Patents Issued in December 6, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180345882
    Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method are provided having wrong touch feedback and adaptive learning. The method includes the steps of detecting multiple attempted activations of a proximity switch that is not allowed, and adjusting one or more settings based on the detected multiple attempted activations to provide adaptive learning. The method also includes the steps of detecting an allowed activation of the proximity switch based on the adjusted one or more settings, and performing an action in response to the detected allowed activation. The proximity switch assembly includes one or more user perceived feedback devices for generating user perceived feedback when an attempted activation that is not allowed is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter
  • Publication number: 20180345883
    Abstract: A protective case for electric wires includes a case body allowing a plurality of electric wires to be housed in its inside, and an electric wire fixture attached to the case body. The electric wire fixture has a plurality of connector retention portions retaining a plurality of connectors located at terminals of the electric wires extended from inside to outside through a first opening portion of the case body, and an electric wire holding portion bundling and holding a part or all of the electric wires between the first opening portion and the connector retention portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishi, Daisuke Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20180345884
    Abstract: A protective case includes a case body allowing a corrugated tube with an inserted electric wire to be housed in its inside, and a slider configured to move together with one end portion of the corrugated tube and to allow its movement along the case body. The slider retains the electric wire withdrawn from the one end portion to extend from inside to outside through one opening portion of the case body. The case body has a cavity portion allowing the corrugated tube to change its form inside the case body in accordance with the movement of the slider, a guide passage guiding the electric wire withdrawn from the other end portion of the corrugated tube toward another opening portion of the case body, and a corrugated tube retention portion including a pair of wall surfaces to retain the other end portion of the corrugated tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishi, Daisuke Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20180345885
    Abstract: A vehicle computer system (e.g., on-board vehicle computer system) obtains a fuel economy performance goal for a vehicle (e.g., an engine speed goal or a vehicle speed goal) that is based on a configuration of the vehicle; calculates a count of events in which a current value exceeds the goal; compares the count of events with a threshold count; and generates one or more notifications based at least in part on the comparison (e.g., for display on an operator interface). The vehicle computer system also calculates an engine speed and a vehicle speed score for a driver of the vehicle based at least in part on comparisons of current speeds with the speed goals. Scoring and other data may be displayed or stored for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Matthew Seger, Zachary Slaton
  • Publication number: 20180345886
    Abstract: Multi-voltage on-board electrical system of a motor vehicle, comprising at least three flat cables extending substantially in parallel with one another in the longitudinal direction thereof, and at least two voltage sources, wherein a first of the flat cables is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a first pole of a first of the voltage sources, a second of the flat cables is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a first pole of a second of the voltage sources, and a third of the flat cables arranged between the first and the second flat cable is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a second pole of the first and/or second voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Wacim Tazarine, Sohejl Rafati, Frank Gronwald
  • Publication number: 20180345887
    Abstract: System and method are disclosed for vehicle accessory power management. An example vehicle includes an engine configured to operate in a start-stop mode, and a power management system. The power management system is configured to receive an input requesting use of a vehicle accessory in an accessory mode, and responsive to the input, reduce an electrical load, disable the start-stop mode, and enable use of the accessory mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, James Michael Weinfurther, Hanyang B. Chen, David J. Dainelis, Michael J. Irby
  • Publication number: 20180345888
    Abstract: A method for managing the power supply of an electronic control unit during the engine starting phase of a motor vehicle, the electronic control unit including a microcontroller, wherein a command to start the engine indicating the start of the starting phase is detected; the frequency of operation of the microcontroller is reduced; this reduced frequency of operation of the microcontroller is maintained for as long as effective starting of the engine has not been acknowledged; and the frequency of operation of the microcontroller is re-established once effective starting of the engine has been acknowledged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Amar Lounnas, Jean-Claude Prouvoyeur, Christophe Pradelles
  • Publication number: 20180345889
