Ducts Or Conduits Patents (Class 296/208)
  • Patent number: 11841045
    Abstract: A connection assembly includes first and second components which, starting from a separated disassembled state, are joinable to each other along a plane of relative movement parallel to respective planes of extension of the components into an interconnected assembled state, and are transferrable back into the disassembled state. The first component has a latching element on either side of the plane of relative movement, and the second component has two latching element receptacles. In the assembled state, each of the latching element receptacles cooperates with a respective latching portion of a respective one of the latching elements. The latching portions are movable along a movement path starting from a non-deformed rest state. A first portion of the movement path pointing in a disassembly direction with respect to the rest state is limited by stop surfaces against which the respective latching elements rest in a course of disassembling the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ELKAMET KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Schoch, Juergen Ruehl, Marcus Schneider, David Landeck, Michael Ortmueller
  • Patent number: 11432536
    Abstract: A system to convert a framed, open-top, aquarium to a terrarium or vivarium is provided. An attachment device includes a core member having a sidewall groove to accept the insertion of an enclosure sidewall and an aquarium flange groove to accept the insertion of a flange extending from the interior surface of an aquarium frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CENTRAL GARGEN & PET COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Phillip C. Bartoszek
  • Patent number: 11390226
    Abstract: A vehicle floor silencer includes a base portion and a flange formed along an edge of the base portion. The flange includes a step, a wall extending from the step, and at least one wall support element extending from the wall to the step and structured to prevent at least an associated portion of the wall from deflecting in a direction toward an end of the step. The wall support is structured to prevent deflection of the wall along an edge of the floor silencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Taylor E. Darling, Jonathan Quijano
  • Patent number: 11326386
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller, a system, a method and a vehicle, to receive one or more user inputs from one or more user input units; receive one or more vehicle condition inputs from one or more vehicle condition sensor units; determine if an open position of a aperture member of a vehicle is likely to cause buffeting; select an optimisation strategy from a plurality of optimisation strategies in dependence on the one or more user inputs and/or the one or more vehicle condition inputs, wherein each of the plurality of optimisation strategy comprises different instructions to determine one or more positions for at least one aperture member; and generate an output for the one or more aperture member positioning units to move at least one aperture member based on the selected optimisation strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: George Peng, Luke Redfern
  • Patent number: 11285856
    Abstract: A method and a vehicle carpeting system includes a floor pan that includes a forward end, an opposing aft end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a floor pan body extending therebetween. An A-pillar is formed along the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the floor pan, a B-pillar is formed along the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the floor pan aft of the A-pillar. A ductway extends along the first lateral side from the A-pillar past the B-pillar. The vehicle carpeting system also includes a carpet structure at least partially covering the floor pan and extending from the first lateral side to the second lateral side. The vehicle carpeting system further includes a door seal that includes a lip that extends over a lateral side of the carpet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Prakalp Arun Satvilkar, Aruna Kumara, Brian D. Large, Sarah J. Huth
  • Patent number: 11142264
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for reducing the amount of drag experiences by a moving vehicle as the result of primary airflow across vehicle body edges by introducing a secondary airflow at said edge to reduce the negative pressure created by such an edge such that the turbulence caused by the primary airflow is prevented or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: David Connors
  • Patent number: 11021116
    Abstract: A cable harness that has water-sealing properties includes a sheath that accommodates an ABS sensor cable and a parking brake cable. The ABS sensor cable and the parking brake cable branch apart at an end portion of the sheath. An integrally molded member includes, in an integrated manner, a water-sealing portion that seals the end portion of the sheath from water, and a bracket attachment portion that is attached to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moriyuki Shimizu, Gen Nishino, Toshinari Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10953729
