Patents Issued in January 29, 2019
  • Patent number: 10189386
    Abstract: A seat for a motor vehicle includes a seat base, a seat back extending upwardly from a rear portion of the seat base, a seat belt, a portion of the seat belt stored in the seat back, an emergency locking retractor in an outboard side of the seat back, the seat belt being threaded through the emergency locking retractor, and a cover covering the emergency locking retractor and the portion of the seat belt stored in the seat back. The cover may include a first cover piece covering a first side of the emergency locking retractor and the portion of the seat belt stored in the seat back and a second cover piece covering a second side of the emergency locking retractor and the portion of the seat belt stored in the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jesus A. Diaz Gonzalez, Spyridon G. Blatseas, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Jeffrey H. Scheurer, II, Peter A. Supernavage
  • Patent number: 10189387
    Abstract: A fastening tape has flexibility in a lateral (width) direction of the fastening tape. The fastening tape includes a body, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of transverse walls. The plurality of fasteners and the plurality of transverse walls extend in an upward direction from a top surface of the body. The plurality of fasteners are arranged in rows extending in the lateral direction. Each transverse wall includes a transverse wall width, and at least some of the plurality of transverse walls are arranged in the rows of the plurality of fasteners and connect fasteners in the rows fasteners. The fastening tape includes at least one slit within or adjacent at least one of the transverse walls, which increases flexibility in the lateral direction of the fastening tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiyu Ren, Tsuyoshi Minato, Atsushi Nakaya, Kenta Okada
  • Patent number: 10189388
    Abstract: A fold-out component body (1), in particular an armrest of a vehicle seat, can be rotated about an axis of rotation (4) from a stowage position (9) into a usage position (10). In the event of an accident, the fold-out component (1) can be secured in the stowage position thereof by a locking element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Peter Grüdl, Ingo Kienke, Gerhard Rohtstein, Jörg Linnenbrink
  • Patent number: 10189389
    Abstract: A system with a pivotable armrest (1) and a locking aid (18), wherein the armrest (1) is coupled to a holding device (10) so as to be pivotable about a primary axis (11) and is reversibly transferable between a use position and a stowage position via a transition position. The armrest (1) is connected to a connecting element (15) for rotation therewith. The locking aid (18) is arranged on the connecting element (15). The locking aid (18) is in frictional contact with the holding device (10) at a contact point or along a contact surface. The locking aid (18) is configured in such a manner that the frictional contact between holding device (10) and locking aid (18) is greater in a transition position than in the use position and/or in the stowage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Ivan Jakubec, Miroslav Rezbarik, Michal Martinka
  • Patent number: 10189390
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a vehicle armrest may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler, each pawl including a projection on each end thereof, and a pair of paddles each engaging one of each pawls and configured to cause inward translation of at least one of the pawls in response to an actuation at one of the paddles, wherein an inward translation of one pawl causes, via the coupler, an inward translation of the other pawl to disengage the projections from a console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis Raymond Gillis, Ian Johns, Francesco DiDato
  • Patent number: 10189391
    Abstract: Described is a passenger seat that includes a seat bottom with a rear edge, the seat bottom including a bottom seating surface and a seat bottom adjustment mechanism where the seat bottom adjustment mechanism forms at least a portion of the bottom seating surface. The passenger seat also includes a seat back extending from the rear edge of the seat bottom, the seat back including a back seating surface and a seat back adjustment mechanism where the seat back adjustment mechanism forms at least a portion of the back seating surface. The adjustment mechanisms may each be configured to move between a deployed configuration and a retracted configuration. The seat bottom adjustment mechanism may be substantially flush with the bottom seating surface in the retracted configuration, and the seat back adjustment mechanism may be substantially flush with the back seating surface in the retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Luevano Gonzalez, Oscar Ruiz Lara
  • Patent number: 10189392
    Abstract: A center console for a vehicle includes a lid and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly includes a working surface. The working surface is deployable while the lid is in a closed position. The pivoting assembly is independently operable from the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Q. White
  • Patent number: 10189393
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating a tipper comprising a tipper body pivotably moveable with respect to a frame with a hydraulic cylinder disposed therebetween which can be actuated by a hydraulic actuation system to pivot the tipper body. The method comprises receiving at least one lateral state parameter relating to at least one lateral state of the hydraulic cylinder; determining whether the lateral condition of the hydraulic cylinder is within acceptable limits based on the at least one lateral state parameter; and altering, or permitting the alteration of, at least one operational parameter of the hydraulic actuation system if it is determined that the lateral condition of the hydraulic cylinder is within acceptable limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hyva Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Marek Baldys, Maarten Hertog, Jacob Biemond
  • Patent number: 10189394
