Patents Issued in October 15, 2019
  • Patent number: 10442280
    Abstract: A trailer has a container with top doors having a frame and weatherproof thermoplastic inserts. Sealing flaps are provided at edges of the top doors to make sealing contact with sidewall top rails or top edges of end walls and tailgate. The top doors have angled extensions with grooves for ball gaskets to overlap in hand-in-hand fashion to form a reliable seal where the top doors come together. The system provides a weatherproof means to enclose the container to prevent or deter entry of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TITAN TRAILERS INC.
    Inventors: Rick Lees, Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
  • Patent number: 10442281
    Abstract: A window assembly (150) of a side window opening of a motor vehicle comprises a door frame member (22) having an outer surface (26), a movable window pane (130) having an outer window surface (132) and a guiding member (140), and a window guiding profile (100). The window guiding profile (100) is fastened to the door frame member (22) and guides the window pane (130) along a direction of movement between an open position and a closed position. The window guiding profile (100) includes a sealing portion (105) for sealing the window pane (130), an accommodating opening (104), and a guiding leg (101). The guiding leg (101) comprises a locating member (110) which cooperates with the guiding member (140) to prevent a movement of the window pane (130) out of the accommodating opening (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COOPER STANDARD GMBH
    Inventor: Fritz Krause
  • Patent number: 10442282
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a left-wheel drive unit having a first motor and a first transmission, a right-wheel drive unit having a second motor and a second transmission, and a motor control unit. Each of the first and second transmissions has a first to third rotational elements. The first motor is connected to the first rotational element of the first transmission. The second motor is connected to the first rotational element of the second transmission. The left wheel is connected to the second rotational element of the first transmission. The right wheel is connected to the second rotational element of the second transmission. The third rotational element of the first transmission and the third rotational element of the second transmission are coupled to each other. Each of the first and second transmissions has a fourth rotational element which is supported to revolve around by the second rotational element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Shinohara, Masatoshi Noguchi, Satoshi Andou, Makoto Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 10442283
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a recess formed in a rear floor panel of a trunk of a vehicle; a drive power supply device that supplies power to drive the vehicle; and an auxiliary power supply device that supplies power to auxiliary machinery mounted on the vehicle, wherein the auxiliary power supply device is configured as an auxiliary power supply device structure by being fixed to a pedestal formed in the recess, and the drive power supply device is disposed side by side in a vehicle width direction with the auxiliary power supply device in the recess, and the auxiliary power supply device structure has a rear end positioned behind a rear end of the drive power supply device in a vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Ken Yasui, Koichi Takahashi, Kenji Inagaki, Hiroki Hayata
  • Patent number: 10442284
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic hybrid-power driving system, comprising an engine, a first motor, a second motor, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a hydraulic control shift set that is connected to the engine. The first motor is axially connected to the engine, the second motor is axially connected to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, and the first planetary gear set is coaxially connected to the second planetary gear set. The hydraulic control shift set includes a first gear and a second gear, a dual wet clutch is disposed between the first gear and the second gear, and the first gear, the second gear, and the dual wet clutch are coaxially connected to the engine. The present invention by disposing a specific electro-hydraulic hybrid-power driving system, different working modes can be implemented according to different requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EKONTROL DRIVE (SUZHOU) CO., LTD
    Inventor: Qingjun Hao
  • Patent number: 10442285
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with an oil circulating circuit supplying oil discharged from an electric oil pump to a first motor, a second motor, an inverter, and a lubrication-required part, and the oil circulating circuit includes: a first circuit supplying the oil that is discharged from the electric oil pump, and is cooled by an HV radiator to the inverter, the first motor, and the second motor; and a second circuit supplying the oil that is discharged from the electric oil pump without being cooled by the HV radiator to the lubrication-required part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Tokozakura, Kazuya Arakawa, Takahiro Shiina
  • Patent number: 10442286
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated bracket for an automotive heat exchanger, in particular for a radiator. The integrated bracket comprising a radiator bracket base (2), having an inner side at which the heat exchange is located and an opposite outer side. The bracket base (2) comprises a base plate (2a) and a supporting plate (1) which are in contact with their surfaces faced to each other and each of the plates (1, 2a) has latching and locking means to engage both plates one to the other. The plate which is selected from said supporting and base plates (1, 2a) and which is located at the outer side of the bracket is provided with at least one ball pin (4) integrally formed with said plate and protruding from said plate at its outer side for fixing the bracket base (2) in a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Autosystemy Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Grzegorz Romanski, Andrzej Fudala, Dawid Szostek
