With Material Applying Means Patents (Class 15/250.01)
  • Patent number: 12103366
    Abstract: A vehicular rear liftgate window assembly includes a glass window panel configured to be pivotable between a closed position and an opened position. A heater grid is disposed at an interior side of the glass window panel, the heater grid including a plurality of electrically conductive traces. A pair of busbars are established at the interior side of the glass window panel at opposite side regions of the electrically conductive traces of the heater grid. An aperture is established through the glass window panel at or near an upper region of each busbar, and electrical connectors are electrically connected at the upper regions of the busbars. The electrical connectors are configured to route a respective electrical wire from an exterior side of the glass window panel and through the respective aperture for electrical connection to the respective busbar at the interior side of the glass window panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy F. Tooker, David L Guillozet, Ashley D. Step
  • Patent number: 12043222
    Abstract: A pneumatic windscreen wiper for a transparent element of a vehicle. The pneumatic windscreen wiper has: at least one nozzle, which is arranged at an edge of the transparent element, is oriented towards the transparent element and is capable of emitting a compressed air jet that hits the transparent element to skim the transparent element; a source of compressed air; and a control valve which is interposed between the nozzle and the source of compressed air and is suitable for regulating the flow of compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 11975693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper frame (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (14), a liquid channel (30, 32) for carrying a cleaning liquid, and a heating unit (38). According to the invention, the heating unit (38) is substantially located inside the liquid channel (30, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Rapp, Sascha Geissler
  • Patent number: 11801806
    Abstract: An object detection system may include an object detecting device. The object detecting device may generate an object signal based on detecting an object. The object detection system may include a controller for operating a motor. The motor may be connected to a wiper element. The controller may generate a position signal based on a position of the motor. The object detection system may include an object detection module in communication with the object detecting device. The object detection module may receive the object signal and/or the position signal. The object detection system may be configured to selectively control the motor in response to detecting the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Whikehart, Vijay Nadkarni, Michael K Ingrody
  • Patent number: 11760314
    Abstract: The apparatus for cleaning a surface comprises a housing for accommodating an object whose surface is to be cleaned, a wiper driving actuator adjacent the surface to be cleaned, the wiper driving actuator comprising an at least partially closed loop adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the housing, and at least one wiper assembly operable by the wiper driving actuator to move along the at least partially closed loop and having a first end that is attached to the wiper driving actuator, the wiper assembly being movably mounted in the housing such that, in use, a constant distance is kept between the wiper assembly and the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FICO TRANSPAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Olallo Alcaide Hernández, Robert López Galera
  • Patent number: 11738720
    Abstract: This vehicle cleaner unit, for cleaning a to-be-cleaned object mounted on the vehicle, is provided with: a single motor; a single pump comprising a cylinder which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle cleaner unit and into which air is introduced, and a piston which can carry out linear motion in the longitudinal direction inside of the cylinder and which blows air to outside of the vehicle cleaning unit at high pressure; a biasing spring which biases the piston to a first side in the longitudinal direction; and a single worm mechanism which transmits rotary motion of the motor to cause the piston to carry out linear motion to the second side opposite of the first side. The rotation axis of the motor and the longitudinal direction are parallel, and the motor and the pump are positioned on the same side of the worm mechanism in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kondo, Akinobu Kubota
  • Patent number: 11685342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (120) for cleaning a large-optical-surface detection module (110) of a driving assistance system (100) of a motor vehicle (300), comprising at least two rails (121a, 121b, 121c) for spraying a cleaning fluid that are arranged around the large-optical-surface detection module (110), each spray rail (121a, 121b, 121c) being configured to clean a part of the optical surface of the detection module, each spray rail being able to be activated independently of the other spray rails (121a, 121b, 121c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 11510556
    Abstract: An endoscope is provided to examine internal organs with front and rear views. The endoscope comprises a shaft extending from a distal end in a rearward direction along a longitudinal axis towards a proximal end, with the distal and proximal ends defining a hollow channel extended there-through. The endoscope further comprises a first lens positioned adjacent to the distal end and configured to receive a first image in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis, with the forward direction generally 180 degree from the rearward direction. The endoscope further comprises a rearview module positioned adjacent to the distal end. The rearview module comprises a second lens configured to be positioned adjacent to the distal end, and receive a second image in a target direction having a directional component in the rearward direction along the longitudinal axis, independently of the first lens receiving the first image in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Nitesh Ratnakar
