Patents Issued in April 18, 2024
  • Publication number: 20240123835
    Abstract: A power module for a vehicle includes: a circuit board provided with a first metallic layer; a first switching portion disposed on a center portion of the circuit board, and including a plurality of semiconductor chips; a second switching portion disposed on the outside the first switching portion on the circuit board and including a plurality of semiconductor chips; a third switching portion disposed on the outside the first switching portion on the circuit board; a lead frame disposed on one side of the circuit board; and a signal lead disposed on the other side of the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Myung Ill YOU, Hyun Koo LEE
  • Publication number: 20240123836
    Abstract: A power bank system may include a motor control driver configured to receive a first power from a capacitor power bank and supply the power to an electric vehicle for operating and supply a second power generated through regenerative braking to a capacitor module when a brake is operated, a motor drive control inverter that controls a rotation of a motor, the capacitor power bank performs a charging and a protection function of the capacitor module when an abnormality of the motor and manages abnormalities in a cell in the capacitor module, a charging controller for charging the capacitor module, a first sensor for detecting an over voltage and over current, a second sensor for detecting a reverse current, a central controller for controlling the motor drive controller invertor, and a dashboard connected to a the central controller for providing the driver with an abnormality of the power bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Eui Suk KANG
  • Publication number: 20240123837
    Abstract: A method of controlling an add-on mobility includes measuring a force in a front-rear direction between a main body vehicle and the add-on mobility by a force sensor connecting the main body vehicle and the add-on mobility and controlling a driving force and a braking force of the add-on mobility according to a magnitude of the force in the front-rear direction measured by the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Hyuk Joon Kwon, Buhm Joo Suh, Woul Sun Choi, Seung Wook Lee, Tal Chol Kim, Yeong Il Choi
  • Publication number: 20240123838
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of cells; and a cell restraining structure having an internal frame and an external shell fit with the internal frame to form a plurality of chambers for receiving the plurality of cells respectively so as to package and manage the cells. The internal frame includes an elastic element forming at least one first surface of each chamber, the elastic element being elastically deformed as being pressed by a predetermined amount by a corresponding cell received in each chamber such that the elastically deformed elastic element exerts a first force to the corresponding cell. The elastically deformed elastic element is further pressed or tends to recover in responding to reversible expansion or contraction of the corresponding cell in operation such that a restraining force to the corresponding cell is determined by the first force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: SAIC MOTOR CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kewei LU, Dingxian ZHOU, Zhao LI, Dong XU, Pengfei ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20240123839
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary bicycle drive battery for a bicycle as secondary, preferably external, energy source in addition to a primary bicycle drive battery as primary, preferably internal, drive energy source of the bicycle, for there with driving of a drive motor, the secondary bicycle drive battery including a housing, fastening means that are connected or connectable with the housing for fastening of the housing to the bicycle, such as a frame thereof, a predetermined number of battery cells, a control unit, such as a BMS, such as for controlling of charging and discharging of the battery cells, a voltage regulation circuit, such as a voltage stabilization circuit or a boost circuit, for controlling of a voltage of a secondary output current to a predetermined value for providing of an input current, such as via a charge connector, for the bicycle, a charge current connection, such as including a current output connector or a charge cable, for providing of the secondary output current to the bicycle, such
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Ties Jonan Midas Carlier, Jean-Paul Niellissen
  • Publication number: 20240123840
    Abstract: An electric power supply system mounted in a vehicle includes: a first battery that supplies electric power to a motor that drives the vehicle; a second battery that supplies electric power to the motor and is replaceable; and DC/DC converter that is connected between the second battery and the motor and converts an output voltage of the second battery to a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Makoto OGAWA
  • Publication number: 20240123841
    Abstract: A controller for a fuel cell system controls generated power of a fuel cell stack by switching a generation state of the fuel cell stack based on a state of charge of a power storage device. The generation state includes a first generation state, in which the fuel cell stack is caused to generate a first generated power, a second generation state, in which the fuel cell stack is caused to generate a second generated power greater than the first generated power, and a third generation state, in which the fuel cell stack is caused to generate a third generated power greater than the second generated power. The controller calculates a power reference value indicating an actual result of power generation of the fuel cell stack from the detected generated power of the fuel cell stack, and updates the second generated power based on the power reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Naoya TOMIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240123842
