Patents Issued in November 13, 2018
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Patent number: 10124794Abstract: A first electric power generation device configured to produce an accessory voltage according to a first instruction voltage. A second electric power generation device configured to produce the accessory voltage according to a second instruction. An electric control unit is configured to execute crank position stop control for stopping a crank of the engine at a target position when the engine is stopped by controlling the first electric power generation device such that a current is circulated in the first electric power generation device and the rotating electric machine generates braking torque. The electric control unit is configured to execute the crank position stop control in a state in which the second instruction voltage is equal to or higher than the first instruction voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken Akuzawa
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Patent number: 10124795Abstract: A driving force control system for a hybrid vehicle is provided to reduce a shock resulting from switching a travelling direction between the forward direction and the backward direction. The control system is applied to a hybrid vehicle in which an operating mode can be selected at least from a series mode and a series parallel mode. A travelling direction of the vehicle is switched by a shifting device between forward direction and backward direction. A controller is configured to maintain the previous operating mode after switching the travelling direction of the vehicle by the shifting device.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Kawanishi, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
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Patent number: 10124796Abstract: A hybrid vehicle system includes: an engine that is capable of outputting a torque to be transmitted to a driving wheel; a first motor generator that is provided in a coupled manner to the engine and that is capable of outputting a torque to be transmitted to the driving wheel; a transmission that converts a torque output from one or both of the engine and the first motor generator at a predetermined transmission gear ratio; a transmission clutch that is capable of switching on and off power transmission between the first motor generator and the transmission; a second motor generator that is capable of outputting a torque to be transmitted to the driving wheel in a state where the transmission clutch is disengaged; and an oil pump that is coupled to a motor shaft of the first motor generator and that is driven by rotation of the motor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Tomohiro Morita
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Patent number: 10124797Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle in the event of an oil-pump failure may include: a first comparison step of comparing, by a controller, an actual RPM of an EOP with a first set value set in advance based on a target RPM of the EOP; a maximum EOP driving step of driving the EOP to a maximum output by the controller when a result of the comparison in the first comparison step shows that the actual RPM is smaller than or equal to the first set value; a second comparison step of comparing the actual RPM of the EOP with a second set value by the controller after the maximum EOP driving step; and a creep driving step of making the vehicle perform creep driving using a motor by the controller when a result of the comparison in the second comparison step shows that the actual RPM is larger than the second set value.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Yong Hyun Kim, Hyun Jun Soh, Jeong Won Rho
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Patent number: 10124798Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a total weight of a vehicle, transmitting the total weight measured to the vehicle's autonomous control system, and controlling the vehicle according to the total weight of the vehicle. The system and method further transmits information between separate vehicles with similar autonomous control systems. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating drive force to motor speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, determining the vehicle's longitudinal acceleration and drive force, determining a total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; transmitting the total weight to the autonomous control system, and controlling the vehicle according to total weight of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Inventors: Michael Hall, Seth Myer
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Patent number: 10124799Abstract: A vehicle safety control apparatus using cameras includes a first camera configured to photograph light and shade of a current object during running, a second camera configured to photograph a color of the current object during the running, an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on first current object image data captured by the first camera and second current object image data captured by the second camera, a recognition unit configured to recognize the first and second current object image data on which the image processing unit has performed the image processing, a storage unit configured to cause the recognized data to match preset reference object-specific data and separately store the data matching the preset reference object-specific data; and a control unit configured to receive the recognized data and deliver a storage command to the storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Myung-Woo Kim
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Patent number: 10124800Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing autonomous control of a vehicle. A vehicle can be manually controlled by an operator. An autonomous system can monitor the operator's control inputs and the environment of the vehicle to determine whether the control inputs result in safe operation of the vehicle. If control inputs are not safe, then the autonomous system can modify the operator's unsafe inputs into safe inputs. In various instances, the autonomous system can operate the vehicle without operator input. In the event an operator attempts to apply control inputs to the vehicle while the autonomous system is otherwise in control, the autonomous system can check to see whether the operator's inputs result in safe operation of the vehicle. If the operator's control inputs are safe, then the autonomous system can replace its autonomous commands with the operator's commands.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Richard Donovan Jones, David A. Whelan, Lynne Wenberg
