And Causing Interruption Of An Electrical System Of The Vehicle Or Its Motor Patents (Class 180/279)
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Patent number: 12119773Abstract: A power source system mounted in a vehicle includes: a first power source (2); a first load (41) operated by electric power supplied from the first power source (2); a first controller (9) that controls an operation of the first load (41) by a first program; a second power source (8) connected to the first power source (2) via a converter (7); a second load (11) operated by electric power supplied from the second power source (8); a second controller (10) that controls an operation of the second load (11) by a second program; an electric power disconnecting device (3) that connects or disconnects between the first power source (2) and the first load (41); and a third controller (12) that controls the electric power disconnecting device (3). When the first program is changed, the third controller (12) disconnects the first power source (2) from the first load (41) by the electric power disconnecting device (3) before a change process of the first program is started.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., AMPERE S.A.S.Inventor: Yukinori Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 11400917Abstract: Provided is a power supply system for a vehicle, which can reduce a voltage of a main circuit to a specified voltage or less within a specified time after a vehicle collision. The power supply system for the vehicle includes: a high voltage battery, a driving motor connected to a driving wheel, a high voltage circuit transferring electric power between the high voltage battery and the driving motor, a secondary side voltage sensor acquiring a secondary side voltage which is a voltage in the high voltage circuit, and a system ECU executing discharge control for operating the high voltage circuit and reducing the secondary side voltage when a discharge start condition is established. After the discharge start condition is established, the system ECU starts a discharge control process after executing a standby control process for standing by for the start of the discharge control process for a predetermined time.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaya Takahashi
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Patent number: 11362597Abstract: The present power control device includes an inverter, a step-up/down converter, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a control device. The step-up/down converter includes an upper arm and a lower arm that are switching elements, and a reactor that has a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first capacitor, and the second end being connected between the upper arm and the lower arm. The control device is configured to fix the lower arm in an off state and control the upper arm such that the upper arm switches at a predetermined duty ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.Inventors: Nobukatsu Yamaguchi, Yuta Nakamura, Takami Suzuki
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Patent number: 11267402Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for prioritizing driver warnings in a vehicle. In one example, a first sensor in the vehicle may detect a first driving event, such as, for example, another vehicle that is traveling in a blind spot of the driver. A second sensor in the vehicle may detect a second driving event, such as, for example, that the driver of the vehicle is tailgating another vehicle. A driver warning system in the vehicle produces a driver warning based on prioritizing one of the two driving events. For example, the driver warning system may prioritize a warning pertaining to the tailgating action over a warning pertaining to the vehicle moving in the blind spot. In some cases, the prioritization may be carried out by using historical information about the two driving events.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Taylor Hawley, Jeremy Lerner, Nicholas Frazier, Joseph Gifford, Jason Woo
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Patent number: 11061402Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that apply neural networks such as, for example, convolutional neural networks, to sparse imagery in an improved manner. For example, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can be included in or otherwise leveraged by an autonomous vehicle. In one example, a computing system can extract one or more relevant portions from imagery, where the relevant portions are less than an entirety of the imagery. The computing system can provide the relevant portions of the imagery to a machine-learned convolutional neural network and receive at least one prediction from the machine-learned convolutional neural network based at least in part on the one or more relevant portions of the imagery. Thus, the computing system can skip performing convolutions over regions of the imagery where the imagery is sparse and/or regions of the imagery that are not relevant to the prediction being sought.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Raquel Urtasun, Mengye Ren, Andrei Pokrovsky, Bin Yang
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Patent number: 10832882Abstract: To provide an electric circuit breaker device that can be downsized while maintaining strength. An igniter 20, a bar-shaped projectile 40, a conductor piece 50, and an insulating space 61 are provided inside a resin housing 10. A cylinder 30 is disposed between the bar-shaped projectile 40 and an inner wall surface of the housing 10, and a reinforcing frame 70 is disposed in the housing 10 on the outer side.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventors: Ryohei Yamada, Tomohide Fujiwara, Toshiyuki Sakai
