Patents Issued in February 5, 2019
-
Patent number: 10195906Abstract: A tire includes a tread portion having an installing direction to a vehicle so as to have an outboard tread edge. The tread portion is provided with a plurality of first inclined grooves each having an inclination to a circumferential direction of the tire and extending from at least a tire equator to the outboard tread edge, a plurality of second inclined grooves each having an opposite inclination to the inclination of the first inclined grooves and extending from at least the tire equator toward the outboard tread edge, and a plurality of blocks separated by the first inclined grooves and the second inclined grooves. Each second inclined groove includes an outboard end that terminates at one of the first inclined grooves so that a plurality of substantially trapezoidal shoulder blocks are arranged along the outboard tread edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Keita Nakano
-
Patent number: 10195907Abstract: A tread portion (2) has a pair of center main grooves (11) extending zigzag and continuously in a tire circumference direction, a pair of shoulder main grooves (12), a center land portion (13), a pair of middle land portions (14), and a pair of shoulder land portions (15). The center main groove (11) has a first groove edge (11a) on the tire equator side and a second groove edge (11b) on the tread edge side. The shoulder main groove (12) has a third groove edge (12a) on the tire equator side and a fourth groove edge (12b) on the tread edge side.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Masakazu Washizuka, Daisuke Todoroki, Atsushi Maehara
-
Patent number: 10195908Abstract: A pneumatic tire 1 is provided in a tread portion 2 with center blocks 22 divided by a center main groove 10, middle main grooves 11, and center lateral grooves 21; middle blocks 32 divided by the middle main grooves 11, shoulder main grooves 12, and middle lateral grooves 31; and shoulder blocks 42 divided by the shoulder main grooves 12, tread edges Te, and shoulder lateral grooves 41. The groove width WA of the center lateral grooves 21 is equal to the groove width WB of the middle lateral grooves 31. The ratio WC/WA of the groove width WC of the shoulder lateral grooves 41 and the groove width WA of the center lateral grooves 21 is 1.3 to 2.3.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Maehara, Kae Matsuda
-
Patent number: 10195909Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire where a main groove extending in a tire circumferential direction and a projection projecting toward the inside of the main groove from a groove side wall of the main groove are formed on a tread portion, wherein a projecting amount of the projection from the groove side wall is decreased as the projection extends to a groove bottom of the main groove, the projection terminates at a position outside the groove bottom in a tire radial direction, and a length of the projection along the tire circumferential direction is shortened as the projection extends to a distal end side of the projection in a projecting direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.Inventor: Shinichi Kaji
-
Patent number: 10195910Abstract: The carcass of this tire (1) has a carcass body and folded sections each folded around a bead core. A circumferential recessed section, which is recessed inward in the tire width direction and extends in the tire circumferential direction, is formed on the outer surface of the tire side section, and turbulence-generating protrusions are provided on the circumferential recessed section. In a cross-section of the tire, wherein the distance between the inner surface of the carcass body section and a rim-separation point where the inner surface comes into contact with a normal rim is defined as a tire reference thickness, and the distance between the inner surface of the folded section and the tire outer surface at the circumferential recessed section is defined as a tire thickness, the multiple turbulence-generating protrusions are provided in an area where the tire thickness is between 20% and 60% of the tire reference thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroyuki Matsumura
-
Patent number: 10195911Abstract: A pneumatic tire 22 includes a pair of beads 30 and a carcass 32 extending on and between both beads 30. Each bead 30 includes a core 48. The core 48 includes: a main body 56 including a cord 60 extending in a circumferential direction; and a stretchable portion 58 formed from a crosslinked rubber. The stretchable portion 58 is located inward of the main body 56 in an axial direction. The stretchable portion 58 has a size with which at least one cross-section of the cord 60 can be included therein in a cross-section of the bead 30. Preferably, in the tire 22, the main body 56 includes a hard unit and a soft unit. The soft unit is located outward of the hard unit in a radial direction. A hard cord of the hard unit stretches more easily than a soft cord of the soft unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Chieko Aoki, Toru Fukumoto, Tadao Matsumoto
-
Patent number: 10195912Abstract: A tractor trailer coupling assist system includes a back-up sensor mountable to one of a rear surface of the tractor and a forward surface of the trailer. The back-up sensor is configured and disposed to determine a position of the tractor relative to the trailer. A driver feedback system is mountable to one of the tractor and the trailer. The driver feedback system is configured and disposed to provide visual feedback corresponding to the position to the driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventor: James Casasanta
-
Patent number: 10195913Abstract: Two-point hitch mount systems for connecting an implement to a tow vehicle having two hitch arms are disclosed. The hitch mount systems may include a shaft configured to be attached to the two hitch arms of the tow vehicle and a yoke assembly. The yoke assembly includes a first and second shaft slots for removably receiving the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kent L. Thompson, Derek DeMott