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Patent number: 10124801Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes front wheels, rear wheels to which a driving force of an engine is transmitted via a propeller shaft, a dog clutch that enables blocking of transmission of the driving force from the engine to the propeller shaft, and a multi-disc clutch that enables blocking of transmission of the driving force from the propeller shaft to the rear wheels. During two-wheel driving in which the transmission of the driving force through the dog clutch and the multi-disc clutch is blocked, an ECU in the four-wheel drive vehicle calculates an estimated driving force estimated to be transmitted to the front wheels based on a vehicle speed and an amount of acceleration operation. The ECU allows the multi-disc clutch to transmit the driving force when the estimated driving force is larger than a driving force threshold defined according to a slip limit torque for the front wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventor: Masaki Mita
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Patent number: 10124802Abstract: A device and method for a controlled deceleration based on a selected vehicle driving mode are disclosed, in which upon sensing a deceleration of a vehicle, a plurality of deceleration control signals based on a deceleration target for the selected vehicle driving mode are produced. At least one of the plurality of deceleration control signals are transmitted to prompt a controlled deceleration of the vehicle to correspond with a deceleration target for the selected vehicle driving mode. The method receives sensor data relating to the deceleration of the vehicle, and compares at least some of the sensor data with the deceleration target to generate a deceleration feedback signal. The method provides for adjusting the plurality of deceleration control signals based on the deceleration feedback signal to effect the controlled deceleration.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher T. Gauthier
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Patent number: 10124803Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for controlling a vehicle including an engine, a motor generator, a manual transmission, a clutch, an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever, and a control unit that performs inertia travel control to cause a vehicle to start inertia travel when a predetermined condition is satisfied during travel of the vehicle, performs free-run transition control to change to a free-run travel when a predetermined inertia travel time has elapsed since the start of the inertia travel, and sets the inertia travel time in a case where the last operation before the inertia travel is one of predetermined operation to be longer than the inertia travel time in a case where the last operation before the inertia travel is an operation in which the return speed of the accelerator pedal is greater than or equal to a predetermined return speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sachio Toyora
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Patent number: 10124804Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing traffic control device detection are provided. The method includes: determining whether a first vehicle is traveling to an intersection with a traffic control device and whether the first vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the intersection; in response to determining that the first vehicle is traveling to the intersection with the traffic control device and that the first vehicle is within the first predetermined distance of the intersection, scanning for the traffic control device; controlling the first vehicle to increase a distance between the first vehicle and a second vehicle in front of the first vehicle if the scanning fails to detect the traffic control device; and controlling the first vehicle to maintain the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in front of the first vehicle if the scanning detects the traffic control device.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Valor Yaldo, Xiaofeng Song
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Patent number: 10124805Abstract: A work vehicle includes: an engine; a plurality of drive wheels driven by the engine; and an operation controller executes first drive force control that brakes a slipping drive wheel out of the plurality of drive wheels and executes second drive force control that reduces output of the engine in accordance with the slip ratio of the slipping drive wheel during execution of the first drive force control.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Ryuuen Kou, Akiharu Nishijima, Shinya Kondou
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Patent number: 10124806Abstract: Automotive electronic control unit programmed to realtime estimate either or both of vehicle mass and road slope, wherein; a. road slope, is estimated; a1. when vehicle is considered stopped based on an accelerometer signal indicative of vehicle acceleration, wherein the vehicle is considered stopped in the presence of substantially zero values of a speed signal indicative of vehicle speed, and a2. when vehicle is in rectilinear and curvilinear motion by implementing a road slope observer based on a linear Kalman filter, which is designed to: a21. operate based on signals indicative of vehicle speed and acceleration, and a22. compensate for accelerometric disturbances due to; a221. vehicle static pitch resulting from vehicle load distribution, and a222. vehicle dynamic pitch due to acceleration to which vehicle is subjected during motion, and a223. accelerometric disturbance components due to vehicle lateral dynamics; b. vehicle mass is estimated: b1. when vehicle is in motion, and b2.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per AzioniInventor: Enrico Raffone
