Patents Issued in November 24, 2020
  • Patent number: 10843572
    Abstract: A high-voltage battery for a motor vehicle having at least one storage element for electrical energy, at least one control unit operating at a voltage lower than the high voltage. A modular unit including at least one switching mechanism and/or at least one fuse as electrical components, wherein the modular unit is attached in a pre-determined position to a housing, externally to this housing that holds the storage element and the control unit, in such a way that when the modular unit is plugged in on the housing, at least two high-voltage contacts of the modular unit, which are connected to at least one of the electrical components of the modular unit, are connected in an electrically conducting manner to assigned high-voltage contacts on the housing side, and at least one contact arrangement of the modular unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Armin Poeppel, Thomas Glass
  • Patent number: 10843573
    Abstract: A charging station is provided herein for being adapted to bear an unmanned vehicle. The charging station includes a platform and a charging mechanism. The charging mechanism is disposed on the platform, and the charging mechanism may be electrically connected to the unmanned vehicle for charging by a movement over the platform. In addition, a charging station module including a plurality of the aforesaid charging stations is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yung-Chao Chen, Chien-Hung Lin, Yu-Sheng Lee, Tsung-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 10843574
    Abstract: An in-vehicle battery sensor includes a sensor configured to couple to a storage battery. A memory is configured to store calibration information. An input receives calibration information which is saved in the memory. A controller performs a battery test on the storage battery using the sensor output and the stored calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MIDTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Palmisano, Nicholas G. McMahan, Lance Michael Losinski
  • Patent number: 10843575
    Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of a drive motor includes an input device for providing a command signal that is indicative of a desired speed and direction of rotation of the drive motor. A sensor is associated with the drive motor and adapted to provide a sensor signal indicative of current rotational speed of the drive motor. A controller receives the command signal, and determine whether the command signal is indicative of a desired zero speed to be associated with the drive motor. The controller also receives the sensor signal, and determine whether the current rotational speed of the drive motor is within a pre-defined range of difference from the desired zero speed. The controller then generates a de-rated torque command signal having a reduced gain factor, and reduce the current rotational speed of the drive motor based on the de-rated torque command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Kuras, Sangameshwar Sonth, Ankit Sharma
  • Patent number: 10843576
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes front-wheel electric motor and rear-wheel electric motor driving front and rear wheels, respectively; a control unit controlling driving of those electric motors. Further, one of the electric motors is a permanent-magnet motor and the other is a magnetless motor, a maximum output of the permanent-magnet motor is smaller than a maximum output of the magnetless motor, and the control unit includes: a first drive control unit configured to drive the permanent-magnet motor when vehicle speed is in a first vehicle-speed range; and a second drive control unit configured to drive only the magnetless motor when the vehicle speed is in a second vehicle speed range, vehicle speeds in the second vehicle speed range are greater than vehicle speeds in the first vehicle-speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Fujiyoshi, Junichi Deguchi, Hideki Kubonoya
  • Patent number: 10843577
    Abstract: A battery case for a vehicle driven by an electric motor, said battery case comprising a tray part (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) which has a base (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) onto which side walls (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) having a mounting flange (4) are molded, and comprising a frame structure (5, 5.1, 5.2) which surrounds the tray part (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) on the outer side thereof and has a hollow chamber (11, 11.1, 11.2). The side walls (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) of the tray part (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) are at the same time part of the frame structure (5, 5.1, 5.2) and separate the tray interior from the hollow chamber (11, 11.1, 11.2) of the frame structure (5, 5.1, 5.2). The side walls (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) with their mounting flange (4) are part of the frame structure (5, 5.1, 5.2) and the frame structure (5, 5.1, 5.2) has at least two additional frame members (6, 8, 3.1, 4.1, 13, 3.2, 4.2, 13.1) connected to the tray part (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) for completing the frame structure (5, 5.1, 5.2), of which a first frame member (6, 3.1, 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Marco Töller, Stefan Brandl, Alexander Schauerte
  • Patent number: 10843578