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Patent number: 10527018Abstract: A vehicle engine start/stop control method includes shifting an automatic transmission to a park or neutral position and auto-stopping the engine in response the automatic transmission being in the park or neutral position for a predetermined period of time that begins with a shift of the automatic transmission to the park or neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Hank L. Kwong, Siraj Siddiqui, Giuseppe Domenico Suffredini
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Patent number: 10291110Abstract: In a drive circuit, a rate adjuster adjusts a charging speed of a MOSFET to be faster than the charging speed of an IGBT when a drive state changer changes the first switching element from the off state to the on state first, and changes the second switching element from the off state to the on state next. The rate adjuster also adjusts a discharging speed of the MOSFET to be faster than the discharging speed of the IGBT when the drive state changer changes the MOSFET from the on state to the off state first, and changes the IGBT from the on state to the off state next.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kazunori Watanabe, Tomotaka Suzuki, Tomoyuki Muraho, Yoshinori Hayashi
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Patent number: 10271705Abstract: Once it is determined in Step S2 that a corner has been detected, a control unit causes a body to perform a reciprocating motion and initiate corner cleaning in Step S3. Then, once it is determined in Step S4 that a rubbish detection sensor detects no rubbish, the corner cleaning is terminated in Step S6. Once it is determined in Step S4 that the rubbish detection sensor detects rubbish, the corner cleaning continues to be executed by the body being caused to perform the reciprocating motion in Step S5. In other words, an autonomous travel-type cleaner is realized that can remove a large amount of the rubbish accumulating at the corner by causing the body to perform the reciprocating motion.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Motonobu Shigeto, Kenji Watanabe, Hideharu Ogahara, Shinichi Matsumura
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Patent number: 10157715Abstract: A switch apparatus has a wireless function and is provided with a body, a knob, which is assembled to the body and can be switch-operated, an antenna coil for communication operations, which is wound on the body, and a connecter terminal. The connecter terminal includes at least one terminal, which is provided to the body by insert molding and is bonded to the antenna coil, and at least one pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI TIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Ryosuke Okuda, Shuichi Iwata, Satoshi Ogawa
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Patent number: 9977083Abstract: A sampling circuit monitors a high voltage level in an electric vehicle drive. A resistor ladder receives a drive voltage to be sampled and provides sufficient isolation to allow use of low cost switching devices. An N-channel MOSFET is connected between the ladder and a reference resistance. A junction between the source terminal of the MOSFET and the reference resistance provides a sampled voltage output adapted to be input to an analog-to-digital converter. A discrete optocoupler has an output side with a collector and an emitter. The collector is coupled to the resistor ladder, and the emitter is connected to a gate terminal of the MOSFET and coupled to the ground reference by a load resistor.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas J. Wand
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Patent number: 9969343Abstract: Methods and systems for managing an electrical connection between a power regulating device included in a vehicle and an energy storage device included in the vehicle. One system includes an electronic processor configured to compare a first acceleration of the vehicle to a first threshold and generate a first output representing whether the first acceleration exceeds the first threshold. The electronic processor is also configured to compare a second acceleration of the vehicle to a second threshold and generate a second output representing whether the second acceleration exceeds the second threshold. The electronic processor is further configured to output a signal to disconnect the power regulating device from at least one energy storage device include in the vehicle when the first output represents that the first acceleration exceeds the first threshold and the second output represents that the second acceleration exceeds the second threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Spencer Trapp, Gunther Lang, Krishnadev Kumar
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Patent number: 9902269Abstract: A method of communication between a power supply station and an electric vehicle is provided. In the method, the electric vehicle prepares a first information represented by a numerical value to be transmitted to the power supply station and transmits the first information by causing an AC power, which the electric vehicle draws from the power supply station, to have a current value corresponding to the first information based on a predetermined correspondence relationship. The power supply station receives the first information based on a magnitude of the current drawn by the electric vehicle and the first predetermined correspondence relationship.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Taiji Abe
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Patent number: 9905981Abstract: A power extraction device is an extraction device configured to extract electric power from a vehicle by being connected to a first connecting portion of the vehicle, the vehicle including a storage battery and the first connecting portion to which a plug is connected so that the first connecting portion is able to perform at least one of supplying of electric power to the storage battery and discharging of electric power accumulated in the storage battery to its outside. The extraction device includes: a second connecting portion to be connected to the first connecting portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the vehicle; and a third connecting portion to which an external connection plug configured to connect an external device to the extraction device is connectable. The third connecting portion includes a connection surface to which the external connection plug is connected.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shigeki Kinomura, Tomoya Ono