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting a desired position of or adjustment to one or more accommodation devices of a vehicle, e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, a rearview mirror, etc. A user's position or adjustment preferences may be learned over time by measuring or obtaining data regarding the position or adjustment of accommodation devices. These learned position or adjustment preferences may be stored along with a corresponding day, time of day, and/or vehicle location during or at which the position or adjustment preferences were measured or obtained. During a subsequent occurrence of the day, time of day, and/or if the vehicle is at or traverses a location during which a previous position or adjustment was made, the same or similar position or adjustment can be effectuated. Whether or not the position or adjustment is effectuated can depend on how accurate the predicted position or adjustment may be.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brian J. Pinkelman, Trey Souchock
  • Publication number: 20180345890
    Abstract: A bumper beam structure includes a bumper beam that extends in the vehicle-width direction and that has a closed section formed by an outer vertical wall, an inner vertical wall, a top member, and a bottom member and a reinforcing member that is mounted inside the closed section of the bumper beam at the center in the vehicle-width direction of the bumper beam. The reinforcing member has a pair of angled members that diverge in the vehicle-width direction from the outer vertical wall toward the inner vertical wall and, in a minor collision, causes an impact load to act as a tensile force on the inner vertical wall of the bumper beam through the angled members. The angled members are spot-welded to the bottom member with mounting surfaces therebetween. In a major collision, spot welding points fracture after the bumper beam collapses, thereby absorbing impact energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsumasa KUWABARA, Satoshi IKEDA, Syuta HAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180345891
    Abstract: A semi-trailer has a rear impact guard including an elongated horizontal member that attaches to a trailer by a pair of vertical guards. The horizontal member may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a leading edge from which a surface of the guard member extends rearward to the top or bottom surface. The rear impact guard may include a pair of gussets that extend from the vertical guards. Each gusset may include a main generally planar portion, a first stiffening flange perpendicular to the main portion, and a second stiffening flange perpendicular to the first stiffening flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Charles R. Fetz, Daniel E. Carter, Matthew M. Gunzburger, Bradley W. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20180345892
    Abstract: A combination seat belt restraint system cutter and glass break tool mounted onto and around the seat belt of an automotive vehicle at a predetermined position for use in cutting the web of the seat belt in the event of a seat belt release latch jam or inoperability resulting in the severing of the seat belt at said position resulting in the tool being freed for use in breaking the glass of a window of the vehicle. The combination tool also being maintained in a fixed position adjacent the safety belt extension/retraction aperture by a strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen P. Souders
  • Publication number: 20180345893
    Abstract: There is provided a seatbelt controlling device including: a seatbelt that has an engaging portion, and that restrains a vehicle occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a sensing portion that is provided at the vehicle seat, and that senses seating of a vehicle occupant; a buckle that is capable of being raised and lowered or capable of being moved forward and rearward, and that is engaged with the engaging portion; a buckle moving portion that raises and lowers an engaged position of the engaging portion and the buckle, or moves the engaged position forward and rearward; and a control section that effects control to operate the buckle moving portion such that the buckle is raised or is moved forward after a set time elapses from a point in time when seating of a vehicle occupant is sensed at the sensing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigekazu IMANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180345894
    Abstract: In addition to the loading mode of a capacitive sensing device of a seat occupancy detection and classification system, a second measurement mode is introduced, which allows a discrimination of objects (CRS or human) with and without grounding condition. Depending on the value of the new measurement, the data is allocated to different groups which are subject to different thresholds in the loading mode. This means that if the new measurement indicates a grounding condition of the object, a higher threshold in the loading mode will be applied. In this way CRS with grounding condition will be classified by means of the higher threshold, resulting in a robustness increase. Typical human sitting positions do not show a grounding condition and will be classified by the lower threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Frank ALTHAUS, Erik HOLZAPFEL, Arnaud MEURENS, Ingrid SCHECKENBACH, Daniel FERRING, Oleg ZEILER, Guenter GOEDERT, Edmund MARX, Michael PUETZ
  • Publication number: 20180345895
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a bulkhead and an airbag inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes a forward-facing panel mounted to the bulkhead and a rearward-facing panel opposite the forward-facing panel. Then airbag in the inflated position has a left extension and a right extension extending from the rearward-facing panel, and an intermediate extension sandwiched between the left extension and the right extension. The intermediate extension extends from the rearward-facing panel farther than the left and right extensions. During a vehicle impact, the momentum of the occupant may move the occupant towards the airbag. The airbag may absorb energy from the head and knees of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Publication number: 20180345896
