Patents Issued in November 28, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190359065
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for charging management for electric vehicles performing vehicle-to-grid regulation are presented. The system includes an aggregator that communicates with the electric vehicles according to a dispatch strategy to switch charging with electric power from the electric grid. The aggregator that aggregates and manages charging of a set of electric vehicles associated with an electric grid. A dispatch controller controls switching of at least a subset of electric vehicles of the set of electric vehicles between an ON state and an OFF state at a given time by sending binary charge commands to the subset of batteries, in a manner that change of charging rate of individual batteries is minimized while maintaining charging fairness among the respective electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ali T. Al-Awami, Eric V. Sortomme, Ahmed Saleem
  • Publication number: 20190359066
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle comprises, by a controller, responsive to charge current for a battery exceeding a threshold, inhibiting further charging of the battery. The method further includes, responsive to the vehicle achieving a predefined state following the charge current exceeding the threshold, discharging the battery for a predetermined time at a predetermined current both defined by an amount and duration that the charge current exceeded the threshold to deplate lithium from an anode of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: XIAOHONG NINA DUAN, CHI PAIK, JIANRONG HUANG
  • Publication number: 20190359067
    Abstract: Methods of charging a vehicle battery pack are disclosed. Example methods may include determining a voltage imbalance between at least two parallel strings of a battery pack exceeds a threshold magnitude. Methods may further include electrically reducing the voltage imbalance between the at least two parallel strings using a series circuit including a first group of one or more of the battery cells of a first one of the parallel strings, and reconnecting the parallel strings in an electrical circuit in parallel to each other, in which configuration the strings of the battery pack may supply power to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Shifang Li, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Publication number: 20190359068
    Abstract: A structure of mounting a power converter in a vehicle is disclosed herein. The structure may include a converter casing of the power converter, the converter casing including legs connected to the converter casing and extending downward; and a motor housing that houses a traction motor. The legs may be integrally configured with the converter casing. Lower ends of the legs may be fixed to an upper portion of the motor housing with a space provided between the motor housing and a lower surface of the converter casing. A weak portion may be provided in at least one of the legs, and the weak portion may be configured to break or deform prior to break of fixed portions between the legs and the motor housing when crash load is applied to the converter casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki MARUKAWA, Kenshi YAMANAKA
  • Publication number: 20190359069
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller and a first operating portion. The first operating portion operates a human-powered vehicle device. The electronic controller controls a supply of electric power from a battery to the human-powered vehicle device in a first mode. The electronic controller controls the electric power supplied from the battery to the human-powered vehicle device in a second mode to be less than the electric power supplied in the first mode. The electronic controller switches the first mode to the second mode upon determining the first operating portion has been operated by a first action while in the first mode. The electronic controller does not switch from the second mode to the first mode upon determining the first operating portion has been operated by the first action while in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Makoto USUI, Takafumi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20190359070
    Abstract: A battery for a motor vehicle has a battery wall that encloses a battery interior, an extinguishing agent reservoir situated in the battery interior, in which an extinguishing agent is accommodated, and at least one battery cell that is situated in the battery interior separate from the extinguishing agent. The extinguishing agent reservoir has a reservoir wall for retaining the extinguishing agent, and the reservoir wall has a first wall temperature at a normal operating temperature of the battery cell and has a second wall temperature at a limiting operating temperature of the battery cell. The reservoir wall is designed to maintain sealtightness for retaining the extinguishing agent at the first wall temperature and to be destroyed by the heat at the second wall temperature. The second wall temperature is greater than the first wall temperature, and the reservoir wall may be brought to the second wall temperature by means of the battery cell of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ahmed SOLIMAN, Bastian Schaar
  • Publication number: 20190359071
    Abstract: An electric power system for an electric bus includes a battery assembly, a leakage detection device, and a control device. The battery assembly includes a plurality of series-connected battery packs and a plurality of switch elements, wherein each of the battery packs includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a battery cell module, and the battery packs include a first battery pack and a second battery pack; the positive terminal of the first battery pack and the negative terminal of the second battery pack are electrically connected to a load of the electric bus, and at least one of the positive terminal of the first battery pack and the negative terminal of the second battery pack is electrically connected to the leakage detection device, which outputs a leakage signal when a leakage is detected on an electric wire connected between the battery assembly and the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: MOBILETRON ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MENG-CHANG LIN
