Patents Issued in June 30, 2020
  • Patent number: 10696241
    Abstract: An all-weather non-enclosed-vehicle mounted system for recording video and audio. The weatherproof system comprises an interface for connecting various system components and external devices, a display monitor integrated into the same housing as an electronics module operable to receive the video and audio, and a memory operable to receive and store the video and audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Digital Ally, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason R. Troxel
  • Patent number: 10696242
    Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes pieces held together by a snap joint formed when a protrusion of the outer piece is received by a receptacle of the inner piece. The receptacle is formed by a pair of walls extending from a back side of the inner piece, and the protrusion is received between the pair of walls. Oppositely facing bulges engage with oppositely facing grooves to form the joint. Sidewalls of the bulges also engage with angled sidewalls of the opposite piece to form a robust interlocking joint in which multiple pairs of opposing surfaces are engaged with each other to prevent relative movement of the inner and outer pieces in multiple directions. The features that form the snap joint can be molded as integral parts of the pieces being held together without the need for separate clips or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Carl H. Smith
  • Patent number: 10696243
    Abstract: A vehicle containing a composite which has an alternating pattern containing groupings of woven fabric and groupings of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films. The composite has a thickness of less than about 5 mm. Each grouping of woven fabric contains at least one woven fabric layer, each woven fabric layer containing tape elements having a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. Each grouping of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films contain at least one biaxially oriented thermoplastic film which has a core layer of thermoplastic disposed between covering layers of a thermoplastic able to bond to polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Howell B. Eleazer
  • Patent number: 10696244
    Abstract: Provided is an exterior structure of a vehicle door. The exterior structure includes a first exterior member which is attached to the vehicle door and a second exterior member which is attached to the vehicle door. The first exterior member and the second exterior member are provided with an alignment portion which determines the position of the first exterior member in the vehicle forward and rearward directions via the second exterior member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayasu Bito
  • Patent number: 10696245
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that suppresses deformation of an exterior member. A power supply device is an apparatus for supplying power from a vehicle body to a sliding door. The power device includes: an exterior member, a vehicle-body-side holding portion for holding one end of the exterior member, and a door-side holding portion for holding the other end of the exterior member. The power supply device further includes: a connecting portion that can connect and disconnect the vehicle-body-side holding portion and the door-side holding portion while bending the exterior member in a state in which the vehicle-body-side holding portion holds the one end of the exterior member and the door-side holding portion holds the other end of the exterior member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Katoh, Masaki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10696246
    Abstract: A corrugated tube holder configured to retain a corrugated tube having a perfect circular shape in a cross section orthogonal to an axial direction of the corrugated tube, the corrugated tube having recessed portions extending around an outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube, the corrugated tube holder including a first protruding portion configured to be in an annular shape to engage with one of the recessed portions to retain the corrugated tube, the first protruding portion having an imperfect circular shape in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction when the first protruding portion is engaged with the one of the recessed portions to retain the corrugated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10696247
    Abstract: A wire harness has: wires each including a core wire that is formed from a conductor and an insulating covering that covers the outer periphery of the core wire; and an exterior material and a braided member, into which the wires are inserted. Each wire has a removed-covering section where the insulating covering has been removed partway in the longitudinal direction. The removed-covering section is covered by a webbed covering member, the outer periphery of which has insulating properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hagi
  • Patent number: 10696248
