Patents Issued in December 17, 2024
  • Patent number: 12168341
    Abstract: Provided is a sodium-neutralized ethylene acid copolymer ionomer composition containing a specified silane additive in a specified amount and having enhanced adhesion properties to glass, a masterbatch composition suitable for producing such ionomer composition, an interlayer made from such ionomer composition, and a glass laminate comprising such interlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: KURARAY AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Charles Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 12168342
    Abstract: A printing plate pressure adjustment system for a can decorator including a printing plate cylinder assembly having a printing plate cylinder drive shaft, and a blanket wheel. The system, includes an actuator, a control system structured to control operation of the actuator to adjust a pressure, between the printing plate cylinder assembly and the blanket wheel, an eccentric bushing disposed around the printing plate cylinder drive shaft, wherein rotation of the eccentric bushing causes the printing plate cylinder to move toward or away from the blanket wheel, and a drive mechanism coupled between the actuator and the eccentric bushing, wherein operation of the actuator causes the drive mechanism to rotate the eccentric bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Bryon Lee Kajfosz, David Matthew Sebesta, Karl Scott Fleischer
  • Patent number: 12168343
    Abstract: A recording device includes a recording head for performing recording on a recording medium, a transporter for transporting the recording medium, a platen for supporting the recording medium, a heater for heating the recording medium supported by the platen, and a control unit, wherein the control unit causes the heater to heat the recording medium at a predetermined and constant heating temperature, causes the recording head and the transporter to record a first test pattern of a predetermined recording density, and a second test pattern of a recording density different from the predetermined recording density on the recording medium, and the recording density of the first test pattern and the recording density of the second test pattern can be set in the heater, and are associated with heating temperature different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 12168344
    Abstract: There is provided a printing device to which an external component is attachable. The printing device includes: a housing; a print head provided inside the housing; a guide portion configured to guide a printing medium to the print head in a conveying direction; and a first engagement portion engageable with a first attaching portion of the external component. The housing includes a first frame, a second frame opposite the first frame in a widthwise direction crossing the conveying direction, and a connecting portion extending in the widthwise direction to connect the first frame to the second frame. The print head is supported by at least one of the first frame and the second frame. The guide portion is fixed to the connecting portion. The first engagement portion is formed in one of the guide portion and the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Koshiro Shimoda, Yuya Nakamura, Tetsuro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 12168345
    Abstract: A recording device has: at least one medium storage section that stores a medium on which to perform recording; a recording section positioned vertically above the medium storage section, the recording section performing recording on the medium; and a reversing path by which the medium that passed through a position at which the medium faces the recording section is reversed in a direction including a vertically upward component by being transported in a transport direction including a vertically downward component and being made to pass through a curved reversing path curved so as to be convex downward. When only one medium storage section is provided, an overlap is found between at least part of the one medium storage section and at least part of the curved reversing path when viewed horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Misawa, Toshihiro Imae
  • Patent number: 12168346
    Abstract: A feed tray configured to accommodate a roll, in which a sheet-shaped medium is rolled in a roll shape, the feed tray includes: a support portion configured to contact an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the roll at two support positions with a lower end of the roll being interposed therebetween and to rotatably support the roll; and a path having an inlet disposed between the two support positions and configured to guide the sheet-shaped medium unrolled from the roll. The two support positions are shifted from each other in an upper-lower direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Tatematsu, Satoshi Miyase, Hideaki Yoshimune
  • Patent number: 12168347
    Abstract: In a control system, a controller is configured to determine presence or absence of an obstructed area within the intermediate section, and control movement of the moving body in accordance with a selected one of controlling methods including a first and a second control methods. The first control method causes the moving body to move at a first constant speed in the processing section defined within the intermediate section and at a second constant speed faster than the first constant speed in at least a part of a non-processing section within the intermediate section and other than the processing section, the first control method being selected when the obstructed area is absent. The second control method causes the moving body to move at the first constant speed in the processing section and the non-processing section, the second control method being selected when the obstructed area is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Masahiro Hoga, Shohei Ichikawa, Eisuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 12168348
