Patents Issued in October 11, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180290579
    Abstract: A frameless dump trailer is provided. The frameless dump trailer includes a forward body portion and a rear body portion. Each body portion is formed from two or more panels joined together with butt-joint welds. The forward portion is first formed by welding planar sections together. After the body portion is formed from the plurality of planar panels, the larger planar portion is rolled in a rolling system to define the arcuate shape of trailer body. Then, the forward and rear body portions are welding together with a transversely extending butt-weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Publication number: 20180290580
    Abstract: A frameless dump trailer is provided. The frameless dump trailer includes a forward body portion and a rear body portion. Each body portion is formed from two or more panels joined together with butt-joint welds. The forward portion is first formed by welding planar sections together. After the body portion is formed from the plurality of planar panels, the larger planar portion is rolled in a rolling system to define the arcuate shape of trailer body. Then, the forward and rear body portions are welding together with a transversely extending butt-weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Publication number: 20180290581
    Abstract: A trailer lift that that rises to high levels that may tilt for loading and unloading. The trailer lift includes a lift-and-tilt mechanism, a trailer base, and a trailer platform. The lift-and-tilt mechanism includes a lower-strut link, an upper-strut link, a support member, a lower lift cylinder, and an upper cylinder. The lower-strut link and the upper-strut link are pivotably and terminally attached to each other. The support member is positioned offset to the lower-strut link and is pivotably attached to the upper-strut link to guide the upper-strut link. The trailer platform is terminally and pivotably connected to the upper-strut link. Similarly, the trailer base is pivotably and terminally connected to the lower-strut link and the support member. The upper lift cylinder is pivotably mounted in between the upper-strut link and the trailer platform. The lower lift cylinder is pivotably mounted between the upper-strut link and the lower-strut link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Paul A. Derstine
  • Publication number: 20180290582
    Abstract: The system includes a body having a first side wall, a second side wall and a rod therebetween; a main shaft set, pivoted between the first and second side walls, including a main shaft, an end of the main shaft being disposed a ratchet and a first bevel gear; a transmission shaft, pivoted outside the second side wall of the body, a second bevel gear being axially connected around the transmission shaft, the second bevel gear engaging with the first bevel gear, and a gear ratio of the first and second bevel gears being 2:1; a handle set axially connected to the transmission shaft; and a pawl set pivoted on the second side wall of the body to fit into a notch of the ratchet to prevent the main shaft set from reversing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: STRONG YUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeh-Chien Chou
  • Publication number: 20180290583
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle that includes at least one camera and a lamp, the method including: controlling the at least one camera to capture at least one image of an area in front of the vehicle; extracting, from the at least one image, a light distribution pattern formed by the lamp in the area in front of the vehicle; and performing at least one control related to the extracted light distribution pattern, based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the extracted light distribution pattern with a reference light distribution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Sangshin PARK, Taeyoung NA
  • Publication number: 20180290584
    Abstract: A laser head lamp for a vehicle includes: a plurality of lamp modules each comprising a laser diode and configured to output at least one of a low beam or a high beam; at least one processor; and a computer-readable medium coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: acquiring total operation time of each of the plurality of lamp modules; and controlling, based on the acquired total operation times, at least one first lamp module among the plurality of lamp modules differently from at least one second lamp module among the plurality of lamp modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Dami JUNG, Yunho AHN
  • Publication number: 20180290585
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle high-beam lamp control apparatus and a method therefor. The vehicle high-beam lamp control apparatus comprises a passing switch (10) which, after having been turned on by means of a physical force from a user, is turned off while being restored; a high-beam switch (20) for turning the high-beam lamp (40) on and off; and a control unit (30) which switches on and off the high-beam lamp (40) in accordance with an on/off state of the passing switch (10) and the high-beam switch (20), and which switches off the high-beam lamp (40) if, after the passing switch (10) has been turned on, the passing switch (10) is not turned off such that a first set time is exceeded, and also switches off the high-beam lamp (40) if the passing switch (10) is turned on when the high-beam switch (20) is in the turned on state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: BongJoon KIM
  • Publication number: 20180290586
