Patents Issued in May 28, 2024
  • Patent number: 11993084
    Abstract: A printing device includes: an inkjet printhead having a row of ink ejection devices; a lift mechanism configured for raising and lowering the printhead between a maintenance position and a printing position; a conveyor tape positioned below the printhead in the printing position, the conveyor tape defining a slot aligned with the row of ink ejection devices; and a tape movement mechanism for moving the tape longitudinally along the length of the printhead. The tape movement mechanism is configured to move the tape along the printhead during printing, thereby conveying condensate accumulated on an underside of the tape away from the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Burke
  • Patent number: 11993085
    Abstract: A heater includes an irradiator configured to irradiate a heating object including a liquid attachment region, onto which a liquid is applied, with an active energy ray, and circuitry configured to control an output of the active energy ray emitted from the irradiator to an edge portion in the liquid attachment region of the heating object to be larger than an output of the active energy ray emitted from the irradiator to a non-edge portion in the liquid attachment region excluding the edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryusaku Hida, Kazuaki Kamihara, Kohki Asada, Kenji Nozawa, Genichiroh Kawamichi, Hiroshi Sawase, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Shun Saito
  • Patent number: 11993086
    Abstract: An ink tank having an ink tank body, a first electrode member, and a second electrode member, is provided. The ink tank body includes an ink inlet, an ink reservoir chamber, an ink supplying section, a first restrictive side wall, a second restrictive side wall, a leaked-ink flow path, a first surface, a second surface, a connecting surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a restrictive section. The leaked-ink flow path is formed at least of a part of the first surface, a part of the connecting surface, a part of the second surface, the first restrictive side wall, and the second restrictive side wall. The restrictive section is arranged on the second surface between the first restrictive side wall and the second restrictive side wall. At least a part of the restrictive section is located between the connecting surface and the first electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Taichi Shirono
  • Patent number: 11993087
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a case, a liquid supplying portion, a circuit board, a plate member, and a residual-amount detecting portion. The plate member is positioned rearward and above electrodes of the circuit board in an attached posture. The residual-amount detecting portion includes an optical access portion configured to receive light traveling in a left-right direction. The plate member is movable between a first position and a second position. At the first position, a portion of the plate member is positioned frontward of the optical access portion and upward of the electrode group. At the second position, a front end of the plate member is positioned closer to the residual-amount detecting portion than at the first position. The plate member at the first position and the residual-amount detecting portion define therebetween in the front-rear direction a light transmissive region whose light transmittance is higher than the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Oki, Masahiro Hayashi, Nanami Abe, Naoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 11993088
    Abstract: A media processing device includes: a print head; a housing supporting the print head, and defining chambers to receive a media supply, and a ribbon supply; a media guide coupled to the housing, and defining a portion of a media path extending from the media supply to the print head; a first sensor support affixed to the media guide on a first side of the media path, between the media path and a ribbon path extending from the ribbon chamber to the print head; a ribbon sensor on a ribbon-facing side of the first sensor support; a first media sensor on an opposite, media-facing side of the first sensor support; a second sensor support affixed to the media guide on a second side of the media path, opposite the first side of the media path; and a second media sensor on a media-facing side of the second sensor support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Liu, Huanhua Liao, Yunbo Yuan
  • Patent number: 11993089
    Abstract: The head system includes: a plurality of heads disposed staggered along a first direction; a sub-tank disposed above the heads and configured to distribute a liquid to each of the heads; a plurality of liquid channels; a chiller configured to cool the heads, including a manifold disposed between the heads and the sub-tank in an up-down direction; and a casing having a pair of inner surfaces opposed to each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the up-down direction. Each of the liquid channels extends linearly parallel to the up-down direction in an entire region between the sub-tank and one of the heads. Each of the plurality of liquid channels and the manifold are aligned in the second direction between the pair of inner surfaces of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Torikai, Hirotoshi Ishizaki, Motohiro Tsuboi, Itsuki Morimoto, Yuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11993090
    Abstract: A printing device includes a panel unit including: a display panel; a capacitive touch sensor in which a position detection sensor and a cover glass are laminated and which includes a first side and a second side located facing each other; and a panel circuit board, the capacitive touch sensor in the second attachment state is disposed so that the first side is lower than the second side, and a size of a first frame area located along the first side in a frame area that does not receive an input of operation information of the capacitive touch sensor in a direction from the first side to the second side is larger than a size of a second frame area located along the second side in the frame area in the direction from the first side to the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Toru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 11993091
