Patents Issued in July 4, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190202311
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intelligent power module, a motor controller and a vehicle. The intelligent power module includes a power electronic device, a capacitor, a driving board, a heat sink disposed between the power electronic device and the capacitor, and a fixing plate disposed on an outer side of the power electronic device. The intelligent power module is configured such that key components are secured to each other to prevent mechanical damage due to vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaohua YANG, Yin CHEN, Linxia FANG
  • Publication number: 20190202312
    Abstract: An energy store tank assembly includes a tank adapted for mounting to a frame of a tractor-trailer vehicle by a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is coupled to the frame, and the mounting bracket extends around, and in contact with, a circumference of the tank to secure the tank to the frame. The energy store tank assembly further includes an energy store disposed within the tank, the energy store configured to supply electrical power to the tractor-trailer vehicle in a first mode of operation and further configured to receive energy from the tractor-trailer vehicle in a second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Phil Aufdencamp
  • Publication number: 20190202313
    Abstract: A system and method for charging an electric vehicle includes identifying vehicle information corresponding to the electric vehicle based on an electronic image of the electric vehicle, retrieving from an electronically stored database a location of a charging port on the electric vehicle based on the vehicle information, and robotically moving a charging connector according to the retrieved location to engage the charging port of the electric vehicle to charge a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph C. Haddad, Daniel B. Lysak
  • Publication number: 20190202314
    Abstract: A charging system controls an optimum charging process of an at least partially electrically operated vehicle. The electrically operated vehicle has an energy accumulator. The charging system has at least one power source with which the energy accumulator is connected and can be charged, and at least one back end server which can automatically determine an optimum charging plan for charging the energy accumulator based at least on technical state data of the vehicle and an electricity rate that is assigned to the energy source. In this way, when the energy accumulator is connected to the power source, the technical state data of the vehicle is automatically transmitted to the back end server. After the back end server receives the technical status data of the vehicle, the back end server determines the optimum charging plan. The back end server can control the charging process of the energy accumulator according to the optimum charging plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Sebastian BOESWALD, Cueneyt TUEREL, Thorsten WILMS
  • Publication number: 20190202315
    Abstract: A data processing unit comprises a first interface for exchanging first information with at least one motor vehicle and a second interface for exchanging second information with a plurality of charging stations for charging an energy storage device of a first motor vehicle. The first interface is configured to exchange the first information with a plurality of motor vehicles, and the data processing unit is configured, when receiving the first information relating to a charge status at the point in time of a desired charging of the energy storage device and a maximum charging power of the at least one motor vehicle, and the second information relating to a charging power available from at least at one charging station at a predetermined point in time, to create a strategy by which a particular motor vehicle is assigned to a particular charging station for a point in time for charging-start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Werner WILDING, Jörg MICHAEL
  • Publication number: 20190202316
    Abstract: A battery-charging device includes: a plug-and-socket-type power connection device for installing a battery inside a vehicle including an electric vehicle (including a passenger car, a bus, and a truck), a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a general vehicle, an electric aircraft, an electric vessel, or an electric submarine, wherein the battery of the vehicle is wholly removed from a position at which the battery is installed and is then inserted into the position at which the battery is installed and is connected to the plug-and-socket-type power connection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Jeong Yong LEE
  • Publication number: 20190202317
    Abstract: A modularized extendable battery changing station device and a charging rack are disclosed, which belong to the technical field of electric vehicle battery charging and swapping. The present technical solutions aim to the solve problems of occupying a large area, a low modularity degree and poor extendibility of the existing battery changing station. For this purpose, the battery changing station device provided in the present technical solutions comprises a charging rack and a battery transfer device; the charging rack comprises at least a battery storage module, the battery storage module being able to realize the storage and charging of a battery, and the battery transfer device being able to pass through the battery storage module. The extendable battery changing station device provided in the technical solutions is able to integrate the functions of power battery transfer, storage and charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Wenjie HOU, Zhiling ZHAO, Hao ZHU
  • Publication number: 20190202318
    Abstract: A charging method for stably charging battery and extending power supply period for an electric vehicle includes: providing, according to a required voltage of a driving motor of an electric vehicle, a first battery group, which includes at least two electrically connected first batteries having a first internal resistance; separately providing at least one second battery, which has a voltage equal to a voltage of the first batteries and has a second internal resistance; electrically connecting each first battery of which a difference between the first internal resistance and the second internal resistance is less than or equal to 1.5? to the second battery; and charging the first battery group and the second battery, with a charging termination point being set as a voltage value of 75%-95% of an average voltage of the first battery group and a voltage value of 75%-95% of the voltage of the second battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Lu
