Patents Issued in May 7, 2024
  • Patent number: 11975654
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting base configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head accommodates a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent state that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the extended position when the mirror head is pivoted via the powerfold actuator to the extended position. When the mirror head is manually moved from the folded position to the extended position, the powerfold operator is in a secondary detent to maintain the mirror head at the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11975655
    Abstract: A single arm telescoping mirror apparatus comprising a mirror base and mirror head. In one embodiment, a mirror base having a wear plate secured to a single support arm which frictionally engages a single telescoping tube of the mirror head. Furthermore, a mirror base having a roller assembly which frictionally engage the inner wall of a single telescoping tube of the mirror head. Frictional forces created minimize the telescopic or vibrational movement of the mirror head during use of a vehicle. In another aspect, a wear plate is secured to a single telescoping tube while, roller assemblies are attached to a support arm which frictionally engage ridges of the telescoping tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Gary Sinelli, Paul Henion
  • Patent number: 11975656
    Abstract: A tray stabilizer system for delivery robots includes a base having an upper end and a lower end; a shock absorbing outer shell assembly, the shock absorbing outer shell assembly having an upper end and a lower end and configured to slidingly house in the space inside the base; a shock-absorbing inner shell assembly, the shock absorbing inner shell assembly having an upper end and a lower end and configured to slidingly house in the space inside the shock absorbing outer shell assembly; a suction cup assembly; and a shock absorbent pad. A method of using the tray stabilizer system for delivery robots includes the steps of preparing a surface onto which the tray stabilizer system is mounted; mounting the system to the prepared surface; placing a tray on the shock absorbing upper pad; and placing an item to be delivered onto the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Zhenwu Huang
  • Patent number: 11975657
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device includes a switch unit installed in a traveling object and configured to be operated by an occupant; a speaker unit installed on a far side of the switch unit from the occupant; an air chamber installed on a far side of the speaker unit from the occupant; and a substrate provided between the switch unit and the speaker unit and including at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventor: Katsumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11975658
    Abstract: A camera assembly adapted for mounting to an interior of a motor vehicle on an upper surface of the steering column assembly. The camera assembly has mounting features interacting with a mounting structure that cause the camera assembly to separate from the mounting structure upon the occurrence of a collision with an object or through inertial forces acting on the camera assembly. The separation in such conditions is provided in a controlled manner through the use of cam or ramp surfaces provided in the camera assembly or mounting structure. A cable or tether may be attached to the camera assembly and mounted to the vehicle to further control movement of the camera assembly after separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Chakravarthi Mallikarjun Nagolu, Francis Joseph Judge
  • Patent number: 11975659
    Abstract: A vehicular camera monitoring system a driver-side camera, a driver-side video display screen disposed at a driver-side cabin region of an interior cabin of the vehicle, a passenger-side camera and a passenger-side video display screen disposed at a passenger-side cabin region of the interior cabin of the vehicle. Upon completion of a parking maneuver of the vehicle, and until a period of time elapses following powering down of the vehicle upon completion of the parking maneuver of the vehicle, the driver-side video display screen displays driver-side video images of a driver-side region sideward of the driver side of the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle and the passenger-side video display screen displays passenger-side video images of a passenger-side region sideward of the passenger side of the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 11975660
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured for mounting at an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and including a circuit board and a camera that views forward of the vehicle and through the windshield. The camera includes a CMOS imaging sensor array. A data processor is operable to process image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array is encoded by a data encoder chip. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array that is encoded at the data encoder chip is carried as a data stream from the camera module to the data processor via a cable. Communication via the cable between the camera and the data processor is bidirectional. The data processor is located in the vehicle remote from the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11975661