    Abstract: An occupant safety system for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The motor vehicle seat has a seat face, a backrest that is adjacent to the seat face and a headrest that is arranged at an upper side of the backrest. At least one airbag is arranged in the headrest. The at least one airbag is constructed in such a manner that, in an inflated state, the at least one airbag prevents an occupant without any belt system from contacting a vehicle roof by acting on shoulders of an occupant in the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank WERNER, Marius SAWATZKI, Martin SALZ-BREUER, Daniel MECKENSTOCK
  • Publication number: 20180345897
    Abstract: A side pillar air curtain guide includes a main body having a ramp receiver and an air curtain ramp insert connected to the main body. The air curtain ramp receiver insert includes a plurality of ribs projecting from the main body at an acute included angle with the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Diego Fabricio Villacres Mesias, Alfredo Cuevas Vega, Hector Hernandez Hernandez, Robert Ralph Armitage, JR., Amy Marie Boardman
  • Publication number: 20180345898
    Abstract: An airbag assembly, which is capable of facilitating a deployment of a deployment part when a passenger seat airbag is deployed, and preventing a damage of a hinge part includes: a deployment part turned and opened when an airbag disposed inside a crash pad is deployed; a hinge part fixing the deployment part to the crash pad; and a plurality of hinge protection structures formed at one end of the hinge part in order to set a deployment direction of the airbag. Each of the plurality of hinge protection structures may include a load pass hole formed at the opposite surface of a surface facing the airbag, and distributes stress applied to the hinge part when the airbag is deployed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jae Hyun AN, Seung Sik HAN, Ik Jin JUNG, Young Pyo LEE
  • Publication number: 20180345899
    Abstract: Airbag assemblies are disclosed that include inflatable knee airbags. The knee airbags can include panel(s) forming a main chamber that provides a primary cushioning protection zone to a lower leg of a vehicle occupant. The knee airbags can further include an external chamber panel coupled to a rearward surface of an occupant-facing panel, external to the main inflatable chamber, to form an external chamber facing the occupant. Vent(s) through the occupant-facing panel can communicate inflation gas from the main chamber to the external chamber to fill a space between the vehicle and the lower leg of the occupant, and to control timing of inflation of the external chamber to cause it to inflate on lateral sides of the lower leg of the occupant to thereby limit lateral movement of the lower leg relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicants: Autoliv ASP, Inc., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew Lee Munsee, Travis Brent Hess, Gavin Francom Anae, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20180345900
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes: an airbag which is stored in a storage part provided on a side of an occupant sitting on a seat of a vehicle in a normal posture, and is deployed and inflated forward between the occupant and a side wall part by an inflation gas supplied from a gas generator in response to an impact applied from a side to the side wall part of the vehicle; an exhaust port configured to exhaust an inflation gas, the exhaust port being provided with the airbag and open toward a direction along a wall surface of the side wall part; and an opening varying mechanism configured to reduce an opening area of the exhaust port in a later stage of deployment and inflation of the airbag compared to an initial stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Takuya HIRAIWA, Takashi IIDA, Norio MIZUNO, Jun SATO
  • Publication number: 20180345901
    Abstract: An airbag includes, in a rear portion thereof, a passenger protection region for protecting a passenger. The passenger protection region includes a front-collision arresting plane, an oblique-collision arresting plane that is disposed on a left side and/or right side of the front-collision arresting plane, and an arresting recess that is disposed between the front-collision arresting plane and the oblique-collision arresting plane. Further, the airbag internally includes a tether that joints a front end portion of the airbag and the bottom of the arresting recess, and an auxiliary tether that joints the front end portion of the airbag and a side edge region of the front-collision arresting plane apart from the arresting recess. The tether and the auxiliary tether are designed to be deployed generally symmetrically with respect to a line that runs in a front and rear direction through a mounting center of the airbag to a case of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Ikuo YAMADA, Motoyuki TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180345902
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus provided in a front door of a vehicle, comprises a retractor provided in the front door and configured to retract a webbing for constraining an occupant so as to be pulled out, a belt anchor provided in the front door and attached with one end of the webbing, and a latch configured to engage the front door to a vehicle body. The latch is provided between the retractor and the belt anchor in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hideki Kajiwara, Masahiro Kato, Yuya Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20180345903
    Abstract: A vehicle warning device includes a housing disposed at a front of a roof in a vehicle compartment, a plurality of light emitting units provided in the housing to emit warning light having directionality, a seating sensor that detects a seated state of an occupant on each of back seats in the vehicle compartment, a wearing sensor that detects a wearing state of a seat belt of each of the back seats, and an ECU that controls turning on of each of the light emitting units based on the seated state and the wearing state, and each of the light emitting units corresponds to the occupant on each of the back seats, and has an optical axis disposed with respect to the housing toward an eye point region ER including an eye point of the occupant on the back seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi ISHIBASHI, Tai INOUE
