vehicular seat such that a seat belt can be moved to a position easily accessible by a seated person in a compact and simple configuration. A seat belt assist device is configured to move at least a part of a seat belt of a seat for a vehicle to a position easily accessible by a seated person, and is provided with a movable member that supports a part of the seat belt and that moves between a normal position and a protruded position that protrudes beyond the normal position. The movable member is disposed on an upper surface of a seat back of the seat, with an end portion thereof at the door side of the vehicle being disposed toward an end of the upper surface of the seat back in a right and left direction, and with a forward end disposed rearward of a front end surface of the upper surface of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Atsushi Yamabe
  • Patent number: 10071706
    Abstract: The inventive relates to a method for external operation of an actuator of a vehicle having an optical sensor. The following steps are provided: obtaining an approach of a person in an approach area of the optical sensor; determining, within an obtaining area of the optical sensor, a targeted approach of a person's steps towards an operating area of the optical sensor; and operating the actuator when a step made into the operating area of the optical sensor is determined. It is the object of the invention to simplify the operation of an actuator of a vehicle by a gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Ette, Volker Wintsche
  • Patent number: 10071707
    Abstract: A method to activate a function of a vehicle including transmitting a wireless command from a portable apparatus to the vehicle and activating the function if a wireless activation facility of the function is not switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Peter Lohmann
  • Patent number: 10071708
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle wiper is disclosed. The system comprises a first rain sensor disposed on a fore portion of a vehicle and a second rain sensor disposed on an aft portion of the vehicle. The system further comprises a controller configured to suspend a rain sensing activation identified during a monitoring cycle in response to a control event. The control even comprises detecting moisture with the first rain sensor for a delay time without detecting the moisture with the second rain sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10071709
    Abstract: A pneumatic system for operating a drive for a windshield wiper for a rail vehicle, wherein the windshield wiper drive has a piston guide device that has a first connection and a second connection opposite the first connection. At least one piston in the piston guide device carries out linear movements in opposite directions along the main direction of extension of the piston guide device to bring about an alternating rotational movement of the wiper shaft. The pneumatic system has a supply connection for a compressed air supply, wherein the supply connection is connected to the first connection via a first normal operation connection line and a first emergency operation connection line arranged parallel thereto and to the second connection via a second normal operation connection line and a second emergency operation connection line arranged parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhardus De Vries, Gerd Noll, Wolfgang Maglot
  • Patent number: 10071710
    Abstract: The swing member (63) to be subjected to swinging drive is integrally provided to the output shaft (56) outside the speed reducer case (52), the speed reducer case (52) is provided with a pair of swing regulating portions (61, 62) which prevents the swing member (63) from being moved beyond the wiping-allowable limit angle (b°) by contacting the swing member (63). As a result, the swing member (63) and the swing regulating portions (61, 62) can collectively form the regulating member (60). As a result, essential components (such as fixing plate) can be omitted from the conventional wiper apparatus. Therefore, the wiper apparatus can be improved in assembly workability, size and weight by reducing the number of components thereof, and provided with a regulating member (60) which prevents the wiper member being moved beyond the wiping-allowable limit angle (b°).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Takimoto, Shin Akimoto, Masaaki Kimura, Takeshi Kanai, Tomoya Nishikawa, Yukiyoshi Iso
  • Patent number: 10071711
    Abstract: A coating agent for a wiper blade rubber having superior friction performance and wiping performance, both initially and during use for an extended period, and having superior durability by inhibiting wear and the like, and a wiper blade rubber using the same. The coating agent for the wiper blade rubber includes a solid lubricant and a binder containing a polycarbonate-based polyurethane resin. The wiper blade rubber has the coating agent on both lateral surfaces of a lip portion of the wiper blade rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUKOKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Okamoto, Atsushi Morikami, Masahiro Naiki
  • Patent number: 10071712
    Abstract: An adapter for attaching a wiper assembly to a wiper arm having an attachment member including an end with a bent tab extending outwardly therefrom, and walls having fins. The adapter includes a body having first and second ends. A retention member is disposed at the first end for abutting the fin. A canard extends from the retention member toward the second end and is adapted to be disposed adjacent to one of the walls. A stop is disposed closer to the second end than the first. A guard is spaced longitudinally from the stop and has a cam surface and an engagement surface. A bridge connects the guard to the body and is adapted to flex when the guard pivots from the stop in response to force translated to the cam surface from the bent tab until the engagement surface abuts at least a portion of the bent tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: Valentin Avasiloaie, Dan Ehde
