Patents Issued in March 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10239504
    Abstract: A method pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination (100) which combination comprises a tractor vehicle (110) with a towed vehicle (112), where both are configured to be braked. The tractor vehicle (110) is provided with a first control unit (200) having a function for regulation of coupling force between the tractor vehicle (110) and the towed vehicle (112). Regulation of coupling force includes adaptation data and the towed vehicle bears an ID specification. The method includes the steps of: transferring the ID specification from the towed vehicle (112) to the tractor vehicle (110); during a braking process, registering adaptation data associated with the braking process together with the ID specification. Also a computer program product includes program code (P) for a computer (200; 205) for implementing the method. Also a system pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination (100) and to a vehicle combination (100) is equipped with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Thomas Strange, Martin Edinger
  • Patent number: 10239505
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle deceleration in a vehicle with an ABS brake system. The method includes detecting a target vehicle deceleration specified by a driver; defining a maximum deceleration and a minimum deceleration, each depending on the detected target vehicle deceleration; detecting an actual vehicle deceleration; and controlling a braking pressure on wheel brakes of a first vehicle axle and a second vehicle axle depending on the detected actual vehicle deceleration by actuation of ABS brake valves. Controlling the braking pressure by the actuation of the ABS brake valves comprises controlling the braking pressure on the wheel brakes of the second vehicle axle depending on a detected actual differential slip if the actual vehicle deceleration is less than the maximum deceleration and greater than the minimum deceleration, wherein the actual differential slip indicates the difference in a rotational behavior of the first vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Boethel, Horst Eckert, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Patent number: 10239506
    Abstract: A brake boost assist system for use with a master cylinder of a motor vehicle braking system, includes an inductive sensing system. The inductive sensing system has sensing devices carried on an input member and an output member, where the input and output members are coupled to respective ones of an input rod and an output rod of the brake boost assist system. Movement of the input and output members relative to one another, and relative to a fixed element of the inductive sensing system positioned within the brake boost assist system, enables an accurate estimation of the distance of a pedal gap which separates faces of the input and output rods. The accurate estimation of the pedal gap distance enables a more accurate determination to be made of the braking force required for any given pedal stroke input by an operator of the vehicle during a braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: VEONEER NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD., VEONEER US, INC.
    Inventors: Curt M. Roberts, Suat Ali Ozsoylu
  • Patent number: 10239507
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a vehicle brake hydraulic controller including: an antilock braking controlling module configured to perform an antilock braking control in which a brake hydraulic pressure applied to wheel brakes is reduced under the condition that a slip-related amount has reached a pressure reduction threshold value; and a turning judging module configured to judge whether a vehicle is turning based on a steering angle, wherein, when the antilock braking control is performed and in the case that the turning judging module judges that the vehicle is turning, the antilock braking controlling module performs a turning pressure reduction control so as to: change the pressure reduction threshold values to be more easily reached by the slip-related amount than at the time of straight running; and change the pressure reduction amounts to be larger than that at the time of straight running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyonori Asano
  • Patent number: 10239508
    Abstract: Provided is a brake apparatus having a detachable pump housing. The brake apparatus having a detachable pump housing includes a master cylinder that receives an operating force of a pedal, a main housing in which the master cylinder is accommodated and a through-hole is formed at one side thereof, a motor that provides a driving force, a pump piston that is accommodated in the main housing, and moves in and out of the main housing through the through-hole by receiving the driving force from the motor, a gear unit that converts the driving force of the motor into a linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the pump piston, and a pump housing in which the pump piston is accommodated and an opening is formed at one side thereof, and that is detachably fastened to the main housing such that the opening communicates with the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang-Soo Han, Youngsong Lee
  • Patent number: 10239509
    Abstract: A primary piston assembly for a master brake cylinder of a braking system of a vehicle, including a first primary piston component having a first piston element to which a driver braking force is transmittable in such a way that a pressure chamber volume of a pressure chamber of a master brake cylinder of the braking system which is fillable with liquid is reducible by moving the first piston element with the aid of the driver braking force, and a second primary piston component having a second piston element to which the first braking assisting force is transmittable in such a way that the pressure chamber volume of the pressure chamber is reducible by moving the second piston element with the aid of the first braking assisting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Mayer, Frank Overzier
