Patents Issued in July 2, 2019
  • Patent number: 10336298
    Abstract: A transparent pane with a conductive coating extending at least over a part of the transparent pane surface, in particular over a visual field of the transparent pane is described. The conductive coating is electrically connected to at least two strip-shaped bus bars such that after application of a supply voltage, a current flows over a heating field formed by the conductive coating. The conductive coating has an electrical resistance such that upon application of a supply voltage in the range from more than 100 volts to 400 volts, a heating output from the heating field is in the range from 300 watt/m2 to 1000 watt/m2. The at least two strip-shaped bus bars have a maximum width of less than 5 mm and are dimensioned such that a maximum electrical power loss per unit of length is 10 watt/m. Moreover, the at least two strip-shaped bus bars have a specific resistivity ranging from 2 ?ohm·cm to 4 ?ohm·cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Susanne Lisinski, Martin Melcher, Volkmar Offermann, Andreas Schlarb
  • Patent number: 10336299
    Abstract: In a brushless wiper motor, first and second pressing claws (43a and 43b) are formed on an outer periphery (OP) of steel sheets (34a) forming a stator core (34), and press-fitted to an inner periphery (IP) of the motor housing unit (31) so that the stator core (34) is fixed to the motor housing unit (31), base end portions of the first and second pressing claws (43a and 43b) are respectively connected to first and second walls formed on the outer periphery (OP) of the steel sheets (34a), and tip end portions of the first and second pressing claws (43a and 43b) each serves as a free end, and are directed in a circumferential direction of the stator core (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kojima, Masaaki Kimura, Yukiyoshi Iso
  • Patent number: 10336300
    Abstract: Turning angles of an output shaft of a wiper motor are detected by a turning angle sensor. In a case in which a wiper switch is switched off, a wiper control circuit performs control to stop a wiper blade at a stowed position, which is a stop reference position, on the basis of a position of the wiper blade calculated from a detected turning angle. If the wiper blade stops at a position that is different from the stop reference position, the wiper control circuit sets this stop position as a new stop reference position. In a case in which the wiper switch is subsequently switched on again, the wiper control circuit performs control to move the wiper blade from the new stop reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroto Ijima
  • Patent number: 10336301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for wiping a window of a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (4) rotated by a drive shaft (6) which is arranged at the output of a motor assembly (8) capable of creating an alternating rotational movement of said drive shaft. The wiping device also comprises means for translating the motor assembly, and some of said drive means are supported by the drive shaft. In this way, it is the rotation of the drive shaft that translates the motor assembly. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a wiping device and to a structural element, in particular a boot door, to which the device is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Vincent Gaucher, Stéphane Houssat
  • Patent number: 10336302
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving system configured to produce a first brake control signal, and a contact sensor assembly mechanically coupled to an exterior surface of the autonomous vehicle. The contact sensor assembly is configured to produce a second brake control signal. A brake system is configured to control braking of the autonomous vehicle by prioritizing the second brake control signal over the first brake control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Graney
  • Patent number: 10336303
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic parking brake (EPB) system. The EPB system has an EPB actuator operated by an electric motor, and the EPB system includes a motor driver configured to drive the electric motor of the EPB actuator; a current sensor configured to sense a current flowing in the electric motor; a voltage sensor configured to sense a voltage supplied to the electric motor; and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to change a target current to correspond to a parking apply mode that is executed on the basis of a voltage supplied to the electric motor, which is sensed through the voltage sensor when the parking apply mode is executed, and control an operation of the electric motor according to the changed target current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Su-Hwan No
  • Patent number: 10336304
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle, may include a brake input device to apply a brake input of a driver; a brake actuator generating braking hydraulic pressure; wheel cylinders generating braking force for each vehicle wheel by the braking hydraulic pressure generated by the brake actuator; and a hydraulic pressure supply line connecting the brake actuator and the wheel cylinders, wherein the brake actuator includes a main pump device by which braking force is applied, and a sub control device configured for adjusting the braking force applied by the main pump device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joung Hee Lee, Jong Yun Jeong, Dong Yoon Hyun
  • Patent number: 10336305
    Abstract: A Venturi device for producing vacuum from fluids in an engine system has a body defining a Venturi gap separating apart an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section by a lineal distance, and a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section and the diverging discharge section both gradually, continuously taper toward the Venturi gap, the converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet, and an inner passageway of the converging motive section transitions as a hyperbolic function from the motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Fletcher, Brian Graichen, Keith Hampton, Matt Gilmer, Andrew Niedert
  • Patent number: 10336306
