Patents Issued in December 14, 2021
  • Patent number: 11198376
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a high voltage battery unit having a first high voltage battery connected in series with a second high voltage battery such that a nominal operating voltage of the battery unit is the sum of a voltage of the first high voltage battery and a voltage of the second high voltage battery; a bi-directional high voltage DC/DC-converter connected in parallel with the first high voltage battery and with the second high voltage battery, the DC/DC-converter being arranged to receive a charging voltage from a high voltage inlet or from a propulsion converter connected to an electrical machine; wherein the DC/DC converter is configured to control charging of the first and second high voltage battery to balance a state of charge of the first and second high voltage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Eriksson
  • Patent number: 11198377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power management system of a pure electric vehicle powered exclusively by batteries which allows the vehicle to carry a load of up to 13 tons, where the system of the present invention is provided with five blocks: a battery system (SBAT) (3), a control and power logic unit (ULCP) (4), a traction system (STR) (5), an auxiliary system (SAX) (36), and a driver's control panel (PCM) 81, where such blocks are interconnected by two buses, CAN bus (128) and Digital/Analogical BDA (129). The battery system has two battery banks (1) and (2) in parallel which are monitored by the BMS (76). The BMS (76) checks whether the voltages at the output of the batteries are the same as the input of the inverter (8) and manages the use of the battery banks in conjunction with the eVSI (73) by operating the battery bank (1) or the battery bank (2) or both depending on the load conditions of each bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ELETRA INDUSTRIAL LTDA
    Inventor: Paulino Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 11198378
    Abstract: A conventional passenger vehicle has a lower deck and an upper deck on both sides of its aisle to double its seating areas. Each deck has ceiling and seat heights about the same as that in sedans, and hence without substantially increasing the vehicle height. Both decks are divided into seating sections with partition walls, and in a seating section each deck contains only a row of power reclining seats. Each seat has a power footrest mounted separately on the partition wall in front of the seat for sitting comfort and forming a bed with the seat. The footrest can also be placed to higher elevations to use as a table for eating or working. The footrest is stored vertically to allow more leg room for the seat. In some section of the vehicle each seating section may mount two rows of sitting-only seats to increase the vehicle capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Ming C Kuo
  • Patent number: 11198379
    Abstract: The time required to complete current-to-target state transitions of a plurality of movable portions constituting a seat is shortened. A seat unit 1 includes an occupant support portion S1, a plurality of movable mechanisms respectively moving a plurality of parts constituting the occupant support portion S1, and an ECU 40 controlling respective operations of the plurality of movable mechanisms. The ECU 40 causes each of the plurality of movable mechanisms to undergo a transition from a current state to a target state and the plurality of movable mechanisms have a first movable mechanism requiring a longest time for the transition. The ECU 40 causes the transitions of the plurality of movable mechanisms other than the first movable mechanism to be completed by completion of the transition of the first movable mechanism from the current state to the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Oshima, Atsushi Kusano, Yuki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 11198380
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat shell having two sidewalls respectively provided at a left and a right side of the seat shell for restricting sideways movement of a child sitting on the seat shell, the two sidewalls including a first and a second sidewall, a buffering part movably connected with the seat shell, the buffering part being movable between a stowed position retracted toward the first sidewall and a deployed position protruding sideways from the first sidewall, a spring for biasing the buffering part toward the stowed position, and a latching mechanism including a latch carried with the buffering part, the latch being movable between a locking state for locking the buffering part in the deployed position and an unlocking state for unlocking the buffering part so that the buffering part is rotatable relative to the seat shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Zheng-Wen Guo
  • Patent number: 11198381
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes: a first (e.g., front) passenger seating area having a console; a second (e.g., rear) passenger seating area that is located rearwardly of the first passenger seating area; a floorpan that extends beneath the first and second passenger seating areas; and a multipurpose tray that is configured for removable connection to the floorpan. The floorpan includes an access port extending therethrough that is located generally adjacent to the console. The multipurpose tray is configured to conceal the access port, and defines at least one compartment that is configured to receive personal effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel Alejandro Vite Cadena
  • Patent number: 11198382