    Abstract: Elements for hand printing designs and patterns include cone pin blocks, flat pin blocks, and multisided sequence stamps. A cone pin block generally has a circular cross-section and is rolled in order to make symmetrical, circular or partial-circle designs. Flat pin blocks have a flat surface. The pin blocks have pins extending out of the cone surface or the flat surface. Flexible inking cord material is threaded between the pins in a chosen pattern. The inking material collects liquid ink by absorption or surface adhesion, which is transferred to a base by rolling or stamping. Multisided sequence stamps include left and right handles and multisided blocks disposed between the two handles. The blocks have relief designs on their peripheral side surfaces, either formed directly on the surface of the blocks or formed on rings that slide over the blocks. The blocks (and pattern rings if used) are many sided (e.g. hexagonal) with different embossed designs on different sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventor: Darin A. Grassman
  • Patent number: 11993092
    Abstract: A UV/LED printing and finishing process is disclosed. The printing and finishing process improves the manner in which printing, permanent bonding, and finishing is performed on products containing low surface energy plastics, such as high-density polyethylene furniture. The process includes abrading a surface of the low surface energy plastic and then applying a corona or plasma treatment to the surface of the low surface energy plastic to increase the adhesion capabilities of the surface. Once the surface has been treater, the process may include printing a polymer ink onto the surface of the low surface energy plastic, such as by utilizing a UV/LED flatbed or hybrid printer. The process may also include curing the printed surface of the low surface energy plastic, and then finally applying a clear inorganic top coating onto the printed surface to protect the UV/LED cured polymer ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: NFSC HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Casey R. Shingary, Gustavo Lopez, Samuel J. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11993093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a color developer of the formula (I), wherein m and n independently of one another are ?1, Ar1 is an unsubstituted or substituted (hetero) aromatic radical, Ar2 is an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl radical, and Y is at least one (m+n)-times substituted benzene or naphthalene group, and to a heat-sensitive recording material, comprising a supporting substrate and a heat-sensitive color-forming layer containing at least one color former and at least one phenol-free color developer, wherein the at least one color developer is the compound of the formula (I). The invention further relates to a method for producing said heat-sensitive recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Papierfabrik August Koehler SE
    Inventors: Michael Horn, Kerstin Zieringer
  • Patent number: 11993094
    Abstract: A reversible recording medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a recording layer including a leuco pigment as a coloring compound; and a first barrier film that is provided on one surface and a side surface of the recording layer and suppresses mixing of at least one of water or oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizuno, Hirohisa Amago, Kazumasa Nomoto, Nobukazu Hirai, Takehisa Ishida
  • Patent number: 11993095
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-sensitive recording material comprising an undercoat layer and a heat-sensitive recording layer formed in this order on a support, the undercoat layer containing hollow plastic particles and a binder, the heat-sensitive recording layer containing a leuco dye and a developer, and the heat-sensitive recording material having an elastic modulus of 200 N/mm2 or less as measured by a nanoindentation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: OJI HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sakamoto, Kentaro Morofuji, Takashi Takemura
  • Patent number: 11993096
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment may include at least two stacks of printed information sheets being detachably connected to each other. Each stack of printed information sheets may include at least a first multiple product information sheet and a second information sheet that are removably attached to each other or to the stack. The first multiple product information sheet may have printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed. The second multiple product information sheet may have printed thereon second product information and a second location indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
    Inventors: Ernest James Dale, James Fernando Jiron
  • Patent number: 11993097
    Abstract: A mechanical pencil has: a shaft tube; a ferrule unit supported by the shaft tube; a lead holding unit having a chuck configured to relatively move with respect to the ferrule unit to eject lead held by the same; and an indication body provided movably in an axial direction. The indication body delimits from rearward a lead storage space formed rearward the chuck in the shaft tube. The indication body located at least at a predetermined position is viewable from outside the shaft tube. A length along the axial direction between a rear end of the lead storage space and a front end of the ferrule unit, in a state where the indication body has moved most rearward along the axial direction, is equal to or more than twice a length of spare lead to be stored in the lead storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA PILOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Sanada, Nobukazu Seri, Yuji Kawarazaki, Takumi Kajiwara, Tomoharu Oonishi
  • Patent number: 11993098