    Abstract: A control valve for an automatic parking brake having an inlet for coupling to a source a brake pipe pressure, an outlet for coupling to a control inlet of the automatic parking brake and a pilot for coupling to the source of brake pipe pressure. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the inlet is in communication with the outlet and a second position where the inlet and the outlet are isolated from each other in response to a predetermined amount of brake pipe pressure at the pilot. The control valve includes a spring biasing the control valve into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: New York Air Brake, LLC
    Inventor: Derick Call
  • Patent number: 10336307
    Abstract: An electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) overlay control valve can selective switch between a conventional pneumatic mode and an ECP mode. In ECP mode, the overlay control valve shunts the brake cylinder pressure of the pneumatic control valve which allows a relay valve to build or exhaust pressure in the brake cylinder in response to an electronically controlled apply/release circuit. In conventional pneumatic mode, the overlay control valve disconnects the relay valve and allows a conventional pneumatic control valve to control the pressurization and exhausting of the brake cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Parnapy, Derick Call
  • Patent number: 10336308
    Abstract: A brake device may include: a master cylinder including a master piston moved in connection with a pedal, and a master cylinder body having the master piston movably inserted therein and containing fluid of which hydraulic pressure is varied when the master piston is moved; a pedal force generation part housed in the master cylinder body, and restricting a motion of the master piston while interfering with the master piston depending on the motion of the master piston; a braking actuator configured to generate hydraulic pressure; an actuator connection part connecting the braking actuator to a brake mounted on a wheel; and a master connection part connecting the master cylinder to the actuator connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 10336309
    Abstract: A BCU for determining a health status of a LRU having a coil includes a non-transitory memory configured to store instructions and a controller coupled to the non-transitory memory. The controller is designed to receive a temperature from a temperature sensor, to receive a direct current (DC) voltage that is applied to the coil of the LRU, and to receive a detected current corresponding to an amount of current flowing through the coil. The controller is further designed to determine a calculated resistance of the coil based on the detected current and the DC voltage and to determine a compensated resistance of the coil based on the temperature and the calculated resistance of the coil. The controller is further designed to determine the health status of the LRU by comparing the compensated resistance of the coil to a nominal resistance of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Georgin, Michael Kordik
  • Patent number: 10336310
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for starting an engine of a mild hybrid electric vehicle are disclosed. A method for starting an engine of a mild hybrid electric vehicle includes operating a mild hybrid starter & generator (MHSG) to perform an engine cranking operation, calculating an aging factor of the engine based on a time to reach a target RPM, calculating a moving average value of the aging factor, determining whether the moving average value of the aging factor is between a first reference value and a second reference value, and increasing cranking torque of the MHSG when the moving average value of the aging factor is between the first reference value and the second reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 10336311
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of a work vehicle during downhill operation may include controlling an operation of at least one of an engine or a transmission of a work vehicle so as to maintain the work vehicle operating at a requested speed and identifying an operating condition of the work vehicle that provides an indication that the work vehicle is traveling downhill. In addition, the method may include determining whether at least one pre-condition for downshifting the transmission from a current gear ratio to a downshift gear ratio is satisfied when the operating condition indicates that the work vehicle is currently traveling downhill. Moreover, when it is determined that the pre-condition(s) is satisfied, the method may include controlling the operation of the transmission such that the transmission is downshifted from the current gear ratio to the downshift gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ashraf Omran, Garth Bulgrien, Brian Hartman
  • Patent number: 10336312
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes a combustion engine, an exhaust aftertreatment system connected to the combustion engine, and an electrical power collector for intermittently collecting electrical power from external power supply track during driving of the vehicle. The vehicle propulsion system includes a heating system that is arranged to heat at least one component of the exhaust aftertreatment system and/or the combustion engine. The electrical power collector is arranged for supplying the heating system with electrical power when collecting electrical power from the external power supply track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Maria Bruce
  • Patent number: 10336313
    Abstract: A vehicle and a control method thereof are provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a catalytic converter including catalyst for purifying exhaust gas discharged from the engine and a sensing unit that is disposed between the engine and the catalytic converter. The sensing unit outputs an electrical signal in response to sensing of gas and a controller starts the engine based on the electrical signal output from the sensing unit and a mileage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Ki Huh
  • Patent number: 10336314
