Patents Issued in February 1, 2024
  • Publication number: 20240034098
    Abstract: Provided is a tire that allows reduction of uneven wear such as heel-and-toe wear around a plurality of closed sipes. The tire includes a tread portion 2. A plurality of closed sipes 8 are aligned in a tire axial direction in a land portion 4 of the tread portion 2. Each of the closed sipes 8 includes a sipe bottom 8d, a first end 8a and a second end 8b, a first sipe piece 11, a second sipe piece 12, a third sipe piece 13, and at least one tie bar 20. The closed sipes 8 aligned in the tire axial direction overlap each other in the tire axial direction and a tire circumferential direction. The tie bar 20 includes a first tie bar 21. A center, in a sipe length direction, of the first tie bar 21 is disposed closer to a first intersecting portion 18 than a center, in a length direction, of the first sipe piece 11 is. A distance from the first tie bar 21 to the first intersecting portion 18 is not greater than 25% of a length of the first sipe piece 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma MORI, Koichi NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20240034099
    Abstract: A tire inspection system includes a data acquisition unit, a groove depth determination unit, and an alert processing unit. The data acquisition unit acquires data for groove depth derived from measuring a groove depth of a tire mounted on a vehicle a plurality of times per groove by using the measurement instrument. The groove depth determination unit determines whether a per-groove difference in groove depth acquired by the data acquisition unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. When the groove depth determination unit determines that the difference is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the alert processing unit outputs an alert to indicate that the groove depth should be measured again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Yoichi Kawashima, Yuki Ishijima, Akinori Miyake, Masato Furukawa, Hiroaki Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20240034100
    Abstract: In a bead core, metal cords are accumulated and formed in plural columns and plural columns, and the row direction length is formed greater than the column direction length; the metal cords are set in two or more columns from the third row of the metal cords on as counted from a tire radial direction outer end inward in the tire radial direction and excepting a tire radial direction innermost end; a length dimension of the bead core is set equal to or greater than twice a maximum width dimension of the bead core; the centroid of the bead core is positioned on the tire radial direction inner end side of the bead core relative to the lengthwise direction center portion of the bead core; a maximum width portion of the bead core is positioned from the second row of the metal cords on as counted from the tire radial direction inner end of the bead core outward in the tire radial direction; and the maximum width portion of the bead core is positioned from the second row of the metal cords on as counted from the tir
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Yoshiki NAKATA, Yasuo OOSAWA
  • Publication number: 20240034101
    Abstract: In a pneumatic tire, a bead core has end portions in a tirewidth direction formed as vertical lines along a tireradial direction. A length of the vertical lines is from 20% to 30% of a core height. In two adjacent bead core layers of first, second and third layers, the radial outer layer tireincludes two or more bead cores more than the radially inner layertire, and a misalignment amount between the bead wires each at an end portion on one side in the tirewidth direction is one-half of a bead wire thickness. A side on which the misalignment amount between the first and second layer bead wires is one-half of the thickness of the bead wire is opposite in the tirewidth direction to a side on which the misalignment amount between the second and third layer bead wires is one-half of the thickness of the bead wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Takanori ITO, Hiroaki HONDA, Mari SHIMIZU, Mingquan WANG, Feng GAO, Jingwei HUANG, Niancun WANG, Yulong LI, Jiang WU, Xiquan JIA, Yuchao JIAO
  • Publication number: 20240034102
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire including: a pair of bead cores embedded in a pair of bead portions; and a carcass including one or more carcass plies extending in a toroidal form between the pair of bead cores, wherein bead fillers are disposed on an outer side in a tire radial direction of the bead cores, rubber chafers are provided on an outer side in a tire width direction of the bead fillers, and when a storage modulus of the bead fillers is E1?, and a storage modulus of the rubber chafers is E2?, the ratio E2?/E1? satisfies 0.4?E2?/E1??1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shintaro HATANAKA, Isao KUWAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20240034103
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire can have a tread portion. A sponge-like sound absorbing member can be on an inner surface of the tread portion. The sound absorbing member can have an outer peripheral surface facing outward in a tire radial direction. A plurality of grooves, and a plurality of land portions separated from each other by the plurality of grooves, can be formed in the outer peripheral surface. Each of the plurality of land portions can be attached to the inner surface continuously along a longitudinal direction of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho MATSUNAMI, Naoki YUKAWA, Takuya SATO
  • Publication number: 20240034104
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire can have a tread portion. A sponge-like sound absorbing member can be attached to an inner surface of the tread portion. The sound absorbing member can have an outer peripheral surface facing outward in a tire radial direction. A plurality of grooves, and a plurality of land portions separated from each other by the plurality of grooves, can be formed in the outer peripheral surface. Each of the plurality of grooves can have an opening width at the outer peripheral surface larger than a groove bottom width of the groove in a cross-section thereof perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya SATO, Sho MATSUNAMI, Naoki YUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20240034105
