Patents Issued in June 11, 2019
  • Patent number: 10315609
    Abstract: An airbag assembly of the present disclosure includes a forward cushion portion, a left side cushion portion, and a right side cushion portion. The forward cushion portion is configured to be disposed in front of an occupant of a vehicle. The left and right side cushion portions are connected to and in fluid communication with the forward cushion portion, are configured to be disposed on left and right sides of the occupant, respectively, and are configured to be mounted to a roof of the vehicle. The left side cushion portion, the right side cushion portion, and the forward cushion portion define at least one opening disposed above a lower region of the forward cushion portion and between the left and right side cushion portions. The at least one opening allows at least a portion of the lower region to move forward relative to the left and right side cushion portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10315610
    Abstract: The airbag device includes an airbag including a base fabric and an occupant protection fabric whose outer peripheries are joined together. The occupant protection fabric is positioned on the vehicle rear side of the base fabric and configured to restrain an occupant, and includes: at least one protruding portion that protrudes to the vehicle rear side; a flat portion that is continuously formed from the at least one protruding portion and is designed to come into contact with the occupant; and a tether that is disposed between the base fabric and the at least one protruding portion in the airbag, extending from the flat portion to the joint between the occupant protection fabric and the base fabric. The tether is joined at its end on the joint side with a base edge of the at least one protruding portion and the outer periphery of the base fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Moritani, Kazuyoshi Nakai
  • Patent number: 10315611
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece woven air bag includes weaving yarns into a one-piece woven fabric air bag structure having single layer portions and two layer portions in which an inflatable volume is defined between the two layer portions and in which the single layer portions are non-inflatable portions that help define the shape and configuration of the inflatable volume. The step of weaving yarns is performed using a water-jet loom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Hill, Philipp Ritter
  • Patent number: 10315612
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a hood bracket connected to a vehicle hood. The hood bracket includes a side plate defining a slot having a perimeter entirely bounded by the side plate so as to be spaced from a side plate edge, the side plate also defining a notch open at the side plate edge. A hinge arm has first and second ends rotatably connected to a vehicle body and the hood bracket. The hinge arm includes a slot engagement member extending into the slot to limit a range of rotation of the hood bracket relative to the hinge arm, and a notch engagement member extendable into the notch and configured to removably secure the hinge arm to the hood bracket to limit rotational movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotomo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10315613
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection automotive hinge includes a release assembly which includes a clip supported at one of the first and second opposing ends of a slot in one of first and second members, and a stop pin supported by the other of the first and second members. The stop pin is captured in the clip in the normally closed position and the normally opened position. An actuator is configured to engage the second member and to force the second member upward relative to the first member in response to a collision input. The stop pin is configured to break the clip in response to this force permitting the second member to pivot about a member pin relative to the first member to an opened hood collision position and the stop pin to move to the end of the slot opposite the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Patterson
  • Patent number: 10315614
    Abstract: A transport system and method for securely transporting subjects such as prisoners or persons that include a belt and a slideably engagable channel positioned across a part of a vehicle seat or bench for securing the belt and subject within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SIRCHIE ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John G Roby, Neil Smith, Jr., Dan Nichols
  • Patent number: 10315615
    Abstract: A child restraint system for restraining a child in a vehicle in lieu of a child car seat includes a vehicle that has a seat. A child is selectively seated on the seat and the seat has a backrest and a base that is positioned in front of the backrest. A first attachment is coupled to the vehicle and the first attachment is positioned behind the backrest. A second attachment is coupled to the vehicle and the second attachment is positioned between the base and the backrest. A harness unit is removably coupled between the first attachment and the second attachment. Moreover, the harness unit restrains the child in the seat in lieu of a child car seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Jose Rivera
  • Patent number: 10315616