    Abstract: A low-voltage hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an engine that is coupled via an engine disconnect clutch to an input member of the transmission, and a low-voltage electric machine is coupled to the transmission. The powertrain system operates in an electric vehicle (EV) mode with the engine in an OFF state and with the engine disconnect clutch in an open/deactivated state. When an output torque request indicates a command for vehicle acceleration, the electric machine is controlled to generate torque in response to the output torque request and the engine is simultaneously cranked and started. Upon starting, the engine operates in a speed control mode to activate the engine disconnect clutch. The engine and the low-voltage electric machine are controlled to generate torque in response to the output torque request when the engine disconnect clutch is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Neeraj S. Shidore, Norman K. Bucknor, K V Hebbale, Farzad Samie, Dongxu Li
  • Patent number: 10336315
    Abstract: A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barney D Nefcy, Francis Thomas Connolly, Dan Colvin, Walt Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Dale Scott Crombez, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10336316
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, battery, torque converter bypass clutch, drive wheel, and controller. The electric machine is configured to recharge the battery via regenerative braking. The torque converter bypass clutch is disposed between the electric machine and the drive wheel. The controller is programmed to, in response to a negative drive wheel torque command during a regenerative braking event, adjust a closed-state torque capacity of the torque converter bypass clutch based on the torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Lang Kuang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Yanan Zhao, Daniel Scott Colvin
  • Patent number: 10336317
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling lift for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure values pertaining to one or more parameter values for a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether an unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and implementing one or more control measures when it is determined that the unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden, David Dominguez, Samantha J. Bray, Eric E. Krueger
  • Patent number: 10336318
    Abstract: A vehicle parking assist system includes at least one processor configured to establish communication with a parking automation system external to a vehicle to assist in a parking maneuver. The parking automation system includes at least one sensor to provide a measured distance value from an object to the vehicle. The processor is further configured to control a brake system of the vehicle based on the measured distance value via the sensor. The processor is further configured to control the vehicle to come to a stop based on the measured distance value being less than a first predefined threshold via the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, Casey Bryan Feldman, Jamel Seagraves, Yonathan Redda
  • Patent number: 10336319
    Abstract: A method, device and computer-readable storage medium are provided for parking a self-balancing vehicle. The method includes: determining whether there is a target parking spot for parking a self-balancing vehicle when the self-balancing vehicle needs to be parked; controlling, when there is a target parking spot for parking the self-balancing vehicle, the self-balancing vehicle to park at the target parking spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhuang Qian, Lifei Xiang, Baoke Chen
  • Patent number: 10336320
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of communication for vehicle remote park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to send a counter signal to and receive a return signal from a mobile device via the communication module, determine a time period between sending of the counter signal and receipt of the return signal, and prevent the autonomy unit from causing vehicle movement responsive to determining the time period is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuliya Aksyutina, Armin Mueller-Lerwe, Erick Michael Lavoie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ahmed Benmimoun
  • Patent number: 10336321
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, an identity of a vehicle operator may be determined and a vehicle operator profile and/or operating data regarding autonomous operation features of the vehicle may be received after the vehicle operator opts into a rewards program and agrees to share their data. Autonomous operation and vehicle operator risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. Based upon the risk levels and/or comparison thereof, one or more autonomous operation features may be disengaged. A preparedness level of the vehicle operator to assume or reassume control of operating the vehicle is determined prior to disengagement. If satisfactory, an alert is presented to the vehicle operator prior to disengagement of the autonomous operation features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven C. Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 10336322
    Abstract: A miniature autonomous vehicle for operation on the public roads is disclosed. The small size allows efficiency for small payloads, but produces a danger of being overlooked by other vehicles. The size of the vehicle is less than driver operated vehicles and may be restricted to less than 200 pounds. Sensors determine the vehicles speed and the presence of environmental vehicles and use a processor to calculate the need for additional visibility. A visibility structure and support structure with lights or markers is controlled by the processor. The markers are controlled in their operation or position by the processor on the basis of the sensor data. Extending or raising and retracting or lowering the structure affects the air resistance and stability of the vehicle. The structure can be raised when the vehicle stops or is in traffic and lowered at road speeds in light or absent traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Danaher Harvey
  • Patent number: 10336323
    Abstract: A system for preventing accidents includes an eye gaze detector for receiving an eye gaze vector from a driver. The system additionally comprises a proximity sensor for detecting locations of nearby objects and their velocities. A risk is determined based on the nearby object location and velocity. Additionally, the driver's knowledge of vehicle circumstances is determined based on the nearby object location and velocity as well as the eye gaze location. Responsive to the driver's knowledge and the risk, an alert is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Feit, Nicholas A. Scheufler, Ross C. Miller, Michelle Kosterich, Jason Lin, Dave Jaeyeong Choi, Cody D. Grebe
