Patents Issued in September 20, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180264918
    Abstract: An operable vehicle window includes a glass panel, a locating adapter coupled to a bottom edge of the glass panel and adhesive disposed with a glass-receiving channel of the locating adapter. The glass-receiving channel includes a first portion that engages inboard and outboard sides of the glass panel and a second portion that engages only an outboard portion of the glass panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Muhammed Ayub, Gabriel Blanco, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Publication number: 20180264919
    Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes: a door inner including a body wall portion, a first opposed wall portion, and a second opposed wall portion; a door outer panel; an impact beam; an impact beam extension including a door-inner-side end portion and a fixed end; and a first reinforcement including a support portion fixed to the first opposed wall portion and a free end portion extending from the support portion toward the impact beam, wherein the impact beam extension and the free end portion are configured to be fitted to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsunori Ando
  • Publication number: 20180264920
    Abstract: An openable vehicle roof having a lid element, having displacement kinematics on both sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, the lid element displacable between a closed position and opening position at least partially opening the roof opening by displacement kinematics. The displacement kinematics each have a first kinematic element and a second kinematic element connected to a coupling rod, which can be detachably coupled to the first kinematic element via a coupling member and be displaced between a coupling position and a decoupling position, in which the coupling member is accommodated by a locking recess of the guide rail. The coupling member is held in its decoupling position by a resilient securing element in the locking recess of the guide rail, said securing element being able to be displaced between a securing position and a releasing position by a positioning element of the displacement kinematics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jürgen STENVERS, Florian FRANK, Daniel ZÖRB
  • Publication number: 20180264921
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof shell having a rigid composite component having an inner side facing a vehicle interior, and an acoustic insulation layer disposed on the inner side of the composite component. The panel-type rigid composite component has at least one tray-like recess on its inner side, said recess being filled with an open-pored foam material which forms the acoustic insulation layer and whose surface is flush with a surface of the composite component surrounding the recess. A motor vehicle roof shell motor vehicle having a panel-type rigid composite component having an inner side, which faces the vehicle interior, and an acoustic insulation layer disposed on the inner side of the composite component, wherein the acoustic insulation layer is formed by at least one rigid-foam or semi-rigid-foam plate which is bonded to the inner side of the composite component and compressed that its volume is reduced compared to preassembly state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Matthias BAUMANN, Matthias ALTENDORFNER
  • Publication number: 20180264922
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having an internal opening defined by an angled edge forming a clear space generally shaped as a truncated pyramid. An operable window panel is slidable relative to the internal opening to define open and closed positions. A compressible elastic sealing member is disposed along the angled edge, wherein the sealing member defines a substantially convex profile when the operable window panel in the open position. A guide assembly is positioned adjacent an interior surface of the window and adapted to guide the operable window panel between the open and closed positions. The closed position is defined by an outer surface of the operable window panel being co-planar with an exterior surface of the window. The closed position is further characterized by the sealing member being deformed to occupy at least the seam defined between the window and the operable window panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Publication number: 20180264923
    Abstract: The present is a powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising a thermal engine (10), a speed variation device (14) including an engine epicyclic gear train (26) with a sun gear (36) and a crown (50), each connected to shaft (12) of thermal engine (10) by a controlled clutch (28, 30, 30?) and to a fixed part (46) of the vehicle by a one-way coupling (32, 34). A machine epicyclic gear train (90) is arranged on a machine shaft (92) which is substantially parallel to engine shaft (12) and connecting engine epicyclic gear train (26) to a track (126, 128) for motion transmission to a drive axle (16). The machine epicyclic gear train comprises a sun gear (104) carried by a sun gear shaft (110), a crown (112) and a planet gear carrier (94). Speed variation device (14) comprises an engine toothed wheel (150) carried by engine shaft (12) which connects the shaft to a machine toothed wheel (152, 176) carried by sun gear shaft (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Stephane VENTURI
  • Publication number: 20180264924
    Abstract: Provided is a drive unit for a hybrid vehicle which can increase selectable modes in an EV mode. A drive unit includes a first planetary gear unit connected to an engine, and a second planetary gear unit connected to a second rotary element of the first planetary gear unit. The drive unit includes a first engagement device which connects rotary elements of the first planetary gear unit, a third rotary element in the first planetary gear unit, a second engagement device which connects any one of a fifth rotary element and a sixth rotary element in the second planetary gear unit, and a third engagement device which can fix a first rotary element of the first planetary gear unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Hideaki KOMADA, Takahito ENDO, Kensei HATA, Akiko NISHIMINE
  • Publication number: 20180264925
