With Means For Promoting Safety Of Vehicle, Its Occupant Or Load, Or An External Object Patents (Class 180/271)
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Patent number: 12187119Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an automatic correction device for erroneous acceleration of an automobile, which includes an accelerator pedal, a robotic arm, and an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor is connected to a central control computer of the automobile. An error correction control box is arranged on a front cab baffle in front of the robotic arm. An elastic damper having a signal switch is arranged on a side wall of the error correction control box directly facing the robotic arm. The accelerator pedal enables the robotic arm abuts against the elastic damper. When excessive depression is applied, the elastic damper is compressed and deformed by the robotic arm and triggers the signal switch. After the signal switch is triggered, a clear warning sound or a humming sound is sent to prompt a driver to stop the excessive depression.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2024Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Inventor: Le Zhuang
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Patent number: 12157430Abstract: An automobile hood 1 has an inner panel 2, an outer panel 3, and a plurality of linear sealer regions A in which joints 21 are arranged. A region which includes the linear sealer region A and in which both ends in a longitudinal direction L of the linear sealer region A reach the outer circumferential edge of the inner panel 2 is defined as an end-to-end region B. Each of three longest linear sealer regions A2, A4 and A3 among the plurality of linear sealer regions A is a length that is 40% or more of the length of an end-to-end region B2, B4 or B3 to which the linear sealer regions A2, A4 or A3 belongs, respectively. These three end-to-end regions B2, B4 and B3 do not intersect with each other within a region surrounded by the outer circumferential edge of the inner panel 2.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Ryuichi Nishimura, Koichi Hamada, Yasunori Sawa, Tohru Yoshida
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Patent number: 12151630Abstract: An airbag apparatus to be applied to a vehicle includes an airbag, a collision determiner, an airbag deployment controller, and a pulling device. The airbag is configured to be deployed forward of a vehicle body front of the vehicle. The collision determiner is configured to establish a pre-crash determination in a case where a collision probability is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. The airbag deployment controller is configured to give to an inflator a command to supply deployment gas to the airbag and deploy the airbag, in response to the pre-crash determination. The pulling device is configured to pull, rearward of the vehicle, a collision portion with which a collision object is to collide or vicinity of the collision portion on a front surface of the airbag so as to form a recessed portion configured to restrain the collision object.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Isamu Nagasawa
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Patent number: 12144387Abstract: A system for reducing trauma in the head or neck of a living being caused by acceleration of the head relative to a torso of the living being within a range of motion. The system includes a support engaging at least one of the head, neck, and shoulder of the living being without limiting the range of motion of the head or neck relative to the torso; a sensor in electrical communication with the system; a user interface in electrical communication with the sensor; and a damper associated with the support that is configured to mitigate the position, speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso in response to information received by the sensor or user interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Armour Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew W. Armour, Philbin McCleary, Brady White
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Patent number: 12132349Abstract: A power supply circuit of an aircraft includes: a first power transmission path for transmitting electric power from each of a first main power source device and a second main power source device to a first load device and a second load device; a first current sensor; a second current sensor; a third current sensor; and a fourth current sensor, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred based on currents detected by the first current sensor, the second current sensor, the third current sensor and the fourth current sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Manabu Mitani, Sadao Shinohara, Masataka Yoshida
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Patent number: 12122345Abstract: A braking device for a vehicle and a method of controlling a braking device for a vehicle are disclosed. The present disclosure in at least one embodiment provides a method of controlling a braking device for a vehicle having a first wheel brake, a second wheel brake, a third wheel brake, and a fourth wheel brake for vehicle braking, including determining whether a first braking unit operates normally upon determining that a braking situation has occurred while driving the vehicle, and braking the vehicle, upon determining that the first braking unit fails to operate normally, by supplying hydraulic pressure to the third wheel brake and the fourth wheel brake by operating a second braking unit, and preventing wheel locks of a first wheel and a second wheel provided on the vehicle by opening a pressure-reducing valve upon determining that a driver has intervened in the braking situation.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Yong Cheol Seol
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Patent number: 12090879Abstract: Systems and methods for a computer-based process that optimizes vehicle fleet charging systems. Failed chargers are detected and optimal paths are determined between these failed chargers and available chargers. Upon determining the optimal path, instructions to route the vehicle from the failed chargers to available chargers via these shortest paths are then communicated.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Adam J. Mandel-Senft, John Michael Joseph Chaykowsky, Marinus Jacobus Adrianus Kerstens, William D. Vreeland