  • Patent number: 10442287
    Abstract: To prevent deterioration of a sealing structure of a filling device to decrease a possibility that hydrogen gas leaks. In filling devices (100, 101) including a storage tank for storing hydrogen fuel and filling nozzles (10, 11) for filling hydrogen from the storage tank through a fuel filling system (dispenser, filling hose and so on) to an in-vehicle hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle, in a pipe joint main body (1) of the filling nozzles (10, 11) is slidably arranged a rod (2: valve rod) having a valve element at its end against an elastic member (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TATSUNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Takezawa, Yuki Terasoma, Kiyoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10442288
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a work vehicle is disclosed. The fuel tank includes a tank body, an oil filling cylindrical portion protruding from the tank body, and an oil filler cap detachably attached to the oil filling cylindrical portion for opening/closing an oil filling opening of the oil filling cylindrical portion, A cap body of the oil filler cap has a tubular portion to be detachably fitted on the oil filling cylindrical portion and a lid portion formed at an upper end portion of the tubular portion for opening/closing the oil filling opening. A skirt portion extends from the cap body to opposite side to the lid portion relative to the tubular portion, a diameter of an extending end portion of the skirt portion being larger than a diameter of the tubular portion of the cap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nada, Takeshi Tsuchiya, Kazuyuki Tashiro, Hiroki Bessho
  • Patent number: 10442289
    Abstract: An opening/closing apparatus for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes: a fuel passage forming portion forming a fuel passage guiding a liquid fuel to the fuel tank; an insertion-side opening/closing valve mechanism opening and closing a filler port of the fuel passage; a liquid discharge path allowing an internal region of the fuel passage forming portion to communicate with the outside through a liquid discharge port formed in a portion of the fuel passage forming portion, the portion closer to the fuel tank than the insertion-side opening/closing valve mechanism; an opening/closing valve mechanism opening and closing the liquid discharge port by a valve body; and a valve body regulating mechanism regulating the valve body to close the liquid discharge port when the insertion-side opening/closing valve mechanism opens the filler port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Patent number: 10442290
    Abstract: An exemplary charge port covering assembly includes, among other things, a biasing device configured to move to a first position when a charger is decoupled from a charge port, and to a second position when the charger is coupled to the charge port. A charge port door is moveable to a closed position when the biasing device is in the first position, and is held in an open position when the biasing device is in the second position. An exemplary charge port covering method includes, among other things, biasing a charge port door toward an open position with a biasing device in a first position, and moving the biasing device from the first position to a second position to close the charge port door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Julie D'Annunzio, Mahmud Salam, Maria Guido
  • Patent number: 10442291
    Abstract: A drive unit a drive unit which can prevent an occurrence of an unintentional relative rotation between the right and the left wheels is provided. The drive unit comprises: a first motor connected to the first driveshaft and a second motor connected to the second drive shaft; a first torque transmitting route between the first motor and the first drive shaft; a second torque transmitting route between the second motor and the second drive shaft; a first rotary member arranged in the first torque transmitting route; a second rotary member arranged in the second torque transmitting route; and a restriction device that restricts a differential rotation between the first rotary member and the second rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ALCHEMICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Nobuyoshi Sugitani, Aizoh Kubo
  • Patent number: 10442292
    Abstract: A zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle is provided with a mainframe and an engine supported on the mainframe to output rotational power. Transaxle systems are provided with each being connected to the engine and to a respective driving wheel such that each transaxle system is configured to translate the rotational power from the engine to the driving wheel. One or more speed control actuators are provided, each being operatively connected to a transaxle system and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The speed of a driving wheel is infinitely variable through movement of the speed control actuator. A speed-range control actuator is operatively connected to the transaxle systems and configured to designate one of selectable speed-ranges within which the speed control actuators are permitted to operate. The speed of each driving wheel is determined by a combination of the designated speed-range and a position of the speed control actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Schiller Grounds Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lapp, Chapin C. Nault