  • Patent number: 10336324
    Abstract: Based on the assumption that a preceding vehicle does not brake to a halt, but only reduces its speed for a certain time, an improved TTC (Time To Collision) can be calculated. By means of the difference between the TTC with braking to a halt and the improved TTC, a probability for the occurrence of a hypothesis concerning the further behavior of the preceding vehicle can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Gutmann, Thomas Diepolder, Clemens Schnurr
  • Patent number: 10336325
    Abstract: The technology relates to determining a future heading of an object. In order to do so, sensor data, including information identifying a bounding box representing an object in a vehicle's environment and locations of sensor data points corresponding to the object, may be received. Based on dimensions of the bounding box, an area corresponding to a wheel of the object may be identified. An orientation of the wheel may then be estimated based on the sensor data points having locations within the area. The estimation may then be used to determine a future heading of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Jens-Steffen Ralf Gutmann
  • Patent number: 10336326
    Abstract: Example lane detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method received an image from-facing vehicle camera and applies a geometric transformation to the image to create a birds-eye view of the image. The method analyzes the birds-eye view of the image using a neural network, which was previously trained using side-facing vehicl camera images, to determine a lane position associated with the birds-eye view of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexandru Mihai Gurghian, Tejaswi Koduri, Vidya Nariyambut Murali, Kyle J Carey
  • Patent number: 10336327
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide a system of roadway network transponders (RNTs) having a plurality of activation RNTs positioned within a roadway, where each activation RNT contains electronic data for controlling the maximum attainable speed of an automobile on the roadway. The system should also include a plurality of deactivation RNTs positioned within the roadway and following the activation RNTs when moving in a direction of vehicle travel, where each deactivation RNT contains electronic data for releasing an automobile from speed controls which control the maximum attainable speed of an automobile on the roadway. The RNTs may be used to control the speed of an automobile before or near a curve, merging point of one or more roads, or a construction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 10336328
    Abstract: A cruise control system, the vehicle including the same, and the method of controlling the cruise control system are provided to improve fuel efficiency by changing control target vehicle speeds by continuously predicting vehicle speeds and variations in required driving forces on roads with various slope variations. Additionally, driving performance is improved by using kinetic energies and preventing unnecessary acceleration and deceleration in comparison with conventional vehicles. Driver convenience and satisfaction is also improved by preventing an unintended operation stop of the cruise control system caused by frequent acceleration and deceleration on roads with substantial slope variations in advance and by preventing unintended acceleration/deceleration on roads with frequent slope variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Pil Yoon, Howon Seo, Jungwook Kim
  • Patent number: 10336329
    Abstract: A saddled vehicle configured to be driven by a driver sitting on a saddle seat and steering with a handlebar can include a grasping grip to be grasped by a driver and a throttle grip for an accelerator operation respectively, two brakes for braking a front wheel and a rear wheel of the vehicle, each having a different braking operation target, and a cruise control for performing automatic propulsion control of the vehicle wherein the control by the cruise control is performed by changing a control degree in accordance with operation conditions of the first brake and the second brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Kazuyoshi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 10336330
    Abstract: Controls for improved drivability of a vehicle equipped with start/stop logic are disclosed. A nominal control stop for the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is disabled or prevented from occurring in response to a vehicle mass and route grade indicating a roll back condition for the vehicle exists if the nominal control stop for the engine were to take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Praveen C. Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 10336331
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a hydraulic control unit (HCU) having a set of electrically-actuated valves configured to open/close to accumulate a pressurized hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic apply circuit of a first clutch of a transmission; a hydraulic fluid pump mechanically driven by an engine and configured to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the HCU; and a controller configured to: prior to temporarily stopping the engine, control the engine and the HCU such that the pressurized hydraulic fluid accumulates in the hydraulic apply circuit of the first clutch to a desired hydraulic fluid pressure, and upon restarting the engine, control the set of electrically-actuated valves of the HCU to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic apply circuit first clutch to a hydraulic apply circuit for a second clutch of the transmission to apply the second clutch and shift the transmission into drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: William Mayhew, Stephen Tokish
  • Patent number: 10336332
    Abstract: An electronic control unit permits a shift operation to a neutral position, by which a manual transmission 14 is switched to neutral, during coasting control. Accordingly, shifting to the neutral position can be performed only by the shift operation. Thus, power transmission can be blocked after termination of the coasting control. In addition, the electronic control unit prohibits the shift operation to a particular gear after the transmission is switched to neutral. Thus, overreving or underreving at the termination of the coasting control can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10336333