    Abstract: A vehicle gutter spout cover comprising: a receptacle with a generally smooth outside surface; an orifice located on the receptacle and configured to allow the receptacle to slide over and enclose at least a portion of a gutter spout; and an adjustable length connecting means attached to the receptacle. A vehicle gutter spout cover system comprising: a vehicle; at least one gutter located on the vehicle; at least one gutter spout in fluid communication with the gutter; a receptacle with a generally smooth outside surface; an orifice located on the receptacle and configured to allow the receptacle to slide over and enclose at least a portion of the gutter spout; an adjustable length connecting means attached to the receptacle; and a vehicle cover configured to cover a vehicle and the gutter spout, with the receptacle generally enclosing at least a portion of the gutter spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Michael P. Hagen
  • Patent number: 10189395
    Abstract: A light bar for a motor vehicle has a plurality of lights mounted to an elongated support member is rotatably connected to opposing end walls of a rectangular frame. An offset cam is connected to the support member and moved by an actuating mechanism between a first and second position which cause the support member and lights to rotate about an axis to corresponding first and second positions. When the support frame and lights are in a first position they are shielded by and substantially enclosed by the sides and ends of the rectangular frame, and when in a second position the lights extend above and generally parallel to the rectangular frame to shine above and forward of the rectangular frame. A power switch energizes the actuating mechanism to move the lights and support member between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Iddea California, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Wymore
  • Patent number: 10189396
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control device includes a headlamp that irradiates an area in front of a vehicle, a camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle, a pedestrian detection portion configured to detect a pedestrian in front of the vehicle from an image captured by the camera, and a control portion configured to control the headlamp and cause the headlamp to irradiate the pedestrian so that a given-shaped part that is not irradiated is formed at a location of an eye of the pedestrian, or a given-shaped part irradiated by dimmed light is formed at the location of the eye of the pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Asaoka, Shinichi Kojima, Kazunori Higuchi
  • Patent number: 10189397
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for operating an illumination apparatus is provided. The method has at least two light-emitting devices, which are arranged next to one another separated by a gap and each have a multiplicity of light-emitting elements, by individually driving all light-emitting elements of each light-emitting device, measuring a gap width of the gap and/or a luminance in the gap, and controlling or regulating in each case a luminance of one or more of the light-emitting elements which are arranged directly at the gap in dependence on the gap width and/or on the luminance in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Fiederling, Ronny Kürschner, Thomas Feil
  • Patent number: 10189398
    Abstract: A laser head lamp for a vehicle includes: a plurality of lamp modules each comprising a laser diode and configured to output at least one of a low beam or a high beam; at least one processor; and a computer-readable medium coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: acquiring total operation time of each of the plurality of lamp modules; and controlling, based on the acquired total operation times, at least one first lamp module among the plurality of lamp modules differently from at least one second lamp module among the plurality of lamp modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dami Jung, Yunho Ahn
  • Patent number: 10189399
    Abstract: A light system includes at least one time-of-flight image sensor configured to generate at least one zone distance measurement. At least one control unit is configured to receive the at least one zone distance measurement and to generate at least one control signal based on the at least one zone distance measurement. At least one light unit is configured to adapt an output of the light unit based on the at least one control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Bruce Rae
  • Patent number: 10189400
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mobile device tracking for control of vehicle subsystems. An example disclosed vehicle includes light panels embedded in the vehicle, wireless nodes, and an auxiliary body control module. The example auxiliary body control module, when a speed of the vehicle is less than a threshold speed, monitors a distance between a wireless device and the vehicle. In response to the distance satisfying a range threshold, the auxiliary body control module activates the light panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Danowski, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter
  • Patent number: 10189401
    Abstract: A vehicle light strip is provided herein. The vehicle light strip includes a housing member. A light assembly is disposed inside the housing member and has a light source and a photoluminescent structure that is configured to luminesce in response to light excitation by the light source. An optical element is configured to transmit a portion of luminescent light toward a front wall of the housing member and direct another portion of luminescent light toward at least one side wall of the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Harry Lobo
  • Patent number: 10189402
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle includes a projector configured to project an image of visible light; and a processing apparatus configured to predict a travel area of the vehicle after a predetermined time or a predetermined distance of travel, and project an image in the predicted travel area with the projector for illumination of the travel area, the image being indicative of a travel state of the vehicle or a control state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Asaoka
