Patents Issued in January 30, 2024
  • Patent number: 11884196
    Abstract: A multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle and method. The multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a cargo conveying rack, a lifting mechanism, and a control system; the vehicle body is located below for providing a platform and support; the cargo conveying rack is located above the vehicle body and includes a plurality of layers for loading and unloading cargoes; the lifting mechanism is located on the outer side of the cargo conveying rack for lifting the cargo conveying rack; the control system is located on the vehicle body for controlling omni-directional driving, accurate butt joint, and automatic loading and unloading of the multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle. Accordingly, a multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle is adopted such that the multi-task functions of loading and unloading, transporting, and conveying of cargoes are simultaneously realized, thereby efficiently completing the transferring process of cargoes from a storage place to a transporting carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Zhishangxing Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11884197
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods for deployment of mounting tubs that support photovoltaic modules are provided in which a feeder assembly includes a screw thread assembly and a pivot arm. The screw thread assembly has at least one rotatable threaded component, and two such components in exemplary embodiments, positioned within the feeder assembly. The rotatable threaded component supports the stack of mounting tubs and rotates to separate the individual mounting tub from the stack of mounting tubs and lower the individual mounting tub onto the pivot arm. The pivot arm is configured to interact with an individual mounting tub and pivots to dispense the individual mounting tub onto a mounting surface. A sensor may be provided to detect the positions of the individual mounting tubs as they are moved, and a control system communicates with the sensor and the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly and a hopper holding the stack of mounting tubs may be mounted on an autonomous cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Nicholas Paul Carter
  • Patent number: 11884198
    Abstract: A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels supported by the frame structure, and a body supported by the frame structure. The frame structure includes an operator cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the operator cage in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a first sidewall arranged on one side of the vehicle and a second sidewall arranged on another side of the vehicle opposite the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11884199
    Abstract: A vehicle may be configured with an adjustable horizontal planar platform for receiving a load, such as a boom arm of a crane and transporting the load to a new location. In some cases, the platform is configured to swivel and tilt in order to maintain an alignment with a second vehicle during transport of a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: James Larry Jester
  • Patent number: 11884200
    Abstract: A slide-up bathroom for a vehicle that have the following characteristic: telescopic walls that allow an upper section of the slide-up bathroom to move up and down relative to a lower section of the slide-up bathroom; and a toilet storage container for the toilet to move in and out thereof and into a main interior of the slide-up bathroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Peter J. Tezza, II, Jean-Thierry Aupetit
  • Patent number: 11884201
    Abstract: A tarp for a movable cargo hold has a tarp fabric comprising a proximal end and a distal end. At least three nylon straps extend across the tarp fabric. Each of the at least three nylon straps comprise a proximal end, a middle portion, and a distal end. A first set of at least two rigid straps covers the proximal end of the at least three nylon straps. A second set of at least two rigid straps covers the distal end of the at least three nylons straps. Openings on each of the at least two rigid straps, the proximal end and distal end of the tarp fabric, and the proximal and distal end of the at least three nylon straps receive rivets. The rivets distribute forces applied to each of the at least two rigid straps. The at least two rigid straps immobilize the tarp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Ben Heppe
  • Patent number: 11884202
    Abstract: A laser-based fiber-coupled white light system is provided. The system includes a laser device comprising a gallium and nitrogen containing emitting region having an output facet configured to output a laser emission with a first wavelength ranging from 385 nm to 495 nm. The system further includes a phosphor member to receive the laser emission in a range of angles of incidence to a spot on a primary surface with a size greater than 5 ?m. The phosphor member converts the laser emission with the first wavelength to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength in either reflective or transmissive mode and mixed at least partially with laser emission to produce a white light emission. Additionally, the system includes a fiber coupled to the phosphor member to capture the white light emission to deliver the white light emission to a remote lighthead or distribute the white light emission directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Rudy, James W. Raring, Eric Goutain
  • Patent number: 11884203
    Abstract: Shock-absorbing vehicle headlight system, having a vehicle frame element, a vehicle headlight housing, two release elements and a release mechanism connected to the vehicle frame element and designed to transition the vehicle headlight housing between a basic position and an adjustment position. The release mechanism includes a blocking element, switchable between a blocking position (BP) and a release position (RP). The vehicle headlight housing is held in the basic position in the BP and transitions to the adjustment position in the RP. A force transmission device mechanically couples the blocking element to the release elements and includes a rotary shaft and a control element. Displacement of each release element can be converted into rotary movement of the rotary shaft, which in turn can be converted into rotary movement of the control element, which is operatively connected to the blocking element in order to push the blocking element into the RP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Zeuner, Markus Bemmerl
  • Patent number: 11884204
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modulating headlight characteristics according to a calculated probability of future unplanned disengagement of advanced driver-assistance systems or automated driving systems, collectively referred to as driving automation systems. In particular, some embodiments aim to alert drivers of both a likelihood of unplanned disengagement, as well as a source of unplanned disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: WOVEN BY TOYOTA, INC.