  • Publication number: 20190202319
    Abstract: A dual battery electric vehicle charging system designed to operate over extended distances. The dual battery electric vehicle charging system includes a vehicle having a first battery and a second battery, each connected to an electric motor designed to power the vehicle and a charging system designed to charge each battery. A control panel is disposed within reach of the driver. A power switch on the control panel is connected to the electric motor, the first battery, and the second battery, and is designed to control which battery powers the electric motor. A charging switch on the control panel is connected to the charging system, the first battery, and the second battery, and is designed to control which battery the charging system recharges. Additionally, the charging switch includes a neutral setting wherein neither battery is selected. In this way, a user is able to operate a vehicle over extended distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Gregory Barazowski
  • Publication number: 20190202320
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric forklift and a method of driving the same which are capable of increasing a lifespan of a battery, and the electric forklift includes: a traveling motor which operates a wheel; a working machine motor which operates a working machine; a control unit which controls the operations of the traveling motor and the working machine motor based on an output control signal inputted from the outside; a battery which supplies electric power to the traveling motor, the working machine motor, and the control unit; and a temperature detecting unit which detects a temperature of the battery, in which the control unit controls an operation of at least one of the traveling motor and the working machine motor based on a detected temperature from the temperature detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: DOOSAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin Yong LEE
  • Publication number: 20190202321
    Abstract: A method including measuring a distance between two successive supporting poles delimiting a section to be realized, inputting data into a computer programmed to output a layout plan indicating a position and a length for each dropper to install, preparing each dropper with a dedicated machine, moving a first platform along the section, which is equipped with a position unit and a marking device to set a mark on the contact wire at each position where a dropper is to installed, moving a second platform along the section, the second platform being loaded with the droppers that have been prepared, and fixing manually each dropper between the messenger wire and the contact wire in registration with a corresponding mark set on the contact wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Ciro MORVILLO, Emanuele MASSARI
  • Publication number: 20190202322
    Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly including a housing, a worm, a worm gear, and a spindle screw is provided. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and includes a helical thread. The worm gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The spindle screw extends through the housing and the worm gear for rotation about the second axis. The spindle screw is meshingly-engaged with the worm gear. The helical thread of the worm may be longitudinally crowned or double-crowned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau, Dean Lenane, Matthew Essian, Antal Teer, Sapan Poptani, Radu Calin Napau-Stoica
  • Publication number: 20190202323
    Abstract: A ventilated seat cushion for children, comprising a seat cushion (1), air inlet holes (3), air outlet holes (4), a centrifugal fan, and a USB power interface (2), the seat cushion (1) being a hollow structure, the centrifugal fan (3) being provided within the seat cushion (1), the surface of the seat cushion (1) being provided with the air inlet holes (3) and the air outlet holes (4); the negative pressure formed when the centrifugal fan is working enables the air to pass through the air inlet holes (3) and to be suctioned into the seat cushion (1), and the high pressure formed when the centrifugal fan is working enables the air within the seat cushion to pass through the air outlet holes (4) and to be blown out, so as to achieve the effect of circulating heat dissipation; and one end of the seat cushion (1) is provided with a crotch belt perforation opening (B) or a crotch belt gap (A) for a five-point seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: GUANGZHOU ZHEXI CREATIVE DESIGN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20190202324
    Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a seat frame, a seat pad, and a suspension system. The seat frame is adapted to couple with the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. The seat pad is adapted to provide a comfortable support interface. The suspension system provides relative movement between the seat pad and the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Rod Goodrich, Matthew K. Benson, Alfred H. Bransdorfer
  • Publication number: 20190202325
    Abstract: This invention is a seat with an adjustable back and/or an adjustable base. The adjustable back and/or base can be adjusted in response to rough terrain or water encountered by a vehicle in which the seat is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Dowco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Alexander, Dana Homb, Bradley Prey
  • Publication number: 20190202326
    Abstract: A ventilated airline seating component including a porous air pad disposed in an interior volume of a housing and configured to collect air to be conditioned and ultimately forced out through the seating component to heat or cool a passenger to enhance comfort. The housing can serve as or be incorporated into a seating component such as an arm rest, leg rest or head rest, among other seating components within a passenger seating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Jason M. Kearns, Michael M. Princip
  • Publication number: 20190202327