  • Patent number: 10442293
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with an actuator and a rotary coupling. The actuator has an actuator housing, a motor, a transmission, a first cam, a second cam, and a first biasing spring. The motor is coupled to the actuator housing and includes a motor output member. The transmission has a transmission input member, which is driven by the motor output member, and a transmission output member. The first cam is housed in the actuator housing and is coupled to the transmission output member for rotation therewith. The first cam has a first set of cam features that are disposed about a first annular surface. The second cam has a cam body, which is received in the first cam, and a second set of cam features that are disposed about a second annular surface. The second set of cam features abut the first set of cam features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Brian A. Calomeni, Peyman Moradshahi
  • Patent number: 10442294
    Abstract: A method makes data available in a motor vehicle. A user query is entered using an input device of the motor vehicle. A plurality of sources are searched for data corresponding to the user query, and the search result associated with the found data is displayed by a display device of the motor vehicle. Respective applications of the motor vehicle are assigned to the search results by a data processing device. The applications are designed to reflect the data formats associated with the search results. Only these applications are displayed by the display device. A corresponding system makes the data available in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Frank Oldewurtel
  • Patent number: 10442295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device provided in a vehicle, the display device including a first display configured to output first light forming first time information, a second display configured to output second light forming second visual information, and a light synthesizing unit disposed between the first and second displays and configured to transmit one of the first light and the second light and reflect another one so that the first light and the second light are directed to the same path, and wherein the light synthesizing unit is formed tiltable such that a reference angle formed between the light synthesizing unit and the first display varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwon Kim, Kyunglack Kim, Junman Cho, Sangroc Hwang
  • Patent number: 10442296
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a multi-channel DC bus assembly comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the first channel, and a second electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the second channel. A first DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the first channel and a second DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel. The apparatus further includes a bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the first electromechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Zhihao Li
  • Patent number: 10442297
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a drivetrain and multiple power modules. The drivetrain includes at least one wheel. Each power module includes an energy system, and a propulsion system to which the drivetrain is mechanically connected. The energy system is operable to generate electrical energy using fuel. The propulsion system is electrically connected to the energy system, and operable to contributorily power the at least one wheel using electrical energy from the energy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon Z. Brown, Giorgio L. Zoia, Takehito Yokoo, Stephen Hodges
  • Patent number: 10442298
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission device for a vehicle and a wireless charging method are provided. The wireless charging method by the wireless power transmission device for a vehicle can comprise the steps of: transmitting a signal for detection of a wireless power reception device by using a lower frequency band than an operating frequency band used to control the vehicle; receiving a response signal for the transmitted signal and a power control signal from the wireless power reception device; controlling an operating frequency and/or a voltage in the wireless power transmission device for the vehicle according to the power control signal; and transmitting wireless power to the wireless power reception device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GE HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chun Kil Jung, Byong Uk Hwang
  • Patent number: 10442299
    Abstract: A high-voltage battery for a motor vehicle, the operating voltage of which is greater than 12 V, in particular, greater than 50 V, having two power connections at a high-voltage network power system of the motor vehicle, which can be connected without voltage through first safety contactors provided inside a housing of the high-voltage battery, and storage cells for electrical energy that are connected to the power connections via the first safety contactors. The high-voltage battery additionally has two charging terminals, which are connected to the storage cells by circumventing the first safety contactors by way of charging lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Achim Enthaler, Benjamin Hasmüller
  • Patent number: 10442300
    Abstract: A system for facilitating communication between a vehicle and a user includes a vehicle having a rechargeable battery and a communication and control subsystem. The communication and control subsystem is communicatively coupled to the battery to gather and transmit vehicle information, which may include battery information and a vehicle identifier. The system also includes a charging station having a charging station identifier and an electrical coupling between the charging station, a power source, and the vehicle. The electrical coupling is operable to charge the battery and includes a communicative coupling. The control subsystem is operable to receive communications from the user via the communicative coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KLD ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles D. Huston, Martyn T. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10442301