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Steven Anatole Frait, Matthew John Shelton, Kirk Pebley, Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 10336334
    Abstract: A vehicle may include an engine selectively coupled to a motor and a transmission. The vehicle may include a controller configured to, in response to actuation of a brake pedal, command the transmission to downshift during a regenerative braking event based on a regenerative braking downshift torque. The regenerative braking downshift torque may be determined from a predicted brake pedal input rate. The predicted brake pedal input rate may be based on road grade, vehicle headway range and a driver history. The predicted brake pedal input rate may be classified as Low, Medium, or High. The regenerative braking downshift torque may also be determined from a predicted brake torque rate that is based on a predicted deceleration rate of the vehicle, a vehicle speed prediction and a road grade prediction within a future time interval that begins upon actuation of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 10336335
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission mechanical park system, an electronic park brake, and at least one controller. The at least one controller is programmed to in response to (i) a speed difference of a measured speed and an expected speed of a downstream component of the vehicle that transmits torque downstream of the transmission mechanical park system exceeding a calibratable threshold and (ii) an ignition state of OFF, apply the electronic park brake to restrain movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery Allen Malone, Jacob Martin Povirk, Kenneth Gerard Walega
  • Patent number: 10336336
    Abstract: A vehicular control apparatus includes at least one electronic control unit. The at least one electronic control unit is configured to recognize a first preceding vehicle in a driving lane and to calculate a first target acceleration of the vehicle. The at least one electronic control unit is also configured to recognize a second preceding vehicle in an adjacent lane, and to calculate a second target acceleration of the vehicle. The at least one electronic control unit is configured to acquire lane change information of the vehicle, and to select the smaller of the first target acceleration and the second target acceleration as a target acceleration of the vehicle. The at least one electronic control unit is configured to control a speed of the vehicle in a lane change period by using the selected target acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Matsumoto, Kazuaki Aso, Junichi Morimura
  • Patent number: 10336337
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a slip acquisition unit that acquires occurrence of excessive slip, an addition slip point calculating unit that calculates addition slip points in a time-discrete manner, based on having acquired that the excessive slip has occurred, a cumulative slip point calculating unit that accumulates the addition slip points and calculates a cumulative slip point over time, a drive state switching unit that switches between 2WD and AWD based on cumulative slip points and a drive state switching threshold value, and a cumulative slip point resetting unit triggered by a lateral acceleration correlation value of the vehicle reaching a lateral acceleration threshold value or higher, or a drive force correlation value of the drive wheels reaching a drive force correlation threshold value or higher, to reset the cumulative slip point to a value smaller than the drive state switching threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Sakaguchi, Masatoshi Noguchi, Satoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 10336338
    Abstract: A work vehicle has a hydraulic source; a control valve that controls a flow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic source; and an engine starting device for starting an engine, in which a control device has: a low-temperature state determination unit that determines whether a temperature state of a working fluid of a torque converter is a low-temperature state; and a clutch control unit that when it is determined by the low-temperature state determination unit that the temperature state of the working fluid is not the low-temperature state, controls the control valve in order to switch a lock-up clutch to a non-engagement state, and when it is determined by the low-temperature state determination unit that the temperature state of the working fluid is the low-temperature state, controls the control valve in order to switch the lock-up clutch to a engagement state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Keisuke Naitou
  • Patent number: 10336339
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain, comprising an internal combustion engine connected to a double clutch transmission having a first and a second partial transmission with at least one shiftable transmission stage. A first friction clutch is arranged between the internal combustion engine and the first partial transmission, and a second friction clutch is arranged between the internal combustion engine and the second partial transmission. An engine torque of the internal combustion engine is transmitted by the first and second friction clutches to the first or second partial transmissions to provide a drivetrain torque at the output of the double clutch transmission. The powertrain is monitored for an occurrence of juddering oscillations, wherein in response to juddering oscillations being detected a regeneration process of one of the first and second friction clutches is triggered, and a friction lining is removed in the regeneration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Georg Göppert
  • Patent number: 10336340