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Patent number: 10124807Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a skill level module that determines a skill level of a driver of the vehicle based on both (i) a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and (ii) a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. A handling module determines a handling type based on a rate of change of a steering wheel angle. An actuator control module, based on the skill level of the driver and the handling type, selectively actuates a dynamics actuator of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael G. Petrucci, Alexander J. MacDonald, Christopher J. Barber
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Patent number: 10124808Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and evaluating powered vehicle operation utilizing on-board diagnostic components and location determining components or systems. The invention creates one or more databases whereby identifiable behavior or evaluative characteristics can be analyzed or categorized. The evaluation can include predicting likely future events. The database can be correlated or evaluated with other databases for a wide variety of uses.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Allstate Insurance CompanyInventors: Joseph Patrick Phelan, Johannes A. Perquin
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Patent number: 10124809Abstract: A method, arrangement and system are described for estimating one or more vehicle cornering stiffness parameters (cf, cr) in a linear vehicle operating region. The method includes reading sensor data representative of at least vehicle (1) longitudinal velocity (vx), vehicle lateral acceleration (ay), vehicle yaw rate (?z) and vehicle steering angle (?), determining from the read sensor data if the cornering stiffness parameters (cf, cr) are observable, and if so providing an estimate of the cornering stiffness parameters (cf, cr) using a bicycle model that includes a model of tire relaxation dynamics.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Mikael Thor, Tony Gustafsson
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Patent number: 10124810Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a detection unit which detects a peripheral vehicle, the peripheral vehicle traveling around an own vehicle, and a prediction unit which refers to a detection result of the detection unit so as to predict position change of the peripheral vehicle, and in a case where a second vehicle, which travels in immediately back of the first vehicle, is predicted to catch up with a first vehicle between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, predicts position change of the second vehicle on the assumption that the second vehicle travels in a manner to follow the first vehicle while keeping a certain distance with respect to the first vehicle after the second vehicle catches up with the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Masanori Takeda
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Patent number: 10124811Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM controls a machine output of the machine by executing a transmission output control routine using transmission output parameters as feedback when transmission output parameter sensor signals are reliable. The ECM controls the machine output by executing a target engine speed control routine using an engine output speed sensor signals as feedback when the transmission output parameter sensor signals are nor reliable. In the target engine speed control routine, the ECM determines a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the target engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Brian Lister
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Patent number: 10124812Abstract: An in-vehicle alert apparatus includes a camera sensor, a radar sensor, a display unit, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit specifies a position and a relative speed of an object by selectively using any of a fusion method and a camera-alone method. The electronic control unit extracts an obstacle and calculates a margin time period in which the obstacle reaches a tip end region of a host vehicle. The electronic control unit displays an alert screen that guides driver's line of sight in a direction of the obstacle having the margin time period less than or equal to a threshold. The electronic control unit prohibits display of a new alert screen while a first predetermined time period elapses from switching to the camera-alone method, and while a second predetermined time period elapses from switching to the fusion method.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Teppei Ohta
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Patent number: 10124813Abstract: A discharge device for granular materials, with a housing having at least one inlet for the granular materials, and with a rotor that is connected to a motor, rotates about an axis of rotation and has multiple vanes and chambers located between the vanes, the granular materials being conveyable from the at least one inlet to at least one outlet when the rotor rotates. The axis of rotation of the rotor is vertical and the rotor is preferably arranged inside an essentially cylindrical wear liner.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: NOWE GMBHInventor: Werner Bartling
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Patent number: 10124814Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger cabin of a vehicle, in particular a saloon coach of a rail vehicle, wherein the passenger cabin (1) comprises a room divider (10), wherein the room divider (10) is attached to a cabin frame, wherein the room divider (10) comprises at least one backrest surface (11, 12), wherein at least a section of the backrest surface (11, 12) extends along a longitudinal axis (3) of the passenger cabin (1).Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbHInventors: Paul Griggs, Richard Butterfield