    Abstract: A writing instrument that includes a writing element for depositing a writing material on a support and a plurality of sensors including at least a force sensor and a movement sensor, a communication unit that exchanges data with a remote device a control unit connected to the sensors and to the communication unit in order to transmit to the remote device the measurements provided by the sensors, a memory unit connected to the control unit that stores one or more measurements from the sensors; and a hollow casing that contains at least part of the writing element so that the writing end is exposed, and also houses the sensors, the control unit, the memory unit and the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: POLITECNICO DI MILANO, UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
    Inventors: Simona Ferrante, Alessandra Laura Giulia Pedrocchi, Francesca Lunardini, Davide Di Febbo, Milad Malavolti, Nunzio Alberto Borghese
  • Patent number: 11993099
    Abstract: A ballpoint pen. In the ballpoint pen, an oil-based ballpoint pen ink composition has an ink viscosity with a range of 500 mPa·s to 15000 mPa·s inclusive at 20° C. and a shear rate of 500 sec?1. A ball has a ball diameter of 0.5 mm or less. A tip distal end portion includes a first swaged portion and a second swaged portion. The first swaged portion has an inclination angle with a range of 90 degrees to 100 degrees inclusive. The second swaged portion is provided closer to a distal end side of a ballpoint pen tip than the first swaged portion and has an inclination angle with a range of 110 degrees to 130 degrees inclusive. An angle of a bottom wall of a ball holding chamber is the same as the inclination angle of the second swaged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA PILOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Sanada, Hidenori Kudou, Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11993100
    Abstract: A motorcycle tyre has a tread band (8) comprising a plurality of grooves that form a tread pattern including a module (T) replicated along a circumferential direction of the tyre (1) and having a predetermined circumferential length (C1). The module (T) comprises a pair of circumferential grooves (20) arranged on opposite sides with respect to the equatorial plane (X-X) of the tyre (1). Such circumferential grooves (20) extend along the circumferential direction of the tyre (1) for only part of said predetermined circumferential length (C1) and define between them a central portion (A) of tread band (8) having a void to solid ratio substantially equal to zero and a predetermined axial width (A1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Mariani, Luca Bruschelli, Giuliano Bonaccorsi, Matteo Torchiana
  • Patent number: 11993101
    Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire in radial design that is a summer tire or all-season tire, with a profiled tread comprising rows of profile blocks and/or profile ribs running around the tire in circumferential direction, wherein the total number of sipes within each row of profile blocks and/or profile ribs is not more than 150, wherein the tread is in the form of a single layer or multiple layers with a radially outermost tread layer that extends at least over the width of the ground contact area, and wherein the profile depth of the tread is up to 6.5 mm. The tread or its radially outermost tread layer consists of a rubber material with a Shore A hardness at room temperature in accordance with DIN ISO 7619-1 of 40 ShA to 55 ShA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Weber, Norbert Müller, Pedro-Nuno Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 11993102
    Abstract: A heavy truck tire tread (12) is provided that has a partially hidden longitudinal groove (22) with an undersurface channel (24) engaged by a longitudinal sipe (26). The partially hidden longitudinal groove (22) has a surface opening (28) that extends from a surface of the tread to the undersurface channel (24). The tread (12) has at least one of two features. The first feature is that the surface opening (28) extends from the surface to the undersurface channel (24) at an angle to the thickness direction such that the surface opening (28) at the surface is forward of the surface opening (28) at the undersurface channel (24) in the rolling direction (20). The second feature is that a lateral sipe (32) engages the surface opening (28) so that the first end is at the surface opening (28), and the second end is forward of the first end in the rolling direction (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Mayni, Daniel McEachern Hicks
  • Patent number: 11993103
    Abstract: A tire has a tread including: a first circumferential groove which is closest to a center in a tire width direction among a plurality of circumferential grooves; center land portions placed adjacent to the first circumferential groove at a side near the center in the tire width direction, and a lug groove which extends between a plurality of the center land portions, and which opens to a side near the first circumferential groove. A bridge having a bottom surface which is bulged is formed at a portion of the lug groove near the first circumferential groove. The bridge has a cross-sectional shape of a trapezoid with tapered surfaces in which side surfaces of the lug groove at an end near a center in a longitudinal direction and an end near the first circumferential groove are inclined with heights thereof reduced toward corresponding ends of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuji Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11993104
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a first ply, and a discontinuous second ply composed of a pair of ply pieces. The first ply has a central portion and a pair of first side portions extending from both ends of the central portion to the inner side in the tire radial direction. Each of the ply pieces has an inner end portion disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the central portion and a second side portion extending from the inner end portion to the inner side in the tire radial direction. The first ply is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes, and the density of the ventilation holes in the central portion is higher than the density of the ventilation holes in the pair of first side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaya Miyake
