Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
  • Patent number: 10967748
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a battery that stores electric power for traveling, a sensor that detects the temperature of the battery, a communication circuitry configured to communicate with a server configured to collect information as to a plurality of vehicles, a temperature adjusting circuitry configured to adjust the temperature of the battery, and a control circuitry configured to control the temperature adjusting circuitry. The information as to the vehicles includes at least an ambient temperature in a surrounding area of each vehicle. The control circuitry selectively switches the mode of operation of the temperature adjusting circuitry by using the temperature of the battery and the ambient temperature collected in the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10967749
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a housing infrastructure, a drive system including one or more wheels to support the housing infrastructure above a floor surface, a cleaning assembly, electrical circuitry positioned within the robot housing and an electrostatic discharge assembly including an electrostatic discharge member that includes a metallic contact electrically connected to the electrical circuitry and extending, from the electrical circuitry, to an exterior of the housing infrastructure. The electrical circuitry includes a controller to initiate a cleaning operation in which the drive propels the robot across the floor surface while the cleaning assembly cleans the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10967750
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a plug-in hybrid vehicle can improve the on-board charging efficiency of the plug-in hybrid vehicle by adjusting a frequency of operation of a cooler when cooling an on-board charger (OBC) by circulating coolant when the temperature of the OBC rises while a high-voltage battery is being charged. The operations of a water pump and a radiator fan are controlled by determining whether the voltage of the high-voltage battery is within or out of a reference voltage range in which the on-board charging of the high-voltage battery is performed. This consequently prevents power from being unnecessarily consumed by operation of the cooler, such that the efficiency of charging is improved and the OBC is properly cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jang Hyo Lee, Kyu Jin Lee, Sang Hoon Yoo, Chun Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 10967751
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to detect a sufficient charging cable connection, the system including a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the steps of: capturing an image of at least a portion of a vehicle body; determining whether the image includes a charging cable being sufficiently engaged with the portion of the vehicle body; and based on the determination of whether the image includes the charging cable being sufficiently connected to the portion of the vehicle body, producing a connection notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Valor Yaldo, Sai Vishnu Aluru, Xiaofeng F. Song
  • Patent number: 10967752
    Abstract: An autonomous moving device wireless charging system, including an autonomous moving device and a wireless charging station, the wireless charging station includes a wireless charging transmitting end; the autonomous moving device includes: a wireless charging receiving end, the wireless charging transmitting end wirelessly transmits a charging signal to the wireless charging receiving end to transmit electric energy; a charging battery, electrically connected to the wireless charging receiving end, to receive the electric energy transmitted from the wireless charging receiving end; a wireless charging locating module, the wireless charging locating module determines whether the autonomous moving device is at a charging location; a driving module; and a control module, connected to the wireless charging locating module and driving module, when the wireless charging locating module determines that the autonomous moving device is at the charging location, controlling the driving module, to make the autonomous m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fangshi Liu, Gen Sun, Yongming Dong, Chang Zhou, Shiping Jiao, Jiang Du
  • Patent number: 10967753
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an inlet configured to allow a connector of a charging cable to be inserted into the inlet; a battery configured to be charged from a charger through the connector and the inlet; a communication device configured to perform communication with a server; and an ECU configured to control charging. The ECU diagnoses whether there is an abnormality in the charger, when where the charger and the vehicle are connected to each other through the charging cable, the abnormality being able to be diagnosed in a state where the connector has been inserted into the inlet, and sends information indicating an abnormality occurrence, to the server through the communication device, when where the ECU diagnoses the charger as having the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kusumi
  • Patent number: 10967754
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a controller and contactor arranged to close responsive to current magnitude through a coil thereof exceeding a first threshold. The controller, following a request to open the contactor, applies current to the coil at a magnitude less than the first threshold for a duration, and responsive to peak current through the contactor during the duration being less than a second threshold, prevents start of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Wesley Edward Burkman, Baojin Wang, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 10967755