    Abstract: A hybrid drive module for a motor vehicle is provided. The hybrid drive module includes a planetary gear stage with a sun gear, a ring gear, a planetary gear carrier and at least one planetary gear that is rotatably mounted with respect to the planetary gear carrier. The hybrid drive module also includes an electric drive machine having a stator and a rotor. The ring gear and the rotor, and the planetary gear carrier and a separation clutch can be connected in a torque-conducting manner. The separation clutch is configured to interrupt the torque transfer to the planetary gear carrier, and the ring gear is arranged in the radial and axial directions at least in sections inside the rotor. The planetary gear carrier is mounted with the axial bearing and the radial bearing in a rotatable manner with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Ulrich OHNEMUS
  • Publication number: 20180264926
    Abstract: A control device for a transport vehicle configured to travel with a driving force output from an electric motor is provided. When the transport vehicle is driven by a driving force of the electric motor, the control device performs a driving force limit control to reduce the driving force of the electric motor based on a coefficient of static friction of the transport vehicle in a case of satisfying conditions that a parameter relating to a traveling speed of the transport vehicle is less than a first threshold value and a state in which the parameter is less than the first threshold value continues for a predetermined time or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuhei MATSUO, Toshihide TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180264927
    Abstract: Provided is a drive unit for hybrid vehicles capable of reducing electric power consumption during propulsion in an EV mode. The drive unit includes a first planetary gear unit to which an engine is connected, and a second planetary gear unit connected to a third rotary element of the first planetary gear unit. The drive unit includes a first engagement device that connects a first rotary element of the first planetary gear unit and a sixth rotary element of the second planetary gear unit, and a second engagement device that connects a fourth rotary element and the sixth rotary element of the second planetary gear unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki KOMADA, Takahito ENDO, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Kensei HATA, Akiko NISHIMINE
  • Publication number: 20180264928
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an assist motor that is located opposite an engine with respect to a continuously variable transmission device. The assist motor has an output shaft that extends coaxially with a drive shaft of the continuously variable transmission device and is interlocked with the drive shaft. A motor support platform that supports the assist motor protrudes more outward than the continuously variable transmission device does in a lateral direction relative to a vehicle body. The motor support platform includes a slide movement mechanism, and the slide movement mechanism is configured to change the position at which the assist motor is attached, relative to the continuously variable transmission device, axially of the drive shaft, between a connected position and a disconnected position of the drive shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Go Takaki, Takahito Matsumori, Shunsuke Miyashita, Yukifumi Yamanaka, Masatoshi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20180264929
    Abstract: A strut type suspension device has a retractable strut (111) that connects to an upper portion of an in-wheel motor drive device (10) so as not to relatively move; and a swingable lower arm (116) that is coupled to a lower portion of the in-wheel motor drive device in any direction, and permits vertical swinging of the in-wheel motor drive device and also permits steering of the in-wheel motor drive device about a steering shaft (S) that passes through a coupling point (119) between the lower arm (116) and the in-wheel motor drive device. An axis (M) of the motor portion (21) of the in-wheel motor drive device is arranged above a height of the coupling point (119) of the lower arm (116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Shiro TAMURA, Shinya TAIKOU
  • Publication number: 20180264930
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an air intake grille assembly of a vehicle operable in forward and backward directions of travel across a surface. The air intake grille assembly can include a frame defining an opening. The air intake assembly can also include a plurality of louvers extending laterally across the opening, at least one of the plurality of louvers having a double curve shape defining first and second curve portions, wherein the first and second curve portions each have a different radius of curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary Roger BLACKFORD, Pradyumna SRINIVASAN
  • Publication number: 20180264931
    Abstract: A structure of a brake-cooling duct, which is disposed at one side of an intercooler tank to cool a brake disc using air may include the brake-cooling duct has an air movement channel and a through-hole formed in a side surface thereof to expose the channel to an outside, wherein the brake-cooling duct is disposed close to one side of the intercooler tank so that an external surface of the intercooler tank is exposed to the channel via the through-hole, allowing the air introduced into the channel to be brought into contact with the external surface of the intercooler tank, and thereafter be discharged rearward thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seong-Woo CHAE, Jae-Hun Shim
  • Publication number: 20180264932
    Abstract: An air guiding unit has a shroud having a vent hole, an air guiding duct, and a valve housed in the air guiding duct. A radiator, an engine cooling heat exchanger, and a blower are fixed to the shroud. The shroud guides an air flowing into an engine room from an engine room opening and passing through the radiator and the engine cooling heat exchanger. The air guiding duct has a first opening, which is connected to the vent hole of the shroud, and a second opening, which is open in the engine room toward a rear space defined on a rear side of the engine. The air guiding duct therein has a duct interior channel through which the air flows between the first opening and the second opening. The valve is configured to increase and decrease an opening degree of the duct interior channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo OKUGAWA, Ken MUTOU, Akihiro MAEDA, Tomomi OKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180264933