-
Patent number: 10195914Abstract: This disclosure includes a guidance system for coupling vehicles. The system has a hub and a first length of material secured to the hub and configured for spacing the hub from a coupling device of a first vehicle. A second length of material is secured to the hub and configured for spacing the hub from a wheel of a second vehicle for coupling with the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Inventor: Charles Raymond Johnson
-
Patent number: 10195915Abstract: A middle hoop system for a vehicle joint arranged between a vehicle front part and a vehicle rear part of a vehicle and forms a passage between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. The middle hoop surrounds the passage. The middle hoop system comprises a cable strand which extends between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part, wherein the cable strand is arranged above the passage. The middle hoop system comprises a pivot lever between the middle hoop and the cable strand. A first pivot joint is formed between the pivot lever and the middle hoop. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot lever guides the cable strand at a distance from the first pivot joint. The middle hoop system is cost-effective and provides reliable guidance for the cable strand.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: ATG Autotechnik GmbHInventor: Denis Browne
-
Patent number: 10195916Abstract: An isolation portion for a suspension member may include a substantially monolithic material configured to couple to a connected end of each of a first link and second link of the suspension member. The substantially monolithic material may be configured to dampen a vibration between the first link and the second link.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Keith Weston, Jorge Rivas
-
Patent number: 10195917Abstract: A jounce bumper for mounting in a vehicle suspension system having a bore extending therethrough, the bore configured to receive the piston rod, a nose having a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter, the nose being generally spherical or elliptical shaped and an undercut within the jounce bumper in the bore of the jounce bumper, the undercut creating an ununiformed thickness between the predetermined inner diameter and the predetermined outer diameter so as to provide improved handling characteristics of the jounce bumper.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Vibracoustic North America, L.P.Inventors: Lee Hayden Dutton, Mickey L. Love
-
Patent number: 10195918Abstract: A position-and-velocity dependent hydraulic damper is provided. The hydraulic damper has piston valve fixed to a tip of a piston rod, a base valve, and a reservoir chamber. The base valve has a compression side port. Between a first valve and the base valve, a first spiral spring is provided, and between the first valve and the piston valve, a second spiral spring is provided. The compression side port is closed by the first valve around the maximum compression state, reducing the flow rate of oil to the reservoir chamber. A second valve passing through the centers of the first valve and the base valve adjusts the flow rate of the oil to the reservoir chamber with a pressure equal to or higher than a prescribed level of an oil chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Tein, Inc.Inventor: Hironao Watanabe
-
Patent number: 10195919Abstract: Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Laird, Robert C. Fox
-
Patent number: 10195920Abstract: This vehicular air conditioning device includes: an evaporator; a heater core; a unit case including a cooling space configured to accommodate the evaporator, a heating space connected to the cooling space and configured to accommodate the heater core, an air mixing space connected to the cooling space and the heating space, and a foot outlet flow channel; an air mixing damper provided among the cooling space, the heating space, and the air mixing space, and configured to rotate between a maximum cooling position (Pc) and a maximum heating position (Ph) to adjust a ratio of air to be introduced into the air mixing space; and a foot switching damper capable of partitioning the air mixing space and the foot outlet flow channel. The air mixing damper includes a reheat preventing damper having a principal plane. The foot switching damper does not protrude further toward the air mixing space side than an imaginary plane including the principal plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventor: Satoshi Kominami
-
Patent number: 10195921Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes an air handler and a controller. The air handler defines a fresh air inlet, air outlets that directs air into a passenger compartment and a recirculation inlet that draws air from the passenger compartment into the air handler. The air handler operates in a fresh air mode and a recirculation mode. In the fresh air mode fresh air enters the air handler through the fresh air inlet and in the recirculation mode fresh air is prevented from entering the air handler, and instead air enters the air handler via the recirculation inlet. The controller switches the air handler to operate in the recirculation mode in response to determining the following: a diesel engine is operating in a regeneration mode and the air handler is in the fresh air mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: James Wagner, Norbert Weinert
-