    Abstract: A grommet includes an inner side harness insertion portion extending toward an inner side of a vehicle, an outer side harness insertion portion extending toward an outer side of the vehicle, a lip mountain base integrated with the inner side harness insertion portion, a lip mountain integrated with the lip mountain base, a panel abutment portion abutting on a periphery of the through hole in an outer side surface of a vehicle body panel, a connection portion connecting the lip mountain and the panel abutment portion, a work unit formed across the outer side harness insertion portion and the panel abutment portion, and a work pressing portion integrated with the outer side harness insertion portion and the work unit. A plurality of recesses are formed between facing surfaces of the work pressing portion and radially arranged about a central axis of the outer side harness insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuya Yoshimura, Ryohei Toyoda, Yasunori Hattori, Tomoyoshi Katayama, Akinori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10696249
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wearable device comprising one or more sensors is presented that receives one or more physiological parameters of a user sensed by the one or more sensors and causes adjustment of one or more vehicle parameters based on the one or more physiological parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Adrienne Heinrich, Ronaldus Maria Aarts
  • Patent number: 10696250
    Abstract: A curvature regulating member and a power supply device to which the curvature regulating member is applied are provided. The curvature regulating member has a plurality of member pieces arranged along a wire harness, and a flexible connection. The curvature regulating member regulates a curvature of the wire harness on a predetermined plane by contact with the adjacent member pieces. A burr (strip projection) is provided in an inner surface of the receiving groove of the wire harness in at least one of the member pieces. Further, a recessed portion is provided in an area of the inner surface including the burr (strip projection).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa Sekino, Mitsunobu Kato, Tatsuya Otsuka, Masaki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10696251
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first power distribution branch unit disposed between an energy storage device and a power conversion device and configured to branch current from the energy storage device and supply the current to the power conversion device and an electric auxiliary machine. A travel motor and the power conversion device are supported by a sub frame. The energy storage device is supported by a main frame. The first power distribution branch unit is fixed to a part of a vehicle body that is different from the sub frame or the main frame (for example, fixed to a dashboard).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Miharu Muramatsu, Hiroo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10696252
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes a bumper beam, an extension, and a gusset. The bumper beam extends in a vehicle width direction in a rear part of a vehicle body. The extension is provided for attaching the bumper beam to the vehicle body. The gusset is provided between the bumper beam and the extension and at an inner position in a vehicle width direction of the extension. A deformation facilitating part is provided on a middle part of the gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Hiroyoshi Watanabe, Keiichiro Okuyama, Hirofumi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10696253
    Abstract: A frontal safety guard which functions to prevent objects lying in the path of a vehicle, such as a school bus, from entering beneath the vehicle for safety purposes includes a central guard portion hingedly connected to the bumper such that the central guard portion can pivot, against a biasing force, relative to the bumper, and side extensions hingedly interconnected to and extending laterally from opposing end portions of the central guard portion such that the side extensions can pivot in unison with the central guard portion relative to the bumper and also individually pivot relative to both the bumper and the central guard portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INT'L
    Inventor: Mark B. Barron
  • Patent number: 10696254
    Abstract: A bracket coupling structure includes a pair of brackets each coupling an upper part of a radiator support with a bumper R/F, and a hood lock coupled with the pair of brackets. The radiator support upper part is disposed in an upper portion of a front body structure and extends in a vehicle width direction for supporting an upper portion of a radiator body. The bumper R/F is disposed in a front portion of the front body structure and extends in the vehicle width direction. This structure provides a bracket structure which disperses a load generated when a force in the vertical compression direction acts on the hood lock in the front body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoo Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 10696255
    Abstract: An impact absorbing element comprising a tubular body for absorbing the impact energy in a vehicle is proposed, the impact absorbing element having a double honeycomb-shaped cross section and being configured as a 10-face polygonal line, and honeycomb points being configured which are situated at a spacing (b2) from one another of approximately half the overall height (b1) of the impact absorbing element and define a width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Roland Keller, Satish Shivpanor
  • Patent number: 10696256
