Patents Issued in March 17, 2020
  • Patent number: 10589569
    Abstract: A hand lift system for positioning a wheel and tire to be placed on a vehicle hub, the system being made up of two primary components. A first paddle component provides a shovel shaped lever to be placed under the tire to be lifted up to the vehicle hub, with a handle grip to operate the lever arm. A second component provides a solid wedge chock on which the paddle component is placed to act as a fulcrum to the paddle component lever, or to act as a support once the tire is lifted to the appropriate height. The paddle component doubles as a tool for shifting the spare tire or flat tire into place. The chock component doubles as a wheel block for either a tire still on the vehicle or a spare tire that has been rolled to the side of the vehicle for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Jackie L. Hight
  • Patent number: 10589570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tire improved in the run flat durability, having at least one member selected from the group consisting of a side reinforcing rubber layer and a bead filler using a rubber composition comprising a rubber component containing 20% by mass or more of a modified conjugated diene based polymer, satisfying Expression (1) in terms of the elongation X under a stress of 6.5 MPa at 180° C. and the elongation Y under a stress of 6.5 MPa at 25° C. after vulcanization. 1.00?X/Y?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsubota, Yuji Oyama
  • Patent number: 10589571
    Abstract: A tire whose pressure-proofing performance and impact durability can be improved, is provided. The tire includes: a tire frame member which is made of resin and includes: a bead portion covering a bead core; a side portion extending outwardly in a tire radial direction from the bead portion; and a crown portion extending inwardly in a tire width direction from the side portion, and the tire also includes a reinforcing layer which includes plural cords covered by resin or rubber and which extends from the bead portion to the side portion of the tire frame member to cover at least an inner peripheral surface of the side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Kon, Yoshihide Kouno
  • Patent number: 10589572
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread, a carcass and a belt. The belt includes inner and outer layers including steel cords and topping rubbers such that the cords in each layer are parallel-aligned and inclined with respect to equatorial plane and inclination directions of the cords in the layers are opposite to each other with respect to the plane, inclination angle ?s of the cords in the inner layer at edge is larger than inclination angle ?c at the plane, the edge of the inner layer is at position of 0.9 times axial direction width, inclination angle ?s of the cords in the outer layer at edge is larger than inclination angle ?c o at the plane, the edge of the outer layer is at position of 0.9 times axial direction width, and difference between the angles ?s and ?c is larger than difference between the angles ?s and ?c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoto Maruoka
  • Patent number: 10589573
    Abstract: Crown reinforcement of an aircraft tire comprises a working reinforcement (2) radially inside of tread (3) and radially outside of carcass reinforcement (4). Working reinforcement (2) comprises two working bi-plies (21, 22) radially superposed with respective axial widths (L1, L2), from first axial end (I1, I2) to second axial end (I?1, I?2). Each working bi-ply (21, 22) comprises two working layers (211, 212; 221, 222) radially superposed and respectively made up of axially juxtaposed portions of strip (5) of axial width W extending circumferentially in periodic curve (6) that forms, in the equatorial plane (XZ) of the tire and with the circumferential direction (XX?) of the tire, a non-zero angle A and has a radius of curvature R at its extrema (7). The difference DL between the respective axial widths (L1, L2) of the radially superposed working bi-plies (21, 22) is at least equal to 2×(W+(R?W/2)?(1?cos A)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Marc Romero De La Osa, Serge Delacroix
  • Patent number: 10589574
    Abstract: In this pneumatic tire, width direction sipes (9) on one side in the tread circumferential direction are shifted in position in a central land portion row (3a) and intermediate land portion rows (3b1, 3b2), first and second width direction grooves (4a, 4b) and the width direction sipes (9) on the one side are shifted in position in the tread circumferential direction in the central land portion row (3a), minute blocks (9a) in the central land portion row (3a) are aligned in position in the tread circumferential direction with minute blocks (9a) or third width direction grooves (4c1, 4c2) in the intermediate land portion rows (3b1, 3b2), and fifth width direction grooves (10a, 10b) and width direction shallow grooves (11a, 11b) are aligned in position in the tread circumferential direction with fourth width direction grooves (4d1, 4d2) or minute blocks (9a) in the intermediate land portion rows (3b1, 3b2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naohiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10589575
    Abstract: A tire 1 comprises a tread portion 2, a tread edge Te provided in the tread portion 2, a shoulder main groove 3 extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction in the tread portion 2, and a shoulder land region 5 being defined between the tread edge Te and the shoulder main groove 3. The shoulder land region 5 is provided with a shoulder lateral groove 10 connecting between the shoulder main groove 3 and the tread edge Te and a first shoulder lug groove 11 extending axially inwardly from the tread edge Te and terminating within the shoulder land region 5. An angle ?1 of the shoulder lateral groove 10 with respect to the tire axial direction is larger by 10 to 40 degrees than an angle ?2 of the first shoulder lug groove 11 with respect to the tire axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takehiko Murata
  • Patent number: 10589576
    Abstract: A studded tire includes stud pins embedded in a road contact surface of a tread portion 1; the rubber composition forming the tread portion containing at least one of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and butadiene rubber, from 5 to 50 parts by weight of carbon black and from 5 to 70 parts by weight of silica per 100 parts by weight of the diene rubber; a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of the carbon black being from 50 to 120 m2/g; a CTAB specific surface area of the silica being from 80 to 190 m2/g; a rubber hardness of the rubber composition being not greater than 60; and a product of a stress at the time of 400% elongation and a bottom surface area of a flange portion on a bottom side of the stud pins being not less than 400 MPa·mm2 and not greater than 850 MPa·mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Maejima, Satoshi Mihara
  • Patent number: 10589577
    Abstract: A heavy-duty pneumatic tire includes a carcass ply including a main portion extending between bead cores and a pair of turn-up portions, a first reinforcing layer of a steel cord disposed in each bead portion in a U-shaped manner, and a second reinforcing layer of an organic fiber cord disposed in each bead portion and at least a part of the second reinforcing layer extending in a radial direction of the tire at an axially outward location of the first reinforcing layer. The second reinforcing layer includes an axially inner second ply and an outer second ply. The outer second ply has an inner end positioned below the bead core. The inner second ply has an inner end located axially inward of the inner end of the outer second ply, and has a substantially same length as the outer second ply in a tire cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kaori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10589578
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tire improved in the run flat durability, having at least one member selected from the group consisting of a side reinforcing rubber layer and a bead filler using a rubber composition having a tensile stress at 50% elongation at 180° C. (M50) of 6.2 MPa or more as a vulcanized rubber physical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsubota, Yuji Oyama
  • Patent number: 10589579
    Abstract: In a tire removal processing, a clamping step and a tire removing step are executed. In the clamping step, a tire is clamped by an upper support and a lower support by bringing the lower support into contact with a lower side wall of the tire in a state where a lower rim is fitted in the tire and the upper support is in contact with an upper side wall of the tire. In the tire removing step, the tire is detached from the lower rim by relatively moving the lower rim vertically downward with respect to a lower support while the clamping step is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINERY SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ueda, Makoto Tachibana
  • Patent number: 10589580
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver configured to receive a drawbar and a pin receiver that is supported by the drawbar receiver. Furthermore, the assembly includes a pin that is received within the pin receiver and a latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to an extended position. Moreover, the assembly includes a biasing member configured to bias the latch toward the first position to retain the pin in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10589581
    Abstract: A smart trailer coupler system includes a ball mount connectable to a vehicle, a hitch ball mechanically connected to the ball mount, a coupler selectively connectable to the hitch ball, and at least one sensor mounted to one of the ball mount, the hitch ball and the coupler. The at least one sensor detects a size compatibility between the coupler and the hitch ball. A signal system is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The signal system provides at least one of a visual alert and an audible alert of the size compatibility between the hitch ball and the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anil Bika, Thomas R. Brown, Daniel Demitrish, Anthony L. Smith, Michelle H. Wiebenga, Grant L. Meade, Norman J. Weigert
  • Patent number: 10589582
    Abstract: A tow bar assembly for use in connecting a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. The tow bar assembly includes a drawbar and a housing assembly capable of being configured with a supplemental braking system. A connector secures the housing to a tow hitch member, such that two separate, non-planar perpendicular axes of pivotal rotation are created. The tow hitch assembly includes at least one arm with an inner and outer portion, wherein the inner portion rotates about a central axis relative to the inner portion within the outer portion. A fourth pivotal axis is created by a connection of mounting brackets to the tow hitch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Tod Westervelt
  • Patent number: 10589583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining force direction and magnitude acting on a trailer hitch are disclosed. An example vehicle includes two magnetoelastic pins, having respective magnetic fields, configured to couple a trailer hitch receiver to a vehicle chassis. The vehicle also includes a plurality of sensors corresponding to the two magnetoelastic pins, configured to detect changes in the respective magnetic fields. And the vehicle further includes a processor configured to determine a magnitude and direction of a force acting on the trailer hitch receiver based on data from the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Rinku Patel, Anton Rogness, Elliott Pearson
  • Patent number: 10589584
    Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to amounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Sailrail Automated Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Scarth, Shawn Dawson
  • Patent number: 10589585
    Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 10589586
    Abstract: An inter-vehicle transfer apparatus in a vehicle includes a pulse transformer and auxiliary coils. The pulse transformer includes a first coil wound around a core and connected at one end to an electrical coupler; a capacitor connected at one end to the other end of the coil; and a second coil wound around the core in the same direction as the first coil, connected at one end to the other end of the capacitor, and connected at the other end to the electrical coupler. One auxiliary coil is connected at one end to the first coil. The other auxiliary coil is connected at one end to the second coil. In the inter-vehicle transfer apparatus, the other end of one auxiliary coil and the other end of the other auxiliary coil are connected to each other to enable application of a direct-current voltage across contact portions in the electrical coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shigeeda
  • Patent number: 10589587
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle that is capable of being reconfigured to operate both on land and in water is disclosed. The amphibious vehicle includes at least a hull and at least a deployable endless track running on a track assembly. The track assembly may comprise a four bar mechanism having an upper member fixed relative to the hull and a lower member configured to be actuated between an undeployed and a deployed positions, where in a deployed position the upper and lower members of the four bar mechanism are further apart than in an un-deployed position. The endless track is guided by upper guide wheels and lower guide wheels, wherein the upper guide wheels are fixed to the hull and the lower guide wheels are fixed relative to the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Neil Doveton Boyd
  • Patent number: 10589588
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transverse link for a wheel suspension of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel-side attachment structure and at least one structure-side attachment structure. The wheel-side and structure-side structures are connected to each other by a connection structure which extends therebetween. The connection structure and/or at least one of the attachment structures is/are produced by a generative production method. At least one of the attachment structures is constructed as a generatively produced bushing which has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The sleeves are connected to each other by a fold-like structure. The present disclosure further provides a method for producing such a transverse link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Souschek, Raphael Koch, Daniel Mainz, Theo Kueppers
  • Patent number: 10589589
    Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example vehicle suspension includes a yoke to couple a knuckle to an axle of the vehicle suspension. The yoke includes a post to receive the axle and a lobe projecting from the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, John Wesley Stanley, Vijay Bokil, James Adam Drozdowski, Timothy Panagis
  • Patent number: 10589590
    Abstract: A stabilizer includes a stabilizer main body, and eyes formed on both ends of the stabilizer main body. Through-holes are formed in fastening surfaces of the eyes, respectively. The stabilizer main body is covered with a main body coating film. The eye is covered with an eye coating film whose thickness is less than a thickness of the main body coating film. An inner surface of the through-hole is covered with an inner surface coating film. An incomplete coating portion is formed at a part of the inner surface of the through-hole in a circumferential direction. The incomplete coating portion is located on an extension of a straight line connecting a center of the through-hole and the center of gravity of the stabilizer main body in a side view of the stabilizer main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sakurai, Yoshihiro Koshita, Akihiko Nishikawa, Akifumi Otani
  • Patent number: 10589591
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a damper and actuator. The damper extends longitudinally along a damper axis between first and second damper ends. The actuator is separate and spaced apart from the damper. The actuator extends longitudinally along an actuator axis between first and second actuator ends. The damper and the actuator are arranged next to one another where the actuator axis is spaced from and substantially parallel to the damper axis. The damper and the actuator are positioned within a cylindrical packaging envelope that has a diameter of 300 millimeters or less. The cylindrical packaging envelope is an imaginary cylinder, which may be defined by one or more components of a vehicle's suspension system such as a coil spring or an upper suspension arm. The damper and the actuator are completely contained within the cylindrical packaging envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Monzer Al Sakka, Miguel Dhaens, Christophe Lauwerys
  • Patent number: 10589592
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for vehicles including an evaporator for cooling air; a heater core for heating air; and a unit case having formed therein a cooling space for accommodating the evaporator, a heating space for accommodating the heater core, and an air mixing space connected to the cooling space and the heating space. A pair of foot flow passages is in communication with the unit case, the pair of foot flow passages extending from the air mixing space and being arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction of the vehicle so as to sandwich a rear face flow passage in the width direction. The rear face flow passage and at least a part of each of the foot flow passages overlap each other when viewed in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Chikagawa
  • Patent number: 10589593
    Abstract: A parking cooler which is capable of battery powered operation during engine off operation. The parking cooler or air conditioning system may vary in cooling capacities to maximize cooling or maximize battery life. The parking cooler includes one or more condensers and a housing to accommodate such variation of cooling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: Daniel Fedor Westendarp, Thorsten Wichert, Michael Dunkel
  • Patent number: 10589594
    Abstract: A device for heat distribution in a hybrid motor vehicle includes an engine cooling circuit and a refrigerant circuit for a combined operation in a refrigeration heat pump mode and a reheating mode. The refrigerant circuit includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger to supply heat from the refrigerant to air being conditioned for a passenger compartment, and a heat exchanger to transfer heat between a refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit and coolant of the engine cooling circuit. The heat exchanger operates as an evaporator for the heat transfer from the coolant to the evaporating refrigerant, and alternatively operates as a condenser for the heat transfer from the condensing refrigerant to the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Peter Heyl
  • Patent number: 10589595
    Abstract: Temperature control of an interior of a motor vehicle having an electrical drive is carried out by a heat pump arrangement having a heating temperature region and a low temperature region, wherein the heating temperature region includes at least one interior heat exchanger thermally coupled to the interior and the low temperature region includes at least one of an exterior heat exchanger and a heat exchanger disposed on a component of the electrical drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Felix Schedel, Philipp Hofmann, Oliver Horn, Peter Satzger, Markus Moser
  • Patent number: 10589596
    Abstract: An energy-efficient thermal management system for an electric or hybrid vehicle is provided. The system has a first coolant circuit for controlling the temperature of electric components of an electric powertrain, an air-conditioning unit being provided for air-conditioning an interior. A second coolant circuit air-conditions the interior and is operable independently of the first coolant circuit. Each coolant circuit comprises a pump and a respective ambient heat exchanger. In order to control the temperature of the interior, a temperature control device which can be designed as a Peltier module is integrated into the second coolant circuit, said temperature control device operating in the manner of a heat pump for heating purposes. The two coolant circuits can be coupled to each other in order to exchange heat. An additional temperature control device can be integrated in order to air-condition an interior component in a decentralized manner, in particular a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Gentherm GmbH, Bayerische Motoren Werke, Technische Universitaet Muenchen
    Inventors: Stefan Riederer, Leonhard Hoerth, Heinrich Birndorfer, Marco Ranalli, Martin Adldinger, Manuel Lorenz
  • Patent number: 10589597
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle unit, a heater core, a cool air bypass passage, an air volume ratio regulator, and an auxiliary heat exchanger. The heater core is disposed in a heating passage located downstream of an evaporator with respect to an airflow. The auxiliary heat exchanger is provided in the refrigeration cycle unit. The evaporator includes a cold energy storage. The cold energy storage stores cold energy when the compressor is in operation, and dissipate cold energy while the compressor stops. The auxiliary heat exchanger is located downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the heater core with respect to the airflow. The auxiliary heat exchanger changes enthalpy of refrigerant by heat exchange between the refrigerant and air having been cooled by the evaporator and to be heated by the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Shin Nishida, Kota Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10589598
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated compressor system configured to be integrated with existing air conditioning systems. The integrated compressor system generally includes a mounting assembly, a first compressor and a valve. The mounting assembly can be mounted directly on a condenser of an existing air conditioning system. The first compressor and the valve are mounted directly on the mounting assembly. The valve has a first valve inlet, a second valve inlet and a valve outlet. When assembly and integrated with an existing AC system, the first valve inlet is fluidly coupled to a compressor outlet of the first compressor, the second valve inlet is fluidly coupled to a compressor outlet of the compressor of existing AC system, and a valve outlet is fluidly connected to a condenser inlet of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10589599
    Abstract: To provide an air conditioner for a vehicle having a simple configuration and capable of controlling temperature in a wide range. In a dehumidification heating operation in which a refrigerant is circulated through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, an evaporator and a compressor in the order named so as to radiate the heat of the refrigerant into the first heat exchanger, there is provided a refrigerant heating means which heats the refrigerant when an outside air temperature is not higher than a predetermined temperature and when an opening degree of the second expansion valve which expands the refrigerant flowing out from the second heat exchanger is larger than an opening degree of the first expansion valve which expands the refrigerant flowing out from the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Isao Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 10589600
    Abstract: An auxiliary heat exchanger separated from a main heat exchanger is disposed at the position facing a heat exhausting passage. The auxiliary heat exchanger switches among an inside air heat exchanging state in which a condenser performs heat exchange with the air inside the vehicle interior, an outside air heat exchanging state in which the condenser performs heat exchange with the air outside the vehicle interior, and a ventilation heat exchanging state in which the condenser performs heat exchange with the ventilation air. The auxiliary heat exchanger switches among an inside air heat exchanging state in which the evaporator performs heat exchange with the air inside the vehicle interior, an outside air heat exchanging state in which the evaporator performs heat exchange with the air outside the vehicle interior, and a ventilation heat exchanging state in which the evaporator performs heat exchange with the ventilation air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Seki, Keisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10589601
    Abstract: An air register includes a support, at least one folding vane connected to the support by a first pivot and a flap connected to the support by a second pivot. A method of distributing air from an air register is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Araujo Nieto, Alfredo Pérez Montiel, Gustavo Llamas Maldonado
  • Patent number: 10589602
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door module (1) of the type formed by a single part and from a single injected material, which module comprises a substantially flat supporting face (2) and at least one guide rail (34) of a window regulator system, said rail (34) being intended to guide and maintain a motor vehicle window supporting device (32). The rail (34) forms at least part of one of one of the side end parts (4) of the supporting face (2), said rail (34) extending continuously with the rest of the module (1) and forming a projection (40) in relation to the supporting face (2). The rail (34) extends in at least two planes different from the plane of the supporting face (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Sébastien Hayotte
  • Patent number: 10589603
    Abstract: A vehicle side door internally includes an impact beam which extends along a longitudinal axis of a door. The impact beam is attached to a door inner panel via an outer extension. An inner extension is attached inside the outer extension. A distance along thickness of the door between the inner extension and the impact beam is shorter in a close proximity section than in a longitudinally neighboring area. Because the load received by the inner extension via the close proximity section is transferred to joint portions connecting to the outer extension, the load received by the outer extension from the impact beam is dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10589604
    Abstract: An add-on part (1) of a vehicle body, such as a door (1) or tailgate, has interconnected inner and outer parts (2, 4) and reinforced portions (5, 6) and a reinforcing device (7) connecting said reinforced portions (5, 6). The reinforcing device (7) has arms (8, 9, 18, 19), and, in the region of the ends of the arms (8, 9, 18, 19), the reinforcing device (7) is connected in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner to the reinforced portions (5, 6). Such an add-on part, while having a structurally simple design and relatively low weight, ensures particularly good stiffening properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reimund Schlachter
  • Patent number: 10589605
    Abstract: The invention relates to an opening part of a motor vehicle comprising a reinforcing element extending at least partially along a main plane, intended to reinforce fasteners and the environment of a lock of the opening part, and an envelope made from plastic, comprising an inner part overmolded at least partially on an inner face of the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element comprises at least one orifice, and the envelope comprises at least one external part including a segment passing through said orifice and a covering part locally covering one edge of the orifice on an outer face of the reinforcing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate France
    Inventors: Didier Imbert, Laurent Droz-Bartholet, Christian Henigue
  • Patent number: 10589606
    Abstract: A water collecting arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle has a water tray (10) with a water tray base (14) and an encircling water tray wall (16) extending up from the water tray base (14). At least one water outlet (12) is arranged on the water tray base (14). The at least one water outlet (12) has a dam collar (20; 20?; 20?) raised from the water tray base (14) and radially surrounding a water outlet opening (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Schneider, Lena-Marie Mueller
  • Patent number: 10589607
    Abstract: An open roof construction includes a roof opening in a stationary roof part and a panel that is movable between an open and closed positions. A moving mechanism moves a rear end of the panel and comprises a support lever having a first end which is slidable and rotatable with respect to the stationary roof part and an opposite second end slidably and rotatably engaging the movable panel. A drive slides the first end along the stationary roof part, and a tilting lever has a first tilting lever end slidably and rotatably engaging a first guide curve of the stationary roof part and an opposite second tilting lever end configured to rotatably engage the support lever at an engagement location. In all positions of the movable panel the engagement location, as viewed in the longitudinal forward direction of the vehicle, is located in front of the second support lever end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Dennis Marie Petra Beelen, Rainer Gerhart Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 10589608
    Abstract: If a roof member 12 of a vehicle retractable roof 11 is made of aluminum, a roof side stopper 65 is fixed to a reinforcing plate 50 together with a roof bracket 55, a contact surface 65 coming into contact with a vehicle side stopper 60 is disposed at a position except for a sealing surface 67 provided on the roof member 12. Then, the deformation of the roof member 12 can be reduced, the interference with the sealing surface can be avoided, and the weight of the roof side stopper 65 can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: WEBASTO JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Syuji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10589609
    Abstract: A vehicular window trim assembly includes a decorative outer trim member and first and second channel members fixedly connected together at overlapping portions of the channel members to form an inverted, U-shaped retainer to receive and retain a window seal. A central portion of the retainer is formed by the overlapping portions. A first leg portion of the retainer is formed by the first channel member and a second leg portion of the retainer is formed by the second channel member. Each of the channel members is integrally molded to form a unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: JVIS-USA, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Schaefer, Jason T. Murar
  • Patent number: 10589610
    Abstract: A vehicle exterior structure includes a roof panel, a panel rear window glass, a glass side-edge molding disposed along a side edge of the rear window glass, and a garnish having a constant cross section extending in a direction in which the roof panel and the rear window glass are lined. The garnish is disposed to face a side surface of the roof panel and a side surface of the glass side-edge molding. The side surface of the glass side-edge molding is a wall surface which faces the garnish. The garnish is characterized by having an inner lip which faces the side surface of the roof panel and the wall surface. In this way, a vehicle exterior structure with improved appearance and suppressed noise can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshinobu Takashi
  • Patent number: 10589611
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a door sash formed from a single plate material includes: a roll-forming step of providing a gap portion between the plate materials forming a stepped section and roll-forming a periphery of an end portion of a plate material extending from a tubular section, so as to come into contact along the plate material forming the stepped section; a press working step of pressing the end portion of the plate material to a position where the end portion does not protrude further toward the side on which a weather strip is fitted than a surface of an overlapping section and a surface of the tubular section on the side on which the weather strip is fitted, while crushing the gap portion; and a welding step of continuously laser-welding the overlapping section along a longitudinal direction of the door sash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Sankei Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryota Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10589612