    Abstract: A variable handle device for getting on and off a vehicle includes a grip body assembly installed to a vehicle body of a vehicle, the grip body assembly configured to be rotated and protruded to an outside of the vehicle body when a door is opened and to be pushed by the door to return to an inside of the vehicle body when the door is closed, a grip body rotation mechanism configured to generate a driving force for rotating the grip body assembly to the outside of the vehicle body when the grip body assembly returns to the inside of the vehicle body, and a grip handle assembled slidably to an outside surface of the grip body assembly along the grip body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Soon Yong Song
  • Patent number: 11198383
    Abstract: Lift frames for a vehicle in this disclosure may include a frame body on a top portion of a frame, the frame body extending from a first end to a second end; a lift mechanism moveable with respect to the first end of the frame body, the lift mechanism comprising: a lift body having a first end and a second end, a lifting surface on the first end of the lift body and the second end of the lift body being positioned so as to be movable with respect to the first end of the frame body, wherein the lifting surface is positioned to engage an underside of a cargo container when placed on an upper side of the frame body; and an inflatable air bag having an upper side and a lower side and mounted on the lower side to a platform positioned on the frame beneath the lift body, wherein the inflatable air bag is connected on the upper side thereof to a mounting surface attached to the lift body; and a source of compressed air in fluid communication with the inflatable air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Demountable Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Rustin Arthur Cassway, Albert Stephen Perry, David John Fisher
  • Patent number: 11198384
    Abstract: A pallet for supporting a container includes a base, plurality of supports secured with the base, first platform rotatably supported on the base, and second platform pivotably coupled to the first platform and adapted to support the container. At least one pallet linkage arrangement couples the second platform and the first platform, and at least one pallet actuator pivots the second platform between container transport and dump positions. A carrier includes a prime mover, trailer, plurality of ground engaging members, at least one carrier actuator adapted to move at least a portion of the trailer between lowered and raised support positions relative to at least a portion of the plurality of ground engaging members. At least a portion of the trailer is sized to be received between the plurality of supports secured with the base of the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Kress Corporation
    Inventors: Noah K. Buerkett, Danny W. Boettcher, Clint M. Summers
  • Patent number: 11198385
    Abstract: A housing and trailer system comprising a trailer and a housing. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing and may be positioned on friction-reducing members that reduce friction between the housing and trailer. The reduction of friction facilitates the housing to slide more efficiently on the trailer. A safety lever and linkage system operates to safely move roof support structures and raise/lower the upper housing. An adjustable cargo system is attached to a roof on the housing. The adjustable cargo system is adjustable to receive and/or secure different sizes of cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Jason Coulter
  • Patent number: 11198386
    Abstract: A system and method are described for controlling operation of host vehicle headlights. The system includes a communication unit to receive a vehicle-to-x communication including data indicative of a characteristic of a second vehicle. The system also includes a controller to determine that a high-beam is generated by the host vehicle headlights, determine a state of the second vehicle based on the second vehicle characteristic data, determine a state of the host vehicle based on data indicative of a characteristic of the host vehicle, determine that a pre-defined condition exists involving the host vehicle and second vehicle based on the second vehicle state and the host vehicle state, and, in response to the determination that the high-beam is generated and the pre-defined condition exists, generate a headlight control signal that effectuates an automatic change of the host vehicle headlights from a high-beam to a low-beam operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: David R. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 11198387
    Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted at a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes a PCB bar having a plurality of visible and infrared LEDs and a LED driver. The PCB bar is coupled to a support plate of an outer shell surrounding the PCB bar. The support plate transfers heat generated by the LEDs and LED driver away from the PCB bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Matsu, Brian Tebelman Shellabarger, Julien Tudor, Werner Eckardt, Stephen Camm
  • Patent number: 11198388