    Abstract: The present document relates to a tire inflation system having a non-rotatable element and a rotatable element mounted at the non-rotatable element, a fluid path extending through a cavity of the non-rotatable element and through a cavity of the rotatable element for passing a fluid from the non-rotatable element to the rotatable element. At least one of the rotatable element and the non-rotatable element is movable in an axial direction with respect to the other between a standard position and an inflation position, and is configured to slide towards the inflation position against the bias of a return spring, in response to a fluid pressure being provided in the fluid path. In the inflation position the gasket is in sealing engagement with the contact area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Piergiorgio TRINCHIERI
  • Publication number: 20240034106
    Abstract: A method for locating wheels of a motor vehicle. The vehicle including at least one central processing unit which includes a main ultra-wideband radio frequency transceiver and a plurality of wheel units, each including a secondary ultra-wideband radio frequency transceiver adapted for communicating with the main transceiver. The method includes at least one step of measuring the distance between the main transceiver and the secondary transceiver to be located, by analyzing the propagation time of an exchanged message, and a step of locating the wheel unit associated with the secondary transceiver to be located, on the basis of the distance measured in the measurement step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Stéphane Billy, Rachid Benbouhout, Jérôme Lee
  • Publication number: 20240034107
    Abstract: A method for signaling the theft of a wheel of a motor vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of wheels and a computer. At least one of the wheels includes a sensor. The method includes, for the at least one wheel, the steps of measuring at least one value for the internal pressure of the tire of the wheel, detecting that the vehicle has been raised if the absolute value of the difference between the at least one measured internal pressure value and a predetermined reference internal pressure value is greater than a predetermined pressure difference threshold when it is detected the vehicle has been raised, detecting the detachment of the wheel when it is detected that the wheel has become detached, and signaling the theft of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Fabien Deleplanque, Vincent Létard, Jean-Charles Huard
  • Publication number: 20240034108
    Abstract: After the air pressure of the tire of the vehicle has decreased to a predetermined abnormal value, the system management server determines that the vehicle has returned to a normal value without performing a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation (for example, there is a driver that continuously drives the vehicle by replenishing air without performing a tire replacement even if the tire is punctured), and transmits abnormality notification information to the administrator terminal device. Thus, the warning information is provided to the current driver of the vehicle by the operation of the administrator terminal device by the administrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi ANDOU, Takahiro KAMOGAWA, Yosuke KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20240034109
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system and method embodiments for monitoring tire conditions. For example, the system includes a sensor that is configured to: receive light that is reflected off of at least one object within a field of view (FOV) that is adjacent to a vehicle as reflected light, and provide tire data indicative of a distance between the sensor and a surface of a tire of the vehicle extending into the FOV based on the reflected light. A controller is configured to generate a message in response to a moment of a probability distribution of the tire data being less than a threshold, or tire data indicative of a rate of change of shadow length exceeding a threshold shadow length, and to provide the message to at least one of a user interface, a vehicle system, and an external computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph WHINNERY
  • Publication number: 20240034110
    Abstract: This present invention relates to an anti-skid device adapted to being mounted on tyres of the vehicle wheels to provide traction and wheel to ground contact enhancement in snowy and icy conditions. The device includes a central housing 2 from which protrudes radially three arms 3 which are extended at the outer end by anti-slip components 10 transversally embracing the tread of the tyre. The anti-skid device have a locking mechanism that consists of a locking element 24 with teeth engaging with teeth on the inner circumference of the housing 2. A handle 16 integrated into the hub 4 interfaces with the locking element 24 to securely maintain the locked status when the device is mounted onto the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Harald FURU, Christian ABRY, Emil ABRY, Christopher John KAVANAGH
  • Publication number: 20240034111
    Abstract: A hitch mountable workout apparatus for providing a portable sturdy workout apparatus includes a hitch mount having a hitch end and a shaft end. The hitch end selectively engages a trailer hitch. A vertical main shaft has a shaft back side attached to the shaft end of the hitch mount, a shaft front side, a shaft left side, a shaft right side, a shaft top end, and a shaft bottom end. A bottom support has a support tube slidably engaged within the shaft bottom end and a support foot coupled to the support tube. The bottom support is adjustable to rest the support foot on the ground while the hitch mount is engaged with the trailer hitch. A pull-up bar has pull-up tube slidably engaged within the shaft top end, a cantilever coupled to the pull-up tube, and a crossbar coupled to the pull-up tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20240034112
    Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may be attached to a hitch head using a trunnion style connection. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets having a plurality of contact points may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. The rigid brackets may include a spacing member and an attachment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Robert Harper, Raymond L. Conger, Joshua A. Jones, Jed K. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20240034113
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of parking a trailer by means of a towing vehicle, which trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle via a coupling element of the trailer; the towing vehicle estimating position and heading of the coupling element of the parked trailer; transmitting the estimated position and heading of the coupling element of the parked trailer to a data storage device; and automatically uncoupling the trailer from the towing vehicle, so that the towing vehicle can drive away from the parked trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Leo LAINE
  • Publication number: 20240034114
    Abstract: A camera monitoring system has a trailer with trailer components that are responsive to at least one control signal and a wiring harness that is in communication with the trailer components and has a connector that communicates with a tractor. The wiring harness carries the at least one control signal to the trailer components. A sensor is provided on the trailer and generates a sensor signal. A processor is interconnected between the sensor and the wiring harness. The processor transforms the sensor signal for transmission over the wiring harness with the at least one control signal using common wires within the wiring harness. A filter is interconnected between the processor and at least one of the trailer components to filter noise from the at least one control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: John S. Germaine, Dominik Marx, Darren Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20240034115
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a commercial vehicle includes a first linkage, an air spring, a carriage, and a second linkage. The first linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with a structural member of a frame. The structural member extends downwards from the frame. The air spring is coupled with the frame and a second end of the first linkage. The air spring drives the first linkage to pivot about the first end relative to the structural member. The carriage is pivotally coupled with the first linkage at a position between the first end and the second end of the first linkage. The second linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with the structural member, and pivotally coupled with the carriage at a second end. The structural member, the first linkage, the second linkage, and the carriage define a four-bar linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicants: Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Dowdy, Paul Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20240034116
    Abstract: A system for vehicle load management including a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a first indicator signal from a first sensor. The instructions further cause the processor to, based at least in part to the first indicator signal, determine a vehicle load intervention. The instructions further cause the processor to, based, on the vehicle load intervention, transmit one or more adjustment signals to cause one or more vehicle load adjustments to occur, the one or more vehicle load adjustments including at least one of at least one lire being inflated, the at least one tire being deflated, a liftable axle being raised, and the liftable axle being lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua Coombs, Jake Dunda, Bradley J. Kubiak
  • Publication number: 20240034117
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to a robotic vehicle. An example robotic vehicle has a base platform that includes at least a chassis, an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a first wheel that is attached to a first section of the chassis and further includes a second wheel attached to a second section of the chassis. The actuator has a proximal end attached to the first section of the chassis and a distal end attached to the second section of the chassis. The sensor is configured to obtain information associated with a stair structure located on a traversal path of the robotic vehicle. The controller evaluates the information obtained by the sensor and operates the actuator to vary a separation distance between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis so as to enable the robotic vehicle to traverse the stair structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Smruti Panigrahi, Kurt Lundeen, Sanghyun Hong, Yifan Chen
  • Publication number: 20240034118
    Abstract: A stowage system includes: a lock detection sensor detecting an unlocked state where a package can be taken in and out of a second package room which is separated from both an interior space of a vehicle and a first package room formed above the horizontal plane extending along a floor of the interior space, and allows the package to be taken in and out from an outside of the vehicle, or a locked state; an air conditioning device; and a microprocessor. The air conditioning device forms a flow of air in the second package room by a fan. The microprocessor is configured to perform outputting an operation signal to the air conditioning device so that the fan operates when the lock detection sensor detects locking of the second package room in a state where the second package room stows the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Fuyuki Ono, Takahiko Abe, Takuya Furuno
  • Publication number: 20240034119
