Patents Issued in December 24, 2020
  • Publication number: 20200398836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle are described. A processor of a longitudinal planning system determines a state of the vehicle. The processor determines a state of a leader vehicle. The processor, based on the determined state of the vehicle and the determined state of the leader vehicle, determines a critical distance for the vehicle. The processor compares a distance between the vehicle and the leader vehicle with the critical distance. The processor, based on the comparison, determines whether the vehicle is too close to or too far from the leader vehicle. The processor, based on the determination, applies one or more of overshoot constraints, undershoot constraints, and critical constraints. After applying the one or more of overshoot constraints, undershoot constraints, and critical constraints, the processor determines a target acceleration for the vehicle. The processor controls the vehicle to track the target acceleration for the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Albert Wu, Zhongkui Wang, Arek V. Sredzki, Keja S.A. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20200398837
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus including a sensor for detecting a first acceleration of a target vehicle at a first time and a second acceleration of the target vehicle at a second time, a processor operative to calculate an increased distance in response to the first acceleration and the second acceleration exceeding an acceleration threshold, the processor further operative to generate a control signal indicative of the increased distance, and a vehicle controller for controlling a vehicle throttle controller and a vehicle steering controller to maintain an initial distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle and to maintain the increased distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Namal P. Kumara, Paul A. Adam
  • Publication number: 20200398838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle control apparatus least a partial automatic control over the travel of the host vehicle. A following variable generating unit (96) calculates a predicted position of an other vehicle at a predicted time point ahead of the present time point, sets a target position which is short of the predicted position by a target intervehicle distance, and determines a first following variable for causing the host vehicle to reach the target position at the predicted time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroshi OGURO, Daichi KATO
  • Publication number: 20200398839
    Abstract: A communication control apparatus is configured to be mounted on a first vehicle in a preceding vehicle following system that performs follow control by non-mechanically connecting the first vehicle and a second vehicle. The communication control apparatus is configured to cause radio wave radiation of an antenna of the first vehicle to have directionality toward an antenna of the second vehicle based on input relative position information between the second vehicle and the first vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroshi ITO, Kentaro UENO, Hiroki SUGAWARA
  • Publication number: 20200398840
    Abstract: A distance measuring system in an electronically coupled vehicle group in which multiple vehicles are electronically coupled, each of the multiple vehicles includes a vehicle detection unit configured to detect, in an adjacent lane adjacent to a lane for the electronically coupled vehicle group, a first position of a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle group and a first position of a following vehicle traveling behind the vehicle group, an inter-vehicle communication unit configured to receive a second position of the preceding vehicle and a second position of the following vehicle detected by another vehicle among the multiple vehicles of the vehicle group, and a controller configured to calculate a distance between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle based on the first and the second positions of the preceding vehicle and the first and the second positions of the following vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Makoto Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20200398841
    Abstract: A straddle type vehicle having a following cruise function for performing following cruise to follow a preceding vehicle sensed, comprises: a display unit capable of displaying information of the preceding vehicle at a plurality of display positions aligned in a vehicle width direction of the straddle type vehicle; and a selecting unit configured to select, as a following target, a preceding vehicle from among the plurality of preceding vehicles, wherein, when a plurality of preceding vehicles are sensed, the display unit displays preceding vehicle information respectively for the plurality of preceding vehicles at the display positions corresponding to the preceding vehicles sensed, and a preceding vehicle is selected as the following target by the selection unit from the preceding vehicle information displayed by the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroshi MAEDA, Yoshiyuki KUROBA, Masashi HAGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200398842
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a vehicle speed control device and a vehicle speed control method that allow vehicle speed commands to be followed with high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Kento Yoshida, Hironobu Fukai
  • Publication number: 20200398843