    Abstract: In a locking tongue (10) for a seat belt comprising an inserting portion (12) adapted to be inserted in a belt buckle and a deflecting portion (14) for webbing, wherein the deflecting portion (14) includes a webbing passage (20) as well as a clamping element (22) for the webbing and the clamping element (22) is movable between a home position in which the webbing is freely movable and a blocking position in which the clamping element is moved against a wall of the webbing passage so that the webbing is clamped between the clamping element (22) and the wall of the webbing passage (20), and wherein at least one spring element (34) is provided for forcing the clamping element (22) into the home position, it is provided that the spring element (34) is formed integrally on the deflecting portion (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz, Ralf Knoedl
  • Patent number: 10315617
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound. The spool is rotatable in a webbing withdrawal direction and an opposite webbing retraction direction. The seat belt retractor also comprises a pretensioner actuatable to rotate the spool in the webbing retraction direction and a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the seat belt webbing. The load-limiting system includes a torsion bar mounted such that the torsion bar is twisted when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the spool in the webbing withdrawal direction by the seat belt webbing. The bad-limiting system also includes a stop assembly actuatable to limit rotation of the spool in the webbing withdrawal direction to a predetermined number of rotations while the torsion bar is being twisted. The stop assembly is actuated upon actuation of the pretensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Scott M. Franz, Chhay S. Siev
  • Patent number: 10315618
    Abstract: A belt pretensioner has a base member. The base member has an axial cavity within. An actuating member is hollow and fits within the axial cavity of the base member. The hollow actuating member telescopically slides within the axial cavity and an initiator fits within the hollow portion of the actuating member. In a critical situation such as a crash, the initiator is triggered and the expanding gasses move the actuating member. The actuating member is connected to seat belt webbing and this movement provides the necessary pretensioning of the seatbelt. In some embodiments, a locking means is used to prevent the belt pretensioner from loosening once triggered. One embodiment is provided for use with a child seat. A transversely mounted belt pretensioner embedment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Zhide David Feng
  • Patent number: 10315619
    Abstract: A vehicle includes seats having both a primary three-point seatbelt and a supplemental two-point seatbelt. Occupation of a first seat is determined. The three-point seatbelt is determined as being one of buckled and unbuckled. The two-point seatbelt is determined as being one of buckled and unbuckled. A warning signal is initiated upon determining that one of the seatbelts is unbuckled and the seat is occupied. The warning signal is terminated upon determining that both of the seatbelts are buckled and that the signal has been initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 10315620
    Abstract: An electronic tag programmed with an identification in a seat belt assembly is identified by reading the programmed identification via an electronic device embedded in a seat. In response to identifying the electronic tag, a determination is made that an occupant has not fastened a seat belt of the seat belt assembly to secure the occupant in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniele Morgantini, Stefano Bevini, Giulia Galli, Domenico Biondi
  • Patent number: 10315621
    Abstract: A vehicle locking and unlocking control system, comprising: a lock trigger that is provided outside a vehicle and outputs an output signal when operated by a person; a vehicle side transmitter is configured to transmit a transmission request signal according to reception of the output signal output by the lock trigger; a mobile wireless terminal is configured to transmit a response signal according to reception of the transmission request signal transmitted by the vehicle side transmitter; a vehicle side receiver configured to receive the response signal transmitted by the mobile wireless terminal; a locking controller configured to determine whether or not the response signal received by the vehicle side receiver is suitable for a unique identification signal of the vehicle and output a lock signal on the basis of a result of the determination and the reception of the output signal output from the lock trigger; a door lock mechanism configured to lock a door according to the lock signal output by the locking
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Watanabe, Katsuyasu Yamane, Masashi Sugita, Daisuke Matsui
  • Patent number: 10315622
    Abstract: There is provided a kit comprising a base member adapted to be releasably attached to an upper region of a vehicle; a pole member comprising a first end that is adapted to be releasably coupled to the base member; an identification tag adapted to be mounted on the pole member and at a predetermined distance from the first end; and a light adapted to be positioned on the pole member. Such a kit is quite useful for tracking vehicles such as vehicles left outdoors that can be covered with ice and snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FoxTrac Inc.