  • Patent number: 11364879
    Abstract: A wiper arm adapter device with at least one fluid channel (44a, 46a; 44b, 46b) for conducting a fluid, and with at least one connecting unit (48a; 48b) for connecting the fluid channel (44a, 46a; 44b, 46b) to a fluid line element (36a; 36b) of a wiper arm and/or to a wiper blade adapter (30a; 30b), wherein the connecting unit (48a; 48b) has at least one connecting element (52a, 54a; 52b, 54b) which at least partially delimits the fluid channel (44a, 46a; 44b, 46b). The connecting unit (48a; 48b) has at least one valve element (56a, 58a; 56b, 58b) which is arranged on the connecting element (52a, 54a; 52b, 54b) and is configured to form the fluidic connection of the fluid channel (44a, 46a; 44b, 46b) to the wiper blade adapter (30a; 30b) in a closeable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andrija Terentic, Harald Rapp
  • Patent number: 11358569
    Abstract: The invention is based on a windshield wiper device, in particular a wiper arm adapter device, having at least one fluid connection piece (36) which delimits at least one fluid channel (38), and having at least one adapter piece (40), wherein the adapter piece (40) and the fluid connection piece (36) are constructed to be able to be moved relative to each other and are provided to be moved relative to each other during a coupling or uncoupling operation, in particular with a wiper blade (16). It is proposed that the windshield wiper device comprise at least one coupling unit (42) which is provided to close the fluid channel (38) in accordance with a position of the adapter piece (40) relative to the fluid connection piece (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Depondt
  • Patent number: 11305738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper arm spraying device (10a; 10b) for coupling to a wiper arm (12a; 12b), comprising at least one valve unit (14a; 14b) which is designed to supply a nozzle unit (16a; 16b) with wiper fluid. According to the invention, the valve unit (14a; 14b) is designed for integration into a wiper arm tube unit (18a; 18b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herve Bratec, Adam Ugron, Zsofia Horvath, Mate Hornyak
  • Patent number: 11292437
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides automatic cleaning system and method. The automatic cleaning system includes a control unit, a Micro Control Unit (MCU), a cleaning device and a sensor device. The control unit is configured to determine a cleaning type for cleaning a protective cover of a camera based on an image captured by the camera and the measured temperature and humidity on the outer surface of the protective cover. The control unit is also configured to generate a cleaning instruction based on the cleaning type. The control unit is also configured to send the instruction to the MCU. The MCU is configured to control the cleaning device to clean the protective cover of the camera in accordance with the cleaning instruction in response to receiving the instruction sent from the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING TUSEN WEILAI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Jie Sun
  • Patent number: 11167731
    Abstract: A camera module shoots a satisfactory image by suppressing the adherence of water droplets to a part in a light transmitting cover through which imaging light is transmitted. Provided are an outer casing comprising a housing having an opening and a light transmitting cover for closing the opening; and a camera module arranged inside the outer casing. A part of the light transmitting cover is provided as a transmission window through which imaging light incident on the camera module is transmitted and a restriction part for restricting the inflow of water droplets toward the transmission window is provided to the light transmitting cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACIURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Okamura, Naoki Tatara, Akinobu Kubota
  • Patent number: 11117553
    Abstract: A vehicle cleaning system includes a wiper motor, a vehicle wiper, a washer nozzle, a washer pump, and a controller. The wiper motor forwardly and reversely rotates an output shaft. The vehicle wiper is coupled to the output shaft and reciprocally wipes a surface for wiping in accordance with forward and reverse rotations of the output shaft. The washer nozzle is arranged on the vehicle wiper. The washer pump feeds a washer fluid to the washer nozzle. The controller controls the wiper motor and the washer pump. The controller drives the washer pump so that the washer fluid is ejected in a direction in which accumulated snow is present based on a determination that the vehicle wiper is in a constrained state caused by accumulated snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryo Toyama
  • Patent number: 11077833
    Abstract: Methods and systems for thermal management of sensors of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that is attached to a vehicle, a temperature monitor configured to collect temperature data corresponding to the sensor, a processor, and a sensor cleaning subsystem. The sensor cleaning subsystem includes a cleaning fluid reservoir and a port that is positioned to direct cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive temperature data corresponding to the sensor from the temperature monitor, determine whether a current temperature of the sensor is less than a threshold temperature, and in response to determining that the current temperature is less than the first threshold temperature, cause the sensor cleaning subsystem to: heat the cleaning fluid, and initiate a cleaning cycle and direct the heated cleaning fluid to the sensor to heat the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Jackson, Dustin Yautz