    Abstract: A controller (104) and method for controlling torque generated by at least one traction motor (116a, 116b) of a vehicle (100) before a vehicle launch, comprising: means to determine that the vehicle is on a positive gradient; means to determine that the vehicle is prevented from roll-back by at least one vehicle brake (111); means to, in dependence on the determining that the vehicle is on a positive gradient and is prevented from roll-back, limit torque generation 10 by the traction motor in response to torque demand; and means to remove the limit when a vehicle launch condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Alessio Sabbatini
  • Publication number: 20200398844
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing off-road capabilities in electric vehicles with a single gear reduction. In one example, when a 4×4 mode is selected in an electric vehicle, a relationship between motor torque and accelerator pedal position is changed so as to increase the vehicle creep wheel torque. A degree of increase of the creep wheel torque is adjusted as a function of the terrain on which the vehicle is off-roading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin Ray Ruybal, Rajit Johri, Jose Velazquez Alcantar
  • Publication number: 20200398845
    Abstract: A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of time—thereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipment—the controller automatically disengages the power take-off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Bryan Wutzke, Sam Dallas, Phillip Chavez
  • Publication number: 20200398846
    Abstract: A vehicle brake control apparatus includes a vibration detector configured to detect a predetermined vibration state in a frictional brake device, a power regeneration execution determination unit configured to determine, in a case where the predetermined vibration state is detected by the vibration detector, whether to permit execution of power regeneration by a power generating device or to limit the execution, a pressing force controller configured to change, in a case where the execution of the power regeneration is limited by the power regeneration execution determination unit, a pressing force of a friction material in the frictional brake device, and a driving force cooperative controller configured to adjust a driving force of a vehicle to suppress fluctuation in forward acceleration or backward acceleration of the vehicle associated with a change in the pressing force by the pressing force controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Harunobu HORIGUCHI, Yuta ISHIZUKA, Makoto NAKAUCHI, Ryoichi MIZUTANI, Masaki SUNAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20200398847
    Abstract: A vehicle travel assist method includes detecting a surrounding object different from another vehicle A and traveling on a road toward a target intersection. The method also includes assisting the travel of the host vehicle S based on the predicted course of the surrounding object instead of the predicted course of the other vehicle A in a case where the other vehicle A is following the surrounding object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Fang Fang, Shoutaro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20200398848
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that perform threat zone assessment in a host vehicle are provided. The method includes detecting a target vehicle in a nonadjacent lane with respect to the host vehicle, determining dimensions of the detected target vehicle, a type of the detected target vehicle, and geometry of a road on which the detected target vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling, calculating the threat zone based on the dimensions of the detected target vehicle, the type of the detected target vehicle, or the geometry of the road on which the detected target vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling, and controlling the host vehicle to avoid the calculated threat zone by accelerating the host vehicle, decelerating the host vehicle, or aborting a lane change by the host vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Gurhari Singh, Alaeddin Bani Milhim, Paul A. Adam, Reza Zarringhalam, Amir Takhmar, Mark Gazda, Shaun C. Bowman, Joseph M. Burdge
  • Publication number: 20200398849
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: a recognizer configured to recognize a surrounding situation of an own vehicle; a determiner configured to determine whether a condition for lane changing of the own vehicle from an own lane to an adjacent lane is satisfied based on the surrounding situation recognized by the recognizer; and a traveling controller configured to control steering and a deceleration or acceleration speed of the own vehicle and perform lane-changing control to change the own lane to the adjacent lane when the determiner determines that the condition is satisfied. The lane-changing control is inhibited when a speed of the own vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kanoh
  • Publication number: 20200398850
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for traction detection and control of a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle has drive motors that drive drive-wheels according to a drive-motor speed. Traction detection and control can be obtained by measuring the vehicle speed with a sensor such as a LiDAR or video camera, and measuring the wheel speed of the drive wheels with a sensor such as a rotary encoder. The difference between the measured vehicle speed and the measured wheel speeds can be used to determine if a loss of traction has occurred in any of the wheels. If a loss of traction is detected, then a recovery strategy can be selected from a list of recovery strategies in order to reduce the effects of the loss of traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Christopher Gariepy, Shahab Kaynama
