Patents Issued in April 18, 2023
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Patent number: 11628785Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for providing a retreat space for the periodic recuperation of a person. In this case, the interior of a vehicle serves as the retreat space. Said vehicle may be a person's own passenger vehicle or a rented vehicle. Since the retreat space is only used for brief recuperation, e.g., during a lunch break, the space is prepared such that it can fulfill the recuperation requirements from the very start. For this purpose, a request message is sent to the vehicle, by means of which request message the vehicle is prepared as a retreat space for the person. Said preparation consists in configuring the vehicle interior, at least in terms of lighting and/or climatic conditions and/or entertainment facilities, to serve as a retreat space for the recuperation of said person at the reserved time in accordance with the request message. The vehicle may also receive a reservation request message from a service provider who provides vehicles for rent.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Theodoros Tzivanopoulos, Frank Minter, Marcel Kaltenberg
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Patent number: 11628786Abstract: A vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU); a human-machine interface (HMI); and a processor, configured to responsive to receiving a user profile from a mobile device wirelessly connected to the vehicle, identify a requested configuration associated with the user profile, responsive to verifying the requested configuration is unavailable to the vehicle, identify an alternative configuration to the requested configuration using a vehicle snapshot locally stored in the vehicle, and apply the alternative configuration, wherein the vehicle snapshot includes conversion information between the requested configuration and the alternative configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Abraham Mezaael
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Patent number: 11628787Abstract: A front bumper assembly including a vehicle camera relocation mount disposed within a front wall in a manner that leaves no visible sign of a mounting bracket configuration for the vehicle camera. Another front bumper assembly includes a central opening with a removable metal grill insert. The removable metal grill insert configured to connected with the front bumper in a manner that leaves no visible sign of its mounting configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: BODYGUARD PRODUCTS LLCInventor: Charles Grant Mallicote
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Patent number: 11628788Abstract: Computing nodes in a peer-to-peer network that can receive data about an accident in response to a vehicle having an accident. A computing device in the peer-to-peer network can generate a record of the data and store, in persistent storage, a copy of the record. The computing device can also transmit the record, via peer-to-peer connections, to other computing nodes in the network. The nodes in the network, when receiving the record, can each store a copy of the record and broadcast the record to one or more additional computing nodes in the network to cause the one or more additional computing nodes to store one or more additional copies of the record. Also, in response to an inquiry about the accident, the node can provide the record. And the node can participate in a determination of a network consensus in the network about validity of the record.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alberto Troia, Antonino Mondello
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Patent number: 11628789Abstract: An occupant position detection system includes an imaging device configured to capture an image of an occupant seated on a seat provided in an interior of a vehicle, a sensor provided on the seat, a first calculating unit configured to calculate a first position of the occupant from the image captured by the imaging device, a second calculating unit configured to calculate a second position of the occupant from a detection result of the sensor, an occupant position calculating unit configured to calculate an occupant position by fusing the first position and the second position, and an output unit configured to output information on the occupant position calculated by the occupant position calculating unit, to a safety device.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Udara Manawadu, Yoshihiro Saeki
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Patent number: 11628790Abstract: A column cover unit may include: a column cover configured to cover a steering column of a vehicle and comprising a first cover portion and a second cover portion, wherein a boundary between the first cover portion and the second cover portion extends from a front end of the column cover at a front portion of the vehicle toward a rear portion of the vehicle; and a contact member configured to separate the first cover portion and the second cover portion from each other at the boundary by contacting the column cover when the column cover is moved toward the front portion of the vehicle with the steering column.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Shotaro Inoue, Yutaka Kondoh
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Patent number: 11628791Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a front driver seat (22) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in the form of an airbag (14) that is inflatable from an instrument panel (30) of the vehicle to a position between the instrument panel and the occupant. The airbag (14) has a curved configuration in profile such that the airbag can deploy from a mounting location in the instrument panel (30) toward the vehicle occupant (20), creating a space (86, 130) between the airbag and the instrument panel for receiving a vehicle steering wheel (32), if present.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Douglas M. Gould, Alexandra E. Schroeder