    Abstract: The vehicle includes a charger used for charging the power storage device, a first control device, and a second control device. The first control device communicates with the charging station. The second control device communicates with the charger and communicates with the first control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jin KOBAYASHI, Kota NAITO
  • Publication number: 20240123843
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for wireless power transfer among multiple vehicles are provided. Aspects include identifying a group of vehicles, from a plurality of vehicles, that require charging and identifying a wireless charging capability of each vehicle of the group of vehicles. Aspects also include deploying wireless power chargers to the vehicles of the group of vehicles that do not have wireless charging capability and charging each vehicle of the group of vehicles using a wireless power transfer module. The charging of the group of vehicles is performed while the vehicles are in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Satyam Jakkula, Sudheesh S. Kairali, Sudhanshu Sekher Sar
  • Publication number: 20240123844
    Abstract: A storage device comprising two pole storage elements for electrical charges; inverter groups including full bridges connected in series, wherein exactly one of the full bridges of each of the inverter groups is connected with poles of each of the storage elements; a control unit configured to determine storage status and optimize charge and discharge processes of the storage elements through the full bridges based on a respective storage status; and a respective two pole connection at each of the inverter groups. The control unit includes control modules connected in a network, wherein each of the control modules determines the storage status of exactly one of the storage elements and optimizes a charging and discharging process of the exactly one of the storage elements, wherein the control modules are connected by a data bus, further characterized by storage modules respectively including exactly one of the storage elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Gerald Bode
  • Publication number: 20240123845
    Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes an on-board charger, a power reception connector enabling attachment and detachment of a charging cable that is to be connected to the on-board charger, and an energizing cable that connects the power reception connector and the on-board charger to each other. Charging ports that enable attachment and detachment of the power reception connector are provided in both a left side portion of a body and a right side portion of the body. The charging ports are provided at positions higher than upper ends of travel devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nagatomi, Takafumi Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20240123846
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a motor, fan and filter arrangement for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a motor (10); a fan (20) connected to an output shaft (12) of the motor and having an axial intake; and a filter (30, 230, 330); wherein the fan (20) is arranged with its axial intake facing the motor (10); and the motor (10) is housed within the filter (30, 230, 330). Such an arrangement makes much more efficient use of space than a conventional arrangement and allows the motor to be positioned within the filter in a reversed direction in comparison to conventional arrangements, so that clear air from the filter can be drawn over the motor before encountering the fan. This also has the beneficial side-effect of cooling the motor with the filtered air. In a second aspect, the present invention also provides vacuum cleaners (100, 200, 300) comprising such a motor, fan and filter arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: MICHELLE KOKES, STEVEN DERBY, JESSE ESCOBEDO, BROCK CANFIELD, JAY PATEL
  • Publication number: 20240123847
    Abstract: A method includes plugging a plug into a socket, wherein the plugging includes pushing the plug into the socket at least up to a point that a latch clicks into the plug and locks the plug in place. Pressing down on a lever that rotates around an axis causes the lever to be pushed down. This results in the latch moving away from the plug and unlocking the plug from the socket, to thereby allow the plug to be separated from the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Raikh
  • Publication number: 20240123848
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrical system (1) of an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle, configured to charge and discharge a first battery (34) and a second battery (44) of the vehicle; the first battery (34) having a higher rated voltage than the second battery (44); the electrical system (1) comprising: a multi-phase transformer (20) comprising primary windings (P1, P2, P3), first secondary windings (S1, S2, S3) and tertiary windings (T1a-T1b, T2a-T2b, T3a-T3b or T1, T2, T3); a LLC primary circuit (12) comprising a first multi-phase H-bridge (B1) to control the primary windings (P1, P2, P3); the LLC primary circuit (12) being connected to the PFC converter; a HVDC part (30) to allow energy exchange with the first battery (34); the HVDC part (30) comprising a second multi-phase H-bridge (B2); a LVDC part (40) to allow energy exchange with the second battery (44); the LVDC part (40) comprising a rectifier (41) configured to control the tertiary windings of the transformer (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Valeo eAutomotive France SAS