    Abstract: This front assembly of a motor vehicle includes a bumper skin defining an outer surface that is visible from the outside and having at least one opening formed in the outer surface. The front assembly also includes a shutter for selectively closing and releasing the opening, at least partially. The shutter includes a flexible flap having a fixed portion relative to the bumper skin and a movable portion relative to the bumper skin, wherein the movable portion is movable between a shuttering position in which the opening is shuttered by the flexible flap and a releasing position in which the opening is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Claude LAURENT, Frederic BOIS, Virgille GROS
  • Publication number: 20180264934
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid tank for storing fluid for use in a motor vehicle. The fluid tank may include a fluid tank shell that defines a chamber of the fluid tank; a heating device in the chamber of the fluid tank and configured to heat the fluid in the fluid tank; and a plastic jacket that encloses at least a portion of the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Rösch, Wilfried Moh
  • Publication number: 20180264935
    Abstract: A gas tank arrangement for a dual fuel internal combustion engine includes gas tank for containing a combustible gas, wherein the gas tank arrangement further includes an additional gas tank downstream the gas tank, wherein the additional gas tank is configured to be arranged in upstream fluid communication with an air inlet of the dual fuel internal combustion engine for delivery of combustible gas to the dual fuel internal combustion engine via the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lennart LINDHOLM, Peter GOLLUNGBERG
  • Publication number: 20180264936
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a liquid tank to accommodate liquid for use in a vehicle. The liquid tank may include a liquid tank shell including a concavity formed in the liquid tank shell that is accessible from an outer area of the liquid tank shell; and a heater disposed within the concavity and configured to heat the liquid tank shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Rösch, Wilfried Moh
  • Publication number: 20180264937
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment device executes a pressure reducing control while monitoring inner pressure of a fuel tank, so that when the inner pressure of the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined value prior to fueling to the fuel tank, pressure reduction progresses within a range that the flow rate of a vapor passage does not exceed the boundary flow rate where the vapor passage is closed by a valve element of an ORVR valve, and also a valve opening speed of the closing valve is made higher as the inner pressure of the fuel tank becomes lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita FUKUI, Makoto YAMAZAKI, Yoshikazu MIYABE
  • Publication number: 20180264938
    Abstract: A filler neck housing arrangement for mounting on a body opening of a motor vehicle includes a housing body (12) which forms a passage opening for the insertion of at least one tank filler pipe. An annular sealing and holding body (10) is configured for holding the sealing and holding body on the body opening and for holding the sealing and holding body on the housing body. The sealing and holding body includes a first sealing member which, in the state of the sealing and holding body being held on the body opening, lies in a sealing manner against a surface (30) of a body part (28) bounding the body opening, and a second sealing member which, in the state of the sealing and holding body being held on the housing body, lies in a sealing manner against the housing body (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Uwe KOHLMANN, Sven CRONAU, Gunter HINS
  • Publication number: 20180264939
    Abstract: A transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a disconnectable secondary axle assembly. The transfer case is configured to include a pumpless lubrication sump maintained in relation to a mainshaft for lubricating rotary components surrounding the mainshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Devin P. Ryman, Timothy J. Filkins
  • Publication number: 20180264940
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes a display device, a driver state determiner, and a display controller. The display device is configured to provide a display on a window of a vehicle. The driver state determiner is configured to determine whether a driver of the vehicle is in a normal state. The display controller is configured to control displaying of the display device, depending on whether the driver is in the normal state. The display controller is configured to control the displaying of the display device to provide a display for the driver when the driver is determined by the driver state determiner as being in the normal state, and to provide a display for an outside of the vehicle when the driver is determined by the driver state determiner as not being in the normal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Takeshi TORII, Noeru SATO, Ryuichi SUMIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180264941
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes a display device, a driver state determiner, and a display controller. The display device is configured to provide a display on a window in a rear portion of a vehicle. The driver state determiner is configured to determine whether a driver of the vehicle checks a rear area of the vehicle. The display controller is configured to control displaying of the display device to change the display provided by the display device in accordance with a determination result of the driver state determiner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Noeru SATO, Takeshi TORII, Ryuichi SUMIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180264942
    Abstract: A vehicle driver monitoring system includes a supervisor computerized device and an operator computerized device. The system may also include a key container device. The devices of the vehicle driver monitoring system work in conjunction with each other to monitor various aspects of the user's operation of a corresponding vehicle during use. If a key container device is used, the devices also work to limit the operability of a vehicle key. For example, the supervisor computerized device is configured to remotely receive vehicle monitoring information, such as location information, speed information, and operator information, from the operator computerized device as the operator drives the vehicle. Further, the optional key container device is configured to selectively allow to the operability of a vehicle key based upon vehicle access info, identity and sobriety information as related to the user and as provided by the operator computerized device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Brian Griffin