    Inventors: Manuel Ludwig Kuehner, Hiroshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11884205
    Abstract: A messaging system includes a message board and a remote communicatively coupled to the message board and configured for receiving a user input. In the system, the remote is configured to transmit a message to the message board with instructions for displaying a message based on the user input. In some configurations, the messaging system can be installed in a vehicle. In such configuration, the message board can be communicatively coupled to an on-board diagnostics port of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MOD Worldwide, LLC
    Inventors: John Stanley, Nina Stanley, Harsha Venna, Matthew Healy, Harshit Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 11884206
    Abstract: Systems and methods of collision detection are provided which combine the concept of collaborative support with common/existing in-vehicle imaging and proximity sensor technologies. In particular, an “intermediary” vehicle may signal one or more objects (e.g. other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.) which are within the line of sight of the intermediary vehicle (and thus its imaging and proximity sensors), but not within the line of sight of each other, to a potential collision between the two objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
  • Patent number: 11884207
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for light adaptation of the eyes of a driver of a vehicle when exiting a tunnel. The method and arrangement determines a tunnel exit position and changes a light source luminous flux of at least one light source in the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the tunnel exit position in response to the determination of the tunnel exit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEV. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erik Lindberg Nilsson, Magnus Nilsson
  • Patent number: 11884208
    Abstract: A danger detection system for detecting a danger on a road, the danger that changes over time and may not be a danger due to the change over time, the danger detection system including a vibration acquisition unit 11 configured to acquire an acoustic signal collected by a microphone mounted on a vehicle when the vehicle passes through a region on a predetermined road, a danger determination unit 12 configured to determine whether the acoustic signal is derived from the danger, a danger location detection unit 2 configured to determine whether the danger is present in the region on the predetermined road based on the number of times an acoustic signal acquired from each of the plurality of vehicles is determined to be derived from the danger, and a danger information notification unit 3 configured to notify a communication device that can pass through the region on the predetermined road of danger information that is information about a region on a road determined to have a danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Kobayashi, Hiroaki Ito, Shin Murata
  • Patent number: 11884209
    Abstract: To provide a sound signal generation device capable of artificially generating an engine sound signal indicating a realistic engine sound linked to running of an electric vehicle even when, for example, an engine is not mounted at all. A virtual engine rotation speed generation unit that acquires accelerator opening data indicating an accelerator operation amount in the electric vehicle and running speed data indicating a vehicle running speed of the electric vehicle, calculates a virtual running speed of a virtual engine vehicle, modifies the virtual running speed on the basis of the running speed data, and calculates an engine rotation speed of a virtual engine on the basis of the modified virtual running speed, and an artificial engine sound generation unit that generates a sound signal for outputting an artificial engine sound corresponding to a running state of the electric vehicle on the basis of the accelerator operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SOUND DESIGN LAB LLC
    Inventor: Osamu Maeda
  • Patent number: 11884210
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo carrier system that is modular and can be arranged for a variety of applications, accessories, and cargo. The cargo carrier system has a modular base with a frame and a plurality of receptacles located within the frame configured to receive attachments. The base may have a rectangular frame coupled to a substantially flat top surface. Different components may be coupled to the frame by using standardized coupling attachments, thereby forming a highly customizable and modular system. Removable rails and clamping devices may be coupled to the base in a specific configuration and may be arranged based on the cargo being carried. A latching system couples the rails and other accessories to the base, as well as the cargo within the modular carrier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mesa Carriers, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Wright
  • Patent number: 11884211
    Abstract: A vehicle side mirror includes a base member and a mirror housing movably connected to the base member. The mirror housing includes a mirror and a mounting bracket connected to the base member and configured to mount the vehicle side mirror to a door panel of a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a pivot surface on which the mounting bracket is configured to pivot with respect to a door panel of the vehicle. A flexible attachment member is configured to secure the mounting bracket to the door panel after being pivoted on the pivot surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergio Carlos Mucino Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11884212