    Inventors: Wendell DA-CUNHA-ALVES, Kelly RIBEIRO DE FARIA SANTOS
  • Publication number: 20240123849
    Abstract: An energy storage system having a first, gravity-based energy storage sub-system having at least one weight movable between a first upper position and a second lower position defining a vertical displacement and a second energy storage sub-system comprising a vessel for storage of a pressurized fuel gas has an electrical input/output connection with an external power system and at least one of: a fuel gas inlet for supply of a fuel gas to the energy storage system from an external fuel gas supply or network; and a fuel gas outlet for supply of a fuel gas from the energy storage system to an external fuel gas user or network, and/or has at least one of: a gas to power conversion arrangement for converting energy from fuel gas to electrical energy for storage in the first energy storage sub-system or export to an external power system via the electrical output connection; and a power to gas conversion arrangement for converting electrical energy to a fuel gas for storage in the second energy storage sub-system
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Wright, Peter Fraenkel
  • Publication number: 20240123850
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging connector includes contact elements that are electrically connected to a cable. The contact elements comprise a block portion and at least one contact finger extending from the block portion, and a cooling tube for forced cooling that includes a liquid coolant for cooling at least one of the contact elements. The cooling tube is fluidly connected to an internal cooling channel of the contact element. The cooling channel extends from the block portion into the contact finger so that both parts are cooled by the cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: ABB E-mobility B.V.
    Inventors: Francisco Garcia-Ferre, Lilian Kaufmann, Pedram Kheiri, Stefan Raaijmakers, Wiebe Zoon
  • Publication number: 20240123851
    Abstract: A electric vehicle cable mounting system includes a driving unit including a rotary disc and allowing a charging cable to be released from a side in accordance with a rotation motion of a rotary disc, a guide unit provided behind the driving unit and allowing the driving unit to move in a vertical direction in accordance with a rotation motion of the rotary disc, and a controller controlling the driving unit and the guide unit such that the charging cable is automatically released in an electric vehicle charge mode and is automatically returned in an electric vehicle charge standby mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Woo Hyung Lee, Seung Tack Hong, Ho Choi, Young Tae Choi, Hyun Gu Lee, Su Hwan Cho
  • Publication number: 20240123852
    Abstract: An information processing method by an information processing apparatus, the information processing method includes identifying a first vehicle capable of supplying electric power generated by a fuel cell to the outside, and controlling electrical energy to be supplied to the outside according to the amount of hydrogen remaining in the first vehicle and a distance to the next hydrogen station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuyuki INOUE, Jean-Sebastien BOIRE, Kiyonori YOSHIDA, Ai MIYATA, Yuki TATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240123853
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for electric vehicle charging management. In some examples, a method includes detecting a charge session associated with a charging station; generating an encoded identification message that includes an identifier and sending the encoded identification message to the charging station, the encoded identification message configured to cause the vehicle connected to the charging station to alter a battery charging rate based on the identifier; receiving telematics data from the vehicle, the telematics data including the battery charging rate; decoding the identifier from the battery charging rate; and assigning the charge session to an account associated with the vehicle based on the decoded identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Zachary Jordan Lee, John Horn
  • Publication number: 20240123854
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power storage device, a charging circuit capable of external charging by converting AC power from a power system to DC power and charging the DC power to the power storage device when the vehicle is connected to the power system external to the vehicle, and a controller programming to control the charging circuit. The vehicle includes a detection circuit configured to detect the impedance of the charging path from the power system to the power storage device during external charging. The controller is programmed to switch control of the charging circuit when the impedance of the charging path is higher than the threshold value during external charging, compared to when the impedance of the charging path is lower than the threshold value during the external charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jin KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20240123855
    Abstract: A state-of-charge acquisition method is applied to the charging device for charging an electric vehicle, and the method includes: acquiring an initial electric quantity data value upon start of charging of the electric vehicle with a VCI device; acquiring a charging current of a battery of the electric vehicle during a charging process; acquiring an electric quantity of the battery at a current moment on the basis of the charging current; and acquiring the electric quantity data value at the current moment on the basis of the initial electric quantity data, the electric quantity, and a rated total capacity of the electric vehicle, the electric quantity data value indicating a state-of-charge of the battery at the current moment. In this way, the electric quantity data value of the battery during the charging process can be obtained in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Autel Digital Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Songsong QU, Guangwen FENG