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles having a housing in which is arranged a hologram light fixture that has a light source unit and has an optical unit with a hologram element for generating a predetermined lighting function. An auxiliary element is associated with the light source unit, by means of which light that is emitted by the light source unit can be deflected in the direction of the hologram element. In this design, the light source unit and/or the auxiliary element is arranged in the region of a side of the hologram element or in the region of a lateral extension of an edge of the hologram element extending in the direction of a central axis of the hologram element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Martin MUEGGE
  • Publication number: 20180290587
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a reflector having a proximal end and a distal end. The reflector has a surface having a plurality of reflective faces spread over an arc therebetween, the arc being generally concave. The reflector forms part of a recess, the recess having spaced-apart parallel walls. A light emitting diode (LED) light source is disposed near the proximal end of the reflector and remote from the distal end of the reflector and the light source is oriented to emit light onto the reflective faces. A lens is positioned in front of the reflector. The lens is arranged to receive light from the reflector. In use, light is output from the lens with a substantially uniform luminance over a viewing angle of at least 45 degrees in a plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Garry Gordon Leslie FIMERI, Simon BELCHER, James Nicholas DICKSON
  • Publication number: 20180290588
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a board, a light-emitting element mounted on a surface of the board, a support member on which the board is placed, and a cover having a plate shaped main cover body covering the light-emitting element and a tubular portion which receives a light guide body that guides light emitted from the light-emitting element. The main cover body includes a base, a protrusion protruding from the base toward the board, and a ridge disposed on a protruded end of the protrusion. A step is formed by the protrusion and the ridge, and the protrusion and the ridge extend in a same direction along the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Masanori SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180290589
    Abstract: An interior light for a motor vehicle, having a switch for switching the interior light on and off, a lens and at least a first light of which the light beams pass through the lens and are able to provide a first light function. Furthermore, there is at least one second light of which the light beams can be coupled into at least one light guide via at least one light entry point, and can be coupled out again via at least one light extraction structure to provide a second light function. The lens can be an integral part of the light guide. In this way, an interior light for a motor vehicle can be realized, which has a switch indicator light and can be made of a very compact design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan BUELOW, Alexej PREOBRASCHENSKI, Klaus ZANDER, Mirco WENZEL
  • Publication number: 20180290590
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, for implementation at a vehicle to provide an alert from the vehicle to an entity (e.g., human, animal, another vehicle) external to the vehicle and within a proximity of the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle sensor, a vehicle output device, a hardware-based processing device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having an alert manager agent/unit and an output unit. The alert manager agent includes code that, when executed, determines based on context data that the entity is within the predetermined proximity of the vehicle and selects an alert profile. The output unit includes code that, when executed, determines at least one output signal for implementing the alert profile. The output alert signal is sent to the vehicle output device that, provides the alert to be perceived by the entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Claudia V. Goldman-Shenhar, Yael Shmueli Friedland, Douglas B. Moore
  • Publication number: 20180290591
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize mobile devices to provide information on a user's behaviors during transportation. For example, a mobile device carried by a user can be used to detect and analyze driving behavior. Important driving behaviors that can be identified by some embodiments are device usage behavior and device interaction behavior, which is indicative of distraction or inattentiveness to one or more driving tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TRUEMOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Brad Cordova, Rafi Finegold, Dan Shiebler
  • Publication number: 20180290592
    Abstract: A system mounted on a vehicle for detecting an obstruction on a surface of a window of the vehicle, a primary camera is mounted inside the vehicle behind the window. The primary camera is configured to acquire images of the environment through the window. A secondary camera is focused on an external surface of the window, and operates to image the obstruction. A portion of the window, i.e. window region is subtended respectively by the field of view of the primary camera and the field of view of the secondary camera. A processor processes respective sequences of image data from both the primary camera and the secondary camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Gideon STEIN, Ofer Hadassi
  • Publication number: 20180290593
    Abstract: A pillar display system for a blind spot of a vehicle may include an A-pillar disposed inside a vehicle; and an image projector projecting a blind spot image of the vehicle taken with a camera, wherein a plurality of virtual ellipsoids are formed by setting an area where a driver's eyes are positioned and the image projector as focuses, and a pattern area formed by a combination of facets of the virtual ellipsoids is disposed at a position where the virtual ellipsoids and the A-pillar meet each other wherein the image from the image projector is displayed on the pattern area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Joo CHO