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Publication number: 20190202328
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat surface and a thigh support. The thigh support is adjustable and/or movable by use of a first adjustment device in or opposed to a first adjustment direction, which preferably runs substantially parallel to the seat surface, from an extended position into a retracted position. Furthermore, the thigh support is deflectable substantially vertically to the seat surface and/or to the underlying surface by use of a force which can be exerted by a vehicle occupant and is downwardly directed in the direction of a vehicle floor, wherein the thigh support has at least one second adjustment device for setting and/or defining a movement resistance with which the thigh support opposes the downwardly directed force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julius Maximilian Engelke, Jessica Rebecca Rausch, Niels Pasligh, Markus Franzen, Carsten Starke, Philipp Wolf
  • Publication number: 20190202329
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly including a headrest including an inner member, a seat back including an outer member, and a bearing disposed between the inner member and the outer member, the bearing including at least one leaf spring adapted to bias the inner member, where the leaf spring includes a substrate and a low friction layer overlying the substrate, where the leaf spring includes an inner portion and a plurality of outer portions, where the outer portions include end portions of the leaf spring that are folded over such that the outer portions overlie the inner portion, forming a folded edge, where the headrest is adapted to translate with respect to the seat back, and where the seat back is adapted to receive the headrest such that the headrest is height adjustable relative to a seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Neil James, Llewelyn Pickering, James K. Burgess, Alfred J. Lethbridge, Ciaran Morrison
  • Publication number: 20190202330
    Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a headrest of a seat, the headrest including an enclosure for housing one or more acoustic transducers, and an adjustable headrest wing disposed in front of the enclosure. The headrest wing is coupled to the enclosure by a pivot, and configured to be adjusted to one of multiple positions within an angle range around the pivot. The headrest wing is also configured to support the head of a seat-occupant. The headrest further includes a connector disposed between the enclosure and a rear portion of the headrest wing. The connector is configured to provide an acoustic channel between the enclosure and the headrest wing such that audio signals from the one or more acoustic transducers are radiated outward through the headrest wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Bradford Kyle Subat, Charles Oswald, Joseph Walter McCabe
  • Publication number: 20190202331
    Abstract: Road vehicle provided with an electric drive and having: at least one pair of drive wheels; at least one electric machine; a mechanical transmission that connects the electric machine to the drive wheels; a passenger compartment; at least one seat, which is housed in the passenger compartment and is provided with at least one mechanical exciter that is designed to generate mechanical vibrations at variable frequencies and intensities; and a control unit, which is designed to drive the mechanical exciter using a driving signal that derives from the noise generated by an internal combustion thermal engine and based on the speed of rotation of the electric machine and/or on the speed of rotation of the drive wheels and/or on the torque generated/absorbed by the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Publication number: 20190202332
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted table system includes a table portion that is movable from an expanded configuration to a storage configuration and vice versa. The table portion includes a first table element, a second table element, and a third table element. A first hinge couples the first table element to the second table element, and the first hinge facilitates pivoting motion of the second table element relative to the first table element about a first axis. A compound hinge assembly couples the second table element to the third table element. The compound hinge assembly includes a hinge table element, a second hinge, and a third hinge that facilitate pivoting the second table element relative to the hinge table element about a second axis and the third table element relative to the hinge table element about a third axis. The second and third axes are substantially parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Ernest Peter Tovani
  • Publication number: 20190202333
    Abstract: A pop-up camper on a vehicle is disclosed. The pop-up camper may include a plurality of walls. The plurality of walls may include at least one sidewall, a lid hinged to the at least one sidewall, and a door attached to the at least one sidewall. The pop-up camper may also include a tent configured to be disposed between the lid and the at least one sidewall. Furthermore, at least one actuating mechanism may be attached to the lid and the at least one sidewall. The lid may be configured to rotate between an open lid position and a closed lid position. In addition, the actuating mechanism is configured to assist the lid rotation to the open lid position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Ignacio Delgadillo, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190202334
    Abstract: A cargo organizer for use on a load floor of a vehicle includes a first divider wall rotatably connected to the load floor and a second divider wall rotatably connected to the load floor and spaced apart from the first divider wall to define at least one storage compartment. The first divider wall and the second divider wall are configured to operate in a stowed position and in a deployed position. The cargo organizer also includes a linkage mechanism connected to the first divider wall and the second divider wall. The linkage mechanism is configured to move the first divider wall and the second divider wall from the stowed position to the deployed position when one of the first divider wall and the second divider wall is moved from the stowed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Milind T. BHIRUD, Timothy OSELETT, Jesse S. ROBERTS