    Abstract: An electric drive work machine may include a body frame, a first electric power storage device mounted on the body frame, a second electric power storage device mounted on the body frame, and a junction box mounted on the body frame. The junction box may be operatively connected to the first electric power storage device by a first electric connection having a first inductance, and operatively connected to the second electric power storage device by a second electric connection having a second inductance. The first inductance may be equal to the second inductance such that power source charging power from the junction box is distributed equally to the first electric power storage device and the second electric power storage device, and power source output power to the junction box is drawn equally from the first electric power storage device and the second electric power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Edward L. Zwilling, Andrew Ellis Diecker, Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10843579
    Abstract: A charging configuration for the inductive wireless energy transfer to a receiver coil of an electrically operated vehicle. A first circularly wound electrically conductive coil extends in a plane and has a first central opening in the center of the first coil. A second circularly wound electrically conductive coil extends in a plane, coplanar with the first coil, and has a second central opening formed in its center. A ferrite core is supported on a shielding sheet with a rectangular base plate together with the coplanar coils. The coils are arranged in a coil holder on the shielding sheet such that a distance of between 15 and 25 mm remains between the shielding sheet and the bottom edge of the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Komma, Monika Poebl
  • Patent number: 10843580
    Abstract: A system and methods that enables smart charging for electric resources. A charging behavior guarantee may comprise a guaranteed charging schedule that matches a regular charging schedule of an electric resource and provides power flow flexibility. A smart charging method may also include periodically updated schedules and may manage electric resources via a smart charging benefit analysis. A smart charging method may manage the charging behavior of the electric resources on a grid based on the smart charging benefit. Further, a smart charging method may manage electric resources via a smart charging benefit analysis and smart charging customer guarantees. A smart charging method also may include schedules with overrides, and may involve a method for local load management in the presence of uncontrolled loads. A smart charging method for managing electric resources may also provide direct control over prices-to-devices enabled devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GridPoint, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth B. Pollack, Seth W. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10843581
    Abstract: A method of charging one or more electric vehicles (EVs) includes receiving a voltage over a dedicated circuit from an electric power supply. A charging current is generated using the voltage and directed to a first output connection if a first EV is connected to a head that is connected to the first output connection. The charging current to the first one of the output connections is stopped, then directed to a second output connection if a second EV is connected to a head coupled to the second output connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: CyberSwitchingPatents, LLC
    Inventors: Charles H. Reynolds, Ronald L. Silorio
  • Patent number: 10843582
    Abstract: A plug connector part for connecting to a mating plug connector part includes: a housing part; an inlet part that is connectable to the housing part, the inlet part having a plug section on which at least one contact element is arrangeable for a plug-in connection to the mating plug connector part; and a locking frame having at least one first latching element, the locking frame being latched in a first mounting position to the inlet part via the at least one first latching element in order to attach the inlet part together with the locking frame to the housing part. The inlet part in a position attached to the housing part is connected in a positive-locking manner to the housing part via at least one second latching element. The locking frame is movable from the first mounting position relative to the inlet part to a second mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT E-MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Feldner, Carsten Garth, Kai Schlueter
  • Patent number: 10843583
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a charging operation for a vehicle at a charging station includes detecting a request for a charging operation on an electronic communication device and determining position data that indicates the position of the communication device. The method also includes determining whether a wireless connection exists between the communication device and the vehicle, where the wireless connection is based on a short-distance communication method with a nominal range. The method additionally includes determining a number of possible charging stations and/or a number of possible vehicles subject to the position data and nominal range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Berger, Enrique Marcial-Simon
  • Patent number: 10843584
    Abstract: A connector arrangement for charging an electric vehicle includes a first connector disposed adjacent a slide surface and having a pin extending from the first connector. A second connector has a second connector body and is moveable along the slide surface by a linkage mechanism. A socket extends through the second connector body between two opposed openings, and at least one sensor is associated with the second connector body. The at least one sensor provides information indicative of a location of the second connector body on the slide surface to the linkage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Martin Krucinski, Sangeun Choi, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge
  • Patent number: 10843585