    Abstract: A rearview device for a vehicle includes a moveable head assembly; a base assembly to be fixed to the vehicle; an actuator assembly; and a cradle configured to attach the actuator assembly to the moveable head assembly and/or the base assembly and a vehicle with such a rearview device. The cradle has at least one tool protrusion on each side that enables attachment to a tool and facilities rotation of the cradle during assembly of the rearview device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Callum Scott-Collins, Steve Rawding, Matthew Smit
  • Patent number: 11884213
    Abstract: An anti-glare apparatus (100), includes a lens assembly (120) having an incident side and a reflective layer (110) on the side of the lens assembly opposite from the incident side. The lens assembly includes a layer of liquid crystal molecules, a first driving electrode (132) and a second driving electrode (131) respectively on both sides of the layer of the liquid crystal molecules; at least one of the first driving electrode or the second driving electrode comprises a plurality of sub-electrodes. The lens assembly is configured to change an optical axis direction of the lens assembly by adjusting a driving voltage of at least one of the plurality of sub-electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shan Gao, Ronghua Lan, Junrui Zhang
  • Patent number: 11884214
    Abstract: Provided is a display method for A-pillar-mounted display assemblies of a vehicle. The method includes: acquiring facial posture information of a driver of the vehicle in a camera coordinate system by any one driver monitoring assembly of at least one driver monitoring assembly, determining a visual field of the driver based on a gaze direction of the driver and the eye position of the driver, acquiring coordinates of the two display assemblies in a world coordinate system, converting the coordinates of the two display assemblies in the world coordinate system into coordinates in the camera coordinate system based on a first conversion relationship, determining whether any one display assembly of the two display assemblies is within the visual field, and capturing an external image of the vehicle captured by the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Li, Yachong Xue, Hao Zhang, Lili Chen, Minglei Chu, Hong Zhu, Hong Li, Xinqi Lin, Shuai Liu, Hui Zhao
  • Patent number: 11884215
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a driver assistance system for a vehicle. The driver assistance system also includes a camera system having at least one rear camera constructed and arranged to obtain an image of an area behind a rear of the vehicle; a tailgate position determining system constructed and arranged to determine a position of a tailgate of the vehicle, and where the image provided by the camera system of the rear of the vehicle is selected based upon the position of the tailgate of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Aranza Hinojosa Castro, Ibro Muharemovic, Alexandru Mihu, Ravikanth Uppara
  • Patent number: 11884216
    Abstract: A vehicular display system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of cameras including a driver-side rear corner camera and a passenger-side rear corner camera disposed at respective driver-side and passenger-side rear corner regions of the vehicle. The ECU includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by any of the plurality of cameras and generate video images. A video mirror display screen is disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and is operable to display video images provided by the ECU. Responsive to a triggering event, the ECU, via processing of image data captured by at least one of the driver-side and passenger-side rear corner cameras, generates cross-traffic view video images and provides the cross-traffic view video images to the video mirror display screen. The cross-traffic view video images are displayed in a split-screen format at the video mirror display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Pastoor, Peter J. Spencley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11884217
    Abstract: A vehicle tool rack for storing and accessing various individual equipment elements carried aboard a vehicle comprises a base and a turntable rotatably carried on the base such that the turntable is rotatable relative to the base. A plurality of tool receptacles are carried aboard the turntable, whereby the turntable is adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of individual equipment elements. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced base magnets are fixedly carried by the base and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced turntable magnets are fixedly carried by the turntable. The base magnets and the turntable magnets remain spaced from one another. The turntable has a plurality of distinct stable rotational positions relative to the base wherein the turntable magnets interact with the base magnets to resist rotation out of the distinct stable rotational positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: INNOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Whitehouse, Jaimin Shah, Dennis K. Summers, Joseph Albert
  • Patent number: 11884218
