Patents Issued in June 2, 2020
  • Storage drawer assembly for vehicle tray
    Patent number: 10668870
    Abstract: A storage drawer assembly capable of fitting to a vehicle. The drawer assembly comprises a primary space frame having at least a front wall, side walls and at least one intermediate wall between the sidewalls together defining compartments therein. The compartments are each capable of receiving and retaining there within a drawer mounted on a runner to enable the drawer to slide in and out of one said compartments. The frame is arranged to enable the drawers when open to extend beyond the periphery of the vehicle. The primary space frame receives and retains cladding forming a rear, top and bottom walls; wherein the bottom wall includes fixation apertures which receive fasteners which secure the drawer assembly to a vehicle tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Furniss
  • Retaining device, in particular for removably connecting vehicle body parts
    Patent number: 10668871
    Abstract: A retaining device (1) including: a box-like element (5) designed so that it can be inserted so as to pass through a perforation (4) of parts to be connected; a pivot (8) mounted inside the box-like element rotatably about an axis (A) of symmetry thereof and provided with a head (9) arranged on the outside of the box-like element; and a pair of elastically deformable wings (10) mounted in an angularly integral manner on the pivot (8) and projecting from opposite sides transversely so as to jut out through a pair of opposite through-windows (11) formed in a side wall (12) of the box-like element (5) and designed to assume an elastically deformed or retracted configuration, in which they are fully folded up inside the box-like element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Fulvio Pacifico Yon
  • Door edge protector
    Patent number: 10668872
    Abstract: A door edge protector for an edge of a door of a motor vehicle includes a unitary extrusion having a push rod member having a proximal end coupled to a rear wall member by a coupling member. The unitary extrusion also includes a pull member coupled to the rear wall member and extending to an edge covering member. An adhesive attaches the unitary extrusion to an interior surface of the door of the motor vehicle. In a first position of the push rod member, the push rod member is not in contact with the pull member and the edge covering member extends around the edge of the door. In a second position of the push rod member, the push rod member is in contact with the pull member and compresses a portion of the pull member so as to retract the edge covering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marten Wittorf, Uwe Schmitz
  • Housing-securing unit for vehicle and substrate-accommodation housing
    Patent number: 10668873
    Abstract: A housing-securing unit for a vehicle includes: a housing in which a circuit board is to be housed; and a bracket through which the housing is mounted to the vehicle. A holding pin having a column shape is provided on a side surface of the housing. The bracket has a side support component in which a through hole is formed for fitting the holding pin. The holding pin has an inclined approach surface having a height that is increased as extending in an assembling direction, and a holding surface formed to regulate the side support component from moving in the assembling direction and to oppose an inner peripheral surface of the through hole when the holding pin is fitted to the through hole. A height of a top part of the holding surface is more than or equal to a height of a top part of the inclined approach surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Chitaka, Masaru Yokota
  • Clamp assembly for electrical wiring harnesses
    Patent number: 10668874
    Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a grommet with a non-circular aperture with a multiple of crush apertures defined at least partially around the non-circular aperture. A method of supporting a wiring harness within a clamp assembly for a gas turbine engine includes installing a wiring harness through a non-circular aperture with a multiple of crush apertures defined in an arc at least partially around a major axis of the non-circular aperture; and compressing the grommet to compress the multiple of crush apertures to retain the wiring harness within the non-circular aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Andre Herman Troughton, Ryan K. Snyder, Jose A. Carrion, Alexander Trabal, Jimmy C. Pujols
  • Management control device for a vehicle
    Patent number: 10668875
    Abstract: A method for implementing at least one function, provided by an external server, in a control device of a vehicle includes transmitting the at least one function from the external server via a wireless interface to a management control device arranged in the vehicle; transmitting, by the management control device, the at least one function to at least one control device of the vehicle; and implementing the at least one function in the at least one control device. The at least one control device controls the vehicle in accordance with the at least one function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rolf Zoeller, Ruediger Roppel
  • In-vehicle network system
    Patent number: 10668876
    Abstract: An in-vehicle network system includes a plurality of controllers; a plurality of communication lines connected to the controllers, respectively, a relay device connected to the controllers via the communication lines, and a retention determiner configured to determine whether retention of data occurs in the relay device. The relay device is configured to relay data between the communication lines, and configured to preferentially relay data having a priority equal to or higher than a predetermined priority such that the data reaches the controller that is a transmission destination among the controllers within a first predetermined time when the retention determiner determines that the retention occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Ando, Shu Ishizuka, Taichi Matsumura, Masashi Amesara, Yutaka Ueda, Yoshifumi Ohmori, Toshio Kawamura, Tomomi Kawamura, Toshio Shimada, Yoshiroh Hirata
  • Switch device for on-board power supply and on-board power supply system
    Patent number: 10668877
    Abstract: A switch device that includes a first input terminal that is connected to a first battery; a second input terminal that is connected to a second battery; a first output terminal that is connected to a first load; a second output terminal and a third output terminal that are both connected to a second load; a first conductive path that is connected to the first input terminal; a first switch that includes one terminal that is connected to the first input terminal via the first conductive path, and further includes another terminal; a second conductive path that is connected to the second input terminal; and a second switch that includes one terminal that is connected to the second input terminal via the second conductive path, and further includes another terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Sato, Hiromichi Yasunori
  • Wrap bracket with attached push-on nut
    Patent number: 10668878
    Abstract: A wrap bracket assembly includes a clamp and a push-on nut. The clamp includes a first attachment flange defining a first attachment opening, a second attachment flange defining a second attachment opening. A loop portion is disposed between the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. The push-on nut defines a receptacle opening having teeth that extend radially inwardly and partially extend across the first attachment opening. The push-on nut includes an outer leg and an inner leg that are clipped to the first attachment flange in an open position. The crimp tab is bent over the second attachment flange to hold the first and second attachment flanges together in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FRANKLIN FASTENER COMPANY
    Inventor: James M. Sampson
  • Crossmember and method for manufacturing a crossmember
    Patent number: 10668879
    Abstract: A crossmember for a bumper includes an extruded profile base frame with at least two connecting areas, for attaching the crossmember to a vehicle structure, and which are set at a distance from each other along a longitudinal direction. An extruded reinforcing element is fixedly secured to a rear side of the extruded profile base frame between the at least two connecting areas. The crossmember is weight-optimized and which can be produced in a cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Peter Garnweidner, Michael Blümel, Gergely Povolnik
  • Collision detecting device for a motor vehicle for detecting a collision with a pedestrian
    Patent number: 10668880
    Abstract: A collision detecting device for a motor vehicle for detecting a collision with a pedestrian has a pressure measuring chamber, which is formed by a tube, and a flexurally stiff structural element. The tube is formed to be deformable in the event of a collision, i.e. as a result of a collision of the motor vehicle with the pedestrian, and is correspondingly arranged. The tube is also supported in a direction, in particular in precisely one direction transverse to a vertical direction of the motor vehicle. In addition, the tube is essentially in particular flexurally stiffly supported on the structural element in precisely one, i.e. in exclusively one, vertical direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernt Arne Syvertsen
  • Collision detection device for vehicle
    Patent number: 10668881
    Abstract: In a collision detection device for a vehicle, the bumper absorber includes general parts and holding parts alternately in a lengthwise direction of the groove portion. In each of the general parts, a predetermined clearance is formed between an inner wall surface of the groove portion on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and the detection tube member. Each of the holding parts is in contact with a surface of the detection tube member on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and vehicle front and rear sides to hold the detection tube member. A holding part ratio, which is a ratio of a part of the detection tube member held by the holding parts to a unit length of the detection tube member, is set to be smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yoshida, Takatoshi Tanabe, Daisuke Nakane, Kota Amano, Naoya Higashimachi
  • Mechanical transfer function cancellation
    Patent number: 10668882
    Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more sensors and a control unit. The one or more sensors may be configured to generate signals in response to movement of a vehicle. The control unit generally comprises (i) an interface configured to receive the signals from the sensors and (ii) a filter configured to reduce an effect that a mechanical transfer function of a housing of at least one of the sensors has on at least one of the signals. The filter may be configured to utilize a variable frequency band digital representation of the mechanical transfer function to negate the effect of the mechanical transfer function of the housing on the at least one of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VEONEER US INC.
    Inventor: Jacob Pusheck
  • Display device with level correction
    Patent number: 10668883
    Abstract: A display system for a vehicle comprises a display device including a screen disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display device is configured to tilt relative to the vehicle and comprises an inertial sensor configured to output an acceleration signal. A controller is in communication with the display device and an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward relative to the vehicle. The controller is operable to receive the acceleration signal and identify a direction of gravity from the acceleration signal. The controller is further configured to identify a reference direction from the image data and generate adjusted image data corrected for an angular offset of the display device between the direction of gravity and a vertical axis of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stuart A. Bergstrom
  • Load limiter configuration using multidimensional model
    Patent number: 10668884
    Abstract: A vehicle seat restraint system includes a control system and a second-row restraint system. The control system receives a first-row seat value and a second-row seat value from seat sensors. The control system generates relative position data for a first-row seat and a second-row seat based upon the first-row seat value and the second-row seat value. The control system selects a load limiter setting value using a multidimensional load limiter model based upon body impact values as a function of load limiter setting values and the relative position data, a selected load limiter setting value outside a value avoidance zone for the body impact values. The second-row restraint system is configured by the control system with the selected load limiter setting value. The control system may also determine an occupant weight value and select the load limiter setting value using the occupant weight value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: John Cooper, Madan Gopal, Bruno A. Luz, Honglu Zhang
  • Side airbag device for rear seat
    Patent number: 10668885
    Abstract: A side airbag device for a rear seat relating to the technique of the present disclosure includes: an airbag module that is provided at an interior of a side garnish that is disposed between a vehicle body side portion and a vehicle transverse direction outer side of a seatback of a rear seat; a tubular flow regulating cloth that is provided at an interior of a side airbag of the airbag module, at a periphery of an inflator; and an airbag door that is provided at the side garnish, and that has a hinge portion and a tear portion at a periphery thereof, and that is pushed by the tubular flow regulating cloth when gas is generated from the inflator, wherein the tubular flow regulating cloth has openings at both ends thereof, and has exhaust holes in a peripheral wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Seiji Hioda, Yoshinori Beppu, Atsushi Yamada, Takuya Sudo
  • Airbag device
    Patent number: 10668886
    Abstract: Coupling spots are properly protected upon reception of gas pressure. A seam is possessed as a partition that partitions the interior of an airbag, and the seam is a coupling spot along which a frontal-side base fabric and a backside base fabric are coupled to each other. First and second reinforcing fabrics are provided on inner sides of the frontal-side base fabric and the backside base fabric, and the first and second reinforcing fabrics have remaining margins that are oriented toward the gas supply side in the downward direction rather than toward the seam, and each of the remaining margins functions as a shield wall against a flow of gas toward the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sato
  • Vehicle seat with side airbag device
    Patent number: 10668887
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a side airbag device includes: a gas generating device attached to an inner side of an outer side frame in a vehicle-width direction, which is disposed in a side portion on an outside of a seat back in the vehicle-width direction; a side airbag which inflates and deploys to expand over the outer side frame from a vehicle front side of the outer side frame in the vehicle-width direction by receiving gas from the gas generating device accommodated in the side airbag; and an inflation width expansion portion which is provided in the side airbag and causes an inflation width of the side airbag in the vehicle-width direction to be greater outside a side surface provided on an outside of the outer side frame in the vehicle-width direction than inside the side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Takamichi Komura, Masato Kunisada, Hiroyuki Nagura, Takuma Kawai, Takayuki Shimizu
  • Curtain airbag apparatus
    Patent number: 10668888
    Abstract: A curtain airbag apparatus may include: a curtain airbag cushion part installed at a side of a vehicle, and expanded and deployed to cover the side of the vehicle; a first seaming part disposed in the curtain airbag cushion part at one side of a driver airbag cushion part, suppressing a thickness-direction expansion of the curtain airbag cushion part when the curtain airbag cushion parts is expanded, forming a constraint concave portion into which one side of the driver airbag cushion part is inserted, and forming first and second chamber parts at both sides of the constraint concave portion; a protruding chamber part expanded and deployed to the interior of the vehicle when the curtain airbag cushion part is expanded; and an anti-expansion tether part connected to both sides of the protruding chamber part, and restricting an expansion of the outside of the protruding chamber part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Geon Woong Moon
  • Method for folding driver airbag
    Patent number: 10668889
    Abstract: A method for folding a driver airbag may include: forming a tuck-in folding part by pushing an upper end portion of an airbag cushion part into the airbag cushion part; folding the tuck-in folding part toward the opposite side with respect to a driver seat; temporarily attaching the tuck-in folding part to the airbag cushion part; injecting gas into the airbag cushion part, and compressing the airbag cushion part such that the airbag cushion part maintains a plate shape; and folding the airbag cushion part while moving a folding jig disposed in a radial shape around the circumference of the airbag cushion part toward an inflator connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: June Young Song
  • Automobile seat restraint system and method
    Patent number: 10668890
    Abstract: A system and method for securing a child in a typical adult-sized automobile seat are provided. The system includes a plurality of straps, or webbing, removably attached to the typical adult-sized automobile seat, an optional seat pad, two optional shoulder pads, two optional shoulder buckles, a chest buckle, and a hip buckle. The system is configured to safely and conveniently secure the child into the typical adult-sized automobile seat, thereby reducing or eliminating a need for a child-sized automobile seat. During use, the system secures the child into the typical adult-sized automobile seat, thereby preventing or ameliorating injury from an automobile collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Winfield Rock
  • Seat belt apparatus
    Patent number: 10668891
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus provided in a front door of a vehicle, comprises a retractor provided in the front door and configured to retract a webbing for constraining an occupant so as to be pulled out, a belt anchor provided in the front door and attached with one end of the webbing, and a latch configured to engage the front door to a vehicle body. The latch is provided between the retractor and the belt anchor in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hideki Kajiwara, Masahiro Kato, Yuya Igarashi
  • Vehicle seat with dual shoulder strap seat belts
    Patent number: 10668892
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back, a first seat belt retractor, a second seat belt retractor, a first seat belt shoulder strap and a second seat belt shoulder strap. The seat bottom includes an upper side, a lower side, a front side, a back side, a right side and a left side. The seat back includes a front side, a back side, an opening extending between the front side and the back side, a left side, a right side, an upper edge and a lower edge. The first and second seat belt retractors are connected to the back side of the seat back. The first seat belt shoulder strap has a first end connected to the first seat belt retractor and a second end connected to the left side of the seat back. The second seat belt shoulder strap has a first end connected to the second seat belt retractor and a second end connected to the right side of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: E.V.S. Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Rumler
  • Seatbelt assist device and vehicle seat
    Patent number: 10668893
    Abstract: Provided is a belt assist device having a compact configuration and being configured to move a seatbelt to an easily reachable position. A vehicle seat includes a belt assist device attached to a lateral portion of a seat back and configured to move a portion of a seatbelt placed on the lateral portion to the easily reachable position. The belt assist device includes a rotary member attached to a recessed housing portion of the lateral portion via a rotary shaft and configured to rotate up and down between a housing position at which the rotary member is housed in the seat back and a protruding position at which the rotary member rotates to protrude forward of the seat back to push out a portion of the seatbelt. The rotary member is disposed forward of a belt guide provided at the periphery of an upper end of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamabe, Noriyuki Yamato, Haruki Mochizuki
  • Seat belt retractor
    Patent number: 10668894
    Abstract: In a belt retractor (10) comprising a frame (12), a sensor (16) for vehicle-sensitive blocking including a sensor lever (22), a belt reel (14) and a rocker arm (30) coupled to the belt reel (14) via a coupling (32) which is adjustable between a home position in which the sensor lever (22) is blocked and an extended position in which the sensor lever (22) is released, the coupling (32) is a wrap spring coupling comprising a drive element (34) coupled to the belt reel (14) as well as a driven element (40) connected to the rocker arm (30), wherein the drive element (34) and the driven element (40) include a respective annular outer friction surface (38, 44) and are arranged concentrically to each other and a coil spring (46) is provided which contacts the friction surfaces (38, 44) and couples the driven element (40) to the drive element (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frederic Michel
  • Variable force limiter control system for vehicle
    Patent number: 10668895
    Abstract: A variable force limiter control system for a vehicle includes a variable force limiter mechanism, a relative speed sensor, an acceleration sensor and an electronic control unit. The variable force limiter mechanism is configured to change a force limiter load. The relative speed sensor is configured to detect a relative speed of the vehicle with respect to a collision object before a collision. The acceleration sensor is configured to detect an acceleration of the vehicle. The electronic control unit is configured to predict a severity of a collision on the basis of at least the relative speed. The electronic control unit is configured to control the force limiter load on the basis of both the predicted severity and the acceleration in an initial stage of the collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jiro Ohachi, Takuya Nezaki, Takashi Hasegawa, Katsunori Yamada, Mitsuaki Gotoh, Makoto Aki, Yusuke Mase, Takashi Fujinami
  • Car sharing system and car sharing method
    Patent number: 10668896
    Abstract: A car sharing system includes a car sharing device. The car sharing device includes a key function unit and a user authentication function unit. The key function unit allows a device of a vehicle that is shared with multiple people to operate by performing ID verification through a process similar to an electronic key of the vehicle. When the device of the vehicle is operated with a mobile terminal, the user authentication function unit obtains key information from an external device via the mobile terminal and performs authentication of the key information. When authentication of the key information is accomplished and use of the vehicle is within a reservation time, the user authentication function unit validates the key function unit. The key information is generated as information that is permitted only a temporary use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Arakawa, Masahiko Oya, Masaki Oshima, Masaki Hayashi, Yuichiro Haruna
  • Windscreen wiper device
    Patent number: 10668897
    Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes an elastomeric wiper blade that extends in a longitudinal direction. At least one pre-curved longitudinal strip is operably attached with the wiper blade and biases the wiper blade into a curved shape. A connecting device is secured with the at least one strip. The at least one strip includes a pair of tabs that extend longitudinally towards one another and project vertically. The tabs cooperate with the connecting device to secure the connecting device with the at least one longitudinal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gallegos de la Pena, Jesus Yee, David Reyes Lopez, Miguel Gutierrez
  • Wiper system for vehicle
    Patent number: 10668898
    Abstract: A wiper system for a vehicle includes: a glass wiper disposed on a window glass of a vehicle; a motor providing driving power to the glass wiper; a camera capturing images of surroundings of the vehicle; and a camera wiper disposed on a camera lens of the camera and connected to the motor by a linkage to operate in association with the glass wiper such that the camera wiper swings back and forth over the camera lens while the glass wiper swings back and forth over the window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Nak Kyoung Kong, Hyun Joong Pyun, Seung Hyeok Chang, Jong Min Park, Ki Hong Lee
  • Transportation vacuum assembly
    Patent number: 10668899
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly designed for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment such as those with at least one row of seats and a cargo area. The vacuum cleaner assembly preferably includes a power head, a collection drum or other container, and a hose. The powerhead of the present invention is powered by the vehicle's electrical system and is preferably mounted between exterior body panels and interior compartment panels of the vehicle. For example, the power head may be mounted between the exterior body panels and the interior compartment panels adjacent to, but not in the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Douglas Schultz, Shane Glasgow, Mark Tomasiak, Jason Hill
  • Mechanism for selectively opening/closing a vehicle wash component inlet opening
    Patent number: 10668900
    Abstract: A dryer assembly for a vehicle wash system for emitting high velocity air onto a vehicle exterior includes a housing having an air inlet and an outlet. The air inlet is in communication with a motor assembly having an operating and a non-operating mode. The assembly also includes a gate mechanism in communication with the air inlet. The gate mechanism includes a plurality of pedals that are each pivotable between a first position and a second position. The gate mechanism is in communication with a controller, which directs movement of the plurality of pedals from the first position where the plurality of pedals surround the inlet opening such that air can flow into the housing and the second position where each of the plurality of pedals covers a portion of the inlet opening such that in their entirety the plurality of pedals obstruct the inlet opening to prevent air for flowing into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: WASHME PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti
  • Service jack system
    Patent number: 10668901
    Abstract: A jack for a vehicle includes a tube configured to be coupled to a chassis, and a cylinder assembly supported by the tube. The cylinder assembly includes a barrel and a rod at least partially received within the barrel. Actuation of the cylinder assembly causes the barrel to move relative to the tube in a first direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube while the rod remains stationary relative to the tube. In some aspects, the jack further includes a locking device selectively received within the tube in a locked position. The locking device intersects the barrel's path to inhibit movement of the barrel in a second direction opposite the first direction when the locking device is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventors: Jianjun Han, Francois Nortje
  • Wheelie determining device and wheelie determining method
    Patent number: 10668902
    Abstract: A wheelie determining device comprises a lift-off start determiner section which determines whether or not a lift-off of a front wheel from a ground surface has started, based on a traveling state value indicating a traveling state of a vehicle and an operation value indicating a rider's driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hirokami, Shohei Terai, Seiji Azuma, Kengo Ueda
  • Vehicle body behavior control device and method of controlling behavior of vehicle body
    Patent number: 10668903
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle body behavior control device which can reduce unstable behavior of a vehicle body and a method of controlling behavior of a vehicle body which can reduce unstable behavior of the vehicle body. A vehicle body behavior control device incorporated into a vehicle body having a plurality of wheels includes: a behavior control mechanism which controls behavior of the vehicle body; and a control part which controls an operation of the behavior control mechanism based on an axle load applied to the wheel calculated using a gradient value ? of a road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Shunsaku Ono, Yuki Oshida
  • Deflection control apparatus
    Patent number: 10668904
    Abstract: A deflection control apparatus is provided with: a determinator configured to determine whether or not a vehicle is about to depart from a driving lane; and a controller programmed to perform a deflection control for controlling a braking apparatus to supply a fluid pressure to at least one of brake mechanisms corresponding to a front wheel and a rear wheel on a side opposite to a departure direction of the vehicle. The controller is programmed to control the braking apparatus to supply the fluid pressure to the brake mechanism that is close to a fluid pressure source, out of the brake mechanisms corresponding to the front wheel and the rear wheel on the opposite side, on condition that a motion state corresponds to a regular-use area of the braking apparatus, if it is determined that the vehicle is about to depart from the driving lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Ikeda, Akira Nagae, Ryo Inomata, Hironori Ito
  • Vehicle hazard detection and warning system
    Patent number: 10668905
    Abstract: Described herein is a vehicle system configured to identify and mitigate a risk associated with one or more hazards that may impact a vehicle. The vehicle system may include a service provider computer configured to maintain information related to one or more hazards. In some embodiments, a hazard may be identified based at least in part on its being located within the vicinity of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the service provider computer may generate a mitigation strategy to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by the identified hazard. The mitigation strategy may include one or more actions to be taken by a processor device within the vehicle. Upon being provided with a mitigation strategy, the processor device may execute one or more of the actions in the mitigation strategy without human interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Yu-Ting Dai
  • Brake control device
    Patent number: 10668906
    Abstract: Provided is a brake control device that enables shortening of a braking distance in an emergency stop situation, according to an adhesive state of a wheel. The present disclosure relates to a brake control device for emergency stopping of a railway vehicle. The brake control device includes at least one brake unit, a brake controller, and at least one skidding detector. The at least one brake unit generates a braking force. The brake controller is configured to control operation of the at least one brake unit. The brake controller changes a braking pattern to be output to the at least one brake unit based on skidding information of a wheel. The at least one skidding detector is configured to obtain the skidding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY
    Inventors: Masayuki Ueno, Gakuji Kobayashi
  • Bicycle hydraulic operating device
    Patent number: 10668907
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device is basically provided with a base member, a piston, an operating member and a hydraulic reservoir. The base member includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore. The operating member is coupled to the piston to move the piston within the cylinder bore. The hydraulic reservoir includes a hydraulic reservoir tank and a reservoir lid. The hydraulic reservoir is provided on the base member and is fluidly connected to the cylinder bore by a fluid passage. At least part of one of the base member and the hydraulic reservoir includes a fluid inspection portion making visually perceptible therethrough at least a portion of a hydraulic fluid flow path that includes the hydraulic reservoir, the cylinder bore and the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kentaro Kosaka, Keji Matsueda
  • Brake fluid reservoir
    Patent number: 10668908
    Abstract: A brake fluid reservoir for a vehicle comprising: a shell defining a main chamber for containing a quantity of brake fluid for one or more vehicle brake circuits having an outer surface; a fill opening defined by the shell in an upper portion of the outer shell, the fill opening in fluid communication with the main chamber and closable by a cap to close the main chamber from the surrounding environment; outlet ports defined by the shell in a lower portion of the outer shell, the outlet ports in fluid communication with the main chamber; and a channel located along at least a section of the outer surface between the fill opening and the outlet ports, wherein the channel is configured to collect fluid when fluid exits the opening along the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alejandro Martinez
  • Master cylinder unit
    Patent number: 10668909
    Abstract: Provided is a master cylinder unit including a simulator pressure chamber which communicates with a pressure chamber of a master cylinder and moves a simulator piston by means of an introduced fluid pressure; a biasing chamber in which a biasing mechanism biasing the simulator piston against a fluid pressure introduced into the simulator pressure chamber is disposed; a first seal member which partitions a simulator supply chamber, the simulator supply chamber, and the simulator pressure chamber communicating with a master supply chamber; and a second seal member which partitions the simulator supply chamber and the biasing chamber and allows a brake fluid to flow from the simulator supply chamber to the biasing chamber when a pressure difference occurs between the simulator supply chamber and the biasing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Naganori Koshimizu, Hiroshi Owada, Toshiya Oosawa, Ryohei Maruo
  • Master brake cylinder for a hydraulic vehicle brake system
    Patent number: 10668910
    Abstract: A hydraulic block of a slip regulation of a hydraulic vehicle power brake system that has a master brake cylinder bore and forms a master brake cylinder. In order to prevent a hard impact of a piston of the master brake cylinder against an end stop when the master brake cylinder is released, in particular when there is an abrupt release, for example when the foot slides off a foot brake pedal, a hydraulic return damper that is integrated in the piston is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Weh, Harald Guggenmos, Matthias Mayr, Stefan Kaserer
  • Controller and method for actuating at least one valve of a brake system of a vehicle, said valve being closed in the de-energized state
    Patent number: 10668911
    Abstract: A controller is configured to control at least one valve of a brake system of a vehicle that is closed in a de-energized state. The controller includes an actuation device configured to actuate the valve into an open state and to keep the valve in the open state. A holding current with at least one first average target current strength is output as a control signal by the actuation device to the valve. The holding current output to the valve is increased to at least one second average target current strength which is greater than the first average target current strength while taking into consideration provided information pertaining to a current rotational speed of an electric motor of a piston/cylinder device of the brake system and/or at least one current hydraulic pressure in at least one sub-volume of the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Bresser, Michael Knoop
  • Position determining method for a parking lock
    Patent number: 10668912
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a first actuating element of an electrical parking lock device of a motor vehicle, wherein the first actuating element is mounted on a spindle in an axially mobile manner, where the method includes a step in which the first actuating element is moved in an opening direction to a stop, the spindle is then rotated to move the first actuating element in a closing direction, the current input and the energy consumption of a driver are captured at this point, provision is then made for identifying a first reference point if the current input of the spindle drive increases or decreases by at least a first threshold value, the first reference point is assigned to the energy consumption that has been captured, where the first reference point corresponds to the first actuating element coming into contact with an actuating pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Eckhard Kirchner
  • Loading dock wheel chock system
    Patent number: 10668913
    Abstract: A wheel chock system includes a chock, a sensor disposed within the chock to sense the proximity to the tire, an outside light box, and an inside control panel. Lamps on the outside light box provide a visual indication as to when the chock is in close proximity to the wheel. Lights on the inside control panel provide a visual indication of the loading dock safety status. The wheel chock system further includes a controller coupled to the inside control panel, programmed to change visual indications of both the outside light signal box and the inside control panel, based at least on the sensor and a loading dock door sensor. The wheel chock system further includes a camera positioned to view the tire and the chock and convey an image of the tire and the chock to a display on or near the inside control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DL Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Metz, Joshua L. Eppley
  • Method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10668914