    Abstract: An automobile charging system includes: a photovoltaic battery panel installed at a bottom of a vehicle; a camera module; a first actuating device connected with the camera module; a light source; a second actuating device connected with the light source; and a controller being connected with the camera module, the first actuating device, the light source and the second actuating device. The controller is configured to control the first actuating device to rotate, and through the first actuating device control the camera module to capture a preset pattern disposed at the bottom of the vehicle. After the camera module has captured the preset pattern disposed at the bottom of the vehicle, the controller is configured to control the second actuating device to rotate accordingly so that the light source projects light to the photovoltaic battery panel and thereby charge the photovoltaic battery panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN DANSHA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingshuang Chen
  • Patent number: 10843586
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for charging management for electric vehicles performing vehicle-to-grid regulation are presented. The system includes an aggregator that communicates with the electric vehicles according to a dispatch strategy to switch charging with electric power from the electric grid. The aggregator that aggregates and manages charging of a set of electric vehicles associated with an electric grid. A dispatch controller controls switching of at least a subset of electric vehicles of the set of electric vehicles between an ON state and an OFF state at a given time by sending binary charge commands to the subset of batteries, in a manner that change of charging rate of individual batteries is minimized while maintaining charging fairness among the respective electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ali T. Al-Awami, Eric V. Sortomme, Ahmed Saleem
  • Patent number: 10843587
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery state of charge (SOC) determining method and a battery managing apparatus that acquires a stochastic reduced order model (SROM) and a mean using battery conservation equations acquired based on a stochastic Pseudo 2-dimensional electrochemical thermal (P2D-ECT) model, measures state information, and assimilates the state information with the SROM and the mean to determine an accurate SOC at a relatively low calculation cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Piyush Tagade, Krishnan S Hariharan, Tae Won Song
  • Patent number: 10843588
    Abstract: Methods and systems for power management using a power converter in transport are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a varying AC input to the power converter. The method also includes calculating a power factor adjustment based on the monitored varying AC input. Also, the method includes a power converter controller adjusting the power converter based on the calculated power factor adjustment to cause the power converter to supply a reactive current to a varying AC load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Wayne Schumacher
  • Patent number: 10843589
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat including: a striker and a lock mechanism including: a base plate; a hook supported rotatably by a hook shaft to the base plate and capable of forming a locked state and an unlocked state; a pawl supported rotatably by a pawl shaft to the base plate; and a cam supported rotatably by the pawl shaft to the base plate, and the cam is rotationally biased by a first torsion coil spring, and the pawl is rotationally biased by a second torsion coil spring, and the coil of the second torsion coil spring has a larger diameter and a smaller length in a central axis direction of the coil than the coil of the first torsion coil spring, and one end of the first torsion coil spring is provided on a radially outer side than the coil of the second torsion coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daishi Yaguchi, Shun Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 10843590
    Abstract: A release lever assembly configured to unlock a lock mechanism of a seat assembly is provided. The release lever assembly may include a lever arm, a cable, and an indicator device. The lever arm may be pivotally connected to the seat assembly. The cable may include a first end that is configured to be fixed to the lever arm and a second end that is configured to be connected to the lock mechanism. The indicator device may extend from the first end of the cable so that when the release lever assembly is mounted on the seat assembly, the lever arm is rotatable to unlock the lock mechanism, and the indicator device is configured to extend out of an aperture defined by the seat assembly when the lock is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Schulz, Marian Kubatka, Christian Ruthmann, Jörg Sternberg
  • Patent number: 10843591
    Abstract: A gear assembly for a seat adjuster includes a gear housing, a worm gear, a helical gear meshed with the worm gear, a wobble gear carried on an eccentric lobe of the helical gear, a pinion disc, a first ring gear disposed in the gear housing, a second ring gear disposed in the pinion disc, and a pinion member carrying the helical gear and the pinion disc. The wobble gear includes first and second sets of wobble gear teeth that mesh with the first and second ring gears, respectively. A housing side gear ring disposed in the gear housing defines part of the first ring gear and the gear housing defines another part of the first ring gear. The pinion disc defines the second ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Mircea Napau, Armin Michel
  • Patent number: 10843592
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for collision impact force reduction for a vehicle. The method comprises determining a smallest relative distance (D) between a head of a driver of the vehicle and a steering wheel assembly comprising an airbag of the vehicle, obtaining information of an imminent collision, the collision being at least partly frontal, comparing (300) the smallest relative distance (D) to a pre-defined threshold, and, when said smallest relative distance (D) is equal to or less than said pre-defined threshold, initiating a forward displacement of a driver seat of the vehicle and a retraction of the steering wheel assembly comprising an airbag, preferably a retraction along the steering column of the steering wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Lucas Rolka, Martin Ostergren