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Patent number: 9873338Abstract: An electric vehicle disclosed in the specification includes a main battery, a main electric power supply wire connected with the main battery, an electric power control unit including a smoothing capacitor that smooths a voltage of the main electric power supply wire, a switch that switches the main electric power supply wire between conduction and non-conduction, a sub battery having a lower voltage than the main battery, a sub electric power supply wire connected with the sub battery, a first DC-DC converter that can perform a boost operation from the sub electric power supply wire to the main electric power supply wire on the electric power control unit side relative to the switch, and a second DC-DC converter that can perform a buck operation from the main electric power supply wire on the main battery side to the sub electric power supply wire.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takashi Nozawa
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Patent number: 9840217Abstract: An impact detecting sensor assembly for an active hood system is disclosed. An impact detecting sensor assembly for an active hood system that is disposed at a front bumper of a vehicle, detects an impact force when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, and controls the active hood system depending on the detection signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include i) a flexible holder of a tube shape that is fixed on a front surface of a bumper beam of the front bumper in a vehicle width direction, and ii) a pair of electrode plates that are disposed in the flexible holder at a predetermined interval to face each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Youngho Kwag, Mun Yong Lee
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Patent number: 9673642Abstract: A discharge control device for controlling discharge in an energy storage device disposed in an electric apparatus, wherein the discharge control device includes a first determination unit adapted to determine whether or not an electric apparatus's status is being outside a predetermined first range and a discharge controller adapted to start discharge in the energy storage device, when the first determination unit determines that the status of the electric apparatus is being outside the first range.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.Inventor: Yutaro Katsumata
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Patent number: 9637009Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: a main battery; an electric power converter configured to convert power to driving power of a drive motor; an auxiliary battery configured to supply power to auxiliaries; a power supply harness connecting the auxiliary battery to the auxiliaries; a step-down converter having an output end connected to the power supply harness, the step-down converter being configured to step down an output voltage of the main battery to the driving voltage of the auxiliaries; an interrupter configured to isolate the step-down converter from the power supply harness at the time when a predetermined specific abnormality has been detected; and a discharger configured to discharge a capacitor incorporated in the electric power converter, the discharger being configured to operate by receiving electric power supplied from a first power supply path which connects the output end of the step-down converter to the interrupter.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masanori Sugiura
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Patent number: 9539889Abstract: A safety apparatus for a vehicle battery and a method for operating the same capable of preventing accidents such as fire and battery explosion are provided. The safety apparatus includes a fixed housing that is fixed to a vehicle body and a movable housing that is movably disposed in the fixed housing to move due to external impact. An impact sensor is disposed within the fixed housing configured to be fractured due to the movement of the movable housing and an elastic member is configured to provide a restoring force to the movable housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Hae Kyu Lim
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Patent number: 9472800Abstract: A contact arrangement is described for connecting a power supply to electrical components in a vehicle. The contact arrangement may include a first mechanical contact for connecting a first lead of the power supply to an electrical component, and a second mechanical contact for connecting a second lead of a power supply to the electrical component. The first and second mechanical contacts are configured to disconnect the power supply in the event of a collision. The first mechanical contact is configured to be arranged substantially perpendicular to the second mechanical contact in relation to a transverse plane of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Orjan Spjuth, Patrik Larsson
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Patent number: 9421879Abstract: A vehicle system with a charging station and an autonomously movable, electrically powered vehicle dockable therewith, the vehicle system being mutually engageable at an inlet-side on the vehicle and an outlet-side on the charging station arranged to transport energy between the charging station and vehicle when engaged and further being provided with an inlet-side guiding member, an outlet-side guiding member, respectively, arranged to guide the inlet-side and outlet-side engagements from a non-charging position into a charging position upon engaging of the inlet- and outlet-sides when docking the vehicle to the charging station.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: LELY PATENT N.V.Inventors: Jan Lambertus Pastoor, Howard Sie, Karel Van Den Berg