  • Patent number: 10882494
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper motor (10), with an output shaft (11) which rotates in exclusively one direction (12) and is designed at least indirectly to move at least one wiper blade (1) between two reversal positions (A, B). According to the invention, it is provided that the wiper motor (10) has means (30) which are designed at least indirectly to activate a pump (25) for conveying a cleaning fluid in such a manner that cleaning fluid can be applied to a vehicle window (2) exclusively in front of the wiper blade (1) in the respective wiping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Siegfried Stefani, Jörg Bürkle
  • Patent number: 10800458
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage compartment. The vehicle includes a hood above the storage compartment. The hood is movable relative to the storage compartment between an open position and a closed position. The vehicle includes a flange connected to one of the hood and the storage compartment and a ring-shaped energy absorber connected to the other of the hood and the storage compartment. The flange and the ring-shaped energy absorber both circumferentially enclose the storage compartment in the closed position. The vehicle includes a seal mounted to the ring-shaped energy absorber and positioned between the ring-shaped energy absorber and the flange in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew B. Makowski, Chelliah Madasamy, Joseph David Hyde, Deepak Patel, Garam Jun
  • Patent number: 10737663
    Abstract: An extraneous-matter removing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a connector, a detector, and a removal unit. The connector is connected with a branch wire branching from a camera wire. The camera wire transmits a start-up signal for starting up a camera provided outside of a vehicle. The detector detects the start-up signal flowing through the branch wire connected with the connector. The removal unit performs, when the detector detects the start-up signal, a removing operation of an extraneous matter attached to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Masashi Otomi, Masahiro Koharazawa
  • Patent number: 10661760
    Abstract: A system (2) for cleaning at least one glazed surface (20, 21) of a vehicle (1) comprises a hydraulic distribution bus (3), able to allow a cleaning product to flow from a storage tank, and at least two devices (100 to 111) for projecting the cleaning product onto the at least one glazed surface (20, 21). According to the invention, the at least two projection devices (100 to 111) are linked by hydraulic connection elements to the hydraulic distribution bus (3), independently of one another and in successive areas of said hydraulic distribution bus (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Systémes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Frédéric Giraud, Christophe Le-Ligne
  • Patent number: 10611344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper arm (10) for a windscreen wiper system of a motor vehicle, with a receiving region (11) for a wiper blade adapter (55), wherein in the receiving region (11) an adapter element (30; 30a) is arranged, serving for the supplying of washing fluid, wherein the adapter element (30; 30a) is able to be connected on the one hand with a supply line (32) for the washing fluid and on the other hand has at least one outlet (34) for the washing fluid, which is able to be connected with the wiper blade adapter (55), wherein the at least one outlet (34) is aligned with a first mounting or respectively dismantling direction (17) of the wiper blade adapter (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Michael Schaeuble
  • Patent number: 10525939
    Abstract: A system for cleaning at least one glazed surface (21) comprises at least two devices (100 to 111) for projecting a cleaning product onto an associated glazed surface. The projection devices each include an electronic control module (120) configured to drive the operation of the corresponding projection device depending on control instructions, and the cleaning system includes a powerline bus common to the at least two projection devices (100 to 111), which are linked electrically to the powerline bus (11) independently of one another and in successive areas (90, 92) of said powerline bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Frédéric Giraud, Christophe Le-Ligne
  • Patent number: 10449912
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a drain member arranged along an edge of a glass window. The drain member includes a surface exposed to an outside of a vehicle, a drain passage extending in a direction along the edge of the glass window and formed to be hollow, and a communication path having one end communicating with the drain passage and the other end communicating with the surface of the drain member. The communication path is formed to have a width that draws water from the surface into the drain passage by a capillarity phenomenon, and a width of the drain passage in a direction orthogonal to the direction is formed to be wider than the width of the communication path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Okabe, Tomoyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10351107