    Abstract: A device for controlling the air flow from an air outlet of a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle. The air outlet has an air discharge opening which is for discharging air into an inner vehicle space and over which there extends at least one elongate slat which can be pivoted about a longitudinal axis in order to influence an air flow flowing through the air discharge opening and whose pivot position can be adjusted by at least one adjustment mechanism which is coupled to the slat. At least one actuation mechanism, which is fitted to a vehicle seat when the vehicle seat is mounted in the inner vehicle space, moves into mechanical operational engagement with the adjustment mechanism and brings about an adjustment of the at least one slat in accordance with a position of the vehicle seat with respect to the inner vehicle space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ger Anthony Cronin, Simon Arnold, Gregor Whelan, Peter Durston
  • Patent number: 10946715
    Abstract: An air-blowing system having discharge device includes an air supply passage, and a discharge device provided for generating active ingredients and is disposed outside the air supply passage. Further, the air-blowing system having discharge device includes an introducing pipe having an one end connected to a discharge device and an other end disposed in the air supply passage, and provided for introducing the active ingredients into the air supply passage. The introducing pipe has an opening face on the other end. In the introducing pipe, the opening face and a main stream direction of an air flow, which flows through the air supply passage at a predetermined point of the opening face, are disposed substantially parallel to each other. Thus, an air-blowing system having discharge device with a simplified configuration is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamada, Akihide Sugawa, Takeshi Yano
  • Patent number: 10919581
    Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention comprise a wake disruptor (112) for use on the rear side (102) of a land vehicle (100), a method of using the wake disruptor to reduce drag of a land vehicle, and a land vehicle including the wake disruptor. The wake disruptor forms a protrusion extending outwardly from a rear side of the land vehicle by a distance of 1.5 to 8 inches and has a length extending at least partially in a direction of the vehicle width. The land vehicle may comprise a motorized or powered vehicle and/or a towed object, such as a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Calvin Rhett Bradley, Lucas Thompson, Christopher Bellino, Ray Ayala
  • Patent number: 10821919
    Abstract: A cable harness that has water-sealing properties includes a sheath that accommodates an ABS sensor cable and a parking brake cable. The ABS sensor cable and the parking brake cable branch apart at an end portion of the sheath. An integrally molded member includes, in an integrated manner, a water-sealing portion that seals the end portion of the sheath from water, and a bracket attachment portion that is attached to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moriyuki Shimizu, Gen Nishino, Toshinari Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10589592
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for vehicles including an evaporator for cooling air; a heater core for heating air; and a unit case having formed therein a cooling space for accommodating the evaporator, a heating space for accommodating the heater core, and an air mixing space connected to the cooling space and the heating space. A pair of foot flow passages is in communication with the unit case, the pair of foot flow passages extending from the air mixing space and being arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction of the vehicle so as to sandwich a rear face flow passage in the width direction. The rear face flow passage and at least a part of each of the foot flow passages overlap each other when viewed in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Chikagawa
  • Patent number: 10561044
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous-driving system having at least one autonomous vehicle component disposed at a roof region of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle further includes a thermal management system adapted to transmit a coolant in proximity to the autonomous vehicle component. The autonomous vehicle further includes a fluid management system having a catch basin secured to the roof region below the autonomous vehicle component. The fluid management system further includes a drain tube secured to the catch basin to receive coolant collected in the catch basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10457333
    Abstract: A right-hand drive conversion for a medium duty truck. The conversion process includes removal of dash assembly components and a sub-dash from the cab of a medium duty truck, such as a Freightliner M2. The conversion dash assembly includes a unitary dash and a plurality of brackets. The brackets are mounted to the left and right cab walls and the firewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SportChassis, LLC
    Inventors: Macolm Allen, James Burnam, Chris Brinkley, Nicholas Walenciak
  • Patent number: 10414446