  • Publication number: 20180345904
    Abstract: A user-customizable locking assembly includes a user-customizable key, a user-customizable key receiver, and a key receiver receptacle. Each of the user-customizable key, a user-customizable key receiver, and a key receiver receptacle includes a physical unclonable function (PUF) circuit configured to provide a PUF response in response to receiving a challenge signal. The PUF circuits of the user-customizable key and a user-customizable key receiver include personalization fuses that allow a user to further personalize or change the PUF response produced by the corresponding PUF circuits. The key receiver receptacle also includes anti-theft fuses, which are activated if the user-customizable key receiver is removed from the key receiver receptacle. In use, a protected system may utilize the PUF responses from the each of the PUF circuits to authenticate the user-customizable locking assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Victoria C. Moore, Ned M. Smith, Digvijay A. Raorane
  • Publication number: 20180345905
    Abstract: A lock device includes a lock member arranged in a by-wire turning mechanism that turns a turning wheel by transmitting power of a turning actuator to a turning shaft. The lock member is moved between a lock position where the lock member is engaged with the turning actuator restricting operation of the turning actuator and an unlock position where the lock member is disengaged from the turning actuator permitting operation of the turning actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Masanori KOSUGI, Tetsuya EGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180345906
    Abstract: A lock apparatus includes a bracket, an engagement module, and an actuation module. The engagement module is supported in the bracket and has an engagement member configured to move to a first position or a second position in a first axial direction along the first axial direction. The actuation module is connected to the bracket and includes a pushing member. The actuation module drives the pushing member to move to a first position or a second position in the second axial direction along the second axial direction. When the pushing member is at the first position in the second axial direction, the engagement member is at the first position in the first axial direction. When the pushing member is at the second position in the second axial direction, the engagement member is at the second position in the first axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jung-Chi Huang, Chia-Hao Chang, Yu-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20180345907
    Abstract: A remote startup system includes a terminal, a center server configured to communicate with the terminal and receive a startup request from the terminal, and a vehicle on which a driving device is mounted, the vehicle being configured to communicate with the center server, receive the startup request from the center server, and start up the driving device. At least one of the center server and the vehicle includes a stop unit configured to stop the driving device of the vehicle when communication between the terminal and the center server or between the center server and the vehicle is disrupted in a case where the driving device is started up based on the startup request and being operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki TAMANE, Masato ENDO
  • Publication number: 20180345908
    Abstract: An authentication element that may include a keyless go device for a vehicle. The authentication element may include a transponding interface for transmitting an authentication signal and receiving power and data. A sensor element may also be provided for detecting a movement and/or inclination. The authentication element is designed such that authentication signals are transmitted over the transponding interface when the sensor element detects a stored movement and/or inclination. An authentication system for vehicles may include at least one authentication element and an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Ludger Weghaus
  • Publication number: 20180345909
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a control system and a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the control system. The control system is configured to wirelessly communicate with a wearable device worn by a user using the wireless transceiver. The control system is configured to receive biometric input from one or more sensors of the wearable device to identify an occupant of the vehicle or individual proximate the vehicle. The wearable device may be a wearable earpiece with one or more sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: BRAGI GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Vincent Boesen
  • Publication number: 20180345910
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle includes a door having a window and a powered actuator that moves the window from a closed position to a partially open (set) position to permit the vehicle door to open. A controller actuates the powered actuator to shift the window to a set position upon receiving a door open request signal. The controller actuates a powered vibrating mechanism to break ice on the window if actuating the powered actuator does not cause the window to move to the set position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Erin Rose Briggs, Muhammad Omer Khan, Livianu Dorin Puscas, Christopher Matthew Radjewski
  • Publication number: 20180345911
    Abstract: An optical device includes a printed circuit board comprising an electronic image-capturing circuit, a lens holder comprising at least one optical lens, the lens holder being mounted on the printed circuit board so as to align, along the optical axis of the device, the electronic image-capturing circuit and the optical lens; a heating element positioned on the lens holder; the heating element being linked electrically to the printed circuit board by at least one electrically conductive trace positioned on the lens holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Miroslaw J. Zurowski, Witold Poreda, Arkadiusz Rafalowski