    Abstract: A bumper protection apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an anchor body having an exterior top wall, an exterior bottom wall, and an exterior side wall extending therebetween; the top wall comprising a top recessed annular section with top interior peripheral wall, and a bottom recessed annular section with bottom interior peripheral wall, and an annular shoulder separating the top interior peripheral wall and the bottom interior peripheral wall, to form a generally graduated cylindrical void bottom within the anchor body; a base wall formed with bottom interior peripheral wall, the base wall being opposite to exterior bottom wall; the base wall having an aperture extending therefrom to exterior bottom wall; and a cover comprising an exterior cover wall and an interior cover wall with an edge wall therebetween, the cover dimensioned to fit snugly in the anchor body within the top recessed annular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Krensky
  • Patent number: 10696257
    Abstract: An automatic external incident detection and reporting system for a vehicle includes at least one of a plurality of cameras and a plurality of proximity sensors, an incident determination unit, a remote vehicle or object position determination unit, and a communication unit. The incident determination unit is configured to receive signals from the at least one of the cameras and proximity sensors, detect whether an external incident has occurred, and determine a type of incident. The remote vehicle or object position determination unit is configured to receive signals from the at least one of the cameras and proximity sensors and determine an incident location. The communication unit is configured to transmit at least the incident location and the type of incident to remote vehicles, to a local access point, or to share the incident location and the type of incident through a crowd-sourcing manner if the external incident has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Haris Volos, Ravi Akella, Yunfei Xu, Takashi Bando
  • Patent number: 10696258
    Abstract: A vehicle window structure for preventing a person from being thrown out, applied to a vehicle, includes a fixing frame. An inner frame surface of the fixing frame is provided with a plurality of fixing portions spaced apart from each other. An arresting net includes at least one plastic rope fixedly connected to the fixing portions in an interlaced manner. The fixing frame is provided with a light-permeable unit that is mounted and fixed within the inner frame surface and covers the arresting net. When the vehicle has an accidental rollover unfortunately, even if the light-permeable unit is damaged or the fixing frame is deformed during the overturning of the vehicle, the arresting net is still able to arrest the user effectively because the arresting net is directly fixed to the fixing frame, thereby preventing the user from being thrown out of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Chun-Nan Liu
  • Patent number: 10696259
    Abstract: A pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a pedal arm pivotably arranged about a rotation shaft at its first end when in an operating position. A bracket is rotatably arranged around the rotation shaft and connected to the first end of the pedal arm through a pedal connection shaft. A locking arrangement, when in a locked state, locks the bracket in a first bracket position relative the pedal arm such that the bracket rotates with the pedal arm, and the pedal arm is held in an operating position. When the locking arrangement changes from the locked state to an unlocked state, the bracket is unlocked from the pedal arm such that, under influence of gravity, the pedal arm is released from the rotation shaft and displaced from the operating position to a safety position, the first end of the pedal arm being connected to the rotation shaft via the pedal connection shaft and the bracket, and the bracket rotated relative the pedal arm to a second bracket position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CJ Automotive AB
    Inventor: Mahdi Amirian
  • Patent number: 10696260
    Abstract: A multiple pivot rollover protection structure includes a pair of primary pivot assemblies and a pair of shipping pivot assemblies. The primary pivot assemblies provide a plurality of different operating positions for the upper ROPS legs, and a generally vertical shipping configuration for the upper ROPS legs extending downwardly alongside and not behind a rear mounted engine. The shipping pivot assemblies provide a generally vertical operating position for each of the intermediate ROPS legs and a generally horizontal shipping configuration for each of the intermediate ROPS legs extending rearwardly alongside and not behind the rear mounted engine. A spring loaded plunger is engageable between each upper ROPS leg and intermediate ROPS leg. A latch may be provided between each of the upper ROPS legs and the intermediate ROPS legs to hold the spring loaded plunger in a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Mayefske, Kyle T. Ressler, Matthew E. Herzmann, Dan Knight
  • Patent number: 10696261
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat frame and a seat cushion coupled to the seat frame. The seat frame includes a seatback frame, a base frame coupled to the seatback frame, a first armrest frame coupled to the seatback frame, and a second armrest frame coupled to the seatback frame. The seat cushion covers the seat frame and is spaced apart from the seat frame to define a cavity therebetween. The seat assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the seat frame and the seat cushion. The airbag has a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the airbag is disposed in the cavity between the seat frame and the seat cushion. In the deployed position, the airbag is partly disposed outside the cavity between the seat frame and the seat cushion to absorb energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Pen Cheng, Chin-Hsu Lin, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Patent number: 10696262
