Responsive To Engagement Of Portion Of Perimeter Of Vehicle With External Object Patents (Class 180/274)
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Patent number: 11299125Abstract: An ADAS-linked active hood apparatus for always-on operation is provided. The apparatus includes a hinge arm that is connected to a hood of a vehicle, a stationary bracket that is fixed to a vehicle body, and a rotary bracket that rotates about a pivot pin of the stationary bracket. A first link interconnects the rotary bracket and the hinge arm and a spindle is integrally connected to the rotary bracket. A controller receives driving information of the vehicle via an ADAS and adjusts a pop-up height of the hood when a collision is expected based on the received driving information.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Sang Il Kim, Seung Wan Kim
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Patent number: 11285898Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a forward collision may include: a front end module (FEM) upper side member having a first end combined with a FEM upper member and a second end formed to extend toward a fender; a FEM vertical member having a first end combined with a front side member combined along a length direction of a vehicle from a first end portion of the FEM upper member and a second end combined with the FEM upper member; and a front impact sensor (FIS) configured to sense an impact being applied from a front of the vehicle. In particular, the FEM upper side member and the FEM vertical member are combined to overlap the FEM upper member.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Ji-Woong Park
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Patent number: 11287351Abstract: A vibration testing system for structures visually displays vibration analysis information in the form of a graphic animation using a 3D model of the object. While only a subset of the surface points of the object model correspond to sensors on the structure, an interpolation feature of the system allows deformation information for all points of the model to be estimated. Interpolation weights can be calculated in advance to allow for real-time display of a test. Color can be used to enhance visualization of vibration amplitudes. The visualization can be performed offline after a vibration test has been completed to show modal analysis results or can be done in real-time using either blocks or RMS data obtained while the vibration testing is still on-going. This is especially useful for adjusting test parameters, such as the excitation location, amplitude or both, for more effective testing.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Crystal Instruments CorporationInventors: James Q. Zhuge, Weijie Zhao, Aakash Umesh Mange
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Patent number: 11285988Abstract: A passenger vehicle includes a vehicle body, drive and steering systems, and manual and autonomous control systems. The vehicle body defines a passenger compartment. The drive system propels the passenger vehicle. The steering system steers the passenger vehicle. The manual control system includes input devices to receive user inputs is configured to control the drive and steering system according to the user inputs when the passenger vehicle is operated in a manual drive mode. The autonomous control system includes a sensor for sensing an external condition and a controller that autonomously controls the drive and steering systems according to the external condition when the passenger vehicle is operated in an autonomous drive mode. The user input devices are movable between a first configuration to receive the user input by being physically manipulated by the user, and a second configuration in which the user input is not receivable.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Alexander Hitzinger
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Patent number: 11267512Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an inverter control system connected to a transmission such that the connection secures the inverter control system to the transmission during operation while allowing limited pivoting or rotating of the inverter control system relative to the transmission during a frontal collision to modify the translational motion and reduce or avoid loading of rigid objects or components between the inverter control system and the vehicle cabin or occupant compartment. Positioning of an electric cable conduit or connector near or adjacent to the pivot or rotational axis reduces translational force on the conductors to reduce or avoid damage during a frontal collision.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling
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Patent number: 11249506Abstract: A foldable brake pedal apparatus for an autonomous driving vehicle enables a pedal pad to protrude from a pedal housing in a popped-up state to make it possible for the driver to operate the pedal pad in a manual driving mode in which the driver manually drives the vehicle. In particular, the pedal pad is inserted into the pedal housing and blocked from being exposed to the driver in a hidden state so as to make it impossible for the driver to operate the pedal pad in an autonomous driving mode in which the driver does not manually drive the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Hyeon Uk Kim, Ji Soo Kim
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Patent number: 11247626Abstract: A method for ascertaining a state value representing a condition of a surface, in particular, of a road, traveled upon by a vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one inertial sensor. The method is characterized in that the state value is increased or decreased as a function of at least one first signal acquired by the inertial sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Bastian Reckziegel, Erich Sonntag, Gunther Lang, Parisa Ebrahim, Simon Koenig