  • Publication number: 20180345912
    Abstract: A vehicular wiper device includes a first wiper arm, a first drive source, a rocking mechanism, a second drive source, an extension and retraction mechanism, and a control unit. A first wiper blade for wiping a surface to be wiped of a vehicle is connected to the front end of the first wiper arm. The first drive source is directly or indirectly affixed to the vehicle body. The rocking mechanism is driven by the drive force of the first drive source and reciprocates and rocks the first wiper arm. The second drive source is directly or indirectly affixed to the vehicle body separately from the first drive source. The extension and retraction mechanism is driven by the drive force of the second drive source and extends and retracts the first wiper arm in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Norihiro Sugimoto, Yasuhide Ito, Shinichi Okada, Takafumi Negi, Atsushi Kato, Kohei Shibata, Tomohiro Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20180345913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear motor for a motor vehicle wiper system, comprising a direct current electric motor, which in particular is brushless, the electric motor (2) comprising a stator (4) and a rotor (5), the stator (4) comprising a plurality of coils (6) for electromagnetic excitation of the rotor (5), and the rotor (5) comprising a magnet which is fitted in order to be driven with a movement of rotation around an axis of rotation, the gear motor (1) also comprising a rotation shaft (8), known as the motor shaft, which is configured to be rotated by the rotor (4), the gear motor (1) comprising a bearing (20) for guiding in rotation of the motor shaft (8), and a brace (25) for axial blocking of the bearing (20) added onto the motor shaft, the brace (25) being secured on the motor shaft (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Jose-Luis Herrada
  • Publication number: 20180345914
    Abstract: The present invention consists in a bearing (1) of a linkage of a wiper mechanism, characterized in that the bearing (1) includes an arm (11) for retaining a link in a transport position, the retaining arm (11) housing at its free end (11a) an element (13) for locking the link in a transport position; said locking element (13) being mobile in translation between an unlocked position and a locking position in which the link is locked in the transport position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Pascal Renoux, Nicolas Kuchly, Robin Viard
  • Publication number: 20180345915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper device comprising a wiper blade adapter (10), which comprises at least one coupling unit (12) provided to produce a connection with at least two different wiper arm adapters (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), and at least one external unit (24) and at least one internal unit (26) which is at least partially embraced by the outer unit (24), which jointly delimit at least partially a receiving space (28) for the wiper arm adapters (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) and which are arranged at least substantially immovably relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Helmut DEPONDT
  • Publication number: 20180345916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system (14) for a windscreen (34) of a motor vehicle (32), comprising at least one drive arm (2) and at least one wiper blade (1, 1a, 1b), the wiper blade (1, 1a, 1b) being connected to the drive arm (2), the cleaning system (14) having at least one projection device (13) able to project a liquid onto the windscreen (34), characterized in that the cleaning system (14) comprises a determination element (16) for a zone (23) of the windscreen (34) and an activation means (15) of the determination element (16), an activation of the drive arm (2) and of the projection device (13) being subject to image information (18) as to a position of the zone (23) on the windscreen (34) transmitted by the determination element (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Frédéric Giraud, Philippe Billot, Gilles Le-Calvez, Marcel Trebouet
  • Publication number: 20180345917
    Abstract: A camera unit includes a camera, a supporting part, a nozzle, and a hose. The supporting part supports the camera on a front surface side thereof, has a back surface side fixed on a body for placement thereof, and has a through-hole that penetrates through the front and back surface sides. The nozzle has a proximal end part inserted into the through-hole from the front surface side and a distal end part that is arranged to be capable of discharging a fluid toward a lens of the camera. The hose passes through an opening of the through-hole on the back surface side and is connected to the proximal end part of the nozzle in the through-hole to supply the fluid to the nozzle. Furthermore, the supporting part has a pressing part that protrudes in a radial direction thereof in the through-hole and presses an outer circumference of the hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Ryosuke YAMAMOTO, Yusuke ITO, Goshi YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20180345918
    Abstract: A vehicle wash installation includes an electronic control unit for controlling a washing program of a vehicle. The installation further includes a sensor unit, via which a sensor signal is read-in and relayed to the control unit that calculates a control command. The control unit responds to a received sensor signal by calculating washing program sections and controls the vehicle washing installation with control logic. Washing program sections are displayed on a display on the input and output unit. A method and a computer program for controlling an in-bay car wash on the basis of automatically read sensor data from the sensor unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Oliver Foerg, Bernhard Heinz
  • Publication number: 20180345919
    Abstract: A disc brake includes a caliper; a pad pressed against a disc by a movable portion of the caliper and including a mounting ear portion provided to be protruded in a longitudinal direction of the pad; a pad spring including a guide plate configured to guide the mounting ear portion, and a first biasing member configured to press the mounting ear portion of the pad toward outside of the disc; and a second biasing member provided at the pad to bias the pad in a direction away from the disc. The guide plate of the pad spring has a surface that abuts on the mounting ear portion of the pad pressed by the first biasing member. The pad spring includes a folded region protruded in an axial direction of the disc from the surface abutting on the mounting ear portion of the pad, and folded in a direction toward the outside of the disc and away from the mounting ear portion. The folded region includes an abutting portion which the second biasing member provided at the pad abuts on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yusuke NISHINO, Shinichi NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180345920
    Abstract: A vehicle having an electronic parking brake system is provided. The vehicle includes a braking system having a first rotor and a first caliper. An electric motor is coupled to operate the first caliper. At least one sensor coupled to the vehicle to determine a braking characteristic. A controller electrically is coupled to the electric motor and the at least one sensor, the controller transmitting a first signal to the electric motor in response to receiving a second signal from the at least one sensor and determining that the braking system is performing below a predetermined level, the electric motor actuating the first caliper to apply a clamping force on the first rotor in response to the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Krueger, Steven J. Weber, Brian W. Quinn, James A. Webster
  • Publication number: 20180345921
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle includes carrying out an automated driving process that includes using a first braking device to decelerate the motor vehicle in an automated manner. The method further includes recording at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle during the automated driving process, and carrying out a check in order to determine whether the at least one operating parameter satisfies a predetermined test criterion. The method also includes decelerating the motor vehicle in an automated manner using a second braking device if the at least one operating parameter does not satisfy the test criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Edith Mannherz, Tobias Putzer
  • Publication number: 20180345922
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a braking-system suitable for use on an automated vehicle is provided. The braking-system includes a ranging-sensor, a braking-actuator, and a controller in communication with the ranging-sensor and the braking-actuator. The ranging-sensor is used to detect a range-rate, a range, and a direction of an object proximate to a host-vehicle when the object resides in a field-of-view of the ranging-sensor. The field-of-view defines a conflict-zone and a conflict-buffer separate from the conflict-zone. The braking-actuator is used to control movement of the host-vehicle. The controller determines a trail of the object based on the range and the direction. The controller further classifies the object as slow-moving based on a rate-threshold. The controller further determines a tangent-vector based on the trail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Premchand Krishna Prasad
  • Publication number: 20180345923
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The vehicle control apparatus includes an inputter, a determiner, and a controller. The inputter receives an automatic vehicle hold (AVH) switch operation signal from an AVH device, and receives a current vehicle movement value sensed by a sensing device and a current vehicle brake force value of a brake device that generates brake force in response to activation of the AVH device. The determiner determines whether the received AVH switch operation signal transitions from an ON state to an AVH entry state, determines whether vehicle movement occurs on the basis of the received current vehicle movement value during an AVH retention time in the AVH entry state, and determines that the current vehicle brake force value is in an abnormal state when vehicle movement occurs. The controller receives the current vehicle movement value and the current vehicle brake force value, and transmits a command for judgment to the determiner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Seyoung CHEON, Byunghak KWAK, Sukku KIM, Seong Ho CHOI, Jung Hun HAN
  • Publication number: 20180345924
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a traction and stability control system. An example vehicle includes wheel speed sensors on wheels of the vehicle and a traction control module. The example traction control module determines, based on measurements of the wheel speed sensors or a transmission control module, whether the vehicle is likely stuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: David Jeffeory Berels
  • Publication number: 20180345925
    Abstract: The hydraulic pressure control device has an idle region, and is provided with a control portion, and a correcting portion which, in cases when the reaction time of the actual pressure to pressure increasing control or pressure decreasing control exceeds a predetermined threshold time, corrects a control current towards the side in which the flow-rate is increased. In cases when a judging portion has judged that the pressure increasing control is in the idle area, the correcting portion applies, as the threshold time, an idle threshold time set to a value different from the threshold time that in cases when the judging portion has not judged that the pressure increasing control is in the idle area. Furthermore, in cases when the reaction time of the actual pressure to the pressure increasing control exceeds the idle threshold time, the correcting portion corrects the control current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicants: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki NINOYU, Takahiro OKANO, Masaaki KOMAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20180345926
