Patents Issued in November 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 10124644
    Abstract: A damper control device includes a rate sensor that detects a pitching angular velocity of a vehicle body, a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor and a calculation unit that detect a roll angle and a yaw angular velocity of the vehicle body, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of a contraction-side chamber in a front-wheel side damper, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of a contraction-side chamber in a rear-wheel side damper, and a correction unit that corrects the pitching angular velocity. The pressures are controlled on the basis of the corrected pitching angular velocity and the pressures. The vehicle speed sensor, the steering angle sensor and the calculation unit detect the roll angle and the yaw angular velocity on the basis of a traveling speed and a steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiko Kurita
  • Patent number: 10124645
    Abstract: A position-and-velocity dependent hydraulic damper is provided. The hydraulic damper has piston valve fixed to a tip of a piston rod, a base valve, and a reservoir chamber. The base valve has a compression side port. Between a first valve and the base valve, a first spiral spring is provided, and between the first valve and the piston valve, a second spiral spring is provided. The compression side port is closed by the first valve around the maximum compression state, reducing the flow rate of oil to the reservoir chamber. A second valve passing through the centers of the first valve and the base valve adjusts the flow rate of the oil to the reservoir chamber with a pressure equal to or higher than a prescribed level of an oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tein, Inc.
    Inventor: Hironao Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10124646
    Abstract: A method includes a coating step of coating a vulcanizing adhesive at a surface of a vulcanized centrum of a rubber bush; a heating step of heating a portion to be adhered of a stabilizer bar; a fitting step of fitting the centrum of the rubber bush at which the vulcanizing adhesive is coated on the heated portion to be adhered of the stabilizer bar; and an adhering step of clamping the rubber bush in a radial direction by a clamping device to adhere the rubber bush on the portion to be adhered of the stabilizer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI STEEL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Higuchi, Yohei Okada, Takuya Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10124647
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned responsive to an AC head pressure and a CAC temperature to reduce parasitic losses and improve fuel economy. The flow is apportioned via adjustments to a coolant pump output and a proportioning valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Hugh Hamilton, James C. Rollinson
  • Patent number: 10124648
    Abstract: Vehicle operating systems for operating a vehicle having a driving seat for a vehicle driver and at least one passenger seat for passengers are described. The vehicle operating system may include one or more camera devices for shooting images of hand actions of the driver or images of hand actions of a passenger, and a storage device for storing operating signals corresponding to hand actions. A processing device may be configured to select the driver or the passengers as a gesture command operator, and to control the camera device to shoot hand action images of the selected gesture command operator. The command system may also be configured to convert the shot hand action images into corresponding operating signals according to hand action indicia stored in the storage device. The operating signals may be sent to execution devices, that execute the corresponding operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jen-Chieh Hsiao, Yong-Syuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10124649
    Abstract: An auxiliary heating system for a vehicle interacts with an ignition controller having a Run state in which an engine of the vehicle is running and an Off state in which the engine is not running. An auxiliary heater has a Parking mode for heating a passenger cabin of the vehicle when the ignition controller is in the Off state. An auxiliary heater controller has a user-configurable setting for selectably entering the Parking mode when the ignition controller enters the Off state. A manual interface is responsive to a user to provide user commands to the auxiliary heater controller including setting commands during the Run state for determining the user-configurable setting and a cancel command during the Off state for terminating the Parking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Upendra J. Patel
  • Patent number: 10124650
    Abstract: An automobile air conditioner allows two types of heating devices for air heating (a heater core 14 and a PTC heater 15) to be selectively mounted therein. A housing 2 of a HVAC unit 1 defines therein an air feed passage 3. Either of the heater core 14 and the PTC heater 15 is selectively mounted in the housing 2 through an insertion/ejection slot 32, which formed in a side surface the housing 2. The insertion/ejection slot 32 is formed so as to fit the heater core 14. The PTC heater 15 is housed in a frame 33 having an external dimension to fit into the insertion/ejection slot 32, and mounted in the housing 2 with the frame 33 interposed therebetween. The frame 33 has temperature sensor holders 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: Sanden Holdings Corporation, Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Watanabe, Takahiro Seto
  • Patent number: 10124651
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an electrically powered heating device configured to heat airflow for conditioning the passenger cabin, and a controller configured to selectively command actuation of the electrically powered heating device based on a target discharge air temperature, an actual discharge air temperature, and an amount of power available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Noah Blatchley, Angel Fernando Porras, William Samuel Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10124652