    Inventor: Marco Lisi
  • Patent number: 10315623
    Abstract: A portable electronic key device starts up only when movement of the portable electronic key device is present on the basis of detection signal Sac of a motion detector. A communication monitoring unit monitors whether or not radio waves Swk periodically transmitted from a vehicle are received. When there is no movement of the portable electronic key device but the portable electronic key device has received or is receiving radio waves from the vehicle, an operation controller maintains the start-up state of the portable electronic key device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Hiroaki Iwashita
  • Patent number: 10315624
    Abstract: A device for controlling access to a vehicle, the device including: a housing, the housing including a transmitter, a receiver, a microcontroller and an unlocking mechanism, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted to a vehicle and, in response to a triggering event at the unlocking mechanism, the microcontroller is configured to advertise itself to allow a previously linked remote device to connect and, once a connection is established with the remote device, the transmitter is configured to send an unlock signal to an electronic control unit inside the vehicle to unlock a door of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORP
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Santavicca, Tristen Kyle Pierson, Benson James Brady, Kevin Tang
  • Patent number: 10315625
    Abstract: A heating plate 10 includes: a pair of glass plates 11, 12; a conductive pattern 40, 70 disposed between the pair of glass plates 11, 12 and defining a plurality of opening areas 43, 73; and a joint layer 13, 14 disposed between the conductive pattern 40, 70 and at least one of the pair of glass plates 11, 12; wherein the conductive pattern 40, 70 includes a plurality of connection elements 44, 74 that extend between two branch points 42, 72 to define the opening areas 43, 73; and a rate of the connection elements 44, 74, which are straight line segments connecting the two branch points 42, 72, relative to the plurality of connection elements 44, 74, is less than 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Suetsugu, Manabu Hirakawa, Satoshi Goishihara, Koichi Kinoshita, Hidenori Nakamura, Koujiro Ohkawa, Tetsuo Matsukura, Isao Inoue
  • Patent number: 10315626
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning arrangement (10; 10a) for a wiper arm (1) of a windscreen wiper system (100), wherein the cleaning arrangement (10; 10a) has at least one spray nozzle (21, 22) for a cleaning fluid, wherein the cleaning arrangement (10; 10a) is constructed to form en engagement connection (30) at the wiper arm (1), and wherein the engagement connection (30) comprises at the cleaning arrangement (10; 10a) at least one resiliently constructed engagement element (40; 40a) which is constructed to cooperate with an engagement mount (54; 54a) at the wiper arm (1). There is provision according to the invention for the cleaning arrangement (10; 10a) to have first guide means (35), which first guide means (35) are constructed to be able to rotate the cleaning arrangement (10; 10a) in a rotation axis (37) in order to establish the engagement connection (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Michael Schaeuble
  • Patent number: 10315627
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an underside of wheeled outdoor equipment includes attaching a blower extension pipe assembly to a power blower and positioning the extension pipe across the ground and under the equipment to be cleaned. The blower extension pipe includes an elbow end fitting with a blow-off opening that is directed to the underside of the equipment. The blower is operated to direct air through the blower extension pipe and against the underlying surface of the equipment to remove debris therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: Bryan Richard Chambers, Bryan Richard Chambers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10315628
    Abstract: A semitrailer landing gear controller assembly for automating the extension and retraction of a semitrailer landing gear using an external input of pressurized air. The device includes a primary member designed to receive and rotate a removeable secondary member installed over a turning axle for a semitrailer landing gear, where rotation of the turning axle corresponds to the extension or retraction of a semitrailer landing gear depending on the direction of rotation. The primary member further including a turbine designed to drive rotation of the secondary member with the force of pressurized air obtained from an external input of pressurized air, like the supply line from a semitrailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: John Raymond, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10315629
    Abstract: A driving system includes: a left electric motor which drives a left wheel of a vehicle; a first parking gear which is provided on a left power transmission path between the left electric motor and the left wheel; a right electric motor which drives a right wheel of the vehicle; a second parking gear which is provided on a right power transmission path between the right electric motor and the right wheel; and a rotation regulation unit that engages with both of the first parking gear and the second parking gear. The first parking gear and the second parking gear have different tooth tip diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuji Yano
  • Patent number: 10315630
    Abstract: A method for operating a braking assistance system of a vehicle, wherein the braking assistance system assists a braking of the vehicle by a vehicle braking device in the event of a hazard braking. To differentiate between the hazard braking and a normal braking, at least two variables, representing a braking demand of a driver of the vehicle, are ascertained and a threshold value is established for each variable wherein hazard braking is recognized when at least the two variables exceed their particular threshold value, whereupon an automated braking intervention by the braking assistance system is initiated with the aid of the vehicle braking device. Furthermore, at least one driving-situation variable representing the instantaneous driving situation of the vehicle is ascertained and the at least two threshold values are changed depending on the at least one driving-situation variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Svensson