  • Patent number: 10843593
    Abstract: A rail assembly for longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat comprises a lower rail (2) and an upper rail (1) movable relative to the lower rail, and a movable support member (400) disposed between the lower rail (2) and the upper rail (1), wherein the lower rail (2) comprises a stopper (210) disposed at a predetermined position of the lower rail (2), and the movable support member (400) comprises a base (40) for supporting the upper rail (1) on the lower rail (2) and a coupling member (47) for releasably coupling the movable support member (400) with the upper rail (1). The coupling member (47) can be displaced relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG (Coburg)
    Inventor: Angelo Dicicco
  • Patent number: 10843594
    Abstract: A seat mounted on a slide slidable on a track. The track has comfort and entry zones. Pitch linkage mounts on the slide and supports a seat back. The linkage pivotally connects a seat back to the slide between recline and forward positions. A track latch fixes the slide to the track in a plurality of positions in the comfort zone. The entry zone is used to enter the vehicle. A forward stop blocks the slide from moving from the comfort to the entry zone. The forward stop moves between stop and release positions. The stop position blocks the slide from moving from the comfort to the entry zone. The release position does not block the slide from moving. A forward stop mechanism moves the forward stop into the stop position when the pitch linkage is in the recline position and the slide is in said comfort zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron Escobedo, William S. Brewer, Kurt Seibold, Karl Noffz
  • Patent number: 10843595
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including, a seat cushion including: a pair of left and right base members; a seat cushion movable portion attached in a manner that enables tip-up around a rotation shaft disposed between the base members; and a seat cushion fixed portion fixed in a manner that an upper surface portion of at least one of the base members is partially overlapped with the seat cushion fixed portion, and a distance between the base members is smaller than a sum of widths of a rear end portion of the seat cushion movable portion and a rear end portion of the seat cushion fixed portion, and the seat cushion movable portion selectively adopts a normal state where the seat cushion movable portion forms a seating surface together with the seat cushion fixed portion, and a tip-up state without interfering with the seat cushion fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nori Matsuyama, Atsushi Shibata
  • Patent number: 10843596
    Abstract: A damper is arranged between the seat backrest and the seat base. This damper applies a resistance to seat backrest movement, especially movement from the vertical position to the folded position. The damper includes a pin and profile mounted on the seat backrest and seat base respectively, or vice versa. The pin and profile slide against each other during movement of the seat backrest relative to the seat base. The shape, size, material, and/or the surface characteristics of the pin and profile determine the resistance to movement of the seat backrest. These parameters of the pin and profile can be varied, especially along different portions of the profile to apply the desired resistance at different angular positions of the seat backrest with respect to the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Kannan Stanz, Keith Ziegler, Ornela Zekavica, Vasile Bozintan
  • Patent number: 10843597
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat shell having a backrest portion and a sidewall protruding forward from the backrest portion and having a first rod inside the seat shell, an adjustable headrest movable along the backrest portion, the headrest being fixedly connected with a second rod and a spacer that are located adjacent to each other, and a child restraining harness having a harness strap, the harness strap wrapping around the first rod and forming two folded strap portions that extend downward from the first rod, one of the two folded strap portions wrapping around the second rod, and the spacer being disposed between the two folded strap portions for preventing a contact between the two folded strap portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: David A. Lehman, Kyle S. Mason
  • Patent number: 10843598
    Abstract: A child safety seat (1) including a seat base (12) having an upper surface (13) and a lower surface (14) and comprising at least one elongate slot (15) extending through the seat base (12) between the upper surface and the lower surface (13, 14), a crotch strap (20) extending downwardly from a buckle (21) which is above the upper surface (13) of the seat base (12), wherein the crotch strap (20) extends through the at least one elongate slot (15) and has at least one end (22) slidably retained in relation to the seat base (12), and a crotch strap adjustment mechanism (30) configured to act on an intermediate portion of the crotch strap (20), the adjustment mechanism (30) being slidable with respect to the seat base (12) in an oblique direction relative to the direction of elongation of the at least one elongate slot (15) to adjust both the position of the crotch strap (20) exiting the at least one elongate slot (15) and the length of the crotch strap (20) extending above the upper surface (13) of the seat base
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: BRITAX CHILDCARE PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Wieslaw Maciejczyk
  • Patent number: 10843599