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Patent number: 12017521Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and an electric axle coupled to the chassis. The electric axle includes an electric motor, a first tractive element coupled to the electric motor and configured to be driven by the electric motor to propel the vehicle, and a power take off (PTO) shaft coupled to the electric motor. The vehicle further includes at least one of (a) an accessory coupled to the PTO shaft and configured to be driven by the electric motor or (b) an axle assembly including a second tractive element coupled to the PTO shaft and configured to be driven by the electric motor to propel the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: Jeremy Andringa, Mitchel Nordahl
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Patent number: 11975665Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a track assembly, a support member configured to move along the track assembly, a first ECU connected to the support member, and a second electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the track assembly and configured to provide power from a power source to the track assembly. The first ECU may be configured to disconnect the electrical load and/or cause the electrical load to operate in a low-current mode if a connection system is partially engaged. The second ECU may have a first mode in which the second ECU provides power in a first voltage range to the track assembly. The second ECU may have a second mode in which the second ECU provides power in a second voltage range. The second ECU may be configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode according to information from the first ECU.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Jose Gabriel Fernández Bañares, Raúl Ricart, Esteban Herrera
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Patent number: 11919465Abstract: In an apparatus for determining a build of an occupant sitting in a seat within a cabin of a vehicle, an image acquirer is configured to acquire an image of the occupant. A position-information calculator is configured to calculate shoulder-joint information that is information representing positions of left and right shoulder joints of the occupant in the image. A twisted-posture determiner is configured to determine whether the occupant is in a twisted posture based on the shoulder-joint information. An occupant-build determiner is configured to determine a build of the occupant based on the shoulder-joint information. The occupant-build determiner is further configured to, in response to the twisted-posture determiner determining that the occupant is in the twisted posture, cancel making a determination of the build of the occupant based on shoulder-joint information that was used to determine that the occupant is in the twisted posture.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Toshio Hosokawa, Hiroki Nishimura
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Patent number: 11912368Abstract: A scooter, for example an electric scooter, having two wheels, an elongated platform mounted on the two wheels and arranged to receive at least one foot of a user, a steering handlebar articulated relative to the platform and connected to one of the wheels, wherein the scooter comprises a safety device with an inflatable cushion arranged to be deployed in case of sudden deceleration of the scooter.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Elin Villeius, Emma Lindholm, Hassan Jan, Louise Melin
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Patent number: 11912341Abstract: In an automobile hood, sufficient panel rigidity and dent resistance are secured while achieving weight reduction. Automobile hood 1 has a panel 2, a reinforcing member 3, and a joint 4 that joins the panel 2 and the reinforcing member 3. The reinforcing member 3 includes a structure formed from a plurality of units 7 having a hexagonal annular shape disposed in a close-packed arrangement. Unit 7 has a floor 11, inclined wall 12 and top plate 13. The floor 11 is adjacent to the panel 2. Top plate 13 and panel 2 are separated from each other. The inclined wall 12 is arranged between the floor 11 and the top plate 13. A hexagonal annular first ridge line 31 of the unit 7 is located between the inclined wall 12 and the floor 11. A length L1 of one side of the first ridge line 31 is 40-75 mm.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Tohru Yoshida, Koichi Hamada, Takeshi Kawachi, Atsuo Koga, Takuya Oishi
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Patent number: 11884332Abstract: In an automobile hood, sufficient panel rigidity and dent resistance of a panel are secured while achieving weight reduction. An automobile hood having panel, reinforcing member and joint that joins the panel and the reinforcing member such that the reinforcing member includes a structure formed from a plurality of units having hexagonal annular shape disposed in a close-packed arrangement. Floor of the unit has an annular end part. All of annular end part is located between first circle and second circle wherein first circle is inscribed within a first ridge line overlapping with an outer end part of the floor. Second circle is concentric with first circle and has a radius that is 60% of a radius of the first circle. Width of upper face of floor is 2 mm or more over the entire area of the annular end part in the circumferential direction of the annular end part.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Tohru Yoshida, Koichi Hamada, Takeshi Kawachi, Atsuo Koga, Takuya Oishi