    Abstract: A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station includes electrically connecting the charging station to the vehicle. The charging station may be configured to charge the vehicle using a charging station charge protocol and the vehicle may be configured to receive the charge using a vehicle charge protocol. The vehicle receives a signal indicative of the charging station charge protocol and selects the vehicle charge protocol based on this signal. The vehicle is then charged using the selected vehicle charge protocol. While selecting, the vehicle may select one charge protocol from multiple charge protocols supported by the vehicle to match the charging station charge protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Gerber, Seamus T. McGrath, Roger A. Innes, Timothy J. McCartney, Keyur M. Shah
  • Patent number: 10442302
    Abstract: Battery charging control methods, electrical vehicle charging methods, battery charging control apparatus, and electrical vehicles are described. In one arrangement, battery charging control methods include accessing price information for electrical energy supplied by an electrical power distribution system and controlling an adjustment of an amount of the electrical energy from the electrical power distribution system used to charge a rechargeable battery at different moments in time using the price information. Other arrangements are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Michael Kintner-Meyer
  • Patent number: 10442303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging control apparatus and a control method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sanghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10442304
    Abstract: A method for estimating a range of an electric or hybrid vehicle over a predetermined trip includes estimating energy available in a traction battery of the vehicle as a function of a temperature of the battery and calculating a value representative of a trend of the temperature of the battery during the trip. The value is used to estimate the energy available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Marc Lucea
  • Patent number: 10442305
    Abstract: A system includes; a first power line connectable with a first fuse and feeds electric power from a battery to a controller; a second power line connectable with a second fuse and feeds electric power from the battery to the controller; a first detector that detects whether the first fuse is connected; a second detector that detects whether the second fuse is connected; and the controller that causes specific equipment to operate upon detection of receipt of a signal by a receiver that operates intermittently to receive signals from a mobile terminal. The controller sets a cycle of operation of the receiver to a first cycle when the first fuse is connected, and set the cycle of operation of the receiver to a second cycle longer than the first cycle, when it is detected that the first fuse is not connected, and the second fuse is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Sato, Shinichi Ueda, Takashi Ito, Yujiro Koda, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 10442306
    Abstract: A battery level management system for an electric vehicle during a powered down and uncharged period is disclosed. A current output from a low voltage battery of the electric vehicle being above a threshold can be sensed to wake up a control unit associated with the low voltage battery without waking up or fully powering other control units. Upon waking up, the control unit associated with the low voltage battery can start monitoring the current output from the low voltage battery and controlling the power drawn from the low voltage battery by enabling or disabling other control units to manage the remaining low voltage battery power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: FARADAY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Arnold Sufrin-Disler, Phillip John Weicker, Anil Paryani
  • Patent number: 10442307
    Abstract: A power module for a vehicle includes a bidirectional voltage converter to i) convert a first voltage to a second voltage and convert the second voltage back to the first voltage, and ii) convert the first voltage to a third voltage and convert the third voltage back to the first voltage. The power module includes one or more power sources coupled to the bidirectional voltage converter and to supply power to auxiliary components of the vehicle. The power module includes a controller to control the bidirectional voltage converter and the one or more power sources. The first voltage is for supplying power to a powertrain of the vehicle, and the second voltage and the third voltage are for supplying power to the one or more power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Chen, Miaosen Shen, Feng Guo, Adam H Ing, Alexander J Smith, Rick Rajaie
  • Patent number: 10442308
    Abstract: A battery cooling control device includes a controller that monitors temperature information of a battery, monitors vehicle speed information of a vehicle, determines an operating mode of the vehicle on the basis of the vehicle speed information and generates control information of a cooling fan by determining a control condition of the cooling fan that has been set to correspond to the operating mode of the vehicle, based on the temperature information of the battery and the vehicle speed information, and controls cooling of the battery by outputting, to the cooling fan, a control signal corresponding to the control information of the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jung Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10442309