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Patent number: 11244552Abstract: A watching system, which calculates a fall probability of an imaged person to be fallen using a computer which includes a processor and a memory, includes a trunk extraction unit that receives time-series skeleton information of the imaged person, calculates an angle between a head and a waist of the imaged person based on the skeleton information, extracts the angle as a trunk of the imaged person, calculates the center of the trunk as a trunk center based on trunk information set in advance, extracts a trunk to be reference as a reference trunk from a time-series trunk calculated from the time-series skeleton information, and holds a center of the reference trunk, and a fall probability calculation unit that calculates a distance between a trunk center of the reference trunk and a trunk center of the trunk as a deviation amount, and calculates the fall probability from the deviation amount.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: HITACHI, LTDInventors: Yuto Komatsu, Hirokazu Atsumori, Tsukasa Funane, Akiko Obata, Akihiko Kandori
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Patent number: 11242028Abstract: An outside protection apparatus for a vehicle includes an outside airbag device. The outside airbag device includes a bag body expandable to be overlaid on an outer surface of a body of the vehicle, and an inflator configured to expand the bag body. The bag body includes an irregularity formation member at an inner surface of the bag body, and a tether coupled to the irregularity formation member to be bridged in an inner portion of the bag body in a state in which the bag body is expanded. The irregularity formation member forms a projection at a surface of the bag body in response to tension acting on the tether in the state in which the bag body is expanded.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Isamu Nagasawa
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Patent number: 11242022Abstract: A pedestrian protecting device for vehicle comprises: a protection device which protects a protection target upon colliding with a vehicle; a measurement device which measures an image of the protection target and a distance from the vehicle to the protection target; and a control device which operates the protection device in a different manner depending on a size of the protection target.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaki Umezawa, Hiroyuki Asanuma, Yasuaki Gunji, Osamu Ito
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Patent number: 11230322Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a bumper reinforcement attached to a front end of a side frame in a vehicle front part; and a load transmission member attached at a position offset upward from the center of a side end portion of the bumper reinforcement. The load transmission member is joined to a front face of the side end portion such that a front end portion projects forward in the vehicle front-rear direction from the front face of the side end portion. A plate is provided at a position offset downward from the center of the side end portion in the up-down direction, the position being a position where the plate overlaps the front end portion when the plate is viewed from above in the vehicle up-down direction. The plate projects forward in the vehicle front-rear direction to the same extent as the front end portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Eiji Yoshida
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Patent number: 11214471Abstract: A pallet truck has a brake release mechanism. The pallet truck has a break release mechanism operably coupled to a brake for stopping rotation of a drive wheel. The brake release mechanism includes a brake release sensor and a profile feature that is detectable by the brake release sensor. The profile feature is fixedly coupled to a pivot shaft of a tiller arm of a tiller, and configured to rotate with the pivot shaft as the tiller arm is pivoted. The brake release sensor is positioned adjacent to the pivot shaft and configured to output a signal that causes the brake to release when the profile feature is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: UniCarriers Americas CorporationInventors: Mark Rusche, Ryan Giovannini, Mark McGee, Vivek Patel, Thomas A. Bacheller
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Patent number: 11189112Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Malfunctions may be detected by receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors. One of these sensors may be selected for assessment. An electronic device may obtain from the selected sensor a set of signals. When the set of signals includes signals that are outside of a determined range of signals associated with proper functioning for the selected sensor, it may be determined that the selected sensor is malfunctioning. In response, an action may be performed to resolve the malfunction and/or mitigate consequences of the malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyInventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
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Patent number: 11180109Abstract: A locking device for a movable part of a vehicle, in particular for a bonnet of a vehicle, having a locking mechanism which can be mounted on the body side and intended for receiving a lock holder arranged on the movable part, and also having a raising mechanism which can be brought into contact with the lock holder and intended for moving the movable part into at least one protection position, wherein the raising mechanism has at least a first overload protector, with the result that, in a load situation, the movable part is movable from the protection position into an impact position.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Kiekert AGInventors: Ulrich Weichsel, Holger Schiffer, Ă–mer Inan, Elena Suholutskaja