  • Patent number: 10315631
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle brake system that comprises at least one electronic parking brake having at least one actuator, wherein in the presence of a first switching signal at a switching signal input the actuator is controlled so as to activate the parking brake. It is provided that the switching signal input in a normal operating mode is released so as to apply optional switching signals and in a safety operating mode is set to a second switching signal that is different from the first switching signal so that the process of controlling the actuator so as to activating the parking brake is prevented. The disclosure further relates to a control device for a motor vehicle brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Sautter, Peter Rebholz-Goldmann, Andreas Huth
  • Patent number: 10315632
    Abstract: A dual mass flywheel protection system includes an engine coupled to a transmission using a dual mass flywheel defining a drive train. A gear determiner identifies a present operational gear. A filtered engine speed is available. A torque reduction module applies the present operational gear and filtered engine speed producing signals limiting an engine torque to reduce engine torque variations. A first torque limitation option limits engine torque when the drivetrain is coupled, dependent on an engine rpm, which is related to an actual gear selected. A second torque limitation option determines an engine torque reduction during an emergency braking maneuver while an anti-lock brake (ABS) system is active. An engine shut-off module produces an output signal shutting off the engine upon initiation of one of multiple engine shut-off module outputs, and is active when an engine torque limitation due to a low engine rpm is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Rose, Michael Boehmer, Florian Roemer
  • Patent number: 10315633
    Abstract: A vehicle behavior control device is for use in a vehicle including a brake pedal, a master cylinder generating a hydraulic pressure in response to an operation with the brake pedal, an electric hydraulic pressure generator connected to the master cylinder and electrically generating a hydraulic pressure based on the operation with the brake pedal, and a wheel cylinder in each wheel for braking. The device controls a brake hydraulic pressure to be applied to the wheel cylinder to control vehicle behavior. When brake control is executed such that a brake hydraulic pressure not based on the operation with the brake pedal is generated if the brake pedal is not being operated, a hydraulic pressure applied to a wheel cylinder in a diagonal wheel positioned diagonal from a brake wheel for controlling the behavior of the vehicle is adjusted to the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamazaki, Satoshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10315634
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for adapting a control strategy of a slip-control system of a brake system of a vehicle in a ?-split situation, in which different wheel-specific brake pressures, are set at opposite wheels of a vehicle axle. The resulting brake pressure difference is limited. In some examples, to generate a brake pressure request, a maximum pressure difference value deviating from a reference pressure difference with a predefined tolerance value is determined on a wheel-specific basis for the wheels lying opposite one another. The reference pressure difference corresponds to the value of the current low-pass-filtered brake pressure difference, and the brake pressure request for each wheel is determined as a minimum of the wheel-specific brake pressure determined from the control strategy of the slip-control system, and from the sum of the average brake pressure of the wheel lying opposite and the wheel-specific maximum pressure difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Henning Kerber, Mario Roszyk, Jochen Müller, Arne Cornils, Dieter Burkhard
  • Patent number: 10315635
    Abstract: A braking circuit including at least an auxiliary right valve (200) and an auxiliary left valve (300) suitable to allow braking on both sides, right and left of a vehicle, when this is required, but allowing to apply a pressure braking only on one of the two sides, right or left, when this is required to provide a steering function, characterized in that the circuit further comprises a master valve (400) having two positions: a first position when the vehicle has a velocity under a threshold wherein separate and selective right or left braking is authorized and a second position when the vehicle has a velocity above said threshold wherein said master valve (400) connects both a right braking line (204, 1205) and a left braking line (304, 1305) to an output braking line (110) so that if a braking is requested both right braking line (204, 1204) and left braking line (304, 1305) are under pressure and selective right or left braking is forbidden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: POCLAIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Marko Zust
  • Patent number: 10315636
    Abstract: A tractor protection valve having a parking brake supply port, a parking brake delivery port, an exhaust port, and a quick release valve positioned between the parking brake supply port and the parking brake delivery port. The quick release valve is movable between a supply position allowing fluid to flow from the parking brake supply port to the parking brake delivery port and an exhaust position allowing fluid to flow from the parking brake delivery port to the exhaust port. The quick release valve may include a diaphragm that is movable between the supply and exhaust positions. The quick release valve may include a valve body that is positioned in a housing of the tractor protection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HALDEX BRAKE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L Koelzer, Randy Young
  • Patent number: 10315637
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic brake backup control system and method for a train equipped with an electronic airbrake system and including at least one locomotive, a brake pipe, a source of control pressure, and at least one brake. The system includes a pneumatic operating unit that includes a brake pipe control portion. The brake pipe control portion includes a primary passage network, a control passage network, and an equalizing reservoir control chamber configured to control air pressure of the brake pipe. The brake pipe control portion also includes a first and second electronically controlled charge valve, and a first and second electronically controlled vent valve. The brake pipe control portion further includes an operating state control configured to switch operation of the at least one locomotive between a normal operation mode and a backup operation mode in response to an input by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Lee Bailey
  • Patent number: 10315638
    Abstract: An air braking system for a vehicle can include an air compressor, a reservoir, a first air line, a brake hub, a second air line, a control valve, a release valve, and a third fluid line. The first line can place an outlet of the compressor in fluid communication with an inlet of the reservoir. The brake hub can have a chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of the reservoir via the second line. The control valve can selectively open and close the second air line. The release valve can be in fluid communication with the chamber and having an outlet. The third line can place the outlet of the release valve in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Robert Lambertus Dekam
  • Patent number: 10315639
    Abstract: A leakage inspecting method of an electric brake system, which includes a master cylinder connected to a reservoir, a simulation device having one side connected to the master cylinder to provide a reaction force according to the pedal effort of the brake pedal, a simulation valve provided at a flow path connected to the master cylinder or a flow path connected to the reservoir, a hydraulic pressure supply device operated by an electrical signal of a pedal displacement sensor sensing a displacement of the brake pedal and configured to generate hydraulic pressure, and a hydraulic pressure control unit, comprising: executing an inspection mode for inspecting for a leak of the simulation valve and a sealing member provided inside a chamber of the master cylinder by providing an inspection valve at a flow path connecting the master cylinder to the reservoir, wherein the inspection mode includes: (a1) closing a cut valve provided at a flow path connecting the master cylinder to the hydraulic pressure control unit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seong-Ho Choi, In-Wook Jeon, Hyun-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10315640
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a brake pedal, a master cylinder, a braking circuit with a wheel cylinder, and a brake pressure generator with strokable piston. A pedal feel simulator is coupled to the master cylinder through a switchable valve, the simulator providing a reaction force. An isolation valve closes to isolate the braking circuit from the master cylinder and the simulator circuit. A controller is programmed to place the simulator in fluid communication with an output of the brake pressure generator, and to stroke the piston at a designated diagnostic time. The resulting pressure increase is observed, and the controller checks whether the pressure-increase to piston-stroke relationship is within a predetermined acceptable range for continued operation of a brake-by-wire mode in which the master cylinder is coupled to the simulator circuit and decoupled from the braking circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rosalin Irwan, Quingyuan Li, Wenguang Zhou
  • Patent number: 10315641
    Abstract: In the case that there is the charge record of the charger at the system startup time, the motor travel priority mode is set as the travel mode when the accumulated charge ration SOC is more than or equal to the threshold value Sev, and the hybrid travel priority mode is set as the travel mode when the accumulated charge ratio SOC is less than the threshold value Sev. In the case that there is no charge record of the charger, the travel mode is set in the same way as the case that there is the charge record when the hybrid travel shift flag Fhv is equal to value ‘0’, and the hybrid travel priority mode is set as the travel mode when the hybrid travel shift flag Fhv is equal to value ‘1’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norihiko Kato
  • Patent number: 10315642
    Abstract: A method is provided for moving off of a vehicle with a hybrid drive line, comprising a combustion engine; a gearbox with input shaft connected to the combustion engine and output shaft; a first planetary gear, which is connected to the input shaft, a first main shaft; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft; a first and second electrical machines respectively connected to the first and second planetary gears; a gear pair connected with the first main shaft; and a gear pair connected with the second main shaft. The method comprises: a) ensuring that the rotatable components of the first and second planetary gears are respectively disconnected from each other, b) ensuring that the corresponding gear pairs are engaged, and c) activating the first and second electrical machines so that a torque is generated in the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Johan Lindström, Mathias Björkman, Niklas Pettersson, Mikael Bergquist
  • Patent number: 10315643
    Abstract: A method of operating a first electric machine and a second electric machine in a vehicle drive includes operating the vehicle drive in: a first operating mode by operating the first electric machine in a voltage mode and the second electric machine in a torque mode; and a second operating mode by operating the first electric machine in the torque mode and the second electric machine in the voltage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Shukla, Rongjun Zhang, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 10315644