  • Publication number: 20180290594
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automation of a side mirror of a vehicle. In one example, a side mirror is disposed on a side of the vehicle, and a camera is mounted on the side mirror. A processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether a condition has been satisfied with respect to a vehicle having a side mirror, and providing instructions for automatic movement of the side mirror from a first position to a second position, when it is determined that the condition has been satisfied. An actuator is coupled to the processor, and is configured to move the side mirror from the first position to the second position based on the instructions provided by the processor when it is determined that the condition has been satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: AKRAM M. ABDEL-RAHMAN, MOHANNAD MURAD
  • Publication number: 20180290595
    Abstract: An exemplary mirror positioning method includes tilting a reflective portion of at least one side mirror outward and downward in response to a detection of an object moving outside a passenger cabin of a vehicle. The tilting is independent from a position of the object. Another exemplary mirror positioning method includes tilting a reflective portion of at least one side mirror fully outward and fully downward in response to a detection of an object moving outside a passenger cabin of a vehicle. An exemplary mirror positioning assembly includes a surveillance controller, and a side mirror with a reflective portion that is configured to automatically tilt outward and downward in response to a command from the surveillance controller. The command issued in response to a detection of an object moving outside a passenger cabin of a vehicle, the tilting independent from a position of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Publication number: 20180290596
    Abstract: A scaffolding or extendable ladder mechanism is attachable to a rack elevated from a base level. The scaffolding includes a housing fixedly attached to the rack, and a rail mechanism slidably attached to the housing. The rail mechanism is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A ladder is movably attached to the rail mechanism, and is slidable and rotatable relative to the rail mechanism. The ladder is movable between a retracted position, substantially within the rail mechanism, and an extended position, substantially outside of the rail mechanism. The extended position of the ladder is also rotated relative to the rail mechanism, and the ladder is nearer the base level in the extended position than in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Celso K. Fukushima, Fabio L. Costa, Sergio R. Espada
  • Publication number: 20180290597
    Abstract: Vehicles, load floor latch assemblies, and latches are provided for selectively securing and accessing a compartment in a vehicle. The load floor latch assembly includes a load floor having an upper surface and a lower surface. The load floor is positionable at a lowered position. The load floor latch assembly further includes a latch rotatable about a pivot axis to a closed configuration for securing the load floor at the lowered position. The latch includes a lower support arm and an upper clamp arm. In the closed configuration the lower support arm supports the lower surface of the load floor and at least a portion of the weight of the load floor is exerted on the lower support arm and applies a torque on the latch to impart a downward force from the upper clamp arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GUSTAVO MEJIA PEREZ, WILLIAMS REYNALDO CELIS TORRES
  • Publication number: 20180290598
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes a closure hingedly connected to a vehicle-rearmost portion of a cargo area and adapted to pivot into a receiver provided in a portion of the cargo area. The receiver may be provided in a portion of a cargo area load floor or in a portion of a cargo area sidewall. The closure may include a bottom hinge and/or a side hinge, adapted to pivot the closure both vehicle-rearwardly and vehicle-forwardly. A cover may be provided to hide the closure in the stowed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Umer Khalid, Brian Christopher Stark, Mohamed Mattar, Mohannad Hakeem
  • Publication number: 20180290599
    Abstract: A net having an elastic netting part having a plurality of rhombic mesh openings and formed by a plurality of strings running at an angle to one another, each formed by a plurality of filaments, and each consisting of a succession of string segments defining the rhombic mesh openings. The string segments of each string differ depending on location in the netting part from one another in type, dimension, or composition of the material thereof. An elastic edge member extending along at least on a part of an edge of the net has only a very low amount of slack or no slack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Marc EMDE
  • Publication number: 20180290600
    Abstract: In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a cargo management system for use in a cargo area of a vehicle. The system may use a track secured to a wall of the cargo area. An articulating system is secured to the track and adjustably positionable at a plurality of positions along the track. The articulating system includes a mounting panel adapted to be secured to the track, at least a first frame section, and a first articulating hinge system for supporting the first frame section for movement on the mounting plate. The first articulating hinge system has a first actuating element normally held in a locked orientation to hold the first frame section stationary, and movable into an unlocked position by a rotational force applied by a user, to enable the first articulating hinge system to be rotated on the mounting plate into a new orientation, and then held in the new orientation when the first actuating element is released by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Michael J. PRESLEY