    Abstract: A method for altering at least one driving parameter of a vehicle during travel. The method includes a step of reading in a traffic-sign signal, in which a traffic-sign signal is read in, the traffic-sign signal representing an altered traffic zone, indicated by a traffic sign, at one position. In a step of reading in a map signal, a map signal is read in which represents a traffic zone, indicated by a map, at the position. In a comparing step, the traffic-sign signal is compared to the map signal. In a last step of providing, an alteration signal is provided for altering at least the driving parameter, if a predetermined relationship exists between the traffic-sign signal and the map signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andras Sarosi, Attila Licsar, Csaba Gyulai, Tor Oyvind Didriksen
  • Patent number: 10336341
    Abstract: A vehicle control-system includes an automated driving controller and a vehicle-side communication section. The automated driving controller executes automated driving in which at least one out of speed control or steering control of a vehicle is performed automatically, and executes automated driving in a mode from out of plural modes with differing degrees of automated driving. The vehicle-side communication section communicates with a server for managing characteristic information of a vehicle occupant. The automated driving controller controls automated driving based on the characteristic information of the vehicle occupant received from a server-side communication section using the vehicle-side communication section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Asakura, Kunimichi Hatano, Naoto Sen, Masaaki Abe
  • Patent number: 10336342
    Abstract: A method for processing at least one parameter of a trip or an event of a vehicle for a vehicle. The method includes at least one step of reading in, one step of mapping and one step of providing. In the step of reading in, a driving parameter signal is read in, which represents at least the parameter of the trip or of the event of the vehicle. In the step of mapping, the driving parameter signal is mapped by using a linear representation in order to obtain mapped driving parameter coefficients. In the step of providing, the mapped driving parameter coefficients are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Kammerer
  • Patent number: 10336343
    Abstract: A method includes collecting first data from a first sensor associated with a vehicle and determining, based on the first data, that an event involving the vehicle may occur. The method includes identifying a second sensor located within a proximity of the vehicle and causing the second sensor to collect second data. The method also includes associating the first data and the second data with a first event associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kevin K. Fiedler, Don M. Livesay, Amanda S. Danko, Michael J. Szentes
  • Patent number: 10336344
    Abstract: Driving support ECU determines that a driver is in an abnormal state when a state where a steering amount correlation value which changes when a steering wheel SW of a vehicle is operated does not change continues over more than or equal to an abnormality determination threshold time. When the driver is determined to be in the abnormal state, the ECU decelerates the vehicle, makes a hazard lamp blink and invalidates an acceleration request based on a change in an operation amount of an accelerator pedal. The ECU terminates decelerating of the vehicle and permits the acceleration override when a specific driving operation (an operation that the accelerator pedal changes from an operating state to a non-operating state and then again changes to the operating state within a predetermined threshold time) is determined to have occurred after the driver has been determined to be in the abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Patent number: 10336345
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes the following components. An action plan generating unit generates an action plan of a vehicle. An automated driving control unit carries out a first driving mode in which at least one of acceleration/deceleration and steering of the vehicle is automatically controlled based on the action plan. An operation device accepts an operation performed by an occupant of the vehicle. A handover control unit instructs shifting to a second driving mode, in which the degree of automated driving is lower than in the first driving mode, when the occupant operates the operation device to instruct one or both of acceleration/deceleration and steering in the first driving mode. A restraint control unit generates an estimated path of the vehicle to be taken based on the operation and restrains shifting to the second driving mode if the estimated path contradicts the action plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Kunimichi Hatano
  • Patent number: 10336346
    Abstract: A cable trolley adapted to transport a user and allow evacuation of the user at an elevation from a ground level, the cable trolley including a connecting member; a carrier configured for accommodating the user, the carrier comprising an opening configured for access by the user and the connecting member is configured to connect the carrier at a first end of the connecting member to a transport structure at a second end of the connecting member; an elongated member configured to be attached to the connecting member at a first end of the elongated member; and a cable, wherein a first end of the cable is configured to be attached to a second end of the elongated member and a second end of the cable is configured to substantially reach the ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Donald Perry
  • Patent number: 10336347
    Abstract: A railroad well car includes a spaced trucks grouped in pairs, and a railcar body supported on a pair of the trucks, the body comprising a pair of spaced end structures, each end structure supported on one truck, and a well structure extending between the end structures. The well structure comprises a pair of top chord members extending between the end structures; a pair of side sills extending between the end structures; a pair of end chords extending between the side sills; four corner container support members, each secured to one end chord and one side sill; a plurality of floor beams extending between the side sills forming at least a portion of a floor for the well structure; and a plurality of side truss members extending between one side sill and one top chord on each side forming an open truss side for the well structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: JAC OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Keith Alan Miller