    Abstract: A vehicle alarm system includes a vehicle having a frame; a driver seat secured to the frame; a back seat secured to the frame; and a computer configured to determine if the vehicle is in motion. The system further includes a pressure sensor secured to a driver seat and in data communication with the computer, the pressure sensor is configured to sense the pressure of a driver sitting on the driver seat; a thermometer sensor in data communication with the computer, the thermometer is configured to measure the outside and inside air temperature within the vehicle; a motion detector in data communication with the computer, the motion detector is configured to detect motion of an infant within a car seat secured to the back seat of the vehicle; a camera in data communication with the computer, the camera is configured to capture images of the infant; a transmitter in data communication with the computer; and a mobile device in wireless communication with the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Sidney L. Crose
  • Patent number: 11198389
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, with one or more processors, biometric information of a first user. The method also includes determining, with the one or more processors, whether there is an indication that the first user is distracted based on the biometric information. The method further includes receiving, with the one or more processors, vehicle speed information. The method also includes determining, with the one or more processors, whether there is an indication that the first user is driving based on the vehicle speed information. The method further includes in response to determining that the first user is distracted and that the first user is driving, instructing, with the one or more processors, a mobile device associated with the first user to contact a second user or a call center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Rachel Csabi, Matthew T. Flachsbart, Pooja Krishnaswamy, Nils Griswold-Steiner, Luis Eduardo Santana, Bradly Jay Billman
  • Patent number: 11198390
    Abstract: A method for preventing the collision of a vehicle with an overhead obstacle, comprising mounting at least one sensor on a vehicle that includes a vehicle control system, wherein the sensor is in electrical communication with a processor located within and powered by the vehicle; determining a reference height, which is the height above ground level at which the at least one sensor is mounted on the vehicle; inputting the reference height into the processor; determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level; inputting the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level into the processor; using the sensor to measure the overhead distance between the lowest portion of an obstacle and the at least one sensor; using the processor to determine a measured height of the overhead obstacle, which is the reference height added to the distance between the overhead obstacle and the sensor; and communicating an alarm to an operator of the vehicle if the measured height of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Nugent, Brian Nugent
  • Patent number: 11198391
    Abstract: A crane control for a crane includes a visualization apparatus which is adapted to generate a stereoscopically visualized camera image having depth information of a working environment of the crane for an operator of the crane control. The visualization apparatus is configured to generate in a representation overlying the camera image a graphic auxiliary representation representing a dimension which can be recognized per se in the camera image. Furthermore, the visualization apparatus includes a display device which displays the stereoscopically visualized camera image together with the overlying graphic auxiliary representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EPSILON Kran GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Leitner, Martin Galler
  • Patent number: 11198392
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring device mounted on a vehicle includes an imaging unit for capturing images of a vehicle body side surface, a rear side and a diagonally backward of the vehicle, a storage unit that stores a reference image defining a reference state of the vehicle body side surface, and an image comparison unit that detects an abnormal state of the vehicle body by comparing the captured images captured by the imaging unit with the reference image read from the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sakakura, Kazuhiko Kaniwa, Soh Saito, Teruhisa Kato
  • Patent number: 11198393
    Abstract: A camera calibration method includes obtaining a plurality of images of surroundings of a vehicle captured by a plurality of cameras, setting a region of interest (ROI) in each of the images, detecting one or more feature points of the set ROIs, matching a first feature point of a first ROI and a second feature point of a second ROI based on the detected feature points, calculating a first bird-view coordinate of the first feature point and a second bird-view coordinate of the second feature point, and calibrating the cameras by adjusting an extrinsic parameter of each of the cameras based on an error between the first bird-view coordinate and the second bird-view coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: VADAS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Soo Kim, Jeong Mok Ha, Byeong Chan Jeon, Jun Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 11198394
    Abstract: The present disclosure relate to a vehicle running board apparatus and a retractable device thereof. In some embodiments, a retractable device includes a running board holder and an arm assembly. The running board holder has a connecting portion, and the arm assembly is configured to drive the running board holder to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The arm assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the first arm is pivotally connected to the connecting portion of the running board holder. The second arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the second arm is pivotally connected to the connecting portion of the running board holder. The second end of at least one of the first arm or the second arm straddles the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: T-MAX (HANGZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinfa Du, Qi Zhang, Songfeng Wang, Yongyong Zhan, Yiming Wang, Tao He, Xing Fan