Patent number: 10195922Abstract: A motor vehicle (1) with a passenger compartment (3) and a motor chamber (2). A substantially closed area (7) is arranged in the motor chamber (2), and the area (7) is connected to the passenger compartment (3) via at least one first air outlet opening (18) in order to supply air from the area (7) into the passenger compartment (3). The area (7) is additionally connected to the air outside of the motor vehicle (1) via at least one air inlet opening (13) in order to supply air from outside of the motor vehicle into the area (7). Furthermore, the area (7) is connected to at least one second air outlet opening (14) in order to discharge air out of the area (7).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: WEIDPLAS GmbHInventors: Piero Dal Vecchio, Armin Muller, Christian Bolsterli, Stefan Harke
-
Patent number: 10195923Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning unit is obtained that is capable of deflecting a blowing direction of an airflow blowing out from a blower outlet formed along a flow path. A movable shaft that supports a length direction other end portion of a guiding member is configured to be movable along the airflow flow direction. As a result, by turning movement of a lever, the movable shaft is slid, through a guide groove, along a vehicle width direction. The distance between the movable shaft and a fixed shaft thereby changes, changing the curvature of a front face of the guiding member, and enabling the airflow blowing out from a main flow blower outlet to be deflected along the vehicle width direction. Namely, the airflow blowing out from the main flow blower outlet is capable of being deflected toward the vehicle front-rear direction rear side, and toward the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideyuki Sakurai
-
Patent number: 10195924Abstract: An air vent comprising a housing, an air inlet opening, which is located in the axial direction of the housing, and an air outlet opening, which is disposed opposite the air inlet opening, a first air guide surface, which has a first bulge and is disposed in the housing, and a second air guide surface, which has a second bulge and is disposed in the housing, wherein the first bulge points in a first direction and the second bulge points in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction oppose one another and extend perpendicularly to the axial direction, wherein the first air guide surface and the second air guide surface are disposed at a distance from the housing, wherein a first air duct is formed by the housing and the first air guide surface, and wherein a second air duct is formed by the housing and the second air guide surface, wherein the first air duct is designed to convey a first volumetric flow of air—which can flow into the housing through the air inlet opening—to the aiType: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Volker Doll, Stephane Londiche, Julien Seiller, Martin Schulz
-
Patent number: 10195925Abstract: A vehicle door assembly according to the present disclosure includes a door inner structure and a storage bin. The door inner structure includes an outer side panel and an armrest. The armrest projects laterally inward from the outer side panel. The storage bin is disposed below the armrest, attached to the door inner structure, and translatable relative to the door inner structure between a rearward position and a forward position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Ronald J. Mesic, Jr., Sital K. Shah, Jonathan Kline, Joseph Bilderbeck, Stanley Roc, Toure D. Lee, Sara Rahimian, Wendi Rea
-
Patent number: 10195926Abstract: A vehicle side door structure that includes: a side door body portion configured to open and close a side door opening, the side door body portion including a door inner panel and a door outer panel; and a sensor placed inside the side door body portion, the sensor including a detection component configured to face outward in the vehicle width direction and to detect information in the side direction of the vehicle by using a detection medium, wherein a transmissive portion is disposed on the vehicle width direction outside of the detection component, the transmissive portion configuring part of the door outer panel and being configured by a material that allows the detection medium to be transmitted through the material.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuki Sugie
-
Patent number: 10195927Abstract: In order to improve comfort when loading a motor vehicle which has a pivotable tailgate with a first tailgate element and a second tailgate element arranged thereon, the first tailgate element has a first region which can be mounted so as to be pivotable about a first pivoting axis arranged in the upper region of the vehicle body. The first tailgate element has a second region which lies opposite its first region and on which a second pivoting axis is arranged. The second tailgate element has a first region which is mounted so as to be pivotable about the second pivoting axis. The second tailgate element has a second region which lies opposite its first region and can be locked to a lower region of the vehicle body. At the second pivoting axis there is a pivoting angle between the first tailgate element and the second tailgate element with a positive rotational direction from the second tailgate element in the direction of the first tailgate element.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Achim Dockweiler, Nicholas Aldersley
-
Patent number: 10195928Abstract: A guide rail for guiding movements of a vehicle window, includes a first structure extending below a beltline of a vehicle door and a second structure extending above the beltline. The second structure includes a bottom wall, a side wall disposed on a first surface of the bottom wall, and an extension part disposed on a second surface of the bottom wall. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. A groove is formed by the bottom wall and the extension part, and has an opening defined by a surface of the extension part and a surface of the bottom wall. A plastic protrusion part is disposed on the surface of the extension part and partially surrounds the groove. The bottom wall is provided with a first opening, two second openings and a third opening. A part of the bottom wall between the two second openings forms a block.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCEInventor: Lu Liu