    Abstract: A lightweight vehicle pan assembly and for attachment to a vehicle frame via welding includes at least one metal flange and a molded pan body. The at least one metal flange has a weld portion adapted for welded attachment to the vehicle frame and an interface portion extending from the weld portion. The molded pan body has a base wall and at least one side wall extending upward from the base wall. The interface portion of the at least one metal flange is embedded in the at least one side wall of the molded pan body. The interface portion includes at least two rows of apertures defined therein for increasing a bond strength between the at least one metal flange and the molded pan body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Ryan, Alexander Hutter, Robb L. Augustine, Chad James Stewart, Carlo Virgilio Porretta
  • Patent number: 10414451
    Abstract: An air passage type wheel deflector applied to a vehicle may include a deflector body 10 fastened to the floor panel by screws 40 and mounted at the rear wheel 120 side, an air duct 20 forming an air passage 20-1 for forcing the air introduced externally to flow downward and discharge in a state of being covered by the deflector body 10 coupled to the air duct, and a plurality of ribs 30 disposed in the deflector body 10 at a certain rib spacing and positioned in the space of the air passage 20-1 so that robustness against strike by chipping is maintained and at the same time aerodynamic performance is improved resulting from improvement of the kick-up function by the air passage 20-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Cheol-O Kim, Jae-Young Kang, Hyun-Seok Jung, Jeong-Ho Lee, Ho-Jeong Choi, Jun-Young Ahn, Hyun-Ah Kim, Byung-Hoon Kang, Yun-Woo Chung
  • Patent number: 10399515
    Abstract: A cable harness that has water-sealing properties includes a sheath that accommodates an ABS sensor cable and a parking brake cable. The ABS sensor cable and the parking brake cable branch apart at an end portion of the sheath. An integrally molded member includes, in an integrated manner, a water-sealing portion that seals the end portion of the sheath from water, and a bracket attachment portion that is attached to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moriyuki Shimizu, Gen Nishino, Toshinari Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10293865
    Abstract: A side component is provided for fastening to a vehicle frame. The side component has a receiving region for a vehicle trim panel, in particular a rear trim panel, and a receiving region for a wheel arch liner. The side component further is configured for receiving an air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 10266031
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a zonal conditioning system for a vehicle comprises a headliner assembly configured to be secured to the top surface of a vehicle interior, wherein the headliner assembly comprises a first side positioned away from the vehicle interior and hidden from the vehicle interior, and a second side positioned toward the vehicle interior, the headliner assembly comprising at least two vents through which air selectively passes. The zonal conditioning system further includes at least two fluid modules positioned along the first side of the headliner assembly, wherein each of the fluid modules comprises a fluid transfer device and an outlet. In some embodiments, at least one property of the air discharged through the first and second vents can be selectively regulated to create separate conditioning zones within the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Adam Joseph Steinman, Kenneth James Bunyak, Bruno Antonio Orlando
  • Patent number: 10220670
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery module and an exhaust duct to discharge air from the battery module. A first side member is provided along a first side trim to provide a space between the first side member and the first side trim in a vehicle width direction. The space is connected to the battery module via the exhaust duct. A rear seat is provided in a vehicle interior. A first exhaust port is connected to the exhaust duct via the space and provided in the vehicle interior below the rear seat in a vehicle height direction. A second exhaust port is connected to the exhaust duct via the space and provided in the vehicle interior behind the rear seat in a front-rear direction. The air is discharged from the exhaust duct through the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port via the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rieko Koyama, Kenta Sugitate
  • Patent number: 10137761
    Abstract: A vehicle having a body including a roof supported between spaced roof rails. A plurality of roof bows extend between and are attached to the roof rails that reinforce the roof. The roof bows define an air distribution duct that includes an air inlet and at least one air vent. The air distribution duct defines a downwardly facing open channel that is closed by a headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ari Garo Caliskan, David Anthony Wagner
  • Patent number: 10099632
    Abstract: A trim component for a vehicle is provided. The trim component may include a trim panel, a backing layer, and a speaker. The trim panel may have tapered sidewalls extending from a trim reinforcement, offset from a periphery of the opening and terminating at an edge. The backing layer may be disposed along a first surface of the trim panel and wrapping around the edge to define a trim ring. The speaker may be attached to a second surface of the trim panel and spaced outwardly from the trim ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Javier Ortega Garcia, Allan Alberto Mejia Jaramillo, Gabriel Ortiz Vega, Julian Lopacki