    Abstract: A wire guide body includes: a vehicle body-side guide portion having a configuration in which a plurality of vehicle body-side link members are coupled so as to form a string and to be capable of being curved as seen in a plan view, the vehicle body-side guide portion being coupled to a vehicle body-side bracket; a door-side guide portion having a configuration in which a plurality of door-side link members are coupled so as to form a string and to be capable of being curved as seen in a plan view, the door-side guide portion being coupled to a door-side bracket; and a relay link member including a vehicle body-side coupling portion that is coupled to the vehicle body-side guide portion, and a door-side coupling portion that is disposed at a position lower than the vehicle body-side coupling portion and that is coupled to the door-side guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Uno, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 11884219
    Abstract: A wire harness attachment structure for a vehicle seat capable of being flipped up from a usage position where the vehicle seat is disposed on a floor to a storage position where the vehicle seat is disposed along a standing wall portion of a vehicle body, includes: a rotation shaft that couples the vehicle seat to the standing wall portion; a guide member including a pair of wall portions arranged to face each other in an axial direction of the rotation shaft, and being partly opened in a radial direction between the wall portions; and a wire harness that electrically couples the vehicle seat and the vehicle body. A portion of the wire harness is disposed between the wall portions and does not come into contact with a member other than the wall portions when the vehicle seat is flipped up from the usage position to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keita Tsuji, Shingo Kuroiwa, Toshiaki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11884220
    Abstract: Provided is a wire harness apparatus 80 that uses a protector 10 for a wire harness that includes a body portion 16 into which a wire harness W is to be inserted; a cover body 18 that covers an opening portion 56 of the body portion 16; a joining portion 20 with flexibility that is formed thinner than the body portion 16 and the cover body 18 and rotatably joins the cover body 18 to a first side wall 22a of the body portion 16; a body contact portion 40 provided on the first side wall 22a of the body portion 16; and a cover body contact portion 58 provided on the cover body 18 that transfers a load applied to the cover body 18 to the body portion 16 by the cover body contact portion 58 coming into contact with the body contact portion 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuma Isoda, Hiroki Uno, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 11884221
    Abstract: An on-board electrical network (4) of a motor vehicle (2) has a first voltage circuit (I) and a second voltage circuit (II), wherein the first voltage circuit has a first operating voltage higher than a second operating voltage in the second voltage circuit. The first voltage circuit is connected to the second voltage circuit via a DC voltage converter (8). The first voltage circuit has a battery (10) and the second voltage circuit has a main battery (12) and an auxiliary voltage source (14). By means of a first switching element (16) and a second switching element (18) at least one of transmission control unit (20) and/or integrated hybrid controller (22) are supplied with electrical energy from the main battery (12) and/or the auxiliary voltage source (14). Control unit (20) and/or hybrid controller (22) can be selectably disconnected from either the main battery (12) and/or the auxiliary voltage source (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Johann Kirchhoffer
  • Patent number: 11884222
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes an adaptive energy absorption module operatively connected to a vehicle bumper body. The adaptive energy absorption module includes a primary deformable impact absorber member defining a primary impact chamber having a shape that is structurally adaptive or otherwise conforms to an impact force received by the bumper body. A secondary deformable impact absorber member is arranged in the primary impact chamber and defines a secondary impact chamber containing a shear thickening fluid that exhibits a decreasing viscosity responsive to the impact force. A plurality of fluidically connected tertiary deformable impact absorber members are arranged in an array the primary impact chamber and defines a plurality of tertiary impact chambers containing a volume of fluid, and has a shape that is structurally adaptive to the impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuyang Song, Umesh Gandhi, Danil Prokhorov, Phouvadol Khouphongsy
  • Patent number: 11884223
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body having a first outer periphery in a first plane parallel to a surface on which the vehicle moves in a horizontal direction; a bumper assembly having a second outer periphery in a second plane parallel to the first plane and including portions that extend beyond the first outer periphery; one or more flexible couplings coupling the bumper assembly to the body and allowing for horizontal planar deflection of the bumper assembly relative to the body when the bumper assembly impacts an obstacle; one or more sensors mounted to detect planar deflection of the bumper assembly and being configured to generate signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount; and a drive system configured to propel the vehicle and, in response to the signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount, cause the vehicle to stop moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Nathanael Arling Worden, Michael John Hector
  • Patent number: 11884224