  • Publication number: 20190359072
    Abstract: To provide a power supply system for a vehicle which can appropriate charge a capacitor on a step-down side, and suppress system failure. The power supply system for a vehicle includes: a high-voltage battery; a first inverter which connects with the high-voltage battery; a drive motor which connects with the first inverter; a high-voltage DCDC converter which steps down the voltage of the high-voltage battery; an accessory, etc. which connects with the high-voltage DCDC converter; a capacitor which connects in parallel with the accessory, etc.; a current sensor, etc. which acquires the charging state of the capacitor; and a VCUECU which controls the high-voltage DCDC converter based on the acquired values of the current sensor, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro TAKEDA
  • Publication number: 20190359073
    Abstract: A power conversion device for charging a battery of a vehicle may include the battery, a motor for receiving a battery power source from the battery, a power controller for controlling the motor to change the battery power source into charging power, and a charging controller for selectively performing a charging power supply control for supplying the charging power to the outside and a charging power receipt control for receiving external power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Byeong-Seob Song, Sam-Gyun Kim, Jae-Hyuk Choi
  • Publication number: 20190359074
    Abstract: To provide a system of low cost and low loss capable of the supply of electric power according to characteristics of each of a plurality of motors from a single battery. A power supply system for a vehicle of the present invention includes: a high-voltage battery; a first inverter which connects with the high-voltage battery; a motor described later which connects with the first inverter; a high-voltage DCDC converter which is connected to the high-voltage battery and steps down the voltage of the high-voltage battery; a second inverter which connects with the high-voltage battery; and a motor described later which connects with the second inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa KUME, Mitsuhiro TAKEDA, Takahiro HAGIMOTO, Satoyoshi OYA, Tomoaki ONO, Somei NAKATOMI, Katsuya INOUE, Hiroshi OTSUKA
  • Publication number: 20190359075
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided a hydrogen fuel cell based electric vehicle DC fast charging system. In various embodiments, the aforesaid hydrogen fuel cell based electric vehicle DC fast charging system could be implemented in a stationary or mobile deployment. The system includes a fuel cell, hydrogen storage and, optionally, an electrolyzer. The hydrogen fuel cell generates DC electrical energy for electrical vehicle charging using a supply of hydrogen provided by the hydrogen storage. An appropriate voltage converter may be optionally provided to convert the voltage of generated by the hydrogen fuel cell to voltage appropriate for charging a specific electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Valery Miftakhov
  • Publication number: 20190359076
    Abstract: A method that determines when a first battery within a vehicle should be swapped with a second battery at a swap station. The method includes acquiring first battery information within the vehicle, and assessing a first rank of the first battery based on the first value indicated by the acquired first history information. The method also includes acquiring second battery information that is placed at the swap station, and assessing a second rank of the second battery based on the second value indicated by the acquired second history information. Additionally, the method includes comparing the assessed first rank of the first battery within the vehicle to the assessed second rank of the second battery placed at the swap station, generating output information indicating the location of the swap station based on the location information stored in the memory, and outputting the generated output information to the information presentation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Toshihisa NAKANO, Hiroshi AMANO, Takako HIROSE, Motoji OHMORI, Masayuki KOZUKA, Mamoru YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20190359077
    Abstract: A method of operating a charging system may include connecting the charging system to a power grid with a plurality of phases, measuring a plurality of phase currents of the plurality of phases at a balance point, and transmitting a plurality of performance targets to a plurality of electrical consumers connected to one of a plurality of charging points of the charging system. The method may also include changing a performance target of the plurality of performance targets for each of the plurality of charging points individually for a predetermined test time interval and measuring a corresponding change of the plurality of phase currents at the balance point. The method may further include, based on the corresponding change of the plurality of phase currents, determining whether an electrical consumer charges with a significant current and whether the electrical consumer could charge with a higher current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Steve Beez, Sebastian Ewert, Nicole Heinrich, Walter Krepulat
  • Publication number: 20190359078