    Abstract: A valve unit for modulating pressure in a compressed-air brake system comprises an inlet valve (6) and an outlet valve (7) configured as diaphragm valves, a brake pressure output (4) configured to be connected to or shut off from a brake pressure input (3) or a vent output (5), two pilot valves (8, 9) configured as 3/2-way solenoid valves, and a respective control chamber (31, 32) adjacent to the diaphragm (17, 18) of the diaphragm valves (6, 7). The diaphragms (17, 18) are each clamped between two housing parts (11, 14; 11?, 14?) via a respective ring bead (22, 23) placed in a housing-side ring groove (20, 21; 20?, 21?). In order to avoid damaging the diaphragms (17, 18), an annular continuous or partially interrupted recess (54) is arranged in the ring groove (20, 21) or immediately adjacent to the ring groove to receive displaced bead material from the diaphragm (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: WABCO EUROPE BVBA
    Inventors: Rafal BIALON, Andreas Teichmann
  • Publication number: 20180345927
    Abstract: A pumpless-type brake hydraulic pressure unit comprising a housing that includes a base body, an inlet valve hole accommodating an inlet valve, an outlet valve hole accommodating an outlet valve, a master cylinder port connected to a master cylinder, a reservoir port connected to a reservoir, a wheel cylinder port connected to a wheel cylinder, and a pipeline. The base body includes a first side face, a second side face, and a third side face. The inlet valve hole and the outlet valve hole are open on the first side face, the master cylinder port and the wheel cylinder port are provided on the second side face. The first side face and the second side face are perpendicular to one another, the first side face and the third side face are perpendicular to one another, and the second side face and the third side face are perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kosaku Sagayama
  • Publication number: 20180345928
    Abstract: A fluid brake system permitting a vehicle to remain in a stopped condition indefinitely includes a first fluid circuit by which fluid pressure is applicable to brake chambers of a first set of vehicle wheels, as well as a second fluid circuit by which fluid pressure is applicable to brake chambers of a second set of vehicle wheels. An electronic control unit or other such control device serves to repeatedly alternate fluid pressure application to the brake chambers of the first set of vehicle wheels, without fluid pressure application to the brake chambers of the second set of vehicle wheels, and fluid pressure application to the brake chambers of the second set of vehicle wheels, without fluid pressure application to the brake chambers of the first set of vehicle wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Nicholas A. BROYLES
  • Publication number: 20180345929
    Abstract: Example hydraulic brake actuators and related methods are disclosed herein. An example hydraulic brake actuator includes a rotary valve disposed in a bore of a housing. The rotary valve includes a shaft rotatably disposed within a sleeve. The sleeve and the shaft have ports that align at certain rotational positions to create a flow path between the bore and an inner chamber of the shaft. The example hydraulic brake actuator also includes a pump coupled to the shaft to increase and decrease a pressure within the inner chamber of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: John Crossman
  • Publication number: 20180345930
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes an automated stopping controller (145). The automated stopping controller includes: a reference feed-forward braking force deriving unit (145B) configured to derive a reference feed-forward braking force for causing a vehicle to stop at a stop position on the basis of a speed of the vehicle and a braking distance which is a distance to the stop position based on a detection result from a sensor; and a feedback braking force deriving unit (145C, 145D, 145E) configured to derive an estimated braking distance on the basis of the speed of the vehicle and to derive a feedback braking force for decreasing a separation between the derived estimated braking distance and the braking distance. The automated stopping controller (145) performs control for causing the vehicle to stop at the stop position on the basis of the reference feed-forward braking force and the feedback braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Hideki Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20180345931
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical system for use in a vehicle. The electrical system comprises a controller and electrically operable vehicle brake means. The electrical system comprises at least one vehicle electric load including vehicle brake control means operable to selectively control the vehicle brake means to move between an engaged position in which the vehicle brake means acts to inhibit movement of the vehicle and a disengaged position in which the vehicle brake means does not act to inhibit movement of the vehicle. The electrical system also comprises first and second batteries for providing electric power to the vehicle brake means and the at least one vehicle electric load. In response to detection of a fault in the electrical system, the controller is operable to electrically isolate the second battery and the vehicle brake means from the first battery and the at least one vehicle electric load, and the vehicle brake means is configured to automatically assume the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher HARRIES, Gary Edwards, David Halward-Smith