Patents Issued in April 25, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190118562
    Abstract: An apparatus with an ink printing device generates imprints on items moving in a transport direction. The ink printing device displaces the ink cartridge, which is a single inkjet print head of at least 1 inch in width transverse to the transport direction, as well as in a vertical direction, and counter to the vertical direction. A movement mechanism of the printing module is provided to vertically raise and lower the inkjet print head. The movement mechanism has a mechanism for motorized movement of the inkjet print head, and a mechanism for manual displacement in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Muhl
  • Publication number: 20190118563
    Abstract: An inkjet module includes: first and second opposite end brackets; a print module slidably mounted between the end brackets for raising and lowering the print module relative to the end brackets, the print module having a front face, a rear face and an elongate printhead positioned at a lower surface of the print module; and a cable array including a plurality of laterally arranged cables connected to the print module. The cables of the cable array extend in a common plane parallel to the rear face of the print module and follow a curved path such that an outer cable is longer than an inner cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Mark Profaca
  • Publication number: 20190118564
    Abstract: Examples of an apparatus for flexible flat cable, installable within a print device, are described. The flexible flat cable may be connected to a print carriage assembly of the print device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Deyang Wang, Clint Carl Sensano, Yan Zhu, Chin Siang Chua, Chern Fong Chong
  • Publication number: 20190118565
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a supporting unit for a medium including an insertion part on which an indented part is provided, a base unit including an insertion inlet for the insertion part, the base unit being configured to have the supporting unit attach and detach to/from the base unit, and a fixing part configured to, when the insertion part is inserted up to a fixing position, fix the insertion part at the fixing position. The fixing part includes a first fixing part and a second fixing part. When the insertion part is inserted up to the fixing position, the first fixing part is configured to engage with the indented part when the indented part is located at a facing position, and the second fixing part is configured to not engage with the indented part when the indented part is located at a facing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Nobuhiko HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20190118566
    Abstract: An inner ribbon mounting opening is provided at a lower side of a cover member (202) that is rotatably connected with a housing (201), the cover member (202) housing a ribbon unit that holds an ink ribbon (302) held so as to be freely fed and freely taken up. An outer ribbon mounting opening (301) is further provided at an upper side. Thus, work can be performed from both directions above and below the cover member (202). As a result, work can be performed selectively using the outer ribbon mounting opening (301) or the inner ribbon mounting opening, and the workability for mounting and removing the ink ribbon can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Yasuyuki MORI, Takehiro KIKUI
  • Publication number: 20190118567
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a placement portion on which a medium is placed, a feeding portion that feeds the medium that is placed on the placement portion, a recording portion that has a liquid discharge portion that discharges liquid onto the medium that is fed by the feeding portion, a processing portion that executes pre-processing of the liquid discharge portion, and a control portion that performs control of the feeding portion and the processing portion or control of the feeding portion and the recording portion such that feeding of the medium and pre-processing are performed in parallel in a case where a recording start command is received in a state in which the processing portion faces the liquid discharge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Atsushi TAKEI, Yasuo SUNAGA, Yasuaki HIRAI
  • Publication number: 20190118568
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus, including: a base plate having a first surface and a second surface; an installation part provided in the first surface and configured so that a ribbon roll is attached thereto; a thermal head provided in the first surface and configured to heat the ink ribbon; a partition wall partitioning the first surface into a first area including the installation part and a second area including the thermal head; a drive mechanism provided in a third area of the second surface and including a motor and a controller; and a fan provided in the base plate and configured to move air from the second area to the first area via the third area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Yuanyuan Deng
  • Publication number: 20190118569
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self adhesive ink jet printable polymer film. The film comprises a polymeric resin and a low surface energy additive that is in a substantially free form. The polymeric resin can be PVC, and the low surface energy additive can be silicone. The film comprising the low surface energy additive exhibits high print resolution and substantially uniform printing quality even after the print surface of the film has been in contact with a back surface of a release liner comprising residual silicone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Nagarajan Srivatsan, Prakash Mallya, Sujith Chacko, Michael Ramsay, Jolanda Wesseling, Stuart Miller