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Patent number: 11180098Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of vehicle window vibrations for voice-command recognition. An example vehicle includes a window, an outer layer, a vibration sensor coupled to the window to detect audio vibrations, an audio actuator coupled to the outer layer to vibrate the outer layer, and a controller. The controller is to detect a voice command from a user via the vibration sensor, identify an audio response based upon the voice command, and emit the audio response to the user via the audio actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, Leah Busch, Ranjani Rangarajan, John Edward Huber
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Patent number: 11173869Abstract: An airbag device is to be mounted on a vehicle and includes an airbag, an inflator, and a deformation member. The airbag configured to expand and deploy outward of the vehicle. The inflator configured to supply expansion gas into the airbag. The deformation member provided in the airbag and configured to be deformed by heat of the expansion gas supplied from the inflator.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Isamu Nagasawa
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Patent number: 11148721Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a forecabin crossbeam and two front longitudinal beams disposed at intervals along a left-right direction. The forecabin crossbeam and the two front longitudinal beams are integrally formed and are at least partially located at the bottom of the front longitudinal beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Xinchun Liu, Yanbing Yang, Feng Yang, Bengang Yi, Boqun Niu
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Patent number: 11148634Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of enlarging a clearance between an engine room and a hood so as to reduce an impact when a protection target collides with a vehicle body and suitably prevent the collision between the protection target and a windshield lower and/or a wiper. This vehicle body structure includes: a hood provided at a vehicle body; and a shift mechanism by which the hood is moved relative to the vehicle body, wherein the shift mechanism supports the hood movable with respect to the vehicle body and moves the hood upward and rearward with respect to the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a wiper configured to wipe a front window W and the shift mechanism moves the hood to a position where the hood and at least part of the wiper overlap in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato Sasaki, Kazutada Sasaki
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Patent number: 11142249Abstract: A vehicle subframe includes: a front member that is arranged on a front side in a front-rear direction in a vehicle body, allows a driving source that generates a driving force for driving a vehicle to be mounted thereon, and has a front attachment portion to be attached at both ends in a width direction of the vehicle body on the front side; and a first side member and a second side member that extend in the front-rear direction, are arranged to be opposed to each other in the width direction of the vehicle body, are each connected to the front member, and each have a rear attachment portion to be attached to a portion on a rear side in the vehicle body in the front-rear direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignees: F-TECH INC., H-ONE CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Kawai, Hisaharu Kato
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Patent number: 11117511Abstract: A vehicle lighting control apparatus includes a detection unit and a light control unit. The detection unit detects a target object present outside an illumination range of a low beam of a vehicle, using a device such as a far-infrared camera. The light control unit illuminates a range in which the target object detected by the detection unit is present with a marking light that can illuminate an area at a greater distance when compared with the low beam, thereby allowing a driver to recognize the target object.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki Fujiyama, Ryota Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 11092992Abstract: A vehicle pedal device includes: a pedal; a pedal bracket that supports the pedal such that the pedal pivots; and a guide member that guides deformation of the pedal bracket when a load is applied from a front of a vehicle. The guide member is attached to an instrument panel reinforcement. The guide member has a tilted surface tilted downward toward a rear of the vehicle. The pedal bracket is attached to a dash panel. The pedal bracket has a guided portion that is guided by the tilted surface when the load is applied from the front of the vehicle. The guided portion has a brittle portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideyuki Kato, Osamu Kinoshita, Genta Yamaguchi, Yasuo Adachi
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Patent number: 11077821Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes a pop-up hood unit disposed on a front end portion of an enginehood of a vehicle body and configured to move upward above the enginehood by using a lift-up mechanism. The pop-up hood unit is deformable due to an input of an impact upon a collision with a target for protection. The pop-up hood unit is shaped as a plate that extends in a left-right direction of the vehicle body and has a plate surface having an inclination angle that is variable relative to a horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Osamu Kanno, Takashi Aoki, Masato Sasaki, Kenyu Okamura, Hidetoshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 11077892Abstract: A wheel spoiler arrangement, encompassing: a wheel spoiler carrier; a wheel spoiler received displaceably relative to the spoiler carrier between inactive and active positions constituting operating positions; a motion guide arranged between the spoiler carrier and the wheel spoiler and guides the displacement of the wheel spoiler between its operating positions; a displacement drive system which is coupled motion-transferringly to the wheel spoiler by a coupling member that drives the wheel spoiler relative to the spoiler carrier to perform a displacement motion between its operating positions; the coupling member is a reversibly deformable component arrangement which has a first predetermined conformation under an operational load that does not exceed a predetermined limit load and which is embodied to deform into a second conformation, different from the first conformation, under an extraordinary load that exceeds a predetermined limit load, the reversibly deformable component arrangement being deformableType: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KGInventor: Karsten Grebel