  • Publication number: 20180264943
    Abstract: Information can be displayed on display devices according to information to be notified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi AKACHI, Haruki KOBAYASHI, Shizue KATO, Hiroshige FURUGORI, Masashi KOGA
  • Publication number: 20180264944
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes a display device, a position acquiring unit, and a display controller. The display device is configured to provide a display on a window of a vehicle. The position acquiring unit is configured to acquire a position of a target person present outside the vehicle. The display controller is configured to control the display device to invert the display to be provided for the target person, on the basis of the position of the target person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Takeshi TORII, Noeru SATO, Ryuichi SUMIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180264945
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes a display device, a determiner, and a display controller. The display device provides a display on a window of a vehicle. The determiner determines whether a driver of the vehicle comes close to the vehicle. The display controller controls the display device to provide the display for an outside of the vehicle, when the determiner determines that the driver of the vehicle comes close to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Takeshi TORII
  • Publication number: 20180264946
    Abstract: A sound signal distribution system comprising an audio system controller, an input signal representative of a vehicle steering angle received at the audio system controller, a pan control adjustment signal generated by the audio system controller and based on the input signal representative of a steering angle, a surround sound processing algorithm carried out in the audio system controller, the surround sound processing system receives the pan control adjustment signal and applies it to an incoming audio signal to generate an output audio signal supplied to at least one loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Trestain
  • Publication number: 20180264947
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control apparatus capable of acquiring a sufficient effect of eliminating or reducing a torsional vibration generated on a drive shaft in an electric vehicle including a drive wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor via the drive shaft. The control apparatus calculates a first damping control torque for canceling out a vibration component based on a difference between a motor rotational speed and a vehicle body speed, and calculates a drive torque instruction value for driving the electric motor by adding a driver request drive torque and the first damping control torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Keisuke SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180264948
    Abstract: A control device for a transport vehicle configured to travel with a driving force output from an electric motor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuhei MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20180264949
    Abstract: The present invention provides a braking control apparatus capable of preventing or reducing a change in a deceleration of a vehicle. The braking control apparatus is configured to change a braking force to be generated by a frictional braking device so as to achieve a calculated target braking force, and generate a braking force corresponding to a difference between the braking force to be generated by the frictional braking device and the target braking force with use of an electric braking device, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Satoshi KANEKO, Keisuke SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180264950
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control unit includes feedback control parts, the number of feedback control parts corresponding to the number of multiple motors, generating feedback command torques for the respective motors, on the basis of respective deviations between speed signals from speed sensors detecting revolution speeds of the multiple motors and feedback target vehicle-speed signal reshaped from the inputted target vehicle-speed signal by target vehicle-speed filters; a feedforward control part calculating a feedforward command torque for the vehicle as a whole, on the basis of the inputted target vehicle-speed signal; and a torque distribution part dividing the feedforward command torque into individual feedforward command torques for distribution to the respective motors, wherein the individual feedforward command torques are respectively added to the feedback command torques and, to control the respective motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto YOKOYAMA, Masahiro IEZAWA
  • Publication number: 20180264951
    Abstract: A vehicle having wheels for riding the vehicle over a carrier such as a road or rails, said vehicle having a battery and a generator connected thereto, said generator being arranged to generate electrical power for charging said battery, said generator being further mechanically connected to at least one of said wheels such that said wheel drives the rotor of said generator, characterized in that said generator is an asynchronous generator or a permanent magnet generator, wherein an AC/DC inverter/charger is connected between said generator and said battery for regulating the current and the voltage of the charging power to said battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Eeuwe Durk Kooi
  • Publication number: 20180264952
    Abstract: An engine and a step up-down converter are controlled such that a counter-electromotive voltage of a first motor becomes higher than direct current-side voltages of a first inverter and a second inverter and thereby torque for forward travel is output from the first motor to a driving shaft through a planetary gear set, when an accelerator is on during specified travelling with gates of the first inverter and the second inverter being cut off and the engine being operated. The engine and the step up-down converter are controlled such that the rotational speed of the first motor becomes smaller and the voltage of the high voltage-side electric power line becomes lower when the accelerator is off than when the accelerator is on during the specified traveling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daiki TAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180264953
    Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic switch M1, an electrical pre-charge circuit and a measurement, command and diagnosis module. The main electronic switch M1 has a first electrical terminal D1, a second electrical terminal S1, and a main driving terminal G1. The main electronic switch M1 is adapted to take, based on a driving signal DRV, depending on the command signal CMD and on an enabling signal ENB, a closed condition or an open condition, wherein the first electrical terminal D1 is respectively connected to or disconnected from the second electrical terminal S1. The pre-charge electrical circuit is adapted to carry out, based on the command signal CMD, a pre-charge operation, aimed at equalizing the electric potentials (V1, V2) of the first and second terminals of the device, before the main electronic switch M1 takes a closed condition, upon of a transition from the open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: MAGNETI MARELLI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Danilo Pritelli, Franco Ciampolini, Rosanna Suglia, Gianluca Aurilio
  • Publication number: 20180264954
    Abstract: A fleet of one or more autonomous electric vehicles is provided for storing electricity and supplying electricity to an electrical grid, and performing agricultural operations, each vehicle of the multiple autonomous electric vehicles comprising: an energy system configured to store and supply electricity and configured for electrical connection with the electrical grid; a navigation system for autonomously navigating the vehicle; and an operating system configured to wirelessly receive vehicle instructions from a central system and to provide vehicle sub-system instructions to the energy system and the navigation system based on the vehicle instructions, the vehicle instructions based on at least one of electric utility grid parameters and agricultural parameters. In at least one embodiment, a single autonomous electric vehicle for storing electricity and supplying electricity to an electrical grid, and performing agricultural operations is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Jonathan Lamb
  • Publication number: 20180264955
    Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes at least one transportable battery-energy-storage DC systems (BESDCS), at least one renewable direct-current (DC) power supply station at a first location. The system also includes at least one DC charging station for charging of the at least one EV at a second location different from the first location. The system further includes at least one electric tanker transport comprising at least one electric truck vehicle configured to be coupled to the at least one BESDCS. The electric tanker transport is configured to transport the at least one BESDCS from the first location to the second location for charging of the at least one EV and transport the at least one BESDCS from the second location to the first location for charging the at least one BESDCS from renewable DC power supply station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Ranjan Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20180264956
    Abstract: A charge control device for an in-vehicle battery includes a control unit that obtains a neglect resistance increase rate as a reversible resistance component based on an SOC of the battery and a temperature of the battery when the battery is not charged/discharged, and that obtains a permissible charge current value to the battery based on the obtained neglect resistance increase rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaru Takagi, Nobuyuki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20180264957
    Abstract: A cable for transmitting an electric current includes: a cable conduit which encloses an inner conduit space; at least one conducting wire extending in the inner conduit space for conducting an electric current; and a fluid line extending in the inner conduit space for guiding a fluid for cooling the cable, the fluid line including at least one discharge opening, which opens into the inner conduit space, for conveying the fluid into the inner conduit space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Robert Babezki
  • Publication number: 20180264958
    Abstract: A driving relay comprises a first relay provided on one line of a positive electrode-side line and a negative electrode-side line of power lines; a second relay provided on the other line; and a first precharge circuit configured such that a resistance element and a third relay are connected in series to bypass the second relay. A charging relay comprises a fourth relay provided on the one line of the positive electrode-side line and the negative electrode-side line of the power lines; a fifth relay provided on the other line; and a second precharge circuit configured such that a sixth relay and the resistance element shared with the first precharge circuit are connected in series to bypass the fifth relay. The third relay, the fifth relay and the sixth relay are to be switched on when the first relay is switched on and the second relay has an off-failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kiyohito OKADA
  • Publication number: 20180264959
    Abstract: A quick charging system for electrically driven vehicles and method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station having a contact device, a charging contact device, and a positioning device. The charging contact device can be electrically contacted in a contact position together with the contact device. The contact device can be positioned in the vertical and horizontal direction relative to the charging contact device and moved to the contact position. The contact device has a contact element carrier with contact elements that can each be electrically contacted together with charge contact elements of the charge contact device, forming contact pairs, in the contact position. A guide device is provided, such that, when the contact device and the charge contact device are brought together, a physical contacting of the contact elements together with the charge contact device is inhibited before reaching the contact position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried WEIGEL, Matthias DOMES, Tobias GAMSJÄGER, Timo STAUBACH