    Abstract: A control system is designed or configured to control the state of charge of a battery or battery pack in a system containing a separate power source, which is separate from the battery or battery pack. In operation, the battery or battery pack is called upon to intermittently provide power for certain functions. The separate power source may be, for example, an AC electrical power source for a UPS or an engine of a vehicle such as a micro hybrid vehicle. The battery may be a nickel zinc aqueous battery. The control system may be designed or configured to implement one or more of the following functions: monitoring the state of charge of the battery or battery pack; directing rapid recharge of the battery or battery pack from the separate power source when the battery or battery pack is not performing its functions; and directing charge to fully charged level or a float charge level, which is different from the fully charged level, in response to operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ZincFive Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Phillips, Salil Soman
  • Patent number: 10967756
    Abstract: A liquid cooling module comprises a cooling plate, including a plurality of cooling channels for liquid flowing, and a pump block, integrated with the cooling plate and including a pump and a heat exchange chamber connecting to the plurality of cooling channels of the cooling plate, to form a circulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Fu-Min Fang, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Gwo-Huei You
  • Patent number: 10967757
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle plant, which is capable of reducing computational load and a storage capacity in a case where the vehicle plant is controlled using a plurality of periodic function values having a plurality of frequencies different from each other. A control apparatus for a fuel cell device includes a first ECU and a second ECU. The second ECU calculates superposition sine wave value of one of frequencies Z to nZ (Hz) based on a frequency command value by a thinning method using a data group of one set of reference sine wave values, stored in a map. The second ECU executes an AC superposition control using the superposition sine wave value, and calculates impedance of the fuel cell device during execution of the AC superposition control. The first ECU executes fuel cell (FC) humidification control process such that the impedance becomes equal to a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Kitamoto, Yukihiro Nozaki, Yasuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 10967758
    Abstract: A condition correction unit includes a plan storage unit configured to store correction plans showing contents of correction of the body condition of a seated person, a presentation unit configured to read a correction plan based on a current value measured by a measurement unit from the plan storage unit and present the correction plan to the seated person, and a processing execution unit configured to execute processing to correct posture by controlling an operating unit. The plan storage unit stores the correction plan presented by the presentation unit in association with information identifying the seated person when the correction plan is presented. The processing execution unit reads the correction plan associated with the information identifying the seated person from the plan storage unit, and executes the processing to correct the posture according to correction contents shown by the correction plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kensuke Mizoi
  • Patent number: 10967759
    Abstract: A motor vehicle including at least one individual seat is provided. The individual seat includes a seat part and a backrest. The seat part has a seat-part main shell and seat-part side shells arranged thereon on respective sides. The backrest has a backrest main shell and backrest side shells arranged thereon on respective sides. A rail system is provided, which moves the respective seat-part side shell and/or the respective backrest side shell in a desired or specified position by way of actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hakon Gabriel Tjaum
  • Patent number: 10967760
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for coupling a component to a vehicle including a bracket body including a C-ring retainer that is adapted to translatably engage and retain a T-shaped guide rail coupled to one of a crossmember and floor structure of the vehicle, wherein the bracket body defines a hole or includes an attachment structure adapted to receive and retain the component. The bracket body further includes one or more flanges adapted to secure the bracket body to the crossmember or floor structure of the vehicle via bolting and/or welding. Optionally, the bracket body includes: a front attachment arm; a rear attachment arm; one or more intervening structural reinforcement members; a bottom portion coupled to the attachment arms; and a cap structure coupled to the attachment arms opposite the bottom portion; wherein the bottom portion includes the C-ring retainer and the cap structure defines the hole or includes the attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Rebecca Andersson, Austen Clark, Jonatan Tågerud
  • Patent number: 10967761
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure may include a vehicle having one or more tires, a body, and an occupant compartment including: a rotatable platform, a central pod seat and one or more companion pod seats disposed on the rotatable platform, and one or more rear seats, wherein the rotatable platform is configured to rotate the central pod seat and the one or more companion pod seats toward a front of the vehicle in a first mode and toward a rear of the vehicle in a second mode, and wherein the central pod seat is further configured to translate linearly away from a center of the rotatable platform into a first position and toward the center of the rotatable platform into a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yimeng Li, Ricky Jukuei Hsu, Jean-Hugues Tuan Huy Nguyen, Michael McGee
  • Patent number: 10967762
    Abstract: A car seat includes a chassis formed as an interrupted shell defining a protected interior with a top opening, and a handle fixed to the chassis at a single point and covering a sufficient portion of a length of the top opening such that the handle functions as a carry handle and a roll bar against impacts or intrusions into the protected interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Kioma, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Gay, Christopher William Wischkowsky, Chetan Raj