    Abstract: A vehicular heat management system including a heater for carrying out heating of a heat medium and stop the heating, and a heat exchanger configured to carry out heat exchange between lubricant oil for lubricating a speed change apparatus and the heat medium. A heat medium circulator is provided that is configured to switch the heat medium circulation state between a first circulation state where the heat medium circulates through the heater and the heat exchanger, and a second circulation state where the heat medium circulates through the heater and a heater core. An electronic control unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Ito, Takashi Amano, Hidefumi Aikawa
  • Patent number: 10124653
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for systems, devices and methods relating to a mobile device holder and air freshener. The mobile device holder and air freshener may include a body, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a removable cap. The body may be arranged so as to include a first interior that is at least partially hollow. The top portion and the bottom portion may be effective to hold a mobile electronic device. The removable cap may include a first vent effective to allow air to flow into the device. The removable cap may allow scented material to be installed within the mobile device holder and air freshener. The body may be further arranged so as to allow air that has entered the device through the first vent to become scented and flow out of the device through a second vent included in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Alfred Esses
  • Patent number: 10124654
    Abstract: A windshield assembly includes a lower panel section pivotally connected to an upper panel section. The assembly is movable between an extended position, in which both sections are fully extended and substantially co-planar, and a pivoted position, in which the upper section is pivoted down to rest on top of the lower section. A pair of magnets are positioned on the upper section proximate the top edge of the upper section, and a second pair of complementary magnets or members made of a material that is magnetically attracted to the first pair of magnets are positioned on the lower section proximate the bottom edge of the lower section. When in the pivoted position, the magnets on the upper section engage the lower section magnets, thereby keeping the upper section secured on the lower section and preventing unwanted movement of the upper section as the golf car travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Custom Golf Car Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Steven Martin
  • Patent number: 10124655
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retractable roof vehicle system. The system comprises an open sided vehicle having an occupant space for one or more occupants of the vehicle; a cover configured to at least partially shield the occupant space from ambient environmental conditions, the cover positioned over the occupant space of the vehicle, the cover configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position over the occupant space; and a frame coupled with the vehicle configured to support the cover over the occupant space, the frame comprising a first side rail and a second side rail positioned along opposing sides of the vehicle over the occupant space, the first and second side rails both forming cover guides configured to guide movement of the cover between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TRACKER MARINE, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Travis Edward Langevin
  • Patent number: 10124656
    Abstract: A truck bed cover for covering the bed of a pickup truck includes a plurality of rigid panel sections that extend across the truck bed and selectively supported upon the top edges of the truck bed sidewalk. Adjacent rigid panel sections are hingedly connected such that two or more rigid panel sections of said plurality of rigid panel sections are pivotable about axes perpendicular to the sidewalls of the bed between a closed position where the bed is covered and an open position where the bed is open. The rigid panel sections are constructed to be load bearing and provide a deck surface for carrying articles above the truck bed. Deck surface extensional panels are removably attachable to extend the deck surface beyond the sides and rear of the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Lawson
  • Patent number: 10124657
    Abstract: A deflector apparatus includes a first locking portion for attaching a mesh type deflector, which reduces noise due to wind at an opening portion, to a drain member for suppressing infiltration of a fluid from the opening portion opened by a movable panel into a room; and a second locking portion formed in the deflector, in which the deflector is attached to the drain member by locking the second locking portion to the first locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10124658
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiment of a vehicle rescue system. The vehicle rescue system may include a gas chamber that is attached to a vehicle, the gas chamber comprising an enclosed cavity; a gas tube that is connected to the gas chamber, the gas tube being filled with a gas; and an inflation control module attached to the gas chamber, the inflation control module being configured to control a release of the gas from the gas tube into the gas chamber, wherein releasing the gas inflates the gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Sami Ibrahim Sarhan
  • Patent number: 10124659
    Abstract: Provided is a utility work vehicle including an engine section, a speed changer device and a belt type stepless speed changer device, a rear frame supporting the engine section, and a main frame supporting the rear frame. The rear frame includes right and left rear wheel supporting portions, each of which has a front supporting member and a rear supporting member extending upwards from the rear frame. The rear supporting member disposed on more rear side of the vehicle body than the belt type stepless speed changer device has its upper end connected to a rear frame portion of the main frame. The front supporting member is disposed on more laterally outer side of the vehicle body than the belt type stepless speed changer device. Between an upper end of the front supporting member and the rear frame portion, there is formed a space that allows attachment/detachment of a speed changer cover detachably attached to the belt type stepless speed changer device from a laterally outer side