  • Publication number: 20180290601
    Abstract: A latch pivots about and slides axially on an axle on a second assembly. It is manually pulled axially outward against a spring to clear and pivot over a boss on a first assembly. It then slides over the boss via a boss receiving hole in the latch, interconnecting the two assemblies. A spring urges the latch inward, retaining it on the boss. A hole for a shackle may be provided in the first assembly and in the latch to lock the latch in the connected position. The latch may pivot to a retracted position over a shackle hole in the second assembly to store a lock on the second assembly. It prevents separation of two assemblies that are coupled by a pivoting engagement of one assembly relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Cal M. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180290602
    Abstract: A front bumper for a utility vehicle (“UTV”) may couple to the front of the UTV. The front bumper may include a cargo platform for providing additional cargo space to the UTV and for segregating items stored on the front bumper from items stored in the passenger area and/or a cargo bed on the back of the UTV. The front bumper may include a tool exchange system designed to store and hold various tools and equipment on the UTV, such as fishing poles, guns and chainsaws. An attachment rod may be used to couple the tool exchange system to the front bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Lance David Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20180290603
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a vehicle door connected to the vehicle body. The vehicle door includes an interior trim panel including an upper board and an ornament member that is connected to an interior surface of the upper board. The ornament member has a front edge, a rear edge and side edges that extend from the front edge to the rear edge. The ornament member includes an interference member that extends outwardly from at least one of the front edge, the rear edge and the side edges and extends under the upper board to interface with the upper board during a side impact event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel F. Gillay
  • Publication number: 20180290604
    Abstract: The application belongs to the technical field of automobile plated part, and in particular relates to an automobile, an automobile plated part, an automobile plated part mold and a manufacturing method thereof. The method for manufacturing automobile plated part mold comprises the steps of: establishing a first simulation model of the automobile plated part mold based on a set shape of the substrate of the automobile plated part; using the first simulation model to simulate injection process of the substrate to obtain a first simulation substrate; performing at least one modification processing on the first simulation model, so that a second simulation model thus obtained satisfies the following requirements: using the second simulation model to simulate the injection process of the substrate to obtain a second simulation substrate conforming to the set shape; manufacturing the automobile plated mold according to the second simulation model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Wei WU, Wenhai LU, Qihua ZHANG, Jieping GUO, Gary DENTON
  • Publication number: 20180290605
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control system that appropriately performs synchronization control for a plurality of control systems. A monitoring circuit generates a command signal when only a first reset signal is input. The monitoring circuit generates a command signal when the state in which only the first reset signal is input is changed to the state in which the input of the first reset signal is stopped. With the command signal, a second clock signal is output to a timer generator as a second timing signal. With the command signal, the second clock signal generated by a second synchronization signal generating circuit is output to a first synchronization signal generating circuit, and a third clock signal generated by the first synchronization signal generating circuit is output to a timer generator as a first timing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro ITO, Satoru MIKAMO, Yuji FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20180290606
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a main control electronic control unit configured to acquire an operating rate of each of a plurality of applications arranged in at least one of a plurality of electronic control units, calculate a plurality of arrangement patterns in which the applications are arranged in the electronic control units, calculate, based on the operating rate of each of the applications, a total electric power consumption of the electronic control units when each of the arrangement patterns is implemented, and arrange the applications in at least one of the electronic control units in the arrangement pattern that has the least total electric power consumption among the arrangement patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaomi KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20180290607
    Abstract: Provided is an in-vehicle power supply device that is less susceptible to the occurrence of sneak current between a main battery and a sub-battery that supply power externally. The in-vehicle power supply device includes a main battery for in-vehicle use and a sub-battery for in-vehicle use. The in-vehicle power supply device further includes at least one relay. A switch is connected between the main battery and the sub-battery, and has a first end on an opposite side to the sub-battery. The relay has at least one first contact and a second contact forming a pair with the first contact, and the second contact is connected to the sub-battery. In the relay, the first contact and the second contact form a pair, and are normally closed. The first contact is connected to the first end, at least in a state where the first contact is electrically disconnected from the second contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hida, Shinya Itou