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiring harness for a work vehicle includes providing a tool board assembly having a tool board base, wire supports extending from the tool board base each having a wire holder on a top end thereof distal from the tool board base, and a plurality of I/O connector holders extending from the tool board base and each having an angularly adjustable connector mount. A wiring harness is provided having a main harness branch and a plurality of breakout harness branches extending off the main harness branch, with each breakout harness branch having an I/O connector at an end thereof. The wiring harness is configured, via arranging thereof on the tool board assembly, to arrange the breakout harness branches at a plurality of breakout angles relative to the main harness branch and at oblique-angle orientations that are non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the tool board base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jorge Marquez, Bahubali Zade, Vedaraj Thakare, Nakib Siddiqui, Sonam Pirgal, Prashant Pulliwar
  • Patent number: 11975662
    Abstract: The wire harness 11 disclosed by the present specification includes: a sheet-shaped base member 12; and a plurality of covered electric wires W fixed side by side along the base member 12, in which the transverse cross-sectional area of at least one of the plurality of covered electric wires W is different from the transverse cross-sectional area of another covered electric wire W, and the thickness of the covered electric wire W is substantially the same as the thickness of the covered electric wire W adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamamoto, Makoto Higashikozono, Hidetoshi Ishida, Yasuyuki Otsuka, Toyoki Furukawa, Hayato Ooi, Hirotaka Kato
  • Patent number: 11975663
    Abstract: A wire harness routing apparatus includes a case and a wire harness accommodated in the case. An axial portion is provided inside the case, and the wire harness is wound around the axial portion, and the wire harness includes at least one wire and a protective member that protects the wire. The protective member includes an insertion path through which the wire is inserted, and the insertion path is formed between a sheet-shaped base sheet and a sheet-shaped cover sheet that overlaps the base sheet, and the protective member includes joining portions where the base sheet and the cover sheet are joined together at both lateral edges of the insertion path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masami Ono, Satoshi Yamamoto, Hirotaka Kato, Nahoko Furuhata
  • Patent number: 11975664
    Abstract: A system includes obtaining a plurality of automobile part sets through classification based on at least one of the following factors an interface type of an interface of an automobile part, a transmission type used by the automobile part to transmit data, a manufacturer of the automobile part, a type of the automobile part, a safety level of the automobile part, a service type of a service to which data transmitted by the automobile part belongs, or a service level of the service to which the data transmitted by the automobile part in the automobile belongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianyong Cai, Xiaohua Chen, Yalin Liu, Shuaihua Peng
  • Patent number: 11975665
    Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a track assembly, a support member configured to move along the track assembly, a first ECU connected to the support member, and a second electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the track assembly and configured to provide power from a power source to the track assembly. The first ECU may be configured to disconnect the electrical load and/or cause the electrical load to operate in a low-current mode if a connection system is partially engaged. The second ECU may have a first mode in which the second ECU provides power in a first voltage range to the track assembly. The second ECU may have a second mode in which the second ECU provides power in a second voltage range. The second ECU may be configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode according to information from the first ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Gabriel Fernández Bañares, Raúl Ricart, Esteban Herrera
  • Patent number: 11975666
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle includes: a support member detachably attached to a floor of the vehicle; an occupant seat movably supported by the support member and provided with an electrical component; and a wireless power supply mechanism configured to supply electric power to the electrical component. The wireless power supply mechanism includes a power transmitting unit attached to the floor, and a power receiving unit attached to the support member so as to face the power transmitting unit and configured to receive the electric power wirelessly from the power transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chase Hemmelgarn, Steven Johnson
  • Patent number: 11975667
    Abstract: A method for adapting a triggering algorithm of a personal restraint device of a vehicle on the basis of a detected vehicle interior state of the vehicle. The method comprises detecting of key points of a vehicle occupant by an optical sensor device, ascertaining a vehicle occupant posture of the vehicle occupant based on the connection of the detected key points to a skeleton-like representation of body parts of the vehicle occupant, wherein the skeleton-like representation reflects the relative position and orientation of individual body parts of the vehicle occupant, predicting a future vehicle occupant posture of the vehicle occupant based on a predicted future position of at least one of the key points, and modifying the triggering algorithm of the personal restraint device based on the predicted future posture of the vehicle occupant. A control device for adapting a triggering algorithm of a personal restraint device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: V S Mani Kishore Kurapati, Sudhir Behani, Vishal Muralidharan