  • Publication number: 20240123856
    Abstract: In an aspect a system for electric charger communication is presented. A system includes a first networking component and sensor of a first electric charger. The system includes at least a processor communicatively connected to a first networking component and the sensor. The system includes memory communicatively connected to at least a processor, wherein the memory contains instructions configuring at least a processor to receive the at least a charger metric from the sensor and transmit the at least a charger metric to the network using the first communicative connection, wherein the at least a charger metric comprises a charger status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Donnelly, John Charles Palombini, Ed Hall, Cole William Hanson
  • Publication number: 20240123857
    Abstract: A method of collecting charger information which is capable of obtaining information of chargers around the world and making the obtained information into a database, includes collecting, by a charging control unit in a vehicle, charger identification information from a charger connected to the vehicle for charging, determining whether the charger is a new charger from the collected charger identification information, and when a result of the determining indicates that the charger is the new charger, collecting, by the charging control unit, charger output information and transmitting the charger identification information and the charger output information to a management server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Young-Sik KIM
  • Publication number: 20240123858
    Abstract: A charging socket installed or installable in an electric vehicle for receiving a charging plug for charging a traction energy store of the electric vehicle with an electrical charging current, the charging socket including: power contacts for contacting corresponding power contacts of the charging plug in a state received in the charging socket for electrically conducting the charging current; charging technology-specific signal contacts for contacting corresponding signal contacts of the charging plug in a state received in the charging socket for controlling the charging current; a signal converter for transmitting and/or receiving control signals for controlling the charging current at the charging technology-specific signal contacts; and a bus node including a connection to a data bus, the bus node communicating via the data bus with a vehicle controller of the electric vehicle and to control the signal converter to: transmit the control signals as transmitted control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Markus Rose
  • Publication number: 20240123859
    Abstract: A device includes a data collection device for collecting real-time information of a plurality of charging stations, of at least one vehicle related to the plurality of charging stations, related to external environmental factors based on a specified period, a data storage device for updating and storing the real-time information of the plurality of charging stations, of the at least one vehicle, and related to the external environmental factors based on the specified period, a data processing device for generating processing information for selecting charging stations based on the real-time information of the plurality of charging stations, of the at least one vehicle, and related to the external environmental factors, and a data application device for generating a charging station list for recommending charging stations to an ego vehicle based on at least some of the processing information generated by the data processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Corporation, HYUNDAI AUTOEVER Corp.
    Inventors: Won Seok YANG, Lam LEE
  • Publication number: 20240123860
    Abstract: A charging and swapping system for a detachable battery pack includes a battery pack and a support plate. The battery pack includes a housing and a battery cell disposed in the housing. The support plate is connected with the battery pack through a detachable connection. The support plate is disconnected from the battery pack when the battery pack is to be replaced on a vehicle or when charging of the battery pack at a charging station is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Shu GUO
  • Publication number: 20240123861
    Abstract: A battery control system includes a plurality of battery cells that are separately controllable as units of individual cells or groups of cells. Each controllable unit may be switchably activated or deactivated in the overall battery circuit, and one or more conditions of each controllable unit may be individually measured. Various techniques are disclosed for operating the battery control system to optimize or improve system performance and longevity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Tung NGUYEN, Eric Hustedt
  • Publication number: 20240123862
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an electric power source for providing propulsive effort to the vehicle are is described. In one example, a remote or external device may generate a request to prepare a vehicle for extended or long term storage. A state of charge of a traction battery and a state of charge of a low voltage battery may be adjusted to prepare the vehicle for extended storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick Soderborg, Gitanjli McRoy, Shannon Wrobel, Andrew Mast
  • Publication number: 20240123863