  • Patent number: 10239510
    Abstract: A method of controlling a brake system of a motor vehicle having a braking assistance function. The brake system including a master brake cylinder, activated with a brake pedal. A distance s between a valve piston connected to the brake pedal, and a transmission element, connected to a pressure piston of the master brake cylinder is sensed and the brake system is controlled as a function of the sensed distance s. Within the scope of this monitoring process, brake pedal release is detected even when the pressure-generating unit is activated. In addition, despite an active braking assistance function, consistent interplay occurs between activation by the driver and assistance-side activation of the brakes given satisfactory pedal feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Svensson
  • Patent number: 10239511
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a hydraulic pressure generation apparatus including: a base body; a motor; a reservoir tank; a master cylinder which generates a brake hydraulic pressure by a brake manipulator; and a slave cylinder which generates a brake hydraulic pressure the motor. The base body includes: a first cylinder hole which is a bottomed cylinder hole, and in which the first piston is inserted; a second cylinder hole which is a bottomed cylinder hole, and in which the second piston is inserted; and a supply passage which leads from the reservoir tank to a hydraulic chamber of the slave cylinder. The supply passage is provided with a check valve which permits only inflow of brake fluid from the reservoir tank to a side of the slave cylinder, near a brake fluid discharge port of the second cylinder hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 10239512
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an engagement structure of a push rod guide and a push rod guide cover of a brake chamber for a vehicle, in which a pair of semi-circular, hingedly connected, half members in a shape of a plate are assembled at a side surface of an axial direction of the push rod into a shape of a disk, a push rod opening is formed at the center of the disk to guide a movement of the push rod, a protrusion projecting upwards is provided at a central part of the push rod guide, forming a step in a radial direction of the push rod guide, and a receiving groove corresponding to the step is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the push rod guide cover and is connected to the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MIRAEVC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10239513
    Abstract: A method for obtaining gear shifting of a vehicle, where the vehicle has a planetary gearing in the drive train, a combustion engine with an output shaft connected to a rotor of a second electric machine and to a first component of the planetary gearing, a first electric machine with a rotor connected to a third component of the planetary gearing and an input shaft of a gearbox connected to a second component of the planetary gearing. The method is started with the components of the planetary gearing interlocked by a locking means, in which they are released during the gear shifting and interlocked again after the gear shifting has been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Scania CV Ab
    Inventors: Johan Lindström, Mathias Björkman, Mikael Bergquist, Niklas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 10239514
    Abstract: A hybrid controller unit includes a detection module, a gear-hold module, a gear-skip module, and an optimizing module. The detection module is structured to detect a deceleration event. The gear-hold module is structured to determine whether a certain gear of a transmission should be maintained for a certain period of time in order to optimize power regeneration during the deceleration event. The gear-hold module is also structured to generate a gear-hold request. The gear-skip module is structured to determine whether the transmission should skip a gear in order to optimize power regeneration during the deceleration event. The gear-skip module is also structured to generate a gear-skip request. The optimizing module is structured to receive the gear-hold request and the gear-skip request and generate a transmission command to be sent to a transmission control unit for actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Mahesh Madurai-Kumar, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Pinak Tulpule, Praveen Chitradurga Muralidhar, Martin T. Books
  • Patent number: 10239515
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and electric machine connected to a planetary gear, a one-way clutch, and a controller. The one-way clutch transfers torque from the planetary gear to an overdrive gear. The controller, in response to a condition requiring disengagement of the one-way clutch, increases a torque of the electric machine based on a torque command for the electric machine and the torque transferred from the planetary gear to the overdrive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Luke Ottaway, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10239516
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David D. Colavincenzo, Fernando Venegas Diaz
  • Patent number: 10239517
    Abstract: A controller of a hybrid vehicle includes: a control unit configured to activate a starter device for starting any one of a drive motor and an engine by stepping up electric power from a battery by a voltage transformer. The control unit includes a limitation part that limits passing power of the voltage transformer when the temperature of the voltage transformer rises, and a calculation part that obtains a maximum electric power that can be supplied to the drive motor when the starter device is activated, by subtracting a consumed power of the starter device from limited power during limitation of passing power by the limitation part. The control unit activates the starter device and starts the engine, when required power of the drive motor reaches the maximum electric power calculated by the calculation part during limitation of passing power by the limitation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Miyamoto, Norihiko Ikoma, Makoto Kamachi, Ryo Shimizu, Hironori Abe