  • Publication number: 20180290608
    Abstract: Provided is an in-vehicle power supply device that is less susceptible to the occurrence of sneak current between a main battery and a sub-battery that supply power externally. The in-vehicle power supply device includes a main battery for in-vehicle use and a sub-battery for in-vehicle use. The in-vehicle power supply device is further provided with a plurality of diode pairs and a switch connected in parallel to all of the diode pairs. The sub-battery is connected to the main battery via the switch. The two diodes of each diode pair are connected in series with forward directions opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Hida
  • Publication number: 20180290609
    Abstract: A vehicular data correlation system includes a first network access device (NAD) of a first vehicle; and a database server having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cross-reference a first driver settings dataset in a driver settings database to a first vehicle dataset in a vehicle database to form a first enhanced data packet, cross-reference a first vehicle conditions dataset in a vehicle conditions database to a first driver dataset in a driver database to form a second enhanced data packet, correlate the first enhanced data packet with the second enhanced data packet, download the first enhanced data packet to the first NAD, download the second enhanced data packet to the first NAD, and transmit a first initiation signal to implement the first driver settings dataset and to display the first vehicle conditions dataset on the first vehicle, via the first NAD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Wilson-Boon Siang KHOO, Ming Michael MENG
  • Publication number: 20180290610
    Abstract: A transport facilitation system can receive a pick-up request from a computing device of a user of a transportation arrangement service, the pick-up request comprising a unique identifier and a pick-up location. Using the unique identifier, the system can perform a lookup in a database for a profile indicating vehicle setup preferences for the user, and select a service vehicle to service the pick-up request. The system can further determine a seat assignment within the service vehicle for the user, and based on the vehicle setup preferences indicated in the profile, the system transmit a set of configuration instructions to the service vehicle, the set of configuration instructions to configure one or more adjustable components of the service vehicle for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Noah Zych
  • Publication number: 20180290611
    Abstract: A plastic energy absorption member (28) for an automobile bumper assembly (22) is disclosed. The plastic energy absorption member (28) includes a plastic crushable body (34) defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end along a length of the crushable body (34). The plastic energy absorption member (28) further includes a plastic first mounting portion (30) disposed proximate to the first end and monolithic with the plastic crushable body (34), the first mounting portion defining at least one first attachment member (38) configured to attach to the bumper (24), and a plastic second mounting portion (32) disposed proximate to the second end and monolithic with the plastic crushable body (34), the second mounting portion defining at least one second attachment member (42) configured to attach to the automobile rail (26). The energy absorption member (28) defines a plurality of voids (44) that each extend along at least a portion of the length of the crushable body (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Dinesh MUNJURULIMANA, Arunachala PARAMESHWARA, Venkatesha NARAYANASWAMY, Dhanendra NAGWANSHI, Matthew Michael DELANEY
  • Publication number: 20180290612
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a cover; an absorber provided rearward of the cover of a vehicle, the absorber being configured to absorb energy of a collision between the cover and a collision body while allowing the cover to move rearward; a front grill provided rearward of the cover and above the absorber, the front grill being configured to move rearward along with the cover during the collision between the cover and the collision body; a radar device attached to the front grill; and a deformation limiting member provided outside a radio wave irradiation range of the radar device and in a space between the radar device and the front grill or the cover, the deformation limiting member being configured to limit deformation of the front grill or the cover to the radar device side during the collision between the cover and the collision body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eisuke IKENO
  • Publication number: 20180290613
    Abstract: An impact determination method includes: acquiring, by an computer, a vehicle position; acquiring, by the computer, an acceleration of the vehicle; determining, by the computer, whether or not an impact is applied to the vehicle by determining the acceleration using a different threshold corresponding to the vehicle position; and outputting a signal representing a determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180290614
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for repositioning a steering wheel and/or airbag cushion prior to and/or during deployment of the airbag cushion resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments may comprise a steering wheel configured to be positioned between a first, operational configuration and a second, deployed configuration at least in part by a translational movement of the steering wheel. An airbag cushion may be deployable from the steering wheel and may be configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration before or during deployment of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Donald James Paxton, Dino Anthony Forton, Chandrakanth Siddharthan, David Keyser, Dion Karl-Axel Kruse