  • Patent number: 10189403
    Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination device for controlling illumination in a vehicle interior includes an operation input portion configured to receive an instruction operation of either lighting or light adjustment by a user, a first state detection portion configured to detect a first state representative of a getting-off preparation of the user, a second state detection portion configured to detect a second state representative of a getting-off completion of the user, and a light adjustment degree setting portion configured to shift the illumination to a preset light adjustment degree including off when the first state and the second state are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terumitsu Sugimoto, Takao Ota, Tomonori Ohashi, Kazuya Sato
  • Patent number: 10189404
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle lighting device intended to improve convenience and safety. A vehicle lighting device includes a light disposed in a vehicle interior, a controller controlling the light, and a detecting unit detecting position or motion of a detecting object by detecting a detection object at a plurality of positions, and the controller controls the light when the position or motion of the detection object is detected by the detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Abe, Satoshi Suzuki, Kenji Kawamura, Shingo Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10189405
    Abstract: A vehicle head-up display device includes a display control module that receives signals from a plurality of sources and determines one or more warnings based on the signals. The warnings may include at least one of a lane departure warning, a blind spot warning, a front/following/backup distance indicator, a head-on threat warning, and a lateral threat warning. A display module has a plurality of light sources that selectively project a plurality of light patterns onto a plurality of locations on a windshield of a vehicle such that the plurality of light patterns are superimposed on objects outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Boyd, Ching Fong
  • Patent number: 10189406
    Abstract: A storage bin space utilization detection and display system for use with a storage bin for storing one or more objects, including: a plurality of sensors disposed within an interior portion of the storage bin, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is associated with one of a plurality of regions defined within the interior portion of the storage bin, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is operable for detecting a presence/absence of the one or more objects within the associated region defined within the interior portion of the storage bin; and a visual indicator device operable for indicating the detected presence/absence of the one or more objects within the associated region defined within the interior portion of the storage bin to an individual outside of the storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Pozzi, Robert D. Wilkey, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alyssa G. Mellett, Julia M. Brooks, Jae Hun Gu
  • Patent number: 10189407
    Abstract: A method of making a mirror substrate for a vehicular mirror assembly includes providing a glass substrate and fixturing the glass substrate at a fixture to support the glass substrate. A rotatable grinding wheel is presented to the front perimeter portion of the glass substrate and the front perimeter portion of the glass substrate is ground to establish a ground rounded surface about and around the periphery of the glass substrate. After grinding the front perimeter portion of the glass substrate to establish the ground rounded surface, a rotatable polishing wheel is presented to the ground rounded surface and the ground rounded surface is polished to establish a polished rounded surface about and around the periphery of the glass substrate. The polished rounded surface provides a smooth transition between the front surface of the glass substrate and a rear portion of the circumferential perimeter edge of the glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Michael J. Baur, Timothy G. Perkins
  • Patent number: 10189408
    Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises a display device defining a display surface having a display perimeter elongated along a length. The display device is in communication with a primary PCB. The primary PCB comprises a first side and an opposing second side. The first side is directed toward the display device. The assembly also comprises a heat sink in connection with the second side of the primary PCB and extending substantially coextensive with the length display perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael F. Lisowski, Richard T. Fish, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10189409
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element disposed at a housing. The housing and the reflective element are tandemly and pivotally adjustable about a mounting structure mounted at an interior portion of the vehicle to provide a desired rearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle. A user input is actuatable by the driver of the vehicle. A motorized actuator is operable responsive to actuation of the user input to tilt the reflective element and the housing in tandem about a horizontal axis. Responsive to actuation of the motorized actuator responsive to the user input, the motorized actuator tandemly tilts the reflective element and the housing about the horizontal axis to orientate an outermost front surface of the reflective element more towards the driver or more away from the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jake A. Mohan
  • Patent number: 10189410
    Abstract: In a stowing mechanism of a vehicular door mirror device, sound is produced when a gear plate is rotated from a state in which a clutch plate has been disengaged from the gear plate and the clutch plate engages with the gear plate under biasing force from a coil spring. Butyl tape spans between a portion of the coil spring on an upper side of a gap and a portion of the coil spring on a lower side of the gap such that vibration of the coil spring is suppressed. Accordingly, the sound is able to be damped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Shigeki Yoshida, Hiroyuki Toyama