  • Publication number: 20200398851
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device is provided for controlling a vehicle air-conditioning of a vehicle in accordance with a control method. A negative pressure, which is generated in an intake passage of the internal combustion engine by a vacuum servo that assists a brake pedal force, is estimated based on an atmospheric pressure and a pressure inside the intake passage. When a predetermined condition is established that includes a state in which the estimated negative pressure inside the vacuum servo is insufficient relative to a predetermined pressure during operation of the air-conditioning compressor, the air-conditioning compressor is stopped during a first time period, the air-conditioning compressor is operated during a second time period regardless of the predetermined condition after the first time period has elapsed, and operation of the air-conditioning compressor is controlled in accordance the states of the predetermined condition being established after the second time period has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Yasushi OHMURA, Masahiro OOMORI, Nobuto MORISHIMA, Seiji KATSUMA
  • Publication number: 20200398852
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device is provided for controlling a vehicle air-conditioning of a vehicle in accordance with a control method. The air-conditioning compressor is stopped for a first time period after a brake pedal transitions from an operated state to a non-operated state when negative pressure inside a vacuum servo is insufficient relative to a predetermined pressure while an air-conditioning compressor is operating, and The air-conditioning compressor is stopped for a second time period after the acceleration pedal has come to be in a non-operated state when an acceleration pedal is operated before the first time period elapses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Yasushi OHMURA, Masahiro OOMORI, Nobuto MORISHIMA, Seiji KATSUMA
  • Publication number: 20200398853
    Abstract: A 360 safety system for automated verification of a 360 walk-around prior to vehicle engagement is described. The 360 safety system includes at least three sensors that receive a signal from a transmission fob, where one signal may be received by one of the at least three sensors at a time. The signals received by the at least three sensors are configured to be signal inputs to an operating system, where the operating system is in electrical communication with the at least three sensors. Each signal input received by one of the at least three sensors is processed by the operating system to generate a verification output displayed on a HMI of the operating system. When the CPU determines a valid signal input of each of the at least three sensors has been stored, the operating system processes the signal inputs and generates outputs that permit engagement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Andy Krejci
  • Publication number: 20200398854
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for controlling a reverse drive of a vehicle and a method of outputting warning thereof. The apparatus for controlling a reverse drive of a vehicle includes a sensor that senses whether a reverse shift is input, a lamp that outputs a reverse guide pattern to a ground surface, and a controller that controls the lamp to output the reverse guide pattern when the reverse shift is input and determine whether the vehicle is able to be reversed based on whether the reverse guide pattern output to the ground surface is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Sung Ik Bae, Ji Hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20200398855
    Abstract: An approach is provided for generating road curvature data. The approach, for example, involves map matching location trace data to a road network, wherein the location trace data is associated with ground truth curvature values. The approach also involves dividing the road network into a plurality of bounded areas (e.g., boxes or other shapes). The approach further involves extracting one or more training features for each bounded area of the plurality of bounded areas from the location trace data map matched to said each bounded area. The approach further involves training a machine learning model based on the one or more training features and ground truth curvature values. The approach further involves providing the trained machine learning model to predict the road curvature data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Joshua THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20200398856
    Abstract: An approach is provided for road curvature data. The approach, for example, involves segmenting a road segment or plurality of road segments into a plurality of slices. The approach also involves retrieving location trace data for the plurality of slice. The location trace data, for instance, is collected from one or more location sensors of a plurality of vehicles traversing the plurality of slices. The approach further involves computing respective curvatures for the plurality of slices based on the location trace data. The approach further involves providing the road curvature data for the road segment of plurality of road segments (e.g., comprising an intersection) based on the respective curvatures of the plurality of slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Gavril GIURGIU, Joshua THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20200398857