  • Patent number: 11975669
    Abstract: An impact protection device includes a cushion formed from a first material having a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) and a second material having a positive Poisson's ratio (PPR). The first material and the second material can be layered or can be formed as a matrix of cells. The impact protection device can be an airbag with the cushion coupled to an inflation source or an expulsion source for deploying the airbag in response to an impact. The impact protection device can also be an impact vest with the cushions positioned on the vest body for absorbing impact forces to the vest body. The combination of the NPR and PPR materials improve the impact absorption of the impact protection devices compared to conventional materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Joon Bu Park
  • Patent number: 11975670
    Abstract: An assembly includes a seat, an armrest supported by the seat, and a bar supported by the armrest. The armrest is elongated along an axis. The bar is translatable along the axis from a stowed position overlapping the armrest to a deployed position extending from the armrest. The bar is pivotable relative to the armrest in a seat-inboard direction from a non-pivoted position to a pivoted position. An airbag is supported by the bar. The airbag is inflatable from the bar to an inflated position when the bar is in the deployed position and the pivoted position. The airbag includes a first inflatable portion inflatable along the bar and a second inflatable portion supported by the first inflatable portion in the inflated position. The first inflatable portion surrounds the bar in the inflated position. The second inflatable portion is inflatable upwardly from the first inflatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 11975671
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and an airbag supported by the seatback. The airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The seat assembly includes a bar pivotally supported by the seatback and fixed to the airbag. The bar is pivotable about a vertical axis of the seat assembly from a stowed position at the seatback with the airbag at the uninflated position to a deployed position forward of the seatback with the airbag at the inflated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mangesh Kadam, Murugan Sundaram Ramasamy, Srinivas Reddy Malapati
  • Patent number: 11975672
    Abstract: An embodiment roof-mounted type airbag includes a housing to be mounted to a roof part, a center cushion foldable inside the housing and able to be vertically unfolded between facing seats of a vehicle, wherein the center cushion is pillar-shaped, a side cushion foldable inside the housing and able to be unfolded partially along a circumference of the center cushion, and an inflator connected to the center cushion or the side cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Jin Oh
  • Patent number: 11975673
    Abstract: A tether clip includes: a clip body including a panel anchor part and a trim anchor portion, a head anchor part capable of being combined with the trim anchor portion, and a tether connecting the clip body and the head anchor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, NIFCO KOREA INC.
    Inventors: Jiseob Park, Hyochul Myoung, Changmo Seong, SangWook Yi, Y Tae Kim, Yoo Sung Doh
  • Patent number: 11975674
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for airbag systems suited for autonomous vehicles. Such an airbag system may include a first chamber, a second chamber, a dual-stage inflator, an orifice blocker mechanism and a control module. The dual-stage inflator may be in fluid communication with the first chamber via a first orifice and in fluid communication with the second chamber via a second orifice. The orifice blocker mechanism may be configured to block and unblock gas flow from the second orifice to the second chamber. The control module may be configured to activate the dual-stage inflator in order to inflate one or both of the first chamber and the second chamber with gas based on a position of the orifice blocker mechanism relative to the second orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Macey, Wenyu Lian
  • Patent number: 11975675
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle body including a body side. A front seat and a rear seat are adjacent to the body side. The front seat and the rear seat each include a seat bottom and a seat back that extends upwardly from the seat bottom. A side airbag is mounted to the vehicle body below the seat bottom of the front seat and the rear seat. A tether retractor is mounted to the vehicle body above the seat bottom of the front seat and the seat bottom of the rear seat. A tether extends from the side airbag to the tether retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 11975676
    Abstract: The invention describes an airbag (10), in particular a head side airbag (10) or a head-thorax side airbag, including at least two opposite fabric layers (12, 14) which form at least one inner wall (13) and one outer wall (15) of the airbag (10), wherein the airbag (10) is manufactured in one piece by a multi-layer weaving process in which the fabric layers (12, 14) are interwoven at least in a peripheral region (16), with a gas generator mount (18) for an external gas generator (20) being disposed in either of the two fabric layers (12, 14). The invention further describes an airbag module (8) comprising an airbag (10) according to the invention as well as a method for manufacturing a one-piece-woven airbag (10) and a method for manufacturing an airbag module (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Tatjana Schmid