  • Patent number: 10189411
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module includes a user input and a housing that houses (i) circuitry, (ii) a transmitter and (iii) a battery. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit responsive to actuation of the user input. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. The module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the interior rearview mirror assembly, with the module being releasable from the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10189412
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes a closure hingedly connected to a vehicle-rearmost portion of a cargo area and adapted to pivot into a receiver provided in a portion of the cargo area. The receiver may be provided in a portion of a cargo area load floor or in a portion of a cargo area sidewall. The closure may include a bottom hinge and/or a side hinge, adapted to pivot the closure both vehicle-rearwardly and vehicle-forwardly. A cover may be provided to hide the closure in the stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Umer Khalid, Brian Christopher Stark, Mohamed Mattar, Mohannad Hakeem
  • Patent number: 10189413
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the cargo area of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a support structure having a track system. The track system includes a first track portion defining a first cargo floor position, a second track portion defining a second cargo floor position and a third track portion defining a cargo floor storage position. A tambour cargo deck is supported by the track system, and movable from the first or second cargo floor position to the cargo floor storage position, and movable from the cargo floor storage position to the first or second cargo floor position. In this way, the cargo area can be increased or decreased as desired. The method comprises sliding the tambour cargo deck from the first cargo floor position to the storage position and sliding the tambour cargo deck from the storage position to the second cargo floor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Manuel Roldan Gonzalez, Cesar Cervantes Sandoval, Bruce L. Stone
  • Patent number: 10189414
    Abstract: A storage assembly is provided herein. The storage assembly includes a console housing defined by a plurality of surfaces. A member extends along at least one of the plurality of surfaces and is movable along the console housing between a closed position and an open position. The member defines a storage compartment in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Stuart C. Salter, Scott Holmes Dunham, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 10189415
    Abstract: A storage assembly comprises a first portion including a shaft and a second portion including a shaft hole. The first portion is rotatably connected to the second portion via the shaft received in the shaft hole and moveable from the first rest position to the second rest position through an intermediate position. The shaft of the first portion has a stop portion protruded radially and the shaft hole is configured to contact the stop portion in the first rest position and the second rest position and to space apart radially from the stop portion in the intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Kang, Brick Deng, Wei Xu
  • Patent number: 10189416
    Abstract: A storage compartment for an interior trim of a vehicle including a storage-compartment bottom, which transitions at an inner corner region into a side wall raised up from the storage-compartment bottom and which is lined with an insertion mat, which forms a support surface for at least one small object, in particular coins. The insertion mat at least partially bounds at least one free deformation chamber. In the event of manual application of pressure to the support surface, for example by fingertips, the insertion mat is deformed with curvature into the deformation chamber and an undercut, accessible to the fingertips, for reaching below the object is formed between the deformed support surface and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Rehling
  • Patent number: 10189417
    Abstract: A sliding roof rack includes a base frame which is capable of being removably secured to the roof of an automobile and a movable frame which is configured to either lock in position upon the base frame or be slidingly disengaged and be partially tilted over a side of the vehicle. The sliding mechanism permits an upper portion of the movable frame to remain secured to the base frame while the lower portion of the frame is free to pivot downward along the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: David R. Morken
  • Patent number: 10189418
    Abstract: A vehicle equipment rack having a first cross member and a second cross member. A first roller coupled with an outboard end of the first cross member. A second roller coupled with an outboard end of the second cross member. A first arm in rolling engagement with the first roller. A second arm in rolling engagement with the second roller. A drive tube rotatably coupled with the first and second cross members. A first pivot arm coupled with the drive tube, the first pivot arm rotatably coupled with the first arm. A second pivot arm coupled with the drive tube, the second pivot arm rotatably coupled with the second arm. The first arm including a base member. The base member having an aperture disposed through a surface thereof. A first linear actuator disposed in the base member, wherein a portion of the first linear actuator is disposed through the base member aperture. A first bracket disposed on a surface of the base member. The first bracket coupled with the first linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Willis
  • Patent number: 10189419