-
Patent number: 10195929Abstract: An electrically-driven vehicle includes a high-capacity battery unit and a high-output battery unit, both of which supply electric power to rotating electric machines, and a charging inlet serving as a charging port of an external power supply. The high-capacity battery unit receives more charge power from the charging inlet than the high-output battery unit and is positioned nearer to the charging inlet than the high-output battery unit is to the charging inlet. In this way, an electric power loss increase caused by a wiring resistance during an external charge can be suppressed in a plug-in type electrically-driven vehicle, which is chargeable by an external power supply.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Hidetoshi Kusumi, Ikkei Ohgitani
-
Patent number: 10195930Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid vehicle in which selectable operating modes are increased and power distribution ratio is changeable is provided. The drive unit comprises: a first planetary gear unit having a first input element to which power of an engine is applied, a first reaction element connected to a first motor, and a first output element; a second planetary gear unit that performs having a second input element connected to the first output element, a second output element connected to an output member, and a second reaction element; a first clutch that selectively connects any of the first input element and the first reaction element to the second reaction element; and a second clutch that selectively connects at least any of two elements of the second planetary gear unit to rotate the second planetary gear unit integrally.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahito Endo, Yuji Iwase, Hidekazu Nagai, Kensei Hata
-
Patent number: 10195931Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a hybrid powertrain comprising a combustion engine, a gearbox, a range gearbox, and two electrical machines to achieve a shift operation from a low range position to a high range position with minimal to no torque interruption and optimal brake regeneration, on the one hand, and a large torque and a large number of gear steps are achieved on the other hand.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Scania CV ABInventors: Mikael Bergquist, Mathias Björkman, Johan Lindström, Niklas Pettersson
-
Patent number: 10195932Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle has an input shaft, output shaft, first and second minus planetary gear sets, and first electric machine with a rotationally fixed stator and a rotatable rotor connectable to the input shaft. The first planetary gear set is stepped and has planet gears of a larger and a smaller effective diameter. In the first planetary gear set, first sun gear engages the larger planet gears and is connected or connectable to the rotor; second sun gear engages the smaller planet gears and is connected to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set and connectable to the input shaft; a carrier is connected to a ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and a ring gear is rotationally fixable. In the second planetary gear set, the carrier is connectable to the input shaft and the ring gear is connected to the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
-
Patent number: 10195933Abstract: A wheel suspension for a wheel of an axle of a motor vehicle. A wheel hub, which is rotatably mounted in a wheel carrier, can be driven by an electric drive engine. The wheel carrier is rotatably mounted by at least one link about a pivot axis on the vehicle body. The electric drive engine and the link are rigidly connected to one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Hans-Jürgen Langhoff
-
Patent number: 10195934Abstract: A fuel filler device for filling fuel into a vehicle tank, includes a filler pipe for receiving a fuel filler nozzle, which filler pipe can be connected with the vehicle tank. At least one pivotably mounted closing flap is arranged in the filler pipe. A spring element is provided, which biases the at least one closing flap into a closing position closing a passage through the filler pipe. The at least one closing flap is pivotable from the closing position into an opening position opening a passage through the filler pipe as a result of the fuel filler nozzle inserted into the filler pipe. At least one valve element forms at least one bypass to the at least one closing flap, and from a limit pressure difference, allows a passage of gas out of the filler pipe and/or into the filler pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Jean-Philippe Bar, Matthias Kapaun
-
Patent number: 10195935Abstract: A filler pipe includes a nozzle guide that is mounted on an inlet part of the filler pipe and holds a nozzle end part of a fueling gun. The nozzle guide includes a nozzle guide mounting part, which is mounted on the inlet part of the filler pipe, a nozzle guide holding part, which is positioned in a distal end of the nozzle guide, and holds the nozzle end part of the fueling gun, and a nozzle guide connecting part that connects the nozzle guide mounting part and the nozzle guide holding part with each other. The nozzle guide holding part has a plurality of projecting parts that are able to abut on an outer surface of a nozzle of the fueling gun. The nozzle guide is mounted on the inlet part of the filler pipe, at the nozzle guide mounting part, by swaging or spot welding.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshifumi Goto, Satoshi Haraguchi, Shinji Shimokawa
-