  • Patent number: 11975677
    Abstract: The airbag device includes an airbag and a gas generator. The gas generator includes a body containing inflation gas and sealed with an unsealable lid, and a discharge portion that includes a housing, an outlet that is formed in the housing and allows outflow of gas to the airbag when the body is unsealed, a piercing pin for unsealing the lid, a spring for moving the pin, a retaining member that retains the spring, and a sliding mechanism that shifts the retaining member to a release position. The sliding mechanism includes a drive source and a connecting member that shifts the retaining member to the release position by a driving force of the drive source. The piercing pin, spring, lid and a portion of the retaining member retaining the spring are housed in the housing. The drive source and connecting member are partitioned from a gas channel inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihito Yanagisawa, Wataru Miura, Yusuke Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11975678
    Abstract: An assembly includes a bed having a reclined position in which the bed is elongated along an axis A. The bed includes a first side and a second side with the axis A between the first side and the second side. The bed in the reclined position has a first end and a second end spaced from each other along the axis A. The bed includes an occupant support surface between the first end and second end. The assembly includes an airbag that is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The airbag is housed in the first end in the uninflated position. The airbag in the inflated position has an arch shape between the first side of the bed and the second side of the bed. The arch is elongated along the axis A from the first end toward the second end above the occupant support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 11975679
    Abstract: A harness system configured to facilitate adjustably securing guests with varying body types within a ride vehicle. The harness system may include a harness body configured to releasably couple with the ride vehicle, a waist engagement portion of the harness body, the waist engagement portion including a waist securement mechanism configured to contract or expand a functional length of the waist engagement portion to adjust for engagement with a waist of a guest, a vest portion of the harness body, wherein the vest portion includes a height adjuster configured to extend or retract such that shoulder bands extend or retract relative to the waist engagement portion, and a leg engagement portion comprising a first leg flap configured to adjustably secure about a first leg of the guest and a second leg flap configured to adjustable secure about a second leg of the guest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Katarina Lin Gosbee, Dionté Omar Henderson, Steven C. Blum
  • Patent number: 11975680
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat portion supported by a frame assembly. The seat portion includes a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting movement between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are operably coupled to one another by an actuator, and the second bracket is operable between first and second positions relative to the first bracket. A belt assembly includes a tether member and a belt member. The tether member is coupled between the first and second brackets, and the belt member is operable between a deployed position outside of the seatback, and a stowed position within an interior of the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Rachel Demerly, Raed EL-Jawahri, Robyne McBride, Benjamin Yilma, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Michael Pline, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Patent number: 11975681
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a frame and a spool having a first end and a second end each rotatably supported by the frame. The spool is elongated on an axis from the first end to the second end. The seatbelt retractor includes a plurality of torsion posts fixed to the frame. The seatbelt retractor includes a locking device operatively coupled between the spool and the plurality of torsion posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11975682
    Abstract: A power transmission member including a base resin that has a water absorption characteristic that a water absorption rate is 1% or less when Method 1 of ISO 62 (a method for measuring a weight increasing rate after being immersed in water at 23° C. for 24 hours) is used and an elastomer that imparts mechanical characteristics to the power transmission member 32a, in which as the mechanical characteristics, tensile yield stress (ISO 527) is 40 to 54 MPa, tensile fracture strain (ISO 527) is 50% or more, tensile elastic modulus (ISO 527) is 1200 to 1900 MPa, bending elastic modulus (ISO 178) is 1100 to 1700 MPa, and unnotched Charpy impact strength (ISO 179) is no fracture at ?30° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Yasushi Kanamori, Kiyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11975683
    Abstract: The methods and systems herein enable relative movement-based seatbelt use detection. Image data of an occupant of a vehicle is received over time. The image data is then input into a machine-learned model or other module that determines whether relative movement between one or more portions of the occupant and corresponding portions of a seatbelt are less than a threshold amount. If the relative movement is less than the threshold amount, an indication of seatbelt misuse (e.g., a fake seatbelt) is output to a vehicle component. By basing the indication of seatbelt misuse on relative movement between the occupant and the seatbelt, seatbelt use detection may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventor: Mohit Joshi