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an airbag housing and an airbag assembly. There is provided an airbag assembly comprising: a bottom wall; and a side wall for forming a cavity accommodating an airbag cushion together with the bottom wall, wherein at least a portion of the side wall is formed in a double layer structure. There is also provided an airbag assembly having the airbag housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Xiaochao An, Peng Yuan, Binbin Peng
  • Patent number: 10696263
    Abstract: An airbag includes an insert opening. An inflator is inserted into the airbag via the insert opening and set in a holding section of a retainer which is disposed inside the airbag. The retainer includes, at its end region disposed towards the insert opening of the airbag, two retaining pawls that are in engagement with a periphery of the insert opening. The insert opening is composed of a plurality of slits formed on a base material of the airbag such that one or more area among the slits serve as a bent sealing region that is bent inward and covers an outer periphery of the inflator. The slits include a pair of retaining slits that intersect each other. Each of the retaining pawls protrudes from a terminal of each of the retaining slits. A peripheral area of the retaining slits constitutes the bent sealing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Shigemura
  • Patent number: 10696264
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag which can be easily manufactured though it is provided with a tether inside, and has a reduced fear of gas leakage from a joint region. The airbag includes a joint region of outer circumferential edges of a pair of walls. The joint region includes, between the outer circumferential edges of the pair of walls, a sealing member which has elasticity, and has adhesiveness in an unsolidified state. The joint region is formed by such a sewing that runs a sewing thread through an application area of the sealing member. A tether connects the pair of walls. The joint region includes a region in which the sealing member has a solidified, thus non-adhesive surface, and is pressed against at least one of the walls by the non-adhesive surface, and penetrated by the sewing thread in that state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., SEIREN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taizo Suemitsu, Takayuki Umeyama, Mikifusa Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 10696265
    Abstract: A curtain airbag system of a vehicle is configured such that a position of an auxiliary chamber provided in a curtain airbag is changed to correspond to an occupant's seating posture or the occupant's lying posture in response to a vehicle collision, so that the occupant is safely protected in various seating postures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyo Shub Shin, Hyock In Kwon
  • Patent number: 10696266
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly, such as a knee airbag assembly, including a support strap, wherein the support strap may be secured to an inflatable airbag cushion. The support strap may be configured to direct the deployment trajectory of the airbag cushion such that the airbag cushion is deployed rearwardly and upwardly within a vehicle. The inflatable airbag assembly may be configured to prevent injury to an occupant's hip, femur, knee, and/or lower leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Enders, Quin Soderquist
  • Patent number: 10696267
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including: an ignition device being disposed at a first end of a cylindrical housing main body portion, a diffuser portion being provided with a gas discharge port and closing a second end thereof which is axially opposite to the first end; a combustion chamber being present in an internal space of the cylindrical housing main body portion; a cup-shaped member partitioning the combustion chamber and the diffuser portion, a bottom surface and an opening of the cup-shaped member being located on the side of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical housing main body portion respectively, and a first gap being formed between the circumferential wall of the cup-shaped member and an inner wall surface of the cylindrical housing main body portion; a cylindrical filter being disposed in a space surrounded by the cup-shaped member and the diffuser portion, and a first end surface of the cylindrical filter being abutted against the bottom surface of the cup-
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Fukumoto, Teppei Hanano
  • Patent number: 10696268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a closing structure which closes, with an igniter, an opening of a cylindrical housing used in a gas generator, the cylindrical housing provided with a stepped surface formed on an inner side of a circumferential wall on the side of the opening, and a distal end circumferential wall extending from the stepped surface to the opening, the igniter having an igniter main body, and an igniter collar surrounding part of the igniter main body and having an annular plate portion with a maximum outer diameter and a circumferential wall excluding the annular plate portion, the annular plate portion including, a first annular surface facing the ignition portion of the igniter main body, a second annular surface facing the electroconductive pin of the igniter main body, and an annular circumferential surface between the first annular surface and the second annular surface, a first annular circumferential edge at the boundary between the first annular surface and the annular circumferential