    Abstract: Provided is a method for preventing improper reuse of a traveling battery mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle includes a battery module, an electronic control unit, and an impact detection sensor. The battery module includes battery cells that are stacked together. The electronic control unit is capable of controlling a voltage of each of the battery cells of the battery module, using an auxiliary battery as a drive power supply. The impact detection sensor is configured to detect a magnitude of an impact to be applied to the vehicle. The method for preventing reuse of the traveling battery includes causing the electronic control unit to perform low-voltage-control exclusively on one of the battery cells that is selected in advance in a case where the magnitude of the impact detected by the impact detection sensor is a predetermined value or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsukasa Murakami
  • Patent number: 11884225
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting a point-of-impact of a vehicle collision. A mobile device receives a set of sensor measurements from sensors of the mobile device. The mobile device generates a crash feature vector from the sensor measurements and one or more point-of-impact features. The mobile device executes a set of classifiers using the crash feature vector and the one or more point-of-impact features. Each classifier of the set of classifiers is configured to generate an output that is partially indicative of a point-of-impact of the collision. The mobile device generates, from the output of each classifier of the set of classifiers, a prediction of a point of impact of the vehicle collision. The mobile device then transmits an indication of the point of impact to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc.
    Inventors: Yuting Qi, Rizki Syarif, Edward J. Gramer, Cornelius F. Young
  • Patent number: 11884226
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a passenger compartment for at least one vehicle user and has at least one sensor device for detecting a location of the vehicle user in the passenger compartment. At least one retaining device is used to fix the vehicle user in his/her location. A control device is provided to activate the at least one retaining device according to a signal of at least one impact sensor of the motor vehicle. The at least one retaining device is designed to fix the vehicle user in a location in the passenger compartment different from a vehicle seat of the motor vehicle. A method operates such a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Amereller, Florian Ober, Sascha Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 11884227
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a restraining device, and an alert device and a switch serially connected in a series circuit. The restraining device includes a strap and a tether connector provided at a free end of the strap, the restraining device having an idle position and a deployed position, the restraining device being arranged in the deployed position to engage with a corresponding structure provided in a vehicle for restraining the child safety seat. The switch is operatively coupled to the restraining device and has an open state and a closed state, each of the open state and the closed state of the switch uniquely corresponding to one of the idle position and the deployed position of the restraining device. The alert device is activable to emit an alert signal when the series circuit is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Zheng-Wen Guo
  • Patent number: 11884228
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body defines an occupant cabin. The vehicle body includes a ceiling above the occupant cabin and a floor below the occupant cabin. The vehicle includes a partition extending from the floor to the ceiling and dividing the occupant cabin into an officer compartment and a detainee compartment. The partition has a front surface facing the officer compartment and a rear surface facing the detainee compartment. An airbag is supported by the partition and is inflatable into the detainee compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11884229
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a dash. A first seat and a second seat are spaced from the dash. A console is adjacent to the dash with the console being movable from a stowed position disposed in the dash to a deployed position extending from the dash between the first seat and the second seat. An airbag is supported by the console with the airbag being inflatable to an inflated position when the console is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11884230
    Abstract: An instrument-panel assembly for a vehicle includes an instrument panel. The instrument-panel assembly includes a steering column adjacent to the instrument panel. The instrument-panel assembly includes an airbag mounted to the instrument panel below the steering column. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position below the steering column. The airbag defines a knee cavity in the inflated position. The airbag in the inflated position has a knee-forward panel vehicle-forward of the knee cavity; a first wing and a second wing that extends vehicle-rearward from the knee-forward panel on opposite sides of the knee cavity; and a top panel that extends vehicle-rearward from the knee-forward panel and extends from the first wing to the second wing above the knee cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11884231
    Abstract: A deflector for a diffusor of a gas generator of an airbag module is disclosed. The deflector comprises a substantially tubular deflector base body and a gas discharge device connected thereto, wherein the gas discharge device has a substantially rectangular base and two outflow regions on opposite sidewalls so that gas can flow substantially in opposite directions along the longitudinal axes of the tubular deflector base body out of the interior of the gas discharge device to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Airbag Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Weber