of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Bessho, Kensuke Okabe, Taro Nakamura, Junichi Fujiwara, Toshiki Ono, Takafumi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 10124660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a work machine, in particular to a construction machine and/or mining machine such as a crawler-type vehicle, a dump truck, mining device or the like, having an electric drive which comprises power electronics which have at least one transformer which has power connections covered by a cover for connecting power cables, wherein a manually actuable grounding device is provided for the all-pole grounding of the transformer and/or for short-circuiting an intermediate circuit connected thereto. The invention in this respect in particular also relates to such a transformer. In accordance with the invention, the manually actuable grounding device is coupled to a cover latch of the cover such that the cover can be unlatched by actuating the named grounding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Sommer, Christian Fehrensen, Markus Merkle
  • Patent number: 10124661
    Abstract: A power-split hybrid powertrain for a vehicle includes a first power-source configured to generate a first output torque, a second power-source configured to generate a second output torque, and a transmission assembly having a transmission input member. The powertrain also includes a planetary gear-set having first, second, and third nodes, wherein each of the three nodes is operatively connected to a separate one of the first power-source, second power-source, and transmission input member. The powertrain additionally includes a housing configured to retain the planetary gear-set. Also, the powertrain includes a first torque-transmitting device configured to selectively connect to the housing the node that is operatively connected to the first power-source. Furthermore, the powertrain includes a second torque-transmitting device configured to selectively connect the node that is operatively connected to the first power-source to the node that is operatively connected to the second power-source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R. Littlefield, Alan G. Holmes, Rebecca K. Risko Cattell
  • Patent number: 10124662
    Abstract: A radiator for the motorcycle includes a core through which a cooling medium flows, a cooling fan which is disposed on a downstream side of the core and ventilates the core, a downwardly opened fan covering for enclosing areas above, on opposite lateral sides and on a downstream side of the cooling fan, and a partition wall for partitioning between an lower portion of the core and a lower portion of the cooling fan so as to suppress the backward flow of the discharge air from the opening towards the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Jyouzaki, Naoki Arino, Takayuki Haraguchi, Masataka Muroi, Masafumi Itoh
  • Patent number: 10124663
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovering device comprising an exhaust heat recovering tool (10) adapted to recover a heat of an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle and an inflow side pipeline (14) and an exhaust side pipeline (13) adapted to connect the internal combustion engine and the exhaust heat recovering tool, wherein the inflow side pipeline (14) and the exhaust side pipeline (13) are mounted only on a component included in a non-vehicle body vibration system supported on a vehicle body (2) through an elastic body (4, 5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Fukami, Masashi Koshijima
  • Patent number: 10124664
    Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Wilenski, Michael P. Kozar, Amy E. Bahe
  • Patent number: 10124665
    Abstract: A back of cab enclosure which covers vertically mounted fuel tanks and manages airflow wherein laminar airflow is improved and turbulent airflow is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventor: Paul Van Der Linden
  • Patent number: 10124666
    Abstract: Wheelchair drive boost apparatuses, drive assisted wheelchairs, and wheelchair drive boost systems are disclosed. A wheelchair drive boost apparatus includes a housing, a drive wheel including a drive axis that is movable with respect to the housing, a drive lever that engages with the drive wheel to cause the drive wheel to rotate, a transmission that couples the drive lever to the drive wheel, and an engager having a first position and a second position. The engager is configured to move the drive axis with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: High Stone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sally Cunningham, Steven Cunningham, Faith Quist, Caitlin Sharkey, Leslie Wines
  • Patent number: 10124667
    Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include a prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian G. Eck
  • Patent number: 10124668
    Abstract: A center differential gear assembly for a drive device of a motor vehicle includes a driveshaft, a first driven shaft for a front axle of the motor vehicle, a second driven shaft for a rear axle of the motor vehicle, and a differential gear designed as a planetary gear train. A clutch device operatively connects an electric machine in a first shift position via the differential gear with the second driven shaft and in a second shift position directly with the second driven shaft. A superposition gear includes a first planetary gear train and a second planetary gear, with a ring gear of the first planetary gear train and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train being operatively connected in fixed rotative engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Michael Wein
  • Patent number: 10124669
    Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a high-low switching mechanism, an output member, a clutch, a locking sleeve, a screw mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a drum cam, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to selectively switch between an H4L position and an L4L position in conjunction with rotational motion of the electric motor. The H4L position is a position in which a high-low sleeve provided in the high-low switching mechanism is in a position in which a high-speed gear is established in the high-low switching mechanism. The L4L position is a position in which the high-low sleeve provided in the high-low switching mechanism is in a position in which a low-speed gear is established in the high-low switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Patent number: 10124670