  • Publication number: 20190202335
    Abstract: A front module (3) is disposed in a front portion of a vehicle (2). An upper module (5) is disposed on a ceiling surface (22) of the vehicle (2). The front module (3) includes a front light source (31) and a front sensor (32). The upper module (5) includes an upper light source (51) and an upper sensor (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi HORI, Teruaki YAMAMOTO, Yusuke KASABA
  • Publication number: 20190202336
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling lighting equipment of a vehicle by means of a voice control apparatus, wherein the voice control apparatus is connected to a microphone and is designed to convert spoken instructions into control signals for the lighting equipment. In response to the control signals, the lighting equipment projects light in a manner creating an image on a non-horizontal surface in a vicinity of the vehicle. The non-horizontal surface may be an exterior wall of a building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gaurav KUMAR, Thorsten WARWEL
  • Publication number: 20190202337
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided in a vehicle capable of traveling in an automated driving mode. The vehicle lighting system includes a headlamp mounted on a front of the vehicle, an automated driving system (ADS) lamp configured to emit light toward an outside of the vehicle to visually present information relating to automated driving of the vehicle, and a lighting control unit configured to control visual modes of the headlamp and the ADS lamp. The lighting control unit is configured to change the visual mode of the headlamp such that visibility of the ADS lamp from the outside of the vehicle is improved according to at least turning-on of the ADS lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiko KUREBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20190202338
    Abstract: A bearing configuration is disclosed, particularly for a pivotable holder of a light module in a carrier frame for a headlamp. A detent bearing element is provided that is positioned on the light module and that has a pivot bearing section that is held by the formation of a latch mechanism in a bearing shell formed on the carrier frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Marco Ludwig, Gerd Pawliczek
  • Publication number: 20190202339
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a distribution of light from a headlight of a first motor vehicle in order to avoid the headlight blinding of dazzling a driver of a leading vehicle travelling ahead of and in the same direction as the first vehicle. The method includes: detecting a following distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle on an initial road section; operating the headlight at a first illumination range less than or equal to the following distance; detecting a directionally-deviating road section ahead of and having a direction different from the initial road section; detecting that the leading vehicle has moved beyond a transition between the initial road section and the directionally-deviating road section; operating the headlight at a second illumination range not extending beyond the transition; and operating the headlight at the first illumination range after the vehicle reaches the transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregor ALLEXI, Gerald DOERNE
  • Publication number: 20190202340
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided in a vehicle capable of traveling in an automated driving mode. The vehicle lighting system includes an automated driving system (ADS) lamp configured to emit light toward an outside of the vehicle to visually present information relating to automated driving of the vehicle, and a lighting control unit configured to determine brightness of the ADS lamp according to at least one of a distance between an object outside the vehicle and the vehicle, an attribute of the object, and a road surface condition around the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi SUGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20190202341
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a light source, an image generating section configured to modulate light emitted from the light source using an image according to an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle and generate an image according to the inter-vehicle distance, a condensing optical system configured to condense light having information representing the image according to the inter-vehicle distance generated by the image generating section, and a reflecting section configured to reflect the light condensed by the condensing optical system and project the light to a road surface, wherein the reflecting section has a reflecting surface with a curvature that gradually increases from a rear side in a projecting direction toward a front side in the projecting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Motoko RIKIMARU
  • Publication number: 20190202342
    Abstract: A lighting control method for use in a first vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving an optical signal from a lamp of a second vehicle; identifying a pulse signal included in the optical signal; determining a position of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle; and controlling a lamp of the first vehicle in accordance with the position of the second vehicle and the pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Han Yan, Zhiguo Zhang, Enhui Guan, Xitong Ma
  • Publication number: 20190202343
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having at least one headlight for illuminating the surroundings of the motor vehicle and a control device for controlling the headlight, wherein the headlight comprises a plurality of lighting segments that are arranged in the manner of a matrix and that can be actuated separately by the control device for providing a lighting brightness that can be predefined separately for the individual lighting segments, wherein the control parameter predefining the specific lighting brightness for each of the lighting segments can be calculated by the control device in at least one computing step as a function of input parameters that can be provided by at least one vehicle device, wherein the computing step or at least one of the computing steps may be executed in parallel by the control device for a plurality of the lighting segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Christian FUNK, Florenz BARMEYER, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Carsten GUT, Said OMERBEGOVIC
