Patents Issued in June 25, 2019
  • Patent number: 10328873
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes logging vehicle startup information. The method also includes determining, via a computer, if timing commonalities exist between logged vehicle startup information instances. Further, the method includes recommending automatic vehicle startup, based on a threshold number of timing commonalities. The method also includes formulating recommended start times based on logged vehicle startup information instances having timing commonalities. The method additionally includes presenting a schedule including recommended start times to a vehicle user and scheduling automatic vehicle startups upon vehicle user acceptance of the presented schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Petersen, Joseph Paul Rork
  • Patent number: 10328874
    Abstract: An anomaly handling method that suitably handles a case where the possibility of a vehicle being unauthorizedly controlled so as to suppress the effects thereof is provided. In an anomaly handling method used in one or a plurality of electronic control units installed in one vehicle, an inter-vehicle communication message transmitted from a device installed in the other vehicle is received as an anomaly detection notification, the anomaly detection notification being issued when an unauthorized frame is detected on an onboard network installed in another vehicle, and an anomaly handling processing is selected from a plurality of predetermined anomaly handling processing in accordance with the received content to transition to a safe state for example, and the selected anomaly handling processing is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Haga, Hideki Matsushima, Yoshihiro Ujiie, Takeshi Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 10328875
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for managing the load of a vehicle (C) of the type of that equipped with at least one module for transmitting data (110, 120, 130) through radiofrequency signals (F1, F2, F3) and one module for receiving (120, 220) data from the transmission module, said vehicle (C) and the different modules being disposed so that the load, once present, has an impact on the propagation of the radiofrequency signal, remarkable in that it comprises the following operation: detection of the variation of the spectral signature of the signal received (F2?) by the receiving module (120, 220), in order to detect variations, in particular corresponding to the presence and/or absence of a load (600). The invention also concerns the device enabling said method to be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LDL TECHNOLOGY SAS
    Inventor: Paul Gabaudan
  • Patent number: 10328876
    Abstract: An electrical line system for a vehicle, includes a first line arrangement for electrically connecting a first vehicle system to a first controller, a second line arrangement for electrically connecting a second vehicle system to a second controller, and an external sheath which surrounds the first line arrangement and the second line arrangement at least in sections, wherein an isolating medium is arranged within the external sheath, wherein the isolating medium is designed to surround the first line arrangement and the second line arrangement and to keep the line arrangements at a distance from the external sheath in order to reduce a pull-off force when pulling off the external sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Akihiro Koeda, Isao Ohno, Alejandro Gonzalez, Hideki Sakai
  • Patent number: 10328878
    Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensing system using driving information for optimization includes a longitudinal-velocity estimator determining a longitudinal velocity of a vehicle using a wheel speed, a steering angle, and GPS vehicle velocity information; a lateral-velocity estimator determining a lateral velocity of the vehicle using the longitudinal velocity, a yaw rate, a steering angle, a lateral acceleration, and GPS vehicle heading direction information; a rollover type determinater deciding a rollover type of the vehicle using the longitudinal velocity and the lateral velocity of the vehicle; and a restraint device deployment determinater determining whether or not to deploy a vehicle restraint device according to the decision by the rollover type determinater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seok-Ho Hong, Sung-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10328879
    Abstract: A system for airbag deployment within a vehicle may include an airbag, a bumper beam, at least one sensor, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The bumper beam may include a left crush can and a right crush can. The left crush can and the right crush can may each include a first zone associated with a first stiffness in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a second zone associated with a second stiffness in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The sensor may receive one or more signals associated with an impact on the vehicle. The ECU may deploy the airbag at a timing based on one or more characteristics of one or more of the signals and one or more predetermined characteristics associated with the first stiffness of the first zone and the second stiffness of the second zone, thereby providing robust discrimination between a front flat impact mode and an front offset impact mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Siyang Yang, Lando C. Hamlett
  • Patent number: 10328880
    Abstract: A pneumatic motor vehicle window breaking device used in vehicles, comprising: a cylinder and a spike, wherein one end of the spike is fixedly connected to an end of a piston rod of the cylinder, and the other end of the spike is tapered; the cylinder is mounted on a retaining frame. The pneumatic motor vehicle window breaking device directly uses the cylinder and takes high-pressure air as power; only a front end of the spike of the pneumatic motor vehicle window breaking device is required to be mounted at an appropriate position in alignment with a vehicle window before use, and an air valve controls high-pressure air source to drive the spike to complete window breaking, and the device employs a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 10328881