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported by a seat back frame, a seat cushion supported by a seat cushion frame, a forward leg fixed to a vehicle floor and including a slot that slidingly receives a forward portion of the seat cushion frame, a rear leg fixed to the vehicle floor, the seat back frame is pivotally connected to the rear leg, a rear leg linkage pivotally connected to the rear leg and to a rear portion of the seat cushion frame, and a main linkage pivotally connected to the rear leg linkage and the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Arico
  • Patent number: 10843600
    Abstract: A trim component for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed on a first side of the trim component and defines a first knit. The second portion is disposed on a second side of the trim component and defines a second knit distinct from the first knit. The first and second portions are integrally knitted. The trim component is configured to be installed on or more support members of the seat. The first side is configured to face the support member. The second portion is configured communicate with an occupant of the seat. In various aspects, the first portion includes a first yarn and the second portion includes a second yarn that is distinct from the first yarn with respect to one or more of density, thickness, and material. In various aspects, the first yarn is a heat-activated yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Heidi H. Mcadoo-Wilson, Janet C. Robincheck
  • Patent number: 10843601
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat pad including: a first surface portion; a second surface portion; and a peripheral edge portion forming a boundary between the first and second surface portions, and a seat cover including: a first cover portion; a second cover portion; and a sewn portion in which a first seam allowance of the first cover portion and a second seam allowance of the second cover portion are overlapped in a state of being turned back inwardly and are sewn together, the sewn portion being arranged along the peripheral edge portion, and a portion of the sewn portion arranged along the peripheral edge portion is formed of the first seam allowance and the second seam allowance which is shorter than the first seam allowance, and the first seam allowance is tilted toward in a manner of facing either the first surface portion or the second surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Ohtsu, Masaru Ueno
  • Patent number: 10843602
    Abstract: A seat for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, with separate backrest and seat base, includes a seat base and a backrest. The seat base is separate from the backrest, and the seat base is constrained to the backrest so that the backrest base can rotate relative to the seat base. The seat base and backrest are each manufactured as one piece of metallic material in a single cold-molding process. At least one of the seat base and backrest includes an engagement edge configured for engaging, via mechanical interference, with a cover for the seat in order to retain the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PROMA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Verde, Luca Pino
  • Patent number: 10843603
    Abstract: Composite components (22, 32) are described herein. An example composite component (22, 32) includes a fill material sandwiched between a first shell and a second shell. The first shell can include a cavity for receiving the fill material. The second shell can include a recessed portion extending into the cavity. The recessed portion can be configured to receive a separate component (16a, 30) of a passenger seat (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc W. Kinard, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10843604
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat that facilitates setting of a starting load of a movable member. The vehicle seat includes a movable mechanism including: first and second springs coupled to a frame; a movable member displaceable relative to the frame; a first passive member and a second passive member coupled with the respective first and second springs; and a restriction member configured to restrict displacement of the first and second passive members. The movable member displaces the first passive member in a first direction when the movable member is displaced in the first direction, and displaces the second passive member in a second direction when the movable member is displaced in the second direction. The restriction member restricts displacement of the first passive member from a first-passive-member initial position in the second direction and displacement of the second passive member from a second-passive-member initial position in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Kajino
  • Patent number: 10843605
    Abstract: A child car seat includes a seat bottom, a backrest extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a movable headrest mounted to be moved on the backrest. The child car seat also includes a controller for changing the elevation of the movable headrest relative to the underlying seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason H. Johnson, Ersen Boran, Scott M. Holmecki, Gary E. Reuther, Nicholas B. Max
  • Patent number: 10843606
    Abstract: A reversible seat for an automotive vehicle having a head restraint which rotates between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position as the seat is moved between the forward-facing position and the rearward-facing position. The head restraint folds towards the seat back as the reversible seat passes through the peak of its locus to increase clearance with a headliner of the automotive vehicle. The head restraint returns to an upright rotated position as the seat reaches the opposing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventor: Louis Vetere, II
  • Patent number: 10843607
    Abstract: A headrest is provided including an upper pillow section that configures a front side of an upper portion of the headrest, and a lower pillow section that configures a front side of a lower portion of the headrest. A front-rear position of the lower pillow section with respect to the upper pillow section is adjustable by swinging the lower pillow section about a shaft extending along a seat width direction at an upper edge side of the lower pillow section, and a protrusion amount by which respective seat width direction side portions of the lower pillow section protrude toward a seat front side being adjustable with respect to a seat width direction intermediate portion of the lower pillow section by swinging the two seat width direction side portions about a shaft extending in a seat vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Kondo, Keiichiro Inoue, Keita Iwasaki, Osamu Kanayama, Masato Suzuki, Kento Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10843608
    Abstract: In general, privacy apparatuses, systems, and methods are described. In one embodiment, a privacy apparatus supportable on a backrest of a seat is provided, including a frame including first and second supports, a connecting member that extends between the supports, and first and second shield panels connected to the supports. The privacy apparatus can serve as privacy shield and/or head/neck support for a user or vehicular passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Madelyne Carlson
  • Patent number: 10843610
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a headrest body provided at an upper portion of a seat back rotatably supported by a seat cushion on which an occupant is seated. The headrest body is covered with a skin material. The headrest body includes a driving body that is configured to form a swelling portion that is a portion of the skin material in a seat-height direction swelling toward a front side of the seat at a surface of a seat front side of the skin material and change a formation position of the swelling portion in the seat-height direction by being operated inside the headrest body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Iwasaki, Keisuke Toda
  • Patent number: 10843611
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that includes a lateral occupant support structure that is movable based on a position of a backrest. The vehicle seat includes a lateral occupant support structure setting system that adapts a position of one or more lateral occupant support structures based on one or more of a position of the backrest and movement of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Nathan Caruss, Eric Michalak, Brent Burton
  • Patent number: 10843612
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a base member with a support member pivotably coupled to the seat and rotationally movable between first and second positions. A bracket assembly is disposed between the support member and the base member and is coupled to an actuator. A supplemental support member is coupled to the bracket assembly and the support member. The supplemental support member is translationally movable relative to the support member between a retracted position and a fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carol Diane Casey, Johnathan Andrew Line, S. M. Akbar Berry, Andrew Matusko, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 10843613
    Abstract: An amenities panel for a passenger seat includes a body and at least one convenience feature. The body includes an aft-facing side and is configured to connect to a backrest of the passenger seat. The amenities panel is configured to be positioned between a forward-facing side of the backrest and a stowed tray table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Josh T. Smith, Christopher D. Stewart, Jason K. Smith, Kevin Waters, Nahum Madrid
  • Patent number: 10843614
    Abstract: A machine which transports and positions joints of line pipe has a trailer member having at least two ground engaging wheels and a distributor box disposed within the trailer member. The distributor box has a top, a bottom, a front and a back, where a longitudinal axis is defined between the front and the back. A shaft is rotationally supported between the front and the back, where the shaft has an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced-apart disks are mounted on the rotatable shaft, where each disk has a plurality of slots radially extending to a circumferential edge of the disk, where each slot is open-ended at the circumferential edge and each disk of the plurality of spaced-apart disks has a slot in axial alignment with a slot of the other spaced-apart disks. The group of the axially aligned slots is adapted to receive a joint of the line pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Gaylord Dean Hill
  • Patent number: 10843615
    Abstract: A lift system for supporting cargo on a vehicle comprising a vehicle frame, the lift system comprises a cargo platform assembly and a displacement system. Operation of a drive system causes axial rotation of at least one drive axle. Axial rotation of at least one drive axle causes at least one drive link assembly to pivot about a drive axle axis. Pivoting of the at least one drive link assembly about the drive axle axis displaces the cargo platform between a stowed configuration and a lowered configuration. First and second distal axes are forward of the drive axle axis when the lift system is in the stowed configuration and rearward of the drive axle axis when the lift system is in the lowered configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: EASY LIFT INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Len Watkins, Marty Harvie
  • Patent number: 10843616
    Abstract: An electric transportation cart includes a deck having two first rails located on two sides thereof a base having multiple casters connected to the underside thereof and including two second rails on two sides thereof, a first link assembly and a second link assembly pivotably connected between the deck and the base, and a handle connected to one end of the base. A first bar is slidably connected between the two first rails, and a second bar is connected between the first link assembly and the second link assembly. A hydraulic cylinder is connected between the first bar and the second bar. The travel distance of the hydraulic cylinder is longer than that of the conventional transportation carts. Users operate the control unit to activate the hydraulic cylinder to drive the first and second link assemblies to control the deck to move up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Lai
  • Patent number: 10843617
    Abstract: A steerable carriage for moving a wheeled object comprising at least one engagement device (3) configured to engage with and elevate a wheel (5) of the wheeled object off the ground such that the wheeled object can be moved upon displacement of the carriage by transmitting a propulsion force from the carriage to the wheeled object via the at least one engagement device, wherein the at least one engagement device comprises: —a support device (12), —an actuating device (13) movable with respect to the support device such as to cause the wheel to roll forward onto the support device and be held by the support device and the actuating device, wherein the support device comprises: —a stopping member (18) movable between a folded position and a stopping position in which it is configured to stop forward motion of the wheel, and —an activation member (23) configured to cause the stopping member to move from the folded position to the stopping position when the wheel is rolled onto the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Stringo AB
    Inventor: Micha Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 10843618
    Abstract: Methods and systems for conformality modulation of metal oxide films in atomic layer deposition (ALD) are provided. Some example methods use chemical inhibition. An example system for performing such a method comprises a chamber; a source of precursor gas; a source of inhibiting precursor gas; one or more injectors having respective gas flow paths, each having an inlet connectable to the source of the precursor or the inhibiting precursor gas, and being adapted to deliver into the chamber, separately or in conjunction with another injector, precursor gas at a first gaseous flow rate in a first region of the plurality of regions to form a first film at a first deposition rate, and being adapted to deliver inhibiting precursor gas at a second gaseous flow rate in the same or a second region of the plurality of regions to inhibit growth of the first film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Smith, Dennis M. Hausmann
  • Patent number: 10843619
    Abstract: A device and method for organizing a cargo strap. The device comprises a plate that is substantially flat and rigid, and a retention strap pivotally attached to the plate and adapted for removably securing the cargo strap about the plate. The plate has a length and a width wherein the length is greater than the width thereby defining a substantially rectangular upper receiving face and an opposing lower receiving face. A portion of the cargo strap is wound around the plate and secured onto the plate by wrapping the retention strap over the cargo strap. A slot may be included on the plate to receive a portion of the cargo strap to secure a distal end of the cargo strap onto the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Will Carter
  • Patent number: 10843620
    Abstract: In an automotive lighting apparatus, at least one lighting component generates a corresponding light field. The lighting component is aligned such that the light field conforms to an illumination profile having a cutoff region meeting a cutoff criterion. At least one actuator is mechanically coupled to the lighting component to aim the lighting component in a direction other than that in which the lighting component was aligned. A control component operates the actuator based on the speed of an automobile in which the lighting component is installed. The actuator is then configured to aim the lighting component in the direction other than that in which the lighting component was aligned so that the light field thereof conforms to another illumination profile meeting another cutoff criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Warner, Greg Simons, Julien Hemon
  • Patent number: 10843621
    Abstract: A lever switch includes a lever main body and a rotary operation element rotatably provided at a tip end portion of the lever main body. The rotary operation element is provided with a light ON switch position at which an instruction to cause head lights and small lights to be on at all times is issued, an automatic light switch position at which an instruction to set an automatic light mode, in which a turned-on state of the head lights and the small lights is controlled based on the intensity of illumination in the vicinity of the vehicle, is issued, and a light OFF switch position at which an instruction to turn the head lights off is issued, the light ON switch position, the automatic light switch position, and the light OFF switch position being arranged in an order along a rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Doi, Yuji Imai
  • Patent number: 10843622
    Abstract: A control system of an autonomous vehicle may include: a camera unit installed on a vehicle body, and configured to take an image of a pedestrian; a measurement unit installed on the vehicle body, and configured to measure a position of the pedestrian and a distance to the pedestrian; a control unit configured to receive data of the camera unit and the measurement unit; and an image irradiation unit configured to operate according to a control signal of the control unit, and irradiate light to one or more of the pedestrian and a road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Jeong Lee, Seung Woo Baek, Ban Suk Choi, Cheon Seop Shin, Jun Hyuk Cha, Moo Kwan Kim