  • Patent number: 10967763
    Abstract: A removable and/or mountable seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat pan that are pivotally connected to each other via a locking device and rotate about at least one common axis of rotation. The locking device is in mechanical communication with the seat back and the seat pan and is configured to lock the seat back and the seat pan relative to each other about the at least one common axis of rotation. The locking device is configured to selectively lock the seat pan and the seat back such that the seat back and the seat pan lie along the common plane forming the stretcher or selectively lock the seat pan and the seat back such that the seat back and the seat pan form a seat. Additionally, the seat back and the seat pan may be locked in yet another position allowing for the easy transport and/or storage of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, INC.
    Inventor: Celyn M. Evans
  • Patent number: 10967764
    Abstract: A seating assembly is attached to the floor and includes a seat that is rotationally operable relative to a seatback. A retention device is attached to the seat. When the seat is pivoted upright to a stadium position, the retention device is selectively deployable from a stored position to a cargo storage position that defines an enclosure at least partially defined by the seat and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Hugh Fowler, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Patent number: 10967765
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback with a frame assembly having first and second portions. A primary structure extends between the first and second portions and defines a seating surface. A secondary structure extends between the first and second portions. A retractor mechanism is disposed on one of the first and second portions and is selectively positionable in an unlocked, a locked, or a pre-tensioned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Andrew Line, Scott Holmes Dunham, Jimmy Moua
  • Patent number: 10967766
    Abstract: An energy absorber (100) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular for a linear adjuster (60) of the vehicle seat (1), includes a deformation element (110). The deformation element (110) is deformable by forces occurring in a vehicle collision. The energy absorber (100) includes a bending element (120) that releases the deformation element (110). Upon achieving a bending load acting on the bending element (120), the bending element (120) bends and the bending element (120) thereby releases the deformation element (110) to a lesser extent. A linear adjuster (60) for a vehicle seat (1) is also provided, having the energy absorber (100). Further, a vehicle seat (1) is provided having at least such one linear adjuster (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Roland Schoenbach, Andreas Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10967767
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector, comprising a base including one or more supports extending from the base, a diverter that is offset from the base via the one or more supports, and a passage defined in the base having a size that is substantially the same as a size of the diverter. The diverter is configured to extend through a layer in a climate control device. The diverter restricts the layer from obstructing the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GENTHERM AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS (CHINA) LTD.
    Inventors: Haiming Yang, Tong Yu
  • Patent number: 10967768
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat main body having a seat back, and disposed at a vehicle front side of a seating position at an end side in a vehicle width direction of a rear seat; and a flow path having one end side and another end side, conditioned air flowing through the one end side, the conditioned air being produced by an air-conditioning device mounted at the vehicle, the other end side being disposed inside the seat main body, another end of the flow path opening at a vehicle rear surface of the seat back, and the conditioned air flowing through an inside of the flow path and being blown from the other end towards a vehicle rear side of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Shiga
  • Patent number: 10967769
    Abstract: A clip (1, 101, 201, 301) for securing a seat cover (304) to a foam part (303) of a seat cushion, including at least one securing element (1.2, 101.2, 201.2, 301.2, 1.6) for temporarily securing the clip (1, 101,201,301) to a foaming tool (SW) in a form-fitting manner. A foaming tool (SW) is provided for producing a foam part (303) of a seat cushion. A production arrangement (HS) is provided for producing a foam part (303) of a seat cushion, and a method is provided for producing a foam part (303) of a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Navarro, Robert Braun, Nicolas Mehl, Salah Kechid
  • Patent number: 10967770
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching an actuator is easily bonded to a side frame while avoiding interference with a shaft for driving a reclining mechanism. In a seat side frame which is provided at each of both ends of a seat back frame in the width direction, a reclining mechanism, and an actuator, the reclining mechanism is attached to a side wall of the side frame, and the actuator is fixed to an attachment bracket bonded to an inner surface of a portion to which the reclining mechanism is attached in the side wall in the width direction. An upper portion which is disposed above the attachment portion of the reclining mechanism and a lower portion which is disposed below the attachment portion thereof are connected to each other at the rear ends thereof and are separated from each other at the front ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 10967771
    Abstract: A seat support structure including an elastomeric panel. The elastomeric panel positions and supports a seated occupant. The panel is constrained on a forward side and a rearward side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.ár.l.