  • Patent number: 10086680
    Abstract: A sunroof drainage conduit integrated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct (HVAC) duct for a vehicle is provided. The duct may include an elongated, hollow body defining an air passage. The drainage conduit may be integrally formed on a surface of the body of the duct, such as an inside surface or an outside surface. The integrated drainage conduit may be routed through the duct's air passage or around the duct's exterior. A first drain tube may connect the sunroof to an inlet of the drainage conduit for directing drainage away from the sunroof's gutter or trough. A second drain tube may connect to an outlet of the drainage conduit for directing drainage from the drainage conduit to ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Roland, Shelley Bolbrugge, Michael James Freeman
  • Patent number: 10071617
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first roller having a first roller magnet and a second roller having a second roller magnet. A shade includes a first shade magnet and a second shade magnet. At least one of the first and second shade magnets are coupled to at least one of the first and second roller magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Serebrennikov
  • Patent number: 10059283
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (10) has a body side part (14) and a trim component (18). To simplify the production of motor vehicles an additional component (20) is arranged between the body side part (14) and the trim component (18) to equalize the geometry between the body side part (14) and the trim component (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gert Rogner
  • Patent number: 10037304
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame includes a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The utility vehicle further comprises an attachment supported at the front frame portion. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and an adjacent passenger seat spaced apart from the operator seat. The operator seat and the passenger seat are in a side-by-side arrangement. The utility vehicle also comprises an auxiliary power assembly having an attachment shaft configured to be operably coupled to the attachment. The attachment shaft extends in a generally longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle and projects outwardly from the front frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C Smith, Adam J Schlangen, Richard D Ripley, Shawn D Peterson, Kurt E Stenberg, Anthony J Kinsman, Angus M Morison, David A Elia, Matthew S Kmecik, Eric J Czechowski, David J Hicke, Aaron J Nysse, Matthew J Kaldor, Robert R Lacher, Brian P Dehnert
  • Patent number: 9919661
    Abstract: A harness protector is disposed on a side sill of a vehicle body to hold a harness routed along the side sill in a vehicle front-rear direction. The harness protector includes a housing disposed on an interior side of the side sill in a vehicle width direction and into which the harness is inserted, a fastening portion disposed above the side sill and to which a floor carpet covering the side sill and the housing is fastened, and a coupler that couples the housing and the fastening portion to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shohei Iwamoto, Masakazu Hirai
  • Patent number: 9681564
    Abstract: A panel structure of a power apparatus is provided. The power apparatus includes a case. The front of the case is longitudinally provided with a panel. The panel is transversely formed with at least two parallel heat dissipation holes. The panel is formed with a connecting portion between the heat dissipation holes. A heat dissipation net is provided on the heat dissipation holes. The heat dissipation net is formed with a plurality of openings corresponding to the connecting portion. A reinforcement rib is provided on the connecting portion, preventing the panel from collapsing or deforming. The durability of the panel is increased, and the appearance of the panel is pleasing to the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CHYNG HONG ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mu-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 9616731
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle air extraction system in fluid communication with a cabin of the vehicle is provided. The extraction system may have a housing arrangement and a pair of extractors attached to the housing arrangement. A chamber may be formed between the housing arrangement and pair of extractors. An air pump may be in fluid communication with the chamber. The pair of extractors may be an inner extractor and an outer extractor. A controller may be configured to activate the air pump to supply airflow to the chamber to close the inner extractor and/or prevent inadvertent opening of the inner extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, Paul Bryan Hoke, Steven David Errick
  • Patent number: 9409538
    Abstract: An integrated airbag and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) assembly includes an airbag module and an HVAC unit. The airbag module includes an airbag housing and an inflatable bladder at least partially disposed in the airbag housing. The inflatable bladder is movable relative to the airbag housing between a stowed position and a deployed position. The HVAC unit includes an HVAC housing. The HVAC housing supports the airbag housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David J. Gorman, Richard J. Lannen