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Patent number: 10124815Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a chassis, a vehicle structure and a support unit disposed at the end face of the rail vehicle. The vehicle is comparatively lightweight and economical and can also advantageously perform other tasks in addition to supporting a track reamer. The support unit includes a plateau section which is part of the vehicle structure and includes a climbing protection device on its end face and a track reamer holder for supporting a track reamer. The track reamer holder is disposed below the plateau section and is rigidly secured thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stephan Drexler, Manuel Kroiss, Hannes Peer, Christian Winkelmann
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Patent number: 10124816Abstract: A collision energy absorbing device configured to realize stable and highly-efficient energy absorption by adequate destruction of reinforced fibers at the time of collision. A collision energy absorbing device of a railcar includes: an absorber made of fiber-reinforced resin and provided so as to extend in a rail direction; a base member supporting a rear end portion of the absorber in the rail direction; a front plate member not fixed to a front end portion of the absorber and provided so as to face the front end portion of the absorber from a front side; and a holding device configured to position the front plate member such that the front plate member aces the front end portion of the absorber from the front side.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hitoshi Nagahara, Toshiyuki Hirashima, Shirou Honma
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Patent number: 10124817Abstract: A carbody of a railcar includes a roof bodyshell, a side bodyshell, and a cantrail. The cantrail includes: an outside plate; an inside plate arranged at a car inner side of the outside plate and spaced apart from the outside plate; and a plurality of coupling rib plates coupled to the outside plate and the inside plate and forming a plurality of triangles together with the outside plate and the inside plate. Each of the outside plate and the inside plate includes a plurality of sections each connecting apexes of the triangle. The plurality of sections of at least one of the outside plate and the inside plate include a plurality of flat plate sections. In the at least one plate, two or more adjacent flat plate sections among the plurality of flat plate sections are arranged on a straight line.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naohiro Yoshida, Naoaki Kawakami, Hiroyuki Sakurai
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Patent number: 10124818Abstract: A railway vehicle local multi-functional component includes a main body. The main body is an aluminum alloy profile, a reinforcing plate is provided on an outer surface of a bottom plate of the aluminum alloy profile as a vehicle lifting pad, built-in threaded seats are provided on an inner surface of the bottom plate of the aluminum alloy profile as a mounting seat for an anti-yaw damper of a bogie, and a through hole integrally formed with the aluminum alloy profile is provided in the aluminum alloy profile as a cable passage. Multifunction is realized by one structure, thus greatly simplifying the vehicle body local structure, and improving structural strength. A railway vehicle including the local multi-functional component is included.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.Inventors: Fei Wang, Shuxiang Chen, Fujun Kou, Xianliang Sun, Yonggui Zhang, Wenbin Chen, Aiqin Tian, Sansan Ding, Jun Wang
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Patent number: 10124819Abstract: A rail vehicle wheel flat warning system comprising a first sensor, a second sensor and a controller. The first sensor may be located adjacent to a first side of a rail to provide data associated with a rail vehicle wheel passing over the first side of the rail. The second sensor may be located adjacent to the first side of the rail to provide data associated with the rail vehicle wheel passing over the first side of the rail. Furthermore, the controller may be in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor to receive data from the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller may determine a potential wheel deformity based on the data received from the first sensor and the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Subhankar Ghosh, Aditya Ramkrishna Karnik, Tapan Shah, Babu Ozhur Narayanan
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Patent number: 10124820Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are designed to be improvements over existing wheelbarrows. Certain embodiments comprise a frame, one or more weight-bearing wheels, and a pan. In certain embodiments, a wheelbarrow comprises a bight or a bumper having wheels. The wheels on the bight or bumper are located to the sides of a weight-bearing wheel. In certain embodiments, wheels located on each side of a bight or bumper portion allow a user to maneuver a wheelbarrow up or down a curb, or navigate stairs without causing damage to surfaces. Certain embodiments of the invention allow more efficient unloading of the contents of a wheelbarrow bed. Certain embodiments are designed to retrofit on existing wheelbarrows.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: VECTION LTD.Inventors: Mathew D. Meyer, Bryan Beard
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Patent number: 10124821Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for controlling or monitoring a fleet of human-propelled, wheeled carts and cart retrievers are described. The carts can be shopping carts at a retail facility, and the cart retrievers can be used to collect and return the shopping carts from a parking lot near the facility to a cart collection area. The carts or cart retrievers can monitor various status or usage parameters (such as retriever battery charge, cart collection trip speed, cart collection path or duration, etc.) and transmit the parameters to a central control unit. The central control unit can analyze and process the status or usage parameters. The system can provide a user interface for access to the status or usage parameters of the cart and cart retriever fleet.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Hannah, Jesse M. James, Chandrashekhar Ekbote