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Patent number: 11628792Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion including a cover, a frame and a pad, a plurality of parts of the cover being restrained to the frame and the pad; a cushion airbag device mounted in a front portion in the seat cushion and configured to inflate and deploy an airbag at a time of a frontal collision of a vehicle; and a restraint release part provided in a part of the cover positioned at at least one side in a seat front-rear direction with respect to the cushion airbag device among the plurality of parts of the cover. The restraint release part is configured to release the restraint of the part of the cover with an inflation pressure of the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiichi Kondou, Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Shohei Funaki, Hiroyuki Tomita, Takashi Iida, Shigemi Mase
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Patent number: 11628793Abstract: A vehicle detects a rotation angle of a seat, controls activation of a first type of roof airbag module provided in a central portion of a headlining and located at a side of the seat when the detected rotation angle of the seat is greater than a first reference angle and less than or equal to a second reference angle, controls activation of the first type of roof airbag module and a second type of roof airbag module provided in the central portion of the headlining and provided at a rear of the seat when the detected rotation angle of the seat is greater than the second reference angle and less than or equal to a third reference angle, determines whether a collision with an obstacle has occurred during traveling, and deploys and expands the activated airbag module when determining that the collision with the obstacle has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Seungho An
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Patent number: 11628794Abstract: A roof airbag for vehicles is proposed. The roof airbag includes: a main chamber configured to be deployed as gas is introduced therein through a diffuser; an overlap chamber into which the gas is introduced and configured to be deployed into a shape that overlaps the main chamber around the diffuser; and a support chamber into which the gas is introduced and configured to be deployed while overlapping a roof frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Byung Ho Min, Kyu Sang Lee
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Patent number: 11628795Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a middle console. The assembly includes a seatback including a vehicle-rearward side. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the middle console. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag in the inflated position includes a middle portion and an extension. The extension extends from the middle portion along the vehicle-rearward side of the seatback.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Zhenyan Gao, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Luohui Long
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Patent number: 11628796Abstract: A deployment ramp for helping to direct a curtain airbag to deploy inboard of a trim piece on a side structure of a vehicle includes a deployment flap for directing the curtain airbag to deploy inboard of the trim piece and a mounting portion configured to receive a fastener for connecting the deployment ramp and the curtain airbag to the vehicle. The mounting portion includes a pair of mounting tabs. Each mounting tab is configured to be installed in a corresponding sleeve in the curtain airbag to connect the deployment ramp to the curtain airbag. The mounting portion is configured so that installing both mounting tabs in their corresponding sleeves requires the application of external manipulating forces to the mounting portion in order to bend and/or deflect in order to overcome an interference between the mounting portion and the curtain airbag.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Dylan Moran, Avadhoot Paranjpe
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Patent number: 11628797Abstract: There is provided an airbag in which there are fewer restrictions in a place for setting a tension member and a place for setting a vent hole. Airbag (10) of the present invention has bag-shaped airbag main body (20), tension member (30, 30a, 30b) disposed inside airbag main body (20), and vent hole (50) provided in airbag main body (20). In two-dimensional view in which an inner side of inflated and deployed airbag main body (20) is viewed from a direction orthogonal to vent hole (50) via vent hole (50), tension member (30, 30a, 30b) has overlapping portion (35) disposed at a position overlapping vent hole (50), and a dimension of at least a part of overlapping portion (35) in an orthogonal direction is smaller than a gap of a portion of vent hole (50), which corresponds to overlapping portion (35), in the orthogonal direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventor: Hideaki Saito
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Patent number: 11628798Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger receptacle for an amusement ride (50), comprising a receiving portion (12) for receiving a passenger, a retaining device (20), which is adjustable between an open position, in which the access to the receiving portion (12) is possible for the passenger, and a closed position, in which the received passenger is held in the receiving portion (12), and a securing device (26), which interacts with the retaining device (20) in such a way that whenever the retaining device moves away, or wants to move away, from the closed position by a selectable degree, a further movement of the retaining device away from the closed position is blocked. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a passenger receptacle (10) and to an amusement ride (50) having such a passenger receptacle (10).Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: MACK RIDES GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Frank Sornik, Markus Becherer, Stephan Schrade