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a chassis supporting a plurality of wheels, as well as a motor. A vehicle body is also supported by the chassis and defines a receptacle for storing refuse. A lifting system is coupled to the vehicle body and is movable between a first position and a second position vertically offset from the first position. The refuse vehicle also has a processing unit in communication with the lifting system and the motor. The processing unit is configured to access and toggle through a plurality of preset operational modes stored within a memory to adjust performance parameters of the refuse vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Cody CLIFTON, Jerry SHIRLEY, Josh ROCHOLL, Zhenyi WEI
  • Publication number: 20200398858
    Abstract: A driving support control device of a vehicle is provided including an acquiring unit configured to acquire a traveling state of the vehicle which is detected and a traveling environment of the vehicle, and a control unit, configured to, in a case where zero-point learning of a yaw rate sensor has not been completed, cause a driving support unit to execute collision avoidance support using a reduced operational area reduced from a reference operational area which becomes a reference in view of an error of the yaw rate sensor as an operational area of collision avoidance support, and the traveling state of the vehicle and the traveling environment of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Kei KAMIYA, Atsushi ITO
  • Publication number: 20200398859
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor array and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to: store a policy; receive the sensor information from the sensor array; receive horizon information from a horizon system; input the sensor information and the horizon information into the policy; determine an output of the policy based on the input of the sensor information and the horizon information; control operation of a vehicle system according to the output; compare the sensor information received after controlling operation of the vehicle system according to the output relative to a reward or penalty condition; provide one of a reward signal or a penalty signal in response to the comparison; update the policy based on receipt of the reward signal or the penalty signal; and control the vehicle system using the updated policy to improve operation in view of the operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hoseinali Borhan, Abbas Hooshmand Salemian, Edmund P. Hodzen
  • Publication number: 20200398860
    Abstract: A vehicle including an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) and operator-adjustable devices is described. Controlling the vehicle includes identifying a vehicle operator, and capturing a plurality of operator-selectable settings associated with the plurality of operator-adjustable devices for the vehicle operator. A base profile and a second profile are determined for the vehicle operator based upon the first subset associated with non-autonomous operation of the vehicle and the second subset associated with ADAS, respectively. The plurality of operator-adjustable devices are controlled to the operator-selectable settings associated with the base profile when the vehicle is operating in the non-autonomous mode, and the plurality of operator-adjustable devices are controlled to the operator-selectable settings associated with the second profile when the vehicle is being controlled at least in part by one or more of the subsystems of the ADAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kausalya Singuru, Donald K. Grimm, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi, Yasen Hu, Nicholas W. Pinto, Yao Hu, Shiming Duan, Bradley R. Frieberg
  • Publication number: 20200398861
    Abstract: A processing platform may obtain sensor data associated with a vehicle and manual input data associated with the vehicle. The processing platform may determine, based on the sensor data, automated control information. The processing platform may determine, based on the sensor data and the manual input data, a parameter associated with the vehicle. The processing platform may determine, based on the automated control information, a control rating associated with the parameter. The processing platform may determine whether the control rating satisfies a threshold for a period of time. The processing platform may cause, based on determining that the control rating satisfies the threshold for the period of time, at least one action to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Wei LI
  • Publication number: 20200398862
    Abstract: In a vehicle warning system, the line-of-sight detection unit detects the line of sight of a driver operating the vehicle. The line-of-sight fixedness determination device determines the line-of-sight fixedness condition, in other words, how much the line of sight of the driver that is detected by the line-of-sight detection unit, is fixed. The danger-level determination device determines the driving conditions. The warning-level determination unit determines the warning level, based on the line-of-sight fixedness condition that is determined by the line-of-sight fixedness determination device, and the driving conditions that is determined by the danger-level determination device. The alerting unit alerts the driver based on the warning level that is determined by the warning-level determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroki Kojima, Kentaro Otomo
  • Publication number: 20200398863