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior configured to deform under a load is disclosed. An armrest for a vehicle interior configured to deform under a load is disclosed. A method for forming the armrest is disclosed. The armrest may comprise a substrate and base formed on the substrate. The base may comprise a core and a surface (or skin). The core may comprise a material configured to deform under a load (e.g. impact). The method for forming the armrest may comprise the steps of: (a) placing the substrate in a mold and (b) forming the base on the substrate. A coating may be provided in the mold. The substrate may be formed from a plastic material such as a thermoplastic material to provide a structure. The base of the armrest may be formed from a plastic material such as a polyurethane foam material to form the core with integral surface/skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Ronald A Bozio, Javier Avila
  • Patent number: 10328882
    Abstract: A rollover protective device for a motor vehicle has a rollover protective body (1) with a top side. A deformation cross bar (2) is attached to the top side of the rollover protective body (1) and has hollow profile body (3). The deformation cross bar (2) has at least one reinforcing body (4) inserted into the hollow profile body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10328883
    Abstract: A roll over protection system for a vehicle having a first upright portion with a first end and a second end defining a first aperture, a second upright portion having a first end and a second end defining a second aperture, a third upright portion having a first end defining a first borehole and connected to first upright portion and a second end having a second borehole and connected to the second portion, a first pin and a first bushing are positioned in the first aperture and the first borehole, a second pin and a second bushing are positioned in the second aperture and the second borehole, the first and second bushings having first inner diameters that are greater than second inner diameters, the first and second pins having diameters that are greater than the second inner diameters and less than or equal to the first inner diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: David L. Stuber
  • Patent number: 10328884
    Abstract: An airbag device for a front passenger seat includes a front passenger seat airbag main body, a center airbag portion, an actuator and a control section. The actuator is configured to switch a strap between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the center airbag portion is retained in a folded state. In the second state, the other end portion of the strap is released and the center airbag portion is allowed to inflate and expand. The control section sets the actuator to the first state when there is a full overlap frontal collision, and sets the actuator to the second state when there is a collision that is any of an oblique collision against a driver seat side of a vehicle front portion or a small overlap collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ippei Kobayashi, Nobuya Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10328885
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle seat with a side airbag, which includes an airbag module with an airbag cushion accommodated therein; a seat back frame with the airbag module mounted thereto; and a seat back pad provided with bolsters protruding forward at opposite sides thereof, with an accommodation space being formed in an outboard one of the bolsters by coupling the outboard bolster to the seat back frame, thereby allowing the airbag module to be accommodated therein, wherein the seat back pad includes a body part, and a guide part formed in an inboard portion of an inner surface of the outboard bolster to guide deployment of the airbag cushion, and the body part and the guide part are made of materials having different rigidity from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI DYMOS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jin Ho Seo, Soo Keun Jang, Young Min Hyun, Byoung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10328886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module cover (40) for an airbag (10) and/or an airbag module for being arranged beneath a vehicle roof (56), especially in the area of an upper windscreen rim, wherein the module cover (40) comprises a module cover panel (41) having a rear side (42) pointing to the vehicle roof (56) during use and a front side (43) pointing away from the vehicle roof (56) during use. In accordance with the invention, the module cover panel (41) comprises an elongate clearance portion (44) preferably formed over the entire width (B) of the module cover panel (41) in the form of an elongate indentation (49) configured in the front side (43) of the module cover panel (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Peyre, Ramon Ramos
  • Patent number: 10328887
    Abstract: A roof-mounted energy absorbing countermeasure system for use in a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system may include an impact detection module configured to detect whether a vehicle has experienced an impact and generate an impact detection signal in response thereto. The system may also include a countermeasure disposed between an outer roof panel of the vehicle and an inner roof panel of the vehicle. The outer roof panel and the inner roof panel may be separated by a first distance in a pre-impact state. The countermeasure may be configured to deploy, in response to generation of the impact detection signal, so as to cause at least a portion of the outer roof panel and at least a portion of the inner roof panel to be separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Dziurda