  • Patent number: 10071713
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component (10) for a system (9) for supplying and/or distributing a liquid for a wiping apparatus for a motor vehicle, including a space, defined by a wall, in which the liquid can be accommodated, characterized in that the wall is made of a plastic heat-conducting material. The invention can be used for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Vincent Izabel, Jean-Michel Jarasson
  • Patent number: 10071714
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit and an electromagnetic unit are disposed such that a piston rod of the hydraulic unit and a solenoid shaft of the electromagnetic unit are orthogonal to each other. The electromagnetic unit is configured such that an end surface of an expanded diameter portion of a shaft portion of the solenoid shaft on the piston rod side is pressed against an attracting portion of a yoke by the elastic force of a spring when a parking unlocked state is established by a hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihito Iwata, Tadamasa Takei, Kenichi Naka
  • Patent number: 10071715
    Abstract: A method for determining a braking torque on a braking system for a rail vehicle. The braking system associated with at least one wheel or at least one wheelset includes at least one brake disc for generating a braking force in response to at least one brake signal, at least one brake lining interacting with the brake disc and a brake caliper connected to the brake lining and a brake housing and a securing bracket. The brake caliper is mounted together with a brake housing in at least one first bearing point and a second bearing point, the second bearing point is at a distance from the first bearing point at a predefined bearing distance, a first sensor for providing a first measuring signal and a second sensor for providing a second measuring signal are arranged on the brake housing or between the housing and the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Mathieu, Roman Grepl, Erich Fuderer, Michael Schubert, Marc-Gregory Elstorpff, Rupert Lang
  • Patent number: 10071716
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic machine for producing a braking torque, the hydrodynamic machine comprising: a toroidal working chamber including a first bladed wheel and a second bladed wheel arranged concentrically with the first bladed wheel; and a hydraulic system including an open loop and closed loop control unit, a working medium accumulator, a line system, a pump operable to produce a volume flow circulation of a working medium through the line system and the toroidal working chamber, a heat exchanger, and a pressure control valve operable to control or adjust the baking performance or the braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schlosser, Matthias Rommel, Helmut Ott, Thorsten Lührs
  • Patent number: 10071717
    Abstract: An electric brake system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gi-Yung Kim, Seong-Ho Choi, Dong-Yo Ryu, Yong-Kap Kim, Weon-Chan Ko, Hyun-Ho Kim, Eun-Seong Lim, In-Wook Jeon, Yeong-Sik Kim, Byong-Hoo Cheong
  • Patent number: 10071718
    Abstract: A setting device, particularly a motor vehicle parking brake includes a remotely-operated drive, a hollow shaft, a spindle shaft and an elastic element. The hollow shaft is driven by the remotely-operated drive so that the hollow shaft rotates. The spindle shaft moves relative to the hollow shaft within the hollow shaft due to the rotation of the hollow shaft. The spindle shaft is connected to a brake cable such that the spindle shaft can apply and release the brake as it moves in different directions within the hollow shaft. The elastic element is loaded due to movement of the hollow shaft as the hollow shaft is driven in an attempt to release the brake while the brake cable is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, WÜRZBURG
    Inventors: Norbert Deutloff, Ekkehard Kraft, Stephan Roos, Armin Sauer
  • Patent number: 10071719
    Abstract: A hydrostatic traction drive in a closed hydraulic circuit includes two hydraulic machines in the closed hydraulic circuit and a control unit configured to control a braking torque of the traction drive. A method for controlling the hydrostatic traction drive includes controlling the braking torque for the hydrostatic traction drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Behm
  • Patent number: 10071720
    Abstract: A method of selectively controlling a power take-off (PTO) assembly includes positioning a clutch assembly radially between a shaft and a PTO gear, operably controlling the clutch assembly with a controller, and selectively engaging the clutch assembly with the controller. The controller monitors signals received from a plurality of sensors and compares the monitored signals with respective signal thresholds. The clutch assembly is engaged when the compared monitored signals are within the signal thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Foster, Douglas Burchett
  • Patent number: 10071721
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The control method includes determining whether the speed of a motor exceeds a first threshold value, when supply of power to a battery is cut off and thus the hybrid vehicle is driven by an engine. The speed is then adjusted to be the first threshold value or less, when the speed exceeds the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Ro Park, Jin Woo Cho, Seung Ho Lee, Hyun Min Park, Hae Seung Lee, Ji Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 10071722
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a generation section configured to generate, from a state of a mobile vehicle in each position obtained by discretizing a traveling route along which the mobile vehicle travels, a state of the mobile vehicle in a next position for each use state of drive means contained in the mobile vehicle; and an optimization section configured to optimize the use state of the drive means in each position based on at least one of states of the mobile vehicle in each position generated by the generation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 10071723
