Patents Issued in June 30, 2020
  • Patent number: 10696091
    Abstract: Embodiments of this application disclose an apparatus having a decorative pattern. The apparatus comprises: a bearing layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; an adhesive layer provided on the first surface of the bearing layer; and a pattern layer provided on a surface in of the adhesive layer away from the bearing layer and the pattern layer comprising a body and a pattern structure integrated with the body. With the technical solution disclosed in the embodiments of this application, an overall thickness of the apparatus may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SHINE OPTOELECTRONICS (KUNSHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10696092
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for manufacturing spokes from a wire material, in particular for at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicles. The spokes include a spoke shaft having at least two shaft sections. The shaft sections differ in at least one cross-section. For shaping the cross-sections, the wire material is reshaped at least in sections by means of a shaping tool. The relative position of the wire material relative to the shaping tool is varied in the axial direction during reshaping. For shaping the cross-sections in the two shaft sections the relative position of the wire material relative to the shaping tool is varied by way of different positioning movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Alberto Lafuente, Benedikt Barandun, Adrian Scheidegger
  • Patent number: 10696093
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes providing a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 10696094
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a bicycle wheel assembly may include a first damper configured to be disposed about a hub assembly of the bicycle wheel assembly. The first damper is configured to apply a damping force against a spoke segment of at least one spoke of a plurality of spokes of the bicycle wheel assembly. The first damper includes a first end applying the damping force against the spoke segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Emmett Dunlap, III
  • Patent number: 10696095
    Abstract: The present invention is a unique tire flap for use on off-road vehicle wheel assemblies utilizing standard safety rims, tires, rim locks, and inner tubes, so that the vehicles can operate in high performance off-road conditions under low or extremely low tire pressures (4psi-10psi), without incurring flats due to a pinched tube. The tire flap of the present invention is made from low density impact absorbent foam, such that the flap absorbs the energy of a first and second type pinch tire condition that prevents the inner tube from rupturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: James E. Curry
  • Patent number: 10696096
    Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular shear band and at least one spoke disk connected to the shear band, wherein the spoke disk has at least two spokes, wherein each spoke extends between an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein one of the spokes extends from the outer ring to the inner ring in a curved manner. The second spoke extends from the outer ring to the inner ring in a straight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Philip Carl Van Riper, Joseph Carmine Lettieri, Rebecca Anne Bandy, Addison Brian Siegel, Mahdy Malekzadeh Moghani, Andrew Brent Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 10696097
    Abstract: The tire has a load index that is at least 118 and two layers of reinforcing elements. Each of the layers has a breaking force per unit width that is higher than 2900 daN/dm. A minimum strength per unit width, measured for an elongation of less than 10%, of the second layer is greater than 20% of the minimum strength per unit width, measured for an elongation of less than 10%, of the first layer. The reinforcing elements of the first layer have a thread count that is higher than 300 tex. The reinforcing elements of the two layers have a thread count of less than 750 tex. The elongation of the reinforcing elements of the second layer are greater than 8% under a force of 20 daN and the secant elastic modulus values under tension at 10% elongation, Mt, Mj, satisfy the relationship Mt/Mj?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE, S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Francia, Yves Potin, Florian Vilcot
  • Patent number: 10696098