    Abstract: A tank unit is configured to introduce liquid supplied from a container and to lead out liquid toward a head configured to eject the liquid. The tank unit includes a storage section that stores the liquid supplied from the container, an introduction section that introduces the liquid supplied from the container into the storage section, an atmosphere opening section configured to open inside of the storage section to atmosphere, and an outlet section that leads out the liquid stored in the storage section. The introduction section is connected to the storage section, extends in a vertical direction in the storage section, and has an open end located within the storage section. The storage section includes a blocking section including a first protruding section located at a position in the vertical direction facing the open end and a second protruding section extending upward from the first protruding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Inomata, Takanori Matsuda
  • Patent number: 12168350
    Abstract: A mist collecting unit for collecting a mist of ink droplets. The mist collecting unit includes the following elements. An introduction pipe, a mist introducing box with the introduction pipe mounted to have an upper part open, and a collecting box attached to a lower part of the mist introducing box. The gas is introduced from the introduction pipe into the collecting box, thereby capturing the mist included in the gas by inner surfaces of the collecting box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuto Suzuki, Masahiro Tokuyama
  • Patent number: 12168351
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting device includes a base portion, a liquid ejecting portion movably provided at the base portion, a medium supporting portion provided at the base portion and configured to support a printing medium in a printing region where the liquid ejecting portion performs printing, and a maintenance portion disposed in a region on the +X direction side of the printing region in the X-axis direction in the base portion. The maintenance portion includes a moisturizing portion that can form a closed space to which nozzle opens, a cleaning portion that can forcibly discharge liquid from the nozzle, and a wiper that can wipe a nozzle surface where the nozzle is provided. The moisturizing portion, the cleaning portion and the wiper are disposed side by side in the Y-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nose, Tomoji Suzuki, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 12168352
    Abstract: A liquid storage container includes: a discharge port member including a discharge port through which liquid stored in a storage portion is discharged; a cover portion configured to be attachable to the discharge port member and to be capable of opening and closing the discharge port; and a sealing portion formed of a contact portion between the cover portion and the discharge port member. The cover portion includes a groove structure between an outer periphery of the cover portion and the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyasu Nagai, Ryoji Inoue, Kyosuke Nagaoka, Takayuki Tanno, Kenta Udagawa
  • Patent number: 12168353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a printer ink cartridge. The invention relates to a printer ink cartridge with unified bulk ink cartridge with an integrated ink bag having a greater ink storage capacity and reduced replacement frequency consequently reducing E-waste and preventing leakage in different orientation of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: CONTROL PRINT LIMITED
    Inventors: Shiva Basant Kabra, Sunil Sadanand Wakade, Rajender Choudhary
  • Patent number: 12168355
    Abstract: A recording method according to the present disclosure is a recording method that performs recording on a recording medium, the recording method including a white ink adhesion step of adhering a white ink composition containing a white color material to the recording medium and a non-white ink adhesion step of adhering a non-white ink composition containing a non-white color material to the recording medium, in which the white ink adhesion step and the non-white ink adhesion step are performed by relative scanning between a recording head and the recording medium, the white ink adhesion step and the non-white ink adhesion step are performed by the same relative scanning on the same scanning region of the recording medium, and in the recording region to which the white ink composition and the non-white ink composition are adhered, an adhesion amount of the white ink composition is 60% by mass or less with respect to 100% by mass of an adhesion amount of the non-white ink composition per unit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Seguchi
  • Patent number: 12168356
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for printing white underbase image data and highlight white image data in one pass using digital printing technologies. The techniques include increasing the white ink in the white only (or near white only) areas of the image data by combining the white underbase image data and the white ink (or near white ink) image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: FIERY, LLC
    Inventors: David John Evans, David James Reny
  • Patent number: 12168357