  • Publication number: 20190118570
    Abstract: A paper roll, in which a paper strip is wound in the form of a roll, includes a marker formed of a medium containing a phosphorescent material on an end portion of the paper strip that extends from a finishing end of the paper roll to a position that is a predetermined length from the finishing end. A printer includes a roller configured to convey paper supplied from the paper roll, a printing head configured to print information on the paper conveyed by the roller, one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned downstream of the printing head in a conveyance direction of the paper, and a control unit configured to turn on the LEDs to irradiate the paper on which the information has been printed and discharged out of the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Suguru KATO
  • Publication number: 20190118571
    Abstract: A micro-optic device, including: a transparent substrate; first lens elements on a first side of the substrate that reveal first image elements on a second side of the substrate; and second lens elements on the second side of the substrate that reveal second image elements on the first side of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: CCL SECURE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Karlo Ivan Jolic, Gary Fairless Power
  • Publication number: 20190118572
    Abstract: A crayon wrapping system for exposing a crayon that becomes shorter from usage includes a crayon that may be manipulated for coloring. A wrapper is wrapped around the crayon such that the wrapper forms a helical coil on the crayon. Moreover, the wrapper is selectively peeled away from the crayon as the crayon becomes shorter from usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Jacob Landers
  • Publication number: 20190118573
    Abstract: A whiteboard eraser includes a first side defining a grip surface, and a second side defining an eraser surface. The eraser surface comprises a reticulated scrubbing portion. The eraser surface may also include a textile wiping portion less abrasive than the reticulated scrubbing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nelson, JR., Jason B. Magid, Richard A. McCallion, Bryan J. Poteracki
  • Publication number: 20190118574
    Abstract: A flexible installation for producing at least two types of coins. In particular, the different coin types have a different number of round blank parts and/or have round blank parts made of different materials. The type and number of work steps necessary to produce the coins of the coin type in question differ between the different coin types. The installation has a number of stations, in which a round blank part is supplied and/or output and/or processed and/or measured and/or tested. At least one transporting device acts to transport the at least one round blank part between the stations. Preferably, two transporting devices are present, which can be controlled independently of each other and cooperate via a transfer station for the at least one round blank part. A control device controls the at least one transporting device and the stations depending on the coin type to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventor: STEPHAN RIMPL
  • Publication number: 20190118575
    Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements through a combination of kiss-and-through cutting to produce a high stretch, multi-color photographic quality print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Owen McGovern, Gillian Ross, Stephen Mynott, Paul Weedlun
  • Publication number: 20190118576
    Abstract: A disposable paint can rim protector for protecting the rim of a paint can while painting to make cleanup easier and preserve leftover paint. The rim protector is for paint cans having a circumferential groove for receiving a circumferential sealing ridge of a paint can lid. The rim protector prevents paint from collecting in the circumferential groove, ensuring a clean seal with the lid sealing ridge. The rim protector includes a circular formed ring having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a circumferential channel in the circular formed ring that extends all around the circular formed ring, and a pull-tab extending from the circular formed ring. The circumferential channel has a cross-section configured to be snugly insertable into the circumferential groove of the rim of the paint can. The circular formed ring, the circumferential channel that extends all around the circular formed ring, and the pull-tab, can all be of one piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen A. Easterling
  • Publication number: 20190118577
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a wheel component (1, 20) for a wheel of a vehicle, having a hub (2), which can be connected in a rotationally secure manner to a hub flange of the vehicle and which at least partially comprises a metal material, a rim (4, 21) for receiving a tire of the wheel, and spokes (7) which connect the hub (2) to the rim (4, 21). The wheel component includes at least one spoke (7) including a spoke portion (8, 24), which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material, and further including a spoke reinforcement element (9, 25) at least partially embedded into the spoke portion. The spoke reinforcement element at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Baranowski, Maik Broda, Markus Franzen, Pascal Rebmann