    Inventor: Kurt Seibold
  • Patent number: 10967772
    Abstract: A vehicle seat cushion carrier assembly (bottom and back) via which a cushion carrier structure, cushion foam, and upholstery are more easily assembled and installed in a vehicle, optionally as a modular unit. The cushion carrier structure can be multi-piece and incorporate any desired trim units. Strap fasteners are used to secure the upholstery to the cushion carrier structure and cushion foam, creating the desired creating seams, creases, and indentations. Clip fasteners are used to secure the upholstery to the cushion carrier structure around the cushion foam, especially with respect to the seat back. This allows much of the upholstering to be done outside the vehicle, optionally in a modular manner. Finally, these modular features and functionalities allow the cushion carrier assemblies (bottom and back) to be quickly and easily secured to the underlying seat pan and/or seat frame using simple screws, hooks, and clip fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Roman
  • Patent number: 10967773
    Abstract: An electronically-activated support positioning system for a passenger seat can include a sensor capable of detecting a tactile input from a passenger and sending a signal, optionally through a controller, to a lock actuator coupled to a lockable hydraulic spring to either lock or unlock the lockable hydraulic spring. The lockable hydraulic spring can control movement of a support of the passenger seat, such as reclining of a seatback. In an example, when tactile input is detected, the lock actuator can unlock the lockable hydraulic spring, allowing an attached seatback to be adjusted. When tactile input is no longer detected, the lock actuator can lock the lockable hydraulic spring, securing the seatback from adjustment. The sensor can be sufficiently small to fit within the confines of an armrest. The sensor can be a microswitch positioned to detect deflection of a tab formed in the wall of the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Merardo Vela, Patricia Luevano
  • Patent number: 10967774
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including: a seatback frame of a seatback that supports a back area of a vehicle occupant, the seatback frame including: a left and right pair of side frame portions spaced apart in a seat width direction; and an upper frame portion that joins between end portions, at a seat upper side, of the left and right pair of side frame portions in the seat width direction, a headrest that supports a head area of the vehicle occupant being supported at the upper frame portion; and a plastic deformation portion provided at the upper frame portion, the plastic deformation portion being plastically deformed and moving at least a portion of the upper frame portion toward a seat rear side together with the headrest, when a load toward the seat rear side that exceeds a predetermined value is applied to the plastic deformation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuya Mori
  • Patent number: 10967775
    Abstract: An inflatable seat cushion apparatus for comfort and pain prevention includes a cushion bladder having a bladder front side, a bladder back side, a bladder top side, a bladder bottom side, a bladder left side, and a bladder right side defining a bladder inside. A pump is coupled to the cushion bladder. The pump is coupled to the bladder left side within the bladder inside and has an intake vent and a power switch extending through the bladder left side. The power switch activates the pump to inflate the bladder inside. A release valve is coupled to the cushion bladder and extends through the bladder left side to selectively deflate the bladder inside. A pair of foam wings is coupled to the cushion bladder. The pair of foam wings is coupled to the bladder top side adjacent the bladder left side and the bladder right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Franklin
  • Patent number: 10967776
    Abstract: A condiment holder for supporting a condiment container, said condiment holder including a body having a top surface and a bottom surface. An aperture is defined by an interior peripheral wall of the body. The aperture extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the body. The peripheral wall includes a plurality of sets of opposed wall sections and each set of opposed wall sections is configured to engage one of a plurality of differently shaped condiment containers. The peripheral wall includes at least three sets of opposed wall sections and the body is thereby able to selectively engage at least three differently shaped condiment containers. A clip extends outwardly from the body and is utilized to engage a fin of a vehicle air vent to secure the condiment holder thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Milkmen Design, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Koury, William Moujaes, Tony Lahood
  • Patent number: 10967777
    Abstract: A lift assist device for a slide-out room includes a base and a floor support having a fixed portion, a deflecting portion, and a biasing member disposed between the base and the deflecting portion. When the slide out room is in an extended position, the weight of the room deflects the deflecting portion, thereby compressing the biasing member. As the slide-out room is being retracted from the extended position, the biasing member decompresses, thereby facilitating lifting of the slide-out room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Howie, Patrick Quigley, Jeremiah Bradley, James Clay