  • Patent number: 10239518
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 10239519
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle state estimation device (10) having a calculation unit (28) that calculates state quantities of at least a sprung of a vehicle based on wheel speeds of front left and right wheels and rear left and right wheels detected by detection devices. The calculation unit (28) calculates in-phase and reverse phase components of wheel speeds of left and right wheels for the front and rear wheels and calculates a pitch angular speed and a yaw angular speed of the sprung based on the in-phase and reverse phase components of the wheel speeds, respectively. The calculation unit (28) calculates in-phase and reverse phase components of vertical strokes of left and right suspensions for the front and rear wheels and calculates a vertical speed and a roll angular speed of the sprung based on the in-phase and reverse phase components of vertical strokes of the suspensions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shingo Koumura
  • Patent number: 10239520
    Abstract: A parking assistance device according to an embodiment includes a determination unit that determines, when the parallel parking of a vehicle in a parking area is assisted, whether the parking space length of a frontage that the vehicle enters in the parking area is the sum of the full length of the vehicle and a certain length or more and a control unit that performs parking assistance for the vehicle along a route in which stationary steering control is not performed at a turning position of the vehicle when the parking space length is the sum of the full length of the vehicle and the certain length or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motokatsu Tomozawa, Masaya Kato, Hiroyuki Tachibana, Norio Imai, Tomohisa Yamashita, Tsuyoshi Hoshino, Shogi Fukukawa, Takatomo Asai, Motonari Obayashi, Hironobu Ishijima, Kiyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10239521
    Abstract: Systems and methods of deep neural network based parking assistance is provided. A system can receive data sensed by one or more sensors mounted on a vehicle located at a parking zone. The system generates, from a first neural network, a digital map based on the data sensed by the one or more sensors. The system generates, from a second neural network, a first path based on the three-dimensional dynamic map. The system receives vehicle dynamics information from a second one or more sensors located on the vehicle. The system generates, with a third neural network, a second path to park the vehicle based on the first path, vehicle dynamics information and at least one historical path stored in vehicle memory. The system provides commands to control the vehicle to follow the second path to park the vehicle in the parking zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: CHONGQING JINKANG NEW ENERGY VEHICLE CO., LTD., SF MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Xinhua Xiao, Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 10239522
    Abstract: In an inter-vehicle control apparatus, a controller performs acceleration control of an own vehicle, based on an actual inter-vehicle physical quantity and a target inter-vehicle physical quantity. A limiter sets a limit value for a target jerk during the acceleration control. A detector detects an occurrence of at least one of: an event in which the inter-vehicle distance becomes discontinuously shorter; and an event in which a target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the target inter-vehicle physical quantity becomes discontinuously longer. A determiner determines a risk of collision with the preceding vehicle, based on an operation state of the preceding vehicle in relation to the own vehicle. When at least one of the events is detected, the limiter sets the limit value to a value based on the risk of collision such that change in deceleration of the own vehicle is kept lower as the risk of collision decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
  • Patent number: 10239523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a route evaluation device that enables traveling along a route in consideration of an operation of the driver of another vehicle, and can realize a safer traffic environment. A route evaluation device includes a route candidate generation section that generates route candidates of a host-vehicle, a route prediction section that predicts routes of another vehicle, a classification section that classifies the interference states of the route candidates of the host-vehicle and the predicted routes of another vehicle into a plurality of interference forms, and a route evaluation section that evaluates the routes of the host-vehicle on the basis of the interference forms classified by the classification section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Sakai, Hiromitsu Urano, Kazuaki Aso, Masahiro Harada, Toshiki Kindo
  • Patent number: 10239524
    Abstract: A lane shift indicating system for indicating a potential lane shift of a vehicle supporting at least partly automated steering and vehicle speed control, when the vehicle is travelling along a first driving lane of a road having a second driving lane separated from the first driving lane by one or more lane markings. The lane shift indicating system determines a driving environment of the vehicle at an initial vehicle position, and determines that the driving environment indicates that the vehicle is in a driving situation where a lane shift from the first driving lane to the second driving lane is considered appropriate, and adjusts the steering prior to a potential automated vehicle speed adjustment pertinent the determined driving situation, such that the vehicle continues its travel laterally closer to the one or more lane markings along the first driving lane, as compared to the initial vehicle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Claus Allan Christensen, Christian Hedegaard, Thomas Bove