  • Publication number: 20180290615
    Abstract: Multi-chamber airbag systems for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an occupant restraint system includes a multi-chamber airbag that deploys from an occupant restraint (e.g., a lap seat belt) in an aircraft. The multi-chamber airbag can include a first portion that inflates generally upward in front of the occupant's torso, and a second portion that inflates in front of the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion can include multiple chambers (e.g., generally cylindrical-shaped chambers) that, when inflated, provide the airbag with a shape and/or contact surfaces which can help to maintain the position of the airbag between the occupant and a strike object or hazard. In other embodiments, multi-chamber airbags configured in accordance with the present disclosure can me mounted to a structure (e.g., a monument, console, seat back, etc.) positioned generally in front of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Todd Joseph Humbert
  • Publication number: 20180290616
    Abstract: An airbag device which is capable of efficiently suppressing an injury value of an occupant during an emergency. The airbag device 100 includes: an inflator 112 which is installed in a vehicle and which is capable of supplying gas; a main bag 114 which inflates to the front of a seat of the vehicle due to the gas; and an outer bag 116 which inflates so as to surround the main bag 114 due to the gas. The outer bag 116 includes an opening 118 which opens toward an occupant sitting on the seat and which exposes a portion (a rear region 120) of the main bag 114. The outer bag 116 surrounds and presses against the main bag 114, such that the portion of the main bag 114 protrudes from the opening 118 toward the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: YUTAKA NAKAJIMA, HIROYA TABUSHI
  • Publication number: 20180290617
    Abstract: A curtain airbag apparatus (100) is provided with an inflator (106), and a cushion (102) stored, in an elongated storage form, on an inner side of a headliner above a front side window (110), and receives the gas to inflate. The cushion (102) in the storage form has a bent-over portion (142) which is formed by bending over a rear end (136) of the cushion (102) towards a center side thereof from a state in which the cushion (102) is rolled upwards. The state of the cushion (102) when the bending over is performed i.e. the rolled state of the cushion (102), is achieved by rolling the cushion (102) from a state in which a prescribed area at the rear end (136) of the cushion (102) in a deployed state is folded over towards the center side in the vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: TETSUYA IWATA, KAZUMASA ARAKAWA, KAZUYUKI YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180290618
    Abstract: A side curtain airbag module comprises an airbag having a plurality of fastening flaps that are configured to be fastened to the body of a vehicle; a ramp to guide deployment of the airbag, the ramp has at least one fastener configured to be fastened to a vehicle body; means for securing the ramp to the airbag by relative movement of airbag and ramp, whereby in a mounting condition of the airbag module the ramp fasteners are at least in part housed by the airbag flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Floersheimer
  • Publication number: 20180290619
    Abstract: A vehicle side airbag device including: a side airbag that is accommodated in a folded-up state within a side portion, which is at a vehicle transverse direction outer side at a seatback of a vehicle seat, and, at a time of a side collision, the side airbag inflating and expanding between an upper body of a vehicle occupant and a vehicle side portion, and a vehicle transverse direction inner side surface of the side airbag, which faces the vehicle occupant, sinking in toward a vehicle transverse direction outer side; and a cloth body that is disposed at a vehicle occupant side with respect to the inflated and expanded side airbag, and that spans between front and rear both end portions of the side airbag and is stretched between the front and rear both end portions, a gap being formed between the side airbag and the cloth body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180290620
    Abstract: An airbag device for a motor vehicle, the airbag device can be provided on and secured to a seat frame and is designed to protect the head and rib cage of an occupant in the event of side impact or vehicle rollover. The airbag device has a gas generator, an airbag cushion and a first securing system, the first securing system, the gas generator and the airbag cushion being connected to one another to secure the airbag device to the seat frame. A second securing system is provided in the side region of the airbag cushion above the connecting region with the first securing system The second securing system is designed to secure the airbag cushion, with an additional securing point in the side region, to the seat frame above the first securing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Mats BERNTSSON, Pär SANDINGE, Hanna KARLSSON
  • Publication number: 20180290621
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller determines a location of a cargo transportation unit (CTU), and responsive to the determined location matching a specified criterion, determines whether a sensor monitored event indicates a theft event associated with the CTU. In response to the theft event, the controller causes adjustment of an adjustable element of the CTU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Conrad Delbert Seaman, Stephen West, Aaron Lalvani
  • Publication number: 20180290622