  • Patent number: 11198395
    Abstract: Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 11198396
    Abstract: A vehicle with an expandable space, may include a fixed floor being a floor of the vehicle; a moving floor slidably inserted into the fixed floor, being slid inside or outside the vehicle by operation of a driving unit, and forming the expanding space outside the vehicle by forming an outside floor connected to the fixed floor when sliding out; and assistant wheel assemblies, each having an assistant wheel that comes in contact with the ground when deployed and that separates from the ground when stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Heon Lee, Jin Ho Hwang, Dong Eun Cha
  • Patent number: 11198397
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a mount apparatus are disclosed herein for securing an electronic device (such as a radar/laser detector, GPS device, and/or dash camera or other electronic device used within a vehicle) to a surface such as an interior surface (e.g., windshield, dashboard) of a vehicle. In one example, the mount apparatus includes a magnet which is adapted to be coupled with a corresponding metal surface within the electronic device, so that the magnet positioned within the apparatus provides a magnetic force to aid a user in securing the mount apparatus and the electronic device to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kipper, Yusan Zheng, Daniel J. Bartosik
  • Patent number: 11198398
    Abstract: A display control device for a vehicle include: an acquisition unit that acquires information of an object located at a progress path of the vehicle; and a display control unit that, on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit, causes information of the object to be displayed at a display unit of a spectacles-form wearable terminal, the wearable terminal being provided with the display unit and being configured to be worn by an occupant of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Mori
  • Patent number: 11198399
    Abstract: A personal vehicle monitoring system is disclosed including a video camera coupled with a personal vehicle to show a view not in a direct field of view of a rider of the personal vehicle, and a display unit coupled with the personal vehicle and in communication with the video camera to display images captured by the video camera, wherein the display unit includes circuits and software to indicate various events such as other vehicles approaching the personal vehicle. The display unit includes a display device coupled with a display controller. The video camera communicates with the display controller via a video camera controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey L Gindin
  • Patent number: 11198400
    Abstract: A lane departure warning system is configured to be securely coupled to a portion of a vehicle. The lane departure warning system includes a bracket that is configured to securely retain a camera assembly, and a securing adhesive pad attachable to the bracket. The securing adhesive pad includes a substrate, a first adhesive layer on a first side of the substrate that is configured to secure the securing adhesive pad to the bracket, and a second adhesive layer on a second side of the substrate that is configured to secure the lane departure warning system to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John Healey, Edward F. Bulgajewski, Piotr Sliwa
  • Patent number: 11198401
    Abstract: Tool holders for transporting implements such as lawn and garden tools, and configured to be attached to a three-point hitch such as a tractor hitch, or a regular hitch, or to receive such as those on an ATV or lawn mower, or the lip of an object such as a wheelbarrow or yard cart, are described. Also described are washers having triangular ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy J. Tressel
  • Patent number: 11198402
    Abstract: Sound absorbing liner for the engine bay of a vehicle comprising at least one fibrous layer consisting of fibers and a thermoset binder thermally moulded to form the liner characterised in that the fibers comprises thermoplastic side by side bicomponent fibers and wherein the sides differ such that the fiber has a frizzy or curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Autoneum Management AG
    Inventors: Delphine Guigner, Vipul Savaliya, Gregory Winiger, Laura Gottardo
  • Patent number: 11198403
    Abstract: An apparatus for shielding hot regions, in particular of an internal combustion engine, includes a heat shield with a through hole. The apparatus has a component, in particular a heat source, with a fastening region which has a receptacle and a shoulder which surrounds the receptacle at least partially. The shoulder extends through the through hole of the heat shield. The apparatus has a fastening element, in particular a screw, which fastens the heat shield to the fastening region, the fastening element being supported on the shoulder, extending through the through hole of the heat shield, and being fastened in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Herzig, Wolfgang Simon, Alexander Lienert
  • Patent number: 11198404