  • Patent number: 11975684
    Abstract: A system for managing a seat occupancy status by a passenger and a control method of the system includes a seat belt sensor provided for each seat to detect a fastening or unfastening of the seat belt, a pressure detection unit provided for each seat to detect occupancy or non-occupancy of a seat by a passenger and pressure of the seated passenger, a secondary control unit provided for each seat and woken up by radio communication with a vehicle to alert to an unfastened state of the seat belt when the seat belt is unfastened upon determining, by a seat belt sensor, whether the seat belt is fastened, and a primary control unit provided in the vehicle to perform radio communications with each secondary control unit and check an abnormality based on reception or non-reception of the system data transmitted from the secondary control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, SAMSONG INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Kyu Bok, Dong Ryul Shin, Su Cheon Kim, Yong Chan Yoon, Man Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 11975685
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for a remote vehicle immobilizer. A network gateway device receives a command from a remote computing device to modify a configuration of an electronic switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. The electronic switch is positioned in a conducting path between a starter motor of the vehicle and a battery of the vehicle. In response to receiving the command, the network gateway device transmits a signal to the electronic switch via a two-way communication channel connecting the network gateway device to the electronic switch. The signal causes the electronic switch to modify the configuration of the electronic switch from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Samsara Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Luis Innocenzi, Elias Ray Dykaar, Maxwell Anton Dergosits, Ingo Gerhard Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11975686
    Abstract: A security system includes a portable terminal, a communication device communicating with the portable terminal, and a determination unit determining validity of the portable terminal. Phase data acquired from distance measuring radio wave is used to determine validity of communication between the portable terminal and the communication device. The received phase data of the distance measuring radio wave varies according to the distance from a transmission source. When the communication device and the portable terminal are fixed, and the communication device and the portable terminal have transmitted and received distance measuring radio waves having the same specific frequency, vehicle acquisition phase data and terminal acquisition phase data are the same. The determination unit determines, by using this two types of phase data, the validity of communication between the communication device and the portable terminal is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Saiki, Kenichirou Sanji
  • Patent number: 11975687
    Abstract: A vehicle running board assembly includes, among other things, a reinforcing insert, and a beam that is extruded over the reinforcing insert. A step pad is extruded over the beam. A vehicle running board manufacturing method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, extruding a beam over a reinforcing insert, extruding a step pad over the beam, and cutting the beam, the reinforcing insert, and the step pad to provide the running board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Patrick J. Reed, David Brian Glickman, Stuart C. Salter, Harry Lobo
  • Patent number: 11975688
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk; a housing adjacent a floor of the front trunk; and a panel moveable relative to the housing between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein, when in the panel is in the deployed position, the panel provides a work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar, Sarah Shaw, Charlie Qian
  • Patent number: 11975689
    Abstract: Transport of ladders and other pieces of equipment, such as those used by fire fighters, is added by a motor-powered rack comprising a ramp assembly that moves between a loading position adjacent to and at an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees to the ground and a stowed position above a vehicle used for transport and generally parallel to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Avraham Y. Levi
  • Patent number: 11975690
    Abstract: The swing away tailgate barbeque cooking system allows for a cooking apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle or RV. The unit can swing away from the vehicle on a plane up to approximately 180 degrees. The cooking apparatus can be pivoted into a position that is favorable for cooking. Adjustable leg(s) can be utilized which enable the unit to be much heavier than other swing away units. The adjustable legs also allow the unit to be in a level orientation when on uneven ground. The unit can be disconnected and rolled away from the carry vehicle. The swing away tailgate barbeque cooking system has the dual functionality to be an everyday home cooking device and a mobile cooking unit for camping or tailgating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: William Douglas Larkins
  • Patent number: 11975691