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Patent number: 11072372Abstract: A front side member includes, at a front portion, a front section in which an upper flange joint protrudes outward in a lateral direction of the vehicle. A reinforcing plate is overlapped with and welded to a laterally-outward side surface of the front section. The reinforcing plate includes a flange that is overlapped with and welded to the upper flange joint of the front side member. A rear end of the reinforcing plate extends to the same position as a rear end of the front section or further rearward. The reinforcing plate reduces deformation of the front section and the upper flange joint, inhibiting collapse of the closed cross sectional structure of the front side member.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koichi Enoki, Junichi Abe
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Patent number: 11027692Abstract: An air bag device has an inflator and a bag unit configured to be deployed on a front part of a vehicle body with a gas supplied from the inflator. The bag unit includes a first bag, a second bag, and a connector, which are annularly connected to one another, and when the bag unit is deployed, the first bag and the second bag are erected on the vehicle body into a mountain-like shape in such a way that the bag unit forms a substantially triangular shape as a whole.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Osamu Kanno, Kenyu Okamura, Masato Sasaki, Hidetoshi Nakamura, Masahiro Motoyoshi, Atsushi Nakajima
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Patent number: 11021058Abstract: A foldable accelerator pedal apparatus is equipped with a hysteresis module for a vehicle. In a manual driving mode where a driver drives a vehicle with human input, a pedal pad protrudes from a pedal housing to be exposed toward the driver. In an autonomous traveling mode where the vehicle travels without any human input, the pedal pad retracts into the pedal housing so as not to be exposed toward the driver. When operating the pedal pad, hysteresis may be realized through the hysteresis module.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Hyeon Uk Kim, Sung Il Byun
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Patent number: 11014525Abstract: An airbag system includes a bag unit which deploys on an enginehood of a vehicle body by a gas from an inflator. The bag unit is divided into bags back and forth and right and left. The bags include adjacent bags communicating with each other through communication paths. The bags include at least one upright bag to be upright on at least one fender of left and right fenders of the vehicle body. A gas flows from a front bag of the bags located at a front side of the vehicle body through communication paths to a rear bag of the bags behind the front bag and the at least one upright bag on the side of the front bag.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Osamu Kanno, Kenyu Okamura, Masato Sasaki, Takashi Aoki, Hidetoshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 11007971Abstract: An assembly includes a seatback having an upright frame member and a side airbag mounted to the upright frame member. The side airbag is inflatable to an inflated position. The side airbag includes a forward chamber and a spacer chamber adjacent each other and substantially fluidly separated from each other in the inflated position. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with the forward chamber and the spacer chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tahmidur Rahman, Zhibing Deng
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Patent number: 10988105Abstract: A vehicular protection system for protecting a protection target colliding with a vehicle is provided, which includes: a bulkhead having a bulkhead upper which extends in a vehicle widthwise direction and is arranged at an upper portion thereof; a hood arranged over the bulkhead upper; a bulkhead pop-up device configured to lift up the bulkhead upper and the hood; and a hood-moving device configured to be able to move forward the bulkhead upper and the hood. When the protection target colliding with the vehicle is protected, the bulkhead pop-up device is used to lift up the bulkhead upper and the hood and the hood-moving device is then used to move forward the bulkhead upper and the hood.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuaki Gunji, Masaki Umezawa, Hiroyuki Asanuma, Osamu Ito
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Patent number: 10975599Abstract: A vehicle body structure is provided. The vehicle body structure includes a hood provided at a vehicle body; and a transfer mechanism configured to move the hood relative to the vehicle body, the transfer mechanism including: a main actuator configured to move a vehicle-widthwise center portion of the hood relative to the vehicle body; and driven actuators configured to move the hood relative to the vehicle body on left and right sides of the main actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazutada Sasaki, Masato Sasaki