  • Publication number: 20190118578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roller, in particular furniture roller, having a housing which is rotatably fastened, by means of a runner pin arranged vertically in an opening of the housing, to an object to be supported by the roller, wherein the runner pin has a first section which is arranged in the opening of the housing and a second section which projects beyond the housing. To create, in a simple and cost-effective manner, a runner pin which permanently prevents an undesired generation of noise as a result of relative movements between the runner pin and the object to be supported, it is proposed according to the invention that at least two annular grooves are provided in that section of the runner pin which projects beyond the housing, in which annular grooves in each case one elastic retaining ring is arranged without play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph Von Bordelius, Oswald Flik
  • Publication number: 20190118579
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a wheel flange with a central opening and a slot having an end dimensioned to fit within the wheel flange central opening. A molten binder, such as molten zinc, fills the space in between the wheel central opening and the shaft end. Upon cooling, the binder locks the wheel flange and shaft together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Donald Leith
  • Publication number: 20190118580
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread surface of a tread portion comprising land portions defined by three circumferential grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction and main lug grooves forming intra-land portions divided in the tire circumferential direction; the intra-land portions being divided by the laterally outer circumferential grooves, the main lug grooves, and circumferential narrow grooves to form long small land portions, which are long in the tire circumferential direction); and the intra-land portions being divided by the laterally central circumferential groove, the main lug grooves, subsidiary lug grooves, and the circumferential narrow grooves to form two short small land portions, which are short in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Naoko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190118581
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread surface, a plurality of circumferential main grooves formed on the tread surface and extending in a tire circumference direction, a plurality of lug grooves formed on the tread surface and extending in a tire lateral direction, a plurality of blocks defined by the lug grooves on both sides in the tire circumferential direction and by the circumferential main grooves on at least one end in the tire lateral direction, and narrow grooves formed in the blocks. The narrow grooves include a plurality of bent portions as well as a circumferential narrow groove extending in the tire circumference direction and a lateral narrow groove extending in the tire lateral direction. The lateral narrow groove and the circumferential narrow groove are configured so that at least one thereof is provided in a plurality and includes a plurality of intersection points where the one intersects the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Takayuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190118582
    Abstract: Tread (2) of a radial tire for a heavy vehicle. The tire alternatingly rolls in laden and unladen states on descent and ascent, respectively. Tread (2) has total width WT and comprises first median portion (21) having median width Wc, where 0.2WT?Wc?0.5WT. Tread (2) is axially delimited by second and third lateral portions (22, 23) having respective lateral widths (WS2, WS3) at least equal to 25% and at most equal to 40% of total width WT. Angle A51 of leading face (51) of every element in relief (31) of first median portion (21) is strictly greater than angle A61 of trailing face (61) of said element in relief (31). Angle (A52, A53) of leading face (52, 53) of every element in relief (32, 33) of each of the second and third lateral portions (22, 23) is strictly less than angle (A62, A63) of trailing face (62, 63) of said element in relief (32, 33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Philippe MANSUY
  • Publication number: 20190118583
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) according to the present invention includes blocks (100) arranged adjacent to each other in a tread surface view, each of the blocks (100) having a wheel tread contacted with a road surface. A circumferential edge (100f) of the block (100) is defined against an adjacent block (100B) adjacent to the block (100A) by a sipe (200). An inner side groove (400) is formed at an inner side in a tire radial direction of the sipe (200). At least a part of the inner side groove (400) is communicated with the sipe (200). The circumferential edge (100f) of the block (100A) is defined against the adjacent block (100B) by the inner side groove (400).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takamitsu NAKAMURA, Takayuki FUKUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20190118584