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply device includes a relay controller. When a low voltage switching request is made to set a mode for supplying electric power from a switching module group to a low voltage power supply, the relay controller is configured to perform in sequence a first process of switching a first main relay and a second main relay to an open state, a second process of connecting a first switching relay to a second electrode terminal of the low voltage power supply and switching a second switching relay to a closed state, a third process of switching a precharge relay to a closed state and switching a third switching relay to a closed state, a fourth process of switching the second main relay to a closed state, and a fifth process of switching the precharge relay to an open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Reina YAMADA, Kenji KATAOKA, Hiroshi SATO, Koji MURAKAMI, Ken YOSHIDA, Shin OKUMURA
  • Publication number: 20190359079
    Abstract: A power supply device is mountable to a vehicle and includes: a high-voltage battery; a low-voltage battery of which an output voltage is lower than that of the high-voltage battery, and which can be charged by output power from the high-voltage battery; and a control unit configured to perform charging/discharging control for the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage battery. The control unit performs feeding control for causing the high-voltage battery to supply power to a predetermined on-vehicle device while consumed power is higher than a predetermined value in a state in which a main switch of the vehicle is not on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noritake MITSUTANI, Yasuhiro TAOKA
  • Publication number: 20190359080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selecting candidate energy storage cells for balancing of an electrical energy storage pack (1) comprising a plurality of energy storage cells (3). The method comprises calculating (S212) a probability that a balancing action on the selected group of cells results in that at least one of the future state of charge is lower than a lower threshold present state of charge or higher than a higher threshold present state of charge, the probability being indicative of superfluous leakage or overcharging. The probability is based on the future state of charge for each of the cells and on the statistical inaccuracy. If the probability is indicative of that superfluous leakage or overcharging is unlikely to occur, selecting (S214, S214?) the group of cells as candidates for a balancing action. The invention further relates to a corresponding system and to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Jonas Hellgren
  • Publication number: 20190359081
    Abstract: A dual power supply system with first to third system terminals is disclosed. The dual power supply system includes a first battery cell stack interconnected between first and second stack nodes and providing a first operation voltage and a second battery cell stack interconnected between the second stack node and a third stack node and providing a second operation voltage. The dual power supply system further includes a DC/DC converter with first to third converter nodes and configured to convert a voltage of the first or second battery cell stack. Each of the system terminals is connected to the respective stack node or converter node in parallel. The DC/DC converter can provide redundant power supply and active balancing. The application further relates to a vehicle including the above dual power supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael ERHART, Thomas KORHERR
  • Publication number: 20190359082
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a battery pack heating apparatus and a method of battery pack heating control. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack heating apparatus is provided. The battery pack heating apparatus is applicable portably and externally to a vehicle and includes: an electrical energy conversion component, including an energy storage device, a first set of switches and a second set of switches; a heating interface connected to the energy storage device via the first set of switches to form a first heating loop and connected to the energy storage device via the second set of switches to form a second heating loop, the heating interface being configured to be connected to a battery pack of one vehicle; and a heating control module configured to control a direction of electrical energy transfer between the battery pack and the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Yizhen Hou, Zhimin Dan, Wei Zhang, Xiyang Zuo, Xingyuan Wu, Taosheng Zhu
  • Publication number: 20190359083
    Abstract: Set forth herein are systems and methods for determining battery heating conditions and pre-heating lead times of at least a minute or more, based on input parameters and sets of input parameters, to predictively and dynamically heat a secondary battery so that the battery has a specific power output and performance level when used in an electric or hybrid vehicle application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin Hettrich, Tomasz Wojcik
  • Publication number: 20190359084
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to interior arrangements for autonomous vehicles. In particular, an autonomous vehicle can comprise an interior that includes a plurality of different portions. Each portion of the plurality of different portions can include one or more mechanical interfaces associated therewith. The interior can also include at least one modular interior unit configured to accommodate one or more passengers. The at least one modular unit can be coupled to one or more mechanical interfaces of at least one portion of the plurality of different portions of the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Johad Husseini Ellis, Christopher Matthew D'Eramo
  • Publication number: 20190359085