  • Patent number: 11993105
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire including an indicator made of a protrusion portion or a recess portion extending in a tire circumferential direction is formed on a tire inner surface. A sound absorbing member or a sealant layer is applied to the tire inner surface along the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Hoshiba, Masahiro Naruse
  • Patent number: 11993106
    Abstract: The method of this invention provides a simple and inexpensive method for manufacturing self-sealing pneumatic rubber tires of the tubeless type having a higher degree of uniformity than can be made utilizing conventional manufacturing procedures that are currently being practiced. In the practice of this invention a low viscosity sealant formulation, which would ordinarily be difficult to handle and build into an uncured tire, is encapsulated in a stiff rubber formulation. This makes it relatively easy to build the sealant layer into the tire since the low viscosity sealant formulation is contained with the more rigid solid material. The low viscosity sealant material requires little and preferably no depolymerization to act effectively as a sealant. Accordingly, it does not need to be depolymerized with a peroxide which causes off-gassing and the resultant tire uniformity and balance issues normally associated with polymer break down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: George Jim Papakonstantopoulos, Michael Lawrence Gersman
  • Patent number: 11993107
    Abstract: Proposed is a tire with self-generation and sound absorption and, more particularly, is a tire with self-generation and sound absorption that operates an electronic module through self-power generation and has improved sound absorption performance. The tire with self-generation and sound absorption includes: a wall structure formed on a surface of an inner liner of the tire; a sound absorber spaced apart upward from the inner liner with both ends coupled to the wall structure and blocking sound generated by surfaces of treads and a road surface; and an electronic unit disposed on the surface of the inner liner and positioned between the inner liner and the sound absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: HANKOOK TIRE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Soon Hong So, Chang Hyo Hong, Jung Hee Choi
  • Patent number: 11993108
    Abstract: The present application provided a monitoring method and a monitoring device based on RF technology, where the monitoring method includes: collecting monitoring information of a target object through a MEMS chip; and outputting a pulse sequence carrying the monitoring information to an oscillator and a power amplifier in a RF circuit through the MEMS chip, where the monitoring information is characterized through the pulse sequence by a time interval between two adjacent pulses; and modulating a phase of a generated carrier by the oscillator according to the pulse sequence, and amplifying a modulated signal by the power amplifier, so that an amplified signal is transmitted through an antenna; where the MEMS chip works in an operation mode when outputting a high level of the pulse sequence, and in an idle mode when outputting a low level of the pulse sequence or ending outputting the pulse sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: HAMATON AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianer Zhang, Zenan Hu, Mingguang Yu
  • Patent number: 11993109
    Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle in which the wheel comprises a non-pneumatic tire that may be designed for robust, long-lasting performance in challenging conditions, including by using a process to make the non-pneumatic tire that may be specified such that a material of the non-pneumatic tire retains most or all of its inherent capabilities. For example, an annular beam and an annular support of the non-pneumatic tire may be injection molded together from elastomeric material flowing first where at least part of the annular beam is before flowing where at least part of the annular support is (e.g., using a molding apparatus that comprises a mold including a mold cavity and outer gating to inject thermoplastic material at an outer part of the mold into the mold cavity adjacent to where the annular beam is to be formed).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Thompson, Stephan Tremblay
  • Patent number: 11993110
    Abstract: A method for forming a composite tread, the method comprising the steps of forming a coextruded strip of a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound is a tread compound, and the second compound is formed from a high-wear compound, wherein the tread is formed from winding the coextruded strip onto the tire building drum while varying the ratio of the first compound to the second compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: Hongbing Chen, Christopher David Dyrlund, Adam Mark Baldan, Elizabeth Amelia Rogenski
  • Patent number: 11993111
    Abstract: Provided are gooseballs with various integrated locking mechanisms. The gooseballs are capable of being utilized in gooseneck hitches and other hitch assemblies or coupling devices that use a hitch ball. The integrated locking mechanisms of the gooseballs may allow for ease in selectively engaging and disengaging the gooseball from the gooseneck hitch by a user while ensuring secure attachment of the gooseball to the gooseball hitch to facilitate towing of a load attached to the gooseneck hitch by the gooseball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Brad Larsh, Will Venis
  • Patent number: 11993112