    Abstract: A traction power source for electric vehicles in a single unit. Specifically, traction power source integrates several functions, such as the battery and inverter. In addition, further functionalities that are traditionally in separate units can be integrated into the system and efficiently performed by the same electronics, such as battery management and thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Goetz
  • Patent number: 10442310
    Abstract: A circuit budgets torque among independent field-oriented motor control circuits. A desired vehicle yaw turning moment is received from an operator control input. The circuit determines a positive or negative torque target for each electrically powered drive wheel and transmits it to an adaptive field-oriented motor control circuit which provides voltage magnitude and voltage frequency to a poly-phase synchronous alternating current electric motor. When wheel loading, limited traction, or stability prevents any motor from attaining the torque target, that data is returned to the budgeting circuit and torque budget is adjusted for all adaptive field-oriented motor control circuits. Varying numbers of powered wheels are assigned torque depending on vehicle dynamics. Performance of the vehicle can be adapted to driver capabilities. A vehicle may serve as a driving simulator for diverse vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Drako, Shivinder Singh Sikand
  • Patent number: 10442311
    Abstract: A power system includes an input node connected to a power source of a vehicle, an output node connected to a load of the vehicle, a super capacitor connected to the output node, a battery connected to a first node, and a contactor coupled between the battery and the super capacitor. The contactor is configured to be turned on to charge the super capacitor with power from the battery in a fast charge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: David Bryan Lewis
  • Patent number: 10442312
    Abstract: An air-charging unmanned aerial vehicle set is provided, including a charging unmanned aerial vehicle and a functional unmanned aerial vehicle. The charging unmanned aerial vehicle includes a first unmanned aerial vehicle body, a plurality of first propeller units, a rotation stage, a first battery slot and a second battery slot. The first propeller units are disposed on the first unmanned aerial vehicle body. The rotation stage is disposed on the first unmanned aerial vehicle body. The first battery slot and the second battery slot are disposed on the rotation stage. The functional unmanned aerial vehicle includes a second unmanned aerial vehicle body, a plurality of second propeller units, a third battery slot and a battery cover. The second propeller units, the third battery slot and the battery cover are disposed on the second unmanned aerial vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Liang, Yung Chen Chang, Shih-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 10442313
    Abstract: A charge controller for an electric mining vehicle is configured to determine an amount of charge to be provided to a battery of the electric mining vehicle for an upcoming trip based on regenerative braking power generation and load indication measured during a previous trip. The charge controller is further configured to command a battery charger to charge the battery up to the determined amount of charge and to stop charging the battery once the determined amount of charge has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: MEDATECH ENGINEERING SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Pawel Cholewa, Robert Rennie
  • Patent number: 10442314
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle interior component having a sufficient air intake performance and excellent appearance, and a vehicle therewith. A luggage side trim is arranged between a seat back of a seat for an occupant and a vehicle body side portion. The luggage side trim includes a trim body that includes an air inlet port through which air in a vehicle interior is taken. The trim body includes a mountain-shaped swell portion. The air inlet port is arranged at a range that includes a second wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: KASAI KOGYO CO., LTD., SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshihara, Akihisa Kogure, Shunya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10442315
    Abstract: A roller coaster with a vehicle rolling under gravity along a track defining a ride path. The vehicle includes a chassis coupled to the track to roll on one or more surfaces of the track, and the vehicle includes a passenger compartment mounted on the chassis. The coaster also includes a compartment positioning mechanism that operates to move, such as with yaw, the passenger compartment between a first position in a passenger load/unload section of the ride path and one or more differing positions in the gravity-based ride section of the ride path. The coaster includes a power supply assembly with a charging element mounted on the track. The power supply assembly includes an onboard energy storage mounted on the vehicle that is charged by the charging element. The onboard energy storage powers the compartment positioning mechanism to move the passenger compartment between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Lee Howard, Peyton B. Buhler
  • Patent number: 10442316