    Abstract: A tire having excellent motion performance on both a dry road surface and a wet road surface. A tire includes a tread having a tread surface on which one or more land portions are defined by two or more circumferential grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the tread, wherein the one or more land portions each have a plurality of sipes extending in a direction traversing an equator of the tire and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction of the tread, and a dynamic elastic modulus E? at 30° C. of a rubber composition forming the one or more land portions, a number N of the plurality of sipes, and a depth D of the circumferential grooves satisfy 0.009?E?/(N×D)?0.029.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya NAKAI, Ietomo MATSUNAGA, Kazuhiro MAEKAWA
  • Publication number: 20190118585
    Abstract: A tire has a tread portion including a groove extending in the tire-circumferential direction, a first land portion positioned to the inner-side in the tire-width direction and having a first groove wall of the groove, and a second land portion having a second groove wall. Protrusions extend from the first groove wall to the second groove wall on bottom of the groove. In a tread-surface view, the protrusion has a linear portion and a curved portion that is contiguous with the linear shaped portion. A slit crossing the protrusion is formed in at least one of the end parts of the protrusions. The first land portion includes shallow grooves having shallower depth than the groove and extending at an angle with respect to the tire-width direction. The linear portion of the protrusion extends at an angle in the same direction, with respect to the tire-circumferential direction, as the shallow grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Midori MATSUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20190118586
    Abstract: A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Jeff R. Zawacki
  • Publication number: 20190118587
    Abstract: In order to adjust the tire internal pressure on landing to an appropriate internal pressure, the internal pressure and temperature of the tires when housed inside the aircraft in flight, the temperature and atmospheric pressure around the aircraft, and the altitudes and air temperatures at the takeoff and landing sites of the aircraft are obtained, and a target internal pressure at takeoff is calculated from information relating to the altitude and air temperature at the takeoff airport, after which an in-flight tire internal pressure whereby the tire internal pressure becomes a target internal pressure on landing is calculated from the temperature and atmospheric pressure around the tires of the aircraft, the air temperature and atmospheric pressure at the landing airport, and information relating to a load anticipated to act on the tires on landing, and subsequently the in-flight tire internal pressure is adjusted so that the obtained internal pressure of the tires housed inside the aircraft becomes the ca
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinobu SHOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190118588
    Abstract: A wireless vehicle data communications device is adapted for mounting on a wheel hub assembly of a vehicle and incorporates a self-generating electrical power supply. The vehicle data communications device includes a housing, a microprocessor located inside the housing, a signal transmitting device, a signal receiving device, an electric generator, and an energy storage and supply medium. The housing is adapted to rotate simultaneously with the wheel hub assembly when the vehicle is in motion. The electric generator include a plurality of wire coils and magnets. One of the wire coils and magnets is attached to an independently influenced components carrier, and the other of the wire coils and magnets is designed to rotate substantially simultaneously with the housing. The wire coils and magnets are arranged such that rotation of the housing relative to the components carrier generates a magnetic field and induces an electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: ITIRE, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Clyde Lesesky, Samuel Duke Drinkard
  • Publication number: 20190118589
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a TPMS sensor of a vehicle tire. An example vehicle includes a communication module, a tire, and a TPMS sensor corresponding to the tire. The TPMS sensor is configured to receive a target pressure from the communication module, determine a modified target pressure based on vehicle data determined by a vehicle sensor, and, responsive to determining that a measured pressure differs from the modified target pressure by a threshold amount, transmit an alert to the communication module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Dilip B. Patel, Ali Hassani, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20190118590
    Abstract: A mounting stem may receive an inflation valve and a tire pressure monitoring system sensor. The mounting stem may include a hollow stem including a distal end and a proximal end. The mounting stem may further include an enlarged dome formed on the proximal end and defining a dome shoulder facing distally for engaging a wheel rim. The dome may include a dome height extending proximally from the dome shoulder. The mounting stem may also include a longitudinal bore extending along a longitudinal axis from the distal end partially into the dome. A plurality of lateral bores may communicate the longitudinal bore with an outer surface of the dome, and may include lateral bore diameters at least 25% of the dome height. The lateral bores may be located closer to the proximal end than to the dome shoulder. The dome may also include a threaded TPMS mounting hole defined therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Freddie Gonzales, Jr., Anthony B. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20190118591
    Abstract: Examples provide a method, a component, a tire-mounted TPMS module, a TPMS system and a machine readable storage or computer program for determining time information of at least one contact patch event of a rolling tire and a method for locating a tire. A method for determining time information of at least one contact patch event of a rolling tire, comprises obtaining information indicative of a rotational rate of the tire; obtaining a sequence of samples indicative of at least an acceleration component during at least one rotation of the tire; and determining a position of at least one reference sample in the sequence, wherein the position of the at least one reference sample is indicative of the time information of the contact patch event of the rolling tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin Kollmitzer, Christoph Steiner
  • Publication number: 20190118592
    Abstract: Examples provide a method, a component, a tire-mounted TPMS module, a TPMS system and a machine readable storage or computer program for determining a duration of at least one contact patch event of a rolling tire. A method for determining a duration of at least one contact patch event of a rolling tire, comprises obtaining a sequence of acceleration measurement samples of the rolling tire from a tire-mounted acceleration sensor; and determining the duration of the contact patch event based on acceleration measurement samples of the sequence between a first time instance when the acceleration measurement samples cross a first threshold and a second time instance when the acceleration measurement samples cross a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin Kollmitzer, Christoph Steiner
  • Publication number: 20190118593
    Abstract: A device for transport of air in the tire P or close to it consisting of a chamber K in the shape of a hollow compressible channel, placed along at least a part of the tire perimeter, characterized by the fact that a ring OK is placed at the inner side of the chamber K with the distance of its outer side from the tire axis of rotation equal to 1 to 1.1 multiple of the distance of the bottom side of the chamber K from the axis of rotation of the tire P.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: CODA INNOVATIONS SRO
    Inventor: Frantisek Hrabal
  • Publication number: 20190118594
    Abstract: A method for determining object boundaries of an object outside of a transportation vehicle, wherein images of the object are generated by a control apparatus by a camera, and at least one scanline is specified in a first image and a corresponding scanline is specified for each scanline in every other image, and a profile resulting along the scanline is determined for each scanline of the first image, and a corresponding resulting profile is determined along the respective corresponding scanline of every other image, and the corresponding profile of every other image, displaced by a respective displacement distance, is overlaid on the profile of each scanline of the first image, and a reference pattern is determined in the resulting overlay profile of each scanline, and respective boundaries of the reference pattern are indicated as the respective object boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Dennis LOEBEN
  • Publication number: 20190118595
    Abstract: A vehicle having a retractable towing hitch includes a towing hitch assembly. The towing hitch assembly includes a coupler portion. The coupler portion is configured to be movable relative to a bumper of the vehicle such that the coupler portion is positioned farther from the bumper when the coupler portion is in an extended position than when the coupler portion is in a towing position and a retraction mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Coh Yoshizaki
  • Publication number: 20190118596
    Abstract: An axial ball joint for a length-adjustable two-point link having a housing and a ball stud supported in the housing by a joint ball to be rotatably and swivelably movable and which extends in an axial direction out of the housing in undeflected state. The housing has a connection pin integrally connected to the housing that extends perpendicular to axial direction. A length-adjustable two-point link has two angle joints connected to one another via a connection element, particularly a connection pipe. One angle joint is formed as an axial ball joint connected to the connection element to be adjustable in length. The other angle joint is formed as a radial ball joint and is rigidly connected to the connection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: GĂ¼nter REDDEHASE, Janina ALTMEPPEN Meppen
  • Publication number: 20190118597
    Abstract: A longitudinal leaf spring device for the suspension of a body of a motor vehicle has a leaf spring unit in an elongated form, a coupling device for the mechanical coupling of the leaf spring unit to a motor vehicle axle and at least one bump stop unit having two separate elastic stop elements which can be connected, in a manner arranged vertically above one another, to a chassis or to the axle. According to the invention, perpendicular directions to a downwardly directed mean contact area of the upper stop element and to an upwardly directed mean contact area of the lower stop element each form an angle other than zero with the vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter WOLF-MONHEIM
  • Publication number: 20190118598
    Abstract: A right shock absorber and a left shock absorber are provided on outer sides of a left front wheel and a right front wheel that define a steering allowable space therebetween. At a lower portion of the right shock absorber, an outer edge of a right front fender is positioned farther radially outwards than an outer edge of the right front wheel, and a right guide wall that extends from the outer edge inwards is provided in an upper rear area to the left of the right front wheel. At a lower portion of the left shock absorber, an outer edge of a left front fender is positioned farther radially outwards than an outer edge of the left front wheel, and a left guide wall that extends from the outer edge inwards is provided in an upper rear area to the right of the left front wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Takahiro SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20190118599
    Abstract: Suspension bumper for the suspension of a motor vehicle, comprising a molded part made of elastomer being essentially symmetrical in revolution about a main axis of compression, this bumper comprising one end forming a crown comprising bearing faces (48) designed to receive pressure from a moving part, the end crown comprising protuberances (58, 60) that are separated from one another by notches (54) distributed over the perimeter of this crown, these bosses having bearing faces (48) arranged at various heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Olivier Marck, Damien Piranda, Jerome Muller, Jean Marc Allegre, Frederic Guigand
  • Publication number: 20190118600
    Abstract: A suspension for a wheeled vehicle include an axle with a mid-section and an end comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defining a space therebetween, a leaf spring having forward and rear ends attached to vehicle structure and a mid-section retained in the space and secured between the upper and lower portions, and a closure element attached to the axle end and at least partially closing an outboard end of the space. The upper and lower axle portions may be formed integrally with the axle mid-section or may be a separately-formed component secured to the axle. The space tapers from a greater vertical dimension at the outboard end thereof to a smaller vertical dimension at an inboard end thereof, and the leaf spring mid-section is wedged into the space. An intermediate element is disposed between the mid-section and at least one of the upper and lower axle portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas GERHARDS, Alberto GIRELLI CONSOLARO, Ralf HINTZEN, Daniel MAINZ, Rainer SOUSCHEK
  • Publication number: 20190118601
    Abstract: A suspension for a wheeled vehicle includes a leaf spring extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle and having first and second lugs protruding downward therefrom. The lugs are spaced from one another a length of the leaf spring to define a pocket therebetween. An axle passes perpendicularly beneath the leaf spring such that a portion of the axle is disposed in the pocket and is clamped between the lugs. The lugs may be fabricated integrally with the leaf spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ralf HINTZEN, Paul ZANDBERGEN, Thomas GERHARDS, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Daniel MAINZ, Friedrich WOLF-MONHEIM, Alberto GIRELLI CONSOLARO
  • Publication number: 20190118602
    Abstract: A heating device for a hydraulic fluid reservoir of a damper, comprising a flexible heating element and a support structure. The support structure supports the flexible heating element such that the flexible heating element is configured to contact and at least partly encompass the fluid reservoir, and the heating device is provided to be releasably connected to the fluid reservoir by side portions provided to bias the flexible heating element to the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Andreas BLEGEN
  • Publication number: 20190118603
    Abstract: A pet mode door and suspension control system and method includes determining whether a door control action has occurred with respect to a door on the vehicle. When determined that the door control action has occurred, the system and method further includes determining whether a pet mode control action is needed. When determined that the pet mode control action is needed, a suspension control command is sent to suspension control system for raising and/or lowering at least one side of the vehicle and a door control command is sent to a power control unit for opening or closing the door in accord with the door control action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Steven Feit
  • Publication number: 20190118604
    Abstract: A non-linear stiffness actuator for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle includes an actuator housing and an actuator shaft configured to transmit an actuator force to the road wheel. The actuator also includes a primary elastic member assembly arranged between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft and configured to exert a primary elastic member force along the actuator shaft. The actuator additionally includes a secondary elastic member assembly configured to exert a variable secondary elastic member force acting between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft. The variable secondary elastic member force is configured to selectively contribute to and subtract from the primary elastic member force to thereby facilitate the non-linear stiffness of the actuator. A vehicle having such a non-linear stiffness actuator is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Suplin, Avshalom Suissa, Klaus Trangbaek
  • Publication number: 20190118605