    Abstract: A vehicle cleaning system in which washer fluid is dispensed through a windshield or headlight wiper blade via an integral channel and nozzles arrayed in a way so as to insure efficient dispensation of the cleaning solution. The vehicle cleaning system comprises a liquid reservoir, a controller in fluid communication with said liquid reservoir, a generator for vaporizing the wiper cleaning solution by rotating a magnet assembly relative to a conductor assembly housing the wiper cleaning solution about an axis so as to induce eddy currents when relative motion is produced between the conductor assembly and the magnet assembly, a vapor reservoir and a vapor distributor, and a wiper. Upon engagement of the controller, the wiper cleaning solution is delivered and pulsed into a space between a pair of wiper blades and across the surface to be cleaned of the vehicle. The magnet assembly has a closed contour loop construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventors: Pasko Todorov Paskov, Svilen Evgeniev Konstantinov, Nikolay Krumov Petrov
  • Patent number: 10286879
    Abstract: A window washer fluid reservoir is provided for a motor vehicle. The reservoir includes a flattened washer fluid tank having an outer wall contoured to hug a firewall of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Graeme Cameron, Salman Nazir Shami
  • Patent number: 10179571
    Abstract: A self-cleaning camera device includes: a housing that includes a reservoir configured to hold a fluid within the housing; a frusto-spherical member that is transparent, that is located within the housing; an electric motor configured to rotate the frusto-spherical member in a predetermined direction about an axis; a support member that (i) extends through a second opening of the frusto-spherical member and into the inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and (ii) does not rotate with the frusto-spherical member; a camera that is located on the support member within an inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and that includes a lens that one of: (i) faces a first opening in the housing; (ii) extends into the first opening in the housing; and (ii) extends outwardly past the first opening in the housing; and a wiping member is configured to wipe the fluid from the exterior surface of the frusto-spherical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brandon K. Matesic, Fred W. Huntzicker
  • Patent number: 10040430
    Abstract: A vehicle cleaning system in which washer fluid is dispensed onto a vehicle windshield or headlight wiper blade via an integral channel and nozzles arrayed in a way so as to insure efficient dispensation of cleaning solution onto the vehicle windshield or headlight. The vehicle cleaning system comprises a fluid reservoir, an element to heat the fluid based on outside ambient temperature, a valve which regulates the fluid flow creating a hammering action during fluid application, and a surface wiper with an integral fluid dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventors: Pasko Todorov Paskov, Stanyu Dimitrov Stoykov, Svilen Evgeniev Konstantinov, Rositsa Dimitrova Stoykova
  • Patent number: 10011251
    Abstract: An air passage and two lines of cleaning liquid paths are provided in a nozzle, and the air passage is bifurcated into two lines of distal end portions. A secondary tank is provided upstream of the cleaning liquid paths. A distal end portion of a cleaning liquid path and the distal end portion of the air passage are merged. When a compressed air is supplied to the air passage, the resulting air flow makes the inside of the secondary tank to be negative pressure. Thus, the cleaning liquid can be made into the form of a mist, and is suctioned, and the cleaning liquid in the form of a mist and the compressed air are mixed, whereby it is possible to clean a lens surface and to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Gokan, Yonosuke Nishioku
  • Patent number: 10012530
    Abstract: A light sensing device for a vehicle. A housing defines a light sensor cavity and a lens cover. A light sensor is positioned in the light sensor cavity and is surrounded by a gasket assembly. A manifold is configured to receive and store a fluid. A first fluid dispensing assembly extends from the manifold through the gasket assembly. The first fluid dispensing assembly is juxtapositioned above the lens cover and is configured to trickle the fluid downwardly over the manifold at a predetermined flow rate. A second fluid dispensing assembly extends from the manifold through the gasket assembly. The second fluid dispensing assembly is juxtapositioned laterally adjacent to the lens cover and is configured to expel fluid that blows across the lens cover as the vehicle moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luke W. Koops, Kristopher R. Green
  • Patent number: 9956999
    Abstract: A wiper module assembly for a vehicle lift gate having an inner panel with a spoiler formed as a one-piece part of an outer panel. The outer panel of the lift gate is connected to the inner panel to form an exterior surface of the lift gate. A cavity is formed in part of the spoiler and receives a carrier forming a removable module connected to the cavity of the vehicle lift gate. The carrier includes a wiper, motor and drive assembly for operating a wiper for a window on the lift gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael William Crane, Brian Christopher Sansoterra, Norman Guschewski
  • Patent number: 9961241
    Abstract: A camera for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. The camera is configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view interior or exterior of the vehicle. The front housing portion houses a lens assembly. The rear housing portion has a connector portion for electrically connecting circuitry of the camera to an electrical connector of the vehicle when the camera is disposed at the vehicle. The circuitry of the camera includes an imager comprising an imaging array having a plurality of photosensing elements. The rear housing portion has circuitry and electrically connecting elements established via molded interconnect device (MID) technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Michael Biemer