    Abstract: A luggage device for a vehicle includes a container including a door that is openable and closable, a first mounting portion facing the door, and a second mounting portion configured to connect the door to the first mounting portion, the container having a fillable space formed therein, and a drive mechanism configured to connect the container to a mount subject such that the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion is attached to the mount subject and to switch mount directions of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 11975692
    Abstract: A wiper blade apparatus having at least one wiper lip for wiping a window in a first wiping direction at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the wiper lip and a second wiping direction at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wiper lip, having at least one wiper bar unit and having at least one heating unit which is arranged partially at a wiping up side, facing the first wiping direction, of the wiper bar unit and which is arranged partially at a wiping down side, facing the second wiping direction, of the wiper bar unit. It is proposed that the at least one heating unit be constructed to achieve a different heating power at the wiping up side of the wiper bar unit from at the wiping down side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stijn Truyens, Balazs Czel, David Allard, Kristof Bams, Raf Greunlinx
  • Patent number: 11975693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper frame (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (14), a liquid channel (30, 32) for carrying a cleaning liquid, and a heating unit (38). According to the invention, the heating unit (38) is substantially located inside the liquid channel (30, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Rapp, Sascha Geissler
  • Patent number: 11975694
    Abstract: A wiper device (10a-10c) is proposed comprising at least one wind deflector unit (12a-12c) and comprising at least one channel unit (18a-18c) integrated into the at least one wind deflector unit (12a-12c), and comprising at least one wiper blade adapter (20a-20c) which includes at least one adapter attachment (24a-24c) and at least one adapter base body (22a-22c) and is configured to be coupled to at least one wiper arm (110a-110c). It is proposed that the wiper device (10a-10c) comprise a fluid supply unit (38a-38c) which is configured to supply wiper fluid to the channel unit (18a-18c) and comprises at least one coupling end piece (40a-40c) for latching connection to the at least one adapter attachment (24a-24c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Depondt
  • Patent number: 11975695
    Abstract: An adapter (1) for securing a wiper on an arm of a wiper system, the adapter (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), the adapter (1) being configured to be fitted such as to rotate on a connector of the wiper around an axis of rotation transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), the adapter (1) comprising at least one lateral wall (10) and one upper wall (12), the lateral wall (10) and the upper wall (12) participating in defining an inner volume of the adapter (1), the adapter (1) comprising an inner wall (20) extending at least partly into the inner volume of the adapter (1), the adapter (1) comprises a locking device (22) which is designed to render the adapter integral longitudinally relative to the arm of the wiper system, the locking device being fitted such as to pivot on the upper wall around an axis of pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTÈMES D'ESSUYAGE
    Inventors: Vincent Gaucher, Stéphane Houssat, Eric Poton, Olivier Jomard
  • Patent number: 11975696
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method of cleaning surfaces of an enclosable environment of a contamination comprising a microbial and viral load. The method includes the steps of sealing the enclosable environment and placing water, and a solid or gel pack, into a container and generating a vortex the container by rotating an impeller. The agitation causes the solid or gel pack to release a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray exiting from the container spreads throughout the enclosable environment to contact the surfaces to be cleaned within the enclosable environment. The enclosable environment is maintained closed for an effective time period while the air-borne spray dwells on the surfaces to eliminate or substantially reduce the load of the contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: NUVINAIR, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Bailey, Jason Bailey
  • Patent number: 11975697
    Abstract: The present invention in its embodiment is a Modular Autonomous System for vehicle maintenance and repairs. The system is built around a base unit, with slots for individual modular service units. The system autonomously carries out tire changes, oil changes, cosmetic detailing, fluid replacements, tire balancing, tire rotations, mechanical parts replacement/removal, mechanical parts printing, paint applications, and vehicle diagnostics. The system is designed to operate in auto dealer service bays, tire shops, paint/cosmetic detailing shops, full service centers, home garages, and any location with access to electricity. A method of use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Mallar A. Peters
  • Patent number: 11975698
    Abstract: A method for controlling a brake system. The brake system includes an actuating device, a master brake cylinder, a brake circuit, a wheel brake, and a brake pressure generator. The brake pressure generator and the master brake cylinder are capable of being contacted, parallel to one another, to the brake circuit. A pressure generator control valve controls a first pressure medium connection between the brake pressure generator and the brake circuit. A brake circuit control valve controls a second pressure medium connection between the brake circuit and the master brake cylinder. The brake system is operated in an operating state during which the pressure generator control valve assumes an open position without a brake pressure prevailing in the brake circuit and without a buildup of brake pressure being carried out. During this operating state, the brake circuit control valve is controlled to assume an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Klepser, Armin Frueh, Dirk Foerch