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Patent number: 10973041Abstract: Provided are a resource selection method for a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) operation of a terminal in a wireless communication system, and a terminal using the method. The method comprises: monitoring physical sidelink control channels (PSCCHs) for other terminals in a first subframe; and transmitting, in a second subframe, a V2X message by using a resource which is not overlapped with a resource scheduled by the PSCCH for another terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Seungmin Lee, Hanbyul Seo, Hyukjin Chae, Seonwook Kim
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Patent number: 10967830Abstract: A colliding object protection apparatus inflates and deploys an airbag when the apparatus detects or predicts a collision with a pedestrian. The airbag includes a first bag to be inflated and deployed in a vehicle width direction along a front edge part of a hood of a vehicle, and a second bag to be inflated and deployed on an upper surface of the hood. The second bag is continuous with a vehicle rear side portion of the first bag. An internal space of the first bag and an internal space of the second bag communicate with each other through a first vent mechanism. The first vent mechanism is opened when an internal pressure of the first bag reaches a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetoshi Nakamura, Kenyu Okamura, Masaki Umezawa, Osamu Ito, Masato Sasaki, Masahiro Motoyoshi
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Patent number: 10960777Abstract: An electric vehicle component (1) for an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle (100) that has a drive device (2) with an electric drive unit (12) and a carrying unit (22) for fastening the drive unit (12) to a vehicle load-bearing structure (101). The electric vehicle component has a battery device (3) for supplying the drive unit (12) with electric energy. A run-on element (4) is arranged on the drive device (2) and is configured for running onto the battery device (3) in a targeted manner with a run-on geometry (14) in the case of an accident-induced movement of the drive unit (12) so that a punctiform and/or inhomogeneous loading situation of the battery device (3) is counteracted.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Inventors: Philipp Neurath, Eduard Ewert
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Patent number: 10960858Abstract: An automobile pedal release system that includes a housing having first and second side walls spaced apart by a cleft, where each side wall includes a pocket recessed into an inner surface such that the two pockets oppose one another; a brake pedal assembly having a pivot member disposed in the cleft and defining a pivot axis, first and second bushings, and a brake pedal arm rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the two bushings, where each busing is disposed in a first portion of one pocket and receives one of two ends of the pivot member; and a striker assembly having a striker and two plugs, the striker having an elongated body extending in the cleft between the side walls, where each plug is disposed in a second portion of one pocket and includes a bore that receives one of two ends of the striker.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC.Inventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
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Patent number: 10953845Abstract: A colliding object protection apparatus inflates and deploys an airbag when the apparatus detects or predicts a collision with a pedestrian. The airbag includes a front bag to be inflated and deployed in a vehicle width direction along an upper part of a front grille of a vehicle. The internal space of the front bag is partitioned into a plurality of expansion chambers by a plurality of partitioning walls provided in parallel in the vehicle width direction. A vent mechanism of the expansion chamber is configured to be opened when an internal pressure of the expansion chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetoshi Nakamura, Kenyu Okamura, Masaki Umezawa, Osamu Ito, Masato Sasaki, Masahiro Motoyoshi
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Patent number: 10933828Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag configured to deploy in front of a front pillar of a vehicle; an inflator configured to supply expansion gas to expand the airbag; and a gas tube provided in the airbag and configured to supply the expansion gas from the inflator. The front pillar includes a storage formed inside the front pillar in a vehicle compartment and configured to store at least the airbag, and a partition configured to separate between an inside and an outside of the vehicle component. A partition hole is open in the partition. Before the expansion gas is supplied from the inflator, part of the airbag and an injection port configured to inject the expansion gas from the gas tube are disposed in front of or in the partition hole, and the injection port is disposed facing the outside of the vehicle compartment.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Isamu Nagasawa, Hayato Aiuchi, Hiroshi Yoneyama, Manami Aikawa
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Patent number: 10930308Abstract: A slide actuator includes a fixed member, a movable member capable of reciprocating in a predetermined direction with respect to the fixed member, a plurality of balls interposed between the fixed member and the movable member and configured to movably support the movable member, a retainer interposed between the respective balls and configured to keep an interval between the respective balls constant and reciprocate in a predetermined stroke range, a wall portion of the fixed member provided in a moving direction of the retainer, and a retainer spring configured to couple the wall portion and the retainer. The retainer spring is disposed to suppress displacement of the retainer in the moving direction. A spring constant of the retainer spring is set to a value for causing sliding friction in the balls and pushing back the retainer in a range in which the retainer moves beyond the predetermined stroke range.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Ken Ogata