    Abstract: A tractor including an intake pipe for supplying intake air to an intake unit of an engine body, and an engine harness for electrically connecting the engine body and an engine controller to each other. The intake pipe is provided with a rib formed along the longitudinal direction of the intake pipe, and the engine harnesses is partially supported by the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Takii
  • Patent number: 11198405
    Abstract: A configuration with which, even if the supply of power from a power supply portion ceases, the power from another power supply source can be instantly supplied to a power supply target is more easily achieved. In a backup circuit, a control unit causes a second voltage conversion portion to perform a voltage conversion operation in response to satisfaction of a predetermined first backup condition, and a power supply portion-side conductive path and an electricity storage portion-side conductive path are electrically connected to each other via a resistive portion when the control unit is causing the second voltage conversion portion to perform the voltage conversion operation. Furthermore, the control unit causes the first voltage conversion portion to perform a second operation in response to a predetermined second backup condition being satisfied when the control unit is causing the second voltage conversion portion to perform the voltage conversion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Shimamoto, Yuuki Sugisawa
  • Patent number: 11198406
    Abstract: A fragile portion is provided at a portion of a vertical frame bar. When an impact load from under a vehicle is applied to a grille shutter, the impact can be at least partially absorbed as the fragile portion undergoes plastic deformation (including damage). Thus, the impact exerted on a portion of the vertical frame bar other than the fragile portion is mitigated, and a fin can be restrained from coming off a frame. Moreover, the fin can be restrained from coming off the frame by a compact structure, because simply providing the fragile portion at a portion of the vertical frame bar can achieve that.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shun Totsuka, Kazuki Tsuboi, Ken Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 11198407
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a rollover condition of a vehicle may include: a rate sensing unit configured to sense one or more rates of a pitch rate PitchRate and a yaw rate YawRate of a vehicle and a roll rate RollRate_IN; an acceleration sensing unit configured to sense horizontal acceleration and vertical acceleration of the vehicle; a conversion unit configured to convert the horizontal acceleration and vertical acceleration into a pitch rate PitchRate_ACC and a yaw rate YawRate_ACC; a combination unit configured to calculate a pitch rate PitchRate_IN and a yaw rate YawRate_IN by combining the one or more rates with the pitch rate PitchRate_ACC and the yaw rate YawRate_ACC; and a determination unit configured to calculate a roll angle RollAngle, and determine whether the vehicle has rolled over, based on the roll rate RollRate_IN and the roll angle RollAngle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sug Hyun Jeong
  • Patent number: 11198408
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 11198409
    Abstract: A passenger seat airbag device includes an airbag including a front collision restraining surface, and an oblique collision restraining portion including a protruding portion in which a surface is set as an oblique collision restraining surface, and a restraining recess portion whose facing surfaces are able to restrain the head of the occupant. The rear wall main portion has the front collision restraining surface. The rear wall end edge portion has the oblique collision restraining surface. The upper edge of the rear wall end edge portion is coupled to a rear edge of the upper wall portion. The lower edge of the rear wall end edge portion is coupled to a rear edge of the lower wall portion. An entire edge of the separation edge of the rear wall end edge portion is coupled to a rear edge of the rear edge side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Hiraiwa, Shinichi Ishida, Koji Hosoe, Masashi Baba, Ryo Kumazaki, Hiromi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11198410
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes a main bag which is an airbag deployed between a passenger seated on a seat and a side wall portion of a vehicle. The airbag expands by gas supply when a vehicle side collision occurs. The side airbag device also includes a sub bag deployed between a side frame on a vehicle outer side in a seat back of the seat and the passenger. The sub bag expands by supplying gas and pushes a waist portion of the passenger forward from backward, prior to deployment of the main bag, when the vehicle side collision occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koki Tanaka, Takashi Iida, Kenichi Fukurono, Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 11198411
    Abstract: Airbag cushion diffusers comprising one or more frangible portions and related airbag cushion assemblies and methods. In some embodiments, an airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion having an internal diffuser positioned therein. The internal diffuser may comprise a lower panel that may be sewn or otherwise directly coupled to the airbag cushion and an upper panel coupled to the lower panel about respective entire peripheries of the upper and lower panels so as to define a diffuser chamber between the upper panel and the lower panel. The upper panel may comprise a plurality of openings for delivery of inflation gas therethrough and may comprise one or more openings, slits, and/or weakened regions configured to facilitate tearing in specific locations of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP. Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Yaney
  • Patent number: 11198412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to accessory systems for enhancing the security of restraint system used in a vehicle with a lap seatbelt system. A plurality of straps can placed on the upper surface of a vehicle seat and configured to provide a secure connection between the shoulders of the restraint system and an upper portion of the vehicle seat, the anchoring system securing the torso of the individual to the seat back. An optional plurality of straps are configured to provide a supplemental connection between the anchoring system and a rear portion of the seat, tethering the anchoring system to the vehicle to anchoring structures in the floor of the vehicle or the bottom portion of the seat. The straps can be adjusted to accommodate different heights in wearers, seats backs, and vehicle seats, making the restraint user adjustable for use by different wearers and in different vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Hoon Y. Kim, Hyun S Kim
  • Patent number: 11198413
    Abstract: A retractor of a seat belt apparatus includes a spool that is configured to wind the seat belt while allowing the seat belt to be pulled out, a motor that includes a shaft coupled to the spool and generates a rotational resistance force against the spool rotating in a direction to pull out the seat belt, the rotational resistance force corresponding to the rotation of the spool and the shaft caused by pulling out of the seat belt, a rotational resistance member that is coupled to the spool and generates a rotational resistance force against the spool rotating in the direction to pull out the seat belt when the seat belt is pulled out in the event of vehicle collision, and a reducing mechanism that reduces the rotation of the spool and transmits a reduced rotation to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Miyajima, Shigeru Sugimoto, Tsuyoshi Maruyama, Yohei Inagaki, Yoshio Shimazaki, Takayoshi Ijiri
  • Patent number: 11198414
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle includes: a seat belt device configured w restrain an occupant seated on a vehicular seat with a webbing, in which one end of the webbing is wound around a winding device and the other end is fixed to one of the vehicular seat and a vehicle body, and the seat belt device is configured so that a motor provided in the winding device is driven to wind the webbing; and an electronic control unit configured to drive the motor so that a prescribed amount of the webbing is wound, when a first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Nezaki, Motoki Sugiyama, Fumihito Komeno, Makoto Matsuzaki, Kenji Fukuta
  • Patent number: 11198415
    Abstract: Example on-demand driver (ODD) systems and methods are described herein. An example method includes generating, with an ODD system, a softkey for a vehicle associated with an agreement between a driver-in-need (DIN) and an ODD, monitoring, with the ODD system, a location of an ODD device carried by the ODD, and transmitting, with the ODD system, the softkey to the ODD device when the ODD device is detected as being within a proximity of the vehicle. In the example method, the softkey is used to unlock the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dave A. Herman, David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Scheufler, Nunzio Decia, Stephen Jay Orris
  • Patent number: 11198416
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated locking brake in a motor vehicle includes setting a defined deceleration of the vehicle with the locking brake during a locking brake process, shutting-off activation of the locking brake when a shut-off condition has been satisfied, and taking into account at least one predicted value of the locking brake process in the shut-off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Edith Mannherz, Philipp Schmaelzle
  • Patent number: 11198417
    Abstract: A method for specifying switching parameters of a solenoid control valve in a braking system of a vehicle includes stipulating a test vehicle acceleration and ascertaining at least two test pulse sequences. The test pulse sequences are each ascertained on the basis of the stipulated test vehicle acceleration and on the basis of switching parameter default values for the respective solenoid control valve, and the test pulse sequences have actuation pulses and adjoining nonactuation pulses. During an actuation pulse an activation of the respective solenoid control valve and during a nonactuation pulse a deactivation of the respective solenoid control valve takes place. The method further includes actuating the respective solenoid control valve using the at least two test pulse sequences in order to cause at least two test braking operations, wherein the respective test pulse sequence causes an alteration of a braking pressure at a service brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Sebastian Kuehne, Andreas Goers, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Oliver Wulf
  • Patent number: 11198418