    Abstract: A method for optimizing power distribution amongst one or more electrical supply equipment stations at a power distribution site is provided. The method includes obtaining infrastructure data about the power distribution site, obtaining vehicle/transport climate control system data from one or more transport climate control systems and one or more vehicles demanding power from the one or more electrical supply equipment, and obtaining external data from an external source that can impact power demand from the one or more transport climate control systems. Each of the one or more transport climate control systems configured to provide climate control within a climate controlled space. The method also includes generating an optimized power distribution schedule based on the infrastructure data, the vehicle/transport climate control system data and the external data, and distributing power to the one or more transport climate control systems based on the optimized power distribution schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Matthew Srnec, Philip Lewis Lavrich, Wallace Stephen Hubbard, Matthias Gorski, Eckardt Augenstein
  • Publication number: 20240034120
    Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration unit of a vehicle comprises determining a vehicle route from a current location of the vehicle to a final destination of the vehicle; determining whether to operate a refrigeration system of the transport refrigeration unit in a normal mode or an economy mode; and operating the refrigeration system in the economy mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: FLORIAN BEAUFRERE, GUILLAUME CHAROULET
  • Publication number: 20240034121
    Abstract: A system and method for regulating temperatures inside of a vehicle while an electric personal transport device is charging inside the vehicle by a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controller including at least one processor is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a signal from at least one of an electric personal transport device presence sensor or a charging unit for an electric personal transport device, the signal indicating that an electric personal transport device is charging inside the vehicle. The method also includes receiving an ambient temperature inside the vehicle from a temperature sensor and comparing the ambient temperature inside the vehicle to a threshold temperature. Based on the comparison of the ambient temperature to the threshold temperature, the method further includes operating at least one heating and cooling system of the vehicle to regulate the temperature inside the vehicle within a temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Robert M. UYEKI, Matthew B. STAAL
  • Publication number: 20240034122
    Abstract: A valve set integrated module includes a body, a first and a second electric valves. The body is provided with multiple internal flow channels and multiple interfaces configured to communicate the internal flow channels with a heat exchange assembly. The first and second electric valves on the body are in communication with the internal flow channel. The first and second electric valves are both switchable between a blocked/unblocked position and a throttled position. A first end of the first electric valve is in communication with an interior condenser outlet interface. A second end of the first electric valve is in communication with an exterior heat exchanger inlet interface. A first end of the second electric valve is in communication with an exterior heat exchanger outlet interface. A second end of the second electric valve is selectively communicated with an interior evaporator inlet interface or a gas-liquid separator inlet interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shibai LI, Wei JIN, Min XU, Meijiao YE, Yuzhong LI
  • Publication number: 20240034123
    Abstract: An embodiment integrated thermal management system includes a first refrigerant line configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough and including a compressor, an interior heat exchanger, a first expander, an exterior heat exchanger, a second expander, and an evaporator, a second refrigerant line including an integrated heat exchanger, a third refrigerant line, an expansion module configured to allow the refrigerant having passed through the first refrigerant line to flow to the integrated heat exchanger or to flow through the third refrigerant line, a first coolant line connected to the integrated heat exchanger, the first coolant line including a first water pump, a PE component, a first radiator, and a first valve, and a second coolant line connected to the integrated heat exchanger, the second coolant line including a second water pump, a battery, a second radiator, and a second valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Ki Mok Kim, Sang Shin Lee, Man Ju Oh, Hyo Chan Bae, Hyeon Keun Yun
  • Publication number: 20240034124
    Abstract: In an embodiment a system includes a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a switch vale, an integrated heat exchanger a first expander and a second expander connected to the refrigerant line, wherein the switch valve is configured to selectively circulate a refrigerant from the compressor either first to the indoor heat exchanger or first to the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the integrated heat exchanger is configured to receive the refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the integrated heat exchanger is configured to act as a heat pump exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a heat exchange medium, wherein the first expander is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant related to the indoor heat exchanger, wherein the second expander is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant related to the integrated heat exchanger, and a controller configured to control refrigerant circulation directions through the switching valve
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Ki Mok Kim, Sang Shin Lee, Man Ju Oh
  • Publication number: 20240034125
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigeration system of a vehicle includes a circuit containing a refrigerant, a compressor, and first and second evaporators which are connected in parallel to the compressor, and a first expansion valve arranged upstream the first evaporator that regulates a pressure drop of the refrigerant before the first evaporator, and a second expansion valve arranged upstream the second evaporator that regulates a pressure drop of the refrigerant before the second evaporator, and a condenser arranged downstream the compressor between the compressor and the first and second expansion valves. The method includes controlling a total opening of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve, based on a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant which refrigerant temperature and refrigerant pressure are measured downstream the first and second evaporators at a position between the first and second evaporators and the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Emil FRYKBERG, Henrik FELLBOM, Kristian NICKLASSON, Mikael LARSSON
  • Publication number: 20240034126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated cooling module including a central manifold having a mounting space in which components may be mounted, refrigerant flow channels in which a refrigerant may flow, and communication holes for allowing the components and the refrigerant flow channels to communicate with one another, such that the components are integrated around the central manifold, thereof excluding hoses or pipes and achieving miniaturization and weight reduction of an entire cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Sangyong RHEE, In-Guk HWANG, Sang Ok LEE
  • Publication number: 20240034127
    Abstract: Proposed is a thermal management system for a vehicle, the thermal management system including an accumulator at which vapor-liquid separation of a refrigerant is performed, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, an inner condenser at which heat exchange is performed between a refrigerant and heating air, an outer condenser at which heat exchange is performed between a refrigerant and external air, a first expansion valve configured to expand a refrigerant, an evaporator at which heat exchange is performed between a refrigerant and heating air, a refrigerant recirculation line diverging from a refrigerant line between the compressor and the inner condenser, connected to the accumulator, and provided to selectively recirculate a refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the accumulator, and a discharge valve installed in the refrigerant recirculation line and provided to be able to selectively discharge a refrigerant, which has passed through the refrigerant recirculation line, into the accumulat
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Jong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20240034128
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system comprises a refrigeration circuit and a thermal management system. The refrigeration circuit comprises a compressor, a high pressure side heat exchanger on a high pressure side of the compressor, and a low pressure side heat exchanger on a low pressure side of the compressor. The thermal management system comprises a high pressure side fluid circuit comprising a first pump circulating a working fluid, and a first component heat exchanger for heating and/or cooling a first electronic component. The thermal management system also comprises a low pressure side fluid circuit comprising a second pump circulating a working fluid, and a second component heat exchanger for cooling a second electronic component. The high pressure side fluid circuit is in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigeration circuit, and the low pressure side fluid circuit is in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Lucas Chapeau
  • Publication number: 20240034129
    Abstract: An embodiment heat pump system for a vehicle includes a first circuit including a radiator and a first valve in a first line, a second circuit including a first water pump, a second valve, and a third valve provided in a second line, a third circuit including electrical equipment provided in a third line, a fourth circuit including second water pump and a fourth valve provided in a fourth line, a fifth circuit including a battery module provided in a fifth line, a sixth circuit including a third water pump and a cooler provided in a sixth line, a seventh circuit including a fourth water pump and a heater provided in a seventh line, and a centralized energy module including a condenser, a chiller, and an evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Wan Je Cho, Seong-Bin Jeong, Yeonho Kim, Jeawan Kim, Hoyoung Jeong, Man Hee Park, Hochan An, Tae Hee Kim
  • Publication number: 20240034130
    Abstract: An airflow grille of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a grille housing and a grille plate assembled to the grille housing. The grille housing and the grille plate define a grille plenum therebetween. An airflow inlet in defined in the grille housing and a plurality of airflow outlets are defined in the grille plate. A plurality of vane arrangements are arrayed on the grille plate. Each vane arrangement located between adjacent airflow outlets of the grille plate. Each vane arrangement is configured such that at each vane arrangement a first portion of a conditioned airflow flowing through the airflow grille is directed between the grille housing and the vane arrangement and a second portion of the conditioned airflow exits the airflow grille through a corresponding airflow outlet of the plurality of airflow outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Mariana Hernandez, Estephany Andrea Osorio, Isidro Antonio Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20240034131
    Abstract: A door includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a window assembly including a window. The inner wall is configured to engage with a cab of a vehicle. The outer wall is coupled to the inner wall and spaced apart from the inner wall to form an interior cavity. The door is configured to move between a closed position in which the inner wall is engaged with the cab and an open position in which the inner wall is separated from the cab. In the closed position, at least a portion of the interior cavity is configured to be disposed outboard from the cab in a lateral direction. The window is slidably engaged to the door and configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the window is at least partially disposed in the portion of the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Dave McGraw, Andrew Drach, Paul Schmidt, Jeffrey Elliott, Jacob Beenen, Mohit Nagallapuram
  • Publication number: 20240034132
    Abstract: A flexible, collapsible vehicle door is provided that can be easily installed and uninstalled on a vehicle, without modification to the vehicle. The uninstalled door can be rolled up into a compact configuration allowing for storage. The collapsible door includes latches which secure the door to the top and bottom of the door frame. Straps on top and bottom of the door further hold the frame in place. The flexible door material rolls down from the top of the frame when needed for use. The door further attaches to the frame by way of two steel posts that fit the inside hinge openings on the stock vehicle body. A latch portion of the collapsible door may be used to secure the collapsible door in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicants: 622 innovations LLC, 622 Innovations LLC
    Inventors: James Clancy, John Vrba
  • Publication number: 20240034133
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a tonneau cover, and an actuator assembly that transitions the tonneau cover back-and-forth between a lowered position and a tilted position. The tonneau cover covers a cargo bed of a vehicle when the tonneau cover is in the lowered position and when the tonneau cover is in the tilted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Sriram Pakkam, Michael John Harmon, Marius Curea
  • Publication number: 20240034134
    Abstract: A truck cap assembly that selectively covers a truck bed of a truck is provided. The truck cap assembly may include a cap that sets on opposing side walls of the truck; a cap door located on the cap; a latch bar located on the cap; a controller located on the cap door; and a latch release assembly which includes an actuator and a latch arm. The controller is in electrical communication with an actuator that is coupled to a latch arm. A signal from the controller activates the actuator to move the latch arm. The latch arm is releasable from the latch bar to release the cap door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Donald Richard Ireland, Terrill D. Becker, Bruce Charles Bacon, Jeffrey Joal Hickey, Robert G. Bos
  • Publication number: 20240034135
    Abstract: A vehicle mat is configured to prevent hail damage to a body of a vehicle. The vehicle mat may include a vehicle mat body having a plurality of layers including a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer may be formed of a hail resistant material. The bottom layer may be formed of a flexible magnetic substrate. The flexible magnetic substrate provides sufficient holding strength to magnetically couple the vehicle mat to a vehicle body and maintain the vehicle mat in place during a hail event to thereby assist in preventing hail damage to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Dewitt McDowell
  • Publication number: 20240034136
    Abstract: Soft material design methods for developing protective panels against a hail with a diameter of more than 25 mm are provided, wherein the protective panel comprises a soft material layer. The methods comprise: selecting a material for the soft material layer, wherein the material has a Young's modulus Esm in a range of 1 MPa to 150 MPa, preferably 5 MPa to 100 MPa; and determining a minimum thickness Tsm of the soft material layer based on the size of a hail and the material properties of the soft material and other materials inside the protective panel. A protection system that includes these protective panels covers a whole vehicle or some fragile parts on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Material Protection LLC
    Inventor: Luoyu Roy XU
  • Publication number: 20240034137
    Abstract: An electrified powertrain system for a vehicle is provided that integrates the electric machine(s) as part of the sprung mass of the vehicle, i.e., vehicle components that are supported on the suspension system, such as a unibody arrangement or a body-on-frame arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Hercules Electric Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Weber, James Edward Breyer
  • Publication number: 20240034138
    Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle frame distinct from a vehicle body. The vehicle frame includes opposed longitudinal rails. Each rail includes a single, monolithic body having a central internal brace and a pair of opposed ends. One end of the opposed ends is fixed to a first side of the central internal brace and the other end of the opposed ends is fixed to a second side of the central internal brace that is opposite the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott J. Bell, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Shawn Michael Morgans, Robert Reiners
  • Publication number: 20240034139
    Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a frame, wheel assemblies, an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, and a battery compartment in which the rechargeable battery is secured to the vehicle. The electric motor may be supported by and/or coupled to the unitized frame. The electric motor may be coupled to at least one of the wheel assemblies. The rechargeable battery may be electrically coupled to the electric motor and power the electric motor. The rechargeable battery may be housed by and/or within the battery compartment. The battery compartment may be disposed above the frame and along a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The battery compartment may have a length of one-third or more of the longitudinal length of the frame. The length of the battery compartment may be more than three times a width of the battery compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Vanderhall Motor Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hall, Christopher Johnson, Travis Niederhauser
  • Publication number: 20240034140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery assembly mounting structure for a vehicle. The battery assembly mounting structure includes: a battery assembly provided with an opening a constant shape in cross section from the bottom toward the top; a fastening bolt fastened passing through the opening from the lower side to the upper side; and a swappable assembly including an outer side to be mounted to and demounted from the opening through the lower side of the opening, and an inner side to and from which the fastening bolt is mounted and demounted, and providing elastic support between the outer side and the inner side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gyung Hoon Shin
  • Publication number: 20240034141
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure includes a battery disposed below a floor, a battery frame that covers a periphery of the battery and that has a rear frame part configured to cover at least a rear of the battery, a rear mounted part that is disposed behind the rear frame part and that is disposed at a height in which at least a part of the rear mounted part overlaps the rear frame part in a forward/rearward direction, and a reinforcement block that is supported by any one of frame members of a vehicle and that is disposed between the rear frame part and the rear mounted part, wherein the reinforcement block includes a guide surface inclined downward toward a front side in a region facing the rear mounted part at a front side of the rear mounted part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Masayasu Yoshida, Satoru Kawabe, Hiroyo Miyanaga, Masaaki Tatsuwaki, Hisashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20240034142
    Abstract: Proposed is a mounting bush including an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and a rubber mounted between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The rubber includes an inner side surface formed along an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe, an outer side surface formed along an inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe, and a bridge connecting between the inner side surface and the outer side surface. The bridge includes an X-axis bridge formed on each opposite side between the inner side surface and the outer side surface such that the X-axis bridge elastically supports against a horizontal load, and a y-axis bridge which is formed in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis bridge and which is formed on each opposite side between the inner side surface and the outer side surface such that the Y-axis bridge elastically supports against a vertical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: DN AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seong Do Seong CHO, Woo Seon JO, Jae Won KAM
  • Publication number: 20240034143
    Abstract: A pendulum type mount system includes a pair of upper mounts that mount upper portions of a powerplant unit on a vehicle body, and a pair of first and second lower torque rods. The first and second lower torque rods are located on opposite sides to each other with respect to a reference plane including a gravity center of the powerplant unit. A first spring constant of the first lower torque rod is not smaller than a second spring constant of the second lower torque rod. A distance between a first plane including the first lower torque rod and the reference plane is not larger than a distance between a second plane including the second lower torque rod and the reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yokawa, Keisuke Oba
  • Publication number: 20240034144
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses are disclosed that include a plurality of hydraulic vaned devices arranged in-line with one another such as along a drive line of a vehicle. Various system operation modes achieved by such devices in the in-line arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Norman Ian Mathers
  • Publication number: 20240034145
    Abstract: In a vehicle lid seal structure, one of a housing and a lid is provided with an annular sealing member on a face facing the other. A cross-sectional structure of the annular sealing member includes a base portion and a lip portion. The base portion is attached to one of the housing and the lid. The lip portion extends from the base portion toward the other of the housing and the lid. The lip portion includes a connecting end between the lip portion and the base portion, and a free end that is an end portion opposite to the connecting end of the lip portion. Further, the lip portion is provided with a folding starting point between the connecting end and the free end. The folding starting point is provided for causing folding deformation of the lip portion toward a radially-outward side of the annular sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruki NAKAMURA, Daisuke Ando, Masachika Aoki
  • Publication number: 20240034146
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flap actuator, comprising a flap, an actuating drive for actuating the flap along an actuating path from a closed position to an open position, and a linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism comprising a toggle joint having a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is rotatably supported at a first rotation point and the second leg is rotatably supported via a second rotation point. Furthermore, the first leg and the second leg are rotatably linked to each other at a moveable third rotation point, wherein the second leg includes a guiding slot along a longitudinal direction of the second leg and the first leg includes a guiding projection engaging the guiding slot, wherein the guiding projection forms the third rotation point and is supported in the guiding slot to be moveable along the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Andreas WINTER
  • Publication number: 20240034147
    Abstract: A driveline system and driveline operating method are provided herein. In one example, the driveline system includes a hydraulic coupling designed to rotationally couple to a prime mover and an output interface designed to rotationally couple to a downstream driveline component, and a power take-off (PTO) assembly. The PTO assembly includes a first pump gear rotationally coupled to an input gear that is directly coupled to the output interface, where the first pump gear is designed to rotationally couple to a first pump via a first pump shaft interface and a first pump adapter designed to mount to the first pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Kurt CATTOOR, Filip D. SCHACHT