    Abstract: A driver assistance system plans movement for a motor vehicle, wherein a safe state of the motor vehicle is a state of the motor vehicle in a first time step from which the motor vehicle can be transferred, as a function of a movement capability of the motor vehicle in at least one second time step which follows the first time step, into a further safe state without colliding with a road user. The driver assistance system is configured to determine for at least one future time step starting from a current state of the motor vehicle, at least one possible future state of the motor vehicle and of the road user, and to select safe future states of the motor vehicle from the possible future states of the motor vehicle and of the road user, and to plan a movement for the motor vehicle as a function of the safe future states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian PEK
  • Publication number: 20200398864
    Abstract: A vehicle-behavior prediction device includes: a priority determination section that determines the priority of a host vehicle and a vehicle concerned when the host vehicle and the vehicle concerned pass through a road section; and a vehicle control section that sets the time from when the vehicle concerned stops to when the host vehicle starts action to avoid the vehicle concerned to be shorter in a case where the priority of the host vehicle is low than in a case where the priority of the host vehicle is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Shotaro Yamaguchi, Fang Fang
  • Publication number: 20200398865
    Abstract: A parking assist system includes a control device configured to control screen display of a display device, to set a target position candidate selected by an occupant as a target position, and to control an autonomous movement operation to autonomously move a vehicle to the target position to park or unpark the vehicle. The control device is configured to cause the display device to display a look-down image and a bird's-eye image side by side in a target position setting screen and to cause the display device to display the look-down image and a travel direction image, which is an image viewed from the vehicle in the travel direction, side by side in an autonomous movement control screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Miki TSUJINO, Hiroshi YAMANAKA, Yasushi SHODA
  • Publication number: 20200398866
    Abstract: A parking assist system includes: a control device configured to control a vehicle so as to move the vehicle autonomously from a current position to a target position; and an external environment sensor configured to detect an obstacle. During control of the vehicle to the target position, the control device is configured to recognize the obstacle present in a first area and a second area based on information from the external environment sensor. In a case where the control device recognizes the obstacle in the first area, the control device stops the vehicle, and in a case where the control device recognizes the obstacle in the second area and the obstacle in the second area is a moving object and/or a moving creature, the control device moves the vehicle in a decelerated state in which the vehicle is decelerated to a prescribed speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Yuki HARA, Yasushi SHODA, Hiroshi YAMANAKA, Masaaki KAWANO
  • Publication number: 20200398867
    Abstract: A parking assist system includes: a control device configured to control a vehicle, a vehicle position detecting device configured to detect a position of the vehicle; a shift device configured to be operated for changing a shift position; and a brake input member configured to be operated for driving a brake device. In a case where the vehicle is stopped at a position other than a target position and a switching position, the control device changes the shift position to a parking position or a neutral position unless a shift maintenance condition is satisfied. The shift maintenance condition includes at least one of condition (i) that the vehicle is stopped at a position out of a prescribed range according to an operation of the brake input member and a condition (ii) that a cause for which the vehicle has been stopped is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Yuki HARA, Yuki NAKADA, Yasushi SHODA, Hiroshi YAMANAKA, Miki TSUJINO, Hiroki NISHIMURA, Hikaru HORIUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200398868
    Abstract: A vehicle control system (1, 100) includes: a recognizer (120) configured to recognize a surrounding situation of a vehicle; a controller (120, 160) configured to control one or both of steering and a decelerated or accelerated speed of the vehicle and perform driving support of the vehicle based on the surrounding situation recognized by the recognizer; and a mode controller (170) configured to cause the controller to perform first control such that the driving support is ended when the driving support ends in accordance with a first state in the vehicle and to cause the controller to perform second control such that the vehicle is decelerated while reducing a risk and subsequently end the second control when the driving support ends in accordance with a second state in the vehicle in a case in which the controller performs the driving support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroaki Horii, Tadahiko Kanoh, Jun Ochida, Nobuharu Nagaoka, Hirofumi Kanazaki, Luwei ` Jia
  • Publication number: 20200398869
    Abstract: A cable carrier apparatus has a bracket having a vertical mounting surface interface for mounting securely to a post, wall, or other stable support, and a horizontal portion, a first roller rotatable on a vertical post anchored to be stationary relative to the frame bracket, with the first roller positioned below the horizontal portion of the bracket, the first roller having a circumferential groove symmetrical around an axis of the post and about a horizontal plane, the groove having a cross-section with a radius describing a portion of a semicircle, but less than a full semicircle, and a second roller matching the first roller and rotatable on a second post having an axis, the second roller mounted to be translatable against spring force away from the first roller, wherein a traveler translating on a cable being held between the two rollers traverses through the rollers, maintaining the cable between the rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Charles Henry MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20200398870