  • Patent number: 10328888
    Abstract: A seatbelt assembly includes webbing elongated along a length, a clip slidable along the length of the webbing, an indicator extending along the length of the webbing, and a sensor coupled to the clip and sensitive to the indicator. The seatbelt assembly measures a length of a lap band stretched across an occupant. Safety features may be tailored to the body type of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Pline
  • Patent number: 10328889
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device has an airbag main body that is formed as a single integrated bag body that covers a head portion of a vehicle occupant and includes a forward-inflating portion housed in a headrest or in a seat back of a vehicle seat, and which inflates and deploys when supplied with gas, and which inflates on a seat front side of the head portion, and a pair of left and right side-inflating portions which inflate on seat side portions of the head portion. This vehicle occupant protection device also has a sub-bag portion that is provided in at least one of the forward-inflating portion and the side-inflating portions, and that, when an internal pressure inside the airbag main body reaches a predetermined value or greater, inflates after receiving an inflow of gas from at least one of the forward-inflating portion and the side-inflating portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuki Sugie, Masanobu Ohmi, Seiji Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Matsumura, Kosuke Sakakibara, Misato Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10328890
    Abstract: A completely folded body of an airbag includes: a front-side folded portion; and a rear-side folded portion, wherein: the front-side folded portion has such a folded shape that a tip separated longitudinally from the mounting portion of the front overlapped portion is stored in a dent portion, in which a front side is open and a rear side is dented, between a mounting-portion-side folded portion near the mounting portion and a central folded portion between the tip and the mounting-portion-side folded portion; the tip of the front overlapped portion includes a leading edge separate longitudinally the farthest from the mounting portion, and a tip root-side portion connected to the leading edge; and the leading edge is provided on an upper side of the tip root-side portion in the front-side folded portion to be inverted rearward to a central side of the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hayato Abo, Hitoshi Iida, Ryotaro Ishida, Yoshiteru Banno
  • Patent number: 10328891
    Abstract: A method of forming an airbag cushion (10, 10A) has the steps of providing placing the cushion in a vacuum bag (20) and evacuating the air shrinking the airbag cushion (10, 10A) to a compacted size; conforming the airbag cushion to a predetermined shape; placing the airbag cushion (10, 10A) in a high temperature environment between +50° C. to +140° for a predetermined time to thermally set the fabric material (120) to maintain the compacted airbag cushion (10, 10A) to the predetermined shape; and releasing the vacuum and removing the thermally set airbag cushion (10, 10A) from the vacuum bag (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Volkmann, Martin Pieruch
  • Patent number: 10328892
    Abstract: An air bag packaging arrangement adapted to have a self-adhesive checking valve includes an air bag and an air valve which is the self-adhesive checking valve. The air bag includes first and second cell overlapped layers to form an air chamber and a valve opening. The air valve includes first and second sealing films overlapped between the first and second cell layers, and a check sealing film overlapped between proximal portions of the first and second sealing films to define an air inflating channel between the first sealing film and the check sealing film, and a backflow prevention channel between the check sealing film and the second sealing film. In case of air leakage, the air is guided to flow to the backflow prevention channel for creating a supplemental air pressure to further seal and close the air inflating channel, so as to make up a deficient sealing effect of the first and second sealing films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Shanghai Air-Paq Composite Material Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiaying Zhang
  • Patent number: 10328893
    Abstract: A webbing for a passenger restraint belt forms a long passenger restraint belt to restrain a vehicle passenger. The webbing includes warp yarns and weft yarns. The warp yarns and weft yarns are woven so as to extend orthogonally to each other. The warp yarn includes at least one conductive yarn and non-conductive yarns. Anon-conductive yarn is thicker than the at least one conductive yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadayuki Shimazaki, Daichi Nemoto, Hiroki Terai
  • Patent number: 10328894
    Abstract: A switchable retractor system includes a retractor with a spool. The spool is rotatable in an extension direction for extending a web and in a retraction direction for retracting the web. A first clutch has an engaged state where the first clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the extension direction and a disengaged state where the first clutch allows rotation of the spool in the extension direction. A release actuator actuates the first clutch into the disengaged state when actuated by a user to allow extension of the web. A second clutch has a locked state where the second clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the retraction direction and an unlocked state where the second clutch allows rotation of the spool in the retraction direction. A tension actuator actuates the second clutch into the unlocked state when actuated to allow retraction of the web into the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Geist, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 10328895
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod with a recessed portion. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the polymer rod. The tube includes a projection extending within the tube adjacent to the exit to define a constriction portion. The constriction portion is sized to permit the recessed portion of the polymer rod to pass therethrough while preventing the stopper from passing therethrough. The polymer rod has a retention feature for releasably engaging the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Herbert Kohlndorfer, Christopher D. Hall, Richard William Koning, Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 10328896
    Abstract: A vehicle theft avoidance system for improving vehicle security is disclosed. The system includes an awareness system configured to detect an unauthorized object near a vehicle, and a control system in communication with the awareness system and configured to automatically issue a warning if the awareness system detects the unauthorized object near the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10328897
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a vehicle navigation system which can navigate a vehicle through an environment based on driving commands received from a remote control system based on manual operator interaction with an interface of the remote control system. Remote driving control can be engaged based on determination, via processing vehicle sensor data, of a health emergency associated with one or more occupants of the vehicle, and the remote control system can generate remote driving commands which cause the vehicle to be navigated to a particular location without requiring the occupant associated with the health emergency to manually navigate the vehicle. The remote control system can monitor the occupant via communicated vehicle sensor data and can control remote control devices included in the vehicle to provide external indication that the vehicle is being navigated according to remote driving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus C. Nabbe, Tie-Qi Chen, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Patent number: 10328898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway establishes a Bluetooth low energy communication connection with a portable device. A localization module determines a portable device location based on two-way ranging using impulse radio ultra-side band. The PEPS system performs vehicle functions, such as unlocking a door or trunk, allowing the vehicle to be started, or activating wireless charging, based on the portable device location. Another system includes at least one low frequency (LF) antenna configured to transmit a wireless charging ping signal within a predetermined range to a portable device configured for wireless charging. A communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on a response to the ping signal by the portable device. A PEPS performs vehicle functions, such as unlocking a door or trunk, or allowing the vehicle to be started, in response to authenticating the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Golsch, Steven Sute
  • Patent number: 10328899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for localization and passive entry/passive start (PEPS) systems for vehicles are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication connection with a portable device. Sensors are configured to receive connection information about the BLE communication connection from the communication gateway, eavesdrop on the BLE communication connection, and measure signal information about communication signals sent from the portable device to the communication gateway. A localization module is configured to determine a location of the portable device based on the signal information from the plurality of sensors. A PEPS system is configured to receive the location of the portable device from the localization module and to perform a vehicle function including at least one of unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, and allowing the vehicle to be started based on the location of the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyle Golsch
  • Patent number: 10328900
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to unlocking at least one vehicle door or a trunk and operating other welcome features on the vehicle, including but not limited to, opening a tailgate, turning on ambient lights or head lights, and starting a vehicle engine. The current disclosure is directed to a system and method for automatically unlocking at least one door or a trunk on the vehicle using a smartphone and a vehicle key fob. Due to the method provided herein, frequent recharging of the vehicle key fob is not required, nor does the size of the key fob have to be large enough to hold large batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolay Yakovenko, Riad Ghabra, Chadi Shaya
  • Patent number: 10328901
    Abstract: A user identification system is provided, which includes an in-vehicle apparatus used by multiple users and a vehicular portable device carried by a user acting as a driver and associated with the in-vehicle apparatus. The vehicular portable device detects received signal strength of signals received from the portable terminals at multiple time points, and based on the received signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector, determines a driver terminal which is the portable terminal carried by the user acting as the driver. The vehicular portable device determines as the driver terminal the portable terminal that provides a smallest degree of change of the received signal strength detected multiple times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichiro Sanji, Noritaka Hirao, Suguru Matsushita, Takatoshi Sekizawa, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Mitsugi Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 10328902