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Patent number: 10124822Abstract: A trailer dolly can include various features to be adjustable between a manual configuration and a vehicular towing configuration. In the manual configuration, a user can manually maneuver the trailer dolly to position the trailer, such as by using one or more retractable handles. Where the user desires to maneuver the trailer with a vehicle, the trailer dolly can be adjusted to the vehicle towing configuration. In an example, the trailer dolly can be coupled to the vehicle with a second hitch attached to the trailer dolly, the second hitch located distally along the tow bar with respect to the trailer hitch supporting the trailer load. Accordingly, the trailer dolly can be used for both manual and vehicular applications and the user can transition between the manual and vehicular configurations while the trailer is hitched to the trailer dolly.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Shanghai Cartec Industrial and Trading Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Nielsen, Yonghua Xie
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Patent number: 10124823Abstract: Systems and methods of shielding a hand sensor system in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. An exemplary hand sensor system includes a sensor mat and a heater mat that is disposed between the sensor mat and a frame of the steering wheel. A power source selectively provides a heating current to the heater mat to provide heat to the steering wheel and a shielding voltage signal to the heater mat to provide electrical shielding for the sensor mat when heating is not needed or when sensing takes priority over heating. Alternatively, the system may include a shield mat that is separate from the heater mat and is disposed between the sensor mat and the heater mat. In addition, to isolate the signal carried by individual sensor return wires, a metallic or insulating covering or conduit may be provided around the wires or portions thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Dwayne Van'tZelfde, Phillip Bernard Maguire, Justin Richard McCurdy
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Patent number: 10124824Abstract: The steering apparatus includes a first seal member and a second seal member. The first seal member is fixed to one of an outer peripheral surface of a rack shaft and an inner peripheral surface of a housing. The first seal member slidably contacts with a cylindrical surface which is centered on the axis and is provided on the other of the outer peripheral surface of the rack shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the housing. The second seal member is fixed to the other of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface. The second seal member slidably contacts with a cylindrical surface which is centered on the axis and is provided on the one of the outer peripheral surface of the rack shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JTEKT CorporationInventors: Masaharu Yamashita, Hideya Kato, Akihisa Umetani, Masayuki Tsukagoshi
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Patent number: 10124825Abstract: A steering apparatus and a steering assist method are capable of being preferably used for a first curve and a second carve which are different in cornering direction and which are sequentially provided. When a vehicle travels through the first curve and the second curve, a controller in the steering apparatus shifts a steering angle control value with respect to a steering angle detection value in response to returning of a steering wheel and decrease of steering assist torque to a torque threshold value while the vehicle is running in the first curve and starts generation of the steering assist torque for the second curve before the steering angle detection value returns to a sensor median due to returning of the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuji Wada, Hiroyuki Koibuchi
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Patent number: 10124826Abstract: An electric motor of an electric power steering assembly is activated in response to a response signal. The response signal includes a baseline control torque signal generated by a baseline controller and an auxiliary control torque signal generated by a disturbance rejection controller. At least one operating parameter of the electric power steering assembly is estimated as a function of the baseline control torque signal. The at least one operating parameter is also measured. An error amount is determined as a function of the at least one measured operating parameter and the at least one estimated operating parameter. The disturbance rejection controller refines the at least one estimated operating parameter as a function of the error amount. The auxiliary control torque signal is generated to minimize the error amount.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventor: Yun She
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Patent number: 10124827Abstract: In an example embodiment, a vehicle guidance system includes a memory including computer-readable instructions stored therein and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to estimate a wheel angle of a vehicle based on at least a first value, the first value being a hand wheel based estimate of the wheel angle, and adjust steering commands for steering the vehicle based on the estimated wheel angle to permit the vehicle to move along a set path.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Alex Nykamp, Joshua Lawson
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Patent number: 10124828Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for steering a vehicle, for example, during autonomous operation. One exemplary method involves operating a locking system associated with a first set of one or more wheels of the vehicle to lock an angle of the wheel(s) and detecting a steering adjustment condition based on the angle during subsequent operation of the vehicle. In response to the steering adjustment condition, the locking system is operated in an intermediate mode, and then thereafter operated to relock the angle of the wheel(s) based on monitoring the angle of the wheel(s) during operation in the intermediate mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Pinaki Gupta, Nikhil L. Hoskeri
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Patent number: 10124829Abstract: A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Zachary Alexander Merrill, Matthew J Hanlon