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Patent number: 9363860Abstract: Intelligent light source and methods to make various types of an intelligent light source for the benefit of a user. One embodiment is a method of making an intelligent light source. A second embodiment is an intelligent light source that has a data processor. A third embodiment is an intelligent light source that has a display. Various embodiments having a display can display one or more parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Inventor: Phahol Lowchareonkul
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Patent number: 9283855Abstract: The power management apparatus provided in a vehicle includes: a switch 6 for bringing a state between the first and second electric power storage devices 1 and 2 into a non-conduction state during a normal operation and switching the state therebetween to a conduction state when a failure of the power converter 4 is detected; and a power management section 7 for controlling the motor-generator 3 so that a difference between voltages of the first and second electric power storage devices 1 and 2 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined voltage difference before the switch 6 is operated to perform switching from the non-conduction state to the conduction state.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Nozomu Kamioka, Satoshi Wachi, Yasukazu Murata
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Patent number: 9260019Abstract: A drive system includes a first switching unit, a first capacitor, a step-down circuit, a second capacitor, and a discharging unit. The first switching unit is configured to convert energy, stored in an electrical storage device, to electric power that is supplied to a motor. The first capacitor is connected to the first switching unit and configured to smooth voltage that is supplied from the electrical storage device to the first switching unit. The step-down circuit is connected to the first capacitor and configured to step down voltage of the first capacitor. The second capacitor is connected to the step-down circuit and configured to draw electric charge stored in the first capacitor. The discharging unit is configured to discharge electric charge stored in the second capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koichi Sakata
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Patent number: 9139097Abstract: An electric power source supplies electrical power to an electric machine of a vehicle via a plurality of high voltage lines. A plurality of connections are disposed within a housing for connecting the high voltage lines. A cover member encloses a hidden magnet and is removably secured to the housing so that removal is necessary to obtain access to the high voltage lines. A reed switch is mounted proximate the cover member, when secured, within a magnetic field of the magnet, whereby the reed switch is closed when the cover member is secured and is open when the cover member is removed. A controller is controllably coupled to the power source via a control connector and circuit of the electric machine. Such circuit extends from the reed switch to the controller, where the controller causes the electric power source to stop supplying electrical power when the cover member is removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLCInventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Colin Hamer
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Publication number: 20150034406Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided, which includes a circuit for discharging a capacitor which smoothes electric current of a power converter. A hybrid vehicle includes a capacitor for smoothing electric current, a discharge circuit, and a discharge controller. The discharge circuit is connected to the capacitor in parallel. The discharge circuit includes a series circuit configured by a first resistor, a PTC thermistor, and a switch. When the discharge controller closes the switch, electric current starts to flow through the first resistor and the PTC thermistor. The capacitor is discharged rapidly. When continuing inflow of electric current to the discharge circuit is more than envisaged, the temperature rises due to heat generation by the PTC thermistor itself, and resistance increases. Thereupon, the electric current flowing into the first resistor is suppressed, suppressing heat generation of the first resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kentaro Hirose
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Publication number: 20150021114Abstract: A technology for mitigating a collision impact applied to a power controller positioned in a front compartment is provided. An automobile has a power controller and device in the front compartment. The power controller and the device are positioned side by side in an automobile lateral direction. A corner or protrusion of the power controller faces a lateral surface of the device. When the automobile collides with an obstacle, the lateral surface of the device comes into contact with the corner of the power controller. Because the lateral surface of the device is weaker than the corner of the power controller, the device breaks first. The device functions as a cushioning material to mitigate damage suffered by the power controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koji Hotta, Kenshi Yamanaka