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a drive train (101) of a hybrid vehicle comprising an electrical system (102), the drive train (101) having at least one vehicle drive wheel (105) in addition to one first electrical machine (104) and the first electrical machine (104) being connected to the electrical system (102). According to the invention, in order to stabilize the voltage of the electrical system (102), the first electrical machine (104) is operated without being coupled to the drive wheels (105) of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Philip Fankhauser, Dimitrios Stavrianos, Klaus-Juergen Wald, Daniel Raichle, Torsten Heidrich, Martin Wirth
  • Patent number: 10071724
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and at least one controller programmed to, in response to a brake request and a shaft speed associated with a speed of the vehicle achieving a starting speed that is defined by a torque of the powertrain that changes with brake demand at a given shaft speed, reduce a regenerative torque limit that constrains regenerative braking torque over a blend-out duration based on the shaft speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Stuart N. Ford, Bernard D. Nefcy, Todd McCullough
  • Patent number: 10071725
    Abstract: In a situation where it is predicted that a symbol of target torque reverses by turns to be positive and negative alternately, the hybrid ECU carries out an increasing correction of the target torque, in which the target torque is corrected by increasing the target torque by a set amount ?T in a negative direction when a specific condition, in which it is judged that the degree of the vertical vibration of a vehicle body is larger than a standard value and it is judged there is no acceleration demand, is satisfied, and makes the vibration suppression control torque not to be contained in the target torque when the specific condition is not satisfied. Thereby, even when carrying out free run, the sprung vibration suppression control can be carried out during bad road running, and braking force can be suppressed and fuel consumption can be improved during good road running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Kanou, Tomohiro Naruse, Yoshihide Sekiya, Yu Yamagata
  • Patent number: 10071726
    Abstract: A shifting control method for hybrid vehicles may include shifting request determining, by a controller, of determining whether power off down shifting to a lowest stage is requested, clutch releasing, by the controller, of controlling a release clutch to be released, when it is determined that a gradient of a road exceeds a reference value and a vehicle speed exceeds a reference vehicle speed when the shifting is requested as the shifting request determination result, synchronizing, by the controller, of controlling a motor speed to be synchronized with an applying input shaft speed, and clutch engaging, by the controller, of controlling an applying clutch to be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Ju Hyun Nam, Seong Hwan Cheong
  • Patent number: 10071727
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to i) calculate a target supercharging pressure of an intake air such that, when an internal combustion engine is operated through the homogeneous charge compression ignition, the internal combustion engine achieves a required output while satisfying a predetermined requirement, ii) control an output of the internal combustion engine such that the output approaches the required output in accordance with an actual supercharging pressure in process of changing the actual supercharging pressure to the target supercharging pressure that is achieved by a supercharger, and iii) control a rotary machine such that an output of the rotary machine compensates for part or all of a differential output between the required output and the output in process of changing the actual supercharging pressure to the target supercharging pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 10071728
    Abstract: A method is provided to control a hybrid powertrain, comprising a combustion engine; a gearbox with input and output shafts, which combustion engine is connected to the input shaft; a first planetary gear connected to the input shaft; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear; first and second electrical machines respectfully connected to the first and second planetary gears; first gear pair connected with the first planetary gear and output shaft; and second gear pair connected with the second planetary gear and output shaft. The method comprises: a) engaging gears in the first and second gear pairs; and b) connecting two rotatable components in the second planetary gear with a second coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Mathias Björkman, Niklas Pettersson, Mikael Bergquist, Johan Lindström
  • Patent number: 10071729
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a trailer hitch, an axle having an electronic limited slip differential, and a controller. The electronic limited slip differential includes a variable torque capacity lockup clutch. The controller is programmed to, in response to detecting the presence of a trailer connected to the trailer hitch and an increase in vehicle speed, increase the lockup clutch torque by a first torque adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Monticello, Lucian Lippok, Keith Weston
  • Patent number: 10071730
    Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for performing an automated parking operation of a vehicle. The methods and systems determine a position of a wireless driver device located outside of the vehicle. A vision system provides video data having a field of view selected based on the position of the wireless driver device. Gesture recognition processing is performed on the video data having the selected field of view. At least one gesture command is determined from the gesture recognition processing. An automated parking operation of the vehicle is performed using the at least one gesture command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Donald, Jarvis Chau