    Abstract: A seat storage system, wherein a controller is configured to, in a case where a seating determiner confirms that no sitting person is seated on a seat surface portion of any one of a plurality of seats, issue an instruction of switching the seat surface portion to a first posture to a switching device of each of the seats whose seat surface portion is detected as being in a second posture by a posture determiner, and operate front-rear movement devices of all of the plurality of seats to narrow an interval between the seats after the posture determiner has determined that the seat surface portions of all of the plurality of seats have been switched to the first posture. Here, the first posture corresponds to a raised sitting posture and the second posture corresponds to a sitting posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhito Yamauchi, Nobuki Hayashi, Tokuyuki Nishikawa, Takeshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20190359086
    Abstract: A vehicle seat structure including a first seat and a second seat, wherein the first seat includes: a tilting rotation mechanism configured to connect the first seat with respect to a floor in a manner switchable between a sitting position and a raised position; and a pivoting mechanism configured to pivotably connect the first seat to the floor with the tilting rotation mechanism provided therebetween, and wherein the second seat includes a concave portion configured to reduce interference between the second seat and a forefoot of a sitting occupant of the first seat which is being pivoted in the raised position when the second seat and the first seat are in a positional relationship in which the second seat overlaps, in a plan view, with a pivoting trajectory of the forefoot of the sitting occupant of the first seat which is being pivoted in the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumitoshi AKAIKE, Hiroshi TSUJI, Keisuke TODA, Hajime TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20190359087
    Abstract: A seating system for at least one occupant in a vehicle interior is disclosed. The seating system may provide a seat assembly comprising a base assembly configured to be mounted in the vehicle interior and a seat structure configured to be coupled to the base assembly and providing a seat configured for movement relative to the base assembly; movement of the seat relative to the base assembly may comprise at least two of (1) recline movement or (2) swivel movement or (3) tilt movement; recline movement may comprise generally translating movement of the seat structure; swivel movement may comprise rotational movement of the seat structure; tilt movement may comprise generally translating movement of the seat structure transverse to recline movement. The base assembly may comprise a mechanism configured to facilitate movement of the seat structure relative to the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jesus Maria Galan Garcia, Norbert Truxa, Lucas Eyl, Alexander Butchart
  • Publication number: 20190359088
    Abstract: In order to suppress a claustrophobic feeling that a person sitting on a rear seat receives due to a front seat, and to make the front seat easy to use as an ottoman by the person, a movement adjustment system is used for a passenger seat and a rear seat, and includes a slide rail for moving the rear seat in the front to back direction, and a control part for changing the movement region of the rear seat by the slide rail. The passenger seat has a seat cushion, and a seat back mounted to be changeable between an upright state and a lowered state with respect to the seat cushion. The control part changes the movement region so that the passenger seat and the rear seat can come closer when the seat back of the passenger seat is in the lowered state than in the upright state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yogo
  • Publication number: 20190359089
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a vehicle seat includes: a first plate and a second plate, mounted rotatable relative to each other about a transverse direction; a hinge arranged between the first plate and the second plate; and a tilt sensor configured to measure an angle formed between the first plate and the second plate about the transverse direction. The tilt sensor is arranged next to the hinge and at least partially between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Didier DURIEZ, Rodolphe BABONNEAU
  • Publication number: 20190359090
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a latching device (1) for a backrest of a motor vehicle, with a locking mechanism (4) fundamentally comprising a catch (5) and at least one pawl, whereby the catch (5) is pivotable and is accommodated in the latching device (1) to accommodate a latch holder (6) and whereby the locking mechanism (4) can be transferred at least into a main ratchet position, and preferably into a pre-ratchet position and a main ratchet position, by means of the latch holder (6), a latch housing (10), whereby the latch housing (10) has at least an integrated recess (13, 14, 15) and whereby the recess (13, 14,15) is formed as a damping means (11) for the latch holder (6) in the main ratchet position and whereby the integrated damping means (11) has a cooperating section (17), whereby the cooperating section (17) has a supportive effect on the damping means (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Keith Robertson, Jim Zhuang, Philip Morrison
  • Publication number: 20190359091
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device including: a seat main body; and a movable body, wherein a seat surface portion of the seat main body is configured to be switched between: a first posture in which the seat surface portion is brought down to a front side such that a first support surface is in a low position where the seated person can sit thereon by lowering a hip; and a second posture in which the seat surface portion is brought up to a rear side from the first posture such that a second support surface is in a high position where the seated person in a standing posture can sit thereon, and wherein the movable body includes a placement portion configured to swing with respect to the floor in a state where both soles of the seated person are placed when the seat surface portion is in the second posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhito YAMAUCHI, Nobuki HAYASHI, Tokuyuki NISHIKAWA, Takeshi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20190359092