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Patent number: 8892312Abstract: A side collision determination apparatus for a vehicle includes: a first acceleration sensor and a second acceleration sensor mounted on each side surface of the vehicle; and a determination unit configured to perform determination whether a level of collision, which has occurred at apart of the side surface, is equal to or higher than a prescribed level. The determination unit performs the determination based on the acceleration detected by a non-collision side one of the first and second acceleration sensors when the part of the side surface at which the collision has been occurred is adjacent to the sensor-mounted position. The determination unit performs the determination based on the acceleration detected by a collision side one of the first and second acceleration sensors when the part of the side surface at which the collision has been occurred is apart from the sensor-mounted position.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomohiro Inagaki
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Patent number: 8881860Abstract: Disclosed are a motor control apparatus and a method of controlling driving of a motor by the motor control apparatus, in which the motor control apparatus, which controls an electrically-driven motor, autonomously detects vehicle collision to autonomously control the operating state of the motor. The method includes determining a collision state of a vehicle, and stopping the driving of the motor according to the collision state of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Duk Yun Cho
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Patent number: 8848408Abstract: In an electric power conversion system having a discharge control device capable of discharging a voltage charged in a capacitor to a voltage of not more than a predetermined voltage, a linear regulator decreases a voltage of the capacitor and outputs the decreased voltage to a drive unit at a bottom arm in a U phase. A flyback converter for discharging use inputs an output of the linear regulator, and outputs electric power to a drive unit at an upper arm in the U phase. When detecting that own vehicle collides with an obstacle, the discharge control device starts to execute discharge control of the capacitor by turning off a photo coupler and turning on the linear regulator.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Shindo, Tsuneo Maebara, Koichi Sakata
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Patent number: 8810363Abstract: An engine starting/stopping switch device is provided that includes a switch unit that switches over switching modes in response to linear movement of a movable member, a push button that is linked to the movable member so as to drive the movable member in response to a pushing operation, and a coil antenna that outputs transponder drive radio waves for generating an electromotive force in a transponder built into a portable device, wherein the coil antenna (15) is disposed coaxially with the push button (14) so that at least part of the coil antenna (15) is inserted into the interior of the push button (14). This enables the operability of a push button to be improved and enables the size in the radial direction of the push button to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda LockInventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Makoto Honkawa, Keisuke Hidaka, Koji Masubuchi, Kazuto Kaneshige
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Patent number: 8725596Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: I.D. Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth S. Ehrman, Michael L. Ehrman, Jeffrey M. Jagid, Joseph M. Pinzon, Yaron Hecker, Leonard Pimentel
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Patent number: 8675334Abstract: In a method for operating a tank device of a motor vehicle having a tank and a valve which is adjustable by a driver stage connected to an energy supply, the valve is closed in response to an ascertained fault. Based on the fault, two output signals are formed for closing the valve: one of the output signals represents a relay signal and interrupts the energy supply to the driver stage.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chengxuan Fu, Isabelle Gentil-Kreienkamp
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Publication number: 20130299267Abstract: Disclosed are a motor control apparatus and a method of controlling driving of a motor by the motor control apparatus, in which the motor control apparatus, which controls an electrically-driven motor, autonomously detects vehicle collision to autonomously control the operating state of the motor. The method includes determining a collision state of a vehicle, and stopping the driving of the motor according to the collision state of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Duk Yun CHO
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Patent number: 8560199Abstract: A control system in a vehicle including a front wheel which is a driven wheel and a rear wheel which is a drive wheel, the control system including: a control unit configured to control a driving power generated in a driving source according to a driving state of the vehicle; and a front wheel speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the front wheel; the control unit including: a wheelie determiner configured to determine whether or not a predetermined wheelie starting condition is met, based on a value detected by the front wheel speed sensor; and a driving power controller configured to suppress the driving power if the wheelie determiner determines that the predetermined wheelie starting condition is met.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
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Patent number: 8489287Abstract: A vehicle rollover prevention safety driving system, comprising: at least an image sensor, used to fetch road images in front of said vehicle; an image processor, connected to said image sensor, and is used to identify a drive lane in road images, and calculate a drive lane curvature, an inclination angle of said road, and relative positions of said vehicle and a lane marking; a vehicle conditions sensing module, used to sense dynamic information of a vehicle turning angle, a vehicle inclination angle, and a vehicle speed; a microprocessor, connected to said image processor and said vehicle conditions sensing module, and it calculates a rollover prediction point and a rollover threshold speed, and it issues a corresponding warning signal or a control signal; and an accelerator and brake controller, connected to said microprocessor, and it controls deceleration of said vehicle according to said control signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Automotive Research & Test CenterInventors: Tsung-Hua Hsu, Chun-Hsiung Chen, Tzu-Chien Hsu, Yi-Feng Su, Hsueh-Lung Liao