  • Patent number: 10239525
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving support information generation device, a driving support information generation method, a driving support device, and a driving support method which make it possible to present effective caution information to drivers. The driving support information generation device of the present invention includes a processor to execute a program; and a memory to store the program which, when executed by the processor, performs processes of collecting vehicle information including traveling locus information indicating a traveling locus of at least one vehicle which travels a predetermined road section and generating cautionary information which is information to require a driver of the at least one vehicle to exercise caution when the at least one vehicle travels the section, on the basis of the collected vehicle information. The cautionary information is generated on the basis of variation in traveling of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Arai, Mitsuo Shimotani, Takehito Sogabe
  • Patent number: 10239526
    Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for adaptive cruise control. The process includes receiving information about a distance between vehicle and a traffic signal, receiving information about a state of the traffic signal, and determining whether to adjust the speed of the vehicle based upon the distance between the vehicle and the traffic signal and the state of the traffic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William F. Durgin, Cody D. Berman, Justin K. Francisco, Brunno L. Moretti
  • Patent number: 10239527
    Abstract: Driving rating information for other vehicles in an external environment of a vehicle can be provided. The external environment of the vehicle can be sensed to detect the other vehicles. Driving rating information for the other vehicles can be received, such as directly from the other vehicles or from a remote driving ratings source. The driving rating information for the other vehicles can be presented within the vehicle. Based on such driving rating information, a vehicle occupant can decide whether or not to lead or follow a particular vehicle in the external environment. If a selection of one of the identified one or more vehicles is received from a vehicle occupant, the vehicle can be caused to implement one or more driving maneuvers relative to the selected vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Hada
  • Patent number: 10239528
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a processor configured to calculate a direction in which the vehicle is to move in order to overtake a preceding vehicle and calculate a distance to the preceding vehicle when it is determined that the preceding vehicle is travelling abnormally; a distance sensor configured to recognize a lane located in the calculated direction in which the vehicle is to move based on the calculated distance to the preceding vehicle; and a driving apparatus configured to control driving of the vehicle in a manner which keeps the vehicle at or near the calculated distance to the preceding vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Youngchul Oh, Kicheol Shin, Byungyong You, MyungSeon Heo
  • Patent number: 10239529
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device programmed to receive a set of goals for a vehicle and identify a travel area for the vehicle for a time period. The computing device receives data indicating predictability of driving conditions of the travel area and determines that the predictability is sufficient to control the vehicle according to model predictive control. Controlling the vehicle includes determining instructions to control actuators related to the steering, propulsion and braking of the vehicle to minimize a cost function. The instructions are implemented for a first time slot. The time period is updated to remove the first time slot at the beginning and include an additional time slot at the end of the predetermined time period. The computing device determines an updated control solution, and implements the updated control solution for a second time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar Petrov Filev, Jianbo Lu, Davor D. Hrovat
  • Patent number: 10239530
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is a vehicle control apparatus controlling a vehicle and provided with a regenerative device generating electric power while applying a regenerative braking force by performing regenerative electric power generation, an electric power supply capable of exchanging electric power with the regenerative device, and a hydraulic device applying a hydraulic braking force attributable to a hydraulic pressure, and is provided with an electronic control device controlling the regenerative device and the hydraulic device so as to adjust the ratios of the regenerative braking force and the hydraulic braking force to a required braking force required for the braking of the vehicle based on an input electric power value input into the electric power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Yamaguchi, Takashi Kawai
  • Patent number: 10239531
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fault-tolerant braking system that controls a brake assembly which is configured to adjust a braking force applied to one or more wheels. The fault-tolerant braking system further includes a brake-by-wire (BBW) system and a vehicle control module (VCM). The BBW system is configured to control the brake assembly in response to a braking request. The VCM is configured to detect a fault of at least one of the brake assembly and the BBW system. In response to detecting the fault, the VCM selectively operates the vehicle between a normal operating mode and at least one degraded driving mode that limits operation of at least one of the vehicle engine and the vehicle transmission compared to the normal operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Kilmurray, Alan J. Houtman, Christopher C. Chappell, Brandon C. Pennala
  • Patent number: 10239532
    Abstract: A method for operating a driver-assistance system for the lateral guidance of a motor vehicle in a lane change from a current lane to a target lane in a traffic-lane split. Also provided is a driver-assistance system for the lateral guidance of a motor vehicle in a lane change from a current lane to a target lane in a traffic-lane split. The driver-assistance system encompasses a trajectory-ascertainment device, which is configured to ascertain a trajectory for the lane change of the motor vehicle from the current lane to the target lane so that the lane change from the current lane to the target lane is carried out at a predefined point in time following the traffic-lane split.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Holger Mielenz
  • Patent number: 10239533
    Abstract: A method for anticipatory or predictive operation of a motor vehicle having a drive control system by which drive-relevant components of the drive-train are adjusted, and a detection system by which a travel route and anticipated driving time to a specified destination as well as the current position of the vehicle are determined. By way of the detection system and based on topographical information, a driving resistance profile of the route is prepared, to parameterize the drive control system such that the route is driven in a specifiable manner. If a need arises during the journey, a nominal arrival time or a travel route is specified or modified and, in accordance with the specified or changed nominal arrival time or route, the drive control system is dynamically re-parameterized so that the vehicle reaches its destination at the time concerned with regard to an efficient mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Cosmin Tudosie
  • Patent number: 10239534
    Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle includes a power generator that generates electricity to charge one or more auxiliary power system batteries. The motor vehicle includes an engine and drive train that distributes power from the engine to the drive wheels. The drive train can include a transmission, a drive shaft and a differential that connects the engine to the drive wheels. The power generator can be connected to the drive train (e.g., the transmission, the drive shaft or the differential) to draw power to generate electricity as well as to apply braking loads on the drive wheels to increase the ability to stop the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BLACKBURN ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Amigo
  • Patent number: 10239535
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an engine control device for hybrid construction machinery, and more particularly, and an object of the present disclosure is to, in a hybrid excavator, in which a swing apparatus is electrically driven by being separated from a hydraulic power train system in the related art, satisfy a minimum rotational speed of an engine auxiliary motor which is necessary to satisfy a target charging amount required for an energy storage device, and improve fuel efficiency by removing unnecessary energy loss at low loads by controlling a rotational speed of an engine to be lower than a rotational speed of an engine determined based on a dial input and a mode input in the related art, in a case where a target power generation amount of the engine auxiliary motor is small in a low-load work situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Jin Yoo
  • Patent number: 10239536
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for a vehicle including an engine used as a power source and an automatic transmission, the vehicle control device performing a first running mode in which a shift control of the automatic transmission and a drive force control are provided according to a driver's acceleration/deceleration operation and a second running mode in which the shift control and the drive force control are provided without the acceleration/deceleration operation while a target running state is set, comprising: a slope-road running control portion configured to control the automatic transmission such that an engine rotation speed is kept high during slope-road running on at least one of an uphill road and a downhill road as compared to flat-road running, the slope-road running control portion limiting an increase amount of the engine rotation speed in the second running mode as compared to the first running mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Tatsushiro, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 10239537
    Abstract: A vehicle traveling control apparatus of the invention stops a vehicle by causing a braking force applying device to apply a braking force to the vehicle after determining that a driver is under an abnormal state. When a stop of a control for maintaining a vehicle at a stopped state is requested while a shift lever is set at a range other than parking and neutral ranges, the apparatus limits a driving force requested for a driving force supplying device to supply to drive wheels, to a value smaller than a driver's requesting driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Patent number: 10239538
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a driver's actual driving behaviors (e.g., acceleration, deceleration) in a manual driving mode to determine their preferred driving style, and then causing an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to operate itself, within limits, in accordance with the drivers' driving style when operating in a self-driving mode, thereby providing a more familiar and comfortable driving experience for the driver. Data is collected on the actual driving behavior, any pre-existing data is accessed on the actual driving behavior, and the collected data and the pre-existing data are combined. A custom control is then created based upon the combined data, and the custom control is applied to manage the self-driving behavior of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle in a self-driving mode. Additional data continues to be collected on the actual driving behavior, and the custom control is adjusted based upon the collected additional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Joseph P. Harr, Jeremy Myers
  • Patent number: 10239539
    Abstract: A pedestrian crosswalk through which a subject vehicle is expected to pass is specified as a first pedestrian crosswalk and another pedestrian crosswalk located within a predetermined distance from the first pedestrian crosswalk is specified as a second pedestrian crosswalk. An extension process of extending an area of at least one of the first pedestrian crosswalk and the second pedestrian crosswalk is performed. When a determination is made that at least a part of the first pedestrian crosswalk and the second pedestrian crosswalk overlap each other, an area including the first pedestrian crosswalk and the second pedestrian crosswalk is set as a detection area of a detector detecting an object around the subject vehicle. A moving object is detected in the detection area using the detector. Travel of the subject vehicle is controlled on the basis of a detection result of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motonobu Aoki, Susumu Fujita, Yohei Mishina
  • Patent number: 10239540
    Abstract: A vehicle control device in a vehicle including an engine and a multi-speed transmission having a plurality of gear positions, each gear position out of the plurality of gear positions established by engaging predetermined engagement devices out of a plurality of engagement devices, the vehicle control device including a shift control portion configured to control release of a release-side engagement device of the plurality of engagement devices and engagement of an engagement-side engagement device of the plurality of engagement devices so as to switch the gear position established in the multi-speed transmission, and an engine control portion configured to provide idling-reduction control of temporarily stopping the operation of the engine based on a predetermined engine stop condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Miura, Seiji Masunaga, Tomohiro Chimbe, Norihiro Tsukamoto, Tomohiro Asami, Yuji Kajiyama, Kazuki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10239541
    Abstract: An article transport vehicle includes a travel member capable of traveling along a travel path, a support member located below the travel member for supporting an article, and a connecting member which connects the travel member and the support member to each other. The connecting member includes a travel member side connecting portion connected to the travel member, a support member side connecting portion connected to the support member, and an elastic member which is elastically deformable. The travel member side connecting portion and the support member side connecting portion are connected to each other for relative movement along the vertical direction. An elastic member is interposed between the travel member side connecting portion and the support member side connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daichi Tomida
  • Patent number: 10239542
    Abstract: A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis
  • Patent number: 10239543
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system may include a cooling circuit for cooling at least one main component of a vehicle. The cooling circuit may include at least one cooler through which cooling air is flowable and at least two fan chambers adjoined to an outlet side of the at least one cooler. The at least two fan chambers may each include a respective fan arranged therein, a respective main outlet and a respective ancillary outlet. The vehicle cooling system may also include at least one waste air channel that may be connected to the respective ancillary outlets of the at least two fan chambers. The vehicle cooling system may further include at least one control device configured to control a cross-section of each of the respective ancillary outlets and to enable operation of the vehicle cooling system in a normal operating state and in at least two emergency operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Frank
  • Patent number: 10239544
    Abstract: A guided delivery vehicle having one or more item support regions atop a carrier body; one or more drive wheels attached or coupled to one or more powered servo motors; a receiver for receiving one or more transmitted signals; at least one junction detection sensor, wherein the at least one junction detection sensor is capable of detecting a junction identifier associated with a determined position along a guide track; and a controller that receives and processes input from at least the receiver and the at least one junction detection sensor, and, in response to a received and processed input, executes an initial command step and sequentially executes subsequent command steps upon detection of a subsequent junction identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: 888 Brands LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. DeMartine, John J. Douglas
  • Patent number: 10239545
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus including a top portion pivotally coupled to a middle portion via a latching assembly, the latching assembly including a biasing element and a latching element, the biasing element biasing latching element in a closed position which releasably secures the top portion to the middle portion in an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DaVinci II CSJ, Inc.
    Inventor: Ajit Khubani
  • Patent number: 10239546
    Abstract: A folding utility cart incorporates a plurality of wheels attached to a lower frame, a handle frame, a pail frame, and a plurality of hinges positioned to permit the cart to fold into a space-saving configuration. The cart has a plurality of storage compartments, trays, and clips, each capable of retaining commonly associated cleaning supplies therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Rella M. Scott
  • Patent number: 10239547
    Abstract: A pick cart includes a first end, an opposing second end, a first side and an opposing second side, a plurality of shelves each defined by the first side, the second side, the first side and the second side and a plurality of wheels attached to a bottom of a lowermost shelf of the plurality of shelves. The wheels are configured to make the pick cart mobile. A first extrusion has a length and is mounted to the first side or the second side of each of the plurality of shelves. The first extrusion includes a channel that runs along an entirety of the length of the first extrusion. At least one movable divider is configured to divide each of the plurality of shelves into compartments. Each movable divider comprises at least one slider that is configured to mate with the channel in the first extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilesh Mohan, Brian Edgerton
  • Patent number: 10239548
    Abstract: A multiple bag hanging cart is described. Embodiments of the multiple bag hanging cart can include a longitudinal divider having a plurality of dual prong hooks and a plurality of single prong hooks spaced along right and left sides of the cart. The dual prong hooks of the longitudinal divider can be configured to be aligned with respective single prong hooks located on either side of the cart. In use, one or more bags can be hung within a basket of the cart via the dual prong hooks and the single prong hooks to allow for easy insertion of items into the bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Albert Fiorello, Luke Fiorello
  • Patent number: 10239549
    Abstract: A tool holding device for a wheelbarrow comprises an oblong handle channel with a longitudinal trough in which a substantial length of the tool handle is seated within multiple locking collars. Each of the locking collars comprise a u-shaped collar trough subtended by a deformable collar strip. When the tool handle is inserted into the channel trough, the collar strips wrap around the handle and cradle it tightly within the trough. The handle channel is connected through a channel flange to one of the sides or the back of the wheelbarrow tub either integrally or by attachment means in the channel flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Tris Tristram
  • Patent number: 10239550
    Abstract: A child stroller apparatus includes a first and a second leg portion, a handle frame having a side segment that is coupled with the first leg portion via a pivot connection, a child seat assembled on the first leg portion, the child seat being slidable along the first leg portion, and a linkage respectively connected with the side segment and the child seat, whereby a sliding movement of the child seat along the first leg portion is linked to a rotation of the handle frame relative to the first leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Anthony V. Ruggiero, Robert E. Haut, Andrew J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10239551
    Abstract: A steering wheel device that can absorb an applied impact load. A steering wheel device includes a lower cover that covers a steering column side of the steering wheel. The lower cover includes: a bottom member facing the steering column; an open portion which at a center of the bottom member and through which a steering shaft passes; slit portions formed on both sides, the slit portions being bent and curved in predetermined shapes; buffer portions formed in the bottom member and outlined by the slit portions, the buffer portions having a free end formed on a vehicle front side and a stationary end formed on a vehicle rear side; and bridge members that can be broken and bridge each of slit portions on the free end side of each of the buffer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kumagawa
  • Patent number: 10239552
    Abstract: A rotation control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a steering shaft. Also included is a driving tab rotatable with the steering shaft. Further included is a rotating plate surrounding the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft, the rotating plate having a driven tab extending from the rotating plate, the driving tab engageable with the driven tab to rotate the rotating plate. Yet further included is an end stop extending from a structure disposed radially outward of the steering shaft and radially positioned to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the driven tab to the end stop, engagement of the driven tab and the end stop limiting rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10239553
    Abstract: A power converter for a three-phase electric rotary machine including first and second winding sets includes: first and second inverters corresponding to the first and second winding sets, respectively; and a control unit including a command calculation unit that calculates first and second voltage command values related to voltages to be applied to the first and second winding sets, and an excess correction unit that corrects first and second voltage command corresponding values corresponding to the first and second voltage command values. When one of the first and second voltage command corresponding values exceeds a limitation value which is set in accordance with a voltage capable of being outputted, the excess correction unit performs an excess correction process for correcting the other of the first and second voltage command corresponding values in accordance with an excess amount over the limitation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki