Patents Issued in June 30, 2020
  • Patent number: 10696141
    Abstract: A synchronous motor control device includes: a DC power supply; an inverter main circuit; a three-phase synchronous motor; and an inverter control unit that outputs a PWM signal used to control the inverter main circuit. The inverter control unit includes: a PWM signal generation unit; a start-up control unit that outputs a start-up voltage command value to the PWM signal generation unit at the time of start-up; a steady state control unit that calculates a steady state voltage command value in a steady state and outputs the value to the PWM signal generation unit; and a steady state control parameter initial value calculation unit that outputs an initial value of a control parameter to the steady state control unit such that an output voltage vector from the inverter main circuit to the three-phase synchronous motor is consistent before and after switching from the start-up to the steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kashima, Tomohiro Kutsuki, Tomomi Higashikawa, Akiyoshi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 10696142
    Abstract: A rotating shaft assembly having a deployable screw thread is provided. The rotating shaft assembly includes a rotating shaft which transmits rotational force, and a plurality of screw units that are slidable in a longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft. A plurality of deployable portions are moved away from the rotating shaft when the deployable portions are pressed from one side by a pressing device. Additionally, the deployable portions are deployed outward when the screw units are pressed by the pressing device that moves along the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: HYundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seong-Bin Jeong
  • Patent number: 10696143
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving vehicle indoor air quality, may include a controller configured to correct and verify air dust concentration data; determine dust concentration outside a vehicle based on the verified data; and control an operation mode of an air conditioning device according to the determination; and the air conditioning device, wherein an operation of an intake door configured to control an introduction of outdoor air into the vehicle is controlled in response to signals of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Ho Kwon, Gee Young Shin
  • Patent number: 10696144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sun blind system for a motor vehicle, having two guide rails, in each of which a guide band is received, and a flat blind body which is connected to the two guide bands, wherein a receiving channel is provided on each guide rail for the corresponding guide band, said channel having two guide sections which are connected together by a deflecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Adelmann, Dirk Eis
  • Patent number: 10696145
    Abstract: A roller tarp system for covering a truck bed includes a first pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to one side of the truck bed and a second pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to an opposite side of the truck bed. A generally hollow and cylindrical tarp spool extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The tarp spool is rotatably coupled between the first and second pivot arm assemblies for rotatably supporting a flexible tarp cover. A drive assembly is housed within the tarp spool adjacent one of the first and second ends. The drive assembly is operatively coupled between one of the first and second pivot arm assemblies and the tarp spool for selectively rotating the tarp spool and actuating the tarp system between an open position uncovering the truck bed and a closed position covering the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Roll Rite LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Hunter, Douglas Piccard, Robert Malcolm, James Pinon
  • Patent number: 10696146
    Abstract: An articulating front top cover assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The articulating portion is operably connected to a frame. An articulating portion movable between at least a closed position over the front vehicle compartment and open position for an open air feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin, Stephen J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10696147
    Abstract: A vehicle closure member sealing system includes a first seal including a first bulb section and an inflatable geometric feature disposed on a discrete portion of the first seal. The inflatable geometric feature includes a second bulb section separate from the first bulb section. A pressure source is configured to communicate a fluid into the second bulb section to inflate the inflatable geometric feature between a first position and a second position. The vehicle closure member sealing system may be utilized to seal a side door or liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shunmugam Baskar, Lohitha Dewasurendra
  • Patent number: 10696148
    Abstract: The present disclosure reduces the displacement or fall of a glass run caused by temperature changes. A rivet 40 penetrates a planar opposing portion 10 of a sash and a planar mounting portion 22 of a trim strip in a thickness direction to fasten the planar opposing portion 10 and the planar mounting portion 22 together in the thickness direction. A base 31 of a glass run 30 is provided with an engagement protrusion 36 arranged adjacent in a lengthwise direction of an automobile to a swaged portion 42 of the rivet 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Taketomo
  • Patent number: 10696149
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes an energy storage system, an integrated drive system assembly having a gearbox, a power inverter, and an electric motor, wherein the gearbox, the electric motor and the power inverter are assembled into a single unit with a multi-piece housing. The electric vehicle may also include two half shafts for respective wheels of the electric vehicle. The gearbox, the electric motor and the power inverter may be oriented such that the gearbox extends along a center line of the electric vehicle and the electric motor and the power inverter extend from the gearbox in opposite directions. The electric vehicle may also include a mutual thermal management system coupled to the integrated drive system assembly and having at least one liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter, the gearbox, a cooling system, a refrigeration system, and an HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin M. Pearce, Jr., Jim Robbins, Benjamin D. Dettmann, Nicholas R. Kalayjian, Michael R. Kubba
  • Patent number: 10696150
    Abstract: A vehicle drive apparatus including a first rotating shaft driven by torque from a driving source, a second rotating shaft disposed around the first rotating shaft, a motor-generator including a rotor, a first rotor fitted on the first rotating shaft through a first fitting portion, a second rotor fitted on the second rotating shaft through a second fitting portion and fitted in a shaft of the rotor through a third fitting portion, a first and second bearings rotatably supporting the second rotating shaft and the shaft of the rotor, and a one-way clutch disposed in an inward side of the rotor and between the first and second bearings. A radial gap at the first fitting portion is larger than a radial gap at the second fitting portion, and is larger than a radial gap at the third fitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 10696151
    Abstract: A transmission system selectively coupled to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine arranged on a vehicle includes a transmission, a motor generator, a master clutch and a controller. The transmission includes an input shaft, a mainshaft, an output shaft and a countershaft offset from the input shaft. The countershaft is drivably connected to the first input shaft and the mainshaft. The motor generator is selectively coupled to the countershaft. The master clutch includes a driving portion connected to the engine crankshaft and a driven portion coupled to the transmission input shaft and adapted to frictionally engage the driving portion between open and closed positions. The controller selectively operates the transmission system in a first operating mode that includes defueling the engine while the vehicle is moving based on vehicle operating conditions and routes rotational energy from the output shaft, through the countershaft and into the motor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Stoltz
  • Patent number: 10696152
    Abstract: A heat exchanger cooling system may include a frame provided in a duct housing and formed of two sections, each of the two sections being divided into two sub-sections, a single motor provided in the frame, and a drive device configured to be driven by the single motor, wherein air flaps provided in the respective sub-sections are simultaneously controlled by operation of the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jong-Woo Nam, Kyu-Kwon Bang, Min-Soo Oh, Won-Sik Kim, Seung-Jin Kang, Dong-Guk Lee
  • Patent number: 10696153
    Abstract: A box and a lid that form a fuel filler hole or a charging socket of a car body, the lid including a lid mounting part, and a box mounting arm including a box engaging pin. An open/close spring is attached to the box mounting arm. The box includes a box body, and an arm housing part extending from the box body and including an arm guide that guides the box mounting arm. The box engaging pin of the box mounting arm of the lid is guided into the arm guide of the box and attached to an arm engaging part of the box, while the open/close spring abuts on a connecting point (a spring mounting portion) between an inclined part and a step part of the arm housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sasaki, Takashi Momiyama, Shinji Shimokawa, Masachika Aoki, Osamu Tokura
  • Patent number: 10696154
    Abstract: A cooperating rack structure comprising at least two modules affixed to legs and a method of reduced weight vertical storage of fuel tanks for use in motor vehicles wherein the fuel tanks form a cooperating portion of the rack superstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Mark Arold, Joseph Hudak, Christopher Jaeger, Tae Kim, Derrin Olischefski
  • Patent number: 10696155
    Abstract: A fluid system for a vehicle is provided. The fluid system is configured to couple to a chassis of the vehicle. A frame assembly of the fluid system is configured to couple with the chassis directly or with another component that is coupled, directly or indirectly, with the chassis. A cowling of the fluid system can enclose a fuel pressure vessel and an auxiliary fluid vessel. The auxiliary fluid vessel is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the component powered or operated by the fluid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Todd F. Sloan, Chris Forsberg, Joseph Anthony Leduc, Tobiah R. Halter
  • Patent number: 10696156
    Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle is provided, the transaxle having plurality of inward protrusions on an internal surface thereof. A motor block in the housing includes has one or more first depressions. At least one reduction gear assembly in the housing has one or more second depressions. At least one bearing in the housing for supporting an axle has one or more third depressions. The various inward protrusions on the internal surface of the housing interact with the one or more first depressions to retain the motor block in the housing, the one or more second depressions to retain the reduction gear assembly in the housing, and the one or more third depressions to retain the bearing in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10696157
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a power take-off for driving an implement and a hydrostatic unit for transmitting power from the engine to the power take-off. The hydrostatic unit includes a first hydraulic power unit having a first connection line and a second connection line, and a second hydraulic power unit having a first connection line and a second connection line. The hydrostatic unit also includes a valve for connecting the first hydraulic power unit and the second hydraulic power unit, the valve being positionable at least in a first position, in a second position and in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Alessandro Benevelli
  • Patent number: 10696158
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle axle and, more specifically, a transmission shaft on an automotive vehicle that can be connected and disconnected in order to allow selection of driving power for the vehicle. The shaft connection includes a first shaft segment; a second shaft segment; and a connector linking the first shaft segment to the second shaft segment. The connector selectively connects or disconnects the first shaft segment to the second shaft segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: José Francivaldo Pereira De Lemos
  • Patent number: 10696159
    Abstract: An information providing apparatus includes one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processors, cause the processors to acquire, by a display unit, information on a predetermined position outside a moving body to display an information providing image for providing information associated with the predetermined position as a virtual image; and control the display unit to change a display position of the information providing image according to movement of the moving body. The display position of the information providing image is changed such that a deviation amount between the predetermined position and a position at which a straight line passing through a reference point within the moving body and the display position of the information providing image reaches a surface on which the moving body is moving decreases as a distance between the moving body and the predetermined position decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiroh Saisho, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masato Kusanagi, Yuuki Suzuki, Keita Katagiri
  • Patent number: 10696160
    Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting vehicle media may include obtaining personal data of a vehicle operator and obtaining contextual data about the vehicle operating. The method may further include generating a distraction-level value that represents a degree to which the vehicle operator may be distracted from the media. The method may further include generating a distraction threshold value. The method may further include determining that the distraction-level value exceeds the distraction threshold value and adjusting the media in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Teja Rekapalli, Alexander L. Greer, Theodora Cheng
  • Patent number: 10696161
    Abstract: An operating knob for an operating apparatus extends away from a reference plane that delimits the operating knob on a rear side. The operating knob is in the form of a three-dimensionally protruding body in relation to the reference plane up to a knob height. The operating knob has at least one side wall extending between the reference plane and the knob height at an angle greater than 20° with respect to the reference plane as a placement surface for at least one finger operating the operating knob. Luminous outputs of at least one luminous segment or a pixel matrix are provided on the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques Hélot, Joris Mertens, Immo Redeker
  • Patent number: 10696162
    Abstract: A control device includes a driving device for controlling a function of a vehicle, a display device for at least one piece of information relative to this function, and a receiving surface of the driving device and the display device. The control device is mounted translatably on the receiving surface and relative to the display device. The distance between the display device and the driving device is adjustable by moving the control device relative to said the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Zakaria Benchikhi
  • Patent number: 10696163
    Abstract: A method of regenerative braking includes providing an electric motor including at least one stator and a rotor, a speed of the rotor, a motor controller that regulates a current level in the stator winding, a power inverter which controls an energy flow to the stator terminal, and an energy storage system (ESS) which exchanges energy with the motor. A battery management circuit is between the power inverter and the ESS, and a processor has an associated memory storing a regenerative braking (RB) algorithm. The RB algorithm during braking causes the motor controller to execute determining an RB torque value from the rotor speed that maximizes regenerative braking current, and the power inverter is used to redirect the RB current to maximize a power transfer from the motor to the ESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aravind Samba Murthy, David Patrick Magee
  • Patent number: 10696164
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an autonomous braking request and a predicted average braking torque associated with the request having a magnitude less than a powertrain regenerative torque limit, brake the vehicle only with the motor according to a torque profile adapted from a most efficient torque profile of the motor so as to have an average value falling within a specified range of the average braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Zheng Liu, Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10696165
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a range extender (104) in an electric vehicle (100). The apparatus comprises means for receiving trip information, means for retrieving power usage information relating to a previous trip, the previous trip having trip information which is at least in part in common with the trip information; and means for activating the range extender (104) in dependence on said power usage information. The invention also extends to an associated method, computer product and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TEVVA MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Asher Bennett, Moria Bennett, John Hankinson, Malcolm Powell, Trevor Power, Robert Watson, Zhengye Zhu
  • Patent number: 10696166
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a machine with an electric drive and an energy storage system for the intermediate storage of recovered energy. The invention relates in particular to machines that function statically or quasi-statically with a primary electric drive and a secondary hydraulic drive that function in cyclical movements, such as in the form of a material-transferring device like an excavator or crane, having an electric drive with at least one electric motor for driving the drive train of the machine and with an energy storage system for the intermediate storage of reverse power released during towing and/or braking operation and transferred from the drive train to the electric motor. The invention also further relates to a method for operating a machine with an electric drive, in which energy recovered during a towing or braking operation is used to compensate for system losses or is stored temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Bieberach GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Münst, Daniel Bayer
  • Patent number: 10696167
    Abstract: A charging robot connects a contact-making device of an electric charging apparatus to an electric charging interface of a vehicle. The charging robot has a robot arm, which can be connected to the contact-making device. The robot arm is movable in at least three degrees of freedom in order to connect the contact-making device to the charging interface. The charging robot has a detection device for detecting an alignment of the vehicle charging interface. The robot arm has an adjuster for adjusting the contact-making device on the robot. Also described is a charging system for charging an electric energy store of a vehicle, and a method for adjusting the charging robot. The method includes detecting an alignment of the charging interface on the vehicle, and adjusting the contact-making device on the charging robot on the basis of the detected alignment of the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Timo Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10696168
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a vehicle body (4) and at least one electrical energy storage means. A charging connection apparatus is mounted to the vehicle body (4) and can be connected to a charging plug (8) supplied from the outside for charging the electrical energy storage means. The charging connection apparatus has an adapter (10) mounted to the vehicle body (4), a charging housing (12) mounted to the adapter (10) and a plug (14) mounted in the charging housing (12). The plug (14) is connected to the electrical energy storage means and can be connected to the charging plug (8). The adapter (10), the charging housing (12) and the plug (14) are configured to conform to the charging plug (8) in the country where the motor vehicle (2) is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Steffen Meier
  • Patent number: 10696169
    Abstract: A charging station for an electrically powered vehicle has a connection for an electrical energy source, an inverter and an electronic coil connected to the inverter for wireless energy-transferring coupling of the electrically powered vehicle. The inverter is configured to apply an alternating electric voltage to the electronic coil in resonant operation. The electronic coil is connected to the inverter by way of a compensating circuit with a settable passive electronic energy storage device. The compensating circuit is configured to set a frequency of the alternating voltage by means of the settable passive electronic energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manuel Blum, Thomas Komma, Mirjam Mantel, Monika Poebl
  • Patent number: 10696170
    Abstract: A method for changing at least one energy store of a vehicle and an energy store changing apparatus. The method includes steps for ascertaining the vehicle type and the provision of vehicle data relating to the ascertained vehicle type. The vehicle data includes data about the arrangement of the energy store in the vehicle. The position of the vehicle is ascertained on the basis of at least one physical reference point, and at least one energy store of the vehicle is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Neider, Stefan Mayr
  • Patent number: 10696171
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a charging method and a charging apparatus of a cleaning robot. With the method, position information of a plurality of charging ports available for the cleaning robot is obtained; when it is determined that the cleaning robot needs to be charged, current position information of the cleaning robot is obtained; a closest charging port from the plurality of charging ports which is the closest to a current position of the cleaning robot is determined according to the position information of the plurality of charging ports and the current position information of the cleaning robot; and the cleaning robot is controlled to move to the closest charging port according to the position information of the closest charging port. With the technical solution, the cleaning robot may be charged nearby, thereby reducing power consumption of the cleaning robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongfeng Xia, Ke Wu
  • Patent number: 10696172
    Abstract: A charging station for electric automobiles having a removable and/or folding hood and a circumferential sealing strip. The hood has a marginal sealing surface and the charging station is configured in such a way that the sealing strip and the sealing surface together form a continuous seal when the hood rests on the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, ads-tec GmbH
    Inventors: Raoul Heyne, Florian Joslowski, Michael Kiefer, Thomas Speidel, Matthias Bohner
  • Patent number: 10696173
    Abstract: A method for operating a system for supplying a vehicle with electrical energy, wherein the system has a charging station, an energy management unit and a translation unit. The translation unit has a first communications interface for communicating with the energy management unit, and a second communications interface which can be coupled for communication with the vehicle. In the event that the vehicle is coupled with the second communications interface, the system provides a minimum power parameter representative of a minimum electrical power that is to be supplied to the vehicle. A first evaluation matrix is provided to the translation unit via the first communications interface, which includes a first evaluation parameter for each future first time period and for each first power stage of electrical power to be supplied via the system. The evaluation parameter is representative of an output associated with a supply of the respective electrical power for each first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Enrique Marcial-Simon, Jens Berger
  • Patent number: 10696174
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling fast charging of an electric vehicle at a charging station. An electric vehicle in positioned in a given location for charging and/or discharging. A charging arm comprising a plurality of charging brushes is then positioned relative to the position of the electric vehicle. The plurality of charging brushes on the charging arm is positioned to contact a charging interface of the electric vehicle. The charging brushes are moved relative to the charging interface such that a portion of the charging brushes is removed as a result of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus McGrath, Reuben Sarkar, Keyur Shah
  • Patent number: 10696175
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine. The vehicle includes a controller configured to repeatedly adjust power outputs for the two inverters so that they differ to drive the difference toward zero and such that power provided to the electric machine satisfies demand until the difference falls below a second predetermined threshold. The controller may be configured to adjust responsive to a temperature difference between two inverters associated with the electric machine exceeding a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jiyao Wang, Wei Xu
  • Patent number: 10696176
    Abstract: A drive system for at least one axle of a motor vehicle can be controlled, wherein the drive system has at least one electrical machine as drive unit, a drive shaft which is driven by the drive unit, a first output shaft and optionally a second output shaft and also a first clutch which connects the drive shaft to the first output shaft and optionally a second clutch which connects the drive shaft to the second output shaft, and furthermore a control unit for controlling the drive unit and the clutches, wherein the first output shaft and the optional second output shaft are arranged on a common axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Volker-René Ruiters, Florian Sontheim, Rudolf Fitz, Emanuel Blaj, Gerd Kaiser, Enrique Cordero
  • Patent number: 10696177
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for decelerating by the regenerative braking of a motor connected to a drive shaft of a drive wheel calculates a torque command value for suppressing a vibration component of the drive shaft by feeding back a torsional angular velocity of the drive shaft to a desired torque that determines the power of the motor and controls the operation of the motor on the basis of the torque command value. The control device estimates a dead zone section, in which the torque of the motor in the vehicle is not transmitted to the drive shaft, on the basis of the desired torque and limits the torque command value in the case where the vehicle is in the dead zone section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Fujiwara, Akira Sawada, Sho Ohno
  • Patent number: 10696178
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system and method includes a prime mover driving a generator/motor to produce an AC power output. The AC power output is applied to a rectifier which is controlled to transform the applied AC power to DC power to supply a DC Power bus at a selected voltage and current. An energy storage device is also connected to the DC power bus and the current flow between the energy storage device and the DC power bus is monitored and compared to preselected values and the results of that comparison are used to alter the operation of the rectifier to increase or decrease, as needed, the current provided to the DC power bus as electrical loads on the DC power bus change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PEGASUS AERONAUTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew McRoberts, Joseph Kinsella, John Biskey, Carl Engelmann
  • Patent number: 10696179
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes a power supply device, a first outlet, a second outlet, and an electronic control unit. The first outlet configured to be connected to an external equipment that is not constituent equipment of the electrically powered vehicle. The second outlet is configured to be connected to an external equipment that is not constituent equipment of the electrically powered vehicle. While first power feed and second power feed are being executed simultaneously, in a case where first power feed electric power exceeds a first threshold or in a case where total electric power of the first power feed and the second power feed exceeds a second threshold, the electronic control unit is configured to temporarily stop the second power feed and continue the first power feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Ueo, Keisuke Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 10696180
    Abstract: A method and corresponding system for providing a charging park having a plurality of charging points, in which all of the charging points are connected to a medium-voltage grid by a common transformer with overloading capability. A power electronics system is provided at each charging point, which power electronics system is designed to perform a quick-charging operation of a connected electrically driven vehicle that is to be charged, and a power drawn from the medium-voltage grid jointly by the charging points at a respective time is monitored centrally and/or decentrally and continuously at a grid contact point connected upstream of the transformer in the direction of the medium-voltage grid. An average power drawn from the medium-voltage grid jointly by the charging points is in each case adjusted over a prescribed time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christoph Roggendorf
  • Patent number: 10696181
    Abstract: This disclosure describes vehicle systems and methods for controlling charging of an auxiliary (i.e., low voltage) battery of an electrified vehicle. Exemplary charging methods may dynamically adjust a low voltage setpoint of a power converter during the low voltage support. The proposed systems and methods therefore achieve constrained low voltage support by controlling the power drawn by the power converter at an appropriate level during the low voltage support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Changjian Hu, Josephine S. Lee, James Brian Keyse
  • Patent number: 10696182
    Abstract: An integrated and isolated onboard charger for plug-in electric vehicles, includes an ac-dc converter and a dual-output dc-dc resonant converter, for both HV traction batteries and LV loads. In addition, the integrated and isolated onboard charger may be configured as unidirectional or bidirectional, and is capable of delivering power from HV traction batteries to the grid for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications. To increase the power density of the converter, the dual-output DC-DC resonant converter may combine magnetic components of resonant networks into a single three-winding electromagnetically integrated transformer (EMIT). The resonant converter may be configured as a half-bridge topology with split capacitors as the resonant network components to further reduce the size of converter. The integrated charger may be configured for various operating modes, including grid to vehicle (G2V), vehicle to grid (V2G) and high voltage to low voltage, HV-to-LV (H2L) charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Alireza Khaligh, Yichao Tang
  • Patent number: 10696183
    Abstract: A transformer apparatus for a charging station for electrically charging vehicles. The charging station includes at least two charging points. The transformer apparatus includes an input connection for electrical connection to an electrical power source. The transformer apparatus further includes at least one primary winding, and connected downstream electrically in series, at least three electrically parallel secondary windings that are DC-isolated from one another. The secondary windings are configured to be connected to at least two output connections of the at least two charging points of the charging station by switching logic. The switching logic connects at least two secondary windings electrically in parallel with a respective output connection of a respective charging point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Roggendorf, Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 10696184
    Abstract: A casing for an onboard charger includes a sidewall having a first height and an internal wall having a second height less than the first height. A channel is defined by the internal wall and the sidewall. An inlet connects to a first end of the channel and an outlet connects to a second end of the channel. A heat dissipating liquid can flow into the channel through the inlet and out of the channel through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AitronX Inc.
    Inventors: Xinlu Tang, Jiangwei Li
  • Patent number: 10696185
    Abstract: A battery replacement device including a first linear motion mechanism, a second linear motion mechanism mounted on the first linear motion mechanism, a third linear motion mechanism mounted on the second linear motion mechanism, and a clamp mechanism mounted on one of the first, second, and third linear motion mechanisms. Each of the first, second, and third linear motion mechanisms includes a carrying member and a driving member configured to drive the carrying member to move translationally in one of a first axis direction, a second axis direction, and a third axis direction that build a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. A coordinate position of the clamp mechanism in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is adjusted by the first driving member, the second driving member, and the third driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, Mingxi Wang, Hongju Li
  • Patent number: 10696186
    Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an occupant of a seat. The system includes a sensing mat that includes an upper conducting layer and a lower conducting layer. At least one of the conducting layers comprises a printed electronic circuit separated into conductive zones by at least one resistive zone. The mat also includes a plurality of sensing zones and each of the sensing zones include a conductive zone from the upper conducting layer and a conductive zone from the lower conducting layer. Each of the conducting layers are connected to a controller configured to detect a change in capacitance of each of the sensing zones resulting from a change in distance between the upper conducting layer and the lower conducting layer. The controller is connected to a vehicle network and is configured to provide data to the network that indicates the absence or presence of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: David Wilson, Phillip Maguire
  • Patent number: 10696187
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger compartment having at least three seating areas and at least one clear area, located between two adjacent seating areas, wherein the passenger compartment includes at least one separating panel movable between a first position in which the separating panel extends outside the clear area and a second position in which the separating panel extends in the clear area, so as to separate the two associated adjacent seating areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Philippe Lalague
  • Patent number: 10696188
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle including the following: a vehicle body having side walls on both sides in a width direction that is perpendicular to the direction of travel, and having an expanded portion between the upper end and the lower end of the side wall, the expanded portion being expanded further outward in the width direction than the upper end and the lower end; and a seat provided in the vehicle body and having a seatback along the side wall and a seat surface that extends inward in the width direction of the vehicle body from the seatback, the portion of the rear surface of the seatback that faces the side wall and that protrudes the farthest towards the side wall being disposed in a position facing the expanded portion of an in-vehicle-side lateral surface of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kanemori, Nobuyuki Fujio, Yoshiki Okubo, Ryuji Karasawa
  • Patent number: 10696189
    Abstract: A vehicle seat control system comprises a plurality of seats, a plurality of wireless receivers arranged about the seats, a controller for each of the seats, and a data network between the wireless receivers and controllers. Each of the seats has a seat customization function controlled by its controller. The wireless receivers receive a wireless signal from a portable electronic device. At least one of the controllers measures signal strengths and times of flight for the wireless signal using the wireless receivers, analyzes the signal strengths and times of flight to detect a location of the electronic device, and determines if the location is in any of the seating zones. When the location is in one of the seating zones, the seat customization function for the seating zone with the location is controlled according to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: James Brackenbury, Samuel Hanlon, Karl Henn
  • Patent number: 10696190
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat for use with an occupant classification system (OCS). The seat comprises: a seat base including a seat base support, and a cushion pan mounted on the seat base support and forwardly moveable on the support to extend the seat base. The seat further comprises an intermediate layer fixed with respect to the seat base support and adapted for fastening to a component of the OCS so that when the seat base is extended by the cushion pan moving forward with respect to the seat base support, the intermediate layer does not move forward with the cushion pan but remains substantially stationary. The relationship between the various OCS components can therefore be maintained irrespective of the extension of the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham Hunt