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Patent number: 11801774Abstract: A radar sensor system and method for ascertaining whether an unattended child is present within an automotive vehicle. The radar sensor system carries out the method and includes a transmitter, at least one sensor, and processing circuitry. The method includes the steps of: illuminating at least one occupiable position within the vehicle with radiation of multiple frequencies; generating radar sensor signals from reflections of the transmitted radiation, a plurality of the radar sensor signals corresponding to different frequencies; and operating the processing circuitry for generating and determining if a first indicator value indicative of motion in the occupiable position satisfies a first predetermined criteria and, if so, generating and determining a second indicator value indicating a degree of repetitive pattern within the radar sensor signals, and determining presence of an unattended child in the vehicle if the second indicator value satisfies a second predetermined criteria.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Mathieu Lu-Dac, Patrick Di Mario Cola, Dimitri Tatarinov, Andreas Diewald, Claude Watgen, Sam Calmes, Peter Larsen
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Patent number: 11752843Abstract: A vehicle door system includes at least one sliding door which is arranged on the side and can be displaced out from the B-pillar. A securing system is provided for latching the sliding door on the B-pillar in the case of an external impact against the B-pillar occurring obliquely from the front. The securing system can block the at least one sliding door from opening in response to the external impact. The securing system includes a catchment claw that engages a securing hook to hold the at least one sliding door to the B-pillar.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Curtis, Karl-Heinz Graul, Fabian Pritz, Christian Giesen
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Patent number: 11748671Abstract: A vehicle management system, an on-vehicle system, and a vehicle management method are described that are capable of providing a vehicle to a user where an odor level in the vehicle fulfills a predetermined criterion. The vehicle management system selects a provision option of the vehicle, corresponding to the odor level if the odor level does not fulfill the predetermined criterion, and executes notification or vehicle control associated with the provision option.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., RENAULT S.A.S.Inventor: Radim Zemek
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Patent number: 11724673Abstract: Techniques and systems are described that enable automatic emergency braking (AEB) using a time-to-collision (TTC) threshold that is based on target acceleration. The TTC may be a combination of a first TTC sub-threshold and a second TTC sub-threshold. The first TTC threshold may be based on a vehicle velocity of a host vehicle and a relative velocity between the host vehicle and a target object. The second TTC sub-threshold may be based on a target acceleration of the target object and a distance between the host vehicle and the target object. By utilizing the target acceleration in the TTC threshold determination, the techniques and systems described herein enable AEB to work as planned to prevent a collision between a vehicle and a target, in a wider variety of environments and situations.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventor: Mingda Yang
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Patent number: 11708048Abstract: A pedestrian airbag device includes an airbag and an inflator that supplies an inflating gas to the airbag. In the airbag, an insertion opening portion for inserting the inflator into the airbag is disposed on the vehicle body side wall portion side. The insertion opening portion includes an insertion slit for inserting the main body portion of the inflator, and an insertion hole for causing the mounting bolt of the inflator to protrude. A guide tether for guiding when the inflator is inserted is disposed inside the airbag so that one end side is joined to the pedestrian side wall portion side, and the other end side is joined to a region on a side from the insertion hole in a peripheral edge of the insertion slit on the vehicle body side wall portion side.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Makoto Ozeki, Akira Yasuda, Taizo Suemitsu
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Patent number: 11692377Abstract: An opening control device including a base, a handle lever configured to be pivotally mounted on the base about a handle axis, a kinematic chain configured to transmit a movement from the handle lever toward a latch of the opening control device to unlock the door leaf, the chain including at least one active branch of the handle lever, an inertial safety member including a main body forming an inertial mass and a blocking element linked to the body and configured to prevent by wedging the transmission of movement by the kinematic chain. According to the invention, the inertial member is kinematically coupled to the secondary branch of the handle lever and extends on the side of the secondary branch with respect to the handle axis opposite to a gripping main branch.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: AKWEL VIGO SPAIN S.LInventors: Javier Casal Gomez, Alberto Diez Estevez, Delmiro Javier Couto Maquieira
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Patent number: 11694866Abstract: An electric circuit breaker device includes: an igniter; a projectile that is disposed in a movement path, the projectile formed to be movable by actuation of the igniter; and a conductor piece that forms one portion of a predetermined electric circuit, the conductor piece having both end portions connected to respective other portions of the predetermined electric circuit, the conductor piece having a first portion between both the end portions arranged to traverse the movement path. A sensor is connected to a first part positioned between both the end portions and to a second part that is between both the end portions and is different from the first part, the sensor configured to detect current flowing through the conductor piece between both the end portions, the sensor disposed to be integrated with the conductor piece. The actuation of the igniter is controlled, based on the current detected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiyuki Sakai, Tomohide Fujiwara