  • Publication number: 20180264960
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a power receiving device configured to receive power from a power transmission device in a non-contact manner in a state of facing the power transmission device; a housing configured to store a power reception port to which an external power system is connected via a connecting tool, the housing including: an opening allowing access to the power reception port therethrough; a lid member covering the opening to be openable and closable; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid member in a state of closing the opening; and a controller configured to control whether access to the power reception port is permitted, and configured to drive the locking mechanism when the power receiving device starts receiving power such that the lid member is locked not to be opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki NAKAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180264961
    Abstract: A non-contact charging system includes: a power receiving unit mounted on a transportation device; a power transmission unit, installed on a flat surface, configured to transmit power to the power receiving unit in a non-contact manner; and a power supply unit configured to control power supply to the power transmission unit, the power supply unit including an operation portion configured to temporarily stop or resume non-contact power transmission from the power transmission unit to the power receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki NAKAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180264962
    Abstract: A charging station system, in particular for electric vehicles is described, wherein the charging station system has at least one housing. The charging station system also has a plurality of main components. The housing and the main components are standardized in such a manner that the main components can be arranged modularly in the housing. An associated method for constructing a charging station is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Dr. Ing.h.c.F.Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Wischnack, Volker Reber, Ralf Oestreicher, Michael Kiefer, Steve Zander
  • Publication number: 20180264963
    Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to determine a target charging height based on charging information received from a remote server and adjust a height of an inductive pick-up in a host vehicle in accordance with the target charging height prior to an inductive charging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Publication number: 20180264964
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (11, 21, 41) for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle (81) or to a road automobile, wherein—the arrangement (11, 21, 41) comprises an electric conductor arrangement (41) for producing an alternating electro-magnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy,—the conductor arrangement (41) comprises a plurality of consecutive segments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5), wherein the segments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle,—each of the consecutive segments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) comprises at least one alternating current line (44a, 44b, 44c) for carrying a phase of an alternating current in order to produce the alternating electromagnetic field,—each of the consecutive segments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) is combined with an assigned controller (CTR1; 31) adapted to control the operation of the segment (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) independently of the other segments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5),—
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Christian Wirth
  • Publication number: 20180264965
    Abstract: A system for employing gravity to provide electrical power for mining operations in a mine includes a battery configured to power an electric vehicle. The vehicle includes a kinetic energy capture system that can charge the battery as the vehicle conveys a loaded vehicle down a ramp from an ore face to a chamber. Traveling down the ramp produces a surplus charge in the battery due to a weight differential between a loaded vehicle traveling down a ramp producing more energy via the kinetic energy capture system than energy used by the vehicle to convey the empty vehicle up the ramp to the ore face. A discharging device disposed in the chamber is configured to discharge the surplus energy out of the battery and into the mine's power grid. One or multiple trips between the ore face and the chamber may fully charge the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Brian R. Huff, Michael E. Kasaba
  • Publication number: 20180264966
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power distribution branch, a charging branch, and a control unit. The power distribution branch receives a first current. The charging branch includes a charging unit, and the charging branch receives a second current to charge an electric vehicle through the charging unit. The control unit is connected to the charging unit, and receives a current signal of the first current consumed by the power distribution branch. The control unit calculates an adjustment value of the second current according to a variation value of the first current when the first current is varied. A sum of the first current and the second current is less than or equal to an upper-limit value of a total household current. The control unit produces a charging command according to the adjustment value of the second current and provides the charging command to the charging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Tadashi KUBOTA, Toru KIDO, Jung-Yun BAIR, Tsung-Yuan WU, Mao-Tso CHENG
  • Publication number: 20180264967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit for displaying at least one remaining range in a motor vehicle in accordance with the remaining energy supply in at least one drive system, such as the tank fill level in a vehicle driven by a combustion engine and/or the state of charge of the high-voltage battery in a vehicle driven by an electric motor. The display of the remaining range may be hidden even when there is a remaining energy supply if at least one defined operating condition is met. A defined operating condition allows the conclusion that a unit of the drive system is at least temporarily unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Ana DAMJANOVIC, Keyvan KARAMI-MALAMIRI, Grigor ZAPRYANOV, Joerg MOELLMANN