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a head having nozzles; a conveyer; and a controller. The controller is configured to carry out a conveyance process of conveying a recording medium in a conveyance direction, and a discharge process of discharging a liquid from the nozzles to the recording medium. The discharge process includes a plurality of discharge steps carried out to a unit area of the recording medium based on data obtained by decomposing an image data into complementary patterns. In at least one of the discharge steps corresponding to the unit area, a function of a discharge duty of the nozzles has an ascending portion or a descending portion. The controller is configured to carry out before the discharge process: a detection process of detecting a defect nozzle in the nozzles; and in a case that the defect nozzle is detected, a change process of changing the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 12168358
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to perform recording on a recording medium placed at a first position, a placement unit configured to place the recording medium on the placement unit, and a pressing member configured to apply a pressing force to the recording medium placed on the placement unit toward the placement unit in a case where the recording medium is at the first position, and to release the pressing force in a case where the recording medium moves from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuka Tani, Toshiaki Tokisawa, Soma Nakai, Keisuke Arita
  • Patent number: 12168359
    Abstract: A process for creating a mask for making a printing plate from an unexposed flexographic plate having a masking layer. The process includes providing image information as a first screen having a first plurality of pixels and defining openings in the masking layer in accordance with the image information by superimposing on at least a portion of the image information a base pattern of equally sized spots. Each spot corresponds to an imaged discrete element represented on the mask and has a size corresponding to a smallest discrete element formed on the mask. The spots in the base pattern are aligned in horizontal rows and columns having a non-zero spacing between adjacent rows and columns. In at least a portion of the mask, a size for forming each imaged discrete element is selected such that each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements has a non-imaged discrete area centered therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Esko Software BV
    Inventors: Peter Morisse, Wolfgang Sievers
  • Patent number: 12168360
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of printing a high-resolution inkjet image on an article to be printed made of a metal or a resin by adjusting wet-spreading of an ink. The problem is solved by a method for producing a printed article which is an inkjet-printed product of an article to be printed made of a metal or a resin, the method including: an underlying layer forming step of forming an underlying layer containing a crosslinkable resin on at least a part of a surface of the article to be printed; a semi-crosslinking step of semi-crosslinking the crosslinkable resin contained in the underlying layer; and a printing step of performing inkjet printing on at least a part of a surface of the underlying layer after the semi-crosslinking step to form an inkjet-printed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Murakami, Yukiko Saito, Kouji Yamada
  • Patent number: 12168361
    Abstract: A substrate for an inkjet printer is described herein. The substrate comprises a material selected to provide high contrast reflected light and having a print material receiving surface with a neutral response to the print material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Eashwer Chandra Vidhya Sagar Kollata, Gregory Lewis, James Kundrat, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko
  • Patent number: 12168362
    Abstract: A greeting card that selectively opens and closes. The greeting card assembly simulates a firework display in the background of a foreground message when opened. The greeting card assembly has a card section that contains an internal compartment covered by a top panel. A plurality of cutouts are formed through the top panel that are shaped as firework starbursts. LEDs are positioned within the internal compartment for selectively backlighting the cutouts. A light diffusing element is interposed between the cutouts and the LEDs. A speaker is positioned within the internal compartment for playing a digital soundtrack of exploding fireworks. At least one foreground panel is provided that is positioned a distance from the top panel when the greeting card assembly is opened. When viewed, the foreground panels stand in front of a card section that is playing a soundtrack and flashing lights behind starburst cutouts to simulate background fireworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: JAST Gifts Shenzhen Company Limited, 100 Greetings, LLC
    Inventors: Jen-Lin Chen, Jay Kamhi
  • Patent number: 12168363
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a digital pen cap that can be positioned on the end of a stylus. The digital pen cap includes sensors for measuring position and orientation of the tip of the stylus, a controller configured to process the sensor data and output processed data, a memory for storing the processed data, and a transmitter for transmitting the processed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Nayan Bhatt, Alekhya Kosaraju, Cindralla George
  • Patent number: 12168364
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing printed products (3), wherein the method comprises partially coating a substrate (2) with a varnish (4) on one side (20) such that there are at least one coated area (22) and at least one uncoated area (21) on the side (20). Subsequently, a foil (6) is applied to the side (20) that is coated with the varnish (4) and is adhesively bonded to the substrate (2), wherein the foil (6) is designed so as to adhere to the material of the substrate, but not to the varnish (4), so that the adhesive bonding of the foil (6) occurs selectively in the at least one uncoated area (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: ACTEGA Schmid Rhyner AG