    Abstract: A rain sensor is included in a vehicle, and a method for controlling the vehicle utilizes the rain sensor. The rain sensor includes a light transmitter configured to radiate light to a windshield of the vehicle; a light receiver configured to receive light reflected from the windshield to generate a reception light signal; a filter configured to filter out noise from the reception light signal; and a controller configured to determine a presence or absence of pollutant and a degree of pollution on the basis of the filtered reception light signal, and perform pollutant removing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Min Park, Nak Kyoung Kong, Ki Hong Lee, Keun Sig Lim, Young Ik Cho, KyungTaek Kim, WonBok Hong, Taewang Kim
  • Patent number: 10328903
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed. Neighboring ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected respective connecting pieces. The connecting piece comprises engaging members engaging around the longitudinal strips, wherein the strips and the connecting piece are slidably connected by means of a snap connection. At least one pin extending in a direction perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped engages the wiper blade at a location of a hole in one of the longitudinal strips to block longitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative to the strip in a longitudinal direction thereof away from the connecting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Trico Belgium
    Inventor: Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 10328904
    Abstract: The wiper device includes a wiper blade which extends in a longitudinal direction and at least one longitudinal strip that is pre-curved to have a curved shape when in a relaxed condition. The wiper device supports the wiper blade and biases the wiper blade into a curved shape. A connecting device is attached with the at least one longitudinal strip. The connecting device includes a two-piece base and a joint part which is pivotably connected with the two-piece base. The two-piece base includes a first piece, which is directly secured with the at least one longitudinal strip, and a second piece with laterally spaced apart side walls that are each J-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis E. Cox, Jesus Yee, David Reyes
  • Patent number: 10328905
    Abstract: A windshield window wiping system, including a wiper blade in contact with a windshield window; a wiper motor operatively connected to the wiper blade, configured to perform a wiper blade stroke; a reservoir for a wash fluid; a first hood mounted nozzle, configured to project the wash fluid toward the windshield window; a wash pump, wherein the wash pump is hydraulically connected to the first hood mounted nozzle; and a first electronic circuit, configured to estimate a position of the wiper blade during the wiper blade stroke based on an input to the first electronic circuit and to synchronize the projection of the wash fluid toward the windshield window with the estimated position of the wiper blade. In other aspects, a method of wiping a windshield window and a non-transitory computer readable medium are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Tousignant, Mark Pattison, Charles Prain
  • Patent number: 10328906
    Abstract: A low profile, integrated camera wash nozzle assembly 1010 is readily and unobtrusively integrated into a vehicle's exterior trim surfaces 1420 to make a more visually appealing exterior design while not compromising spray performance. A system and nozzle assembly (e.g., 710, 810, 1010) for cleaning an exterior objective lens or wide-angle sensor's exterior surface 1022 to remove accumulated debris sprays washer fluid at a selected shallow angle which is substantially transverse to the lenses central viewing axis 1050. A low-profile conformal housing fixture 1011 is adapted to receive and aim a very compact fluidic circuit insert 1200 that can generate a wide spray which substantially covers the lens surface, despite being very close to the edge of the lens 1022.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: dlhBOWLES, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Hester, Chunling Zhao, Nicholas Bryce Watkins, Praveen Pai
  • Patent number: 10328907
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a vehicle includes a debris collection unit, a fluid conduit connected to an outlet of the debris collection unit, and a vacuum suction unit fluidly connected to the debris collection unit by the fluid conduit. The debris collection unit defines a storage cavity for storing debris collected by the vacuum cleaning system, and is positionable in a first compartment of the vehicle. The vacuum suction unit is located remote from the debris collection unit, and is positionable in a second compartment of the vehicle separate from the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Williams, Alex J. Wall
  • Patent number: 10328908
    Abstract: A vehicle step system includes a footplate, having a footplate top side which can be stepped on and a cleaning device for cleaning the footplate top side, wherein the cleaning device has at least one air duct having at least one opening. The air duct can be supplied with compressed air, such that a compressed air stream can flow out of the opening. The opening is directed in the direction of the footplate top side in such a way that the compressed air stream strikes the footplate top side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GEBR. BODE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hans Joachim Walter, Oliver Paul
  • Patent number: 10328909