  • Patent number: 10071731
    Abstract: In a case where an actual parking technique of a driver in a parking condition is different from a parking technique shown by a parking technique model generated in a same parking condition, a parking assist apparatus outputs a question to the user about whether or not assistance for the parking operation is desired to park the vehicle. In a case where the driver accepts the assistance for the parking operation, the parking assist apparatus provide the assistance for the parking operation to park the vehicle. Thus, useless parking assistance that the driver does not desire can be prevented, and parking assistance that is truly desired by the driver can be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Chiharu Yamamoto, Masashi Tsuyunashi
  • Patent number: 10071732
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield having an integral pressure sensor. A signal from the pressure sensor is used to identify an impact against the windshield as a stone impact. Responsive to identifying the stone impact, identifying any large truck located within a predetermined radius of the vehicle. Responsive to identifying a large truck, the vehicle is directed to make an evasive maneuver to avoid stones dropped or thrown by the large truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Patent number: 10071733
    Abstract: Example implementations may relate to an obstacle detection system. In particular, an example device may include a light emitter, a line-image sensor, and a controller that are mounted on a rotatable component. In an example embodiment, the line-image sensor may receive light signals emitted from the light emitter. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the light emitter and line-image sensor and configured to determine a multipath signal based on the time of flight of the light signal and the position along the line-image sensor at which the line-image sensor received the given reflected light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Horizon Hobby, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Beard, Jeffrey Walker
  • Patent number: 10071734
    Abstract: A course evaluation apparatus includes an estimated-course-group generation portion that generates a plurality of estimated course groups for a movable body; and a course evaluation portion that performs a course evaluation on the plurality of estimated course groups with respect to at least two different evaluation criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Sakai, Toshiki Kindo
  • Patent number: 10071735
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing an airspeed adaptive cruise control system on ground vehicles that automatically slows vehicle groundspeed during headwinds and increases groundspeed during tailwinds. This behavior acts to reduce the energy cost associated with headwinds and capture the energy benefit obtained with tailwinds. In the method, multiple operating modes are presented that can be user selected to optimize on minimum energy consumption, fastest average speed while still harvesting energy from tailwinds, and a balance in between the two methods. The system utilizes multiple sensors, such as airspeed, groundspeed, and vehicle proximity detectors to provide reliable system functionality in a wide range of operating conditions. In some implementations, a combined speedometer with groundspeed and airspeed indicator dials is used to quickly communicate the condition and magnitude of headwinds or tailwinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew Gage Merzig
  • Patent number: 10071736
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus for a vehicle includes: a switch selecting a drive mode that specifies an output characteristic of a drive source relative to an accelerator operation amount; and a controller configured to calculate a target acceleration, based on the drive mode, for causing a host vehicle to follow a preceding vehicle such that a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is maintained at a distance within a predetermined range, and control a driving force of the drive source such that the host vehicle accelerates at the target acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minoru Nakadori
  • Patent number: 10071737
    Abstract: There is provided with an automatic transmission (2) having a clutch (32) and a brake device (6) which holds a brake force during a stop of an engine (1). There is provided with an engine control section (11) which performs an automatic stop of the engine and a re-start of the engine and a release control section (14) which releases a holding of the brake force during the re-start of the engine. The release control section (14) releases the holding of the brake force when an engagement state of the clutch (32) is a predetermined state in case where an accelerator off state occurs until the engagement state of the clutch (32) becomes the predetermined state and releases the holding of the brake force when the engagement state of the clutch (32) is an engagement state weaker than the predetermined state, during a re-start of the engine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Noritaka Aoyama, Azusa Shimoda, Yuki Ono, Tomoaki Kabe
  • Patent number: 10071738
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vikas Upmanue
  • Patent number: 10071739
    Abstract: An engine torque control method for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: sensing an engagement state of a clutch of the vehicle; calculating a slip index according to engine torque, engine revolutions per minute (RPM), clutch torque, and clutch RPM; and filter-controlling the engine torque based on the calculated slip index and the sensed engagement state of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Hwan Hur, Jeong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10071740