Patent number: 10195936Abstract: A filler tube, which is capable of satisfying required functions suitably in compliance with the bellows and non-bellows cylindrical base while securing weld strength and fuel-permeation resistance property in the weld face, is provided. A filler tube includes a non-bellows cylindrical base with a total thickness of from 2 to 4 mm, a bellows with a total thickness of from 0.5 to 3 mm, and a flange having a total thickness of from 3.5 to 5 mm, and including an end face to be welded to a fuel tank. The non-bellows cylindrical base, the bellows, and the flange include inner layers formed so as to have a thickness accounting for from 40 to 60% of the total thicknesses, and formed of high-density polyethylene (or HDPE) serving as the major constituent, intermediate layers exhibiting fuel-permeation resistance property, and outer layers protecting the intermediate layers.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Tomoyuki Fukuyasu, Makoto Shimojo, Atsuo Miyajima, Kazuki Hatanaka
-
Patent number: 10195937Abstract: Methods and systems for modular fuel storage and transportation are provided. In an embodiment, a fuel storage system includes one or more fuel containers each supported by a fuel container support assembly. The fuel storage system may be mounted to a transportation device such as a vehicle or used in a stand-alone fashion. Each support assembly may include a plurality of detachable end support members such as end support members configured to support the end portions of the fuel container and side support members configured to support the body portion of the fuel container. Some of the end support members may include neck grooves such that when the end support members are coupled, the neck grooves form an enclosure around the neck portion of the fuel container. In an embodiment, the support assembly is configured to facilitate release of excess pressure in the fuel container.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLCInventors: Todd Sloan, Chris Forsberg, Jason Laycock, David Cate, Yoshio Coy, Amir Mahani
-
Patent number: 10195938Abstract: A pedal assembly having a pedal pivotally secured to a housing. A sensor is fixed to the housing at the pivot, the sensor including first and second components. A member is mounted to the pivot and slaved to the pedal in proximity to the sensor, the member including a coupler and an activating component. Upon pivotal rotation of the member relative to the sensor, the coupler communicating with the first sensor component to generate an output indicative of an angular position of the pedal relative to the housing. The activating component communicates with the second sensor component to function as a wakeup switch for the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: KSR IP HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Derreck Robert Heipel, Zoe Zhu, Rocky Sen
-
Patent number: 10195939Abstract: A device and a method for operating a multi-axle drive train for a motor vehicle. A first axle and a second axle are operatively connected, at least temporarily, to a drive device. When the second axle is decoupled from the drive device and a request for multi-axle drive with a first value is present, the second axle is coupled to the drive device only when a noise-masking event occurs, or when the second axle is coupled to the drive device and the request for multi-axle drive is absent, the second axle is decoupled from the drive device only when the noise-masking event occurs.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Dieter Weidemann, Heiko Hanickel, Florian Kolb, Hans Jörg Brühl
-
Patent number: 10195940Abstract: A method of providing one or more selectable vehicle tasks to one or more vehicles, comprising the steps of: receiving from each of a plurality of vehicle users at least one user-defined task to be carried out by the user's vehicle, wherein the user-defined task comprises at least one vehicle action and a conditional statement, wherein the conditional statement comprises of one or more vehicle conditions; grouping the received user-defined tasks into equivalency classes, wherein different user-defined tasks that have logically equivalent conditional statements and equivalent vehicle actions are grouped into the same equivalency class; analyzing the equivalency classes; selecting at least one vehicle task based on the analysis in step (c); and sending the selected vehicle task(s) to one or more vehicles for presentation to a user at the vehicle(s).Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nikola J. Pudar, Mohan Jayaraman, Aqueel Husain, Rejani D. Syamala, Rajesh S. Paul
-
Patent number: 10195942Abstract: In a display device, when an ignition switch of a vehicle is off, an external light entering toward a front side of a meter panel is reflected on a smoke layer and a second light shielding layer, and a decorative part and a predetermined zone are, as a whole, viewed through a second opening as being in a ring shape with a width of the second opening and of a color tone based on the smoke layer and the second light shielding layer. When the ignition switch of the vehicle is on, the predetermined zone is illuminated in a predetermined color by a light emitted by a light source with a width of the first opening to be viewed as being wider than the decorative part.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Minoru Sumiya
-
Patent number: 10195943Abstract: An instrument cluster for a vehicle includes a display panel including a surface light-emitting display portion, a pointer disposed under the display panel and configured to divide the surface light-emitting display portion into a light-emitting region and a non-light-emitting region, a rotary shaft unit for rotating the pointer so that the pointer moves in the longitudinal direction of the surface light-emitting display portion, and an illumination unit disposed under the rotary shaft unit to emit light to an interior of the pointer. The pointer includes a straight bar extending a predetermined length across the surface light-emitting display portion, and a bent bar bent at the distal end of the straight bar and disposed outward of the surface light-emitting display portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Chong Bae Park