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Patent number: 10124830Abstract: A system for supporting the bed of a utility vehicle, the system adapted to be mounted on the underbody frame of the utility vehicle, the system comprising: a generally planar unitary support formed from a composite material, the support having a first surface and a second vertically offset surface; a plurality of connecting members extending from the first surface to the offset surface, the members providing strength to said support; a generally rectangular panel fabricated from a composite material, the panel adhesively attached to said offset surface, the panel adapted to serve as a loading surface for the bed of the utility vehicle; a bracket secured to the support for mounting the support to the frame of the utility vehicle; and a backing plate secured to the support, wherein the plate and the bracket sandwich the support to secure it to the frame of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: BrandFX LLCInventor: Alfred L. Finley
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Patent number: 10124831Abstract: A push arm has a rear surface and a front surface. A rear surface of the push arm is located adjacent to and spaced apart from a first cross-member defining a gap therebetween. The push arm extends forward and laterally outward such that the front surface of the push arm is located laterally outboard of and spaced apart from a front end of a first side member of a vehicle frame. A support bracket has a front section releasably attached to the push arm and a rear section releasably attached to a first cross-member of the vehicle frame adjacent to an intersection of the first side member and the first cross-member. The support bracket is configured such that in response to an off-center impact event against the front surface of the push arm, the support bracket guiding movement of the push arm in a rearward direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Dean Grattan, Christopher Robert Hartley, Gunnar Mason, Matthew Michael Gapinski
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Patent number: 10124832Abstract: A frame structure of a utility vehicle includes: a left bottom first frame and a right bottom second frame that extend in a front-rear direction and support a floor plate; a bottom front frame that couples a front end of the left bottom first frame and a front end of the right bottom second frame and extends linearly in a vehicle width direction and to which a first support member for a first gear box for front wheels is welded; and a bottom rear frame that couples a rear end of the left bottom first frame and a rear end of the right bottom second frame and extends linearly in the vehicle width direction and to which a second support member for a second gear box for rear wheels is welded, each of the bottom front frame and the bottom rear frame being a cylindrical pipe frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Teruaki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 10124833Abstract: A vehicle B-pillar assembly is provided. The vehicle B-pillar assembly includes a steel T-bracket and a B-pillar outer assembly. The steel T-bracket includes an upper portion secured to a roof rail and a lower portion extending perpendicular therefrom and below a beltline. The B-pillar outer assembly includes an upper carbon fiber portion extending from the roof rail to a location above the beltline and a lower steel portion extending from a vehicle rocker to a location above the beltline and secured to the lower portion of the T-bracket. The beltline may be defined by an axis extending between a shotgun joint on a vehicle A-pillar and a latch reinforcement on a vehicle C-pillar. The beltline may extend fore and aft along the vehicle and through a substantially central region of the B-pillar assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saeed David Barbat
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Patent number: 10124834Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure includes: a floor panel having a floor tunnel provided along a vehicle longitudinal direction, the floor tunnel being provided at a middle portion of the floor panel in a vehicle width direction including a side wall, and being open to a vehicle lower side; a pair of sub-tunnels, the sub-tunnels being disposed on respective sides of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction, each of the sub-tunnels extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on outer sides of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction, and being joined to the side wall; and a reinforcing member coupling to respective sides of the floor panel, the respective sides of the floor panel sandwiching a middle portion of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Saeki
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Patent number: 10124835Abstract: A hole plug includes a ceiling part covering an attachment hole formed in an attachment member, a flange part connected to the ceiling part and covering an opening peripheral surface of the attachment hole formed in the attachment member at a predetermined inclined angle against the opening peripheral surface, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall part extending downward from an inner edge part of the flange part, and a connection member connecting the lower part of the outer peripheral wall part to the ceiling part. The outer peripheral wall part includes an upper part extending downward from the inner edge part of the flange part, a lower part formed coaxially with and radially inward to the upper part, and a bent part connecting the upper and lower parts of the outer peripheral wall part and having a thickness less than that of the upper part located above the bent part.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: NIFCO INC.Inventor: Takehiro Sato
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Patent number: 10124836Abstract: A replacement tailgate for the purpose of elongating the pick up truck may be installed on a truck bed wherein the replacement tailgate can be unfolded in order to elongate a length of the truck bed. The replacement tailgate may have front and rear shells that are used to support objects placed in the truck bed as well as act as the new tailgate when the truck bed length is elongated. Various panels may be unfolded in order to trap objects within the truck bed when the replacement tailgate is unfolded in order to elongate the truck bed length.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