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Patent number: 11679835Abstract: The invention relates to vehicles having at least one handlebar, especially to motorcycles. It turned out that during a frontal crash the handlebar of the motorcycle itself constitutes a threat for the cyclist because in case of such a frontal crash this handlebar can constitute a basically non-movable barrier for the cyclist and the risk is high that the abdomen of the cyclist hits this barrier. So, at least one weakening—or destruction device is provided. This weakening—or destruction device is able to be directly or indirectly triggered by a crash sensor system and is able to weaken or destroy the at least one handlebar or to weaken or destroy the connection of the at least one handlebar to the fork of the motorcycle when triggered.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventor: Mikael Andersson
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Patent number: 11642940Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for detecting malodor within a cabin of an autonomous vehicle, wherein initiation of a remediation system and/or dispatch of the autonomous vehicle to a service hub for mitigating the malodor is based upon sensor signals that monitor the cabin of the autonomous vehicle. The remediation system can include devices such as an HVAC system or a window, which are operated to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds an air quality threshold. A dispatch protocol may be initiated to dispatch the autonomous vehicle to a service hub when the malodor is associated with certain predefined incidents or when remediation fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules below the air quality threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Michael Frank Schmidt, Samuel Harrison Glidden, Chase Brian Kaufman, Kyle Vogt
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Patent number: 11634142Abstract: Herein is disclosed a detection device comprising one or more sensors, configured to receive sensor input from a vicinity of a first vehicle, and to generate sensor data representing the received sensor input; one or more processors, configured to detect a second vehicle from the received sensor data; determine from the sensor data a region of a first type relative to the second vehicle and a region of a second type relative to the second vehicle; and control the first vehicle to avoid or reduce travel in the one or more regions of the first type or to travel from a region of the first type to a region of the second type.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Pohl, Maik Sven Fox
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Patent number: 11623558Abstract: A left front camera (11) is adapted to be mounted on a left front lamp (1LF) of a vehicle to obtain external information of at least ahead of the vehicle. A right front LiDAR sensor (12), a type of which is different from the camera (11), is adapted to be mounted on a right front lamp (1RF) of the vehicle to obtain external information of at least ahead of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshiaki Fushimi, Takashi Hori, Teruaki Yamamoto, Yusuke Kasaba
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Patent number: 11624768Abstract: A system for testing a subject transistor with constant power. The system may include an amplifier, a measurement voltage source, and a exercise voltage source. The amplifier may have an output connected to a gate of the subject transistor. The amplifier may have a first input and a second input. The measurement voltage source may be connected to the first input of the amplifier for use in measuring characteristics of the subject transistor. The exercise voltage source may be connected to the first input of the amplifier for exercising the subject transistor. The second input of the amplifier may be connected to a source of the subject transistor through a resistor.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Veoneer US, LLCInventors: Vincent Colarossi, Grant Scott, III
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Patent number: 11603073Abstract: An outside protection apparatus includes: an outside airbag device including an expandable member expandable rearward from a front portion of a body of a vehicle so as to be overlaid on a hood of the body, and an inflator that expands the expandable member; a collision detector that predicts or detects a collision between the body and a outside person outside the vehicle; and a controller that expands the expandable member when the collision detector predicts or detects a collision. The expandable member includes: a front bag portion expandable at the front portion of the body so as to be overlaid on the hood; a rear bag portion expandable in a location closer to rear than the front bag portion; and a tensile member coupled together with the rear bag portion to the body. The rear bag portion is expandable by the tensile member to stand on the hood.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Isamu Nagasawa
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Patent number: 11603014Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes: a collision predictor configured to predict a collision of the vehicle; a main airbag configured to deploy toward an occupant from a front of the vehicle when the collision predictor predicts a collision of the vehicle; an occupant center-of-gravity detecting device configured to detect a position of a center of gravity of the occupant; an armrest moving device configured to move an armrest; and a deployment controller configured to cause, when the collision predictor predicts a collision of the vehicle, the armrest moving device to move the armrest upward to guide the center of gravity of the occupant into a proper range on the basis of the position of the center of gravity of the occupant detected by the occupant center-of-gravity detecting device, subsequently cause the armrest moving device to remove the armrest, and thereafter, cause the main airbag to deploy.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Shota Kanegae, Toru Yamashita