    Abstract: A snow removal device for an automobile including a rectangular flexible sheet and each of a front seam and a back seam disposed within the rectangular flexible sheet. Each of a front cord and a back cord of a pair of cords is continuously disposed through an entirety of each of the front seam and the back seam, respectively. Each of a plurality of stitchings permanently affixes one of the pair of cords to the rectangular flexible sheet. Each of a right handle and a left handle of a pair of rigid handles is attached to the pair of cords. One of the pair of handles is configured to be held by one of a pair of users in order to allow the pair of users to brush snow off the automobile using the rectangular flexible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Dudley, Linda Dudley
  • Patent number: 10328910
    Abstract: A collapsible chock assembly for automatically chocking a vehicle tire includes a housing that is positioned in a well in a support surface thereby facilitating a vehicle to drive on the housing. A chock unit is provided and the chock unit is movably positioned in the housing. The chock unit is selectively positioned in a deployed position to abut a tire on the vehicle thereby inhibiting the vehicle from rolling. The chock unit is selectively positioned in a compressed position having the chock unit being recessed into the housing thereby allowing the vehicle to roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron Edgeworth, Baron Edgeworth
  • Patent number: 10328911
    Abstract: An auxiliary brake stabilizing support carries an instructor's brake in a given car. The support interacts with both the floor section and the firewall section of a car in front of the passenger seat, without necessarily being secured to these sections by penetrating fasteners. The brake support fits against a firewall of a car and is elevated with respect to the firewall to carry the brake over a passage with open lateral edges and supporting standoffs at top and bottom edges of the platform. A massive anchor plate rests against the floor at the base of the firewall to resist slippage. A hinged connection between the platform and anchor plate allow precise fit with the configuration of the car, while allowing the stabilizing support to fold into a compact shipping configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Michael S. Rieber
  • Patent number: 10328912
    Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in an air trailer brake circuit of a trailer includes providing a controller, a base valve, a first sensor, a second sensor, a leak control valve having a solenoid, a pneumatic fluid supply, a first brake output, and a second brake output. The method further includes supplying a first pressure to an inlet of the base valve and outputting a second pressure from an outlet of the base valve. The first pressure is detected with the first sensor and the second pressure is detected with the second sensor. The method also includes communicating the detected first pressure and the second pressure to the controller, and comparing a difference between first pressure and the second pressure to a threshold. A leak is detected in the air trailer brake circuit if the difference satisfies the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy E. Schick, Brandon J. McMillen, Jordan Tagtow
  • Patent number: 10328913
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating an automatic adjustment of a braking system is provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method can comprise generating, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, a braking curve model based on braking usage pattern data corresponding to one or more vehicles. The computer-implemented method can also comprise adjusting, by the system, a supplemental braking component of the first vehicle based on a simulation of one or more braking components corresponding to the one or more vehicles, wherein the one or more braking components is represented by the braking curve model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qi Cheng Li, Jie Ma, Li Jun Mei, Xin Zhang, Xin Zhou
  • Patent number: 10328914
    Abstract: A method for setting a slip threshold for a vehicle movement dynamics control device of a motor vehicle is provided. The method includes defining a slip threshold starting from which the vehicle movement dynamics control device is activated in order to reduce slip, and determining wheel-specific minimum slip values for the wheels of the motor vehicle, which slip values are derived from the respective wheel-specific slip signals. The method also includes detecting a geometric slip by correlating all the determined wheel-specific minimum slip values with one another, and evaluating the wheel-specific minimum slip values that are correlated with one another. The method also includes raising the slip threshold in the event of geometric slip being detected. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle movement dynamics control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Henning Kerber, Manuel Kasten, Mario Roszyk, Dieter Burkhard
  • Patent number: 10328915
    Abstract: Various methods of detecting or controlling vehicle stability are disclosed. Certain embodiments provide a method for performing hill hold control for a vehicle, a method for detecting a vehicle sliding into loss of control, and/or a method for controlling a vehicle's sliding into loss of control. Methods for detecting sliding into loss of control may include comparing the vehicle's longitudinal velocity gradient with a reference speed computed from wheel speed sensors inputs and/or detecting a lateral velocity of the vehicle and a longitudinal velocity of the vehicle when vehicle sliding is detected. Methods for control may include calculating a vehicle pitch angle from the lateral acceleration, the longitudinal acceleration, the yaw rate, the roll rate, and the pitch rate, calculating a longitudinal velocity gradient from the vehicle pitch angle, and/or calculating a sideslip angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TCHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Leonard K. Johnson, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 10328916
    Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control apparatus for a vehicle includes a parameter calculation unit configured to calculate a rollover detection parameter; and a steering maneuver determination unit configured to determine whether an abrupt steering maneuver is made. The parameter calculation unit is configured to calculate a first composition roll angle as the rollover detection parameter, by combining at a predetermined weight assignment ratio a first roll angle equivalent to an actual roll angle with a second roll angle obtained using a parameter which changes with a phase earlier than the first roll angle, and to calculate the first composition roll angle by changing the weight assignment ratio such that a weight of the second roll angle is higher when the steering maneuver determination unit determines that an abrupt steering maneuver is made than when the steering maneuver determination unit determines that the abrupt steering maneuver is not made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Miyata, Takeshi Kojima, Tomoyuki Futamura
  • Patent number: 10328917
    Abstract: A method for mitigating sway of a trailer being towed by a leading vehicle is disclosed. The method may involve using a controller of the vehicle to determine when a trailer sway condition has arisen that requires a mitigating action. The controller may be used to actuate a plurality of brakes of the vehicle, or to increase braking pressure being applied by a driver of the vehicle, when the trailer is detected as swaying toward a centerline of the vehicle from one side or another of the vehicle centerline. The controller may further be used to release the plurality of brakes, or to decrease a braking pressure being commanded by the driver, before the trailer has swayed past the vehicle centerline, and to repeatedly apply and release the vehicle brakes only while the trailer is detected as swaying toward the vehicle centerline, until the trailer sway condition has been mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: VEONEER NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Long Ying, Shuyang Wang
  • Patent number: 10328918
    Abstract: A valve module is provided for enabling a vehicle to control an autonomous event of the vehicle. The valve module comprises a relay valve, a first solenoid valve, and a second solenoid valve. A first control pressure can be delivered through the first solenoid valve and applied to a control port of the relay valve. In one embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve and combined with the first control pressure. The combined first and second control pressures are applied to the control port of the relay valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: David W. Howell
  • Patent number: 10328919
    Abstract: A brake apparatus is provided which has applicability to a wide range of vehicles. The brake apparatus includes a master cylinder provided in such a manner that a piston is axially operable in a master cylinder housing, and a stroke simulator including a reaction force piston axially operable by brake fluid introduced into a stroke simulator housing. The master cylinder housing is fixed to the stroke simulator housing. The stroke simulator housing is positioned between the master cylinder housing and a fixation piece structured to fix the stroke simulator housing to the vehicle. The fixation piece is spaced from the master cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Misunou, Ryohei Maruo, Chiharu Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10328920
    Abstract: A control device for at least one electric parking brake of a vehicle brake system of a vehicle having a control instrument, to determine a setpoint variable regarding a setpoint braking torque to be generated with the parking brake and to output a control signal, the control instrument being configured to ascertain/detect, based on at least one provided signal, whether a brake booster is in at least one functionally limited or incapacitated state, and, if indicated, to determine the setpoint variable by considering at least one defined parameter regarding a requested total braking torque and to control the electric parking brake so that a corresponding actual braking torque is exertable with the parking brake. Also described is an electric parking brake for a vehicle brake system and to a vehicle brake system, and a method for operating a vehicle brake system having a brake booster and an electric parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Kistner, Otmar Bussmann, Bertram Foitzik, Klaus Heyer
  • Patent number: 10328921
    Abstract: A controller can display via an instrument cluster a brake capacity based on a temperature of friction material of at least one brake of a vehicle and a predicted brake fade threshold that is derived from a speed, mass, and current angle of inclination of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Fraser, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jason Christopher Matthews, Lawrence Robert Rhein, Jeremy Mateyk
  • Patent number: 10328922
    Abstract: An intelligent, on-board, train brake safety monitoring and fault action system is disclosed. The system compares measured dynamic train brake performance using on-board train control system, such as a LEADERĀ® system. Using the measured dynamic train brake performance, the brake monitoring system can determine whether the train is capable of stopping within a particular required distance, such as a stop distance set by a positive train control system in which the train is participating. The ongoing ability to meet external braking criteria, such as compliance with positive train control stop distances, may be used to extend the interval between any mandated train brake inspections and tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Kumar, Folkert Horst
  • Patent number: 10328923
    Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc., PACCAR, Inc., Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: An Wu, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, Howard R. Frost