    Abstract: A dust cap assembly including a semi-trailer (2) and a towing vehicle (3). The dust cap assembly is for closing a king pin (21) which has been hollowed out with a borehole (22) for automatic fifth-wheel coupling. A dust cap device (1) is arranged in contact with the underside (20) of the semi-trailer (2) and such that it can rotate about the king pin (21). In order to mount the dust cap device (11) such that it can rotate about the king pin (21), a circular ring-shaped bearing disc (25) having a circular bearing seat (26) is provided, which is secured coaxially to the king pin (21) on the underside (20) of the semi-trailer (2). The circular bearing seat (26) on the circular ring-shaped bearing disc (25) has a first sliding bearing edge (261) on the inner circular opening and a second sliding bearing edge (262) on the outer rim, in which the dust cap device (1) engages. Also, a dust cap device for this assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Hamburger Patent Schmiede GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Ruediger Metternich
  • Patent number: 11993113
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS AB
    Inventors: John S. Germaine, Dominik Marx, Darren Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11993114
    Abstract: A cable system for a truck trailer for reducing the number and/or size of wiring in a commercial trailer cable system from seven to four, three, or two, while also facilitating bidirectional communication with all connected electronic devices in the trailer. The cable system has a ground cable, a power cable, and zero, one or two additional communication cables that may carry analog and/or digital communications between the control circuit and components of the trailer such as turn signal lamps, brake lamps, backup cameras, environmental sensors, and the like. A transformer for increasing the voltage on the power cable is disclosed, allowing the power and ground cables to be smaller without reducing power delivered to the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Slade, Sankalp Pampattiwar, Cesar Perez-Bolivar
  • Patent number: 11993115
    Abstract: A spring element, in particular a jounce bumper, for a vehicle shock absorber contains a longitudinal axis, a base body extending along the longitudinal axis, and an end portion configured for contact against a damper cap of the vehicle shock absorber. The base body is elastically deformable between an uncompressed basic state and a compressed state in which the base body is at least partially compressed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The end portion contains at least three projections that are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction, and protrude from the base body in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Each of the projections has a distinct length in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the projections are arranged along the circumference of the end portion such that the lengths of the projections increase monotonously in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BASF Polyurethanes GmbH
    Inventor: Anthony Touzard
  • Patent number: 11993116
    Abstract: An air-suspension module for a rigid axle including an air-bellows mount and an air-bellows module supported on the air-bellows mount in the operational state of the air-suspension module, the air-bellows module having an air-suspension bellows designed to change its shape and a supporting body connected to the air-suspension bellows, one of the components of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body having a coupling projection protruding along a virtual projection path, which engages with a coupling recess formed at the respectively other component along the projection path, a translatory relative movement of the supporting body being physically limited relative to the air-bellows mount, orthogonally with respect to the projection path and in a direction along the projection path; one of the components of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body having a latching body and the respectively other component of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body having a latching recess such that the latchin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Jost-Werke Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Ens, Christof Germershausen, Tobias Neutze
  • Patent number: 11993117
    Abstract: A damper is provided having a twin tube construction interconnected to a gas reservoir. The connection of each of the inner and outer volumes of the twin tube to the gas reservoir is independently valved, and each of these valves are independently settable to change the differential pressure thereacross at which they open. The damper provides flow passages directly from the inner and outer volumes to enable flow form the compression to rebound sides thereof, as well as through the valved connections to the gas reservoir and at least one valved opening in the damper piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox
  • Patent number: 11993118
    Abstract: A motion control system that can detect a change in a an operating characteristic and send a stabilizing command to an actuator system based on the change is described. A motion control component in the system includes a first component with an electropermanent magnet having a coil, differing first and second permanent magnet materials, and differing first and second states. The motion control component includes a second component configured to magnetically interact with the first component to define a damping characteristic that affects motion between the first component and the second component and a controller configured to supply a current pulse to the electropermanent magnet to switch the electropermanent magnet between the first and second states. The electropermanent magnet retains the respective first or second state after cessation of the current pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Jeffrey A. Sewell, Johnny L. Wall, Colin Szechy
  • Patent number: 11993119