  • Patent number: 11975699
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an implementation of an assistance braking specification, requested in an automated fashion by a brake system in a vehicle includes: detecting whether an assistance braking specification which is requested in an automated fashion is present; detecting an actual dynamics variable, the actual dynamics variable including wheel dynamics of at least one wheel of the vehicle and/or of a trailer, the actual dynamics variable being assigned to a wheel which is to be braked as a result of the assistance braking specification which is requested in an automated fashion; determining a reference dynamics variable, the reference dynamics variable including driving dynamics of the vehicle and/or of the trailer; and comparing the actual dynamics variable with the reference dynamics variable. When an assistance braking specification is present: a faultfree implementation of the assistance braking specification which is requested is detected if the actual dynamics variable deviates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Florian Schwagmeyer, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Patent number: 11975700
    Abstract: For ascertaining a future wheel brake pressure, pressure generator pressures of an external power brake pressure generator are continuously measured at measurement time intervals, the wheel brake pressure changes are ascertained therefrom, and the sum of the wheel brake pressure changes ascertained during a time period prior to the measurement is added to the last measured pressure generator pressure. The wheel brake pressure thus ascertained is considered to be the wheel brake pressure that will prevail after the time period following the measurement of the pressure generator pressure in a wheel brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Krautter, Johannes Von Keler
  • Patent number: 11975701
    Abstract: To check an electrohydraulic power vehicle brake system of a passenger car traveling autonomously on public roads for air in the brake fluid, the method provides for a consecutive generation of a brake pressure using a first power brake-pressure generator and a redundant, second power brake-pressure generator. The brake pressure is intermittently lowered to ambient pressure. In the method, a comparison of the brake fluid volumes required for generating the brake pressure is provided. If the brake fluid volume required for generating the brake pressure using the second power brake-pressure generator is greater, then the presence of air in a brake fluid of the vehicle brake system is inferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Maucher, Xun Yao
  • Patent number: 11975702
    Abstract: A brake controller is provided as an inline plug between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle or trailer. The electronics including an accelerometer and wireless communication radio are potted within a brake controller housing package. There is no conventional display or input controls on the exterior of the brake controller package. Input settings, and possibly output messages, are communicated through a smartphone or similar software or hardware application. The brake controller can identify a hazard lighting condition and avoid braking the towed vehicle during the hazard lighting condition, and can also distinguish when braking during signaling a turn, using the turn signals of the towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CURT Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lange, III, Joecyl Sanchez, Harsh Desai
  • Patent number: 11975703
    Abstract: Brake force distribution during an anti-lock braking (ABS) event in a vehicle using an electronic parking brake (EPB) force to supplement a primary brake pressure is described. In an example, an vehicle control system of the vehicle can detect when an ABS event is going to occur and a primary brake pressure can be applied to a rotor at a wheel of the vehicle using a primary brake system. An EPB brake pressure can be applied to the rotor using an EPB brake system to reduce the pressure required to be applied by the primary brake pressure. As a result, the primary brake system may be sized to accommodate normal braking and to accommodate ABS braking when supplemented by the EPB system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Choin, John J K McCarthy, Ishan Sharma
  • Patent number: 11975704
    Abstract: A brake system control unit includes one or more sensor interfaces configured to receive a brake torque signal from a brake torque sensor. The brake system control unit also includes a torque estimator configured to generate an estimated brake torque signal based, at least in part, on a brake model and a brake actuator command. The brake system control unit further includes control circuitry configured to generate the brake actuator command to actuate a brake actuator of a brake system. The brake actuator command is generated based on a brake pedal command and a load alleviation command. The load alleviation command is based on the brake torque or the estimated brake torque signal, depending on whether a sensor fault condition associated with the brake torque sensor is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Nima Forghani, David T. Yamamoto, Levi Aren Mulkey