  • Patent number: 10967778
    Abstract: Edge protectors to protect cargo from damage caused by a cable. The edge protectors include a body, a first retainer, and a first ramp. The body is complementarily configured with an edge of the cargo and is configured to cover the edge when the cable secures the cargo. The first retainer is mounted to the body and is configured to receive and laterally retain the cable when the cable secures the cargo. The first ramp is mounted to the body proximate the first retainer. The first ramp is configured to guide the cable into the first retainer and is configured to cooperate with the first retainer to laterally retain the cable in the first retainer when the cable secures the cargo. In some examples, the edge protector includes a second retainer, a second ramp, and/or a bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Theodore Lonnberg, Casey Fordyce
  • Patent number: 10967779
    Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle has a laser light source from the light of which light radiation is generated into the area around the motor vehicle during operation of the lighting device. In the lighting device, a plurality of optical channels is associated with the laser light source, and the light of the laser light source can be guided via each optical channel in order to generate a separate light spread associated with the optical channel from the guided light in the area around the motor vehicle. An optical element, which can be switched by a control device into different switching states, is provided between the laser light source and the plurality of optical channels. A different switching state is associated with each optical channel. In each respective switching state, light from the laser light source is fed only into the optical channel with which the respective switching state is associated, by means of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Erdl, Abdelmalek Hanafi, Reinhard Seifried
  • Patent number: 10967780
    Abstract: A single-track motor vehicle or a multi-track motor vehicle with tilt technology, includes one or more environment sensors that are installed in the front of the motor vehicle and that are arranged for detecting an area in front of the motor vehicle, and a control unit. The control unit controls an actuator while the motor vehicle is travelling depending on the position of the motor vehicle that is detected by the position sensor system in such a way that when the motor vehicle is tilted along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, the movable element is moved by means of the actuator so that the position of a respective environment sensor is not rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is tilted compared to the position of the respective environment sensor when the motor vehicle is not tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Heimrath, Tobias Koegel
  • Patent number: 10967781
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicular emblem for a means of transportation includes a housing unit, a lighting unit and a light dimming unit. The housing unit includes a bottom case, a top case disposed on the bottom case, and an emblem member disposed above the top case. A receiving space is defined between the top and bottom cases to receive the lighting unit. The lighting unit includes a light guide plate, light emitting components and a first light shielding film disposed on the light guide plate. The light emitting components are disposed at the light guide plate such that the light guide plate receives light emitted from the light emitting components. The light dimming unit changes the direction of propagation of the light and includes a first dot portion distributed on the light guide plate and along a projection of an outline of the emblem member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Chicony Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsuan-Wei Ho
  • Patent number: 10967782
    Abstract: A taillight assembly includes a lamp housing and a deformable member. The lamp housing is configured to be fixedly supported to a movable panel of a vehicle body structure. The lamp housing is positioned relative to an overhang of the movable panel such that the lamp housing and the overhang are separated by a space. The deformable member is attached to the lamp housing and disposed within the space. The deformable member has a first exposed surface that substantially aligns with a second exposed surface of the lamp housing and a third exposed surface of the overhang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Alberto Carrillo Pereira
  • Patent number: 10967783
    Abstract: Provided is a soft upper trim of a vehicle door, in which an upper substrate, foam, and a transparent skin are laminated, and particularly, to a soft upper trim for switch assembly of a vehicle door, in which a switch, which is configured to preserve continuity of a transparent skin and display lock and unlock symbols on the transparent skin, is easily assembled to an upper substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: SEOYON E-HWA CO., LTD., SEOYON AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ji Hyun Cho, Dong Suk Kim, Jong Kyu Kim, Sung Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10967784