    Abstract: A gearbox unit for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a first and a second wheeled axle, the second wheeled axle including a first sub-axle and a second sub-axle. The gearbox assembly of the motor vehicle may include a first connecting shaft operatively connectable to the first sub-axle, a second connecting shaft operatively connectable to the second sub-axle, and a coupling gearbox, which has a drive input shaft operatively connectable to a drive assembly of the motor vehicle and which has a drive output shaft operatively connectable to the first wheeled axle. The drive input shaft may be operatively connected in torque-splitting fashion to the first and the second connecting shaft. The drive output shaft may be operatively connectable to the first connecting shaft so as to be switchable by a first clutch and to the second connecting shaft so as to be switchable by a second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Christian Meixner
  • Patent number: 10124671
    Abstract: A drive switching apparatus includes an output member connected to a drive switching member and displacing the drive switching member to three shift positions by being rotated, a deceleration mechanism decelerating rotation of an input portion connected to an electric motor and outputting the rotation to an output portion, a rotation absorption mechanism including an elastic member interposed between an input element connected to the output portion and an output element connected to the output member, the rotation absorption mechanism absorbing rotation of the input element in a case where rotation of the output element is restricted during the rotation of the input element, and a switch operation portion provided at the output element, the switch operation portion turning a switch on and off according to a rotational position of the output member in order to detect the shift positions of the drive switching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakane
  • Patent number: 10124672
    Abstract: In a pedal structure of an automotive vehicle which includes a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal which are provided at a vehicle body side by side in a vehicle width direction, the accelerator pedal comprises an accelerator pedal body to receive a pressing operation by a right foot, a hinge portion pivotally supporting a lower end of the accelerator pedal body, and a pedal base supporting the accelerator pedal body via the hinge portion, and a heel support portion to support the right foot's heel is provided at the pedal base. The heel support portion is positioned on a left side of and adjacently to the hinge portion and spaced apart forward from the hinge portion by a specified distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Tabata, Yoh Yamazaki, Masayuki Tokumo
  • Patent number: 10124673
    Abstract: A reaction force output device that outputs a reaction force to an operation unit includes: a motor as a drive source configured to create the reaction force; a reaction force transmission unit configured to transmit the reaction force to the operation unit; and a clutch mechanism disposed between the motor and the reaction force transmission unit and configured to set the motor and the reaction force transmission unit to a disengaged state or an engaged state depending on a driving state of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Lock Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kouzuma, Kohei Hirotani
  • Patent number: 10124674
    Abstract: A vehicle safety detecting ring includes a ring body, at lease one detector, a touching area and an alarm device. The ring body is configured to mounted on a steering wheel. The at least one detector is located inside the ring body and configured to detect information of driver. The touching area is connected with the at least one detector in the ring body to transmit the information of driver to the at least one detector. The alarm connects with the at least one detector and is configured to issue an alarm when the at least one detector detects an abnormal signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Han Ku
  • Patent number: 10124675
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for on-line prediction of remaining driving mileage of an electric vehicle. The method comprises: acquiring in-transit data and driving environment data of the electric vehicle which is driving; calculating the power consumption per mileage of the electric vehicle in the current case by using the in-transit data and the driving environment data in combination with a power consumption rate data model; predicting the remaining driving mileage of the electric vehicle based on the power consumption per mileage. The device provided by the present invention is implemented on the basis of the method above. The prediction result of the present invention is more accurate, to avoid the problem that the power is exhausted due to exceeding the mileage expected by a user so that the electric vehicle cannot continue to drive, thereby improving the driving experience of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventors: Xiaonong Lu, Qiang Zhang, Wanying Wang, Anning Wang, Shanlin Yang, Minglun Ren, Zhanglin Peng
  • Patent number: 10124676
    Abstract: When a vehicle is in an accelerator off state and satisfies a free-run condition, a regeneration control unit performs free-run control on the vehicle so that the amount of regenerative electric power is decreased. The regeneration control unit sets a free-run prohibited zone between a starting point of a regeneration enhancement zone and a position that is located in front of and separated by a determination distance from the starting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tajima, Kunihiko Jinno, Haruki Oguri, Yoshikazu Motozono, Kiyomi Nagamiya
  • Patent number: 10124677
    Abstract: A regeneration control device for a vehicle includes: a motor control unit that drives a motor generator connected to running wheels of the vehicle at the time of decreasing a vehicle speed, so as to generate electricity, performing regenerative braking; a paddle switch that performs increasing/decreasing operation on a regeneration amount Tr by the motor generator; and a main control unit that performs increasing/decreasing control on the regeneration amount Tr continuously in response to the increasing/decreasing operation by the paddle switch, wherein the main control unit sets a regeneration amount increasing rate in an increasing operation of the regeneration amount by operation of an UP switch of the paddle switch to be higher than a regeneration amount decreasing rate in a decreasing operation of the regeneration amount by operation of a DOWN switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Murase