    Abstract: A cargo carrier attachable to a trailer hitch receiver, the cargo carrier comprising a hitch adapter mountable to the trailer hitch receiver; a mounting element; and a cargo receiving portion secured to the mounting element. The mounting element includes a movable element and an actuator, the movable element being removably mountable to the hitch adapter, the movable element being selectively movable relative to the cargo receiving portion between lower and upper positions, the actuator being operatively coupled to the movable element for moving the movable element between the lower and upper positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Stephane Billard
  • Patent number: 10189420
    Abstract: A vehicular roof rack mounting bracket configured to be secured onto load carrier bars of different dimensions is presented. The bracket can include a pair of elongate clamps configured to be coupled to a bicycle fork anchor of a bicycle carrier. Each clamp can have a bar engagement portion configured to abut an exterior of an elongate support bar of a vehicular roof rack in a secured configuration in which each clamp is fastened to the support bar, and each of the pair of clamps can have a lengthwise oriented longitudinal axis such that each longitudinal axis is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the other longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Joseph Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 10189421
    Abstract: Provided is a camera unit, a vehicle, and a method for manufacturing the camera unit. The first wall part of a housing for the camera unit extends parallel to an optical axis or in a slanted manner so as to gradually draw away from the optical axis in the direction from a lens toward a subject. A plurality of projections is disposed on the first wall part in alignment with the optical axis direction. The plurality of projections each have a first surface made up of a flat or curved surface in which the lens side is nearer to the optical axis than the subject side, and a second surface made up of a flat or curved surface in which the lens side is further away from the optical axis than the subject side, or made up of a flat surface parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadahiro Matori
  • Patent number: 10189422
    Abstract: A wire harness which electrically connects high-voltage devices includes a conductive path that is used as a trunk cable, a branch cable that branches from the trunk cable, and a branch connecting portion which connects the trunk cable with the branch cable, wherein the trunk cable has a trunk cable-side conductor exposed portion where a cover of the trunk cable lying in a predetermined position of the trunk cable is removed, the branch cable has a branch cable-side conductor exposed portion where a cover of the branch cable lying a predetermined position of the branch cable is removed, the trunk cable-side conductor exposed portion is connected with the branch cable-side conductor exposed portion at the branch connecting portion, and the branch connecting portion has an insulating and waterproofing portion which functions as an insulating portion and a waterproofing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideomi Adachi, Hidehiko Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 10189423
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a wire harness routing aid. An example wire harness routing aid for a vehicle includes an extruded core made of a thermosetting polymer. The example wire harness routing aid also includes a plurality of wires positioned around an exterior of the extruded core. Additionally, the wire harness routing aid includes a fastening layer to affix the plurality of wires to the extruded core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Lysik
  • Patent number: 10189424
    Abstract: A structure for connecting electric wires in which a single-core conductor made of a single metal rod is connected to a flexible conductor made of a plurality of elemental metal wires and having a higher flexibility than the single-core conductor. A clamping portion formed at one end of the single-core conductor is connected to the flexible conductor with the clamping portion clamping the flexible conductor on two sides thereof in a direction transverse to the direction in which the electric wires extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Araki
  • Patent number: 10189425
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for identifying a vehicle using data collected by a personal electronic device residing in the vehicle during its operation. By enabling the vehicle to be identified using data collected by the personal electronic device, embodiments of the invention may allow other information captured by the personal electronic device relating to the user's operation of the vehicle to be associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Agero, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 10189426
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for operating a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) board in a driverless vehicle. The method according to a specific embodiment includes: collecting driving scenario information on a driving scenario of the driverless vehicle; determining, based on the driving scenario information, a speed at which the driverless vehicle executes a computing operation in the driving scenario; comparing the speed with a speed threshold; switching a working mode of the FPGA board in the driverless vehicle executing the computing operation to reduce power consumption of the FPGA board, in response to the speed being lower than the speed threshold. This embodiment implements the adaptive adjustment of the working mode of the FPGA board, thereby reducing the overall power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhao Zhang, Jian Ouyang, Jing Wang, Peng Wu, Liang Gao, Yupeng Li
  • Patent number: 10189427
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle and method of controlling a display therein. Herein, the vehicle supports auto driving. The present invention includes sensors, a display including a display area formed on a glass of the vehicle and a controller configured to cause the display to display data obtained via at least one of the sensors on the display area based on an operation mode of the vehicle and vehicle passenger information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hangtae Kim, Kyungdong Choi
  • Patent number: 10189428
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a mounting assembly for connecting a bumper assembly and radiator assembly to a vehicle. The mounting assembly can include a first frame member extending along a vertical direction of the vehicle, a transverse frame member extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle and connected to the first frame member, a bumper bracket configured to connect the connector member of the bumper assembly to each of the first frame member and the transverse frame member. The bumper bracket can include a flange extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the flange can be configured to engage the radiator assembly if the radiator assembly is mounted on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Sellars, Luke M. Upah, Dakota D. Kirtland
  • Patent number: 10189429
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a compressor; a first accumulator fluidly connected with the compressor; a second accumulator fluidly connected with the compressor; a first nozzle directed at a first sensor and fluidly connected with the first accumulator; a second nozzle directed at a second sensor and fluidly connected with the second accumulator; an occupancy sensor; and a computer in communication with the compressor, the accumulators, and the occupancy sensor. The computer is programmed to, upon determining that the vehicle is unoccupied based on data received from the occupancy sensor, instruct the compressor to pressurize the accumulators of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Andre Sykula, Clay Wesley Maranville
  • Patent number: 10189430
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back, and an airbag that deploys in the seat back. The airbag deploys in the seat back in such a way that, after having deployed, the airbag elastically supports an upper body of an occupant and elastically receives an impact force applied to a back surface of the seat back. After having deployed, the airbag has such a shape that a deployment amount, in a front-back direction, of the airbag near a side of the seat back is greater than that near a center of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10189431
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device includes: an airbag structured as a single bag that is configured to cover a head area of a vehicle occupant, the airbag being stowed at a headrest or seatback of a vehicle seat, the airbag receiving a gas supply and inflating and expanding toward a seat front side, and the airbag including a front inflation portion that is configured to be inflated at the seat front relative to the head area and a left and right pair of side inflation portions that are connected to the front inflation portion and configured to be inflated at seat sides relative to the head area; and an opening portion that is provided at the airbag, is configured to cover the head area from the seat front side or a seat side, and is openable after the inflation and expansion of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Yamamoto, Masanobu Ohmi, Yoshiaki Matsumura, Kosuke Sakakibara, Kazuki Sugie, Misato Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10189432
    Abstract: An occupant restraining device capable of coping with a plurality of collision directions without additional airbags is provided. An occupant restraining device (100) is adapted to restrain an occupant P sitting in a vehicle seat (110), and the device includes a seatbelt (120) fixed to left and right sides of a seat cushion (116) of the seat to restrain the occupant's hips (P2), airbags (130a) and (130b) stored inside a seat back of the seat on the left and right sides thereof and inflated and deployed on the left and right sides of the occupant. Tensile fabric (140) is connected to each of the airbags and the seat cushion and applied with tension, when the airbags are inflated and deployed, so as to be extended between the airbags inflated and deployed and both side surfaces of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Tetsuya Matsushita, Gaku Morita
  • Patent number: 10189433
    Abstract: An air curtain delivery assembly includes an arcuate extruded unitary channel and an inflatable air curtain. The channel includes a longitudinal length defining an arc substantially matching a fore-aft curvature of a vehicle roof panel and having an open mouth defining a ramp for directing deployment of the inflatable air curtain from an interior of the channel and inboard of a vehicle side structure. The channel may further be configured and dimensioned for attaching to a portion of the vehicle roof panel and beneath a trim piece overlying the vehicle side structure. The channel may further include a vehicle-forward portion substantially matching a downward angle of a vehicle A pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
  • Patent number: 10189434
    Abstract: An augmented safety restraint system includes a first restraint operable to secure a first passenger. The first restraint has an exposed surface facing away from a body of the first passenger. A gesture-sensing device is disposed on the exposed surface of the first restraint and is operable to receive an input from the first passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Casaburo, Daniel Kurz, Sebastian Knorr
  • Patent number: 10189435
    Abstract: An animal restraint device restrains an animal relative to a vehicle seat having two lower anchors laterally spaced apart at a rear bottom of the seat and an auxiliary anchor separate from the lower anchors. The harness includes a chest panel and a plurality of straps for securement about the torso of the animal. Two lower tethers are securable between the harness and the two lower anchors of the vehicle. An upper retractable tether can be secured between a separate upper connector on the harness and the vehicle. In one embodiment, a retractable tether assembly is coupled between the harness and an anchor on the vehicle typically used for anchoring the upper tether of a vehicle child restraint seat. In another embodiment, an adapter allows the seatbelt of the vehicle to be used as the upper retractable tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Gordon Daniel Oke Templeton