  • Patent number: 9308871
    Abstract: A center console for vehicles including a first half formed of a first material and a second half formed of a second material. The first and second halves joined directly with each other. The first half includes a first side panel extending in a longitudinal direction and a first element connecting to the first side panel. The second half includes a second side panel extending in the longitudinal direction and a second element connected to the second side panel. The first element projects from the first side panel toward the second side panel. The second element projects from the second side panel toward the first side panel. The first and second elements complement one another to form a functional element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Winklbauer
  • Patent number: 9259808
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided with rigid raft assemblies 290, which may be electrical harness raft assemblies 290 comprising electrical conductors embedded in a rigid composite material. The rigid raft assemblies 290 can be provided with engine dressings, such as pipework and ECUs to produce an electrical raft assembly. In order to assemble or dress the gas turbine engine 10, the rigid raft assemblies can be pre-prepared to incorporate at least a part of at least one gas turbine engine system/component before being installed on the gas turbine engine 10. During maintenance, whole raft assemblies can be removed and replaced with corresponding, pre-prepared assemblies. This can save considerable time during engine build and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Paul Broughton, Richard Peace
  • Patent number: 9205721
    Abstract: A cross-car structure integrates an HVAC duct with a structural beam. An upper steel beam has opposing ends attached to opposite body sides. A pair of center brackets extend downward from the upper steel beam. An HVAC unit secured to a center bracket has an outlet for an air flow for ventilating a floor region. A plastic cross member has a center plate secured to the center brackets, a first hollow beam extending from the center plate to one steel beam end, and a second hollow beam extending from the center plate to the other steel beam end. Each hollow beam has an in-board opening fluidically coupled to the HVAC outlet and at least one floor outlet directed toward the floor region thereby providing a respective HVAC duct between the outlet of the HVAC unit and each of the floor outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Eric R. Yerke, James R. Hurd, Paul B. Hoke, Kalyanaraman Bharathan
  • Patent number: 9045019
    Abstract: An HVAC assembly for a vehicle includes a roof liner with an opening, and a stiffener. The stiffener includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an integrally formed HVAC duct extending away from the unexposed side of the roof liner toward the roof of the vehicle. The lower surface of the stiffener contacts an unexposed side of the roof liner, and at least substantially surrounds the opening for providing rigidity to the roof liner around the opening in the roof liner. The integrally formed HVAC duct includes an outlet port for providing conditioned air to the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Dilley, Ruben E. Guanzon
  • Patent number: 9033400
    Abstract: The vehicle front structure 100 has a windshield lower 6, a cross member 7 fixed on the windshield lower 6, an upper member 1 extending in a front-back direction of a vehicle, a damper housing 4 fixed inside the upper member 1 in a vehicle width direction and arranged in front the cross member 7, and a damper housing support 5 coupling the cross member 7 with the damper housing 4. A closed section K is formed by the windshield lower 6 and the cross member 7. The damper housing support 5 has a damper housing fixed section 51 which is fixed on an upper surface 41 of the damper housing 4 and a vertical wall section 53 which extends backward from an inside of the damper housing fixed section 51 in the vehicle width direction and is fixed on the cross member 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutada Sasaki, Hidefumi Nihei, Daisuke Naoi, Masanobu Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9004581
    Abstract: As a fixing part structure of pipes for a vehicle, in which part of the bottom surface of a floor panel is covered by an under cover and the pipes are arranged in the front-back direction of the vehicle between the under cover and the floor panel, adopted is a configuration in which: a clamp that holds the pipes is fixed to the bottom surface of the floor panel; a cutout is formed in a vertical wall at least a front end edge of the under cover; and the clamp is placed in the cutout. Further, the cutout of the under cover is formed into a shape along the outer shape of the clamp, and a flange is formed along the outer surface of the clamp, in the periphery of the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Tokuda
  • Patent number: 8991910
    Abstract: A water drain valve is provided for a water box drain channel of a motor vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to a support that can be attached to the water box drain channel, on which an elastically bent sealing lip supports itself in its middle region, which extends on both sides of the support in downstream direction and sealingly presses at least one part of a downstream sealing lip edge against a sealing surface that can be connected to the water box drain channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joachim Lacroix