    Inventors: Dirk Schlatterbeck, Roland Rüedi, Peter Eladio Ludwig, Dieter Wyler
  • Patent number: 12168365
    Abstract: A process for the production of slabs made of mineral grits bound with resins comprises at least the phases of supplying a basic mixture that includes mineral grits and resins; loading the basic mixture inside at least one forming mold so as to obtain a laying surface facing downwards and an exposed surface facing upwards; compacting the basic mixture inside the forming mold to obtain a compacted slab; and hardening the compacted slab to obtain a slab made of mineral grits, wherein, after the compacting, a decoration phase with ink by digital printing of said exposed surface of said compacted slab is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: SITI—B&T GROUP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Tarozzi
  • Patent number: 12168366
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a rim part to which a tire is mounted and a vehicle body attachment part which is attached to a vehicle body, in which the rim part has, on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a plurality of fins each having a heat dissipation surface, and in which the fins are arranged periodically along a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 12168367
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automotive wheel equipped with a resonator module having an improved fastening force and, more particularly, to an automotive wheel equipped with a resonator module having an improved fastening force, the automotive wheel having a first accommodation groove spaced a predetermined distance inward from both sides of the resonator module and being able to accommodate a fastening band therein so that a fastening force between a rim and the resonator module can be improved, and having a second accommodation groove engraved from the bottom of the first accommodation groove to be able to accommodate a stopper of the fastening band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Sungwoo Casting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Ju Lee, Dong Hyoung Lee, Sang Bum Park, Seong Hun Choi, Hee Chan An
  • Patent number: 12168368
    Abstract: A wheel spacer disc for motor vehicles having a plurality of wheel bolt openings, a rim centering element for centering a rim relative to the wheel spacer disc, and a wheel hub centering element for centering the wheel spacer disc relative to a wheel hub. The plurality of wheel bolt openings are designed in each case as stepped openings for the respective partial reception of shaft nuts, wherein a section of the stepped openings having a greater diameter is arranged on a side of the wheel spacer disc on which the rim centering element is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventor: Klaus Wohlfarth
  • Patent number: 12168369
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a wheel having a rim that is at least partially made from several layers of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a wheel center having multiple spokes extending from a wheel hub, which constitutes an axis of rotation, to the rim in a radial direction. According to the disclosure the rim comprises a rim well extending in transversal direction between an inboard flange and an outboard flange suitable to receive a tire to be mounted thereon. The wheel includes a circumferential collar that extends from the outboard flange radially inwards towards the axis of rotation and that has an outboard collar face that constitutes an aerodynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Mubea Carbo Tech GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Mayer, Thomas Muhr
  • Patent number: 12168370
    Abstract: A hub guard configured to install to a wheel hub assembly and to protect a hub cap of the wheel hub assembly is disclosed. In embodiments, the hub guard is configured to permit access to the hub cap for inspection, maintenance, and performance of various operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventor: Dustin James Brenner
  • Patent number: 12168371
    Abstract: To provide pneumatic tires with excellent ride quality during high-speed driving, a pneumatic tire having a tread portion with a circumferential groove and a belt layer, wherein a monofilament cord is used as a reinforcing cord for the belt layer; and the number of arrangements e (lines/5 cm) of the monofilament cords per 5 cm in the tire width direction in the tire radial cross section of the belt layer, the distance G (mm) from the surface of the land portion closest to the equatorial plane among land portions separated by the circumferential groove to the monofilament cord, and the loss tangent (30° C. tan ?) when the rubber composition constituting the surface of the tread portion is measured satisfy (30° C. tan ?×G)/e>0.015 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Momoka Misaki, Dong Miao, Hiroki Kawai
  • Patent number: 12168372
    Abstract: A tire can include a three-dimensional sipe formed into a tire tread. The three-dimensional sipe can be formed in a tread element of the tire tread and can include a three-dimensional pattern. The three-dimensional sipe can have a first frequency of oscillation at a top end of the three-dimensional sipe and a second frequency of oscillation at a bottom end of the three-dimensional sipe with the first frequency of oscillation being different from the second frequency of oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew D. Cerny