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Patent number: 11628799Abstract: A belt guide (2) having a base structure (9) and a bracket part (13), wherein the base structure (9) includes a body contact portion (17) configured to abut a body part (3), wherein the bracket part (13) is connected to the base structure (9) via a connecting structure and includes a belt contact surface (19) facing the base structure (9) to guide a belt between itself and the body part (3) or the base structure (9), wherein the connecting structure is configured to hold the bracket part (13) such that it cannot move relative to the base structure (9) in a normal state and to yield under the action of a predetermined load, in particular a load acting from the direction of the body part (3), to allow the bracket part (13) to move relative to the base structure (9) toward the body contact portion (17) in a release state.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Albert Sbongk
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Patent number: 11628800Abstract: The invention relates, inter alia, to a tensioner drive (11) for a seatbelt installation, having a tube (30), at least one piston (25) which within the tube (30) is displaceable along a propulsion direction (P2), and a gas generator (40) for generating a propulsion gas (G) and a propulsion pressure on a pressure-facing side of the piston (25).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBHInventor: Walter Krauss
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Patent number: 11628801Abstract: A wheelchair securing structure includes: a securing device provided in a wheelchair securing space inside a vehicle cabin, the securing device being configured to secure a wheelchair; a securing detection portion configured to detect that the wheelchair is secured by the securing device; and a display portion provided at a position where the display portion is visually recognizable by an occupant of the wheelchair from the wheelchair securing space inside the vehicle cabin, the display portion being configured to display a secured state of the wheelchair, the secured state being detected by the securing detection portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto Sekizuka, Mitsuyoshi Ohno
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Patent number: 11628802Abstract: A subassembly includes a belt reel for a seat belt retractor and a drive wheel on which a belt tensioner can act to drive the belt reel in a winding direction of the seat belt, wherein between the drive wheel and the belt reel there is provided an overload clutch which includes plural shear elements, especially shear pins, each of which is inserted in an opening of the belt reel and/or of the drive wheel, the opening extending in the axial direction starting from a front side of the belt reel.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Milos Cekic, Andreas Pregitzer
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Patent number: 11628803Abstract: A device for controlling a vehicle is provided. The device includes an input device for receiving a user input, a state sensing device for sensing a vehicle state change in response to the user input, and a controller configured to determine whether to apply a driving current of an actuator to a switching device based on the vehicle state change.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CornorationInventors: Choong Seob Park, Min Jung Bae
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Patent number: 11628804Abstract: A steering lock device includes a motor configured to rotate a motor shaft, a worm attached to the motor shaft of the motor, a main gear configured to rotate along with rotation of the worm, a cam member integrally provided with the main gear, and a rod including an insertion and extraction portion. The insertion and extraction portion is configured to be inserted into and extracted from an opening provided on a steering shaft side in accordance with an operation of the cam member along with rotation of the main gear. At least a part of at least one member of the worm and the insertion and extraction portion is configured to be accommodated in a circumferential region of the main gear when the main gear is viewed in a plan view along a rotation axis direction of the main gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiro Okada
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Authentication system, mobile device, processing device, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
Patent number: 11628805Abstract: A mobile device is carried by a person to be authenticated. An acceleration sensor is installed in the mobile device and configured to output an acceleration signal corresponding to acceleration applied to the mobile device. A processing device is configured to execute determination processing for determining whether the person is walking based on the acceleration signal. A control device is configured to control transmission of a radio signal, and to control an operation of a controlled device based on a result of the determination processing and a result of authentication processing for authenticating, by way of the mobile device, the person as a user of the controlled device. The determination processing is activated in response to reception of the radio signal by the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Yuuki Nawa, Daisuke Kawamura, Minoru Otake, Kenichi Koga, Tetsuya Kawamura -
Patent number: 11628806Abstract: A method of calibrating a windshield wiper system that includes moving a wiper arm, of the windshield wiper system, within at least a portion of a full range of motion defined by at least one physical boundary, determining a position of the wiper arm when it contacts the at least one physical boundary, defining, based on the determined position of the wiper arm, an operating range of motion for the wiper arm that is shorter than the full range of motion, and setting the wiper arm to operate within the defined operating range of motion.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Thomas G. Kracker, Joshua Thomas Glazier, Erik F. De Almeida