    Abstract: A mileage management apparatus for an electric vehicle, includes a processor configured to determine whether the vehicle can complete a travel to a destination thereof by use of a mileage based on a state of charge (SOC) value of a high voltage battery, to limit power consumption of a load having a voltage higher than a predetermined voltage when the processor concludes that the vehicle cannot complete the travel, and to drive a load having a voltage lower than the predetermined voltage depending on a degree of a decrease in an indoor temperature of the vehicle to provide heat to a user, and an interface device communicatively connected to the processor and configured to display whether the completion of the travel is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Un CHON
  • Publication number: 20240123864
    Abstract: A system and method for speed control as a function of battery capability in an electric aircraft is illustrated. The system comprises a battery pack coupled to the electric aircraft, a sensor coupled to the battery pack and configured to detect a battery pack output, and a computing device coupled to the sensor. The computing device is configured to receive the battery pack output from the sensor and adjust a maximum speed of the electric aircraft as a function of the battery pack output and a battery pack output threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua E. Auerbach, Nicholas Moy, Collin Freiheit
  • Publication number: 20240123865
    Abstract: An embodiment power control apparatus includes a power converter configured to convert a voltage supplied from a first battery into a voltage lower than the voltage supplied from the first battery, a power distributor configured to distribute power supplied from the power converter and supply the distributed power to a braking device, a steering device, a sensor, and an autonomous driving control device in duplicate, and a battery management device configured to control a charging of a second battery using the power supplied from the power distributor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Sehoon Park, Hyunsock Yi
  • Publication number: 20240123866
    Abstract: A method for equalizing battery capacities of a vehicle includes: determining, based on a current capacity of a battery of each of carriages, a largest battery capacity and a corresponding first carriage thereof, and a smallest battery capacity and a corresponding second carriage thereof; determining, based on the largest battery capacity and the smallest battery capacity, a first traction force and a second traction force, where the first traction force is greater than the second traction force; and outputting a first control command including the first traction force to the first carriage, and outputting a second control command including the second traction force to the second carriage for equalizing battery capacities of the carriages of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Saiwu LIU, Zhihua CHENG, Lina YANG, Yanjun CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240123867
    Abstract: An electric vehicle including a battery including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of thermal control panels interleaved with the plurality of battery cells to form a battery stack, each thermal control panel including walls defining at least one fluid channel. At least one retention element applies a retention pressure to the battery stack to compress the plurality of battery cells and plurality of thermal control panels of the battery stack, the walls of the thermal panels being under compression by a stack pressure including at least the retention pressure. A pump circulates a thermal transfer fluid through the at least one fluid channel of each thermal panel, the pump to create a fluid pressure within the at least one fluid channel of each thermal panel that is greater than or equal to the stack pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Taiga Motors Inc.
    Inventors: Maan AL-ZAREER, Amiel SUAREZ
  • Publication number: 20240123868
    Abstract: An exemplary thermal management system includes, among other things, a heater loop, a battery loop, a radiator loop, and a power electronics loop operating within a glycol system. A first valve is in fluid communication with one or more of the heater loop, the battery loop, the radiator loop, and the power electronics loop. A second valve in fluid communication with one or more of the heater loop, the battery loop, the radiator loop, and the power electronics loop. The second valve is fluidly connected to the first valve to provide at least one operational condition where there is battery heating within the battery loop while a vehicle is off charge, and while also being able to independently heat a cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Giunta, Christian Brent Schoeneman, Todd Louis Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20240123869
    Abstract: An exemplary thermal management system includes, among other things, a heater loop, a battery loop, a radiator loop, and a power electronics loop operating within a glycol system. A first valve is in fluid communication with one or more of the heater loop, the battery loop, the radiator loop, and the power electronics loop. A second valve is in fluid communication with one or more of the heater loop, the battery loop, the radiator loop, and the power electronics loop. The second valve is fluidly connected to the first valve to provide at least one operational condition where waste heat from power electronics in the power electronics loop is used to heat a battery in the battery loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Giunta, Christian Brent Schoeneman, Todd Louis Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20240123870
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mat for detecting the occupancy of a motor vehicle seat, comprising a flexible support, an interdigitated capacitive sensor borne by the flexible support, a first conductive track borne by the flexible support, the first conductive track having a first end connected to the interdigitated capacitive sensor and a second end intended to be connected to a computing unit, a second conductive track borne by the support, the second conductive track having a first free end and a second end intended to be connected to the computing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Mamadou BALDE, Abdou Latif DJIRAM
  • Publication number: 20240123871
    Abstract: A power rail system for a vehicle seat includes an outer track defining an elongated channel with an elongated lead screw mounted in the channel. An inner track is received in the elongated channel and a power length adjuster gear transmission is mounted to the inner track and drivingly engaged with the elongated lead screw. A seat structure is mounted to the inner track for movement along the power rail system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mircea NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU, Sapan Mahendra POPTANI, Ryan MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20240123872
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Dean C. VANDENHEEDE, Justin SCHRAND, Andrew J. SIMMS
  • Publication number: 20240123873
    Abstract: A pitch assembly for a vehicle seat includes a drive pinion having a slot, a pinion actuator having a key positioned within the slot, a cam fixedly coupled to the pinion actuator by a drive shaft, a drive motor operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft, and an actuator lever operatively coupled to the cam and operatively coupled to a disc mechanism. The drive motor rotates the drive shaft causing the cam to move the actuator lever to an actuated position causing the disc mechanism to be unlocked prior to the key engaging with the slot. Additional rotation of the drive shaft after the key is engaged with the slot rotates the drive pinion causing the vehicle seat to be pivoted between a first and second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: David M. Runde
  • Publication number: 20240123874
    Abstract: A system for reconfiguring a seating assembly within a vehicle, the system comprising identifying an adjacent surface within an interior of the vehicle, calculating a distance between the seating assembly and the adjacent surface, wherein the configuration is an occupiable seating configuration, and further wherein the occupiable seating configuration has a mode chosen from a forward facing mode and a rearward facing mode, storing the distance between the seating assembly and the adjacent surface, receiving a user input to transition the seating assembly from one occupiable seating configuration mode chosen from the forward facing mode and the rearward facing mode toward the other mode, and controlling the configuration of the seating assembly to transition from one occupiable seating configuration mode chosen from the forward facing mode and the rearward facing mode toward the other of the forward facing mode and the rearward facing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Patrick Maloney, Kevin VanNieulande, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Publication number: 20240123875
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat back that is tiltable forward around a reclining rod; a support rod that extends along the seat width direction and is supported at a support member that is attached to a vehicle body floor part; and a coupling mechanism that couples the support rod with the reclining rod, the coupling mechanism is configured to attain: a first coupling state that is a coupling state when the seat back is at a position supporting the back area of the seated vehicle occupant, and a second coupling state that is a coupling state when the seat back is tilted forward and a rear face of the seat back is made horizontal, a distance from the support rod to the reclining rod in a seat side view is longer in the second coupling state than in the first coupling state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Shunichiro OSA, Pham Quoc Trieu
  • Publication number: 20240123876
    Abstract: A conveyance seat capable of ensuring the rigidity of a reclining device and suppressing manufacturing cost includes a reclining device that rotatably connects a seat back to a seat cushion. The reclining device includes rotating shafts disposed on right and left sides in a seat width direction and serving as a rotation center of the seat back, and a connecting member having a plate shape, extending the seat width direction, and connecting the right and left rotating shafts. The connecting member includes a connecting body portion extending long in the seat width direction, and shaft attachment portions provided at extending end portions of the connecting body portion and used for attaching the rotating shafts. The shaft attachment portions have an open cross-sectional shape in which opening portions are formed on upper sides of the shaft attachment portions, and support extending portions of the rotating shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroaki WADA, Hironori WATANABE, Soichiro KAMEI, Jinichi TANABE
  • Publication number: 20240123877