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a linear light emitting device comprises one or more linear extrusions collectively comprising a horizontal mounting extension, an array of light emitting diodes, a vertical support, and a linear support platform. In one embodiment, the light emitting device comprises a mounting extension that extends from the light emitting device for the bottom surface of the mounting extension to be mounted to a top rail of a vehicle cargo compartment (such as a trailer or cargo compartment of a truck) and a vertical support that positions a linear array of light emitting diodes above the top rail and oriented at a first orientation angle, such as 45 degrees, to the bottom surface of the horizontal mounting surface. In one embodiment, the linear light emitting device is mounted between two roof bows or below one or more roof bows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: William Hood
  • Patent number: 10967785
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger light includes a reading light unit having a reading light unit and a halo light unit. The reading light unit includes at least one reading light source and is configured for emitting a targeted reading light output. The halo light unit includes at least one halo light source and is configured for emitting a ring shaped halo light output, at least partly surrounding the targeted reading light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Pawliczek, Christian Schoen
  • Patent number: 10967786
    Abstract: An electroluminescent light source included as a sheet-like structure as part of headliner in a vehicle. The electroluminescent light source is arranged under an outer layer of fabric, as well as under a layer of foam and a layer of nonwoven textile material. The electroluminescent light source lacks a dedicated housing for containing the electroluminescent light source, which allows for the headliner to maintain a flat and uniform surface that is undisturbed by the inclusion of the electroluminescent light source. When the electroluminescent light source is activated, the emitted light has sufficient brightness to shine through the various layers of the headliner to illuminate the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Richardson, Philip Z. Teano, Nichole A. Verwys, Zainab I. Ali, Patricia A. Scott
  • Patent number: 10967787
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle for adjusting a sound pressure of a virtual engine sound based on external noise are provided. The vehicle may include: a speaker to output a virtual engine sound; a microphone to receive external sound generated outside of the vehicle; and a controller configured to extract noise by separating the virtual engine sound from the external sound, determine each peak sound pressure of a plurality of peak sound pressures as a peak point, identify a plurality of equalizer (EQ) filters having a predetermined bandwidth, generate an amplification filter by combining the plurality of EQ filters, apply the amplification filter to the virtual engine sound and control the speaker to output the virtual engine sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Youngbeom Kim
  • Patent number: 10967788
    Abstract: An example locating assembly includes, among other things, a display within an electrified vehicle, a vehicle symbol presented on the display, and a charge port symbol presented on the display. The charge port symbol is positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to indicate a position of a charge port. An example locating method includes displaying a vehicle symbol and a charge port symbol on a display of an electrified vehicle. The charge port symbol is positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to indicate a position of a charge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Isaacs, Debra Lynn Ross
  • Patent number: 10967789
    Abstract: A safe driving assistance device includes a region setting section that sets a collision risk determination region used for determining presence or absence of a collision risk of a host vehicle, and a determination section that determines a collision risk between the host vehicle and another vehicle using a host vehicle collision risk determination region, another vehicle collision risk determination region, and environment data. The host vehicle collision risk determination region of the host vehicle is set based on travel data of the host vehicle, a vehicle specification of the host vehicle, and the environment data obtained by the host vehicle. The other vehicle collision risk determination region is obtained by a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device. The other vehicle collision risk determination region is the collision risk determination region of the other vehicle as a collision risk determination target with the host vehicle set by the other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Katou, Hiroshi Watanabe, Takeshi Ito
  • Patent number: 10967790