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Patent number: 11628807Abstract: A wiper system for use with a windshield includes a track guide, a wiper assembly, a drive mechanism and a wipe mechanism. The wiper assembly has a wiper arm attached at a first end thereof to a rotor rotatably disposed on a wiper carrier, wherein the wiper carrier is engaged with the track guide and is configured for translation therealong. The drive mechanism is connected with the wiper carrier and is configured for positioning the wiper carrier along the track guide. The wipe mechanism is connected with at least one of the rotor and the wiper carrier and is configured to cause the rotor to rotate, thereby causing the wiper arm to produce a wiping motion.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: James W. Wells, Jeff E. Nasca, Charles W. Wampler, Muhammad E. Abdallah, Nagarajan Sivashanmugam, Richard Nietz, Patrick Kroner, Bryan T. Campbell
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Patent number: 11628808Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper arm head adapted to be connected to a wiper arm body, the wiper arm head comprises: a base end section, a front-end section, and a body section having a pair of left and right side walls longitudinally extending from the base end section towards the front-end section. The wiper arm head comprises a first retainer connection assembly and a second retainer connection assembly formed integrally with the wiper arm head and configured to connect the wiper arm head to the wiper arm body, which comprises a first retainer and a second retainer to hold a first wiper blade and a second wiper blade respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.Inventors: Eduardo Ribeiro Santos, Roberto Arturo Lechuga, Dattashyam Parthasarathy
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Patent number: 11628809Abstract: The invention is based on a wiper blade adapter device with an adapter basic body (10) which is provided to be fixedly connected to a wiper blade component (12), and with an adapter unit (14) which is provided for releasable coupling to a wiper arm adapter (16), and wherein the adapter unit (14) is provided to be connected to the adapter basic body (10) via a latching connection. It is proposed that the adapter unit (14) comprises at least one latching means (18) for latching to the adapter basic body (10), said latching means being provided to be at least partially deflected in the direction of a longitudinal centre plane (22) of the adapter unit (14) during assembly with the adapter basic body (10).Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Barnabas Bencsik, Godelieve Kraemer, Koen Lammens, Stijn Truyens, Hubert Verelst, Marcello Bubba
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Patent number: 11628810Abstract: A washer liquid heating device is provided. The device includes a heating unit that is positioned at a lower end of a reservoir. A washer pump is connected to one end of the heating unit and a controller adjusts a heat generation of the heating unit. Accordingly, at least some of washer liquid contained in the reservoir flows into the heating unit and is then discharged to the washer pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, DY Auto CORPInventors: Nak Kyoung Kong, Jong Min Park, Ki Hong Lee, Young Ik Cho, Seung Hyeok Chang, Jong Wook Lee, Jong Hyun Jin
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Patent number: 11628811Abstract: A combined rear exterior lamp and cleaning system including: a lens for the rear exterior lamp of the vehicle, the lens has an inner surface and an outer surface, a cleaning arrangement for providing a cleaning fluid to an exterior surface of the rear window, an inlet connectable to a cleaning fluid hose for providing cleaning fluid to the cleaning arrangement. The cleaning arrangement includes a channel generally parallel with at least one of the lens inner surface or the lens outer surface, and an array of outlets in fluid communication with the channel. The channel is attached to the lens and is adapted to transport the cleaning fluid from the inlet to the array of outlets located on the outer side of the lens for providing the cleaning fluid to the rear window.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Samir Hasagic
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Patent number: 11628812Abstract: A parked freight trailer stabilizer and restraint comprising: (a) a kingpin receiver configured to lock onto a kingpin of a parked freight trailer; (b) a jack operatively coupled to the kingpin receiver, the jack repositionable between a retracted position and an extended position; (c) a tail hold operatively coupled to the kingpin receiver, the tail hold repositionable between a stowed position and a restraining position, the tail hold configured to engage a ground mount; and, (d) a transport receiver configured to engage a transport vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Stabilock, LLCInventor: Thomas Terrance Kimener
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Patent number: 11628813Abstract: A walking trailer stand including a mobile trailer assembly, a trailer stand assembly, and a reversible feet assembly is disclosed. These assemblies allow for the manually powered movement of a mobile trailer. The trailer stand assembly including a leg holder to receive a bottom end of a trailer A-frame. The leg holder being mounted to either side of a base via a bracket. The base including a jack guide extending from a base top end and an internally mounted jack holder. Wherein the jack guide and jack holder receive a jack member therein to form a fulcrum to allow a user to lift and drop the trailer A-frame. The reversible feet assembly including reversible feet that include a rubberized portion and an oppositely arranged cleated portion. The reversible feet are mounted to an underside of the base so the trailer may be walked with the actuation of the jack member.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Inventor: Grant Glowacki
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Patent number: 11628814Abstract: A controller for a motorcycle includes a mode change section that changes a mode to a first mode in a state where a temperature of a rear-wheel friction brake mechanism is lower than a first prescribed temperature and to a second mode in a state where the temperature of the rear-wheel friction brake mechanism is higher than the first prescribed temperature during automatic deceleration in the automatic cruise operation. In the case where the braking forces generated on the rear wheel in the first mode and the second mode are compared under a condition that the same deceleration is generated in the motorcycle by the automatic deceleration, in a state where the deceleration is at least less than a first reference amount, the braking force generated on the rear wheel in the second mode is smaller than the braking force generated on the rear wheel in the first mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Yoshihide Igari
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Patent number: 11628815Abstract: The present invention comprises: a piston provided in a cylinder hole; a lid member which closes an opening on the other side of the cylinder hole; and elastic members and which are provided between the piston and the lid member. The elastic members and comprise a first elastic member provided on the piston side of the cylinder hole, and a second elastic member provided on the lid member side of the cylinder hole. The second elastic member has a base portion provided in line with the first elastic member, and a protruding portion protruding from the piston side end surface of the base portion. When the piston has moved in the axial direction to the lid member side, the protruding portion touches the piston, undergoing compressive deformation, and the base portion subsequently undergoes compressive deformation.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Hongding Li
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Patent number: 11628816Abstract: A fluid level indicator and method of determining a fluid level. In one example, a fluid level indicator is configured to be disposed in a brake fluid reservoir of a vehicle. A motor drives the fluid level indicator at a constant horsepower. A motor sensor monitors the speed of the motor. A controller receives the motor speed data from the motor sensor and receives vehicle movement data from other vehicle sensors. The controller determines the level of the brake fluid based on the motor speed and the vehicle movement data.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ming Yi
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Patent number: 11628817Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive wheel, an engine, an accelerator pedal, a torque converter, a clutch, and a controller. The drive wheel is configured to propel the vehicle. The engine is configured to generate power and to deliver power to the drive wheel to accelerate the vehicle. The accelerator pedal is configured to generate an acceleration request based on a pedal position. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel and is configured to bypass the torque converter. The controller is programmed to, in response to depressing the accelerator pedal to a position that corresponds with accelerating the vehicle at a desired magnitude, adjust the torque of the engine to accelerate the vehicle at the desired magnitude, regardless of the state of the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Judhajit Roy, Maruthi Thiruninravur Ravichandran, Jason Meyer, Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Yanan Zhao
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Patent number: 11628818Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an automatic transmission with a torque converter clutch is described. In one example, the method includes predicting a time that the torque converter clutch will open so that stopping rotation of the engine may be requested before the torque converter clutch is opened. The stopping rotation of the engine is requested to conserve fuel.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yanan Zhao, Christopher John Teslak, Stuart N. Ford, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Judhajit Roy, Chenliu Stephen Lu, Girish Gokul Chennupalli
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Patent number: 11628819Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a multi-cylinder engine, an exhaust gas control apparatus, an electric motor, an electricity storage device, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the electric motor so as to cover a driving power shortage resulting from execution of catalyst temperature raising control. The catalyst temperature raising control is control that involves stopping fuel supply to at least one of cylinders of the multi-cylinder engine and enriching air-fuel ratios for the other cylinders than the at least one cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuki Nose, Masaaki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11628820Abstract: A control system includes a motor-generator, an electric power generation system, and a battery. An EV operation, in which the electric motor is operated while the electric power generation system is stopped, is performed, when an SOC of the battery is higher than a first value, and an HV operation, in which the electric motor is operated while the electric power generation system is operated, is performed, when the SOC is lower than the first value. At the time of the EV operation, in response to a predicted value of the SOC being equal to or higher than a second set value which is lower than the first set value, the EV operation is continued even if the SOC falls below the first value. The predicted value is a predicted value of the SOC assuming continuation of the EV operation from a current location to a destination.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masanori Shimada, Daiki Yokoyama
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Patent number: 11628821Abstract: When an acceleration request is issued, an electronic control unit for a hybrid vehicle performs control for producing an acceleration feeling of setting a target engine rotation speed to an initial rotation speed (=basic initial value+initial value correction value) which is lower than an optimal-fuel-efficiency rotation speed at which required engine power is able to be most efficiently output and increasing the engine rotation speed from the initial rotation speed to the optimal-fuel-efficiency rotation speed at a rotation speed increase rate (=basic increase rate+increase rate correction value) based on the elapse of time. When the target supercharging pressure is high, the initial value correction value is set to a greater value and the increase rate correction value is set to a greater value than when the target supercharging pressure is low.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Tooru Matsubara, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Yasutaka Tsuchida
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Patent number: 11628822Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a power source including an engine and at least one electric motor configured to generate power; a transmission including a plurality of clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine and the at least one electric motor along a power flow path to drive an output shaft of a powertrain according to a plurality of transmission modes; and a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: monitor an electric motor speed of the at least one electric motor; and generate and execute, when the electric motor speed is less than a first predetermined stall speed threshold, a clutch modulation command for the transmission such that at least one clutch of the plurality of clutches along the power flow path is partially engaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11628823Abstract: A hybrid drive system has an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, a dual clutch transmission having an input shaft, a dual claw clutch having a first claw clutch and a second claw clutch, a first sub-transmission, and a second sub-transmission. The first claw clutch is non-rotatably connects a first sub-transmission input shaft of the first sub-transmission to the input shaft. The second claw clutch non-rotatably connects a second sub-transmission input shaft of the second sub-transmission to the input shaft. The rotor is arranged in such a way that torques starting from the rotor on an output side of the second claw clutch can be introduced into the dual clutch transmission via the second sub-transmission input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AGInventor: Tobias Schilder
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Patent number: 11628824Abstract: A controller for a vehicle includes a controlling unit. In a case in which the target engine torque is less than or equal to a threshold, the controlling unit controls the engine such that the torque of the engine becomes equal to the target engine torque, and controls a motor-generator such that the torque of the motor-generator becomes equal to the target motor torque. Also, in a case in which the target engine torque is greater than the threshold, the controlling unit controls the engine such that the torque of the engine becomes less than or equal to the threshold, and controls the motor-generator such that the torque of the motor-generator increases.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshitaka Niimi, Eiji Murase
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Patent number: 11628825Abstract: A system and method for actively compensating excessive noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in a vehicle front suspension is provided. The method includes sensing a vibration in the vehicle front suspension; generating an input signal representing the vibration in the vehicle front suspension; filtering the input signal using a bandpass filter; and calculating a compensation signal using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The method also includes generating a compensation torque, based on the compensation signal, by an electric power steering (EPS) system motor, with the motor coupled to the vehicle front suspension. Method steps for enabling and disabling the active compensation system are also provided. The active compensation is enabled in response to a turn-on criteria being satisfied. The turn-on criteria may include suspension vibration above a threshold, and the suspension vibration being not caused by driver input.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Haimian Cai, Wei Jiang
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Patent number: 11628826Abstract: A method to control, while driving along a curve, a road vehicle with a variable stiffness and with rear steering wheels. The method comprises the steps of: determining an actual attitude angle of the road vehicle; establishing a desired attitude angle; determining an actual yaw rate of the road vehicle; establishing a desired yaw rate; and changing, in a simultaneous and coordinated manner, the steering angle of the rear wheels and the distribution of the stiffness of the connection of the four wheels to the frame depending on a difference between the actual attitude angle and the desired attitude angle and depending on a difference between the actual yaw rate and the desired yaw rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro Flumeri, Francesca Mincigrucci, Stefano Varisco
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Patent number: 11628827Abstract: A vehicle control device configured to control a vehicle configured to rotate each of four or more drive wheels by each of different motors, includes a motor control unit configured to control torques that are generated by the motors, and when oversteer has occurred during turning of the vehicle, the motor control unit performs a control upon oversteer, and when understeer has occurred during turning of the vehicle, the motor control unit performs a control upon understeer.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: DENSO TEN LimitedInventor: Masatoshi Hagiwara
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Patent number: 11628828Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a first estimator, a second estimator, and a first controller. The first estimator is configured to obtain first estimation information with regard to a target vehicle that stops in a pick-up area where a plurality of vehicles is allowed to stop waiting for a user to get therein. The first estimation information indicates whether the user of the target vehicle is carrying a large piece of luggage having a size equal to or greater than a predetermined size. The second estimator is configured to obtain second estimation information indicating an other-vehicle stopping status. The other-vehicle stopping status indicates a status of another vehicle stopping around the target vehicle. The first controller is configured to cause the other vehicle to move on the basis of the first estimation information obtained by the first estimator and the second estimation information obtained by the second estimator.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Junya Seki
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Patent number: 11628829Abstract: While a vehicle is operated from a first area to a second area based on a stored route, one or more turning regions are identified along the stored route based on sensor data. Upon selecting one turning region, a route is determined from the second area to the first area via the selected turning region based on the stored route. Upon receiving a message from a handheld device, the vehicle is actuated to operate along the route and turn around in the selected turning region.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohamed Benmimoun, Sufian Ashraf Mazhari, Ahmed Benmimoun, Muhammad Adeel Awan
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Patent number: 11628830Abstract: An automated valet parking system acquires a first vehicle location based on a detection result of an in-vehicle sensor of an autonomous vehicle and object information in a parking place, acquires a second vehicle location based on a detection result of a facility sensor provided in the parking place, and determines, based on the first and the second vehicle locations, presence or absence of location fail of the autonomous vehicle with respect to the first vehicle location. The location fail determiner determines that the location fail is present at least in one case out of a case where difference between a first longitudinal location and a second longitudinal location is equal to or greater than a longitudinal threshold or a case where difference between the first and the second lateral locations is equal to or greater than a lateral threshold. The lateral threshold is smaller than the longitudinal threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuya Sugano
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Patent number: 11628831Abstract: A method for autonomously navigating a subject vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles in an environment includes determining whether the subject vehicle is to be moved from a first post-production location to a second post-production location within the environment based on transportation scheduling data associated with the subject vehicle. The method includes executing a navigation routine in response to the transportation scheduling data indicating the subject vehicle is to be moved. The navigation routine includes obtaining location data associated with the plurality of vehicles, identifying a vehicle path for the subject vehicle based on the location data of the plurality of vehicles, the first post-production location, the second post-production location, or a combination thereof, and instructing the subject vehicle to autonomously travel along the vehicle path to the second post-production location.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brendan Diamond, Kevin James Rhodes, Seth Loveall, Jonathan Hair
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Patent number: 11628832Abstract: A parking assistance device includes: a situation information acquisition unit acquiring, when a vehicle is repeatedly parked at a parking target position, peripheral situation information; a storage control unit storing first situation information indicating the peripheral situation information and a movement route for the parking target position; an information updating unit updating, when new information is included in second situation information acquired when newly parking at the parking target position and a region specified by the new information does not interfere with a region where the movement route exists, the first situation information by the second situation information; a current position estimation unit estimating a current position by comparing the first and second situation information; and a guidance control unit guiding the vehicle to the parking target position according to the estimated current position and the movement route.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: AISIN CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Suzuki
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Patent number: 11628833Abstract: An automated parking movement path is generated such that a vehicle speed and a steering angle are set so as to enable a full steering axial force to be applied within a range of being less than a maximum driving force which depends on the temperature of a steering motor. Consequently, a load on the steering motor is suppressed, and thus a rise in the temperature of a steering motor is suppressed within the movement path from a movement starting position to a movement ending position.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideharu Otake, Kenichi Ohshima, Yuki Nakada
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Patent number: 11628834Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and a method of controlling the same are provided to avoid a collision thereof attributable to erroneous operation of an accelerator pedal. The method includes determining whether an accelerator pedal is erroneously operated in the situation in which an obstacle is detected to be present in the traveling path. In response to determining that the accelerator pedal is erroneously operated, the method includes switching the driving mode to a mode in which an engine is disconnected from a driving shaft and a motor generates driving force. The number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine is then adjusted based on the extent to which the accelerator pedal is operated and the torque of the motor is adjusted based on a first vehicle speed and the distance to the obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Kyeom Cho, Ji Hoon Kang, Yeon Bok Kim, Myung Woo Kim, Chan Ho Lee, Tae Wook Park, Kyu Hwan Jo