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive-train (1) of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission connected between the internal combustion engine and a drive output, and a brake assembly. While the motor vehicle is traveling, if a manual command is given or if defined operating conditions exist, the drive-train (1) is operated in a coasting mode, in which the drive-train (1) is disengaged and the internal combustion engine is turned off. If the internal combustion engine, turned off for the coasting mode, fails to restart despite the existence of a signal to restart the internal combustion engine, a braking process is initiated automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Michael Gierling
  • Transmission for electric vehicle
    Patent number: 10668915
    Abstract: A transmission for an electric vehicle, may include a concentric deceleration device for receiving power from a motor shaft and for decelerating; an output shaft disposed in parallel with the input shaft; a hollow shaft rotatably provided on the input shaft; a clutch device provided to switch the transmission state of power from the input shaft to the hollow shaft; a first synchronizer having a hub fixed to the input shaft; a second synchronizer having a hub fixed to the hollow shaft; a plurality of driving gears having different sizes and provided on the input shaft and the hollow shaft to be engaged with at least one of the first synchronizer and the second synchronizer; and a plurality of driven gears provided on the output shaft to be engaged with the plurality of driving gears to form different shift ratios, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Ma Ru Kang, Sun Sung Kwon, Yong Uk Shin, Seong Wook Ji, Soon Ki Eo, Chon Ok Kim, Il Han Yoo, Min Ho Chae, Yong Sug Choi, Ki Tae Kim
  • Control device for hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 10668916
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a battery, includes an electronic control unit configured to: i) set a target SOC which is a target value of an SOC of the battery when the hybrid vehicle arrives at a prescribed charging base; ii) when the hybrid vehicle is traveling outside the charging base, control output of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor such that the SOC at a time when the vehicle arrives at the charging base is the target SOC; and iii) estimate a charging possibility which is a possibility that the battery is charged with an external power source in the charging base when the hybrid vehicle arrives at the charging base, and set the target SOC lower when the estimated charging possibility is high than when the estimated charging possibility is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Takahashi, Mitsuhiro Tabata
  • Drive system and drive control method
    Patent number: 10668917
    Abstract: In a drive system including a battery, a power generation device (PGD) including a generator mounted to an engine shaft, and a drive device (DD) including a motor for driving a driven component, a drive controller performs a drive control for PGD and DD and a switching control for a switching device. During a parallel connection, respective high-voltage side terminals (HVTs) of PGD and the battery are connected to a HVT of DD, and respective low-voltage side terminals (LVTs) of PGD and the battery are connected to LVT of DD. During a series connection, HVT of any one of PGD and the battery is connected to HVT of DD, and LVT of another one of PGD and the battery is connected to LVT of DD, and terminals of PGD and the battery, which are not connected to DD, are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Miyama, Masaki Yamada, Takeshi Mori, Shigeki Harada, Moriyuki Hazeyama
  • Control device for vehicle
    Patent number: 10668918
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for a vehicle. A control device for a vehicle includes a vehicle that includes an engine and a main motor, and a transmission equipped with first and second input shafts which are respectively connected to the engine via first and second clutches, an output shaft through which power is output to drive wheels, first and second transmission mechanisms which respectively includes a plurality of transmission gears selectively joined to the first and second input shaft respectively, and an ECU. When the main motor is driven and when the engine is stopped, the ECU determines that the vehicle travels using power of the engine using the transmission gears of one of transmission mechanisms in a case where defective engagement release occurs such that a transmission gear of the other transmission mechanism is not disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Iwashita, Naoyuki Mimatsu
  • Object detection apparatus and object detection method
    Patent number: 10668919
    Abstract: An object detection apparatus acquires a lateral position which is a relative position of a target to the own vehicle, and determines that a first target is present, as the target, ahead of the own vehicle and that a second target is present between the first target and the own vehicle. The object detection apparatus determines, based on the lateral position of the first target and a limiting value which indicates a width in the lateral direction, whether the first target is present on a traveling course of the own vehicle. The object detection apparatus sets the limiting value such that when the second target is not present, sets as the limiting value, a predetermined reference value, and when the second target is present, sets as the limiting value, a value different from the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Yosuke Ito, Jun Tsuchida, Masayuki Shimizu