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to vehicles capable of autonomous driving. These vehicles may include seats for accommodating different numbers of passengers. In some cases, the seats may be reconfigurable. For instance, a vehicle may include a first row of seating having a first, passenger use configuration. The first row may allow a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row of seating and access user input controls for the vehicle. The first row of seating may also have a second, folded configuration where the first row is in a folded configuration and no longer usable for passenger seating. The vehicle may also have a second row of seating. When the first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration, the second row of seating may still be usable for seating and may include additional legroom for the passenger as compared to when the first row of seating is in the first passenger use configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: YooJung Ahn, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Min Li Chan, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Adam Lee Frost, Philippe Robert Agostino Holland, Hassan Rashid Mir, Marcos Aniceto Villalón Caro, Isaac Lopes Nogueras
  • Patent number: 10442317
    Abstract: The present invention prevents the virtual limit setting information from being initialized by expanding the position of the virtual limit to a wider range than the conventional one when the hard stop situation occurs in the before/after section of the virtual limit. For the purpose, the present invention provides a virtual limit correction device of power seat for vehicle comprising a switch for seat operation; and a seat operation control unit for correcting the virtual limit position by moving the end position of the track by using the track end position and the compensation position as compensation regions if a hard stop situation occurs in the front/rear direction based on the initially set virtual limit point during the movement of the power seat according to the switch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI DYMOS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sang Kyung Koh, Jong In Shin, Sang June Lee
  • Patent number: 10442318
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat frame that serves as at least a portion of a skeletal structure; a fixed bracket that is fixed on the indoor wall, the fixed bracket including a connection part having a connection surface that is substantially orthogonal to a seat width direction and extending in a substantially vertical direction; a link member in which one end is swingably connected with the connection part and the other end is connected with the seat frame, the link member being swingable in a direction substantially parallel with the seat width direction set as a swinging center axis; and a regulation part which extends from the connection part in a direction substantially parallel with the swinging center axis, the regulation part being configured to regulate, by abutting on the link member in the seat front-and-rear direction, that the link member swings beyond a preset swinging range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yushi Shinozaki, Masahide Kimura
  • Patent number: 10442319
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a back frame, a side frame, and a slider. The side frame includes a first frame member configured to couple the back frame and the slider, a second frame member disposed on one side of the first frame member in a seat width direction and configured to couple the back frame and the first frame member, and a third frame member disposed on the other side of the first frame member in the seat width direction and configured to couple the slider and the first frame member. The side frame is provided such that the first frame member, the second frame member and the third frame member are arranged in the seat width direction at least in a portion between the back frame and the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Kimura
  • Patent number: 10442320
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a striker pin operably coupled to a track assembly, a sector arm operably coupled to a seat base and defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, a dual cam latch disposed between the second pivot axis and the seat base when the sector arm is in a raised position and engageable with the striker pin when the sector arm is in a lowered position, wherein the dual cam latch is releasable by a forward movement of a seatback, a release cam operably coupled to the sector arm along the second pivot axis, wherein the release cam is configured to rotate downward when the sector arm is in the raised position, and a release bar including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion is engageable by the release cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Jeffrey Gabalski
  • Patent number: 10442321
    Abstract: A clutch unit includes: an input-side transmission member provided to move from an initial position toward a tip of the wedge-shaped space, and an inside tangential line is a tangential line at a contact point of the input-side transmission member and the input-side inner ring member, an outside tangential line is a tangential line at a contact point of the input-side transmission member and the input-side outer ring member, and a segment connects a rotational center of the input-side transmission member with an intersection point between the inside tangential line and the outside tangential line, wherein a wedge angle is an acute angle defined by the segment and the inside tangential line, and a stopper projection is provided at a tip-side position, and a wedge angle formed by the stopper projection is larger than an initial wedge angle at the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kunihiro Mikasa