  • Publication number: 20190202344
    Abstract: A lighting circuit drives a light source including N (N represents an integer of 2 or more) multiple light-emitting elements coupled in series. A bypass switch circuit includes N multiple bypass switches, each coupled in parallel to a corresponding light-emitting element. A constant current driving circuit supplies a driving current stabilized to a target current to the light source. A light distribution controller controls the bypass switch circuit. For a given light distribution pattern, the duty ratio Di(%) is determined for each of the N multiple light-emitting elements. Multiple light-emitting elements are formed as control units having a sum total of duty ratios that is less than 100%. The light distribution controller controls the multiple bypass switches such that the multiple light-emitting elements included in the same control unit are not turned on at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta MARUYAMA, Kentarou MURAKAMI, Takao MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20190202345
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle comprising at least one light source designed to emit light for illuminating the surroundings of the vehicle is described. The method comprises the following steps: determining whether a road user approaches the vehicle to within a predetermined distance; determining the distance between the road user and the vehicle; and illuminating the surroundings of the vehicle by use of the at least one light source at the side of the vehicle from which the road user approaches the vehicle should the distance between the road user and the vehicle drop below a first threshold distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nikica Hennes, Philipp Wolf, Jessica Rebecca Rausch
  • Publication number: 20190202346
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The vehicle lighting system includes at least one luminescent planar sheet affixed to a vehicle's mounting surface. The luminescent planar sheet includes a non-luminescent printed circuit board in the shape of a letter or number which has a top surface of a color which contrasts with the mounting surface's color. The luminescent planar sheet includes a plurality of light emitting LEDs which are surface mounted upon the printed circuit board so as to be arranged in the shape of the desired letter or number with the LEDs covering no more than 20% of the printed circuit board's top surface. Preferably, the LEDs cover no more than 7% the printed circuit board's top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: MICHAEL SHIPMAN
  • Publication number: 20190202347
    Abstract: A lamp assembly is provided herein. The lamp assembly includes first and second light sources operably coupled to an exterior portion of a vehicle. The first light source illuminates a front door and the second light source illuminates a rear door. A controller is configured to activate the first and second light sources to selectively illuminate the front or rear doors to indicate a predefined door of entry into the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman
  • Publication number: 20190202348
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes projection lamps and a body control module. The body control module determines a distance of a mobile device from the vehicle. The body control module also projects a representation of a boundary around the vehicle using the projection lamps and modifies the representation of the boundary based on the distance of the mobile device from the vehicle and an operational state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Vivekanandh Elangovan, Hamid M. Golgiri, Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20190202349
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a moodroof media application provides media content into a vehicle cabin. In operation, the moodroof media application determines at least one state associated with the vehicle cabin based on sensor data from at least one sensor. The moodroof media application then receives media content associated with the at least one state. The moodroof media application further causes visual content associated with the media content to be displayed on at least one display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Gorm JORGENSEN, Christopher LUDWIG, Christopher TRESTAIN
  • Publication number: 20190202350
    Abstract: A lighting system for an interior compartment of a vehicle includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) configured to illuminate the interior compartment of the vehicle and a substrate configured to retain the OLED. The substrate is a trim component located in the interior compartment of the vehicle. A direct lighting system for an interior compartment of a vehicle includes an OLED and a housing. The housing includes an opening configured to allow light emitted from the OLED to illuminate the interior compartment of the vehicle. The housing may include a plurality of retaining tabs configured to retain the OLED. Alternatively, the housing may be disposed below the OLED and the direct lighting system may include a backing plate disposed above the OLED and a plurality of coupling members configured to affix the backing plate to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xue TIAN, Nicolina M. CASANOVA
  • Publication number: 20190202351
    Abstract: The invention discloses an ejection type safety warning sign for car, having a polyhedral structure for suppressing tumbling in a free state, capable of being restrained into tubular storage state by external force, and automatically releasing as polyhedral structure when external force disappears; polyhedral structure having warning marker on surface. A ejection system comprises: warning sign; launch tube having inner cavity for accommodating warning sign in tubular storage state; pressure tank communicated with end of launch tube; solenoid valve disposed between launch tube and pressure tank; controller connected to solenoid valve; launch tube having piston for pushing warning sign. When sudden situation occurs during driving, driver can press ejection button of warning sign while braking, so that warning sign can be ejected and stays near position of braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Zheng Zhou Delta Motor Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yinan WANG