  • Patent number: 12168373
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire having lug grooves in shoulder land portions that each include one end reaching at least a ground contact edge and an other end terminating in the shoulder land portion. Sipes in the shoulder land portions each include one end communicating with a shoulder main groove and an other end terminating in a ground contact region. Lug grooves in intermediate land portions each include one end communicating with the shoulder main groove and an other end terminating in the intermediate land portion. Sipes in the intermediate land portion each include one end communicating with a center main groove and an other end terminating in the intermediate land portion. Sipes in the center land portion each include one end communicating with the center main groove and an other end terminating in the center land portion without exceeding a tire center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 12168374
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tire including the steps of providing a cured tire, the tire including a first bead, a second bead, a carcass layer extending from the first bead to the second bead, and an optional innerliner layer disposed interior to the carcass layer; directly or indirectly applying an air barrier composition to at least a portion of the carcass layer or to at least a portion of the optional innerliner layer to thereby form an air barrier layer; and directly or indirectly applying a dampening member to the air barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Amy M. Randall, Craig R. Balnis, David J. Zemla
  • Patent number: 12168375
    Abstract: A motion control system includes an absorber fixed relative to an axis, a spring fixed relative to the axis, and a mass coupled to the absorber and the spring and configured to move relative to the axis. The spring is configured to bias the mass toward a neutral position and with the absorber configured to dampen movement of the mass. The mass includes an internal surface and an external surface spaced from the internal surface. The external surface extends between a first end and a second end, with the first end closer to the axis than the second end. At least a portion of the external surface tapers away from the axis and toward the internal surface further from the first end to direct debris away from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jacob L. Dawson, Chung Shen Ang, Islam M. Shawki, Keyvan Yeganeh
  • Patent number: 12168376
    Abstract: In a truck crane, in a state where an air suspension is in an exhaust state and a locking member is not in a locked position, a control unit restricts a movement of a front outrigger and a rear outrigger to a ground contact position, and in a state where the air suspension is in the exhaust state and the locking member is in the locked position, the control unit allows the movement of the front outrigger and the rear outrigger to the ground contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Yamashina
  • Patent number: 12168377
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to a robotic vehicle. An example robotic vehicle has a base platform that includes at least a chassis, an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a first wheel that is attached to a first section of the chassis and further includes a second wheel attached to a second section of the chassis. The actuator has a proximal end attached to the first section of the chassis and a distal end attached to the second section of the chassis. The sensor is configured to obtain information associated with a stair structure located on a traversal path of the robotic vehicle. The controller evaluates the information obtained by the sensor and operates the actuator to vary a separation distance between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis so as to enable the robotic vehicle to traverse the stair structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Smruti Panigrahi, Kurt Lundeen, Sanghyun Hong, Yifan Chen
  • Patent number: 12168378
    Abstract: A system includes: a state module configured to selectively set a present state to a first state; a valve control module configured to determine first target open and closed states for valves of a suspension system based on the present state and to open and close the valves of the suspension system according to the first target open and closed states, respectively; a pump control module configured to, when the valves are in the first target open and closed states, respectively, selectively operate an electric pump of the suspension system in a first direction and increase a pressure of hydraulic fluid in a first portion of the suspension system including an accumulator, where the valve control module is configured to decrease the pressure in the first portion after the increase; and a diagnosis module configured to selectively diagnose a fault in the accumulator based on a pressure during the decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen, Stein Slootmaekers, Peter Boon, Monzer Al Sakka, Kylian Praet
  • Patent number: 12168379
    Abstract: A shock assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a damper chamber having an outer wall with a first inner diameter (ID). A secondary chamber within the damper chamber, the secondary chamber comprising an exterior wall with an external diameter (ED) less than the ID of the outer wall to form an annular region therebetween. A damping piston coupled to a piston rod, the damping piston disposed in the secondary chamber and axially movable relative to the secondary chamber, the damping piston to bifurcate the secondary chamber into a compression side and a rebound side. A valve to control a flow of a working fluid between the annular region and the secondary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan Tong