    Abstract: A robot includes a body having an internal opening. The robot further includes a first wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a second wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a sensor configured to determine a location of the robot. The robot further includes a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein in response to the location of the robot being at a predetermined location, the controller is configured to cause the second wheel to deploy out of the internal opening and to cause the first wheel to retract into the internal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: James Kuffner, Satoshi Kagami
  • Patent number: 11993120
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes an electronically controlled vehicle behavior adjuster, an intention detector, and a controller. The electronically controlled vehicle behavior adjuster is capable of modifying response characteristics of behavior of the vehicle. The intention detector detects at least one of intentions of an operator of moving the vehicle. When an operator's intention of moving the vehicle is detected by the intention detector, the controller changes the response characteristics of the behavior of the vehicle compared to when an intention of the operator of moving the vehicle is not detected by the intention detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD., ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Yuta Ishibashi, Shintarou Nakamura, Ryo Nishio, Makoto Masuda
  • Patent number: 11993121
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a suspension system having a first damper, a second damper, valves and a controller. Each of the first damper and the second damper include a housing and a piston sealingly interfaced with an inner diameter of the housing, dividing the damper into a first and second chamber. Each valve controls flow rate of fluid entering or exiting at least one of the first and second chamber of at least one of the first damper and the second damper. The controller controls the valves to control extension or compression of at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on at least one of a degree of roll of the vehicle during a turn of the vehicle and a degree of pitch of the vehicle during acceleration of the vehicle or a degree of pitch of the vehicle during deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Kai P. Schubart, Christopher J. Rukas, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 11993122
    Abstract: An active suspension control system for a vehicle includes a mathematical model based on a modal expansion of the vehicle. Model parameters of the vehicle can be extracted from the modal expansion using sensor data generated on the vehicle, e.g., on demand and/or in real time. The model parameters and the modal expansion can be used to determine a vehicle state, predict future vehicle states, and control aspects of an active suspension system based on the predicted future vehicle states. The model parameters may also be used to update the mathematical model, e.g., to account for component wear over time, and/or to detect anomalies or defects in the active suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc
    Inventors: Alexandre Nunes, Johannes Edren
  • Patent number: 11993123
    Abstract: A mechanical leg comprises a frame, a retractable member, a wheel, an extension and retraction driving member, a travel driving member, an auxiliary leg, and an auxiliary wheel. The extension and retraction driving member is located on a side of the frame. The retractable member is connected to the extension and retraction driving member. The wheel is connected to the retractable member. The wheel is further connected to the travel driving member. A first end of the auxiliary leg is connected to the auxiliary wheel, and a second end of the auxiliary leg is located on the frame. The retractable member extends under the driving of the extension and retraction driving member to drive the wheel to jump. The wheel is driven by the travel driving member to move. When the auxiliary wheel contacts the ground, the mechanical leg moves with the rolling of the wheel and the auxiliary wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jie Lai, Dongsheng Zhang, Shuai Wang, Ke Chen, Sicheng Yang, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 11993124
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame assembly, a cab frame assembly, a front suspension assembly, a rear suspension assembly, a power steering assembly, and a powertrain assembly, all of which may be configured to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Adam J. Schlangen, Dennis J. Lutz, Alex R. Scheuerell, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Patent number: 11993125
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension is disclosed having a hydraulic actuator, a cylinder, a piston mounted inside the cylinder dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber and an extension chamber, and a supply hydraulic circuit connected to the actuator to supply the compression chamber and the extension chamber with working fluid. The supply hydraulic circuit includes a high-pressure line connected to a delivery port of a hydraulic pump, a low-pressure line connected to a suction port of the pump, a spool valve connected to the compression and extension chambers of the actuator and to the high-pressure line and to the low-pressure line to put the chambers of the actuator in communication with the lines of the supply hydraulic circuit, and a first pressure accumulator connected to the high-pressure line. The spool valve connects the compression chamber and/or the extension chamber of the actuator with the high-pressure line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: WAY ASSAUTO SRL
    Inventor: Fabio Cotto
  • Patent number: 11993127
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar assembly comprising a disconnect assembly element defining a first one of a male or female connector, and a shaft defining a second one of a male or female connector is disclosed. The disconnect assembly element and the shaft are fixed to each other via the male and female connectors without the need for any welding connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Drew Hilty