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Patent number: 11584374Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission in a machine. The method includes detecting a request for a directional shift of the transmission and determining a ground speed of the machine in response to the request. The method further includes overriding the request if the ground speed is above a ground speed threshold. Further, the method includes preparing the machine for the directional shift by limiting an output speed of a power source of the machine and by issuing a command to a brake unit of the machine to reduce the ground speed of the machine. Furthermore, the method includes validating and raising the request to the transmission to execute the directional shift if the ground speed is below the ground speed threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.Inventors: Brodie Lee Thompson, Sai Praveen Gundlapalli, Robert Anthony Herold, Alexander Eli Dowling, Scott Glenn Jackson
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Patent number: 11518329Abstract: A backseat child occupancy safety alert system. More specifically, the invention relates to a system that can be used in any vehicle and includes a plurality of sensors that cover the seat belt buckles of a vehicle to detect the motion of the seat belt buckle within the seat belt housing. Each sensor is in electrical communication and powered by a tether that allows one sensor to communicate to the other or a display via a flashing LED screen and audible tone if a child is still buckled into the rear vehicle seat after a user attempts to exit the vehicle via the driver's seat. The system is powered continuously by a USB or other power outlet in the vehicle. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle with the system and method of installing the system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Inventor: Delois Mitchell
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Patent number: 11498555Abstract: An anti-collision system includes a truck cab defining a truck cab volume and a sensor positioned with respect to the truck cab. The truck cab is rotatable with respect to the truck chassis along a rotation path to define a truck cab rotation volume. The truck cab volume is entirely within the truck cab rotation volume along the entire rotation path, i.e., the truck cab rotation volume encompasses the truck cab volume at every position of the truck cab volume along the rotation path. The sensor has a field of view (FOV) that overlaps a portion of the truck cab rotation volume to detect an obstruction in the FOV that is within the truck cab rotation volume. The sensor may also cause the system to provide an alert or control rotation of the truck cab in response to detecting the obstruction.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventor: Victor Machay
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Patent number: 11472362Abstract: A method is disclosed in which sensor information is obtained that is captured by at least one environment sensor of an unmanned vehicle. The sensor information represents at least one object parameter of an object that is moving relative to the unmanned vehicle. At least partly based on the at least one object parameter, it is determined whether a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent. If it is determined that a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent, at least partly based on the at least one object parameter, at least one triggering parameter is determined for triggering at least one crash cushion of the unmanned vehicle. The at least one crash cushion is triggered according to the at least one triggering parameter. The at least one crash cushion is triggered before the imminent collision.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Deutsche Post AGInventors: Uwe Radetzki, Dong-Uck Kong, Boris Trendafilov, Heike Bischoff, Sandra Drees
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Patent number: 11465631Abstract: A personalization system for a vehicle includes an image-capture device configured to capture a plurality of images of one or more occupants in the vehicle and control circuitry configured to estimate a plurality of Z-heights of a plurality of body portions of each of the one or more occupants from a reference position in the vehicle, based on the plurality of images captured from the image-capture device, determine an associative relationship between the plurality of Z-heights of the plurality of body portions of each of the one or more occupants in the vehicle and a plurality of in-vehicle systems, based on defined user-preferences, and control the plurality of in-vehicle systems to direct an output from a corresponding in-vehicle system to a specific body portion of each of the one or more occupants in the vehicle, based on the estimated plurality of Z-heights and the determined associative relationship.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Blair Williams, Adnan Esmail
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Patent number: 11455879Abstract: A system for indicating occupant presence within a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a driver's seat that has a plurality of sensors, a passenger's seat that has a plurality of sensors, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is operatively associated with and in communication with the sensors. The electronic control unit initiates an alert in the form of, for example, a car alarm and/or message and is capable of performing other safety actions based upon predetermined conditions being met that are based on information received from the sensors in the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Inventor: Christopher Joseph Rence
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Patent number: 11447092Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus includes a collision prediction unit which predicts a collision of a vehicle with a pedestrian existing forward of the vehicle, a grille which is disposed on a front surface of the vehicle so as to be inclined while rising toward the rear and attached to the vehicle in a state where an upper end portion of the grille is forwardly advanceable, and an actuator mechanism which causes, when the collision prediction unit predicts the collision of the vehicle with the pedestrian, the grille to be moved in such a manner that the upper end portion of the grille is advanced forward by a forward advancing amount greater than that of a lower end portion of the grille.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sotaro Narita