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Patent number: 10919484Abstract: [Problem] To improve the energy absorption amount in a region for covering a pillar without increasing the gas generation amount of an inflator and without causing a shortage in the energy absorption amount in a region for covering the vicinity of the end on the hood side of a front glass. [Resolution means] A pedestrian protecting airbag apparatus includes: an airbag for covering the vicinity of the end on the hood side of a front glass along with at least a part on the lower side of a pillar; and an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag during a collision. The airbag includes: a center chamber for covering the vicinity of the end on the hood side of the front glass; a pillar cover chamber for covering at least the part on the lower side of the pillar; and a support chamber for expanding between this pillar cover chamber and the pillar.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Satoshi Ito, Atsushi Tamura, Akifumi Hanawa
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Patent number: 10921841Abstract: Provided is a vehicle operation pedal device comprising: an operation pedal provided with a depressing part; a pair of upper support members anchored to a dash panel; a pair of lower support members anchored to the dash panel and also anchored to the pair of upper support members; an upper center support member bridging the pair of upper support members; and a connection hole for rotatably supporting, relative to the operation pedal, an operating rod protruding from the dash panel toward a vehicle rear side. The upper center support member comprises a sliding receiving part. The pair of upper support members comprise escape holes.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: TOYODA IRON WORKS CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomohiro Tsuguma
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Patent number: 10906514Abstract: A foldable brake pedal apparatus of an autonomous vehicle, may include a pedal housing to be mounted in a space below a driver's seat; a pedal pad pivotably coupled to the pedal housing via a hinge pin, in a response to movement of s driver's foot, and configured to be selectively switchable to a hidden state in which the pedal pad is inserted into the pedal housing or a popped-up state in which the pedal pad protrudes from the pedal housing; an actuator fixed in the pedal housing, coupled to the pedal pad and configured to generate power to pivot the pedal pad to allow the pedal pad to be in the hidden state or in the popped-up state; and a high load spring module pivotably coupled to the pedal housing, having one end portion thereof and the other end portion connected to the pedal pad and the actuator, and configured to transmit the power of the actuator to the pedal pad.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Hyeon Uk Kim, Sung Il Byun
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Patent number: 10901562Abstract: A sensor is located within a vehicle that is able to determine pressure and location of an occupant or object. The sensor is able to take measurements during static conditions and situations where an object or occupant is moving due to the movement of, for example, a vehicle. The measurements taken during movement and during the static conditions and are used in order to enhance and refine the results of measurements that would be obtained if the measurements were taken alone.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.Inventors: Darren Leigh, Adam Landa, Braon Moseley
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Patent number: 10883293Abstract: A hinge assembly for securing a flap to a vehicle body includes a first hinge part which can be moved between a closed position and an open position for securing to a vehicle body, a second hinge part which can be moved between a closed position and an open position for securing the flap to be mounted relative to the vehicle body, and a deployment securing device for locking the second hinge part relative to the first hinge part. The deployment securing device has a first securing part which is paired with the first hinge part, a second securing part which is paired with the second hinge part, and a locking element and is configured such that the locking element is coupled to the first securing part in the closed position and is locked by the second securing part in a first locking position. The second securing part unlocks the locking element in the course of the movement of the second securing part from the closed position into the open position and thereby releases the locking element.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Markus Springsklee, Haci Korkusuz Janket, Felix Hatz, Walter Meierhofer
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Patent number: 10875491Abstract: A pyrotechnic activated body panel lift actuator assembly for a vehicle having a unique deployment profile and energy absorbing feature is disclosed. The assembly has a pyrotechnic actuator, a thin-walled tube and a piston. The tapered portion of the piston forms a recess between the piston and the tube. One or more balls sized to fit in the recess are provided. Upon activation, the piston is thrust proximally outwardly to lift a portion of a body panel to absorb an impact of a person hit by the vehicle and thereafter the piston retracts under controlled substantially constant force generated by balls moving up the tapered portion of the shaft thereby locally plastically deforming the thin-walled tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael Hishon