  • Patent number: 9944300
    Abstract: A railcar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a railcar with a plastic end cap covering a front surface of a car body in a front car, the railcar including: a wiper shaft configured to attach a wiper blade to an end portion of the wiper shaft and pass through the car body while extending inside and outside the car body; a penetrated portion formed as part of the car body and configured such that the wiper shaft passes through the penetrated portion; and an opening portion formed in the end cap and exposing at least part of the penetrated portion to a car exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI IUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirata, Ryosuke Ashida
  • Patent number: 9908510
    Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for producing a vehicle windscreen wiping system (10), including an end fitting (14) of a wiper arm (12) adapted to move a wiper (16), a connection interface (50), and an intermediate part (40) called clamp, said assembly being adapted to occupy a working position in which said interface (50) is free relative to said end fitting (14) and a so-called service position in which said interface (50) is retained in an oriented manner inside said end fitting (14) by said clamp (40). The invention also relates to a connection device for a vehicle windscreen wiping system (10) comprising such an assembly as well as a vehicle windscreen wiping system (10) comprising a wiper (16), a wiper arm (12) and such a connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Systems d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Vincent Izabel
  • Patent number: 9862320
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object detection device has a camera, a three-dimensional object detection unit, a lens cleaning device, a lens state assessment unit and a controller. The camera has a lens for forming an image of an area rearward of a vehicle. The three-dimensional object detection unit detects a three-dimensional object rearward of the vehicle based on the captured images. The lens cleaning device sprays cleaning fluid to clean the lens of the camera. The lens state assessment unit accesses whether the lens is in a predetermined state subject to control based on a timing at which cleaning fluid is sprayed on the lens. The controller suppresses detection of the three-dimensional object by retaining detection or assessment results for a predetermined length of time that were obtained immediately before the lens was assessed to be in the state subject to control, upon assessment that the lens state is subject to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Osamu Fukata
  • Patent number: 9707821
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a power machine is disclosed. The ventilation system includes a first ductwork section and a second ductwork section. An intermediate unsealed cavity is positioned between the first ductwork section and the second ductwork section. A source of air having a primary fan is provided. The source moves air through the first ductwork section into an intermediate cavity. A secondary fan draws air from the intermediate cavity, re-pressurizes the air, and forces the air out of the second ductwork section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Aaron G. Hill
  • Patent number: 9610923
    Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second window panels adjacent to each other and lying in the same plane, a wiper apparatus for wiping the first and second window panels, and a washer liquid nozzle unit for injecting washer liquids to the first and second window panels. The wiper apparatus has a pivot shaft and a wiper blade pivotable on the pivot shaft. The pivot shaft and the first window panel are located on the same side of a parting line between the first window panel and the second window panel. The washer nozzle unit has first and second nozzles, and is located on the same side of the parting line as the second window panel. The first nozzle injects a washer liquid to a wiped surface of the first window panel while the second nozzle injects a washer liquid to a wiped surface of the second window panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuken Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9604600
    Abstract: Assembly for the production of a wiping system, comprising a terminal part (2) of a wiper arm designed to move a wiper blade (3) over the surface to be wiped and a hydraulic connector (30) comprising at least one piping element (31, 32) for conveying a liquid to the wiper blade (3), the said terminal part comprising at least one means (8) for supporting the said hydraulic connector ensuring that it is held longitudinally with reference to the wiper arm. It is characterized in that the said supporting means allows a movement of the said hydraulic connector (30) in a direction convergent with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Valeo Systems D'Essuyage
    Inventors: Vincent Izabel, Xavier Bousset, Guiseppe Grasso, Gérald Caillot, Holger Fitterer, Uwe Renz, Andreas Zygan, Heiko Schmid, Richard Düsterhöft, Steffen Pommerening
  • Patent number: 9534436