    Abstract: A control system for a subject vehicle includes an autonomous braking system, a forward monitoring sensor and a rearward monitoring sensor. The controller monitors a first speed of a first vehicle travelling in front of the subject vehicle and a second speed of a second vehicle travelling to the rear of the subject vehicle. A first gap-closing time is determined based upon the speed of the subject vehicle and the first speed of the first vehicle. A second gap-closing time is determined based upon the speed of the subject vehicle and the second speed of the second vehicle. The controller controls the speed of the subject vehicle based upon the first gap-closing time and the second gap-closing time when one of the first gap-closing time or the second gap-closing time is less than a first threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Bush, Zachariah E. Tyree, Prabhjot Kaur
  • Patent number: 11198419
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a brake force device for a vehicle brake system, in which a housing is produced, wherein a recess is formed in the housing, wherein a piston device is arranged in the recess, wherein the piston device is movably guided in the axial direction of a longitudinal axis of the recess and along a specified maximum stroke path, and the length of the maximum stroke path of the piston device is modified for different embodiments of the brake force device. In order to improve and/or to simplify the implementation of different embodiments of the brake force device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Janson, Nicholas Alford
  • Patent number: 11198420
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a motor vehicle with an electric parking brake. The system includes a clutch sensor, generating a clutch sensor signal representing operation of a clutch of the motor vehicle. A gear selection sensor generates a sensor signal indicating a particular gear selection or position of a manual gearbox of the motor vehicle. Using these and if needed other various inputs, the system generates a deactivation signal for releasing the electric parking brake when a clutch operation is detected and the vehicle gearbox is positioned or has a gear selection other than a neutral position of the manual gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jill Trappe, Sebastian Leitermann, Marc Suermann
  • Patent number: 11198421
    Abstract: A method for adjusting brake pressures of a motor vehicle includes actuating, by a control unit, while taking into account determined dynamic state variables of wheels that are to be braked, a pressure control valve with an inlet valve for ventilating and with an outlet valve for venting the brake pressure line that is controlled by the pressure control valve. The control times of the outlet valve are determined depending on control of the inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Horst Eckert
  • Patent number: 11198422
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) manifold system includes a housing having a mounting face that includes a plurality of ports. The housing also has a brake cylinder passageway, a reservoir passageway, and a brake cylinder exhaust passageway that are in fluid communication with the ports. The adapter assembly also includes an adapter valve configured to be in fluid communication with the brake cylinder passageway, the reservoir passageway, and the brake cylinder exhaust passageway. The adapter valve has a first position where the brake cylinder passageway and the reservoir passageway are in fluid communication while the brake cylinder passageway is isolated from the brake cylinder exhaust passageway. The adapter valve also has a second position where the brake cylinder passageway is isolated from the reservoir passageway while the brake cylinder passageway is in fluid communication with the brake cylinder exhaust passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Skweres
  • Patent number: 11198423
    Abstract: A controller for a hybrid vehicle restarts an engine in a start mode selected from multiple start modes. The multiple start modes include a first start mode of starting combustion in the engine when a clutch starts transmitting torque and a second start mode of starting combustion in the engine after the clutch starts transmitting torque. The controller is configured to, in a case in which the engine is restarted in the second start mode, measure a cranking start time from when engagement of the clutch is commanded to when transmission of the torque through the clutch is started, and only when measurement of the cranking start time has been completed after the vehicle is activated, restart the engine in the first start mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 11198424
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid electric vehicle including an electric machine, a battery and an internal combustion engine, the load point of which is shifted upward to drive the electric machine for charging the battery in the generator mode, wherein a target state of charge of the battery is specified; a required target charging capacity is determined; the load point of the internal combustion engine initially is only shifted upward within an engine-map range of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Vogt, Alexander Kruse, Stefan Appel, Christopher Hohm
  • Patent number: 11198425
    Abstract: An electrode of an ignition plug at the time of cooling start is heated to suppress generation of hydrocarbons at the time of cooling start of an internal combustion engine, and to reduce a production cost of an exhaust catalyst. Therefore, an ignition control unit 83 is provided to control a discharge of an ignition plug 200 provided in a cylinder 150. In a first combustion cycle after the operation of an internal combustion engine 100 is started, the ignition control unit 83 performs a discharge of the ignition plug 200 in a state where fuel in the cylinder 150 is not injected from a fuel injection valve 134 into the cylinder 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Eiichirou Oohata