  • Patent number: 11884232
    Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and methods for seatbelt assistance. A system may include a sensor. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical property of a user sitting on a seat. The system may further include a motor. The motor may be configured to extend a seatbelt part towards a body center of the user. The system may further include an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU may be coupled to the sensor and the motor. The ECU may be configured to receive the detected physical property of the user. The ECU may be further configured to prompt the motor to extend the seatbelt part towards the body center of the user based on the detected physical property of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Geoffrey David Gaither
  • Patent number: 11884233
    Abstract: A method for controlling a passenger restraint system aboard a motor vehicle includes receiving, via a controller, biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) indicative of vulnerability characteristics of a passenger seated in an interior of the motor vehicle. In response to the biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) and a detected vehicle event requiring an actuation of the passenger restraint system, the method includes automatically adjusting an actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system via the controller. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a passenger restraint system positioned in the vehicle interior; and a controller operable for controlling the actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system in accordance with the method. The passenger restraint system may include a seatbelt, a seat, and one or more airbag systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lisa M. Furton, Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, George D. Allen, Sean T. Coughlin
  • Patent number: 11884234
    Abstract: A vehicle locking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first vertical support arm extending from the horizontal support arm. The first vertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm. A horizontal extension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A second vertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion along a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the first engagement portion. The keypad is configured to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to the first vertical support arm above the first engagement protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Mike Gordon
  • Patent number: 11884235
    Abstract: When a mobile device is securely connected to a vehicle, at least a portion of a control interface of the vehicle can be extended to the mobile device, allowing a user of the mobile device to operate certain functions of the vehicle from the mobile device. For example, a passenger of a vehicle can control some aspects of the vehicle, while the driver controls driving aspects. Optionally, the passenger can take the role of a co-driver or co-pilot of the vehicle in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Richard Noel Bielby
  • Patent number: 11884236
    Abstract: An electronic key system includes a door unit, an installed device, a portable device, at least one processor, and a storage medium storing. The storage medium stores a program that causes the processor to execute a composite authentication process and a simple authentication process. The composite authentication process permits unlocking of the door unit if all of the following conditions are satisfied: key information output from the portable device matches pre-registered key information; a user's motion matches pre-registered first motion information; and the motion matches pre-registered second motion information. The simple authentication process is executed during the time from locking of the door unit to elapse of a preset time or from locking of the door unit to when the portable device is located outside an authentication notification area. The simple authentication process permits unlocking of the door unit if the key information matches the pre-registered key information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11884237
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of disclosure, the vehicle includes a first sensor configured to measure a distance to an object; a second sensor configured to measure a temperature of the object; a camera configured to acquire an image of the object; and a controller configured to activate the second sensor when the distance to the object measured by the first sensor satisfies the condition for performing heat detection, and activate the camera when the temperature of the object measured by the second sensor satisfies a condition for performing facial recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyunsang Kim, YunSup Ann
  • Patent number: 11884238
    Abstract: Techniques for interacting with authorized and unauthorized users by a door interface component are discussed herein. A vehicle computing device can implement the door interface component and/or an authentication component to control operation of a door of the vehicle or initiate a communication for assistance. For instance, the door interface component can include a button, that provides different visual indicators and functionality based on whether the user is authorized to enter the autonomous vehicle (e.g., open a door or provide visual indicators for the user to select to cause the door to open) or to request to move the vehicle, initiate hiring the vehicle, or call for help when the user is unauthorized to enter the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZOOX, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Allen Haskin, Auver Cedric Austria
  • Patent number: 11884239
    Abstract: A vehicle theft recording system, including a first exterior camera disposed on at least a portion of a front portion of a vehicle to record at least one first visual data of a surrounding area in a front of the vehicle thereon, a second exterior camera disposed on at least a portion of a rear portion of the vehicle opposite with respect to the front portion of the vehicle to record at least one second visual data of a surrounding area in a rear of the vehicle thereon, a first mirror camera disposed on at least a portion of a first mirror of the vehicle to record at least one third visual data of a surrounding area on a first side of the vehicle thereon, a second mirror camera disposed on at least a portion of a second mirror of the vehicle opposite with respect to the first side of the vehicle to record at least one fourth visual data of a surrounding area on a second side of the vehicle thereon, an interior camera disposed on at least a portion of a dashboard of the vehicle to record at least one fifth visu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Tomika Young
  • Patent number: 11884240
    Abstract: A system for using an electrostatic force to cause an object to adhere to a surface of a vehicle can include an electrode and a device. The electrode can be configured to be disposed within a structure of the vehicle. The structure can define the surface. A shape of the electrode can define a shape of a region of the surface. The device can be configured to connect the electrode to a voltage source so that, at a time at which the electrode is connected to the voltage source, an electric charge is produced on the electrode to produce the electrostatic force capable of causing the object to adhere to the surface. For example, the surface can include a dashboard, a dashboard vent frame, a sunglasses holder cover, or the like. For example, the object can include a mobile device, a cup, a pair of sunglasses, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryohei Tsuruta, Shailesh N. Joshi, Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 11884241
    Abstract: A storage bin assembly (1) comprises a storage bin (2) and a retainer (3). The storage bin is retained by the retainer and is movable in relation to the retainer. The storage bin comprises a first guiding pin (5) arranged at, and protruding from a first bin side wall (2a) in a width direction of the storage bin assembly. The retainer comprises a first guiding track (4) arranged in a first retainer side wall (3a). The first guiding pin is slidably arranged in the first guiding track (4). The first guiding pin (5) is arranged to move in the width direction when moving the storage bin between a first position with the first guiding pin located at a first end (4?) of the first guiding track and a second position with the first guiding pin located at a second end (4?) of the first guiding track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Rajesh Shet
  • Patent number: 11884242
    Abstract: Liftgate assemblies with accessory hooks are disclosed. A liftgate assembly includes a door assembly movable in a vehicle vertical direction to an open position. The door assembly includes an interior surface panel, at least one hook disposed on the interior surface panel, and a controller communicatively coupled to the door assembly. The controller is configured to determine a presence of an item suspended from the hook when the door assembly is in the open position, transmit an alert, and prevent the door assembly from closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Erik A. Wippler
  • Patent number: 11884243
    Abstract: Assemblies for supporting a load relative to a roof of a vehicle, and vehicle roof tray assemblies are disclosed. Disclosed assemblies include an elongate member and an engaging mechanism. The elongate member defines a support surface for supporting the load, and has a pair of opposed, diverging retention surfaces extending away from the support surface. The engaging mechanism is configured to abut the retention surfaces to engage the elongate member. A slat for a vehicle roof tray is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ARB Corporation Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Guy Menegazzo, James Kenneth Robert Luke, Gavin James Smith
  • Patent number: 11884244
    Abstract: An exemplary fan clip device for moving and increasing the movement of air from a fan for a golf cart is presented. The fan clip device is attachable to a golf cart that can hold a fan that can provide a strong throughput of air to allow the golfer to cool off and have an enjoyable experience. The fan clip device is further easily attached and detached from the golf cart, as well as portable and reusable when a next golf outing is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Moritz Holmes
  • Patent number: 11884245
    Abstract: A frame that plugs into the tow hitch receiver of a vehicle that has two pivot arms used for the raising of a storage/tool box onto the frame for transport or lowered for placing the storage/tool box on the ground surface shared by the vehicle, at which point the storage/tool box can be disconnected from the frame and later re-attached for lifting and transport. The aforementioned pivot arms of the frame can be activated into motion via a driving force such as but not limited to a gas strut, hydraulics, cable or other means for pivoting the arms in the process of lifting a storage/tool box onto the connected frame for transport, or lowering a storage/tool box for disconnection after transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Geoffery Allen Williams