    Abstract: An axle load monitoring system for a load-transporting motor vehicle having one or more auxiliary axles wherein the monitoring system detects a noncompliant carrying-weight condition when the current gross vehicle weight is more than a prescribed maximum allowable gross vehicle weight assigned thereto and/or the current carrying weight of any primary axle and any designated axle group is more than a prescribed maximum allowable carrying weight assigned thereto. And if the current gross vehicle weight is equal to or less than the prescribed maximum allowable gross vehicle weight and the current center of gravity of the vehicle is in a compliance-manageable range which is established by the monitoring system and specific to the vehicle, the monitoring system recommends auxiliary axle usage that would result in compliance with the prescribed maximum and minimum allowable carrying weight assigned to each of the primary axles, any designated axle group and any utilized auxiliary axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Brooks Strong, Joshua Cayne Fisher
  • Publication number: 20190118606
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic level control device for a vehicle having an air suspension system, for example a trailer vehicle having an air suspension system, the vehicle comprising a chassis having an axle and at least two wheels arranged on the axle, wherein an air spring is arranged between the axle and the chassis for at least one of the wheels, wherein an electronic control unit can initiate a level controlling procedure by actuating a solenoid valve, and wherein at least one capacitive level sensor is provided for the axle. The distance between the chassis and the at least one axle can be determined by the level sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Dirk BORMANN, Jens GRĂ–GER, Marek SWOBODA
  • Publication number: 20190118607
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement includes mounting brackets configured to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, trailing arms coupled to the mounting brackets, a first axle member coupled to the trailing arms, an air spring arrangement coupled to the vehicle frame assembly and one of the trailing arms, and an air spring arrangement, wherein the first end, the second end and the air spring arrangement cooperate to define an interior space, a second axle member spaced from the first axle member, a sensor arrangement position within the interior space and configured to sense an operational parameter of the air spring arrangement, and a control arrangement operably coupled to the sensor arrangement and configured to receive information from the first sensor arrangement, wherein the control arrangement is configured to control at least one operational characteristic of the second axle member based upon the information received from the sensor arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Randy L. Schutt
  • Publication number: 20190118608
    Abstract: An adjustment system and method for adjusting a chassis property of a motor vehicle wherein an understeering sensitivity of the motor vehicle is increased upon detecting that a trailer has been coupled to the motor vehicle. A detection unit operates to detect when a trailer is attached or coupled to the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Saeger, Simon Baales, Michael Seemann
  • Publication number: 20190118609
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a system and method for the environmental control of a vehicle having a cargo area and an environmentally controlled passenger area with a partition between the passenger area and the cargo area. The environmental control being directed and performed by an environmental control unit that can include one or more fans, a control module, a mounting plate, and a directional manifold to control the direction of the airflow. The environmental control unit can be installed using a method that includes attaching a fan unit to the mounting plate, connecting the fan unit to the control module, coupling to the fan unit and/or the control module to a power supply, and attaching a directional manifold to control the direction of airflow in or out of the fan unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Dwight David Harms, Timothy Francis Hall
  • Publication number: 20190118610
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes selective use of a liquid cooled gas cooler (LCGC) and conductive heat exchangers between heating, cooling, battery, and powertrain thermal management loops to increase temperature control and efficiency of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Vincent G. Johnston, Donald P. Yuhasz, Mark R. Hoehne
  • Publication number: 20190118611
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for use with unenclosed mowers is provided. The system is designed for installation on unenclosed mowers to provide conditioned air to operators of such mowers. The system comprises an air conditioning unit and a compressor drive assembly. The air conditioning unit is configured to generate and emit conditioned air and comprises a compressor, condenser, and evaporator unit. The compressor drive assembly may interconnect the mower's engine to the air conditioning unit such that rotational motion generated by the engine is transmitted to the air conditioning unit. To this end, the compressor drive assembly may include a crankshaft pulley assembly, a gearbox having two pulleys, and a plurality of pulley belts. The system may also include an alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Orvell B. Reynolds, Devon Fairhurst