  • Patent number: 12168380
    Abstract: A motor vehicle rear axle is of the type having two longitudinal trailing arms. Each trailing arm has a stub-axle bracket at one rear end and, at an opposite front end, a substantially transverse axis of rotation defined by a first joint and a second joint which are intended to be connected to the vehicle body. A first and a second support element are located respectively in front of and behind a trailing arm on the side of its second joint. The free ends of these support elements, located in the longitudinal and vertical median plane of the rear axle, are kept at a longitudinally fixed distance by a connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Benjamin Duffau, Jean-Pierre Millon, Remi Rollet
  • Patent number: 12168381
    Abstract: A brace plate assembly for a vehicle with a top right radius rod fastened to the chassis with a fastener, a top left radius rod fastened to the chassis, a middle right radius rod fastened to the chassis, a middle left radius rod fastened to the chassis, a bottom right radius rod fastened to the chassis and a bottom left radius rod fastened to the chassis, the brace assembly including a top plate coupled with the top right and left radius rods to the chassis, a bottom plate coupled with the bottom right and left radius rods to the chassis, and a bridge plate coupled with the middle right and left radius rods to the chassis and wherein the bridge plate is coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventor: Marcelo Danze
  • Patent number: 12168382
    Abstract: A front frame assembly for a motor vehicle includes a suspension attachment structure fixable to a body cell, one or more attachment elements fixed relative to the suspension attachment structure to allow a suspension of the motor vehicle to be coupled to the suspension attachment structure, and an absorption element to absorb a front crash of the motor vehicle, the absorption element being fixed relative to the suspension attachment structure and extending in a projecting manner relative to the suspension attachment structure along a first straight axis until ending with one end opposite the suspension attachment structure, wherein the assembly comprises a channel extending with continuity through the absorption element and the suspension attachment structure between an inlet opening obtained at the end along the first axis and an outlet opening obtained in the suspension attachment structure along a second axis transversal to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Testa
  • Patent number: 12168383
    Abstract: A retainer for retaining a pin with a section of a work machine. The retainer includes a body to be reversed between a first state and a second state to secure the pin with the section in each of the first state and the second state. The body defines a retaining portion and a securing portion. The securing portion is fixedly coupled to the retaining portion and defines through-holes. In the first state, the through-holes are aligned with apertures of the section for coupling the body to the section such that the retaining portion acquires first orientations relative to the section to engage the pin according to the first orientations. In the second state, the through-holes are aligned with the apertures for coupling the body to the section such that the retaining portion acquires second orientations relative to the section to engage the pin according to the second orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh Sivakumar, Steven Joseph Fujan
  • Patent number: 12168384
    Abstract: This vehicle cooling device includes a duct communicating with a heating element disposed in a vehicle, an opening provided in the duct, positioned below a seat surface part of a seat disposed above a floor panel, and opening to a passenger compartment, and a fan supplying air suctioned into the duct from the opening to the heating element, in which the opening is positioned on a vehicle-body rear side with respect to a seat fixing part on a vehicle-body front side among seat fixing parts for fixing the seat to the floor panel in a state in which it is disposed on a vehicle-body rear side of a front end of the seat surface part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nariyuki Yoshinaga, Kanae Okuma, Takahiro Koizumi, Yasutomo Kimura
  • Patent number: 12168385
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a refrigerant loop system that includes a compressor, a refrigerant four-way reversing valve, a plate heat exchanger, a throttle valve, another plate heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid separator, to form a refrigerant loop, and a motor liquid cooling loop system includes a motor liquid cooling loop that circulates coolant through a motor, and a pipe in the motor liquid cooling loop is connected to a liquid cooling channel in the plate heat exchanger to exchange heat with the refrigerant loop system using the plate heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weier Tang, Haomang Hu, Liguan Lin
  • Patent number: 12168386
    Abstract: An embodiment vehicle thermal management system includes a first refrigeration cycle including a first refrigerant loop in which a first refrigerant is circulated, a battery cooling subsystem including a battery coolant loop in which a battery-side coolant is circulated, wherein the battery coolant loop is fluidly connected to a battery, a second refrigeration cycle including a second refrigerant loop in which a second refrigerant is circulated, the second refrigeration cycle comprising a condenser thermally connected to the battery cooling subsystem, a refrigerant chiller thermally connecting the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle, and a battery chiller thermally connecting the second refrigeration cycle and the battery cooling subsystem, wherein the condenser is located on a downstream side of the battery chiller in the second refrigerant loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Han Kim, Jae Hyun Song