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Patent number: 11443533Abstract: An information processing apparatus, comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a vehicle is located inside a lower accuracy area, in which an estimation accuracy of the emotion estimation process lowers, wherein the emotion estimation process is a process for estimating an emotion of an occupant based on an image of the occupant of the vehicle captured by an image-capturing unit provided in the vehicle, and an emotion estimating unit configured to estimate the emotion of an occupant by performing different emotion estimation processes depending on whether the vehicle is located inside the lower accuracy area or not is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshikazu Matsuo, Hisumi Esaki, Yusuke Oi
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Patent number: 11428945Abstract: A vehicle head-up display that automatically repositions an eyebox by measuring a distance to a driver's face and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. A method of controlling a vehicle head-up display according to some embodiments includes performing a distance measurement by using a displacement sensor for measuring a distance to a face of a driver and performing a display position adjustment including adjusting a display position and a display angle of head-up display information based on a measured distance to the face of the driver. Positioning of driver's face and then automatically adjusting the display position and the display angle of the head-up display information adaptively to individual drivers can reduce the inconveniences of the manual setting of the head-up display in a vehicle frequented with car-sharing drivers.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Byung Ki Kim
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Patent number: 11384580Abstract: A dual lower rail structure for opposite sliding doors is provided. The dual lower rail structure includes a first lower rail mounted in a longitudinal direction at a lower side of a vehicle body, a second lower rail mounted in a longitudinal direction on a vehicle body at one side of the first lower rail, a first lower rail roller unit rollably connected to the first lower rail, a second lower rail roller unit having one end rollably connected to the second lower rail, and the other end connected to a sliding door, and a lower rail swing arm rotatably connected to the first lower rail roller unit and the sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Hyung-In Yun
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Patent number: 11377192Abstract: An aircraft door arrangement, comprising a door pivotable between closed and open positions, a frame section in a door opening region, and an articulation arrangement connecting the door and frame section. First and second arms are mounted on the frame section, rotatable about first and second axes, respectively. Third and fourth arms are mounted on the door, rotatable about third and fourth axes, respectively. The second arm, at a first position, is rotatably coupled to the fourth arm about a fifth axis, and at a second position, closer to the second axis, is rotatably coupled to the third arm about a sixth axis. The third arm, at a third position, is rotatably coupled to the first arm about a seventh axis, and at a fourth position, closer to the third axis, is rotatably coupled to the second arm about the sixth axis. All axes are oriented substantially parallel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: Jens Heeren
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Patent number: 11358470Abstract: A method for operating a display device for a motor vehicle, in particular for an autonomously or partially autonomously operable motor vehicle, which includes a plurality of display areas, wherein a display area is selected from the plurality of display areas on the basis of a configuration of the motor vehicle that is adjustable by a driver of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle includes a control device for implementing such a method.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.Inventors: Romeo Wieczorek, Stefanie Göttlicher, Ilka Rötzer
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Patent number: 11363355Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignees: Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc., Discovery LimitedInventors: Hari Balakrishnan, Lewis David Girod, Ilan Ossin
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Patent number: 11345337Abstract: A parking assistance device for resetting a parking path when an obstacle is on the parking path includes a pull-out path computing unit that computes a pull-out path for pulling the vehicle out of the parking space based on parking space information and constraints regarding vehicle behavior, a candidate connection position setting unit that sets a plurality of candidate connection positions on the pull-out path, a reachable path computing unit that computes a reachable path for allowing the vehicle to reach at least one of the candidate connection positions from the initial position, a parking path setting unit that sets a parking path of from the initial position to the parking space by connecting the pull-out and reachable paths, and a path resetting unit that computes a parking path of from the stop position to the parking space, and sets the computed parking path as a new parking path.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.Inventors: Noriyasu Hasejima, Takehito Ogata, Makoto Ishinoda, Shinya Tagawa
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Patent number: 11342145Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic switch, which comprises, a housing formed by a first housing part that is assembled with a second housing part, and at least one pyrotechnic actuator arranged in the housing, wherein at least one out of the first housing part or the second housing part comprises a metal reinforcement and a plastic body overmolded onto the metal reinforcement, wherein the plastic body comprises, a first portion made of a first plastic material, and a second portion made of a second plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Philippe Fernandez, Ludovic Lageat, Sebastien Cornec, Francois Gaudinat, Gildas Clech, Jean Champendal