-
Patent number: 10195944Abstract: In a control apparatus mounted in a vehicle and configured to control a power supply system, a power generation controller is configured to operate an alternator such that a charge level of a second rechargeable battery becomes a target charge level. A target charge level setter is configured to variably set the target charge level of the second rechargeable battery based on changes in a state quantity correlated with at least one of a charge state and a discharge state of the second rechargeable battery. A limiter is configured to, if there is a change in the state quantity and if a prescribed permission condition is not met, limit an operation of the alternator.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshinori Morita
-
Patent number: 10195945Abstract: A control device is provided for an electric vehicle that generates a braking force corresponding to an opening degree of an accelerator pedal to decelerate the electric vehicle. The control device for the electric vehicle includes a motor configured to generate a driving force or a regenerative braking force of the electric vehicle, a friction braking unit configured to generate a friction braking force, and a controller configured to control at least one of the motor and the friction braking unit corresponding to the opening degree of the accelerator pedal. The controller determines whether all of regenerative electric power generated by the motor is consumed in the electric vehicle when the motor is caused to perform a regenerative braking. The controller causes the motor to perform the regenerative braking when the regenerative electric power is determined to be consumed in the electric vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoichi Hirakawa, Ken Itou, Yuji Katsumata, Hiroyuki Komatsu
-
Patent number: 10195946Abstract: A power sharing system for electric motors and drives shares power between multiple power sources. Multiple motor drives share power between multiple energy sources, without the need for a DC to DC converter. A motor drive adapts the DC voltage range of the power source to either AC voltage or a different DC voltage range to operate one or more electric motors. Either a capacitor bank or a battery is directly connected to a motor drive's DC input. Two separate DC inputs exist, each able to operate at its own voltage and both feeding the same motor through separate motor drives, to allow batteries to be operated at one voltage level while capacitors are operated at another. The motor drives inherently cause power to flow between the motor and either power source, regardless of the relative voltages of the two sources, provided that each source is at a sufficient voltage to power the motor independently.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: DG Systems, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Mario Ambrosio
-
Patent number: 10195947Abstract: A method and system of operating an on-board charger (OBC) for an eco-friendly vehicle are provided to improve durability and extend a lifespan of the OBC during the charging of a vehicle battery using a commercial power source. The system improves durability and extends a lifespan of the OBC including a power factor correction (PFC) part by alternately operating a first boost converter and a second boost converter of the PFC part during the charging of a battery by using a commercial power supplier (an in-cable control box (ICCB)).Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Gi Bong Son, Hui Sung Jang, Hyun Wook Seong
-
Patent number: 10195948Abstract: A technique controls charge on a lithium battery of a utility vehicle. The technique involves operating electronic circuitry of the utility vehicle in a normal operating mode in which the electronic circuitry charges the lithium battery to a normal charge level. The technique further involves, after operating the electronic circuity in the normal operating mode, transitioning the electronic circuitry from the normal operating mode to a storage mode in which the electronic circuitry is configured to set an amount of charge on the lithium battery to within a predefined storage range (or level) which is lower than the normal charge level. The technique further involves, in response to transitioning the electronic circuitry, adjusting the amount of charge on the lithium battery from an initial charge level which is outside the predefined storage range to an adjusted charge level which is within the predefined storage range.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Luke Anthony O'Hara, Arthur James Harvey, John Ledden, Russell William King
-
Patent number: 10195949Abstract: A charger, in one possible configuration, has an AC/DC converter that converts alternating current power supplied from an external alternating current power supply into direct current power and outputs the direct current power, a DC/DC converter that transforms the direct current power output by the AC/DC converter and supplies the transformed direct current power to a vehicle-mounted battery, and a safety control unit that forcibly stops the DC/DC converter with detection of an occurrence of a fault during charging of the vehicle-mounted battery as a trigger, and subsequently causes the AC/DC converter to stop normally.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Osamu Takei, Akio Toba, Yasuaki Hachisu, Masakazu Gekinozu, Hiroji Nishida
-