    Abstract: A driving device for opening and closing an opening/closing body of a vehicle. The driving device comprises a nut member that moves linearly by way of rotation of a rod member and is threadably engaged with the rod member, and an engaging member that can be engaged with an engagement-receiving member provided on the rod member that is moved by way of a link arm linked to actuation of a solenoid such that rotation of the rod member can be stopped. The link arm has a mechanical structure that limits vibrations that change the vibration status of the engaging member. By using this driving device, impact noise during actuation of the driving device can be mitigated, or the pitch of the noise can be altered, so as not to discomfort passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HI-LEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Osafune
  • Patent number: 9525322
    Abstract: A wiper motor has: a magnet disposed on the yoke and formed with at least four poles; an armature disposed on an inner side of the magnet; a speed reduction mechanism unit having an output shaft for transmitting the rotation of the armature shaft; a gear housing connected to the yoke; a gear housing cover covering an opening of the gear housing; a magnet attached to the output shaft of the speed reduction mechanism unit; an absolute position detecting sensor disposed so as to face the magnet; and a control board having the absolute position detecting sensor attached thereto, the control board being disposed between the gear housing and the gear housing cover, and configured to control the rotation of the armature shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroji Okabe, Koji Tsuchiya, Toshiyuki Amagasa, Hachidai Watanabe, Masaaki Kimura, Takeshi Kanai
  • Patent number: 9505382
    Abstract: A nozzle for cleaning a lens surface of a camera includes a cleaning liquid path that guides a cleaning liquid to a discharge port and an air passage that guides a compressed air to a discharge port. Furthermore, a distal end portion of the cleaning liquid path and a distal end portion of the air passage are disposed so as to be proximate to each other, or are disposed so as to be merged with each other. Then, at the time of cleaning the lens surface, the compressed air is made intermittently jet from the discharge port, and the cleaning liquid is suctioned with the negative pressure occurring due to the jetting of the compressed air to make the cleaning liquid intermittently jet from the discharge port, thereby cleaning the lens surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimichi Gokan
  • Patent number: 9487186
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper motor unit assembly, which is fixed to a vehicle body panel of a vehicle and accommodates a wiper motor unit, includes: a motor fixing portion having a plurality of coupling holes that fix the wiper motor unit; a connection bridge that protrudes from the motor fixing portion toward the vehicle body panel; and a first fixing support portion and a second fixing support portion that are integrally formed at an end portion of the connection bridge and supports a bottom surface of the vehicle body panel and a top surface of the vehicle body panel, respectively, when the motor fixing portion is rotated around a central axis of the wiper motor unit fixed to the motor fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: DY AUTO Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Hoon Ju, Ki Yoon Hong
  • Patent number: 9434357
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a tail gate glass for a vehicle may include a spoiler door rotatably installed on a rear spoiler; an outlet formed at a position of the rear spoiler facing the spoiler door; an air duct installed in an internal space of the rear spoiler and guiding external air introduced through the spoiler door to the outlet; a nozzle fixed to the rear spoiler and spraying a cleaning liquid to the tail gate glass; and a door opening and closing device fixed to the rear spoiler, having a first end connected to the spoiler door and a second end fluid-connected to a cleaning liquid hose, and operated to open and close the spoiler door depending on a change in a pressure of the cleaning liquid hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Nam Cheol Kim, Seung Mok Lee, Jeong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9271606
    Abstract: A retrofittable grill fan assembly for PURPOSE includes a housing that has a first end wall, a second end wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending between the first and second end walls. An air conduit is attached to the housing and is in fluid communication with an interior of the housing. The air conduit extends outwardly and downwardly from the housing. A coupler is mounted on the housing and is releasably engaged to an upper edge of a grill bowl. A fan is positioned within the housing and the housing at least one air inlet extending therethrough. The fan draws air into the housing through the at least one air inlet and expels air outwardly through the conduit when the fan is turned on. A power supply is electrically coupled to the fan and an actuator is electrically coupled to the fan to turn the fan on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Phil A. Bagley
  • Patent number: 9261086
    Abstract: A fluid distribution valve which selectively distributes a fluid supplied from a fluid supply source to a plurality of flow channels, includes first and second branch pipes communicated with the fluid supply source; and a valve body selectively closing either one of the two branch pipes, and including a through hole allowing a circulation of the fluid into the second branch pipe from the fluid supply source in a case wherein the first branch pipe is closed. While the valve body closes the first branch pipe in an initial state thereof, the valve body is displaced or deformed according to a pressure difference of the fluid in the a first branch pipe side and the a second branch pipe side when the fluid is supplied from the fluid supply source so as to open the first branch pipe, and to close the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Motoharu Takai, Mitsuyuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9194389