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Patent number: 8307934Abstract: This invention provides fire prevention and detection for heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial and military vehicles by ensuring the engine is automatically and immediately shut down upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event that may lead to a fire. The shutdown is achieved through the isolation of the vehicle batteries and alternator and the disconnecting of those devices from all electrical circuits. Anomalies that cause the shutdown and disconnect include battery and vehicle load currents that are outside a preset range, excessive temperatures, detection of smoke in the drive compartment or sleeper, or detection of a frontal impact accident or vehicle rollover. Once disconnected, the battery contactor must be manually reset in order to restore electrical power to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: GTR Development LLCInventors: Guy T. Rini, Charles J. Groeller
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Patent number: 8242886Abstract: A door lock control device that performs locking and/or unlocking of a door of a vehicle subject to a condition that a result of communication with a portable device has authenticated the portable device. The door lock control device has: an operation reception unit that is provided in the vehicle and receives an input for instructing the locking and/or unlocking of the door; a vehicle power source determination unit that determines whether a power source of the vehicle is ON; an occupant determination unit that determines whether an occupant is present in a cabin of the vehicle; and a power supply control unit that stops power supply to the operation reception unit when determination is made that the power source of the vehicle is ON and an occupant is present inside the vehicle cabin.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroko Murakami
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Patent number: 8229643Abstract: An acceleration control system stores a target acceleration calculation equation acquired by transforming an equation that expresses that a product of the differentiation of the square power of the speed and the environmental factor ?env represents a sensed value ? of acceleration. A surrounding environment monitor device detects surrounding bodies present in the forward periphery of the vehicle, and an environmental factor calculation unit calculates the environmental factor ?env by using the detected positions of the surrounding bodies. A target acceleration setting unit successively sets target accelerations aref in compliance with the target acceleration calculation equation by using the environmental factor ?env. The acceleration is executed to match the driver's feeling.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Inou, Minoru Okada, Takehito Fujii, Seiji Totsuka
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Patent number: 8222848Abstract: A starter for an auxiliary power unit includes a direct current motor operably connectable to an auxiliary power unit. A clutch is arranged in an electrically parallel relationship and configured to operably connect the motor to the auxiliary power unit when engaged, the motor and the clutch powered by a common input line. A time delay switching element is located and configured to delay power delivery to the direct current motor thus providing for full engagement of the clutch prior to initiation of rotation of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Richard A. Poisson
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Patent number: 8209053Abstract: An improved cleaning robot that uses a simple structure to sense an obstacle is provided. The cleaning robot includes a robot main body comprising a driving unit to drive the cleaning robot, and a cleaning unit to remove dust, a bumper unit which is movably mounted in the robot main body to protect the robot main body from collision with an obstacle, a sensor unit which supports the bumper unit movably in a plurality of directions to sense the collision of the bumper unit and the obstacle, and a control unit which controls the driving unit on the basis of a signal sensed by the sensor to avoid the obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyoung-woung Kim, Sam-jong Jeung, Jeong-gon Song, Myeong-ho Kim, Tae-young Ryu, Ju-sang Lee, Heung-yi Kim, Sam-hyun Choi, Jang-youn Ko, Dae-hyung Kim, Hak-bong Lee, Yoon-kyunh Cho
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Patent number: 8186471Abstract: A control apparatus comprises an SMR for switching supply of power on and off from a high voltage battery to an inverter, a switching command section for commanding the SMR to switch supply of power from the high voltage battery, a collision detection section for detecting a collision from outside the inverter, and a collision determination section for determining a collision with the inverter on the basis of at least detection by the collision detection section. The collision detection section includes a load detection sensor for detecting a load from outside the inverter and the switching command section commands the SMR to stop supply of power from the high voltage battery on the basis of collision determination by the collision determination section.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshikazu Ohno