  • Patent number: 8985682
    Abstract: A support for one or more elements intended to be fastened to a front pillar of a motor vehicle so that the one or more elements can be supported along the structure. The support includes: at least one mechanism guiding and retaining cables, at least one mechanism fastening a trim of the structure, at least one mechanism indexing a carpet, and at least one mechanism fastening an electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Xavier Billard, Eric Jouenard, Pascal Nicod
  • Patent number: 8950801
    Abstract: A floor member comprises a lever-pedal mounting part in a front side, an operator's seat mounting part in a rear side, an indoor unit mounting surface part on which an indoor unit is mounted under the operator's seat mounting part, an entrance surface part which is provided in a door side between the indoor unit mounting surface part and the lever-pedal mounting part and on which an operator places a foot at getting-in/off, and a foot rest part which is surrounded by the lever-pedal mounting part, the indoor unit mounting surface part and the entrance surface part. The indoor unit mounting surface part and the entrance surface part form a successive plane successively extending with each other in a position lower by one step than the lever-pedal mounting part and the foot rest part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tabeta, Shogo Kimura
  • Publication number: 20150028629
    Abstract: A structure for a front part of a vehicle includes a pair of air-liquid-separating chambers disposed on both sides in a vehicle-width direction, and to separate air from water having flowed in from the outside of the vehicle; a windshield lower to support a windshield glass from under the windshield glass, and having an extending section extending forward more than an front end of the windshield glass; and a cowl top supported by the extending section, and to cover an opening formed between the extending section and an engine hood. The cowl top is provided with a first drain section positioned on a rear end side of the engine hood, extending in the vehicle-width direction, and to drain water having flowed to the cowl top from the engine hood to the sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kazutada Sasaki, Hidefumi Nihei
  • Patent number: 8936123
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a vehicle body frame (11), a front cowl (72) provided in front of the vehicle body frame, and a headlight unit (59) mounted within the width, in the vehicle's lateral direction, of the front cowl. The headlight unit has, on the opposite sides thereof, recesses (115L, 115R) recessed inward in the vehicle's lateral direction. Air intake openings (111L, 111R) for introducing air in front of the front cowl into the inner side of the front cowl are formed between the headlight unit and the front cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kogo, Eiji Toriyama, Kenji Morita, Gen Tanabe, Toru Ukawa, Hajime Soda
  • Patent number: 8936303
    Abstract: A cable routing structure for vehicle can reliably prevent a cable from being broken or damaged, and can reduce manufacturing cost. A cable is routed along a lower surface of a floor panel and connects a power generating motor installed in a vehicle front portion and a battery installed in a vehicle rear portion. A rigid tubular member having rigidity, is disposed along a vehicle front and rear direction in a floor tunnel. A flexible tubular member having flexibility is interposed between the rigid tubular member and the power generating motor. The cable is inserted through the rigid tubular member and the flexible tubular member. A front end portion of the rigid tubular member is disposed in the floor tunnel at a portion on a vehicle rear side relative to a front edge of the floor tunnel. When receiving pressure from a vehicle front side, the flexible tubular member is forcibly bent so as to be entered into in the floor tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirobumi Awakawa, Sachiko Iwamatsu
  • Patent number: 8936304
    Abstract: A pull bar is adapted for attachment to one end of a screen of a sunshade device beneath a sunroof of a vehicle. The pull bar includes an upper strip body and a lower strip body. The upper strip body is adapted to abut against an upper surface of the screen. The lower strip body is adapted to abut against a lower surface of the screen. The upper and lower strip bodies cooperatively define at least one air flow passage that extends through the upper and lower strip bodies to permit air to flow into or out of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Macauto Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Lin, Huang-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 8925147
    Abstract: On a back surface portion of a grommet, a clamp encircling water stop lip disposed around a first clamp insertion hole and a weather strip lower part water stop lip disposed in a position below a weather strip placement portion are provided. A first protector clamp protrudes from the first clamp insertion hole so that the first protector clamp can be locked in a first body locking hole in a grommet concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Furuta, Katsuya Yoshimura, Mitsunori Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 8915338