    Abstract: An image synthesizer for a surround monitoring system for a vehicle includes a receiving module for receiving a first image from a first camera, a second image from a second camera, and a control signal from a control module; and a combining module for combining the first image and the second image in the overlapping region and, depending on the control signal, to generate a combined image, the control signal indicating a condition external to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Marton Gyori, Huba Nemeth
  • Patent number: 10967791
    Abstract: There is disclosed a viewing system coupled to a motor vehicle having a frame having a roof, at least one support, and a body with the at least one support supporting the roof over the body. The system can comprise at least one camera, at least one screen coupled to the support. In addition, each camera is coupled to the at least one support and wherein said at least one screen is in communication with the first set of cameras, wherein said at least one screen displays images presented by the first set of cameras. This device can provide additional view in the blind spot of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Serge B. Hoyda
  • Patent number: 10967792
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring periphery of a vehicle and displaying a view on a display device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises imaging units coupled at side and rear end of the vehicle. The imaging units provided at side are coupled to a fender of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises an image-processing unit to process images captured by the imaging units. The display device is provided at an interior of the vehicle. For example, the display device is provided at a dashboard or at a rooftop of the vehicle. The display device comprises a plurality of display areas, each configured to display the images captured by the imaging units provided at the side and rear end of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Roger Stafford
  • Patent number: 10967793
    Abstract: A system mounted on a vehicle for detecting an obstruction on a surface of a window of the vehicle, a primary camera is mounted inside the vehicle behind the window. The primary camera is configured to acquire images of the environment through the window. A secondary camera is focused on an external surface of the window, and operates to image the obstruction. A portion of the window, i.e. window region is subtended respectively by the field of view of the primary camera and the field of view of the secondary camera. A processor processes respective sequences of image data from both the primary camera and the secondary camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Gideon Stein, Ofer Hadassi
  • Patent number: 10967794
    Abstract: A zoom lens system includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens group having negative power and a second lens group having positive power. The first lens group includes at least two negative lenses. When zooming, one of the first lens group and the second lens group is fixed relative to the imaging surface, and the other moves along an optical axis to change an angle of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Iwashita
  • Patent number: 10967795
    Abstract: A side view mirror for an automobile is configured to maximize viewing area and minimize image distortion. The side view mirror has a flat portion, having a flat portion major axis, a flat portion minor axis and a convex portion height. A convex portion is smoothly joined to the flat portion and having a convex portion major axis, a convex portion minor axis, a convex portion height; wherein the convex portion is configured to be defined around an origin point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Abel Calderon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10967796
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror mount configured to attach at an interior portion of the vehicle. A mirror head includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element. The mirror mount includes a ball element and the mirror head includes a socket element, which pivotally attaches at the ball element forming a ball and socket joint to pivotally mount the mirror head at the mirror mount. The mirror head has a thickness dimension spanning between a front planar surface of said mirror reflective element and a rear surface of a laterally sideward region of the mirror casing, with the thickness dimension being less than 20 mm. A central region of the mirror casing has a thickness dimension greater than 20 mm to accommodate the socket element. The socket element is disposed at an aperture through the central region of the mirror casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
  • Patent number: 10967797
    Abstract: A video display mirror is provided with a half mirror, a monitor, and an interlocking mechanism. The half mirror is used so that a vehicle passenger can look toward the rear of the vehicle. The monitor is disposed near the half mirror toward the front of the vehicle. The interlocking mechanism moves in relation to a video image being displayed on the monitor and changes the angle of a reflection surface of the half mirror from the position of the half mirror when the rear of the vehicle is viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tazaki, Yuji Matsumoto