  • Patent number: 11993128
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for absorbing shocks and a control method capable of protecting cargo from shocks without a separate additional system in a cargo hold of a moving object. The apparatus for absorbing shocks includes at least one inflatable member disposed in a moving object, an air conditioner module installed on the moving object, and a supply pipe connected between the air conditioner module and the inflatable member and providing a refrigerant of the air conditioner module to the inflatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11993129
    Abstract: Electric vehicle having a chassis, which supports a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, a passenger compartment, which is arranged between the front wheels and the rear wheels, at least one electric motor connected to drive wheels, an electric energy storage device, an air conditioning system, which is designed to air condition the passenger compartment by heating or cooling the air present in the passenger compartment, and a control unit, which is configured to activate the air conditioning system even when the vehicle is parked and connected to an external charging system, wherein the air conditioning system has at least one thermal device, which is designed to exchange heat directly and only with the chassis and the control unit is configured to activate the thermal device even when the vehicle is parked and connected to an external charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 11993130
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system for a vehicle defining a cab comprises a heat source and an evaporative cooling system. The heat source is supported by the vehicle. The evaporative cooling system is configured to evaporate water using heat from the heat source to form a supply of cool air for cooling the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Tiger Tool International Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Andrews
  • Patent number: 11993131
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing feedback for a transport climate control system are disclosed. The transport climate control system provides climate control to a climate controlled space of a transport unit. The method includes determining, by a controller, a first energy level state capable of providing power to the transport climate control system. The method also includes obtaining, by the controller, status data when a predetermined triggering event occurs. The method further includes determining, by the controller, a second energy level state capable of providing power to the transport climate control system after a predetermined time interval. Also the method includes determining energy consumption data based on the first energy level state and the second energy level state. The method further includes combining the status data and the energy consumption data to obtain feedback data. The method also includes displaying, via a display device, the feedback data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Philip Lewis Lavrich, Casey Briscoe, Mark D. Leasure, Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Grant A. Baumgardner, Wallace Stephen Hubbard, Panayu Robert Srichai, Matthew Srnec
  • Patent number: 11993132
    Abstract: A system for thermally conditioning and moving a fluid includes a thermoelectric device to convert electrical energy into thermal energy and produce a temperature change in response to an electrical current being applied thereto. The thermoelectric device can include a main-side and a waste side. A fluid moving device can produce a fluid flow that is in thermal communication with the thermoelectric device so that the thermal energy generated by the thermoelectric device is transferred to or from the fluid flow. A flow control valve selectively can direct the fluid flow along a main-side fluid flow path and/or a waste side fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventors: Chad Vincent Pacilli, Masahiko Inaba, Rodolfo Ernesto Uribe Palafox, Daniel Charles Guerithault, Kenneth Turner, Amey Pise, Scott Wolas
  • Patent number: 11993133
    Abstract: Vehicle control apparatus and vehicle control method are described. The vehicle control apparatus may include a compressor and a controller. The controller may determine a thermal load level at one or more of: a first time point at which an engine is switched to an ON state from an OFF state, a second time point at which a first discharge amount of the battery exceeds a first reference value while the engine is in the OFF state, or a third time point at which a second discharge amount of the battery exceeds a second reference value smaller than the first reference value and a discharge rate associated with the battery exceeds a third reference value while the engine is in the OFF state. The controller may control the compressor using a control value corresponding to the thermal load level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Hyun Song, Tae Hyeong Kim, Jang Hyo Lee, Tae Hun Jung
  • Patent number: 11993134
    Abstract: A refrigerant module of an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle is provided in which components of the module may be compactified by modularizing the components related to a refrigerant. In the refrigerant module of the integrated thermal management system for the vehicle in which the refrigerant module is configured such that a refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator, the refrigerant module includes the compressor having a first suction port and a first discharge port, the condenser having a second suction port and a second discharge port, the expansion valve having a third suction port and a third discharge port, the evaporator having a fourth suction port and a fourth discharge port, the accumulator having a fifth suction port and a fifth discharge port, and a connection passage enabling the refrigerant discharged from the accumulator to flow to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Sang Shin Lee, Ki Mok Kim, Man Hee Kim, Se Min Lee, Bong Jun Park