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a support leg, a first and a second locking mechanism, and a linking assembly. The support leg includes three segments that are telescopically connected with one another via a first and a second sliding connection. The first locking mechanism includes a first latch for locking and unlocking the first sliding connection, and a first actuating part operable to cause the first latch to unlock the first sliding connection. The second locking mechanism includes a second latch for locking and unlocking the second sliding connection, and a second actuating part operable to cause the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection. The linking assembly operatively couples the first locking mechanism to the second locking mechanism so that the first and second sliding connections can be unlocked concurrently with one single operating step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Clyde S. HARMES, V, Robert S. ANDERSON, Curtis M. HARTENSTINE
  • Publication number: 20190359093
    Abstract: A seat position controller performs seat position change processing by performing longitudinal position change processing and at least one of vertical position change processing and tilt angle change processing. When the seat position controller performs the seat position change processing, a change degree setting part sets the degree of speed change in the longitudinal direction of a seat main body during the longitudinal position change processing smaller than the degree of speed change in the vertical direction of the seat main body during the vertical position change processing, and the degree of speed change in a tilt angle direction of a seat back during the tilt angle change processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Harutomi Nishide, Kentaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20190359094
    Abstract: A seat for at least one occupant of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a back, and a first side component. The seat cushion has a front end, a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the front and back ends. The seat cushion includes a rear portion and a front portion. The rear portion is disposed at the back end and includes a first top surface that is configured to engage the occupant. The front portion is disposed at the front end. At least one of the front and rear portions is configured to move along the longitudinal axis with respect to the other of the front and rear portions. The back is disposed at the back end of the seat cushion. The first side component is coupled to the back. The first side component is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a use configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shifang LI, Yiran HU, Carl W. WELLBORN, Joseph NEIGHBORS
  • Publication number: 20190359095
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a back frame mounted on a cushion frame is a recliner in a pivotally movable manner. The back frame has a support member connected to the recliner, and a seat back shell supported by the support member. The support member has a side plate portion and a rear plate portion facing a side surface and a rear surface of the seat back shell, respectively, and the side plate portion has a base portion fixed to the recliner, and an extension portion provided to extend more upward than the base portion. The side plate portion is fixed at the extension portion to the side surface of the seat back shell, and the rear plate portion is at least fixed in a region to the rear surface of the seat back shell, the region provided to rise from a lower position of the side plate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirofumi WATANABE, Hiroshi MIZOBATA, Yasuhiro KATO
  • Publication number: 20190359096
    Abstract: A collapsible structure is provided and includes a hub, an exterior skin surrounding the hub and a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub to the exterior skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Sreekanth Koti Ananda Rao, Mahesh Virupaxi Hosmani, Satya Swaroop Panda, Krishnakumar Vadakkedathu Jathavedan
  • Publication number: 20190359097
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a seat mounted in a vehicle. The seat includes a base, a back support, a hinge, and a seat belt integrated into the seat. The back support is capable of rotating relative to the base and thereby reclining. The hinge is between the base and the back support and is configured to lock the back support in positions in relation to the base. The seat belt has a shoulder portion and a lap portion and is attached to the seat at a shoulder anchor in the back support and a base anchor in the base. When a generated torque, created from a forward force applied by the shoulder portion of the seat belt, exceeds a threshold amount of torque, the hinge is configured to unlock and back support is configured to rotate forward from a reclined position towards an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Daniel, Daniel Lynn Larner
  • Publication number: 20190359098
    Abstract: A system and method that establishes a confidence in a vehicle position determined by a vehicle position determination system and uses the established confidence to change a behavior of an active suspension system of a plant in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Knox, Antonio Sangermano, II
  • Publication number: 20190359099
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a covering system for a motor vehicle seat member includes the steps of: providing a support, a cover and a pad; associating the support with the cover, the pad being left free between the support and the cover; and creating longitudinal seam lines, one on either side of the pad. The longitudinal seam lines join together the support and the cover. The longitudinal seam lines form straight segments, extending in a transverse direction towards the first pad, and join together the support, the cover, and the first pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Fabrice LORENZI, Etienne POULET, Jean-Yves PIEDERRIERE
