Patents Issued in June 9, 2020
  • Patent number: 10676086
    Abstract: A steering assist apparatus comprises a steering assist control means for performing a lane tracing assist control (LTA) and a lane changing assist control (LCA) and a non-holding determination means for determining whether or not a first non-holding condition that a non-holding duration time is more than or equal to a first time is satisfied and whether or not a second non-holding condition that the non-holding duration time is more than or equal to a second time shorter than the first time is satisfied. The steering assist control means raises a warning when the second non-holding condition becomes satisfied and stops the LTA when the first non-holding condition becomes satisfied while performing the LTA, and raises a warning when the second non-holding condition becomes satisfied whereas continues the LCA until a completion condition of the LCA becomes satisfied regardless of the non-holding while performing the LCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Fujii, Kentaro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10676087
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a lane change intention detector that detects an intention of a lane change by an occupant of a vehicle, a recognizer that recognizes a surrounding situation of the vehicle, and a lane change controller that determines whether the lane change by the vehicle is possible based on the surrounding situation recognized by the recognizer, and changes a lane of the vehicle to another lane, independently of a steering operation of the occupant of the vehicle, based on a detection result of the lane change intention detector and the determined result, wherein the lane change controller decides a starting timing of the lane change based on whether a predetermined time has passed or the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance after the intention of the lane change is detected by the lane change intention detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Nishiguchi, Idhsada Sanguanwongthong, Hiroyuki Koibuchi
  • Patent number: 10676088
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a powertrain control system. The method includes receiving data measured from a plurality of sensors, the measured data relating to distance dependent speed values, and receiving information from one or more vehicle modules, the vehicle module information relating to distance independent speed values. The method further includes building a speed trajectory profile for a horizon window that includes a plurality of speed change regions represented by at least some distance dependent speed values or at least some distance independent speed values, and creating a synthesized speed profile for the horizon window by processing the speed trajectory profile. The synthesized speed profile optimizes efficiency of the powertrain control system at each of the plurality of speed change regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Junfeng Zhao, Steven E. Muldoon, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 10676089
    Abstract: A driving assistance device (30) that has: an information acquisition unit (31) that acquires the relative speed of a vehicle ahead and the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle ahead; a table (33) in which degrees of urgency that correspond to relative speeds and inter-vehicle distances have been pre-stored; and an ACC control unit (32) that reads out, from the table (33), a degree of urgency (x) that corresponds to the relative speed and inter-vehicle distance acquired by the information acquisition unit (31), finds a target acceleration/deceleration that has a slope (y) that is based on the degree of urgency (x) that was read out, and outputs the found target acceleration/deceleration as a control signal for controlling break pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Kazutaka Shimoda, Masaichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10676090
    Abstract: An agricultural spraying machine having a defined transport width includes a chassis supported on the ground and configured to be set into motion in a forward direction, and a sprayer boom mounted on the chassis. A controller operably controls an actuator influencing the propulsion speed or driving direction of the chassis or the sprayer boom for reducing an oscillation of the sprayer boom in the forward direction. The controller triggers the actuator in response to a detected or expected oscillation of the boom due to a resulting change of speed or travel direction of the chassis or sprayer boom. An oscillation in an opposite phase to the detected or expected oscillation of the sprayer boom is induced in the sprayer boom adapted to lead to the reduction or cancellation of the oscillation of the sprayer boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Kremmer, Valentin Gresch, Benedikt Jung
  • Patent number: 10676091
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes a vehicle driving control portion configured to permit reverse driving of the vehicle in a reverse direction while the automatic transmission is placed in a forward-drive low-speed gear position, with the motor/generator being operated in a negative direction to generate a negative torque, and a transmission shifting control portion configured to implement a control for promotion to establish the forward-drive low-speed gear position, when switching from forward driving of the vehicle to its reverse driving of the vehicle is required in the process of a shifting action of the automatic transmission to the forward-drive low-speed gear position. The transmission shifting control portion implements the control for promotion to establish the forward-drive low-speed gear position, according to a state of control of the engaging-side coupling device to be brought into its engaged state for establishing the forward-drive low-speed gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ishihara, Takahiro Kimura, Masato Yoshikawa, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Kenta Kumazaki, Kazuomi Okasaka, Atsushi Kayukawa, Daisuke Suyama, Mitsuru Maeda
  • Patent number: 10676092
    Abstract: A vehicle control device has an engine, automatic transmission, and torque converter disposed between the engine and the automatic transmission. The torque converter includes a lockup clutch coupling an input member to an output member of the torque converter. The control device has: a slip control portion controlling lockup clutch slip when deceleration running; and a fuel cut control portion performing an engine fuel cut when deceleration running and to terminate the fuel cut when an engine rotation speed is reduced to a predetermined rotation speed or less during the fuel cut, the fuel cut control portion being permitted to perform the fuel cut, based on lockup clutch slip pressure controlled by the slip control portion has reached a slip pressure value at which the engine rotation speed does not decrease due to a shortage of torque capacity of the lockup clutch even when the fuel cut is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Matsubara, Chikashi Ohta, Masami Kondo
  • Patent number: 10676093
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a recognition unit configured to recognize a situation in the surroundings of a vehicle, a lane change control unit configured to cause a lane of the vehicle to be changed from a first lane to a second lane without depending upon a steering operation of an occupant of the vehicle, and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a nearby vehicle travelling in a lane adjacent to the second lane and the vehicle are in a parallel traveling state in a case that the lane of the vehicle is changed to the second lane by the lane change control unit on the basis of the situation in the surroundings recognized by the recognition unit, wherein the lane change control unit causes control details of the lane change to be different between a case in which the determination unit determines that the nearby vehicle and the vehicle are in the parallel traveling state and a case in which the determination unit determines that the nearby vehicle and the vehicle are not in the par
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haruhiko Nishiguchi
  • Patent number: 10676094
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for determining a connection state of an all wheel drive (AWD) assembly in a vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a vehicle, a message indicative of a hazard and a hazard location on the road and determining a distance to the hazard location from the vehicle. In response to the distance to the hazard location being below a first threshold distance, a state for an AWD assembly in the vehicle is set to a connect state. In response to the distance to the hazard location being above the first threshold, the time for the vehicle to reach the hazard location is determined. If the time to the hazard location is below a threshold AWD connection time, the state for the AWD assembly is set to the connect state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R Ekonen, Mitchell Holland, William Blake Brown, Matt Griffith
  • Patent number: 10676095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improved gear shifting of a vehicle having an Otto-engine and a vehicle transmission with a manually actuated clutch of the vehicle transmission, comprising the steps of: determining a first set of condition parameter values, said parameters comprising clutch position, requested engine torque and engine speed; determining if the first set of condition parameter values meet first predetermined conditions; if the first predetermined conditions of said first set of condition parameter values are met, activating a function for interrupting fuel provision of the engine before disengaging the vehicle transmission during gear shifting. The invention also relates also to system and a computer program product for implementing the method and a motor vehicle equipped with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Erik SunnegÄrdh, Magnus Johansson
  • Patent number: 10676096
    Abstract: Disclosed are a road surface condition sensing system and method. The road surface condition sensing system includes an acoustic sensing unit for sensing an acoustic signal of a floor of a vehicle, and a control unit for calculating a feature vector by Fourier transforming the sensed acoustic signal, comparing the calculated feature vector with a plurality of previously stored feature vectors and returning a first feature vector having the smallest relative distance to the calculated feature vector, and outputting a road surface condition corresponding to the first feature vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO-HELLA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinwook Kim, Ki-Man Kim, Beom-Kyu Kim, Ha-Bit Park
  • Patent number: 10676097
    Abstract: Historical vehicle telematics data, corresponding to trips known to have been driven by specific persons within a limited pool of potential drivers, may be processed to generate a statistical model that is customized for those persons. Once generated, the custom statistical model may be used to process vehicle telematics data from trips where it is known that the driver was one of the drivers in the pool of drivers, but the specific identify of the driver is not known. Because the statistical model is specifically optimized or designed to distinguish among the drivers in the pool, the model may be more accurate than universal driver identification models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Meghan Sims Goldfarb, Scott Thomas Christensen, Taylor Michael Thiel, Anuj Dahiya
  • Patent number: 10676098
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for guidance, control, and testing of autonomous vehicle features and a driver's response thereto. The system may activate a plurality of autonomous driving features of an autonomous vehicle. In response to a determination to initiate a driving test, the system may generate an indication to a driver of the autonomous vehicle of the initiation of the driving test and may deactivate or adjust parameters of one or more of the plurality of autonomous driving features. The system may receive, from one or more sensors of the autonomous vehicle or one or more sensors of a mobile computing device within the autonomous vehicle, driving data associated with the autonomous vehicle. Based on the driving data associated with the autonomous vehicle, the system may determine the driver's response time and actions taken by the driver during the driving test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventor: Soren K. Lundsgaard
  • Patent number: 10676099
    Abstract: A method for processing data for a driving function of a vehicle is described, a predefined quantity of computation units being provided; the computation units supplying data, in particular redundant data, to a decision unit; the decision unit deciding, based on a comparison of the data delivered by the computation units, whether the data are correct; a synchronization unit being provided; the synchronization unit synchronizing the computation units in such a way that the computation units deliver the data to the decision unit in a specified time period; and the synchronization unit informing the decision unit as to when the data are transmitted by the computation units, so that the decision unit can specify which data of the computation units are used for a check of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Muehlmann, Armin Ruehle, Rainer Baumgaertner
  • Patent number: 10676100
    Abstract: A control system and diagnostic method for a hybrid vehicle having a hybrid powertrain each utilize a controller comprising (i) a hybrid control processor (HCP) and (ii) a motor control processor (MCP), a monitoring circuit that is distinct from the controller and is configured to monitor operation of the HCP and the MCP, and a gate drive circuit that is distinct from the controller and the monitoring circuit and is configured to enable/disable torque output by the hybrid powertrain based on first, second, and third independent shutoff signals. A diagnostic method performs a shutoff line integrity verification routine by performing six steps corresponding to different combinations of shutoff signals in a predetermined test sequence. These shutoff signals are provided to three independent shutoff lines, which are connected between (i) the gate drive circuit and (ii) the HCP, the MCP, and the monitoring circuit, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Mayuresh Karandikar, Shawn X Duan, Feisel Weslati
  • Patent number: 10676101
    Abstract: A vehicle control system including: a recognition unit that is configured to recognize a peripheral situation of a subject vehicle; an automated driving control unit that is configured to execute a plurality of driving modes including an automated driving mode of automatically performing at least one of speed control and steering control of the subject vehicle, and switch a driving mode that is executed on the basis of the peripheral situation recognized by the recognition unit; a communication unit that is configured to transmit information related to switching sites switched to a driving mode in which the degree of automated driving is low by the automated driving control unit on the basis of the peripheral situation recognized by the recognition unit to an external device, and receive information related to a specific site derived on the basis of the information related to the switching sites, which is collected from vehicles, from the external device; and an information providing unit that is configured t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunimichi Hatano, Masahiko Asakura, Naoto Sen, Masaaki Abe
  • Patent number: 10676102
    Abstract: Provided is a control system (1) for a hybrid vehicle (8) which is configured to directly transmit an output of an internal combustion engine (2) to a driven wheel (17) via a lockup clutch (18) and transmit an output of an electric motor is to the driven wheel by disengaging the lockup clutch depending on an operating state of the vehicle. The control system is configured to activate a warning unit (36, 37) when the oil pressure is below a prescribed oil pressure threshold value and the rotational speed of the engine detected by the rotary encoder is higher than a rotational speed threshold value. The rotational speed threshold value is a first threshold value when the lockup clutch is fully disengaged, and a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value when the lockup clutch is fully engaged, being engaged and being disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Nakamura, Shinji Takuno, Masanori Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10676103
    Abstract: A system for operating an automated vehicle includes a perception-sensor, a display, and a controller-circuit. The perception-sensor is used to determine a rendering of an area proximate to a host-vehicle. The display is operable to convey to an operator of the host-vehicle a position of an object present in the area in accordance with the rendering. The controller-circuit is in communication with the perception-sensor and the display. The controller-circuit is configured to operate the host-vehicle in an autonomous-mode, and operate the display to convey to the operator a history of the position of the object in accordance with the rendering. The history is conveyed in response to initiating a transition of operation of the host-vehicle from the autonomous-mode to a manual-mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Nandita Mangal, Michael H. Laur
  • Patent number: 10676104
    Abstract: A driving assist device is provided, which includes a processor configured to execute an inference module to infer that a timing of a line-of-sight movement or blink detected by a camera near a predicted timing is a timing of a recognizing action of a driver for a subsequent travel segment of a plurality of travel segments that constitute a traveling course of a vehicle, an information providing module to provide the driver with assisting information for the subsequent travel segment before the timing of the recognizing action inferred by the inference module, and a providing timing changing module to change a providing timing of the assisting information according to a quantity of the assisting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuka Minegishi, Keiichi Tomii, Yasutaka Kajiwara, Takahiro Tochioka
  • Patent number: 10676105
    Abstract: A mechanical-electrical drive for a conveying element which can be operated in a power network with an AC voltage of between 350 volts [V] and 450 volts [V]. The mechanical-electrical drive has an electrical drive motor with a motor shaft and a drive wheel, coupled to the motor shaft in positive and/or negative fit, and a control and regulating unit for the electrical drive motor. The electrical drive motor and the drive wheel can be positioned on a conveying vehicle. It is intended that the mechanical-electrical drive should be capable of integration into existing AC power systems, with lower weight and smaller dimensions have a better degree of efficiency, and at the same time also have a lower maintenance requirement. For this purpose the electrical drive motor, which includes a housing, is configured as a brushless permanent magnet synchronous motor, wherein the drive wheel is coupled free of transmission to the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AFT AUTOMATISIERUNGS-UND FÖRDERTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Dirk Joos
  • Patent number: 10676106
    Abstract: A train control system that can be integrated into a locomotive having a distributed power mode. The train control system includes a router interposed in a communication link between the locomotive computer and the distributed power module that is responsible for telling the locomotive computer whether distributed power mode is active or inactive. The train control system controls the router to obtain any locomotive operational data sent from the locomotive computer to the distributed power module for use by the train control system. The router may additionally intercept and block communications from the distributed power module to the locomotive computer and replace the communications with messages that cause the locomotive computer to provide locomotive operational data that is would not otherwise output in a particular distributed power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: New York Air Brake, LLC
    Inventor: Keith Wait
  • Patent number: 10676107
    Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Nicholas Bjone
  • Patent number: 10676108
    Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, railcars for shipping automobiles, and methods of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles to enable more efficient shipping of automobiles by facilitating conversion of autorack cars between unilevel, bi-level and tri-level configurations, and/or by providing increased load factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity Rail Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cencer, Robert C. Ortner, George S. Creighton, Andrew Brown, James R. Mitzenberg
  • Patent number: 10676109
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Patent number: 10676110
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a compression strut comprises a first strut body comprising a threaded end and a hollow end, and a second strut body comprising a threaded end and a shaped end. The hollow end of the first strut body is slidably coupled to the shaped end of the second strut body. A spring is disposed between the first strut body and the second strut body configured to resist longitudinal compression of the compression strut. The first strut body is rotationally coupled to the second strut body so that rotation of the first strut body also rotates the second strut body and rotation of the second strut body also rotates the first strut body. A first ball end is threaded to the first strut body and a second ball end is threaded to the second strut body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Huck
  • Patent number: 10676111
    Abstract: A device for force transfer between a chassis frame and a carriage body of a rail vehicle includes a plurality of lemniscate links which are connected to the chassis frame via first joints, a yoke having a middle linking point in which the carriage body can be mounted, wherein the plurality of lemniscate links are connected to the yoke via second joints and form a Z-shaped assembly, where elastically deformable elements are arranged in the in the yoke and the first and second joints, and includes limiting means for receiving impact loads that exceed the operating load so as to limit the maximum deflection of the middle linking point of the yoke in a tractive force direction parallel to a tractive force acting on the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Karner, Radovan Seifried, Thomas Willidal
  • Patent number: 10676112
    Abstract: An axle box suspension includes: an axle beam including an axle beam main body portion extending from the axle box in a car longitudinal direction and a pin portion projecting from a tip end of the axle beam main body portion in the car longitudinal direction; a tubular elastic bushing including an inner tube portion, an outer tube portion, and an elastic portion interposed between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion, the inner tube portion being fitted to the pin portion; an adapter attached to the outer tube portion and coupling the axle beam and the bogie frame; and a first stopper attached to the pin portion and configured to, when the axle box is displaced relative to the bogie frame toward one side in the car longitudinal direction by a predetermined distance, contact the adapter to restrict displacement of the axle box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Yoshi Sato, Yukitaka Taga, Yousuke Tsumura, Keiichiro Kamura, Fumikazu Kounoike, Koichi Murata, Francois Olivier Uchida, Yuta Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 10676113
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an interior wall and guard strips magnetically coupled to the interior wall. Each of the guard strips comprises a cushioning material for absorbing impact. The guard strips are configured to prevent an object loaded in the railcar from contacting the interior wall. The railcar further comprises protected magnetic fastening systems coupling each of the guard strips to the interior wall. Each of the protected magnetic fastening systems comprises a magnet and a rod comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the magnet, and the second end extends through the guard strip. The protected magnetic fastening system may further comprise a cup washer coupled to the second end of the rod and secured with a fastener. The cup washer partially surrounds the fastener to restrict objects larger than the cup washer from contacting the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jonathan P. Aukes
  • Patent number: 10676114
    Abstract: A collision energy absorbing device of a railcar includes: at least one outside plate constituting an outer tube having an axis extending in a car longitudinal direction; and at least one partition plate extending in the car longitudinal direction in an internal space surrounded by the at least one outside plate, the at least one partition plate fixed to the at least one outside plate and dividing the internal space. An end portion of the partition plate which portion is located at an end in a direction perpendicular to the axis is sandwiched by the at least one outside plate and constitutes a part of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Sano, Naoaki Kawakami, Naohiro Yoshida, Shinichiro Hata, Seiichiro Yagi, Masayuki Tomizawa
  • Patent number: 10676115
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors that are configured to obtain a constraint on movement for a first vehicle system along a route. The constraint is based on movement of a separate second vehicle system that is concurrently traveling along the same route. The processor(s) are configured to determine a speed profile that designates speeds for the first vehicle system according to at least one of distance, location, or time based on the constraint such that the first vehicle system maintains a designated spacing from the second vehicle system along the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Brian Nedward Meyer, James D. Brooks, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Dan Dai, Anup Menon
  • Patent number: 10676116
    Abstract: A cover plate for a junction box may include a plate portion configured to cover an opening of the junction box. The cover plate may include a mast portion configured to couple with equipment configured to be mounted on a mast. The cover plate may include an offset portion coupling the mast portion with a front side of the plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Harp
  • Patent number: 10676117
    Abstract: A canopy assembly is provided for a ride-on vehicle including a canopy and a canopy frame assembly. The canopy frame assembly has a housing, a release member connected to the housing, a canopy support extending through the housing, and a connector connected to the canopy support. The canopy support has a first stop adjacent a first end of the canopy support and a second stop adjacent a second end of the canopy support. The release member engages the canopy support at the first stop to maintain the canopy support in the first position, wherein the canopy support is retracted, and at the second stop to maintain the canopy support in the second position, wherein the canopy support is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Fitzwater, Collin Ostergaard
  • Patent number: 10676118
    Abstract: Each of detection units detects electrostatic capacitance values Cc, Cr, Cl produced between sensors and a passenger H, based on electrical signals Sc, Sr, Sl outputted from the sensors, respectively. A total value calculation unit sums electrostatic capacitance values Cc, Cr, Cl to calculate a total value Ct of the electrostatic capacitance values Cc, Cr, Cl. A comparison determination unit compares the total value Ct with a first threshold value Cth1 to make a contact determination of whether the passenger H is in contact with a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Patent number: 10676119
    Abstract: There is provided a steering wheel to make it possible to install a covering member on a rim section main body portion in a wide range and with a good external appearance. A steering wheel base section includes the rim section main body portion that configures a rim section. The rim section main body portion is provided with a groove along the rim section main body portion. The groove is provided with a first line-shaped groove and a second line-shaped groove that is less bent than the first groove. The covering member is wrapped around the rim section main body portion of the steering wheel base section. The covering member is provided with divergence covering sections disposed along the first groove with the first groove interposed therebetween. The covering member straddles the second groove at a position of the second groove and connects the divergence covering sections by a covering base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Yamami, Katsuya Muramatsu, Masahiro Ooka
  • Patent number: 10676120
    Abstract: An adjustable motor vehicle steering column may include a casing tube, a guide tube that is axially movable in the casing tube, a steering spindle that is received by the guide tube and is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis, an energy absorption element that is disposed between the guide tube and the casing tube and deforms and absorbs impact energy during a vehicle crash, a deformation means that deforms the energy absorption element during the vehicle crash, and an adjustment device for axially moving the guide tube into an adjustment position and fixing the guide tube in the adjustment position. The absorbable impact energy may be substantially independent of component tolerances of the energy absorption element and the deformation means such that the energy absorption reaches a substantially predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Amir Abou Alam
  • Patent number: 10676121
    Abstract: A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe, Joen C. Bodtker, Bryan L. Faist
  • Patent number: 10676122
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a tilt fixing device for a vehicular steering column wherein no tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between a stationary gear and a movable gear when the driver conducts a tilt locking operation; even if such a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs, a first elastic member installed between the movable gear and a load support member enables tilt locking of the steering column; and, if an external impact is applied, the movable gear slides and meshes with the stationary gear by means of elastic force from the first elastic member such that there occurs a stable tilting operation of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: HyunBi Kwon
  • Patent number: 10676123
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a support bracket, a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, an energy absorbing mechanism that includes a puller, a clamp rail fixed to the inner shroud portion including a slot that extends axially along the inner shroud portion, the slot defining two opposing walls which each carry a row of teeth, the two rows thereby being spaced apart from one another with the teeth extending towards each other; the puller being positioned adjacent the slot, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud, and a toothed block having a row of teeth on each side, the pitch between teeth of each row being equal to, or a whole multiple of, the pitch of the teeth of the corresponding row of the slot. The block is supported by a carrier element that moves in response to rotation of the clamp bolt to move, in turn, the toothed block between a clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Jan Dite
  • Patent number: 10676124
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, a clamp rail fixed to the inner shroud portion including a slot that extends axially along the inner shroud portion, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud that may be rotated around its long axis by operation of a locking lever, and a toothed block that is connected to the clamp bolt having a row of teeth on each side, the pitch between teeth of each row being equal to, or a whole multiple of, the pitch of the teeth of a corresponding row of the slot. The toothed block is supported by a carrier that moves in response to rotation of the clamp bolt to in turn move the toothed block between a clamped position and an unclamped position and supports the toothed block such that the toothed block is free to move from side to side when in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Jan Dite
  • Patent number: 10676125
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, a clamp rail fixed to the inner shroud portion, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud, a toothed block that is connected to the clamp bolt and is displaced on rotation of the clamp bolt, and a carrier element that supports the toothed block and is movable in response to rotation of the clamp bolt to in turn move the toothed block between a clamped position and an unclamped position and is free to move from side to side relative to the slot. A frangible pin secures the toothed block to the carrier element, the frangible pin having a first end located in a bore in the toothed block and a second end located in a bore in the carrier element, the toothed block being supported on a shoulder of the frangible pin, and a clearance is provided between the frangible pin and the walls of one of the bores to permit side to side movement of the toothed block relative to the carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Jan Dite
  • Patent number: 10676126
    Abstract: A rotation control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a steering shaft. The rotation control assembly also includes a driving tab rotatable with the steering shaft. The rotation control assembly further includes a driven tab rotatable relative to the steering shaft, the driving tab adapted to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the steering shaft. The rotation control assembly yet further includes an end stop positioned to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the driven tab to the end stop, engagement of the driven tab and the end stop limiting rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10676127
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus of a vector control system that compensates a dead time of an inverter without tuning operation, improves a distortion of a current waveform and a responsibility of a current control, and suppresses a steering sound, a vibration and a ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takase, Ryo Minaki, Hideki Sawada, Takayoshi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10676128
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for inverter commutation techniques for five-phase synchronous motor drives. An example method for five-phase motor control of a five-phase motor in a steering system includes receiving, by a processing device, a commanded modulation index mi, a phase advance angle ?, and a measured position ?m. The method further includes generating, by the processing device, five duty cycles for each phase of the five-phase motor based at least in part on the commanded modulation index mi, the phase advance angle ?, and the measured position ?m. Each of the duty cycles includes a fundamental component and an injected harmonic component. The method further includes performing, by the processing device, a pulse width modulation technique on each of the five duty cycles to generate on-times for a plurality of switches in phase legs of an inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Prerit Pramod, Zhe Zhang, A K M Arafat
  • Patent number: 10676129
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention a steer by wire steering system includes a deviation detection unit configured to determine a deviation signal that is indicative of a disturbance in one or more components coupled to a rack. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel notification module configured to generate a modification signal based on the deviation signal, in response to the deviation signal being detected for at least a predetermined duration. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel control module that generates an input command corresponding to a reference torque generated by a road wheel actuator, a feedback torque for a driver is generated based on the input command. The handwheel control module further modifies the input command using the modification signal, the modification providing a notification corresponding to the disturbance to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Prerit Pramod, Julie A. Kleinau, Michael Eickholt, Rangarajan Ramanujam, Dennis B. Skellenger, Steven D. Klein
  • Patent number: 10676130
    Abstract: A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A power controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Alyn G. Brown
  • Patent number: 10676131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for at least semi-autonomously manoeuvring a motor vehicle (1), in which a sensor (4) is used to determine a position value describing a current relative position between an object (8) in an area (7) surrounding the motor vehicle (1) and the motor vehicle (1), a driving trajectory (13) is determined, the motor vehicle (1) is manoeuvred along the determined driving trajectory (13), the position value is continuously updated during manoeuvring of the motor vehicle (1) on the basis of odometry, and contact between at least one wheel of the motor vehicle (1) and the object (8) is detected, wherein the position value is corrected if the contact between the at least one wheel and the object (8) is detected and the position value describes a relative position which differs from the contact between the at least one wheel and the object (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Thirumalai Kumarasamy Ayyappan
  • Patent number: 10676132
    Abstract: A suspension member includes: a front frame including a front cross member extending in a vehicle width direction; a rear frame at least partially made of light metal and including a rear cross member extending in the vehicle width direction, the rear frame being placed on a vehicle rear side of the front frame and joined to the front frame; and a protective member joined to the rear cross member so as to form a closed section together with the rear cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ayaka Kagami, Kazuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10676133
    Abstract: A tension rod supporting part (14) is provided at a sub-frame front structure (10) of a front part of a front sub-frame (5); the side member (6) is disposed upward in one side and extended rearward from the tension rod supporting part (14); a rack arrangement step (A) opened downward for arranging a steering rack (55) is formed behind the tension rod supporting portion (14) and under the side member (6); and a stabilizer support part (62) is provided in the rack arrangement step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Masaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10676134
    Abstract: A dash cross member which extends in a vehicle width direction is provided at a dash panel. A hinge-pillar reinforcing member which rigidly connects a hinge pillar to a side sill is provided at a lower end portion of the hinge pillar. A load-transmission portion (a dash reinforcement) to transmit a load which is inputted to the hinge-pillar reinforcing member in an inward direction of the vehicle width direction to the dash cross member is provided at the dash panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Uchiba, Atsushi Kawamoto, Hiroto Kido, Yasushi Ishikawa, Daisuke Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 10676135
    Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure includes: a pair of front side members extending along a length direction of a vehicle and disposed on left and right sides of the vehicle in a width direction of the vehicle; a dash panel extending in the width direction and a height direction of the vehicle; a front pillar extending in the length direction and the height direction of the vehicle; a fender apron upper member disposed outside each of the pair of front side members in the width direction of the vehicle, extending along the length direction of the vehicle and connected to each of the pair of front side members, the dash panel, and the front pillar; and a first reinforcing member extending along the height direction of the vehicle, of which a first end portion is connected to the fender apron upper member and a second end portion is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung Min Jeong