  • Publication number: 20190202352
    Abstract: A vehicle camera device is suitable to be provided in a first vehicle. The vehicle camera device receives a distance between the first vehicle and a second vehicle, detects the environment brightness information, and generates an angle value and a power value according to the distance and the environment brightness information, so as to adjust an angle of depression and a power of an infrared illumination module according to the angle value and the power value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Wu-Chieh LIAO
  • Publication number: 20190202353
    Abstract: A six-division around view monitoring system is provided. The system includes a plurality of image sensing components, a data processing device and a display device. The image sensing components are respectively located at front side, rear side, left side, and right side of a vehicle, for respectively obtaining a front view image, a rear view image, a left view image and a right view image. The data processing device divides the left view image into a left-front view image and a left-rear view image according to a ratio, and divides the right view image into a right-front view image and a right-rear view image according to the ratio. The display device displays the front view image, the rear view image, the left-front view image, the left-rear view image, the right-front view image and the right-rear view image on a single picture to form a six-division around view image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Yi-Tsung Wu
  • Publication number: 20190202354
    Abstract: An image capture device is mounted in a vehicle. The image capture device includes: an image capture unit; and a setting unit that sets an image capture condition for each region of the image capture unit each having a plurality of pixels, or for each pixel, based upon at least one of a state exterior to the vehicle and a state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiko SHIGA, Toru MIYAKOSHI, Satoshi YAMAGUCHI, Akira KINOSHITA, Kaoru YOSHINO, Hitomi NAGANUMA, Takashi KURIYAMA, Koichi FUKUDA, Yuki KITA, Koji NAGAOKA, Tomoya NAKAGAWA, Masakazu SEKIGUCHI, Takashi SHIONOYA
  • Publication number: 20190202355
    Abstract: Problem: To provide a vehicle monitoring system capable of checking a wide range of area at the rear of a vehicle to afford a high level of safety, without increasing an amount of protrusion from the side surface of the vehicle body. Solution: A vehicle monitoring system 1 is provided with a first camera 11 that shoots a first area at the rear side of a vehicle; a second camera 12 that shoots a second area further toward the inside in the width direction of the vehicle compared with the first area; an ECU 13 that combines videos captured by the two cameras; and a monitor 15 that displays the combined image. The first camera 11 is contained in an STSL 3 on a vehicle body side surface, and the second camera 12 is installed in an RCL 4 or a high mounted stop lamp at the rear of the vehicle body. A video processing circuit 14 performs correction to improve the visibility of the videos of an overlapping section captured by the cameras 11 and 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Naoki Tatara, Toshihiro Okamura
  • Publication number: 20190202356
    Abstract: A method for providing a rear mirror view of a surroundings of a vehicle includes capturing at least one portion of the vehicle surroundings in a first image by at least one wide-angle camera that is mounted on the vehicle, computing a second image (20) on the basis of the first image; the second image corresponding to an imaged field of view of a first virtual camera that is located in a first position in the vehicle surroundings and imaging an area located behind the vehicle in the vehicle surroundings, and providing the second image for displaying a rear mirror view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Raphael Cano, Aleksandra Mitrovic, Milica Vujicic
  • Publication number: 20190202357
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle display system to be used with a vehicle control unit which is configured to control a vehicle in an automated driving mode. The vehicle display system includes a display unit which is provided around or inside a license plate of the vehicle, and a display control unit which is configured to turn on the display unit while the vehicle control unit executes the automated driving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki TAKII, Yoshinori SHIBATA
  • Publication number: 20190202358
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the blind spot of a motor vehicle has a mirror assembly with at least one mirror element that can be moved using an actuator, and a microphone assembly. The microphone assembly is designed to determine the sound direction, and the movable mirror element is in the form of a sound reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph ARNDT, Uwe GUSSEN, Frederic STEFAN
  • Publication number: 20190202359
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror device includes a housing, a mirror, a camshaft, a fixed part, and a drive part. As the camshaft is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the drive part, and moves toward the fixed part by the action of a cam, a movable part including the housing, the mirror, and the drive part as a whole tilts. The drive part includes a drive source, and a gear train transmitting the driving force of the drive source to the camshaft. The gear train includes a first gear disposed to the camshaft, and a second gear that elastically meshes with the first gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: TSUKASA NAKAYAMA, NORIHITO KITAJIMA, TOMOAKI YAMAMOTO, YUJI MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20190202360
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a mount in connection with the vehicle and a mirror assembly. The assembly further comprises a motor assembly disposed in a housing of the mirror assembly. The motor assembly is in connection with the mount along a first axis and is in connection with the housing proximate a second axis. The motor assembly is configured to rotate the mirror assembly about the first axis and the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brett C. Pothoof, Bradley R. Hamlin