    Abstract: The present invention provides an input device of a vehicle brake system, the input device being a separate unit from an electric brake actuator, the electric brake actuator for generating a first fluid pressure, the input device of the vehicle brake system comprising: a master cylinder for generating a second fluid pressure; a stroke simulator for applying a simulated reaction force, the stroke simulator and the master cylinder forming an attachment body, with the stroke simulator disposed in communication with the master cylinder; and a component storage box provided on the attachment body for a component of either one of the master cylinder and the stroke simulator, wherein the attachment body has a vent hole with a first end in communication with the component storage box and a second end in communication with a space formed before a surface of a dashboard having the input device mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Murayama, Takaaki Ohnishi, Hideo Miyabayashi, Motoyasu Nakamura, Yoshiteru Matsunaga, Yoshiyuki Takamatsu, Nobuyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8899360
    Abstract: A cable arrangement structure for a vehicle according to the present invention, the vehicle including a cabin section and a driving unit disposing section where a motor is arranged, comprises a cable which is arranged to extend from said cabin section to said driving unit disposing section to transmit power between the motor and a battery. The vehicle comprises a frame member which extends in a vehicle width direction and a vehicle constituting component which includes, in the driving unit disposing section, an extending portion arranged to face the frame member and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a protruding portion protruding from the extending portion toward the frame member. The cable extends in a back-and-forth direction of the vehicle and includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion with an inflection point therebetween. The cable includes an intermediate portion between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8899668
    Abstract: An air guide structure for a saddle type vehicle for reducing the influence of a negative pressure on a rider. In an air guide structure for a motorcycle wherein a windscreen for the protection against air is provided on a front cover provided at a front portion of a vehicle body such that air is guided to the rear of the windscreen on the vehicle body to reduce a negative pressure to be generated behind the windscreen, an inlet port is provided between a central portion of a front end of the windscreen and the front cover. Further, a stepped portion that is formed stepwise in the forward and backward direction on an upper face of the front cover in the inside of the inlet port is provided, and a sectoral recessed portion is provided at a central portion of the stepped portion in the vehicle widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Yokouchi, Tomotake Shimoji, Hiroyuki Sasazawa
  • Patent number: 8894135
    Abstract: A floor arrangement of a driver's section of a vehicle includes a floor frame, an acoustic absorbent placed on the floor frame and a floor mat placed on the acoustic absorbent. A wire harness is placed in an acoustic absorbent-free space formed between the floor frame and the floor mat. A protector is provided inside the acoustic absorbent-free space in the vicinity of the wire harness and extends upward from the floor frame. This protector is affixed to the floor frame and configured to receive a load applied to the floor harness from the upper side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Togo, Koji Masumoto, Ryuji Kitagawa, Norihide Iwata, Kengo Satoh
  • Patent number: 8888174
    Abstract: A pass-through element for a motor vehicle front of dash panel system includes a body portion having an outer edge that surrounds a central web. A conductor pass-through member is provided in the central web, and a sound enhancing element provided in the central web alongside the conductor pass-through member. The sound enhancing element is configured and disposed to condition and conduct motor vehicle engine sound from an engine compartment to a passenger compartment through the motor vehicle front of dash system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Roggenkamp, Alan V. Parrett
  • Patent number: 8870020
    Abstract: A closure device provides an emergency degassing function, pressure equalization and condensate removal for a housing sealed off from the environment. The closure device has a frame, fastenable to a housing opening and having a frame opening, as well as a closure element, for closing the housing opening. The closure element is configured or arranged relative to the frame such that a path is formed in or through the closure element in a first closure position by the gravitational force acting on the closure element. The path enables an exchange of air between the housing interior and the environment as well as a discharge of condensation water. A second closure position, in which the path is sealed closed is producable by water impinging on the closure element from the environment. If a specified overpressure is exceeded, the closure element is detachable from the frame opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Hubertus Goesmann