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Publication number: 20120055727Abstract: In the event of collision of a vehicle, a control device for a power converting apparatus in the vehicle is supplied with a power source voltage for operations thereof, using electric power resulting from residual charges accumulated in smoothing capacitors provided in the power converting apparatus. With such a configuration, even if a power source voltage for the control device is not supplied from outside the power converting apparatus due to disconnection of a line, the residual charges accumulated in the smoothing capacitor provided in the power converting apparatus can be discharged.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2009Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuji Omiya, Hiromichi Kuno
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Patent number: 7853390Abstract: An acceleration control system stores a target acceleration calculation equation acquired by transforming an equation that expresses that a product of the differentiation of the square power of the speed and the environmental factor ?env represents a sensed value ? of acceleration. A surrounding environment monitor device detects surrounding bodies present in the forward periphery of the vehicle, and an environmental factor calculation unit calculates the environmental factor ?env by using the detected positions of the surrounding bodies. A target acceleration setting unit successively sets target accelerations aref in compliance with the target acceleration calculation equation by using the environmental factor ?env. The acceleration is executed to match the driver's feeling.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Inou, Minoru Okada, Takehito Fujii, Seiji Totsuka
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Patent number: 7702441Abstract: A safety logic for vehicle rollover detection systems comprising a main rollover detection logic and at least one protection device for the occupant or occupants of the vehicle, including a vehicle lateral acceleration sensor (11), which generates an output signal indicating a near rollover event, when a lateral acceleration of a vehicle exceeds the first predefined threshold value (15) or, when a lateral acceleration of vehicle exceeds the second predefined threshold value (16) that is lower than the first predefined threshold value (15) and simultaneously at least one additional safety logic activation signal is present (1, 1?, 1?, 1??).Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mariusz Geborek, Aleksandra Urbanek, Daniel Sygnarowicz
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Patent number: 7699133Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy D. Bolduc, Christopher A. Hedges, Luis A. Prieto, R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
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Publication number: 20080314673Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Timothy D. Bolduc, Christopher A. Hedges, Luis A. Prieto, R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
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Patent number: 7463948Abstract: A robot control apparatus allows a plurality of mobile robots to carry out tasks at a reduced or minimized cost as a whole with consideration given to costs derived from an encounter with an obstacle is provided. An action optimization controller provided in the robot control apparatus generates an instruction for optimizing actions of the plurality of mobile robots so that the plurality of mobile robots carry out the tasks at a minimized cost, based upon locomotion plan information indicative of locomotion plans of the plurality of mobile robots. A possibility that any robots have an encounter with an obstacle is determined by comparing distances from the robots to the obstacles. A locomotion plan implementation cost is calculated with consideration given to the possibility of encounter, and thus an optimum route is selected based upon the locomotion plan implementation cost with the encounter-derived cost. In accordance with the optimum route, the locomotion plan for the robot is modified.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuo Orita
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Patent number: 7445066Abstract: When a computed torque command value Tr* of a ring gear shaft as a drive shaft exceeds a maximum torque Tmax, skid occurring state control (step S118) triggered by detection of the occurrence of a skid calculates a torque restriction rate KT (=Tmax/Tr*) and restricts the torque output to the ring gear shaft to a maximum torque Tmax. In a next cycle of a drive control routine, a power demand Pr, which is calculated from inputs of accelerator pedal position AP and vehicle speed V at step S105, is limited to the product of the power demand Pr and a power restriction rate KP (=KT) at step S107. The control with the limited power demand Pr desirably prevents a large engine noise beyond the driver's expectation based on the vehicle driving state.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Hommi, Kiyotaka Hamajima, Mitsuhiro Nada
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Publication number: 20080257631Abstract: Control circuits for a riding lawn mower providing an override condition for selectively allowing the cutting blades of the lawn mower to operate when the vehicle is traveling in reverse. The circuits incorporate a multi-position ignition switch, an override switch, a vehicle reverse switch, a PTO switch and a park brake switch. In one aspect of the invention, the control circuits disable the engine when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. In another aspect of the invention, an electric PTO clutch is disabled when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. The override condition is terminated when the ignition switch is moved away from the override position, or when the operator activates the park brake switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicants: MTD Products Inc, Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Onderko, Michael W. Miller, Scott C. Bly, Theodore G. Wetzel