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Patent number: 10858044Abstract: An assembly for an electrified vehicle having a housing containing a transmission, and a vehicle component positioned in a longitudinal direction between the housing and a passenger compartment, includes a deflector configured for mounting to the housing and having a deflection face configured to deflect the vehicle component and/or the housing away from the passenger compartment during a frontal collision.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling, Bradley Staines, Kriste Tomovski, Mansoor Malik
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Patent number: 10850699Abstract: An assembly includes a seatback. The assembly includes a first airbag and a second airbag, each inflatable to an inflated position spaced from each other at the seatback and abutting each other in front of and spaced from the seatback. The assembly includes a sheet extending from the first airbag to the second airbag in front of where the first airbag abuts the second airbag in the inflated positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alan George Dry, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Johnathan Andrew Line, Brian Robert Spahn, Benjamin Yilma, Derek Board, S. M. Akbar Berry
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Patent number: 10850596Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured to supply power to an electric motor for driving a vehicle as well as generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a discharge circuit and the discharge control circuit. The discharge circuit may form a plurality of discharge paths through which power generated in the fuel cell stack is discharged switching elements switching the connection relationships between resistance elements. The discharge control circuit form a second discharge path whose resistance value is smaller than the resistance value of the first discharge path and to switch the discharge through a first discharge path to discharge through the second discharge path when the detected voltage that is detected by the voltage detection unit is lower than a predetermined threshold voltage during the discharge through the first discharge path.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masahiro Imanishi, Yoshihiro Ohkuwa
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Patent number: 10822027Abstract: A front wheel hub assembly disconnection arrangement configured to promote disconnection and outwards movement of a front wheel hub assembly from a vehicle body structure during a small partial overlap collision, including: a steering knuckle breaker and the front wheel hub assembly including a wheel hub and a steering knuckle for connection to a tie rod of a steering mechanism, the steering knuckle arranged on a rearward facing portion of the wheel hub, wherein the steering knuckle breaker is arranged on an A-pillar of the vehicle body structure and includes an impact surface facing the steering knuckle when the wheel hub is in a neutral position, such that in the event of a small overlap collision, the steering knuckle is displaced towards and collides with the steering knuckle breaker, such that the steering knuckle breaker breaks the steering knuckle and disconnects the steering knuckle from the wheel hub.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Daniel Karlsson
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Patent number: 10800360Abstract: An electric power system of the vehicle includes: first power lines which are connected to a high-voltage battery; second power lines, which are connected to a direct-current input-output side of a first inverter; a second smoothing condenser, which is arranged on the second power lines; a low-voltage DCDC converter, which is connected in parallel with the high-voltage DCDC converter to the first power lines; and a drive circuit, which drives a switching element of the low-voltage DCDC converter; the second power lines and the drive circuit are connected by a third power line, and on the third power line, a voltage-reducing device, which reduces a voltage of electric power from the second smoothing condenser and supplies the electric power to the drive circuit to consume the electric power by the drive circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naotaka Tsuji, Masaya Takahashi
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Patent number: 10793095Abstract: In a structure for mounting a radar, a cross linking member vertically connects two width-across members aligned in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle. A fixing member is fixed to the cross linking member. The fixing member includes a fixing part fixed to the cross linking member, a supporting part that supports a radar device, a deformable part. The deformable part has a shape connecting the fixing part and the supporting part and bends and deforms to absorb shock when an external force is input into the radar device.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masanao Horiuchi, Shingo Kawano
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Patent number: 10759378Abstract: A protection device (1) has a sensor (3) to sense an impact of a road user outside a motor vehicle. A control device (4) is connected to the sensor (3) and evaluates signals sensed by the sensor (3). A rear actuator (6) is connected to the control device (4) and to a hinge arrangement (21) of a front hood (2) of the vehicle. The rear actuator (6) transfers a rear part of the front hood (2) into an impact position for damping an impact sensed by the sensor (3). A front actuator (7) is connected to the control device (4) and to a hood lock (20) in a front region of the front hood (2). The front actuator (7) transfers a front region of the front hood (2) into an impact position for damping the impact. The control device (4) activates the two actuators (6, 7) in a time-delayed manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Klaus Feeser