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Patent number: 10124837Abstract: A tailgate pivotally mountable to a vehicle includes a tailgate body comprising first and second sidewalls, and a strainer disposed between the first and second walls and extending in a longitudinal orientation. The tailgate further includes a stake pocket disposed between the first and second sidewalls and extending substantially orthogonal to the strainer. The stake pocket includes a channel body defining an interior channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Reiners, Jack Marchlewski, Joshua R. Hemphill, Michael William Danyo
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Patent number: 10124838Abstract: A deflector comprises a protrusion portion which protrudes downward, including a slant face portion slanting obliquely rearward and downward, and a vertical wall portion which is provided in back of the protrusion portion to extend in a vehicle width direction. A lower end portion of the vertical wall portion is positioned at a lower level than a rear end portion of the slant face portion. The lower end portion of part of the vertical wall portion located inward from the other part of the vertical wall portion located so as to overlap the front wheel in a front view is positioned at a higher level than the lower end portion of the other part of the vertical wall portion located so as to overlap the front wheel in the front view.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuyuki Shibutake, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Koji Yoshitake, Akihiro Kawano, Masafumi Aburame
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Patent number: 10124839Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deployable deflector panel, linkage assemblies, and an actuator. The system deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, interrupts air flow thereby improving the vehicle aerodynamics, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. The deflector panel is retractable so the vehicle meets ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The linkage assemblies are coupled to the deflector panel and a drive shaft connected to the actuator. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system. The active front deflector assembly provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator, and communication with the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli, Martin R. Matthews, Jeffrey B. Manhire
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Patent number: 10124840Abstract: An air-drag reduction mechanism for a vehicle is provided. The mechanism includes a shell structured to be deployable in a direction away from a vehicle, the shell including a plurality of telescoping shell segments. The shell segments are structured to form a shell having a shape which tapers or narrows in a direction away from the vehicle. The air-drag reduction mechanism may be incorporated into an air-drag reduction system including an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the telescoping shell and operable to deploy the shell.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Yasuo Uehara, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Patent number: 10124841Abstract: The kingpin assembly is securable to a semitrailer for engagement with a fifth wheel coupling of a towing vehicle, the kingpin assembly comprising: a rotation axis, a housing configured to be secured to the semitrailer, the housing having a cavity and an aperture leading to the cavity along the rotation axis, and a kingpin member having a base portion journaled in the cavity and a kingpin portion protruding from the aperture along the rotation axis for engagement with the fifth wheel coupling. In one embodiment, the kingpin member is journaled in the cavity via a polymeric bushing. In one embodiment, the housing is secured to the semitrailer via an assembly frame to which it is fastened with bolts, and a lock ring is used to prevent the heads of the bolts from rotating. In one embodiment, a swiveling plate is secured to the kingpin member.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Inventor: Jacques Marquis
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Patent number: 10124842Abstract: A tracked drive assembly for a work machine comprises a crawler frame, a crawler track, a drive wheel and a guide wheel, and an arrangement of running wheels coupled to the crawler frame, wherein the tracked drive assembly has a sensor system comprising a sensor for each of the outer running wheels of the running wheel arrangement, which are positioned or located adjacent to the drive wheel and the guide wheel, and at least one other running wheel which is arranged between the outer running wheels, wherein the force introduced into the crawler track via the respective running wheel can be determined by way of the sensor. A method for determining the ground pressure distribution below a work machine includes exposing the sensor to a compressive load at a running wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France SASInventor: Bernd Backes
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Patent number: 10124843Abstract: Track system for a vehicle having a chassis and a drive shaft extending laterally outwardly from the chassis includes: An attachment assembly having a leading pivot and a trailing pivot. A multi-member frame assembly including: a leading frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the leading pivot for pivoting about a leading pivot axis; a trailing frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the trailing pivot for pivoting about a trailing pivot axis; a leading wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the leading frame member; a trailing wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the trailing frame member. A damper interconnecting the leading frame member and the trailing frame member. A leading idler wheel assembly; a trailing idler wheel assembly; support wheel assemblies; a gearbox; a sprocket wheel; and an endless track.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Yves Sauvageau, Branislav Nanac, Jonathan Pellerin, Francois Laflamme, Frederik Martel, William Gasse, Jean Gagnon, Keven Boutin