    Abstract: A booster seat for supporting a child in a vehicle includes a lower base having a pair of sidewalls extending on opposing sides of a central axis, and a pair of narrowing walls also extending on opposing sides of the central axis. Each of the narrowing walls include at least one segment positioned between a pair of planes defined by the pair of sidewalls. A seatback frame is connectable to the lower base and includes a plurality of slots formed therein. A plurality of padding modules are detachably engageable with the seatback frame, with each padding module including a pad, a connecting fin coupled to the pad, and a locking flange coupled to the connecting pin. Each of the plurality of padding modules are insertable into a respective one of the plurality of slots to facilitate engagement between the plurality of padding modules and the seatback frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Michael H. Gillett, Sharon A. Gillett
  • Publication number: 20240123878
    Abstract: A child safety seat and a side impact protection device. The side impact protection device comprises a fixed seat assembled on the backrest and a side impact protection block pivotally coupled to the fixed seat via a pivot shaft. The side impact protection block has at least an extended position and a retracted position during a pivoting process around an axis of the pivot shaft in respect to the fixed seat, one of the fixed seat and the side impact protection block has a locking structure, and the other one of the fixed seat and the side impact protection block has a cooperative locking structure being cooperating with the locking structure, the locking structure is automatically locked with the cooperative locking structure when the side impact protection block is pivoted to the extended position around the axis. The side impact protection device is simple in structure and easy in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Bambino Prezioso Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Daliang ZHANG, Ruyi Li
  • Publication number: 20240123879
    Abstract: A tailgate seat, including a seat portion to receive buttocks of a user thereon, a back portion movably disposed on at least a portion of the seat portion to receive a back of the user thereon, and a base disposed on at least a portion of the back portion to removably connect to at least a portion of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Jose Villarreal
  • Publication number: 20240123880
    Abstract: A seat back panel includes a panel main body and a separate panel. The panel main body is disposed at a posterior portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat. The panel main body structures a portion of a main body portion of a seat back frame. An aperture is formed at a location of the panel main body that opposes a dorsal region of a seat occupant. The separate panel is attached to the main body portion and closes up the aperture. At a time of rear-end collision of the vehicle, the separate panel receives a load from the dorsal region of the seat occupant and relatively displaces toward the rear side of the seat back with respect to the panel main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Takumi Arai, Takuma Oki, Yusuke Yadomaru, Masami Handa, Toshimitu Nishio
  • Publication number: 20240123881
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a controllable deformable material and control apparatus is provided for controlling the state of a controllable deformable material. The control apparatus is configured to generate a signal to cause a control element in proximity to the controllable deformable material to change the characteristic of the controllable deformable material and thereby change the state of the controllable deformable material. The controllable deformable material is controllable to change state from a first state to at least a second state and is controllable to change state from at least the second state to the first state, the controllable deformable material being more deformable per unit force in the second state than in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Paul CHOIN, Anthony IANNONE
  • Publication number: 20240123882
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an independent air-conditioning seat for vehicles, wherein a plurality of discharge members are installed on a circumference of a seat body and the upper surface of the exit of the discharge member hole of each discharge member is formed as a curved surface connected to the side wall of the seating space of the seat body. Therefore, due to the Coanda effect, the air discharged from the discharge member flows closer to the seat body, thereby reducing an independent air-conditioning space in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Hyun Jun PARK
  • Publication number: 20240123883
    Abstract: A reconfigurable vehicle seat includes a seat base having a center cushion having a first lateral side and a second lateral side that is opposite the first lateral side. A first side bolster including a first lateral side section is detachably connected to the first lateral side, and a second side bolster including a second lateral side section is detachably connected to the second lateral side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Sreejit Narayan Sivasankaran, Sarah Glissman, Joel S. Hooton, Joel Andrew Benkelman, Raihan Haque
  • Publication number: 20240123884
    Abstract: A function-adapted three-dimensional foam structure (2) for a vehicle seat (4) has first foam structure planes (6) to ensure a constant compressive strength of the foam structure (2) in two spatial directions x, y, second foam structure planes (8) to ensure a length variance of the foam structure (2) in a spatial direction z, that is perpendicular to the spatial directions x and y. The first foam structure planes (6) and the second foam structure planes (8) are formed and distributed within the foam structure (2) such that the compressive strength of the foam structure (2) is constant in the spatial directions x, y independent of the length-wise expansion of the foam structure (2) in the spatial direction z.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Rainer Seitner, Ulrich Aschenbrenner, Max Pieper, Volker Sieber, Carsten Frank