  • Patent number: 10124678
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a motor, and a storage battery and configured to charge the storage battery with electric power generated as a result of regenerative braking and electric power generated by using output of the engine. The control apparatus executes a downhill control which decreases the remaining capacity of the storage battery before the vehicle enters a downhill section and executes a congestion control which increases the remaining capacity before it enters a congestion section. In addition the control apparatus determine which control is to be executed according to the positional relation between the start point of the downhill section and the start point of the congestion section when both a downhill section and a congestion section are contained in a planned travel route of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10124679
    Abstract: A vehicle including an energy storage device and a powertrain system configured to effect regenerative braking is described. A method for controlling the vehicle includes determining an expected increase in a state of charge of the energy storage device achieved through opportunity charging by employing regenerative braking during an anticipated next trip of the vehicle. A preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device is determined based upon the expected increase in the state of charge achieved through opportunity charging, and charging of the energy storage device is controlled during a remote charging event based upon the preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zettel, Larry T. Nitz, Andrew J. Farah, Matthew S. Stout, Daniel P. Grenn
  • Patent number: 10124680
    Abstract: An on-board charger for an electric vehicle includes a switch configured to receive an AC voltage, a capacitor connected to the switch and connectable to a traction battery of the electric vehicle, a frequency sensor, and a controller. The frequency sensor is configured to detect during the odd half-cycle of a first cycle of the AC voltage an instantaneous frequency of the AC voltage for the first cycle based on elapsed time between zero-voltage crossings of the odd half-cycle of the first cycle and not based on any other zero-voltage crossings of the AC voltage. The controller is configured to close the switch during the even half-cycle of the first cycle at a first trigger time dependent upon the instantaneous frequency of the AC voltage for the first cycle. The capacitor is enabled to be charged with the AC voltage via the switch while the switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jordi Tost Bartolome, Antoni Ferre Fabregas
  • Patent number: 10124681
    Abstract: A power converter for a railway vehicle includes a power converter body configured to be installed on the railway vehicle; a first radiating fin unit arranged on a front side on the power converter body for dissipating heat from the power converter body; a second radiating fin unit arranged on the power converter body on a rear side for dissipating heat from the power converter body; and an air duct that takes in air from a region other than regions in which the first and second radiating fin units are disposed while the railway vehicle is moving, the air duct extending into a fin separation space that is defined as a space between the first radiating fin unit and the second radiating fin unit so as to guide air that is taken in into the fin separation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihisa Kaneko, Yoshihisa Uehara
  • Patent number: 10124682
    Abstract: A charge control system creates a charge schedule for charging a power storage device installed on a vehicle. The power storage device is charged from a power supply located outside the vehicle. The vehicle is configured to allow charging of the power storage device from the power supply at a plurality of charging sites. The charge control system includes a learning unit and a creating unit. The learning unit is configured to learn a stay period of the vehicle for each of the charging sites. The creating unit is configured to estimate a departure time of the vehicle when the vehicle stays at any one of the charging sites, and create the charge schedule according to the departure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10124683
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy transmission device (30) having a connection unit (32) for connecting an electrical energy source (16) or an electrical energy sink (12), a transmission member (34) which is electrically coupled to the connection unit (32) and which can be electrically coupled to a second transmission member (34) for transmitting electrical energy, and a cleaning unit (36) that is designed to introduce a cleaning medium (37) into a transmission path (26) between the first transmission member (34) and the second transmission member (34) in order to remove particles (28) from the transmission path (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Eymann, Peter Schubert
  • Patent number: 10124684
    Abstract: An arrangement, system and method are described which enhance efficiency, reduce the stray field of wireless power transfer, and make use of special coil geometries for transmitter and receiver. The coil geometry is an approximation of a multipole current. Such currents have a faster decaying electromagnetic field compared to traditional coils. This allows higher power densities to be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventors: Harald Merkel, Anders Karlstrom
  • Patent number: 10124685
    Abstract: A power reception device includes a flat plate-like core and a coil spirally wound around the core and having a winding central axis extending in a horizontal direction. The coil is formed like a flat plate to have a longer side portion and a shorter side portion when the coil is viewed in cross section at a plane perpendicular to an extending direction of the coil. The coil is wound around the core such that the longer side portion faces a surface of the core. Therefore, the thickness of the power reception device can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yuasa, Satoru Horiuchi, Masayuki Kataoka, Hitoshi Takemura
  • Patent number: 10124686
    Abstract: An electrical system connectable to an offboard power supply includes a battery pack, parallel DC-coupled conductive and inductive charging systems, and a controller. The controller initiates charging of the battery pack using analog low-voltage signals. A charging preference may prioritize charging via a designated one of the charging systems. Another electrical system includes a battery pack connected to a DC voltage bus, a charge coupler connectable to the offboard power supply to establish a plug-in charging connection, parallel DC-coupled conductive and inductive charging systems, and a controller. The controller commands charging using the analog low-voltage control signals, doing so via the conductive charging system when the charge coupler is plugged into the power supply and via the wireless charger when the charge coupler is not plugged into the power supply and the controller detects proximity of the system to the primary induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Namou, Russell K. Steele, Douglas S. Cesiel
  • Patent number: 10124687
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting a presence of a metallic and/or a ferromagnetic object over a region for wirelessly transferring power to charge an electric vehicle are presented. An example apparatus includes one or more foreign object detection (FOD) loops arranged in an array over a charging area, at least a portion of the FOD loops being in a first configuration and at least a portion of the FOD loops being second configuration different than the first configuration based on a value indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling between the charging area and a respective one the FOD loops within a corresponding area of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Leandro Percebon, Daniel Kuerschner
  • Patent number: 10124688
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to determining rendezvous locations and autonomously swapping a resupply carriage with a vehicle along a route. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to a request for resupplying the vehicle with energy, determine a rendezvous point for meeting the vehicle with a resupply carriage. The method includes dispatching the resupply carriage to meet the vehicle at the rendezvous point by providing an electronic signal to the resupply carriage to cause the resupply carriage to autonomously travel to the rendezvous point. The method includes controlling the vehicle to swap a current carriage for the resupply carriage to supply energy to the vehicle. The vehicle is comprised of a passenger compartment that is removably attached to the current carriage. The current carriage and the resupply carriage are interchangeable propulsion sources for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Delp
  • Patent number: 10124689
    Abstract: A vehicle charging control method is provided. The method includes recognizing scheduled charging information predetermined for vehicle charging and detecting charging equipment connected to the vehicle. Whether a scheduled charging is performed is determined based at least on whether charging information from the charging equipment corresponds to the scheduled charging information. Whether an automatic charging is performed is determined based at least on predetermined user set-up information when the charging information deviates from the scheduled charging information. A charging operation, including the scheduled charging and the automatic charging is then performed for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ja Chun Han, Ho Joong Lee, In Seok Park, Seung Jae Yoo
  • Patent number: 10124690
    Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular for positioning a charging panel of an electrical vehicle to receive a charge, are provided. In one embodiment, a system for positioning a charging panel of an electrical vehicle to receive a charge comprises an armature disposed on an electrical vehicle; a charging panel interconnected to the armature; and an actuator configured to maneuver the armature and position the charging panel relative to an external surface, the external surface in communication with a power source configured to provide a charge to the charging panel, wherein the charging panel is configured to receive the charge from the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10124691
    Abstract: Disclosures herein are related to improving energy transfer with vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Bryan Marc Failing
  • Patent number: 10124692
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrical storage device, a notifier, a communication device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit predicts the amount of charging power of the electrical storage device and the use time in a case where external charging is performed, in accordance with the state of the electrical storage device. The electronic control unit predicts cost performance of the external charging in accordance with the amount of charging power and the use time that are predicted, and information relating to a fee-charging system. The electronic control unit controls the notifier so as not to execute a notification in a case where the cost performance is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and controls the notifier so as to execute the notification in a case where the cost performance is less than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Patent number: 10124693
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery, a battery management system (BMS), and an inertia sensor. The battery includes at least one battery cell to supply electricity to a load. The BMS monitors voltage and current states of the battery and to control charge and discharge operations of the battery. The BMS determines a moving state of the load based on inertia information from the inertia sensor and outputs a control signal to interrupt flow of a discharge current of the battery when the discharge current is equal to or greater than a first critical current value for a preset time period and the load is determined to be stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngdong Seo, Seotaek Oh