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a torque source between speed control and torque control modes during a vehicle creep mode are disclosed. In one example, torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a torque converter model. The torque converter model provides for a locked or unlocked torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly, Wei Liang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 10315645
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear shifting of a hybrid electric vehicle, which is configured for reducing gear-shifting time, minimizing loss by a drive system, improving fuel efficiency and enhancing drivability and which enables a driver to feel a change in acceleration when the driver manipulates the accelerator pedal during power-on upshift active control operation may include speed control of the driving source of the vehicle based on a change rate of a transmission input speed and feedforward control of the clutch of the engagement element in the transmission, to which a driver requested torque is reflected, which are performed at the same time during power-on upshift active control operation, facilitating the driver to feel a change in acceleration which is produced by his or her driving manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chan Ho Lee, Jeong Soo Eo, Jae Sung Bang
  • Patent number: 10315646
    Abstract: A method controls state changes of a drivetrain of a vehicle connecting at least one heat engine and/or one electric motor to the wheels of the vehicle via a transmission, providing the transfer of torque from the heat engine and/or from the electric motor to the wheels in one or more gear ratios. The authorization to switch from a current state to a target state depends on reducing an acceleration of the vehicle in an intermediate state causing a lower acceleration of the vehicle during the transition between the current state and the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Florent Le-Cam, Frederic Roudeau, Aurelien Lefevre
  • Patent number: 10315647
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling driving of a vehicle using driving information of the vehicle including: collecting, by a collector, driving data of the vehicle; extracting, by an extractor, ordinary driving characteristics and distinguishing driving characteristics of the vehicle from the collected driving data; classifying, by a classifier, driving tendency of the vehicle based on the extracted driving characteristics; and controlling, by a controller, driving of the vehicle based on the classified driving tendency. The ordinary driving characteristics includes an average speed of the vehicle, the distinguishing driving characteristics includes standard deviation of speed of the vehicle, and the driving tendency of the vehicle includes driving environment of the vehicle and driving propensity of a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Do Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 10315648
    Abstract: An assembly for changing at least one safety feature predefined setting associated with at least one vehicular active safety system includes a computer and a human-machine interface. The computer is configured to change the at least one safety feature predefined setting based on a driver choice. The at least one safety feature predefined setting is selected from the group consisting of a response type and a response timing. The human-machine interface includes an output and an input. The output is configured to provide a driver with a range of customizable settings for the at least one safety feature predefined setting. The input is configured to accept at least one customizable setting chosen by the driver such that the at least one safety feature predefined setting is changed to the at least one customizable setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Rini Sherony
  • Patent number: 10315649
    Abstract: A controller receives outputs from a plurality of sensors such as a camera, LIDAR sensor, RADAR sensor, and ultrasound sensor, which may be rearward facing. A probability is updated each time a feature in a sensor output indicates presence of an object. The probability may be updated as a function of a variance of the sensor providing the output and a distance to the feature. Where the variance of a sensor is directional, directional probabilities may be updated according to these variances and the distance to the feature. If the probability meets a threshold condition, actions may be taken such as a perceptible alert or automatic braking. The probability may be decayed in the absence of detection of objects. Increasing or decreasing trends in the probability may be amplified by further increasing or decreasing the probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sneha Kadetotad, Jinesh J. Jain, Vidya Nariyambut Murali, Dongran Liu, Marcos Paul Gerardo Castro, Adil Nizam Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 10315650
    Abstract: A control system and corresponding control method which is adapted and intended for use in an own vehicle for detecting one or more objects based on environmental data obtained from one or more environmental sensors disposed at the vehicle. The environmental sensors are adapted to provide an electronic control unit of the control system with the environmental data which reflect the areas in front of, laterally next to and/or behind the vehicle. The control system is at least adapted and intended for detecting at least one object by means of the environmental sensors during a predetermined period of time or continuously. A movement of each detected object is determined. The presence of a rotational part in the movement of at least one object is identified, and when a rotational part is present, a probability of an occurrence of a collision between the corresponding object and the own vehicle is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Class, Karl-Heinz Glander, Martin Seyffert
  • Patent number: 10315651