Patent number: 10195950Abstract: A wireless power transmission device may include a power transmitting module installed outside a vehicle for transmitting power, a power receiving module installed on the vehicle for receiving power from the power transmitting module, and a user interface module configured to control a position of the vehicle and the power transmitting and receiving modules so as to transmit power from the power transmitting module to the power receiving module.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young-Soo Dow
-
Patent number: 10195951Abstract: A wireless power supply system of the present invention performs wireless power supply between a power transmission coil installed at a parking space and a power reception coil mounted on a vehicle, transmits judging power for judging a parking position from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil in an operation of parking the vehicle in the parking space, and sets an excitation frequency of the judging power to a frequency lower than an in-phase resonance point or higher than an anti-phase resonance point.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kengo Maikawa
-
Patent number: 10195952Abstract: A base station for automated battery pack or payload exchange and methods for using the same. The base station provides a landing surface for receiving a mobile platform and includes a manipulator controlled by a manipulator compartment for accessing resource storage. The base station is operable to ascertain a location of the platform on the landing surface and move the manipulator to the mobile platform. Thereby, the base station system advantageously accommodates low-accuracy landing of the mobile platform and further enables extended and autonomous operation of the mobile platform without the need for user intervention for exchanging battery packs and payloads.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Mingxi Wang, Xiangyu Chen
-
Patent number: 10195953Abstract: A charging system charges a lithium battery of a utility vehicle. The charging system includes a receptacle configured to couple with an external charger, a lithium battery configured to provide lithium battery power to a set of electrical loads of the utility vehicle, and control circuitry coupled with the receptacle and the lithium battery. The control circuitry is configured to detect connection between the external charger and the receptacle and, in response to detecting connection between the external charger and the receptacle, ascertain a charging state of the lithium battery. The control circuitry is further configured to output, based on the charging state, a control signal to the external charger through the receptacle, the control signal being configured to control charging output from the external charger to charge the lithium battery.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Arthur James Harvey, Norman R. Padgett, John Ledden
-
Patent number: 10195954Abstract: Method for operating a charging station for electric vehicles in which a charging power is negotiated between a charge control device of the electric vehicle and the charging station, the charge control device controls a charging current which is transmitted from the charging station to the electric vehicle in accordance with the charging power negotiated, wherein a continuous power rating and a maximum power of the charging station which is greater than the continuous power rating are determined. In order to optimize the charging power and to accelerate a charging operation, it is proposed that a charging power which is above the continuous power rating and which at most corresponds to the maximum power is first negotiated, that the temperature in the charging station be monitored, and that, when a limit temperature is exceeded, a new charging power which at most corresponds to the continuous power be negotiated.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: innogy SEInventor: Gernot Becker
-
Patent number: 10195955Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and system for reducing the electric power consumption of a railway system comprising at least one catenary, trains and at least one substation connected to sections of catenary and providing electric power to the catenary, wherein during the braking of the trains, the braking trains provide electric power to the catenary. The substation is associated to one device for reducing the electric power consumption and the invention: detects the presence of a braking train in one of the section connected to the substation, interrupts the electric power provided by the substation to the catenary if the presence of the braking train is detected, detects the absence of braking trains in each section connected to the substation, means for enabling the electric power to be provided by the substation to the catenary if the absence of braking trains is detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Nicolas Voyer
-
Patent number: 10195956Abstract: The method of location-based charging for electric vehicles provides for secure charging of electric vehicles by applying various charging mechanisms depending on users' and suppliers' specific attributes. When an operator of an electric vehicle connects the electric vehicle to electric vehicle supply equipment, a message is securely received by the electric vehicle supply equipment, which includes a set of operator-specific parameters. Based on the set of operator-specific parameters, a secure notification is transmitted to an owner of the electric vehicle supply equipment requesting authorization for the operator to charge the electric vehicle. The applicable charging mechanism of the electric vehicle is applied based on the owner's authorization message transmitted to the electric vehicle supply equipment and the set of operator-specific parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: United Arab Emirates UniversityInventors: Khaled Shuaib, Ezedin Barka, Juhar Ahmed, Farag Sallabi