  • Patent number: 10442322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising: a seating portion having a seat frame with a pair of frame members and a cross member arranged between the pair of frame members; a seat base for supporting the seating portion; a height-adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat frame with respect to the seat base, and comprising at least one height-adjustment link; and an easy-entry mechanism for displacing the seating portion with respect to the seat base at least along a longitudinal axis between a use position and an easy-entry position, and comprising at least one easy-entry link being pivotably mounted on the seat base and pivotably connected with the height-adjustment link, the height-adjustment link connecting the easy-entry link with the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Umesh Handigol, Ulf Hartmann
  • Patent number: 10442323
    Abstract: A method of producing a seat reclining apparatus includes connecting one of a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion of a biasing member to associated one of a base member and a lock drive member, with a lock member and the lock drive member supported on the base member, thereby bringing the biasing member to a temporarily held state; mounting the ratchet to the base member so as to cover the biasing member in the temporarily held state; and fixing the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion to the other of the base member and the lock drive member through an opening which is formed in one of the base member and the ratchet, thereby bringing the biasing member to the biasing state from the temporarily held state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Maeda, Hidehiko Fujioka
  • Patent number: 10442324
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a child seat for receiving a child, and a support base for supporting the child seat, the child seat being detachably installable on the support base. The support base includes a shell body having an end and a bottom surface, and an extension part disposed adjacent to the end of the shell body and having a foremost end surface. The child safety seat is positionable on a vehicle seat with the foremost end surface in contact with a seatback of the vehicle seat, the extension part being movable relative to the shell body substantially parallel to the bottom surface between a first and a second position, the foremost end surface being adjacent to the end of the shell body in the first position and deployed away from the end of the shell body in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Pacella
  • Patent number: 10442325
    Abstract: An energy and shock absorbing device for a child car seat comprises a seat (1), and a base (2) positioned below the seat (1) and used for supporting the seat (1), the seat (1) being slidably arranged on the base (2). A limit block (22) is formed on the base (2) and located in front of the seat (1) in a path along which the seat (1) slides relative to the base (2). Energy absorbing material (4) is arranged between the limit block (22) and the seat (1), and is compressed to deform when the seat (1) slides towards the limit block (22). When a car encounters a collision or emergency brake, the seat (1) moves relative to the base (2) due to inertia, and the energy absorbing material (4) is squeezed to deform so as to provide a buffering and shock absorbing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Goodbaby Child Products Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Haiye Wang
  • Patent number: 10442326
    Abstract: A lifter mechanism for an edge of a seat cushion includes a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar. The bracket includes a forward lever and a rearward portion. The forward lever is coupled to a channel within a flange of a seat suspension. The rearward portion is coupled to a linkage. The linkage is coupled to a seatback. The forward lever raises an edge of the seat suspension upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jimmy Moua, Adam Ewel, Corbin Shea Johnston, Robert Damerow, Paul Iacoban, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Patent number: 10442327
    Abstract: A lower seating structure comprises an upper support layer, an intermediate resilient layer, a molded bottom seat panel, a seat frame assembly, and a tension member. The molded bottom seat panel extends across a width of the lower seating structure and the tension member is fixedly attached to each of a pair of opposed sides of the molded bottom seat panel and extends across the width of the lower seating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, John Wayne Jaranson, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
  • Patent number: 10442328
    Abstract: Systems, assemblies and circuits are provided for combined heating and occupancy for vehicle seats wherein a plurality of conductors are arranged in a parallel circuit configuration with respect to each other and are attached to a seat mat. Each of the conductors is configured to generate heat in response to receiving an electrical current. Each of the conductors is configured to generate an electrical field in response to receiving an electrical signal and with the electrical field being recognizable for determining presence of an occupant on the seat. At least one bypass conductor is connected between two of the conductors to preserve heating and/or occupancy detection capabilities of the circuit in the event of breakage in any one or more of the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Mattias Persson
  • Patent number: 10442329
    Abstract: Dress cover attachment clips and methods for attaching and tensioning seat dress covers. A dress cover attachment system including a dress cover having a fabric conduit, a rod disposed in the fabric conduit, and a dress cover clip secured around the rod at a location of a break in the fabric conduit, the dress cover clip including a rod holder and a clamp adapted to receive a rigid seat part therein. A dress cover attachment clip including a clamp adapted to receive a rigid seat part therein, a free end adapted to be attached to a dress cover, and an integral hinge interconnecting the clamp and the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Fischer GmbH
    Inventors: Arthur Dumler, Andreas R. Glöckner