    Abstract: Disclosed are a matrix track system, a production line with associated loops and a production method using the production line. The matrix track system includes a plurality of track nodes which are arranged in a matrix and a plurality of fixed guide rails connecting the track nodes. The fixed guide rails include a plurality of longitudinal guide rails and a plurality of transverse guide rails. Each of the track nodes includes a turnout mechanism which includes a straight guide rail, an arc guide rail and a switch component for the switching of the straight guide rail and the arc guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Defeng ZHANG, Zuochun ZHANG, Yongqiang LI, Baokui LI
  • Publication number: 20200398871
    Abstract: A bogie of a rail vehicle has at least one wheelset with two oppositely situated wheels that are rigidly connected to one another, a wheelset bearing arrangement of the wheelset within the two wheels, a traction motor which directly drives the wheelset, and an aerodynamic paneling enclosure of the bogie. The traction motor is a permanently excited synchronous motor with liquid cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN KUETER, ANDREAS SCHAEFER-ENKELER, MARTIN TEICHMANN, CHRISTOPH ADAM, OLAF KOERNER, PETER SEITZ
  • Publication number: 20200398872
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Publication number: 20200398873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bogie structure for a mountain railway car. The bogie structure is configured as follows: a traction motor for driving an axle of mountain railway car is installed on a car body to simplify the bogie structure and to minimized interference between the traction motor and other components constituting the bogie, and a first and a second bearing are respectively inserted and installed between a first and a second axle and a first and a second wheel, so that a first and a second wheel located in one side close to a turning center are rotated less than a first and a second wheel located in the other side opposite thereof and a traveling distance of the wheels located in the turning-centered side is generated corresponding to a length of a turning-centered side railway, whereby the mountain railway car is improved in traveling stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: KOREA RAILROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: SUNG-IL SEO, Hyung-Suk MUN
  • Publication number: 20200398874
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a coupler to a railroad car, the apparatus comprising a plurality of actuable coupler locking tabs adapted to engage with a knuckle on said coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LTD
    Inventors: Adriaan Piet VAN DER VEEN, David WALLACE
  • Publication number: 20200398875
    Abstract: A selective cushioning apparatus for a railway car comprises an E-Type yoke having a stack of elastomeric units assembled in the interior space in the yoke absorbing draft and buff loads applied to a coupler of a railway car. The yoke is provided with butt support protruding from the top wall of the yoke to prevent the coupler from drooping after prolonged use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan SUNDE, Michael Ring
  • Publication number: 20200398876
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Publication number: 20200398877
    Abstract: A railroad crossing safety assembly includes a plurality of object sensors that is each positioned on a respective one of four corners of a railroad crossing. The object sensors emit a sensing signal across the railroad crossing to detect an obstruction on the railroad crossing. A data storage unit is provided and each of the object sensors is in electrical communication with the data storage unit. The data storage unit is in electrical communication with emergency responders thereby facilitating the emergency responders to be notified of the obstruction on the railroad crossing. Additionally, the data storage unit is in communication with a railway operation department thereby facilitating the railway operation department to alter railway scheduling in response to the obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Keith White
  • Publication number: 20200398878
    Abstract: A pool cue case caddy for carrying and securing a pool cue case includes a frame comprising a pair of parallel bars and a handle. A base is coupled to a bottom end of each of the bars and perpendicularly extends forward to support a pool cue case. A support comprises a pair of legs pivotably coupled to the pair of bars and a foot extending between a distal end of each of the legs. The support has a folded position extending towards the top end of the frame and an alternate extended position with the foot contacting the ground and the legs maintaining the frame in a vertical position. A pair of wheels is coupled adjacent the bottom end of each of the pair of bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Henle
  • Publication number: 20200398879
    Abstract: A system for transporting a number of assortment boxes or toolboxes comprises at least one frame part and at least one transportation unit. The frame part comprises a top, a bottom, and a front opening. The frame part forms at least one compartment adapted to contain at least one assortment box or toolbox, wherein the front opening is dimensioned for receiving and introducing the assortment box or toolbox into the compartment. The transportation unit comprises a carrying means, a stabilisation means, wheels, a handle, and an arm. A distal end of the arm is connected to the carrying means and the wheels. A proximal end of the arm is connected to the handle. The carrying means is adapted to carry the bottom of the frame part. The stabilisation means is arranged at the arm, where the stabilization means is adapted to fixate the frame part to said transportation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Peter-Thomas DAMBERG
  • Publication number: 20200398880
    Abstract: A cart including a body that has a frame and a caster, and the frame including first and second bars. The cart further includes a basket, first and second couplers attached to the basket such that the first and second couplers removably couple in a snug fit with either the first and second bars respectively, or the second and first bars respectively. The cart further includes first and second latches attached to the basket such that the first and second latches are constructed to reversibly secure the first and second couplers respectively to either the first bar and the second bar, or the second bar and the first bar, and a latch-connecting means having a first end attached to the first latch and a second end attached to the second latch such that the latch-connecting means permits the second latch to be controlled by the first latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Warren Won CHOI
  • Publication number: 20200398881
    Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder actuated pallet jack assembly for mechanically lifting and lower a pallet includes a pallet jack, a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, and a compressor. The forks of the pallet jack are slidably coupled to a frame of the pallet jack. Each of a pair of rear rollers that is coupled to a respective fork distal from the frame and a roller module that is slidably coupled to the frame are selectively vertically positionable. A tow bar is pivotally coupled to the frame proximate to the roller module. Pneumatic cylinders are operationally coupled singly to each of the forks, the pair of rear rollers, and to the roller module, and the compressor. The compressor is positioned to selectively actuate respective pneumatic cylinders to size a gap between the forks and to raise the forks and the frame to lift a load that is positioned on the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Larry Simpson
  • Publication number: 20200398882
    Abstract: Apparatuses and systems that yield a zero torque steer for a pallet truck or similar vehicle are disclosed. In an embodiment, a motor is attached to a final drive. The final drive is equipped to a steer assembly such as a tiller that includes a drive wheel that is offset from the steering axis. The offset is determined on the basis of the drive wheel radius, divided by the ratio of the final drive. The ratio of the final drive is determined by selection of the sizes of a first and second gear. In embodiments, the first and second gears provide a right angle drive. The drive wheel creates a torque due to the offset that counteracts torque imposed by operation of the drive motor. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Hyster-Yale Group, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew White, Mark Stent, Malcolm Cole
  • Publication number: 20200398883
    Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to handle sleeves that can reversibly couple to a handle. In some examples, the handle sleeve comprises a bioactive material that can kill or inactivate bioorganisms. The bioactive material can be a photocatalyst and may also comprise one or more transition metals. Methods of preventing or reducing the spread of infections using the handle sleeves are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Sisson, Dennis Hackemeyer
  • Publication number: 20200398884
    Abstract: A switch device includes a switch part that is installed on a steering wheel of a vehicle and that includes an operation knob and an electromagnetic element for detecting an operation on the operation knob and causing a vibration of the operation knob, and a control unit that makes the operation knob vibrate. The control unit controls the electromagnetic element to vibrate under a predetermined condition so that vibration is transmitted to a hand of an occupant holding the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tatsushi KATSUYAMA, Takashi NAGAO, Tetsuya EGAWA, Takeyoshi MORI
  • Publication number: 20200398885
    Abstract: A compound energy absorption system for a steering column may include different first and second energy absorption mechanisms. The first energy absorption mechanism may involve a slide that deforms a deformation strip in a crash event. The second energy absorption mechanism may involve an energy absorbing strap and a carrier, with the energy absorbing strap being configured to bend and/or tear in a crash event. The energy absorbing strap, the carrier, the deformation strip, and the slide may be packaged compactly in series along an inner jacket tube of the steering column such that the carrier and the deformation strip move relative to the slide and a portion of the energy absorbing strap in a crash event. A pyrotechnic switch, a solenoid, or the like may selectively couple or decouple the second energy absorption mechanism depending on the severity or anticipated severity of a crash event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicants: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Christian Pichonnat, Kevin Templin, Bryce Welch, Justin Yoho