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu Tokuda, Masayuki Nakayasu, Naoki Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 10696269
    Abstract: A violation enforcement system configured to impair the view of a driver through a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The violation enforcement system includes a plurality of covering assemblies, each of the covering assemblies having one or more suction assemblies configured for placement against a windshield of a vehicle. A pump assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The pump assembly is configured to develop a partial vacuum between the one or more suction assemblies and the windshield. A release assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The release assembly is configured to actuate release of the one or more suction assemblies from the windshield and a sensor system is configured to sense environmental conditions for adjustment of the partial vacuum developed between the one or more suction assemblies and the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventors: Colin Heffron, Kevin Dougherty, Robert White, Colin Heffron, Jr., Christopher C. D'Antuono, Francis J. Pinero, Amilcar Sergio Penetra
  • Patent number: 10696270
    Abstract: A vehicle locking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first vertical support arm extending from the horizontal support arm. The first vertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm. A horizontal extension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A second vertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion along a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the first engagement portion. The keypad is configured to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to the first vertical support arm above the first engagement protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Mike Gordon
  • Patent number: 10696271
    Abstract: A vehicle locking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first vertical support arm extending from the horizontal support arm. The first vertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm. A horizontal extension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A second vertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the first engagement portion to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to the first vertical support arm. A spacer is removeably coupled to the horizontal support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Mike Gordon
  • Patent number: 10696272
    Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein and includes an external lighting device, one or more sensors configured to detect an object approaching the vehicle, and a controller configured to identify the object and assess a threat level thereof based on input from the one or more sensors. If the controller determines that the object is high threat, the controller operates the external lighting device to produce an illumination sequence in the direction of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Christopher Charles Hunt, Chad Hoover, Doug H. Randlett
  • Patent number: 10696273
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle. A user of the motor vehicle is authorized to trigger at least one function by a portable key device. For this purpose, the key device has an identification code that uniquely identifies the key device, and an authorization data set that describes the at least one function for which the user is authorized by the key device identified by the identification code. A control device of the motor vehicle carries out the receiving of the authorization data set and the identification code from the key device. In addition, based on an identification code stored in the control device and an authorization data set stored in the control device, it is determined whether the received authorization data set and the received identification code correspond to a predetermined combination. If they correspond to the predetermined combination, an enabling of the at least one function occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Werner Wilding
  • Patent number: 10696274
    Abstract: Aspects described herein may allow for vehicle access in a retail environment with limited human intervention. Systems and methods described herein may associate a vehicle with a physical location, and/or may enable a user to use a mobile device to select a vehicle for a test drive. The system may provide access to (e.g., unlock) the vehicle, and may track test drive information across one or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Qiaochu Tang, Geoffrey Dagley, Jason Hoover, Micah Price, Avid Ghamsari
  • Patent number: 10696275
    Abstract: A method for activating a function of a vehicle from a portable access device borne by a user. The method includes measurement of the received signal strength of signals exchanged between the access device and transceiver modules installed in the vehicle, detection of human presence, determination of the position of the access device from the signal strength measurements, and activation of a function of the vehicle when human presence has been detected and the position of the authenticated access device is determined as being within a predetermined proximity zone around the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gabriel Spick, Bertrand Vaysse, Maxime Micheau