    Abstract: A gas pump is composed of a gas suction member and a gas exhaust member. The gas suction member includes a gasbag having a hollow retractable portion being drivable by a motor for oppression or expansion, an intake valve allowing the air to pass therethrough when the hollow retractable portion is oppressed, and a flexible tube having two crosscuts, by which the flexible tube is divided into two vent valvular pieces. Each of the vent valvular pieces has a reinforcing strip formed on an internal wall thereof for forcing each of the vent valvular pieces to seal the exhaust passage. The gas exhaust member is mounted to the gasbag and includes a venthole and a guide slot. The venthole can receive the flexible tube therein. The guide slot communicates the hollow retractable portion and the intake valve for guiding the air into the hollow retractable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tricore Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Fang Yu
  • Patent number: 9010661
    Abstract: A washer nozzle includes a heat emitting unit for smoothly washing a glass in a winter season is installed. The washer nozzle for a vehicle which, by realizing a new type of washer nozzle to which an integral structure of a heat conductor and a nozzle cover is applied through insert injection-molding of the heat conductor is applied and to which a structure where a heat emitter is firmly fastened to the housing by using a structure in the housing is applied, can improve a washer liquid ejecting performance through an increase in a heat transfer efficiency inside the nozzle and reduce the number of processes and a defect rate through fixing of the heat emitter at an optimum location, thereby improving quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soo Nam Kim, Jae Hyun An, Jin Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9000000
    Abstract: A system and method of collecting and conditioning rainwater and other moisture, such as dew, from a windshield of a vehicle and utilizing the collected fluid to replenish the fluids in the windshield washer reservoir. A collection funnel is positioned on a vehicle in order to collect rainwater and other moisture. Rainwater and other fluids from the collection funnel are directed to a conditioning cartridge where the water is de-ionized and windshield washer fluid is added. The cartridges are designed to be single replaceable units. The mixed fluid from the mixing cartridge is directed to the pre-existing windshield washer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: WiperFill Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Carroll
  • Patent number: 8984706
    Abstract: A window washer system for a vehicle may include a fluid reservoir and a nozzle. The fluid reservoir may be disposed on an exterior side of a tailgate of the vehicle and may be adapted to store a quantity of window washer fluid. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and may be operable to deposit the window washer fluid onto a rear window of the vehicle. The window washer system may be disposed proximate a spare tire carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: John S. Kargilis
  • Patent number: 8973208
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle may include a motor assembly, a wiper and a switch. The motor assembly may be mounted to a spare tire carrier on a tailgate of the vehicle and may include an output shaft that is rotatable relative to the spare tire carrier. The wiper may be attached to the output shaft for rotation with the output shaft relative to a rear window pane of the vehicle. The switch may be electrically connected to the motor assembly and may be operable to allow electrical current to reach the motor assembly when the wiper is in contact with the rear window pane. The switch may be operable to prevent electrical current from reaching the motor assembly in response to the wiper and the rear window pane being spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: John S. Kargilis
  • Patent number: 8938845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device for an automobile that comprises two independent liquid flow paths (10a, 10b) integrally formed in at least one part (1a) made of a heat-conducting material, each liquid flow path (10a) being capable of enabling a flow of liquid between a connection terminal defining an inlet and a connection terminal defining an outlet (12a, 12b), each of the connection terminals being capable of sealingly receiving a liquid supply duct or tube, and a heating means (14) thermally coupled with said part (1a) and capable of heating said part (1a) so that the liquid flowing through said flow paths can absorb the heat of said part (1a). The invention advantageously enables the very flexible use thereof for one or more systems requiring heated liquid inside a single vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Denis Grandjean, Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 8905327
    Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device comprising at least one nozzle carrier (7) for mounting on a cleaning liquid supply tube (4a, 4b), the nozzle carrier (7) defining at least one cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) for a pressurized cleaning fluid and being provided with at least one cleaning fluid distribution chamber (13), said chamber communicating with said cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) and with at least one spray nozzle (9) mounted on said nozzle carrier (7), wherein said distribution chamber (13) is provided with at least one inlet port (20) which in a non-pressurized state is closed by a fluid valve and wherein said fluid valve is designed as a springless valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron CVS Limited
    Inventor: Paul Hartnell