    Abstract: A notification system includes an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle to transmit state information regarding the vehicle to surroundings of the vehicle and a mobile terminal including a receiving unit which receives the state information from the in-vehicle communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Takashi Mori
  • Publication number: 20180290623
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by a portable identification transmitter is provided. According to the method, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal and a second vehicle antenna emits a second signal. An identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of first and second electromagnetic fields, respectively, of the first and second signals. The identification transmitter transmits a measure or a value for the at least one spatial component of the first electromagnetic field, and a measure or a value for the at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field to the motor vehicle. A computer determines an angle between the spatial components of the first and second electromagnetic fields. The motor vehicle transmits an authorization signal for authorizing use of the motor vehicle only if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Fredrik HOCKE, Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20180290624
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by a portable identification transmitter is provided. According to the method, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal, which is received by an identification-transmitter antenna. The identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal. A second vehicle antenna emits a second signal, which is received by the identification-transmitter antenna. The identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. A computer determines the angle between the determined spatial component of the first electromagnetic field and the determined spatial component of the second electromagnetic field. The identification transmitter transmits an authorization signal for authorizing use of the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle only if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Fredrik HOCKE, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20180290625
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, in particular a two-wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicle, which has a first and a second antenna where the first antenna and the second antenna are spaced apart from each other, by a portable identification device which has an identification transmitter antenna. In order to increase the manipulation security of a known method, it is determined whether the identification device is moving toward the motor vehicle. This can on the one hand be determined in that the identification device repeatedly identifies the field strength of the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and identifies whether the field strength or field strengths is or are increasing. This can on the other hand be determined in that the identification device repeatedly determines the angle between the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examines whether the repeatedly determined angles are increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan Heinbockel, Ralf Wistorf, Fredrik Hocke
  • Publication number: 20180290626
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, including a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are spaced apart from each other in space, by a portable identification device that has an identification device antenna. According to the method, it is determined whether the identification device is moving toward the motor vehicle, which can be determined by the identification device repeatedly identifying the field strength of the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examining whether the field strength is increasing. Alternatively, the identification device can repeatedly identify the angle between the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examine whether the repeatedly identified angles are increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Ralf WISTORF, Fredrik HOCKE
  • Publication number: 20180290627
    Abstract: A remote access system for a vehicle may include at least one receiver configured to detect a location of a mobile device, and a controller having a processor. The processor may be configured to determine an association of the mobile device to an authorised user when the mobile device is within a first range from the vehicle, and authenticate the user when the mobile device is within a second range from the vehicle, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range. The processor may also be configured to determine a vehicle function to perform based on data associated with the mobile device or the user, and perform the vehicle function when the mobile device is within a third range from the vehicle and the user is authenticated, wherein the third range is smaller than the second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Mohamad Mwaffak Hariri, Adam Michael Kibit, Mark Lewis Zeinstra, Matthew R. Partsch, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Cian John Francis Brogan
  • Publication number: 20180290628
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for unlocking a vehicle. The vehicle has a first input device and a second input device. The method includes (1) receiving a passcode from the first input device; (2) receiving a confirmation of the passcode from the second input device; and (3) in response to the confirmation, storing the passcode in a storage device associated with the vehicle. The passcode is input by operating the first input device in a first predetermined way, and, the confirmation is input by operating the second input device in a second predetermined way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Chun-Sheng Hsu, Yung-Chung Hu, Jia-Yang Wu, Yu-Sheng Huang