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: a first target driving force calculation unit that calculates a first target driving force based on an accelerator pedal opening; a target speed ratio calculation unit that calculates a target speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission based on the first target driving force; a target torque calculation unit that calculates a target torque of a driving source based on the first target driving force; an air density detection unit that detects air density; and a first correction unit that corrects only the target torque, out of the target speed ratio and the target torque, in accordance with the air density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Ono, Takahiro Yoshino, Yuuzou Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10071741
    Abstract: A driver assistance apparatus includes an object detection sensor configured to acquire data in a driving direction of a vehicle or around the vehicle. The driver assistance apparatus also includes a processor that is configured to detect an object based on the acquired data and determine, based on the acquired data, a portion of the detected object that is expected to be impacted by the vehicle. The processor is also configured to provide, based on the determined portion of the detected object that is expected to be impacted by the vehicle, a height control signal that controls a suspension of the vehicle to adjust a height of at least a portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeihun Lee, Hansung Lee, Soohwan Choi
  • Patent number: 10071742
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a gross combined weight of an electric or hybrid vehicle and its load is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating engine drive force to engine speed and electric motor drive force to motor speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight, the total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; and transmitting the total weight to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NewVistas Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Seth Myer
  • Patent number: 10071743
    Abstract: A road curve guidance method is provided. The road curve guidance method includes: obtaining link information corresponding to a road on which a vehicle is being driven; determining a position of the vehicle on a link at a future time point based on the obtained link information; and judging a degree of risk of a curve section in which the vehicle is to be driven after a predetermined time using the determined position and speed of the vehicle at a reference time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: THINKWARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Suk Pil Ko
  • Patent number: 10071744
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle including at least one assistance function or at least a partially automated driving function, including: ascertaining at least one safe driving state; capturing the current driving state; determining a permissible range for the current driving state of the vehicle from which at least one of the at least one safe driving state is attainable; operating the vehicle using an activable or active assistance function or an at least partially automated driving function within the specified permissible range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Pink, Christoph Schroeder, Stefan Nordbruch
  • Patent number: 10071745
    Abstract: Automated drive assisting systems, methods, and programs acquire an expected travel route for a vehicle that includes an automated drive section in which automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted, and execute the automated drive control for the vehicle such that the vehicle travels along the expected travel route in the automated drive section which is included in the expected travel route. The systems, methods, and programs recover the automated drive control after the vehicle, which travels through manual drive based on a drive operation by a user, passes through a branch point that is provided in the automated drive section and that meets a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 10071746
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to alter the driving profile of a vehicle. An example method disclosed herein determines, based on a user selection, a desired driving profile to apply to a vehicle. The example method includes identifying a set of alterations to operating parameters of vehicle systems associated with the desired driving profile. The example method includes determining a subset of the set of alterations that the vehicle can execute, and in response to determining the subset that the vehicle can execute, applying the subset to the vehicle to produce the desired driving profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Stahulak, Gregory Thomas Shaw, Satya Vardharajan
  • Patent number: 10071747
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for systems for a vehicle. An example system for a vehicle includes a head-up display and a circuit, which is connected to the head-up display, wherein the head-up display is configured to project an image onto a front windshield of the vehicle or onto a separate combiner, wherein the circuit is configured to output image data to the head-up display, whereby the image data have a set of objects which include messages for the user, to determine a user's workload level, based on a set of driving conditions, to switch between at least one first workload mode and a second workload mode based on the level, whereby the second workload mode is assigned a higher level than the first workload mode, and in the second workload mode to reduce at least one object, which is output in the first workload mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Roth, Olaf Preissner, Christoph Reifenrath