    Abstract: A weather strip 5 is attached to a peripheral edge of an opening 4a of a vehicle body 1?, and a deck cover 18 includes a resin outer panel 21 and an inner panel 23 joined onto a rear side of the outer panel 21. A spacer 35 is interposed between the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 23 such that a portion of the deck cover 18 provided with the spacer 35 makes contact with the weather strip 5 when the deck cover 18 is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: WEBASTO JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sawahata, Akio Yamada, Syuji Yoshida, Masato Shinkawa, Takuya Nishibayashi
  • Patent number: 10589614
    Abstract: A reinforcement structure for protection of a vehicle power source, e.g. a battery pack or a fuel cell. The reinforcement structure extends in a first, a second and a third direction (D1, D2, D3) being perpendicular to each other, wherein an extension of the reinforcement structure is at least 5 times larger in the first and second directions than in the third direction. The reinforcement structure has a tapered shape as seen in a plane spanned by the first and second directions. The present disclosure also relates to a reinforcement unit, a vehicle power source arrangement and a vehicle utilizing such reinforcement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Fredrik Övgård
  • Patent number: 10589615
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing NVH resultant from collisions between internal components of a hydraulic engine mount. In one example, a hydraulic engine mount may include a de-coupler with a number cavities encased therein and extending along a common circumference of the de-coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Chern, Mary Theresa Breida, Thomas Mathai, Margaret Brouwer
  • Patent number: 10589616
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The power transmission apparatus includes three concentric input shafts, a transmitting shaft disposed on the peripheral circumference of a first one of the three input shafts without rotation interference, and a central shaft disposed in parallel with the first input shaft. The power transmission apparatus further includes a fixed transmission selectively shifting an input torque depending on the respective gear ratios of three change gear trains disposed between second and third input shafts, the transmitting shaft, and the central shaft. The power transmission apparatus further includes a composite transmission including one planetary gear set having a sun gear fixedly connected to one side of the transmitting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seong Wook Hwang, Seongwook Ji, Ki Tae Kim, Ki Dong Kim, Hyun Sik Kwon, Cheol Ho Jang, Soonki Eo, Kijong Park, Wonmin Cho
  • Patent number: 10589617
    Abstract: A wheel unit includes a motor, a pinion gear fixed to a rotating portion of the motor, a wheel including an annular ground surface and rotating around a final gear support shaft, and a final gear disposed on one side in an axial direction with respect to the wheel. The wheel unit further includes a speed reduction mechanism which decelerates rotation of the pinion gear and transmits the rotation to the final gear and a gear case which accommodates the pinion gear. When viewed from the axial direction, the final gear support shaft and the motor shaft are disposed in different positions. The motor includes a stationary portion and a rotary portion, and the stationary portion is fixed to the gear case by an attachment plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadayuki Kanatani
  • Patent number: 10589618
    Abstract: A coolant pump assembly having a combined hydraulic drive pump and a coolant circulating pump is disclosed herein, for use in connection with a utility vehicle, such as a ride-on or stand-on mower. Such a vehicle includes at least one combination pump assembly that utilizes a first fluid circuit to hydraulically drive a wheel of the vehicle and a second fluid circuit to cool one or more vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Scott W. Keller, Donald Rousser
  • Patent number: 10589619
    Abstract: A torque transmission system (20) for transmitting torque from a prime mover (22) along a drivetrain includes a clutch device (28) configured to accept a torque input from the prime mover, an intermediate pulley (32), a belt (30) operatively engaged between the clutch device and the intermediate pulley, an angle gearbox (36) configured to change a spatial orientation of torque transmitted between an input and an output of the angle gearbox, a driveshaft (34) operably engaged between the intermediate pulley and the angle gearbox, and an output device (38) configured to accept a torque output from the angle gearbox. The clutch device is located upstream from the intermediate pulley and the angle gearbox along the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HORTON, INC.
    Inventors: Mat Stahl, Michael Bieber, Jacob Andre, Neal Shawaluk