    Abstract: A lane keeping assist system of a vehicle includes a camera and control having an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera to determine a lane boundary of a lane of a road traveled by the vehicle. The control establishes a virtual boundary line at an initial location relative to the determined lane boundary, with the initial location of the virtual boundary line at or inboard of the determined lane boundary. The control, responsive to a lateral speed of the vehicle relative to the determined lane boundary, laterally adjusts the virtual boundary line relative to the determined lane boundary. Responsive to a determination that the vehicle, when moving towards the determined lane boundary, would cross the virtual boundary line, the control at least one of (i) generates an alert to the driver of the vehicle and (ii) controls a steering system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: John Fiaschetti, Pranav Bhatkhande, Tarig Mahameed, G. Edzko Smid
  • Patent number: 10315652
    Abstract: A velocity control mechanism is operable to control a vehicle at a maximum forward velocity setting and a maximum rearward velocity setting. The velocity control mechanism includes a processor configured to receive a first signal from an actuator selectively positionable in a velocity control mode in which the vehicle operates at a maximum limited forward velocity less than the maximum forward velocity setting and a maximum limited rearward velocity less than the maximum rearward velocity setting. The first signal represents a desired vehicle forward velocity. The processor also configured to control a velocity of the vehicle in the forward direction based on the first signal and receive a second signal from the actuator. The second signal represents a desired vehicle rearward velocity. The processor further configured to control a velocity of the vehicle in the rearward direction based on the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce C. Newendorp, Julian Baumann, Andreas Ahrens, Michael A. Rehberg, Christian Wetzel, David J Easton
  • Patent number: 10315653
    Abstract: A vehicle running control apparatus is provided with: a first detector configured to detect an inter-vehicle distance, and a speed of a self-vehicle or a relative speed; a second detector configured to detect accelerator-off and brake-off; a first calculator configured to calculate an approaching degree; a second calculator configured to calculate target deceleration corresponding to an engine brake amount on the basis of the approaching degree if the accelerator-off and the brake-off are detected; a controller configured to change the engine brake amount in accordance with the target deceleration; and a regulator configured to regulate or restrict a number of changes from an increase side to a reduction side of the engine brake amount, and a number of changes from the reduction side to the increase side, to be less than or equal to a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shin Noumura
  • Patent number: 10315654
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control device including an operation amount obtaining unit, a first setting unit, a second setting unit, and a third setting unit. The operation amount obtaining unit obtains a driver's driving operation amount. The first setting unit sets a first target value for vehicle travel control based on the driving operation amount obtained by the operation amount obtaining unit. The second setting unit sets a second target value for controlling the vehicle travel by automated control. The third setting unit sets a third target value for actually controlling the vehicle travel by synthesizing the first target value and the second target value based on the driving operation amount or the first target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Liangchen Pan
  • Patent number: 10315655
    Abstract: Mobile machine characteristics and position are sensed to obtain an indication of the compactive effect of a mobile machine on a worksite. A soil compaction stress map is generated and control signals are generated, for controlling controlled systems, based upon the soil compaction stress map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Kristen A. Blank
  • Patent number: 10315656
    Abstract: A method of controlling the operating mode of a motor vehicle includes transitioning between driving and coasting modes and vice-versa automatically in response to a driver trigger. The method controls an engine of the motor vehicle to bring a driveline driven by the engine via an electronically controlled clutch into a lash state before engaging or disengaging the electronically controlled clutch thereby preventing driveline disturbances from being produced by the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Ortseifen, Urs Christen, Stephan Strahl, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp
  • Patent number: 10315657
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a sensor configured to sense driving information of a vehicle, and a controller. The controller is configured to activate or deactivate a fuel conservation mode of the vehicle based on a user input, and restrict acceleration of an engine of the vehicle to be within a predetermined range based on an accelerator pedal of the vehicle being pressed with a force that is greater than a threshold force and based on the vehicle being in an activated state of the fuel conservation mode. The controller is also configured to, based on the driving information satisfying a first condition, release a restriction on the acceleration of the engine of the vehicle in the activated state of the fuel-conservation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyungseok Oh
  • Patent number: 10315658
    Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus is mounted in a vehicle that runs by transmitting power from a plurality of drive sources to a plurality of wheels or a plurality of sets of wheels. The vehicle driving force control apparatus includes: a ratio determination unit; and a command unit. The ratio determination unit determines a target ratio at which a required driving force applied to the vehicle is to be distributed to the plurality of wheels or the plurality of sets of wheels. The command unit commands the plurality of drive sources to output power such that driving force distributed in accordance with the target ratio is generated in the plurality of wheels or the plurality of sets of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Moriya, Hiroshi Ienaga