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Patent number: 11318903Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device includes a seat belt device having a variable force limiter mechanism that can change a force limiter load that an occupant who is sitting on a vehicle seat receives from a seat belt at a time of a frontal collision of a vehicle, an airbag device that deploys an airbag toward the front of the occupant at the time of the frontal collision, a seating position detection unit that detects a seating position at which the occupant is seated, and a control unit that reduces the force limiter load if, compared to a case in which the occupant is positioned within a standard seating region, the seating position of the occupant detected by the seating position detection unit is further toward a vehicle rear than the standard seating region and is within an airbag protection region in which the occupant is protected by the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Makoto Sekizuka
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Patent number: 11312376Abstract: A device for lateral guidance assistance for a vehicle includes a programmable electronic control unit and a plurality of distance sensors configured to capture obstacles to a side of and/or behind the vehicle within one or more defined warning regions. The device also includes an optical sensor device configured to capture a lane width of a current lane and/or a lane width of a neighboring lane. The programmable electronic control unit is configured such that at least one of the defined warning regions is defined in a temporally and/or spatially variable manner based on the lane width of the current lane and/or the neighboring lane.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tobias Rothmund, Tom Kasseckert, Matthias Beck
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Patent number: 11299025Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an impact protection device for a battery (1) mounted under the floor of the vehicle and separated from an exhaust muffler (2) by an intermediate heat shield (3), wherein, the device comprises a cushion (4) fastened opposite the battery (1) on the heat shield (3), the cushion (4) being able to deform when the muffler (2) moves forward contacting the battery (1) in order to absorb the kinetic energy resulting from an impact on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SAInventors: Nicolas Tropee, Ludovic Meresse
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Patent number: 11292445Abstract: A method for operating an electropneumatic parking brake system of a vehicle combination, which includes a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, includes activating, after a parking operation and braking of the vehicle combination, a trailer check function in a standstill state. The trailer check function enables a check as to whether, in the case of a decrease in the braking action of the trailer vehicle, the vehicle combination can be held in a stationary manner solely by way of the braking action of a parking brake of the tractor vehicle. The trailer check function is carried out automatically when a vehicle combination has been braked in a stationary manner independently by way of an automatic parking function.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BVInventors: Uwe Bensch, Axel Gau, Alexander Wendlandt, Torsten Franke
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Patent number: 11292413Abstract: A means of locomotion, an arrangement as well as a device (1) for evaluating a signal of an airbag control unit (2) are being put forward. The device (1) comprises a first connection (3) for electrically contacting an output of the airbag control unit (2), a rectifier (5) that is electrically connected to the first connection (3), a temperature-compensated driver (6) that is connected to an output of the rectifier (6) [sic], and a member (7) for the galvanic decoupling of an output of the driver (6), having an output unit (8). The rectifier (6) provides polarity reversal protection for the first connection (3) so that the driver (6) receives an output signal from the airbag control unit (2) essentially identically, independently of its polarity.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Jochen Juhl, Jochen Hollinger
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Patent number: 11292402Abstract: A deterioration regeneration system includes a pre-post regeneration determination part configured to determine whether or not to execute, with respect to an electric contact to which an electrical or mechanical first external action is applied during an operation of a later-stage device, a deterioration regeneration process of regenerating a connection performance that has been deteriorated due to an increase in a contact resistance of the electric contact, and a deterioration regeneration part configured to execute a process of removing a foreign object present at the electric contact by applying a second external action to the electric contact, as the deterioration regeneration process, according to the determined result from the pre-post regeneration determination part, the second external action being of the same kind as the first external action and larger than the first external action.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Jun Toyoizumi, Kenzo Tanaka, Yoshitaka Ito
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Patent number: 11294344Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Deep Science, LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Cameron Myhrvold, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 11279303Abstract: A system for detecting a motion of an occupant seated in a vehicle. The system includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and configured to transmit a signal representative of a current in the sensing electrode. The system also includes a receiver including a controller and coupled to an antenna. The receiver is configured to detect a change in the transmitted signal based on a presence of the occupant and a set detection condition, and generate detection information based on the set detection condition. The controller is configured to change a state of a vehicle component based on the generated detection information.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Joyson Safely Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Jason Lisseman, Len Cech