    Abstract: Pneumatic vehicle tire includes a carcass, a belt with at least three belt plies arranged one on top of the other in a radial direction and being arranged radially outside the carcass and a profiled tread arranged radially outside the belt. The at least three belt plies include a radially inner belt ply and a radially outer belt ply are working plies having parallel strength members that are embedded in rubber so that, when viewed in a circumferential direction of the vehicle tire, the strength members of the radially inner belt ply have an opposing axial direction of inclination to the strength members of the radially outer belt ply. A generally zero-degree ply is arranged between and in contact with the two working plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Theresia Becker, Maike Schulte
  • Patent number: 10696099
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes first and second circumferential grooves, an intermediate land portion, wedge portions, intermediate land portion lug grooves, and a circumferential narrow groove. The circumferential grooves are provided in a tread surface. The intermediate land portion is formed between the circumferential grooves. The wedge portions are provided in the tire circumferential direction at the second circumferential groove and incline in the tire circumferential direction. The intermediate land portion lug grooves are provided with ends in communication with the circumferential grooves and divide the intermediate land portion into block portions in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10696100
    Abstract: The tire tread having a tread surface and a total thickness E and at least one main groove which opens when new onto a tread surface. In the vicinity of this main groove, at least one discontinuous secondary groove has a plurality of hidden parts and a plurality of open parts. The open parts are open onto the tread surface when new. The main groove and the discontinuous secondary groove have roughly identical main directions. The mean distance L1, which is a distance measured at the open parts between the mean surface of the main groove and the mean surface of the discontinuous groove, is less than the mean distance L2 measured between the mean surface of the main groove and the mean surface of the discontinuous groove in the regions of the discontinuous groove that do not have open parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Gayton, Saliou Dieng
  • Patent number: 10696101
    Abstract: This pneumatic tire includes, on the tread surface, land portions defined by circumferential main grooves extending continuously in the tread circumferential direction and by tread edges. An intermediate land portion on one side in the tread width direction, adjacent to the tire equatorial plane side of the outermost circumferential main groove on the one side, is formed into blocks only by sipes extending in the tread width direction, an intermediate land portion on the other side in the tread width direction, adjacent to a tire equatorial plane side of an outermost circumferential main groove on the other side, is formed in a ribbed shape, and intermediate land portion lug grooves are formed in the intermediate land portion on the other side, with one end opening into the outermost circumferential main groove on the other side, and the other end terminating within the intermediate land portion on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10696102
    Abstract: A tire includes a tread portion being provided with a pair of circumferentially and continuously extending shoulder main grooves and at least one crown main groove between the shoulder main grooves to form a pair of middle portions each of which is between adjacent one crown main groove and one shoulder main groove. Each of the middle portions is provided with a circumferentially and continuously extending longitudinal sipe, a plurality of inner middle sipes extending axially outwardly from the crown main groove and terminating without reaching the longitudinal sipe and a plurality of outer middle sipe extending axially inwardly from the shoulder main groove and terminating without reaching the longitudinal sipe. The number of the outer middle sipes is greater than the number of the inner middle sipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10696103
    Abstract: Provided are a tire abrasion confirmation system, a method thereof, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program. That is, according to the present invention, while tire information on the tire mounted on the vehicle is stored in the server, a server confirms an abrasion degree of a tire according to a correlation between a driving distance of a vehicle according to air pressure information of the tire and GPS information based on data on the air pressure information of the tire transmitted from the vehicle, the driving distance of the vehicle, and the like and the GPS information transmitted from a terminal positioned in the vehicle and provides the confirmed abrasion degree of the tire, thereby preventing accidents caused by abrasion of the tire in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SK PLANET CO., LTD.
    Inventor: GiDong Lee
  • Patent number: 10696104
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire, and other objects, having an aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic surface treatment are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Martin A. Yurjevich, Craig Balnis
  • Patent number: 10696105
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tire pressure sensor identification method, a related apparatus and system. A tire pressure sensor identification apparatus in the present invention includes a storage module configured to store identity information of a tire pressure sensor, a communications module configured to communicate with an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle, a processing module and a radio frequency transmission module configured to output identity information. The tire pressure sensor identification apparatus may output the stored identity information to a corresponding vehicle, so that the vehicle can still identify the tire pressure sensor even if the tire pressure sensor is not in an activated state. It is convenient for a user to perform a uniform identification operation after uniformly collecting the identity information, thereby improving identification efficiency of the tire pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: AUTEL HECHUANG SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD., AUTEL INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong Wu
  • Patent number: 10696106
    Abstract: A rotary union for a tire inflation system may comprise a stator and a rotor assembly, and may be contained entirely within the space formed by a hubcap and wheel end. The rotor assembly may be mounted to the interior of a hubcap. The rotor assembly may comprise a tube that extends into the stator. The tube may be sealed in the rotor assembly by a first annular seal, and may be sealed in the stator by a second annular seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Equalaire Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kevin Hennig
  • Patent number: 10696107
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a fail-safe device, a tire pressure measurement system, a vehicle, a tire, a method and a computer program for monitoring a first sensor of a tire pressure monitoring system. The fail-safe device includes a first input for a first signal from the first sensor. The first signal indicates a first physical quantity. The fail-safe device includes a second input for a second signal from a second sensor. The second signal indicates a second physical quantity. The fail-safe device further includes a control module to verify the first signal based on the second signal and a physical relation between the first and the second physical quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Kandler, Thomas Lange, Jooil Park
  • Patent number: 10696108
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer readable storage medium for a method for detection and notification of a tire leak is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a tire leak detection system, sensor data from one or more tires. The method further includes determining, by the tire leak detection system, an occurrence of a leak anomaly in at least one of the one or more tires based on the sensor data. The method further includes predicting, by the tire leak detection system, a time and/or distance the at least one of the one or more tires will function ineffectively. The method further includes outputting, by the tire leak detection system, a code to a user or server indicating a leak type associated with the leak anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Joseph K. Moore, Anushya Viraliur Ponnuswami, Amin Abdossalami
  • Patent number: 10696109
    Abstract: The invention provides a sensor assembly for force sensing, the sensor assembly comprising: a first portion having a first and a second through hole, a second portion having a third and fourth through hole, and a first pin and a second pin coupling the first portion to the second portion. At least one out of the first and the second pin comprises a magnetoelastic based sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress-induced magnetic flux emanating from a magnetically polarized region of the pin. The magnetoelastic based sensor comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor in an at least partially hollow portion of the pin, which field sensor is configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction. The invention further provides a tow coupling comprising the sensor assembly. The invention further provides a method for detecting a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10696110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (11), in particular a passenger car, comprising a retainer (20), which is arranged on or can be fastened to the motor vehicle (11), and a retainer part (30), which can be detachably fastened to the retainer (20) and which has a retainer insertion projection (33) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20), wherein the retainer part (30) has an integrated locking device (70) having at least one locking body (71) and has an actuation body (73), which is supported in the retainer part (30) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body (71) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body (71) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle (72) on the retainer (20) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle (72) in a detaching position (L), the retainer insertion projection (33) of the retainer part (30) therefore being interlockingly locked in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Gerald Krohn
  • Patent number: 10696111
    Abstract: An adjustable hitch is provided. The adjustable hitch includes a hitch body operatively coupled to a mount whereupon a hitch ball may be coupled. A coupling assembly may pivotably couple the mount to the hitch body, wherein the coupling assembly facilitates movement of the mount, and thereby the hitch ball, between a first position and a second position with respect to the hitch body. The adjustable hitch may be releasably coupled to a hitch receiver tube that is coupled to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Rhino Hitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Hatley
  • Patent number: 10696112
    Abstract: A towing hitch receiver structure for a vehicle is disclosed. The towing hitch receiver structure includes a torsion tube; and a receiver structure mounted to the torsion tube at a center position between both ends. The receiver structure supports a receiver tube positioned below the torsion tube. The receiver structure includes a pair of side receiver plates, each plate having an opening that encircles the outer cross-section of the torsion tube and is secured to the torsion tube by a weld. The side plates are parallel to each other and to the receiver tube in the lengthwise direction. Because the receiver plates make up each side of the receiver structure, the torsion tube is allowed to bend freely. Provided the arrangement of side receiver plates, the hitch structure can be made using thinner, lighter weight parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Herb Meingast, Daniel Mount, Kyle A. Banner, David C. Smith, Peter D. Susi
  • Patent number: 10696113
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a railcar-moving vehicle having a highway mode for operation on roadways, and a rail mode for operation on rails. The railcar-moving vehicle including a support system, at least one drive axle with rubber tried drive wheels, and at least one pair of steering tires and two spaced apart rail bogies suspended by the support system. The railcar-moving vehicle including a weighted sled frame slidably mounted to the support system, the sled frame translatable between the front end and the rear end of the support system for optimizing weight distribution for increasing traction by the bogies when in rail mode. The bogies retained in an elevated and stowed position during highway mode and in a lowered position when in rail mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CUSTOM TRUCK & EQUIPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Scott Allen Lang, Dwight Johannes Thelwell
  • Patent number: 10696114
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a rear frame, a front frame and a coupling body. A height of a vertical section of the front frame is shorter than a height of a vertical section of the rear frame tube, and a ground clearance of an upper face of the front frame tube is shorter than a ground clearance of an upper face of the rear frame. The coupling body connects a rear end of the front frame with a front end of the rear frame. An upper face member of the coupling body includes a forwardly descending sloped face that interconnects an upper face of the rear frame with an upper face of the front frame. A front differential unit is mounted on the front frame. A front drive shaft having a constant velocity joint extends from the front differential unit forwardly of the coupling body and upwardly of the front frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: John White
  • Patent number: 10696115
    Abstract: An omnidirectional movement system includes a frame with a central axis extending from a first end to a second end; a support extending from the first end to the second end; a first set of Mecanum wheels connected through a first axle and connected to the frame; a second set of Mecanum wheels connected through a second axle and connected to the frame; and a flexible suspension system connecting the frame to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventors: Glynn R. Bartlett, Cody E. Bressler, Cody M. Porter, Michael A. Ripperger
  • Patent number: 10696116
    Abstract: An air spring connecting device for mounting an air spring strut on a vehicle may include an air spring support bearing having a head bearing receiver, a head bearing having at least one cylindrical outer surface, and a piston rod that is axially guided through the head bearing and is sealed in an airtight manner relative to the head bearing. The head bearing may be positioned in the head bearing receiver of the air spring support bearing positioned coaxially relative to the piston rod. An airtight connection may be formed between the head bearing receiver and the head bearing. A press connection element may be positioned in direct contact with the head bearing receiver and the head bearing. A sealing element may be positioned in a region of the head bearing receiver between the air spring support bearing and the head bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Jens Priess, Matthias Becker
  • Patent number: 10696117
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a shock absorber of a suspension device of a utility vehicle includes a shock absorber and a vehicle body frame. The shock absorber is supported on a support portion of the vehicle body frame from below the vehicle body frame, and a rollover protective structure (ROPS) is connected to the support portion from above the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hisamura, Yusuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10696118
    Abstract: A radial conveyor has a multi-mode wheel assembly located at each side of its chassis. Each wheel assembly is movable with respect to the chassis between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. In the non-deployed state the wheel assemblies support transport of the radial conveyor. In the deployed state the wheel assemblies support radial movement of the conveyor. The wheel assemblies can also be raised and lowered with respect to the chassis. This allows the ground clearance of the chassis, and the overall height of the radial conveyor to be adjusted, as well as facilitating transition between operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Terex GB Limited
    Inventors: Terence Bratton, Mark Mawhinney
  • Patent number: 10696119
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a damping force variable damper that controls the damping force variable damper includes: a controller configured to control a damping force variation rate at a time of variation in a damping force of the damping force variable damper to be a predetermined damping force variation rate which is smaller than a predetermined oil hammer occurrence damping force variation rate at which an oil hammer occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihito Yamamoto, Atsuto Ogino
  • Patent number: 10696120
    Abstract: A leveling valve (101) for discharging and supplying air from and to a plurality of utilization elements (205a, b), in particular pneumatic suspension bellows, includes a valve arrangement (103) for directing air between a source (207) of pressurized air, an exhaust port (3) and the utilization elements, a supply port (1) in fluid communication with the valve arrangement (103) and the source (207) of pressurized air, and an exhaust port (3) having an exhaust air channel (a) for discharging exhaust air. The exhaust port (3) includes at least one air-permeable damping element, which is at least partly positioned within the exhaust air channel (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO Europe BVBA
    Inventors: Marek Repela, Przemyslaw Zak
  • Patent number: 10696121
    Abstract: Method for adjusting the damping force of shock absorbers connected between a vehicle body and a wheel at vehicle corners of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one damping force (FLIFT, FPITCH, FROLL) which is referred to a center of gravity of the vehicle body and is divided between axles of the vehicle and between the shock absorbers of the axles is determined as a function of at least one variable which represents a movement of the vehicle body and/or a movement of the respective wheel. For at least one of the damping forces which are referred to the center of gravity of the vehicle body, at least one division factor for the division of the damping forces is calculated between a front axle and a rear axle, and the division of the respective damping force (FLIFT, FPITCH, FROLL) is adapted on the basis of this division factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochen Liebold, David Caredda
  • Patent number: 10696122
    Abstract: An annular reference surface is formed around a through-hole of an eye portion. A distal-end-side curved portion is formed at a first corner portion, on an outer side of the annular reference surface. The thickness of the distal-end-side curved portion is reduced in a range of a length from the first flat surface toward the distal end surface. A hole-side curved portion whose thickness is reduced toward an inner surface of the through-hole is formed at a second corner portion, on an inner side of the annular reference surface. The length of the hole-side curved portion is less than the length of the distal-end-side curved portion. The hole-side curved portion is curved with a greater curvature than that of the distal-end-side curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sakurai, Yoshihiro Koshita, Akihiko Nishikawa, Akifumi Otani
  • Patent number: 10696123
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel tank and suspension system. In one example, a system may include arranged a dampener between the fuel tank and the suspension system. The dampener may be configured to couple to the fuel tank or suspension system such that a threshold distance between a spud of the fuel tank and a stability bar of the suspension system may be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Tehcnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nour-Eddine Fellague, Harish Dutt, Peyman Aghssa, Roberto Jimmy Pellillo, Sean Timothy Ryan, Sai Gnanarka Gomatham, Mohammad R. Aghili
  • Patent number: 10696124
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coupling device for a stabilizer of a suspension. The coupling device has a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion that is supported thereon. One coupling portion has a connection location for the stabilizer and another coupling portion has a connection location for a wheel suspension. and the coupling device also has a locking device, which, in a locking position, limits a relative movement of the second coupling portion with respect to the first coupling portion in a first direction. In order to better protect a stabilizer from overload, the locking device is configured in a release position to release the relative movement when a first force acting between the connection locations exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Keuser
  • Patent number: 10696125
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a casing, a heater core that heats an air flow by heat exchange between the air flow and a heat medium, an electric heater that heats an air flow by an electric power, and a determiner that determines whether a temperature of the heat medium is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. When the determiner determines that the temperature of the heat medium is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, an air flow introduced into a casing is heated by the electric heater and flows toward the vehicle interior without passing through the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Yasuhiko Niimi, Jun Yamaoka, Takashi Saitou
  • Patent number: 10696126
    Abstract: An air-conditioning unit for a vehicle has a case, a blower, a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger. The cooling heat exchanger is located upstream of the blower inside the case. The heating heat exchanger is located downstream of the blower inside the case. The ventilation passage includes a before-heating passage extending from an air discharge port of the blower toward an air inlet of the heating heat exchanger. The before-heating passage includes, as a part of the before-heating passage, a flow-changing path that is curved to change a flow direction of the air discharged from the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Kato, Yoshihiko Okumura, Ryo Kobayashi, Yasuhiro Sekito, Tetsuya Kono, Yuki Tsumagari, Kira Oiwa
  • Patent number: 10696127
    Abstract: Provided is a high-voltage equipment cooling system for electric-powered vehicles, which is capable of cooling high-voltage equipment (an IPU herein) at an optimum air flow rate without impairing the air-conditioning state of a vehicle interior. This high-voltage equipment cooling system is equipped with an IPU cooling ECU with a control unit, which controls the air flow rate of an IPU fan on the basis of information related to the air blowing method for the IPU, information related to the air flow rate of a blower fan, information related to the selection of inside air circulation mode or outside air introduction mode by an HVAC, information related to the selection of one of air blowing modes by the HVAC, and information related to the air flow rate to be supplied to the IPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shusei Terayama
  • Patent number: 10696128
    Abstract: A cold storage heat exchanger includes: a plurality of refrigerant tubes disposed at intervals, each of the refrigerant tubes including a refrigerant passage that allows a refrigerant to flow therethrough; a cold storage material adjacent to the refrigerant tubes; and a heat transfer suppressor that suppresses heat transfer from the refrigerant tubes to the cold storage material in an overheated area of the refrigerant formed in the refrigerant passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Abei, Toshiya Nagasawa, Eiichi Torigoe, Naohisa Ishizaka, Norihide Kawachi, Yuusuke Kitou, Ken Nishimura, Masakazu Nagaya
  • Patent number: 10696129
    Abstract: A method and system for remotely controlling a mobile climate control system for a vehicle is provided. The method allows for remote connection of a smart device to a mobile climate control system. The mobile climate control system may comprise a single HVAC system and thermostat or may comprise multiple HVAC systems and thermostats which provide multi-zone climate control for a vehicle, such as for non-limiting example, a recreational vehicle (RV). In some other embodiments, the system may comprise multiple HVACs and a single thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventor: Bryan B. Bergin
  • Patent number: 10696130
    Abstract: A heating and air conditioning system for a motor vehicle including a housing having an air outlet, a heating heat exchanger disposed inside the housing with a warm air path to heat air flowing therethrough, a warm air duct having a warm air intake opening and a warm air duct discharge opening disposed downstream of the heating heat exchanger channeling a partial flow of warm air from the warm air path to the air outlet, and a mode control damper rotatable about a rotational axis and connected downstream of the warm air duct in terms of flow, wherein the air outlet may be selectively opened completely or partially, and in a closed state may be partially or completely closed. The mode control damper functions simultaneously as the control damper for controlling the volume of air exiting the warm air duct discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Torsten Klein, Detlef Handwerk, Antonio Marques Ferreira, Ralph Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 10696131
    Abstract: A method for operating a climate-control system of a vehicle using an initial ambient (outside the vehicle) air temperature calculated based upon a current air temperature measured by a temperature sensor located on a side-mirror of the vehicle. A previous air temperature is stored at or before an engine shut-down time. At a subsequent engine start time: a) the temperature sensor on the side-mirror determines the current air temperature; b) a solar radiation on the vehicle is measured; and c) a duration since the previous air temperature was stored is determined. If, at the engine re-start time; a) the duration exceeds a threshold value; and b) the current air temperature is higher than the previous air temperature, then the initial air temperature is calculated from: a) the current air temperature, b) the previous air temperature, and c) the solar radiation. The climate-control system is operated using the calculated initial temp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sandra Krolewski, Dietmar Fischer, Klaus Schuermanns
  • Patent number: 10696132
    Abstract: An air-conditioning control system includes an air-conditioning device mounted in a host vehicle, a determination unit mounted in the host vehicle or a server and configured to determine whether a boarding position at which a boarding event in which an occupant boards the host vehicle occurs is a point with a predetermined attribute, and a control unit mounted in the host vehicle and configured to control the air-conditioning device based on a determination result from the determination unit. The control unit sets a ventilation capacity of the air-conditioning device to be greater when the determination unit determines that the boarding position is a point with the predetermined attribute than when the determination unit does not determine that the boarding position is a point with the predetermined attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Maya Inui, Masahiro Shoji
  • Patent number: 10696133
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, detecting a battery fault of a battery of an electrified vehicle, activating a HVAC system ON, commanding the HVAC system to a fresh air mode, communicating fresh air into a passenger cabin, and expelling battery vent byproducts from the passenger cabin through at least one air extractor vent during key-on or key-off states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon M. Dawson, James J. Gibbons, Thomas M. Gwozdek, Edward Popyk, Rick Lagerstrom, Josephine S. Lee, Mark Polster
  • Patent number: 10696134
    Abstract: Systems and methods can determine whether an air conditioning (AC) system of the vehicle is being operated under a maximum cooling condition. Responsive to determining that the AC system is being operated under the maximum cooling condition, it can be determined whether vehicle fluid temperatures meet associated predetermined thresholds. If none of the vehicle fluid temperatures meet the associated predetermined thresholds, a heater core valve can be switched to a closed position to reduce a flow rate of the coolant through a heater core. If one or more of the vehicle fluid temperatures meet the associated predetermined thresholds, the heater core valve can be switched to an open position to increase the flow rate of the coolant through the heater core. Such systems can force coolant to flow through the heater core to reduce vehicle fluid temperatures even when the AC system is being operated under the maximum cooling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Cosgrove, Hidekazu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 10696135
    Abstract: The HVAC system of a vehicle passenger compartment with air flow alteration, which pertains to the system of air conditioning with several working modes for air conditioning of the passenger compartment, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventors: Vladimir Ceperkovic, Nikola Bulatovic
  • Patent number: 10696136
    Abstract: A method for climate control for an interior of a motor vehicle includes acquiring climatically relevant data of the interior and/or surroundings of the vehicle, creating a thermodynamic model of a vehicle climate system, the model including at least one of a first thermal capacity of the interior and a first heat loss of the interior, introducing into the interior a quantity of air having a temperature different from an existing interior temperature, calculating at least one of a second thermal capacity of the interior and a second heat loss of the interior existing after the air quantity is introduced into the interior, and adapting the thermodynamic model to include at least one the second thermal capacity and the second heat loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global TEchnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Markowitz, Dietmar Fischer, Walter Mayer
  • Patent number: 10696137
    Abstract: A control unit for a climate control system for a vehicle, comprising; a monitoring module arranged to monitor at least one demand representative of an environmental parameter change within the vehicle and/or at least one active user input relating to an environmental parameter within the vehicle; a storage means storing a control policy for configuring at least one climate control element; a feedback module configured to receive the at least one demand from the monitoring module and to receive a simulated control policy from a simulation module; wherein the feedback module is configured to update the control policy, based on the simulated control policy, in response to receiving the at least one demand; and an implementation module for controlling said at least one climate control element in accordance with said control policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Diana Hintea, James Brusey, Neil Beloe
  • Patent number: 10696138
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a compressor of a vehicle capable of turning-on/off a compressor based on coolant pressure of an air conditioner in the winter and a method thereof are provided. The control apparatus includes a compressor that is configured to reduce a temperature by compressing a coolant of an air conditioner and a controller that is configured to operate the compressor, to confirm an operation coolant pressure of the air conditioner after operating the compressor. The controller also operates the compressor based on the operation coolant pressure of a measured coolant pressure of the air conditioner when an ambient temperature of the vehicle is less than a reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yeong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 10696139
    Abstract: A method (300) of de-icing a return air intake of a transport refrigeration system is provided. The method comprises using a controller for controlling the refrigeration system; determining (306) when de-icing mode is required; deactivating (308) an evaporator and an evaporator fan of the refrigeration system when de-icing mode is required; activating (310) a heater when de-icing mode is required; adjusting (312) the temperature of the heater to a selected temperature; deactivating (314) the heater when the heater has reached the selected temperature; and permitting (316) the refrigeration system to remain deactivated for a selected time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Benedict
  • Patent number: 10696140
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle including an engine, which serves as a power source and is configured to allow a cooling water to flow therethrough, includes a cooling water circuit, a heater, temperature sensors, and an output controller. The cooling water circuit allows the cooling water to circulate therein in a heating operation. The heater serves as a heat source, other than the engine, configured to heat the cooling water circulating in the cooling water circuit. The temperature sensors are connectable to the cooling water circuit and are configured to detect a temperature of the cooling water. The temperature sensors are positioned upstream and downstream of at least one of the engine and the heater. The output controller is configured to adjust at least an output of the heater based on the temperatures of the cooling water detected by the temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okamoto, Takayuki Watanabe