  • Patent number: 10696276
    Abstract: A wiper system for clearing an outer surface of a window is disclosed and includes an arm, a frame, a blade, and an actuator operatively connected to the arm. The arm includes a parked position and defines a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The arm is pivotable about the proximate end portion of the arm out of the parked position. The frame is pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the arm. The frame defines a lengthwise distance. The blade extends along at least a lengthwise portion of the frame. The blade defines an edge that is configured to contact the outer surface of the window when the arm is in the parked position. The actuator is configured to exert a force against the arm that is sufficient to urge the arm out of the parked position and away from the outer surface of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Kiester, Kenton L. West, Robert J. Schlenke, Jason H. Ross
  • Patent number: 10696277
    Abstract: A lens cleaning system to remove water droplets, ice, dirt or debris from a backup camera mounted to a vehicle is provided. The cleaning system includes a heating subsystem and air generating subsystem coupled to the vehicle to clean the camera's lens. The heating subsystem includes a tray coupled to the backup camera, a heating element disposed on the tray and positioned proximate the lens of the backup camera, the heating element operably connected to a battery by a first wiring, and a first momentary switch electrically coupled to the first wiring and designed to enable or disable the heating element. The first momentary switch is depressed to enable the heating element to generate heat in the area surrounding the backup camera, thereby enabling the heating element to melt ice present on the lens of the backup camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Motaz Jamal Rakouki
  • Patent number: 10696278
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system having an entrance end, an exit end, and a vehicle treatment area. The system including a dryer element disposed on a frame adjacent the exit end. The dryer element includes an air inlet, a plurality of air outlets, and a housing constructed of a translucent material. The dryer element includes light source disposed in the housing and configured to emit light in a plurality of different colors. The light source has a plurality of modes each corresponding to a different system condition. The system also includes a controller in communication with the light source and configured to enable the plurality of modes in response to a detected system condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PISTON OPW, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Belanger
  • Patent number: 10696279
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system with an anti-lock brake system having a plurality of brake cylinders associated with the wheels to be braked. A central pressure generating device generates a hydraulic brake pressure, wherein the hydraulic brake pressure is distributed to the brake cylinders and may be selectively modified for individual brake cylinders or a group of brake cylinders. The hydraulic brake pressure maintained at a level exceeding an estimated brake pressure limit of each wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Svensson
  • Patent number: 10696280
    Abstract: A mechanical automotive vacuum pump includes a housing with a housing cylindrical bearing surface. A pumping chamber is arranged in the housing. A pump rotor which includes a rotor body having a rotor body bearing section and a chamber section is rotatably supported by the housing. A radial vane slit is arranged at the chamber section. A rotor body cylindrical bearing surface is arranged at the rotor body bearing section. The rotor body bearing section includes a circular lubrication ring groove. A radially shiftable pump vane is supported in the radial vane slit. A friction bearing is defined by the rotor body cylindrical bearing surface and the housing cylindrical bearing surface. The housing cylindrical bearing surface includes a lubrication inlet opening which lies in a same transversal plane as and opposite to the circular lubrication ring groove. The lubrication inlet opening is directly connected to a lubricant pump connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PIERBURG PUMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Giorgio Peroni, Raffaele Squarcini, Giacomo Armenio
  • Patent number: 10696281
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electric brake system and an operating method thereof. The electric bake system includes a master cylinder discharging pressure medium according to a displacement of a brake pedal, a simulator providing a sense of pedal to a driver, a hydraulic supplier generating hydraulic pressure by operating a hydraulic piston in response to an electrical signal output by corresponding to the displacement of the brake pedal, and a hydraulic control unit controlling hydraulic pressure of the pressure medium supplied to each wheel cylinder. The electric brake system performs a normal operation mode having a low pressure mode and a high pressure mode, an abnormal operation mode and an inspection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hyojin Jeong, Seong Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 10696282