  • Patent number: 12168387
    Abstract: System and apparatus for carbon dioxide detection within an automobile. Specifically, this disclosure describes apparatuses and systems for optical gas detection in a stationary and moving vehicle. There is a need for a such a system to prevent loss of life and contribute to a safer traffic environment. This disclosure provides a highly efficient optical measurement system based on principals of optical absorption spectroscopy. It detects the presence of neglected children and animals and changes the vehicle's interior environment accordingly so as to preclude many potentially dangerous conditions. The present disclosure can also optimize ventilation for a driver. To this end, a driver can maximize alertness and attentiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Shrenik Deliwala
  • Patent number: 12168388
    Abstract: A vehicle power management system includes a battery, an air conditioner driven by power of the battery, an external power supply device that enables external power supply where the power of the battery is supplied to an external electric device, and a determination unit. The determination unit determines whether an operation restriction of an air conditioner is executed during the external power supply. The determination unit determines that the operation restriction is executed when all of following four conditions are satisfied: (A-1) a target blowout temperature is less than a predetermined blowout threshold temperature during cooling; (A-2) an outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined outside air threshold temperature during cooling; (A-3) a refrigerant temperature after heat is exchanged with an air blown into the vehicle cabin exceeds a predetermined refrigerant threshold temperature during cooling; and (A-4) a blower air volume of the air conditioner exceeds a predetermined threshold air volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Shimauchi
  • Patent number: 12168389
    Abstract: A ventilation system and method of purging volatile organic compounds from an interior space of the vehicle. The ventilation space including an air extractor connected to a vehicle wall and having an interior side within the interior space defined by the vehicle wall, a fan attached to the interior side, and a controller configured to operate in a shipping mode to activate the fan to generate ventilation flow through the air extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Christopher Sterbenz, Eric Jay MacLean, Daniel Ferretti, Timothy James Hallifax, Gary D. Mullen
  • Patent number: 12168390
    Abstract: The demand for automotive glazings, on which the intensity of the light transmitted can be controlled by the user, has been increasing as the public becomes more aware of the technology. The most common methods employed to make such glazings utilize Suspended Particle Devices (SPD) and Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) films. With both, the light transmission of the glazing changes in response to an alternating current electrical field. A problem with this technology is that the voltage required is far higher than that of the typical automotive electrical system. The disclosure provides a touch potential safe, small, lightweight and inexpensive means for controlling the light transmission of multiple glazing circuits by combining a single flyback voltage converter with multiple variable amplitude sinewave generators all coordinated by a micro-controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: AGP America S.A.
    Inventors: Mario Arturo Mannheim Astete, Jose Roman Carrillo Rojas, Ian Jarm Riofrio Véliz
  • Patent number: 12168391
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a plurality of members, a tray, at least one insulation member, and at least one battery. The plurality of members define a first void. The tray is coupled to at least one member of the plurality of members. The tray defines a second void. The at least one insulation member is disposed within the first void or the second void. The at least one battery is disposed within the first void and the second void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: AVL Mobility Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Falls, Adrian Quintana
  • Patent number: 12168392
    Abstract: Adjustment device for adjusting an air stream influencing element of a motor vehicle between at least a first position and a second position, comprising a driving unit for adjusting the air stream influencing element between at least the first position and the second position, provided with an input shaft having an input axis and an output shaft having an output axis which is at a distance from the input axis, wherein the driving unit has a first, part which is provided around the input axis of the driving unit, and has a second part, wherein the adjustment device is furthermore provided with a failsafe mechanism, wherein the failsafe mechanism engages the first part of the driving unit, wherein the failsafe mechanism comprises an auxiliary driving motor, separately from a main driving motor of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: MCI (MIRROR CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL) NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Marius Brand, Stephen Alexander George Gustavo Boom, Jannick Daniël Wijntjes