  • Publication number: 20190359100
    Abstract: A vehicle bucket seat (1) has a seat face (2) and a backrest (3). The backrest (3) has a shoulder support (4) and a head support (5). The shoulder support (4) has a shoulder rest (14) and right and left shoulder flanks (24) arranged to the right and left of the shoulder rest (14) in a laterally projecting manner. The head support (5) has a headrest (15) and right and left head flanks (25) arranged to the right and left of the headrest (15) in a laterally projecting manner. Reinforcing structures (6) run from the head flanks (25) toward an attaching structure (7) on the shoulder rest (14) for fixing the vehicle bucket seat (1) on a vehicle supporting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Christoph Kutscheid, Martin Kinscher, Livio Galassi
  • Publication number: 20190359101
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having a metal frame, the seat defining a volume (V). The frame is configured to be electrically connected to a chassis of the motor vehicle so as to generate a Faraday effect. The seat includes an electronic and/or electrotechnical device having at least one electronic control unit and/or a motor connected to a power cable. The cable is intended for connection to a power supply of the motor vehicle for the at least one electronic control unit and/or motor. The electronic and/or electrotechnical device is at least partially arranged within the volume (V) of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Naraindranath DOORGAH, Nordine BOUZIANE
  • Publication number: 20190359102
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a side frame, a reinforcing frame and a collar. The side frame has a first plate-like portion constituting an outer portion of the side frame in a seat width direction, and a second plate-like portion formed to be located inward of the first plate-like portion in the seat width direction, and provided with a through hole. The collar has a tubular portion inserted in the through hole and having an end of the reinforcing frame inserted therein, and a rib-shaped portion provided at an outer end of the tubular portion in the seat width direction, and disposed outward of the second plate-like portion in the seat width direction. The tubular portion and/or the rib-shaped portion are welded to the second plate-like portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyoshi OSHIMA, Shinji KAMIYA, Yoshiyuki KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20190359103
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a side frame formed by filling a mold with a material, the side frame extending along forward and backward directions and having a front lower portion and a rear lower portion; a front leg attached to the front lower portion of the side frame to support the side frame between the front lower portion and a vehicle floor surface; and a rear leg attached to the rear lower portion of the side frame to support the side frame between the rear lower portion and the vehicle floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takuya INOUE
  • Publication number: 20190359104
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is thinned in a seat front to back direction. In the vehicle seat, a center seat has a seat back frame, a headrest which is provided above the seat back frame, a pillar which supports the headrest, and brackets which mount the pillar to the seat back frame. The pillar is arranged between the brackets and the seat back frame, the brackets have a weld bead which holds the pillar and a portion where a welding trace to be mounted to the seat back frame is formed, and the weld bead and the portion where the welding trace is formed are arranged at different positions in a direction which intersects a front to back direction of the center seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kei OKUMA, Naoya NISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20190359105
    Abstract: A headrest is provided including an upper pillow section that configures a front side of an upper portion of the headrest, and a lower pillow section that configures a front side of a lower portion of the headrest. A front-rear position of the lower pillow section with respect to the upper pillow section is adjustable by swinging the lower pillow section about a shaft extending along a seat width direction at an upper edge side of the lower pillow section, and a protrusion amount by which respective seat width direction side portions of the lower pillow section protrude toward a seat front side being adjustable with respect to a seat width direction intermediate portion of the lower pillow section by swinging the two seat width direction side portions about a shaft extending in a seat vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Keiichi Kondo, Keiichiro Inoue, Keita Iwasaki, Osamu Kanayama, Masato Suzuki, Kento Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20190359106
    Abstract: An air conditioning seat including: an extension part; a guide; and a duct, wherein the duct has an overlapping part which overlaps an inner surface of an outer wall of the extension part in a moving direction of the extension part when the extension part is in an extension position and in an retraction position, wherein the guide has a guiding structure by which the inner surface of the outer wall in the extension position is set to an inwardly inclined state in which the inner surface of the outer wall is inclined forward with respect to a blowing direction of the duct or inclined inwardly in a seat width direction with respect to the blowing direction, and wherein an outlet port of the seat has an opening which is opened inwardly in a seat width direction from the inner surface of the outer wall of the extension part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SUZUKI, Fumitoshi AKAIKE
  • Publication number: 20190359107
    Abstract: A vehicle seat installed in a vehicle includes a seatback, a seat cushion, a seat frame, a movable part, a first spring, a second spring, and a preloading device. The first spring is capable of, when the movable part has shifted in a first direction, generating such an elastic force as causes the movable part to shift toward the neutral position. The second spring is capable of, when the movable part has shifted in a second direction, generating such an elastic force as causes the movable part to shift toward the neutral position. The preloading device is configured to change at least one of the elastic force exerted on the movable part by the first spring and the elastic force exerted on the movable part by the second spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAMOTO, Jueru SHIMIZU, Yuji YAMADA, Osamu KANAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190359108
    Abstract: A side table assembly for a vehicle seat includes a table on which a cup holder inserting part is formed, a body arranged on a side face of the vehicle seat, a joint hinge device coupled between the body and the table to allow the table to be rotated with respect to the body; and a cup holder having an opened upper face and a closed lower face and coupled to the cup holder inserting part. The joint hinge device includes a joint hinge connected to the table at one side and connected to the body at another side, a hinge spring inserted into the joint hinge to elastically support the joint hinge, and a hinge cylinder having one side inserted into the joint hinge and being in contact with the hinge spring and another side inserted into by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kug-Hun Han, Sang-Ho Kim, Sang-Hwi Yoon, In-Seok Oh, Ki-Seok Kwun, Young-Kyun Oh
  • Publication number: 20190359109
    Abstract: A housing and trailer system comprising a trailer and a housing. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing and may be positioned on friction-reducing members that reduce friction between the housing and trailer. The reduction of friction facilitates the housing to slide more efficiently on the trailer. A safety lever and linkage system operates to safely move roof support structures and raise/lower the upper housing. An adjustable cargo system is attached to a roof on the housing. The adjustable cargo system is adjustable to receive and/or secure different sizes of cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Jason Coulter
  • Publication number: 20190359110
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to an awning assembly 1 for a recreational vehicle comprising a main body, a flexible awning material, a roller tube, a lead rail 5, at least one support leg 6 hinged to the lead rail 5, and at least one tension rafter 7 being mountable between the main body and the lead rail 5. The at least one support leg 6 is hinged to the lead rail 5 so that the support leg 6 can be hinged into a first storage section of the lead rail frame 8. The lead rail frame 8 comprises a second storage section 10 for receiving the tension rafter 7 therein, wherein the second storage section 10 comprises an opening 11, wherein either holder 12 is disposed within the opening 11, or the tension rafter 7 is self-clamping into the second storage section 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Miguel Bekaert
  • Publication number: 20190359111
    Abstract: A work vehicle is disclosed that includes a front guard that is provided at a front end portion of a traveling vehicle body and protects the traveling vehicle body, and an auxiliary device that can be attached to and removed from the front guard. The front guard is provided with an attachment portion to which the auxiliary device can be attached and from which the auxiliary device can be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yumi Kushimoto, Masatoshi Sakai, Junichi Fujiwara, Yusuke Morita
  • Publication number: 20190359112
    Abstract: A tie down assembly includes a clasp, a ring that is rotatably coupled to the clasp, and a support coupler that is coupled to the ring. The support coupler frictionally controls rotation of the ring with respect to the clasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory George Buczynski, Zhilin Li
  • Publication number: 20190359113
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vehicle technology, and more particularly, to a vehicle for carrying a container. The vehicle includes: a vehicle body, at least one locking mechanism provided on the vehicle body and a microcontroller unit communicatively connected to each of the at least one locking mechanism and configured to control each of the at least one locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. Each of the at least one locking mechanism is connected fixedly to the container when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, such that the container is fixed to the vehicle body. The vehicle is advantageous in that it is capable of locking and unlocking the container in a simple way, thereby improving the efficiency of the vehicle in transportation of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaoping GU, Chao YAN
  • Publication number: 20190359114
    Abstract: A cargo restraint panel may include a foam component. That foam component may have at least one polymer foam sheet. A front face fibrous reinforcing material may be bonded to and substantially cover a front face of the foam component. A rear face fibrous reinforcing material may be bonded to and substantially cover a rear face of the foam component. The cargo restraint panel may include one or more edge guards. Cargo may be secured in a railcar or other conveyance by, e.g., placing cargo restraint panels between cargo units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Matthew Bullock