    Abstract: An electric booster and master brake cylinder assembly includes a master cylinder housing, a booster housing, a primary piston, and a ball screw assembly. The master cylinder housing defines a piston bore. The booster housing is attached to the master cylinder housing and defines a bore. The primary piston is slidably positioned within the piston bore and has an axially extending end portion that extends into the bore. The ball screw assembly is at least partially disposed within the bore of the booster housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Zhenzhou Huang
  • Patent number: 10696283
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake booster for a motor vehicle, at least one support element being fastened on a gear unit housing bottom of the gear unit, which extends along its respective longitudinal axis, a bearing device being situated on the spindle, which supports the spindle on the least one support element in such away that the bearing device is able to guide the spindle, which is set into translatory motion, at a distance from the first support element along the at least one support element. A brake system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Nagel, Daniel Weissinger, Giammaria Panunzio, Andre Bollwerk
  • Patent number: 10696284
    Abstract: A brake-pressure control device for a motor-vehicle braking system, with an electric motor, the rotatory motion of which is transformed by a ball screw drive into a translatory motion of a piston in a working cylinder, in order to be able to build up a defined braking pressure in a wheel brake independently of actuation of a master brake cylinder. An aspect provides that the ball screw drive is provided with a friction slip coupling engaged over a profiled tube which is fixedly connected to a nut of the ball screw drive and to which the piston is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Pierre Schmitt, Johannes Görlach, Theo Baukholt, Peter Geiß
  • Patent number: 10696285
    Abstract: This electric braking device for a vehicle imparts to the wheels of the vehicle a braking torque in accordance with the output of an electric motor. A vehicle body-side electronic control unit calculates a command value for the output of the electric motor on the basis of the amount of operation performed on a braking operation member. A wheel-side electronic control unit adjusts the output of the electric motor on the basis of the command value. The vehicle body-side electronic control unit calculates the vehicle body speed on the basis of the wheel speed. The wheel-side electronic control unit adjusts the output of the electric motor so as to prevent an increase in slippage of the wheels on the basis of the vehicle body speed and the wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: ADVICS CO., LTD, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Naoki Yabusaki
  • Patent number: 10696286
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic brake system and a control method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyojin Jeong
  • Patent number: 10696287
    Abstract: A stop/start vehicle includes at least one controller that, in response to predicting a vehicle stop, initiates an engine pre-shutdown protocol such that vehicle subsystems begin to prepare for engine shutdown prior to a speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero to reduce time between the speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero and engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Patent number: 10696288
    Abstract: A method for an assist mode in a motorized vehicle includes receiving signals from a plurality of vehicle sensors monitoring respective conditions of the vehicle; an assist mode circuit determining whether a loss-of-traction condition is being experienced by the vehicle using information in the signals received from at least one of the plurality of vehicle sensors; activating an assist mode of the vehicle if the assist mode circuit determines that a loss-of-traction condition is being experienced, wherein the assist mode alters vehicle drive train characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Gaither, Shinichiro Tomoda
  • Patent number: 10696289
    Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for meeting wheel torque demand in a hybrid vehicle with an engine, a dual clutch transmission coupled to a driveline of the vehicle downstream of the engine, and an electric machine coupled to the driveline downstream of the dual clutch transmission. In one example, a method includes transferring transmission input torque through a clutch of the dual clutch transmission controlled to a first capacity, and, in response to a desired transmission input torque exceeding the capacity, increasing torque output of the electric machine coupled downstream of the dual clutch transmission to assist in meeting a wheel torque demand. In this way, a driver-requested increase in acceleration may be met under conditions where transmission input torque is limited by clutch capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew John Shelton, Jeffrey Doering, Kevin Ray Ruybal
  • Patent number: 10696290
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that is configured to, while a battery temperature exceeds a threshold and state of charge (SOC) is above an SOC threshold, enable an electric machine to provide torque assistance at a power limit, and responsive to the temperature dropping below the threshold, increase the power limit and enable the electric machine to provide torque assistance while the SOC is above a cold SOC threshold less than the SOC threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Satish B. Chikkannanavar, Cheng Tan, Jonathan Tao, Allan Alimario, Debborah Callicoat, Robert K. Taenaka, Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees